Patriotic Burlap Wreath!

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!

What's that you ask? Another burlap wreath? Why yes, yes it is. Can one really have too may burlap projects? I think not! My mother-in law loves all things patriotic and loves the Americana colors and theme. I wracked my brain this year on what to do for her, and after much thought, I came up with this wreath. It didn't take long into my marriage for me to realize that whoever made her tear up, and if lucky, shed a happy tear, gave an awesome gift! This year, she happily shed a few tears! She got some very thoughtful gifts. Here's ours!

This is just a bubble wreath like I have done before. I used red chevron burlap instead of basic brown, along with blue denim ribbon. I added the little chalkboard plaque and hot glued white wooden stars from Hobby Lobby of course!. I LOVE how it turned out!  She shed a tear and that sealed the deal for me! 

Here is the link to my original bubble wreath tutorial:

http://pinterestandthepauper.blogspot.com/2013/08/yes-another-burlap-wreath-and-again.html

Happy Pinning!

Christmas Craft ideas with kids!

Happy Holidays from Pinterest and the Pauper!

Only one week and its Christmas! Here are some fun last minute ideas for Christmas crafting with the kids!

In need of a last minute Christmas Card? Don't worry about perfect hair and outfits! Roll outta bed and snap a photo of everyone in pj's! Smiles are optional for this silly idea! Perfect for a busy family with kids that are not so cooperative with smiles for the camera. You still get a fun card with high impact for the holidays. Can't tell you how many people loved this card idea when we sent ours out!

Would you like to capture your kids hand or foot prints this holiday season? Use a little paint and paper and create some artwork! We have done Christmas Trees, Reindeer, and this year Snowmen!

A second option to the above, use those hand prints on an ornament! Do you like to add new ornaments to your tree? Try this idea...Snowmen Hand prints! Just an ornament, paint, and sharpies!

Here's a few links to my other Christmas posts from years past!

http://pinterestandthepauper.blogspot.com/2013/11/christmas-burlap-wreath.html

http://pinterestandthepauper.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-footprints.html



http://pinterestandthepauper.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-countdown-calendar.html



Warm wishes from ours to yours! Enjoy your holidays!

-And Happy Pinning!

State Thread Artwork

If you have ever heard of Super Saturday, then you know about a fun filled afternoon full of crafts, food, and friends! I have seen these all over Pinterest, and so when I saw the sign up for this fun idea, I immediately put pen to paper! They also had DIY key chains, pumpkins made from toilet paper, and hand knitted scarves. Wish I could have done them all! I opted for the State artwork and the pumpkins(another post another time.) Below is my final result. I think these are so fun! 

This was a fairly straight forward and easy idea. So fun in fact, I plan to do two other states I've lived in to accompany my current one! All you need is:

1) A wooden plaque from Hobby Lobby or Michael's, (Stain it in your choice of color and let dry prior to placing the state on and hammering. You could also paint it a color too!)

2) The state of your choice printed out on a piece of paper to the size you want it. Then cut it out.

3) Gold or silver nails

4) A hammer.

5) Your choice of thread and stickers or paint.(I chose the color gold for stickers, brads, and the thread was white with gold flecks.)

I forgot to take a photo of the very first step. Oops! You want to print out your state outline and cut it out. Then lightly tape it to your board.

Next, Hammer the nails around the outline and a heart where your city is. Remove the paper when done, like above.

Then use your thread and string from the heart brads to the outline brads. Just loop them around as you go. Also run a line of thread along the outside brads to enforce the outline shape of your state. There's no right or wrong!

Last, use stickers or paint to add your word of choice. I chose "Home" but you could use the dates you moved there etc. 

It only takes an hour or less and is very inexpensive! Its maybe a $5 craft. If you decide you don't want a word you can make your state large enough to fit the whole board. You can make a series and hang them on the wall!

This would make a fun gift for Christmas! Happy Holidays and as always, Happy Pinning!

Girly Girl Room Make-Over: Part 1!

I don't know what it is about planning a surprise, but its always so much fun! Just before school started, my daughter got to go spend a fun week with grandma for some one on one time. While she was away, I secretly updated her room.  Seriously so much fun! When she arrived home she walked in, took a big breath, and declared,"Oh my gosh, Mom!" (I have it on film if you don't believe me. Ha!) So my effort was rewarded by big hugs and kisses. Best payment ever!

I loved her bedding and didn't want to change it, but this room was feeling drab despite its cheery theme. So I used what I already had and turned her room from drab to fab in 4 days!

First, I painted her dresser and head board(I've had it sitting in the garage for over a year!). That was the longest part of this project. I spray painted the headboard using Krylon in Blue Ocean Breeze. Its my favorite spray paint and color! Then I painted the dresser body white. I used the Krylon spray paint for the bottom two drawers and bought acrylic paint from Walmart to mix the next two shades. It was the Apple Barrel brand in Cloudless and Regular White. The middle drawers I mixed the Cloudless with a little white. The top drawers I mixed only a little of the blue into the white. Ta da! Ombre dresser! And of course a coat or two of clear top coat.

For the wall art, I already had a canvas left over from another project and the letters that spelled Emma from her nursery, oh so long ago. So I bought two more canvas and a pack of stickers. No joke, it was a total of $13 at Michael's! The canvas were a 2-pack and on sale for $4.99 (reg 9.99) and the stickers were $7.99. I did not paint the canvas, just left them white. I spray painted the E-M-M-A gold(Krylon Brand that I had on hand) and then hot glued them to the canvas and placed the stickers on the other two. Done in an hour!

Last, I made a silhouette to go above her bed. I found the mirror on sale at Hobby Lobby for $15. I then took the mirror out and replaced it with the striped paper and the cutout of her silhouette. All I did was take a pic of Emma standing with her profile against a bright background. I had it printed up at Walmart in an 8x10 and then cut it out and traced it on a black sheet of construction paper. I then glued it to the pink and white striped paper and placed it in the frame. Ta da!

I am VERY happy with how this room turned out. So much better and lighter and it was so simple!

I believe part of a good transformation is using what you already have. I didn't buy brand new furniture or bedding. I didn't overhaul the paint job or anything drastic. Just worked with what we had. Its one of the best things on a budget!

Stop by again to see Part 2 later! Another post I'm working on is a Piano make-over!

Have a great day and Happy Pinning!

Pirate Room Make-Over: Part 1!

Ahoy Matey! Doesn't it seem that children grow up much too fast? Arrrrgggg!!! (Pardon the puns! hehe) Didn't I just have the fun of putting together my son's Mickey Mouse room? And yet here we are a year and half later with a new baby boy, and so, a new boy room to share. I had seen some very cute space ship bedding and had lots of ideas in mind, but then I went to Target(dang them!) and saw their adorable pirate themed bedding. I was smitten! So I went home and hit up Pinterest for Nautical and Pirate room ideas. Man, there are some very clever people out there! I saw actual boat beds and rod iron wall lamps. I saw painted ceilings and huge sails and pirate flags. I had neither the budget or the time for something that grand, but I had plenty to work with!

So here is Part 1!

Before:

After:

The Bed: I bought the cute bed frame on a local buy/sell FB page for $50. Score! I painted it brown with Spray paint from Lowes. I think the color was called Thorny Brush by Valspar. I found the navy striped comforter online at Target.com for $19! The sham and skirt were separate but total bedding was $35! The Pirate quilt I had been looking at was $79, so that's a savings of almost $50. 

Wall Art: I bought Pirate wall stickers from my local Target where I saw the bedding. They were $12. I then went and bought a set of canvases from Michaels. It was a 4 pack that was on sale for $7.99. Woot! So I made the wall art with the stickers and canvas. I just simply painted the canvas and then applied the stickers. Done. The Yo Ho sign was one of those pieces of foam board that are .99 cents. Painted it and added the words. Its not perfect but it will do! I bought the ship's wheel at Hobby Lobby on clearance and they added an additional amount off due to damage. Hey, if it works, it works, right? I thought it all turned out pretty fun! 

Window: I used a twin sized sheet from Walmart ($4) for the window "sail" and some rope from Michaels($5). All I had to do was create a rod pocket for it to hang. I cheated and used the Witch Stitch stuff that you just iron on instead of actually sew. Then I swooped it over with some twine and tied it with a knot. 

My most expensive splurge was the Pirate Octopus pillow from Target. He was $17.99. 

So far I have come in under budget and have been pleasantly pleased. I am now working on the other half of the room. A lamp, dresser, crib bedding, and book shelf. Then onto Daughter's room! No rest for the weary...

Hope you are having a great summer!

Happy Pinning!

THE BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CAKE!

Grab a glass of milk! This is honestly the best chocolate cake and frosting recipe that I have made to date, and that is saying something because 1) I'm impatient when baking, and 2) I can mess up a box cake mix. So seriously, this cake takes the cake! Pun intended. Ha!

I would describe this cake as velvety smooth with the perfect sweetness. Its not so rich that you are immediately licking your pallet and thirsting for a glass of milk. Instead, you savor the flavor. Its melt in your mouth good, and the side of vanilla ice cream or glass of milk just enhances it. Its not a rescue. Have I mentioned yet that it was easy and fast? Here it is in all its glory!

I'm not a pro decorator or anything, but I did try my hand at a few roses. Next time some colored icing for a fun rose cake!

Here is the original pin and link:

http://addapinch.com/cooking/2013/01/25/the-best-chocolate-cake-recipe-ever/#.Ur2KV6DTXJt

Visit her site for the original recipe tutorial and more fun recipes and ideas! She has more than just chocolate cake!

Here is the recipe:

For the cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

1.  Preheat oven to 350º F. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by spraying with baking spray or buttering and lightly flouring. I also like to use the wax paper method. Cut out a piece of wax paper to place in the bottom of the pan after you spray. Helps the bottom just pop out!
2.  Add flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk through to combine, or, using your paddle attachment, stir through flour mixture until combined well.
3.  Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix together on medium speed until well combined. Reduce speed and carefully add boiling water to the cake batter. Beat on high speed for about 1 minute to add air to the batter. (If it appears pretty runny, then you are doing it right!)
4.  Distribute cake batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
5.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, remove from the pan and cool completely.
6.  Frost cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.

For the Frosting:

• 1½ cups butter (3 sticks), softened
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 5 cups confectioner’s sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon espresso powder

1. Add cocoa to a large bowl or bowl of stand mixer. Whisk through to remove any lumps.
2. Cream together butter and cocoa powder until well-combined.
3. Add sugar and milk to cocoa mixture by adding 1 cup of sugar followed by about a tablespoon of milk. After each addition has been combined, turn mixer onto a high speed for about a minute. Repeat until all sugar and milk have been added.
4. Add vanilla extract and espresso powder and combine well.
5. If frosting appears too dry, add more milk, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency. If it appears too wet and does not hold its form, add more confectioner’s sugar, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency.

My last little note is this: ESPRESSO POWDER is not generally available at your local store. You can buy it through Amazon or specialty places. I did not have Espresso Powder so I looked up a substitute and found that you can use regular instant coffee crystals instead. You just use twice the amount. 

Get to your kitchen and make this cake now! I guarantee no crumbs left behind!

As always,

Happy Pinning!

Fourth of July Fun!!!

I love the Fourth of July! Its a holiday that no matter how old I get, I always feel like a kid. The fun, the food, the fireworks! Growing up, we always had this big block party that my mom coordinated every year. Neighbors and friends would congregate on our front yard with desserts and fireworks, and the party lasted for hours! Kids ran around with sparklers and poppers, and the dads formed a group in the middle of the street lighting up the main event. My dad always went out of his way to get some of the illegal kind that rocketed into the sky for the finale. I'm not sure it was a picturesque Norman Rockwell painting or anything, but my memories are sure rosy and warm. I appreciate what my family and neighbors did and have a happy fondness of the holiday. Not only that, but they instilled a sense of pride and love for our amazing country!

So to honor America's birthday, here are some fun ideas and links to help kickoff your celebration!

First off, how about some fun Red, White, and Blue sweets!

http://www.craftbyphoto.com/red-white-and-blue-rice-krispies-treats/?crlt.pid=camp.N6hvWXGSLGgY

http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/firecracker-cookies-with-pop-rocks/

How about some food ideas for that BBQ or party!

http://www.psxo.com/inspiration/fourth-of-july-party-ideas/?pp=1

http://www.honeybearlane.com/2014/06/10-fabulous-4th-of-july-recipes.html#_a5y_p=1890211

Its not ALL about the food, how about some fun crafts!

http://www.thejennyevolution.com/patriotic-4th-of-july-kid-crafts-activities/#_a5y_p=1895581

You know how I love a good wreath!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/192696069/patriotic-4th-of-july-burlap-red-faux?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/20-craft-ideas-link-party-features/

How about a fun free printable?!

http://howtonestforless.com/2014/05/20/god-bless-usa-free-printable/

I honestly could go on and on for pages. There are so many fun and creative ideas on Pinterest! We all know how it sucks you in. Admit it, you go to look for a recipe and next thing you know its been over an hour! Ha!

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July! 

-Happy Pinning!