cowboy WANTED sign

my husband's love for football always means increased creative time for me. we have a history of chilling out in front of the TV - him engrossed in the game and telling me random facts about players while i get my craft on.

this week i had a rootin' tootin' fun time planning the decor for my husband's cousin's new cowboy bedroom! first project down - 

cowboy wanted sign

• cardstock
• coffee
• oven
• cookie sheet
• printer
• computer

i came across this idea on bellezaeluce.com, but she didn't have a tutorial. stink. i know very little about how to do things like this. i got my game face on and pretended like i knew what i was doing. google has the answers to everything, right? right.

• i downloaded this free font and this free font {the serial publication one} and used it with Playbill {already in word}

• i called up benjamin and had him tell me what he wanted his nickname and his crime to be! he had fun brainstorming his elaborate heist, but for space's sake, i had to narrow it down to bank robber and train hijacker.

• if you want to add the lines {i use word 2010} go to "insert", then "shapes", select "line". once you have it lined up where you want, double click it. a new group of options will pop up at the top. select the down arrow on "shape outline" and then the arrow for "weight" to select the thickness of each line.

• i originally had a sweet-faced picture of him from easter, but really now, what bad guy wants his smiling face on a wanted poster plastered all over town? not this one. he rounded up his cowboy gear and gave me quite the glare as i stared down the barrel of his gun. i'm super grateful he didn't pull the trigger.

• following the same plan as i did for my Christmas ornaments, i printed this in black ink, tore the edges, placed it on a cookie sheet, poured about 1/4-1/2 cup coffee over it, and stuck it in a 200 degree oven.

• it typically takes 15-20 minutes. you'll know it's done when the edges are peeling off the cookie sheet.

we're nailing it up on the wall as part of his cowboy decor. from the sound of it, i think he's pretty pumped to show his friends and my husband has declared it to be his favorite of all my projects. i love boys.

love and outlaws,
amber.

photo thank you cards.

what better way to finish the sporadic birthday series than with thank you cards? i love to do photo cards because they're cheaper, less likely to get thrown away {fridge, anyone?}, and more personal. i do believe the final product was my plan E, but it all worked out in the end.

creative idea #14: photo thank you cards
idea sparked by: blog.alainmartinez.com {very last pic}

tools:

• scrapbook paper {9 pieces of 8x11}
• card stock {9 pieces of 8x11}
• ruler
• pencil
• scissors
• tape
• something to string banner with {optional}
• hot glue gun (optional)
• computer + printer
• something round to trace circles around letters {optional. i used a bowl}
• camera
• baby
• props {optional}
• avery 5164 labels {optional}
• post card stamps

directions:

• to make a banner triangle the full size of an 8x11 piece of paper, use a ruler to mark the center of the bottom of the piece of scrapbook paper. trace one line from that point to each of the top corners, to make a triangle. repeat with all scrapbook paper.
• on the computer, type out THANK YOU! in desired font and color, sized to fit your triangles. print on cardstock
• either cut them out right on the letter, or use a round object to trace a circle around them. {i put the circle on the paper and held it up to the light to make sure the letter was centered before tracing}. cut out.
• tape the letters to the triangles
• i was originally going to do this outside and have the banner hot glued on to lace ribbon and hanging from 2 chairs, but i needed to get these done quick so i taped them to the wall instead{no trip to the park necessary}. you choose your plan of attack.

• photograph your adorable subject with desired props.

• edit and print photos.
• because my hand writing isn't the best and i thought it would be fun, i printed out individual thank yous from emery in kid font. i let each person know what emery loved to do with their gift! i printed these on the avery 5164 labels and stuck them on the back of the photo.

what are your favorite thank you card ideas??

love and gratitude,

amber.