1 Talented Family

What the H????

2010-10-15T08:03:00.001-07:00

Well, in case we ever forget what initial our last name starts with, we have a few reminders around the house.

Totally crackled this with Elmer's Glue....works great!

My sister made this one for me for my birthday...love it!!

Must Make Teacher gift!!!

2010-10-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

These are adorable little teacher gifts you can give this year and have the satisfaction that your teachers will be impressed and that you saved some $$ in your pocket!!

If you want the pattern visit http://www.skiptomylou.org/tag/free-paper-shoe-instructions/

This is a pattern by Ellen Hutson. You can decorate them anyway you want, let me recommend the following tools:

Ruler

Glue dots

Bone folder...MUST HAVE TO SCORE!!!

Embellishments

I made these for Christmas (Mrs. Claus shoe) and Valentines Day! They were a hit. If you make them, come back and share how you decorated them up!

Have fun!

Kristen

Linking up to Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

I made me some pom poms!

2010-09-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Pom Pom flowers...easy peasy and they look good.

I started out with a couple of these floral holders that I got at Michael's. Don't want to brag but they were only $2.50 each!! Seriously...I can scan in my receipt if you don't believe me Geesh! Being that they were only a couple bucks I didn't feel horrible giving them a little spray paint makeover. My son said they looked like the color of poop. Can't have that...so white we go!

Distress a bit ...make some pom poms out of some fuzzy yarn. I didn't use regular yarn. I used like a really soft and furry yarn. I like how they turned out.

Then vacuum up yarn clippings for days!!

Nicole

Check out my bed!

2010-08-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

First off, let me just excuse the quality of pictures. They are from my phone. My camera isn't charging for some reason...grrrr!! Anyway...here is my bed! Yay!!! I looooooove it! It looks like a hotel bed to me, and I don't know about you, but I LOVE hotel beds. They always look so comfy and inviting. But we must always remember to NEVER lay on a hotel bedspread k? Ok.

First off, my comforter isn't new. I just added some pizazz via pillows and a blanket! So look at these lovelies...they are called European pillows. My mom's friend had some and that is what got us on the kick. These were found at Anna's Linens, however, IKEA has them for cheaper and better quality. The shams that they had for them are just plain and boring so I spruced them up a bit with a tip I saw here.

Much better.

And feast your eyes on this....take your time....isn't it yummy??? I saw it while at IKEA and fell in love. It is so pretty and bouncy. Just the thing I needed to give my bed some ruffle.

Love it!!!

Nicole

Tuxedo Tank

2010-06-15T14:33:00.001-07:00

I decided to dress up a plain white tank I had. And I love me some polka dots..and black and white.

Just made a ruffle and sewed it on the tank. Super simple and easy. The next one I do I think I will take the ruffle down the whole length of the shirt.

Nicole

Party!!

Someday Crafts

Fishy Centerpiece

2010-06-10T08:01:00.001-07:00

For a church dinner, My 5-year old daughter and I were asked to make a centerpiece that expressed something we enjoyed doing together. We decided to try and combing our love of crafting projects, cooking, and nature; this fishy centerpiece was the results.

I completely stole the tissue paper wreath from a very creative craft blogger, Sausha, at Show & tell. Click here for instructions. (Although, we did add the orange glitter paint to add a little more fun---orange because it's my daughter's favorite color)

Then we used our glass ivy bowl, some speckled candy rocks at the bottom, berry blue jell-0, and Sweedish fish to create our nature scene. Then we tied an orange bow at the top to finish it off. Kinda fun and a great way to combine all the things we love.

Kathy

Someday Crafts

Part 2-Kids shirt

2010-06-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

I made this for my daughter and niece. Same thing as the pink shirt, just different fabric. This fabric makes me happy...I got it at Walmart! And the shirt is from Target. Total cost....$5.50. I have even gotten a couple friends ask me to make them one. Why not,I have enough fabric!

Kristen

Party at:

Someday Crafts:Whatever Goes Wednesday

Tea Rose Home

Different take on a "flower" shirt

2010-06-01T19:28:00.001-07:00

So it was my mom's birthday, and I wanted to make her a shirt. We have really been into those circle flowers, and I wanted to do something different. So, I went to Joann's and found some fabric that had flowers. I cut out the ones I wanted, used some 'Steam a Seam 2'...(wonderful stuff, but expensive) to adhere the fabric to the shirt. I used coordinating fabrics and a bit of netting and a couple of buttons. I then hand stitched around every flower. You can use your machine, but I wasn't feeling comfortable about it since I have lead foot! Anyways, my mom loved it and I am glad it is done!!

FINAL VIEW OF SHIRT

Corner of shirt

Top corner of shirt

I told my mom if she didn't like it to just wear it around me once since it took 5 hours to hand sew. Hopefully, she will wear it more than that! Happy Birthday Mom!!

Kristen

Time to Party:

Someday Crafts-Whatever Goes Wednesday

No pantry? What???

2010-06-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

When we moved into our house on base in January I was quite surprised that it had NO PANTRY!! And hardly any cupboard space so I couldn't really spare one of them. So we had to buy this lovely cabinet. This cabinet drives me CRAZY! It isn't very big and doesn't really hold all of our food, and just looks so out of place to me. So, what else could I do? Give it some character I did!

Just got started taping. Plain white. BORING!!!

I had originally planned on stenciling a quatrefoil but it just wasn't working out. So I just painted some panels on it. It makes it a little more bearable for me.
I can not wait to have a pantry again!!!!

Nicole

So "fortunate"

2010-05-27T14:58:00.001-07:00

I saw this great idea for a "thank you" gift but I can't remember where. It was probably here in blogland somewhere. So if I completely ripped off your idea, I'm so sorry. Please let me know so I can give you your deserved credit.

Anyways, you dip fortunate cookies in chocolate (and sprinkles, if desired) and put in a cute take-out box. It was so cute that I knew I had to do this for my daughters preschool teachers. We wrote them a fun little note about being "fortunate" to have them as teachers this year and I think they turned out pretty cute. It was a fun way to let my daughter be involved in giving a gift to the teachers she loves so much! (especially you, Aunt Kristen!)

Here are the fortune cookies I used. They were the ones I could find at a local groccery store (Harmons) They were individually wrapped, so it took a few extra minutes to unwrap but hopefully kept them extra fresh.

Here is my cute take-out box. Hobby Lobby had a lot of fun designs and we settled on this one. We found some cute matching paper for our notes.

Then we simply filled with our dipped and sprinkled fortune cookies.

It was a fun little project and hopefully a very cute way to show our love and appreciation to the teachers who had worked so hard all year and given so much love to my daughter.

Jean skirt

2010-05-24T09:27:00.001-07:00

My 5 year old daughter has a Western themed preschool graduation party. I thought it would be fun to dress her up as a cowgirl. I am too cheap to go out and buy a jean skirt so I thought I'd make one myself. I looked online and found a place for instructions at http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/jeanskirt. I'd heard about a no-sew skirt and used my stitch witchery instead of sewing. Here are my daughters jeans

Used the seam ripper to rip the inside seams.

Cut the jeans, added a piece in the middle and ironed together. Here's the front

and here's the back.

Not by any means fantastic but I thought it was fun for one night.

Kathy

And here she is right before her preschool graduation in her new skirt and cowgirl duds.

Blooming Wreath

2010-05-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's not really blooming..but I needed to call it something.

Sad story: Remember my split pea wreath? Well, one day I heard a big crash, and when I went to check it out, there lay my wreath on the ground. It had "split" open...pardon the pun;) I had it hanging on a sticky hook and the hook just fell of the door...not so sticky I guess. Lesson learned for sure! For this one I screwed a chandelier hook into the door. This thing ain't going anywhere!!!

So I needed a new wreath.

Not as clever as my split peas, but I think it is kind of purdy.

And I got to use leftover fabric from my lamp shades. I just can't seem to get away from the green and white. Does anyone else have this problem? I am so tunnel visioned when it comes to color.

Nicole

Linking to

Someday Crafts

Somewhat Simple

Making my sister's craft

2010-05-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

So my sister made the cute craft for my nephew's teacher, and I thought that was a perfect gift for end of the year presents. I used a 8x10 canvas and then a piece of wood also. I have to say that the canvas is alot cheaper (I can make 2 for the price of 1), but you need to be exact with your cutting skills on the canvas. The wood is a little forgiving. If you are looking for a fun craft to do, make this for your kids teachers (and principal). After all, they are their home away from home! http://1talentedfamily.blogspot.com/search/label/gifts Scroll down and you will see how Nicole made this adorable gift!

Kristen

Lamp Shade Makeover

2010-05-16T06:28:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately there are times when a can of spray paint just won't do the job. Although I really did consider just spray painting my lampshades. Even Googled it and it actually is doable...just didn't seem like a good idea. So I bought some fabric and recovered the lampshades in my bedroom.

So, of course I forgot to take a before pic. This is what they looked like though...in taupe. Plain old pleated lampshade.

You need to measure the width of your shade at the top and the bottom. Then measure the length. Use these measurements to create a half circle.

I first secured the fabric with clothespins to smooth and make sure it fit.

I worked from the bottom up. It was just easier. Cut away excess fabric so that the fabric lines up with the bottom of the shade without any overlay. Then just use your glue gun and glue around the edge. Smooth and pull the fabric as you go to ensure a smooth surface. Repeat for the top.

Then make a bias tape to finish it off.

Glue it in place. I only glued around the edges. I did not put any glue on the shade itself so it would be really smooth.

And you are done. Lampshade makeover for less than ten bucks! You can't even buy one shade for that!

Nicole

Linking up

Mother's Day Gift {{Slippers}}

2010-05-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

So, I have a pattern for some slippers. I was so excited to make them. Got all my supplies, cut out the material and got to sewing. Two hours later (this is on ONE slipper) I am examining my finished product...and I realize that there is no way on earth that it will fit an adult foot. Maybe Cinderella, but not anyone else I know. I was SOOOOO bummed! The slippers were my plan for Mother's Day!

Plan B....Target slippers and add some embellishments.

Got some plain slippers from Target. Not really digging the fleece tassel thingys, but that's ok...they are coming off anyway!

Add a couple fabric flowers...one is a gathered flower and the other is a rose. Hot glued them on and we are calling it good. I think they are pretty cute myself. Think I will make some for me too!

Once again...mother's in my life....AVERT YOUR EYES!!!!!
:)

Nicole

Parties:

Tea Rose Home

Someday Crafts

A Soft Place To Land

Another Paper Wreath

2010-04-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

I know , I know...just what the crafting cyberworld needs...another paper wreath. However, after being inspired by my sis to make one...see her post here

I had to have one! I did it a little different so I wouldn't be too much of a copy cat!

Here is what I did...

I went to Dollar Tree and got a foam wreath, and a Thesaurus.

I then tore out a few pages at a time and then cut those in half. I then folded each half into fourths to make a square. Then I cut the unfolded edges to make it look like a heart. I unfolded the heart square (?) and then formed it to look like a flower by placing my thumb in the middle and pushing the paper up around my thumb. Then I used my glue gun and glued it to the wreath. Repeat until you reach the desired fullness. I used about 120 pages.

After it was all done I got some green paint and diluted with a little water and then brushed over the edges. You could use distressing ink BEFORE you glue them on which would probably be a little easier.

Nicole

Linking up

Someday Crafts

Gift for Mom!

2010-04-28T21:50:00.000-07:00

Ok...so I am slowly getting the hang of sewing. I say that after attempting this mask like four times tonight! I finally got it right! And now that I have had so much practice it is a piece of cake!

So...I will put up a tutorial tomorrow for this mask! I also have a pair of slippers up my sleeve...

don't look mom!

Nicole

Linking up!

Someday Crafts

Mother's Day Gift...you will LOVE it!

2010-04-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

This is a gift ANYONE would love and it is fairly cheap to make. This is a fantastic lotion. My mother-in-law gave me this recipe and it is something that I make all the time. My skin LOVES it! You can make it and put in a pretty jar with some ribbon and a cute tag.

The ingredients are: a large 27 ounce bottle of Baby Lotion (I use Wal-Mart brand, it is cheaper, smells sooooo yummy and is just as good). One 2.5 oz tube of Vaseline (again, I used Wal-Mart) and 2 bottles of the Vitamin E Cream (Fruit of the Earth brand). The Vitamin E cream is $3.67 for 2 bottles and that is how it is sold.

Add all the ingredients into a large bowl. You will have to cut open the Baby Lotion jar to get all the lotion out. You would be amazed at how much hides in there.

Once it is all stirred up, put into the jars of our choice. Decorate and enjoy. I promise EVERYONE will love it and the smell is so good!

Kristen

Linking up to Someday Crafts

Tutu Wreath

2010-04-23T04:55:00.001-07:00

My 6 year old wanted something to hang in her room right when you walk in, so I came up with this Tutu Wreath. Here is what you will need for this project....a Styrofoam 10 inch wreath, paint of your color, 1 1/2 yards of your main color netting, and 1 yard accent color netting. My daughters room is white, pink and brown, so we chose brown and pink. Ribbon to hang. This cost me less than $5.00...gotta love it!

First I painted my wreath brown so that the green wouldn't show through. Then I cut my strips. I started at the fold and did a two inch strip. Once the strip was cut, it was cut in half (TIP, CUT AT THE FOLDED SEAM) to make 2 strips. That cut strip is folded in half and used to make your tie. I believe the netting was about a 60 width, so it works perfect. ( BELOW: The strip on the left is the first cut strip, the strip on the left is the strip cut in half and then folded to the size you need for the wreath).

Tie the piece of netting on, I started with Pink which was my accent color, and did one piece. I then cut at the fold to make it the same as the other end. It is easier to put it on the wreath before you cut the folded end. I then followed the pink with 2 pieces of the main color of netting. So it goes, 1 strip pink, 2 strips brown, 1 strip pink...etc!

Here is the wreath with the bows started

Closer look.

Now when you have completed the wreath, do a little trim. I made sure all the edges were the same. There might be some spaces showing by the knot you have made to tie it,but once the netting is all poofed out, you don't see it at all. Add your ribbon to hang and ENJOY!!

I think it is really cute and, my more importantly, my daughter loves it!

Finished! It took about an hour and a half to finish!

Linking up to

Someday Crafts

Tea Rose Home

Kristen

Knock Off of a Knock Off

2010-04-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

While blog surfing/stalking one day I happened upon this blog. And I fell in love with this shirt. It is an Anthropologie knock off.

So I knocked off her knock off!

So cute eh?

I can't wait to make one for my daughter!

Nicole

Wreath...Part 2

2010-04-21T16:42:00.000-07:00

O.k., I thought this was missing something, so I added ribbon! I think I like it better with it!

Book Wreath

2010-04-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

I saw this cute wreath made out of book paper! I thought I would give it a try. It isn't as poofy as the original, but I like it. The whole thing cost me a dollar! I burnt myself pretty bad with the darn glue gun, but hey. I ended up using silver stick pins to finish it and I found it a lot easier. you can't see them unless you turn it over to examine it.

If you want to make one, go to http://livingwithlindsay.com/2009/11/librarians-please-avert-your-eyes.html ...go ahead, click here...go! go!

Kristen

Linking up to Someday Crafts

Gathered Fabric Flower Tutorial

2010-04-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my first tutorial! I am a bit embarrased that it is something so simple, but a few people asked how I did the flowers for the lamp shade so I am happy to show you!

There are a ton of tutorials out there for different types of flowers but I don't remember seeing one on this one..could be wrong though!

First let me just point something out....THAT IS ME...USING A SEWING MACHINE!! Seriously my mom thought she would never see the day!

Anyway...You start out by cutting strips of fabric. The width on mine were 2 inches and the length 22 inches. You can do them longer, wider, shorter and skinnier. It just depends on the size of flower you want.

Then all you do is a running stitch on your machine. I used the largest stitch my machine would do...makes it easier to gather.

You then pull the top string and gather the fabric as you go.

Gather, gather, gather until you have a circle.

Then you hand stitch the two ends together and there ya go!! So easy!

You can do these flowers without a machine. In fact I hand sewed all the flowers on the lamp shade.

Nicole

The DESK!

2010-04-18T06:56:00.001-07:00

I went to D.I. today on a wim to just look around. I was mainly looking for glass jars for my kitchen and Cricut machine. WHEN, I came upon this beautiful desk. Isn't she pretty? My son has always wanted an desk and you just can't find good quality without spending a pretty penny. This fine find is HEAVY and the drawers word great. So I took it home for the price of $20.00 and spent another $17.00 to fix it up. I was told by the lovely men at the local Home Depot, that when you sand, you should use the 'medium' grain sand paper. So, I sanded and sanded. I also used wood putty to fill in any cracks and holes. It use to look like this (look below) and now................

It looks like THIS! (Look below). I wanted to make sure that I still used the same hardware since I like it and really didn't want to spend another $20.00 on it. So I just spray painted the hardware black. I think it turned out great and I have a 10 year old who will write many stories on this desk!!

Part 2...this is kinda gross...BUT... a good thing. I bought this 6 inch saucer at the locals Roberts.

I spray painted it black to put a ever so disgusting piece of my bathroom in it...you guessed it....THE PLUNGER! With the new toilets being so water savvy, (and young kids in the home) help to attribute to many a clogged toilet! (Hello, 4 squares only please!). Anyways, can't bear to think of this on my pretty tile, so I put it in the saucer. Fits perfectly and the gross germs aren't on my floor.

Its a good thing!

KRISTEN

Woo Hoo!! This made my day!!!

2010-04-16T07:41:00.001-07:00

I was featured on Someday Crafts!
Seriously..I am excited. This is my first "feature".
Can I just say Wooooo Hoooooo!!!!! Thanks Michelle!!!!!
And I get to grab her "I was featured" button.
Again...Wooooo Hooooo!!!!

Nicole

Split Pea Wreath

2010-04-15T10:04:00.001-07:00

I finally put a wreath up on the front door. I have officially moved in!

I saw on one of the million craft blogs that I look at everyday, that someone had made those awesome decorative balls with split peas. Love the idea. So I thought I could do it with a wreath.

Got me a Styrofoam wreath from Michael's with my 45% off coupon (oh yeah!!)

2 bags of split peas from Walmart $0.79 a bag!
And I only used about 1 ish.

Made a mess with glue and peas. I think I will be finding these around the house for weeks. I found one stuck to my arm this morning when I woke up. Yeah..we slept together;)
When I got all the peas on I gave it a spray with some gloss finishing spray stuff. How is that for vague. I was trying to really set the peas.

Gave it a flower and hung with ribbon. I am in love.

Oh and don't be jealous of my lovely taupe flat front door! We do live in military housing after all. I just may give this door a face lift sometime soon....

Nicole

Linking up to Someday Crafts

Lamp Shade Makeover!

2010-04-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

I scored this lamp at DI. Such a great deal...just needed a makeover.

The base was that awful brassy gold...yeah, you know what I am talking about. So I spray painted it brown..not pictured because I was too excited to get this project started to stop and take pics.

The shade...oh the shade. What to do with the shade? It was creme. Not into creme these days.

So I decided to make a whole bunch of white fabric flowers and glue them on.

Added a pearl to the center. LOVE how it turned out!!! Perfect for my daughter's room!!

NICOLE

Linking up

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Tea Rose Home

Remodelaholic

Spackled Fleur De Lis

2010-04-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

I needed something above my kitchen sink. It is pretty boring looking at a blank wall. I mean, HELLO! I spend a lot of time there. I knew I wanted a Fleur De Lis and knew I wanted texture so I decided to use Spackle...it is what I had on hand. I drew out my Fleur De Lis and then I got cozy with my sink because I had to sit in it to work. Then I layered on the Spackle with my finger. I used a mini scraper to clean up any mistakes.

This is what it looked like before the paint

I let it dry for 24 hours and then I painted the Fleur De Lis with a metallic paint.

I then used a square plate I had and centered around the Fleur and then used a bowl to round out the sides. I don't know what this shape is called but I love it! (It is an actual shape...something fore)

So much better! I love the texture that the Spackle gave. It is nice that I was able to do this directly to the wall. They are demolishing these homes after we move out so they don't care what you do. My next house, if I do it again, I would probably do it on a wood piece or canvas.

Nicole

Linking up to A lovely Place To Land

and

My First Pottery Barn Knock Off

2010-04-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

So, after looking at a few link parties today I discovered I was not the only one who fell in love with a huge clock in Pottery Barn's March issue.

I have wanted a BIG clock for a LONG time. Not going to happen anytime soon so I decided to make one myself!

Headed to Lowe's and got a piece of Birch wood...$4

Drew my circle, and then drew my Roman numerals. This was soooo tedious. If I had had a Cricut it would have gone so much faster (hint hint babe...birthday is coming up). Painted the numerals and then beat the crap out of it with a hammer to distress. Glazed, and then sanded.

I like it A LOT!!! Not sure if I will add clock hardware. I kind of like it as just a wall hanging.

Not sure where it is going to go yet. Maybe the kitchen....

Linking up to Someday Crafts

Nicole

Picture Ledge

2010-04-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

I LOVE these pictures I just finished. They turned out great and the best part is that I got all the canvases on sale...a project total of $10!!!

Again...I found pictures I like online and then I got to drawing. After I painted the picture I made a glaze with some paint. You just add water to your paint until it is really runny. You then dab your loaded paintbrush on a paper towel to get most of the paint off and then apply the paint in criss cross strokes. I then get a paper towel and wipe most of it off. It gives it a nice washed out look. I then distressed the edges. Here is where it gets technical folks....you dab your finger in paint, wipe off excess and then brush along edges randomly. Yep...real difficult;)

Streak Free Windows and Mirrors

2010-04-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a secret...ok maybe not a secret..but my mom taught this to me.
If you want streak free mirrors or windows, don't use Windex and a papertowel....use some diluted ammonia and newspaper!! Works everytime!!

QUICK Chocolate Cheesecake

2010-04-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

Love cheesecake but don't have time to bake? Try this..it is really good!

1 Graham Cracker crust (store bought, could use Oreo crust!)
1 pkg Cream cheese, softened
1 3 oz instant chocolate pudding
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups milk

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar til smooth. Add 1/2 cup of the milk. Mix together. Add the pudding and remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk. Mix till incorporated. Pour into your pie shell and place in fridge to set.

Serve with whip cream. You could even swap the chocolate pudding for vanilla. It is quick and very good!

Throw Pillow Take 2!

2010-04-03T16:23:00.001-07:00

So I wasn't in love with the pillow I made the other day. It was lacking something. That something turned out to be RUFFLES!!! So I added 3 ruffles!

Much better!!!

Linking up to Someday Crafts

PIZZA!

2010-04-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

Friday night is Pizza night in our home. So, if you need a quick Pizza sauce, save some money and make this...it is good!

1 can (8oz) Tomato Sauce
1 tsp. dried basil (can use fresh 1/2 tsp)
1 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper, optional

Stir and put on your pizza. Cost...$.29 cents IF you have the spices already in your house.

Throw Pillows

2010-04-02T09:13:00.001-07:00

Last night hubs and I threw in "Love Happens" and I got to work hand sewing this pillow. It took the WHOLE movie!!! So, needless to say I am on my way to get a sewing machine today!! Hurray!!!

Love the crisp white!!

Supplies:
A bag of batting
fabric
needle and thread (or a sewing machine)
a wooden spoon to help stuff the pillow

Sew three of the edges together INSIDE OUT
Return to outside in and iron
Stuff
Sew closed.
Voila!

I put a ribbon on it to fancy it up.

Laundry makes me a Basket Case...so true!

2010-04-01T18:08:00.000-07:00

Here is the sign that I see RIGHT when I walk into my laundry room...Laundry makes me a basket case....Sooooo true. Well, I was tired of my kids just throwing their laundry all over the floor. It seems to pile up so fast and can be a bit frustrating...would you agree with me? So I visited my local Ikea store and found these great hampers. They were $9.99 each. There is a lid on top so I don't have to see my laundry, and it is divided into two parts. It is separated by a zip up divider. So cool and convenient. I then came home and got out the Cricut and the vinyl and made a "Towels, Colors, Darks and Whites" label. Needless to say, this has been SUCH a GREAT thing for me. Little things can make the biggest difference and now I am not afraid to enter the dreaded laundry room!

♥Kristen♥

Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

2010-04-01T12:25:00.001-07:00

Holy Mother of all that is Yummy!! My friend Brittany gave me this recipe a looooong time ago. I just tried it last night. I should have tried it a loooooooong time ago! The hubs loved it and so did I!! And isn't it pretty?????

Here is the recipe:

Two pre-made pie crusts. You can be ambitious and make your own if you realllly want to

2 chicken breasts cooked and shredded

2 cans cream of potato soup

1 can sliced carrots, drained

1 cup frozen peas

1 packet of Chicken Gravy Mix

1/4 cup milk

Combine all ingredients. Pour into pie crust. I poked holes in the pie crust first. I then took the second pie crust and tore off the edges and laid it on top and cut slits in the top. So easy and so delicious! Serve with warm Rhodes Rolls and you have a wonderful comfort food meal!!

Nature Knock Offs!

2010-04-01T11:13:00.001-07:00

Ok, so it should be obvious by now...I am on a wall art kick. I have recieved inspiration from prints I see online and then I just draw them myself and then paint. I am by no stretch of the imagination an artist. In fact before the paint is put on, the drawings look a little scary. Painting them magically transforms them into something wonderful! So my suggestion is that when you are looking for new wall art, look online for ideas first and then try it yourself. It will save you a ton of money! All you need is a canvas, a pencil and paint! Oh and an eraser...used that a lot!

These large pictures are made from prints I saw online at Target. Wasn't going to spend $80 though! The little leaf pictures I actually bought a while ago, but it is actually something you could do quite easily. I had framed and matted pictures I wasn't liking anymore so I SPRAY PAINTED the frames white, distressed them a bit and then stuck my new print in them.

These I saw online and loved but again, didn't want to buy. They are just on a cardboard canvas. Not sure how I want to eventually hang them, but for now they are up like this. Gotta love my paint swatch to the side. Gotta fix that!

My taste in decor changes a lot. So now if I want to change something I won't feel guilty because I didn't spend a lot of money!
Give your drawing skills a try!

Linking up to Someday Crafts

Ooh La La!!

2010-04-01T10:15:00.001-07:00

A little wall art to spruce up my daughter's room. I found the template for the chandelier at decoart.com and went from there. Fancy!!

Spray Paint...A Girl's Best Friend

2010-04-01T09:43:00.001-07:00

I never find deals...ever...that is until the other day!! The hubs and I were at the BX and we took a stroll down the clearance aisle when we happened upon these beauties...so patriotic! Normally I wouldn't have looked twice because of the colors but reading crafting blogs has changed my point of view! SPRAY PAINT!!!

I know, I know....so attractive. But I like the shape of them....

....and I like the price more. Originally $18.77...seriously?? Notice the new $2.97 price? Well...they were even cheaper at the register! $1.97!! Woo Hoo!!

After a couple coats of white spray paint they are ready to be displayed. Ok it was more like six coats of spray paint. Those suckers really sucked up the paint!

Love them on my end table!!!

Linking up to Remodelaholic

Wall Art For Boys Room

2010-04-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

I was on the hunt for some decor for my two older boy's room. They are into skateboarding now so I decided to go with that theme. I looked online and of course everything costs an arm and a leg and who is to say they will still like to skateboard next year?? So I tackled it myself. I bought a board at Home Depot..sorry don't know the size..it's long;)

Then I spray painted it black and then looked up different skating lingo...Yes I actually had to look it up. Drew (well tried to) a skateboard in the middle and then painted it up! I think it turned out great! I am excited for them to see it!

Linking up to Someday Crafts

and

733 Blog

Cheap...but cute...wall art!

2010-04-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

I needed some wall art for my bathroom, and since money is tight, I pulled out my Cricut and made these two canvas's. I used the cartridge "Stretch Your Imagination" and picked the leaf template. I then cut it to the size I wanted with Vinyl. I made sure that I used the 'silouette' button on the Cricut so that I could get more of a stencil. I then placed it on my canvas (11x14 size) and then painted over it in Dark Burnt Umber. Be sure when you are painting it, that you paint in one direction only. Don't do strokes up and down. Once the paint dries, carefully remove your vinyl stencil, then enjoy.

I did both pictures for $5.19! I bought the Canvas at Michaels, using my 40% off coupon. But recently visiting Hobby Lobby, I saw that they sell 2 Canvas's for $5.99 and with a 40% off coupon, you've got yourself a bargain.

Now, I might do this with another stencil in some other rooms of mine!

♥Kristen♥

Here comes Peter Cottontail.....

2010-03-30T18:51:00.000-07:00

I needed a quick gift for my kids teachers/principals and came up with this cute idea. A candy bar covered to look like the Easter Bunny!

Here is what you will need to make these cute gifts:

I used Cadbury bars because they are a little smaller and lets face it, who doesn't love a Caramello bar? Also, they are $1.50 a bar at your local Wal-Mart

You will also need a sheet of white foam for the Bunny ears, a piece of pink felt (for inner ear), Googly eyes, (I found mine at Hobby Lobby and they are OVAL shape..I loved them!). Pink pom poms for nose, ribbon for the bowtie, pink DMC floss for the whiskers and a sharpie to make the mouth. YOU WILL ALSO NEED A PIECE OF WHITE CARDSTOCK TO WRAP THE CANDY BAR! :)

I wrapped the bar. First I measured around it to get the perfect fit.

Here it is all wrapped up and ready to decorate.

This is the template I used to make the bunny ears.

To put together, glue your eyes on (I used double sided tape for this whole project). I glued the ears on, whiskers and nose. I then drew the mouth and glued on the bowtie. I think they turned out cute and I hope the teachers like them too.

Hope you enjoy!

♥Kristen♥

Nest Cookies

2010-03-30T14:00:00.001-07:00

Last Easter, I made-up these little nest cookies. They were so fun that we decided to make them again this year. Just take a box of Funfetti cake mix and add two eggs, 1/3 cup oil, and 1 cup flour. Roll into balls and make an indentation into the center.
Bake at 375 for 6 minutes.

While they are baking, put some coconut flakes into a plastic bag and add a few drops of green food coloring.

Shake until flakes are completely green. (The assistants LOVE this part--they go a little crazy!)

While cookies are cooling, make a glaze. When cookies are completely cooled, add glaze then roll cookies (or dip) into colored coconut flakes. Then add easter candy of choice. We used jelly beans this year. (Last year we used rabbits, which were really cute too!)

Happy Easter Everyone!

Kathy

Easter Egg Bugs

2010-03-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

While browsing through the Oriental Trading Magazine, I came across some cute, cute, cute Easter Eggs that looked like bugs. So I had to make my own. Here are my Easter Egg Bugs: They were so easy and fun to make. All you need is some eggs, craft foam, and markers. Just take whatever egg you want to use and lay it out on your foam, then trace around the egg, then I just eye-balled the design of the hands, arms, and antennas for the bugs and the wings and antenna for the butterflies. Then I used my scissors and cut out. Then my wonderful "assistants" colored the wings and added on faces. Such a quick and easy and super fun project. We can't wait to use these eggs as part of our Easter Egg hunt this weekend.

Kathy

Joining Forces!!

2010-03-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my sweet sister in law Kathy..she is letting me join her here on her craft blog! I am excited!

So...a couple things I have done the past couple days...

It was my son's teacher's birthday so I decided to make her this wall hanging/plaque. I saw another version on Brown Paper Packages. They did a Family Values plaque. I might get to that someday. If you want to see their version go here.

I used a wood plaque, spray painted it black. I then distressed the edges with sandpaper. Then chose a paper palette. His teacher's favorite color is black so we chose black. I chose my wording, my fonts and sizes of papers and got to work. I inked the edges before gluing them down and then mod podged the whole thing. We drilled two holes in it so I could attach some tulle for hanging it up.

This morning right before I wrapped it up I noticed I put the word "understanding" twice! Nice! I had to do a quick fix before he took it to school today. I just added the word "example" on top of it.

My newest obsession is fabric flowers. I love them for embellishments for shirts, dresses, purses, even shoes. It is a simple flower...just a strip about 1 " wide and as long as you want. The longer the strip, the bigger the flower. You just do a running stitch and then gather it to form the flower. Then stitch to secure it through the middle. Add your center...a button or a bead. I sewed a small piece of felt on the back to give it a finished look then attached a bar pin so we can switch it out on different things. The edges are supposed to be frayed. I am still searching for more flower tutorials so stay tuned....