Superhero Story Stones

Welcome to A Pinteresting Wednesday!

Oh wait, it is Thursday. Well I am going to share these Superhero Story Stones with you today for A Pinteresting Wednesday anyway. So let's just pretend for right now that it is still Wednesday and that I blog more than just couple times a month. I have been a little lame lately...well not lame, but just attending to other things.

I truly meant to get this all posted and wittily delivered yesterday. But well, I wanted to finish my book. So I did. Hehehe.

So now my book is finished. So blogging seems like a good idea.

These Superhero Story Stones make me giddy. I had the idea for these story stones on Pinterest. I pinned it to my For the Kiddos board. (The specific ones I pinned are no longer available, in fact I can't even find what store they came from). Little attended a birthday party recently and the birthday boy liked to be creative and liked to read.

I thought recreating the story stones from my Pinterest board would be a perfect present. I decided to make them even more perfect for a little boy by giving them a superhero theme. That is how these Superhero Story Stones were born.

 Making your own set of Story Stones is easy.

All you need is:

a pack of river rocks
craft paint
fabric and cording to make a little bag (or a little bag already made)

I painted little pictures on the rocks that would coordinate with making up a superhero story. I am not gonna even hide the fact that this was my most favorite part of this project. Could you die over that itty bitty rock Hulk? He is my favorite.

Once I had painted various superhero themed pictures onto the rocks, I whipped up a very simple drawstring bag. I used yellow duck cloth for the outside and a superhero print for the inside.

I drew a red cord through as a drawstring. I also hand painted the tell a story word bubble onto the outside.

Since our birthday boy liked to read, I also threw in a super hero book to complete the present. My boys are now requesting their own story stones.

These Superhero Story Stones were such an easy fun gift to make. They are also so easy to fit any theme. Man the possibilities are endless--princess, animals, cars, farm, ocean, robots, Frozen...I could go on and on.

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A Pinteresting Wednesday: Infographic Christmas Letter

I have been wanting to make an Infographic Christmas Letter for a while. I first saw them a couple of years ago. This year when The Hubs and I decided not to do Christmas cards, but to do a letter instead I figured it was the perfect opportunity to make one.

I searched around and finally settled on THIS design that I had pinned to my Christmas Board last year. I recreated the letter using PicMonkey.

It was a little bit of a labor of love. However, it was doable. I primarily used the shape cut out frame, choose own overlay, and geometric overlays to make everything you see.

I used three of my favorite fonts-- Thirsty Script Bold, Ostrich Sans Inline, and Egyptienne Light.

One of my favorite things about this letter is the individual circle pics (circle shape cut out over the photos) and the columns of information.

When I was all done making our Infographic Christmas Letter, I sent it to Staples to have them print them off. The quality is insane and I am so glad I choose to do that over printing them off myself.

Overall, I am happy we decided to do a letter this year. At first I was bummed we weren't going to do Christmas cards, but then when I started my creative juices flowing I really enjoyed making this letter. Now we will have to wait and see what I do next year.

I also should probably get these in the mail now. Ha! Here's to hoping they get where they are going before Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

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A Pinteresting Wednesday: Fabric Bow Headband

I have been seriously MIA lately. Like someone should be putting my face on a milk carton. I was looking at my posting history over the last couple of months and I almost couldn't believe how little I have existed on my blog.

Don't worry! I mean I know you are worried and all.

I am existing, I am just existing like a chicken with my head cut off. Running here and there. Running everywhere...wait did this just turn into a Dr. Seuss book? Why yes, yes it did. I have been projecting, cooking, costuming, mommaing, driving, cleaning, oh you know the list goes on.

Amidst of some of my to-doing, another item of my Pinterest board got done. Since you know I used to do that whole A Pinteresting Wednesday thing. This week I am bringing it back. I am bringing it back because this Fabric Bow tutorial from Craftaholics Anonymous is easy and produces the very cutest little bows ever.

Head on over to get her tutorial.To make some fabric bows I just needed was to find some cute scraps and some headband elastic. I whipped these up like super duper fast. They are just the cutest! THE cutest.

Of course I do not currently have a fabric bow headband wearing child at my house, and I am not announcing the arrival of one. So these sweet little gems went straight to my friend's adorable little baby girl.

Just like that I have crossed something off my Pinterest list. About time too. That list is getting out of control.  I just can't seem to help myself from pinning all the fabulousness out there. This recent dive back to A Pinteresting Wednesday has me excited to cross of more projects and harness more inspiration. Woot!

With Christmas coming, I think I am going to be seeing a lot more of my Gifts For Others pin board. Which of your pin boards is you favorite? Do share. I am always looking for more awesome pin boards to follow!

A Pinteresting Wednesday: Stripes and Gingham

My go-to-fall outfit is layering a sweater and a button up shirt. Sometimes I mix it up with some pattern on pattern love. Sometimes I opt for a cardigan instead of a sweater.

Ultimately, I am a big fan of a style that says classy, preppy, and a little bit librarian.

I bought this blue gingham button up shirt last year when I recreated a Favorite Fall Look I found on Pinterest. Best purchase ever. Seriously.

I practically wear it once a week. It pretty much goes with anything.

So when I found THIS PIN, showing me another possible way to where my favorite gingham shirt I pinned it to my For My Closet pin board.

I just had to keep my eye out for a striped sweater that would fit the look.

So when I found this black and white striped sweater at Old Navy I kind of squeaked and I almost pressed my face against the store window.

I immediately liked the sweater.

Then upon closer inspection, I found something really rather spectacular...

Elbow patches.

This sweater has elbow patches. Eek!!!

Not only are they elbow patches, but they are BLUE elbow patches. The exact blue of my favorite gingham shirt.

Guys...it was also on sale.

Say what?!?

Bought. Done and done.

I paired it up with some ankle skinny jeans, black flats, and touches of gold jewelry.

Oh, I know it might seem silly, but man this sweater makes me happy.

Thanks again Pinterest for all the PINspiration. How did we dress ourselves before you?

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Painted Clothes Pin Magnets

A Pinteresting Wednesday is here. A little Pinterest love...okay a lot of Pinterest love. One of umpteen million projects get crossed off the list.

Today I am sharing a simple, super functional, and quite lovely little project.

Painted Clothes Pin Magnets.

The original project I pinned was DIY Picture Clips for bulletin boards by Dotcoms For Moms. I pinned it onto my Projects to Do board.

Since I had clothes pins and paint, I busted this out the same day I pinned it. However, I don't have a bulletin board, so I decided to glue itty bitty magnets on instead.

I pulled out my amazing Martha Stewart craft paints...could you die over these colors. LUHVE.

I followed her instructions for the painting. Then I glued magnets on instead of thumbtacks. Make sure that the magnets you use are strong. Some little ones are not very strong. If you can't find any little ones, then you can cut magnet tape to the right size.

Now I can prettily display all my lovelies on my little magnet board...or better yet on my fridge!

Thanks Pinterest I love you.

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A Pinteresting Wednesday: Lunch Box Jokes

Welcome to A Pinteresting Wednesday.

If you follow me on Instagram, than you know that yesterday school started.

Woot! Woot!

I love my boys and all, but I really rather enjoy them being at school occasionally. You know it kind of gives me a chance to miss them. Which I of course do. I miss the loudness. I miss the burps and farts (okay, only kind of). I miss the constant sound of running feet and wrestling. I miss the laughter.

So I figured while we are apart, I could send them a little something to chuckle about.

Jokes in their lunchbox. I imagine them reading one, then telling it to their friends. Them all laughing.

Then of course there will be a unanimous chorus of "Your mom is the coolest!" A girl can dream it anyway. Hehehe.

Searching Pinterest I found tons of great lunch box jokes. One of my favorite sets was from Paging Supermom. I pinned it to my Lunch for the Kiddos board. They offer a free download of five jokes.

I used some of those jokes and then a few from a couple of other sites.

Then I used PicMonkey, my all-time favorite online photo editing site. Their new School U feature is amazing and I love it. As I said in my "What is Your SuperPOWER?" Teacher Gift post.

I created five joke tags. 

Download tags HERE

They are easy to download and cut out. Then all you have to do is sneak them into a lunch box.

Everyone likes a good joke. Laughing helps with good digestion...well that is what I would think anyway.

Since I love a good children's joke...in fact...

Side note and an FYI about little old me...when Hubby and I were registering for wedding gifts way back when, we registered for Laffy Taffy. One, because I LOVE them. Two, because the jokes make me giggle. Three, we pretty much thought it would be HEE-larious.

Now that you know a little bit more about me and we are best friends and such, I will get back on track.

I love these little joke notes. I am sure my Little Men will love these just as much as some homemade cookies...well almost as much...

I love Pinterest, and how great ideas come from there or stem forthwith.

Keep following along with Just Another Day in Paradise on Pinterest.

A Pinteresting Wednesday: Canned Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate

Welcome back A Pinteresting Wednesday. It is good to see you after a sporadic Summer.

A few months ago, Hubby excitedly declared that he had just ordered me 32 pounds of strawberries. At the time we ordered all these luscious strawberries, we just planned on making lots and lots of jam.

Before the berries came, I came across a recipe for Canned Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate from Free Time Frolics. 

The heavens opened and angels sang and I knew what some of those 32 pounds of strawberries were going to go towards. 'Cause I love myself some strawberry lemonade. Yes, I do.

Hubby loves it too.

Our Little Men love it.

Well, heck, who doesn't love it?

You might also know that I am kind of addicted to canning.

So the fact that it was not just Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate, but that it was also canned so I can have it whenever my little heart desires pretty much sealed the deal that I would have to make it.

I mean for reals. Canned Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate.

Oh yes, you will be mine.

This was so stinkin' easy to make. SO EASY.

After it is all canned and you decided you want a nice glass of strawberry lemonade, well you just add water, maybe some fresh cut up strawberries, and a slice of lemon to make it fancy (fanciness not required to make it taste yummy, by the way).

Yuuuuuum. YUHHHHMMMM. Summer in a glass.

Summer is almost over, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy and savor every last sip of it. Plus, since I have this canned concentrate all made up, I can have a little reminder of Summer anytime I want...

...well until I run out of concentrate, but I shan't think of that now.

You won't regret giving this a try. Like I said earlier it is easy and the result is delicious.

Canned Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate

Each recipe cans 3 quart jars. 

5 cups fresh lemon juice (approximately 30 lemons)
6 cups sugar
6 cups hulled strawberries
wide mouth jars

In a blender or food processor, puree the strawberries. In a large pot, mix the sugar and lemon juice. Then stir in the pureed strawberries. Heat the mixture over medium heat. Heat until a candy thermometer reads 190 degrees, stirring frequently.

While the strawberry mixture is heating, clean the jars, heat the lids and rings (I do this by keeping them in a pot of simmering water), and fill the water bath canner with water.

Once the mixture is at the right temperature, funnel the mixture into the clean jars. Wipe off the mouth of the jar and then place the lid and ring tightly on each jar.

Place them in the water bath canner and cover. Bring the water to a boil and let them boil for 15 minutes.

 Remove the jars and set out on a the counter and listen for the sealing "pop".

Store until ready to use.

When ready to make lemonade, add 1 1/2 quarts to 2 quarts of water to 1 quart of concentrate.

Another Pinterest Success.

Thanks for reading! Have a grand day.

A Pinteresting Wednesday: Fold Over Clutch

Welcome to A Pinteresting Wednesday.

Um...I love this clutch.

Love.

Love.

Love.

When I saw this tutorial on Flamingo Toes, I knew I needed to make this and make it soon. I pinned it to my Projects To Do board.

Then I came across some left over fabric from these Tote Bags  I made for our teachers at the end of school. Right by that was some left over faux leather...known more affectionately as puh-leather.

The clutch was practically begging to be made.

This bag could really be made in one afternoon if you have everything on hand and as long as you are not tackled by wild couch climbing monkeys...aka my Little Men...

Since I was occasionally accosted by crazy couch climbers and I was short a zipper, this project took me two days total.

Once I had all the supplies gathered and a quite afternoon thanks to Cub Scout Day Camp, this clutch was made. Oh how glorious.

I love the fold over feature. It makes the bag super trendy. The corner details are quite lovely as well. That is where I used my puh-leather (ps I do know it should be pleather...just clarifying).

I used home fabric and duck cloth to make this bag. Since I used these materials that are heavier than cotton, I was able to forgo the interfacing that she calls for in her tutorial.

This clutch is perfect for a date night with The Hubby or girls night out. My wallet, phone and lip gloss (you know the essentials) fit snuggly inside.

Zip it closed, fold it over and bam, I am ready for a fun and fashionable evening on the town.

I would highly recommend this tutorial. Super fun and pretty easy to follow.

Another Pin down. Only...only...oh who am I kidding! There are way too many pins to count and I just keep adding to my Pin Boards every day.

Don't you just love Pinterest?

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A Pinteresting Wednesday: Batman T-shirt

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It is A Pinteresting Wednesday. Woot! Woot!

I actually made this shirt a couple months ago. I don't know why it took me so long to share it with you. Especially since I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this shirt.

I mean LUHHHVE.

I first saw this shirt idea on a friends board. I actually saw it and then just kept the idea in my head. I finally pinned it to my Little Men Clothing board as I was making my knock-off.

The original shirt is an adult shirt, and while I am sure Hubby could rock it, I really wanted one for Little.

So in an afternoon, I designed and the made my own.

Little wore it quite cutely, wouldn't you say?

I originally shared this on Instagram 

(follow along @larissa_anotherday)

I hand drew the batman mask image.

Then I scanned my drawing into the computer. I opened the image in Picmonkey and then I added in the writing using the font Amatic Small Caps in various sizes.

Once the image was saved, I imported the image into my Silhouette software. I cut it out in black flocked heat transfer vinyl from Expressions Vinyl.

Keeping it real moment--the teeny tiny letters were a little tedious, but with a small pair of tweezers it is doable.

Man, was it totally worth it. I love this font and I think it makes this shirt.

This is probably my most favoritest shirt to date. Maybe my most favorite Pinterest project to date.

Ah man. Love. Wait, I said that already.

I also love Pinterest.

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A Pinteresting Wednesday: Duck Tape Wallets

Welcome everyone to A Pinteresting Wednesday!

Do you remember when duct tape only came in like two colors??

How boring was our life?

I recently was in charge of an activity for the girls at my church. I remembered having a friend a couple of years ago make duct tape wallets with a group of girls. With all the really cool duct tape available now, I thought that would be a really fun thing to do with my girls.

I had never made one so I went to the best place available to find the instructions. I went to Pinterest and typed "duct tape wallets" in the search box.

Several options came up, and THIS tutorial from Crafty Nest seemed to one that had a lot of pins, and links back. So this one was the tutorial I went with.

I went to pick out some girly Duck tape and then was faced with the most awesome boy Duck tape EVER.

I suddenly realized that I should probably create a couple of test wallets before teaching my girls. So I decided I should probably purchase some awesome boy duct tape and make some wallets for my Little Men.

I mean, seriously, did you see this Super Mario Brothers tape? How awesome is that?

So I busted out three duct tape wallets.

In the original tutorial, she says it will take you 45 minutes to make one. I think that is more time for sure. The first one will take a little longer as you figure out what you are doing, but then the multiple ones I just busted out.

I played around with mixing and matching. Seriously it was really fun.

My boys were kind of obsessed with their wallets. Their first question was, "how much money can I have to put in it?"

Then I nicely informed them, "uh, none. But I love you and you have a really cool wallet."

I am not sure that is the answer they wanted. Hahaha.

This was a super fun project, and Crafty Nest has a pretty easy-to-follow tutorial.

Not only did my boys love their wallets, but my girls had a blast. Their wallets turned out great. They immediately asked if they could make more. Unfortunately making wallets with a fun and giggly group of girls will take a little longer, so they only had time for one wallet...at least for that night's activity.

There will probably be more wallet making in the future.

How has Pinterest helped you plan an activity?

Pinterest just has so many ideas all in one place.

Love.

It.

I would also LOVE if you followed Just Another Day in Paradise

on Pinterest or Facebook. 

That would be grand.

You are the bestest.

A Pinteresting Wednesday: You are "Loaf"ed Valentine

Welcome to another A Pinteresting Wednesday.

Only part of this post is about my crossing off a pin from my pinboards. When I first saw a pin for using tissue paper and wax paper to wrap cookies or a small loaf of bread, I thought "genius!".

I was not surprised to find the original idea came from the ever-wonderful Martha Stewart and Company.

Now here I have a moment of truth...it is a common problem with Pinterest...

SHOCK.

GASP.

Oh no she didn't just say there is a problem with Pinterest!

Sadly I did, but let me explain before you pledge to hate me forever.

Okay so many times the instructions/comments/description of the pins you see are not accurate to the actual project or pin. Sometimes the way you think the project is going to be done is not.

For instance, when I originally pinned this project the description was simply "iron wax paper over tissue paper" with the picture of cute loaves of bread wrapped in said tissue paper/wax paper.

So for months I filed the project away in my head. I kept my eye out for cute tissue paper and waited for a good time to try out this project. I found some cute Valentine paper and I also thought of a cute Valentine saying to go with a tiny loaf of bread. I set out to make my Loafy Valentine.

Tissue paper ready. Wax paper ready. Iron warmed and bread made. I was ready for a quick project.

Wrong.

When it came time to click over to do the project, imagine my surprise when I found out the project was not to iron a sheet of tissue paper between layers of wax paper, it was actually to punch out shapes from the tissue paper and then to iron those in between the layers of wax paper.

Minor change, but it did make the project a little harder.

Also I wasn't in love with the final project as much as I loved Martha's...yes I am aware that maybe because I am not Martha...unfortunately.

When will the wah-fest end???

Now, because the good news is that the final product was still cute and it went perfectly with my Loaf Valentine idea.

I took my wrapped bread and tied a strip of gingham fabric around it.

I made two different tags using PicMonkey of course. One with the "You are LOAFed" phrase on it. I hole punched and strung on the heart tag to the loaf. Then I attached the main tag to the fabric with a washi-covered clothespin.

I even made a download with some "You are LOAFed" tags for you. So bake up your favorite loaf of bread, wrap it up and attach this little tag.

I would love for you to be a follower of Just Another Day in Paradise before you download these tags. That would make me feel oh-so-LOAFED.

Download Here

I made a little tiny version of my favorite white bread recipe, so it seemed only fitting that I gave a little jar of homemade raspberry jam with it.

An easy and and yummy valentine to give a friend, a neighbor, or a teacher.

Thanks for visiting this A Pinteresting Wednesday and for putting up with my teeny tiny rant.

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