The Bird's Papaya

Picture Hanging

2012-11-11T16:35:00.000-05:00

What I love about picture hanging is there are NO rules.

Many of you have written to me asking about specific sizes and patterns used in photo collages like these from past posts:

see post here

But the fact is, with any photo collage, when you are hanging them you may only have a few pictures to hang, but as the years go on you'll add onto it.

So, I say...NO RULES! Just hang them as you see fit.

This obviously can't apply every picture hanging project, there are some that are more complicated and would definitely require some more tricks and planning, and patience.

via Martha Stewart

There's tons of great tips out there as well for ways to easily hang your pictures.

via

So get those pictures off your computer, photo boxes and the like.

Hang them up and enjoy them.

It's not as hard as it looks :)

Kitchen Cabinets

2012-11-08T19:47:00.000-05:00

I'm so thankful to finally be in a home where I enjoy my kitchen cabinets.

They're white, and for me that's just perfect.

BUT, for years in our past two houses (and as I've talked about before) I was dying to have a new look than the outdated oak that we had.

Here's our kitchen now:

(this is actually a photo from the listing when we bought our house, I'm working on a home tour post about our kitchen and how we've made it to be "us", which is with some roosters and aqua...strange combo, I know).

The amazing thing is there are so many options now!

You can completely re-do your entire kitchen, you can "reface" them (where you keep your existing cabinets and change out the doors) and there is painting.

Today I thought since I'm all about photo inspiration, I'd share some kitchens that I found online.

Hopefully if you've been stuck in a kitchen cabinet rut like I have been so many times, that you'll find your own kitchen cabinet inspiration.

via

I love the look of bi-color cabinets, I think it's a great way to incorporate two different style (maybe of light and dark, shades of neutral, or a punch of color).

I'm also always going to love a white kitchen. Simply because to change the style, you change the accessories. Everything matches white.

I adore the warmth and sophistication that dark cabinets bring.

Options are endless!

Hope you found some inspiration today :)

Home Tour - Master Bedroom

2012-10-11T20:22:00.000-04:00

I'd be lying if I didn't say that this room is my absolute favorite in the house.

Like I mentioned in the last post, I've struggled a lot with where to put things (decor wise) from the last house and fit them into this new space, but this room I had vision for which made things very easy.

The bed still has my heart (thank you, Ikea and the person who sold it to me second hand for $100) and the bedding remains the same.

In fact, there's nothing new except ONE mirror.

Everything else is jumbled bits from the last house, so if you've been reading for a while you should recognize pieces from past posts.

Pillow cover from Bei Fiori - check out this shop! it's lovely!

I stalked this mirror at HomeSense for a week or so and watched as the red ticket got lower and lower.

Finally settled at $26 and brought it home with me :)

Sharing a bathroom with 4 others means I had to move out "my crap".

So using an old plant stand table that my Great Grandfather made, I created a place for me to get ready.

Or accessorized.

Even though it amplifies my vanity, this sign was a gift years ago from my Aunt & Uncle.

Sarah means Princess, so I'm not, like, COMPLETELY vain.

It has meaning.

You may remember this window from a previous post, but this window came out of a 100 year old home that my sister and her family moved into last year.

I adore it.

I know several people love weird pieces like this but aren't always sure how to hang them.

These are the answer!!

Crochet heart garland by SophieBean

So yeah, that's it! I'll be back hopefully soon with more! Thanks for stopping by!

Fall Porch

2012-09-24T19:33:00.002-04:00

So one big major struggle I've had in this new house (which is very minor on the any scale of home decorating) is that fall colors simply do not work.

I've collected a lovely selection of autumn colors like oranges, greens and reds and it does not go well with aquas, whites and creams.

I simply cannot NOT fall decorate, so while I conjure up some indoor decorating ideas, I took some of my regular fall decor to the porch.

I can do no wrong out there!

Last years HARVEST PILLOW is still kickin' around!

This vintage aqua glass water bottle I scored (for free!) from our last city's freestore.

I've talked about freestores before (also known in some cities as "freecycle") be sure to google it for your area, it's simply a group where things are posted, like craigslist or kijiji but all free.

My fall wreath trickery...

Because I simply added a dollarstore candle ring to the center of the wreath.

Genius, I know it.

Pretty self explanatory vase of flowers.

The whole thing.

Now, as I said, indoors is kinda sucky right now.

Not fallish at all.

All I have that is slightly working for the fall would be my Silly Mama Quilts mat

(You can find one for yourself HERE for $16.50 including shipping)

As for the rest of the indoor decorating, I imagine I have a few orange pumpkins to spray paint white.

Fingers crossed for warm weather in the next couple days so I can!!

Home Tour - Living Room Sitting Area

2012-09-20T19:46:00.000-04:00

It's official!

my first "home" post since our move.

We've been here for a month now and lately my indecisiveness has turned, well...decisive.

As in, I've stopped asking everyone who comes in my house

"what do you think I should do with this space on my wall?"

I found most challenging between houses was having things work in one home in one space, and not working in the new space.

Not that it's a bad thing, just causes me to pause and rethink where things will go.

So yes, a lot of what I'm showing you, you will remember from our last home

(not that I expect you to think that I went out and bought entirely new furnishings, although that'd certainly be nice).

I've been working in concentrated areas.

This way I feel satisfied and can move onto the next.

I'm not sure this has been overly healthy as I tend to obsess and stand for a good 15 mins a day staring at a wall...but hey, I like the end results so far.

Today I'm sharing with you the 2nd half of our living room which I've deemed the sitting area, because I don't know what else to call it.

It's not the "sofa zone" of the room (that half isn't completed, to my liking).

This isn't a "brag blog" so hopefully doing a "home tour" in a doesn't come off that way!

My biggest challenge was actually what to do with a

TV bench when the TV no longer sat on it

(it sits above the fireplace now as you can see below)

I was happy when it hit me to put a magazine rack there because it can be seasonal and still appealing to the eye without making it too much of a focal point.

(does that mean our TV is the focal point? who am I kidding? it totally is)

The tall vase of sticks isn't actually just decorational (<-- spell check says this isn't a word?) it's hiding the cable cords.

Tricky, I know.

I'm hoping to lighten the sticks up and spray paint them a grey or white, or maybe a mix of colors.

The curtains came with the house, still seeking out the perfect set of curtains that are budget friendly to work the space.

Suggestions appreciated!

So that's all for today. Hopefully this is me getting the ball rolling and I can start sharing more and more of our space that we are making into a home :)

I'm almost there

2012-09-10T21:00:00.002-04:00

Okay, so flip side.

I'm on it.

Flip side being - new town, new house, new schools, new schedules, new...everything.

Same family. I kept them (har har)

I am still diligently working on getting stuff up all over the house, so posts are coming!

In the meantime, I've re-opened shop...packed full with BRAND NEW STUFF (gotta keep it fresh!).

Here's a peek of what's in stock currently!

Go on over and check em out HERE

Well, off to pack lunches for these school girls!

My limbo life in phone photos

2012-08-06T19:24:00.000-04:00

So we are two weeks away from the big move.

Never again!

How to families do this? I'm exhausted.

So of course blogging has taken a hot but I thought I'd share some phone photos of recent days in our home. Chaos and all.

Bo chilling out in the hammock at the Cottage.

The girls sideline at Daddy's softball game.

Jordan & I celebrated 8 years of marriage (today!) but we went out for dinner last night :)

I made these pretties for the shop!

Jemma being "all fashion" (her words, not mine!)

The girls worked hard to decorate for Daddy's 30th Birthday.

Jemma and I in the car (yes, I'm in the back...)

O, Canada...

My little monkey.

That's all for now, sorry I don't have much more to post about, but I definitely will very soon once we are settled in the new house!

Exciting, exhausting times!

Wear Your Heart - New In Shop

2012-08-02T20:56:00.000-04:00

Okay, so we are super close to moving time.

It's crazy, and exciting and I can't wait to get my hands onto new space!

In the meantime, while I can't do much decorating, and DIY projects as per usual,

I CAN however update my shop with some newbies.

Enter, Wear Your Heart earrings.

I love these! they're on a nearly 2" long kidney hoop so they dangle nicely!

$5 each!

find em here

Summer Reading

2012-07-18T19:18:00.004-04:00

So, recently I discovered my love for reading.

Once I realized it, it's consumed every moment of my "down" time.

I don't watch tv (except for a few indulgences) and some nights I'm up until 3am to finish a page turner.

I've read about 30 books in the span of a few months.

I'm not even kidding.

A few friends have been asking me for my book recommendations for summer reading,

so I figured I'd share with you ALL!

Good books are hard to come by!

I'm not going to include synopsis' for each book, but I will link to GoodReads for each one so you can check them and the reviews out!

Flat Out Love

Seriously cute and funny, shocking and romantic. LOVED IT!

It's really a refreshing story and I promise you, you will not find anything else like it!

Reason To Breathe & Barely Breathing

This "Reason to Breathe" series isn't quite finished yet, as there's a 3rd book in the works, but it's worth reading these two any way! They're sad, dramatic, intense and lovely.

The Opportunist

Okay, once you read this you are going to want to reach through the screen and slap me in the face for it. I know. I've read it. BUT, it's amazing. It sticks with you and even 5 books later, this one still lingers in my mind. That's what good books do.

Also, there's a sequel in the works. So just sit back and enjoy this crazy ride of a book!

Slammed & Point of Retreat

These poetry infused books are emotional, shocking and romantic. Loved them, and stayed up LATE finishing them!

If I Stay & Where She Went

My only rule with these books is that you MUST buy them together. The first one ends on a big ol' cliffhanger, so just get both so you don't need an unnecessary panic attack.

Obviously, I've read a ton more, but I'd REALLY love some new books to add to my "to be read" so hit me up with suggestions!!

Hopefully I haven't already read them!

They're back!

2012-07-10T11:15:00.006-04:00

It's been a while since I've had these pretties in the shop.

But they are back!

Only one of each available.

Go HERE to see em!

Shower Curtains, eerie similarities & Master Bath Inspirations

2012-07-06T14:58:00.002-04:00

I was beyond excited this week that while thrifting,

I found the PERFECT shower curtain.

Usually, shower curtains would fall in the "ick" factor for thrifting for me, but a fabric one requiring a liner, passes in my books!

It's the Nautica Aarondale Shower Curtain, retails for $40, got it for $9.99!

Typically, anything over $5 in thrifting I look over, but it's pretty much brand new

(if not BRAND spanking new - this I will never know).

Anyone else notice it's eerily similar to my blog background?

craaaazy.

Anyway,

I'm hoping to pair them with these:

I found them at HomeSense for $7.99...but haven't bought them, yet.

Here's the bathroom as the current owners have it:

I love how Clarendon Lane did her main bath, everything is pretty BANG ON what I'd like, except I haven't embraced GOLD yet...I'm sure I will, eventually.

I also love these looks:

via

I'm ready to tackle new spaces in the new house.

It's pretty much a blank canvas that I can't wait to get my hands on.

Also, quick shop update...you can see these newbies and more now!

Happy Weekend friends :)

Sorry for the crickets...

2012-06-25T20:07:00.002-04:00

Boy, it's been quiet around here.

I've missed this.

I've missed you all!

Let me give you a brief catch-up...

First up,

we're moving!

We got word about 2 months ago that we would be relocating back to our home-town. HUGE answer to prayer, and opportunity for us to be back around friends & family.

But, of course, it's bitter-sweet.

I feel like our home in finally in a place that I love and am content with...I'm not loving walking away from it when it's "just right".

But a blank canvas (aka, our new home) will be great to exert some creative energy.

Right as we put our house for sale, we also went on a family vacation to go visit & stay with friends in Orlando, and of course...visit other "friends" there as well :)

So what's next?

good question.

I expect now with our house sold, and vacays and school being over...I'll have the opportunity to settle into a balance this summer.

At least I sure hope so.

Either way, I'm "back" with all intents & purposes for the next while :)

Butter on Mirrors, Staging a Home, Cleaning with Norwex...

2012-06-18T19:03:00.003-04:00

So truth be told (and I'm sure this is a truth for MANY)...
I despise cleaning.
My mom would tell me not to use the word 'hate' but it would also be an appropriate word for how I feel about cleaning.

Now, as time has gone on, and being married for 8 years, sharing space and raising 3 kids, I've come to embrace it the best I can.
That's not to say that I'm not constantly looking for an easier way out of things though. I feel like I'm always looking for a new cleaning or contraption to try out.

So needless to say, when my neighbour's best friend, Laura asked me if I wanted to try out some Norwex products, I jumped at the chance.
Heck, I'll try anything.

So Laura came over and I expected spray bottles and pastes, instead she walked in with cloths. I was perplexed, and she explained to me all about Norwex, and more importantly, these magical little antibacterial microfibre cloths.
I've used microfibre before (or so I thought) and wasn't really sure where she was going with all this.

Until she asked for some butter....

WHAT?

Butter? yes, butter.
More specifically, butter to rub onto my bathroom mirror to show me how I could clean it off the mirror with a Norwex eco-cloth and no cleaner.

Huh.

She did it. It worked. She cleaned it all with the enviro cloth and finished with a window/glass cloth.

I don't think I've seen the mirror so streak-free.

She gave me the cloths and told me to use them and see if I was convinced.

I decided to go to a huge source of frustration...our TV.

I used the Antibac Enviro Cloth and the Window Cloth

(also known as the Basic Package).

Simply wetted the enviro cloth, wiped down the TV, and finished with a dry window cloth.

This was a perfect timing to try out these products!
Incidentally, we are currently in the middle of staging our home to sell, so yes...these would come in handy.

Dusting with the Dusting Mitt (oh my gosh this thing is fun)

After all the small tasks to test the Norwex products and their skills, I went to tackle a big one.
Our Master Bathroom.
I did the entire bathroom with the Enviro & Window cloths.

Straight up, NO cleaners.

After, slightly giddy about the cleaning, I was talking with my friend Kristin (who is also staging a home to sell) and I told her I'd been using the Norwex cloths to clean and she said she did too!
Not only that, but she's been using the same cloths for YEARS.
She also wanted me to tell you all that the Dryer Balls have been her best investment!

So, I did some math and realized that the amount of window/all-purpose/wipe cleaners I was using in one year came to about the same as getting a few of these Norwex products, that last for YEARS.

My little Norwex cloths are earning their keep.

Norwex does have a huge line of products, beyond the cloths.
I seriously recommend checking them out!
I've also been using the Body cloths DAILY for makeup removing & exfoliating.
They are so crazy soft.
Love them.

Laura has a great site HERE and if you are interested in placing an order,
simply email her and mention this post for 10% off :)

Happy (clean) trails my friends!

Learning to Photograph without "AUTO"

2012-05-14T19:11:00.001-04:00

What a hassle photography is.

A joy, when it works out, sure...but a hassle none the less.

I've assisted a photographer friend in many weddings, and photoshoots and I've watched her fiddle around with the ISO, the shutter speed and aperture. All foreign terms, and frankly, my job was to make sure SHE was well taken care of, as well as the subjects of the photo...knowing how the camera worked, was never my concern.

So in deciding I wanted to find out.

OH MY GOSH.

What a job.

Photography is hard, folks.

Now for starters, I don't own a DSLR.
I own a bridge camera.
It's a Fujifilm Finepix F1500. It's considered a "bridge" camera because has more capabilities than a point & shoot, but doesn't have the removable lens like a DSLR, amongst other things.

But lets be honest...in the 1 1/2 years I've owned it, I've never used it as anything BUT a "point & shoot".

Then Shannon at Aka Design wrote this post.

I felt so silly. I had assumed her photos were due to fancy schmancy DSLR like all the other bloggers seem to have, and here she was, sharing about how she has a camera EXACTLY. LIKE. MINE.

Wait? What?

You can take photos like THAT, with a camera that I OWN ALREADY?

You've got to be kidding me.

So I decided to do what I always do.
Listen to no one, read nothing, and fiddle.

Fiddle I did.

But really, I need to take an online course and read some books, fiddling is taking far too long to learn.

But here's some before & afters!

I tested on my dining room converted to a playroom/office bc it's got the worst lighting and I can never take photos in it.
All these were taken in NATURAL LIGHT, NOOOO flash!

BEFORE:

AFTER:
(chalkboard is from this post)

Same room, now with the focus on my super clean *cough* work desk.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I haven't edited them ONE BIT...I really wanted to show you all how a little adjusting on a camera and using it in manual can make a difference.

WOW.

MUST. LEARN. MORE.

I also took photos from the streaked cupcake post in manual too.

Yah, I'm pretty darn excited.

Any tips you all wanna share with me?!

Streaked Cupcakes

2012-05-08T21:08:00.001-04:00

This won't take long.

At all.

Want the cool effects of streaks in your iced cupcakes?

The method is so so so so so easy.

While your icing bag is empty, drop food coloring (or paint if you use gel type dyes)

onto the insides of the bag, in various locations.

Fill the bag with white/cream icing and decorate.

The results are beautiful.

Why is it that cupcakes are just so darned pretty to look at?

P.S. Wondering why the cupcakes & candles?

Because this little Mickey-loving Boy, my sweet Boden turned 2!

He has the flu, so as soon as he's better we'll be doing some "I'm TWO!" photos to share :)

May Sidebar Meet & Greet!

2012-05-08T20:18:00.001-04:00

YAY FOR MAY!

Just me or does it feel like summer is dragging it's heels getting here?

Don't get me wrong, I love spring...

but I could do with more thunderstorms & tulips and less cold & rain!

Hope it's nicer wherever you are!

I'm so excited to introduce you all to some NEW faces over on the sidebar this month!

Remember you can join us on the sidebar at 50% off for all ads booked in May!

Go to Advertising for more info :)

Without further ado, meet our featured sponsor LENA of Mom2MemphisAndRuby. Lena and I connected a while back, and she's great! Just adore her and her blog, and her edge. She's super fun and unique her blog is too.

Really refreshing.

Hello sweet friends of Sarah! I have to admit, I'm a bit of a obsessed fan of The Birds Papaya! Doesn't Sarah make the cutest stuff!? LOVES! My name is Lena and I blog over at Mom2MemphisAndRuby... my very own quirky spot in the blogosphere where I share stories about my life and my family, with lots of fun, fashion and photography thrown in too! My husband and I have been together for nearly 16 years (married nearly 2) and we live & raise our family in a small farming community in Quebec, Canada... he's a chef, I work in a office... and our life is simple {but amazing}, hilarious & sweet and throughout all the ups & down we wouldn't have it any other way!!

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Thanks for taking a moment to support all these wondeful blogs & shops.

They deserve it, and mean a lot to me :)

Much love friends!

Tea Towel Apron (for toddlers!)

2012-05-03T17:14:00.003-04:00

A certain little niece of ours is turning one next month (HI CHLOE!)

And Although we already have her store bought gifts for her,

her gift wouldn't be complete without a little something home-made.

Her Mama is a baker and so I thought I'd make something for Chloe to join her Mama in the kitchen with.

With only bias tape & a tea towel, I made an apron for her.

I started by cutting out pieces to create the shape

Then I placed the tea towel between the folds of the bias tape, pinned & sewed.

(This was all very approximate and in retrospect, I would have made the neck hole bigger, because it'll fit her now, but not past age 3 I'm sure!)

Now, it looks great, but it's way too long for a 1 year old, so I'll have to draw up the bottom and create pocket or something, but all in all, this was a fun project!!

Can't wait to see Chloe getting it all messy with batter & icing in the years to come!

50% off Advertising booked in May!!

2012-05-02T20:21:00.000-04:00

I just realized that I announced this on Facebook Page, but didn't take a moment to let you all know about this on the blog.

Anywhoo.

After being blessed by two separate blogs doing May sales on ad space, which totally helped me out with my minimal advertising budget...I decided to do the same for others.

SO...

FOR THE MONTH OF MAY....

ALL ADS BOOKED...

ARE 50% OFF

Meaning they are only $2.50-6 each!

Super easy to book too!

Just go to my Advertising page, and select the size ad you'd like.

Keep in mind that there's only ONE Large Feature ad available per month. They are first come, first serve and if you book it, you will get the next available month (which currently is July).

USE COUPON CODE 50OFF WHEN BOOKING

Also note, since all my ads are now booked through the wonderful Passionfruit Ads, you can start/stop your ads by your agenda, and book as many months as you'd like.

All ads are also SHUFFLED, meaning with each click & refreshing of a page, the ads move around and don't give any one ad a priority (but all ads list in order of size - Large first, Medium middle, Small at the bottom).

If you need help with your ad button (resizing or design) I'm happy to help!

Hope to see you at the bar!

Sidebar, that is.

On another note...

New in the shop!

End of announcements :)

Snapshots of Home {Eat-In Kitchen}

2012-04-30T13:46:00.000-04:00

Here we are at the second installment of

Snapshots of Home.

Last time, I showed you our

Living/Family Room.

Today it's all about the

eat-in kitchen.

We had a formal dining room, but it was transformed into a playroom/office.

Tis life!

So this room, I ADORE.

Its one of the places in the house I consider finished.

But really, all credit goes to that table.

THAT TABLE!!!

My parents bought it as a desk for my Mom. It was $25 from a restaurant closing out and selling off their stuff. They painted it white and then a while later discovered it was too big for the space (as a desk).

It got handed down to MOI!

I am eternally thankful.

The black shelves (IKEA LACK), although I don't love them (because they are a pain to hang, and always droop and need fixing) but they are nice and practical.

The baskets (from Canadian Tire, $4 each) serve each their own purpose as a catch-all.

Whether its treats, chips, coloring or craft supplies...its all up there, and more importantly, out of kiddies reach!

These are my latest additions.

The plates were a gift from my bestie who knew they'd be perfect for the space.

The wire wall folder holder was from Winners for only $14.99.

We've been using them for school books and paper that needs to hang around.

This is a printable I got from Wonder Forest

This has actually moved since I took these photos...

its new from Winners and is painted wood for a measly $25.
WHAT!!

Adore.

Nobody puts baby in the corner.

Unless he mucks his hands on everybody possible within arms reach.

Then he gets put in the corner.

The EAT letters were $2 on clearance at Superstore.

One reader (*ahem* Courtenay) asked for more details following my Living Room post.

First up, these little beauties.

ALL FROM IKEA.

(Doilies are from Michaels)

The entertainment unit is actually a really cheap-o laminate wood from Superstore that I kinda hate, but it works and tries to look its best!

It was $60 and I switched some of the side shelves out for baskets, found at Canadian Tire.

This shelf that many of you have written to say you love, was a gift from my parents. They got it at an end of season sale at a garden center. I believe somewhere around $15. I ADORE it. It came in the gorgeous grey too.

My parents, painted theirs white to match their space:

Thats all!!

Snapshots of Home {Livingroom}

2012-04-22T15:14:00.000-04:00

It's dawned on me that I don't often share full room photos of our home.

Our home, our space.

We live in it. A lot.

So...usually it's not photo worthy.

So after some gentle tidying,

I snapped some photos for what I hope to be a new series called

Snapshots of Home

Here's some of our most-lived space, the livingroom/family room.

I would love a great area rug here, just haven't found one that suits the budget or decor, yet.

Next up?

I dunno, kitchen...perhaps?

Doily Bunting

2012-04-19T13:19:00.002-04:00

When I came across these doilies in the $1.50 bins at Michael's Craft Store,

I picked up a few to use decoratively around the house.

But then Spring hit, and Michaels started getting brighter, funner colors in.

I knew I had to work these into my girls' bedroom somehow.

So I decided to pick 4 up in co-ordinating colors to their bedroom, and make a

Doily Bunting.

Besides the doilies, all you'll need is some double fold bias tape.

I got a 3 yard package and used it all.

After cutting the doilies in half, I placed them in the fold of the bias tape (you could pin at this point, but I went fast and just tucked them in as I sewed along).

Make sure you leave a 8" tail on either end for hanging.

With 4 doilies, making 8 halves, it filled the bunting's length up perfectly.

You could, of course, make yours smaller.

The Result:

This entire project cost around $8 and took about 15 mins from beginning to end.

Now THAT is a winner in my books ;)

Felt Flowers {Tutorials}

2012-04-15T13:14:00.004-04:00

After many of you asked for more fabric flower tutorials after the THIS one,

I thought I'd share with you some methods I've used in the past for

crafts & hair accessories.

They may be similar to other tutorials out there, I'm not sure, but these are ones I used after studying some pretty felt flowers I've seen online.

All you'll need for these is felt, scissors and a hot glue gun.

Rolled Felt Rosette Tutorial (3D version)

Cut out a circle in your felt.
Cut out a spiral
Starting from the tail end (outer spiral) begin rolling and gluing
The front should look like this
The center of the spiral will work as your backing. Trimming may be necessary to round it out.
Done!

Birthday Bow Felt Flower Tutorial

Cut a long strip of fabric (the longer the strip the larger the flower)
Fold it in half
Secure with glue on the edges of the strip only, leaving an open "loop" down the strip.
Cut out every 1/2" (more or less) down the strip's loop side
Roll & secure with glue
Done!

In the photo above you see two other types of flowers.

The black one is a simple strip of felt, rolled & glued.

The Dark Pink Spikey flower is done with the SAME METHOD as the Birthday Bow Felt Flower Tutorial shown above, but instead of leaving a loop in the folded fabric, cut it before rolling & gluing.

That's it!

they are so much easier than they appear.

I hope maybe you'll go over here and find some great inspiration on how to use these in projects on wreaths!

Easter Weekend

2012-04-11T09:34:00.000-04:00

We were fortunate enough to be able to travel "home" this

year and spend Easter weekend with family & friends.

The weekend was FULL but FUN.

We mourned Jesus' death, and celebrated how LOVE conquered His grave.

We ate delish food.

We had egg hunts.

We got dressed up.

I took pictures.

Miss Maya

(p.s. If you're sad about Picnik and the loss of effects like Cross Processing, as I used here, then check out www.picmonkey.com it's pretty much the same!)

Boden

("Bo")

My little poser Jemma

Our beautiful children.

My cup runneth over.

Pizza Dough Cinnamon Buns

2012-03-31T21:09:00.003-04:00

My Mom makes THE most incredible cinnamon buns.

I have the dough recipe, and it rocks.

But on the days that I don't have the...

(pick one)

TIME

ENERGY

INGREDIENTS

then my Mom taught me to use a simple simple solution...pre-made pizza dough!

Now, making cinnamon buns may be all too obvious for some, but I'm someone who thrives on a full photo step by step (even for the simple things) so I hope they benefit some.

All you need for this is recipe is:

approx. 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Cinnamon

Sugar

Pre-Made Pizza Dough (found typically frozen in your bakers section for a couple bucks)

Directions:

Drizzle & coat your pan in melted butter and do a light coat of cinnamon & sugar. Set aside. Flour your surface and roll out your dough into a large rectangle about 1/4" thick. Brush on melted butter onto your rolled out pizza dough. Sprinkle cinnamon & sugar (doesn't need to be a specific amount, just enough to coat). Roll up and slice 1" pieces. Place in pan. Bake at 425' for 15 minutes (or until risen & lightly browned).

This will literally take you less than 10 minutes to prep - and with it's homemade appearance, it's a step above the Pillsbury option ;)

Enjoy Cinnamon Lovers :)

The Basement Bar

2012-03-23T19:29:00.003-04:00

My parents are the ultimate DIYers.

I grew up around my Mom concocting home decor ideas and my Dad making/painting/installing them.

I've always admired their gusto when it comes to their home,

and by "gusto" I mean they come up with an idea and it's usually begun within days.

My Mom did home daycare for 27 years and their entire basement was dedicated to it.

Now with that part of her life winding down, they decided to create a basement bar.

It's pretty much the ultimate Man Cave where women can still hang out.

and kids too.

They spent so much time scouring kijiji.ca finding second hand stuff after scoring the actual bar for a mere $200.

All in all, the whole room came together for about $1000 (or less).
Only new thing was the paint, paneling and the bar stool.

Since they don't have a blog and I do, I took pictures so I could share it with you guys.

Now here's where I have to apologize.

The photos aren't the greatest.

It was a BASEMENT with about 10% natural light.

I did my best ;)

What did it look like before?

Here's a picture my Dad took with his blackberry as the work started.

and one of my hilarious nephew hanging out in the (old) playroom

quite the drastic change!

Seriously, SUCH a great space.
We've already had one party in it and I'm excited for many many more!