My Review of Silhouette Stencil Material *spoiler alert: it's amazing!*

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been a little MIA lately...we are still living at my dad's and YEP my craft box is STILL packed up.  :(  BUT - I'll try really hard to make it up to you with lots of fun crafts when I get my own house with my own craft room (hopefully!). We put in an offer on a home today, but the house is already under contract, so we are just a backup offer. We probably won't get it, so we are continuing to look...hoping we find that one special home soon!

Today, I've got a Silhouette tutorial for you. I originally guest posted this on Get Silvered and am excited to share it with you guys now! For those of you who don't know, I own the Silhouette Cameo and L-O-V-E it. I use it for almost every craft I make.  One in particular is the Maternity Countdown Shirt that I sell {SHOP}. I make each shirt by hand and would cut out a stencil for the numbers each and every time. It was kind of time consuming and used up a lot of vinyl per shirt. Just a couple months ago, I found out that Silhouette sells a -- you ready for this? -- REUSABLE STENCIL MATERIAL!!!!!! I pretty much freaked out and immediately bought some to try out. Well, it's AMAZING! It's basically a thin plastic that I use over and over and over again. I make so many shirts with one stencil - it saves me SO much time and money. This post is all about my review and a tutorial for cutting and using it!

The Stencil Material comes in a tube. This is great for storing, but not totally great for the stencil material itself. Mine had a few bubbles (you can see in pic below) which made me think at first that the cutting part did not cut all the way through. I was happy to see when I unloaded it that it did cut perfectly - I just had to pull the stencil off the paper backing carefully to make sure it came off along the cut lines in a couple of places. {addition: since I wrote this review, I've purchased more stencil material, and it didn't bubble. Maybe it was just my first try...!}

Hand Painted Burlap Coasters

Happy Wednesday! Today, I'm sharing a project I originally guest posted on Newly Mynted. I just LOVE burlap and found these burlap squares at Michael's for pretty cheap. My mind immediately went to "COASTERS!" These were fun to make - you can use any color of paint and customize them however you want. They'd be adorable as a personalized wedding gift or housewarming gift, too.

Supplies

Burlap squares

Acrylic paint

Foam pouncers | Q-tips | Foam brush {whatever you want!}

Acrylic sealer {not pictured}

This is the fun part! Decorate your coasters however you please. You can use a stencil, but I just painted by hand my designs. I think using a vinyl stencil in the future would be fun.

DIY His & Hers Sharpie Mugs

This week is different than a normal week here at Put A Bird On It. Saturday, March 8, is my anniversary! 6 years! What an incredible 6 years it has been.

Salt Lake LDS Temple

Because I love LOVE so much {I really do - I did a giveaway dedicated to it!} - everything this week will be about LOVE and MARRIAGE! Including a special post about my marriage on Friday. I've never done a "theme" week, so I'm excited to do something new. 

To start off Marriage Week, I have an awesome {and duh EASY} tutorial for you that is ALL about a HIS and a HER. I had so much fun seeing how much everyone loved my West Elm Inspired Sharpie Mugs that I wanted to make another version. I created a funky set of His & Hers Sharpie Mugs. Snuggle up by the fire, put on your favorite Star Wars movie and sip some hot cocoa with these duo mugs. 

One of my very first memories of being married was our first morning in our home. I made us breakfast! Ha ha, those were "the days" ... me cooking ... but, really, I did. All I can remember is that toast was involved. But we sat, just the two of us, at our little yellow hand-me-down table, with our green IKEA dishes, in our 1920 little yellow house, and we ate breakfast together. It's one of our favorite memories. And I sure wish we'd had these mugs at that breakfast. How fun would that have been?!

the how-to

Happy 100 at Put A Bird On It

YAY! A couple days ago, I reached my 100th post here at Put A Bird On It. I almost didn't write anything special because of this... but I just couldn't let that lovely number pass me by without stopping and reflecting. It's like a birthday ... you kind of get a chance to pause and think about the past and everything that has brought you to this point. I thought a little commemorative post was in order, so that's what you get. Since I have new followers since starting at post number 1, I thought you might like to get to know a little about me ... the girl behind Put A Bird On It. It might get a little wordy, but hey, that's just "me" - I like to write! So thanks for being here on my blog and experiencing this crazy beautiful life with me.

I'm married to that guy.

And momma to this girl.

{here's where it gets a little wordy...it's the only spot, I promise!}

I learned to play the piano when I was 3. I've been playing ever since. Music is my outlet. The one thing that I can always control. When I was growing up, if ever I was sad, I would sit at my piano and play. I would play everything away. Music is my life. I grew up in Springville, Utah. We had season tickets to all the BYU basketball & football games, which means I will bleed blue until the day I die. I have 3 sisters and 1 brother. My parents divorced when I was 13...or 14...I don't really know...don't we all kind of block that stuff out? {enter: major music zone, haha} I grew up with my dad and sister and that's where most of my memories are. My dad and I would play music duets (him on trumpet, me on piano) almost every night. My sister and I, every Thursday night, would order pizza & breadsticks and watch the new episode of Friends ... watching for my dad to come home, so we could hurry and change the channel before he saw what we were watching {yep - I grew up with satellite TV but all the channels were blocked except Disney - and I loved it!}. I love DISNEY everything. I can quote the movies like nobody's business. I own all the Disney Sing-A-Long videos. My life dream is to go to Disneyland. Every. Year. I home schooled from junior high until my junior year of high school. I joined choir and was in the school musicals - that saved me. Again - music. I graduated in 2006 and entered a music program at Utah Valley University {UV High, baby!}. I met two of my very best friends there through the music program ... one of which, on a Tuesday night, introduced me to a very cool dude that would one day become my baby daddy. Music has been a key part of every good thing in my life. I married the coolest dude I'd ever met on March 8, 2008, in the Salt Lake City Temple, for time and all eternity. We bought a little yellow house in west SLC. Two months after moving in, our basement flooded, and that began the 5-year renovation of our home. We've made our house into a home and it is 100% US. A few crazy beautiful years later {and I mean crazy beautiful years}, and it was time to grow the fam. On December 10, 2012, Ava Noelle was born. Joy that can't be described or spoken was felt that day. We've just been kicking it in our home ever since. My mom and I have really become close since I've had Ava. I love seeing their relationship and getting to know my mom better, too. Every get together we have to cry at least once {but at least we get it out of the way at the beginning, right, Mutti?!} I love being a wife and a momma. Both have brought the hardest moments in my life - but, more importantly, both have proud the most pure joy I have ever known. Speaking of pure joy, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints {aka "I'm a Mormon"}. I have hope and faith in so many things, many of which you can learn more about by visiting LDS.ORG <<<

I have been blogging for a couple years now. I started my blog as a way to journal my crafty adventures. It really took off when the Maternity Countdown Shirt I made for myself during my pregnancy went viral on Pinterest! You know that really wholesome TV show {i hope you read my sarcasm there} on MTV about Teen Moms? Well, they featured my shirt on their Facebook page. My sister called me freaking out all excited and, I have to admit, I felt pretty cool that day. Apparently the countdown shirt thing is really popular amongst teen moms, ha ha. I really started trying to grow my blog in August 2013; and, here I am, plugging away. I have had some amazing experiences just through blogging. 

A few of my faves:

I've met some of the BEST people, too. I can't even name all the amazing bloggers I've met, but you know who you are! Although we haven't (all) met in real life, I love my bloggy friendships. :) AND, I have some really exciting things starting this year. I feel so blessed and happy with where my life is at right now! You never know where you're going to end up - so enjoy the journey.

Ok. So there aren't 20 questions. But I did ask on Facebook what you'd like to know about me, so I'll answer those questions here!

DIY Gold Dipped Candles ... Guest Post by Katelyn from Learning, Creating, Living

Hello everyone, I'm so excited to be here at Put A Bird On It! Daniela is one of my very good blogger friends & I was so thrilled when she asked me to guest post on her blog. My name is Katelyn and I blog over at Learning Creating Living, where you can find easy & inexpensive diy projects, fun crafts & tasty recipes. Today I'd like to share with you a simple & easy diy project.

I purchased a package of emergency candles at the Dollar Tree. The package came with seven candles but sadly one broke in the making, who likes an odd number anyways? ;) I then used painters tape and taped the part of the candles I didn't want gold.

Link'n Blogs #11

Don't miss out on any link parties! Get email updates sent right to your inbox. Click the link below!

*PUT A BIRD IN MY INBOX*

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Welcome to Link'n Blogs {#11} !

A place to link up your projects and make new friends. We are all about visiting links and following new bloggers here at Link'n Blogs. Remember to leave comments and PIN PIN PIN!

Cause sharing is caring.

**Your links will show up on ALL blogs hosting the link party!**

Interested in guest hosting Link'n Blogs?!

I've created a spreadsheet where you can sign up to host a link party! It's a great way to get to know other bloggers, share a recent post with other party goers and pick the features. Sign up using the link below!

I WANT TO GUEST HOST A LINK PARTY!

Grab my party button! 

 

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I am sharing my Polka Dot Burlap wreath I made for Ava's 1st birthday party. Anyone else swoon over polkas like I do?!

Polka Dot Burlap Birthday Wreath

HOST:
Katelyn from Learning, Creating, Living 

PINTEREST | FACEBOOK | BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM

Katelyn is sharing her Cookies & Cream Popcorn. I love cookies & cream ice cream, so I'm excited to try it with popcorn!

Cookies & Cream Popcorn

We have THREE guest hosts this week! That means our party will be shared on FIVE blogs - the most ever! And more features will be shared, too. Be sure to give some love to our guest hosts - you will love their creative blogs!

Lauryn from Ambiguously Me

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM

Lauryn has a fun lifestyle blog. I swear this girl is always happy and I leave her blog feeling a little happier myself! :) Lauryn is sharing a homemade lemony lip scrub I really want to make for myself. Check it out!

Luscious Lemon Lip Scrub

Emily from The Unextreme

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOOGLE+

Emily shares SO many great tips for saving money on her blog. I pin practically everything she posts! Today, she is sharing tips for selling stuff online. We all do it, so you definitely need to read this!

Easy Tips for Selling Online

Let's all welcome back Debbie from Party Patisserie

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | ETSY

As you'll remember, Debbie really knows how to throw a party! Her blog is a one-stop-shop for all your party planning ideas. Today, Debbie is sharing with us a delicious recipe for strawberry milkshakes! If you go to the blog post, you can find where to get those adorable straw flags and straws, too.

Strawberry Milkshakes

Here are this week's features:

My Pick

DIY Toilet Fizzers by While He Was Napping

Katelyn's Pick

Strawberry Cream Cheesecake by Creative and Delicious

Lauryn's Pick

Planked Headboard by My Craftily Ever After

Debbie's Pick

Decorating a Planner Cover by Homey Oh My

Fan Favorites

My Husband's Man Shed by Welcome to the Good Life

Heart Cinnamon Rolls by Polka Dotty Place

I know the bloggers featured would love if you would visit their posts and say hello!

Follow my blog! If you want to receive an email reminding you about the link party, leave your email when adding your link.
Link to your blog post -- not just your blog.
Share the love! Visit the other links and say who sent you.
If you enjoy a link, you can LIKE it {new feature!}
Adding your link gives me permission to feature you on my blog. 
Grab my party button! - See more at: http://iputabirdonit.blogspot.com/2013/12/diy-christmas-scriptures-advent.html#sthash.mPINNYsH.dpuf

Ok, here are the guidelines for the link party:  

Follow your HOSTS and GUEST HOSTS

If you want to receive an email reminding you about the link party, leave your email when adding your link

Link to your blog post -- not just your blog.

Share the love! Visit the other links and say who sent you

Adding your link gives me permission to feature you on my blog
Share this link party on social media to help Link'n Blogs grow!

*Don't be a LINK & RUN partier. Visit a couple links before you and a couple after!*

Happy Linking!

*Feel free to post my party button on your blog and say you linked up here!*

Leave a permalink on your blog back to the party to help our party grow!
*here is the link*
http://iputabirdonit.blogspot.com/2014/02/linkn-blogs-11.html

All links will be pinned to my Link'n Blogs board. Follow it here! Follow Daniela Walsh {Put A Bird On It}'s board Link'n Blogs {link party faves} on Pinterest.

xo

blog / facebook / instagram / twitter / pinterest / bloglovin

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Interested in guest hosting Link'n Blogs?!
I've created a spreadsheet where you can sign up to host a link party! It's a great way to get to know other bloggers, share a recent post with other party goers and pick the features. Sign up using the link below!

I WANT TO GUEST HOST A LINK PARTY!
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Don't forget to host the Ad Space Giveaway going on right now. Enter to win the opportunity to have your blog/business button featured on the main page of 22 fabulous blog!

Ad Space Giveaway *ENTER HERE*

The 5 "Musts" of Crafting ... Guest Post by Mindy of Best Day Ever

Guys, crafting scares me. And that's no lie.

I hear the word crafternoon and I run as if I am headed to the nearest bomb shelter. 

When I am invited to a craft night, I smile and nod as if that sounds like a great idea, while my eyes widen because I know it's a horrible idea. 

In fact, I have been known to do this a time or two to crafts I see.

Best.Day.Ever.

Oops?

Except for it's not oops. It was intentional, calculated and contrived!

I.loathe.crafts!

I think crafting scares me because I am a perfectionist. I want it to look "perfect" I want it to be as good as the one I saw at this or that store or the one that Daniela made. ;) I find it absolutely easier to purchase the item from a store or, and this is my favorite, manipulate someone else into doing the craft for you entirely, which I call HSEDIFY {have someone else do it for you, opposed to DIY}!

Buuut, this blog isn't about buying things or HSEDIFY. It's about DIY. So, I have come up with five tips that have helped me find crafting less stressful, and hopefully, one, some or all of them can be helpful for you too!

One // Don't compare! I think we have all heard that comparison is a thief of joy and it's true - even in crafting! If I expect mine to look just as good as Daniela's or the one at the store, I will never be happy with what I have created. Plus, having it slightly different adds to the uniqueness, which makes it even more perfect.

Two // Simple crafts. I find that I am much less stress is I focus on the simple crafts. For me, I may never progress to more complicated ones, but for the rest of y'all ... start with someone you know you can do and then slowly increase the difficulty or more challenging DIYs.

Three // Pace yourself. This could mean different things for different people. For me, pacing myself entails choosing crafts that take seven minutes or less to complete. Any more time than that and I start to feel like I am failing or that my entire life is consumed by one craft. For another person it might mean, if it isn't working out the way you want just yet, that is okay! Take some time away from the craft and come back to it later, maybe the following day or the following week.

Four // Be selective. I think sometimes it is easy to get caught up into crafting all the things. But for those who get overwhelmed like me, choose your crafting carefully. Not just the complexity and difficulty of the craft, but are you going to actually use it? I am much happier and much more motivated to stick with a craft I know I will use, much like Daniela's West Elm inspired mugs! 

Five // Just.have.fun. Even if the item turns out horribly, just have fun with it! Some of my favorite blog posts ever are Pinterest fails. No one is perfect, not every craft or recipe turns out perfectly. And sometimes that is what makes the best experience of all! 

Best of luck in all your crafting endeavors! If you have an awesome craft that you think fits into the categories well, leave a comment with a link to the post in the comments section and I will venture my way over to your blog to check it out! :)

___

While I do keep my crafting down to a minimum, here are a few things I have crafted over the past little while. Be prepared to be UH-MAZED. ;)

Ugly Christmas Sweater Advent Calendar

Glitter Vial Necklace

Valentine's Day Fingernails

Polka Dot Sticker Nails

And don't even get me started on recipes. ;)

FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER / BLOGLOVIN

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Thanks, Mindy! I love number 1 the most: don't compare! I think this is a GREAT lesson for LIFE -- not just crafting. Be-YOU-tiful! 

Say hi to Mindy over at Best.Day.Ever!
I recommend checking out her list of "things that must be kicked!"

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! I'll be working on orders for my Shop {maternity countdown shirts}. I also am going to be doing a photo shoot for a product review & giveaway that will be posting on Monday. I am SO excited about this one, you guys! Think "really adorable onesies for my baby" -- I might literally be putting a bird on my child. Can't wait!

I would totally love it if you would follow my blog through GFC -- that's Google Friend Connect -- on the sidebar to your left. That way, you can be the first to know about what's happening here at Put A Bird On It. And thank you for reading my blog! Every day, I tell my husband how much I LOVE blogging. I get excited to write a blog post. I read and gush over every single comment. I look at your profiles, find your blogs, and try to be active in the blogging community. It's kind of nerdy, probably, but I seriously LOVE it. Thank YOU for being here. :)

See you next week!

xo

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While you're here, don't forget to enter my HUGE Valentine's Day Giveaway! It ends in a couple days, so enter while you can. Muah!

"I love LOVE" Valentine's Giveaway