A Year in Review: Top 10 Projects of 2011

Wow guys.

I can't believe how fast this whole break is going by.

Does it feel that way to you too?

Not to mention that the year is nearly at it's end.

I mean, where did 2011 really go??

And now we have that whole 'end of the world' thing to worry about thanks to those Mayans.

I can't even begin to express how much I love the whole blogging world. 

This year has been such a huge year for me in terms of growth, exposure and new experiences in this little blog. 

And I'm so thankful to have all of you around for support, inspiration and as the most amazing followers a girl could have!!! 

I can't believe that the 1000 follower mark is coming up so quick!!

I think 2012 is going to be a very interesting year.

I started going through old posts and stats to come up with my 'best of' list and wow did I get overwhelmed quick!

I realized that about a million of my favorite projects happened within this one year so I had to work hard to narrow some of my favorites (and yours) down to just ten :)

But nonetheless I have the list.

And I'm so happy to share it with you!!

Thanks again for keeping me encouraged and inspired!

Top 2011 Projects:

(Click on the name to go to the original post)

1: Valentine's Printable

I cannot believe how much this printable has taken off.

It's my number 1 viewed post EVER for my blog and it gets hits every day.

Craziness.

I'm pretty sure you'll be seeing a new version of this come 2012!

So get ready :)

2: Felt & Fabric Ruffle Wreath

This is my favorite wreath I made from 2011.

Huge, ruffly and totally worth a few hours work :)

3: Pirate Party Printables

I had so much fun putting little man's fourth bday together and LOVED the pirate theme we had going.

He says he wants to do it again this year :)

The pirate printables I made were a hit with you guys as well!

4. Tiffany Desk Redo

Of course, a 2011 recap would be nothing without a fun furniture redo!

I really got into redoing pieces this year and cannot wait to get some more done in the upcoming year.

It's definitely a passion (not to mention, nice therapy) of mine that I intend to learn more about!

The Tiffany Desk was my favorite redo this year.

Although it was super hard because I had a lot of fun pieces I got to paint.

5: The Swirled Plate Wall

I LOVED this project because it had been on my 'to do' list for so long!

I still love seeing all the fun plates up when I walk into the dining room :)

6. Spraypainted Vases

This was a super easy and fun project from this year!

Personalizing old, mis-matched vases to fit your color scheme.

Gotta love spraypaint.

It will definitely still be my best friend in 2012.

7. Laundry Closet Makeover

I still look at this room and can't believe that it's the same laundry closet we started with when we moved in.  

It's so amazing that it was able to look this good!

If you missed it, you have to check out the before because it was just awful.

And now it's just plain pretty :)

8. Photo & Quote Blocks

I had to include these because they're MY favorite little project of the year.

I did a ton of them for Christmas gifts and they might just be making an Etsy debut if I can get my butt in line :)

I love making them fit the personality of whoever gets them and they're so fun and easy to make!

But I still have a special place in my heart for that picture with my curly-headed hubby in it :)

9. Glitter Pumpkins & Gourds

Glitterblast was definitely a fun new product that I loved playing with this year!

These glitter gourds made a huge splash with the blogworld and I was sad to put the glittery prettiness away until next year...

10. Delicious Chair Revamp

I'm still constantly amazed at how much attention this little chair gets.

The stats never seem to go down for it and that makes me smile :)

But most likely, the chair makes everyone smile.

Who could resist white paint and that amazing pattern??

I can't wait to reveal my dining room table plans.

If you like this chair, you'll love the whole dealio all together!!

So there you have it guys!!!

A whole year narrowed down to 10 Projects :)

Have I told you guys how much I love you??

I'm so excited to start a brand new year of creating with you guys!

You're the best :)

Just to end it with something fun, I wanted to share my top five favorite craft items from 2011:

1: Burlap (and more burlap!)

2. White spraypaint

(I started in love with heirloom white & recently am obsessed with just good old gloss white)

3. Purdy Paintbrushes

4. Stencils (And those will be huge for me in 2012, I think!)

5. My trusty hot glue gun.

Now spill your favorites.

Because we all know you have them :)

I'm off to spend time with hubby while he's still off work for the week.

And play games and snuggle with little man.

So I probably won't be seeing you guys until the New Year!

See ya in 2012!!!!

Linking to:

Top Ten Linky @ Someday Crafts

Weekend Wrap up Party @ Tatertots and Jello

Complete Set of Pirate Printables

I promised you the complete set of printables and I'm here to deliver :)

I wanted to make sure and get this post up before finals hit and I completely forgot!

So...here they are

Pirate Printables

{complete set}

Underneath each picture will be the link to download.

PLEASE send pictures if these make it into any of your pirate-y parties!!

'Digging for treasure' Game Sign 

(download here)

"Get Your Loot" Sign

(Download here)

Pirate Loot Bag Topper:

Black and White

(Download here)

Pirate Loot Bag Topper:

Red and White

(Download here)

"Hands off me loot" Tag

(Download here)

Pirate Cupcake Toppers

(I'm so excited to show these to you... I never got the chance to show them off this past week)

Here are mine that I did:

And I am giving you all four but with two of them blank so you can personalize them yourself

"Beware of Pirates" Cupcake Topper

(Download here)

Pirate Ship Cupcake Topper

(Download here)

Blank Cupcake Topper

(Example: Captain ______)

(Download here)

Blank Cupcake Topper

(Example: Age of child)

(Download here)

As with all my free printables,

these are for personal use ONLY.

Please do not claim them as your own.

I hope these help and inspire all of you!

I had so much fun making them
and am kind of sad not to have an excuse to do pirate-y things anymore :)

Partying it up like a Pirate!

Well, guys, we made it.

The decorations were hung.

The cupcakes were eaten.

And the little mateys partied it up!

It DID end up raining which was a bummer but we ended up making it work.

It was barely sprinkling when we started setting up so I decided not to chance it.

So my big outdoor vision was changed to fit inside the house

and on the back patio under a pavilion we borrowed.

The kiddos had fun but I am exhausted :)

Want to see how it went down?

Here's the overall snapshot of the party:

Pirate Party Day 5: Pirate Birthday Banner

I'm writing this in between a cleaning overhaul of the house and organzing all the party stuff!

I can't believe the party is tomorrow....and the forecast is still showing rain.

Oh well.

I wanted to show you the fun birthday banner I made- it's my first one I attempted to make from scratch so be kind :)

I made these circle letters on Word and printed them out on white cardstock.

Pirate Party Day 4: Pirate Loot Bags (and 3 free printables!)

I am pretty much staying a couple hours ahead of each post.

Literally.

I keep thinking I will have all this time (why do I think that??) to get all this stuff done...

and I really just don't :)

But I manage to get it done and then post about it a few hours later.

But today I had a research final...so that's a good excuse right?

Hopefully there will be plenty to party with tomorrow- I have several things to show ya!

Today I went about putting together little pirate-y goodie bags and have some way fun printables to share with my favoritest followers (ummm....that would be you!)

I went easy and cheap for these little suckers but they are way cute so that isn't even a factor :)

These are the loot bag toppers I designed and printed out.

(scroll to bottom to download them for youself!)

I printed them on white cardstock and they are 5x7, which fit perfectly with any regular snack-size ziploc bags you get.

And you're other special ingredients....

*stapler

*Snack-size baggies

Our little pirate friends are getting chocolate gold dubloons

(little man thinks it's way cool that I convinced Jake to give me some- haha!)

and a cute pirate eye patch I got from Target.

These are super easy.

Cut out the printable treat bag toppers and then fold them in half like so...

Then staple them along each end of the baggies to close :)

And you have loot bags worthy of any mini landlubber that comes your way :)

And another fun piece of eye candy is the 'Get Your Loot' sign I whipped up and framed.

It lets everyone know what they are there for and, most importantly, not to leave it behind!

(Another special thanks to Sprik Space for the fantastic pattern pieces that I've used as backgrounds for most of my prints!) :)

(and yes, you can download this too...head to the bottom!)

I'm in love with the black, red and blue colors.

Maybe because I don't get to use those combinations very often.

It's fun to branch out :)

And I'm kind of proud of my little sign

(and am in love with the cute little ship)

Alrighty, mateys.

The loot YOU were waiting for is here:

Black and White Loot Bag Topper:

(Click here to download)

Red and White Loot Bag Topper:

(Click here to download)

"Get Your Loot" Sign

I printed mine in an 8x10 and it turned out great!

(Click here to download)

Hope you like your loot!!

**Go here to check out the whole party

and here for the free complete set of printables**

Linking to:

Simply Creations @ Simple Home Life

Remodaholics Anonymous @ Remodaholic

FFA Friday @ Sassy Sites

Friday Flair @ Whipperberry

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Pirate Treasure

I thought I'd share a quick glimpse into all the pirate loot I've picked up this past week.

One great idea I found was to fill a kiddie pool with sand and let the kiddos dig for treasure.

I'm super excited because little man loves to dig and...

I get to pick out all sorts of fun sparkly treasures for them to dig up!!

I have a way cute printable and treasure bucket idea coming up but you'll have to wait til tomorrow for that :)

For now...here's a glimpse at all the treasure they'll be searching for...

Shells, gold dubloons, sparkly rings and necklaces...

Colored gems...

and foam sea animals.

Plus some fun shovels to dig for their loot!

**Go here to check out the whole party

and here for the free complete set of printables**

Pirate Party Day 2: Pirate Ship Wreaths

So Arkansas is in full-blown Tornado season at the moment.

It's been storming all week but last night got pretty sketchy.

We took Little man to Olive Garden for his birthday dinner and ended up having to stay in their walk-in freezer for a while to sit the tornados out.

Eek.

And they are back tonight in full force.

They called last night a 'moderate' storm and tonight a 'severe'.

So send your prayers towards us tonight.

Especially those in Vilonia that were hit last night.

I'm getting a little nervous that little man's pirate party might be blown indoors due to rain.

But I'm trying to stay positive, all while making back-up plans in the back of my head.

So are you guys ready for day two?

If you have been following me for a while, you might remember the puppy party we threw for little man last year.

I made some dog collar wreaths and they've stuck around til this year in the party box.

I dug them out and gave them a little makeover:

Pirate Party Week Day 1: Scalawag Worthy Invitations

Are you guys excited about Pirate Party Week?