New Look!

Check out my new blog design!  Many thanks to Kim from Seven Thirty Three Custom Blog Design! She was so easy to work with and is a design genius! 

I discovered pretty quickly when I started my blog that I am not a web designer. At all. I spent hours researching how to add my own background, design a button, make headers etc. and I only barely figured anything out.  Immediately I started scoping out blog designers, but was having a hard time finding anyone whose work I connected with or whose prices I could justify. :)  I came across an adorable blog and noticed the Seven Thirty Three blog design button.  As soon as I saw Kim's portfolio I was hooked, and her prices can't be beat!  Seriously check her out if you want a new look.  Her portfolio is amazing! I am so excited about my new blog! :)

And because every blog post needs a picture... this girl is excited about my new blog too!

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Coming Soon!

Aluminum Foil Letters

I've had these letters in the kitchen for awhile.  At the old house I had intended to do something fun with them, but when we moved I kind of liked the white on white.  However, I've seen some amazing looking faux metal finishes floating around the internet and I love the stainless steel accents in our kitchen... so, inspiration strikes again!  I basically followed this tutorial on from Gardners 2 Bergers, but it turned out a little differently because my letters were a lot smaller. 

I started by tracing the letters onto aluminum foil.  I wanted the matte side of the foil up, so I made sure to cut it that way (at least on letters 2 and 3. Luckily the letter I messed up on was T, so I was able to flip it over!)

Next, I used matte Mod Podge to glue foil onto the edges of the letters.  I wasn't too worried about keeping the foil smooth because it was almost impossible with the tight curves.  Once the edges were covered, I Mod Podged on the front piece that I had cut out previously.  After that I applied a coat of Mod Podge over the entire letter to seal it in and give it more of a matte finish.  The final step was to dry brush on a little black craft paint.  I barely dipped the brush into the paint and wiped it along the edges and down the front. 

I love how they turned out!  Ironically, I'm not sure I actually like them in the kitchen anymore.  I think they look really nice in the dining room where these pictures were taken.  I guess I can always buy new white letters from Michael's to replace them, or come up with a new project idea for that space... yeah, it'll probably be option two. :)

Linking up to...
Blue Cricket Design  Primp  Remodelaholic

Jute Spheres

I've been calling these creations my 'twine balls,' but for the post title I decided that 'Jute Spheres' sounded much more chic. I think that I originally saw something like these in a Pottery Barn Catalog and I figured there had to be a tutorial somewhere on the internet so that I could make my own!  As it turns out, there are A LOT of tutorials on how to do this.  I followed the one on Homemaker in Heels.

Yesterday I had a vision of an even bigger twine ball made of a thicker hemp rope, so I got to work.

Unfortunately, I popped the balloon and my ball deflated. :(  I think it may have needed a gluier (totally a word) mixture and more time to dry.  Oh well.  The thin jute that I originally used worked really well, so I might just need to stick with that for future balls.  I've also seen some neat ones using yarn!  So many ideas!

If you want to make your own, here's what I did:
Supplies
-Twine/jute/string of some kind
-Balloon (I suggest a large sized balloon so when you blow it up, it is round and not balloon shaped)
-Glue (mix about 1/2 and 1/2 with water)

1. Blow up a balloon to the size you want your ball to be.
2. Unroll the string you're using and start dipping it in the glue mixture.  It helps to do a lot at one time so you can just keep wrapping.
3. Wrap around the balloon.  Keep going until it looks good to you.  Make sure you leave a hole big enough to pull the balloon out.
4. Let dry overnight.  Pop balloon- it will pull away from the string and make some strange noises!  As long as the string is dry, it will hold its shape. 
Linking up to:
Remodelaholic

Daddy's Valentines

The girls and I made a sweet Valentine's Day gift for their daddy.  I wish there was video of this photo shoot, because I'm pretty sure it would be hilarious- Camille erasing whatever I wrote on the chalkboard, Lila jumping out of the chair each time I plopped her down, me making strange monkey noises to get their attention... so much fun. :)  Love how it turned out though!

Here are some outtakes...



Linking up to...
Blue Cricket Design

Valentine's Day Gifts for the Neighbors

We have some really sweet neighbors who were extremely welcoming to us when we moved in. I've been meaning to drop off treats for each of them for, oh, about 6 months. I'm not a procrastinator. ;)  So this is it! Valentines for our neighbors. :)

I designed this in Photoshop Elements and printed a few copies on sticker paper.  I adhered them to candy boxes I bought at JoAnn's.  My daughter has a bumblebee game she plays all the time... I wonder where I got the inspiration?

Let me preface this by saying I am by no means a baker.  I guess since these are No Bake Cake Batter Truffles, it doesn't really matter, but I am completely uncomfortable in the kitchen either way.  I don't like cooking, baking, or preparing food, and luckily for me my husband loves it and does all of it, so I can do none of it. :)  However, I liked the idea of making 'bee' cake batter truffles to go with the cute box.  When I showed the idea to my husband I was kind of hoping he would offer to take over like he usually does, but he didn't.  Boo hoo.  So here are my truffles, made by me, with two toddlers running around, yelling, and dismantling the kitchen while I worked.

I used this recipe from Chef in Training, dipped them in yellow candy melts and drizzled on melted chocolate chips.  The dipping was tougher than I thought it would be, because the candy melt goo was thick even when I reheated it over and over again.  It wasn't that hard, but you'll notice I haven't included any pictures of the process, and that might be because there was yellow candy melt carnage all over my countertops.

Here are my cute little helpers sampling the remaining dough.

This is how my almost three year old was dressed.  She's quite the fashionista. :)  

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!

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