Sisal Rope Framed Mirror {tutorial}

I am seriously in love with my hall bathroom makeover. It’s so cozy. Makes me want to go chill on the beach. Now, I already shared with you the tutorial for the awesome shower curtain when I revealed my room, but a lot of you have mentioned my mirror so I figured I’d better do a tutorial for that! It was easy and inexpensive: two important things on my checklist! The mirror was so boring before and now it has that extra oomph I was going for. Here’s the before:

Materials Needed:

• Sisal rope
• Strong glue (you want a glue that’s fast drying and strong. Hot glue can be used as a temporary glue to keep the rope in place while the other glue dries, but don’t use it for the whole thing)
• Scissors

Step 1: Now before I get started, I have to give credit to my awesome hubby. He did the majority of the work while I did the shower curtain. I helped him get it started, but really he did it all. Ok so basically all you are doing is wrapping your mirror. Start in one corner of your mirror and go up. Continue wrapping (He alternated between a little bit of hot glue and then some stronger glue) until your rope is 3 thick. Here’s what it looks when you start:

Step 2: To finish off cut the rope at an angle so it sits up flush against the rest of the rope.

So what do you think? I absolutely love it! Here’s the finished product for those who missed the hall bathroom reveal:

I’m linking up at these fabulous parties:

The Cure for the Common Monday, Addicts (Not So) Anonymous, Tip Me Tuesday, Pity Party, Tinkled Pink, DIY Under $5, Making Monday Marvelous, Every {Body’s} Creative Endeavor, {Once Upon a Weekend}, Sundae Scoop, Show Me What Ya Got, Fridays Unfolded, Weekend Wrap Up, Get Your Craft On

Spa Night {Date Night Ideas}

I love date night with my husband. It’s a great time to spend together without any little ones climbing all over us. We get a chance to focus on us. Unfortunately our budget doesn’t always allow for us to go out. So instead we choose to have our date nights in. We put the kids to bed and take time for us, without TV or the computer distracting us.

I’m going to be starting a new series where once a month I’ll be sharing a fun and creative date idea for you. Most will be date nights in for the reasons stated above, but I will also include some fun ideas for going out!

Today’s date is all about pampering each other. Now I’m sure we would all love to be able to go out and have a real spa day together but for most of us, it’s out of our price range. But you can bring the spa to your home!

First I created a little brochure for our Spa d’Foster. Inside I included a little mission statement and then all the services offered at our spa. Our spa serves food as well so on one fold I included a small menu. I wish I had a file for you so you could print one for yourself but unfortunately the file was on my stolen computer…

A small list of services offered:

• Pedicure and manicure
• Essential oil bath
• Massage
• Relaxing facial

For the various services I just went through our house and grabbed supplies. I like to get samples so this was a great way to use them. I don’t have a foot bath so I got our largest bowl and filled it with warm water. My husband got a massaging cushion for his birthday one year so I had that set up to go while we had our foot baths. Add a heating pad to our shoulders and it was relaxation heaven!

You could really be creative with what you do. I had fun going through what I ad and coming up with things. We did satin hands, made pore strips and used them and put on mud masks, and gave each other massages. My husband was a really good sport and willing to try things. We had so much fun talking and enjoying each other’s company. The best part was making each other happy, as cheesy as that sounds.

So what amenities would your spa include? What are some of your favorite date nights in?

Coffee Filter Butterfly {tutorial}

This summer my three year old and I have had lots of fun making different crafts. We’ve enjoyed lots of time together doing “Mommy School” (more on that later). One of the fun things we’ve done is make these coffee filter butterflies. Mackenzie has been obsessed with butterflies lately so she really enjoyed making these.

Supplies Needed:

• Coffee Filter
• Pipe Cleaner
• Watercolors
• Paintbrush
• Clothespin

Step 1: Let your child paint the coffee filter with the watercolors. Let the coffee filter dry.

Step 2: If you want, let them paint the clothespin. Though, I have to say, I would use regular paint for the clothespin. We used watercolors and even a week later the paint comes off if I touch it. Thankfully we have it hanging so it doesn’t get paint all over.

Step 3: Fold your pipe cleaner in half. I curled the ends with my finger.

Step 4: Once everything is dry it’s time to assemble. Scrunch the coffee filter down in the middle. Clip the clothespin onto the middle. Next clip the clothespin on the folded part of the pipe cleaner. If you want to hang it you can also make a loop at the end of some yarn or string and clip the clothespin onto it.

Then it’s time to display your child’s artwork!

Looking for more ideas of fun things to make with your child? You can find some at Show Off Saturday.

What are some of your favorite kid’s crafts?

 

I’m linking up at these fabulous parties:

The Cure for the Common Monday, Addicts (Not So) Anonymous, Tip Me Tuesday, Pity Party, Tinkled Pink, DIY Under $5, Making Monday Marvelous, Every {Body’s} Creative Endeavor, {Once Upon a Weekend}, Sundae Scoop, Show Me What Ya Got, Fridays Unfolded, Weekend Wrap Up, Get Your Craft On

Show Off Saturday {Roadkill Rescues}

It’s amazing the transformations that can happen to old worn out furniture. People takes these seemingly pieces of junk and turn them into something beautiful. Here are five recent transformations I’ve found and loved:

1. Dumped and Discovered took an ugly estate sale dresser with peeling veneer and turned it into this beauty. I LOVE the new color.

2. Over at Petticoat Junktion (I love that name!) she turned an old French Provincial piece into some bright and colorful. I am in love with the color. Maybe it’s because this is the color of my kitchen!

3. You should see the before of this gorgeous TV stand from Two Twenty-One. She got it from ghetto. Seriously.

4. I love the whimsy the hand painted flowers on the front of this dresser add from Embracing Change.

5. I love the bold colors in this chair makeover from Living a Redeemed Life.

What are your favorite furniture refashions you’ve seen lately?

If you were featured make sure you grab a button!

Hall Bathroom Reveal

When we first moved into our house all the walls were the color of masking tape as evidenced here in my master bedroom. Except for one. The hall bathroom had been completely wallpapered…with ducks. Not like cute fuzzy yellow ducks but actually mallard ducks. And I hated it. I couldn’t wait to get rid of it.

And now the ducks have finally flown away! I have family coming into town soon so I figured I’d better get my butt in gear! I tired to keep the makeover fairly simple so I could change it easily. Plus this helped in keeping costs down! Now I’m sure you’d love a before picture of all those ducks, but unfortunately those pictures have also flown away.

Here’s the sink area. Instead of a conventional toothbrush holder I decided grab a mason jar and fill it with some  seashells my husband and I had gotten on our honeymoon. My super awesome husband framed the mirror with some sisal rope. Don’t worry, though, there’s a tutorial to come. ;) On the blank wall I would love to put some sort of picture. Or it would be an excellent place to put some Kleenex Hand Towels and join the Clean Hands campaign. That would mean less laundry for me when I have guests.

On the larger wall you can see my beachy towel rack I made. I added some of the leftover sisal rope to tie in the mirror to the bathroom. I think it gives it that extra oomph. I also picked up a couple of inexpensive coordinating towels for my guests to be able to use while they are visiting.

Ok I have to say the thing I’m most excited about is my shower curtain. I was having a really hard time finding one that I loved. Plus really nice decorative shower curtains are not cheap. So instead I picked up an inexpensive plain fabric one and decorated it myself! I used freezer paper and fabric paint to make a one-of-a-kind shower curtain. And guess what? I have a mini tutorial for you!

1. Supplies Needed: Shower curtain, freezer paper, image to trace, fabric paint, Exacto knife, sponge brush.

2. Trace the image you want onto the papery side of the freezer paper. I chose a starfish. I made 8 starfish.

3. Using an Exacto knife, cut out your image. Don’t forget the pieces on the inside. I just used scissors for the small circles. Then iron your stencil shiny side down onto your fabric.

4. Use a sponge brush to paint your fabric. I did 3 coats. When it dries just peel the paper off! I used the tip of my Exacto knife to get the smaller circles.

It was super easy (ok not gonna lie…cutting out those circles was easy, but NOT fun. It did take awhile. But it was so worth it) and I am super pleased with how it turned out. Ready for the grand reveal?

Overall I am really pleased with how it turned out. I think it’s a great place for my guests to come and freshen up. My husband remarked how cozy it felt now and I agree.

 

Join the 14 million people who have already joined the Clean Hands campaign by using Kleenex Hand Towels, and click here for savings and more!

I was selected for participation in this campaign as a member of Clever Girls Collective.

Mini Clipboards {tutorial}

A few weeks ago a friend of mine had gone through her bedroom and gave me a whole bunch of craft stuff. Among the loot were these blank mini clipboards. When she gave them to me the wheels in my head started turning. I decided to make clipboards for each member of our family to post things to, whether they be reminders, notes to each other, or mail. I love how they turned out! And my little three year old just absolutely loves getting notes on hers.

Supplies Needed:

• Mini Clipboards (I think mine are from Michael’s)
• Mod podge
• Scrapbook paper
• Paint to match paper
• Embellishments (I ended up not using a lot that are in the picture)

Step 1: First you’ll need to take the metal clip off. The are just screwed in, so just unscrew them and set them aside.

Step 2: Paint the side of the clipboard to match your paper. You don’t have to worry about the front or back since they won’t be showing.

Step 3: Trace the clipboard onto scrapbook paper and cut out. Mod podge the paper onto the clipboard and let dry.

Step 4: Add any embellishments you want. I chose to keep it nice and flat so I just used more paper to embellish and attached with mod podge. Once they are try reattach the clips. Hang where you want and surprise your family with some nice notes!

I’m linking up at these fabulous parties:

The Cure for the Common Monday, Addicts (Not So) Anonymous, Tip Me Tuesday, Pity Party, Tinkled Pink, DIY Under $5, Making Monday Marvelous, Every {Body’s} Creative Endeavor, {Once Upon a Weekend}, Sundae Scoop, Show Me What Ya Got, Fridays Unfolded, Weekend Wrap Up, Get Your Craft On

Show Off Saturday {BBQ Recipes}

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: summer is all about the outdoor barbeques and get togethers for me. I love gathering around delicious food and spending time with friends and family. On Thursday I shared my favorite side dish with you: Frog Eye Salad (no frogs were harmed in the making of my salad). Today I’m sharing some recipes I’ve found that will be sure to wow your guests or hosts at your next backyard party.

1. If you are a fan of loaded hot dogs you will love the recipes over at AliLily. Her first one is a Mexican inspired one called the Sonoran Hot Dog.

2. I am a sucker for fruit salads, and the layered one at My Blessed Life looks so pretty! Plus she includes a recipe for dressing!

3. Strawberry Lemonade is a summer staple, and Delightful Deets has this delicious strawberry lemonade cake to share. Too bad I can’t eat my computer screen. ;)

4. Shugary Sweets has these fantastic looking watermelon cupcakes. They would go perfect with some meat off the grill and fresh watermelon!

5. Every delicious meal needs a good drink. Eat Cake for Dinner has a great recipe for a frozen strawberry watermelon lemonade that is sure to add the finishing touches to your great meal.

I might have to go plan another barbeque just so I can try these recipes!

As always, if you were featured make sure you grab a button!

Frog Eye Salad {Recipe}

Summer is the season of the outdoor BBQ and get together. But we all know it isn’t just the meat from the grill that makes the meal, but the sides you pair with it. Frog Eye Salad is always one of my faves. I had never even heard of it until college when an ex-boyfriend’s mom introduced me to it, but I’ve making it for parties ever since!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 c sugar
• 1 Tbs flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 c pineapple juice
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 c acini di pepe pasta
• 2 (11 oz) cans mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 (20 oz) can chunk pineapple, drained
• 1 (8 oz) carton whipped topping
• 1 c mini marshmallows
• maraschino cherries (optional)

1. In a small saucepan mix sugar, flour, and salt. Stir in pineapple juice and egg. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Add lemon juice. Set aside and let cool.

2. Cook acini di pepe according to package directions. Combine cooked mixture with pasta. Cover and place in fridge until chilled.

3. Combine remaining ingredients. Stir lightly. Top with cherries if desired. Chill at least one hour before serving.

See? Super easy but super delicious. Some people add coconut to theirs but I am not a big coconut fan so I don’t.

What’s your favorite side dish to serve at a barbeque?

I’m linking up at these fabulous parties:

The Cure for the Common Monday, Addicts (Not So) Anonymous, Tip Me Tuesday, Pity Party, Tinkled Pink, DIY Under $5, Making Monday Marvelous, Every {Body’s} Creative Endeavor, {Once Upon a Weekend}, Sundae Scoop, Show Me What Ya Got, Fridays Unfolded, Weekend Wrap Up, Get Your Craft On