Wine Bottle Turned Home Decor

I'm very kind of strange.  I love to snap pictures with my phone of random items that inspire me to diy.  So as I browsed at Fred Meyer I had to snap a picture of this vase for inspiration.




I totally knew I could create this, I just needed to find the time.  Well since finding time never happens I had to smash it in.  So I found an old wine bottle....not sure where it came from...swear I didn't slam a bottle of wine so I could complete this craft, well maybe.  Then I soaked the bottle in hot water to remove the label.



Then I heated up the trusty glue gun and went to town.



Played a little DS (kidding) then did some more.



When it was dry I rubbed all the spider web pieces off, you know from touching the bottle then pulling up.  Anyhoo, then I spray painted it!  I did black because I had some black spray paint just sitting in the garage... but I will definitely do white next.  Here is how it turned out.



Well I am loving it!  Now I want to make more!

Talk to ya later!

xoxo Ade

Linking to

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2011/12/whatever-goes-wednesday-97.html
http://www.itsoverflowing.com/
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/
At home with K-Terrific Under $10 Tuesday

Easy Pot Holders

Not sure about you....

But my potholders have seen better days.

Stained, thin, umm grossness. (I don't think that is a word, but whatev)

So guess what?  We made some, and they are so cute!

I really like to give credit where it is due, so I am really sorry but I cannot find where my sis got this idea!  I know she was on the internet somewhere...

Here is what you need:

5-Scraps of fabric approx 10"x10"-coordinating (or not if you don't like that)

2-Pieces of bunting approx 10"x10"

Sewing machine and thread to match

Cut your two pieces of bunting and stack them on top of each other.

Then place a piece of fabric on the top of that, make sure it is face up (so pretty side up).  This piece will be on one side.

With the 4 remaining, fold them in half with the pretty side out.  These will go on top of the stack with the edges out.

  You will want to interchange these, kind of like how you fold a box one edge under the other (hopefully that makes sense).]







Geez, enough pictures for you?  Just wanted to make sure it made sense..Oncethat is on the stack, you will want to pin the edges.

Now stitch around the outside.

Trim off the excess fabric.

Now flip the top flaps inside out.

Umm so what is on the counter...really I do clean...once in awhile!

You can leave it like this, but we didn't dig the little flaps hanging open.  So my sis just did a scroll like pattern over the whole thing.  This really made them feel better, and it is cute too!

Oh yeah..and those sweet goodness back there.  They are Oreo Truffles that I made.  Really, really good.  Probably shouldn't make them, you can't eat just one!  I gave my warning.



All Done!

Hope you enjoy!

Ade

Linking to:



http://www.thesouthernproductqueen.com/2011/12/27/the-linky-party-1227-1231/

Teacher Gift

Finishing up last-minute goodies around here tonight!  Little bit of books for the hubbies business, and last-minute teacher gifts to send with the kids for school tomorrow. (Shocker, last-minute gift from me?)  Oh yeah did I also mention I am doing all that while playing on this here blog and catching up on my favorite show....The Real Housewives of BH.  I really like all the Real Housewives shows but my favs are Orange County, Beverly Hills, and of course New Jersey!  I know I am weird!

So here is what I made for the kids teachers, I played around with the ever popular  family rules.  I typed up different fun-loving rules for the classroom, and made all of them different fonts.  Then I printed it out on card stock and got some black frames (of course on sale at Fred Meyer).  I had to trim it down a little, but then that was that!  I think they are cute, and if I were a teacher I would like it (I think, lol).



Here it is close up, so you can see all the different words.  Well kind of...Did you notice I am back to camera phone pictures?  Grrr, something is wrong with my memory card.  Will have to get a new one, or maybe I could get a new camera???  Hint, Hint! (Or my sister can sell me hers, that she never uses!)



Preparing myself for the kiddos to be out of school next week.  I took the week off as well, should be interesting.  Honestly it will probably fly by as usual.  Mad dash for all the Christmas goodies, and making some sweet treats.

Talk to ya later!

So not motivated to exercise today.... trying to talk myself into it..... not working.

Christmas Letter Pinterest Challenge Week 13

So I am a little late, but I am excited about my latest Pinterest Challenge!  For the last couple of years we have been doing Christmas cards with the pictures from Costco, yada yada.  I am getting kind of burnt out, I love getting everyone's pictures I just wanted to do something different.  Well you know how you get those Christmas letters...the ones my Sis and I laugh at all the time!  What I found is basically a Christmas letter with a twist!

Here is where I found my idea http://www.my3monsters.com/2011/12/secrets-be-spillin-now.html.  I have found some really cute stuff on this website, and what is even better is she shares all of her ideas with super easy templates!  Who wouldn't love that!  So her fab idea was to take a Christmas letter and turn it into a subway art letter.  Here is how her letter came out:



So thank goodness she gave us a template, and I went to town.  I don't have Photoshop or Gimp (I don't even know what this is).  So originally I thought I am going to just create my own, but as I was reviewing the sample, we are pretty similar, so I thought why not just use her template?  I put mine in Power Point.  It worked pretty well, I just couldn't customize some items...I am sure you can I am just both too lazy, and not computer literate, lol!

So here is mine, sorry friends for the preview before you get it in the mail!



I couldn't change the background color, I wanted it a bit more gray...but I still love it!  Super fun and different!

xoxo Ade

Linking to http://dutchbeingme.com/page/2/



 

 

 

The Big "E" Word

Yep I am doing it!

I started exercising this week!

Can I just tell you that I can hardly make it up the stairs without crying?

I keep thinking of all the good things this does for me, but really when it hurts this bad.....

I will get better, and I am really proud of myself. (See how positive I am)

Keeping my sights on a healthy, tone body.  I think I can, I think I can.  Well I haven't started on the good eating yet, thought I would take one thing at a time, lol!

And, yes I have finished a few projects to show...just need a couple of pictures!  Sorry Pinterest Challenge, I will be there soon!

Gotta go EXERCISE.................Ade

Focus, focus

I am a total last-minute gift purchaser, and then stresser!  Every year I say I so am not going to do that again!  Yet as Christmas comes again, it happens every time!  So today I am going to accomplish some gifts.  See I am writing it down just as a focus goal!

Onto my current whoopla...So the last couple of days I have been wandering around with one contact in my eye.  I set my alarm to wake at 5am, then not thinking that I haven't changed the clock to fall back I actually got up at 3:50am.  So when I put in my contacts in wayyy to early I was so tired that one fell out (my last).  I couldn't figure out why the computer seemed a little blurry and I was a little off kilter.  Duh!  Funny I still didn't even know that I woke up early at this point.  I am sitting talking to my hubby later and said "Why does the computer say 4:58am?"  He said "Because it is!"  So I called yesterday to get more contacts from Costco, yep my prescription has expired!  So today (before my gifts are accomplished) I have an eye appointment.  Then I may join the life of the normal again!

Yeah, see that above....well I didn't do so great on the gift department.  I tried, really.  Why are the weekends so flippin busy??  Well my home is decorated!  It took me the entire day yesterday (totally not kidding either).  I am exhausted!  Why does it take me so long to do everything with the kids?  Sis had such a blast with the decorations though, seriously played for hours with the goodies!

Here is tree number ! this year.  Yep its fake, and double yep it's not a cute fake one.  We learned, next year I will find a better one!



It is still pre-lit and cozy as I am sipping the coffee.  We also did another tree, for the kids with all the ornaments.





Above the kitchen cabinets!  Below is the famous hutch...





Yes folks I did it!  The cute jar of marshmallows that I saw on Pinterest.  To my friend that said my kids wouldn't stay out of them....you are so right!  That jar was full yesterday morning!  Geez!

Would you believe there are a ton more?  There are but it is all that crazy silly stuff that kids love.  All the animals that sing, the musical boxes, etc...you know the stuff that has me itching to put Christmas away the minute presents are wrapped?

Inspiring Images

Feeling AWWW inspired today!  I want to bake, and craft, and decorate all day.  So not very happy that I have to go to work!!  Uggg!  Anyhow, so here are a few things I am inspired to try (in the very near future)!  Did I tell you my sis and I are having a craft weekend?  Oh yes we are!  Yes, it is supposed to be so we can make some gifts for the holidays, but psshhh there are so many things I want to make for me! That sounded very selfish, oops!

Homemade Washer Necklace by http://homemadebyjen.blogspot.com



Cute right?  I would love to get one of these for a gift!

Salt Dough Ornaments or Gift Tags by http://simplysavannahevents.blogspot.com



I think these are adorable!  You could really get creative with these, and the kids would love this!

Lucky Us, Penny Keychain via http://www.etsy.com



Really want to drill through some pennies!  I am thinking this would be a cute gift for the hubs stocking.  Maybe our anniversary year, then the kiddos birth years?  Isn't it illegal to do this to money?  Just wondering?

Awesome Shoe Words via Pinterest.com



So need these words somewhere in my house.  Probably my closet!  I really love shoes!

Aww inspiring Christmas Decor by thehouseofsmiths.com



Have you decorated yet?  I managed to get the decorations pulled out and the totes put on the back porch.....thats it!  I am getting there though!  So my sis will be excited that I am mentioning Shelley (the house of smiths)  She thinks they are besties!  Anyhow, if you have never read her blog I highly recommend it.  She has a total spunk that comes through, love her!

Well now I have to go get ready for work!  I love my job really, just want to only work when I want to, ya know!

Have a great day!

Ade

Hmm Hutch

I need some help with my hutch!  I really really loved pine furniture about 10 years ago, so lets just say I have a bunch of it in my house.  Now that I am a little sick of it I decided to paint it!  This is how it looked before I started.



Yep notice there is another piece of pine furniture next to it!  Yikes!  Anyhow, so I was totally inspired by this picture.



So pretty, right?  So back to the I need help part!  I grabbed a paintbrush one day and some left over paint from the shed and went to town.  I did a dry brush type technique so if I wanted to go black later it wouldn't be too difficult.  Then I did a watered down white on the inside.  Here is where I am now.



So then I kind of froze.  I'm not sure if I love it or not?  So I put some stuff on the shelves and thought I should look at it awhile.  That has been at least a week now...I do love the color but I love the inspiration waaaaayyyyyy more!  So HELP, what should I do next?  I am thinking I need more white right? Tell me, tell me!

Ade

Pintuck Duvet Cover

Well here it is folks!  The much awaited project for the Pinterest Challenge!  Don't you love a bargain? I surely do!  Especially when it turns out completely GORG, for only small potatoes!  So I totally swooned over this pin:



Pretty awesome, right?  So my sis and I share our Pinterest boards, she freaked out over this!  So one weekend on one of our shopping adventures what did she find but a great deal on 2 complete sets of california king sheets!  Perfect for this project!  Here is the link to the original post http://www.livingonthechic.com/2010/01/diy-pin-tucked-duvet-cover.html

So my sis did this project with her own little tweaks.  Here is what she did.  First take a flat sheet and lay it out with the side you want on the outside face down.



Then you will need to measure out squares and mark them.  You don't have to be super crazy about getting the marks perfect, the tucks pull so unless you are really studying your duvet you shouldn't have a problem.  My sis just used a flattened cereal box and a pen and marked an X in each corner.





Keep marking until the entire sheet is done.



Next you should be ready to do your tucks.  Pinch the fabric where you have marked an X.  Twist once around, then once around again.



See those nails?  Yep Mom treated us to shellac manicures, so cool!  Just so you know they don't always look that nice!

Now take your little twist to the sewing machine.  No worries now, you don't have to be a seamstress to get this done (trust me I really can't sew) thank goodness my sis is doing this, lol!  Run it through back and forth a couple of times.



When it is done it should look like so



Keep going until all of your X's have a twist stitched.  Flip the sewn side of the tucks down, and the other flat sheet on top of it.  These will need to be sewn together.  Make sure it is inside out, after it is sewn you will flip it.  Leave the bottom open, this is where you will insert your comforter.  See how pretty it is!!



On the open end you can do a couple of things.  Buttons: My sis opted out of these because of the expense.  Ties:  This worked really great, a bit more time-consuming because you have to make and sew them to each side but they tuck underneath and worked really well.  She has also done the pillowcases, and made one for my niece in plum!  Everyone wants one, they are so cute in person!  Can't wait for mine, just need a really good deal on some flat sheets and I will be in business!

Having fun linking up to http://www.dutchbeingme.com/

Thankful for smart children

We have been talking about Thanksgiving around our house, a lot!  Planning the menu, whose coming over, kids feasts at school, the list goes on and on.  On a side note my hubs is a big history fan (I know doesn't seem to fit for those of you whom know him).  Anyhoo, he was telling us how inspired he was by watching a special on Abraham Lincoln.  He was saying how if he ever had another child (did he really say that?) he would love to name the baby Lincoln (Yes please, love that name!).  Our son was listening away, and he said "You know Abraham Lincoln started Thanksgiving".  Both D and I were like, well didn't the Pilgrims and Native Americans start it?  The guys start jawing back and forth, and I got on the computer and googled it, lol!  Turns out they are both right, I love smart children!  So here are some fun Thanksgiving facts for you all!

*In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies.

*It wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

*The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days. (Can you imagine how chubby we would all get, yikes)

*Mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, popcorn, milk, corn on the cob, and cranberries were not foods present on the first Thanksgiving's feast table.  Lobster, rabbit, chicken, fish, squashes, beans, chestnuts, hickory nuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits, maple syrup and honey, radishes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, and goat cheese are thought to have made up the first Thanksgiving feast.

*The pilgrims didn't use forks; they ate with spoons, knives, and their fingers.  (We may not want to share this with the kiddos!)

Go and be Thankful for something!

Ade

 

Christmas. Decorating. With Feathers.....?

All over blog land I see decorating with feathers, hmm not sure if I am a fan.  Its cute in some spots.  I get tons of inspiration from http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/



I love the style of this home, but I couldn't pull that tree off.  I do however absolutely love her fall style on the burlap wreath with feathers.



I think I could do this! Fits the time of year to me for some reason!  Anyhoo, so I am experimenting.  I found some fun decorations at the DOLLAR STORE for Christmas!

Break, had to get a screaming child from his bouncy!

So I picked these up!



So I will attempt to use some natural elements when I decorate for the holidays.  I just have them bedazzled a bit, lol!