Easy DIY Halloween Decor

I pinned this first idea a few months back and couldn't pass it up because it's just so easy.  I was very happy (and surprised) to find out our front door is magnetic.  All you have to do is buy those cheap plastic spider rings, simply cut off the ring part, and hot glue some magnet to the back.  I was able to get a pack of 50 spider rings from the dollar store and I got magnetic strips from Walmart (for like $3) that you can cut to any size you want. And I have a ton left over for a different project.  So easy!  And I love how it looks!

We wanted the spiders to look somewhat realistic, but you could totally add lots more or do any design you want with them on the door.  So fun!

My second project was a redo of the ghost I made last year.  It turned out so much better this year!  This time it's sturdy enough that I should be able to save it. I think the key is that this time I used fabric stiffener (called Stiffy from Joann's).  I did everything just the same as last year, but just used the stiffener instead of the cornstarch mixture (HERE'S the tutorial from last year).  I also had more cheesecloth this year (3 feet instead of 2), so I did 3 layers.

I stuck the ghost on the couch so that it had a dark background.  It doesn't normally sit here ;)

I told Aiden it was a ghost and every once in a while he'll randomly point at it and say "dhost" :)  My little buddy!

Now we just need to get working on Aiden's costume ;)

Scrabble Love

I made a Valentine's decoration last night around 8:30 p.m.  Yes, I do realize yesterday was Valentine's Day..haha.  I had been meaning to make this for a while, but we've been sick around here for the second time in like a month (I don't know how we keep seeming to catch things), so I was finally able to get out this week to get a frame.

I got the idea from a PIN I pinned several months back.  I thought it was a tutorial, but found out it was actually up for sale in the United Kingdom. I thought to myself, well that can't be too hard to make!

Here's how mine turned out :) 

I had to take the picture at a bit of an angle to not get my reflection in it.

It's pretty self-explanatory.  You have to get a frame where the glass is pushed out front of the matting so that the Scrabble pieces will fit under. I got mine from Hobby Lobby with my handy gift card from Amber for Christmas.  I used some leftover magenta cardstock from my WREATH a few years back.  Just cut it to fit the frame.  I traced the little square opening to make sure I was gluing the Scrabble pieces on straight.  Then assemble and wa-la!  So easy!  This literally took me 15 minutes tops!

In other news, we had a low-key Valentine's Day.  I surprised Trent with this new recipe for a Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake from Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss when he got home. It was yummy!  I may just make it a little tradition for every Valentine's Day :)  If only I had a cute heart-shaped pie pan like Julie :) 

We ate a quick dinner (thanks to Bertolli!) and hurried off to Aiden's swim lesson.  I got a LivingSocial deal for four swim lessons and this was Aiden's second.  The first time Trent got in with him, but his nose was still really running so I got in last night.  Aiden likes it pretty well except floating on his back..haha.

Sometimes Aiden tries to drink the water :/  He does this in his bath too..haha.

Peeking over at Daddy :)

Oh..we sent a Valentine's shout-out to all of the aunts. I got this picture before we headed off to Aiden's swim lesson.  Notice Aiden's crabby flip flops.  Aiden and I did a little shopping yesterday and picked them up. Aiden doesn't know what to think of something being wedged between his little toes..haha.

We headed home after the lesson and Aunt Jen stopped by with Valentines.  She brought mini m&m's for Aiden since he's "mini."

We got Aiden new jammies yesterday too, as pictured.  I don't know why, but I love two-piece jammies!  I think Aiden looks so darling in them :)

We haven't exchanged gifts yet, so we'll do that tonight and go out and celebrate :)

Aiden's 1st Birthday Party

Our sweet Aiden turned 1 today!!  He has brought us indescribable joy and such laughter.  It's been a great year and we love him so much!  He is the love of our lives :)

We had a little family party for Aiden this afternoon.  The theme was Colors, not to be confused with Rainbow - Trent was really against the whole rainbow idea..haha. 

My inspiration for the party was this toy:

In the last year this has consistently been Aiden's favorite toy. Anytime we stack the rings up, Aiden quickly comes over and unstacks them again..haha.  He especially loves the red ball on top.  Side note: We actually lost the original red ball in Virginia (it was really dumb of me to bring it), so I had to get a whole new toy.  Luckily it was just 8 bucks, but now we have two of these rainbow stackers and one is just missing the ball on top..ha.

I was very happy with how everything turned out!  I got my ideas for the yarn balloons, fruit kebabs, and rainbow, whoops!, colorful cupcakes from Pinterest (HERE).  

Thank you to my mom and sisters and friend Christie for helping with the balloons!  They turned out so great!

Aiden liked them too :)

I did a trial run with the cupcakes last week, but didn't care for the recipe listed, so we just used a white cake mix this time around.  I did use her frosting recipe though :)  Thanks to my mom for helping me make the cupcakes.  It would have taken me a while longer (it was tedious since you have to layer each color) b/c I'm such a perfectionist ;)

Tanis brought a yummy salad and my mom prepared chicken salad croissants.  It was all so tasty :)

Aiden had a fruit kebab :)

I love the little smirk on his face.

We finished up lunch and were on to the presents!  Aiden sure got spoiled, but does that surprise anyone?!  He's the only grandchild on both sides!

Aiden could honestly care less about opening his gifts..haha.

One of Aiden's gifts from us was this adorable bow tie that I got from a friend that makes them and just started selling them (check out her website HERE).  He also got 3 ties so he is all set to go in that department..haha.

We moved to the kitchen for singing and cupcakes.

Keeping Aiden from touching the flame ;)

Aiden was unsure about the cupcake.  Maybe all of the colors were throwing him.  Or maybe he didn't want to get messy..haha.

He kept grabbing a handful and trying to pass it off to all of us.  He was sharing :)

You could see the colors a lot better on the inside of the cupcakes!

Sharing a bite with Grandpa Knuckles :)

And checking on Grandma Knuckles.

Grandma Christensen cleaning up the birthday boy ;)

I just had to get this picture as I reminisced on how tiny Aiden was at this time last year..tear tear ;)

Winding down.

And we couldn't forget Aiden's card from his "favorite Aunty" ;)  We love Sista Christensen!

I'd say Aiden's birthday was a wild success!  We are so grateful for all of our family and their love for Aiden.  And Aiden wants to give them a big shout-out for all of his new gifts.  He's been playing with them since the par-tay :)

I Got Crafty!!

I was able to finish this beauty - my 4th of July wreath - this afternoon (I was actually able to finish before the 4th - hurray!) and I absolutely LOVE it!  You can find the tutorial HERE.

Aiden and I took a little trip (love our little trips) to Hobby Lobby to gather all of our supplies.  I just went ahead and got a 14" styrofoam wreath form.  And you can't tell, but my foam stars have glitter on them :)

Definitely the hardest part was cutting all of the little squares.  I'm a perfectionist and wanted all of them to be the same size.  Since the felt sheets are 9" by 12" I cut my squares as 2" by 1 1/2" (instead of 2"x2").

Actually, maybe the hardest part was dividing the wreath form evenly..haha.  I had my smartie husband do this since there was some math involved ;)

Do you love the Rhodes rolls rising in the background?  And Aiden's toy on the table?  Life with a cute baby :)

Trent snapped some shots for me of my work in progress.

I didn't even realize Aiden was smiling on the ground behind me :)

Making his way over to Dad.

Nothing to do with my wreath, but Aiden made it over to Dad :)

And ta-da!

I seriously love the 4th of July and all that it represents.  And I think red, white, and blue is the perfect color combination!  I could wear it all year long!  Last year we spent the 4th at the Stadium of Fire with Amy before she went into the MTC on the 6th.  Can't believe it's been a year!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Independence Day!  And save this wreath idea for next year :)