Wednesday, February 29, 2012

February Book Reviews

It's book review time! 

 I'd love to hear about what you've been reading.



All Quiet on the Western FrontAll Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a very real book. At the beginning of the book it says:
"This book is to be neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped shells, were destroyed by the war."

The book is told from the point of view of the soldiers. The author served in WWI and the book was definitely not just a "story". It was very real. At the beginning of the book I didn't know for sure which side of the war the characters were on. (Although I should have guessed with all the German names) And maybe that is kind of the point - Both sides were just men following orders and fighting for their lives and countries.

This book kept my interest throughout and was very thought-provoking. There were parts were I was blinking back tears reading what those men went through. I would definitely recommend this book!

 Crossed (Matched, #2)Crossed by Ally Condie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this book but not as much as the first one. One of my problems is that I read the first one so long ago, it took me a while to remember it. I will definitely read the next one though - I have to see what happens.






 Unbroken: A World War II Story Of Survival, Resilience, And RedemptionUnbroken: A World War II Story Of Survival, Resilience, And Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the best book I have read in a long time! And to top it off it's a true story. It never ceases to amaze me how many different people were involved in WWII. Every book I've read covers a different perspective. This book is about a Olympic runner who serves in the Pacific. His plane crashes and he is lost at sea. When he finally reaches land, it is enemy territory and he becomes a POW. There was so much detail in this book. The author was terrific and it was very gripping. I could hardly put it down. I'd like to read her other book(s).

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible VoyageEndurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Incredible! The title is well named. It is hard to imagine the conditions under which these men survived. And also the fact that not one of them died over the 17 months they were in the Antarctic. Amazing true story.




Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Terrific Tuesdays #4

I want to thank all of you for linking up! I really appreciate how sweet and kind you all are.

Let's see if we can make this party even bigger and better.

The most viewed link was 
Dictionary Page Note Cards by Creative Passage
Go see how she made them. So creative!


Some of my other favorites were:

French {Onion} Dip Sandwiches by Dwell on Joy. 
Doesn't it look so delicious!?! I am definitely making these.



Don't you just love these Ballard Inspired Chalkboards by Sew Passionate
Another thing to add to my to-do list. They would look so cute in my girls' room.


I am so taken with this idea! Our Pinteresting Family turned their closet into a mudroom. I took the bifold doors down in my kids rooms ages ago - they just kept getting in the way. I really want to do this. It would make a fun reading nook for them. BUT they have too many toys right now that need to be in the closet.... Maybe when they're older.




Here's what I've been blogging about the last week:

Foam Soap for under $4 a year 
and 
Now let's see what you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:
1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops or link parties please.


2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.







Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Bead Board Picture Frames

I have done several projects involving bead board. But this is what started it all. I made myself some picture frames using scraps from when we redid one of my daughters rooms last year. You could say these frames are what started my obsession with using bead board in decorating. 


I decided to make some of these frames for each of my sisters and sister-in-laws for their birthdays this year. These frames are super cute and even better they are super cheap too. Which is a HUGE plus for a cheapskate like me.


Here's how I make them:
I started out with a package of beadboard. I spent $12 on this.



 It has 6 sheets in it. You can cut 3 frames out off each sheet. So you could make 18 frames. I only needed 11 so I'll be using the rest on other projects. I also bought two 3/8" dowels. You could use a different size as long as it's sturdy enough to hold up the frame.

To start you'll want to cut about 1/4 or so inches off the length of each board. Just enough so you have flat edges. Then cut the boards into 9" pieces.   Cut your dowels into 4 1/2" pieces. In order to have a rounded corner, I traced around a cup and then using a jigsaw cut out the rounded corners. Then drill a hole in one corner of the frame using the same size drill bit as the dowel.

I don't have any pictures of the process but here is what you should have at this point.



Sand down any rough edges and you're ready to paint.


 Here are the colors of paint I used from my stash:
Apple Barrel - Barn Red Deco Art - Antique White

and for the turqoise I mixed two colors in approx. equal parts until I liked the color.

Americana - Baby Blue

Americana - Desert Turqoise

 Next comes the antiquing, or glazing.



I like to use Americana Staining Antiquing Medium. You can buy it at a craft store for around $2. I'm only on my second bottle and I've even glazed a desk. That's way cheaper to me than buying a big can of glaze at Home Depot and having tons left over. You just mix it with equal parts paint and you're good to go.  I've even used it with purple paint on all the purple furniture and shelves in  My Daughter's Bedroom

For these frames I mixed the antiquing medium with Americana Burnt Umber for the cream and turquoise frames. I mixed it with black for the red frames.

After glazing, I sprayed with a clear spray to seal.

In order to cover the hole where the dowel is inserted, I added some fun rosettes out of burlap. (I just hot glued them on) This was a great choice, with the frayed edges and the slightly messy look. Especially when you're making dozens of them, you don't want to have to worry about them all looking perfect.

 I added a little ribbon to a clothespin and hot glued it on.

Lastly, insert your dowel. You can hot glue it in, but I'm not going to since it will be easier to mail these if they are flat.  And honestly, you don't really need to. I've had mine for at least a year and they've been fine.

I love how you can easily change out the pictures or the direction of the frame.


I didn't make any of this type of flower this time around, but I thought they were too cute not to share. I just took a 1" strip of burlap, folded it in half lengthwise and rolled them up. 


Another idea I used originally, was to add metal sheeting, painted to match, and attach the picture with a magnet made from an old button.


Here's another one made from a smaller scrap. I'm using it as a recipe holder.


I had to keep one of the turquoise ones to go in my bathroom. Now I just need to find a picture.


The only things I bought were the beadboard, dowels and some black ribbon.  For everything else I used what I had on hand, all left overs from other projects. 

Here they are all ready to give when a birthday comes.


 I feel so prepared now. The bad thing is that I've already missed two birthdays.


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Terrific Tuesdays #3

Thanks to all those who linked up!!
Let's see if we can make this party even bigger and better.

The most viewed link was 
 Valentines Themed Chocolate Covered Pretzels by Turtles and Tails
Don't they look super yummy?

Some of my other favorites were:

DIY Underbed Storage by Home Happy Home
Believe it or not she just dressed up some cardboard boxes.  It looks great!!

Check out these Pretty Cake Stands by Uncommon Creating the Extraordinary
She shares a tutorial so you can make your own. This is now on my super long to-do list.

And my very favorite this week is this dollhouse by Caught my Fancy. She turned an old entertainment center into this amazing dollhouse. You must go check it out. I can't believe all the details. 


Here's what I've been blogging about the last week:
and 

Now let's see what you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:
1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops or link parties please.


2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.(Let me know if it doesn't work)










Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Pearl Earrings

Recently my daughter's best friend had a birthday.
I, as usual, forgot about it until the afternoon of the party. It was a low key party and presents were not required, but since it was my daughter's best friend, I thought we should give her something. Instead of having to drag all four of my kids to the store, I decided to make her a pair of earrings. 


My daughter actually designed the earrings. They are just simple pearls, but so pretty. 

I fell in love with them and made a second pair for my daughter. I've actually stolen them a few times to wear myself.


While I'm on the subject of earrings let me show you some I made back in December.
My baby sister helped me design them, although I've changed them a little since the hoops I had them on kept breaking. I also had a different bead instead of the pearl, but it was hanging funny so I changed it.

 I love the pearl with the silver beads.

What do you think? Which earrings do you like best?


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Terrific Tuesday #2 and FEATURES

Happy Valentines!


Thank you all so much for linking up last week. We had 44 links. I think that is AMAZING for a first party. Thank you!!! 



The most viewed link was
Learn to crochet by  Petals to Picots.
She has free patterns on her site as well as some you can buy.

 Here are a few of my favorites:
Isn't this pillow by At Home in the Northwest  just to die for! I love the burlap with the satin ribbon. And it looks pretty easy too.


 This foil drawing by Art Club Blog is so cool. She used cardboard, tacky glue, foil and shoe polish to make it. I think most of us have those items on hand. I LOVE a free project!!


This is my absolute favorite this week.  Creative Passage  made this heart necklace for her sister. The hearts are made from paper and card stock with several layers of mod podge. 


Here's what I've been blogging about the last week:
Embroidered and Rolled pillowcases




Now let's see what you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:
1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops or link parties please.


2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. I know we're all busy, but at the very least, comment on one other link.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Rolled Pillowcases

Have you ever seen a rolled pillowcase? 


It looks like it would be complicated - but it's really not.


They are super easy to make and so fun too.  I used this video tutorial.

I traced on their favorite characters with a Sharpie and let them color them.  They used these fabric crayons that I ordered online.







The ones that were colored super dark held up better over several washings.