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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Botanical Sheet Music Easter Eggs

I am very pleased with these Vintage-like botanical sheet music Easter eggs. I will definitely be making more. They are time consuming but, if you chose to make these, just remember to be patient. The outcome is well worth the effort.














I like the botanical look with the moss. I might change my "R" for Reyna, into
"E" "A" "S" "T" "E" "R".....

















 Oh....look at all that glitter.


Here is what you need to get this look:







Mod-Podge, a paint brush (I used the foam kind)
Sheet music in small strips and pieces
Paper mache eggs (I bought mine from Hobby Lobby)
Glitter and embellishments of your choice ( I used K&Company's die-cut stickers. I love all of their products. This is part of their new spring line.)
I also used small liquor glasses to rest the eggs while drying.

You can only mod-podge small sections at time. You need to be patient and let each area dry before moving on. Otherwise, your work will be sloppy.


Well over a year later...I am linking up with:
Life on Lakeshore Drive

Come join the fun!
Come party!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Coffee-Mate Bottle up-cycle.

I saw this on Pinterest and fell in love. So many smart ideas. I should have been saving these long ago! I will save them all from now on.  Here are the first two I made:

I thought this would make it easy for the kids to make their own hot chocolate. At 8 and 10 they are capable of doing so much on their own, but these little things can help. Lucie could barely lift the giant size chocolate powder from Costco. Now, she can easily pour out the amount of powder she needs.

Here is the picture the saw on Pinterest. I couldn't find the orginal site, but thought it was so smart!

Perfect for:

Picnics
Snacks
Sundae bars
Cookie decorating bars
Cinnamon toast sugar
Camping
Raisins
Nuts
Homemade granola

The bottom of the bag....easy storage for what's left

The list goes on and on.






Monday, January 23, 2012

Taco Ring. That's what's for dinner tonight.

These are so easy and yummy! Have you tried one yet? I made a "cheeseburger" ring not too long and posted about it as well. So, tonight I am making the taco ring. Same idea.


 You need:

Two crescent roll tubes (the kind that pop!)
1 Lb. ground beef
A packet of taco seasoning
1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese or Pepper Jack



And:

All the fresh goodies you like to have with tacos!!!!

Sour cream  (optional)
Guacamole (optional)
Black olives (optional)
Tomatoes (optional)
Lettuce  (optional)
Onions (optional)

You can also add green chilies to the meat....delicious!

I really just threw this together. It doesn't have to be perfect. I've made some now that are gorgeous and some that are a bit messy....guess what? Everyone loves them either way! Lay out the two tubes of crescent pastry, thick sides in. Use some of the left over crescent rolls to to make the center a bit thicker.

Seasoned ground beef on the crescent rolls


add desired cheddar cheese on top. Try pepper-jack for a twist!
This is really all you do. Brown the beef and add taco seasoning. Place the crescent rolls out with the wide end towards the center. Using two crescent roll tubes....I always break some up and add toward the center to hold all the meat. Then I topped it off with Cheddar cheese.


 Fold over the ends. Nothing to it. Bake at 375 until golden brown. Remember the ground is cooked through so it doesn't take long!






You might want to try the "Cheeseburger Ring" as well. It was de-lish!

http://shabbybrocante.blogspot.com/2011/10/pillsbury-cresent-roll-cheesburger-ring.html

Enjoy!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Rosemary. It's not just for chicken!

Rosemary....my go-to bouquet! Went out to trim the Rosemary again today. Quickly before it started raining. I just can't throw it away. So, using what I have by adding it to some of my milk glass, again. It's fresh, pretty, simple and smells delicious! I love the contrast between the crisp white and fresh green.




 Simple and easy....up-cycling at it's best. I used floral blocks in the milk glass containers as I shaped each one. They will stay a fresh and pretty for the whole week.


Saturday, January 14, 2012

Valentine's Day Mail Box....up-cycle from Target.

So many possibilities with this little mail box. They came in many colors too. I Bought this red one at Target the other day. It was only a dollar and a lot of fun to decorate.This will be a perfect little treat for Lucie on Valentine's Day. I'll probably fill it with candy and a Valentine.





Simple hot glue an old candle stick to the Target Mail box and decorate to your "hearts" desire (pun intended!) I used ribbon I had, Chalkboard contact paper (yes, it's heaven sent) and little skeleton key embellishments form Martha Stewart. These are all things I already had and they just seemed to come together. Cute, easy and inexpensive!






Sunday, January 8, 2012

Mug Rack Turned Scarf Rack!!!!!

Oh, the little pleasures. I am so happy with my 99 cent "mug" rack. I really wanted to use it in my kitchen. I wanted to put all my cookie cutters on it. But, since my kitchen is the size of a bread box, it's just too cluttered. So, I knew it could be handy in my closet! I had my husband hang it this morning! It's already filled...well I have a few more pegs to play around with :)

My 99 cent "mug" rack!
Wow, it holds a lot. I think I can get more on there!


I just remembered another drawer of scarves I can free up....off I go. :)


Love it.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

White Pitchers; My Eva Zeisel Collection.

Home with the kids, last week of vacation. I have many things I could tackle with this time. I am doing one of the jobs I dread the most. I have taken down all my white pitchers. They are on top of my cabinets in the kitchen. So, I have to get up on a stepladder and onto the counter to get them. It will feels good once it's finished. It's crossed my mind to list them all on Etsy but, never my Eva pieces. As I wash My "Eva" pitchers as I call them, I think back on how I came to own such a fantastic collection.




Most of them down. Still drawn to my "Eva" pitcher and creamer. Simple, elegant.


Here they are. Look at the dust. I am feeling bad that I could let them get they way. They are special to me. Let me tell you the story behind these two.

I spotted this great mid-century white ceramic at a local garage sale, here in Woodland, California. There were many pieces to the collection. As much as I was attracted to them and their smooth appealing, almost sexy design, I knew I could only get the pitcher. After all it was for my collection. I had an excuse. As for the rest; I had no room or excuse. I grabbed only the large one and when she said .75 cents, I went ahead and grabbed the creamer as well. When I got home I did some research and literally ran out the door and jumped back in the car for the other pieces. My husband had no idea what was going on. Crossing my fingers the whole way there and hoping I could find this house again...they were. All the pieces. Still there. Why did I rush back?

http://ceramicsmuseum.alfred.edu/exhibitions/eva/

Eva Zeisel was a Hungarian artist. She was an amazing artist of modern design. When I began writing my blog today, I of course googled her, where I was saddened to find she died just days ago. Dec. 30, 2011. It was as if I felt the need to do a little homage for such an incredible woman.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-kissel/eva-zeisel_b_1180065.html

Here she is a young woman with some of her pieces.

Here she is in front of her Hallcraft works. This is the bowl I went back to get.

Each piece I found goes for over $100 today. A very good deal at less than $1.  However, it's not the monetary value that makes me cherish my pieces, it's the history behind her and her story. The strength and talent of woman living in different times and letting nothing stand in her way or creativity.

http://www.evazeisel.org/who_is_eva_zeisel.html

Crate and Barrel brought her works back a few years ago and they did very well.
 Here is what Crate And Barrel had to say about her designs;


A sensuous, multifunctional shape with a pedigreed past is reborn for a new century. Originally designed in 1952 by world-renowned designer Eva Zeisel, this timeless sauce boat makes a comeback in a creamy neutral. Zeisel, considered one of the foremost designers of the 20th century, created sculptural pieces with rounded curves, arches, teardrops and wave motifs. Out of production for many years, during which time it became a collectors' item, this sauce boat has been resurrected just for us. Classic Century dinnerware also available.

 http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/specialty-serveware/classic-century-sauce-boat/s408581


Here is my collection. Thank You Eva. You will be missed.


Monday, January 2, 2012

Shabby Brocante: Night-Stand Up-Cycle With Mod-Podge And A Gift Bag...

Shabby Brocante: Night-Stand Up-Cycle With Mod-Podge And A Gift Bag...: Before Clean surface off. Then, give it a good coat of Mod-podge. Place your paper down and center it. Once you give the paper a good ...

Night-Stand Up-Cycle With Mod-Podge And A Gift Bag.

Clean surface off. Then, give it a good coat of Mod-podge. Place your paper down and center it.

Once you give the paper a good coat of Mod-podge, use you hands, a rolling pin, etc. to get the bubbles out and smooth it down. I made a great tool using a rolling pin and Press-n-seal. Worked like a charm.
After
  
Tinkerbell lamp, $2 at a garage sale in Vegas.




I think it's cute!! It took about ten minutes. Now Lucie's ice water at night will not damage the paint. Mod-podge dries shiny and hard. It's the perfect surface for easy clean up. I am honestly SO happy I don't have to repaint that night-stand. I think I paid $3 for it at a garage sale. Lucie will be happy.

Sweet Dreams, Lucie!!