Chart Your Summer Bucket List with Style!

 It’s almost summertime, and I am planning for a fun-filled season! With so many exciting things to accomplish in a few short months, planning and goal setting are vital. I’ve long been a fan of the “bucket list” concept, and creating a summer bucket list helps motivate me towards meeting my goals and having a memorable summer.

Whether you have children at home, enjoy grandchildren on occasion, or are single; your bucket list can be customized to meet your needs. Creating a family summer bucket list is a great way to involve your children in summer planning and get them excited for the upcoming months. A summer bucket list can have a theme, or be completely random. Here are some fun ideas for creating your own bucket list for this year: 

Destinations to visit

Books to read

Activities to try

Festivals/Parades to attend

Chores to get done

Projects to complete

People to visit

School Stuff (learn times tables or read 5 new words, etc)

Recipes to try 

Once you’ve decided on your list, creating a fun chart to track your progress will encouraged you and your family along the way. Of course, this is the best part…making an adorable décor item with function is always inspiring! 

Here are five fun, creative ways I designed to track your summer bucket list: 

Bucket of Summer Fun:

This simple idea goes back to the bucket list basics! To create this tracker, start with a small colorful metal bucket (I got mine from the dollar store). Print each of your bucket list goals on a piece of coordinating colored paper and cut the goals into strips (about 1/4x2.5” in size). Adhere goals to the flat side of clothespins with a tape runner or good adhesive. Add patterned paper strips in the same size to the opposite side of clothes pins so that both sides are covered. Add ribbon or other embellishments as desired. Use sticker letters to label your bucket. You can also add tags or additional embellishments to dress up your bucket. 

Attach decorated clothespins around the top of your bucket, as goals are completed during the summer, remove the clothespins and place them in the bucket. By the end of the summer, your bucket will be full of the fun you’ve had! 

Single Theme Bucket: 

If you’ve created a themed bucket list, this is a great solution to track your progress. The best part is… it is a breeze to create! All you need is a pail or bucket (mine was $1.49 at Michaels), a tag or title, ribbon, and something to represent your theme.

You can fill your bucket with books to read, sheets of school work to complete, crafty project pieces, gardening tools to use, ingredients for recipes to try, etc. Each time you want to accomplish a goal, pull an item out of your bucket and get to it. By the end of the summer, your bucket should be empty. 

Pin-able Summertime Wall Hanging:

If you’re looking for a way to chart your bucket list progress that will make a big statement in your home, this is the project for you.

Follow these simple steps to create this interactive chart: 

1. Spray paint a large cork board. You will need to apply several coats because the cork absorbs the paint. Allow the board to dry well. For a distressed look, rub the edges of the board with the sharp edge of a ruler to flake off some paint. 

2. Cut patterned paper (I used My Mind’s Eye’s brand new line) into sixteen 4x6 rectangles. Distress the edges of each paper by rubbing a dark ink pad along the edge. 

3. Print or handwrite goals on solid cardstock and cut to 1.75x3.75. Leave an area to write the date when the goal is completed. Attach goals to patterned paper using adhesive. 

4. Attach 4x6 goal cards to cork using basic tacks in each corner. 

5. Decorate the board as desired with a title, ribbons, embellishments, buttons, etc. 

6. Take a picture or journal about each goal as it is completed. Cut the picture/journaling spot to 3.75x4 and adhere it to the coordinating goal card. 

7. When the summer is over, you can compile goal cards into a summer mini book. The board can be reused for years to come! 

Sheet Pan Chart: 

Make your summer plans “pan out” with this customizable chart. Start with a basic cookie sheet (make sure your magnets will adhere) and add patterned paper and embellishments as desired. Make it over-the-top or keep it simple, personalize it for your needs. Print goals on coordinating cardstock and adhere each goal to a magnetic strip. Start with all of your goals in the “to do” column and move them to the “did it” column as they are completed. You can display your chart on an easel or hang it with a decorative ribbon. 

Waterfall Envelope Memento Keeper: 

If you want to go beyond the basic check off chart and really record your summer, this chart will do just that. It can be created using any top-flap envelope. 

Adhere patterned paper to the front of each envelope and then attached envelopes together so that flaps are open and easy to access. Connect envelopes together using colorful brads or staples. For a fun decorative look, you can sew or staple strips of folded ribbon into the edges as well. 

Use sticker letters or print goals on paper strips and adhere them to each individual envelope flap, then as goals are completed, fill the envelope with mementos, journaling cards, tickets, or photos from the event. 

At the end of the summer, you can remove the brads and assemble the envelopes into a summer flip book of memories! 

It's all in the bag!

It's shower season! With new brides and babies in full supply, many of us have celebrations to plan.  Planning a shower that is creative, cost effective, and cute can be quite the chore.  Well, the good news is, it's all in the bag!  Popular printed party sacks provide a perfect solution for your shower needs.  From invitations to favors, these cheery paper products will make your shower stand out to your guests. 

Printed paper bags can be found at a variety of local stores as well as online.  I got my bags from Whisker Graphics (www.whiskergraphics). I love their bright color and pattern selection.  Plus, they sell trendy baker's twine to compliment their bags.  If you're in a rush and don't have time to order online, the Whisker Graphics twine and bags are sold through Zurchers retail stores.

Here are some fun ideas for using printed paper bags for your celebration:

Invitations- Printed bags make the perfect pouch for a pull-out invitation.  Simply design your invite on cardstock, add ribbon as a pull, and slip the invitation into the printed sack.  You can also add details to the front of the sack for a little extra pop!

Celebration Banner- Bags make the perfect pennant banner backgrounds.  To create my banner, I used 5x7 sacks.  Simply cut a v-shape from the open end of the banner, punch holes in each of the top corners, and thread sacks onto a piece of baker's twine or ribbon.  You can then add decorations, letters, etc. to each pennant sack.  So adorable and totally reusable!

Food Service- Printed sacks are just the perfect size for serving up your party foods.  Whether it's a frosted cookie, sandwich or stack of veggies, bags can be the perfect fit.  Fill coordinating bags with your foods and place them on platters for quick and easy grabbing.  For smaller items, try mini bags or cutting bags in half.  you can use strips of bags to wrap larger items as well.

Silverware packaging-Distributing silverware and napkins at a shower can always be trick.  Organizing silverware with napkins and straws in a mini sack is a cute solution.  Fold napkins to the correct width for your bag and tuck them in each sack with silverware.  For an added touch, you can also add a touch of ribbon or twine.

Favors- The simplest way to encorporate bags into your shower is through favors.  Fill bags with take home treats for your guests, then seal them up with a coordinating paper topper.  A basket of favors in printed sacks doubles as table decor and a sweet thank you for your guests. 

Order Your Custom Photo Pendants!

I am always searching for a unique piece of jewelry that can stand out in a crowd.  When I came across these custom photo pendants, I fell in love!  Because these necklaces have been such a favorite of mine, I am now making them available to you for a steal of a deal!

My Custom Photo Pendants are completely customizable, so they make the perfect personalized accessory for any fashionable gal.  Think of the gifting possibilities!  Mothers Day, new brides, new moms, graduates...the list goes on and on.

Photo pendants are either square or circle and are available in brushed silver and antique bronze finishes.  Each pendant comes completely assembled with your custom artwork (instructions for sending digital file will be given after purchase) and includes a 24" ball chain and clear dome topper.  You can also order the Bird Ephemera or Hot Air Balloon images without any customization.  Custom pendants will typically ship out within a few days of receiving the artwork, so your gift can be on it's way in no time!

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Hand Crafted Spring Mantel on Studio 5

Spring has sprung!  After a long, dark winter, we could all use a little pop of sunshine in our homes, and the mantel is the perfect place to make a statement.  If you don’t have a mantel, don’t despair, you can bring this same spring spirit to your home using a simple shelf.  Using just a few paper crafting supplies combined with some thrift store treasures, I’ve created a mantel I just love! Today on Studio 5, I showed off my spring mantel and I can’t wait to share it with you as well.

Beginning a new mantel from scratch can be overwhelming. Before you can begin, you need to gather all of the important elements. Think of your display as an artistic vignette. You want to create a theme that flows and draws the eye across the whole landscape. I love these great tips fromSteven and Chris that help to demystify the mantel process.

1. Large Centerpiece- This is the main weight of your mantel.  (three flower large frame with banner)
2. Layers- Layer art and photos in front of the centerpiece (multiple layers of different frames)
3. Movement - Add something with movement. Movement means something that causes your eye to bounce to another object because of the varying heights. (the straw wreath works to move your eye here) At this point, a triangle shape should start to form. Remember to stand back every so often, squint and adjust accordingly.
4. Visual Weight- Incorporate an element with visual weight.  This means something that your eye is drawn too.  An eye catcher!  (The straw wreath definitely catches the eye and adds weight to the mantel)
5. Finishing touches - Finish off the vignette with accessories that reflect your personality like souvenirs or items from a collection. (spools, jars, banner)

Once, you've imagined the general idea of your mantel, it's time to start gathering materials. You can recreate my mantel exactly using the same products, or piece together a similar look from your own stash.  Take my ideas and cater them to your own color scheme and available products.  Let your imagination take over to turn your space into a one of a kind masterpiece!

My mantel was crafted using the fresh, new Maggie Holme’s line from Crate Paper I was drawn to the soft pastels and bright pops of bold colors in this line.  Of course I love the vintage elements in the designs, but another thing that caught my eye about this line was the pre-made accessories. They made putting together my mantel a snap!  I used the pre-cut shapes and die-cuts throughout each of my projects to tie the different elements together.

I picked up a few frames from the thrift store to create the strong base of my design.  I chose a variety of sizes and styles so that my mantel would have lots of levels.  If you can’t find larger frames at the thrift store, consider using a large mirror for your centerpiece.  You can cover the mirror completely with products so you don’t even know it is there, or keep the reflective surface for a different look.  I used basic spray paint in coordinating colors to unify the frames.  After a few coats, the originally random frames became a cohesive blend of springtime sweetness!

In addition to the straw wreath (instructions to follow), I used mason jars, ribbon, and baker’s twine spools to spice up my mantel.

Here’s how I implemented the five key elements above to create my “Vintage Swap Meet Spring Vignette”. 

Large Centerpiece-

I repurposed an existing frame that I had in storage by spray painting the pearly gold frame to match my paper line.



I used a large cardboard box to create the recycled background in my frame. To create the corrugated look, I peeled the top layer of paper from the board after I had cut it to size. I love the way the cardboard looks earthy and rustic.

I cut simple circles of patterned paper and bent them into shape to create three posey flowers in the frame.

For a little extra pizzazz, I crafted a mini banner using the Maggie Holmes paper clips and tags. Draping the banner along the frame edge added just a little accent to draw the eye.

Layers-

I used three varying sized and shaped frames to fill the visual space of my mantel. Each frame was painted a coordinating shade and filled with an original art piece.

Bloom and Grow-This frame is so simple, a basic background paper, a few sticker letters, and some ephemera embellishments is all it took to call this little beauty complete!  Adding art to the actual frame as well as inside it, creates depth and visual interest.

Spring Printable- I created an original Spring Printable (download and print on white cardstock for free!) to make recreating this frame a cinch!  I used a frame slightly bigger than my 8x10 artwork so that I could use another cardboard backer.  A few dimensional embellishments add excitement to the otherwise flat piece. 

Fly away with me!- This frame took flight with my dimensional paper birdies.  (You can print and cut the template to create birdies of your own).  I used a patterned paper and sticker letters as backdrop for these flying friends.  To create dimension in this frame, I bent the wings and tails of each bird and adhered them overlapping the frame.

Movement- My vignette naturally creates movement with different shapes and sizes. Your eye naturally flows from one element to another until it takes in the whole scene.

Visual Weight- I used a handmade paper straw wreath to add weight to my mantel layout.  This wreath was such a breeze to assemble.  You can create your own with just a few items. Check out the step by step instructions for the Paper Straw Wreath in the previous blog post.

Finishing touches- The little bits and pieces that fill in the gaps are always my favorite to piece together.  The little extras are what really gives your vignette life and character!  The best part is, these little fill in items can be found around the house for no additional cost.

Glass Jars-You can't go wrong with glass, and mason jars are my favorite!  For extra excitement, I used spray paint to add a fun pop of color to two of the glass jars in my vignette.  (To spray paint jars, spray a light layer of paint inside jar, allow to dry.  Continue to layer paint inside until jar is well coated.  Allow paint to dry well between layers)

A few extra straws and ephemera elements are the perfect filling for smaller jars. 

To create some height variation, created a few handmade paper pinwheels to the largest of my jars.

Spools-

Colorful spools of bakers twine add a great “homespun” feel to my swap meet style vignette.

Bloom banner- 

This banner was crafted using the Maggie Holmes Clipboard Album as a base.  The precut and designed album pages made the perfect backdrop for my die cut letters.  Each page was strung onto a strand of bakers twine and decorated with bits and pieces of ephemera from the line.

I love the random tags, tickets, flowers and bows that come together so nicely in this project.  You can recreate the same banner easily at home using the Maggie Holmes line, or, if you prefer a different look, cut backgrounds from your choice of patterned paper.  I used my Silhouette digital cutter to craft up my BLOOM letters.  If you don't have access to a digital cutter, try using die cuts at a local scrapbook store, or print letters from a computer, trace them on to your choice of paper and cut them out.

Once you've crafted up all of your elements, assemble your mantel and enjoy it throughout the season!