Personally Andrea

DIY Boho Clipboard Quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 11:00:00 +0000

Simple boho-inspired clipboard to display positive and inspirational quotes in your home or workspace.

There are a few places in the house where I love to have inspirational quotes posted. Maybe you do too... at your desk, coffee station, or family command centre. I’ve blogged about using clipboards to display printables such as a quote or calendar before. Using a clipboard makes it easy to change things up depending on the seasons or your mood. Today I’m sharing a big set of printable quotes I’ve created, plus a simple way to make a boho chic clipboard so you can easily keep inspiration posted in your home or office space.

Welcome May | Printable Calendar Postcard

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Tue, 01 May 2018 11:00:00 +0000

A printable download of a 4 x 6 photo calendar postcard for May.

Hey there blog friends! It’s that day again where you can flip over the calendar page and start a brand new month. Or download a new photo calendar and print it off to replace last month's. And since the weather has finally been consistently spring-like, it really feels like a fresh start this month. How about you?

Welcome April | Printable Calendar Postcard

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:00:00 +0000

A printable download of a 4 x 6 photo calendar postcard for April.

Hi again lovely blog friends. That month just flew by, don’t you think? I have a few posts in the works but the month has ended without me posting any of them, so stay tuned for at least a couple of things in April! And speaking of April, I hope you don’t mind me posting this April calendar just a few days early… The first of the month will fall on Easter Sunday, and I hope that many of you have better things to do that day than reading blogs.

Welcome March | Printable Photo Calendar Card

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 14:16:00 +0000

A printable download of a 4 x 6 photo calendar card for March.

Happy first day of March, blog friends! Yesterday was such a gorgeous day here, sunny and warm, it was almost surreal! I had gorgeous light for taking these photos, and opened up all the windows in the house to let Spring in.

Homemade Quick Muffin Mix Plus Basic Muffin Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 12:00:00 +0000

A homemade muffin mix makes it easy to whip up a quick batch of muffins anytime!

This recipe is perfect for spur-of-the-moment cravings people like me. If you also wake up some mornings wishing there was fresh baking, but there is none, or you have kids who come creeping down after their homework is done looking for some baked goods for a snack, you need to keep this mix in your cupboards. It’s so quick and so versatile, you’ll wonder how you ever kept house without it.

Free Printable February Photo Calendar Card

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 12:00:00 +0000

A printable download of a 4 x 6 photo calendar card for February.

Hey there friends! Happy first day of February! We’re still in the thick of winter here… snow is falling as I write. Just a short post today to give you this little printable calendar card. If you missed January’s and want to keep up with the whole year’s set, that post is here.

Boho Yarn and Wood Bead Tassel

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 12:00:00 +0000

Make your own boho chic tassel with a little bit of yarn and a wood bead.

It's my personal opinion that almost anything with a zipper or handle can benefit from the addition of a tassel. Almost. Use up some left over yarn and add a few wooden beads and a charm ring, that’s all you need! A fun little craft while you’re indoors on these freezing cold days. Easy enough to make even while you’re distracted with watching Netflix. Keep your hands busy and out of the chips bowl.

Free January Calendar Download

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 17:51:00 +0000

Happy New Year my friends! Welcome to January 2018!

This blog has been sadly neglected this season, it’s true. And I’m just popping in quickly today for my lovely Instagram followers… I’ve promised a free download of the January calendar I posted there, and here it is.

Neutral Fall Mantel with Symmetry & Texture

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 10:00:00 +0000

How to create a neutral fall mantel using symmetry for simplicity and texture for interest.

Hello friends! Last week marked the official beginning of fall according to the calendar. Thanksgiving is just around the corner in Canada. It’s time to get our fall decor on! If you’re here as part of our week long #FallFestival blog hop then welcome! Did you see the gorgeous mantel Jamie created over at Anderson & Grant? I hope you’ve been as inspired as I’ve been by the beautiful ideas and recipes all week so far.

Rustic Glam Fabric Pumpkins DIY

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 10:30:00 +0000

How to make a stuffed fabric mini pumpkin with a rustic glam vibe.
Makes a lovely decor piece for your Fall mantel or Thanksgiving tablescape.

Hey there friends! It’s been a long time! I hope your fall has started out well. Around here, summer weather finally decided to show up. So even though the temperatures are soaring and the humidity is high, the summer flowers are long gone. It’s time to decorate for Fall!

Chalkboard Style Slate Coasters

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 07:30:00 +0000

How to create chalkboard look lettering on slate coasters with a white paint marker. These make a lovely and personalized gift for your host/hostess, teacher or as a housewarming gift.

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Personally Andrea! We are finally slowing down into a summer vibe. The weather has heated up and we’re enjoying the longer daylight hours, especially in the evenings. How about you?

So today, I have a really straightforward DIY that you can make for your own backyard enjoyment or entertaining. Also, if you’re looking for something personal to give as a gift for any of your occasions this summer, these are a great idea! I think they'd be great as a hostess or housewarming gift alongside a bottle of your favourite wine.

DIY Recycled Tire Planter

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 11:00:00 +0000

How to create a fun and colourful planter for your garden with a recycled tire.

Hey everyone! With summer in full swing, I thought I’d share a project that I actually created last summer, and still looks great this year. And with Canada’s big 150th birthday coming up this weekend, it’s also a great way to add some red and white patriotism to your yard!

In my usual habit of rescuing things from the side of the road… (read about my trash-to-treasure desk and tiered wood slice stand) ... there was a stack of used tires sitting on the curb in my neighbourhood for several days, and I finally had to go and grab one of them. I was looking for a way to add some temporary, low maintenance colour and life to a plain corner of our yard, and recycling the tire was going to be the way to do it.

Canada Day Backyard Campfire Party

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 10:00:00 +0000

Host a campfire party in your own backyard for Canada Day, or any summer celebration.

(This post has been sponsored by Giant Tiger. Content and opinions expressed are all my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Personally Andrea possible!)

Hi! Welcome to Personally Andrea! If you’re new here, or visiting as part of the Year of Feasting series, it’s nice to meet you! Please sit back and enjoy a taste of summer, and be inspired for some summer entertaining. At the end of this post, you’ll find links to more party ideas from some beautiful Canadian blogging lovelies. Big thanks to Dannyelle at Life is a Party for hosting us!

Canada Day S’more Snack Mix Jar Party Favor

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 11:00:00 +0000

A fun s’more inspired snack mix packed into a mason jar mug with a stamped shipping tag label. An easy party favour for your Canada Day party.

Hi everyone! It’s been a long while since I’ve posted here, but there a few posts in the works now as we head into summer, and I can’t wait to share them! The first one is just a quick little idea for Canada Day. A fun snack mix that I’ve packaged up to give away as a party favour, in case you’re hosting any Canada Day celebrations.

This is just one little detail of a complete Canada Day party which you’ll see here next week, but for now, here’s this little gem!

Taking Advantage of Longer Daylight Hours with JORD

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:00:00 +0000

A few of my my favourite ways to take advantage of the longer daylight hours that come with the spring season. Plus, an exciting giveaway from JORD watches!

Hey there friends! Happy Friday, and welcome to Personally Andrea! Today I'm excited to host a contest from JORD Wood Watches. You'll have to head over to my Instagram to enter, the link will be at the end of the post. Every entry will receive $25 towards a JORD watch, and one lucky winner will receive a $100 e-gift code! Woo hoo!

DIY Rustic Three Tier Wood Slice Stand

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:30:00 +0000

How to make a rustic three tier stand with reclaimed wood slices and glass candlesticks.

Hello, and welcome to the second instalment of There For the Making | Zero Dollar DIY Challenge. If you weren’t here for the first post in the series, don’t forget to check back to see how I made a framed monogram chalkboard from supplies around the house. All the bloggers on this challenge came up with amazing projects, and I can’t wait to see more. Thanks again to Sarah at Flourish & Knot for organizing and hosting us!

Cozy Night In

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 11:00:00 +0000

A few ideas for a cozy night in with some favourite movies, books, candles and wine.

While many parts of the internet are posting pretty spring bulbs in bloom, buds on the trees and gardens beginning to flower…. the weather here has been dismal, cold, wet and windy. That feeling of needing to hibernate in the evenings is still going strong. So to get us through the end of this season, I thought I’d post a few of my favourite movies and books that have gotten me through the winter so far. Add in some pretty succulents and a scented candle and your scene is set. Maybe you’ll find something new to pick up for your nights in too!

Rustic Romantic Spring Bridal Shower

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 10:00:00 +0000

How to create a rustic and romantic theme for a spring bridal shower. Food, decor ideas, take-home favors and a free printable included. Also links to a series of posts on Spring entertaining for the first instalment in A Year of Feasting.

Before and After: Bedside Tables Whitewashed with Chalk Paint

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 11:30:00 +0000

How to whitewash dated pine bedside tables with white chalk paint for a fresh farmhouse look. Includes before and after photos.

Hello friends, and welcome to Personally Andrea. If you’re new here you can poke around and find some recipes, crafts and projects, even learn a little more about me. I hope you’ll stay awhile, maybe even sign up to receive my posts in your inbox, usually a few times a month...

How to Make a Chalkboard and a Chalk Monogram

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 12:00:00 +0000

How to make your own framed chalkboard with a hand-drawn chalk monogram. This is for everyone who thinks they’re not crafty or artistic!

Welcome to the first post in an occasional series called There For The Making, Zero Dollar DIY Challenge. It will run for the rest of this year, and a huge shout out to Sarah at Flourish & Knot for both creating and hosting this challenge for us!

Valentine's Candy Inspired Family Table Setting

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 10:00:00 +0000

How to make family dinner special on Valentine’s Day with a candy inspired and family friendly table setting. Inspired by kids and conversation hearts.

I'm excited to be participating in a blog hop with some Canadian blogger friends, organized by the lovely Jo-Anna from A Pretty Life in the Suburbs. Links to all the posts can be found at the end of this one, or search social media with the hashtag #CBValentinesDay.

Homemade Cinnamon Marshmallows

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 11:30:00 +0000

Homemade cinnamon marshmallows are straightforward to make with just a few staple ingredients and no fancy equipment.

Did you know you could make your own marshmallows? When I posted on social media here and here that I had make them, a few people asked, Really? You can do that? Yes, you can. It’s actually been on my bucket list for a while to try. But I delayed, thinking that it required a candy thermometer, which I don’t have.

Then I came across this recipe in my Butter cookbook by the famous bakery owner, Rosie Daykin. And it doesn’t require a candy thermometer!

We go through a lot of marshmallows in this house, between summer campfires and winter hot chocolate. And while marshmallow will never be nutritious, I was sure we could avoid some of the chemicals in the processed, packaged marshmallows from the store. (I felt the same way about ice cream last summer, and wrote about making your own ice cream too.) Plus... added flavourings!

I used the basic recipe from the cookbook, then took it up a notch with one of the suggested variations by adding some cinnamon into the mix. They’ve been a big hit so far as the days have been cold and dreary, and hot chocolate by the fire is just the cure.

Don’t be intimidated by the number of steps in the instructions. There are a lot of details but once you get prepared and started, this is really part craft and part cooking, and pretty intuitive.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Marshmallows:

1 cup water
3 envelopes unflavoured gelatin
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup (not the regular golden colour kind)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons cinnamon
icing sugar to coat

Instructions for Cinnamon Marshmallows:

1. Butter a 9 X 9 inch square baking pan
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, pour in half a cup of the water and sprinkle with gelatin. Set aside to absorb.
3. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining half cup of water. Turn heat to high and bring to a rolling boil for one minute. Remove from heat.
4. Turn the mixer to low to stir the gelatin a few times until combined with the water. While stirring, very slowly add the hot sugar mixture, pouring down the inside edge of the bowl.
5. Turn the mixer to high and whip for 10-12 minutes, until the marshmallow batter almost triples in size and thickens.
6. Stop the mixer and add the vanilla and cinnamon. Stir to combine then whip once more for 1-2 minutes.
7. Quickly transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
8. Grease a sheet of plastic wrap with butter or cooking spray and lay it across the top of the pan, pressing down firmly against the marshmallow mixture. Leave the marshmallows to set for several hours, or overnight.
9. Cover a large cookie sheet or cutting board with icing sugar and turn out the stiffened marshmallow mixture. Cut into one inch squares with a large sharp knife and dust to coat with the icing sugar.
10. Optional, for presentation, push a cinnamon stick into each cube and wrap with a candy wrapper, tie with twine.

I think these will be lovely for Valentine’s Day, packaged up like this and ready for dunking.

xo andrea

Hurricane Lanterns Decorated for Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 12:00:00 +0000

How I decorated my large hurricane lanterns for winter with some leftover Christmas decor and found items from around the house.

We’re in that lull after Christmas holidays, where decorations that were named cozy and cheerful in December are now called clutter. Some people love the tidy-up and back to minimalism. Some people hate taking everything down and find it depressing. I think I fall somewhere in between those two extremes.

DIY Eucalyptus and Mint Foot Soak

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 11:30:00 +0000

Bath salts and essential oils make a pretty, scented and therapeutic soak for your feet at the end of a long day. Wind down and clear your head with this eucalyptus and mint foot soak you can make yourself.

Gift Guide for Students and Twenty-Somethings

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Hunter) — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 12:00:00 +0000

Gift ideas for the college and university students on your Christmas list, and the twenty-somethings just starting out on their own.

Once again, I’m excited to be partnering with Ten Thousand Villages on this post. As always, all ideas and opinions are entirely my own.

Well my friends, it's one month till Christmas. One month. till. Christmas. Yikes! Isn't it time to get shopping? So raise your hand if you love a gift roundup... *raises hand*. I personally love them all. I find them super helpful, or at least super fun. And I thought I’d put out one of my own. One for students and twenty-somethings, because that’s who I have on my gift-list. So I consider myself a bit of a pro on that age group.