We are so excited to introduce our new Creative Team to you over the next month. We’ve picked each one of them for different reasons…. but the one thing they all have in common is that they are incredibly creative and talented!!
Today we’d like to welcome and introduce to you, Lauren of Lauren McKinsey. Her blog and shop are full of all things cute. We are so excited to see what Lauren shares with us each month… We just know you guys are going to love her and her fun printables!
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I am over the moon excited to be sharing a project here at Eighteen25! What a tremendous honor to be part of a blog that I have admired and read for so long!
With Valentine’s Day around the corner I thought it only fitting to share with you a sweet little idea created in the spirit of showing love!
One of the things that I love about this pink and red filled holiday is that it gives me that extra opportunity to tell those around me just how much I love them. I am always looking for creative ways to do that in a houseful of BIG boys, and I think that I have found a fun and unique way to do that. This project is perfect for both the BIG and little people in your life!
I love the idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day for the entire month of February – or at least through the 14th! During a recent trip to Target {and a stop around the dollar bins} I found the cutest little notebooks filled with unlined paper. Having a few ideas in mind for these little treasures, I snatched up a handful. I would use these books to leave love notes for my boys. Although they would never admit it, they do love it when their momma leaves them notes around the house. I don’t do it as often as I should or would like, but this little notebook left me inspired to do more. This way I would have one place to write sweet notes to the boys and it would be something that they could save & keep! In fact, this is a great idea for your spouse or significant other. I think that I will create a book for my hubby and leave him a note in it everyday. I love the idea of something so simple and sweet making such a lasting impact.
Being a graphic designer with a tag line of “think cute” I couldn’t wait to design a fun line of printables to go along with my notebook. I wanted to create a tag that could be used on the front of any little notebook or pad you decide to use. I also created a set of stickers that could be used in the book as well. A little something fun to brighten up the pages and add that extra little smile to your reader.
You will need the following supplies:
- A notepad. Any size will do!
- Pen/Pencil
- Scissors or circle paper punch
- Full sheet sticker paper
- Set of {FREE} printables from Lauren McKinsey – download HERE
Instructions:
- Print your FREE printable on full sheet sticker paper.
- Cut & attach the LOVE NOTES long sticker to the outside of your notebook.
- Punch of the remaining stickers with a 1 & 1/2 inch paper punch.
- Write your first love note.
And then another idea popped into my head! I wanted to create a gift that would be perfect for your favorite Valentine, teacher or friend. Having glitter left over from a project I had done for my youngest son’s teachers, I thought it would be fun to paint the word LOVE on a large latte mug purchased from Target and create a heart in place of the letter O using glitter. It would be perfect. Now I needed something fun to fill the mug with. So, back to the computer I went to design a sweet set of pink and red hearts perfect for filling your mug with calorie free treats!
You will need the following supplies:
- A white ceramic latte mug or bowl
- Enamel paint from Plaid
- Paint brush
- Martha Stewart Crafts decoupage multi-surface durable gloss finish
- Martha Stewart silver glitter
- Printable sheet of hearts from Lauren McKinsey – download HERE
- Cardstock
Instructions:
- Wash ceramic dish with soapy water and dry completely.
- Wipe clean with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Paint the letters L, V and E leaving room for the glittered heart.
- Follow the instructions on the enamel paint and bake in the oven to set the paint.
- After the cup has cooled, paint a heart using the decoupage glue and sprinkle with glitter.
- Allow the glitter to dry overnight and paint another coat of the decoupage over the glitter the following day.
- Write sweet notes on the back of the paper hearts and add to the bowl. It would be fun to add one a day!
It is my hope that this post has left you inspired to leave a trail of love notes around your house this Valentine’s Day!
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and check out these other great posts of hers…
I'm Jen Sedillo, one of the bloggers behind Eighteen25. I love creating and crafting, reading good books, visiting new places and being with family!
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Love these printables – thanks so much!
I am assuming that due to the glitter paint, the mug is not washable? Or does the decoupage finish not wash off? That would be pretty amazing…I might end up with a cupboard full of glittery dishes in that case!!! These are cute, thanks!
Hi! Yes, they are washable! The decoupage finish WILL NOT wash off, but you have to follow the instructions. Here is a great post about making glittered mugs!
http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/glitter-dipped-mug/
Have fun making these!
Love that mug idea! Totally going to steal it 🙂
Super cute idea!
Amazing ideas!! I love it all!!
I think I just fainted from the cuteness!!! love it all!
I LOVE Lauren! Fantastic addition to an already fabulous site!
Amazing! I want and I really need.