Thursday, May 30, 2013

Frame Makeover

Last summer I found all these old unique frames at a yard sale. I think they were fifty cents each. I brought them home and promptly gave them a coat of spray paint. I was so proud of myself for getting my project going so quickly. Then they sat and sat and sat. Then in March my sisters came to visit. I had them help me arrange and hang them in my craft room. Then last month I finally took some pictures of them. And now I'm finally sharing them with you. Way too many of my projects are like that. They get started, then I stall, and it's months before I finish them. 

 You may notice that there were six frames, but I only hung up five of them. I'm going to make a pin cushion to sit at my sewing table with the last one. Hopefully I'll get going on that soon.

For now they are empty. I'm not sure if I want to fill them or not. I kind of like the look. They sit right above my sewing machine. I thought framing objects, for example a small pair of thread scissors, a thimble, a spool of thread, things like that. I'm not sure.
What would you do?


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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Easy Mint Brownies

Summer is officially here at our house. School's out and the kids are constantly hungry. Need a quick dessert? These are the easiest mint brownies you'll ever make. They were so good, we all wanted seconds.



 Here's what you need:

Monday, May 27, 2013

Terrific Tuesdays #65



Here are my favorites from last weeks party:

Lemon Bars by Oh Mrs. Tucker!  These look so good I want to go make some right now - even though I should be making dinner.


 Faux Metal Technique by Lakeshore Stamping. Go check out her how-to video. Love this technique. I have the supplies so I'll be trying this sometime.

Chocolate Mousse Cake by Chocolate, Chocolate and More. I can't find the words to describe how delicious this looks. Pinned! I NEED to try this.

 Free Backpack Sewing Pattern by Crystelle Boutique. This is so cute! Go check out her free pattern.






Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

1. Link up!  No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment

3. Grab my button or add a text link.


Sunday, May 26, 2013

Something to Think About Sunday - Marriage Advice




My grandpa passed away in March. One of the things that I was lucky enough to get was his scriptures. Tucked inside he had lots of papers. Some were random newspaper clippings. There was some junk mail. And then there were a few treasures, one of which I'm sharing with you today.

You see my grandpa was a bishop in our Church at one point in his life. Later he became a sealer in one of our Temples. In both of these callings he performed marriages. He had typed up this little paper with advice to give. I believe that this was written at the time he was a bishop. Otherwise he would have not included #1 and #12.

"Weddings:

Counseling prospective Brides and Grooms,


1. No pictures to be taken in the Chapel.

*2. Start your wedded life with prayer together each night and morning. Approach God and thank him for the things you can, ask for help or needs in the name of Jesus Christ.

*3. Pay one another a compliment each day.

4. Be active in your church together.

5. Take your wife out once a week, to a movie, dinner, or for an ice cream cone.

*6. Don't both get angry at the same time.

*7. Operate your home on a budget, both live within your means.

8. Sex relations is one of Gods greatest gifts to wedded couples. Always enter into it in the spirit of love, not by force or violence or by right. Never before marriage.

9. Don't become careless in appearance or conduct.

*10. Be courteous, faithful, and considerate always.

*11. A happy wedded life doesn't just happen, or seldom comes easily or accidentally. Each must work at it, and give something of himself.

12. Plan for a temple marriage and sealing for time and eternity."


*These ones had check marks by them. I would guess they were the advice he gave most often.

Obviously #1 doesn't really apply, but the rest is pretty good advice. Looking back on my grandparents, I can see that they applied these principles in their marriage.

This week I'm going to pick one of these items and work on it. I challenge you to work on something too - either from this list or something else you think of.


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Ruffle Pillow Tutorial

Of all the pillows I've made, this is by far my favorite. Want to make one for yourself? Here's how:

You will need:
2 pieces fabric 17" X 17"
3 pieces fabric 5" X 36"


Start with your ruffles {the 5" x 36" pieces} Press under the fabric and sew it in place. My brown fabric is kind of a knit fabric and I knew it wouldn't fray, so I just folded it once under and sewed in place. The cream fabric, I folded under twice and pressed so that there would not be any raw edges to fray.


Once that is done, gather your ruffles. To do this, baste{or in other words, use the longest stitch on your machine} along one long end of your ruffle. Leave your strings long when you cut them. Then pull on one string and your fabric will start gathering. Keep pulling and working with it until the whole pieces is ruffled.

Now place it on one of your 17" X 17" pieces. I measured 4 3/4" from the bottom of the pillow and that's where I placed the top of the ruffle. Start on one end and measure and pin the ruffle in place. Work your way to the other end. Once it's all pinned in place, sew the ruffle to pillow front. I sewed along the top, and also along both short sides of the ruffle.



Now add your next two ruffles using the same process. Use the measurement 7 1/2" for your middle ruffle and 10 3/4" for your top ruffle.


With right sides together sew the front of the pillow to the back. Leave an opening for turning. Stuff with fiberfill. Stitch opening closed.


Check out the other pillows I've made.

You may also like:
Button Pillow Tutorial
Pin-Tucked Pillow Tutorial
My Other Throw Pillows

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Pin-Tucked Pillow Tutorial



Forever ago I saw a pin tucked pillow. I thought "I could make that". Wanna make one too? Let me show you how.



To make this pillow I started with two pieces of fabric cut to 14" X 14" and 14" X 18".

Step 1) With your 14"X18" piece of fabric, measure 1 1/4" from the edge of the fabric. Fold over and iron. Measure again 1 1/4" from your pressed line, fold and press. Repeat until you come to the end of your fabric. 

Step 2) Now sew along each pressed line with an 1/8" seam allowance. Then gently press so it will lay flat, but not mess up your tucks.

Step 3 & 4) Sew around outside edge of pillow with right sides together. Leaving an opening for turning.

Step 5) This is what it will look like at this point. Now fill it up with fiberfill.

Step 6) Stitch opening closed.

That's it! I love the effect of the pin tucks. You get a different look just by turning the pillow.




You may also like:
Button Pillow Tutorial
Ruffle Pillow Tutorial
My Other Throw Pillows

Monday, May 20, 2013

Terrific Tuesday #64

My favorites from last week:


Mini Raspberry Pink Lemonade Pie by Chocolate, Chocolate and More


 Old desk turned changing table by The Elephant of Surprise. I love the bright green. Wish I was a little more adventurous in my paint color choices.


How to make a Sourdough Starter by A Life Unprocessed.


Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

1. Link up!  No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment

3. Grab my button or add a text link.


Clean Your House in 10 Minutes a Day - Master Closet

This will be my last week in this series.... at least for a while. School's out at the end of this week and I think that just getting the toys picked up each night before bed will be enough of a challenge for the summer. I'm amazed at the things I've gotten cleaned in the last 2 1/2 months.


For those of you new to this series, each week I focus on an area in my house. I spend 10 minutes each day and clean or organize something in that room. On Monday, I share what I cleaned. It's been  helping me to stay on top of it. And I hope it's helpful for you as well. {The 10 minutes a day does not include bathroom cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming or doing dishes. With the exception of doing dishes, those things are done on Saturday and the kids help.}


Last week I {kinda} focused on the closet. I the two messiest shelves cleaned off. Then I got busy with other things and forgot to clean the rest of the week.

Monday - Cleaned on my jewelry shelf.  - 40 minutes. 

Tuesday -Yard Day 


Wednesday - Cleaned off another shelf - 20 minutes. 

Thursday - forgot

Friday - forgot




You may also like:
Other posts in this series

How to Remove Hairspray Residue from Floor

How to Clean Your Curling Iron




Thursday, May 16, 2013

Button Pillow Tutorial

This button pillow was really easy, although a little time consuming.



I started by cutting out two pieces of fabric 14" X 14". Then I searched the internet for a letter N for our last name. When I found one I liked, I traced it from the computer screen onto a piece of paper, then cut it out.


 I traced the N onto the fabric, then it was just a matter of placing and gluing all the buttons. I worked a section at a time, placing the buttons how I wanted them. Then I would pick up each button, add a bit of hot glue and stick it back in place. Once I had all the buttons glued on, I sewed the two pieces of fabric with right sides together, leaving an opening for turning. Then fill with fiberfill and stitch closed the opening.



It took at least an hour to get all the buttons placed and glued. I love how it turned out.


You may also like:
Pin-Tucked Pillow Tutorial
Ruffle Pillow Tutorial
My Other Pillows


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Throw Pillows

Our couches are getting quite worn. This is the better of my two couches. When we moved into our house ten years ago, we got new couches. In order to save money we bought bonded leather couches. That means that the main part of the couch that you sit on is leather, but the rest is vinyl. The vinyl is tearing in lots of places. Next time we'll get the real thing. While we're saving up for some new couches, I decided to make some throw pillows to help make the best of things.


I've wanted to make throw pillows for some time. But I didn't want just plain pillows. I wanted several different unique pillows. I hope you like what I came up with.


 I started by making a couple sprocket pillows. I used a fantastic tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew. You can find it here. 



Next, I made this pin-tucked pillow. A tutorial for this pillow is coming soon.


I also made this bow {for lack of a better word} pillow. For this pillow I used a pattern, but changed it up and made two slightly smaller bows to go in each direction. I also did not do any cording around the edges.  I used Simplicity 5685, pattern F.


I also tried pattern J. I didn't do the trim around the edges, but otherwise followed the pattern on this one.


This button pillow was super easy. I'll share how I made it soon.


 And my very favorite of the bunch - a Ruffle Pillow. And of course I have a tutorial to share with you, so you can make your own.

So I'm dying to know what you think? Which one is your favorite?

As I get all the tutorials posted, I'll add the links to this one so you can find them easily.

Pin-Tucked Pillow
Ruffle Pillow
Button Pillow

You may also like this super EASY envelope pillow cover tutorial.



Monday, May 13, 2013

Terrific Tuesdays #63


My favorite from last week:
Cheesecake with Whipped Chocolate Mousse by Something Sweet. Winnie has the most amazing desserts on her blog. Be sure to check it out. 


Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

1. Link up!  No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment

3. Grab my button or add a text link.


Clean Your House in 10 Minutes a Day - Master Bedroom

Time to get Motivated!! Did you clean your Bedroom?  I'd love for you to follow along with me as we get our houses cleaned 10 minutes at a time.


For those of you new to this series, each week I focus on an area in my house. I spend 10 minutes each day and clean or organize something in that room. On Monday, I share what I cleaned. It's been  helping me to stay on top of it. And I hope it's helpful for you as well. {The 10 minutes a day does not include bathroom cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming or doing dishes. With the exception of doing dishes, those things are done on Saturday and the kids help.}

My bedroom seems to collect stuff that never gets put away.  If something doesn't have a place to be put, it ends up in our room. I cleaned it out really well last fall, so I just need to keep on top of it. After a couple days I realized that the bedroom really didn't need much cleaning. So I started on our closet - it definitely needs some work. I'm taking it a section at a time and will continue working on it next week.


Monday - Pick up and put away random stuff - 12 minutes. 

Tuesday -Dusted and took donation pile out to the truck - 7 minutes. 


Wednesday - 0 minutes. 

Thursday - Started Cleaning up the Closet - 9 minutes. I started by organizing my t-shirt shelf, then I took down all my winter sweaters and boxed them up until next year.

Friday - Closet - 14 minutes. I organized my husbands shoes. Most women have more shoes than their husbands. Not me!  I bet my husband has at least 3 times as many as I do. Part of the problem is that he has work shoes and regular shoes. Then I took down all of his winter clothing to store.



Other ideas:
Vacuum under bed
Wash Window
Clean Blind



 Next weeks challenge : Continue with the Master Closet

You may also like:
Other posts in this series
How to Remove Hairspray Residue from Floor
How to Clean Your Curling Iron



Friday, May 10, 2013

Recipe for Luscious Lips

Today we have a guest poster, Michelle Pino who is a Spa Manager at Skana {A spa in upstate New York}She's going to share with us how to make our own lip balm. Yay - I can't wait to try it.

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Recipe for Luscious Lips

Busy moms know that there are way too many times when we are last in line to get attention. Our children and families demand so much of our time that moments of relaxation can be rare. Today I am going to share a recipe for a fun lip balm to create when you need a little time out to baby yourself.


The dry cold winter is over, spring is here and our lips are crying out for help. There is no need to run to the cosmetic counter and spend exorbitant amounts of money on lip balm when we can whip some up in the privacy and comfort of our own home. If you feel like it even invite a couple girlfriends over to share the recipe with, or perhaps make it a girl’s day with your daughter.


Ingredients:


2 teaspoons pure grated beeswax
1 and 1/4 teaspoons coconut oil
6 drops of essential lemon oil


Directions:


-Melt beeswax and coconut oil together in a microwave oven. Mix well.

-Add 6 drops of lemon essential oil.

-Pour lip balm into screw bottom tube containers. Use a funnel.  Do not fill to top.

-Allow lip balm to cool for 1-2 minutes.

-Fill containers to top.

-Let lip balm tubes cool for 20 minutes before capping or applying.


Feel free to experiment with different flavors and combinations of the oils and essential oils. Instead of coconut oil, consider trying jojoba, olive, safflower, almond or sunflower oil. You can replace the lemon essential oil with peppermint, lime, tangerine or grapefruit oil.


Creating customized lip balm at home is both fun and practical. It is also the perfect way to be certain that the product we are using on our lips is pure and free from irritating, unwanted and unhealthy chemicals. Preparing a lip balm at home tailored to our tastes is a gift we can give ourselves. This balm is easy to make and it also offers moms like us a chance to fuel our creative juices. These delicious little tubes of lip balm also make wonderful gifts for the women in our lives who would appreciate the thought and the effort.


Michelle Pino, is a Spa Manager at Skana, a spa in upstate New York at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY.  She enjoys DIY projects, healthy recipes, exercise, and all things related to skin care. If you have any comments or questions feel free to contact Michelle via email at michellepino@turningstone.com.


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Thursday, May 9, 2013

DIY Brown Sugar Scrub Recipe



A great thing to pamper Mom with this Mother's day is a sugar scrub. This is really easy. Another plus - you can probably whip this up with ingredients you have in your pantry.




Click Here for Printable Version

Brown Sugar Scrub Recipe
2 c. brown sugar
2 c. sugar
1 c. oil {I used canola}
almond extract {optional}
Mix together.

Do you like my container? Yep... it's an old Parmesan Cheese jar.  The recipe filled two of these jars. I've also used these same containers to make sugar shakers.



Are you making something special for your mom for Mother's Day?

You may like:
Bath Salts Recipe
Recipe for Luscious Lips



Wednesday, May 8, 2013

DIY Bath Salts Recipe

Last week I made some bath salts for a church activity. I thought I'd share the recipe since they are super easy to make. Bath salts would be a great Mother's Day gift.




Click Here for Printable Version
Bath Salts Recipe

1 c. baking soda
1/2 c. sea salt
1 1/2 c. epsom salt
6 drops fragrance {I used vanilla musketeer}
Mix together.

I love this little jar that the sea salt came in. I just had to wash off the label and scrub with a little goo gone and it's ready for the bath salts.


Coming up tomorrow: Brown Sugar Scrub
Friday: Guest Post - Lip Balm

Monday, May 6, 2013

Terrific Tuesdays #62


My favorites from last week:
 DIY Rope Bracelets by Made in a Day. LOVE!
Fun and Coloful Jars by Shabby Gals. So fun! Now to get my son to let me spray paint a couple of his dinosaurs.

Key Lime Frozen Yogurt Pops by Pink Recipe Box. These look so refreshing. Pinning for future use!

Seven Layer Bars by From My Perspective. These look so ooey gooey delicious!

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

1. Link up!  No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment

3. Grab my button or add a text link.