Unexpected Twists n' Turns

Halloween 102 - Spooktacular

2010-10-05T17:18:00.001-04:00

All great holiday decor starts with the door, it is after all how your guests enter.
So on to how I made my Halloween Spooktacular Wreath

Step 1: Grapevine wreath - I got mine at Micheal's

Step 2: Randomly glue Spanish Moss to wreath - I used a hot glue gun

Step 3: Pull the hot glue gun strings throughout the Spanish Moss, this adds a spider web look as well as assists with keeping the moss from blowing away in the wind.

Step 4: Anchor Spanish Moss even more by gluing leaves throughout

Step 5: Add larger decor pieces - for me this was 2 crows on top and large skull at the bottom, again hot gluing to secure Spanish Moss

Step 6: Fill in the wreath with remaining creepy smaller decor ...

Step 7: Spray wreath all over with sealant (Rustoleum Protective Enamel), helps with wind and rain

Halloween 101 - Gather Your Ideas

2010-10-01T15:01:00.000-04:00

Before any holiday I search the web high and low for my inspiration. I go to Micheal's at least a half a dozen times, then the ever so trusty HomeGoods, Target, and Walmart ... Gathering ideas is where my creative juices just start flowing.
This is the first of a series of posts about how we will decorate our domicile (sounds scarier than home) for Halloween this year. I feel the need to make sure that within each room there is some element that has a expected twist. Below are some of my ideas:


Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

These are only just a few of pictures I am using for this year... I also find so much inspiration each day in the parties I attend (check out the Party Time page) and the blogs I read daily.

Hoo Am I??

2010-09-29T11:15:00.000-04:00

I found the cutest party today and I can't resist joining ...

1. List 3 words that remind you of fall.

Anniversary, Leaves, Pumpkins

2. Do you wear jewelry often?

Yes, Everyday

3. Do you like your toe nails painted or natural?

Painted, my husband is pretty particular about this one:)

4. Do you ever wear a hat?

Ball caps, love them

5. Do you have someone that you talk to everyday on the phone?

No really, I am a IM chatter and a text message junkie.

Please take a minute to check out her website and get to know a few of her followers:

Dollar Store Ghosts

2010-09-23T21:42:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween!! I know it is early but early is in the eyes of the reader right?? Any whos, I started pulling out all the decorations from last year, determining how I can step it up this year AND keep on a budget ...
In comes The Dollar Store, next random stuff around the house ... and this is what you end up with ...

Collect needed supplies:
- Bag of Skulls - Dollar Store
- Random pieces of fabric, varying textures
- Tea bags
- Needle and thread - I love the little sewing kits from hotels :)
- Glue (i used glue gun and Gorilla glue)

- Use tea bags to make dying solution
- Soak fabric in solution for varying amounts of time

- Allow fabric to dry
- Cut varying sizes

- Stack various fabrics on top of each other
- Bunch center, and bring to a point
- Sew pieces together and form the point
(I just did a quick cris cross over the top and

tied it off)

- Attach the head
- Add a little flare to separate the girl ghosts from
boys

Once everything dries you end up with this:

Magnolia - My Baby Girl!!

2010-09-22T15:37:00.000-04:00

Maggie, Maggers, Mags … well the list goes on, entered my life July 9, 2009 and since that day my life will never be the same. She is an awe-inspiring dog with an inconceivable sense of respect for her master (her daddy - my husband). She is always there to please and the slightest of tones crush her little feelings (ears flat against head, tail tucks, it is just oh so pitiful).

So I felt the need to take a quick moment today to recognize her because so many times in my posts I talk about my ever so charming husband and the world’s cutest boys and seem to leave out the 4 legged critters that turn our house into a ~~home~~ zoo. Yes, according to my niece – in – law (is there such a thing??) we are those people, we have 2 boys, 3 cats, and 1 dog … ahhh the hair and toys are a daily chore.

Below are pictures of my baby girl on her first day home… to you baby girl!! You may often go unmentioned but you are never forgotten.

Two and a Half … Men

2010-09-21T12:08:00.000-04:00

Between work, learning to blog, dreaming of decorating, perusing my next great idea, and all and all living. I always try to take time to either read a article or brainstorm on how I can be a better STEP MOM to two insanely cute, full of energy, never know what they are going to say next boys. I recently came across an article that was discussing how many cups of fruits and veggies the little ones should be eating in a day… two and a half cups. (mouth fall open) I literally was in shock. I knew they needed them, but that MUCH, holy cow. How will I ever convince them to eat that much when they think 3 baby carrots is ground breaking?? Any tips or tricks you may have I would greatly appreciate them as these two little picky eaters are hard to please unless it’s meat or potatoes and I must say they get that honest, ekhmm their “daddy”.

Everybody Say Cheese!!

2010-09-17T14:37:00.001-04:00

You have just got to love this time of year, yes outdoor concerts and BBQ’s are coming to an end but there will always be football … and with football means tailgating and get togethers. I have just got to share with you this wonderful recipe I found, not only did the women love it the men devoured it too.
I do believe this may become the next “must have” appetizer.
Ingredients:
* 1 package of refrigerated crescent rolls
* 1 (8 ounce) brie cheese wheel
* 1/4 cup apricot preserves (I used sugar free)
* 1/4 cup egg whites
* Brown sugar to sprinkle
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Lightly grease cookie sheet.
3. Roll crescent dough out on slightly floured surface (seal perforated edges)
4. Cut wheel into equal halves length wise, and scoop out a little from top and bottom
5. Place cheese wheel on top (leave rind on).
6. Place preserves in the middle.
7. Bundle Puff Pastry up and around the cheese. Making sure to seal tightly.
8. Flip pastry over onto greased cookie sheet.
9. Baste top and sides with egg white
10. Sprinkle brown sugar lightly over the top
11. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Or until golden brown.
12. Let cool for five minutes.
13. Serve with your favorite crackers.
Or in our case nothing at all, they devoured it before i could get anything out and I can't even recall if the used utensils :)

(I cook off the leftover crescent rolls and make crackers)

Grandparents Day - September 12 2010

2010-09-13T15:13:00.002-04:00

What is Grandparents Day?? Who came up with that holiday?? Where was I??
As a new step mom to two, I am generally caught by surprise at all the different holidays I am suppose to know about. Well if you are wondering, I did some "Googling" and this is what I found:
National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to learn from the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day.
So I poured through all the craft stuff and this is what we put together ...

Hand painted coffee cups - oh boy that was interesting.
Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats - not sure who ate more, them or the receivers
Handmade Cards

The boys seemed very excited to give the gifts and in the end that is all that matters.

Happy Grandparents Day!!

Homework

2010-09-07T13:40:00.002-04:00

School began and so did the homework. This year the youngest starts the FIRST grade, my how time flies. Of course nightly homework means need a new place to do the homework. Creativity kicks in … Craigslist kicks in … Mr. gets put to work …
And we go from this:

To this:

It is always amazing to me how a trip can influence your designs. Have you ever been on a trip that caused you to come home and either change a space or make a memory piece?? I would love to know what you have done.

Roll with Me

2010-09-03T14:37:00.003-04:00

In July we hit the road, family vacation 2010!!! Whoo Hooo we are Florida bound. Stops included Orlando, Tampa, and Daytona Beach. Have you been to Daytona in early July?? Let me give you a little hint… Boogedy Boogedy Boogedy, let’s go racin’ boys…Needless to say with 2 little boys the poor tires just could not roll fast enough, memories poured in and so did the ideas.

Summer Lovin'

2010-09-01T16:42:00.012-04:00

In late June I had the privilege of assisting with my brother- in-law’s wedding. His lovely bride planned a quaint family wedding overlooking the pond on his mother and stepfathers farm. This wedding clearly demonstrates that beauty and splendor do not always require an extensive budget. Check out some of the awesome, creative, budget savvy, memory inducing ideas used: