Foyer Vinyl Word Art

I painted the foyer this weekend and started adding my finishing touches.  I've been wanting to make this for a long time but I hate painting and I couldn't hand vinyl art over top of the walls in the state they were in.  I finally got back to my winter projects (now that it's spring...) and since I finally got to the foyer painting... I finally got to make it!  I have a few more finishing touches to tend to and then I will post on the whole ensemble.  What a difference fresh paint makes!  Not to mention satin, washable paint and not the flat crap that was on the walls prior.  I'd wash and the paint would come off and the dirt would stay!

And about my winter projects (a.k.a. entire inside of house painting), I have plans to tend to them and hit up the spring cleaning at the same time.  I hope to have the entire house finished in 4 weeks.  (I'm going to try like heck, anyway!)

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Sleeping Under the Stars

 I tried like heck to get a good picture.  I give up!  I had Steel yelling at me this last time because he couldn't see in the dark.  I figure you get the point, or I sure hope you do.

I believe that all kids should be able to sleep under the stars.  I couldn't even tell you where we purchased ours.  I did google it and they are everywhere.  Amazon has a jar of them, click here.  You can definitely find them a lot cheaper but I'm sure finding them in the store may be a chore.  They will probably be in a small pack hanging on the end of some aisle.  Keep a look out for them, they are a must for your little ones!

Speed up the Easy Mac!

You must cook the Easy Mac for 3 - 3 1/2 minutes in microwave in order to cook the noodles.

What you don't need to do it keep the water in the bowl after cooking, as it states on the package.

You can strain the water when finished and add a few ice cubes to help speed the cooling process when you have an ornery, hungry child on your hands.

Chore Chart - Revisited

I made a Chore Chart for Steel and we had to revamp it.  It wasn't working too well.  It's partly my fault.  It's so hard to come up with chores that a 6 year old can perform by himself.  When he wanted to do some, I was busy doing something else and some of the chores he can perform by himself do not have to be done often.  So I decided to try it another way until he is a bit older and used to doing some things around the house.

See previous Chore Chart post here.

What I did was take off all the chore stickers off the wooden pieces and just put on labels that all read $0.25.  So now when he helps me (does chores) I tell him how much money he can put it that days column.  That way it's not limited to just a few items and I can attach an amount that is deserving of how much he really helped.  It's been working much better!

My First Checkbook

 

Another coordinating accessory to accessorize with:
My First Tote Bag
My First Purse
My First Wristlet

What else shall I make?  Not sure yet.  Maybe a purse sized tissue holder?  Any other ideas?  I just love the fabric!  Sure, I am just finishing up a winter-y fabric scheme and the weather is screaming spring, time to think of more spring type fabrics.

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My First Wristlet - Coordinating with my other Firsts, of course!

 

As promised, I made some coordinating accessories for my first My First Tote Bag and My First Purse.  First, I tackled a wristlet.  Check back tomorrow for a post on a checkbook cover!  I did create my own pattern for this.  I wanted the size to be 4x6 inches and I thought it was the perfect size for my needs.  I accented with the same ribbon as both the tote and the purse and used 2 ribbons sewed to each other for a strap.  Since I am very new to sewing anything that isn't piecing blocks together, I tried to make this simple as possible until I get more practice.  I'm loving that I have coordinating accessories!  Who doesn't want to coordinate?

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Chicken Parmesan Bake

 

I tried a new recipe, it was great!  Of course, I made a few changes to the recipe.

Click Read More for the recipe and instructions.

My First Purse

I finally did it, I made a matching purse for my Tote Bag.  It proved to be a bit more difficult than the tote because it was harder to maneuver on the sewing machine due to the smaller size.  I even did my first magnetic closure that proved to be relatively easy even thought I stabbed myself in the process.  (No blood on the purse tho, yeah me!)  All in all, I am pleased.  I have plans to make a coordinating checkbook cover and wristlet.  Those will hopefully post this week, so stay tuned! 

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Be YOU tiful Pendant

Be YOU tiful.

Need I say more? 

Our St. Patty's Party

We partied green!  The weather was gorgeous!  I'm highlighting some of our green full from our day...

I made a shamrock stencil out of a used plastic backing from a sheet of stickers using my Silhouette and used green decorating spray to make shamrocks on our brownies.

I shamrocks made out of chalkboard vinyl that I cut out on the silhouette and placed them on mason jars to use as glassware.

                         

I made kid friendly green drink that I put in a carafe decorated with green vinyl shamrocks, cut out on silhouette, of course!

 

I made green Cheddar Bacon Spread.

I made cupcakes decorated with green Cool Whip Frosting.

I played heck trying to get a picture of Puppy with his festive scarf.  I gave up!

And...an empty pitcher of Green Beer...

Hope you all had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

Cool Whip Frosting - Yum!

Yes, they are a bit green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Ingredients

1 package instant vanilla pudding

1 cup cold milk

1 8oz. tub of cool whip, thawed

1/4 - 1 cup powdered sugar, I ended up using 1 cup because I wanted to thicken it up to put on cupcakes without it falling off

a few drops of food coloring, optional

To Prepare

1.  Put pudding mix and milk into mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.  

2.  Fold in cool whip and continue to mix.  

3.  Add powdered sugar in 1/4 cup increments until desired thickness.  I'm sure you can add a little more than 1 cup but that's all I added.  

4.  Spread on cake or decorate cupcakes.

Bonus:  28 calories and 1 g of fat per tablespoon

Source:  www.cdkitchen.com

Irish for Beer Party Pendant

 Of course I needed to make a party pendant!  I'm a little out of practice but no one will notice after a few beers, right?

All components are .925 Sterling Silver.

St. Patty Party Purse

Who doesn't need a Patty Party Purse?!?  Festive and functional! 

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St. Patty's Party Gold Treats

It wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without a Pot O' Gold, right?  Well, I decided to send in some gold treats for Steel's classmates to celebrate the holiday.  

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Patty Party Tees

Or I wish for Beer for those that need the help...=)

For my little Steel man.

Steeler fans only have one thing on their mind's for St. Pats!

Who's ready for St. Patty's Day?!  Well, I'm trying to get ready with lots of last minute posts this week.  You can't party for St. Pat's without a fun tee, right?  Well, I had some great ideas and decided to bust out my silhouette and put them into action.  For those that are a bit behind...Irish for Beer or I wish for Beer.  I thought I'd help you out!  =)

Click read more for tutorial.

Shamrock Table Rug

Too cute for words, right?  =)

Wow, this took forever!  I wanted to make a little table rug to spruce up the room with a bit of St. Patty's Day flair but this was a big undertaking.  I also wanted to make sure that all the edges were straight edges so that I wouldn't have dificulty with attaching binding.  Well, it was still difficult but it's done!  Yeah! 

(Tutorial attached.)

No Slip Shamrock Hand Towels

Y'all knew it was coming!  I promised to make my no slip hand towels for all holidays!  Need a reminder?  

Check out:

No Slip Hand Towels

No Slip Hand Towels - Take 2

Valentine's Day No Slip Hand Towels

{For those interested...=)}

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St. Pat's Bow Wreath

Love this St. Pat's rainbow fabric and decided to dress up a wreath for the front door.  

Click Read More for tutorial. 

Sham Rockin' Decor (on my hidden tension rod)

I was in need for some more St. Pat's Decor and since I have this hidden tension rod behind the molding above the kitchen sink...  (See Hang Christmas Ornaments with Ribbon on a Tension Rod.)  ...and I needed something Shamrock-y.  I decided on some shamrocks made with felt.  Easy enough, right?

Click Read More for tutorial.

Low-Cal / Low-Fat French Onion Dip

Another great idea from the hub's parents!

Ingredients
4 oz. sour cream
12 oz. fat free greek yogurt
1 packet of Lipton's Onion Soup Mix

To Prepare and Serve
Mix ingredients and serve with Fat Free Potato Chips in a Microwave

Fat Free Potato Chips in the Microwave!

I'm a sucker for potato chips.  I love them.  My :father in law had been talking about this potato chip slicer thing that he ordered from QVC and I finally got to taste the delicious fat free - ness this past weekend.  Well, I was so impressed that I went on the hunt to purchase my own because I didn't want to wait for the shipping to just order one.  I found it at my second stop, Bed, Bath & Beyond:

How It's Done
1.  Clean and peel potato.

2.  Slice potato.

3.  Spread potato slices onto paper towels and use an additional paper towel to dry potato slices.

4.  Spread slices onto trays and cook in microwave for 3 minutes.  All microwave times vary.  My suggestion is to start at 2 1/2 minutes and continue in 15 seconds intervals.  Note that when you are using the microwave repeatedly, microwave times may continue to vary.

Hence, the darker chips in the picture below...

Fat Free and 100 calories per potato!  Enjoy =)