Nope….not talking about winning the Mega-Millions. I did, in fact, buy a lotto ticket. But, just like the rest of the nation….aside from those 3 individuals, I fell short with my attempt. I have to admit, there is a part of me that is not disappointed with my outcome….because the likelihood of me winning and becoming an instant success story is very rare (read this and you’ll understand just a little piece of what it COULD be like). Had I won the money, would it be easier for me to live out my passions, help my family, pay off student loans, set up a charity foundation, travel around the world, and do hundreds of other things I hope to achieve but don’t currently have the funds to do?! Sure, it would be really great. However, statistics show that money is not the number one indicator of one’s happiness. In fact, I think winning the mega millions would have created a lot of unnecessary greed and an excessive focus on materialism. I don’t think the path is always an easy one when you win that much money…..just sayin!!
Anyways…my spring break is just about over and I wish I could say I spent it checking something off my “bucket” list, such as skydiving over the Swiss Alps (someday), rather than my extremely boring to-do list, which consisted of household chores and such. I didn’t travel someplace warm like most people who were on spring break this week. Well, you’re probably wondering then….What did I decide to do with an entire week off of work? Well, I COULD have been very productive and finished up some grad classes, cleaned out and organized my garage and closets, finished some laundry/ironing (which I absolutely loathe!!), just to name a few!! Nope….didn’t take that route. I decided to create some DIY projects, thanks to some alone time and my glorious cricut machine. You ask what this is?!?! Well…
I got this device over the holidays, and I decided to give it a whirl! Although it is a tad time consuming at first, once you get the hang of it, it’s a cinch. I used this puppy to create two projects this week….subway art and Easter baskets. Read on and see how they turned out!
A friend of mine recently had a baby and I really wanted to make something for her nursery. The colors of the bedding and decor are a pale yellow, orange, and green. So, I tried to stick with this palette. About a year ago, I was perusing some of my favorite sites in the blog world and came upon one written by a very artistic lady who reupholstered furniture and made subway art on canvas. She used old pieces and made them look shabby chic. For her canvases, she used different song lyrics and imprinted the words onto them. The first being “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and the second, “You Are My Sunshine”. They were absolutely adorable, and ever since, I’ve wanted to try my hand at it.
Take a quick journey through my first attempt!
Here is a simple tutorial, including the 5 steps I took to make this:
1. I needed to determine the sizing of letters for each line (Font is Doodletype):
* 1st Line = 1 1/2
* 2nd Line = 2
* 3rd Line = 1
* 4th Line = 1 1/2
* 5th Line = 2 1/4
* 6th Line = 1
* 7th Line = 1
* 8th Line = 1 1/4
* 9th Line – 1 3/4
I made sure that all the letters were “Shadow” so they were bold and popped off the canvas.
2. I used plain white paper to practice with first. Once I started playing around with the sizing for each word and figured out each line, I began to place the words on the floor as a preliminary blueprint.
3. After I finalized my plan, I then used black vinyl paper for the finished product. Vinyl works just like stickers, all you do is peel them off and stick onto the canvas. There is an adhesive type cutting board that goes into the cricut machine and creates your lettering.
4. Once you are finished, you carefully and slowly peel off the extra vinyl and all of the letters. Now, it is time to place the stickers/vinyl onto the canvas (as shown above). When you are finished, the basic copy will look like the one below. I used the “sun” symbols for the middle line.
5. Last, I used light green spray paint (Krylon brand) and put a few coats on a few hours apart. After about 2 or 3 coats, I let it dry overnight. Be careful not to spray too much, as it will leak underneath the letters and smudge. Once it is dry, peel away the letters and you will have your final masterpiece!
Once this project was complete, I decided to keep going! I couldn’t shut off my brain…so I began decorating Easter baskets for my nieces and nephew. I used a little bit of the extra vinyl to create their names and add it to the tubs.
In addition to using my cricut machine, I also ventured onto one of my new favorite forums….a slight obsession, you can call it. It’s name is PINTEREST! Yes, yes, I know many of you have already heard of this lovely place and frequent it daily. Well, I was going over to a friend’s house for a get together over the weekend and we were asked to bring dessert. So, I wanted to find something that was festive for the upcoming holiday, but simple to make at the same time (since I was short on time). I came across these adorable “mousse shooters” and couldn’t resist! Oh, was I in for a treat (pun not intended). To say the least, it was supposed to be simple and quick, but somehow I always manage to create something out of nothing……seriously, why is it that I always create kitchen disasters?!?! When you check out the recipe, it has minimal steps and ingredients, no joke. Well, it required a blender….something I’ve worked with plenty of times. Somehow, it had it out for me that day. It just wouldn’t relent. I put the necessary items in, shut the top, pressed the button, and BAM! Explosion everywhere…….yep, everywhere….including ME! It was on the walls, microwave, oven, mail, floors……you name it, it was there! The amount of aggrivation I felt at that moment was laughable. But, I didn’t let it defeat me. I had yet another opportunity to show it who was boss on a second round.
Well, guess what…..I lost again!! Same thing happened TWICE. This time, I was absolutely certain I had enough strength and manpower to keep the lid on and eased my way into the second time. Nope…didn’t matter. In the end, it was the Blender, 2 and Mel, 0. Highly frustrating doesn’t do this experience justice. Kyle came home later that day and saw my shirt completely covered. I had no words. I didn’t even try to explain. I just shook my head. But, in the end……the mini desserts looked and tasted great. They are mini shooter sized scoops of sweetness. It really is an easy dessert…just wasn’t my kind of day!
Check here for the fruity mousse recipe! It’s definitely a keeper!
Until next time….CARPE DIEM!!
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