Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

DIY, Holidays!

Earth Day AND Administrative Professional’s Day?!

Earth Day // DIY Seed Bombs // Treats or Favors for Earth Day // Free Printable

As you all already know, there are few things that excite me more than holidays. I like to make holidays out of every possible event that I can. Official holidays, unofficial holidays, trash-day, you name it. And since you can imagine how much fun I have on ONE holiday, can you imagine what happens when there’s TWO holidays on ONE day?! Oh Mylanta. It’s ecstasy.

Next week, not only do you get to celebrate Earth Day, but you also get to celebrate Administrative Professional’s Day. All in one day. I know, I know, don’t go too crazy. You still have to maintain somewhat of a responsible life. And if you’re not an administrative professional (like me!), then feel free to celebrate ME! I always like to lend a hand if I can. If nothing else, it gives you an excuse to have that extra glass of wine.
You're the Bomb! DIY Seed Bombs // Administrative Professionals Day // Co-Worker Gift for Administrative Professionals Day

So in true administrative professional spirit (with a hint of Earthy love), I needed to find a little treat to hand out at work. Something that mixed both holidays into one amazing treat. Something that screamed “I LOVE THE EARTH” while simultaneously shouting, “YOU’RE AMAZING.”

When my friend mentioned Seed Bombs to me, I went straight to the internet to find out more information. Sure enough, these little suckers were perfect. I mean, a little favor that will grow wildflowers with a little Earthy love? Pshhhh. Blowing it out of the water.You've Been Bombed // DIY Seed Bombs // Give someone a seed bomb to grow wildflowers!

Then I went to work. I bought Crayola clay (2.5lb tub) from Michael’s ($6.99) in the Terra Cotta color. I used 2.5 cups of the clay, mixed with 4 cups of soil, and 1/2 cup of seeds. I should have used more soil, but buying a huge bag of soil for 4 cups seemed a little pointless. If you have extra on hand, you should use at least 6 cups. Mix together with your hands, adding water as you go (tiny bit at a time). I’d suggest mixing outside, right next to a hose! The clay will dye your hands, but will wash off quickly. Form them into the size balls you’d like, and lay out to dry. I let mine dry for three days, then cut fabric to tie them up. Print the tags, and you’re ready to go!DIY Seed Bombs // How To Make Your Own Seed BombsYou can print the Earth Day tags here.

You can print the Administrative Professionals Day tags here.

You can print the You’re The Bomb! Seed bomb tags here.

Tell me, will you celebrate either holiday?! Or both? At least do the Earth a favor and try to do something nice. Maybe if it’s lucky I will take the train to work to reduce my carbon footprint. Okay I probably won’t do that, but I think my seed bombs make up for it right?

As for Administrative Professional’s Day, you should check out this post to see how I really feel about it.

DIY

From Artwork to Masterpiece: Turn drawings into Stuffed Animals!

 From Artwork to Masterpiece // Turn your child's drawing into a stuffed animal There are few things on TV as entertaining as Shark Tank. Or maybe that’s just me. I just love watching entrepreneurs try to pitch their horrible ideas to the “sharks” that have more money than they will ever know what to do with. Seriously. I want to be on the show and just ask them for money. I will pitch my dream life: Please pay for me to travel the country and try cheeseburgers everywhere. I think they’d be completely on board. It’s definitely a better idea than some of the ones I’ve seen. Typically as I watch, my thought process goes something like this:

“Oh look at this woman, she’s so organized. Her idea is going to be great.”

“She wants HOW MUCH MONEY?”

“For that????”

“No one is going to invest in this product.”

“Who would buy that?”

“I knew it. All sharks are out.”

“Oh no. She’s crying?! Oh god.”

“Okay just give her the money! She can’t take the pressure!”

“I guess her product has potential! I could use one of those.”

“I could totally put that in the White Elephant gift exchange at Christmas.”

From Artwork to Masterpiece // Turn your child's drawing into a stuffed animal Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely some good ideas on Shark Tank. Like the guy last week, who stole my idea that I stole from someone else. Who does he think he is? I took this idea fair and square from someone else who had it first. He should be ashamed of himself. Or at least give me a cut. Okay I’ll settle for a cheeseburger.

From Artwork to Masterpiece // Turn your child's drawing into a stuffed animal

I’m sure by now (unless you’re seriously clueless), you’ve figured out what the idea was. My cousin’s daughter E wanted her drawing turned into a stuffed animal. My cousin is by far an amazing mother who had every intention on sending this drawing in to one of the companies online that can do this for her. Even with the price tag of up to $150! I mean if she didn’t get the Mom of the Year award for that, I don’t know what would. Because the sites she found were back ordered until July, she asked me if she thought I could do it. Of course I could. How hard could it be?!

Ugh.
From Artwork to Masterpiece // Turn your child's drawing into a stuffed animal It was so hard. I had a relatively easy time sewing it together until I got to the head. I ended up having to hot glue the head on. Which E immediately noticed when she received it in the mail. But that didn’t deter her from absolutely loving it. Which gave me the back pat I needed after the excruciating process.

If you’d like to attempt to make your own, here’s a few tips: Print out the original drawing, cut it out to shape. If you’re able to blow it up on the printer, that is your best option for accurate shape. Cut material to size, leaving 1/4 inch extra for seam. Details, details, details. The animal may look a little odd, but the point is to make the stuffed animal as close as you can to the original drawing. I used felt for the “black spot” on the cat’s tail, and cut holes in it for accuracy. I also used felt for the facial features. Overall, it wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Just ask E.

Birthday's, DIY, Party Planning

Printable Birthday Banner

Printable Birthday Banner // DIY // Snail Mail Birthday CardYou officially have 32 days to shop for my birthday. I know that I told you I didn’t need anything, but who are we kidding? I’d like a lifetime supply of cheeseburgers, a trip to the Maldives (because the IRS took that dream away), and a new mansion for my cat. I mean, I’d live there too, but this is strictly for her. I always put her needs first.

After I eat the cheeseburgers in my mansion in the Maldives, I will send you a thank you card. Hopefully it arrives on time, I hear the Maldives postal system is a little slow. I will also send you a beautiful card for your birthday. I’ll probably buy it at the dollar store, but if you’re real lucky I’ll make one by hand. Or you’ll get this Birthday Banner Box. I mean, it is clearly much cooler than my lifetime supply of cheeseburgers (but it still needs some work to compete with the Maldives).

Printable Birthday Banner // DIY // Snail Mail Birthday Card So one day, as I was cruising through Pinterest, I found this adorable free printable birthday banner from Whipperberry. How cool to be able to print/cut/hang this pretty banner for someone’s birthday? I automatically pinned it, and you should too. Because you never know when you’ll need a printable birthday banner at the last minute. Think co-workers, friends, husband…that way when you “forget” their birthday, you can pull out your handy-dandy birthday banner.

After I pinned it, I had an idea. What if I printed it really small, strung it on baker’s twine, and put it in a box? It could be a mini-banner, sent as a birthday card. I contacted Heather at Whipperberry to see if she would be okay with me giving you my mini-version, and she said yes! So before you open it, PLEASE check out her banner (and PIN IT!) first. Then you can open mine. And don’t you dare skip the steps.

To save/print the mini-banner, click here. You will also need to print the “Pull Me Tag.“After you cut it, use a mini-hole puncher to punch TWO holes in each letter. That may not seem important, but otherwise the letters move too much. String onto baker’s twine, and fill in small square box (Michael’s sells them for $.99). Currently these will cost $2.32 US to mail at USPS. So for $3.31 you have an adorable handmade birthday card!

So what do you think? Better than the $4.99 Hallmark cards?

DIY, Party Planning

It’s Master’s Weekend! Free Master’s Trivia Printable

Printable Masters Trivia Game // Masters Week // Golf Trivia

On my seemingly never-ending commute this morning, I heard a question on the radio: “What is the one quote that has stuck with you for years?” Mine is easy, it came immediately to my mind.

“What’s meant to be, will be.”

In other words, everything happens for a reason. It could not be more true. For example, as much as my husband wants Phil Mickelson to win the Masters golf tournament this weekend, it just might not happen. Why? Because everything happens for a reason. As long as the reason is not so Tiger Woods can win, he’ll get over it. He looks forward to this all year long, and he literally thinks its better than most holidays. That is, until Phil is out of the running. Then he thinks it’s like Hell week.

Either way, I like to decorate a little for his holiday. Last year I put out a much better effort (check the photos here), but this year I was a little lazy. I printed out the Masters Golf Trivia again (because there’s no way he remembers anyway), tied them to golf tees, and strung up my “golf ball” lanterns. For info on how I did this, check out the link for photos above.Easy Golf Decorations // DIY Golf // Golf Party

 So for my sake, I hope you all cheer for Phil to win the Masters this weekend. But just in case he doesn’t, send cheeseburgers and wine my way, please.  And thank you.

What is the one quote that you’ll always remember?