Happy Halloween!!!!

Images from Better Homes and Garden

I know I haven't posted in a few days, been busy planning this here which is tomorrow from 9am to Noon so if your in the area stop over and see me!!! Until then here are some drool worthy pictures from Better Homes and Garden, love love love these!!

Love those lanterns!

How cool is that witch?

What are your plans for today? After my event, we are heading to the mall for some halloween fun for the little guys, then off to Grammas house for trick or treating! We go there every year and the kids trick or treat there and we eat chili and pass out candy!! Love it! This is the littlest guys first Halloween :)

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!!! See you on Sunday, lots of fun projects to share!

BOO! Use up that Styrofoam!

Get packages in the mail that have tonsss of styrofoam in them? Don't send it to the landfill make some spooky art!

I modged podged some scrapbook paper on it and pretty much wrapped it like a present, used my cricut and cut out the letters, modge podged them on and voila! Helped the landfill out a little.

and Before... Tomorrow I will share some more Styrofoam turned pretty!

Happy Creating!

Pumpkin Topiary....

Finally finished up the pumpkin topiary, well kind of. Still tweaking it a bit. I originally had it in a black paper mache box but ewwww it looked awful after seeing it in the pictures. I like the pot myself but think I will paint it black. Not sure yet. I am also making a little sign on a stick to stick in the pot that says Happy Fall. But wanted to share it as I won't have time for a few days to work on it. I am finishing up projects, 5 to be exact and they have to be done by the end of the day tomorrow. Plus I FINALLY cleaned the craft room and now I am just organizing it! I am so happy it's almost done, I am finding sooooo many things I had forgotten I had and making room for lots of new goodies that I will share soon.

I made the topiary out of 3 of these that I got on my shopping trip here at Factory Direct Craft!

I like it! I got the idea from my mom, she made one for my Grandma several years ago but a lot nicer, she cut out her own pumpkins and they were thicker, and made her own box for out of wood for them, me I don't use the power tools just yet :)This whole thing was FREE to make, all stuff I had.

I also finished up these for the salon. Finally. They will go above the Makeup counter there. This was so hard for me. She wanted an asian/modern theme, wanted greens and browns, earthtones, not much red ( eek! ) which I realize yes there is red in there but the paper for what she wanted was so stinkin hard to find, I cried, I stressed, I looked, I cried some more, it was bad. But that's how I roll, lol. And it doesn't help that I am a perfectionist when it comes to doing things for others. There is more green than I would have liked, I wanted to use a completely different paper on the Studio 117 part but as I said it was hard to find and the green patterned paper was the closest I could find, so there it is. These papers I used were actually made to coordinate together but when you get them on what your using them on it's completely different. I think they will look alot better on her wall.

It's DIY day over at Kimba's a Soft Place to Land and I am linkin up this week! It's been a few weeks and I am excited to link up this week and see everyone's projects! Go over here or by clicking the button above and check out everyone's DIY projects this week!

ToyBox Redo and Finallyyyyyyyy I used my new Cricut!!!

Jen over at Sanctuary Arts is having a Before and After Party!!! Got a before and after project you would love to share? Or just pop over to see what everyone else is working on! Head on over here and check it out!!! 

I have had this toy box forever..I posted about it before when I found it at Goodwill for $4.99. I knew it was worth that. It had lots of markings, tape all over it that was seriously not fun getting off, lots of dings ( I like all the dings, more old looking ), but with all that it's nice and sturdy and I knew I could pretty it up. Well not such an easy task, but my fault. I was lazy with this and didn't take it apart for the painting, I didn't even sand it, I know, I know...I have seriously learned my lesson with this thing, if your going to spend the money whether it's $4 or $50 to buy a piece to redo, then redo it the right way, right? It took seriously like 6 coats of paint since I did not sand it.

I FINALLY used my Cricut and cut the letters out with that. Ok you professional DIY painters and distressers, when you are distressing a piece of furniture with sandpaper and sanding in random spots all over the piece how do you not get these? Can you see them? The little shiny white spots around the area you distressed? Does that make any sense? I totally hate it. What am I doing wrong?

Here is the before once more for you....Though I did not do a fabulous job on this it still looks much better! 

Ok enough with the toy box more about the Cricut. As I told you before husband surprised me with it back in August, well I didn't open it or use it til now as I was waiting for my craft room to be organized, I thought it would motivate me but obviously not. But Anyway Ohhhhhh My Gooooodnesss! If you ever have a chance to get one you must!! All the pretty little projects we all do with shapes and letters and pretty papers this thing is so amazing! I could kick myself for not breaking it out months ago! The cute little party invites you can make with it, soooooooo many possibilities with this thing! Husband got mine from the infomercial as I would never be able to spend all of that upfront, plus buying it from there you get the sought after Potpourri cartridge that is Exclusive to the infomercial, you cannot find it anywhere else. People are selling that cartridge alone on Ebay for $100 to $200. It has a little bit of everything on it.

I will share some more fun cricut creations tomorrow and the pumpkin topiary. I was supposed to share it today but as you see I got sidetracked :) It happens, well It happens a lot here.

Add Cricut to your Christmas wish list, beg for one if you have to, you won't regret it :) Geesh, you'd think I was getting paid to write an ad for provocraft cricut, haha! Have a Wonderful Sunday!!!

Blocks + Vintage looking Flashcards = Cuteeeeee!

I'm linking up for my first time to Creative Cats Friday over at Poppies at Play!!! Go here to checkout all who have entered!!! So much creativeness going on over there!!!

I love all things vintage, it's a given. But my newest obsession, vintage papers, photos, and cards. I am in love with vintage looking cards of any kind, flashcards, postcards, greeting cards, all of it. Ohhhh especially kid ones and Christmas ones!

 

I recently got these cute little vintage looking cards...I love them! They are 2 sided, and I love the colors.

I took some of my 4 inch blocks husband cut for me :) So much cheaper than buying!

And gave the blocks a coat of heirloom white paint ( get it in the quart, lasts forever for projects like this! ) I then added my cute little cards using modge podge, and distressed the edges with sandpaper, then I took some dark brown paint and just barely dabbed a little around the edges and smeared it for a more yes vintage look. Then I lightly went over it again with the sandpaper, I also lightly sanded the edges of the card once it was glued on to blend it in a little...

and voila!! I loveeeeee them, get it, haha! I'm a nerd. These are so much fun to make and super easy!! Wrap them in a cute little cellophane bag, tie it up with some ribbon and add a vintage little tag and you have a Great gift! Yes I know the V block is crooked :)

Coming up next an easy peasy wooden pumpkin topiary!

Washer Necklace Tutorial....

Sorry all I have made these and posted them before and didn't even think to add the link...I originally saw the idea from Stacie over at the Creative Crate! She is awesome and has a link to a video tutorial where she found them here. They are so much fun to make and so inexpensive! You can also use the metal stamps on them which I am working on now, I'll show you when I finish some up!!! If you have any questions ask away and I will try and help :) Careful it's addicting, haha!

Come back tomorrow and see my wooden pumpkin topiary and numbered decorative boxes!!! Super easy projects!

I am so addicted to these...

I say that all the time...Last week I was addicted to paper mache, this week it's the necklaces again..I just love an easy project.

Have you made any of these? With washers, glass pendants, or scrabble tiles?

Cute gift and super easy!

Have a Spectacular Day!

A Bloggy Award....Thanks Heidi :)

I received this Lovely award from Heidi at the Craft Monkey, She is wonderful, you must go check out her blog here.

Here are the rules for the Over the Top Award:

1. You Can Only Use One Word in your survey answers!
2. Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!
3. Alert them that you have given them this award!!!
4. Have fun!

I'd like to pass this along to:

1. Kara at Creations by Kara - She's Awesome, so many great ideas!!

2. Charlene at My Frugal Adventures - She is Amazing, a must read!

3. Jen at Tatertots and Jello - She is Fabulous, very creative!

4. Sarah at The MamaCanon Blog - She is super sweet! Love reading her blog!

5. Karen at Elderberry Street - I love reading her blog and scrolling through all of her Beautiful pictures!

 As part of receiving the award there is a fun survey. After taking it, pass it onto the recipients you choose.

1. Where is your cell phone? - Hubby
2. Your hair? - messy
3. Your mother? - talented
4. Your father?- love
5. Your favorite food?- pasta
6. Your dream last night?- none
7. Your favorite drink?- tea
8. Your dream/goal?- successful
9. What room are you in? office
10. Your hobby? - crafts
11. Your fear? - claustrophobia
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? - clueless
13. Where were you last night? - home
14. Something that you aren't? - skinny
15. Muffins? - BlueBerry
16. Wish list item? - lottery
17. Where did you grow up? - Illinois
18. Last thing you did? - diaper
19. What are you wearing? - jammies
20. Your TV? - clifford
21. Your pets? - aghhhhhh
22. Friends? - distant
23. Your life? - Great
24. Your mood? - Happy
25. Missing someone? - dad
26. Vehicle? - mess
27. Something you’re not wearing? - socks
28. Your favorite store? - Michaels
29. Your favorite color? - red
30. When was the last time you laughed? - yesterday
31. Last time you cried? -unsure
32. Your best friend? - hubby
33. One place that I go to over and over? - Goodwill
34. One person who emails me regularly? - amy
35. Favorite place to eat? -Chinese


Thanks Again Heidi!!

What's Next?

I know I haven't blogged in 6 days, a long time for me. My 11 month old was sick almost all of last week with a horrible cold, not sleeping at nights which means momma don't sleep. Then well guess who got it next, yep me! I am still not feeling 100% and on top of the cold I have now broken out all over my back, arms, neck, and chest with little red bumps. Not a clue what it is but it's not fun at all. I am allergic to nothing, I have never had anything like this so I am clueless...Ok is that to much information? lol.

So I am so sorry I haven't shared the projects I talked about or blogged in what seems like forever. It's been super crazy over here. On top of all that I have like 6 million things to do. Very busy but I love it. The letters above are what I am finishing up for the salon. They will be hanging above the makeup counter. All the papers I am using were actually made to coordinate but I don't think they do, what do you think? The wall they will be on is a dark brown color, the salon has lots of earthy tones, browns, greens, etc. She doesn't want much red. I am changing the a with the red on it as I was just trying it out, I hate it. Looks to Christmasy with all of the green? The studio 117 part I would like to do different. Maybe a solid paper with a little texture, or all the same patterned paper on it, something to make it stand out a little. **Oh and if the y looks odd, it's not trimmed up yet.

Do you like the red? What do you think so far? The salon has an asian/modern feel to it.

Should I use them for firewood? HAHA! No way.

Some spooky goodness for ya...Love the glittered skulls so fun!! And the little spooky picture I made from this...

It's a wood flooring sample I received in the mail.

It took all of 2 minutes and I think it's cute.

Have a Great Day! I will be back tomorrow for sure :)

An easy peasy chicken salad recipe!

French’s Foods and TwitterMoms are teaming up to find out who knows there way around the kitchen! For more details about the TwitterMoms contest you can go here or you can visit the French's Foods Contest page here.

Here is my recipe. I recently started cooking alot with the rotisserie chickens you can get already cooked in the deli. It's so simple and easy to whip something good up with! My husband and 7 year old son both love this one!!

Easy Chicken Salad with a Kick!

You will need:

3 Cups cooked Chicken, Again I cut up a cooked store bought Rotisserie
1/2 Cup of French's Honey Dijon Mustard
2 TBSP of Olive Oil
1 Bag of Mixed Salad
3/4 cup of Shredded cheese
4 Hardboiled eggs
1/4 Cup of Croutons or French's Fried Cheddar Onions
3/4 Cup of your favorite Salad Dressing, We like Ranch but the Honey Mustard is Great too.

Add your Olive Oil to your skillet and heat it up. While your waiting on that take the cut up chicken and mix it in a bowl with the 1/2 cup of Honey Dijon Mustard. When your skillet is ready toss in the chicken for about 3 to 5 minutes, just long enough to crisp and brown it a bit. When that is done set it aside and dump your salad mix, diced eggs, cheese, and croutons in a salad bowl and mix. Then add your chicken and toss with your dressing of choice.


The recipe varies depending upon what you like as with any recipe. My husband like more meat anything, we also use a little more salad dressing as well as toppings on our salad.


Go over and checkout the contest here, or read how you yourself can enter here!!!

I wish I had a picture! I will have to take one next time I make it!

More scrabble tile necklaces and a Christmas pretty....

It's a given that I love love love scrapbook paper. I buy it and buy it and then sometimes I catch myself not wanting to use it as it's just to pretty. Silly, I know. But then it's all good because with that pretty scrapbook paper we make something we will love and cherish in our homes for years to come...Like this...

I just love this paper! I LOVE Christmas and love this story, so to have it framed and all pretty in my home excites me. And hello? Soooo super easy, a frame + pretty scrapbook paper = art. I think I may try this in a black frame as it may pop more? I am also thinking I may use my cricut ( for the first time, I still have not played with that baby ) and cut out some letters for the ourside of the frame....Twas the... or something, no idea but it needs something.

Can you believe I forgot to take a before photo? The frame was smaller so I had to cut off a pretty picture that went along the bottom of it. I have to have more of this paper and will definitely make my own frame for it next time. Don't you love it? I have 3 more sheets of the neatest Christmas paper and can't wait to show you those!

Here are some more scrabble tile necklaces I have been working on. I love making these, super easy and inexpensive and so many possibilities! For these I used a sheet of yes scrapbook paper that had little stamps of Vintage Christmas images that were just a little bit bigger than the scrabble tile so they were perfect for these....

I finally got some diamond glaze but unfortunately I am still battling the bubbles. I just don't get it. You may not see them, but they are soooo super tiny and there are tons of them! It goes on smooth and bubble free but doesn't dry that way. Anyone have any idea why? Suggestions? I honestly think I am entirely to picky.

Aren't these little cards cuteeeee? I love them!! I will show you tomorrow oh wait it's after 2am so I guess I will show you today what I did with these little pretties.

I am still working on my dressform. I was going to show you the progress but decided I wanted to wait until it's finished. I just need to pick up some black ribbon for it, can you believe I have no black ribbon? I am also embellishing it a bit! I am a bit nervous about how I did it. Do you ever do something thinking oh this is so great, love it for about 5 minutes then blahhhh you hate it? Well that's how I am feeling about what I did and there is no going back, but I will have plenty more to play with! I am thinking these may be good in my etsy shop that will be opening soon.

Lot's going on here, I love it! I love being busy! It's been a pretty exciting week and I will share more of that later :)

My newest addiction....Paper Mache!!!

I feel like I haven't blogged in foreverrrrrrrr. I have sooooo much to share and so much to show. I have been playing in paper mache, have you ever paper mached? Ohhh my goodnesss, it's amazing and so addicting! I LOVE it! I love that you can make it with things you have at home, the paper mache recipe I used was just flour and water, equal parts of each! That's it! Here are a couple of things for now....

My mom made this snowman about 4 or 5 years ago, she made it out of yes paper mache. I love it and it has held up so well. She antiqued hers and I will do that with my next as I like the look of it.

Here's mine. Laugh, I know, he makes me chuckle too. But I am still so proud of it as it was so stinkin easy and fun to make. It's just 2 balloons, in different sizes, covered in paper mache, then taped together and then I added another layer. It's amazing how hard this stuff gets. Before you put the second layer on push in the bottom ever so gently to get a flat bottom so he can sit. I used brads for his face. He needs a carrot nose, too. I already have several more drying that I have sooooo many more ideas for. Like adding cute little vintage tags that say brrrr or snow, vintage buttons, scarves made out of scraps of pretty fabrics, stick arms, my next ones won't have so many huge bumps in the paper mache, I am not going for a smooth finish but this one is a bit to bumpy in areas.

This is my favorite. I want to make up a whole bunch of these for a big old enamelware bowl I have. Again it's a little lumpier, but it just gives it a grubby look, right? Anyone? I just used a stick for the stem. I also am making some and wrapping them in twine, they are super cool and can't wait to show them. I used a balloon for the pears form, but hello old light bulbs are perfect!

Can you guess what that is? Ohhhh it's love let me tell you!! I will show you her or it, hmmm tomorrow! I can't waittttttttt!

I have some Super easy Christmas artwork to show you tomorrow as well. I am in LOVE with it!! Love I tell ya! My son loves it to! I have soooooooo much going on! It's crazy! I am working on a No Tricks, Just Treats event for Oct. 31st, I have Business After Hours I will be selling my candles at Oct. 22nd, I am finishing up custom letters for the salon, lots of them, seriously, lots! I can't wait to show you those! I hope she likes them!!!

Thursday night I attended a Bra party at the salon, yes a bra party, but it was so much fun now I am planning to host one. These bras are Amazinggggg! Expensive but amazing! I can't wait to order one. Seriously I am and have always been large chested, some would say blessed, but I don't feel blessed at all having them, I would trade for an A any day. We were sized, then given a bra in our new size to try on and I could not believe the difference, I don't remember them ever being that high up, my bra wasn't riding up the back, my straps weren't killing me, and my shirt fit looser. And the sizing, oh my, have you ever seen it on Oprah where she talks about how most people are wearing the completely wrong size in a bra? Yeah well I was about 20 sizes off, not kidding people. To much information? I just wanted to share, in case someone out there with the same problem is looking for a bra lifeline, haha! Email me, I will give you more info. No I don't sell them or get anything for referring you to them, I know the pain of having this problem though.

Ok wow! So come back tomorrow to see more paper mache projects!!! Is anyone loving this Beautiful fall weather as much as I am? It's cold, it's been rainy, I LOVE it!

Have a Wonderful Sunday!!!

FREE paint is back!!!

The Free paint offer is back from Glidden, it's a bit different this time but still an awesome deal!!! Go here and pick out your color, fill in your info and print off the form, then you mail it in with a label from an old paint can and you get your quart of free paint in the mail!!! Wooohooo, I LOVE free paint!!! This won't last long so hurry to get yours!!! Thanks to Charlene over at My Frugal Adventures for sharing this deal!! If you haven't been to her blog, seriously YOU MUST! She is amazing and knows all the deals and where the coupons are!!

I know, I have been MIA, but I will be back tonight with some super fun projects to show you!! I have been playing with paper mache and LOVE it!!

A Great Escape, Meme!

Be sure to check out Cricut's cool new cartridges and the chance at $30,000 in travel for you and your friends at the Great Gypsy Escape site! http://bit.ly/FWcud

Great Escape Meme
1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world where would it be?

Somewhere cold and snowy! I'm not a beach person. I would love to go to Paris too!
2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car?
I don't have a specific song, but have a cd my husband made with a mix of Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Third Day, and Mercy Me, Love them all! Listen to the cd over and over!
3. If you had a night to yourself, and money was no object, what would you do?
Well I wouldn't want to leave the house! Me and home alone in my pjs craftin, bloggin, online shopping, lots of online shopping since money is no object. That sounds dreamy to me! I know, I am boring.
4. What is your guilty pleasure?
Hmmm...a huge salad with everything on it, I know that doesn't sound guilty but it seriously is,
5. What is the farthest place you have traveled away from your home?
Richmond, Virginia a very long time ago...
6. Last book that you couldn't put down?
The Shack, Great book!! I read it front to back in a day.
7. When you want to escape into another time, what movie do you watch?
Ohhh Sweet Home Alabama
8. What is your favorite local escape?
Target, haha! No Hobby Lobby, I could totally escape in that place!
9. How do you escape on a budget?
Goodwill :) Love going their finding something new to me that I can paint or redo.
10. Best food you've ever had while on vacation.
My favoriteeeeee place to eat in Oklahoma is El Chico, the best best best Mexican food, LOVE the white dip!

Don't forget to check out Be sure to check out Cricut's cool new cartridges and the chance at $30,000 in travel for you and your friends at the Great Gypsy Escape site! http://bit.ly/FWcud

You can read more about it here.