"The Kurtz Corner"

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 26}

2012-03-05T00:00:00.001-06:00

Hi my loves! I was late with my post last week but here I am, right on time this week! I can't wait to see when you've been working on!

Before you link up, check out last weeks super cute link party features! I'm sure they would all love if you stopped by and left them a comment!

{Left} Embroidery Hoop from Uncommon Designs

{Center} Shamrock Candy Cupcakes from Repeat Crafter Me

{Right} Scrap Fabric Banner from Live.Laugh.Rowe

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 26}

Welcome to the party! Link up your tutorials, cooking, crafts, sewing, DIY tips & tricks, I want to see it all! After each link party I will feature my favorite tutorials from the previous link party, so check back to see if you've been featured! I feature several posts on {The Kurtz Corner FB Page} and pin your projects to my Tuesday Tutorials Link Party Pinterest Board so make sure you become a fan/follow me on Pinterest and check it out! You can connect with me here!

Only Four {Easy} Rules

1. Please be a follower of {The Kurtz Corner}

2. Link directly to your post, not your blog

3. No Etsy Shops, giveaways or personal link parties

4. Please grab my button or use a text hyperlink & link back to my blog

Please follow the rules, it's only fair & good blogging etiquette :)

Party Button

<a border="0" href="http://thekurtzcorner.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa386/asmith0341/tutorials.jpg"/></a>
Please vote for The Kurtz Corner!

Show me what ya got!

Sunday Social - Blog Hop!

2012-03-04T14:23:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the Sunday Social! We are so happy to have you! Come link up your blogs home page and make some new bloggy friends! Make sure to follow all of your hosts, The Kurtz Corner, The Sasse Life and our featured blog, The Foley Fam! Please remember this is a blog hop not a link party!

How to participate:

1. Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life).

2. Follow the Featured blog. (The Foley Fam)

3. Link up your blog's home page -- not a specific link or you will be deleted!
4. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!

5. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

Featured Blog:

The Foley Fam - Unedited

Hi there! I'm Kristine!

Wifey to the Hubs, Momma to our M&M girls, and Lover of Life and Laughing!
Follow along as I share our adventures! I blog about {us}. The Good, the Bad, & the Dirty. You’ll also find some crafting, my fashion style, and all the bits and pieces that make me {me}. I can be a wee bit sarcastic, but try not to take offense mmmkay? Would love it if you checked out our adventures! Be sure to leave me a comment so I can follow yours too! Holla!!

Blog / BlogLovin / Facebook / Shop pe / Twitter / Google+ / Pinterest

Not sure if these are "silly" but here goes nothing (wink).

1. I secretly enjoy when the hubs pinches my bum, even tho I make a scene about how he shouldn't do that outside the comfort of our own home. I think he knows I like it.
2. I am a cry baby. I admit it. I'm ok with it. I cry when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I laugh hard. I usually cry when I watch a movie, any movie. Disney movies tug at my tear ducts.
3. I love me some good sappy country song singing, AND some good old Warren G (Regulators! Mount Up). I like to mix it up if you couldn't tell.
4. I hate pumping gas. Period.
5. I only shave my legs like every three months, if that. For reals. My leg hair doesn't really grow ??
How's that for random? Haha!

Let's get social!

Baby Girl Diaper Cake!

2012-03-03T10:34:00.001-06:00

I finally got the chance to make a little girl diaper cake! I was so excited when my sister called and requested one for her friends baby shower. I was limited with time, I only had a few hours to shop and make it, but I think it turned out great! Next time, I'd like to add letters for the baby's name and maybe make some bigger bows. You can find my previous post on baby diaper cakes here: Baby Diaper Cake - Little Boy Style!

Materials Used

about 60 newborn size diapers

3 receiving blankets

ribbon

bows

stuffed animal

baby booties

bottles or shampoos as the center pole

rubber bands

You can use baby bows to hide your ribbon seams on the back of the diaper cake.

Add spoons, pacifiers or teething rings as decoration.

I will be offering custom diaper cakes like this in my Store Envy Shop for delivery in the Dallas Metroplex area! Contact me for custom orders and pricing details!

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 25}

2012-02-28T20:48:00.000-06:00

Hi my loves! I know, I am a few hours late, but better late than never right?? My husband and I are on the road to our ideal beach bodies and during the time I would have normally been posting this I was busy getting my butt kicked by a personal trainer! I learned today that I have 20% body fat which is pretty freakin' good for a woman in her 20's, yay me! I should have that beach bod in no time! On a side note, I think I have baby fever, erp! I would love, love, love to have myself a sweet baby girl or boy right now, but babies will have to wait another year until we are more settled in our new home and more settled financially...I don't know if you know this, but being a new homeowner is expensive! {Slight Sarcasm} In the mean time I will live vicariously through y'all with your sweet baby projects and tutorials, which is why I chose to feature three cute little child inspired tutorials!

Before you link up check out last weeks super sweet link party features! I'm sure they would all love if you stopped by and left them a comment!

{Left} Duct Tape Rose Rings from Bleak 2 Unique

{Center} Zebra Baby Boots from A Rosie Sweet Home

{Right} Owl Pillow from Folk Haven

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 25}

Only Four {Easy} Rules

1. Please be a follower of {The Kurtz Corner}

2. Link directly to your post, not your blog

3. No Etsy Shops, giveaways or personal link parties

4. Please grab my button or use a text hyperlink & link back to my blog

Please follow the rules, it's only fair & good blogging etiquette :)

Party Button

<a border="0" href="http://thekurtzcorner.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa386/asmith0341/tutorials.jpg"/></a>

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Show me what ya got!

Canned Carrot Bread

2012-02-26T20:11:00.000-06:00

Everyone has that one comfort food that reminds them of home, right? Well, my Dad is one heck of a cook, so I have many! One that I remember fondly is our family canning jar breads. You can make it with pumpkin, banana, apple, cranberry and carrot. Each as equally tasty as the last!

Canned Carrot Bread

Wash & dry 6 pint size wide mouth canning jars; grease well, preheat oven to 325°
Cream 2/3 cup shortening with 2 2/3 cups sugar
Add 4 eggs & 2/3 cup water, beat well and add 2 cups shredded carrot
Add 3 1/3 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp cloves & 1 cup chopped pecans
Fill jars just about 3/4 full. Bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes. The bread is fully cooked when an inserted knife comes out clean. When done remove one at a time from oven. Put scalded lid on and seal.

Helpful tips: If the jar is too full, cut the top off with a sharp knife before sealing. Do not screw on the lid as tight as it can go. Seal just enough so that it is slightly tight. The air needs to escape so that it will seal. You will hear a "pop" when the jar has properly sealed. After the jars have popped screw on the lid as tight as you can. You should have about 3/4 of a turn left.

Other variations:

2 cups applesauce
1 can whole cranberry sauce
2 cups shredded apples
2 cups pumpkin
1 cup each - raisins & carrots - (shredded)
2 cups mashed banana

When serving, the bread should easily slide out of the jars. If it doesn't you didn't grease the jars well enough! Take a knife, insert it all the way to the bottom of the jar and rotate it around the edge. It should slide out in one whole piece. Slice and serve. Jars of bread should keep for several months if sealed properly. The little pop top on the jar lid should be flat and not pop when you touch it. Properly sealed jars will pop when you open it. If they don't seal, and it will happen, eat those within the next week or so or they will dry out. Enjoy!

Sunday Social - Blog Hop!

2012-02-26T09:08:00.000-06:00

Happy Sunday everyone! Welcome to the Sunday Social Blog Hop! Come link up your blogs home page and make some new bloggy fiends! Be sure to follow the host blogs, The Kurtz Corner, The Sasse Life & An Artful Mom

How to participate:

1. Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life).

2. Follow the Featured blog. (An Artful Mom)

3. Link up your blog's home page -- not a specific link or you will be deleted!
4. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!

5. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

Featured Blog:
Pam from An Artful Mom

Hi all! I'm Pam from An Artful Mom, and I'm a mish mosh composite of many things, including a wife, mom to two pretty much grown-up, terrific, kids, and a thankful child of God. I love to read, blog, and do crafty things (especially paper arts and crafts like cardmaking, calligraphy, and art journals), and I'm a preschool teacher and/or art teacher in my heart (only.) I'm also extremely obsessed with photography. I love meeting other bloggers, and blogging has been such a wonderful way to meet a huge variety of people. My blog is an eclectic composite too, so I write about home, food, crafts, pets, DIY, photography-- and a little bit of everything. I hope you'll come by and visit often!

Here are 5 things about me:

1. I have a strange propensity for falling and getting a concussion. (The most memorable of those falls was the time I was carried off in an ambulance from an ice rink with my then 7 and 10 year old kids, all the while saying, "Mom's just fine," while I was actually wondering if I was going to die!)

2. I've become semi obsessed with our little Yorkie, since we adopted her two years ago. (She's really my daughter's dog, but somehow she figured out I'm the mom.)

3. My favorite food is cake. Yes, cake, one of the unhealthiest foods on the planet. I don't eat it often, but when I do, it's bliss.

4. I was on swim team in high school, and (literally) won the award for "funniest looking toes." It was deserved. (I was a really fast swimmer too, though!)

5. My cat can talk. Well, sort of. She does respond when we talk to her (and, I'm not kidding, they are actual words!) She is the best cat, ever.

Let's get social!

Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner!

2012-02-25T11:36:00.000-06:00

This has turned out to be one of my most successful giveaways to date! I now know you lovely ladies want to win dresses! {Smile} Thank you to everyone who participated and if you didn't win I'm sure I will have another one to giveaway soon!! So, without further adieu, the winner of the beautiful Spanish Steps Shabby Apple dress is....

Brooke Kenny from Babblings and More!!

Congrats Brooke! I will be contacting you shortly about your prize!

Don't forget to take advantage of Shabby Apples current promo, 15% off sitewide when you use the code HATTER. Click the image below to be directed to their fabulous site!

Zuppa Toscana - Olive Garden Copy Cat

2012-02-22T19:30:00.002-06:00

Me, I'm not a huge pasta or Italian food person. Take me to Olive Garden though and I will gorge myself on soup, salad & bread sticks! Don't even get me started on that Alfredo dipping sauce, I could eat a bucket of it! My favorite soup from Olive Garden is the Zuppa Toscana. Italian sausage, potatoes & a creamy broth...mmm, mmm, mmm, the perfect combo!

Zuppa Toscana Soup

Directions:

- Brown sausage and set aside

- Over medium heat combine chicken broth, water and stir

- Dissolve the chicken bouillon in the broth

- Place diced onions, unpeeled potatoes, and garlic in pot

- Cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 or 15 minutes

- Add sausage and bacon (I don't use bacon in mine)

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Simmer for another 10 minutes

- Turn to low heat

- Add kale and cream

- Heat through for another 5 minutes and serve

- Garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese

You will be amazed at how much this recipe tastes like the Olive Garden version. To make it spicier you can sprinkle in a some crushed red pepper flakes. I do it by the bowl to taste since not everyone likes spicy. Also, I have made it with and without the chicken bouillon power both taste great. You can test both ways and figure out which you like the best. It is a very simple recipe and the leftovers are tasty, tasty! Speaking of which, there are some leftovers in the fridge calling my name, enjoy!

Source:

Adapted from Food.com

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 24}

2012-02-20T21:00:00.001-06:00

Hey there lovelies! Before you link up to Tuesday Tutorials enter to win a Shabby Apple dress valued at $86.00! Already entered? You can tweet and FB daily for extra entries!

On to this weeks link party!
Last weeks link party features! Were you featured?

{Left} Dates That Changed Our Lives from Holy Craft

{Center} Nutella Fluffernutter from Hugs & Cookies

{Right} Framed Wallpaper from Pig & Paint

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 24}

Only Four {Easy} Rules

1. Please be a follower of {The Kurtz Corner}

2. Link directly to your post, not your blog

3. No Etsy Shops, giveaways or personal link parties

4. Please grab my button or use a text hyperlink & link back to my blog

Please follow the rules, it's only fair & good blogging etiquette :)

Party Button

<a border="0" href="http://thekurtzcorner.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa386/asmith0341/tutorials.jpg"/></a>

Please vote for The Kurtz Corner!

Show me what ya got!

Sunday Social - Blog Hop!

2012-02-19T11:14:00.006-06:00

Welcome to the Sunday Social, hosted by The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life! Come link up your blogs home page and make some new bloggy friends! While your here stop by an enter my Shabby Apple dress giveaway!

How to participate:

1. Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life).

2. Follow the Featured blog (The Stuff Of Success)

3. Link up your blog's home page -- not a specific link or you will be deleted!
4. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!

5. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

Featured Blog:

Athena from The Stuff Of Success

I am Athena and I am so pleased to be here at The Sasse Life! I am married to a great guy and we have three kids (he also has two older sons) and two giant breed "puppies"! My blog is the pride and joy of my kids and I! The Stuff Of Success is dedicated to living life well, inexpensively. Our blog was developed to help prove that success is not the result of wealth. We focus on crafts, family, repurposing/recycling, cheap or free deals, with a bit of life's humor along the way. As an added bonus - every now and then my children do a "solo" project specifically for the blog. Another aspect of our blog is that my children are all adopted with special needs. As a result, many projects are adaptations or solutions to everyday difficulties that may be helpful to families with similar situations.

Five Silly Facts:

I have a piano, two keyboards, 4 acoustic guitars, 1 acoustic/electric
guitar, 1 bass guitar, 4 amps, 1 bass amp, 1 digital drum set - AND I
CAN'T PLAY ONE OF THEM! I used to play a little but in twenty years I
forgot it all. But they look impressive! If you have seen my craft
room you can easily see how this could have happened.

I published an eBook "just because" - checked it off my bucket list
(available for Kindle on Amazon if you are interested - Consumerism
Guide - Your All In One Guide to Coupons, Deals and Freebies)

I like Diet Coke but I LOVE Diet Coke from the fountains at McDonald's.
Can someone please tell me why theirs has such a unique taste?

I was born French/Irish with a Greek First name and married into a Jewish last name AND my kids are Polish.

I am a compulsive note taker and list maker. I always have something to write down.

Let's get social!

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

2012-02-18T15:08:00.016-06:00

Who's ready for another giveaway?! Enter to win a fabulous dress from Shabby Apple! Today I will be giving away the Spanish Steps dress from Shabby Apple, an online boutique that sells women's dresses, skirts, accessories and so much more! After entering the contest be sure to stop by their website and see all of the great things they have for sale!

Click on the image below to shop Shabby Apple's site!

Today's Giveaway!

Love this dress!

Today's prize is valued at $86.00 and comes in sizes XS - XL

Ready to enter and win? Just follow the easy steps below! There are three mandatory entries to be eligible to win. You must follow The Kurtz Corner via GFC, you must "Like" Shabby Apple on FB and you must "Like" The Kurtz Corner on FB

You may also tweet/facebook about this giveaway daily for additional entries! The winner will be announced on February 25th and emailed. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Raspberry & Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake Cupcakes

2012-02-14T22:45:00.001-06:00

Everyone loves a good cheesecake right? I've never actually made a cheesecake before but I lOVE cheesecake so I thought I'd try something new. You know me, I'm a cupcake kinda girl so I made Strawberry & Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake Cupcakes! This week at work I headed up one of our fundraising events, a baking contest, to support the Save a Child'd Heart non-profit group. We raised just over $1000! We had some great entries and I am proud to say that I took 2nd place with my cheesecake cupcakes! Only missed 1st place by 3 votes, drats! At least I know my little treats were nummy!

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Cupcakes

Directions:

To begin, preheat your oven to 325˚F. Line the cupcake pans with paper liners. In a blender, blend your graham crackers until they are crumbs. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Fold your ingredients together with a rubber spatula until all the dry ingredients are moist. Scoop in 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner. To press your crust into the liners use something small like a spice bottle. Bake for 5 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.

To make the raspberry & blueberry sauce combine your raspberries and blueberries with you sugar (separately of course) and process until smooth. Pour your sauce through a strainer into a bowl to separate the seeds from the sauce. No one likes seeds in their sauce! Set aside.

To prepare your cheesecake filling, beat your cream cheese in an electric mixer until fluffy. Blend in your sugar followed by your salt and vanilla. Last, beat in your eggs one at a time making sure each is well blended. (really important that your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature)

To create your cheesecakes, spoon in about 2 and 1/2 tablespoons of filling into your cups.

Drip three drops of your raspberry and blueberry sauce on top of your cheesecakes. Drag a toothpick through the top of your cheesecakes to create a marbled effect.

Bake your cupcakes for 22 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Once your cupcakes are at room temperature place your trays in the fridge and chill for 2 to 3 hours before serving. You can also freeze these and save them for later. If frozen allow 30 minute to an hour to defrost before serving. Enjoy.

Linking up HERE ♥

Source:

Adapted from Annie's Eats

Sunday Social - Blog Hop!

2012-02-12T16:09:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the Sunday Social! Come link up the home page of your blog and make some new blogging friends!!

How to participate:

1. Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life) via Google Friend Connect.

2. Follow the Featured blog. (And I Thought I Loved You Then)

2. Link up your blog's home page -- not a specific link or you will be deleted!
3. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!
4. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

The winner of the $10 credit to House129 is...
Sharisse.

Featured Blog:
Kalyn from I Thought I Loved You Then

I am 27 years old, I have been married for almost 3 years and have a 1 year old daughter named Eliza. I was born and raised in Michigan but I am ready for a change out of the snow! I am a stay at home mom and I started blogging as a way to remember all of the things Eliza does, and a creative outlet for my crafts. I love to dance, sing, craft, take photos, and be with my family. I started my wreath business after everyone loved the wreaths I would make for my home. I now sell them on etsy and they are also in a boutique in a city near me.

5 Silly Facts:

I can't frown, and yes I try and practice. My husband thinks it is the funniest thing in the world. I guess that just shows how happy I am!!
I can walk on the tips of my toes like in Titanic, I could do it before her though!
I cloth diaper...hey some people think that is silly!
I want to have 4 little girls...maybe that is more crazy then silly.
I can't get enough of the Real Housewives! I think being from a small town makes me in awe that people are actually like that.

Make sure to stop by Kalyn's shop, Hangin Around. She has a special treat for you all! For 2012, she is giving a 12% discount for her amazing wreaths. Just type in "SundaySocial" to get your discount.

Let's get social!

Glitter Kicks

2012-02-08T21:01:00.001-06:00

If you haven't had enough of my Glitter Heels HERE & HERE then you are in luck because today I have for you Glitter Kicks!

Yes, those are Ed Hardy...No, I haven't worn them since High School! They were popular at one point, key word, WERE. And yes, I have held on to them since High School. I am somewhat of a pack rat when it comes to clothes and shoes but guess what, I still fit in my High School clothes so HA! After years of hiding in the closet I figured it was time to give them a face-lift. I've had this tutorial in my back pocket since October so I figured it was time to share it!

Just like my Glitter Heels tutorial all you need is Mod Podge, Martha Stewart Fine Powder Glitter, A paper plate and a paintbrush. Mix equal parts of glitter and Mod Podge and paint a thin layer onto your shoes. Allow your first layer to dry for a few minutes, not fully dry, and then paint on a second thin layer. When finished sprinkle on your dry glitter. Cover your entire shoe and let sit. After it has dried for about half an hour tap off any excess glitter and touch up any bare spots. It's that easy! Your shoes will shed some glitter but not enough to make a difference and if it does you can always touch it up! Now go enjoy those glitter kicks and let yourself {SHINE}

Linking up HERE ♥

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 23}

2012-02-07T05:00:00.000-06:00

Last weeks link party features! Were you featured?

{Left} Fudge Filled Hearts from Lady Behind the Curtain

{Center} Heart Shirt Re-Do from Tousled Day

{Right} Key To My Heart Valentines Art from Shaken Together

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 23}

Link up your tutorials, cooking, crafts, sewing, DIY tips & tricks, I want to see it all! After each link party I will feature my favorite tutorials from the previous link party, so check back to see if you've been featured! I feature several posts on {The Kurtz Corner FB Page} so make sure you become a fan and check it out!

Only Four {Easy} Rules

1. Please be a follower of {The Kurtz Corner}

2. Link directly to your post, not your blog

3. No Etsy Shops, giveaways or personal link parties

4. Please grab my button or use a text hyperlink & link back to my blog

Please follow the rules, it's only fair & good blogging etiquette :)

Party Button

<a border="0" href="http://thekurtzcorner.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa386/asmith0341/tutorials.jpg"/></a>

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DIY Twine Wrapped Bottle

2012-02-05T22:12:00.001-06:00

Now that the Super Bowl is over you may have a bunch of beer bottles, wine bottles or maybe if you're health conscious you might have some mineral water glass bottles...don't toss them! Up-cycle them! I was originally going to make cups out of them but realized I have way too many cups and I needed something to go on our floating shelves in the living room. All you need is glass bottles, any kind will do, twine or yarn, hot glue and scissors.

I used a glass mineral water bottle for my twine wrapped bottle. I also have a funky shaped wine bottle that I plan to wrap in white yarn. I think the funky bottles are a lot of fun!

Here are five easy steps to help you up-cycle your left over glass bottles!

You will want to remove your glass bottle lables so that you can't see them peeking through the twine. Submerge your bottles in a sink full of water. If you fill them with water they will stay under the water and make it easier on you. After they have soaked for a while you can peel off the labels pretty easily. To get the rest of the goop off of the bottles use an SOS (steel wool) pad and scrub under running water. When your bottle is clean and dry you can begin wrapping it with your twine. Use little dabs of hot glue to secure your twine. Wrap as tight as possible to prevent gaps in your twine. That's all folks! Easy huh? You now have your very own rustic twine wrapped bottle. Enjoy!

Linking up HERE ♥

Sunday Social - Blog Hop! + Giveaway!

2012-02-04T17:51:00.003-06:00

How to participate:

1. Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life) via Google Friend Connect.
2. Follow the Featured blog. (Live.Laugh.Rowe)

Featured Blog:

Kelly from live.laugh.rowe

I'm currently a stay at home wife. My bloggy home is over at live.laugh.rowe where I share my journey with you -- one that includes crafting, cooking, my furry friends, incredible husband and my faith. Prior to my blogging adventures, I was a Director of Admissions in Higher Education. I {loved} my job, but the stress wasn't contributing to any quality of life. So, for the time being, here I am blogging. I started blogging in 2010 basically to keep long distant friends up to date on our lives, but in the past six months decided to pursue it a little more passionately. I am loving every minute of it and truly enjoy making so many new virtual friends. In September, I opened an Etsy store called House 129 and have found that to be an additional creative outlet. My most recent adventure is spear heading a "Grow Your Blog" Series that starts on February 12th. Be sure to come check it out {smile}!

Random {Silly} Fun Facts

1) I'm an identical mirror twin. Sooo, I'm right handed and my sis is left handed. I'm left brained, she's right brained. Etc. Etc. Pretty cool, huh?
2) Pet peeve. I hate very much dislike the font Times New Roman. No offense, but it's boring and has absolutely no personality. When I was working, my secretaries knew to never type anything in that font. It was a big fat no-no.

3) Do any of you watch The Housewives of New Jersey? Caroline's husband, Albert, owns the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ. I got married there! Cool, right? It's a pretty big deal amongst my circle of friends.

4) My husband and I call each other Goombah. It's a word that means companion. You'll rarely hear 'babe' or 'honey' around our house. You'll hear a gazillion different uses of the word Goombah, such as Gooms, Goombalicious, etc. {Smile} I love this little quirky-fun of ours. Most people look at us like, "What did you say?" We just laugh because it's our thing.

5) I'm a PK. Meaning Pastors Kid, not Perfect Kid (unfortunately). I was raised in an incredible home by thee most amazing parents. Thankfully I never did live up to the reputation of most Pastors Kids (rebellious/wild). As Eliza Doolittle once said in My Fair Lady, "I'm a good girl, I am."

Kelly has a special treat for you all! She is giving away a $10 credit to her shop, House129.

That's all! If you don't want to wait, you can get 15% by using the discount code "sundaysocial"

Winner will be announced next Sunday Social.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now let's get social!

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 22}

2012-01-30T21:36:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Tuesday Tutorials! Come link up your recent projects and check out some of the faves from the last party!

Last week party faves - Valentine's style!

{Left} Valentine's Coffee Filter Wreath from Mandi Being Crafty

{Center} Valentine's Pot Holders from Country Momma Cooks

{Right} Red Velvet Cupcakes with Raspberry Marshmallow Frosting from Housewives of Riverton

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 22}

Only Four {Easy} Rules

1. Please be a follower of {The Kurtz Corner}

2. Link directly to your post, not your blog

3. No Etsy Shops, giveaways or personal link parties

4. Please grab my button or use a text hyperlink & link back to my blog

Please follow the rules, it's only fair & good blogging etiquette :)

Party Button

<a border="0" href="http://thekurtzcorner.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa386/asmith0341/tutorials.jpg"/></a>

Please vote for The Kurtz Corner!

Strawberry Moscato Cupcakes

2012-01-29T21:27:00.002-06:00

Don't these just make you want to say, "Awwwwww" or "Yuuummmm!" They make me say, "I need a big glass of milk!" I love strawberry cupcakes and you know what else I love even more? Moscato wine. I have a huge sweet tooth and am drawn more to sweet wines. I do love my Rieslings and an occasional Pino but Moscato is my fave! So I though why not combine the two things I love? Genius! Why not throw in some chocolate chips too while I'm at it? Even better!!

I din't go homemade with these, don't shun me! I just wanted a quick and easy cupcake and that is exactly what I made.

Strawberry Moscato Cupcakes

- 1 box strawberry cake mix

- 1 cup Cupcake Moscato wine

- 1 cup mini chocolate chips

- butter cream frosting

- 24 cupcake liners

Mix your strawberry cake according to the box directions and substitute the 1 cup water with 1 cup of Cupcake Moscato wine. You can add maybe a half cup more of the wine if you want to be daring. I would have liked more Moscato flavor in my batch. Here is a picture of this wine if you have never had it before. It is one of my favorite brands!

After your batter is mixed stir in one cup of mini chocolate chips and distribute the batter evenly between 24 cupcake liners. Bake according to the box directions.

While your cupcakes are baking you will want to make your chocolate heart cupcake toppers. Begin by lining a baking sheet with wax paper. Next, melt 2 cups of chocolate chips in 30 second intervals in the microwave stirring between each 30 seconds. When the chips have melted spoon them into a squeeze bottle or piping bag. Make your heart shapes on the wax paper and place in the fridge to set up.

When your cupcakes have cooled and your toppers have set up pipe on your butter cream frosting and top with your chocolate heart cupcake toppers! You may even have a glass of that Moscato while you're at it!

These are perfect for Valentine's Day or just because, enjoy!

Linking up HERE ♥

Today's Creative Blog

Sunday Social - Blog Hop!

2012-01-28T23:12:00.002-06:00

Welcome to the Sunday Social! Come link up your blags home page and make some new bloggy friends!

How to participate:

1. Follow us (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life) via Google Friend Connect.

2. Follow the Featured blog. (Stone and Rose)

2. Link up your blog's home page -- no projects or you will be deleted!
3. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!

4. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

Featured Blog:

Hey there! My name is Catherine from Stone and Rose.

I am so excited to be Kim's Featured Blog today! I am a high school

English Language Arts teacher and I live in Alberta, close to the Rocky

Mountains, with my husband, son, and a variety of critters- both wild

and somewhat tame. I love to work on projects (the largest one to date

being the construction of our new home), read good literature, and watch

bad TV. I have only been blogging since July, but I am good and

thoroughly hooked! I am constantly amazed by all of the creativity,

humour, ingenuity, and charm of the people out there in the blogging

world.

Some interesting (?) facts about me:

1. I have never been able to touch my toes. And I am not working too hard on making that happen, either. Although it was a tad embarrassing in elementary school when everyone else was able to shape themselves into a pretzel.

2. I am equally comfortable in jeans and boots or a pencil skirt and heels.

3. The toughest DIY project I've had to date (aside from building a house) was scraping a buffalo hide. Disgusting, monotonous, and physically demanding labor that ended at the hospital with a family round of tetanus shots!!

4. I am terrified of heights. Any and all family hikes conclude with my husband carrying me back down whatever tiny hill (or roof, or ladder, or scaffold) I insisted I could climb.

5. I love photography and am learning how to use my new DSLR But I am uncomfortable having my own picture taken and usually end up looking like someone who is either deranged or very angry.

Each week I blog about home projects, fashion, photography, and all things rustic and vintage. I would love to have you all stop by and say hello!!

Let's get social now!

DIY Wing Back Studded Headboard

2012-01-25T23:17:00.002-06:00

This is my first go at upholstery / furniture making and I have to say I am pretty impressed with myself AND my husband who helped me sooo much! This headboard is six feet tall and 76 inches wide (a King sized headboard) It's HUGE and heavy and I love it!!

This has been a project that I've wanted to tackle for a while and I am so glad I did. There is just something about making things with my own hands that gives me so much joy! Here is my new king size wing back studded headboard!

I've seen all kinds of these beauties popping up on Pinterest and in stores and a lot of them run you a cool $500...at least the ones that I wanted! This project ran me around $170 so I think it was well worth the 2 days of effort to make it! Here is the break down of costs. Keep in mind that I used coupons at Michael's and Joann's Fabric for almost all of my supplies.

Materials & costs:

1 - 1x48x76in Plywood board & 1 - 2x6x144in board - $30

2in foam - Enough to cover your headboard (two sheets from Joann's) - $60

1 package of furniture studs form Joann's - $10

About 5 yards of fabric - $15

2 bags of batting from Joann's (enough to cover the headboard & wings) - $14

Staple gun & staples - $20

Spray tacky glue - $5

14 - 2in screws (owned)

Heavy duty screws to anchor your headboard to your bead frame (owned)

Drill & drill bits (owned)

Circular saw (owned)

Hammer (owned)

Before you start your headboard (or even before you buy your wood) make sure you have the correct measurements. Measure from edge to edge of your bed frame. You'll want to add about 3/4 in to your measurement so that when you add your wings it will fit perfectly around your bead frame. You can get your plywood and 2x6's cut at either Lowes or Home Depot or you can do it yourself! You will need to get your 2x6 cut in half. My headboard is 6 feet tall so you may or may not want to subtract a few inches from your "wings".

Making sure my wood is at the exact measurement

Once your wood is cut you will want to secure your foam to the headboard. You will have to cut your foam to fit the headboard and use a tacky spray glue to secure it. After the glue has dried for a few minutes you can now add your batting. Wrap your batting around the headboard and attach it to the back with your staple gun. Be careful to not wrap too tightly so your edges are not smushed. When that is finished, begin wrapping your headboard with the fabric. You will want to cut 1 yard off of your fabric and set that aside for your wings. Be careful to not wrap too tightly and make sure there are no ripples in your fabric. My advice is to start at the top, then do the bottom and finish with the sides.

Stapling the batting to the wings

Now that your headboard is wrapped you can secure your wings. Start by stapling one edge of the batting to the backside of the wings. Next, staple one edge of the fabric to the back of the wing on top of the batting. ONLY staple one end of each to the back, layering them on top of each other like we did for the headboard. This will leave you with a flap of batting and fabric that we will staple later. Once that is stapled align the top of your wing with the top of the headboard. Lift up the flap of batting and fabric and begin drilling holes through your wing into your headboard to prepare for the screws. Remember, when using a drill bit it must be smaller than the screw you plan to use. As you make you holes screw in your screws to the headboard until you have about 7 screws on each side (or until it feels secure). When both of your wings are secure wrap the additional batting and fabric around the wing and secure to the back of the wing where we originally stapled it. Your headboard and wings should now both be covered and secured to one another.

Your headboard should look something like this now...and my silly husband! He's actually 6'4" and squatting in this picture so it gives you an idea of just how big this headboard is!

It's finally time to add the studs! I love these studs because the come in a roll a keep your stud projects straight! You can find them at Joann's Fabric. Line up your studs down the center of your wing and begin to hammer into place until you reach the bottom of the front of your wing. I wrapped mine over the top...not that I can see it because I'm only 5'4" but hey lets keep it looking sharp even if I can't see it!

The studs are probably the easiest part! There is a hole every 5th stud where you nail in the loose studs

When you are finished you can now secure your headboard to your bed frame (most have pre-drilled holes that you can use). Take a step back and admire your hard work! Below are a few picture of mine and some accents that I have slowly been adding to the room, enjoy!

The finished product! I'm gonna need more pillows!!

Side table accents and a nice view of the stud work

Lamps and mirrored cones from Target and the mirrored side table is from Pier 1

My beautiful chair that I got from Pier 1...love that store!

I hope you enjoyed my headboard tutorial and that I included enough steps for you to make your own! Again, very first furniture and upholstery project so bear with me. If you feel that I left out any crucial steps just ask me and I will tell you how to do it!

Linking up HERE ♥

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 21}

2012-01-23T21:35:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Tuesday Tutorials! Come link up your recent projects and check out some of the faves from the last party!

Last week party faves!

{Left} Metallic Dresser from My Champagne Taste

{Center} Microwave Lollies from Salt Tree

{Right} Chicken Tortilla Soup from The Short and Sweet Blog

{Left} Strawberry Champagne Cupcakes from Pressed Down, Shaken Together

{Right} DIY Tuffed Ottoman from Junk in The Trunk

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 21}

Only Four {Easy} Rules

1. Please be a follower of {The Kurtz Corner}

2. Link directly to your post, not your blog

3. No Etsy Shops, giveaways or personal link parties

4. Please grab my button or use a text hyperlink & link back to my blog

Please follow the rules, it's only fair & good blogging etiquette :)

Party Button

<a border="0" href="http://thekurtzcorner.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa386/asmith0341/tutorials.jpg"/></a>

Please vote for The Kurtz Corner!

Sunday Social - Blog Hop!

2012-01-22T13:33:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the Sunday Social Blog Hop! Link up your blog's homepage and make some new bloggy friends!

How to participate:

1. Follow us (The Sasse Life & The Kurtz Corner) via Google Friend Connect by clicking the "join this site" button in the right hand column

2. Follow the Featured blog. (Uncommon)

2. Link your blog's homepage - not a specific link or you will be deleted!
3. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!
4. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

This week's featured blog: Uncommon

"Bonnie and I are sister-in-laws who have a great deal in common. We love God, sewing, decorating, and pretty much all things crafty. This all started when Bonnie made my senior prom dress (the gold sequins still pop out of our sewing machine). We are stay-at-home moms who run a part-time business,Uncommon Designs. Our business is comprised of our blog and the shop where we sell our handmade items (such as fabric, kitchen textiles, holiday decor, and accessories).

Over the last six months we have really focused on our blog and have enjoyed it more than we ever imagined! Our apothecary jars have always been a hit throughout blogland and we also are known for our craft tutorials and party styling! We have a weekly link party, Uncommonly Yours, Uncommon Events where we share party styling tips and inspiration, and will be hosting a Valentine series "Love is in the Air" at the end of the month!"

Some Fun Facts About Us...

1. We both graduated from Clemson University {Go Tigers!} and our husbands did as well ....and both sets of our parents did too!! Needless to say, our children feel like they have no choice! ;)

2. We both HATE having our pictures taken...think Chandler from "Friends" in the engagement episode! { if you haven't seen it, you should, it's funny stuff!}

3. We both are computer challenged...we have quite a few "Talk to me like I'm two!" conversations a day...one a year age went like this.." HTML what? I have no idea what you are talking about!" Baby steps...

4. We may or may not be the types of moms who let their children get mohawks for good grades, dye a purple streak in for good grades, and eat icecream for dinner! Hey...it is only hair and who doesn't love icecream!

5.We both have a slight addiction to modern quilting fabric, burlap, and beautiful trim! We can spend hours picking out fabric for a project!

~Trish and Bonnie~

follow us at... www.uncommondesignsonline.com

Join us each Wednesday for our "Uncommonly Yours" link party!

Email Kim at kim@thesasselife.com if you would like to be the Featured blog.

Giveaway! ~ dAiSy MaE dEsIgNs

2012-01-17T22:40:00.006-06:00

Ever have one of those days where you just don't feel like spending hours on your hair and you throw on a hat just to avoid it? I know I had many of those days in college and still have those days on the weekends where it takes everything in me just to drag my self out of my pj's to go run errands. Look cute on even your slouchiest days with an adorable hat from dAiSy MaE dEsIgNs!

Meet Shelley from dAiSy MaE dEsIgNs

Hi! I’m Shelley, I'm a wife, an Aggie, a small town girl, a sports fan, a shop-a-holic, a choc-a-holic, and a Christian! I started creating embellished hats in college to dress up my “everyday t-shirt” and to keep from having to fix my hair! dAiSy MaE dEsIgNs creates handmade, cadet style hats that are great for showing off your favorite college, sports team, or dressing up any outfit! Adult and youth hats are available! I hope You'll stop by and visit me at dAiSy MaE dEsIgNs!

Check out this fun hat that Shelley has created for today's giveaway! Isn't it cute?!

Wouldn't you love to win this little gem? Enter now for your chance to win!

There are seven easy ways to enter! Following The Kurtz Corner via Google Friends Connect and becoming a fan of dAiSy MaE dEsIgNs by clicking the "Like" button on FB are the only mandatory entries. You can also rack up some multiple entries by tweeting about this giveaway between now and January 27th when the contest ends! Be sure to leave a valid email address so I can contact you if you win! Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are interested in hosting a giveaway at The Kurtz Corner please e-mail me at audra.kurtz@gmail.com

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 20}

2012-01-16T22:34:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Tuesday Tutorials! Come link up your recent projects and check out some of the faves from the last party!

The Most Clicked Link

Using Mod Podge With Pictures from Pink Umbrella Photography

Some of my faves

{Left} Truffle Cocktail from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

{Center} Loop Wreath from The Crafty Scientist

{Right} Snowflake Cake Pops from Pint Sized Baker

Tuesday Tutorials Link Party {No. 20}

Only Four {Easy} Rules

1. Please be a follower of {The Kurtz Corner}

2. Link directly to your post, not your blog

3. No Etsy Shops, giveaways or personal link parties

4. Please grab my button or use a text hyperlink & link back to my blog

Please follow the rules, it's only fair & good blogging etiquette :)

Party Button

<a border="0" href="http://thekurtzcorner.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa386/asmith0341/tutorials.jpg"/></a>

Please vote for The Kurtz Corner!

Links are in random order so everyone has a shot at being first link!