Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Another un-planned remodel

Clearly this is just how I roll. I buy something and it inspires a complete room makeover! 
The culprit: 
This adorable blue box. How cute for my island in my red kitchen. Right? Right! 
The longer that box sat on the island, the more I was over the red. Sounds like a long time, it was about 27 hours. 
So off to Home Depot I went! And the hubby came home to this: 
In the time I decided I was over the red, I also decided I was over the table and chairs. And I have always hated the faux wood trim and door. So we painted the trim, bought a new door, and a new dining set! 
All because of a $12 wooden box! I am so glad I bought that box! 

And then I made this clock. That's a entirely different post! More to come on that! 

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Tin birdies - a tutorial




Do you ever have an idea to make something, search all the craft stores high and low for the one thing you need only to find it's not out there? Sure you can order online but who wants to wait? 
Ok so I may be a little impatient, but I am even more excited that I made it myself! 
These sweet little birdies are made from a coke can! 
Now you can buy craft tin, but $4.00 for in little sheet is kinda crazy! 
What you need: 
an empty pop can
Tin snips 
Gloves 
Chalk paint
Wax
fiskars fuse bird die

First carefully cut the top off of a pop can, cut a slit down the side and cut off the bottom. This is sharp, if you have protective gloves wear them! 

Clean it up, wipe dry. 

Now for the fun part. Use your bird die 
Now here's a secret. I don't have the fuse cutting system. But you can use the dies with your other machines. I have the sizzix big shot. I had to make an extra shim with cardboard but it worked great! Use
 the plastic shim on the bottom, then place your die, tin, and enough cardboard or soft foam to get it through the machine firmly enough that it will emboss the tin. I used about 5. It depends on the thickness if the cardboard. 
Roll it through and that's it! You will have the cites little tin birdie! 
Now get out your chalk paint! I have been using Americana chalk paint. 
I love this paint. I get mine at Micheals and Home Depot! 
I used the ivory color. It make take 2-3 coats. Let it dry in between coats. 
Once dry distress as much as you want with fine sandpaper. 
Lastly apply the wax! I use the dark to give it a nice patina effect! That's it! Cute little tin birds made from pop cans! 

I made a few sets for my signs!! Good luck! And if you have any questions just ask! 

Missy


Monday, August 11, 2014

Handmade wood signs



All summer I have been wanting to make some wood signs for an upcoming craft show I am in. Yesterday I was finally able to make some! I had painted all if them back in June, now it was time for words and the fun stuff!  
I tried my hand at mixed media art and love the result! 
I love adding in the elements of burlap, cotton, tin, wire and chipboard! So fun! 
I made a few little bird options so I have some variety at the show. 

I also did some that are all paint. I made stencils using my silhouette machine. 

The hardest part is deciding what they should say! This is one of my faves! 

One more combo sign, burlap heart and stenciled letters. 
What I love is I used mainly recycled items from the wood to the burlap. Even the tin for the birds is recycled. I will show you how to make those in an upcoming post!! 
I will leave you with one more for today! 
Thanks for stopping by! Have a great Monday! 

Missy

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Diy chocolate syrup

I am a coffee lover, more importantly mocha lover! Once I read the ingredients in the back of my bottle of Hershey's syrup and could not pronounce many of them, I took to Pinterest to find a way to make my own! 
I found this great recipe! So I thought I would share today! It's easy to make and you can use it right away!
You need 
1 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1 cup water
1/2 cup Splenda/sugar blend. (If you want all sugar use 1 cup of sugar) I like to cut calories! 
1/2 t sea salt
1 t vanilla
Mix water, sugar, salt and cocoa with wish over med heat. Bring to a boil, stir constantly for 3-4 min. 
Remove from heat and add vanilla. 
Pour into an airtight jar, store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 
That's it! 
Less sugar, no chemicals and it's delicious!! So much better than Hershey's!! 

Enjoy your mochas, or use it on ice cream. That's delicious too!! 


Friday, August 8, 2014

Vacation mode

Summer is so quickly coming to an end! We have been on vacation all week at a cabin in northern Mn. 
It has been such a great week with my family! We have been fishing, swimming, kayaking and lots of playing! 
This is my 29th year coming to this same resort!! I love that we can now bring our children here, they have so much fun! 
I was able to get some projects done while on vacation for my shop. But only at times when the kids were gone fishing with dad or playing with friends!!
I am not a good relaxer! I can't just sit!! My mind goes crazy thinking about stuff I want to be working on! So I bring a little bit for those times when I can squeeze in even 30 min. Fall and Christmas are so busy for me, so I need to prepare when I can. Some people think I am crazy to bring "work" on vacation with me. But when I am sewing and making items for my shop, it doesn't feel like work at all. 
Next week it's back to the 40 hr day job, meal planning, and thinking about back to school for the kids! 
So on this last day of vacation I'm going to soak it all in and relax and play with my boys! 


Sunday, August 3, 2014

I'm still here..

Yes, I am still here. I find myself thinking I should add this or that to my blog, and then I loose track of time and it's been a week, month, 6 months and I still have not blogged. So thank you for sticking around and checking this page to see if I have posted. I have great intentions and then I have to go to work, take care of the house, the kids, the bills and then I have my shop! Which this year, it has kept me very, very busy! Which I am so thankful for! So that's really it, life is busy and it's going by way to fast! I will try to post more, I really will! Thank you again for sticking around!

Here is what I have been working on most recently! Fall pumpkins! Its almost that time and recent orders are telling me to get it in gear! So I did!








I added new colors and prints this year! I love the blue pumpkins! It makes me want to grow blue pumpkins next year!