Valentine Countdown {#1}

Our kids love Countdowns.

When I found this inspiration & decided to make my own version, I was so excited to make it(and blog it).

With some leftover wood I had, I started with a board that measures 7 "x 11"x 1 1/2". I drilled 14 holes using a 1" wood boring bit. The washer helped as a guide for the hole placement.


I used a dremel to carve the numbers using the vinyl negative.


I painted the wood red then pink. After it was dry, I sanded the whole piece.


I had to paint the numbers brown (the carved #'s didn't work as well as they did in my head). Then on the sticker I added dimension with Glossy Accents.


If you don't want to see the drilled holes you could punch out 1" circles and attach them with glue dots. [I did brown paper for the chocolates that will go there]



These are the ones I did for the kids with vinyl #'s. The pink ones are for the girls and the red one is for our little man. You can buy the vinyl numbers here.


Fill the holes with Hershey kisses/hugs candies.


They get to eat a candy Kiss/Hug as they Countdown the days!

Pin It

Computer Subway Art

My brilliant daughter (who is in 7th grade) came home with this computer site idea from her teacher. It was so fun I had to do some playing around for Valentine's Day.


I love the look of Subway Art.
On this site the amount of times you write the word will determine the size of the word. For example: I wrote "love" 7x and "candy" 2x. After you write the words you can go in and change the font and color.

So FUN with all the possibilities!! Now I just have to frame it.

Pin It

Amazing "Fitspiration"

I found an amazing blog that I'd like to share... A woman named Jen lost over 100 pounds and looks incredible! Look at this...

I still need to lose lots of weight, and every time I try, I fail after about 2 weeks. Why can't I stay the course? Why is it so hard to eat healthy and exercise every day? Does it have to be so overwhelming?

I feel totally inspired by Jen and her weight-loss journey. I want to share her link for anyone that is struggling with their weight and/or health. Jen inspires me so much! I have also found some inspiring quotes to share with you that I found on Pinterest. I am going to print a few of them to display around my house to inspire me. Here are a few of my faves...

(I got this one off Jen's blog... love it!)

...I will share more of these another time. In the meantime, I hope this post and link brings inspiration to someone out there. I recently [re]started my weight-loss journey, and I WILL succeed this time. I need all the "fitspiration" I can get!!!

"The spiritual journeys of today require no less hope or faith than those of the early pioneers. Our challenges may be different, but the struggles are just as great.

Hope =looking forward with desire and reasonable confidence."

Elder Snow

{Ensign May 2011}

Bridal Shower for Rachel

My niece is getting married next month so her Bridal Shower was today.
Oh, how sweet it is to be reminded of young Love.


I made this "Towel Girl" inspired from here but the tutorial to put it together is here.


The hair piece in the Towel Girl is actually for Rachel to wear.


The Towel Girl's dress are towels from the Dollar store that I added some strips of ribbon to one and a fabric "C" to the other.


To make the flower on the top towel, I cut a strip of fabric from a Tshirt. Start winding then twist then wind and so on.


Sew the flower onto the towel in a circular stitching pattern. Attach some beads in the middle.


"It's All Good" is their menu board for meals. I painted their initials in the corner to personalize it.


While Rachel opened gifts we played Bridal Shower Bingo. It was a fun way to be involved in the gift opening.

{Homemade} Hot Chocolate

Its been so cold lately-snow,rain,windy. This is the perfect weather for Hot Chocolate!


This is the hot chocolate I used to buy. . .


Now that I found this homemade recipe why go back. {My scoop is a great measurement- I took it from my protein powder shake container}. I was able to fit most of the mix in a #10 metal can.
My version of the Recipe:
3  cup regular dry milk powder
4 cup chocolate dry milk powder
1 (12 oz.) container Ovaltine Rich Chocolate powder
[much healthier than Nesquik]
2 cups powdered non-dairy creamer
2 (3.9 oz.) boxes of chocolate pudding mix
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. salt (adds flavors together)

Mix together. To make Hot Chocolate: add 5 Tbl. mix to 1 cup of hot water. Store remainder in an air tight container. Best if used within 6 months.


Another Hot Chocolate Favorite(found with the Mexican supplies)


Some of our Favorite Add-ins: Syrups{Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Toasted Marshmallow,Raspberry, EggNog}. Just add 1 tsp.

Danish Pancakes

Our kids LOVE these Danish Aebleskivers(aka danish puffy fried cakes). I picked up this pan awhile back in a cooking store(but you could buy them here) and it has added much pleasure to our morning breakfasts'.


After making the batter(recipe at the end of post), coat the pan with nonstick spray then pour into each cup of the pan. Fill only half full. If there's too much it will be doughy in the middle. Keep your pan at a lower tempature to cook.


Wait until it bubbles on the top, then you can flip it over.


Flip over the "aebleskiver" with a skewer stick(I found this out to be the best tool).


Our kids dip them in different syrups and jam. You could also sprinkle them with powered sugar.

Recipe:
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups buttermilk or whole milk
3 eggs separated
Combine the flour, salt and soda. Add milk and egg yolks. Beat egg whites until light and fluffy. Gently fold egg into the batter. Grease each cup(i do it every time so they don't stick) with spray vegetable oil. Cook until golden brown on each side.

ENJOY!

"When necessary the Lord will even carry you over obstacles as you seek His peace with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Often He speaks to us in ways that we can hear only with our heart.

Pres. Uchtdorf

{Ensign May 2011}

Turning {13}

Our oldest daughter turned 13 last month. An age full of Emotions.
So to celebrate this special year she was a given a Teenage Advice Book and she got to Decorate Her Room. To say she was excited is an understatement.


Her Teenage Advice Book:


I wrote to all of our friends and family to write something for her.

I asked for things like:

the most important things they've learned

favorite quotes, stories, poems

top 5 qualities a young woman should have

advice on BOYS

a wish they wanted for her

pictures
I sent them out about 3 weeks before her birthday and then sent a quick reminder when it got closer. When I gave it to her she cried. I knew it was going to be SPECIAL for her.

Her Room:


the Before

It's coming along. . .

the After Shots

Magnet board from ceiling to floor.

LOVE with fabric overlay

My Computer {Desk}

I love my Computer Desk.

I got it a few years back and just added my personal touch to it.


I took an inexpensive computer table. I cut a piece of sanded plywood for the top and bought scrapbook paper for the shelves. [The shelves have needed some patchin' up].


Take the Mod Podge Glue and brush on a good layer to desk surface.


Lay the scrapbook paper down and brush on another good layer.


When it is dry use an exacto knife to cut off the excess.

Knitted Kitchen Hot Pad

My second daughter was practicing with her loom and knitted this Hot Pad.
I wanted to add some strength to it so I sewed a piece of fabric to the back.


Cut a piece of fabric an inch bigger than the knitted square.


Fold over the fabric edge and pin the knit piece to the fabric.


I sewed around the edges 3 times to make sure it will stay together.


All sewn together.