Dark Bader Dyl

Last weekend, we got Dylan his Halloween costume.  I think it was a mistake to get it so early.  

Check him out.

Yep, he's our little Darth Vader.  He can't quite say it right, so it's "Dark Bader".  And guess what?  All last week, he wouldn't answer to anything besides "Dark Bader Dyl".  *Forehead slap*  Here I am, the mom who has to yell down the street for Dark Vader to come home.... sigh.   The costume has been put away, but the light saber has had to stay out.  This is his go-to day look.

This was our morning light saber training.  The always classy-styling Dylan, jammy pants tucked into your frog rainboots.  Sigh.  But, it got worse.  Dylan was sitting on my lap while I was fulfilling my addiction looking at Pinterest.  We came across this little gem.

{via draw pilgrim}

Of course, Dylan couldn't stop talking about me making him a Chewie.  So, I did.  After hours of laboring, configuring, sewing  (the pattern is really easy to follow... sometimes I'm just a moron),  I introduce you to the newest addition to our family.....  CHEWIE!!

Ummmmm... he doesn't look bad sitting down, but here's the truth.  And sorry I didn't take a better picture.. like with a real HD camera.  I didn't want you to see all the wonky details.

I have decided to call him "Gooey".  Whatever.. Dylan loves him... I can't sew plushies.  Lesson learned.

Valentine's Day Photo Inspiration

There are so, so many beautiful pictures and projects floating around blogland right now.  Check out a few that caught my eye for some sweet Valentine's Day inspiration.  Get in the mood for love!

Whether you celebrate with your lover...

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...or with your ladies...

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...whether it's raining...

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...or shining...

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...whether you hang out in bed...

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...or hit the town...

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Make sure your Valentine's Day is:

Sweet

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Silly

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Sassy

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and definitely make sure there are fireworks!!

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Don't forget to check out my free printable Valentine's Day coupon book here!

Free Valentine's Day Printable and DIY

If you know me, you know that when I think things are going to be easy and I have it all under control, something goes seriously wrong. I spent the weekend trying to undo the pixelation of my Valentine's DIY and was somewhat successful. SO, here it goes!

Gather up your supplies. Here's what I gathered up and then edited as I went along.

You will need: White 8.5'x11' card stock {You can also you anytime of card stock or heavy duty paper that has textures in it.  Just remember, if you use paper that has been colored, that will affect the outcome of the colors I've used on the template.}, scissors, Valentine's template provided, sewing machine, pencil, glue, stapler, coordinating scrap paper, and red or black {or whatever color} pen/marker to fill out your coupons.

First print out the template onto your card stock.  {Click the image to get the full sized page, right click and print.}

If you just print the two pages, you'll end up with five coupons.  If you need more coupons, print multiples of the second image.  Each of the second page contains three coupons.

Then, cut out your images.  You can definitely keep the edges square, but I rounded mine.

Next, pull out your sewing machine and remove all the thread.  Don't forget to remove your bobbin!  The sewing machine is just used to make perforations.  I have found this is the easiest way to do it.  If you don't have a sewing machine, {ummmm... you're SOL, kidding} you can skip this step and just tear out the coupons as needed.

Sew along the thick black line.

You should end up with something like this.  Then, stack up your coupons and staple within the white rectangle.  If you have decided not to perforate the pages, I would make sure to use three staples for extra strength.

Grab your scrap paper and pencil.  On the reverse side of your paper, trace the width of the coupon book.  I scooted my book further in so I would have enough paper to wrap around the staples.

Cut out your wrap-around rectangle and line it up.  I folded up the edge, that would end up overlapping the perforations, and trimmed away.

Grab your glue stick and glue your scrap paper around the edge to disguise the staples and add a finishing touch.  You can also use ribbon, washi tape, or any other items for a decorative edge.

Once your finished edges are dry, start filling in your coupons.  I'm totally not showing you what I put inside, other than the free man time.  I know some are a little more reserved, and some of you are extra feisty.  That's the beauty of this project.

The pages have some space where you can doodle, add love notes, or just leave plain.  Also, it's not too overboard in design, so it's more economical to print of plenty and share with all your loved ones! 

Enjoy!  Please feel free to share this on your blog!  Make sure to give credit where it is due, 'Cause I'd find you!' (Wedding Crashers)

Not-So-Serious Business

Aren't you just excited to see Monday morning?  Yeah, neither am I.  But, I'll catch you up with what I did over the weekend.

You may notice, I have a new blog name 'i like your {{moxie}} kid'.  I'm sticking with it this time.  'Adventures in Ashleyville' seemed a little narcissistic.  Don't get me wrong, I LOOOOOVE talking about myself.  I'm a Leo (still, thank goodness!!).  With the new web name comes a new button.  You can spread the ILY{{moxie}}K love with everyone.

Other things:  Under the web header are some links.  If you're exploring around my blog and just want to return to the main page, click the Home button.  If you want to read about me and how I got here, how to get in contact with me, click the Start Here (About Me) link.  Under the Happy Things tab, I have listed websites, items, movies -anything I've found to be happy on this tab.  I will frequently update this page.  The web is full of wondrous things!  Also, there is a link with information about "Free Sponsorship Info", where all the details are listed about how to be a free sponsor on my blog during the month of February.  Even if you don't have a blog, but have an online business, contact me if you would like to be a sponsor!  This is an awesome way to get your blog/business out in the blogging community!

Saturday morning, my uncle decided to complain about the A&W video I posted on Friday.  He said it was stuck in his head for his 10 mile morning run.  A) I don't feel sorry for you.  You listened to it. =)  B) I have no sympathy at 6:30 AM.  Since I had a ton of free time before Dylan woke up, I told him I was going to loop that song just to push him over the edge.  Ha.  I didn't do it, but I after some coffee, the nicer me came out and I got to watch the sun come up.

I was confused as to why my couch was pink, when it is normally beige.  Sunrise was my answer.  Can you tell I don't get along with mornings?

View from my studio-it was lovely. 

Then, the sun didn't really come out and I was determined to spray paint the fabulous finds I got at Goodwill.

The weather decided it wasn't spray painting season.  It looks disastrous right now, but wait until you see it all done!

Later, I was pooped and Dylan was passed out on the couch.  I went down to the basement to watch The Other Guys.  Two minutes into the movie, my fake sleeper came down the stairs.  He found the plastic gun attachment for the Wii and decided he was "pwease man", too!

Great form Dyl! You'll make the squad in no time!

I'm on a mission to make the husband and I's bed a soft little landing spot.  I saw these lovely pillowcases online, and went out to buy supplies I needed to make my own hacked version.

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Well, that was months ago.  The supplies were sitting in my piles, so I thought I would do something different.  I needed to make something sassy.  So, I made this.

On the reverse side, is a D and an A, so when we aren't 'feelin' frisky' or family happens to be staying with us, we can turn them over.  You'll have to stay tuned.  Our new comforter is coming in soon.  Then, I can complete the love nest.  

What did you guys do this weekend??

Heirloom Recipe Box Hi-jack

I've seen these ALL over the blogland and LOVE them:

(From Rifle Paper Co.)

Here's the specs from the maker's website. 

"Our heirloom recipe card boxes are made by local craftsmen from locally salvaged hardwood (trees that were destined for landfills). All of the boxes are unique and hand-crafted during a 3-month-long process (a month for the mill to source the salvaged wood, a month to build in the workman's studio, and a month for the hand-rubbed finish to dry). The lids are then screen printed with two different design options.

     Each box is unique and is made from a variety of woods depending on availability. The type of wood used is listed on each box. Our primary woods are Sweet Gum, Magnolia Bay, and Laurel Oak.
     We only have a limited number of boxes available on our first run and expect to begin shipping in about 4-6 weeks. We do not expect another batch of boxes to arrive until the Fall.
- Solid wood, hand-crafted boxes

- Size: 7.5"x5.5"x6"

- Includes 12 dividers & 24 recipe cards (4"x6")"
 
 

I didn't have the moola to fork over, so I raided my closet and was reminded of this little gem I was saving for a rainy day:

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I've had this cigar box sitting in my closet, YAY!  I picked it up a couple of years ago at a liquor store that sold cigars.  (You can also check out cigar shops and the likes to get yours.)  I asked what they did with the boxes when they were done, they said they threw 'em away.  AH!  I snatched one up and took it home.  It's been sitting in my closet since.

The Heirloom Recipe Box retails for $120 and you can get it here.  Mine was free.  So if you don't want to wait 4-6 weeks and you want to save money, let me take you to my DIY cigar box.  Save yourself $100.  Sorry Rifle Paper Co., these are tough times, but LOVE your work!

You will need: A wooden cigar box, Goo Gone, Murphy Oil Soap, Old English Wood Polish (in similar shade of wood), scrapbook paper or decorative paper, Elmer's Craft Bond Spray Adhesive (or any similar spray adhesive), non-yellowing clear glossy spray paint top coat, paper towels, newspapers and Q-tips.

Start off by laying down newspapers on worksurface.  You may want to do this outside.  Spray the labels on your cigar box with Goo Gone.  I noticed it helps to wait a minute or two before you start peeling.

I ended up spraying and wiping with paper towel until all the Goo was Gone. Just make sure that you get everything off that you don't want stuck on there permanantly.

Next, I took a wet paper towel and put a little Murphy Oil Soap on it to clean the Goo Gone off the box. Make sure to go back with a clean wet towel to remove any bubbles.  Then, wipe dry.

Now, be sure to take off all rings and anything you don't want to stain.  Better yet, use plastic gloves if you don't want your fingers various shades of wood.  Then, pull out your Old English and start polishing away.  The inside of my box wasn't finished prior to this project, but I stained away.  We'll put a clear coat over it all later.  Smart Tip Alert:  Use your Q-Tips to get in all the nooks and crannies of your cigar box.

Once you've covered your entire box with Old English, buff (vigorously rub) the cigar box to shine and remove excess polish.

Now for the decorating!!  Think about what you want this box to be for.  My husband bought me a jewelry box for our 5th Anniversary (yesterday!!! still excited!!!), so I decided he needed a box for his 'man things?'.  Whatever, he needed this.  So I went through my stash of scrapbook papers and found the manly-est pattern I could.  And I found a giant 'd', which was in a really girly pattern (note the picture) so do this:

{Paper by thePaperStudio "Black Brown Random Lines" (Great name huh?) and the 'd' is Cosmo Cricket - from their paper packs, I think all the fonts are the same(?)}

I lined up my 'd' where I wanted the colors to be on my cut out 'd' and put my finger there as a marker.  Then, flip over your paper, while still holding your place on the pattern and line your 'd' up on the back side of the patterned paper.  Get it?  Then trace it and cut it out.

Spray your craft adhesive on the back of you letter and let it set for about 5 minutes.  While we're waiting for the paint to dry, here are other options of what to do with the top of your cigar box.

Vintage Picture:  I wanted to use the one of my great grandparents, below, but I don't think the husband would find any sentiment in that. 

Maybe do your own little flat collage of images.  Find a postcard or vintage picture at thrift shops or in the family vault.  Maybe a handwritten love letter?  Let your mind soar.  OOH!  I wanted to do a treasure box!  You can get metal trinkets and letters at craft stores.  I would probably use Gorilla Glue to put those down.  BUT use a SMALL amount because Gorilla Glue expands!!

Sorry, I was on overload.  Anyways, back to the man box.

Place your object on the box, now that the back is tacky.

Then, take this big bag man box outside and clear coat the heck out of it!  I used about 3 coats because I wanted it to shine.  Plus, the inside wasn't previously unfinished.  So here it is!!

Enjoy this easy-cheesy, inexpensive, ultra-cool project!!

♥ Ashley

Crafty Father's Day

Yeah, yeah!  I know I'm waaay late on this.  In fact the gifts for the fathers of our family are still sitting on my studio floor.  Most of the time, I'm really really good at getting things out on time.  This week/month/2010, I have been slipping.  But, I'm making myself be better.  I CAN DO IT!

I just came up with this little ditty today.  GREAT for Father's Day or Grandparents' Day (September 12).  All you need is a picture frame that comes with a mat for your photos.

Mine looked similar to this, but in silver from Wal-Mart.

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Then, I removed the mat, handed it to Dylan, and let him go to town. 

He loved it so much!  He started telling me what things were, so I wrote them in.  Then, he colored over them.  I suggest taking notes or just remembering what they were drawing and filling in the blanks later. 

This is kind of what it looked like.  I had to PhotoShop his picture in because I forgot to capture the final product.  I added To: and From: and dated the mat, as well.  Put everything back in the frame, and it's ready to gift!  This would be great to take out of the frame and put in a scrapbook later!

You may have noticed the blog has changed.  I'm still working on adding things here and there.  Since Dylan's taking a nap, I'm taking advantage of this time and getting back to work!  Have a great day!

♥ Ashley