old chairs

I love Design Sponge and I forgot how much I loved the before & after section until this last weekend when we had our friend Quintin and his family over for dessert. He wants to find an old Dutch style couch to reupholster, so we looked at some of design sponge's amazing before & after pictures.

I especially love this before & after from Lauren & Nick because I have about 4 old chairs from when we lived in France. They are from the Paris flee market and in not so great a'shape. In fact they look very similar to the before picture above. I don't want to paint them because I want to stay true to the French style, and painting furniture is more Swedish...anyhow, this is a great way to give old chairs a new, fresh look without changing their integrity.

Let's Talk Titles

One of my biggest scrappy pet peeves is when I don't have enough letters to spell the title I want to make. There just never seem to be enough vowels, s's, r's, and t's. And I always end up with a bunch of q's, z's, and x's.

This happened to me when I was planning a layout for the September gallery. I had in mind a topic I wanted to scrap--I was going to journal about what it was like growing up in apartments--and had in mind the title "Apartment Life." Well, naturally, I was out of e's and didn't have enough t's. I stared at the remaining letters, willing my brain to think of an alternate title, but ended up frustrated.

That's when I turned to A2ZWordFinder. This nifty word generator, meant to help Scrabble fanatics, is the perfect solution for scrappers with leftover letters. I searched for a bunch of different word generators, but many of them limit the number of letters you can input. A2ZWordfinder doesn't seem to have a limit.

So in input my leftover letters and out came a gazillion words. "Boxy" was one of those words, and it turned out to be the perfect word and drove the angle of my journaling. I think this title is SO much more interesting than the one I had originally wanted to use. Here's my layout:

You might remember this image I shared in my July 24 blog post. I used it to inspire my layout.

I know there are other solutions to the dilemma of not having enough letters, like mixing up the title font, but the next time you're stuck with a handful of letters that don't match the title you have in mind, give the word generator a try. You might end up with a surprisingly perfect title!

Just dance!

I watched this the other night for the first time and I have to say that it is a mash up of Weird Science and Ferris Buller......but very 80s and very funny.Just makes you want to dance right?

Simple Math.

One Shadowbox filled with Silly Bandz...
Plus one cute picture...

Equals my new favorite piece of artwork in our home.

I wasn't lying when I said I was obsessed with Shadowboxing now...

Happy Monday to you!

Comic Book Death

Overview
Comic book death refers to the death of a comic character, but despite death being a serious subject, comic book deaths are rarely taken seriously or are treated meaningfully. You see, usually a writer will kill off a character to create dramatic tension or gather publicity, or simply they want to kill off a character they don't like. But, usually some previously unestablished plot device will "resurrect" the character. Because of this, when a character dies, the readers don't feel a sense of loss, but simply wonder for how long or what plot device will bring them back. As Prof. Xavier (of the X-Men) said "in mutant heaven there are no pearly gates, but instead revolving doors." The term "comic book death" doesn't apply to characters like Multi-Man and Solomon Grundy, who have the power to come back from the dead.

Notable Examples
The two most notable comic book deaths were Superman's (in Death of Superman) and Jean Grey (in the Dark Phoenix Saga). But whereas Superman's death was intended not to be permanent, Jean's death was intended to be permanent, but she was "resurrected", so she could join the X-Factor. Peter Parker's Uncle Ben is one of the few characters to be dead and stay dead.
Parodies
In Astonishing X-Men #6, Emma Frost said "Jean Grey is dead." To which Agent Brand replied "Yeah, that'll last."
In Next Wave: Agents of Hate, two characters were talking about Magik. One mentioned how she died, to which, the other one said, "So what? The X-Men come back to life more than Jesus". In the Great Lakes Avengers, Mr. Immortal (whose power allows him to resurrect himself from the dead) dies and comes back to life in every one of his appearances. Also in the GLA miniseries, to further poke fun at comic book deaths, a character dies in every issue.
Resurrections
Commonly, to "resurrect" a character that "died" it's reveal something happened off-panel that creates the illusion that the character died (on-panel), or they were simply put into a coma or suspended animation. Another method is that it is revealed that the person who died was an impostor. Some times the characters really die and are brought back to life (such as when Martian Manhunter was turned into a zombie via a Black Lantern ring). Rebooted timelines or recreations of characters has been known to "resurrect" some characters.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_book_death

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c1/Uncanny136.jpg

Chocolate Mud makes everything okay

How many chocolate cake recipes do you have?

And how many do you use?

I use one. This one. If you find one that you love and just can't find one to better it use it always and then just alter the finished product and look. Sometimes I use one big cake ring. Othertimes I use a bundt tin. Or, like this one I used 3 small tins and then layered it with chocolate frosting, covered it in EVEN MORE

Fall is quickly approaching...

...and I am sooo excited. I hate to admit it, but I think I like Halloween just as much if not more than Christmas.

These first 2 pictures were taken about 3 years ago when Steve and I visited Rozzie in DC. Rozlynn and I have both lived in DC and instantly fell in love with Old Town in Alexandria, VA. We were visiting in Oct. and I fell in love with how they decorated their beautiful homes.

It was here that I realized you don't have to live in a huge house to add a touch of whimsy, class and charm during the Holidays. No matter where you live or what kind of a home you have you can have a charming and inviting exterior.

This is our place in Aves. I look at these pictures fondly, this place was just perfect for us when there was just 4 of us. But our family grew and sadly we had to leave our darling front porch behind.

I loved decorating for Fall and this is just one of the many ways that I decorated our porch in the 6 years we lived there. Now I am excited to see what I can do now that we have a house and many more places to make spooky.

Reflecting on This Summer

You may recall my earlier post on this mini that I started at the beginning of summer (inspired by the one and only, Ali Edwards)...
As we enter the last week of summer, I wanted to show how simple and basic this mini was to do...

I kept the journaling very short and simple. Most of it is contained on these pre-printed pages, using the bullet format. I also included a few tags with info on them throughout the book...

I tried to include a lot of everyday moments, as well as special occasions.

This summer has been simply fantastic. I'm really kind of sad to see it go. I have been reminding myself that there is something wonderful with every season though, and I'm fortunate enough to live in an area that experiences those changes. I do love that.

Looking forward to spending this last week finishing up this book...and adding a few more pics to my new favorite mini.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Zorg the Alien

Meet Zorg.

Zorg was born on the 27th August.

He comes from the planet Saffer. Zorg has 6 buttons to represent the six planets he has lived on. He flew here in a Tupperware Bowl.

He is very friendly.

He comes from the book Fleecie Dolls by Fiona Goble.

He is friends with Alphie the Comforter.


And this is Zorg on my first Granny (huge) Square. I used a full ball of wool to practise. :)

Shrimp Salad

I know that we are in the middle of Winter and it is cold and rainy and everyone (including me) has either had the flu or is in the middle of it so I was thinking a salad was just the ticket.

We ate this Spicy Shrimp Salad at one of the little restaurants that we dropped in to whilst in Thailand.

One of the websites that I find just awesome is http://www.tasteofthai.com/ it has some great Thai

Peach Cobbler

Tried this for the first time ever today. Had to do something now that the kids are back in school. The family gave it a big thumb's up, so here goes...
Peach Cobber

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup milk
1 (29 ounce) can sliced peaches in light syrup (*or 3 cups of fresh peaches and 1/4 cup apple juice)
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place butter in a deep 2 quart baking dish and place in oven to melt.
2.In a medium bowl, mix sugar and flour. Stir in milk, a little at a time, until wholly incorporated. Pour carefully over melted butter in dish. Spoon peaches and syrup over batter.
3.Bake in preheated oven 35 to 45 minutes, until crust is puffed and golden. Note: The crust rises to the top when it bakes!

Enjoy!

homemade lavender sachets...

My mom has been collecting vintage handkerchiefs from her local antique store for quite some time. About a month ago she had the idea of making sachets out of them and filling them with lavender.

When I was visiting her about a week ago I stayed up after everyone had gone to bed and made these sachets filled with her English lavender buds. I used 4 handkerchiefs and was able to make 16 sachets.

I have one in Max and Mimi's room and I told them that when they wake up in the morning to just squeeze their bag and their room will smell like lavender...and it does. These little sachets are potent and their rooms smell amazing!

Back to School

Sometimes it's hard to let summer fade away...after one very busy summer, this mom is so ready for the kiddos to go back to school. Our family needs the regularity of that school year schedule.

Here are some great ideas for sending your kids back to school in style...




I still remember covering my textbooks in grocery bags the first night of school. These covers by Book City Jackets cover your books in style.



Or make some cool felt book blankets! Directions here.



Give your loved one cute, handwritten lunch bag notes. Free PDF download from Thig and Thistle here.



or decorate the bags with free printable stickers from Martha Stewart.



free + cool bookplates from Martha too.



or another by the amazing Helen Dardik?

I'm sure you will be taking lots and lots of first day photos, how about some really cool school themed paper to scrapbook with?

Show and Tell by WeRMemoryKeepers

and a cute font to journal with?

Download Learning Curve here.

Sweep

Do I need to say anymore? Sooty and Sweep are a classic. Stu and I had the puppets. I had Sooty and Stu had Sweep.:)"You can't find your Superdog outfit?""Oh do come along Sweep!"Clean, funny kids programs!You remember the Sooty and Sweep Show? Was it your favourite?

Toy Story - Woody and Bullseye Coloring Pages

Toy Story - Woody and Bullseye Coloring Pages

Three Pretty Hello Kitty Coloring Pages

Three Pretty Hello Kitty Coloring Pages

The Great Biscuit Challenge - Hundreds and Thousands Biscuits

I use to love these biscuits as a kid. I don't remember having them except for at birthday parties.

What is your favourite Aussie Biscuit? We might have a bash at making them if you want!

So for the second Biscuit Challenge I chose these biscuits.




The method that I worked on when I was making this biscuit recipe was that I wanted a shortbread that wasn't overly buttery but still soft on

Hundreds and Thousands - the movie

Favorite Photo of 2010

Ya'll know I love to take pictures. And I take a lot of them. Once in a while I get one that makes my heart skip a beat. This one did it for me...

My husband and I have a tradition of spending the last day of summer (the day before the start of school) doing something together that is fun. This year, we went out with a bang and celebrated for two days--woo hoo!

These are our three cheeseball kiddos. Believe it or not, I didn't see this shot coming. Our daughter is a total poser and she called my name. I turned around, and snapped three shots in a row. (Set your DSLR cameras up to do this--especially if you have a family of blinkers like us!) This was the third shot. Makes me weak in the knees. Perfectly imperfect--half forced/half natural smiles. A wonderful way to end the summer up at the lake...

That ever happen to you? A killer picture without really trying? Like the stars fall into alignment and the clouds part and angels sing. Happiness!! Sometimes I try so hard, it doesn't work. Then lo and behold...whee!!

I've received a ton of email about the bulletin board and a final pic of it. You can check it out on our facebook page here. (And if you're not a fan, be sure to join us!) I hung it with paneling nails and it did the trick!

Enjoy your Wednesday, friends...

Left-handedness and Granny Squares

I am left-handed.
And proud of it.
Some of the best are left-handed.
And alot of them do things with their hands.

I cook.
I (am learning) to sew.
I draw.

And now thanks to many tutorials, pictures, diagrams and encouragement I have managed to make a Granny Square.

(Left-handed)




AND I want to show you what I watched, read and saw to make my granny square.

http://

office/mud room make-over

I did this about a month ago and finally am able to download the pictures onto our mac, cause it's back from the shop! Woo-hoo...anyhow, I know I should "stage" these shots better but I'm too busy right now with the new school year, a walking/crawling toddler etc. So here is the best I can do for now...

I wish I had a before picture, they were lost on our hard-drive. But the walls were white, the mirror was a DI purchase that had chipping black paint on it, the entry table was wood and in bad shape with brass handles. I added the frosted detail to the mirror with a little frost spray paint (which can be purchased at any hardware or home store).

I added red, black and green IKEA accents and now our office/mudroom is transformed! I love it, it feels like a whole new house when I walk in from the garage. Oh and the transformation cost less than $100! If you saw the before that would be even more amazing.

Hello Kitty Angel Coloring Pages

Hello Kitty Angel Coloring Pages

Turning a Blog Post into a Layout

Remember this post about summer a while back?  I now have a scrapbook page that documents this memory using the September kit!  Here is a scrapbooking tip from me: I keep a private blog where I document my daily life, and some of these posts get turned into scrapbook pages.  I think of my private blog content as ready-made journaling.  Just like in this case, I took the writing from the post on WIP blog and made a few changes and hand wrote it onto my page.

The brown gingham fabric tape is from the August WIP kit. I thought it matched this kit seamlessly! In the close up, you can see that I punched out the butterflies into circles and inked the edges of the circle with distress ink.  I then used 3-d adhesive to pop them out.  I also quite love the curved title around the butterfly chipboard embellishment.  They were the perfect size for each other! 

That wraps up a post and off to finish my other WIP projects!