Who's The Fairest of Them All...?

I wanted a really cool mirror to put above my bedroom vanity and jewelry area. Yes, I have a jewelry "area".  Don't be jealous.

I found a beautiful mirror at Ikea for $40, but it was just black plastic, and looked a bit cheap, and just too modern for my taste. 



before

The wrought iron-type style was great, though, so I decided I could fix it with a bit of paint.

I decided to get 2 colors: a metallic copper and metallic silver. I used a foam brush to highlight some of the curves and details on the mirror with the paint, to create the effect of aged metal.

I was really happy with how it turned out.



after





Close-up



Good thing about this mirror being plastic, too, and not metal, is how lightweight it is, and therefore, very easy to hang when the painting was complete!

Ta da! Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall!

So there.

All Dressed Up

I found this adorable idea from a blog, and started making these baby onesies as baby shower gifts for a couple friends!

After my love / hate relationship thus far with my sewing machine skills, I was glad to find these were made using only an iron-on fusible webbing material to attach the fabric to the onesie.  The tutorial I used does go on to sew around the ironed-on tie, creating a true applique. I skipped this (re: said love / hate relationship), and my friends I have given these to, have said these lasted through several washing machine cycles with only the iron-on fusing. Whew.

Get some cute fabric and your iron ready...

This blog, Crap I've Made - Tie Onesie Tutorial, gives all the details perfectly. It even includes a PDF template to print and use to cut out the tie shapes from the fabric/webbing.

The webbing was found at JoAnns fabric store, and sheets can be cut into any shape. This pack of 5 sheets was $4; very reasonable.
Lite Steam-a-Seam 2: Double Stick Fusible Web Sheets

Using this method is a very simple way to 'applique' any shape onto clothing, tote bags, and more!
Fuse your heart out!

So there.

I'm Baaaaaaaaaack...

Wow, sorry my last post was IN JANUARY!!!

Since that post was about my new found LOVE of Pinterest (The love is still goin' strong, don't you worry), we'll say my free time got eaten up by that.

I still have been crafting some stuff, and cooking a lot.  I just kind of felt like posting a photo on Facebook of my delicious meals or home decor projects was sufficient.

BUT! With all the fun Fall & Winter Holidays just around the corner (I'm not quite ready to let go of summer just yet...getting close. The Pumpkin Spice Latte has helped a bit), I thought I might be doing more fun stuff that y'all would like to read about!

I also want to share all the meals and crafts you've missed out on in the past NINE months, oh emm gee, HOW did you survive?! So, if you also follow me on Facebook, sorry, those photos are making a deja vu comeback!

I'm back, B*tches.

So there!!

The Joys of Pinning

Happy New Year!

OK, um. Pinterest is the greatest thing ever.

I used to email myself links to blogs or websites I wanted to remember - crafts, recipes, etc. NOW I just "pin" them to my oh-so-organized Boards and can save them all in one place. PLUS I can see other people's pinned ideas and find MORE great ideas!

If you need an invite (yes it is invite only...ooh, la, la how exclusive) to Pinterest, let me know your email address and you too can soon be in Pinning heaven.

Coming soon: Trying lots of fun new recipes and even more fun home decor and craft ideas. Guess the point is to actually TRY the ideas, not just pin them as I have done thus far.

OK, here I go!

These might be the first few...

Recipes:

Chicken tamale casserole

Roasted baby potatoes with mushrooms, asparagus and parmesan

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese 

Crafts:

Sweater Vase 

Braided Tshirt Scarf 

Photographs in a jar 

Happy pinning!

So There.

I stocked up on Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits when there was a sale (plus coupons!) and needed a recipe to use up the last can.
Enter...doughnuts!!!

Doughnuts Recipe

Ingredients:(1) 8-count package large refrigerated biscuits (such as Pillsbury Grands)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
(or melted chocolate chips)
(or any other topping you like)

See Recipe above for the full tutorial.

Cut out the middle of each biscuit (use to make doughnut holes!)
Place doughnut circles and holes in hot vegetable oil and fry until golden brown on both sides.
(Don't get the oil too hot or they will burn before the inside is cooked through)
Coat in topping of your choice.

YUM!!
"Homemade" Sunday Morning Doughnuts!

So there.

(That one is dipped in chocolate, not burnt....mostly....)

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow....

My cousin found this goldmine of a craft tutorial on You Tube, and taught us how to make them at Thanksgiving:

3D Paper Snowflakes

You can just use regular white computer paper, or get fancier printed paper or cardstock, as long as it is printed/colored on both sides.
Then, you just need scissors and either glue, hot glue, or tape.
Watch the video above, but just a few simple cuts and folds and you have a huge, three dimensional snowflake! It makes such a bigger impact than traditional flat paper snowflakes we all made as kids.

Try these!!

I also have it on my Pinterest page, from my cousin's post - she made one out of old sheet music! Beautiful!

http://pinterest.com/pin/90353536243779475/

PS....Pinterest is my newest OBSESSION!!!!
Such the perfect way to organize ALL my craft and recipe ideas.

So there.

Christmas Candy!

Another repeat, but worth repeating!
I made peppermint bark again this year to bring to work and our family Christmas.

2010 Blog Post - Peppermint Bark

Although it was much easier this year with my double boiler!

Ta da...BARK!