The House That Built Us

Lifebushido...

2013-10-13T22:49:00.000-04:00

About 2 weeks after leaving my successful engineering career with NASA, I was already looking for something to fill the void. The void that I never thought I would have. The void that I thought maybe I shouldn’t have. But it’s the same void that millions on stay-at-home-moms find in themselves. The who-am-I-and-how-do-I-prove-that-I-am-still-a-woman-with-something-to-contribute void. I thought I wanted a career, I thought I wanted to be a full-time mom. But in reality, I want both…without going crazy. Impossible, you say?

Then I stumbled upon Lifebushido. They provide virtual assistant services, like hundreds of other firms hiring stay-at-home moms. But something was different. Something felt different. It may have been the stellar reviews I was seeing from current and former contractors. Or maybe it was the crazy name. I don’t know, but I knew I wanted to find out more. So I applied.

I received a series of emails that were mostly loaded questions for me that made me say “Hmmm.” Definitely not your standard interview process, but I went with it. Then it was suggested that I join a Lifesbushido Triangle. Yes, a Triangle. It’s essentially a team of other potential new recruits that work together through the hiring process, doing short tasks in an attempt to showcase abilities. If hired, you are then paid for those completed tasks. Sounds ok, but do I really want to dive in head first? Do I want to put effort into a “maybe”? “Maybe” I’ll get hired, and “maybe” I’ll enjoy the work, and “maybe” it’s what I’ve been looking for? Being a girl that’s never shied away from a challenge, I decided to go for it full-steam ahead. After-all, I had nothing to lose as the majority of other stay-at-home opportunities were not going to cut it.

So here I am, half-way through the Lifebushido Triangle process, and I’ve fallen for it. It IS different. And I like it. I can only hope that I get hired. I’ve even created a perception meme, which everyone knows is a sign of deep commitment.

Subway Art DIY (My First Attempt at Laser Printer/Mod Podge/Canvas Image Transfer - kinda fail)

2012-07-25T07:37:00.002-04:00

This was my first attempt at transferring a laser-printed image onto a canvas. I had an oops moment, so this is kind of a fail post, but I figured out what I did wrong, so my next attempt should be cleaner.

Here's the supplies I used:

Canvas

Mod Podge

Acrylic Paint

Water (in a spray bottle)

My Laser-Printed Image (mirrored-see below)

Paint brush

Foam Brush

Rolling Pin

First, I created my image. My canvas was a little smaller than two sheets of 8-1/2 x 11 (standard) printer paper, horizontally. So I created my image using word in the "landscape" orientation. I used a new text box for each separate word (that's the easiest way to mirror them and place them exactly where you want them in Microsoft Word). After you've created your text box and typed in your word in the font and size you want, just right click on the edge of the text box and go to Format Shape. There you can remove the border line by going to Line Color and selecting No Line. Then go down to 3-D Rotation and type 180 into the "X" box.

After your image is just the way you want it, print and double triple check your spelling. Then have your 4 year old paint your canvas!

After the paint is completely dry, slap on a generous but even layer of Mod Podge to your canvas. I also brush a layer onto my image. The I carefully placed the image face down on the canvas and rolled out any bubbles.

This is where I'm supposed to tell you to wait until your image dries overnight! I was lil' miss impatient (as usual), and I started rubbing off my paper after only about 3 hours (but it felt dry!)

So after an OVERNIGHT drying, use your spray bottle to mist over the paper. Then gently (very gently) rub the paper with a sponge or a soft towel. It (the paper, not the image!) will start to peel off at you rub. If it starts to feel dry, add a little more mist. The first time I tried this (after my 3 hour dry-time), the image started to come off with the paper. So I got frustrated and left it overnight. The next morning, I could still see a thin layer of the white paper, so I misted again and rubbed. This time it worked much better and my image stuck. Yay!

I'll probably try a do-over on this one...

Transformation Tuesday - Anthropologie Inspired Flower Vase

2012-07-24T08:04:00.002-04:00

Hi all! For this installment of Transformation Tuesday I'd like to present my cute little flower vase!

I was on a treasure hunt a few weeks back, and I came across this little diamond in the rough:

When I saw her, I thought, "That's kinda cute. Reminds me of..."

I'm sure many of you recognize these darlings from anthroplogie. They range from $18-$28. Not bad. But I picked up my vase for $2! Add about $0.78 of spray paint and you get a super cute pop of color accent piece! Yay!

Summer Bucket List #1 - Take to kids to the Atlantic Ocean

2012-07-23T07:42:00.002-04:00

I finally got around to taking the kids to the Atlantic Ocean for the first time (check that one of my summer bucket list)! They've been to the gulf plenty of times, but since we moved to central Florida, we hadn't made it over to the coast. So we went to Cocoa Beach yesterday!

The sand was the hot, the water was perfect, and we even got some tropical storm-force wind-driven rain at the end of the day!

The guys (big guys, not my little guy) were in the water riding waves (yes, they still do that at 35), and us girls were on the shore when the inclement weather decided to pop-in. It had been getting a little cloudy for a few minutes, but then the sprinklers started.

"No big deal", I thought. Besides, we were in our bathing suits. So we start to pack up the stuff.

Then the wind came. Like 50 mph tropical storm winds. Growing up in Florida, I'm used to strong afternoon storms. But this was seriously hurricane wind. I look out into the water. The guys don't even blink. Was it the beer? Or maybe the wave riding was that. much. fun.

So I try to wave them in. They see me right? Surely they see me. Ok, they saw me. Back to packing.

The guys mosey on over (it was a mosey.) By this time, it's raining, hard. The kind of rain that hurts. I hear Josh say, "We're in trouble" as they realize that we're struggling to get our valuables ($800 camera... check, iphone...check, Josh's prize sunglasses...whatever, I'll throw them in the back I guess.) out of the rain.

Then Josh does the unthinkable. He grabs the sand-covered towel in the midst of the hurricane-force winds in the direction of little monkey's face! And my eyes. Sand in your eyes is only funny when you're laughing so hard because you feel like your 10 years old and on the the log plume ride at Disney World.

Thank goodness Omari had the sense to grab the baby and head for the car. I don't think it ever occurred to Josh and I as I was trying to drag the cooler through the sand all my my lil self.

From now on, we're doing beach Sundays at the Cole house! So fun!

Preschool Invention - Barrette Book

2012-07-09T08:11:00.000-04:00

My daughter's preschool at Kennedy Space Center had science week a while back, and one of the assignments (yes, she's 4 and has homework!) was to create an invention. It was hard to not totally go overboard and build a satellite or something, since the majority of the parents at this daycare are NASA scientists and engineers, but I recycled an idea that my mom did with me in kindergarten. We invented (more like created) a barrette book.

It was so easy for her to do, and cost very little, most of which I already have on hand. I bought the notebook with colored note cards at Walmart (I think it was $3.99). A rainbow one would have been better than neon, but that's all they had and we made it work by gluing construction paper cut to size of the missing colors. This brought in a little problem solving, as most prototypes aren't perfect the first time around.

We used a hole puncher to to create holes, one or more depending on how many matching barrettes we had. Now her barrette's are organized and easy to find!

Linking up here:

the life of jennifer dawn

the trendy treehouse

pincushion creations

diy by design
savvy southern style
the diy dreamer
uncommon designs online
to sew with love
52 mantels
the artsy girl connection

My Perfect {simple} Day

2012-07-06T08:40:00.002-04:00

The Florida sun is shining, and I'm awakened by the sweet sound of my children playing in the other room. I guess it's about 8am, but I can't be sure without sitting up to see the clock across the room. I roll over and see *him*. Tall, handsome *him*. Sleeping next to Josh doesn't annoy me, he doesn't get in my way, or wake me up. I close my eyes again.

Getting out of bed slowly is good for the soul, and I can feel every ounce of me coming to life as I carefully ease off the mattress. Josh is still sleeping. After a quick wash of my face and teeth, I make my way into Christian's room. Makenna has crawled into the crib with him and she is gently bouncing on her knees holding his hands. He looks at her like a she's an angel, and I know she truly is. Her sweetness and nurturing instincts are one of her many gifts, and I am often in awe that God has chosen me to be her mother. It intimidates me.

Noticing I'm in the doorway, they jump up, eager for hugs and kisses. I help Makenna over the rail, put Christian on my hip, and head downstairs. I decide to make waffles with fruit and whip cream for breakfast. I carefully make a crown of strawberries and blueberries on Makenna's waffle, and a smiley-face on Christians. She giggles, and he quickly smashes his mound of whip cream with his hands. Makenna giggles more. Josh stumbles down the stairs and we have a slow, easy breakfast together.

After breakfast, we get dressed and head into the backyard, not even bothering to do the dishes. They can wait until nap time. The kids run through the porch and out into the green grass. The smell of early summer hits me, and I take a moment to appreciate the mild weather before the heat of July arrives. The gentle breezes will soon be replaced with stifling stillness. Rocky follows the kids out, doing the boxer run only the way he can. He doesn't act like a dog that has weeks to live, and I forget that he will soon be gone. For now, I just enjoy his loving nature and the way he carefully licks Christian's face.

I sit on the patio with my sweet tea, curling my legs up on the couch. Josh turns on some music, and starts filling up the baby pool with the hose. I have a hard time not smiling as I watch him father our babies. I lost my father at a young age, and I'm often amazed by his gentleness with them. I make my way over, put my feet in the pool, and pretend to be surprised when I get splashed. Christian's diaper is full of water, and but he doesn't seem to notice as he waddles around.

The afternoon naps give me a minute to get the house in order, dishes done, and outdoor toys put up. I also get a few minutes on the computer working on my blog, and touching on any projects I have in the works. The focus I feel during my projects helps me to gain a moment for me in my day of caring for my family.

It's straight to the bath to wash dinner off of Christian, and Makenna follows me up the stairs, always just behind my ankles. Bath time is fun at their age, and I know soon enough Makenna will decide that she no longer wants to bathe with little brother, so I try to enjoy these simple minutes we have together in the evening. After Christian is clean and dry, we sit and play with the toys that have made there way out of the tub. Makenna continues to play as I finish up washing her.
Josh comes up the stairs just in time to brush Makenna's hair (which I think he secretly loves to do!), and I know he's been downstairs cleaning up dinner. I appreciate it way more than he knows.

After a thousand kisses, I put Christian in his crib. He's tired from the day out in the sun, and quickly surrenders to sleep as I rub his back, his little legs tucked under his belly and his cute little butt in the air. I read a book with Makenna, tuck her in, and kiss her goodnight.

My perfect day ends with a long, warm bubble bath and snuggling on the couch with Josh. We talk about the day, about the kids, about how wonderfully simple life can be, and we're off to bed. I pray, give thanks to God for all I have, and hope to have another perfect {simple} day tomorrow!

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15

Wreath Wednesday (err...Tuesday) - God Bless America Denim Wreath

2012-07-03T08:23:00.000-04:00

God Bless America! With the 4th of July right around the corner, I just had to make a patriotic wreath. I got my inspiration for this wreath from Made in a Day.

I love my country, and working on an air force base, and now at the space center, I have grown to appreciate all the accomplishments and sacrifices that have been made in the last 236 years.

The beauty, majesty, and liberty of America should be celebrated with respect and honor! Have a happy and safe 4th of July to all my American readers!

(FYI: I didn't even cut those jeans, just wrapped and pinned. I couldn't ruin a perfectly good pair of designer jeans, even though I haven't wore them once since my bestie gave them to me in college! I am such a craft-committment-phobe!)

Linking up at:

its overflowing
kathe with an e
kammys korner
home stories a to z
cowgirl up linky party
not just a housewife
claiming our space
sweet little gals
romance on a dime
the diy dreamer
uncommon
savvy southern style
diy by design
pine creek style
the trendy treehouse
my lil pink pocket
southern lovely
i gotta create
vintage gwen.com
52 mantels
made in a day
the artsy girl connection
my repurposed life
fingerprints on the fridge
romantic home
see vanessa craft
raising oranges
five days five ways
just us four

Monogram Monday - Wood & Burlap Frame Monogram

2012-07-02T14:57:00.000-04:00

After making a button monogram for my son's room, I had to make a monogram for my little girls room!

I made this one using a clearance frame from Homegoods (yeah, that says $3.50!), some burlap (of course), spray paint (what else?), and a letter W (they were out of M's).

First, I removed the glass and backing from the frame and spray painted it, along with the letter M (or W). Light pink, 4-5 light coats.

Then I cut two layers of burlap 1/2" larger than the frame backing, and just put it back together. I didn't glue it because I have craft commitment issues, but I'm working on it. I did glue the M (or W!) on and took some sandpaper to it.

Super easy, the hardest part was waiting for the paint to dry!

Linking up at:

cowgirl up linky party

the artsy girl connection

my repurposed life

fingerprints on the fridge

Yay! My very first guest post (DIY by Design)!!!

2012-07-02T08:01:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited to be doing my very first ever guest post at DIY by Design! I love Judy's blog, and when she asked for guest post submissions for her site while she is on her Disney vacation/cruise (lucky!), I jumped at the chance! Head on over to DIY by Design and check it out!

Must Read Post - How To "Do It All"

2012-06-26T11:55:00.002-04:00

Abbie over a Five Days 5 Ways just posted a fabulous piece on women feeling they have to "do it all", and it spoke to me. Go on over and check it out, her writing is *truth*-ful, honest, and hilarious! Love her!

Creating in Glass Slippers: Liebster Award

2012-06-26T10:12:00.001-04:00

Wow, I am honored that Creating in Glass Slippers thought of my little ole' blog when she got to hand over her Liebster Award. I had seen this award on other blogs, and always wondered how awesome it would be to have it bestowed on me, and here we are!

Stop by Paula's site and check out her super cute pin cushion! Wishing I could sew right about now just so I could make one!

"Liebster" means "Dearest" in German and the award is a "share the love arrangement" that is given to inspirational bloggers with less than 200 followers. There is a list of things that recipients are required to do upon receiving the award.

Thank the person who presented you with the award on your blog.
Link back to the blogger who gave you the award.
Copy and paste the award on your blog
Present the Liebster Award to 5 other bloggers with less than 200 followers.
Let them know you've chosen them by leaving a comment on their blog.

I am excited to award the Liebster Blog Awards to:

Brie Brie Blooms

Carolina Hendrix
Distressed Donna Downhome
Family Love Home
The House Made Home

Thank you so much Paula, I really appreciate it and you've truly made my day! *MUAH*

4th of July Tablescape

2012-06-23T20:27:00.001-04:00

I put together this lil' tablescape for the 4th and just wanted to share. What says "4th of July in Florida" like coca-cola, seashells, and the beautiful red, white, and blue of old glory!

I found these super cute 4th of July toothpicks in the Target $1 section and couldn't resist!

The shells come from Kennedy Space Center Florida.

I just wanted to share my 4th of July tablescape! Thanks!

Burlap & Buttons Monogram

2012-06-22T18:52:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! Happy happy happy Friday! It's been a long week here at the Cole House, and I am beat. However, I did want to share a button monogram that I made a few days ago. Remember this? I couldn't resist. Here it is!

All you need is a canvas, some burlap (or other material of choice) cut about 3 inches larger than your canvas, a variety pack of coordinating buttons, glue, and a heave-duty stapler.

First, staple the fabric onto the the back of the canvas. Start from the middle, and work your way out, tightening as you go.

Next, trim the corners so you don't have a ton of fabric to form your corners.

Then fold like you're wrapping a present and trim as necessary.

If you've ever reupholstered furniture, this should be a cinch! Then just glue your buttons in the shape of your letter, layering to fill in the gaps.

I also attached a ribbon for hanging by stapling it to the top edge of the canvas.

Another easy-peasy project!

Linking up here:

Ryan's Banana Split Party

2012-06-21T11:02:00.001-04:00

Hey, everyone! I just read a story that touched my heart as a mother, and just wanted to share. There's a little boy named Ryan that is very sick and doesn't have much longer until he goes "home". You can read the story on his Facebook page.

His mom is asking that everyone have a banana split for dinner with their kids. So tonight we had banana splits for dinner in honor of Ryan. We should all live life to the fullest, and make memories with your babies because we never know how much time we really have!

Our banana splits had bananas (of course), Blue Bell vanilla ice cream (so good!), peanut butter, chocolate syrup, strawberries, and Dulce de Leche Cheerios.

Yummmm!

Have a blessed day!

Cheerios Monogram Wreath

2012-06-18T08:33:00.001-04:00

Last weekend was monkey's first birthday, and I made a wreath for the door for the occasion! I used a foam florist wreath, burlap (of course), and some bunting made from all those Cheerios boxes I needed for the food and decorations! Then I just printed out the word and taped the letter on. The C I made using a
birdseed recipe, but with Cheerios instead. It shrunk quite a bit, but still turned out cute. I just hope the squirrels don't tear it down...I should probably move it off the wreath. To see the rest of the Cheerios party, click here!

Linking up here...

Cheerios First Birthday Party

2012-06-18T07:56:00.001-04:00

I can't believe my little monkey is one already! We had a birthday for him last weekend, and it turned out really cute. The theme was Cheerios. I got the idea from here, but I added some details. Here's the party!

Let's start with the super-cute sign that my husband made. It all started when I decided to use pipe cleaners to spell out CHRISTIAN in capital letters. I didn't know what I was going to do with it, but I knew I wanted it somewhere. Right when I got to CHRIST, Josh said, "You should make it in cursive", to which I replied, "How about you make it in cursive." So he did. Then my mother-in-law suggested the bead board backing, and voila!

Josh glued the panels of pre-finished bead board together (Home Depot), and used a piece of cardboard to reinforce it since we didn't have time to frame it properly. He's such a handsome crafter!

Here it is mid-glue:

Ok, onto the food. We had the chocolate cupcake with white icing and Cheerios, and the Cheerios box cake made by a local baker. But I was sure to tell everyone at the party that I made it myself. No one believed me.

All of the food had Cheerios in it, one it, or it resembled a Cheerio! It was so much fun, and I got some of the recipes from the Cheerios website. Here's some Cheerios parfaits that my mom made:

Mini-bagel sammies (I used tuna salad, egg salad, and cheese spread for the adults)...

and PB&J for the kiddos.

I put glazed donuts in a large white bowl with a huge spoon and powdered sugar (to look like milk) to create a giant-sized bowl of Cheerios...

and the table was decorated with little pipe-cleaner Cheerios hearts.

The drinks were served in a large galvanize bucket (what else?). I splurged on glass bottle cokes to add a little nostalgia.

The room was decorated with white and yellow-with-white-polka-dot balloons, Cheerios garland, and red, white, and yellow paper decorations.

The flag banner is made with all those Cheerios boxes that I used.

The big 1 was made using a multi-colored number 1 pinata from the party store. I ripped off as much tissue paper as I could, spray painted it white, covered it with white paper, and glued on all those Cheerios. It took several hours over several sittings to get it done, but it was worth it!

Since the party was indoors, I created a craft table for the kids. The kids glued colored Cheerios to mini canvases and made pipe-cleaner jewelry.

I dyed cheerios with spray-on food coloring (to avoid soggy Cheerios).

The craft table was a big hit, surprisingly. The kids sat for quite some time and had fun making jewelry for the adults.

The centerpiece for the table turned out cute as well. I spray painted cardboard letters from Joann's to spell out ONE. We tried to glue them together, and we were using the ribbon scraps to hold them in place to dry. It looked kinda cute so Suzanne (my mother-in-law) made cute little bow-ties out of them and we left them on.

I used white chocolate melts and Cheerios to create these mini spoon favors.

Here's Christian tearing one up!

I picked up some Cheerios holders from the grocery store and used them as balloon weights. Then we gave them away as favors for the kids, and they got to take a few balloons with them as well!

I think little monkey had a great time!

After all that hard work, Mommy finally got a break!

Linking up here...

Under 300 Blog Hop

2012-06-14T09:22:00.000-04:00

Being a newby, I try to participate in blog hops to network a little. Here's one that I found at Pinkapotamus. Check it out!

1. If you were trapped on a desert island and could only bring 1 crafty item what would it be?

Glue...especially since I can't sew!

2. If your spouse (or significant other) made you chose between them and crafting .. what would you chose?

Josh, because I would die without him (and because he reads this)

3. What would be your Ultimate craft experience?

Having $1000 to spend at Joann's, then being alone for 6 hours with my loot.

4. What is your favourite craft disaster?

I recently tried to make a wreath out of Cheerios for my son's upcoming Cheerios-themed birthday party using a bird seed recipe. Apparantly, soggy cheerios aren't cute, and the wreath shrunk a lot! Luckily, I also made a letter C that I think I'll be able to use :)

Happy Blogging!

Grandpa Father's Day Printable

2012-06-13T08:47:00.001-04:00

I know father's day is mostly focused on daddy's, but let's not forget about all the awesome grandpa's out there! I know my grandpa was super important to me, especially as a small child. I made this card for Grandpapa and sent it off yesterday, and I just wanted to share it!

I used light yellow card stock to print it out, and then used blue stamp ink to make hand prints from the kids. I should have used paint, since the ink didn't show up as well as I wanted it to.

You can get the MS Word document here:

Father's Day Grandpa Printable 2012

Let me know if you can't access the file and I will send it to you via email!

Transformation Tuesday #3 - Entertaintment Center Decor Revamp

2012-06-12T09:34:00.001-04:00

Somewhere in between having a baby and starting this blog, my entertainment center got completely out of control!

I considered not showing a before pic, or fixing it up a little first. But I decided to keep it real. Here it was earlier this week (click on the pic to make it bigger):

It's an overcrowded, mismatched, dark mess. It started out pretty symmetrical with stuff we already had, but there was no clear theme or color scheme. Just mostly...brown. The yellow pot you see is a recent addition since there's good sunlight there, and it's high enough that Monkey won't get his little fingers in it.

Another bothersome feature is the wire mess. We never got around to cleaning them up or hiding them very well. But that's a job for Josh, so I'll try to ignore them for a little while longer. The play station and Xbox to the right of the TV are also an issue for me, but I'll deal with it until we move.

Here it is after I did some shifting around the house.

I de-cluttered, added some color (particularly the color du jour, aqua!). I managed to convince Josh to put the PlayStation (2!) away since it hasn't even been plugged in since we moved in 2 years ago. The Xbox is awesome, and we actually play with the Kinect a lot, so it's a keeper.

Here's my $3 thrift store vase,

and my attempt at hiding the surround sound speakers. I'm so happy our new house is actually wired for surround sound!

It still needs a little work...

Monogram Monday #3 - Button Monograms!

2012-06-11T08:32:00.002-04:00

I'm always looking for ways to make things with stuff I already have at the house. I ran across this pin on Pinterest, and thought it was super cute, especially for a baby's room.

Burlap + Button + Glue + Old Frame = ADORABLE

Even on a canvas!

2012 Bloggy Olympics

2012-06-08T10:35:00.003-04:00

Oh...it's on! Shaken Together

Wreath Wednesday #2 - Green Love Summer Wreath

2012-06-06T17:42:00.001-04:00

Summer in Florida is all about the green. Green grass, green palm trees, and blue-green waters. This wreath is made with a medium florist wreath, light burlap, some green pattern fabric scraps, pins, cardboard, and chalkboard paint.

Just fold the fabric strips and wrap! I used pins (glue is a little too permanent for me) to hold the fabric down on the back, and made a burlap flower by twisting and rolling a burlap scrap.

The chalkboard sign is cardboard from a baby diaper box. Remember this? Yeah. I just taped it off and sprayed. Another easy, can't mess it up project!

Linking up at...

Sunshine Award

2012-06-06T14:52:00.004-04:00

OMG, Apples and Peanut Butter (one of the sweetest blogs on the planet) has nominated The House That Built Us for the Sunshine Award! I'm so flattered, and this has made my day (and week, and month...). It's so great that the bloggers in this community are so supportive of each other!

The Sunshine Award is given from bloggers to "Bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere." Wow, creative and inspirational were two words that I would not have used to describe myself 2 months ago.

Okay, so here's how the award works. First, you should thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them. Next, answer the following questions about yourself. Then, choose 10 of your favorite bloggers and link their blogs to your post. Be sure to let them know that you are nominating them for the award. Last, be sure to copy and paste the award to your blog!

Now for the questions:

1. Favorite color- Pink, light and rosy

2. Favorite animal- Dogs, especially boxers. So sweet, so loyal, and so crazy!

3. Favorite number- 29, because I'm going to be that age for the rest of my life

4. Favorite Drink- Diet Coke, but I'm trying to quit!

5. Facebook or Twitter- Pinterest

6. Good book or good movie- Good movie, but at the theater, with $30 worth of popcorn and candy

7. My passion- Being a wife and mother, I'm so blessed to have my family

8. Giving or getting gifts- Giving, for sure. I've been known to set my credit cards on fire during the holiday from overuse!

9. Favorite day- Every other Friday, the ones that I have off work!

10. Favorite flower- Peony

Now, the 10 blogs that I would like to give the Sunshine Award to, in no particular order, are:

Here's To Handy Andy (love her positivity!)
Creatively Living (nicest girl I know)
Quirky Vistas (hilarious storyteller posts)
A Vintage Fairy (magically adorable)
A Pumpkin and A Princess (very talented)
The House Made Home (this girl keeps it real!)
Romance On A Dime (she's a planning machine)
Bare Feet On The Dashboard (sweet southern mama)
Little House In The Big D (cute couple, cute dogs, cute blog)
Twigg Studios (she's seriously amazing)
Raising Oranges (a true giving soul)

(ok, so I did 11)
Check these lovely ladies, they are all so inspiring to me and I'm sure you'll agree!

Transformation Tuesday #2 - Baby Wipes Container Upcycle

2012-06-05T07:19:00.000-04:00

I tend to hold onto a lot of empty baby wipes containers, and I decided to make a mossy planter with this one. I chose the Pampers container because it's green. All I used was some spray glue, the moss in a bag, and a ribbon for a fabric flower.

Spray the container and place the moss onto the glue evenly. Be sure to wrap some over the lip of the container. You'll probably want to trim it like a banzai tree to clean it up a little. Twist and glue up your fabric flower, and you have a cute little plant holder. It's even water proof if you want to grow something live.

Linking up here...

Monogram Monday #2 - Sequins Monogram

2012-06-04T07:34:00.000-04:00

Everyone loves sequins, right? Ok, maybe not, but if done correctly, larger sequins can add a little glam to a room, especially when it's a monogram!

All you need to make this is two bags of large sequins (got mine at Joann's), glue (I used a glue stick, which was not awesome because the glue kept getting on my fingers, a glue gun would be better), and a poorly cut out letter from a baby diaper box.

Linking up here...