Project: I Can Survive

Wow!

2010-11-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile, huh?? Sorry- life got a little too crazy for me so I had to take a blogging break. Well, I am BACK!! BUT, I have a new blog address- it was time for a change. Please follow my new blog HERE. I have a new post up!

Oh, and for the next week if you use the coupon code: Promo1 at my ETSY shop, you get 10% off your order!!

End Table Makeover

2010-07-22T12:27:00.002-06:00

FIRST OFF:

I am hosting a GIVEAWAY over at TeaRoseHome!! LOVE her blog, make sure to check it out here.

I got this end table/magazine rack at our local thrift store for ten bucks! It was a horrible shiny orange mess. This picture doesn't do it justice. (And I could only find the picture of when we were sanding it...)

I didn't need an end table, but I couldn't pass this up! Turns out that one of my closest friends was in need of an end table... and her birthday was coming up!! This is what she got:

Vintage Wreath

2010-07-22T12:23:00.001-06:00

I got this wreath from the dollar store for... a dollar. =)

After spray painting it, I added some lace flowers- and hung it with a ribbon!

(P.S. Did you know you can spray paint lace? I spray painted some to match my wreath!!)

I am linking this up to Tea Rose Home!

Vintage Themed Room- On a budget

2010-05-18T17:29:00.001-06:00

Alright, so living in an apartment definitely has its ups and downs.

One thing that really stinks is that I can't paint the walls-

another one... if we want to eventually buy a house, I can't spend a ton of money decorating. Really, for my bedroom- I had the challenge of a ZERO dollar budget.

Another thing about being in an apartment, I need to make everything as functional as possible... since I don't have too much room! =) Here is what I came up with:

Little shelves that I was going to throw out became the perfect clutch displays!

Here is the jewelry holder I made in THIS post. I also decided to hang my great-grandma's gorgeous purses as art work! =

I have a bunch of vintage gloves from Mike's grandma and my great-grandma... so this is how I decided to display them!!

My pillow is reversible..

I think I like this side better... but not sure!

The afghan at the end of the bed is a GORGEOUS one my mom made!!

Should I have it neatly folded or...

Just thrown on there?

Like my headboard??? I found this awesome door at an antique store for $20- repainted/stained it... drilled on some legs and made a headboard. I'm pretty proud of myself... and pretty in love with it! (I would have just left it as it was, but the paint was chipping off way too badly... and I was worried about lead paint. Better safe then sorry!)

On my dresser:

NOT a fan of this lamp,but I have to use what I have!

This isn't in my bedroom, but I wanted to show you anyways! My SIL Katie gave me this awesome vintagey end table (which is really a sewing table)

It looked like this:

And now looks like this:

I am linking this up to:

Tea Rose Home

Vintage Scarf Holder

2010-03-28T22:15:00.000-06:00

I have these amazing beautiful vintage (mostly ITALIAN!!) scarves that were my Great-Grandmothers--> and I thought they deserved to be shown off in some way! My hubby stepped on a picture frame... and broke the glass. Poor guy.
I decided to repurpose the backing and frame to make this...

First, I covered the backing with burlap...

Hot glued on some scrap ribbon I had lying around--

Printed off a little label,distressed the edges with ink, and added a brad!

I love the final product! What a great way to show off some treasured items. It looks GREAT on my bedroom wall (which is mid-remodel!). I can't wait to finish my room to show you all. =)

Lamp Makeover

2010-02-24T23:45:00.002-07:00

I got this beauty at the DI for five whole dollars. The girl at the cash register gave me the strangest look... as did my husband when I brought it home.

Here is what it looked like before rubbing some glaze on...

A little glaze - and a new shade:

So... Although I LOVE the Burlap--> I hate this iron on transfer I did. I should have trimmed the edges more... so it won't be staying on long!!

Thankfully, you can't see it with the light on!

Oh, and the table it's sitting on is my next project!! Can't wait!

P.s. Here is a picture of my hubby and I next to my wreath!! =)

Jute Twine Decorative Balls

2010-02-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

Why would you EVER EVER EVER pay so much for twine decorations?? =) They are all over the place right now, and the price is not my fave.

SO ... I picked up some 3 dollar styrofoam balls....

And dollar store Jute Twine...and made these:

Easy!!

DIY Apothecary Jars

2010-02-21T19:07:00.001-07:00

I love Apothecary jars, but I cannot bring myself to spend a ridiculous amount of money on them. So... I found these various items at the thrift store - all for four dollars!

Mixed, matched, and glued together with my Gorilla Glue...

My FOUR dollar Apothecary jars! I still need a lid for the tallest one, but that will be super easy to find!

Vintage School Chair

2010-02-21T18:59:00.001-07:00

I found this amazing vintagey school chair off of craigslist for EIGHT dollars. I fell in love with it. I love the original wood color, but it didn't really match my front room, which is where I wanted to put it.

A few spray painted coats later and here is what I have so far:

I love the color! Just not loving the metal part. I have no idea what to do with it yet though, so maybe I'll just have to get used to it. =)

Book Wreath

2010-02-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, so there are these book wreaths that they have at Anthropologie that are amazingly wonderful. But they cost like a baztrillionzillion dollars!!!

SO I went to the DI and Dollar Store ... and made this TWO dollar wreath. Which looks better than the original if I do say so myself!

All you need:

A dollar store wreath, and a DI book for ONE dollar.

Hot glue gun, and dark brown paint!

I painted the edges of the book dark dark brown- using a cloth to wipe the excess off.

Then I carefully tore out every single page (after the paint dried), rolled them, and glued them !! Really doesn't get much easier than that...

I found some vintage ribbon, and used it to hang onto the fun vintage key drawer pull I had in my stash. LOVE.

Too bad I can't paint my walls! Darn apartment living...

Candle Holders

2010-02-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

I got these two candle holders at the DI for FIFTY CENTS each. How crazy is that? I took them to my friends house to spray paint them, and I LOVE how they turned out!

Here is what they look like now! I really want to rub some brown stain on the left one... but stain is not in my budget, so I sanded parts of it just for now...

Repurpose: Mantel Clock

2010-02-12T13:49:00.004-07:00

We got this adorable clock for our wedding, but the hands fell off inside the glass. I tried so hard, but there was no way the glass part was opening. So I had to get rid of it. I loved the shape of this clock so much tho, I thought it would be fun to repurpose it!

So I cut out a piece of (some awesome blue/brown toile!!) paper to fit inside the back piece.

Then I grabbed this diaper box before My hubby took it to the trash-

I tore off on the sides, took some Jute Twine and hot glue --> and made an H (for our last name). I made two different ones, cuz I wasn't sure of how they would turn out.

I cut them out after they dried, and picked the one on the left. (I'm glad I took a picture of it, otherwise I don't know how long it would have taken me to realize I missed some parts while cutting.)

I hot glued it onto the paper...

Then I added to the top of my new tv hutch (which I need to show everyone what I did to it!!) with my 50 cent candle holders...which still need things on top. But that will have to be another day...

I really love it because it adds some texture in the room, and its pretty darn unique!!

Ever wonder how to repurpose your empty oatmeal containers?

2010-02-12T10:54:00.001-07:00

I've been making loads of homemade granola b/c we are just a tiny bit obsessed with granola&yogurt. Its just so yummy.

Anyways, after using all these empty oatmeal containers, I just knew I couldn't throw them away! They seemed so perfect for...something. I just wasn't sure what that 'something' was yet.

And then, after I kept complaining to myself about how I had nowhere to really store all of this homemade granola (space in our apartment is pretty limited...especially with no pantry!) --> I thought, "Why not put it in here??"

I don't know about you, but I was not in love with the look of these - so I spruced it up with some scrapbook paper, paint, and ribbon!

Now if I only had a clever way to disguise those ugly cereal boxes!! Any ideas?

Oh, and while I was at it - I took an old shoe box and covered it as well. Now I have a nice place for my son's snacks!!

Pillows

2010-02-07T20:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I love our couch. But I was NOT digging the (3) pillows that came with it. Don't get me wrong, they aren't bad at all-- they just don't fit in with the rest of my decor.

So, I decided to slipcover them!

Here they are before:

And here they are after:

I'm still not sure what to do with the last pillow, seeing as I only have two boys--> but, I have some ideas.

Here are a few other fun pillow I made:

(Don't mind the crooked middle ruffle...)

I really like this one for some reason!

And lastly, my friend found these pillows at Ross for FIVE dollars and just knew I had to have them!! LOVE them.

Jewelry Holder

2010-02-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

Wow. What happened to me?? =) Nothing too exciting. Just been beyond busy! This blog seemed to turn into a CHORE and really started frustrating me because I thought I had to come up with all sorts of amazing ideas. SOOOO, this is now just going to be a little project journal of sorts.

Here is something I've been needing for awhile!

It couldn't be much easier! I had an old cheap ($1) frame, which I spray painted Heirloom White and distressed the edges a bit w/sand paper.

I got rid of the "glass" (which was really some type of plastic) part - and painted the cardboard backing dark brown.

I had some leftover antique glass knobs from an earlier project (which I need to blog about!!), and some ugly gold ones that I spray painted the same heirloom white color.

The screws that came with them were obviously too long, so I just found some really short ones that fit. I just screwed them right into the backing! So easy.

Well, I have some fun rings that I wanted to hang up also! I had some leftover ceiling hooks, so I just screwed those in, and they became the perfect ring holders. The screw does stick out the back a bit, but since I'm hanging it on the wall, and no one can see the back, I didn't mind.

The last step is to take some ribbon, hot glue (on back of the ribbon) some tulle around it, wrap the whole ribbon around the back of the frame, and glue the ends. Let me know if you have any questions about that... it sounds much more confusing than it is. I promise!

You can pin your brooches and hair accessories to the ribbon, then hang your earrings from the tulle! I found that the ribbon sagged a little where I hung up heavier earrings, so I just put a dab of hot glue at the top of those spots.

I love how it doubles as art! You could also do this to a frame that has a stand, and set it up on your bathroom or vanity counter.

Send me pictures if you make one, I'd love to see your creations!

notyourmotherscupcakes@gmail.com

Rice Heating Pad

2009-12-09T11:18:00.002-07:00

My lovely friend Mary came to me with a great idea! She wanted to make rice heating pads for her sisters- for Christmas! So, here is what we did:

Start with two pieces of fabric, whatever size you want. Put right sides together.

Sew around the sides, leaving an opening big enough to put rice in!

Turn right side out and fill with rice... but don't over fill it.

Fold your seam allowance over- where your gap is...

You can either machine stitch it closed, or hand sew. I hate hand sewing... so I used my machine. Make sure to PIN it really well, and you'll have to have someone hold it for you while you sew- otherwise rice will go everywhere! Trust me, I know from experience because I thought it out carefully before sewing it...

Here is what ours looks like sewn... I know its not the neatest... but it gets the job done.

Next I just made a pouch for it to go in when its all nice and toasty... Mary picked out some amazingly soft, fuzzy material. Loved it. Put on some velcro to keep it shut, and there you have it!

An awesome way to relax those sore muscles!!

(Put the rice bag in the microwave to warm. Make sure the material is 100 percent cotton!)

You can also use it as an ice pack- just stick it in the freezer!

Oh, and my new blogging friend Jeanette gave me and award and wrote a sweet post about this blog. How awesome is she? Click HERE to see the post. Make sure you explore her blog, its great!

Merry SITsmas!

2009-12-08T23:12:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say Merry SITSmas to everyone! My original post never showed up, so I wanted to make sure I got this on here real quick. If you haven't heard of SITS, click here. Its an awesome way to meet new friends!!

Crock-pot Lasagna

2009-12-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

My great friend Mary gave me this recipe awhile back, and it has become a family favorite. My boys just LOVE it.

And it couldn't be easier!!

You make this in layers. (This is my second layer)

First, add the noodles!

Then some (already browned) meat!

Next, you add some cheese! I mix shredded cheddar and parmesan.

A little cottage cheese...

And some sauce! Not too much, because you add it each layer and you don't wanna drown the lasagna!

Repeat the layering process two more times (for a total of three layers) - and top it off with your cheese!!

Now, my crock-pot cooks pretty fast - so this is always done in 2 hours on low. It is SO delicious!!

Enjoy!!

2009-12-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Wow. What a llooooonnnggg Thanksgiving week it has been. Did ya miss me? =) I definitely missed blogging. It really does help keep me sane. So here I am, 27 hours of driving and two sick kiddos later. It was great though.

Here are some blog awards I received! I'm so excited!!!

My very first award if from an adorable blog, Two Normal Moms.

The rules of this award are to pass it on to 15 other blogs. That's alot... I'll try my best!!

1. Bombshell Bliss

2. The Stroller Ballet

3.Mass Hole Mommy

4.Making The Most of 30

5. The Mother Load

I know that's only five...I'll have to finish later! =)

I ALSO got this award from Holly over at 504 Main!

I have to list 10 random facts about myself (rules of the award!)...

1. I am 5 feet tall.

2. I LOATHE tomatoes. But I like ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes...

3. I only went to two years of high school. (The other two were spent in college)

4. In-N-Out Animal Style fries are amazing. mmm

5. I love to dance

6. My oldest son was born exactly nine months and one week after I was married...

7. I love The Office

8. I hate surprises. SO much so that I'm even terrified of opening refrigerator biscuits...cuz you never know when they will make that horrible popping noise!!!

9. I am a little ocd about germs. I hate germs.

10. Big Band music makes me happy. =)

This award goes to:

1. Life Laugh Latte

and

2. The Winey Mommy

SORRY!!

2009-11-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Our internet was down for a few days, and then we went out of town for Thanksgiving-- so i have NOT been able to get on and blog... its been weird. I only have a few seconds on here, but I just wanted to say SORRY and I have so many blogs to comment on and an award or two to post. I PROMISE I will be back on by Tuesday! Its been a looooonnnnngggg holiday....

Heavenly Cinnamon Rolls

2009-11-20T23:18:00.003-07:00

Holy cow... BEST cinnamon rolls ever.

Like, these are insane.

Mix In Bowl By Hand:

*3.5 c warm water

*1 c vegetable oil

*3/4 c sugar

*6 TBS yeast

Let stand for 15 minutes

Then add:

*3 eggs

*1 TBS salt

*10 cups flour

Beat until smooth and elastic

-Roll out 1/2 of the dough unto a thin rectangle

-Spread softened butter over surface

-Spread brown sugar on top!

-Sprinkle cinnamon on top

-Sprinkle a little flour on top and roll up.

-Slice 1 1/4 inch pieces

-Repeat with remaining dough

(Tip: I like to slice them with a long piece of thread. Hold each end of thread, slide under the rolls, bring up & cross! Make sense?)

Spray some glass dishes and stuff them in there.

Bake @ 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Now, the frosting! I've experimented with all different types of frosting, and I've found this one tastes the best with these cinnamon rolls.

* 1 stick butter

*4 TBS. milk

*1 tsp. vanilla

* 1.5 pounds (6 cups) powdered sugar

-Melt butter, milk, and vanilla. Stir in powdered sugar!

Frost rolls while warm!!

Just drip it all in there. mmmmmmmmm.

And as you can see, it makes a ton-- your friends will LOVE you!

(Side note: I realized that this picture does not feature the frosting recipe I included. This one has a yummy cream cheese frosting, which is good- but almost too sweet. There really is such a thing. Unfortunately.
Anyways, don't be alarmed if your frosting doesn't look like mine!)

Project: I Can Survive!

2009-11-19T22:51:00.002-07:00

So.. I've had an interesting last few days! Sorry if its taken me awhile to get back to some of you!!

First off, before I forget!! Check out this fun DIY Show Off!!

Second,

When I first started this blog- I didn't intend for it to be a "craft blog" (cuz my awesome sister in law just started one... and i didn't wanna "copy" her) Can I just tell you what a talented family I married into?? My two SIL started the Shabby Baby line, which has now grown into more of a shabby girl line. They are amazing!! And I didn't intend for it to be a "recipe blog" either. But, as I start this journey of getting through Postpartum Depression and Anxiety (which I've not told many people about til NOW!! augh.) I find crafts and fun things to cook are what make me happy. I'm going to try and blog about other things as well... so bear with me if it gets a little crazy!!

With two little ones at home, its hard for me to post everyday--> but I will try my best! Don't give up on me. =)

Thanksgiving Cupcakes!

2009-11-16T22:26:00.004-07:00

So... I know that I blogged about Christmas the other day- but don't worry! I haven't forgotten about Thanksgiving. Here are some adorable cupcakes to brighten your Turkey day!

Start by baking any flavor cupcakes (I LOVE lemon!!).

While those are cooking, grab some coconut flakes, and brown them in a pan. This is a bad example picture, I have WAY too much in the pan...which I learned the hard way. =)

After your cupcakes are cooled, frost them - and top them with a Toasted Coconut Marshmallow (they come in that flavor!!). Wet a toothpick, and poke two small holes for eyes (chocolate sprinkles) and a bigger hole for the beak (a swedish fish!)

Next, sprinkle with your toasted coconut!

Add either AquaLife swedish fish or candy corn for tail feathers. SO easy, and just too darn cute!

Cookie Sheet Christmas Countdown

2009-11-12T23:09:00.004-07:00

{p.s. do you like my new layout? I also have a NEW button, so be sure to grab it!! Thanks!}

I've seen some of these floating around online, so I'd thought I'd give it a try!!

You start with a plain old cookie sheet! You can use either the front or back ( I chose front) - spray paint it!

To cover it, I used fabric- because I liked my fabric choices better than any paper I had. Paper works wonderfully too tho!!

I mod podged it on...

I left a little space at the top to add in some contrasting red fabric!

Then comes the fun part- making the magnets! You can use whatever you'd like- buttons, bottle caps, ornaments, paper, anything. I added the numbers in with a mixture of stickers, ink, and rub-ons.

This is your time to get creative!

I also added in a calendar template- which I made in Word. All you have to do is find the Tables button & make it 5 x 5.

Gorilla glue some ribbons on for decor and hanging, and there you have it! A one of a kind Advent calendar!

Soft Ginger Cookies

2009-11-11T23:03:00.003-07:00

The other night our friends K&S dropped off the yummiest, softest cookies ever. These are like to die for! No joke.

So, I grabbed the recipe from them and now am sharing it with all of you!

*2 1/4 cups flour

*2 tsp. ground ginger

*1 tsp. baking soda

*3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/4 tsp. salt

*3/4 cup butter, softened

*1 cup white sugar

*1 egg

*1 TBS. water

*1/4 c molasses

*2 TBS. white sugar (to roll cookies in)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together all dry ingredients. In another bowl cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg, then stir in water and molasses. Gradually stir in dry ingredients. Roll cookie dough into walnut-sized balls. Roll in extra white sugar and and then flatten dough.

Place on foil lined cookie sheets for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool for 3 minutes on cookie sheet before removing.

(A tip: To get the SOFTEST cookie, cook until almost done- which was just 8 minutes for me. While you let them cool, the hot cookie sheet cooks them to the perfect temp!)

Nothing says The Holidays like homemade ginger cookies. mmm.

Cabinet Curtain

2009-11-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

Our new place is much smaller than we are used to, and the storage is random. We have this large open storage space in our bathroom. And we've filled it with either junk I don't know where else to put or junk I just really need to get rid of.

Seeing as this is the only bathroom, I don't want our guests having to look at the mess. So I decided to do something about it!

I measured the height and width of the opening, added an inch or so on each side for seam allowances- got some CHEAP fabric, and just hemmed all the way around.

Then I folded the top down about an inch and a half and sewed across to make a casing for the tension rod to go.

And voila.

I added a little blue ribbon to the bottom as trim to match my shower curtain.

Giveaway!

2009-11-10T23:03:00.004-07:00

There is an awesome giveaway going on over HERE. You should definitely check it out!

Bar Stool Makeover

2009-11-10T14:38:00.000-07:00

I found this bar stool at the DI for $3! My wonderful hubby sanded it down (since it was WAY too cold outside for me).

After it was all sanded, I unscrewed the top because I wanted to make it into a cushion.

I took some brown paint...

And painted it!!

I just used pillow stuffing, wrapped some fabric around it- and nailed some furniture tacks into the bottom of the seat! It doesn't matter how messy it looks, because you won't see it.

Here is what it looked like after I re-attached the seat top.

I decided to sand down the legs a little to look more shabby chic.

The final product:

How to make a Dessert Stand

2009-11-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

This couldn't be ANY easier! Here is what I did: Got some plates and vases from the thrift store for .25 - .50 cents a piece... I spray painted them Dover White.

Then I glued them together with Gorilla Glue, which is an awesome craft glue! =) I used a box of slim-fast to "clamp" it down for half an hour...

And that's it!! Adorable, CHEAP, and easy dessert stands!

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Coffee Cake!

2009-11-09T16:06:00.001-07:00

SORRY! I know its been quite awhile since my last post-> we moved again and things are finally settling down. We had some friends over last night and I made this yummy Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Coffee Cake. Its quite delicious!!

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

*16 TBS butter

*16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

*2.5 c sugar

*4 eggs

*2 tsp. vanilla

*4 cups flour

*2 tsp. baking powder

*1/2 tsp. salt

*1/2 c milk

*12 ounces chocolate chips

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together butter, cream cheese, sugar, and eggs in large bowl until creamy. Add the vanilla, baking powder, and salt - continually mixing. Add in the flower (in small increments). Add milk last. You may not need the whole 1/2 c milk, or you may need more. Batter should be creamy, but not drippy. Stir in chocolate chips using a large spoon.

Spoon mixture into 2 loaf pans- filling each pan about 3/4 full.If you'd like, sprinkle some cinnamon&sugar on top.

Bake for at least 50-55 minutes... sometimes it takes longer, I have no idea why! =) Cakes will rise and become golden brown.

Enjoy!!

Owl Bag

2009-10-28T12:44:00.000-06:00

(If you missed the last installment of the Jello Fingers, scroll down!!)

I found this adorable owl bag tutorial orignially HERE, but I changed it up a bit-- made it a little easier for you non-sewing folks out there!

I first started with this old, wrinkly tote bag (this is AFTER ironing it...)that I had laying around.

I measured the bag, then cut two pieces of brown felt. Make sure they both have an extra 1/2 inch or so for "seam allowance" (although you won't be sewing them. Just trust me on this...)

Don't forget to add ears to your front piece!!

Then out of scrap fabric, cut two eyes. Two larger circles - and two smaller ones. Then grab some buttons for the eyes.

I went ahead and sewed the eyes onto my front piece (the one with the ears). If you don't know how to, or just don't feel like sewing--> just hot glue them on!!

Next, cut out a triangle for the nose. Either sew it on or glue it on!

The great thing about this project is you get to use up all those fun scraps!! Cut about 60-70 different sizes. Start lining some up, making sure to overlap them. If you overlap them this way, no pins are required! Either sew or glue!!

Here is my first sewn line

(sorry for the poor photo quality)

Add your next row. Keep adding rows (and individually sewing/or gluing each row) until you are about 1.5 - 2 inches away from the bottom of your nose. ( I had four layers)

When you are done with the "feathers," Add a ribbon or ric-rack to the top to give it a finished look.

Next: Add some interfacing to the back of the ears (this can be found at any fabric store. I got mine at Wal Mart)

Cut out a matching ear, and glue over top the interfacing.

Keep that hot glue gun handy! Start at the top, and just start gluing the front piece on.

Glue the back piece on, and then glue the extra "seam allowance" together.

Now you have yourself and adorable Halloween treat bag... or fun purse!!

Jello Fingers

2009-10-27T20:17:00.001-06:00

If you missed parts one and two, scroll down!

After refrigerating overnight, crack and peel the wax molds like a hard boiled egg and rinse fingers with water!

How nasty do these look??

They taste yummy though!!

Put them on ice...

Gross everyone out! ENJOY!!

Jello Fingers - part Two

2009-10-26T20:27:00.002-06:00

(If you missed part ONE--> [making the finger molds], scroll down or click HERE)

In a large bowl mix one large package of peach jello and two packs (they come in a box of four) of Knox Gelatin.

Add one cup of boiling water, and stir for five minutes.

Add one 3 oz (room temperature) thing of cream cheese

Add one drop of yellow food coloring and 3/4 cup COLD water. Mix well

Using a turkey baster or liquid measuring cup, pour jello into molds and add a small red pull apart Twizzler to each mold

(veins, of course!)

Let set in fridge overnight!

Part Three (the FINAL installment) will be here tomorrow!!

Halloween: Jello Finger Mold

2009-10-24T16:20:00.009-06:00

Here is part ONE of our Halloween Jello Fingers!! Part two will be up on MONDAY. Enjoy!!

MOLD:

Melt four cubes of paraffin wax on low.

Wet your hands in ice water, shake off excess, then quickly dip into wax. Repeat this process until hard enough to peel off fingers- without cracking.

(Thanks Katie for letting me tape you!!)
(If you need to turn the music off, scroll all the way down to the bottom!!)

How to Add a Blog Signature

2009-10-20T15:01:00.003-06:00

I've had quite a few people ask me how to add a signature to their posts, so I decided to let ya know! (When you make one all I ask is to let them know you got the idea here!!)

Have you heard of scrapblog.com? Well, I LOVE it. And its an easy place to make a signature if you don't have photoshop.

   So, sign up there (its FREE)...

  1. If you want a colored background, then look through the backgrounds until you find one you like- otherwise, don't add a background in. (I didn't add one)

2. Either look through the 'stickers' for letters, or use the Text (ABC) Box and find a font you like.

3. After you Publish it, go to File --> Export as JPEG --> then download the page you want onto your computer.

4. You'll have to crop the picture to be just around your name and whatever embellishments you used. Save it, and upload it to photobucket.

5. Grab the Direct Link of your picture (from Photobucket) -- and save it in a Word document in case you need it later.

6. Go to Dashboard --> Settings --> Formatting. At the bottom of the page is a Post Template Box. Put this code in it:


   [p][image class="centered"alt="post signature" src="SIGNATURE URL" /][/p]

   Make sure to replace all of the [ with < and all of the ] with > Did that make sense?? =) If I added in the < and > for you, it makes it HTML and will not appear properly for you!

7. Replace SIGNATURE URL with the Direct Link you saved!!

  FYI: The signature will only appear on FUTURE posts, not already published ones. To make sure it worked, write a post. Need a post idea?? Tell your friends about this website!!

Cupcakes = Pure Joy!

2009-10-18T23:25:00.002-06:00

I ADORE cupcakes. They are adorable and so fun to make!

We even had them at
our wedding!!

Well, tonight I made some chocolate cheesecake brownie cupcakes and oh boy, they were DELICIOUS!

[Travel] Wipes Case Tutorial

2009-10-18T16:03:00.002-06:00

You'll need two 9x 6" pieces of fashion fabric,two 9x6" of felt, 1.5 yards of coordinating

ribbon, and whatever embellishments you'd like!

Here they are all cut out...

Take your travel case and hot glue the FELT on first (on both sides).

This will help hide the marks on the wipes case...

Make sure you glue the fabric on straight!!

side note: i used thin scrap flannel that i had,

so to make it thicker, i just used two pieces on each side!

Glue on the fabric fabric next (on both sides)

When you are finished gluing it on, make sure to trim the fabric, but not

too much!

Pick out some coordinating ribbon (3/8" wide or smaller) and hot glue it on. Be very careful not to burn your fingers!! Start in the back, that way your ribbon seam won't be as noticeable!

{Sorry these pictures are such poor quality - I took them with my phone!!}

You can add a thicker ribbon and some buttons/embellishments to the front!

I found a great tutorial for the cutest yo-yos to add to the front. It can be found HERE!!

Elmo Cupcakes

2009-10-10T23:25:00.001-06:00

My toddler is obsessed with Elmo- he has his bday party earlier this week and I decided to make some cupcakes.

So, here are my elmo cupcakes. I'm pretty proud of myself. The pictures don't do them justice... cuz my camera can't quite capture the "fur" which looked awesome...if i do say so myself. =) I started with white cupcakes Made some eyes! (white necco wafers and black gel frosting) Piped on the fur. I LOVE piping. I never knew... Added a nose... Attached the eyes... And finally...the mouth. Which was a pain. I really wanted to do the mouth with black pull&peel twizzlers....but apparently they don't make those anymore. So... after much deliberation I went with chocolate sprinkles.

Rocking Chair Makeover!

2009-09-28T12:16:00.003-06:00

I got this ugly, old rocking chair for really cheap- and decided once again it just needed some TLC! After painting it black (in hindsight I should have just spray painted it...)- I needed to make some new cushions. I accidentally left the original ones in my friends truck...the day that it snowed. Man- those things reeked! My wonderful sis-in-law (who, by the way, designs all the little girl dresses over at SHABBY APPLE gave me this WONDERFUL Michael Miller Dandy Damask fabric for Christmas, so I put it to good use. I love Damask. Can you tell?

Diaper/Wipes Cases

2009-09-28T00:28:00.002-06:00

So... these diaper/wipes cases are everywhere now. The originals sell online for 15 bucks or more, which is crazy to me! I decided to tackle making one, and now I make them all the time for my friends who are expecting. Average cost: $3-$6

I'll be posting a tutorial soon!

Dresser Deal!

2009-09-27T23:56:00.002-06:00

I was able to find this old dresser for 20 bucks, and decided with a little TLC, it could really be something! I took it to my friends shop, sanded the heck out of it....

Slapped on some black paint, spray painted the old handles, and this is what I got: