Lipstick and Laundry

Broken Arm Shirt Tutorial

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

How's that for a title??

Our cute little neighbor broke her arm requiring surgery...

No fun

I wanted to be able to DO something...

I couldn't imagine how they were going to keep her warm,

it's not like tank tops will do in Dec/Jan

I searched online for shirts for people with broken arms (no such thing)

I decided I would try and make one...

I purchased a couple sweatshirts and some velcro.

Cut the sleeve off right above the elbow.

Cut the entire side of the shirt open on the seam.

Pinned and sewed a finish seam for the sleeve.

Added and sewed velcro to each side of the sleeves and side.

Tada...

A finished shirt that can easily be put on and "velcroed" around the cast.

Photo Challenge 2012 Final

2012-01-31T05:52:00.000-08:00

Day 25, Domo garland (a gift for my sister in law)

Day 26, color

Day 27 lunch (not mine) ;)

Day 28 light, purchased from Goodwill for $4.00

Day 29 inside my refrig.

Day 30 nature pretty blooms in the yard

Day 31 me again....

Photo Challenge 2012 (part 4)

2012-01-24T06:10:00.000-08:00

Day 18 I just bought this devotional it's AMAZING

(oh and the kids like it too)...

Day 19 sweet, Pizookie Recipe

Day 20 The ♥ of my life

Day 21 reflection me top left and my little friend...

Day 22 my shoes Ugg's for Christmas...

Day 23 something old my great grandmas salt and pepper shakers...

Day 24 guilty pleasure, yes I watch EVERY season of The Bachelor....

Photo Challenge 2012 (part 3)

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

whoooooo goes there?

In my bag, lots of thirty-one goodness going on...

I love to read books and my nook...

Happiness, who doesn't love glitter?

Orange (cuties) tree in the morning

water

Photo Challenge 2012 (part 2)

2012-01-11T06:03:00.000-08:00

My favorite things are my "Night Nights" I HAVE to sleep with them...

My favorite part about them is the corners...

As for routine, I get up and get ready every single day...

Loved Little People as a child, still do...

This is where I sleep,

I ♥ my quilt top pompom throw pillow made by Elise

and my pennant banner made by Em ...

Photo Challenge 2012

2012-01-06T10:00:00.001-08:00

I decided to join in the fun and participate in this photo a day challenge...

Here are my first 6 days...

*edit to add the deer head is from Kohls

Twenty Twelve word of the year

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

My word for twenty twelve shall be:

Determined;

decided; settled;resolved

As in determined to be:

JOYfull

2011-12-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

Such a fun season of JOY...

One of the little guys I take care of did the 12 days of Christmas for me, I felt like a kid again... It was sooo much fun opening a gift a day...

Another little guy gave me a gift card to get a pedicure... YES please...

... and one of my besties hooked me up with tons of thirty-one products and a Christmas bonus!

I feel soooo loved by my little friends...

On Christmas morning our boys got so see what Santa brought,

he only fills stockings in this house...

Tinko

Bird and his doggy Dolce

Polly Wog

FoFo Juice

Merry Christmas...

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reindeer Hand Print Gift

2011-12-16T05:55:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be cute to make a gift from my little friends to give their parents...

Reindeer hand prints with thumb print ears ...

I bought my tiles at Lowes and the plate stands at Joann's...

If you use paint on a tile be sure and spray it with a sealer...

A Little Christmas Decor

2011-12-14T06:06:00.000-08:00

My kitchen hutch, I love my vintage thermos collection and Joy stitchery...

and I am just smitten with my new "vintage" tin cake carrier,

snatch that up at World Market!

2011 Christmas mantel

Joy banner given to me by my friend, Jill

My mom made our son this felt sequin advent calendar 18 years ago,

we use it every year.

Just look at all the hand sewn detail...

entry way hall tree...

my vintagey wreath from my friend, Elise...

Merry sign inspired by Heather...

Our 2011 tree, super loving the G topper...

A new ornament...

an old ornament...

an owl...

Linking up:

Craft Booth

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday was my first ever craft booth...

I went with inspiration I found on pinterest from a

Kate Spade Holiday shoot...

I sewed pockets in craft postal paper and drew a chalk tree slipped it through a tent frame and in the bottom pocket slipped a dowel through to weigh it down!

I ♥ how it turned out...

Lots of fun garlands: yarn pom poms, yarn snowflakes, and candy cane garlands!

My booth sign was inspired by Heather who used the big paper mache letters to spell out handmade for her craft fair...

I just cut mine out of cardboard so they were lighter to hang...

Not such a Good time...

2011-11-28T05:59:00.000-08:00

A week and a half before Thanksgiving our uncle passed away unexpectedly... It has been such a sad and hard time... The last two weeks have been filled with tears which I have now come to realize crying makes me physically sick, I have never had this happen before, but after crying I feel nauseous for an entire day, it's a weird and yucky feeling...

The week before Thanksgiving my mom had surgery

(everything went perfectly) Praise!

We hosted Thanksgiving at our home and that was wonderful, but looming in the back of my mind was the upcoming memorial service... We had the service on Saturday the 26th, it was rough. In the sorrow there was also beauty. His children, other family members, and friends came up and spoke of fond and funny memories, my husband made a celebration of life DVD of all of their home movies and pictures...

All that to say, I haven't felt like blogging, or even crafting for that matter, it's a dark place... By Saturday night I had body aches and a head cold... Not fun.

I did manage to take down and stack all of my Thanksgiving decorations on the counter, and go out to our shed to get our Christmas tree out, only to discover that mice had eaten holes through the bag and used our tree as a public restroom...

There is NO saving that tree to the dump it shall go...

So, this is real and this is life and I will get through it with prayer...

Please forgive my absence as I am going to take some time and regroup...

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T05:41:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Decor

2011-11-16T06:01:00.000-08:00

I added leaf doilies to my book page leaves for a fall effect...

I made pilgrim and Indian Peg People...

This acorn still remains one of my favorite fall items...

Last years birthday gift, Thankful banner...

... still love my wood grain acorns!

New ornaments for this year (the acorn is a Thirty-One tag)

11 + 11 + 11 = 33

2011-11-11T05:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday

Elise...

Not everyone has a birthday on 11/11/11 and turns 33...

...but Elise does...

Make it a happy one!

The Happy Day Project

2011-11-03T08:30:00.001-07:00

My friend Julie and her friend Jeannett Have created

The Happy Day Project, here is a little info...

This whole use your blog for good thing is fun! So they brainstormed and came up with a little plan. For one week we will spread sunshine unexpectedly. Many of the tasks are easy, lots of them can involve little ones. All of them will be a little ray of light in some one's day. But we also wanted to make it cute. We like cute. So we enlisted super talented friends who donated their time and skill to make printables that go with the day's task.

A peek at next weeks missions:

What's next? We start Monday. Both Jeannett and Julie will be a day ahead so we are able to post about the daily task bright and early in the morning. Each assignment will have many options so you can tailor it to your family, your community, or your schedule. At the end of the week we will celebrate the days that were made just a little bit happier with a big linky party and some super fun surprises. What can you do? Join in! Commit to spending the next couple of days thinking and planning what you are going to do. Even better than that, help us spread the word. Blog, tweet, facebook, pin, sky write, about The Happy Day Project. Lets flood the world with sunshine next week.

Pottery Barn Leaf Garland Tutorial

2011-11-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

This was last years creation, but very worth posting again...

Today I am sharing my Pottery Barn {knock off} Leaf Garland...

You will need:

*Medium width ribbon

{I used brown with cream stitching in the by the yard ribbon at Walmart}

*Tiny ric rac {I used green}

*Various sheets of felt in what ever colors make you smile

{I purchase my felt from Joann's}

*Coordinating embroidery floss

Simply cut out your leaves as many as you want I have included my pattern below.
Hand Stitch your veins and tack on ribbon with your embroidery floss...

Now reward yourself with a FALL snack...

Yummy Acorns

You will need...

*Mini Nilla Wafers

*Nutella {you can also use chocolate frosting}

*Hershey Kisses

Spread a little bit of Nutella on your Nilla wafer {it's the glue}

Cap your kiss and add a little bit on top {stem}

Leaf Patterns

Thomas the Train Halloween Costume

2011-10-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

When my youngest was little he loved Thomas the Train...

I made him this Thomas costume along with a James costume...

He lived in them...

I miss my baby's being little...

Vintage Crafty Supplies

2011-10-27T06:05:00.000-07:00

Vintage lace and velvet ribbon.

Thread, thread, and more thread...

I went to my parents house this past weekend, their friends were there having a yard sale full of vintage craft supplies (most from the 1960's)

Glad I don't have to darn socks...

Here is some of the goodies

Vintage buttons, yarn, embroidery hoops, fabric...

Look cream crocheted circles (I think I will make a "snowflake" garland with them)

A craft cozy, I would love a purse made out of this daisy print...

And the mother lode was this awesome apron...

♥ the fabric...

Linking Up

Halloween Decor 2011

2011-10-04T06:12:00.000-07:00

Decorating the mantel this year was fun!

In the kitchen I have this little hutch...

Yarn Balls...

The chandelier got to wear the candy corn bunting...

Linking Up...

2 X 6 Frankenstein

2011-09-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

Using scrap wood (2 x 6)...

Painted it green, added black details and glued wing nuts to the sides!

Plaster Leaves Garland

2011-09-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

A little disclaimer, I spend WAY too much time on Pinterest.

I pinned this awesome plaster leaf garland and knew I had to make one.

So glad I did, now if only our weather would become more fall like,

I would be a super happy girl...

Halloween Giveaway

2011-09-20T05:23:00.000-07:00

I just listed a whole bunch of Halloween goodies in my etsy shop...

To celebrate I am going to do a GIVE ~ AWAY...

Leave me a comment and I will choose a winner on Friday Sept 23.

You will get to choose between the bat and the jack o lantern cozy...

These little cozy slip right on a $1.00 Walmart jar Mainstay candle...

The winner is... YOU

Let's Talk Dirty Laundry

2011-09-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

Just for kicks, I thought I'd try something, it all started with me disliking the way my front load washing machine would smell... With the tight seals they need, no air gets in... YUCK, I was buying washing machine cleaner at least once a month to get that musty smell out... I did some research and read something that said if you use powder laundry detergent (I was using liquid) it would stop you washing machine from smelling, liquid laundry soap causes a residue to build up and become musty smelling... I switched to GAIN powder and guess what I didn't even buy the H.E. that my washing machine recommends

(You can use regular soap, just not as much or the suds don't rinse.)

Anyway, I dated the day I opened my box May 16, 2011.

This box says it does 180 loads...

Notice the difference in their scoop and mine? I pour my soap from the box into this cute vintage enamel pot for the cuteness factor and use a protein powder scoop per load. Now it's time for the math...

I do a minimum of 24 loads a week (we are a family of 6)

Since May 16th (that's 17 weeks worth) we are at 408 loads of laundry.

I still to date, Sept 12 have an entire bucket full,

I was able to finally pour the rest of the box in.

Now, I am no math whiz but I have well exceed the 180 loads the box says it will do...

Our clothes our totally clean (not an easy task with 4 boys) smell awesome and it is cheaper than making my own laundry soap (which I have tried, I didn't like that they didn't smell fresh and our clothes looked dingy) Let's face it when I do this much laundry our clothes better be bright, clean, and smell AWESOME...

Moist Mini Pumpkin Muffins

2011-09-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

I decided that since it is September and I am very ready for fall, I would make mini pumpkin muffins. I used this recipe... It is by far a favorite around here.

I place several mini muffins in a wide mouth mason jar for Tanner to take to his teacher today!

Melt in your Mouth Pumpkin Bread

2 cups of sugar

2 cups of flour

1 (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 1/4 cup applesauce (or oil)

5 eggs

2 cups (one can) canned pumpkin puree

mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Butter mini muffin pan.

Mix together all dry ingred. add applesauce, egg, and pumpkin.

Spoon into buttered mini muffin pans.

Bake 15 minutes or until done.

I won...

2011-09-02T06:10:00.000-07:00

I entered a Lamp Make Over challenge at The CSI Project and WON!

My prize was a gift certificate to Cait + Create etsy shop... I chose this adorable

Keep Calm and Bake On sign...

It's super cute and matches my kitchen perfectly...

Vintage Typewriter Table

2011-08-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

When Spike and I went to Sutter Creek in July,

I found this metal vintage typewriter table for 5 bucks...

Now, I do love gray, but I am wondering if I should paint it??

If so, what color... I need some bloggy help...

Horse Taggy Blanket

2011-08-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

One of the little girls I love has a thing for horses...

She recently lost her beloved "night night baby" that she sleeps with...

I felt super bad for her, so I thought, what if I made her a horse blanket

with a taggy mane...

She loved the idea, I let her pick out the flannel and ribbons...

She even helped me pull the pins out as I sewed the horsey together...

Hopefully this lil horse will help fill "night night baby's" void....

Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze Recipe

2011-08-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze

Scones:

2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces

1/4 cup blueberry juice (or 1/8 cup blueberry juice plus 1/8 cup lemon juice)

1/4 cup milk

To make blueberry juice I took 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries and

microwaved them for 45 seconds.

Then mashed the blueberries.

Wet a coffee filter and put it into a strainer, then add blueberry pulp.

Twist coffee filter to extract juice.

Blueberry juice...

Combine all dry ingredients and add bits of butter.

Knead with your hands until crumbly.

Combine blueberry juice and milk together, add to crumble.

Mix well. Put in refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Roll chilled dough out on a well floured surface

to a about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out with a circle cutter, or glass.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

Cool completely.

Lemon Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

1/8 cup lemon juice

Mix well and spoon on top of cool scone.

Dancing Daisy

2011-08-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

I purchased this cute little daisy from the Dollar Tree, you know the item they have featured at the register and ask if you would like to add? Well, how could I resist a box of dancing daisy's? I spotted the little red pot with a white daisy and it came home with me. I enjoyed watching that daisy dance every morning, my kids liked the dancing daisy, my friends liked my dancing daisy, and unfortunately my cats liked the dancing daisy. So much so they batted it right off the dresser and then my daisy danced no more... I tried to shake it, look inside (it was too tightly sealed), and finally decided, I would just have to throw it away... But instead, I set it in my hutch in the kitchen. Weeks have past and just yesterday I saw slight movement?? Was my daisy dancing again? I picked it up and set it outside in a super sunny spot and just like that, she was dancing... I am so happy I didn't throw my daisy away...

Which got me to feeling thankful that when I am not "dancing"

( praying as often, reading the word, having the right attitude, being appreciative, etc )

that my Jesus doesn't give up on me,

He patiently waits for me to start "dancing" again...

I'm much happier when I am "dancing" my kids are happier, my friends are happier, and I would venture to say my cats are happier too...

Cupcake Candle Cozy

2011-08-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

I made this cupcake cozy

using one of the dollar jar candles from Walmart.

I chose the cupcake/vanilla scent.

It inspired the colors and cozy.

My cousins birthday was Wednesday and I wanted to get her a little something,

so she knows I am thinking about her.

Next up holiday cozy's... My mind is spinning... They will make perfect teacher gifts!

Back to School ( and a cookie recipe )

2011-08-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today my kiddos go back to school...

This day makes me a little sad,

I miss them when they are gone...

This year I decided to make Back to School cookies for them,

and let's be honest for me to scarf while they are at school...

Cut Out Sugar Cookies

1/3 cup cold butter

1/3 cup shortening

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

dash of salt

2 cups flour

Beat butter and shortening with electric mixer, add in sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Add in flour 1/2 cup at a time until mixed well.

(Chill for a bit)

Lightly flour surface roll out to 1/4 thick, cut to desired shape and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes, do not let these cookies golden.

Cool.

Sugar Cookie Icing

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tsp corn syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp of milk or less

food coloring

*add milk slowly until desired consistency.

I put mine in a Wilton squeeze bottle and used the "flood" technique.

Linking Up

Scarlet Red Saturday

2011-07-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Red Rolled Rose Necklace

Red Scale and Strawberries

Flag and Pennants

Red Enamelware

Red polka dot yo yo

Red Geraniums...

Red Toes

Scarlet Red Saturday

Link Away...

Fern Green Friday

2011-07-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Vintage Books

Floral Frogs

Velvet Fern Green Seat...

Green Enamel Laundry Soap container...

Fern Green Dresser

Vintage green suitcases ♥

Chippy Fern Green Chair

Actual Fern...

Color My Week

Fern Green Friday...

Link Away...

Tangerine Thursday

2011-07-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Scissors

Crocheted pennant my sister made me..

Polka Dot Rose

Vintage Wheaties Can...

Color My Week

Tangerine Thursday

Link Away...

White Wednesday

2011-07-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

White Back Yard Seating

White Chippy Fonts...

White Deer...

White Laundry Room...

White Butter Dish...

Color My Week...

Link Away...

Turquoise Tuesday

2011-07-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Turquoise Vintage Globes

Turquoise Vintage wares...

Turquoise Egg Crate...

Turquoise Mason Jars and Eggs...

Color My Week

Link Away...

Mustard Monday

2011-07-18T05:00:00.002-07:00

Crocheted Mustard flowers

Mustard Bathroom

Mustard Purse

Bright Mustard Deer

Mustard Flower Pin

Light Mustard Frame

Mustard Lovely Love...

Color My Week

Have Fun and Link Away

Sky Blue Sunday

2011-07-17T04:55:00.000-07:00

Color my Week

Sky Blue Sunday...

Link Away...

Color My Week ( Join in the Fun )

2011-07-15T05:40:00.000-07:00

Starting next week, July 17th through the 23rd...

I thought it would be fun to Color My Week...

Each day will have an assigned color:

Sky Blue = Sunday

Mustard = Monday

Turquoise = Tuesday

White = Wednesday

Tangerine = Thursday

Fern Green = Friday

Scarlet Red = Saturday

Here's the idea, go around your home, garden, or town and take pictures of items with the assigned color...

Post about it and then we will come back here and link up...

Sound FUN?

Wedding Signs...

2011-07-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we attended a wedding and I knew in advance the couples first dance song... The bride is a huge Elvis fan, so I used the lyrics from "their song"...

I also had the privilege of making a sign for another wedding, they had a cupcake table... The bride chose this saying...

Felt Flower Bouquet...

2011-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Using this tutorial, I made a felt flower bouquet...

These will be for my aunt...

Stormtrooper Boys T-Shirt

2011-06-27T06:04:00.000-07:00

This little guy just turned 4... He is SUPER DUPER into Star Wars, if you ask him who his favorite character is, he'll tell you Stormtroopers... Soooo I thought since I made him t-shirts for his third birthday, he was into guitars then, I could make him a t-shirt for his fourth too...

Now, my nine year old wants a Stormtrooper AND a Yoda t-shirt...

Vintage Granny Decor

2011-06-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to play "American Pickers" a couple weeks ago, in my friends 90 year old grandparents barns... It was the BEST day!

The history of their home built by her grandfather in the 40's.

Contained in these barns were treasures...

I brought home this painting...

Two of these metal frames with floral prints...

These horse paint by numbers are from a church parking lot sale, but I wanted to share them, they are dated 1952...

I unearthed this scale in one of the barns...

Chicken feeders... I am in ♥, Her grandparents were poultry farmers....

Hiding way, way back in the barn was this AMAZING tricycle...

A giant spool, I plan to use on the patio as a side table...

Then this past weekend I went to a yard sale in my parents neighbors, 3 of these vintage aprons are from there... A dollar a piece!

I could NOT resist this granny rocker...

Plus it is the MOST comfortable chair in the house!

LOVE the fabric and texture... $20.00

An old dresser on mini casters also $20.00...

It also came with a fancy mirror... Not sure what color I am going to paint it yet...

Red and White Graduation Party

2011-06-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

We used a red and white Radio Flyer wagon for the water bottles...

and served red Kool-aid.

Drink station, sign reads:

Here's your cup for the day...

Write your name so it doesn't

stray...

I used red and white enamel bowls to put Red Hots, Red Vines, Boston Baked Beans, Cranberries and yogurt dipped (white) raisins, red and white bubble gum balls, and of course Red Velvet with Cream Cheese frosting cupcakes!

Mini Radio Flyer wagon held applesauce and strawberry applesauce.

Vintage plaid Thermos held red and white carnations.

Red old time popcorn popper!

Not sure if you can see the center pieces, but they are Coke bottles filled with white skewers and red and white fabric flags on them.

Red and white banners hung from the gazebo...

Playing find the clear bottle cap at the bottom of the pool... Go

Best Friends since first grade... Chris and Kyle...

Family and Friends

Linking Up...

California Poppy Garland Tutorial

2011-06-10T05:15:00.000-07:00

California Poppy Garland...

You will need a few sheets of orange felt, one sheet of green felt, and any other color in a couple shades, I chose brown and tan. Each flower will require two poppy shapes....

Stack the two shapes...

Pinch in half and in half again... Stitch with a needle and thread...

This will create your Poppy...

Here are my patterns... Using green felt cut out 1 leaf per flower. I then free hand cut several circles, in two sizes... You will also need to cut out larger orange circles to attach the Poppy to.

Attach the leaf to the bottom of the flower...

Line up your circles until you like the look and length, placing the larger orange circle where your Poppy will go...

Next run using a long stitch on the sewing machine each circle through...

You will have an attached garland...

Hand stitch the Poppy onto the orange circle...

Summer Fun Banner, Hot Dogs, Flip Flops, and Flowers Oh My...

2011-06-07T05:03:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm Becky from Liberate Creativity. I'm super excited to be visiting Lipstick and Laundry today! Jen and I had this idea of swapping Summer Banner ideas, so here it goes. Be sure to check out both our tutorials to get some super fun creative inspiration!

My banner was inspired by my fav summer items....Hot Dogs, Flowers and Flip Flops!

Supplies Needed:
Felt (various colors)
Embrodiery Floss (Variety colors)
Ribbon (Approximately 1 full roll)
Sewing machine (optional)
Needle

Step1:
I choose a few "clip-art" pictures from Microsoft word of my fav summer items (see below for example, but use your own to exemplify your own summer banner creativity!)

Step 2:

Cut felt pieces from your chosen clip art pieces.

Step 3:

Sew (by hand) embroidery floss through each chosen piece of your summer garland. I used a straight stich; however you could also use the sewing maching to make it a much quicker process.

Step 4:

Pin each completed felt piece to a strip of selected ribbon and sew on.

Hang the garland and enjoy! Feel summery and wonderful all season long. Ooh, maybe I'll pull mine out in the dreary winter to remind me that Summer does actually exist! Thanks again Jen for letting me visit!

Rustic Vintage Style Ring Bearer Pillow

2011-06-03T05:17:00.000-07:00

I was commissioned at the beginning of the week to make a rustic vintage style ring bearer pillow... I must say I had so much fun working with

the different textures and colors...

The bride was pleased... ♥

Happy Birthday Christopher...

2011-06-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

Happy 18th Birthday Christopher...

In less than a week, you have graduated and now are 18...

Slow down momma's not ready for all these changes...

Rainbow Doily Banner Tutorial

2011-05-20T05:15:00.000-07:00

Great Dollar Store craft...

The entire project was less than $8.

I bought 8 inch and 10 inch doilies from the Dollar Tree,

20 cent packets of Kool-Aid, and a piece of cotton string.

Add hot water to your containers...

I had to add a few drops of yellow food coloring,

the yellow Kool-Aid was super light.

Left soaking over night, and in the next morning dried them, be careful they don't touch, the color will bleed when wet.

Put a piece of tape around the end of the string.

Weave through the folded doily...

Linking up...

Senior Pictures...

2011-05-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

On a warm Sunday evening we went out with our very good friend and photographer Jaime, for her to take Christopher's seniors pictures...

Over 300 were taken of the said 300 I LOVE 296...

I am thinking I should have them ALL printed and make wallpaper out of them...

I ♥ this guy...

He went from being our little inquisitive, talkative, curious, loving, smart, happy, easy baby...

To our God seeking, honorable, loving, generous, hard working, intelligent, polite, young man...

Color Wheel Necklace

2011-05-10T05:16:00.000-07:00

I have been searching for a color wheel necklace for a few months, the ones I love are way out of my price range and then I stumbled upon this beauty...

I had just made this for someone who contacted me after seeing the one I made for the hoop swap. She loved the vintage feel and requested 2 birds... So with the money I earned on this hoop, I bought my necklace...

Pretty nice "trade"...

♥ Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T05:03:00.000-07:00

♥

Happy Mother's Day

Teacher Appreciation Gifts Homemade

2011-05-05T05:13:00.000-07:00

I didn't take a picture of the mini bundt cakes we sent earlier in the week, but the idea and recipe came from here.

A mini phone book apple was made like the big ones last year...

A pencil pouch/make up bag, filled with NEW pencils and a note that says,

"You are a SHARP teacher."

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Elephant Ears for Breakfast ( The Recipe )

2011-04-27T05:12:00.000-07:00

Elephant Ears

Bridgford Ready Dough { 3 pack of white loaves} in the frozen food section

Butter

Powdered Sugar

OVER NIGHT preparation required....

I use 2 loaves for my big family, spray an 8x8 baking dish with non stick cooking spray and place your frozen loaves side by side, cover with a light weight dish towel, leave on the counter over night.

The dough will rise over night and look like this in the morning...

Pull off a bit and stretch out (think pancake size)

In a well buttered skillet place your stretched out dough...
flip when golden brown and cook the other side (again like pancakes)

Before removing from skillet put a bit of butter on top...

Place on plate with powdered sugar...

You may use a fork if you would like, I prefer to eat mine with my hands...

Healthy = NO

Fattening = Yes

Delish = Most Definitely....

P.S. This is not becoming a food blog...
It just seems like lately all I do is cook/bake.... hahaha

He is Risen...

2011-04-24T06:29:00.000-07:00

Let no one caught in sin remain

Inside the lie of inward shame

We fix our eyes upon the cross

And run to Him who showed great love

And bled for us

Freely You've bled for us

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Beneath the weight of all our sin

You bowed to none but heaven's will

No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown

No burden great can hold

You down In strength You reign

Forever let Your church proclaim

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

The glory of God has defeated the night

Sing it, o death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

Our God is not dead, He's alive,

He's alive

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Rise up from the grave

He Died for You and Me...

2011-04-22T05:26:00.000-07:00

Good Friday

Although this day always makes me feel sad and weepy,

it also makes me feel HAPPY and REJOICEFUL...

Thank You

Jesus

for dying for me...

* As a reminder we use permanent red marker to represent His pierced hands, and a permanent black marker to write our name... and guess what in 3 days it's gone...

Happy Easter

Let's Talk Arm Bumps Ladies...

2011-04-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Every year about this time I dread short sleeves and tanks tops... Why?

Arm bumps... um yeah what in the world... You know the ones I am speaking of... The permanent looking goose bumps on the upper arms... The unsightly bumps, I've heard called heat rash, it's not... Well I happened to be talking to a friend about arm bumps and she said, oh my goodness WE {the ladies at her work} were JUST talking about these... Guess what there is a product out there that will RID you of them...

Is it cheap, NO... Does it work, YES...

In fact I was going to take a before picture for you but, forgot and I have been using AmLactin lotion at night and in the morning and my bumps are GONE... So even though it's about $24.00 a bottle {Walgreens}

it is worth EVERY penny...

Birthday Sign... Eat More Cake...

2011-04-13T05:50:00.000-07:00

Such fun making gifts for friends and family...

Brownie Mix Cookies

2011-04-11T05:02:00.000-07:00

Did you know you can make cookies with Brownie mix??

Oh YUM two of my favorite things cookies and brownies...

Brownie Mix Cookies....

15 oz or larger box Brownie mix

1/4 cup water

1/4 oil 1 egg

1/2 cup chocolate chips

PARCHMENT PAPER is a MUST

Mix ingredients {batter will be thick}

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper drop brownie mix in big tablespoon heaps.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes...

*Parchment paper keeps the brownie mix from running...

I Don't Wanna Make Lemonade...

2011-04-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

I know when life hands you lemons you are supposed to make lemonade...

But I just don't wanna...

My Thursday went like this...

No sleep for the entire night until 5:30 am for the alarm

to go off at 6:15 am

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Find 3 fleas on my WHITE, just groomed dog...

I have a FEAR of bugs like some people fear snakes and mice...

Yes, it's that bad the mere thought of fleas has me breaking out in hives {no joke}

In fact my fear of bugs is so great I didn't agree to get a dog until 3 years ago only because I found out you could litter box train them...

YES, our dog is box trained and DOESN'T go outside period.

I found fleas in Feb. I use Frontline drops on the dog and our indoor cats.

In March I used Advantage drops on the dog and our indoor cats...

and NOW this...

What is going on I vacuum EVERYDAY, remember I ♥ vacuuming...

So yesterday I gave my dog a pill called Confortis...

THIS BETTER WORK

The fleas MUST have hitched a ride in on someones shoe or have come through the screen door there are a TON of outdoor cats that hang out around our yard... BOO

Anyone have any suggestions?

*******************************************************************************************************************

Went to turn on my laptop, only to find that it had restored itself to the factory settings and ALL of my files, pictures, and documents were GONE...

My hubby after two hours was able to retrieve my stuff...

********************************************************************************************************************

My youngest, Tanner came home from school with a note from his teacher, saying that a little girl who sits next to him threw up on HIS back pack...

GREAT...

**********************************************************************************************************************

Thanks for joining in on my pity party...

Here's to a better Friday!

ACTUALLY, I know today will be a good day it's our son

Jeffrey's 12th Birthday!

Why Pray When you can Worry?

2011-04-06T05:37:00.000-07:00

What a sermon title... Got my attention and this was such a good service

I thought I'd share my notes with you all... Just click on the pictures to enlarge...

Hoop Art Swap...

2011-04-05T05:17:00.000-07:00

I participated in Heather's Hoop Art Swap...

I was partnered with Chrissie from In His Grace...

I love that she quilted vintage sheets and used the saying

Let Go Let God

It was one of my Nana's favorite sayings...

She makes AMAZING items check out her etsy shop...

She was even sweet and enclosed a BEAUTIFUL print from her esty....

I sent her this hoop using fabric from my great grandma's stash...

I wrapped a stick with pink crochet thread, added a nest and eggs,

paper bird, and mini rick rack...

Messy Desk...

2011-04-04T05:21:00.000-07:00

You might have to click on the pic to read the notations...

I am Jenny,

a pack rat sometimes my sister

and a couple of my sons refer to me

as a hoarder...

I am reaching that point where I have had enough of this clutter,

as a crafter I can find use for just about anything...

I guess my desk wouldn't seem too bad if it were in an office, it's not...

This MESS sits in my FAMILY room...

Somethings gotta change...

I guess it's time to start SPRING CLEANING...

Spring Fun...

2011-04-01T05:26:00.000-07:00

Just listed...

Giant Carrots

2011-03-30T04:55:00.000-07:00

Remember how much I have a thing for carrots??

When I saw this tutorial to make giant carrots for my front door,

I had to make them...

♥

Linked up...

Strawberry Crepes... Recipe

2011-03-28T05:12:00.000-07:00

This recipe has been in our family for YEARS...

Strawberry Crepes

Crepes: 1 1/2 cups flour 1 TBSP sugar 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 cups milk 2 eggs 1/2 tsp vanilla 2 TBSP butter {melted} Measure flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Beat with mixer until smooth. Lightly butter skillet, heat med-hi until butter is bubbly. Pour 1/4 cup batter into skillet. Spread batter thin in pan, cook until light brown, flip and brown other side. Frozen or fresh strawberries dash of sugar

Mash...

Filling:

1 Large box instant vanilla pudding make according to package.

Mix with a 1/4 container of cool whip.

{I make my own whip cream with whipping cream and a little sugar whipped} Mix together...

Place pudding mixture on crepe with a spoonful of strawberries, roll up...

Top with a small amount of pudding, strawberries, and powdered sugar...

I joined....

2011-03-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

The GYM...
That right there reads
{it's blurry because I was actually walking and taking the picture}
11.0 incline at 3.6 speed...
I do the treadmill every day...

I pass the time by reading my nook and listening to music...

I follow the treadmill with the leg press, hip abduction machine, 2 different leg machines, arm weights, and 60 sit ups on the stability ball...

I've been going strong since the second week in March...

Lamp and Lamp Shade redo...

2011-03-22T04:46:00.000-07:00

I purchased this milk glass lamp at Goodwill for $5.00...

Came home and painted the "brass" and wood with Caribbean {color} Apple Barrel paint and used Ralph Lauren's white wash over the paint....

The shade need major help too, I bought a yard of really light aqua fabric from the $1.50 a yard section at Walmart, cut strips, used the longest stitch on my sewing machine to ruffle the fabric and hot glued the fabric on... <

Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth Carrot Tutorial

2011-03-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

It's no secret I ♥ carrots {not really to eat} but to decorate...

Yes please...

I already gave a fabric carrot tutorial...

A paint stir stick and spindle tutorial...

...and now a Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth tutorial...

Thanks Tasha for the inspiration...

At the Dollar Tree I picked up this fluffy cloth and "onion grass"

Cut the fluffy cloth in 1/4 making 4 small triangles...

roll making a cone...

Sew the cone closed super EASY and forgiving with all the fluff...
Just a simple whip stitch.

it will look like this...

Tuck and tack the pointy part inside...

Add a bit of fiber fill although I made a few with out...

Poke some onion grass all the way down inside the carrot...
Tuck the top around the onion grass...

Sew around the onion grass...

And you are finished...

The Perfect Cupcake and Frosting Recipe

2011-03-15T05:07:00.000-07:00

So I finally mastered it...

The Perfect Cupcake...

1 box Devils Food cake mix
1 small box chocolate pudding
4 eggs
1 Cup sour cream
1/2 Cup oil
1/2 Cup water

Mix everything together with your mixer {batter will be thick}
Scoop in muffin cups bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes or until done
{do NOT over bake}

The Perfect Frosting...

1 stick of butter {room temp}
1 lb of powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
a small drop of coconut extract
pinch of salt
3 Tbsp milk
Cream until smooth

Frost cupcakes and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips...
Pure Perfection!

* you can use any cake mix and pudding combo depending on what flavor you like...