September 2017Occasionally Crafty: September 2017

Friday, September 29

DIY Copycat Pumpkin Patch Wooden Sign

It's finally fall!  Even though fall officially started last week, we had a late heat wave here in Iowa.  5 days of 90+ degrees was no fun!  Even though I'm used to that from being a Phoenix girl, I wasn't expecting it here!  Now we are in the 40's and 50's at night and the 60's and 70's during the day-- perfect!

Here in my new house, I have a mantel with a really big, blank wall behind it.

So, when I decorate, I have to put big things up there or it kind of looks ridiculous.


I saw this tutorial from Sincerely, Sara D and knew I wanted to make my own, oversized version for my fall mantle.  So, I did!

DIY Extra Large Pumpkin Patch Wooden Sign

Friday, September 15

DIY Stenciled Halloween Doormat

DIY Stenciled Halloween Doormat


“Trick or treat, smell my feet”


Oh that lovely little rhyme.  I really wish my 5th grade son had never learned the rest of it.  What is it about 10 year olds and potty humor?


Still, this part, at least, makes a fun little saying for your whimsical Halloween decor.  I’m over at See Vanessa Craft today to show you how to make this fun doormat encouraging all your Halloween guests to, that’s right, smell your feet.

Click over for the full tutorial. Happy Halloween!

Too soon???


Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund this blog so I can keep bringing you fun new craft projects to try at home!

Friday, September 8

Make your own Fall Printable with PicMonkey.

Bring a little fall inside with this cute Fall Subway Art Printable

DIY Printables with Picmonkey

Since Labor Day is over, it's time to break out the fall decor.  Right?  Right?

(I may have been accused of putting fall stuff out too early, which is nonsense.  Must have all the fall things!)

Anyway, I got this darling file as a freebie some time back, and finally decided to print it out and frame it.

It's not free anymore, but you can purchase a copy here.  I'll show you how I use these files to make my own printable decor.

First, download your file and save it somewhere you'll remember it.

Then, open up Picmonkey.  I am a premium member but you don't need it for this tutorial. Choose "Design", then "Blank Canvas".

DIY Printables with Picmonkey

Next, choose your canvas size.  I'm eventually going to print this as an 8x10, so I choose 8.5x11.


DIY Printables with Picmonkey

Set your canvas, or background, color.  Most often I choose white, as I will with this design.  Hit "Apply" and you're good to go.

DIY Printables with Picmonkey

Next, you're going to import that design you downloaded.  Click on Overlays, which is the butterfly design on the left hand column.  Then click "Add your own".

DIY Printables with Picmonkey

You'll then navigate to your file and click open (not pictured).

This should bring up your design somewhere on your blank canvas.  

DIY Printables with Picmonkey

At this point, you can play with your design, changing the size and placement, and sometimes even the color.  

Once you have it the way you want it, either "save" it, or "export" it.  This is kind of confusing.  If you save it, that means you want to come back and work on it later.  It's saving a copy to the Picmonkey hub.  If you export it, then you are saving it to your computer.  Let's choose that option so we can print it.

DIY Printables with Picmonkey

Name your file, choose your resolution (I almost always choose "Pierce), and export it.  This will let you choose a location on your computer to save it, and then you are done!

DIY Printables with Picmonkey
I love using Picmonkey to make printables, invitations, and more.  It's so easy and so many features are free.  And no, this is not sponsored in any way.  I just love Picmonkey!

DIY Printables with Picmonkey

Happy fall, y'all!

Check out some of my other fun fall projects:



Fall Printable with Mini Banner



Fall Burlap Wall Hanging


Faux Pumpkin Flower Centerpiece

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund this blog so I can keep bringing you fun new craft projects to try at home!

Friday, September 1

Friday Fun Finds





Happy September everyone!  Did August fly by for anyone else?  Wow.  It's been crazy, but now the kids are in school and routines are getting back to normal, so that means more time for the blog.

So, Amazon has this new stream called Interesting Finds.  It's updated daily, and it has all sorts of fun stuff.  So, I thought once in a while I'd show you my favorites of the week.  It's a fun way to get to know me, by seeing what makes me smile.  And I can get to know you if you tell me what your favorites are!


So, here are this week's Friday Fun Finds:


1.  Decole Cat Mug and Spoon.  These kitties are adorable.  And useful.  

2.  Hanging Terrarium Planters.  I have to admit, when I first saw the picture, I thought these were earrings.  I thought "this is taking the succulent craze too far!"  But no.  They are cute planters.  Perfect for your house or outdoor space :)

3.  Bread Box.  I'm sorry, this is lovely.  And it would have fit right in with my old kitchen.  My new kitchen....not so much.  Luckily they have it in other colors!

4.  Almost Adulting:  Well, here's the perfect gift for those grads this year.  Check out this description from the publisher:
       By the end of the book—a mash-up of essays, lists, and artwork—you'll have learned not only how to dress yourself, how to travel alone, how to talk to strangers online, and how to date strangers (in PERSON!), but also how to pass as a real, functioning, appropriately socialized adult.

Now where was this when I was an almost-adult?


5.  Narwhal Pushpins:  I've got a daughter who loves Narwhals.  She's always singing "Narwhal, narwhal swimming in the ocean, causing a commotion...."  These would be perfect for her!

Okay, those are the ones that jumped off the page to me.  Which one is your favorite?  Or do you have another favorite fun find?  SHOW ME!  



Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund this blog so I can keep bringing you fun new craft projects to try at home!