Easy Decorative Letters

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I was inspired to make these decorative letters after seeing so many great ones out in blogland. 
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Supplies:
- Wood letters (mine were 99 cents each from Hobby Lobby)
- Scrapbook paper
- Craft glue
- Craft Paint
- Gloss varnish (optional)
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Step 1: Trace letters (face-down) on back of paper.
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Step 2:  Paint the edges and sides of letters with craft paint.

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Step 3:  While the paint is drying, cut the letters out of the paper.
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Step 4:  Glue paper to wood letters.  I usually dilute the craft glue with a little water so that it's easier to brush on.
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Step 5:  I had some gloss varnish so I decided to brush it on.  I don't think this was really necessary, but it does add a nice sheen to the painted wood edges.

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Step 6:  Let letters dry and you are finished!

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I decided to put the letters in a nook I have by my back door. 
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This was a quick, easy project, and for less than $6.00 added a nice pop of color.
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I'm linking up to:
- Frugalicious Fridiays @ Finding Fabulous
- Remodelaholics Anonymous @ The Remodelaholic
- Finished for Friday @ Lit and Laundry
- SNS @ Funky Junk Interiors
- Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello
- Make it for Monday @ Cottage Instincts
- Making the World Cuter Monday @ Making the World Cuter
- Trendy Treehouse
- It's fun to Craft

St. Thomas & the Virgin Islands

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My Mom, sister, and I spent eight wonderful nights in St. Thomas to celebrate my Mom's 60th Birthday.
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We rented a condo on the East end of the island through VRBO.  My sister wrote a nice post on VRBO if you want to know more.  We were really pleased with our condo - we felt right at home.
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A view of our condo complex (We had a roof balcony & two other balconies - how cool is that?!):
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We rented a Jeep to get us around the island and also took it over to St. John two times on the car ferry. 
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Driving on the left was kind of fun - the only bad part is the roads are EXTREMELY narrow and EXTREMELY steep. 
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We went to a different beach everyday.  I spent most of the week like this:

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Our favorite beach (by far) was Trunk Bay on St. John.  It was the most beautiful beach I have seen anywhere.  Here I am with Baby Sister at a senic stop overlooking Trunk Bay:
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More pictures from Trunk:
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My Mom looking great @ 60!

(I hope you don't mind me posting a picture of you in you bathing suit, Mom, but you look great!  Was this before or after you went under?!)

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We also really liked Cinnamon Bay in St. John.  The water really is that blue!

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We spent one day on a boat tour to the British Virgin Islands (Another stamp in the passport. . .Yes!).  We stopped @ the Baths in Virgin Gorda, and also went to Tortola, Soggy Dollar Beach, and went snorkeling @ Diamond Reef.

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The Baths:

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We spent lots of time looking for shells:

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And plenty of time drinking local beer:

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One of the locals told us about Lindquest Beach.  We really liked it and there was hardly anyone there (Although there were plenty of roosters who were interested in our lunch).

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Dinner in Red Hook:

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Our last night in town and Mom's Birthday:

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We had dinner at a restaurant called Mafolie.  It's high above Charlotte Amalie and has wonderful views.

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We had a really great trip!

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Amy Butler Domestic Goddess Half Apron

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This weekend I made myself the Amy Butler Domestic Goddess half apron.  I've been wanting one since I made these as Christmas gifts.

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Cutting out the pattern pieces:
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Pockets are pinned on and ready for sewing:
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Sewing on the pockets:
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Pockets are done & waistband is attached:
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All finished:
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I hung the apron up to try and get a better shot of it and for some reason it looks ridiculously wide when hanging!

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Here's the apron in action:
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This is a fun and easy sewing pattern and has neat details.  I especially like the pleats at the center of the apron.  I'm a slow sewer and this only took me a few hours to make.

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Hope everyone had a great weekend!  I saw my two best friends this weekend and went bridesmaid dress shopping for my friend Ann's wedding.  Lots of fun! 

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I'm linking up to:

Making the World Cuter

Make it Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden

We Did it Wednesday  @ Sew Much Ado

Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple

Back to Reality. . .

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View of Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S.V.I.

Just a quick post to say that I am back from vacation and back to the real world.  I've got lots of catching up to do at home and at work but hopefully I'll be back blogging sometime soon.
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I'm so glad it's March - Spring is on it's way!
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