Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Pinterest project gone wrong!

I know I have been completely MIA lately.  Life has been kind of crazy and I haven't been able to do much crafting.  I started working a bit part time and although I am lucky enough to be able to work from home and mostly while my little guy is napping or after he goes to bed, it really limits the amount of time I have for ANYTHING else.

A few weeks ago the girls in my neighborhood got together for another Pinterest party.  Unlike the last project we took on, this one did not work out for me at all.  We decided to try this project at Sarah's Never Ending Projects.  Seemed simple enough and for most of the other girls it did work.  On my first attempt, I did not apply enough Mod Podge on the canvas the and the tissue did not smooth on nicely.  The image was on the canvas in some spots and bubbled in others.  When I tried to rip the tissue off and start over the tissue stuck and would not come off...essentially ruining the canvas.  When I tried to do it a second time the paper got stuck in the printer and the images were printing with weird lines or spots.  Eventually I did get one clean image printed and applied to a second canvas but I ended up hating the way it looked.  I think it is a nice technique for a black and white picture or one in sepia because it would have an old fashion look but I do not think I will ever try again to find out.  There are many other projects that need to be conquered!



Monday, February 27, 2012

Pinterest Party #1!

Just like everyone else, my friends in the neighborhood have become obsessed with Pinterest.  Our husbands used to get together for Monday Night Football and more recently poker night.  The girls decided it was time for us to get together and we decided to tackle a project we had all pinned on Pinterest.

Our project was inspired by this post on Make It and Love It.  We used contact paper and one of the girls had the Cricut and brought it for the party.  It made the process so much easier especially for letters.




Our first Pinterest Party was a success!  We were all so proud of our work we wanted to etch every piece of glass in our house. Can't wait til we figure out what our next project will be!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Clay Bracelets

I don't know about you, but when I was younger I had A TON of polymer clay.  I think it was only within the last few years that my mom made me get rid of a lot of the stuff that was still hanging around her house.  I was wishing I still had that collection when I came across this tutorial on Delighted Momma (super cute blog I recommend to everyone.)  I had never thought of using the clay for anything other then beads but this bracelet idea is brilliant.  Especially now when everyone is stacking various bracelet styles this is a way to add some really great color to your arm party.  



My first attempt was a little uneven.  I am hoping with some practice they will become a little more uniform.  I am planning on making a bunch more to go with my summer wardrobe.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Dinner Rut

I don't know about you but sometimes I feel like I am in a rut when it comes to meals. It is so hard to come up with new, yummy and EASY ideas for dinner. Easy being the key word. I am usually making dinner while trying to occupy my one year old with mixing bowls or tupperware. Lately, I have been turning to Pinterest for new meal ideas. This week I made a few of my recent pins.

First, I have to show you all my Superbowl strawberries. My family are huge Giant fans so we planned on watching the game at my parents house (we had watched the last 3 Giant wins at their house and there was no way we were going to do anything different for the Superbowl.) The Superbowl also coincided with my mom's birthday so I wanted to make her a special treat. Chocolate covered strawberries are one of her favorite things to eat so I made up a platter for her. I think they came out pretty cute for my first attempt at footballs.



A few days ago I came across this recipe for Spicy Parmesan Shrimp and decided to give it a try last night.  At first, the recipe seemed a little strange...(Parmesan, soy sauce and brown sugar??) but I had all the ingredients and figured it was worth a shot.  I used half the amount of shrimp and pasta but the same amount of marinade and it was delicious.  I know my husband was a little skeptical when he first read the recipe but he was pleasantly surprised when he started eating it.  I will definitely be making this recipe again!

This week I also tried a new banana bread recipe.  I love muffins or breads in the morning.  When I am on Weight Watchers, most of my points are allotted to my breakfast carbs!  I came across this recipe for Banana & Cream Cheese Bread...I know..sounds amazing right?  It is delicious.  I didn't have any nuts so instead I put in a small amount of mini chocolate chips.  


The first loaf was gone within days.  It was a winner with the the whole family.  I recommend giving it a try.  My husband says it was the best banana bread I have ever made....and he is a really picky eater.

Monday, January 30, 2012

DIY Sports Themed Chair

For a while I have been wanting to buy my son a chair.  I always feel bad when I see him watching Sesame Street while sitting on the floor.  I was very close to spending the $100+ on an over-sized chair from Pottery Barn then one day last week I was in Michael's and came across this unfinished wood chair on clearance!  The chair was originally $45 but I got it for $9!  I was really excited and now I just wish I had bought the other one that was there.

Here is a picture of the before.  There is a little bit of wood filler on the front and back of the chair to cover the nail marks.   



I found really cute sports themed scrapbook paper at Michael's.  I cut out the individual squares and using Mod Podge I adhered squares to the front and back of the chair.  After a couple of Mod Podge coats, I applied a sealer over the entire chair.  I can't wait til I see my little guy enjoying his new big boy chair!

Pin It


Monday, January 23, 2012

Button Earrings

A few days ago I came across a cute idea for button earrings on Pinterest.  The tutorial was through the blog rebekahgough.blogspot.com. They are simple and cute and would look great in the summer with a tank top and shorts.  My sister has already asked me to make her a bunch of pairs.  

Here are a few that I have made so far.  




All three sets took about a half hour total to do.  Cutting the fabric for the button is the most time consuming part of this project.

I also think this project would be great for young girls.  It would be a fun Saturday project and Jo Ann's Fabric had a bunch of different fabrics to chose from.  Also, a great way to use up some of your fabric scraps.  

Monday, January 16, 2012

Reality Junkie

I don't know about any of you but I am a total Reality TV junkie.  Bravo is my all time favorite channel.  Real Housewives of everywhere, Top Chef, The Millionaire Matchmaker and almost any other show they come up with is set to record on my DVR.  While I love Bravo, I don't find myself watching many of the reality shows on network TV except for The Bachelor.  I was not a Bachelor fan from the beginning but over the last few seasons I have become hooked!

Recently, I came across a podcast about anything Bachelor related.  Every Tuesday, Matt and Nicole do a recap of the show the night before and give their opinions on what went down.  They are really fun to listen to and I find myself talking back to the podcast as if I am involved in a conversation with two friends.  I am also home alone with a 1 year old all day which may be the reason I am talking to the computer.  

If you are like me and like to rehash your Reality TV but rarely have someone to talk to about it check out Matt and Nicole at: http://thebachelorpodcast.blogspot.com/.  Now I am going to go pour a glass of wine and sit down to see what Ben is up to...and who the mystery girl is!  Can't wait to hear what Matt and Nicole have to say about it tomorrow!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Favorite Holiday Treat!

One of my favorite things about the holidays are the cookies!  I love to bake them and it gives me a reason to make an obscene amount.  Seriously, I make way to many cookies and give them to family and friends.  This year I made:

Rugelach
Cranbery/Pistachio Biscotti (dipped in white chocolate)
Peanut Butter Blossoms 
Chocolate Covered Pretzels.  

Some of these I have made in the past and others are recipes I found on Pinterest.  This is just one of the many plates I made from all of the cookies.




One of my favorite things to make for the holidays though are Peppermint Patties.  I come from a long line of Peppermint Patties lovers and a few years ago started making my own. They are by far the items that people look forward to most.  I have started giving them as little gifts to my family members.


They are really simple to make and are really yummy!  All you need is:

3 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons softened butter
3 teaspoons peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup evaporated milk
2 cups chocolate chips (I use Ghiradelli's brand of chocolate because I think it melts and tastes the best)
2 tablespoons shortening

In a large bowl combine the sugar, butter, peppermint extract and vanilla extract.  Add milk and mix well.  Roll into 1 in balls and place on waxed paper-line baking sheet.  Cover with another piece of wax paper and flatten to 1/4in  with a glass.  Freeze 1 hour.

In a heavy saucepan or microwave melt the chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. (If microwaving check every 30 seconds)  Dip patties in chocolate and shake off any excess.  This does have to be done fairly quickly.  As soon as the frozen patties hit the hot chocolate they start to thaw and can get a little messy.  Don't worry if you mess up, it just means you get to eat the practice ones!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Influenster Holiday VoxBox

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season!  I know I did, but I need about a week to recover from all the craziness.  In between shopping, wrapping and baking there was traveling and actually celebrating the holidays but unlike most people, on December 26th I was not able to rest.  I had to start planning my son's 1st birthday party which was New Year's Eve.  Since there was so much going on I had to sacrifice something which is why I have not been able to blog in 2 weeks.  

A few months before the holidays I came across a great site called Influenster.  Influenster sends its members products for review based on the "badges" you unlock.  These badges are based on your interests and how influential you are.  I recently qualified for my first VoxBox.  It was the Holiday VoxBox and here is what I received.


imPRESS Press-on Manicure by Broadway Nails (Ex on the Beach)
Softsoap Coconut Scrub Bar Soap
New York Color Liquid Lip Shine ((Nude York City) 
Mentos Pure Fresh Gum
Larabar in Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask (Passion Peel Off)

I was so excited to receive this VoxBox.  Especially because there were so many great products.  So far I have tried the Mentos Gum, Softsoap Bar Soap, the Larabar and the New York Color Liquid Lip Shine.  

I used to be an avid gum chewer but for some reason I stopped chewing gum when I was pregnant.  Trident was my brand of choice but I think the Mentos Gum has converted me.  

I am also enjoying the Softsoap Coconut Scrub Bar Soap. It has a nice clean scent and it is not drying like most bar soaps.

I have seen many reviews on the Larabar and it looks like many people enjoy their bars.  It was not my favorite but then again I have never been a fan of any of the bars that have come out in the last few years.  

The item I am using the most is the New York Color Liquid Lip Shine.  The nude color is such a great nuetral color and I am finding myself using it as my new "go to."  

I will be trying the imPress Press-on Manicure and the Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask very soon.  Just needed to find the time to treat myself to a little spa time.  

Disclosure – I received these complimentary  products through Influenster’s VoxBox program.