Reclaimed Wreckage Work Featured on Examiner.com

Click here to read the article about my work! Arlene wrote some really great things about me and I feel so grateful and inspired! Thanks so much!

Recycled Craft How To's

Here are some of the most creative how to's I've seen yet. Your friends will think you are so creative and your house will look oh so cute!

Magazine Table as seen in Anthrogologie

Cupboard Door Serving Tray

Baby Jar Glass Chandelier

Wine Bottle Torch

Grill Tray Jewelry Display

Junk Mail Wall Art

City Weekly Gift Guide

I was one of the crazy people who dragged myself out of bed at 3 am today to go Christmas shopping to get the $9.00 crock pot and $3.00 toaster. One of our stops was at Urban Outfitters and I'm so happy I did because I got to pick up last week's issue of City Weekly.

I did the usual and stuffed it in my purse to read when I get home and finally tonight, opened the thing up to read their 2010 Holiday Gift Guide and saw my stuff in it! How awesome is that! I was so excited I was running around the house screaming for about an hour while my kid just starred at me funny and joined in at times. The only problem is, they switched out issues today and now I have to track down a bunch of last week's issue. Anyway, here's the link. I'm on pg 2 I'm so excited!

Reclaimed Wreckage Bags available at Urban Scrap

Amber Debirk, founder of Urban Scrap is no ordinary artist. She's a teacher, environmentalist, mother, and Glass Artist who makes gorgeous belt buckles, jewelry, and mixed media wall art from recycled glass. I met Amber through the wonderful world of Etsy and am privileged enough to have my work showcased in her studio. Besides being a charming and personable woman, she teaches her methods and even has a monthly Eco craft for kids in her new studio in Millcreek. Amongst her bright walls, cheery glass art, and an overall whimsical atmosphere, my work hangs on a bright purple wall directly parallel to the front french doors. So far so good, I sold a Colleen Clutch on opening night and have sold two more pieces since then that need to be restocked.

One of these days, I would love to be where she is an artist. I would love to have a studio outside my home (especially in an adorable community like hers) and a storefront boutique to showcase other talented artists. Opening night was a great party with wine, live music, and 15 artists work available for the viewing. Incredible.

Distress Ink :)

So many of you crafters out there have been using this stuff.

Some of you distress the edges of paper, use it to as paint, and for stamping.

All kinds of things.

 This past weekend I went here

and purchased some of my very own distress ink.

Sweet!  That makes me happy.  :)

Thanksgiving Dressing

Thanksgiving is a wonderful Holiday...my favorite to be exact. 

For the last 12 years, I have spent most of this day in my mother-in-laws kitchen.  We cook most of the morning, eat, veg out, and play games the rest of the day. 

She is a wonderful cook and she has taught me many things.  One of those things being how to make fantastic dressing!  Now granted, I have never made it all by myself.  I feel much better with her over my shoulder telling me what to do and that way I know I won't mess it up.

This is her mother's recipe and it is wonderful.

corn bread / old bread / biscuits
2 eggs
onion
celery
butter
(2 tsp) sage
(2 Tbs) salt & pepper
apple (peeled & chopped)
chicken or turkey broth

Chop onion and celery, and saute in butter in a small pan until tender. Mix all the ingredients and then add the broth until it is nice and juicy. You can add meat at this point if you would like. Bake in the oven at 400 for 10-20 minutes.

Happy Thanksgiving



A Little Encouragement

Most women struggle with loosing weight.

I never had to until this last year or two.

Chalk it up to getting older, body changes, medication...who knows.

All I know is, my jeans don't fit anymore.

I found this great website that is an encouragement to me.

Let's face it, we all need a little encouraging from time to time.

Maybe it will help you too.

Trainer Momma

Happy Tuesday to all.

New Blog Design at The Painted Studio

I have re-designed my blog thanks to Mandi at Mandipidy!!!

Go to her blog and click on the DIY Blog Makeover tab...

I created a header, a blog button, and did a little resizing to my blog with the help of her tutorials. 

I have a few things in mind to "tweek" still but for now they will have to wait.  I do have other things I have to get done today. :)

What do you think?

Any suggestions?

Be Thankful

All the GREAT blogs out there have been very inspiring lately!

Over at Tatertots & Jello Jen made this very pretty sign out of an old cabinet door.  So...I made one for myself. 



Tatertots & Jello



 Here is my version.  I don't have circuit to cut out vinyl letters, nor did I have an old cabinet door.  But I did have full sheet clear labels and an old picture frame.  So I dry brushed my frame black and I printed out my Be Thankful sign on my clear label.  I stuck the label right to the glass and added some fabric behind it.  Now I have my very own Be Thankful sign as well.

**Sorry if the pics I blurry...I didn't notice that till I had put the disc in my computer.**

Participating in a Gift Exchange

 

Thanks to Craftaholics Anonymous I will be participating in a gift exchange this month with Mandi from Mandipidy. 

Go check out Mandi's site.  She is young and creative.  I think you will enjoy looking around her blog.

I know I am looking forward to this exchange. 
Now...what to make, what to make?

My Take on UpCycled T-Shirt Dress

Over at I Am Momma Hear Me Roar she made this cute cute t-shirt dress.  I loved the idea and thought my very basic sewing skills could handle making one like it for my little girl. Here is my inspiration photo from her blog.  Go over to Cheri's blog and see all the other cool stuff she does.



Here is my version!!! (Isn't it cute?) 

I used two old pink and green t-shirts I had in my closet.  I didn't have a small t-shirt of my daughters to use for the top so instead I made it into a jumper/dress.

Here is a close up of the top. 

]I added a flower to it for some fun.

 This t-shirt jumper was very easy to make.

I made it in one evening. 

Blogs I'm reading today

 diary of a craftaholic

at second street

money saving mom

endless crafting

crazy domestic

the diy showoff

Go check them out!

New Dining Room Plan

I now have ideas and I'm headed in the right direction with my dining room.  A couple of weeks ago I asked for help in my dining room.

Here are some ideas that I will be using in my own dining room very soon.



GOING TO USE A LITTLE RUB N BUFF ON MY CHANDELIER




RE-DO MY DINING ROOM TABLE LIKE NO MINIMALIST HERE.




ADD SOME DROP CLOTH CURTAINS LIKE TRACY @ BENEATH MY HEART



ADD SOMETHING LIKE THIS ABOVE MY BUFFET TABLE.
THIS IDEA CAME FROM MAPLE & MAGNOLIA



ADD SOME FLOATING SHELVES LIKE YOUNG HOUSE LOVE DID.



I plan on starting this weekend.  I will keep my camera handy and let you know how the progress is going.

:)  I love it when a plan comes together.  Thanks to all those who commented with your ideas.  They were a big help.

I have not been sitting here....

 because I have been sitting here three nights a week.

Not enough hours in the day to do all the things I love.

How about you?



I am in Mourning....

 This week I was planning on taking a girls trip to JAMAICA.

5 days, 4 nights at an all inclusive resort....how relaxing.  Right?

My trip to here.....

is now canceled because of this....

Thanks Hurricane Tomas.

So...I'm a little bummed today.