Stampin Up large ribbon holder

I have seen these ribbon boxes around for a while now, but I could never find one large enough to hold the Stampin Up ribbon that comes on 4 1/4inch spools. I found a plain media storage box at office max and decided to alter it! I used patterned paper by Hedi Swap, Stampin Up ribbon, jumbo eyelets, and solid cardstock. I used a drill to get the holes started and then used my cropadile big bite to make them even and sooth so the ribbon could come through! There is a dowel inside to help the ribbon stay standing up. I have 20 spools inside, but you could fit at least 4 more!

Painting a faux brick wall

I have been planning to decorate Nicholas's room using a vintage gas station/garage/cars, and today I finally decided that it was time. I have been gathering ideas and antiques, I knew for sure that I wanted one wall to look like it was brick, and this is how I did it.

Paint your base coat. This will be your "Grout" color. One coat should do just fine here.

Once the wall is dry, you need to mark it out with a pencil depending on what size you want your bricks to be. Once the entire wall is marked, you then can string your tape. I used 3/8".

Start by stringing your tape vertically, then finish with all of your horizontal lines. This will create a grid.

Next you need to use an xacto knife and cut out pieces of the tape to begin to create your bricks. I recomend starting at the top and working across and down as you go.

Once the entire wall looks like brick, use a roller & paint your brick base color over the entire wall. Before that color can dry, you then create a palette using 3-4 coordinating colors and apply randomly over the wall with a damp sponge until you get your desired look. I used 2 darker shades of red, a dark brown and golden yellow. Remove the tape immediately, do not allow it to dry first. That is it!

It really was not that hard to do, just takes time marking out the wall!

I think his room is my favorite in the entire house!

Some Last Minute Trimmings

This is our second Christmas since we finished the addition on the house, last year we were still working on Christmas Eve, so today I wanted to make sure I had everything just right! So I added a few little things.

Holiday Program

The Holiday program was held at School yesterday. The kids have been working so hard on thier christmas songs! Nicholas and Zach were both in the morning show. Nicholas did not sing much, he moved around a little and would sing if he thought nobody was watching. He kept his hands in his pockets most of the time and seemed to be pulling his pants up the whole time, I later found out hat he had undone the elastic waist inside, so his pants were falling down, if he would have let go the poor kid would have been standing there in his little Ben 10 boxers!

Zach sang along and jingled his little bells, those pre school kids were so cute! I think he had fun up there, and luckily we had no pant issues with him!

Stamp it Up!

Here are some of the items I made for the craft show! Everything was created using Stampin up products. I had so much fun making everything! Check out my web site for more information or email me if there is something you are interested in! I can custom make items to your desired taste or colors, or you can buy the supplies from me and make them your self!Maluukkonen@q.com or http://www.missyluukkonen.stampinup.net/

Snickerdoodles!!!

This is my favorite cookie of all time! But why do I only make them at Christmas? I need to remember to make them throughout the year. They are super good. Zach helped me make them, he rolled them in the cinnamon sugar!

Snickerdoodles
INGREDIENTS
1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon


DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix together the shortening and 1 1/2 cups of white sugar until smooth. Stir in the eggs one at a time, blending well after each. Combine the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt; stir into the batter until blended.
Roll the dough into balls the size of small walnuts. Roll in a mixture of 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned, but still soft.

Photography 101

Here is my first real attempt at the using some of the things I learned in my photography class. I need to keep working on the lighting on the boy's faces. But i was so excited that i was able to get the lights to twinkle!!