DIY Apothecary Jar!

I love apothecary jars! This pin blew up my craft board at over 301 repins! That's just my board. I am sure her idea is all over Pinterest. I couldn't wait to try it and I love how it turned out. This is one of those VERY simple and VERY inexpensive projects. I think I spent an hour on it and about $15 to $20, but it could be much cheaper than that if you already have jars and candle sticks. All it takes is a jar with a lid, a candle stick, a nob, spray paint, and glue. Of course you can guess what color I chose... Aqua! I plan to add about 3 more of these in different sizes and colors for an arrangement in my kitchen.

The original Pin:

http://creativeconfetti.blogspot.com/2012/07/super-glue-and-pickle-jar-too.html

The original Pin is a pickle jar and a dollar store candle stick. I wanted a much larger version(mine is approx 20 inches tall) and purchased an eight inch tall jar from Hobby Lobby for $4.99.  I then bought an 8 inch tall wooden candle stick from Michael's on sale for $6. I also bought the wooden nob at Hobby Lobby for .50 cents. The spray paint is Krylon in Ocean Breeze from Walmart, less than $4 for a can. Don't forget the super glue!

Supplies:
1) Jar with lid
2) candle stick holder
3) washer and nob
4) Spray paint
4) Super glue
5) Hot glue, wood glue, or she used a glue called Beacon's Glass, Metal, and more.

How to:
1) Take lid off of jar and glue the washer and nob to the top. Let dry.
2) While glue is drying, spray paint the candle stick base.
3) When lid is dry, spray paint that as well.
4) Using hot glue, wood glue, or the glass and metal glue...secure the glass jar to the candle stick holder. Let dry.
5) Fill with desired goodies and place top on jar.

Ta Da! You're very own adorable apothecary jar! Now I have to go and do this a few more times for my kitchen display...

Happy Pinning!

Hand Print Art!

Are you familiar with Piggy&Paws, Inc? I am a major sucker for little hand prints! I went to a few of their parties when my daughter was born. So much fun! But just after my son was born we moved, and I could not find anyone who did it. So, I did my best with Google and Pinterest to find a DIY approach. I found the most wonderful blog! I Am Momma Hear Me Roar. She made templates you can download and everything! I did this back when my little boy was only 6 months old and its still my favorite wall in his room. He is approaching two years old next month and we are moving, so I will be recreating his room into a toddler room. Sniff sniff! And  his new theme will be Mickey Mouse(will be a future post!). So in honor of his nursery and the by gone days as a tiny baby boy, his little prints shared with everyone!

The original Pin:

http://www.iammommahearmeroar.net/2010/08/baby-tracks.html

I love her blog!  She has so many fun ideas and tutorials! She is listed under my page Blogs I Love or you can hop over by clicking the link www.iammommahearmeroar.net.

I got my frames at Michael's on sale for about $10 a piece. They are 12x12 and came with the white mat. I used scrapbook paper I already had and acrylic paint that I had as well. I printed her templates and it was literally that easy! The hardest part was getting the baby to cooperate. Ha!

Some tips for the painting/printing:

1) Use a paint brush to put the paint on the hand or foot. It gets the hand or foot evenly coated.
2) Don't cut out the shapes until after you have good prints you like.
3) I used a little water on the brush before dipping into the paint. Makes a bit of a clearer print.
4) This is a project of personal taste and it doesn't have to be perfect!
5) This is a two person job or you can expect a huge mess! Have a helper!
6) Press down on the hand or foot gently but firmly to make sure the paint transfers.
7) Have an easy access to a sink for clean up!

Visit the site for the templates and to see all her other fun ideas! Enjoy!

Happy Pinning!

Valentine's Day Make-up!

Okay, I am no supermodel, but I love make-up just as much as the next girl! In fact, me and a friend of mine frequent the isles of Walgreens and Walmart for eye shadows and lip sticks once a week. I blame Cara from the blog MaskCara! I love her tutorials, and my make-up drawer is full of products she has suggested. With Valentine's Day approaching I decided to try a few of her latest looks. Originally, I was attempting to do her Smokey Eye tutorial, but instead ended up with the look from her Blue Eyes tutorial. Does that make this a fail? Ha! But I think I can say, this look does indeed make my eyes pop blue.

I have to apologize up front! I am no good with my SLR at self portraits, so this is just an iphone pic (in my bathroom of course). Its a little bright and maybe washed out from the flash, but you get the jist. Bolder eyes, pinky cheeks and lips. Look at my lashes! No falsies there!

So in honor of Valentine's Day I put together some Pins you may be interested in for your date night in or out! And who said you need a date to look hot??

Half up and half down is perfect for any occasion! Visit www.iknowhair.com

  This is a fun look for us Blue Eyed gals! But she has a tutorial on every eye color! 

Visit www.maskcara.com

This is a fun outfit from Polyvore! Love its softness and pale color for Valentine's day. Very girly! Just jeans dressed up with pearls! Visit Polyvore.com!

My Valentine's Date will be at home with my husband and 2 kiddos. Making a heart shaped pizza, some Love Potion(frothy pink drink), and a movie on the couch with the hubby after the kids are in bed(wink!). Happy Valentine's Day!

Lamp Revamp!

I LOVE spray paint! (No, I am not a graffiti artist. Ha!) Its just such a nifty craft tool. It can transform anything from blah to brand new in minutes. I had a pair of lamps that I really liked, but they no longer matched my decor. They weren't expensive lamps and were totally replaceable, but I really liked their shape. So I did what I do best and salvaged them with a new coat of paint. I used Krylon spray paint in Aqua($4) and then bought new lamp shades ($13 each) from Lowe's. Took about an hour and ta da! New lamps and a fun new set of accents for my living room. They stand proud at the ends of my sofa!

Original Pin:

http://www.krylon.com/index.jsp

You can visit the Krylon site for tips, tricks, and project ideas!

Supplies:

1) Lamp base

2) Your choice of Krylon spray paint

3) New or existing lamp shade

4) Plastic bag

5) Masking or painters tape

6) Damp cloth

How to:

1) Use a damp cloth to clean off the lamp base.

2) Wrap the cord up into a plastic bag so it does not get painted and tape off at the base.

2) Following the directions on the can, spray the lamp base from several inches away. (Do this in a well ventilated area.)

3) Spray more then one coat evenly.

4) Let dry

5) Put the lamp shade on and place in your designated area.

How easy is that??  Happy Pinning!

Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies! Yum!

Ok, so if you can't tell, my new years resolution isn't going so well. Ha! Drop 5 pounds? Not after making a batch of these soft and sweet sugar cookies! These are melt in your mouth good! And let's remember my track record with baking. These were extremely easy, and turned out just like those Lofthouse cookies you always see in the bakery. I think I need to get out of my kitchen and do another craft or a beauty post next, but I just can't help myself when I find something that looks so yummy on Pinterest. And hey, it's February which means Valentines Day, which of course means chocolate, candy, and cookies! So I'm gonna treat myself to another one of these cute heart cookies, and hunker down and watch me some Downton Abbey. Oh Lady Grantham, what will you say next?! Happy February!

The original Pin:

http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2012/03/lofthouse-sugar-cookies.html

Visit Mom's Crazy Cooking for this wonderful recipe(and more!) and the frosting recipe. I used both!

Ingredients:

6 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1½ cups sour cream

1. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and sour cream and beat at low speed until combined.

3. Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined, scraping down the bowl as needed. Dough will be a little sticky and that is ok. Divide dough into two sections. Flatten into rectangles about 1½ inches thick, then wrap with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator overnight or for at least two hours.

4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpats; set aside.

5. Lightly flour the counter-top and the top of the dough. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to ¼-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out the cookies and place on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 7 minutes, until cookies are slightly golden around the edges. Immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Cook cookies completely before frosting.

I used the frosting recipe that can be found with this recipe on the above site or you can buy frosting from the baking isle. Either way, don't forget the sprinkles!

Happy Pinning!

DIY Growth Chart!

Am I the only one who feels time is passing by much too quickly? Has anyone else noticed little shoes are too tight, pants are too short, and ideas too big? I feel like somewhere along the time my daughter was born, time was set to fast forward. She is now 7 and my baby is almost 2. How I ask you is this possible?? 

I love little mementos of those tiny fingers and toes, and this growth chart is perfect for keeping track of those inches that accrued over night! Pottery Barn was the original product, and then Etsy shops started duplicating them(still $75!). I saw this growth chart on Pinterest and thought, "Yes!! I can do that!" Such a great way to chart their growth and take it with you no matter where you go. We have moved at least once a year over the last 5, so this IS a big deal! Ha! And it was the easiest craft I have done. Seriously!

Have I mentioned this is a super cheap project? $20 tops, depending where you get your supplies!

The original Pin:

http://517creations.blogspot.com/2011/04/ruler-growth-chart-pottery-barn-knock.html

You can visit the site and they sell this product too!

Supplies:

1) Wood board. (Mine was 6 ft tall x 7 and a 1/2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick. Approx $6 at Lowe's)

2) Your choice of wood stain.(I used Golden Pecan by Minwax. Approx $3.99 from Walmart.)

3) A paint brush(Approx $2 from Walmart)

4) damp rag

5) Black Sharpie pen(mine was just a fine point. Nothing special)

6) Measuring tape

7) Vinyl numbers( I used 3 inch Helvetica. $6.99 from Michael's. Comes in a pack of the whole alphabet.)

How To:

1) Make sure wood is clean and dry. My wood was new so I had no need to sand or anything. You may need to if its still rough or splintery.

2) Apply stain according to directions. Let dry. I wasn't going for really dark. I like the look of the natural wood grain coming through.

3) Once all dry, mark off the "feet," using a measuring tape and pen. PLEASE NOTE: Your first foot is not a full 12 inches! Its going to be hanging on a wall somewhere. To accurately measure your children's height and not be taking it off the wall all the time, start at 6 inches.  Then hang accordingly.

4) Once all the "feet" are marked, measure out the "half feet." Hint, that's every 6 inches. So that's all the middle marks between each "foot."

5) Now continue to mark every inch.

6) When everything is all measured out and marked, us a black sharpie and a straight edge to draw on the lines permanently.

7) Place the vinyl numbers according to their places. Make sure they are pressed on well and no bubbles.

Finito! Growth chart complete! I have seen all sorts of ways to mark the growth of each child from photos at each age, to dates written in fun colors, and one used a small nail and charm with the date and initial. This project would be great for a salvaged piece of wood that's in good condition. The aged look would be incredible! Its also on the cheap for those crafters with a Cricut. Either way, I am really excited about this little project and can't wait to add their first marks!

Happy pinning!

How to Frost a Cake with a Paper Towel and make it look like Fondant!

FOR EVERYONE AWAITING AN UPDATE! THE SITE/LINK TO THE RECIPE AND TUTORIAL IS BACK UP AND RUNNING!!!


If there was an award for World's Worst Baker, I would have a shelf full of trophies! Some people are born with the gene, but I didn't manage to get it. Ha! I can burn a batch of cookies with no effort and ruin bread before it even has the chance to rise. I consider myself a fairly decent cook when it comes to meals, but over the last few years have tried to challenge my lack of baking skills. Not sure I am winning the war... hehe.

I stumbled upon this great blog through a Pin on Pinterest. She has all sorts of tutorials, and one of them is how to frost a cake using a paper towel to make it look like fondant. I have never been a fan of fondant(it tastes funny to me), but its so dang pretty on cakes. My daughter's birthday was approaching and I decided for her birthday cake to give it a whirl. Worst case scenario, I would find a bakery to save the day!

Not to toot my own horn, but I am beyond pleased with myself. Ha! Not only did I not burn the cake, but it turned out pretty dang close to the way it should. That's a major feat, you have no idea! I used her frosting recipe and the paper towel technique and I will never go back to store bought again! Its not any more effort and it turns out looking so cute and is so yummy. We actually looked forward to the left overs after the party. Ha!

The Original Pin:

http://thelittledelightsinlife.blogspot.com/2012/07/classic-white-frosting-recipe.html

The link above is to the frosting recipe. The below link is to her YouTube tutorial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG0D6pYSbUw&feature=plcp&context=C46b309dVDvjVQa1PpcFP9MDW26yeyinvM85Nw1VJfq1ll6u8wQAc%3D

If you couldn't tell it was a Hello Kitty party and while its not as perfect as the Original Pin(at least it wasn't a fail!), it turned out quite smooth. A few more tries and maybe I will be on my way to having at least 1 baking skill! Ha!

Her recipe is for White frosting, so I just put 2 drops in of light blue food coloring for the sky blue I achieved. I used a regular non-edible ribbon at the bottom, and then used a star shaped attachment with a pastry bag along the outside of the ribbon. I sprinkled some sugar pearls on top, and using lollipop sticks, stuck the Hello Kitty toppers on. For the Hello Kitty toppers, I just used scrapbook paper, and stickers from Michael's. And of course a #7 candle to finish it off! 

Visit her site for the video tutorial and all sorts of other great tips and tricks! I followed her recipe and instructions to the T.  I think I may eventually get one of those cool frosting spatulas she uses, but I was very happy with how it turned out. I am still thinking about....cake! 

Happy Baking, and Happy Pinning!