Wow. The response to our first font snobs post was so overwhelming, I couldn’t help but turn this into a regular occurrence here at our lil site. We’ve decided to prevent the abuse of fonts by bringing fresh fonts to you, oh so fabulous readers, as a regular installment.

Welcome to the font snob club.

I don’t really do buttons, at least not since the 80′s when I had a giant NKOTB button with Jordan Knight splayed in his glorious existence on my blue jean jacket…but these make me feel like the biggest dork ever super happy. And if we all had secret meetings a-la Dumbledore’s Army once a week where we bashed fonts, we would totally wear these.

I’m pretty sure I just singlehandedly explained in the paragraph above, why I don’t get out much. ;}

It just makes me really happy that someone actually took the time to make this. A little birdie informed me that some of you were pinning our last post, only to be brutally attacked by fellow pinterest cohorts who, apparently, were deeply offended by our humorous distaste towards comic sans. I’m talking disagreeable dropping of expletives, people. We really strive to be positive here on our site (when we’re not joking on ourselves, of course) and people were acting as though we’d shoved their grandmother. Off a curb. Into an ocean of shark infested waters.

Remember to stand strong in your distain towards poorly designed fonts. And, if necessary, explain that it’s just a little design humor. Fonts are like humans. They just need boundaries. This site may help in explaining that a little.

You’re welcome in advance.

Also, without further adieu, here’s our next little round up of favorite fonts. Just remember…it’s all about a nice healthy dose of moderation. ;} And the balance of a display font with the gloriously faultless Helvetica… but alas, this isn’t Type class.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 

PS. Again, they’re all free. Thanks, y’all. Happy font downloading!

When the awesome people at Apartment Guide contacted us with a challenge they had for us, we were more than happy to oblige. {It’s kind of what we love to do, after all. ;}} The challenge: To makeover, revamp, repurpose or create something for our home, for under 100 smackeroos. So when I literally stumbled across this crate, I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing with it. For a mere fifty dollars I was totally in love.

It was totally great as it was, but I thought I’d {gasp!} throw in a little fun and give it a personal touch for our home. The first part to one of our favorite songs {and favorite shows!} fit the bill. Bob Dylan’s Forever Young, anyone? Lately, I’ve been a little sentimental. Sometimes I wish they really could stay forever young. Sometimes, I’m glad they won’t because I think it gets even better. ;} It’s a vicious thing, parenthood.

Here’s how we did it:

After wiping it down again, and again, and again…{I’d LOVE to know what this thing was used for back in the day} I broke out some foam letters I had. {You can find these at any craft store-I’ve had mine for years} The initial plan was to dip the letters in paint, and go from there for more of a rustic look. Because I didn’t want to ruin the crate, it took a little planning ahead of time. So I cut a piece of butcher paper to size, and mapped out the first three lines of the song. As it turns out, the letters were the wrong size, and were much too large for what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to overwhelm the crate with paint, but rather give it a touch of something fun.

So, onto the projector we moved. We simply printed the song lyrics out on some transparency, {font = chunky. yes, I am obsessed.} adjusted it to the right size, and started tracing. From there, careful to cover the dark lines, we filled it in with paint and a small brush. I went behind it with an exacto knife and touched up any little mess ups that occurred, as well as scraped away the paint in a few of the places, to make it look older, and distressed.

So there you have it! Our new little addition to our space. It was definitely time for a bit of a spruce up.

Whether you’re living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide offers how-to tips for making the most of your space on a budget. If you’re ready for a whole new space or looking to move, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect apartment community. If your furniture needs a facelift,  you’re searching for some great vintage pieces or budget friendly ideas and DIY how-tos for any sized home, this site is a great lil resource!

Today, Apartment Guide is here with an awesome giveaway, so one lucky reader can try their own little revamp: A fifty dollar gift card to Home Depot! Want to win?

1. Like Apartment Guide on Facebook and leave a comment here, telling us you did.

2. Follow them on Twitter and leave a comment here, telling us you did.  

3. Circle them on Google+ and leave a comment here, telling us you did.

4. Share this fun giveaway on facebook, twitter or pinterest. Leave a separate comment here each time, telling us you did.

Giveaway ends Thursday night, {2.23} winner announced Friday {2.24}!

GOOD LUCK! May the luckiest commenter win!

Obligatory Disclaimer: Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in their monthly blogger programs.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

A big fat Monday kind of hey to all our favorite people! We hope you had a restful weekend, and that this day finds you well. Remember my fabulous friend Kay with her amazing sweet potato dumplings? I’m pleased as pie {pun intended} to have her back today, so she can share another easy peasy recipe idea with us! So without further adieu, here she is to share her great egg rolls!

______

In an effort not to overload everyone with “dumpling” recipes right off the bat (because I have another fabulous one that I will share soon enough) I decided to give y’all my egg roll recipe. And my decision for this may or may not have had anything to do with the fact that I almost ruined dinner last night.

While attempting to salvage my roast, I decided to crank up the fryer so I could drop in a few of these suckers, just in case the roast didn’t make it (which it did by the way and with flying colors, I must say).

I always prepare these in advance because they’re just too easy not to have on hand.

And here’s how you do it:

Brown hamburger meat and then drain

Toss package of pre-made coleslaw in with the meat mixture.

While this is cooking down, scramble your eggs {make sure they are scrambled very small.} After you put them in the meat mixture and stir around, you can remove from the stove and begin rolling.

You want to take your wraps out of the freezer a few minutes before the rolling begins. They need to thaw a little so they’re flexible. I have found that putting my hand on them for a bit helps if they need a little encouragement. But do go ahead with the wrapping as soon as they are ready. You don’t want the wraps to get hard.

Place a large spoonful at the corner of your wrap and fold the corner over the mixture. Roll until you are even with the other two corners, fold them over each other. Continue to roll until you are almost to the end. Don’t roll all the way. This is where you will use the uncooked egg as a “glue” to seal the egg roll. Dip your finger in the egg and spread it on the last corner and then finish rolling. If it doesn’t stick as well as you would like, just dip your finger again and put more on that corner once it is rolled.

I like to make 50-100 at a time so I am sure to have plenty on hand…you know, in case I have to pretend that I meant for them to be the main course. ;} Put them in freezer bags and just pull them out when you’re ready to fry ‘em up. Just a side note for when you take them out of the freezer: you may want to get the ice crystals off before popping them in the grease. Grease and ice just don’t mix well.

Once they’re done dancing in the grease and are a golden brown all the way around, drain them on paper towels {if you don’t have a fryer, as shown here, no worries. Just put a little oil in your pan and cook them on your stovetop.}

Dip ‘em in that lovely sweet chili sauce and enjoy! So there you have it! Snack, appetizer, main course (or save the day little heroes), these little guys can serve just about any purpose.

——————

Hurray for meals that you can cook in mass quantities, freeze, and break out in an emergency! I think I’m trying these for my next dinner partay.

This week, we were feeling a little under the weather at the Millz hizzy. Thankfully, there was nothing of the voms variety {knock on wood to the ten quadrillionth power} but more of the sniveling, slight fever, yucky-enough-to-stay-home-and-miss-our-valentine’s-partay-while-we-laze-on-the-couch, variety.

Since I desperately needed to get a little work done, I pulled out the big guns. Which really, in retrospect, weren’t that big at all. They just felt that way since the kids are endlessly mesmerized by them. It had me thinking about the three consistently engaging and limitless activities around our home that we either keep coming back to, or are a great resource and learning tool for our children. SUPER simple, tried and true ideas that were initially given to us as gifts, and we just love to use with our little ones.

Some days, I’m one scream away from pulling out every single last one of my eyelashes. {After I dangle the offspring from their toes, of course.} So I thought I’d share three of these gift ideas, for beating down the winter doldrums.

1. Create an art bin. For Christmas, I asked my super creative mother in law for some art supplies. We were running low. The markers were dried out. And the clump-ability factor of the play doh population was a true tragedy. She always puts a lot of thought into her gifts, so when we received these seemingly simple art supplies for the kids, I knew they were thoughtful. I just wasn’t aware of how throughtful. These little plastic bins are jam packed with personalized, age appropriate art supplies for each child. From activity books and finger paints, to Play doh and water colors…opened at least once a day. I think the kids love having their own little personal containers. Rainy day? No problem. I simply remind them of their stash. I usually have to pry them away from the table to clean up before dinner. And we just keep adding to it…And who doesn’t love it when their kids are thinking critically through a worksheet or creating a beautiful work of art?

2. Simple design as teaching tools. When the super sweet Courtney of Lil Light O Mine generously sent us these awesome goodies, I was completely in awe of these adorable products. If there’s one thing we’re trying to teach our kids, it’s both of these valuable life lessons. We love the idea of working scripture into their every day lives with these adorable flash cards also cleverly designed in the form of the alphabet. We’re covering a different letter, learning them one at a time as a family, each week. The money jars are the simplest of concepts…the idea of saving up, and planning ahead: something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. We love these brilliant little products with a big impact, and think they make one of a kind, awesome gifts.

3. Lighten up. This may seem silly, but it’s truly the little things with us. We keep a huge {hidden} stash at our house. It may as well be likened to crack, and it’s composed of a never ending supply of glow bracelets and flashlights {per the tarjay dollar bin + dollar store.} But their worth is equivalent to gold at our house. They’re used for scavenger hunts, story time, camping sessions, bunk bed parties, bath time…the possibilities are oh so joyfully endless. When our friends come over, and the weather is warm, we sit on the porch and simply toss about fifty into the air and make the kids hunt them down in the dark. The adults can actually have a conversation…Need I say more?

So there we have it…three of our family’s favorite things when it pertains to my children, and the sweet little gift ideas that keep them occupied for hours!

So now it’s your turn. What are some of your tried and true methods you’ve used to entertain or teach your children around the home? Please do share some of your faves!

Happy Thursday, everyone! Though I’ve created a few designs lately, we were overdue for an official freebie of the month club giveaway… illustrations style. They are my faves, after all.

So I thought I’d spiff up a few of these vintage camera illustrations.

Here they are, just for you wonderful people! Whether it’s a card for someone, decor for your home, or just about everything in between…these illustrations work by themselves or in a group. They print out to 5 x 7 and beyond.

Want them? Click here to visit our downloads page, and grab up these little freebies. {camera 1, camera 2 + camera 3.} Click here to see the rest of our freebies…they’re just for you!

Tada! We’d love to see what you do with them!

Have an inspired day!

Hey wonderful people! It’s time for our next installment of small spaces here at The Handmade Home…

We started out with foyers + entryways, moved on to living rooms, dining rooms, and then kitchens. (Click here, to see the entire series.) Today, we’re discussing the design of the small bedroom. I included the word ‘master,’ not be confused with children’s rooms…which we’ll be discussing later.

Obligatory disclaimer: space is all relative, isn’t it? Some of these rooms probably aren’t as tiny as we’d expect…but they all still had something in common: I found them to be packed full of great decor ideas, clever use of space, awesome styling, or a little bit of all of the above. This is more of a wide angled lens view for inspiration, if you will.

In smaller spaces, it can sometimes be easy to get overwhelmed on where to begin. This is a great example of utilizing that wall space, taking full advantage of decor for the entire room, and softening the windows by emphasizing great design.

Sometimes it can seem counter intuitive, but going dark can create depth in a space. A symmetrical look by the bed is just icing on the cake, and it helps keep it under control.

via + via

I kind of go against the status quo with this rule {and every situation is different} But If if you absolutely love a piece, I love the idea of making it work in a smaller space. The potentially overwhelming state of this bed is reigned in with it’s delicate lines. Paired with a layering of wallpaper, the space has a cozy feel.

Yet another example of getting away with a large and in charge piece, is layering it on top of the same color. I love the architectural effect this tiny space has, with paneled walls and a great wooden bed. It’s proportions aren’t overwhelming, so it works.

Another counter intuitive approach: when short on space, or if you have your heart set on a certain furniture set up…put your bed in front of the window! A bed in front of a window, is surprisingly enough, one of my favorite looks. It especially works when the curtains are wider than the bed…{just a little rule of thumb that I actually do like to follow…}

via

I’m drooling over this combo…the glitz with the chandy, the fun patterned ceiling, the shaggy carpet…the dark grey…need I keep going? Subtle, cozy glam with multiple materials at it’s finest.

A dramatic headboard can certainly make the room seem larger!

I’ve shown this one before…but I’m just drawn to this room. The yellow. The stripes. The blue…the curated display…instead of overwhelming the space, helps it seem intentional and inviting. I think it’s the combination of all these elements…especially the color that makes it work.

via

An example of reflective surfaces in a tight space helps it seem lighter, airier and brighter. Whether it’s with mirrors, silken bed coverings, white, the glitz of the chandy or shiny wood…it’s always good to think through the materials.

This room shouldn’t work. But it does. A nook like this one creates more of an inviting, cozy feel, based on the clever placement of furniture. So if you have an awkward space, it always helps to think about all the possibilities. The key elements in the accessories, like that horse, causes the viewer to give it a second look.

via

via

via

I always love the bright colors/dark wood approach. Even if I might not be able to sleep with all those colors.

Adore this. It’s alaways a great option when you’re tight on space.

A clever headboard really can be a crowning touch + make all the difference

 I know this isn’t a master bedroom in ‘real life’ per say, but I do love the arrangement, paired with pops of bright for a tight space as a great example. A little symmetry goes a long way.

So does high contrast and great pattern.

via

via

via

via + via

Another example of a small room with built in, architectural appeal. By creating a platform for the bed, and providing a reclaimed, textural feel on the walls. We suddenly forget how small the room is. I’m in awe at its simple transformation.

I love the effect of natural elements in a clean, white space.

via

Another example of a bed in front of a window, and high contrast with color.

via

via

via

via

Mixing up your patterns is always a great way to create layers and interest.

via

via

These are just a few of our favorites, and some great ideas at work that make a small space successful. I think these would most definitely work in a large space, as well. Do any of you guys live with a small master bedroom? What are a few of your key elements that work for you? Spill it!