Custom Wood Pallet Sign: Make Jesus Famous

On a whim, a new friend asked me if I could make her a sign on a pallet. "Sure! I can do that." She had a vision but was also willing to let me do my thing. Really, in the end all she specified was the wording "Make Jesus Famous." This was going to be a statement piece for sure.

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Hot Lemon Water Hack: Making Life Easier

Every day I try (really hard) to be healthier than the day before. There are many ideas I have implemented over the years. Some have stuck, some have gone bye-bye. One that has endured is drinking a cup of hot lemon water in the morning (in fact I drink it a couple times a day).

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Cherry Chocolate Almond Scones

Scones! Scones! Scones! You are chanting that, right? A favorite breakfast treat is scones. I admit I usually do not make them from scratch, but this was a special occasion and I wanted to try making some with some of my family's favorite flavors - cherries, chocolate and almonds! Man oh man they baked up just perfect and tasted even better. These scones would be amazing with tea, coffee or just because and best yet, you can play with the ingredients to suit your tastes!

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A Sweet Shortcut to Amazing Cherry Pie

It is hard to believe, but cherry pie is about to surpass chocolate as the favorite dessert in our house. In fact, even at Christmas - holiday of pumpkins and pecans - my daughter asked "Why cant we have cherry pie...its red and festive?" Can't argue with that logic, right? Well, we celebrated a birthday this past weekend and guess what I made...cherry pie. It is so good and I thought I'd share my sweet shortcut to amazing cherry pie!

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3 Ingredient Red Berry Cereal Bars

Cereal is a staple in our house. No seriously, we could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! We also love snacks...so what better way to make us (and hopefully you happy) than by combining cereal and snack bars! One of my kids favorite cereals is Special K Red Berries, so I decided to turn that into a yummy cereal bar.

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Printable Bookmarks Valentines: I've Got My Eye On You

I classify these printable Valentines "oops-I-forgot-it-was-Valentines day-easy-peasy-printable -bookmarks." For some reason I am overcome with Valentines this year (which is a complete 180 from previous years - my whole life even!). I have been dreaming about kiddo Valentines. Now, all designs for Valentines MUST be 8 year old approved...and apparently she does not share my sense of humor...BUT this one passed! And it has googly eyes! BONUS!

This printable Valentine has a lot to like:

• It is pretty cheap.
• Supplies are easy to find
• And it is quick to make! 

Now, lets do it! We are running out of time!

SUPPLIES
Cardstock (white)
Printer
Scissors
Elmer's glue
Template (find it here!)
Googly/Wiggly eyes (I used basic eyes, but there are colored one, ones with eyelashes - be creative!)

Optional:
Hole punch
Ribbon or thread

Make it!
Print out the template on cardstock (there are four per sheet)
 

• Cut them out
• OPTIONAL: punch hole in one corner and thread 16" lengths of ribbon through 

• Place a small dot of glue on each googly eye.

• Place the eyes on the heart. 
• All done. That took, what, 5 minutes - so easy and so stinkin' cute!

Want some more ideas...check out my JUST DUCKY printable Valentines too!

Happy (EASY) Valentines Crafting!

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

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Heart Surprise Pound Cake

In my house we are creatures of habit. So, every year as hearts go up around school and stores, cupid makes his appearance, and everything starts turning pink, my daughter begins to ask for the "Special Valentines Bread." I am always happy to oblige...I mean this pound cake with a surprise heart is so darn cute and always surprises not only the kiddos but adults too!

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Cross-Stitch Wood LOVE Sign

I love wood signs. It's one of my favorite ways to decorate and express myself. I am always trying to come up with new ideas and new ways to incorporate all of my loves -textiles and fibers, wood, power tools, paint, etc. - into crafts and projects. This wood cross-stitch LOVE sign for Valentines Day (or any day), does just that and is so dang cute (if I do say so myself)!

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5 Tips for Thrifting Furniture

I am a collector of many, many things. I have a penchant for rescuing old, beat up, second-third-or-fourth hand furniture. It has gotten to a point where my husband has declared a moratorium on new "treasures." Because if you noticed, I said I rescue...and sometimes it takes awhile for me to get around to fixing up the old furniture I find. Sometimes I just know I have to have a piece...even if I am not sure what I am going to do with it or where I will find a home for it. Sometimes I just cannot let a good piece of furniture go to waste. And sometimes I actually own the piece for months (and I admit years) before I determine how I am going to transform the piece. When I bring home these treasures, I have every intention of restoring some of their former glory and making them beautiful again, with my own special twist.

My furniture painting and restoring skills are still at novice level, but Julie from Vintage Soul TX takes the art of transforming secondhand furniture to a new level. Thanks Julie for letting me showcase your talents in these photos.

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Printable Valentine Tags: You're just DUCKY!

Do you remember those adorable Just Ducky Valentines from last year...well, guess what? The rubber duck OBSESSION continues!And it doesn't hurt that these ducky valentines were a big HIT last year. This year, my daughter wants to do them again (There is only one kiddo in her class from last year, so it is practically a new idea for everyone else).  However, this year, I designed some CUTIE-PATOOTIE printable tags to go with them!

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Polar Bear No-Sew Applique Tote Bag

We don't have snow here, even though my daughter wishes for it every night (chances are good it is not going to happen). It is cold but not that cold, but I thought with a few polar bear and Arctic inspired crafts we could create our own winter wonderland and appease her need for cold and snow.

My daughter has been super excited to go see the movie Norm of the North. Of course polar bears and all those adorable arctic creatures have something to do with it.  I created -with close supervision and approval from my daughter - this CUTE tote bag inspired by Norm and I also entered it on the #NormOfTheNorthSweeps (Instagram Sweeps).

Supplies

• Polar Bear template (download it Bear 1 and Bear 2!)  
• Blank white (or colored) tote bag. These are available at local craft stores and mass retail merchandisers.

• IMPROVISE:
• Buy a colored tote instead of what to skip the dyeing.
• This is also adorable on a sweatshirt! See photo below

• Fabric Dye. I chose to dye my bags and used a Turquoise dye  - it seemed arctic and icy! 
• 2 black 5/8" buttons 
• White Sherpa fabric (I bought this at Michaels in the sewing area) 
• White felt
•  Black felt 
• IMPROVISE:
• To cut costs or accumulating more supplies, white felt can be used in lieu of white sherpa fabric

• Heat N Bond Ultra (Iron, ironing board, clean white cloth/towel for pressing).
• You can try fabric glue, but I really LOVE this stuff Hot glue gun or fabric glue (for eyes)
• Scissors

Make It

• Dye your tote bag according to package directions (followed by washing an drying)
• OR
• If you are not dyeing the tote, wash and dry it before proceeding.

• Press the tote to remove wrinkles.
• Print out the templates Bear 1 and Bear 2.
• Cut out shapes.

• READ and USE package directions for applying Heat N Bond.
• Apply heat and bond to the white sherpa fabric (make sure the face fits on the piece of fabric), the white felt, and black felt.

• Once the Heat N Bond is applied, flip the fabric over. You will trace your templates onto the backing of the Heat N Bond.  

• Cut 1 face in sherpa
• Cut 1 snout in felt
• Cut 2 ears and one nose in black.

• NOTE: The sherpa will shed a bit around the cut edges.

• Remove the backing from the nose and iron it onto the snout. Use a blank/clean cloth for pressing. Trim if necessary.

• Remove the backing from the snout and iron it onto the face. Use a blank/clean cloth for pressing.
• Remove the backing from the ears and iron it onto the ears on the face. Use a blank/clean cloth for pressing.

• Remove the backing from the polar bear face.
• Place the (almost) completed face onto the tote bag, into position. Using the clean cloth, press the face onto the tote bag. (see photo above for approximate placement)

• Use hot glue to apply the buttons/eyes onto the polar bear.

Look at that cute face!

We loved the tote bag so much we made a sweatshirt too!It is exactly the same process, you just put it on a sweatshirt!

Who can resist a polar bear???? There are a ton of fantastic polar bear and Arctic inspired crafts on on the Norm of the North Pinterest Board.

Want a chance to win a $500 gift card or one of 5 Norm of the North Swag Bags in the #NormoftheNorthSweeps...visit the rules and upload your creation to Instagram

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre disclosure: I was asked to participate in the #NormoftheNorth Instagram Sweeps by Megan Media. This craft was created by me for that contest. No blog post was required.

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