Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Crafty Tuesday - Locker Chalkboard

Back-to-School Locker Chalkboard Tutorial
Rebecca Cousins
Owner of Freckles Crafts

Back to school time can have different meaning to different people. When I was in school it meant seeing friends I didn't get to see over the summer, shopping for school clothes, picking out a cool new trapper keeper (I might be dating myself here!), and best of all it meant organizing and decorating my locker! I used to spend hours picking out pictures of friends, and searching for anything that seemed worthy enough to hang on that small canvas known as my locker door. It was a means of self expression, a conversation starter among friends and also a place where the occasional note was left stating the latest school gossip. Oh how I loved my locker!

Here is a tutorial for the tween or teenager in your life who is looking for the perfect way to express him or herself, and also have a handy little space to write a reminder of a paper due or important club meeting. For the purpose of this tutorial I designed a chalkboard that is on the girly side, however, depending on the selection of paint color and embellishments, this project could easily be suited for a boy. 

Let's Get Crafting!

Materials Needed:
Unfinished 5x7 wood picture frame
Paint
Paint brush
Chalkboard vinyl (my new favorite craft product!!!!)
Embellishments
Ink pad
Velcro
Glue gun, tacky glue or glue dots
Scissors
Sand paper
Magnets
Ribbon
Chalk
Step 1.
Remove the backing and glass from your picture frame and paint with the color of your choice. Let dry. Once dry, sand the outside and inside edges to expose some of the bare wood underneath.


Step 2.

Use your ink pad to highlight the sanded areas by lightly running the ink on the exposed wood. For the purpose of this tutorial I chose to use a brightly colored ink, however a brown ink would look great, and give your finished product an aged appearance.

Step 3.
While you are waiting for the ink to dry on your frame, you may begin working on applying the chalkboard vinyl. I used the frame insert and glass as a template to cut my piece of vinyl to fit inside the frame. To apply the chalkboard vinyl, peel off a small corner of the paper backing. Stick it directly to the picture frame glass making sure to align the sides and corners. Slowly peel away the rest of the vinyl paper backing while smoothing any air bubbles from the surface of the vinyl.

Step 4.
Insert the chalkboard piece into the frame and add embellishments.

Step 5.
Cut a piece of ribbon to fit around your chalk and secure the ends with glue. Add Velcro to the back of the chalk and to the picture frame.

Final Step
Attach a magnet or two to the back of the frame and your new locker chalkboard is complete!

Happy Crafting!

Rebecca Cousins is the Owner of Freckles Crafts, a company specializing in unique craft kits for kids. She is also the mom of two funny, sweet, wild and loving boys and wife to her husband of 11 years. When Rebecca isn't busy running a house and business she enjoys reading, crafting and spending time with friends and family. For more information about Rebecca Cousins and Freckles Crafts, please visit our website at http://www.frecklescrafts.com or follow Freckles Crafts on Facebook or Twitter.







Sunday, August 29, 2010

Join AVMCS's 2010 Holiday Blog Hop

Welcome to AVMCS's 
2010 Holiday Blog Hop! 

If you have a blog that features holiday gifts, crafts, or home decorations we would love to have you join our blog hop. Any holiday is welcome: Christmas, Halloween, Thanskgiving, etc.

This is a Linky Blog Hop so feel free to copy 'n paste the code to your blog as well. The Blog Hop will be up until December 31, 2010.



Happy Holidays!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Sittin' & Surfin' under the AC

Yep, I'm sitting under the cool air conditioner hopping from blog to blog finding new friends to follow. We tried taking the kids out to the lake for a little while but, it was too darn hot. Is it fall yet?

Here's some Weekend Blog Hops that I've found:







Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Thanksgiving Funnies

Q: What is the key to a great Thanksgiving?
A: The tur-key!

Q: Why did Johnny get such low grades after Thanksgiving?
A: Because everything is marked down after the holidays!

Q: Why was the turkey the drummer in the band?
A: Because he had the drumsticks!

Q: If April showers bring May flower what do May flowers bring?
A: Pilgrims!

Q: Why can't you take a turkey to church?
A: Because they use such fowl language!

Q: What kind of music did the Pilgrims like?
A: Plymouth Rock!

Q: Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
A: The outside!

Q: What happend when the turkey got into a fight?
A: He got the stuffing knocked out of him!

Q: What are unhappy cranberries called?
A: Blueberries!

Q: How are Turkeys, Donkeys and Monkeys alike?
A: They all have keys!

Q: What cat discovered America?
A: Christofurry Columbus!

Halloween Funnies

Q: Who did Frankenstein take to the dance?
A: His ghoul - friend!

Q: What runs around the cemetery but doesn't move?
A: A fence!

Q: What kind of pet does Dracula have?
A: A bloodhound!

Q: How do you mend a broken Jack-O-Lantern?
A: With a Pumpkin Patch!

Q: What do you call a ghost with a broken leg?
A: A Hoblin Goblin.

Q: What do you call a skeleton who won't work?
A: Lazy Bones!

Q: Why is Dracula so unpopular?
A: Because he's a pain in the neck!

Q: How can you tell Vampires like baseball?
A: Every night they turn into bats!

Q: What is a ghost favorite food?
A: Hamboogers!

Q: Why are graveyards so noisy?
A: Because of all the Coffin!

Q: Why do witches wear name tags?
A: So they can tell which witch is which!

Q: What happened when the two vampires met?
A: It was love at first bite!

Q: What do ghost drink at breakfast?
A: Coffee with Scream and Sugar.

ABC Wednesday - Letter "F" 8/25

"F" is for Flowers
Woman Selling Flowers - Byers' Choice
This charming little lady selling flowers is from the Byers' Choice® Ltd. line of Carolers. The attention to detail on this piece is amazing. All Byers' Choice® Carolers are handmade right here in the U.S. so you'll never find any two exactly the same. If you'd like to read the story of how the Byers' Choice® Carolers came about go to http://www.byerschoice.com

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Crafty Tuesday - Flower Pens

Flower Pens
(These are great if you need a cheap 'n easy craft to give to the kiddos' teachers for the holidays.)


Supplies:

ball point pens (they must be the ones with the cap and not the retractable kind)

artificial flowers

floral tape

wire clippers

baby powder

Instructions:

1. With your wire clippers, trim all but about an inch or two off of the flower stem.

2. Hold the flower next to the end of the pen and start wrapping the floral tape.

3. Dust the finished pen with baby powder to get rid of the sticky feeling from the floral tape.

4. Accessorize with ribbons or stick them in a cute little flower pot, vase, or mug with dried beans as a filler. 

Note:
Bigger flowers with a flat base will work best. Another idea is to use seasonal flowers and give them as a bouquet.


Wasn't that super fun and easy to do?

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

ABC Wednesday - Letter "E"

Here's the plan: each week I am going to feature a product or holiday item that represents the letter of the week. I'll do do my best to make it through the alphabet. The kids may have to help me out a bit with this. I can think of a few letters that are going to be a bit tricky. lol 

(we are starting with the letter "E" because that's the letter of the week on a blog hop that I follow with my personal blog and well while I was thinking "E" things Ebenezer Scrooge came to mind.) 

For the letter "E" I give you:


Ebenezer Scrooge


I love the Mickey Mouse version of 
A Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge's House - Dickens' Village

 This is a piece from the Dickens Village - A Christmas Carol Series by Dept. 56. We get this one and a few others out every year to decorate the fireplace mantel. They look great in the evening time with the lights down low. The buildings all light up and some have moving parts inside. When you stop by store be sure to check out the full working models of villages that we carry. Harold Hand, the designer mentioned in a previous post, had a huge role in bringing our village displays to life. They look amazing and we are anxious for his next visit.

Have an Excellent Day Everyone!

Next Wednesday we'll feature an item in the store or something Holiday related to the letter "F." 

Monday, August 16, 2010

Happy Monday Morning! Feeling Crafty?

So, have the kids started school yet? Our's start Friday. The youngest seems anxious to go, but the oldest not so much. :)

Today I am going to pull them out from in front of the cartoons and go down to the craft store to look around a bit. I can see fall just around the corner and I'm feeling a little crafty.

Be on the look out for craft tutorials from guest bloggers and our staff. Family is very important to us at A Very Merry Christmas Store and crafting with the kids is such a great way to make lasting memories.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Harold Hand Will Be Visiting In September.

The popular Dallas designer makes his return to teach our guests how to unleash holiday magic in their homes. From villages to other decor, this is a very popular event -- book your spot early!

This was a blast last year. I'll post pictures from his visit as soon as I find them. I *think* Miss Patti has them. 

He will be here September 11 & 12 which also happens to be our 3rd Anniversary Sale Weekend. More details to come. 

Friday, August 13, 2010

Back To School Fun

Q. How do the fish get to school?
A. By octobus!

Q. What did the calculator say to the other calculator?
A. "You can count on me!"

Today my teacher yelled at me for something I didn’t do.
What was that?
My homework!

TEACHER: Nathan, how do you spell ‘crocodile?’
NATHAN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L’
TEACHER: No, that’s wrong
NATHAN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.

Q. What does a snake learn in school?
A. Hiss tory!

Q. Why is it dangerous to do math in the jungle?
A. Because when you add four and four you get ate (eight).

Pencil Ornaments from Old World Christmas








Kiddos making out the Christmas List Yet?

My little one just had his birthday a few days ago and guess what he asked yesterday..."Can we make out my Christmas list today?" Kids! :)

Have you started the Christmas prep yet? I'm kinda torn, it's 100 degrees outside lately so dreaming about nice snowy winter weather can be a good thing. lol 


Thursday, August 12, 2010

New Patience Brewster

Come see the new line of Patience Brewster that just arrived. Includes the mini KRINKLES ornaments and the collectible reindeers!



Christmas Funnies (part 4)

Just a few more Christmas funnies...

Q. What did the Gingerbread Man put on his bed?
A. A cookie sheet!

Q. What did the big candle say to the little candle?
A. I’m going out tonight.

Q. How does Santa take pictures?
A. With his North Pole-aroid.

Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Snow.
Snow who?
Snow use – I’ve forgotten my name again!

Q: What do sheep say to each other at Christmastime?
A: Merry Christmas to ewe!

Q. When does Christmas come before Thanksgiving?
A. In the dictionary!

Q: Why was the computer so quiet on Christmas Eve?
A: Not a creature was stirring.... not even a MOUSE.

Christmas Funnies (part 3)

Yet more silly Christmas jokes.

Q: What do you call an elf who steals gift wrap from the rich and gives it to the poor?
A: Ribbon Hood!

Q: What comes at the end of Christmas Day?
A: The letter "Y"!

Q: What did the grape say to the peanut butter?
A: "'Tis the season to be jelly!"

Q: What do you get when you cross a bell with a skunk?
A: Jingle smells!

Q: Why did the gingerbread man go to the doctor?
A: Because he was feeling crummy!

Q: What do you call a bunch of chess players bragging about their games in a hotel lobby?
A: Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer!

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Holly.
Holly who?
Holly-days are here again!

Q: What food do you get when you cross Frosty with a polar bear?
A: A "brrr" - "grrr"!

Q: Where does Santa stay when he's on holidays?
A: At a Ho-ho-tel!

Q: What does Santa like to have for breakfast?
A: Mistle-"toast"!

Q: What did Santa say to Mrs. Claus when he looked out the window?
A: Looks like "rain", "Dear"!

Q. How many presents can Santa fit in an empty sack?
A. Only one, after that it’s not empty anymore!

Q: What do you get if Santa goes down the chimney when a fire is lit?
A: Crisp Kringle.

Q: What's an ig ?
A: An eskimo's home without a loo !

Christmas Funnies (part 2)

More Goofy Christmas Jokes

Q: What did the bald man say when he got a comb for Christmas?
A: Thanks, I'll never part with it!

Q: What do snowmen wear on their heads?
A: Ice caps !

Q: What do you get if cross a snowman and a shark?
A: Frost bite !

Q: Why does Scrooge love all of the reindeer?
A: Because every buck is dear to him!

Q: Why did the elf put his bed into the fireplace?
A: He wanted to sleep like a log!

Q: Why are Christmas trees like bad knitters?
A: They both drop their needles!

Q: What did the big candle say to the little candle?
A: I'm going out tonight!

Q: What Christmas carol is a favorite of parents?
A: Silent Night.

Christmas Funnies (part 1)

Christmas Funnies

Q: What is the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet?
A: The Christmas alphabet has NO EL.

Q: Who is never hungry at Christmas?
A: The turkey - he's always stuffed!

Q: Why is it so cold at Christmas?
A: It's in Decembrrrrr.

Q: Which of Santa's reindeers needs to mind his manners the most?
A: "Rude"olph

Q: What do you have in December that you don't have in any other month?
A: The letter "D" !

Q: What did Adam say on the day before Christmas ?
A: It's Christmas, Eve !

Q: Why couldn't the skeleton go to the Christmas Party?
A: He had no body to go with !

Knock Knock
Who's there ?
Mary
Mary who ?
Mary Christmas !


Christmas Word Scramble

Unscramble These Yummy Christmas Treats


1. UETRYK _ _ _ _ _ _


2. NCAYD ACNE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


3. ACRNIBRESRE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


4. YELU OLG _ _ _ _ _ _ _


5. DGERRBEAING _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


6. TNSUFIGF _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


7. OICOESK _ _ _ _ _ _ _


8. SAMY _ _ _ _


9. AFITRUCKE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


10. GEGNGO _ _ _ _ _ _

Patti's Tree Lot

Cactus Tree w/ Shotgun Shell Lights


Christmas In July

We Know Santa!

Go Arkansas Razorbacks!

Dicken's Village Display Built For A Customer

Projects For Our Customers



Our Store Front - Downtown Conway



Summer Picnic?




Fall - Halloween Villages



Village Displays