Coffee Filter Flowers

With the leftover coffee filters from my 3-D Heart, 

I whipped up these super simple and fun coffee filter flowers.

I used the same technique as before, essentially folding each

filter in half and then pinching to make a stem in the center. 

I stuck the first flower inside the top of a paper straw and then

added two more filters for a fuller floral look.

Careful with that hot glue gun on this project,

it just might bite a little!

A scrap of ribbon glued on the bottom of the flower

 helps to hide any odd layers as well.

These would make a fun gift for your Valentine!

3-D Coffee Filter Heart

 I needed to make something large for an open frame 

the hubs built for me and decided to try my hand at

tackling coffee filters. I  used only one stack from my 

coffee filter bag for this project with a few filters left over.

A bottle of red reinker dye (that I have for my stamp pads)

was used along the edges. I wanted the color to flow down 

the filters so pulled out a glass of water and a straw.

I soaked the entire stack of filters until I was happy

with the color saturation and then let the stack dry overnight.

Make sure you do this on a plate, paper works fine

and you can toss in the trash when you are done.

I was going to cut out a large cardboard heart but

saw this stiff felt one at Michael's and it was 1/2 off

so I used it as my base. Once the coffee filters were 

completely dry, I started forming them into flower 

shapes. Just fold in half and then twist the bottom 

into a little stem. You can fluff the tops if needed.

 Once you get some flowers made up, whip out your

hot glue gun and work with one flower at a time

gluing them onto your form. Make sure you squish

each flower down a bit (without crushing) till the

glue can catch or harden. 

After covering my heart, I went back and filled in

the spots that I thought needed a bit more fluff.

Hope you'll try your hand at a coffee filter project

the possibilities are endless!

Teacher Survival Kits

Tomorrow is the first day of school for my kiddos and I've heard so many parents have tears in their eyes, not here...this Mama will be jumping for joy, hallelujah! :) hehe

We met their teachers today and dropped off school supplies. 

Can't believe I have one in 3rd and a Kindergartner! Wow!

Since tomorrow is going to be a busy day, the kids took their new teachers a 

survival kit today. Both teachers were thrilled and one even said she had

never gotten anything like it before, GASP!...come on parents, teachers need

some serious love too! 

It's really the thought that counts...apples are great and all but it's not 1930 anymore!

Can I get a what what for a little Starbucks?! A bar of dark German chocolate, yummy. A water cup filled with mints, cause ya kind of need one after you've had a coffee...and some cute little note cards hand stamped by moi' with apples of course!

I'd love to hear what you gave your children's teachers this year or in years past.

Happy School Year!

Starbucks and Sephora Giftcard Giveaway with Natalia

Get excited, it's GIVEAWAY time!! This month, I've joined up with Natalia, who blogs over at Ma Nouvelle Mode and more of her fabulous sponsors to give you a $15 Starbucks Giftcard and a $50 Sephora Giftcard, woohoo! 

With 6 more inches of snow currently falling outside, this definitely put a smile on my face, hope it did yours too! Spread the word, tweet and enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to WIN! 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mug Exchange with Stephany

I joined in yet another mug exchange with Stephany who blogs over at Our Hyder Home, previously known as The Midnight Hershey...

and it was a double joy when I opened my package to find not one but TWO fabulous coffee mugs and a hand made coffee sleeve from the amazing Danielle, who blogs over at Sweet Southern Girl. 

I've used them both several times over, thanks lady, you ROCK!!

if you's like to see the mug I mailed to Danielle, check out her blog post HERE.

Bride, Bingo and Babies

 Still can't believe we've lived back in ND since July! The time is flying and I'm sure it has something to do with me keeping busy as a little bee with the Internet, I'm slightly obsessed!

Here's a little recap via Instagram, hence the grainy pics...but you've gotta love the convenience factor.

We took a roadtrip to the Tri-State area for a wedding, my hubby's relatives live in all three states. It was nice to see who we could and let the kids hang with two of their Great Grandma's. 

 Of course you can't have a road trip without these necessities, Starbucks and Chocolate....need I say more?

my hunky date for the wedding, isn't he a dreamy?!

the outfit...and yes, I pulled off "Footloose" dancing in those heels

The Stunning Bride and Handsome Groom

(we've got another lady Braun in the family, yipee)

I snuck out one night to play BINGO with my hubs Gma Toots. She's in her 90's and as quick as a whip! We both got lucky too, so fun!

We took a different drive back to Minot stopping by our old house in Grand Forks, she still stands red, tall and proud with a new fence too...great memories!!

and of course filling Etsy shop orders

What have you all been up to?

Mug Swap with Heatherly Loves

I had so much fun with a mug swap last month, I signed up for TWO this month! 

I was given the lovely Rose, who blogs over at A Rosie Sweet Home, as my secret stalker. After reading her sweet love story and checking out her Blog and Pinterest, I knew I had to find something soft, pretty and to match her sweet personality. I forgot to take a picture of her mug before I mailed it, oops!

But this snazzy mug arrived in the mail, holding the surprise of who sent it. Of course, my hubby wanted to stake his claim on it, so I told him Staches off to you if you can snag it first in the morning, hehe! I just love all the different staches and who used to wear them, so cool!

I did get a blog comment asking if I had received my mustache mug, from the wonderful Rose, I didn't realize we had gotten each other! Thanks again, I LOVE it!!

YAY

One word can sum it all up and this card not only made me grin from ear to ear but had a GLORIOUS Starbuck gift card inside from the lovely Beth who blogs over at 

Arrow In The Eye

I was lucky enough to win her fabbo giveaway, thank you Beth!!

Coffee Mug Swap

I joined in on my very first coffee mug swap last month and here's what I received in the mail yesterday from my secret stalker! It has the BEST quote ever, I love it and can't wait to sip my afternoon cup of pick-me-up out of it! Jeni also sent me the sweetest note to go along with the mug, explaining her reason behind picking this one for me. Isn't she the BOMB?! Go check out her fabbo blog at Two Shades of Lovely

"Be the change you wish to see in the world"

love her handwriting!!!

Thank you Jeni, getting your package totally made my day!

If you want to see everyone's mugs, we will be linking up tomorrow over at

Pointing Up

and

Yellow Umbrella

Here's the mug I sent to my secret stalker, Courtney.
She blogs over at Our Small Moments
and since she's a grad student, I thought this mug was perfect,
filled with Smarties of course to feed her growing brain.
Hope it arrived okay Courtney, I had fun stalking you, your
blog posts are AMAZING and written directly from the heart!