Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Whimsy Rings
I started messing with some beads and wire and, though I thought I was going to make a nest ring, it turned into these instead. My friend told me they look like "whimsy".
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Our Chocolate Wasted Cake
My middle child is having a birthday and this year he wanted a chocolate cake. On Pinterest I came across this Chocolate Wasted Cake and I knew he would love it! (minus the alcohol, of course, as he's only 9). My pictures (below) do not do full justice to her cake and you should check out the original. Also, hers has a tasty twist if you are making it for adults only.
For the chocolate drizzle on mine I melted chocolate chips in a double boiler and used some Torani Almond (Orgeat) syrup to thin it enough for drizzling. If you do it the same way, be careful not to use to much drizzle, as the Almond syrup has a really strong flavor. I was thinking that using peanut butter could be really tasty, too, and would be a little more subtle.
Can't wait to try it!
For the chocolate drizzle on mine I melted chocolate chips in a double boiler and used some Torani Almond (Orgeat) syrup to thin it enough for drizzling. If you do it the same way, be careful not to use to much drizzle, as the Almond syrup has a really strong flavor. I was thinking that using peanut butter could be really tasty, too, and would be a little more subtle.
Can't wait to try it!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Tomato Cage Trees
I found an idea on Pinterest (originally from Lucy Designs) that I wanted to try out. But, since she doesn't have a tutorial, I thought I'd explain a few things about it that I was wondering as I went into this project.
What you need:
2 urns/pots
2 tomato cages (these were 56 inches from tip to end)
Garland (for my size of cage it took 6 of the 9 foot garlands, or 54 feet, for each tree)
Lights (I used two 100 light (24 foot) strings per tree)
The total height of my finished trees is 67 inches. As I was buying the tomato cages (yup, they do still have some at Home Depot) I checked the fit of the cages to the pots and it was perfect to sit in there as they were. They are not in any way secured to the pots and can lift right out. I love this because it means I can store the trees and use the pots throughout the year and when the plants die in the fall I can just set the trees over the top of the pot and into the rim.
Since I just bought these pots, the inside is still completely empty. If you live in a windier area I would suggest filling it with dirt or rocks. You could also stick a piece of pipe into the filler to tie the cage to so it wouldn't blow away. Luckily my entry way is protected so I didn't have to do this, despite the amount of wind we get here.
At the top I used a small piece of wire (twist ties would probably work as well) to secure the ends together.
Two people have come over so far and neither noticed it wasn't an actual tree till I told them, though it helps that the wreath is real so the front porch smells like trees. :) I may still put some ribbon on them, not sure, but for now I think they look really pretty.
I also really like the nighttime look of the cage and lights without garland, though I'm not sure how pretty it would be in the daytime. (See it here)
What you need:
2 urns/pots
2 tomato cages (these were 56 inches from tip to end)
Garland (for my size of cage it took 6 of the 9 foot garlands, or 54 feet, for each tree)
Lights (I used two 100 light (24 foot) strings per tree)
The total height of my finished trees is 67 inches. As I was buying the tomato cages (yup, they do still have some at Home Depot) I checked the fit of the cages to the pots and it was perfect to sit in there as they were. They are not in any way secured to the pots and can lift right out. I love this because it means I can store the trees and use the pots throughout the year and when the plants die in the fall I can just set the trees over the top of the pot and into the rim.
Since I just bought these pots, the inside is still completely empty. If you live in a windier area I would suggest filling it with dirt or rocks. You could also stick a piece of pipe into the filler to tie the cage to so it wouldn't blow away. Luckily my entry way is protected so I didn't have to do this, despite the amount of wind we get here.
At the top I used a small piece of wire (twist ties would probably work as well) to secure the ends together.
Two people have come over so far and neither noticed it wasn't an actual tree till I told them, though it helps that the wreath is real so the front porch smells like trees. :) I may still put some ribbon on them, not sure, but for now I think they look really pretty.
I also really like the nighttime look of the cage and lights without garland, though I'm not sure how pretty it would be in the daytime. (See it here)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Hemp Bracelet
A few months back I saw someone demonstrate a way to tie up extension cords that I thought was just genius (see the technique here). Then today I realized I could apply the same method to make a bracelet and it came out pretty cute in just a couple of minutes.
If you'd like to make your own, here are the steps.
1. Create a loop in your string.
2. Feed the long end of the string into the loop, making another loop.
3. Pull the first loop tight to create a slip knot.
4. Feed the long end of the string into the loop to make another loop but do not pull it tight this time. Repeat this step to your desired length.
Because of the loops you will have a little play in the bracelet that will allow you to slip it on even if you knot the ends like I did but you could attach some jewelry findings instead if you would prefer. To get the look of my bracelet I just did the steps above with 4 strings at once (with hemp cord) instead of a single string. I estimate you can have this finished in less than 10 minutes.
If you'd like to make your own, here are the steps.
1. Create a loop in your string.
2. Feed the long end of the string into the loop, making another loop.
3. Pull the first loop tight to create a slip knot.
4. Feed the long end of the string into the loop to make another loop but do not pull it tight this time. Repeat this step to your desired length.
Because of the loops you will have a little play in the bracelet that will allow you to slip it on even if you knot the ends like I did but you could attach some jewelry findings instead if you would prefer. To get the look of my bracelet I just did the steps above with 4 strings at once (with hemp cord) instead of a single string. I estimate you can have this finished in less than 10 minutes.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
New Office
The new office is painted! We got all of the stuff moved in and it looks so nice and clean. I just love it. We started with this room and here is where we have gotten to thus far.
For anyone wondering, the paint colors are Dark Granite on the walls and Billowy Down on the ceiling, both from Behr.
Boys' Room To Do list:
-Paint boys' room navy blue (they want to keep the color they have now) with white stripes
-Add shelves above beds in boys' room for treasures
-Add bedside lamps
-Hang new curtains in boys' room
-Move all the furniture/stuff between rooms
This is the boys' room at the moment, carpets freshly shampooed, and it will be the next large project we tackle here:
For anyone wondering, the paint colors are Dark Granite on the walls and Billowy Down on the ceiling, both from Behr.
Boys' Room To Do list:
-Paint boys' room navy blue (they want to keep the color they have now) with white stripes
-Add shelves above beds in boys' room for treasures
-Add bedside lamps
-Hang new curtains in boys' room
-
This is the boys' room at the moment, carpets freshly shampooed, and it will be the next large project we tackle here:
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