Anthropologie Wish List

Chiseled Wedges

Warbler Danglers

Mainstay Blazer

Climbing Vines Curtain

Gradated Stripes Pullover

My next project ...

Yarn Wreaths!

I've been eyeing yarn wreaths for about a year now. I have the yarn and the felt (to create embellishments), all I need to do is get the wreath and get to work! Apparently you can sell these for some big money on Etsy ... $30-$40 each. I plan on making my own which should cost me just the price of the wreath (I got the felt and yarn for pretty much nothing, thanks job!).

Wonderful Weekend!

Here's some highlights from my weekend ....

Before running my 4 mile race on Saturday morning ... I finished in 48:36 which beat my goal time so I was very happy!

All crammed in the truck at the drive-in ... we saw Mr. Popper's Penguins and The Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Muffins inspired by Baked Perfection

Crafting

I've been working on my canvas art projects this past week. Unfortunately, the way I wanted to do them didn't quite turn out as I expected.

The letters peeled off some of the magazine pieces and also peeled off the paint in the holes where it should've stayed like "P" and "A". I think it was a combination of issues, so I decided this process wasn't for me.


I decided to do the reverse route and place the letters on the white canvas, paint over the top and then peel off the letters. That worked much better! I experimented with the type of paint I used (well that A used) and decided that I kinda like both options. First we used finger paints ...

Then we tried some basic craft paint ...

The craft paint left crisper letters once it was peeled off, but I don't hate the look of the finger paint. DH weighed in and voted on the finger paint and of course this was A's favorite too. I think we will make some of both for Christmas presents. I have the "Family" and "Love" versions done (and the not so great "Play" version), now my problem is thinking of other words to put on to make each gift unique. Other possibilities at this point are "Learn", "Believe", "Joy" .... and I need to think of more. Ideas?

High Counts ...

I'm feeling miserable today and here's why ...

Fall is coming and so are the watery eyes, runny nose and constant pressure in my face. I can't wait for Monday to be over!

It's getting hot in here!

No, I'm not going to bust out my inner Nelly, but I am HOT! The AC broke at work late last week. We are "on the list" to get it fixed, but still no repair man to save the day. I work in the basement ... no windows, no ventilation, no air movement. Just hot sticky air and it's starting to smell. Gross!

Easy Canvas Art

I was busy this weekend. I was busy scrapbooking on Saturday and I started on my artwork for the craft/play/computer room on Sunday. I've seen a lot of these canvases lately where you glue down (or mod podge) colorful magazine pieces, place letters to spell something out or a silhouette shape and paint over the top in white. When you take off the letters you are left with a colorful word. You can even sand down some of the white paint to show a bit of the color. Here's my inspiration ....

{source}

This would be reverse, but still cool {source}

I'm doing mine on a smaller scale, 8x10 canvas, and I hope to have finished photos after next weekend. If they turn out good, I'm thinking they would be great Christmas presents!

Halloween Round-Up

I've been seeing a lot of Halloween ideas popping up on blogs lately. A is even asking why we don't have our decorations up yet! So I set out for some inspiration today ....


First up ... my Pick Your Plum purchase!

3 colored pieces of tin with hanging wire -- with shipping $4/each!

The past week I've been eyeing what Tatertots and Jello has been doing for Halloween. Here are some of my favorite ideas (and they are all soo easy!)

Halloween eye chart

Specimen Art

Then I hit up the Pity Party at 30 Handmade Days to find some inspiration and found this ...

Boo! sign from A Pumpkin and A Princess

There's so much more, but I couldn't possibly show all of my favorites here. Saturday I plan on scrapbooking, but Sunday will be Halloween decorating day!

Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups

Last night I made spinach lasagna roll-ups and they were delicious (and healthy but don't tell my DH!). I used whole wheat lasagna noodles and cooked them up and filled with ricotta, spinach, parmeasan cheese, salt/pepper, egg, garlic and Italian seasonings.

Ready to be rolled up

After you roll them up, top them with spaghetti sauce and add a little cheese. Pop them in a 350* degree oven for about 40 minutes and enjoy!


linking up here

What's old is new again

The horrible blue dresser has been transformed! I used Volcanic Ash from Olympic for the dresser and a dark purple with sparkles for the knobs. (Can you guess who picked out the knob color?) I like it because from far away it looks like a grown-up piece, but it has that bit of fun for the kids since this is for them.

My love affair with ...

[image source]

Yes, somewhere along the lines I became a sushi lover. Last night I got to go to dinner with my mom and step-sister at my favorite sushi place, Naked Tchopstix. If you have one near you, go now, fast, get there and eat everything you see! I know that's what I did last night. We were so hungry I didn't get to take a picture of the appetizer sampler we had (edamame, spring rolls, crab ragoon, pot stickers and egg rolls), but here's how the rest of our meal looked.

Caterpillar Roll on top/Fire Roll on bottom

Sushi set (included nigri and 8 different sushi combos)