Creative Juices for Decor

The Rock Fireplace in all it’s Glory

2012-02-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

This post will be short, sweet, and crazy. Yes, I already spray painted a few rocks on my new rock fireplace and how did it turn out???

GREAT!!!!

You see, there was one rock that had this bright orange spots on it – really it did, the photo doesn’t do it justice! Instead of freaking out I just grabbed my can of spray paint and fixed her right up

That spot was bright orange……NOT a good look if you ask me.

All Better!!

You may wonder if my husband knew about this spray painting party…..well he pretty much walked in on me doing it but thank goodness he trusts me so much. He just looked at me and continued on with looking over the other areas of the house.

Now the window covering guy was SHOCKED and thought I was putting graffiti on when he pulled in when he saw me doing the same thing to a few of the rocks on the outside of the house. I could tell he thought he was dealing with a wacko…..yep, I kind of am!

The finished AFTER photo of the fireplace

When you are armed with spray paint and some creativity, nothing is what it seems! Be inspired.

~ CreativeJuicesDecor~

PS As I am sure you already know, Google Friends Connect with be eliminated as of March 1st. If you subscribe through Google Friends Connect and would still like to receive updates from Creative Juices Decor, please subscribe via an RSS Feed or an Email Subscription by either entering your email in the "follow by email" button or clicking the "subscribe to" Posts button. All of that is on the LEFT hand side of the blog - I want you guys to see the house completed, it would be so sad to lose you!!!!

Make your own cork board–Thrift Store Style

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

I’m not sure going to the thrift store with a blog friend is very smart? Everything we saw we glorified it with the penitential of making it SPECTACULAR……but when we stepped back, we realized so much of what we were looking at was just junk and no glorifying or hours of labor was going to make it any prettier (or worth our time for that matter!)

During our “loving everything we saw” stage my friend Heather found a piece of cork board (very exciting – right) and as we thought about what I could do with that cork board I found this odd chalk board. (even more exciting – hee,hee) With some quick blog brain power I said, “OH, I can frame the cork in this!”

All to say, since the price tag for BOTH was .75 ¢ and I had to leave the store with something, life was good.

I simply sprayed some Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint on it (in the sprinkling rain mind you! I know, not smart!) then used an exacto knife to cut out the cork board. The cork fit in so snugly that there was no reason to even glue it in. (seriously, it took me more time to write this ON the blog than do it!)

I took some sand paper once it had dried and “aged” it. I used those Command Strips to “tape” it on our door. I was so chicken to use those strips before but I LOVE them!!! (I mean I was more chicken to DRILL a hole through the door!) I’ll put the kids homework assignments on it – keep the refrigerator looking a little less cluttered!

This is a shot of it as it IS:

This is a shot of me trying to be the perfect cute little blogger (which I am not :-) ) I am not super cutesy, I leave messes everywhere and absolutely hate deep cleaning.

What do you guys think? Isn’t it fun? All it took was a little thinking outside the box…….so glad I had my friend with me to get me excited about an old brown piece of cork

OH and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

PS As I am sure you already know, Google Friends Connect with be eliminated as of March 1st. If you subscribe through Google Friends Connect and would still like to receive updates from Creative Juices Decor, please subscribe via an RSS Feed or an Email Subscription by either entering your email in the "follow by email" button or clicking the "subscribe to" Posts button. All of that is on the LEFT hand side of the blog - Thanks!!!!

Old Windows Used as Frames

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while you hit a yard sale that has all these old windows. Years ago I used to collect them and do faux stain glass on them but I hadn’t done that in years. (you can buy the gel for the faux stain glass (called Gallery Glass) at Michaels, it’s as easy as coloring a color book!)

But when I ran across a big set of windows at a sale during the end of summer and they were only $2.00 a piece I just had to get one. I wasn’t exactly sure what I would do with it but I knew it would come to me.
One pane was broken so I decided to break the other pane on the opposite corner and do something fun with pictures and fabric.

My first thought was to fill the voided window panes with fabric and the rest with photos. After I put in the fabric pieces (wrapped them over cardboard) I didn’t like the fabric I picked out so instead of heading out in the car to get another piece I just took some old scrapbook paper and covered them with that instead. Of course, if I found the perfect piece of fabric it probably would have been best if I used the fabric but now a days with paper looking so cool I think it was just fine.

Next I printed out 4 of my favorite pictures from Costco in the size of the window opening and taped them in.

And here is what I ended up with!

Isn’t it sweet?

I just used D ring hooks on the back and drywall screws to hang it – took a little time but overall, a pretty easy project!

Overall Cost:

Window – 2.00
Fabric (that I didn’t use) – 1.00
Four 11x14 Costco prints – 12.60

Grand Total: $15.60!

Hope this project gets your own Creative Juices stirred!

The Iron Grilles in my Window.

2012-02-06T06:00:00.001-08:00

This was a long and drawn out journey. Remember me telling you about a serious mistake I made in the design process??

This is it.

In the beginning I really wanted opaque glass in my sidelight windows next to my front door. (Who likes people poking their head in to see if you are home??? I don’t want people to know it’s noon and I am still in my bathrobe!!!)

So I ordered the glass in what was called “Cross Reed” privacy glass. I saw a 2”x2” square sample of the privacy glass and even though I wasn’t sure what it would look like, I thought it would be a fun option.

Well it comes in and SERIOUSLY it looked like 80’s DISCO/TECHNO glass next to my Tuscan front door.

I was horrified, what did I do???

LUCKILY there was a minor malfunction with the glass and I got to replace it for NO CHARGE. I was pretty skittish with picking any opaque glass so I just ordered it clear. I told myself that if I wanted to add some texture to the glass or some privacy film I could always do it later.

Now I had to figure out how to make that glass look like part of the front door. I spent HOURS trying to figure out the best plan that didn’t cost a lot because as everyone knows at the end of building a house YOU HAVE NO EXTRA $.

I played around with the idea of buying films to stick on the window but it just didn’t seem right, it seemed so flat and my door was so full of dimension. Next I thought about adding iron – here were my mock ups.

Tutor style diamond grids? (just used Photoshop)

Super organic and swirly?

Next step was going to my local iron welder metal shop and figuring out if I could even afford this and what design I wanted. Let me tell you I was a SIGHT! I walk into this definitely MALE world and started asking about how I could make pretty sidelight iron grilles. I showed them this danty little drawing below

Once again, I can’t even tell you how many HOURS I spent trying to figure this all out!!! You see, I had to come up with a design on pieces that they already had IN STOCK (to keep the price down) and it had to pretty much fit within the window size that was there.

Fortunately, the guys were nice and even started helping me lay out designs on the dirty concrete floor!

After I met with them I called up the guy who did the iron interior window and got a price. Remember, these were 12” x 60” – a pretty decent size custom order….

They came back at $130.00 each and that was also having them professionally powder coated (which makes them totally weather proof, no paint chipping on those babies!)

I was HAPPY. For $260.00 I had a better look than I had ever imagined. The outside hasn’t been painted yet but the trim will be a VERY dark brown color.

What do you guys think? I still might take some Gallery Glass and swirl in some texture so that it’s not totally clear.

You would think that having BARS in the window might keep a few peeping toms out but my guess is if they are the peeping type, bars or no bars on see through glass wont stop them!

Here is a picture from the inside looking out.

And for those that remember my crazy post about spray painting my new entry lights, here they are up and glowing….OK not glowing yet, maybe they aren’t hooked up, I tried to find the switch but nothing turned them on……still figuring this all out I guess!

Have a great day you guys!!!

~CreativeJuicesDecor~

French Distressed Side Table using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in BLUE

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

OK, I accidentally posted this piece earlier (for those who get the blog in their email or Google Reader, SO if you did, sorry about that and NOW here is the post where it was supposed to be! (Ah, the technical side of blogging stuff is tough for my creative mind!)

Well, after the last piece I did with my winning chalk paint I just had to do another one. (remember, you don’t have to sand OR prime with this paint!)

This cute little beauty was a Christmas gift from my mom - actually, I saw it in her house and was like, “Mom, can I have that!!!????” (It’s so fun being a daughter…..where else can you spot something you like and ASK for it!! ha!)

And the AFTER shots!

For this piece I did a really LIGHT second coat (even watered the chalk paint down a little) It made it a lot easier to distress.

SOOO, wondering where and what this piece will be used for??? It is going to be my daughter’s hamster table! I know, doesn’t sound classy but it fit the cage PERFECTLY! Once I get her desk and this piece all set up in her room I’ll snap a shot for you guys.

Update: Winner of the Shabby Dress Giveaway was NICOLE comment #29!

STAY TUNED! ~CreativeJuicesDecor~

Can’t forget the Granite in my Master Bathroom!

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

I realized after I wrote the post about my honed kitchen granite that I never mentioned that I DID do the regular shiny polished granite in my master bathroom (really, I love BOTH polished and matte finish)

This granite was a remnant, left over from someone else’s large job that I picked up for a great price. I matched it to a neutral tile and picked out these little gemstone accent tile (aren’t they BEAU – TI- FUL!) and away I went with the bathroom colors picked out.

Once again, after holding my breath and wondering if it will all come together, I think it did! I love natural stone, you can’t go wrong. Honed matte satin finish or the highly polished granite – it’s all good

Naughty me for trying to take great pictures in the dark……oh well, it’s not the FINAL picture, just the pictures along the way The dust is still EVERYWHERE!

Thanks for tagging along with me through my house adventure!

~CreativeJuicesDecor~

EASY Dutch Puff–My Kids Absolute Favorite

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

This is the EASIEST recipe ever! Not only is it my kids all time favorite meal it was MY favorite growing up too. Feel free to change this up for your health needs. I have experimented using whole wheat flour but it doesn’t “puff” up like the white flour.

Dutch Puff

1/4 c (1/2 cube) melted butter

1 1/2 Cups milk

1 1/2 Cups flour

6 eggs.

dash of cinnamon and a touch of vanilla (if you want)

Turn your oven on to 400̊ F

Put the butter in an skillet oven pan and stick it in the oven to melt. Put all other ingredients into blender. Blend and pour into the pan once the butter is melted.

Bake for 20-25 min. When golden brown and puffed up take out and serve! Typically this is served with powdered sugar on top but we like syrup or agave nectar. And yes, I serve it for breakfast, lunch or dinner! ha!!

Yes, that is delicious butter sizzling on top!

If you want link up your favorite EASY family meal is on the comments. I’d love to read about them.

ENJOY! From Creative Juices Décor!!!

The Honed Granite Countertops are IN!!!

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Remember this post about how HARD choosing things for the interior of a home was? I mentioned that finding the granite was one of the hardest things for me to pick out.

Luckily, I did find ONE granite warehouse that carried what is called a HONED or satin finish granite. (I guess they have only been installing honed granite in Europe for YEARS, it isn’t highly polished so it’s not shiny, it has a matte finish.) When I saw it, I turned to the guy helping me and said, “this isn’t granite – is it?” I thought it must have been limestone or some other exotic tumbled stone that was expensive only because it was not granite….WELL, it was a granite, and it was in my price range! (a lower B level and they go all the way up to E I think)

I was so overwhelmed after looking at 1000 slabs of granite but I really felt that was the slab for me so I told my contractor to buy it.

Five months later after choosing it, I finally got to see it installed!

I wanted to jump up and down with how perfect it fit in with the house. PHEW! Even though I am an interior designer by degree I still have moments where I hold my breath and just hope for a good outcome!

For those wondering about the backsplash I did a BRICK LAID tumbled stone…..I wanted something raw and natural like the granite. Oh and I did chiseled edging on the granite. Just another raw and natural touch…..

Enjoy some pictures!!! If you have any questions about the honed granite just leave me a comment – I’ll try to answer whatever I can! Honed granite is a granite that is NOT highly polished. It still can be totally sealed, but it’s not shiny at all. It has a completely a matte finish.

It is still in the building phase so the appliances aren’t all in and it’s all dusty and as you can see area’s need patching! Can’t wait to show it to you all put together and decorated!

Looking forward to showing you what comes in next!!!

~ CreativeJuicesDecor~

Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway!!!

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Oh my, have you seen this fabulous boutique The Shabby Apple on other blogs? They are so much fun…..very RETRO and full of spunk.

They contacted me and asked if I would like to do a giveaway for my blog readers and I said, ABSOLUTELY! (I was pretty excited, I had seen their stuff before and drooled over a few things already……)

For those that are visual, let me show you some of my personal favorites.

I love the fit and the neckline – such a vintage classic dress

I could totally see this dress worn casually or dressy in the spring/summer.

This picture says it all - blue, red and white wonderful, right?

If you are in the shopping mood and want to grab your own Shabby Apple clothing, just enter this coupon code at checkout to receive 10% off your entire order: creativejuices10off (expires Feb. 15) Actually, right now they are having a site wide sale of 20% off which is really great, but if that goes away use my 10% off one.

Shabby Apple has gorgeous accessories, maternity, kids clothes and shoes too. I love it all.

Or just enter my GIVEAWAY for a chance to win a free Shabby Apple Spanish Steps Dress!!! ($79.00 value)

Can’t you just see it at a Spring or Summer wedding?

Or maybe just strolling Italy with your red scooter – LOL (don’t I wish) I love it.

Here is the giveaway plan:

“Like” Shabby Apple on Facebook.

This is the only requirement Shabby Apple specified for the giveaway. If you do not have Facebook, visit the Shabby Apple site and tell me your favorite dress

Leave me a comment telling me you did one of the above.

For further entries, you may do one or all of the following. However, for each item you do, please leave a SEPARATE comment. (so, max amount of entries would be FOUR!)

Let me know you follow me, or just started following.
Make a status update on your Facebook page with a link to this specific blog post.
On your next blog post add a link to this specific blog post giveaway!

One winner will be selected so please, make sure I can get a hold of you!!! (leaving email in comment is recommended, if I can't easily find (click to) your email, I have to move on to the next random winner.)

The winner must have a U.S. address in order to claim their prize and no exchanges for a different dress, but of course you can specify your size!

Ok my friends! Go and enter this super fun giveaway. Ends Jan. 25th

Click on link if you want you can see my full disclosure policy regarding giveaways.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Giveaway Winner.

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

All I can say is WOW this chalk paint is HOT STUFF!! There were 171 entries and # 104 was the winner. Thanks for entering everyone and I'm so excited to have new followers!

I congratulated Karen and had to swing by her blog and what was the first thing I see....

YEP

A beautiful piece painted with chalk paint!

I LOOOOOOVVVVE this piece. I know distressed furniture isn't for everyone, when I told my mom to enter the ASCP giveaway she told me that distressed furniture distresses her :-) but one great thing about the paint is you don't HAVE to distress your furniture after you paint it, just leave it solid! I hope you try the paint out next time you need to paint a piece of furniture. :-) Let me know if I can answer any questions you have about it.

Anyway, stop by Karen's blog Never Enough Thyme Creations and look at more of her pieces, I was inspired.

~ Creative Juices Decor~ Selina

American Clay–Enjarre Entire Main Level– More Pictures

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Oh…….My…….Word…….

Yes I’m still talking about the clay because when I told you I was done with the it and gave you that nice before and after shot, I really wasn’t done because it is the Clay That Never Ends….

Want to know why?

1.) I decided to really get creative with the powder room (the guest bathroom) Not a BRIGHT idea when really all that you should be thinking about is just FINISHING up the job.

In the middle of the process.....

One wall done! (the other sides still need the grey/green)

2.) My hard working husband who works from home mentioned how much he would love a few of his office walls in the clay (how could I say no, even after 70 hours of hard labor???)

Not a great picture, but I did it in a soft green color

3.) My cool iron piece I bought had a mighty hard time fitting in the hole they made for it so basically they had to tear apart the wall opening and push it in and have me make it look spectacular again. (I won’t mention that while I was trying to make it look spectacular, white primer bleed through he blue tape and I had to meticulously scrape off small white spots on the black iron with an exacto knife.)

To make the clay butt up against the iron correctly took a LONG time!

WOWZERS!!!! But I can officially say I AM DONE and my blister is no longer a blister but but a beautiful hard callus…..(I know, TMI)

French Furniture Painting w/ Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Blue

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

GIVEAWAY ENDED - linda from Never Enough Thyme was winner

Do you guys like entering giveaways? I try to enter them because wouldn’t it be fun to win?? Well I DID win some chalk paint from Southern Hospitality’s Blog by Stylish Patina the other day. (super cool, I checked and I was 1 out of 250 – wow!)

Anne Sloan Chalk Paint

So I get this chalk paint and wax in the mail and to be honest with you I had NO IDEA what this stuff even was??? I totally had to research on the internet and hope to find other blogs that have used it. I did – actually a LOT of bloggers have written posts on it, one of my favorites was Perfectly Imperfect. I guess this stuff is the HOT product on the market.

Want to know why?????

There is NO need for SANDING OR PRIMING your furniture piece before you start!!!

Yep you heard me right – you get to completely skip those LONG tedious steps! I always felt so scared of painting furniture because I always thought I wouldn’t do it “correctly”. I have spray painted a piece of furniture and it turned out fine by OH MY WORD I thought the fuses from that spray can were going to kill me. This chalk paint has very low VOC’s and actually hardly any fuming…..MUCH nicer!!!!

OK on to the pictures (pictures speak 1000 words – right??)

Adorable desk I found at the thrift store for $20.00 (it was pretty beat up and scratched)

Aren’t the side bookshelves unique!

And the French Distressed Painted with Chalk Paint AFTER shots!

Can I tell you it was fairly easy? I know some of you are thinking – Hum, maybe easy for you BUT not for me! For a quick simple rundown I just painted it on (two coats, drying between) sanded the edges with a hand sanding block, and very sparingly rubbed (really working in) the soft wax it came with as a topcoat. Totally doable for anyone (hey I’m trying to inspire you guys to try it yourself!)

I’m sure I’ll do another piece soon, cause this stuff is fun! Stay Tuned!

~CreativeJuicesDecor~

What to do when your Christmas Present Breaks - the DIY way

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

I just love pretty breakable things and I just love my little 4 year old but the combination of the two don’t always bode well together……

I got this beautiful set of glittery red candle holders from a friend for Christmas. I still had them wrapped up in the box and my daughter decided to move the box off the table to, who knows where, and KABOOM!! The bottom of the box fell to the ground. (no, I did not take a picture of this……there is a time and a place for everything folks!)

I – Couldn’t - Believe - It!

My new gift had all the stems broken and the only thing that kept the top together was that it was a broken mosaic in the first place!

~~I was super sweet and understanding~~ OK, I was VERY upset. My daughter said she was sorry and that I could just fix it with glue. That didn’t help me much at all.

My mother in law heard about the story and went out to buy me TWO more (the last two) that were left at the store (isn’t she sweet!!) She tried to have my daughter “buy” them from her (with a few bucks her daddy gave her) to replace the broken gift but when my Mother in Law showed my daughter the new holders she responded, Oh, mom already glued the old ones and they are good now!

That wasn’t the truth just yet…..although I did start to get creative and thought what odd and end piece do I have laying around that I could turn into candle holders.

I found an old decorative jar of pickled stuff (that was nearly impossible to get the veggies out of the jar!) and a candle holder I picked up for a buck at the thrift store)

I got out my trusty Oil Rubbed Bronze Rustoleum spray paint and painted everything to match. Next I broke off MORE of one of the stems and glued it on the top of the silver holder and the next I shoved in the bottle with glue of the old picked veggie jar.

VOILA – as good as new – right???!!!

At least a fun and creative solution:-)

I guess the moral of the story is that if you are a true DIYer you can never throw anything away…..you just have to figure out how to fix it again.

Oh, and it’s never worth getting mad over an accident I’m still learning…….

~ Creative Juices Decor ~

House Update– AMERICAN CLAY WALLS and Cabinets

2011-12-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

As I’m writing this post I am dead tired and feel as if my arms might fall off.

For the last 12 days I have put in 75+ hours of applying American Clay to my home’s walls. It…..has……been…..insane.

The first day I worked on the house I was excited for about an hour and then I felt like bursting into tears realizing just HOW MUCH I had to get done! A true labor of love.

Two of those days I did have these beautiful ladies show up (one on Sunday and the other Monday) and help – it definitely made the day go by faster.

Don’t let the glamour make you think these two couldn’t work – they were awesome! I told one of them to come in her “grubbies” and she showed up in her PJ’s telling me they couldn’t think of what she could wear that would be classified as grubbies so she thought PJ’s would be the next best thing…..

I was just glad it was the weekend and not during the week when I’m sure all my rough and tough constructions workers would have enjoyed watching a cute little brown haired girl apply clay in her PJ’s!!!!

I on the other hand knew what true grubbies were and used them to the fullest! I was a complete MESS everyday.

I did hire a nice drywall friend to help when he could and my husband helped me on the weekend

The walls though, (lets get back to the story!) look JUST how I had hoped. I love them……I’m sure I’ll just sit on my sofa and stare at the walls and smile….at least I better after all my HOURS of LABOR!

DURING: (each section HAND troweled on the walls)

And AFTER!!!!

Great Room Fireplace (mantle is not stained yet)

Master bedroom wall

Front Entry Half Wall

Arch Off of Kitchen

And for those that can see the dark wood behind that arch – YES, the doors and knotty alder cabinets just got installed!!!!! So exciting If you missed how I turned my front door into a Tuscan door you'll have to check it out!

Computer Desk and Wine Area (great combo, huh)

Pantry Door

I’ll brake this post down and show all you great DIYers just how I did it so that you can achieve this look in your own home. I ADORE American Clay and recommend it to anyone who loves beautiful, natural and textured walls! (They are completely “green” no VOC’s etc…..)

Hope you all had a GREAT Christmas! Till the next update!!!
~ Creative Juices Décor ~

It’s just so easy! Another thrift store lamp makeover

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Special Thanks to Cassity from Remodelaholic for featuring my Tuscan Front Door makeover today!

I’ll admit it, I think I have a problem. Every time I walk into a thrift store I see a million lamps that I want to take home and fix up. I should open my own lamp store at the rate I am going. I plan to give some of my fixed up lamps to my brother since he just bought a house. (I’m using that excuse so that it doesn’t look like I’m a hoarder.)

Anyway, I just want to show you how SIMPLE it is to turn an ugly lamp into a beauty. Tip number 1: NEVER judge a lamp by it’s color, just it’s shape. Here are two beauties I picked up.

FOR 4.00 EACH.

I also picked up these shades (they were pretty smudgy) for $2.00

YEP THAT IS $1.00 a piece!

All I did was take a metal primer and a fun textured paint , here is the simple process.

I even loved the lamps white! (that was the metal primer)

The lamp shades I spray painted a gold color. It worked better than I could have hoped for. It covered all the dirty smudges and went from a fairly stark linen white to a nice taupe. (Love it when things go my way!)

Isn’t this finish pretty? I spray painted them my moonlight copper and once they dried I lightly dry brushed a gold paint over the lamp.

Here it is in my house

Now who wants to run out to the thrift store and get them some lamps!

Till next time! Enjoy!

~CreativeJuicesDecor~

House Update–Insulation,Drywall,Siding and Rock

2011-12-19T07:00:00.001-08:00

I have to say…….things are getting a little exciting around here– hee,hee.

My FAVORITE is this right here:

The ROCK!

And another of my favorite parts went up!

The interior rough sawn beams!

These guys have been working HARD even in a snow blizzard to stay on schedule and get this house done.

I did just realize that we will not be able to paint the house OR do the black top driveway till Spring! (due to freezing temperatures)…….Oh well, Come March/April it will be completely done, but we’ll still get to move in end of January!

Now that the drywall is in it means it’s time for me to “get my hands dirty” and do the American CLAY WALLS! Yes, somehow I am doing the entire main level, I do have a helper but my goodness, I have no idea how I am going to get it all done in the week slot the contractor gave me. I’ll pretty much be doing 8 hour days for a week. Pretty interesting going from full time mom to full time clay applicator!

If you are curious what the clay looks like see my post American Clay.

Here is a picture of my friends wall I did in a neutral beige like I’ll be doing.

That’s it friends!!! Till the next house update! Granite, wood floor, fireplace mantel, ALL the fun stuff coming up next!

Favorite Winter Posts - tradtions, crafts and gift ideas.

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

I just thought it would be fun to bring up some of my favorite winter posts from last year……ENJOY!

Ice Candle Holder – Can use a small cup or a large bucket! Fill it up and let it freeze half way…..empty out the water and insert candle! Can you just imagine these all lined up your front porch steps?? Sooooo festive and pretty!

Cinnamon Glue Christmas ornaments or gift tags.

These are a family favorite. We love making them! A must for a fun family tradition. (plus it’s the perfect gift to have kids make grandparents or teachers!)

Gingerbread Playdough. Tons of festive childhood fun!!!!

Makes a fun gift too! Add the Cinnamon ornament gift tag on top!

Need some Christmas table decorating Ideas or a personalized gift to make? Try this spray painted wine bottle!

That’s it! Happy Holidays and have fun!!!!

Making your Front Door Unique! Tuscan Style

2011-12-08T07:00:00.001-08:00

Showcased on Remodelaholic - thanks Cassity!

I thought I was pretty crazy spay painting over my brand new porch lights………

I have to say I have well surpassed that craziness with this next project.

It all started when I ordered my front door. I really wanted to do an old wooden door that looked like I just brought it back from Europe but I was told that since my builders were an “Energy Star” contracted house I had to stick with an Energy Star insulated door (so no old wood door for me).

A few days after I placed the fiberglass door order we had a construction meeting and somehow Energy Star stuff and doors came up. Come to find out (don’t you just love finding stuff out a day late!) that you can choose up to ONE door not to be Energy Start to still qualify.

Well It was too late to change my special order so I decided to make the BEST with what I had ordered which was a fiberglass Energy Star door that looks like wood but really isn’t……(oh and for those who are wondering, I found out that only 75% of your lights have to be Energy Star, the rest can just be standard, at least I found that out in time…..)

So, what can you do to your front door to make it look like an worn old European door? First off let’s add clavoses and straps!

I know, you’re probably thinking what are clavos and straps (I was) but after some research I figured out that what you called those black knobs and iron dummy hinges. Searching “black round thingamabobs” on eBay was not helping me any.

I picked up 30 clavoses and 3 custom made straps (hinges) for $100.00 on eBay. I had to buy epoxy but that was only 5 bucks.

Now for the extremely scary part in which I can’t believe my husband trusted me with power tools, no less to do this on our expensive front door!!!!

I was so nervous and kept thinking what if I drill a huge hole through the entire door on accident or what if I pound in the clavos and it splits the fiberglass all the way down the center! IT… WAS…. SCARRRRY!

All to say, with my fancy blue template and my mad skills :-) I was able to drill 28 HOLES into my new front door (without a disaster) and add all the extras.

To break it down a little, all I did was drill holes large enough that the pin part would fit, after all the holes were drilled I stuck epoxy around the backside of the iron and pounded it in. That part went fast, it was the drilling that took a while.

SO MUCH BETTER (or at least so much more of the look I wanted) But as I stood back I knew I wasn’t done yet. An old door doesn’t look “polished” it looks aged and dusty in all the corners and crevices…..

So I took out my bike chains and hammers and went to work on it.

Gotcha!

No I didn’t do that, although the thought DID pass through this crazy little head of mine.

I did add some latex paint mixed with a glaze (1:3) and filled in the crevices. I thought about mixing a stain with the glaze but since my glaze was water based and I couldn’t find a water based stain (they were all oil based) I thought I shouldn’t push my luck and try to put that on the door. I am not sure how long the paint will last on the exterior of the door but it only took me a few minutes to apply it so if in a year or two I need to add some more it’s no big deal. I may have the trim guy on my house put a clear top coat over the door for me, this will ensure the dark brown will be there permanently.

Without glaze: (Blah without depth….and a little too orangey)

With Glaze: (Can you see the difference? The depth it now has?)

Now I really think I’m loving this door and I feel so proud that I turned a rather “standard” fiberglass door into a fairly European looking door like I really wanted. Isn’t that “speak easy” fun! It reminds me of the scene from Wizard of Oz where the munchkin opens the speak easy and says they can’t see the wizard, or the scene in Princess Bride where they go to the Dr. guy to get help….. (I’m not weird, I promise )

The FINAL AFTER: (with iron and glazing)

I’m all about turning lemons into lemonade, especially if I can do it for not a lot of money! Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

If you want to see more house pictures check out this post!

No, this isn't MY home, just some inspiration!

~ CreativeJuicesDecor ~

T.Michael Studios Christmas Gift Giveaway! Slate Plaques

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

There are a few things I have run across while building my house that I have fallen in love with. One of those things was the address plaque I bought from T Michael Studios. Along with address plaques he makes TONS of other stuff!!!!!

Let me tell you – I couldn’t BELIEVE his price for his handcrafted piece of history and art! Most of the slate he uses has been reclaimed from Historical buildings and barns throughout the heartland. Every piece that leaves his studio has a history of its own. Once he receive it, he sculpt it and mold it into a new form.
I looked long and hard for a unique well made address plaque and didn’t find anything close to this guys quality and price.

Anyway, I liked it so much that I contacted him and said “I'd love to promote you and ummmm.....would you be willing to do a giveaway for my readers to your shop?!” He said he would!! Let’s just say it’s a thank you to all my blog readers for helping me win my $250.00 American Clay contest

I ADORE the giveaway he is going to do! I know his style falls right in line with most my readers.

Set of 4x4 Historal dated coasters – Retail is 29.99 (plus shipping)

You can see more pictures here on the T.Michael Studio etsy shop

This slate came from a 1804 Trading Post in Ohio. It was used as roofing shingles and was taken off when the Post was torn down. This Trading Post was used for trade of Goods, Fur, Supplies, & Materials.

( Includes Historical Data Card) for additional historical information and pictures, please go to : www.tmichaelstudio.com/HISTORY1804.html)

You guys, he has SO MANY crazy amazing gifts you could give this holiday. Just so you know, I’m not getting compensated or paid to say any of this – I just really love his stuff and would love to help him out in his business. Here is the gift selection from his site, and here are a few pictures.

Coasters!

Slate bread board – I WANT THIS!!

Garden Plaques, bird houses, pet plaques, no soliciting plaques EVERYTHING!

Enough said – right???

Check out his site T.Michael Studio and……..

1.) Leave a comment telling me your favorite thing on the site. (ONE entry) or "Like" his Facebook Page.

2.) And like always, for your second entry, FOLLOW ME! (another entry) or if you do already, just let me know and tell me you really like my blog – JUST JOKING!

OK friend, that’s it. I’ll end this Wednesday the 14th at noon PST so that I can send him the winners address ASAP for shipping out. Please either leave your email on the comment or be sure it is easy for me to find once clicking your name. If I can not easily find your email, I will have to choose another winner. Shipping to US only (unless you will pay for international shipping yourself)

For those of you wanting to know his Christmas shipping schdule he sent me this:

Personalized or Custom orders :
Dec. 14 ( Last day to order) / ( Dec 7 ) CANADA Orders
Orders placed after these dates will not be guaranteed for Holiday delivery.
( NO RUSH FEES accepted. )

REGULAR NON-Personalized Orders ie: SLATE Coasters, Ornaments, Bread
plates. Dec 19th (Last day to order )

Only the CRAZY! CSN entry light re-do

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, I am a little crazy and regarding this post I am SO GLAD my husband doesn’t read my blog!!

I fell completely in love with these CSN front entry lights at $149 each (that’s a LOT for me!!!) but they weren’t the exact color I wished they were. I looked for others and I just didn’t see anything I wanted! (the fact that they had to be Energy Star rated made it even harder)

(Mine aren’t that large – they’re slightly smaller)

I decided that I would spray paint them to change them to the color I needed. (it sounds so simple doesn’t it!) Well it was simple. A few light swipes of the paint (really, I didn’t have to change it THAT much) and it was PERFECT!

Are you sure you guys want to keep following me?? LOL! No really, I have seen other lights that one (less popular?) finish would be 30-50% off. If you decided to be crazy like me, you could just paint them the shade you wanted and save yourself a pretty penny!!

I can't wait to show you them on the rock entry when the house is done, only 2 months left (except that I just found out they have to wait till Spring (too cold now) to paint the house AND do the driveway.....it's OK, so not 100% done for 4 months :-)

Till Next Time!! ~ Creative Juices Decor~

Healthy Holiday Eggnog

2011-11-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

Nothing says the holidays better than EGGNOG for me! I LOVE the taste but I don't really enjoy reading the back of all the eggnog containers seeing all kinds of sugars (high fructose corn syrup etc) and words I can't pronounce. Why is it so hard to produce a healthy store bought eggnog?? It's all OK though because I found a great solution!!!

I asked my friend Amy from Simply Sugar and Gluten Free to “show me how it’s done”! She created the BEST eggnog recipe for me without the sugar or preservatives. You won’t believe it, homemade eggnog is SIMPLE to make and my kids LOVE it!

Healthy (or at least healthier!) Eggnog

4 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon agave nectar
3 1/2 cups low-fat milk
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia plus 15 – 20 drops to taste
3 whole cloves
1/2 cup half & half

Whisk together egg yolks and agave in a heavy bottom medium sized sauce pan. Slowly whisk in milk, then add in cinnamon, nutmeg, stevia, and cloves. Heat over medium low for 10 – 15 minutes, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and will coat the back of a spoon. If using an instant read thermometer, it should reach 165°F. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl or pitcher and whisk in heavy cream. Refrigerate for 4 hours or, preferably, overnight. Remove cloves before serving and sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.

Will keep for 5 – 6 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Only makes 4 1/2 cups so if you are having a party double the recipe! Or you can add more milk for an eggnog that isn’t super thick. It is seriously delicious!

Don't forget to try out iherb for your health food purchases - they have great prices.

ENJOY!!! Creative Juices Décor!

Getting in the Christmas Spirit–Bird Trees and Table Decor

2011-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Since we are getting ready to move into our new house, I didn't feel like going all out with our Christmas decor so I asked my friend if I can take pictures of hers!

Get ready to be inspired by a Christmas tree filled with birds!

Is that STUNNING or what!!!! And she always puts on an amazing prime rib meal – here is her table all decked out.

Would you believe it if I told you 10 children are invited to this lavish party!

I know, I have one amazing friend!! (we only broke 2 goblets and 3 ornaments)

No, the children are angels.......

OK, maybe not angels but we do provide live Christmas music for them in return

(Me and my kids playing some Christmas carols.)

I have an AMAZING giveaway right now where you can decorate your table using HISTORICAL Bread Board SLATE! I'd love to have you guys check it out! Ends Dec 14

Enjoy the Season!

~ CreativeJuicesDecor~

Linking up to SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY and.........

Easy Children Silhouette Art

2011-11-21T07:00:00.003-08:00

I am really excited to show you guys this next project because it was SO easy and cheap. It's a great gift idea too!

First off, call up your local big cabinet companies and ask if they have an outlet or reject store. I called up Huntwood cabinets and just down the street from their facility was their outlet store. (it was called BargainHunt or something like that) You can also get a door front from Habitat for Humanity recycled store too. (although, it was nice to get a brand new door verses a used one)

I picked up a few door fronts for $2.00 a piece (they had TONS of cupboards and door fronts!) I actually got that particular cabinet door for free because my daughter was with me and they guy said, “Have your daughter pick out a few for herself to do a craft on” OK, will do!

As I was thinking what to do with her cupboard door I thought about drawing in a silhouette of my daughter in the center. Then the light bulb went off and I thought why DRAW a silhouette when I can just take a real photo and cut it out! (way better and can be done in a second!)

(I took two pictures and decided once I put them on the door which one I liked best)

Those with Photoshop or an editing program this is super simple – once the photo is taken just hit the cntl and L together and you can adjust the lighting arrows where the object becomes dark. For those that do not have Photoshop just set your child in front of a sunset or bright light and when you take the picture (without flash!) your child will be outlined like a silhouette.

Next I took some pink paint with glaze and wiped it on and then wiped it off so the glaze just went in the crevices and edges. Next I took some pink scrapbook paper that matched another project I did in her room, cut it to the size of the middle opening and used a slightly watered down glue mixture to put it in. I put the glue mixture of the entire top and then set in my photo. (you can also use Mod Podge, which may be better quality – I’m just cheap) You can spray it with a clear sealer on top once it is all dry. (spray very lightly from a distance so no large spots of sealer land on your photo)

I wrote on it just to personalize it. I mean when she is 50 and it’s still hanging in her dining room she’ll want people to know it was HER at age 4 – right?

That’s it! Screw in a D-ring on the back (or any hook) to hang it up!

Total cost – UNDER $1.00!

She wasn’t so happy about how “black” her picture came out (she said “I don’t LIKE that picture!) but now that it’s hanging in her room I think she likes it! To my Little Princess!

Stay tuned for what I did to turn her changing table into an entertainment unit. They match and look so cute together (you can see a little sneek peak in the close up picture above) - can't wait to show you that too!

~CreativeJuicesDecor~

Andes Mint Cookies–good cookie exchange recipe!

2011-11-19T18:32:00.000-08:00

I got invited to a cookie exchange and my immediate thought was “Oh man, do I really want to make 6 DOZEN cookies and do I have a recipe that is good enough???”

Then I remembered a cookie exchange last year where my friend Kira brought her Andes Mint Cookies and I decided a cookie exchange might be a fun idea after all. (-;

It’s an easy cookie to make BUT, it tastes amazing and has a pretty look. (you know these cookie exchanges can be tough, the invitation said NO chocolate chip cookies!!)

On Kira’s recipe she never mentioned how many dozen cookies it makes so I thought I’d be on the safe side and triple the recipe. Let me tell you, I had enough to make nearly 200 cookies!!!

My 10 year old daughter was like, “Mom, WHAT were you thinking making this much cookie dough??” I told her we were preparing for Year 2012 and now we have a lot in the freezer to make for future cookie urges

ANDES MINT COOKIES

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp water
2 cups chocolate chips
2 Eggs
2 1/2 c flour
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Andes Mints

Directions:

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, brown sugar, and water together. Add chocolate chips and stir until completely melted. Cool for 10 minutes. Pour into a mixing bowl and beat in 2 eggs. Mix together flour, baking soda, and salt and combine with the chocolate mixture. Chill the dough for about 45 min. Roll into balls (approximately 1 to 1-1/2 inches in size) flatten slightly, and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cookies should be puffed but still soft.
When the cookies come out of oven, place an Andes mint on top of each cookie and allow to melt for a few minutes. Lightly swirl the melted mint on the cookie to make cream and brown icing and then remove to cooling rack. They have to cool all the way before you put them in a bag or container to store or the icing gets over everything

Kira has an adorable cookie recipe print out on this but it’s missing the eggs so be sure and write that in!!!

Till Next Time! ~CreativeJuicesDecor~

Spontaneous SNOW Post

2011-11-19T11:52:00.000-08:00

I usually plan every post and schedule it, but this one is “as is” right now!!!

Winter has officially begun and the snow is HERE! They have been out there all morning (with occasional visits inside for hot chocolate.)

Over on this side of the mountain, our winter begins!!!

ENJOY THE SEASON! ~Selina