It's Halloween Again

So here is what we came up with for a little Halloween decoration this year.  

The pumpkins were from Michaels and I just used black and white vinyl for the polkadots and the "Halloween" decal (from Silhouette).  

We are loving all the Halloween season!  Anni is planning on being a witch and Preston a Zebra.  I can't wait!

Loft Bed Inspiration

I was inspired a few months ago by my talented cousin Danielle Oakey's loft bed for her daughter Emory.  Since then I was on the lookout for a cheap loft bed.  I ended up acquiring this loft bed for free in Edmonton before we moved and was excited to get painting and get it up for Anni to have her own little space. When we got it, it was a pine colour, like Emory's.
After lots of painting (3 white coats and a clear coat on top) it started to come together.  I found the curtains at Superstore (2 shower curtains on clearance that I cut and sewed to make work) and then used tension rods (from Walmart) to hang them.  I found the rocking chair at a garage sale here in Medicine Hat.  The bookshelf was one we had.  The mirror was an old one we had and just got a paint job and I added the "A" that I already had.  The bunting I picked up in England at Primark for $1, as well as the pillow covers, which were tea towels from Primark for $1.
The rug was a good find from Ross Dress For Less in Kalispell for $20, and if there was anything else, well, I must have just had it already......

All in all it turned out pretty fun for Anni.  She loves sleeping in her "tower" and loves going through her dress-up clothes and shoes.  She calls it her store, and Preston is her best shopper (or destructor).

Here is a pic of the clothes rack I devised.  Our old house in Edmonton had very limited closet space so we had our seasonal coats hanging on the clothes rack in the basement.  When we moved here we actually had closets, so I wondered what to do with the old clothes rack?  I removed the middle pole and used some pink spray paint......and here we have a dress-up station!  It is a hit around here!

A Sad Story......

So our local church congregation was having an unbirthday party. There was to be a little cake/cookie/treat table and I had signed up to bring a cake. Honestly, I am not much of a cake person (as in liking to eat or good at making), but I thought it was an area that I should try to improve in. After spending Friday night whipping this baby up, I was feeling like it was all worth it. It smelled and looked pretty darn good. Saturday the kids and I piled in the van to head to the party. I ever so gently placed the cake (contained in my cake stand) on the floor of the front passenger seat. Well, we made it a few blocks and after trying to make the turning light the cake became no more. It toppled over and now resembled more of a pile of mud. Let's just say I was a little sad. I think Anni was pretty worried about me and kept asking me if I was ok. haha. Well, I can laugh about it now, but at least I took a picture before leaving the house, right!

I found the recipe here. Enjoy!

Easter Time!

I have taken a break from crafts, but I knew that could only last so long. This past week Anni and I got out our paint brushes and made a few little easter decorations with things from around the house! It was fun and they turned out nice and "eastery."

We went hunting around the yard for branches to fill our pitcher. We then painted a wood block we had and used a silhouette vinyl rabbit shape as a stencil. The block was nice and easy and we like our little bunny.
I found a little glass dish at Value Village for $1 and filled it with nothing less than Cadbury Mini Eggs, yum! The platter was one I had made for a baby shower, so I just gave it a new coat of bright blue paint (Folkart Patina) and there you have it!




I found a little leftover piece of MDF board and used it to make a spring welcome sign. Again I used a Silhouette vinyl image as a stencil.



My crafty side is satisfied for now......

Diced Veggie Salad

My mom introduced me to this little salad, and we have been loving it! Enjoy!

Diced Veggie Salad

1 large cucumber diced
1 large tomato diced
1 bell pepper diced (I like orange, red or yellow)
1 green onion sliced
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley (I used dry as I didn't have fresh. Just add less)
2 T. olive oil
1 T. fresh lemon juice (let's be honest, I have made this with the bottled stuff. Definitely better with fresh, but it works with the bottled stuff if you are in a pinch.)
1 garlic clove pressed
1/2 tsp dried oregano
12 black olives (I leave these out)
1 cup feta cheese
salt & pepper to taste

Combine cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, green onion, parsley, oil, lemon, garlic, oregano and olives in large bowl. Add the salt and pepper and feta. Toss well.

Serve alone or with romaine (very good).
Try to make about 1/2 hour before serving so the flavours can blend together. Allow to sit at room temp.

More Valentine's!

Here are a few of the other little Valentine's Day projects I have been working on.

The XO button picture was quick and easy! Probably about 10 minutes start to finish! The frame is Ikea ($6.99) and the buttons and paper were just supplies I had on hand. I used Zots (glue dots) to stick the buttons on.



The banner I made with my Silhouette Cameo. I actually laminated each piece (cheesy, but practical!). I am hoping it will hold up with all the little fingers that love to touch it!



Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine Subway Art

I wanted to increase my Valentine's decor supply this year so I went looking in my supplies and found a 12 x 12 piece of MDF that I had used for a previous project. I painted the board with some white craft paint (took a few coats). I had ordered some pink and purple Silhouette vinyl off Scrapbook Steals a while back and wanted to use it in a project, so putting it all together, this is what I came up with for Valentine's Day this year:



I used my Silhouette Cameo to design and cut the vinyl.






It ended up being a fair amount of finicky work, but in the end I was happy with the finished product! Yeah for Valentine's Day!

Valentines Wreath

This year for Valentines I thought it was time I made a wreath.  It must be a wreath year or something for me! I found this branchy looking wreath at the thrift store for $1.00 and then a pack of playing cards for 50 cents as well as the little berries too! Cut the cards into hearts and stick them on.  You could hot glue them or just intertwine them good. I think it has turned out quite cute and it was super easy and cheap to do! Happy Valentines Day!

Tess

Family Motto

When Darin and I were first married we wanted to come up with a family "motto." After much thought and many different ideas, we decided on the phrase "What happens to one, happens to all" to be the chosen motto. I love this motto for the way it will help us to be there for each other as a family through it all....the good and the bad.
Since deciding on the motto I have wanted to incorporate it visually somewhere in our home, and this week I finally found a spot and got around to it! I am excited to have this reminder up for us to see (until we move in June....).



(I created the vinyl lettering using the Silhouette Cameo. That thing is way too fun!)

Do you have a family motto?