darling doll creates

Dear Dolls {WE ARE MAKIN' A COME BACK}

2012-04-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Crystal (who is a VERY talented photographer, writer, mom, and so much more. See her amazing photography work here at http://www.envisionimage.blogspot.com/) brainstormed some awesome ideas for this blog. I have decided that I really want to go for it this time. We are going to make a complete make-over to the look and feel of the blog. The blog will have certain themes for the day. We will have a craft day, a decor day, a feature day, a fashion day, and a whatever I'm feeling that day, day! I'm quite excited about this.

So get excited!

Ch-ch-changes are coming.

"Don't call it come back."

Dust coming soon dolls.

Candle Quotes {COMBINED}

2012-02-02T06:46:00.001-08:00

You can find this fun craft on my combined blog www.mattandkierstyn.blogspot.com

Candle Quotes

Time To Combine {Joining The Blogs}

2012-01-26T21:56:00.001-08:00

Well friends... I think it's time. We all knew it would come eventually. I think I will be combining www.darlingdollcreates.blogspot.com and www.mattandkierstyn.blogspot.com. For two reasons... One I am falling behind on both of them, because I feel I need to update them both at the same time. Two Matt and Kierstyn is supposed to just be a family blog. So here it is friends. I need to know. Should I start a brand new blog fresh name, fresh look, fresh everything and feature stories and crafts OR just use darling doll creates? I would love input PLEASE HELP!

Some Hanging Decor {Deck The Halls}

2011-12-10T14:45:00.001-08:00

So I found this idea on pinterest as you can see on my 12 Crafts of Christmas post. I decided I wanted to have some fun with some of my extra ornaments and make a hanging center piece from my chandelier. So here it is dolls.

Check it out.

Step 1: Get It Together

Just grab whatever your little heart desires. I used my blue ornaments with some silver, white, and blue ribbon. I also made sure I had different sizes and different thickness.

Step 2: Tie Your Ribbon to Your Chandelier

I tied the ribbon so that both sides could hang down. I did different lengths to give it a little dimension.

Step 3: Add Your Ornaments

Thread your ribbon through your ornament and tie a not. After adding the ornament I cut a triangle out of the end of the ribbon.

Step 4: Adjust Your Levels

Move your ornaments around. Make sure your colors and ornament sizes have some balance.

Step 5: Add Some Spirals

To give it a little more depth I added some spiral ribbon pieces. Just tie them at the top just like you did with the other ribbon. Once again, I had some different lengths to mix it up.

Step 6: Use Your Extras

I just grabbed a basket and arranged the ornaments by color and size.

The Finished Product

As always let me know what you think! :)

Kierstyn.

Our Best Bites {The Recipe Book}

2011-12-05T07:53:00.001-08:00

So I'm walking a long in a big warehouse store and I look over and find the most amazing thing... Our Best Bites recipe book! Their site is where I got my yummy berry cobbler recipe and I have them featured on my button list. Make one of their recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert today!

The 12 Crafts of Christmas {A Twist to The Song}

2011-12-02T07:09:00.001-08:00

"On the 1st day of Christmas my true love Kierstyn gave to me....a fantastic...craft...idea..." Sorry I'm not much a singer. However, I have found 12 crafts to do this month. I would lets get crazy and do a full 25, but I'm going to be honest... I don't have time for that. There ya go I said it. I have a life believe it or not (probably not). Well friends here ya go...

Craft 1: The Wreath

A fun twist on the traditional wreathe. LOVE, love, love.

picture source

Craft 2: Count Down Cookie Pan

This would be a great gift for friends and family. Maybe with a homemade treat on top?

picture source

Craft 3: Light-Up Glass Snowman

Love the idea of using lights and vinyl to bring this snowman to life.

picture source & how-to

Craft 4: Snowman Ornament Centerpiece

So darling. Thumb prints for cheeks and some simple brush work.

picture source

Craft 5: Subway Art to Frame

This would be a very simple decoration. Find a cute frame and BAM you have a decor item.

picture source & where to download

Craft 6: Picture Block Ornament

Great Christmas gift for the grandparents.

picture source & how-to

Craft 7: Jingle Shadow Box

Darling gift idea or just decor

picture source & how-to

Craft 8: Deco Mesh Tree

Darling light up decoration for your home.

picture source & how-to

Craft 9: Door Decor

I know, I know, this doesn't really fall into the craft category, but it is a DIY. So cute too!

picture source & how-to

Craft 10: Chandelier Ornament Decor

Borderline craft again, but you gotta love this! How cute this would be about the table.

picture source & how-to

Craft 11: Advent Calendar

I think this is a darling idea. There are multiple ways to go about this.

picture source

Craft12: Cheaper Yarn Wreath

This wreath is a cheaper alternative to the first wreath. I would probably add a little more to it though.

picture source

As usual tell me what you think, your experiences, or if you find some fun crafts feel free to share and I will feature you!

Oh Christmas Tree {Just a Couple Tips}

2011-11-30T21:22:00.001-08:00

I love decorating for Christmas. Hanging the garland. Putting up the little doodads here and there. Twinkle lights here and there. Most of all I love decorating the centerpiece of the season... the Christmas tree! Oh, how I love it so...hmmmm. Anyways, there are a couple things I'm learning here and there.

Get Inspired: I went to one of my favorite stores for Christmas decor to check out their displays. I found one tree that stood out and bought the decor I saw on the tree.
Choose Your Items: I used a wood letters, ribbon, and wooden ornaments. Simple enough right? Well make sure each piece compliments the other. Even if you only choose a few things try and get them in different sizes to give a little more variety.
Know When to Stop: I don't know about you but I could add every Christmas decor item I have to my tree. I know a lot of the stores put so much on tree that you can't even see the branches anymore, but that is because they are trying to sell a product. You can put on too much.

Now this is all just my opinion and a couple things I've heard.

Here is my tree for this year. Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting a good picture of the tree all lit up.

More decor to come. :)

Feel free to share your tree.

Christmas Sock Centerpiece {Dec. Decor}

2011-11-29T07:51:00.001-08:00

Oh pinterest you did it again! So my lovely new table is looking very bare for christmas. I have tried everything but nothing quite fit. Well I found this lovely christmas sock centerpiece. Darling idea! My how to will be up asap.

Inspired by: Luxefinds

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread {MY FAVE!}

2011-11-21T07:51:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite things to buy from Great Harvest this time of year is Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bread. It's my all time favorite sweet bread. This year however I decided I wanted to make it myself. So here we go!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Ingredients:3 cups white sugar

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

1 cup vegetable oil2/3 cup water

4 eggs

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, I did not use nuts)

How To:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour 9x5 loaf pans.

In large bowl, combine: sugar, pumpkin, vegetable oil, water, & eggs.

Mix until smooth.

In small bowl, combine: flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, & salt.

Combine wet and dry ingredients.

Add chocolate chips & nuts (optional).

Bake for 1 hour or until you can insert a knife and pull it out clean.

Cool on racks.

& enjoy!

Feel free to share how this turned out for you.

It turned out super yummy for me! :)

Framed Pumpkins {Fall Craft}

2011-11-20T16:39:00.001-08:00

This ended up way cuter than I expected to be honest. It was pretty simple. I was inspired by pinterest on this one. Did I mention this craft was under $8 bucks!

You will need hot glue, frame, and styrofoam pumpkins

As crazy as it sounds I used a bread knife to cut the pumpkin 2/3 into the pumpkin.

I used my hot glue gun and made circles with the glue and placed it directly on the glass. (You do have the option to just glue the pumpkins to the paper instead of the glass)

TA-DA!!! Simple fall decor. May I just say how lovely it looks hung on the wall.

MOVING

2011-11-08T13:50:00.001-08:00

Right now we are in the middle of moving. Even better we don't have TV or internet!! I will get on this. I have an AWESOME craft to share. :) Hold tight.

love.

Feeling Fall {5 Crafts I MUST Do}

2011-10-31T21:05:00.000-07:00

The Framed Pumpkin

This is the How To for the Fall Decor Framed Pumpkin: Creations By Kara

Fall Wreath {with a couple color adjustments}

No how to. Just where it's inspired from. Bright Bold Beautiful.

(may do a different one since I LOVE a similar one for Christmas...)

Fall Scrapbook Paper Tree

Maybe more fall like paper. Scrapbook Paper Tree: Everyday Mom Ideas

Fabric Fall Wreath

Fabric Wreath: The 36th Avenue

Table Decor Idea

No Linky Link.

Look for my version of these

coming soon.

{if you do them first please feel free to show pictures and tips}

HaPPy FaLL {Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies}

2011-10-31T11:16:00.001-07:00

All I have wanted for Halloween is a yummy treat and to put my little man in his tiger costume!!! Well what better way to kick off Halloween than to cook up my FAVORITE cookies!

Halloween Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

makes about 2 dozen give or take a few

Ingredients:1 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups semisweet OR milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

How To:

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, and egg. In separate bowl mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ground cloves, and nutmeg.

Dissolve baking soda in milk and mix into dry mixture.

Combine dry mixture and pumpkin mixture in one bowl.

Add chocolate chips and vanilla (and nuts if you wish) to combined mixture.

On a greased cookie pan drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto pan.

Cook for 10 minutes or until

Let cool for about 5 minutes on cooling rack

& Enjoy!

A DEAL YOU CAN'T MISS {Minky Couture Blankets}

2011-10-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

double post alert!!!
Usually I don't do a double post because I don't want to over shadow anyone, BUT this is a one day deal you cannot miss!

Okay so I want one of these super oober bad! Well boys and girls today I was watching Good Things Utah *Good things utah, GOOOOD THINGS UTAH, WHERE THE GOOD THINGS ARE!* Catchy song! You know what I mean if you live here in Utah and have ever seen the show. Back to the blanket though.

TODAY ONLY 40% OFF your entire online purchase if you enter goodthingsutah in the coupon entry at the end of your check out!

Do not miss this!

Get em here:

Minky Couture Blankets

May I Help Monday! {Miss LeighAnn & DIY T-shirt to Vest}

2011-10-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

I am sooooooooo excited to share this lovely vest idea that Miss LeighAnn Johnson found for me. She is a doll. Great ideas {that I'm always repining on pinterest}. She is a friend that I met from an old friend that happens to be her hubby now! She has a great eye for DIY. She found this lovely idea on pinterest.com and was kind enough to notify of what a great idea this is. Check it out and let us know what you think!?

No Sew T-Shirt Tutorial

Thanks LeighAnn for being my first little helper on May I Help Monday!

{found by LeighAnn, on pinterest.com, posted on http://wobisobi.blogspot.com}

Better Late Than Never {DIY Pom Pom Necklace}

2011-10-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

I have finally done it! I made the pom pom necklace. I know! Took me FOREVER!!!! The crazy thing is it only took 15 minutes to make. I know, right!? Good news is if you are in my ward (well ward before we move) then I will be doing this at our Super Saturday. Should be a good time! For all of you that don't get to see it done in person here is my way of doing the Pom-Pom necklace.

The Finished Product

{can you believe this is from an old t-shirt}

What you will need:

Flat Round Charm & Chain

Old T-Shirt (or any cotton fabric really)

Pen

Scissors

Tooth Pick

Hot Glue Gun & Glue

So I grabbed one of my husbands old shirts so that just goes to show it can be ANY shirt or fabric. It's one of his old grunge shirts that he hardly uses anymore. (Oh by the way I used your shirt when you were at work sorry about the hole babe. Loves!) The charm I got at Hobby Lobby. They have lots of different sizes. I chose the 1 inch flat charm for $1.99 (sometimes you can get them 1/2 off).

Step 1: Draw & Cut Your Circles

{excuse the Halloween table cloth. I just am so excited for Halloween lol}

I just used the charm to draw the circles. I recommend not making a solid circles like I did just because after it was complete I had to trim off some of the pen that was showing on the tips. Cut out about 10-15 circles. Just remember the more you do the tighter it will be.

Step 2: Bunch Your Fabric & Glue

Take your fabric circle and push the tooth pick into the middle so it bunches like a rose. Then take the pinched together part and put a small amount of glue on it. Immediately stick it to the charm. Start in the middle and work to the outer part of the charm.

Repeat Step 2 until "Pom-Pom'd" to your liking.

Step 3: Trim it up

I just trimmed it up a little here and there. I didn't want it to look too clean cut, but I did trim off any pen that was showing like I mentioned before.

And just like that you have a fabulous necklace.

{inspired by The Stay At Home Artist found on pinterest.com}

PERFECT BABY TOY & {an idea!}

2011-10-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

My sweet boy LOVES to play with his wipe container. He dives for it when I'm trying to change him. {yes very challenging situation when he's stinky} When I found this all I could think is pure genius! So if any mom's out there have this issue HERE is the SOLUTION!

Check it out here: A Spotted Pony: Turn a Wipe Container Into a Toy

*BRAINSTORMING*

I feel like shaking it up. Getting a little crazy.

What if every week we had someone guest post, or tell us something AWESOME they found on pinterest.com or anywhere. A craft, make-up idea, clothing idea, anything! Just something fun. Let's get you outta the gallery and onto the stage! What do you think? Send me and email with your ideas. I'm going to be using them on Monday's I think.... Lets do it!

EMAIL: kcmgregor7@gmail.com

Minky Couture

2011-10-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

Minky Couture has darling baby blankets and they are doing a give away of this darling blanket below. You enter by "liking" their facebook page AND then tagging them in a status post. SO EASY! Their goal is to hit 6000 likes by Halloween. Lets help em' out and hopefully get ourselves a free blanky :)

ENTER HERE: Minky Couture: Facebook Page

GOOD LUCK! :)

5 Minute Messy Bun

2011-10-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

So good news friends my hubby and I are officially homeowners. That means more DIY projects in our new home for the blog and more time to blog period! Due to this good news I need an easy hair-do. Well thanks to my FAV hair guru... I have found the easiest messy bun ever. I have watched different videos and such things and this is super simple. You just need two hair ties, 5 minutes, and hair. Yes that's it. No bobby pins (but you are welcome to use them if you wish). She does a fancy version by having curled hair before. I did it with straight hair and loved it. I think it'd be great if you had curly hair the day before or something. I love the messy bun because you can dress it up or dress it down and still look fab. Check it out!

http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com: Messy Bun

How It Turned Out For Her...

How It Turned Out For Me....

SnEAkY PeeKy For SUPER SATURDAY Nov. 5th

2011-10-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

I know this is a few weeks early, but I am SO excited! I got asked to show how to do some crafts at my wards super saturday I'm soooo excited! I'm getting about an hour to do some demonstrations. I have picked out 3 quick and easy crafts and I don't know which one I will do and which one will be a back up one just in case I have extra time...

Here is my "SnEAky PeeKy"...

The Pom Pom Necklace Made From an Old T-Shirt

http://www.stayathomeartist.com/2011/04/guest-tutorial-pom-pom-necklace.html

DIY Canvas

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net: DIY canvas

DIY Wall Art (Plus I'm going to add hooks to shake it up.)

http://www.hollywoodhousewife.com/2010/04/covering-fabric-on-canvas-for-instant-art.html

I AM SO EXCITED!

Now please vote and tell me which you think we would be the best one to start with.... I'm thinking this is the order I like. I'm open to suggestions....

Love Love Love.

Pom Pom Necklace & a Promise :)

2011-10-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I'm slacking. I've been VERY busy with house hunting, getting docs together, etc...

So I'm going to post my project that I've bought everything for and how to do it and then I will post the result.

Find instructions here...

Do It Yourself Pom Pom Necklace

to make this

...not to mention they were made from an old T-shirt. WHAT! I know.

I AM SORRY

PROMISE!

I will be on the ball soon!

Forget Me Not Project

2011-10-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

Just a little thing that I put together. Inspired by a beautiful talk my President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. I encourage you to read, listen, or watch it.
Forget Me Not: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Have a fantastic Sunday!

Font from www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts

Sometimes Things Just Don't Work For Me

2011-09-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, so all day yesterday I thought of what craft/project to do to today. I found this awesome idea from pinterest. Marbled Nails! I know. Sounds awesome. In theory. Now It may work for others but it DID NOT work for me. I ended up with nail polish all over my hands and a big mess. It may just be me. So here is my challenge I guess... try it out. If it works for you let me know. I think the idea is fabulous, but for me sometimes things should just stay an idea. This is one of those times. I tried it multiple times. It can obviously be done, but I want to know if the "average jane" can do it. Leave a comment with your experience good or bad. The link is below the picture. She obviously did it, but I wanna know if you have to be a professional or something... or maybe just not me :)

heynicenails.com

Going Natural Bombshell

2011-09-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

So I gotta tell ya. I started about 4 posts, but I kept getting busy house shopping and taken care of my little man. So here is something that helped me get ready yesterday.I really wanted a fabulous post since my lovely blog here got featured on Love Notes By Lauryn thank-you doll! Unfortunately life and other plans stopped that. So yes, it's a beauty post. It's a natural make-up curly hair look. I used two sites. Now, if any of you know me. I'm a black eyeliner girl (a tasteful black eyeliner girl) I have to be pretty darn tan or going swimming for me to skip the black liner. You may recognize my inspiration from Friday Night Lights or Charlies Angels. Miss Minka Kelly. She is sooo naturally beautiful. I know this is kind of a summer look, but I thought it'd be a last summer look.

Visit Glamour for exact directions (but they are very slim)

Make-up: Bronze eye shadow, all over bronzer, darker brown next to lash line, mascara.

Now I got inspired by here hair, but the site didn't really tell you how to pull that off except to advertise a hair product.

So I turned to my favorite hair guru. How to curl your hair with a curling iron: full head tutorial. Now I knew how to do what she was doing for the most part. It's how I curl my hair anyways, but she did point out a couple good tips. Like how to hold the curling iron in the back, how to make it so the top layer doesn't make you look like "Curly Sue", and how much of the ends to leave out.

Now my hair is a little longer than hers so my turned out a little different. You guys can laugh at me all you want, but I tried to pull the Minka Kelly pose for this post (but clothed). I did it for you. You're welcome.

Just a side note. My hubby dear was not at work, so since Luke isn't quite to the picture-taking-stage I did this my big ol' camera by myself in the bathroom. Please excuse the quality and the myspace style photo.

I know,

minka kelly

spot on right?

I know the photo quality is impeccable and the modeling...?

HA HA! :) (please forgive me, but I had to show the natural look)

This whole blog is about me doing and then sharing.

Please be kind.

All links from pinterest.com

Love you Dolls!

Chicken Bruschetta on Ciabatta Rolls

2011-09-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

This is a super yummy recipe if I say so myself. It's quick, easy, and looks fancy. It's great for when you have friends over and want to look fancy sham-ancy. Did I mention it is sooooooooooo yummy!

Ingredients:

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

4 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4 Tablespoons of Rosemary Garlic

1 Cup of Bruschetta

4 Ciabatta Rolls

4 Slices of Provolone (or cheese of choice)

Step 1:Prepare

I used the George Forman Grill to prepare the chicken. You could cook it on the stove in a skillet also, but I prefer the grill just because it's quicker and helps smash down the chicken for the sandwich. I turned my grill all the way up and let it warm. I took the four chicken breasts and put them in a glass pan. I drizzled the extra virgin olive oil over both sides of the chicken pieces (I didn't measure out how much, but it was roughly a tablespoon on each piece). Then I seasoned the chicken with the rosemary garlic. You can season it however you wish, but I found the rosemary garlic paired very well with the bruschetta. I just sprinkled the chicken with it. Once again, I did not measure but it was roughly 4 tablespoons.

Step 2: Cut-up The Chicken

I filleted the chicken and then cut it into small pieces. This doesn't have to be cut into perfect squares, but make sure it's small enough for a sandwich.

Step 3: Cook Chicken

I spread the pieces across the grill and pulled the top part down. On the grill it only took a minute or two on each side. If you cook it in a pan just make sure that you cook the chicken til it's completely cooked.

Step 4: Prepare Rolls

Cut your rolls in half. You can toast them before if you desire. I just warmed them in the oven for a few minutes with the cheese on the bottom piece.

Step 5: Put It Together

After toasting the rolls I spread the chicken on top of the cheese and then put about a quarter cup of bruschetta on top. I like a lot of bruschetta where my husband enjoys a little less. You may want to make your own bruschetta, but I was trying to keep this short and sweet.

ENJOY!

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions.

Special thanks to my parents who showed me this lovely sandwich.