Some Big Things For Me

Sorry about the absence this week.  We have family in from out of town and my time has been very limited at home and near the computer.  Speaking of which.  I will be taking next week off from the blog.  There is something exciting going on and I need to dedicate all of my time to that.  Rest assured, I have an awesome tutorial ready for the following Monday and I can't wait to share it with you!!  Here's a sneak peak...

Also, my college roommate and I are in the process of opening an Etsy store.  She is even more creative than I, so it only made sense that we join forces and put our crafty minds together.  I can't wait to show you what we've been working on! We focus on accessories for Mommies and their boys.  We have a few things for girls, but as mom's of boys, we wanted to cater more to our own demographic.

I have officially sent off the invites for my sister's baby shower!  AHHH!!!  This is really happening.  I love that my little sister is going to have a baby :)  Time to get down and dirty with shower details.  I'll be sharing ideas with you along the way!

Also, look for a giveaway coming soon.

Man, there is a lot going on between now and the end of the year.  How exciting!!  Now, back to real life.  It's bath time for my boys!

From Wine to Spooky

Let me show you another quick project from my Halloween mantel.  This is something simple you can do and personalize to your theme in just an afternoon!

See the black wine bottle on the right?  Let's make one of those!  It all started when I found some spooky labels at Design.Wash.Rinse.Repeat thanks to Pinterest.
                                       

I grabbed an empty wine bottle and spray painted it black.  I loved how shiny it was!  I printed off the labels and cut them out.  I grabbed my spray adhesive to attach the paper to the bottle.

Spray the back of the paper and slap it to the bottle.  I spray painted right over the wine label so I knew exactly where to place it based on the placement of the label.  Here's the thing to watch out for, though.  I didn't like the whiteness of the paper.  I was going to darken the picture up somehow until I used the spray adhesive.  It kind of spotted up the paper.  Fortunate for me, I liked that look.  Otherwise, Modge Podge might be a better choice.  I added an orange ribbon to top it off.  

What a super simple decoration.  You could even do the same thing for Christmas with a white bottle, red ribbon and scrapbook paper.  The best part of this project...IT WAS FREE!!!

Pumpkin Streusel Bread

One of the best things about Fall...PUMPKIN!!!  Baking with pumpkin.  Smelling pumpkin.  Seeing pumpkins.  Picking pumpkins.  Tasting anything pumpkin!  Need I go on??  My Fall Pinterest Board is full of pumpkin stuff.  I am determine to try them all before the Christmas season starts.  I tried the Pumpkin Streusel Bread and I must say, this one is going to be hard to beat.  It was awesome!  Plus, I was able to share the wealth with several people.  Those are the best recipes.

I got the recipe from Darla over at Bakingdom.com.  Darla, way to go!  Love it!  There was only one change I made and it was purely because I didn't have the ingredient on hand.  

Just be sure you don't burn your mouth on these babies as you're waiting for them to cool and can't help but take a bite!  I did but it was oh so worth it!!

SYTYCD & Wicked

So, I missed the finale of SYTYCD last night.  I know you're shocked, but I had good reason!  I went to see
                                             
It was awesome!!  Anyone who loves Broadway shows must see this one!  This was my second time.  I was actually more excited to see it this time than I was the first time.  Since "The Wizard Of Oz" is my all time favoritest movie ever, I was worried that Wicked would mess that up for me.  Thankfully, it rocked and didn't really touch the story that is so magical to me.  Plus, Defying Gravity is one of the best Broadway songs ever!

So you see, I had a good reason for missing my show.  I did catch up today and let me flat out say, I was wrong.  Well, let me restate.  America did not vote for the two I picked last week.  I had Cyrus and Tiffany as my favorites.  I loved all four and wasn't disappointed that Eliana and Chehon won, but I think a piece of me wanted Cyrus and Tiffany to win.


Congrats to Eliana and Chehon for winning season 9!!

Baby Quilt

Along with the Halloween crafty time this past weekend, I also tried my hand at quilting.  Now, when I say quilting, I mean the most basic of all quilts possible.  My cousin's baby shower was Sunday and I decided Saturday to make the quilt.  I know that sounds nuts.  Who can make a quilt the night before a baby shower??  Anyone can.  On Pinterest, of course, I was browsing quilts looking for something easy I could make for my little nephew on the way.  I saw this picture.
                                   
It took me to a tutorial on Ode to Inspiration.  The fabric caught my attention but the tutorial won my heart! It was perfect for me.  There is no angle cutting and piecing together which are the two things that I want nothing to do with!

For real directions, check out her tutorial.  Here's a very quick run down of what I did.   I got 1 yard of flannel in a solid color for my bottom and used it for the size of my blanket which was 36x42.  I cut the middle fabric as wide as I wanted (I didn't measure) x 42.  I cut my two coordinating fabrics just like she did - the length of the quilt, 42", but had one coordinating fabric bigger than the other.  I sewed the coordinating fabrics together and then sewed them to the middle making one large rectangle.  I put my batting on the floor first, then laid my bottom piece on top, face up.  I laid my top piece face down on top.  I pinned all the way around leaving a gap of about 8-10".  I stitched all the way around except the gap.  Turn that baby right side out.  Where the gap is, fold it in and around.  Top stitch all the way around.  I then top stitched around each individual fabric to give it a quilting effect.  That sucked!!  I guess "they're" right, whomever they are, when they suggest you get a walking foot for quilting.  It bunched and I had to fix it a few times which was kind of a pain, but in the end it was totally worth it.  Here's how baby Kinzley's quilt turned out.  Mommy Emily loved it and that made it worth the slice I took off my index finger when I was cutting fabric.  Oops!

Thanks Maysem for the tutorial and inspiration!!

Halloween Mantel

Guess who put up her Halloween mantel today?  Me!!  Normally my fall mantel is up beginning of September, but this year I'm slacking.  Shhh...don't tell anyone!  I switched things up a bit this year and added a few Halloween items.  I had to make those items before I could finish decorating.  It's still a simple mantel, but I really like how it turned out.  Here's a spooky night shot. (Am the only one who has trouble with the word mantel?  Mantel or mantle?  I always forget.  Dont judge!)

I made everything but the orange pumpkin at the end and the candles flanking it.  Even a few years later, the candles still smell like pumpkin.  Yum! 

I know this picture is out of focus but I think it's cool.  It reminds me of a full moon on a dark night.  Yeah, I'm totally in a Halloween frame of mind now!  In other news, let me show you how I made this wreath.

I told you they were simple projects with great impact.  This wreath is totally simple but I definitely love it!  I got my inspiration here but didn't want the flower.  It's cute on the door but would've been too distracting for what I wanted.  Here's a quick run down.

Get yourself a wreath that can be spray painted and some Pumpkin Orange spray paint.  It must be Pumpkin Orange because that just makes it cooler!

Spray that baby and let it dry for a day or two.  You want the spray paint smell to go away.

Get some black lace.  Get the cheapest you can find because you are going to just cut it in strips.  I used sewing pins and pinned the lace in place on the back.  Wrap the lace around the wreath, pinning as needed.  If you want the lace to be permanent, you can use hot glue.

Wrap, wrap, wrap until your wreath looks like this.  Simple and chic and the focal point of my mantel.  Next week, I'll tell you about the pictures and wine bottle.



Linking up to these fabulous blogs!!
Vintage Gwen                       The ArtsyGirl Connection
Lil Luna                                Seven Alive
Happy Hour Projects           Serenity You

Better After Feature

I shared with you my love of the Better After blog here.  I wanted you to be as inspired by all her before and after pictures like I was.  It was because of her blog that I was inspired to paint my first piece of furniture.  Three pieces of furniture later and one pending, I'm so happy I stumbled across it.

I knew I wanted to write Lindsey and tell her how I found inspiration in her blog and send her pictures of the pieces I had done.  I actually had to work up the courage to do it. She's like an actress.  She doesn't act, but lots of people look to her blog for entertainment and inspiration.  She is followed by many.  She's super witty too.  She's like the most popular girl in school.  I definitely had to work up the courage to email her.  I was glad I did though.  She was very sweet with her response.  Popular and sweet.  Those girls are the worst because you can't hate them for being popular anymore, you become friends.

Today I am super excited to say that I was featured on Better After.  That's right folks, I'm blog famous on a whole new level!  I'm as giddy as a little girl in a Barbie store.  Little girls still like Barbie's right??  If you still haven't, go check out her blog!!  Be sure you have days and days to look through her archives, though.  That's what happened to me.  I'm so glad it did, though!

SYTYCD

Did you watch that performance finale??  OH MY GOSH!!!  I don't remember a finale that had that many awesome dances all in one.  Well, probably season 7 when Lauren won, but maybe not.  I actually don't want to delete it from my DVR.  When it comes down to it, this season, it is going to be really sad to see two people not win.  I still think Cyrus is going to win for the boys.  I love both girls but I think just the tiniest bit of me wants Tiffany to win over Eliana.  Next Tuesday we will find out.  And...next Tuesday is a must watch.  The whole top 20 will be back and they'll be dancing the judges favorite dances from the season.

I normally don't get all crazy excited about the solo dances.  However, Chehon's solo left me wanting more.  I was so disappointed when he was finished.  I have come to really like Chehon where as before I didn't pay him much attention.  He is so humble also.  Plus, he's a fabulous dancer.  Such power!

           

As for the best dance of the night, if you've been reading any of these you know that answer.  Give it up for Cyrus and Twitch.  The way that move and isolate their movements, whoa baby!!

I've watched it three times now and love love love it each time.  Bam!  Nailed it!  

My other favorite of the night was the Tiffany/Cyrus hip hop routine.  Yes there is a trend, I love hip hop dances.  There's just something about the way they move that gets me.  

Next Tuesday we find out.  All four are fantastic, but my official picks are...

Female:  Tiffany

Male: Cyrus  

Tune in Tuesday night at 8 on Fox to find out if I'm right!  You won't be sorry!

Halloween Costumes

What do you do when your boy wants to be a witch for Halloween?  I'm not going to tell him no.  It comes from an innocent place.  Really, it's my fault.  The Wizard of Oz is my all time favorite movie.  We've watched it a hundred times. They were even the Scarecrow and Tin Man their second Halloween.

It's his favorite too.  He loves all of the characters from the movie, but for whatever reason, the witch is his favorite.  Normally, it doesn't matter.  He likes witch books and the Hocus Pocus witches.  He knows they are pretend.  However, how do you put together a witch costume for a little boy??  The internet was no help.  What I have pictured in my head is a witch hat, black sweat shirt and sweat pants and a broom.  Sound adequate?  I wanted him to be something fun like a kid dragon.  Nope, wicked witch.  Oy!

We were doing our grocery shopping this week and guess what we came across!?!?!?

That's right, my friends.  We found his wicked witch hat, for under $2.  I can not tell you how incredibly excited he was when we found it.  I can not tell you how happy I was when I saw it was cheap!  I'm all for cultivating their imaginations, but at a reasonable cost :)  Now I need to get him his broom.  He has a blue plastic rake that came in an outside gardening kit that he rides around on calling it his broom.  It's time we graduate to a real broom.  

As of 10 minutes ago, his brother wants to be a pirate.  About 30 minutes ago it was a black cat.  This kid is going to change his mind a million times.  I'm a bit sneaky though.  I'm going to go ahead and get the pirate costume for a few different reasons.  1) If I go ahead and get it now, he can't change his mind.  Well, he can, but he can't.  2) If we go ahead and order it, once he gets here he will be so excited that he won't want to change his mind.  He's wanted to be everything from a pumpkin to a green dragon to a pirate.  Pirate it is!  If Mommy can't pick her favorite, I'm sure going to pick the best of his ideas :)  I even found one for $19.99 online and in the costume world, that's a good price!  Here's a sneak peek.  

                                                    

Looks like the boys are settled.  Now I have to come up with costumes for myself and the spouse.  We've done a few couples costumes, but not in the last couple of years.  I'd like to this year, but what?  I need some ideas!!  Let me pick your brain!  Not in a zombie sort of way.  Ick!  Just a give me your costume ideas way.  What should we be???

Remembering

I was in my sophomore year at the University of Louisville.  I was sitting in my French class waiting for the professor to walk in.  When she finally did, she simply said, "A plane crashed into the World Trade Tower" and then went along with class.  No explanation.  No one knew what to think.  No one asked any questions because we didn't believe her.  Who would continue class after saying that if they weren't a bit crazy?  After class was over, 50 minutes later, I headed to my next class along with everyone else.  When I got to the room, people were talking and confused about what was going on.  Our professor walked in, a former police officer with a totally different perspective than my French professor, told us what was going on and to go home and be with our families.  U of L cancelled classes the rest of the day.  There was a fear that swept across campus.  Everyone scattered towards home or a tv.  I got a hold of my love (of course we weren't married at that age) and made sure he was safe and then called my family.  I didn't go to work that evening.  I was glued to the tv watching all the coverage.  It was almost unreal.  It was a day in our country's history we must never forget.  Even 11 years later, I remember it so clearly.

                            

In the spirit of remembering, I must show you this picture.  I came across it last night.  It's not a photo I remember ever seeing.  I don't remember EVER being this big.  It's right before we got ready to go into the operating room the night the boys were born.  It's me, my hubs, and brother in law.  It's a dark picture, but wow.

So on this day when we remember a tragedy that will forever affect our country, also remember something that has brought happiness and blessings to you.  

Pizza Rolls

Sadly, I have no crafty Monday tutorial for you today.  I'm working on a few big projects for my sister and her baby shower.  I'm in process and not able to show you anything.  Instead of a craft project, though, I have a quick, easy and totally yummy recipe for you!  It's so good that even today, the day after I fixed them, my husband told me how good they were and gave me a big high five.  That's big news.

I wish this was my recipe but sadly, it's not.  Of course I got it from Pinterest.  Where else do I get my ideas ;-) The original recipe can be found here.  Here's my take on it!

What you'll need:
1 Pilsbury Pizza Crust
Garlic Salt
Basil
1 bag of (Turkey) Pepperoni
Parmesan Cheese
Mozzarella or Italian Blend Shredded Cheese

How to:
Preheat oven to 425. Unroll pizza crust on cutting board and stretch out to form a rectangle.   Sprinkle the amount of garlic salt and basil that you'd like over the crust.  Cut your pepperoni into pieces and sprinkle over the crust.  Cover the pepperoni with your parmesan and shredded cheese.  Roll the crust up into a log and slice into pinwheels.  Put the pinwheels on a non stick cookie sheet and bake 14-17 minutes.  Serve as is or with a side of marinara sauce.

Let me know how yours turn out!

Linking Up

I'm linking up my Deco Mesh Wreath to these fabulous blogs.  Go take a look at what other creative ladies have linked up!

Positively Splendid
Sew Chatty
C.R.A.F.T.
Pinkapotamus
Not Just a Housewife
Elizabeth & Co.
Sew Can Do
Mad in Crafts
Making the World Cuter
Vintage Gwen

SYTYCD & Fellowship

It's almost over.  Next week is the performance finale.  As sad as I am that it's coming to an end, I'm excited to know that means it's fall.

As for last night's show, I was sad but not surprised that Witney & Cole were voted off.  Witney was in the bottom every week and only continued because the judge's saved her.  Cole was good but I'm super happy that Cyrus is in the finale.  I hope they pair Cyrus up with Twitch for a fun hip hop routine.

Tiffany & Benji's jive was awesome.  I'm not a huge ballroom fan but their jive was so fun that they just sucked you right in.

The best one of the night by far was Cyrus and Comfort.  Cyrus+Comfort=Frickin AMAZING!!!  You MUST watch now!

See why I love this show?  These people can make their bodies move in crazy ways!  

Next week's performance finale is on Tuesday.  Be sure to set your DVR so you don't miss it.  I think it's going to be Tiffany & Cyrus as the female/male winners.  Let's see if I'm right. 

In other news....
Today has been a lady filled day for me.  I had Thursday fellowship with some new and old friends.  It was nice spending a couple of hours with them.  It is going to be a regular Thursday morning get together and I'm looking forward to it.  Gets us out of the house, they get to be around a few other kiddos and I get to chat with other people in the same stage of their lives as myself.  To top it off, a bestie of mine is in town tonight and a group of us are going to dinner at, wait for it, the Olive Garden.  Here's something to know about me.  I love the Olive Garden.  My husband, not so much.  The last time he went there with me, I was pregnant and told him he didn't have a choice.  My kids are 3, people.  That's been a long time.  I'm excited to see friends and eat good food!!

First Day of Preschool

It has come.  My babies had their first day of preschool.  I'm still in shock that they are old enough to be in school.  Once you have children, time takes on a new meaning and frankly, seems to speed up.  As sad as I am that they are so grown up, I'm also excited.  Excited that they'll get to be around other kids in a structured setting.  Excited for all that they'll learn.  Excited for all the things I'll get done around the house in the 3.5 hours they will be gone! :)

It will be weird to be tied down by a school schedule, though.  For the last 3 years, we've been on our own schedule.  If we needed to do anything or go anywhere, we could just up and go.  Now I will be planning around 9-12:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Life is about to change.  It's a good change, though.  I feel like there will be more organization in our lives.  HAHAHAHA!!!!  Who am I kidding?  I think organization will always escape me for one reason or another.  I can dream though.

They had a great time and pick up was so sweet.  They were so excited to see Mommy!  Just love them completely!!