Paisley D Photography & Designs

Fall Decor

2010-10-21T09:25:00.008-04:00

Ok, so I have been very slack with the blog posts lately.......things have been crazy busy around this household!! But today I wanted to show you some of my fall decor around the house!! I usually start putting up the fall decorations on the first day of fall (remember I said usually) and then I just add a few things for Halloween. That way it's easy to remove them and continue with the same fall decor through Thanksgiving;)

Pumpkins in the kitchen! You can purchase a pack of these for around a dollar at Micheal's!

Table decor: Ceramic pumpkins from the Dollar Store, Burlap I had left over: just cut a strip to make a great fall table runner.

Great hurricane from Willow House.....just add a bag of split peas & a pumpkin spice candle and you're done!!

Don't leave out the guest bathroom!! I just added a few of my left over pumpkins from Micheals, along with a few orange soaps:)

On the couch.....a throw pillow from Pier One in warm fall colors!!

Dollar Store Fall Leaf Wreath......Start out with a grapevine wreath, hot glue on Fall Leaves (I used 4 packs) & hang with ribbon!! Total cost: $5

And last but not least my favorite.......my front door!! The door bucket is from Willow House, I use the red & yellow flower arrangement in it from June until November!! I just add different things to it depending on the time of year (flags for the 4th of July & leaves and pumpkins for the fall....you get the idea) I only take the door bucket down 3 times during that time frame. For my DH's birthday (& put up my Birthday Balloon Wreath), Halloween (& put up a Halloween sign) and for Christmas (& put up a Christmas wreath)!! Then just add some mums and pumpkins (these are fake ones that light up and have the Jack-o-lantern faces on them) I simply turn them around and plug them up for Halloween and turn them back around for Thanksgiving!!

I HEART FALL

XOXO,

April

Free Subway Art

2010-10-04T11:56:00.006-04:00

Wants to thank Endless Crafting for doing all of the awesome work & making a subway art template that you can download for FREE! I printed one out and used a frame and mat that I already had........and I LOVE IT!!

Now I'm on a misson trying to find a home for this great piece of art!! For now it's above my cabinets in the kitchen.....

But only time will tell where this little jewel will end up;)

Project Cost- $0

XOXO,

April

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting

2010-09-27T17:41:00.008-04:00

(printable version)

1 & 2/3 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon pumpkin spice

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of baking powder

2 large eggs

1 cup of plain canned pumpkin

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup milk chocolate chips

optional-cream cheese frosting

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.

Spoon into a lined muffin pan.

Bake at 350 for 28-30 minutes.

Enjoy,

April

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Quick & Easy Chicken and Dumplings

2010-09-22T09:27:00.006-04:00

Today is officially the first day of FALL:)

So I wanted to share one of my all time favorite comfort food meals to make.....to kick off the Fall Season!!

YUMMMMM

Quick & Easy Chicken and Dumplings

(printable version)

what you need:

4 cups of water

3 cups cooked chicken

*I use a rotisserie chicken from the deli, a whole chicken makes about 3 cups

2 cans of cream of chicken

2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules

1 teaspoon of pepper (of course I use more;)

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 (6 oz) can of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

*you can use more if you want more dumplings.

Bring water, chicken, cream of chicken & bouillon granules to a boil in a Dutch Oven over med-high heat, stirring often.

Separate biscuits in half, forming 2 rounds; cut each round in half. Drop biscuit pieces, 1 at a time, into boiling mixture; stir gently.

Cover, reduce heat to low, & simmer. Stirring occasionally for 15 to 20 mins until dumplings are cooked.

*After my dumplings are cooked, I remove my pot from the heat & let it sit for a few mins to thicken!

{recipe courtesy of Southern Living}

Enjoy,

April

Baby Washcloth Lollipops

2010-09-13T08:50:00.008-04:00

A friend of mine recently had a baby shower so I decided to put together a baby basket!! P.S. I LURVE making BASKETS!! One of the gifts was a pack of washcloths......But you know me I couldn't just throw the pack of washcloths in the basket...Oh No...I decided for SURE they had a calling to be made into lollipops instead!!
These are super easy and a cute way to dress up a basket or use as shower decorations!!

All you need:

washcloths, any kind of craft stick, cellophane, tape & ribbon!

Fold the washcloth in half & then into thirds

Start at one end and roll it up really tight and secure it with tape

Next I folded and rolled a second washcloth around the first! Now add your stick to the back & secure it with tape. Put some cellophane over it and tie a ribbon around it and your done!!

*I decided to use the pre made lollipop bags from Micheals for time reasons & a PLUS is they already come with ribbon.....but if you already have a roll of basket cellophane you could definitely just use that and cut out your own squares!

Cute little sweet treats that are sure to make anyone happy:)

XOXO,
April

Labor Day Labor.....Turned Shabby Chic

2010-09-09T09:28:00.007-04:00

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!! We enjoyed our relaxing 4 day maybe a little to much......so on Labor Day I thought it would only be fair to do some manual LABOR!!

Recently I had purchased a dresser from Goodwill for $25 (sorry no before picture...my camera was DEAD and I just couldn't wait) It was a mess with dents, scratches & stickers all over it!! But the bones of it were in GREAT shape so I bought it & it sat in my garage.....until I decided it was time to give it a go on Labor Day!!

I started out by cleaning it and taking the hardware & stickers off! Then I spray painted it with a white primer.....Really?? who has time to sand!!

Paint it CUTE and let it dry if you can be patient....which I totally can not!!

Next all the hardware needed to be replaced......I got the pulls for ONLY .94 cents....YES you read that correctly..... .94 cents a piece at Lowes!! SCORE:)

Here's the catch they were BRASS!! And I don't do brass....so I spray painted them with gray primer and then spray painted them black (stuff I already had around the house)

Then I distressed it......I am absolutely in LURVE with the Shabby Chic look right now!!! And it's so easy to do!! You can use sand paper, but your finger nail works just as good....maybe even better!!

Now all I have to do is find a home for it & move on to my next furniture victim!!

XOXO,

April

Our Favorite Dip for Football Season

2010-09-07T11:07:00.006-04:00

Football Season has officially started......WOOHOO!! That means it's time for some of my favorite things!! Cooler weather, fall leaves, pumpkin spice candles, blue jeans & of course our Favorite dip to eat while watching the games!!

(printable version)

Spicy Cheese Dip

1 tube of HOT Jimmy Dean Sausage

1 big block of Velveeta Cheese

2 cans of Rotel Tomatoes (original)

First cook the sausage and drain the grease. While the sausage is cooking cut the Velveeta in to small thin pieces (it will melt faster)

Add 2 cans of Rotel Tomatoes (juice & all)

Next throw on the Velveeta & let it melt. Stirring occasionally

Serve hot with tortilla chips

That's it......15mins to LIP SMACKING GOODNESS FOR THE GAME!

GOOOOOO DAWGS!!

Enjoy,

April

Turn Lemons into Lemonade

2010-08-31T10:44:00.006-04:00

Next time you go shopping PLEASE don't let the scratched up beyond repair.....marked WAY DOWN because no one wants them items SCARE you!!

EVERYTHING.....I repeat EVERYTHING can be fixed or used for something else!!

You can ALWAYS turn Lemons into Lemonade

Use your imagination as to how you could fix it or use it for something else & I promise you will SAVE a HUGE amount of $$$ in the process!!

Take my homemade chalkboard for instance.....I was on a misson to find a chalkboard for my dining room!! But there were some things that I wanted in this chalkboard.....1 it had to be BIG and 2 it had to have a chunky slightly formal frame!! I searched and searched with no luck!! And any that I found that I liked were anywhere from $50 to $100 bucks and that was NOT about to happen!!!

Until I found this at Kirklands:

Scratched up beyond belief......and on sale for ONLY $10!! (originally $40)

OH YEAH:)

This picture is not really my style, but I had to look past that.....1 it was BIG and 2 I LOVED the frame....oh yeah and I can't forget the price!!

That's all you need to make Lemonade!!

I started out by......you guessed it spray painting the frame white! But it turned out a little to white & I wanted the detailed edging of the frame to stand out. So I used a glaze (acrylic paint with a little water) Painted the glaze on & wiped it off with a rag!! Once that was dry I painted right over the glass with my next favorite thing....Chalkboard Paint!! (make sure you use the paint that can be used on glass & use a couple of coats)

And this is what I ended up with, it's perfect for my Dining Room:

I'm in LOVE!!

XOXO,

April

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

2010-08-19T09:45:00.008-04:00

I'm sure some of you have seen something like this floating around the blogosphere!!

If not...I made one yesterday & I HAD to show you how to make your own:

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

So my guest bathroom started off like this:

(The lighting is terrible in the guest bathroom and the lights for some reason make everything look pink!! EWWWW & Totally disregard the nasty mirror too.... I cleaned it after looking at these pictures)

A typical BORING Dial soap dispenser!! Not quite the look I was going for....but I'm CHEAP & I REFUSE to pay $10+ on a pretty one!! But I LOATH it.....

I really, really do!!

So I gathered up these supplies that I already had around the house:

mason Jar
wine bottle opener
sand paper
pliers
soap w/ pump

Then I used the sandpaper to remove any writing on the lid....do this in small circles!(after this step you may want to seal the lid so it doesn't rust....I skipped this step because I'm ok with a little rust....I think it gives it more character)

Next punch a hole in the center with a wine bottle opener!

Make the hole larger by using your pliers to pull back the lid

(don't make the whole to big....you want your dispenser to fit tightly in the hole so it won't move around)

(I used the dispenser from my Dial soap:)

After that all you have to do is fill your Mason Jar up with soap and screw on the lid:)

XOXO,

April

Tissue Paper Pomander Ball

2010-08-17T11:36:00.006-04:00

Recently I was asked how to make Tissue Paper Pomander Balls......so I'll show you step by step instructions on how to make your own!! They are great party decorations.....and cheap & easy to make!!

First get 10 pieces of tissue paper (rectangle one's work best, but I only had square one's & they were boring old white:(

Next fold it back and forth like you would if you were making a fan!

Then secure the middle with a pipe cleaner & cut the ends in a point or round shape

All you have to do now is fluff and hang with fishing line.....TA DA!!

A Tissue Paper Pomander Ball!!

XOXO,

April

BBQ Chicken Pizza

2010-08-17T09:31:00.005-04:00

(printable recipe)

All I can say is YUMMMMMM

This is my all time favorite pizza...EVER....if you have never had this before, you owe it to yourself to give it a try!!!

What You'll Need

1 refrigerated pizza crust

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Your favorite BBQ sauce (WallyWorld brand Honey BBQ Sauce is my FAV....SERIOUSLY)

Sliced Mozzarella

1 medium red onion, sliced

olive oil

garlic salt

Preheat oven to 375

Coat chicken breasts in BBQ Sauce & Bake for 25 mins or until done.

Slice into small pieces.

Roll out pizza dough and drizzle with olive oil......then sprinkle on some garlic salt ( I LURVE for the crust to taste like garlic bread)

Add a couple spoonfuls of BBQ Sauce to crust and spread evenly (This will replace the marinara...but don't use to much....a little will go a long way!)

Top the pizza with sliced mozzarella(I use tons), diced BBQ chicken, & sliced red onions.

Bake as directed on refrigerated pizza dough package!

Enjoy,

April

Homemade Sloppy Joes

2010-08-09T10:08:00.004-04:00

Trying to figure out what's for dinner??

These Homemade Sloppy Joes are just as quick as using canned sauce & you probably already have everything you need!!

You'll Need:

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup water

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

6-8 sandwich buns

Cook ground beef & onion in large skillet over med-high heat, until no longer pink; drain.

Stir in ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper; simmer for 20 mins, stirring frequently.

Spoon onto buns. Serves 6-8.

{recipe from Gooseberry Patch Family Favorite Recipes}

Enjoy,

April

Birthday Balloon Wreath

2010-08-08T19:14:00.009-04:00

Super Cute & Easy Birthday Balloon Wreath

I started out with a wire wreath I found at Micheals for $2.99 and about 8 bags of balloons from the Dollar Store:)

Start by tying the balloons in knots around the wire wreath!!
I did 2 layers.....one on the inside and one on the outside wire to make the wreath SUPER FULL!!

Believe me when I tell you that this is SO Easy........it took me one night & I did it while I was watching T.V.!!
There is NOTHING to SEW or GLUE!!
I'm not gonna lie....I was a little sad I didn't get to break out "Old Trusty" aka my glue gun!! But I think she deserved a much needed break!

How Cute is That?? Right:)

This would be awesome to hang on your door during the birthday's in your family or just for birthday party decor!!

Whole project cost around -$10

XOXO,
April

Follow Me

2010-08-06T10:17:00.002-04:00

If you like what you see on my Blog.......I would LOVE for you to become a follower (just click on the "Follow" with Google friend connect button on the right side) and help spread the word by telling your friends and family! If you are already a follower.....I would like to say "Thank You" your support to expand my passion is greatly appreciated, and without you this wouldn't be possible!!

Thanks,

April

Dollar Store Hurricanes

2010-08-06T09:06:00.010-04:00

{picture courtesy of Williams-Sonoma}

I am infatuated with these Williams-Sonoma hurricanes (correction...I am infatuated with almost everything in that store) and I'm not gonna lie, I was on the verge of purchasing TWO of them!! Can you really just have ONE?? NEGATIVE

Then while searching around on Blogland......I found the Thrifty Decor Chick's version and I must say I just want to kiss her little feet.....THANK YOU!!! I would have had to cut off my arm & my leg to get the ones from WS!! And now I get to keep my arm & leg and have two hurricanes!!

HIP HIP HOORAY........I LOVE when I get my way:)

I purchased these two candle stick holders & two glass cylinders at.......

THE DOLLAR STORE:) WHAT??

Break out the old trusty hot glue gun and glue those bad boys together!!

And this is the end results.....not exactly the same, but pretty darn close!!
Just to show what you can do with these and how big they are: I put a tall pillar candle in one & filled the other one with shells......the possibilities are endless!

I can't wait to decorate these for the Fall:)

Whole project cost - $4

XOXO,
April

Ribbon Organizer

2010-07-28T09:13:00.008-04:00

If your like me.....you have tons of ribbon EVERYWHERE!! And clutter makes me CRAZY!! This project was started mainly because I could never find a thing I was looking for due to the fact that my office/craft room closet looks like Micheal's blew up in it!! (that's a whole different story that I can't get in to right now...it's making my blood pressure rise just thinking about it)

My revelation started when I saw something similar and decided I had to give it a try........and I must say I think it turned out to be pretty darn SPECTACULAR!!

This is all you need:

pre-made shelf
cafe style curtain rods
(2) hooks
(2) chains-same length
drill

All you need to do is drill (2) small holes in your shelf so you can easily screw in the hooks.

**make sure your hooks are not to far apart!!

Next hang the shelf up on the wall and hang the chain from the 2 hooks. Put one end of cafe curtain rod through the chain and load on you ribbon!!

And your done!!

SERIOUSLY HOW EASY WAS THAT???

Whole project cost around-$20.00;)

XOXO,

April

Smell Good Feel Good

2010-07-26T10:01:00.009-04:00

{picture courtesy of Scentsy}

I LOVE things that make my house smell YUMMY! There is nothing better than walking into your house after a long day and it smelling like a bakery!! (get the smell without the baking.....which means 0 calories for me......which makes me and my waist very HAPPY :)

This is why I am slightly obsessed with Scentsy!! Check out some of there great products and prices HERE!

And since football season is about to kick off.....I may very well just have to buy this:

{picture courtesy of Scentsy}

GOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!

Thrift Store Redo

2010-07-25T09:59:00.006-04:00

I recently went to His House......a Thrift Store in Columbia, S.C. and scored this uber cute side table for $5 buck a roos!!

Now it definitely had some wear and tear......but I had other plans for this sweet thang!!

I started out by cleaning it off and when I turned it over, much to my surprise it was an Ethan Allen table.......WHAT??? SUPER SCORE!!

Then I got out......you guessed it.....my true love....Krylon Spray Paint!!

I used a primer since I didn't feel like sanding the table (I mean really, who has time for that??) and then spray painted it my new favorite Krylon color........EVER.......Blue Ocean Breeze!!

Doesn't that sound amazing??

And......

I LURVE it!!

It's just what I had been looking for!! I had been on the hunt for a nightstand for our guest bedroom for some time now......but I could never find anything that I just fell in LURVE with & I didn't want to spend a bookoo of $$$!!
BONUS.....it matches the throw pillow perfectly:) Which makes my heart flutter!!

Whole project cost around: $11 Dollars....YEAH:)

***Please ignore the black lamp and cord....this is NOT I repeat NOT the lamp going in this room!! I'm still on the prowl for that!! I stole this lamp from another room to see how the whole set up would look....you know I'm a VISUAL person;)

XOXO,
April

Recent Portfolio Work

2010-07-25T08:59:00.005-04:00

Here is a little teaser of some photos I recently took for a fashion portfolio.......It was a SCORCHER that day!! But we had a blast (even with the sweat dripping down my back) and the shots turned out Awesome!!

......to be continued

XOXO,

April

Decorating a Rental

2010-07-11T14:25:00.007-04:00

For the past few days I have been racking my brain trying to come up with different ways to decorate and personalize our new home!! Since it's a rental I was scared it would never quite feel like home to us, mostly because we couldn't do anything to it to make it our own!! My biggest challenge by far has been that we can not paint our walls (And I BIG fluffy heart color!! I will paint just about ANYTHING that doesn't move.....& I have a severe obsession with spray paint:) to top it off....I absolutely LOATH white walls!! So I needed to find some other options.......I started my search on Etsy (My favorite site EVER) & that's when I stumbled upon this dreamy vinyl wall decal........

{this is the sample picture from Grimes Graphics Etsy Store}

Isn't it GORGE..... It goes on super easy and when we move, it will come down just as easy!

PERFECT!!

To get your own or view all the other FAB things Grimes Graphics Etsy Store has to offer Click Here!

XOXO,

April

Easy & Cheap Art

2010-07-06T09:52:00.009-04:00

OK..........so I'm all about some easy & cheap ways to decorate my house!! I tend to change things in my house so much, I know if I buy decorations that are expensive they will one day (very soon) end up in a plastic bin, in my garage, in decoration heaven!! So my rule of thumb has always been.......Buy more expensive BIG pieces of furniture that you will keep for a long time & accessorize your house with inexpensive things.....so you won't feel so bad about getting rid of them when you want to change things up;)

So I started out with a $3 picture frame I found at Wally World and removed the glass!!

Then I took a fake pear I already had in a fruit bowl in the kitchen & cut it in half!!

Next all you need to do is hot glue the pear half onto the picture frame.........

And Wha La.......instant art for my kitchen & it only cost me $3 buck a roos!!
Which makes me insanely happy:)

XOXO,
April

Silhouette......OH MY!!

2010-07-03T09:53:00.006-04:00

I have been wanting this thing for like.....well FOREVER!! I showed it to my dear husband online *hint hint* & he replied "So you want to spend that kind of $$$, on something that cuts out letters??" "Why can't you just use scissors??" OH MY.......he SO does not understand that it is so much MORE than a LETTER CUTTER!!! And I won't be able to function if I do not have it!! All in all.....Battle LOST!!! So.......I guess for now it will stay on my wish list & I'll just have to ask Santa for it for Christmas!! (Cause Santa completely understands my need for the Silhouette SD)

XOXO,

April

For more information on your very own Silhouette click HERE!

Coconut Pie

2010-07-02T10:19:00.006-04:00

For those of you who LOVE coconut like I do.......this pie is to die for and definitely worth giving a try! Thank you Paula Deen for bringing this recipe into my life! It is super easy, only has a few ingredients and it will be gone before you sit it on the counter.....seriously my family devoured it before I could take a picture!! SORRY guys no picture for this one.....maybe next time!!

All you need is:

4 tablespoons butter = 1/2 stick, melted

2 eggs, beaten

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 (3.5 oz) can shredded sweetened coconut

1 cup milk

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine melted butter, eggs, flour, sugar, coconut & milk

Pour into pie shell & bake until firm about 45 to 60 mins

*I put my pie on a baking sheet to avoid spilling, try to make the pie as close to the oven as you can....if you have to walk across the room, you will spill it!

*At 45 mins give your pie a little shake.....if it still giggles in the center bake it a little longer!

{recipe courtesy of Paula Deen}

* These are my personal recommendations!

Enjoy,

April

What are you cooking for the 4th?

2010-06-29T10:42:00.006-04:00

{picture courtesy of Southern Living}

As we celebrate our Independence on the 4th of July this weekend....you may be looking for some great recipe ideas for your cookout....look no further!! Southern Living already has a wonderful menu planned out & I must say that the fried pickles look yummo!! (don't knock'em until you've tried'em....they're addictive & I will most definitely be making them) The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays! Meant to be shared with family & friends.....great company, food, drinks, & fireworks!! What more could you ask for?

For the full Southern Living 4th menu: click here!

Wishing Everyone a Happy & Safe 4th of July

Enjoy,

April

Do Your Part

2010-06-27T07:44:00.005-04:00

{picture courtesy of Dawn}

This Gulf oil spill is absolutely terrible and it pains me everyday to see what we are doing to our wildlife & oceans!! But most people like myself think how can I help.....what can I do??? Well Dawn has set up a way for us to give back!! When you purchase a bottle of Dawn and activate your donation online, one dollar will be donated towards the International Bird Rescue Research Center and the Marine Mammal Center. Click Here for more details. So take a stand, activate your donation and join the movement. The wildlife in the Gulf are depending on us!!

You can also get updates on the Gulf Oil Spill by joining their Facebook Page.

Please Do Your Part & Help
Thanks,
April