DIY Lovopoly Board Game.

The first time I saw Lovopoly, I knew it would be the perfect gift for me to make for my first anniversary with Jon. I can't believe it was so long ago that we were together. We're working on year four and still going strong (and living together)! I feel like this game was one of the most labor intensive things I've ever made for Jon. I really love making gifts for people, and I had to do it big the first time around. If you want to make a Lovopoly game or any other version of Monopoly, be sure you have enough time allotted, because it's not something you can do in a weekend.
MATERIALS A game board (I bought a game from Goodwill with a fold out game board. You can also buy an actual Monopoly game so it has all the pieces.) Paint Cardstock (White and in assorted colors) Mod Podge Dice (2) Monopoly houses and hotels (You can order these on Ebay) Game pieces (These can come with the game you buy or you can make your own) Clear packaging tape Pictures Markers Large sponge brush or paint brush Computer, paper and printer
DIRECTIONS
Game Board

1. Paint the game board whatever color you prefer. I chose black so it would cover up everything else that was on the original game board.
2. While the board dries, cut out 36 rectangular pieces of white cardstock of equal size for the game board and four square pieces for the corners. 
3. Cut out long, rectangular pieces for the properties on the board. You'll need eight different colors. Figure out which ones need three and which need two. 
4. Type up and print out the names and costs of the properties for your game board. I chose properties that were significant to Jon and me, such as Louisiana Tech (where we met and went to school), Bossier City and DeRidder (where we're from), and Istanbul and Australia (the #1 places on each of our travel lists). Instead of the railroads, I did four different cruise lines, and instead of the utilities, I did a drive-in movie and a picnic in the park. Instead of jail, I did the dog house. Instead of Community Chest and Chance, I did Family Jewels and Get Lucky. Get creative! It was so fun to come up with property and card types. 

5.Use mod podge to glue the colored rectangular pieces, property names and costs onto the game board as needed. You can also place some pictures on certain spaces. Use markers to decorate and label anything else as needed. 
6. Use the sponge or paint brush to paint mod podge all over the game board when it looks how you want it.
Money

1. Cut pieces of cardstock into rectangles, using seven different colors.  -- 20 $500 bills -- 20 $100 bills -- 30 $50 bills -- 50 $20 bills -- 40 $10 bills -- 40 $5 bills -- 40 $1 bills
2. I cut round circles of seven different pictures - 3 of Jon, 3 of me, and 1 of the both of us. I printed these on regular paper. Glue these to the center of the cardstock.
3. Use a black marker to write the dollar amount on the dollar bills.
4. Optional extra step: Use mod podge to paint over the entire dollar bill.
Property cards

1. Type up the information for the cards. Do a simple Google search or look at the actual Monopoly cards to get the rent prices and all of the other information for the cards. 
2. Cut white cardstock into rectangles for the property cards. 
3. Coordinate the colors on the board with the colors on the card, and use mod podge to glue the cardstock onto the property cards.
4. I chose to write out the names of the property on each of the cards, but you can also print it out like the rest of the information on the card.

5. Optional extra step: Use clear package tape to cover the entire card to give it a laminated feel. Alternatively, you can also actually laminate the card. 
Community Chest and Chance Cards I changed this to Family Jewels and Get Lucky.

1. Type up "Family Jewels" and "Get Lucky" in different fonts into rectangles.
2. Type up whatever you want for the cards. Be sure to include "Get out of the Dog House free" cards and cards that will make the players pay or receive money. 

3. Print these out and cut them up. 
4. Use mod podge to glue these onto pieces of cardstock.
5. Optional extra step: Use clear packaging tape to cover the cards to make it look like it was laminated.
Additional steps 1. Cut out pictures of you and your significant other to use as game pieces. I taped pictures to game pieces that were included in the game I bought. 

2. Wrap the game box in wrapping paper (I turned some wrapping paper onto the white side).

This was the original box the game was in.

3. Use markers or paint to decorate the box.
4. Collect everything into small boxes or Ziploc bags and place in the box with the game board.

5. Give to your significant other and prepared to be showered with lots of love.
6. And of course, PLAY IT! It'll be even more fun because it's personal to both of you.

I know my steps were pretty vague, but once you get started, it's pretty easy to proceed to the next step. I had a lot of fun putting all of this together for my boyfriend, and he loved it! If you have any questions or need clarification on any of the tips or need any tips, I'd be happy to help!
Have you ever made a Lovopoly game or any other homemade board game? 
This post is for the #SummerBloggerChallenge. This week's prompt: Write a tutorial. This can be a Craft/DIY project, a make-up tutorial, skincare routine, nail art, outfit tutorial, absolutely anything you like as long as it includes written instructions.

Visiting Vatican City.

There are not enough words to describe how beautiful the Vatican was. It's also massive, and I was only able to see a little bit of it, and most it was in passing because we were on a time crunch. Regardless, so much of what I saw was so breathtaking. Again, I was obsessed with the ceilings. They were so so incredible. Every part of the Vatican looked like it took 20 years to complete. And the Sistine Chapel...just wow! It was so beautiful, and it was incredible to be standing under a ceiling that took a man, a sculptor, three years to complete. Of course, I couldn't take any pictures in there, but you can find them everywhere. Granted, no pictures can compare to seeing it in person.

The goddess of fertility. No, those aren't eggs.

The answer is no. That's not my hair. 

A little sweaty after our tour.

On our last night in Rome, we went to the Vatican, and everyone was busy taking pictures. It's sad to think that I may never see those people again. We spent ten days together, and that may be all we get. I'm so happy that I was able to experience all of this with them though.

Love these people!

Our awesome tour director, Adam.

If you ever take a trip to Rome, visiting the Vatican is obviously a must! It's worth the aching feet and having to cover your knees and shoulders even though it's blazingly hot outside. And of course, visit at night, because it's beautiful!

Glory and Gore Go Hand In Hand {Roman Colosseum}.

When traveling to Rome, there are a few things that you can't leave the city without visiting. One is the Roman Colosseum. I mean, really, if you go to Rome and don't go to the Colosseum, did you even go to Rome? 
I just can't help but think of this song when I think of the Colosseum.

It was incredible to walk through hallways and pathways that contained so much history. We learn about the Colosseum in school, but actually seeing it in person was so incredible.

Walking to the Colosseum. So excited!

Impatiently waiting to get in.

Selfie with my pretty friends and our tourist gear.

Right next to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, another must do. I can't imagine how beautiful these buildings and columns must have been in their prime. Our tour guide for both the Colosseum and the Roman Forum was so hilarious. When we were in the Roman Forum, we passed by Julius Caesar's grave, and she said, "Some people still think Caesar is alive. I guess he's like Elvis." I don't know why, but I thought that was so funny. (I guess you had to be there.) 

Another excellent thing about the Colosseum, gelato is just a skip, hop and a jump down the road. I had my first taste of gelato, and ice-cream will never be the same. It was so incredible.

On another night during the trip, we visited the Colosseum at night, which was so beautiful! If you're ever in Rome, be sure to see it at all times of the day, just like the Eiffel Tower.

And more gelato, cause Rome.

Have you ever visited the Colosseum in Rome? Is it something that you'd like to do?