At the Water's Edge

When I heard the author of Water for Elephants was coming out with a new historical fiction novel I was super excited. Sara Gruen does a lot of research and it makes her books so interesting. I had such high hopes for this book because it is set in Scotland during World War 2. Unlike Water for Elephants  I didn't root for the main characters. They were just 3 spoiled rich people sailing off to Scotland in the middle of WW2 to find the Loch Ness monster. The main character Maddie becomes likable by the middle of the book but the ending really spoiled it for me. I know it's about the Loch Ness monster but it was just to outlandish.  Blah.

DIY Bobby Pins

No Place Like Chrome

 I can't get enough of this Essie color. It is great on it's own or an accent color. You don't have to keep the color strictly to your nails. You can brighten up boring bobby pins with nail color. It's SO easy. Put the bobby pins on a piece of cardboard, paper...junk mail works great too. Then paint the pin. So easy and you feel like a crafting Queen!

What I Wore Sunday

Picture is a little blurry but you can see my shoes. 

 This weekend was a special one for our family. Our youngest had his First Holy Communion! He has been practicing and preparing for this sacrament. He was a little nervous because he was the first one to walk into the church.

This isn't my usual style. I typically wear fit & flare dresses and LOTS of stripes. It took some nerve to wear a dress tight on the hips. I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. 

My dress is Land's End 

 First Communion is a true celebration. It was a beautiful and blessed day.

 DIY Burlap Banner

It ain't a party without a bounce house!! 

Go to fine linen and purple to see more What I Wore Sunday!

DIY Burlap Banner

 I wanted a banner for D's First Communion. I looked on Etsy. I saw a lot of cute burlap banners. Then I went to the craft store and decided I could make a banner for less than I would pay. Also it is pretty easy. Burlap is shabby chic so it doesn't have to be perfect. This project cost me $15. I already had the glue and a sponge. It took about 2 hours, counting drying time. 

 What you need::

Glue

Paint

Sponge

Stencils

Twine or ribbon

Burlap* 

*I found burlap paper. Burlap paper is great because you don't need to measure and cut the fabric!

 Step 1:: Place stencil on burlap. Using the sponge paint. 

 Let it dry...you might need 2 coats of paint.

The back of the burlap paper. You can peel off the paper. However keeping it on makes it sturdier. 

Step 2:: Measure the space where you want to hang the banner. Cut the string to the appropriate length.
Step 3:: Fold over the fabric and glue. I used a hot glue gun and Tacky Glue, they both worked well. I thought the Tacky Glue was less messy.