No-Sew Fabric Flowers {NameTags}

So, I have this Baby Shower coming up.

And I want it to be really special.

Really cute.

But special and cute can add up to a lot of $$$.

So, I have been trying to be VERY creative with items that I have around the house.
Things that I have but haven't used.

One of which: strips of fabric.

Which just happen to be in somewhat of the colors used for this Baby Shower.

BINGO!

SUPPLIES
2 1/2" Scalloped Circle Punch
Paper Flowers ~2" Circles
Hot Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Pin Backs
Fabrics {Mine were 40" long and 2 1/2" Wide}
Cardstock
Printer
Scissors

1. Start with the base.
I used a 2 1/2" Scalloped Circle Punched Cardstock as my base.
Then I hot glued a paper flower to add additional depth and texture on top of the cardstock piece.

This will be the base the flower will be placed upon.

2. Create your fabric rosette.
I started by placing hot glue on one end of the fabric to create a place to start the "rolling process".

Then, I just simply rolled the piece of fabric around that starting point.
I was careful to keep the fabric strip free from displaying the frayed ends. So, the look was very organic and flowing.

I just simply continued wrapping the fabric around... and around...

 3. Hot glue the fabric rosette to your base.
I used a lot of glue and pressed down firmly. This helped set the fabric into place.

I pictured the hot glue creating a nice ooze that provided an adhesion mixture for the rosette.

Every now and then, one rosette would "pop out" it's end piece.

I would just carefully tuck it back in place with a little bit of hot glue.

4. Hot glue the pin to the back.

5. Print out names on cardstock.
I used a colored font and then just cut out the names in a "flag"

6. Attach the names to the rosette piece
... and ....

A NO-SEW FABRIC FLORAL NAMETAG is born!

Such a FUN and CUTE take on nametags.

But, the possibilities are endless! Hot glue these puppies on headbands, pins, use as an accessory, create a necklace... and... on... and on!

Nametags may be done, but there is still MUCH left to do!
This will probably be the last post for this week... So have a great weekend!

Linked up and partying at The 36th Avenue.

Our View

So, it has been 6 months since we moved into Our Double-Wide in the Sky.

I can't believe it.

Time has gone by SO quickly!

But, I have to say.... we have been adjusting nicely. It was a little rough at the beginning. Adjusting to the much smaller storage and living space. The hustle and bustle of the city was also an adjustment for me in terms of being able to fall asleep {until I got Oliver --our noise machine!-- bliss!}. Having a concierge team {but that was quite easy to adjust to... they are like FAMILY and such a WONDERFUL addition to our lives!}.

Different Environment + Different Home = Adjustment

BUT.... it has been SO worth it!

WE LOVE IT!

It is PERFECTION for our family!

And the view...

Well... what can I say?

It's like we are on vacation every day.

Not bad. Not bad at all!

And then there is.... dusk.

Not bad, not bad at all!

And then, there is nightime....

Not bad. Not bad at all!

Here's to ADJUSTMENTS!

Create A Picnic in Under 20 Minutes

We have been having some gorgeous weather here lately.

Bright blue skies and temperatures that are just down-right pleasant.

So, one day last week, I decided to have an impromptu picnic.

That word use to make me cringe.... P.I.C.N.I.C....that means WORK.... uggghhh. Not fun when you have to work so hard to create that "fun" experience. So, I decided to try to arrange things to where an impromptu picnic could present itself in under 20 minutes. About the same amount of time it takes to prepare a decent lunch for the kiddo.

Here are my tricks.

1. KEEP A BASKET READY

I not only have my standard picnic basket ready at all times, but I have a red checkered picnic table cloth stored inside it for our picnic adventures. I have the table cloth cleaned immediately after each adventure, then I just fold it up and place it in the basket for the next time. I also keep napkins and utensils in the basket. When ready to use, I just take what we will use for that trip and keep the rest out on the counter to store it back in the basket upon our return.

2. MAKE IT DIFFERENT --- BUT KEEP IT SIMPLE

My kiddo will eat peanut butter sandwiches for every meal {if I allow him}. He is obsessed with the "creamy goodness"... according to the kiddo. Although, that is super quick and easy... a picnic should be something different. So, I do take a little bit of extra time in preparing for it {"extra" meaning more than a standard lunch out our place... but still "quick"}.

For example: I like to keep tubs of meltable chocolate wafers handy so I can do quick and easy chocolate dipped fruit for special occasions. And an impromptu picnic is a special occasion! Very easy to heat up in the microwave, dip in the tub, it sets SUPER quick and it's easy to clean up.

For this picnic, I had strawberries and blueberries on hand.... so chocolate covered fruit was an easy SPECIAL picnic dessert.

For the main course.... I decided to do tuna fish sandwiches {simple, but different}. I added some yummy pickles, cheese and lettuce.

I had celery and carrots on hand so I made a veggie cup with hummus and garlic.

 I also added some veggie chips {which is also a special treat in our house}.

3. PACK UP AND GO!

I use regular plates, but they are my "fun" plates.

I use disposable utensils.

I use plastic baggies to keep the sandwiches and chips in... but, I throw a little plastic wrap over already prepared dishes that we will share.

Drinks are either water bottles or {in this case} a carbonated beverage!

I just throw everything into the basket and go.

4. ENJOY!

I don't like to drive for a picnic {but sometimes you have to}. When we lived in the suburbs, we would walk down to the duck pond and feast there.... or we would do a simple picnic in the back or front yard.

Now, we walk down a couple blocks and camp out at the dog park.

We DON'T sit on the grass, though {you know all that dog doo-doo...ugghhh}!

We set up our spot on some nice lawn furniture.

SIMPLE. 

SWEET.

EASY.

FUN!

Remember, keep it different... but SIMPLE.

ENJOY!

Linked up at Serenity Now.

Paint Chip Art

Yes.... another pinned completed!

I am patting myself on the back.

"Good job, girlie... good job!"

I decided to do it....very last minute.

And I was rude and crude in my technique.

I, also, wanted it to be done in.... a minute.

Well, it took a little longer than that. But, from start to finish, it only took about 30 minutes!

Not bad... but I was fighting my "perfectionism" the whole time. {The need to make sure things were straight, even, etc.} But, that is not what I really wanted out of this piece. I wanted it to be a little messy... a little fun... to play with the "straight" lines in all the cuts.

I started with the paint chips I had left over from previous projects and samples from painting our Double-Wide. This was GREAT because I got to implement colors in this project that are in the house. So, it really provides a f-l-o-w to the gallery wall. A place where most of the colors come together!

SO EXCITING!

I already had a frame and matting.

Pretty easy-peasy so far!

Then it was just cutting and placing with glue dots.

Very easy-peasy!

It's home resides on an extension of the gallery wall.

The wall connects our kitchen-dining-living room spaces.

LOVIN' IT!

It was quick, easy, fun... and... FREE!

My kinda project!

Have you tried your hand at the paint chip art?

If so, leave a link.... I would LOVE to check it out!

Linked up and partying at Under the Table and Dreaming, Serenity Now and The 36th Avenue.

Thank You, Craigslist!

So, I confess that I am a stalker on Craigslist. Well, I should say that I search, search, search.... and gawk at cool things on Craigslist. But, I have never bit the bullet and actually purchased anything.

I have a rule.

I can not go to a location without my hubby.

You know... just in case the ad is posted by a AUTHENTIC killer stalker type person.

And with my hubby's schedule.... it is very RARE that all the cosmic forces collide into creating the PERFECT STORM for a PERFECT FIND!

Well, it happened!

Find ---- check!
Availability ---- check!
Price ---- check!
Hubby ---- check!

AND HERE IS THAT PERFECT STORM!

Hollywood Regency Style at its finest.

The vase and wishbone came from ZGallerie and they cost more than this end table.
Hah!

I have been wanting a piece like this for some time now. But, finding one I liked, for a great price, and the size {I wanted it to be petite}... was a long process. I am SO thankful I was patient!

This is perfect!

And, within hours of setting it down and dressing it up with accessories.... we had guests over and the table was used within minutes. See that space in the wishbone? A perfect size to set your cocktail beverage down!

Thank you, Craigslist!

Have you had any "Perfect Storms" from Craigslist of Thrifting lately?
I would love to hear about it.

Color Me H-A-P-P-Y

And... OVERJOYED...

And.... downright.... BUBBLY WITH EXCITEMENT!

I received a Sticker and a Feature at
The 36th Avenue
for my Piano MakeOver project.

Which sticker you may ask yourself????

THIS ONE!

THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!  


This gives me so much encouragement to carry on with my next few VERY busy weeks. I am so thankful for all the activity and all the opportunities.. but, boy life can be exhausting. Can't it?!

So, stay tuned.

That Baby Shower that I have done some projects for {like the spray painted animals and the cupcake toppers} is coming up soon. So, that means I will be posting pics of the decorations! I can't wait! It is going to be SO much fun! Not to mention, an opportunity to try out my new fancy camera the hubs got me for Valentine's Day! Oh yes, my hubby is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, sweet, nice thoughtful and... HOT!

Have a GREAT day, y'all!

DIY Tree Stump Side Table

This is a little story about a tree...

I visited a retired couple in East Texas a little while ago.  They instantly became friends of mine. Creative people do that to me.... just MAKE me become friends with them!


Out of that friendship, blossomed this end table.

It started with Mr. Jack's 140+ acres and a dead tree. He took that dead tree and cut it into sections. Water blasted the pieces to clean them... and then he SLOWLY works magic out of the stumps. 

He graciously gave me one.... FOR FREE!

This is how I transformed that stump into a side table {sorry, the before pics have been lost}:

1. SAND

{Again... sorry, the during pics have been lost}

Oh, yes with A POWER SANDER! 

First, I sanded the top. It took a course paper and a lot of time. It was cut pretty rough and I wanted to create a smooth table top. But, this power sander made it SO much easier!

Then I sanded the sides. I used a fine paper for this step. The sides were already pretty smooth. I just wanted to take off  the little rough fuzzies.

2. SEAL WOOD

{Again... sorry, the during pics have been lost}

Then, I used Minway Polycrylic to protect the wood. I had to give it about 5-6 coats. The pine was thirsty and it just soaked right in.

That was it. Simple. QUICK. E-A-S-Y! My kind of project! 

Don't you just love that brass flower?!

I found it in an antique store. It is an antique ashtray. It is so cool! The petals are removable and is what is used as little individual ash trays. So cute! I won't be utilizing it for its intended purpose, but it is just GORGEOUS as a display piece.

I do really love this end table!

And having that natural element is just wonderful!

Not to mention... It beats spending $200 {here is one similar at West Elm}!

Imagine the type of life this tree lived.

And now it sits in my home.

Being a part of our lives.

Linked up and partying at Under the Table and Dreaming, Miss Mustard Seed, Five Days 5 Ways and The 36th Avenue.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is floating all around in Our Double-Wide in the Sky!

And it's a flurry of activity.

Kiddo is running back and forth {... back and forth....} with his Valentine gift he got this morning.

He is also opening up his Music Card every... ummm... SECOND.... cuz he is just that excited about it! The real question, is how long can I take it.

We are getting out all the hearts we have created and will be decorating the door this morning.

The strawberry cake just came out of the oven. Now it needs to be cooled and we will be making CAKEBALLS as Valentines for our family here at the condo! YUMMY!

School is set up and ready to go {although, there are field trips planned for the day!}.

And the fat from the rack of lamb is ready to start the demi-glace for our scrumptious dinner that is planned this evening!

Now, we will just have fun throughout the day!
Spread some LOVE around!
... and wait for the "Master of the Condo" to come home!

Happy VALENTINE'S DAY, y'all!

Red Velvet Waffles - YUM!

Today is so cold, dreary and gloomy here.

But, HAPPY DAY-BEFORE-VALENTINE'S Day!

My 2 awesome guys and I really enjoy celebrating various special days. And we like to extend our time of celebration by adding days like:

"The Day-Before the Day-Before"

"The Day-Before"

"The Day-After"

"The Day-After the Day-After"

We are just WILD and CRAZY like that! It adds for extra fun and excitement. And I like how it doesn't emphasize a particular day. To us, it emphasizes the spirit and love that should be in any time of celebration.

This goes for birthdays, Christmas, President's Day and yes... Valentine's Day!

So, we had a special breakfast this weekend {We always love to spend our Saturday mornings shoving yummy food into our mouths. My signature dish is Rosemary Cinnamon French Toast.} This breakfast wasn't my norm... I typically do EVERYTHING from scratch {due to my passion/need for making delicious recipes that are low-sodium}. But, I brought out a waffle mix this weekend. For fun. For some CELEBRATION... and oooooohhhhh was it GOOD!

So, this is NOT a low-sodium meal. But, it was a time of CELEBRATING!

"The Baker's Pantry" Red Velvet Waffle/Pancake Mix from World Market.... was THE BOMB!

Quick, easy and DELISH! My favorite combinations!

Hubby had an over-easy egg.

Kiddo LOVES his scrambled eggs. Especially, when the maple syrup runs into them and makes them a little soggy mess of sweet sweetness!

I threw in some marshmallows for some extra fun!

And some blackberries for a little "healthy" component. Hah!

Here's to any and ALL celebrations that you celebrate in life!

Make EVERY DAY a fun-filled loving day!

Kiddo and I will be making some Valentine's today and we will start our baking and preparations for a Celebration Dinner tomorrow night.

HAPPY DAY-BEFORE-VALENTINE'S Day