A Little Knick Knack

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Link Party

2012-02-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

Hey all! How's your week going? Mine is good. I actually have some energy and spent the week getting the house cleaned. It's been a while, so it was not a pretty sight. I decided since I tend to get tired out easily and moving my body in a quick fashion can lead to pulled stomach muscles, to only do one major cleaning chore a day. Monday I started the laundry and vacuumed downstairs. Tuesday I mopped the kitchen floor and finished up the laundry. Wednesday I took the vacuum upstairs and cleaned the floors and then used the dust attachment to dust the furniture. Today I cleaned the bathrooms and organized all my piles of paper that have been laying around the house driving me crazy. Tomorrow I will empty all of the trash cans and then collapse in a heap of exhaustion. That's my plan anyway. I'm not a huge fan of cleaning, but I do enjoy the 1-clean-task-a-day approach and have used it before and will no doubt use it again once our little bundle of joy arrives. How do you guys clean? Do you have a method as well?

Ok, here were the top 5 popular clicks from last week...

Saving 4 Six shows us how to organize a bathroom for a large family. Her tips are priceless! Go check it out!

Racks and Mooby shares her ideas for a rainbow birthday party. So cute and can I just say....YUM!

Design Dreams by Anne shares with us her love of old doors and windows, and how she incorporates them into her amazing style. I love how she uses them and I'm now on the hunt for some old doors or windows to copy those ideas. :)

You guys must be in an organizing mood, because Domestic Imperfections organized pantry was a huge favorite. I have to say, I enjoyed it as well! I love the stencils and the little racks she added for the spices. Brilliant!

I'm always a fan of a good furniture makeover and this one is no exception. Check out what My Serendepitious Life accomplished re-doing this cute side table. I love the color she chose--so happy and spring-like!

Now, time for the party! Don't forget to spread the word and leave comments! It's a fun way to make new friends and keep up with the old ones. Not age-old., of course. We're all 23 in blogland, right? RIGHT???

Have fun!

How to Use Mirrors - Guest Post

2012-02-22T05:37:00.000-08:00

It's Done With Mirrors - Using Reflection to Make a Room Appear More Spacious
Most of us regard mirrors as necessary, functional items in our bathrooms, halls and bedrooms; sometimes revealing a bit more about us than we'd like. Yet mirrors can also be our very good friends and can be used to create the illusion of more space in rooms that are limited in size. Here are five ways to do this that play up two of today's hottest design trends: the reuse and repurpose movement and the retro craze of anything mid-century modern.

Window Wonders Designers are always enlarging or adding additional windows to make dark spaces brighter. Who says they get to have all the fun? Create a faux window for that cramped dining area or windowless office nook, or nestle your sofa between a pair of faux windows to instantly make it feel brighter and more spacious.
There's several ways to go – create the window with two or three rows of mirror tiles and add a "frame" made from reclaimed wood. Or, score a vintage window from a salvage shop for more realism and use mirror paint on the old glass. You could also use a single long, skinny mirror instead of the tiles. Add finishing touches such as a window box or paint a sprig of ivy on the glass with a little green acrylic paint.
If you've got the budget for it, you can find ready-made large mirrors made to look like windows, complete with framing. Some even have working latches so that you can "open" the window for special effect.
Your faux windows will take on an added layer of realism if you can position them on a wall opposite a real window.
Fireplace Fixes Are you staring at a big blank spot over the fireplace where your TV used to be, having removed it because your neck could no longer take the strain of always looking up? Is your other half threatening to put up that "really cool" picture of dogs playing poker unless you have a better suggestion? The answer is simple: hang a mirror. Those that follow the principles of feng shui are nodding in agreement. Even if you don't subscribe to that particular philosophy, a mirror over the fireplace creates a fantastic focal point for the room and works with every design style. Another fun take is to group a series of framed mirrors on the fireplace mantle. Either way, you'll be adding depth and sense of spaciousness.

(Source)

And here's another tip if you're no longer actually using your fireplace to burn wood – put a mirror in the firebox for even more reflection.
Crafty Cabinets DIY'ers have been picking up thrift-store finds, sanding and repainting them into charming, one-of-a-kind pieces for years. Here's a twist – create a special storage piece with mirrored drawer fronts. For an added dose of sparkle, use mirrored mosaic tiles instead of a single mirror on each drawer. Or pick up a pair of mirrored storage cubes to use as small end tables and watch how they almost disappear into the room, along with all the clutter they've got hidden away inside! You can also fashion a show-stopping coffee table with groups of two, three or four cubes.
Creative Coloring If you haven't heard yet, orange is THE color for 2012. Yes, orange. So now what are you supposed to do with that – keep a bowl of oranges out on the table all year long? If you're like many others, incorporating orange into a room can be a bit challenging. Lucky for you – a little orange goes a long way, as in orange frames. But not for pictures, for a mirror collage. Gather up a collection of frames in various sizes and styles and paint them in shiny, vibrant orange. Put mirrors in the frames and hang them on a wall. Toss in a classic, molded fiberglass chair in a similar hue and you have one of the hottest looks around today.
Of course if orange just isn't your thing, you can still create a wonderful light-reflecting mirror collage with pristine white frames.
Hit the Floor Okay, so you don't have a fireplace, you can't mount large mirrors or stick mirror tile all over the place because you rent, and you just aren't the collage type – are you doomed to live in darkness? Not at all. Meet the floor mirror, an extra large mirror that you just prop up against the wall. It will reflect the opposite wall of course, so position it where it will show off something interesting. Simple, easy and very effective, floor mirrors are also becoming popular again.

You'll be surprised at what happens when you incorporate one or more of these ideas into your home. Create some mirror magic in your home today!

About the Author
Bahram Nasehi is a Vice President and partner at Dulles Glass and Mirror. He is instrumental in the development and manufacturing of commercial and residential glass products including tempered glass, glass table tops and shower doors.

Blog Feature - Crazy Craft Bugs

2012-02-20T06:40:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. I'm here today to brag about a good friend of mine, Amy, who lives over at Crazy Craft Bugs. Amy has been here before but I just had to share some of the new stuff she has been up to! Not only does she sew, cook and craft with the best of them....she's an amazing coupon-er that could beat the pants off of those ladies on that coupon show...know what I'm talking about? Anyway, I asked her some questions and thought you might have fun seeing some new and creative projects. Enjoy!

1. Why did you start blogging?

I love the idea of a community where you can share ideas and answer questions! Blogging opens the door to lots of ideas and friends! Also, you convinced me to do it! ;-)

2. What do you enjoy most about creating/crafting?

I live with two crazy boys whom I struggle to control. Since I am a complete control freak, crafting/creating is the only way for me to feel like I am in control even though my children are not.

3. What is your favorite type of craft activity?

I love to do anything and everything. I would love to buy an old house and fix it up myself. I love to quilt, sew, crochet, paint, sand, etc. If it is out there, I would love to try it!

4. If you had $1,000 how would you spend it? (Can't be on bills, etc.)

Minus a much need vacation, I would go to JoAnn's or Micheals and buy craft supplies or go to Menards and by wood and power tools. I own more power tools then my husband if that tells you something.

5. What is a project you've always wanted to try, but never had the guts to do?

Laying tile. I would love to learn how to but it seems scary to me. How do you get them to fit around a toilet?

Also, Amy has now started a blog with tips for all your couponers out there. Check it out for some great ideas and weekly deals!

I hope you enjoyed today's feature! Doesn't Amy have some fun projects? Be sure to check out her blog to find some more great ideas. Have a great day everyone!

EBTKS Link Party

2012-02-16T18:27:00.000-08:00

Hey all! Sorry I'm late today. We were in the middle of dinner and the phone rang. Who's calling?!? No one calls us! We had to know! Well, turns out it was the dentist wondering where I was! Turns out the ole hubster forgot to tell me they called yesterday with an opening tonight and he took it for me! Awww....so sweet....So, I ran on over to the dentist and had myself a little cleaning. I'm all sparkly white and smooth now. Ahhh. Nice.

I hope you guys had a great Valentine's Day! Let's check out some of the favorite links from last week.

First we have From Gardners 2 Bergers amazing map art. This lady is a wiz with the computer, and you should definitely check out how she did this!

Next, From the Heart teaches us how to be thrifty and make our own soap. COOL!

Saving 4 Six shows us how to recover an office chair to make it a thing of beauty.

And Artfully Caroline's talented jewelry making skills come into play with this amazing necklace.

Finally, Creative Passage shares with us how she made this lovely heart necklace. I love!

Don't forget to grab a featured button on the side bar! So, let's start the party! Remember to visit and leave comments! We all love 'em, they make us feel all warm and squishy inside, right? Have a great weekend!

Valentine's Day Fun

2012-02-15T15:15:00.000-08:00

Well, Happy Late Valentine's Day everyone! We had a super fun day yesterday. I like to do fun things for the kids for V-day for some reason. I just think it's a cute little holiday. I've hosted a little V-day tea party for them before and they loved it. Now that they are all in school, they get to have parties with their classes. But, we still manage to have fun at home.

They woke up to some fun V-day buckets and stuffed animals from their "Honey." (My mom).

The buckets were filled with $1 Spot toys from Target.

Then we had heart-shaped French toast for breakfast. (A simple recipe of eggs, milk and some cinnamon).

I went through a whole loaf of Texas toast using this heart shaped cookie cutter!

The kids loved eating their heart shaped French toast on their heart plates, drinking OJ from their heart glasses. It was a heart-filled day and we had lots of fun celebrating!

"Vintage" Wooden Crate

2012-02-14T06:43:00.000-08:00

So, I was rearranging furniture the other day and ended up with an exposed lamp cord. HORRORS! Something had to be done, immediately. I thought of a footstool....a low bench....a crate....a---wait, a crate! Something cheap and totally do-able for this little pregnant lady. (And when I say little, I mean short...I'm pretty huge, folks).

Anyway, I went on the hunt for a vintage crate and those suckers are not cheap. Shoot. But, I stumbled on this lovely crate at Jo-Anne's and thought, "Hey, I could totally make this look old....I mean, I'm pretty good at making new things old...." So, I bought it!

I don't really have pics of the process, but it was fairly simple. I used my walnut stain, watered down, and went to town painting the crate. I printed off the graphic from Word and traced them on the box with the rub-the-chalk-on-the-back-of-the-paper method. Very technical. Wilson is my mother's maiden name and 1911 is the year my grandmother was born. I really miss her. I thought the finger was fun...for some weird reason.

I took my 220 grit sandpaper and went to town....but, it was still pretty perfect looking....

So I took my paint brush and some old country grey ASCP and lightly brushed it haphazardly all over the box.

I like it.

Vintage look accomplished??? I hope so.

Perfect for hiding lamp cords....and storing our warm cozy blankets for the winter. I figure for summer, we can store our magazines, books, etc.

I love it!

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How to Follow Me!

2012-02-11T07:16:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I hear that Google Friend Connect is going the way of the ghost...what's up with that? (Ok, just heard that GFC is going away for all non-Google or Blogger users. Which is true? Anyone know???) And we don't want to lose touch, do we??? Of course not! So, there are a few options out there to keep up with all things happening at A Little Knick Knack. And I really hope you will want to keep up with me! I would hate to lose even one good blog-friend out there. You guys are such an amazing group of people, who lend support when I need it most. I've come to really enjoy the friendships I've made over this blog and I hope to continue to make more! Ok, off the mushy stuff. Here's how you can follow me!

1. I've added some social media buttons! I know, finally, right? See over there on the right of my sidebar? The gray buttons? Well, just click on one of those and they will take you to a way to follow me! Except for the envelope, that leads you to my email information. But, you can follow me through Facebook, Pinterest or (my favorite), Feedburner! This one allows you to receive my updates through all sorts of social networks....Yahoo, AOL, Google Plus and a host of others. I will also be keeping the Google Friend Connect link up for the duration for all those who can follow through their Google email. So, please keep in touch!

2. There's an even SIMPLER way to get an email of my post, and it's directly under the buttons....just enter your email address and click "submit." Easy as pie!

3. And oh my--is everyone doing the Linky Followers thing now? Should I be doing that, too? I guess so! I'll start the Linky Followers and hope that all my old followers will transfer over to the free-don't-have-to-join-anything-link system. Here's what it looks like....If you were following with GFC, be sure to start following with Linky (located right above the GFC on the sidebar) instead!

I think we can all stay in touch now! Yeah! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or email me! Have a great weekend everyone!

EBTKS Link Party & Features

2012-02-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

*Be sure to join the giveaway for $25 or $10 to spend on the online shopping site Sneakpeeq.com!

Hey everyone! How y'all feeling? I'm feeling pretty yucky. Last night I could feel the beginning of a cold and today it just blew up and I became a sniffly, snotty, coughing wreck. Sadly, my son caught something and threw up (he's been asleep since 4 p.m.) and my daughter sounds like she's hacking up a lung. So, I called hubs and he came home to help hold down the fort. It's amazing how two of my kids are always catching something and my other daughter is always healthy as can be. She must have an amazing immune system.

Oh, and want to know what else happened to me today? A bird flew into my house! I know! It must have gotten in the garage and flown in when we were coming in from an errand. I didn't believe it when my son said, "uh, mom, there's a bird in the kitchen...." but he was right! I opened our sliding glass door to the porch, got my broom and shooed that little guy out. I'm sure he was as happy to leave as I was to see him go! So, it's been sort of a crazy day!

Now, enough of my nonsense. On to features!

Check out how the Pursuit of Happiness made this oh-so-cute Valentine's with her baby's footprints. Can you tell I have baby on the brain? Yeah....it's still super cute, though! I love this idea for Grandparents!

First we have the adorable "key to my heart" V-day art from This Life is Shaken Together. I love the red frame and the key is the perfect touch!

Next we get our taste buds going with these yummy heart shaped mini french toasts from Will Cook for Smiles. Oh, I want some strawberries now! Yum!

And look at this cutie from Crafting with my Cub! The shirt, too. This baby is obviously so thrilled to wear such a cute homemade V-day shirt. Go check it out, since it has been worn by all her babies!

And nothing screams V-day more than a sexy little purse, especially one re-done with this amazing ruffle fabric by The Creative Imperative. She gives a great tutorial if you want one of these beauties for your special day.

Ok everyone, be sure to grab a featured button on the sidebar!

Now, on to the party. Last week ya'll did great in spreading the news about the link party and we had a lot of new link-ups! Thank you so much! I hope we have another great party this week as well. Be sure to comment, comment and comment some more! And have a healthy weekend!

New Tray turned Old Tray

2012-02-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

I found this lovely little tray at Jo-Anne's on The Great Crate Hunt. It was really dinged up and had this weird film all over it. I took it to the check out and asked if they'd give me a discount and they said yes! 25% off! Woo-hoo! So, I took home this little tray for $4. Deal.

First thing I did was wipe all that dust off and then painted 2 layers of Old Country Grey ASCP.

I printed out my graphic from The Graphic Fairy and then used my chalk method (

Take your printed graphic and turn it over. Rub the back liberally with pencil or chalk. Turn them back over and trace the outside of the words onto your sign with pen or pencil. The lead/chalk will rub off on your surface leaving you a nice outline to paint. I like to use acrylic paint pens to fill in my words. So much easier for me and my unsteady hand!) to transfer it on the tray.

Then, I used a permanent marker to fill in the graphic.

I took my sandpaper and sanded it down to expose some of the original black underneath.

I like. I think it will make a nice little accessory to my "new" dresser.

Giveaway with Sneakpeeq - CLOSED

2012-02-04T21:52:00.000-08:00

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Hey everyone! I'm excited to tell ya'll about this week's giveaway sponsor....Sneakpeeq.com! Sneakpeeq is the largest and fastest growing social shopping company on Facebook and have over 600 brand partners that offer amazing products and deals. The site lets you flip around a tag on an item, much like you would at a store, and then shares the price with you and your friends on Facebook.

Sneakpeeq.com is currently offering all entrants who are eligible (see restrictions below), one grand prize winner would receive a $25 virtual gift card...and one runner up would receive $10 gift card.

Sneakpeeq is also giving away 20% off your next purchase just for entering and becoming a new member of Sneakpeeq.com!

So, enter to win a chance at the Grand Prize: one winner will receive a $25 gift card and one runner up will get a $10 gift card to use on your favorite food, style and home products—simply click on the link to be a new member of Sneakpeeq.com. Come back here and let me know your thoughts!

Come see all the things you love but haven’t discovered. Sneakpeeq has new products for the home, clothing, jewelry, and other online boutiques that you have never seen before!

This giveaway will close Sunday, February 12 at midnight. Winner will be announced Monday, February 13. Good luck!

Restrictions

- Only new sneakpeeq users can enter the giveaway. This means that only new sneakpeeq users will receive the 20% off when they click that link.

- Our site is currently limited to the U.S., and therefore we have to limit our giveaway to the U.S.

EBTKS Link Party

2012-02-02T14:41:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I'm a whale! Not even kidding. I'm a waddling, pregnant whale. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow and I'm going to ask her if maybe they have my due date wrong and I'm going to have this kid like, next week. Ah, that would be lovely! Anyhoo...time for another fun party. Let's jump right in there and look at last week's favs.....

Nancy's Couture came up with this amazing dyed lace and ruffle Valentine's outfit for her daughter....isn't it DEVINE???

And Plum Doodles shows us how to transfer this lovely image onto a stool...or anything you want, actually. Either way, it's so cute and I love it!

Doesn't this look yummy? I love this mini-rainbow cake. Oskar and Owlivia shows us how to make these with tins cans and some yummy dye. They look like a hit to me!

And look at this to-die-for candy heart wreath Keeping it Simple put together? The conversations we could start with this...(yeah, I know....sorry).

Crazy Wonderful gives us a sneak peek on her daughter's big girl room and I can't WAIT to see the rest of it. Look at this headboard! And those curtains! And you have to check out the rest of the post for the other cute peeks she shows us. All handmade projects and all super adorable.

Don't forget to grab a feature button on the side bar! What wonderful projects you all linked up last week! It was so fun to browse through them all!

Now on to the party...and we all know how I love no rules but this week I wanted to try something different...let's see if we can spread the word about the party! You guys link up and then invite one friend to join in on the fun. How does that sound? Easy as pie, right? And as always, let others know how awesome they are and leave some fun comments! Of course, these are not rules...just guidelines, really. Suggestions. I hope you will all still link up no matter what and have fun!

A "New" Dresser

2012-01-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

I need your help! This weekend I bought a "new" dresser off of Craigslist and now I'm not sure if I want to keep it like I bought it or to paint it! So....check out the pictures and then take my little survey below to help me out. Please????

I'm not a huge fan of the knobs...nothing in my house is gold....

I like the ebony drawer fronts....the green is a little hard for me to take, but....???

Help!

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Guest Editorial- Home Security Family

2012-01-29T17:04:00.000-08:00

One of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a home is infusing it with personal style and character. A house is only truly a home based upon what’s in it: your belongings, decorations, furniture and most importantly, your family.

Via All Things Thrifty

To some it matters what sort of TV you place in the living room, or what kind of bookcases you line walls with. You may display precious antiques or collectibles, including family heirlooms passed through several generations. All of these things are part of your home, and contribute to its overall personality, quality and value.

Via All Things Thrifty

Similarly, it matters greatly which sorts of security features you include in your home. These features control the security not only of you and your family, but of your entire home environment. Here are just a few key security features:

House Alarm - The most common, most basic, and most necessary element of any home security system is the house alarm. These alarms serve two functions: they sound loud alerts in the event of an intrusion and they automatically contact the authorities. Because of these vital functions, and also because the alarm’s control panel can control your entire security system, a house alarm is an essential safety feature.
Motion Detectors - Motion detectors are becoming more common in household security systems. They provide you with a second layer of security and are relatively cheap to buy and easy to install. If an intruder somehow finds his or her way into your home at night, your motion detectors will provide the same protection as the house alarm on the inside of your home.
Yard Sign or Window Decal - One of the most significant and simple security features that you can buy is a yard sign for your front yard, or decal for your window. While these markers provide no tangible security of their own, they are in fact strong deterrents against crime. If a potential criminal sees a sign in your yard advertising the fact that you are protected by a security company, he or she will be far less likely to attempt to break into your home.

Home security is a choice for each homeowner. Hopefully, we are all doing our part to protect not only our belongings but our loved ones. Visit http://www.homesecurityfamily.com/adt-home-security/ for more information and helpful hints on how to protect your valuables and your family.

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Link Party

2012-01-27T06:48:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Sorry to get this party up and running so late! We had a computer-free day yesterday. Ever have one of those? Where you just never get around to turning the computer on? It was kind of nice actually. We stayed busy with other activities....the kids, pretending and me, napping. It was a win-win for everyone. Every once in awhile, you need a computer-free day. It's amazing what else there is to do in life besides computer-related things (I'm talking not just about blogging, but about browsing, banking, betting---just kidding...thought it'd be funny keeping with the "b" words)! Oh, I'm not saying I'll give the computer up forever (obviously). But, every once in awhile, during the full moon...a break is sort of nice.

Now, on to last week's fav's!

Who doesn't love ice cream? And sprinkles? And cherries??? Are you with me?!? Randee's Organized Chaos shows us how to make these mini banana splits for a cool treat. She even managed to get these to her kids school for their special snack time. I think she deserves props for that as well. Yum!

I appreciate a good bedroom makeover as much as the next person, but Sung as a Bug Baby added some amazing vintage finds and furniture re-do's to make her kids room special. I love her colorful dressers and toy chest she painted and her vintage toys add a wonderful flair to the room. Come re-do my son's room....please??

And I love the specimen art that is out there in the world. Shaken Together shows us how she made this adorable bird art just in time for lovebird season---Valentine's Day.

Ever want to make a wreath? Out of a pool noodle and a sweater? No? Well, you should! The Creative Imperative shows us the step by step process she used to make this adorable wreath. So cute!

What the Graham shows us how she made this awesome barn door closet for her baby's nursery. Oh, I love. I want! It's a unique feature to the room and really makes things flow easier as well. Great job!

Fun projects, right? Be sure to grab a button off the sidebar if you were featured!

Time to party! Please take a moment to visit some other link-ups and leave some nice comments. We all enjoy those! Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

Baby Quilts

2012-01-22T18:35:00.000-08:00

I know I have shared this with you before...that my husband's Grandma is a champion quilter. Seriously, she has won competitions. I feel grateful to have received a few of her lovely quilts for keepsakes. The good thing about having lots of babies, is that you get a handmade baby quilt from Grandma Rosa Mae. I just wanted to share some of this loveliness...

This one was for my oldest daughter...who has a serious love of pink....

...she's the girly one.

This is for my second daughter...who has a serious love of all things color (right now her favorites are orange and green)...

I just love that intricate detail.

And here is my son's baby quilt....that makes me think of a circus, full of life and action and happiness...

....just like my son.

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Link Party

2012-01-19T16:59:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Having a good week? We had such a lazy day today....and you can totally tell. The house is trashed! Ever have one of those days? Where you just have to sit back and let the day happen. Can't control it. Can't change it. Everything is what it is. I'm like Confucius today. So, here are some fun recaps from last week....as always don't forget to grab a button!

Our first blogger tonight brought us a wonderful way to organize and store our cookbooks. Ms. Smartie Pants found this cute shelf but also found a way to sneakily hide those mis-matched cookbooks and awkward cards we use to store our useful recipes. Excellent!

And I just fell in love with this mudroom makeover from At Home with K. I love old doors and she found a very cool way to use them! Oh, if I only had a mudroom....

And since the trend right now is moss (who doesn't love a good moss project? I have several projects around my house), I love, love, love this tutorial for a simple, cheap and elegant moss wreath from Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss. You have to check it out.

And, I never knew the official name of this window until I read this post, but now that I know it, I totally want it. Chapman Place shows us how to build our own Transom Window. It's divine and I love it!

And, finally, I fell in love with the colors and the detailed stencils on this piece from Petticoat Junktion. It's unique and bright and wonderful. I know she'll sell it soon!

And, have fun at the party! I would love it if you could visit some of your favorite link ups and say hello! Have a great weekend!

Tulips and Chocolate Cake

2012-01-18T05:53:00.000-08:00

Ever have one of those days? Where you need to just go into your room, lock the door, eat a lot of chocolate and maybe shed a few tears? Well, that day came and went for me last week and it was a doosey. I was seriously thinking of packing up my bags and heading to a deserted island, where no one would ask me to pick their nose for them or wipe up their bums. Where I wouldn't be expected to do the dishes or a million loads of laundry. Where I could sit back, relax and do what I wanted to do for a change. Ah, yes, that was a serious contemplation for me last week. I went so far as to let my husband know of my plans, so he could be home to take care of the kids when I made my Great Escape.

Well, he didn't let me escape. But, he did let me cry for awhile and he did take 1/2 a day off of work to come home and help me out. And he also brought me these....

....beautiful, white, sweet smelling tulips....

....in the middle of January....

....he also brought me a yummy, decadent piece of chocolate cake and told me I didn't have to share it with anyone....a mom's dream come true....

...sorry there are no pics of that....I'll tell you, though, it was quite yummy....

So yes, my hard day of wanting-to-give-up came and went and I survived and stuck through it all. The amazing thing was, the next day I had such an appreciation for my children, my husband and my life. It was almost like I woke up from a hazy sleep of misery and noticed all of my lovely blessings.

Then, I saw the piles of laundry....and so I looked at my lovely tulips, and closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and got to work. All the while, sneaking little bites of chocolate cake throughout my day. Life is not so bad. When you have tulips and chocolate cake.

Giveaway with Ramsign - CLOSED

2012-01-15T21:07:00.000-08:00

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to introduce this next giveaway. We all love our homes, right? In fact, I believe that's what we are doing---making a house a home, with each crafty project with each post about our kids or our jobs. Our life revolves around "home" and making it ours. And with that comes our individual style shown through how we live.

I love old fashioned signs. They have a certain charm and elegance that's timeless. I fell in love with these enamel house signs when Ramsign contacted me for a giveaway. I only offer, what I feel, are quality products and services for the kind of interests we have here at A Little Knick Knack. And I think you'll enjoy these, too!

Ramsign is offering one lucky winner one house number sign (1 - 5 digits) of any size and design.

This is a fabulous way to customize your style for your home, for all to see and enjoy. Now, I know you want to know how to enter.....

(Excludes name or address plaques)

....so here's the scoop:
1. Become a follower of A Little Knick Knack.
2. Visit Ramsign's website and come back here to tell me what you love!
3. Join A Little Knick Knack's Facebook page and spread the word about this fun giveaway!

And that's it! Three chances to enter, three chances to win (please leave a separate comment for each entry). This giveaway will be open all week and will close on Sunday, January 22 at midnight. Winner will be announced Monday, January 23.

Good luck!

EBTKS Link Party

2012-01-12T16:55:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Are you guys having a great week? I hope so! We are stuck in our house, with below freezing temps right now. It's so cold! And my kids still don't want to wear hats, coats and gloves! What's with those guys? They are never cold, it seems like. I had so much fun looking through last week's party. Such great ideas! Here are a few that caught my eye....

Look at these awesome candlestick makeovers from Larissa Hill Designs. I want one! I want them all!

And check out this super cool baby makeover by My Cowboys's Wife. She made all the adorable black and white bedding, and I love it!

And check out these hand-painted damask tile wall art from Our Mini Family. She gives a fabulous tutorial so go check it out!

And I love these scrabble tiles from Tattered and Inked. She has a whole post on some really cute and thoughtful little gifts and how you can hand make each one! So talented. Show her some blog-love and go say hi!

Ok, ladies if you were featured, don't forget to grab a button from the sidebar! Now, on to the party! Let's show lots of bloggy love and leave lots of comments this week, ok? I have a super fun giveaway to share with you next week! I hope you're excited and check back Monday for the info. Have a great weekend!

Shabby Apple SALE

2012-01-10T06:17:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! It's time to celebrate 2012 with an awesome sale at Shabby Apple! I love these clothes, I have one maternity dress and my sister has two of their amazing dresses (I can't wait until I'm post-pregnancy and can buy some of their cute non-maternity dresses as well!)

I am happy to give you guys a cool 20% off code that is good for the practically the entire site (excludes Saddle Line) until the END of January at Shabby Apple! Click on the Shabby Apple ad above to enter the site and start shopping!

Just use the code NEWYEAR at checkout to receive your 20% off!

Here's a reminder of some of their lovely dresses....

....oooh, I'm running to shop! Have fun!

Yummy Squares

2012-01-09T06:14:00.001-08:00

*Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a customized home number sign here! Going on until Sunday, January 22.*

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I feel much better! Caught up on a lot of sleep and had some fun relaxing times with family and friends. I might say I feel differently around 3:00 p.m. (why is that always the time I seem to need a nap?) but right now, I feel good.

Today I'm going to share a recipe from my Grandmother called Yummy Squares. She would make them for us all the time and we'd always end up sneaking them until they were all gone. They are DE-licious. And, very sentimental for me, since I miss my Grandma very much! Every time I make them I feel a bit closer to her. I hope you enjoy!

You'll need:
24 small squares (or 12 rectangles) of graham crackers
1 can of sweet and condensed milk
1 bag of semi-sweet (or milk) chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups of chopped walnuts

Here's my favorite part (it was when I was a kid, and it still is now!) My kids love this part, too....Take your graham cracker squares and put them into a large zip-lock bag.

Seal the bag and then take your rolling pin and smash, roll, and squish those squares until they are dust. Ok, well, not that much, but until they look like this....

Now throw all your ingredients together and mix thoroughly.

Take and 8 x 8 inch pan (spray liberally with your non-stick spray) and spread out your mixture. Use your fingers to pat it flat and get it nice and even in your pan.

Cook on 300 degrees for 35-40 minutes. The sides should be lightly brown and the top will pretty much look the same. Just make sure it's a little stiff and not to mushy. Let cool for 1/2 an hour (sometimes I even stick it in the freezer to help this process out).

Cut into small 1 x 1 inch squares...and gobble, gobble, gobble....

Oh, they are delicious....I admit, I ate a few....

But, I'm willing to share.....

These are great and easy to make! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Have a wonderful week!

EBTKS Link Party

2012-01-05T19:10:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! I hope you are all having a great week! This ole pregnancy of mine is taking its toll on me this week! I have been an exhausted, hormonal wreck. My poor husband has been getting weird texts like, "bring home chocolate. Stat." And, "the kids are driving me crazy and I'm putting them to bed at 5:30." Hopefully, this is a pregnant phase, and sanity will return, shortly. Cross your fingers. Now, on to the party! Have fun!

A Year in Review: Popular Posts of 2011

2012-01-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

It's always good to reflect on life, isn't it? And what better time to do that than in the new year?! I have been mentally making my little new year's resolutions (nothing too big....I try for big and usually end up getting upset with the results, so small is better....like brushing my teeth every morning...I know, gross right? But, sometimes, the day just gets away from me and it's around lunch time when I remember that I haven't taken care of my pearly whites! For shame! Anyway, that's just an example....)

I thought I'd share with you some of the most popular posts you guys seemed to enjoy for 2011....it was a little surprising for me (a GOOD surprise), but I love that you love this stuff! So, here goes, with the top 5 of 2011!

#5 Canvas Re-Painted and some Thrifty Finds (1,004 views)

#4 Master Bath Re-do (1,016 views)

#3 A Little Hallway Organization (1,091 views)

#2 Wooden Block Display (1, 148 views)

And....in the #1 Position....

French Canvas Pillows! (1,258 views)

You guys have been so awesome! I hope you realize how grateful I am for each one of you who comes to visit and leave a lovely comment on my little blog. It's a happy part of my day and I'm so glad to share it with you. Have a great year and I look forward to sharing more projects with you in 2012!

Felt Flower Scarf

2012-01-02T17:06:00.000-08:00

I saw this felt flower scarf on a link party and had to try and make it for my mom for Christmas. I thought it was so cute....and so "mom." She has great style. Anyway, here it is from Watch Me Daddy...I used her awesome tutorial as well.

Watch Me Daddy

And here's my version...I know, I loved it so much I even got the same color....

The flowers were fun to make, but it took a LONG time. There are a lot of circles and a lot of sewing to make them as cute as they are....

...but it was all worth it in the end!

I thought that it would look cute on me, too, so I bought some felt in black. I am not going to lie, cutting all those circles and making those beautiful flowers gave me a blister on my fingers, so it may be after Christmas before I attempt to make my lovely scarf.

Hope mom likes it!
Update: She loved it! ;)

EBTKS Link Party

2011-12-29T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I hope you're having a great holiday vacation (if you're having a vacation, and I really hope you are!) and getting lots of relaxing movie time in right now. If you're still up for blogging, here's this week's Everything but the Kitchen Sink! I'd love for you to visit some of the other link ups and show some blog love! It's always fun when we stop by and say "hi!"

Have a wonderful and happy New Year!! Now, on to the party!