CURLY Q CRAFTS

Pottery Barn Pillows {look a likes}

2011-12-21T12:47:00.000-07:00

I saw these pillows in the Pottery Barn catalog and really really wanted some....

but they are $36 a piece!

Come to my new blog to check out how to make your own!!!

Start at Home

Napkin Pumpkin!!!!!

2011-10-18T10:27:00.000-06:00

This weekend my Mom and I made this cute pumpkin.

{I LOVE crafting with my Mom}

I know it looks like we are super crafty and excellent with a paint brush but don't be fooled!!

IT IS A NAPKIN!

To make check out my new blog

Start at Home

Start at Home

2011-10-04T22:57:00.003-06:00

Check out my new blog

Startathome.blogspot.com

Where to start with this piece. My mother in law gave this to my husband and I when we got married...ages ago and it has sat in the basement...as a gem waiting to be discovered.

My husbands grandpa actually made this out of old barn wood! I didn't want to ruin the integrity of the piece so I lightly sanded it down to keep all the imperfections and texture. I then brushed stain on and rubbed it off IMMEDIATELY with a wet rag. The stain picked up all the imperfections as I had hoped.

I LOVE THIS PIECE!!!

Best fresh salsa ever

2011-09-21T13:14:00.000-06:00

Check out my new blog for the recipe

Start at Home

My Mom and I had been looking for a good salsa recipe forever...until we found one a couple years ago. I have taken that one and made it my own. The thing I have found with fresh salsa is that it always tastes different sometime I love a batch and sometimes it is not my favorite. So just experiment.

Every time I take this salsa somewhere I am always handing out the recipe! It is so easy too!

I would recommend chopping everything in a chopper NOT the blender. It is better chunky! You will also want to take the seeds out of your peppers if you don't want it to be spicy!

A good start to the nursery!

2011-09-14T09:20:00.002-06:00

See more at Start at home

master bedroom

2011-09-12T16:21:00.002-06:00

Check out my new blog for more pictures! Start at Home

Pickers Heaven

2011-09-06T08:46:00.002-06:00

Everything is on my new blog.....Start at Home

The style I have gone for with our new house is hmm....a vintage, picker, shabby chic look!! LOL is there such a thing? I guess we will find out! I found this awesome website {wuslu} that sells super fun Items for much cheaper! They have one deal a day and they are awesome!!! I just ordered one of these!

Yesterday was quite the productive day! Devin finished getting the pine planks down and we stained them!!! I am in LOVE! Our room and the 2 girls rooms are painted and waiting for molding, which hopefully comes today! And Devin's family came and torn out EVERYTHING in our front yard....Here is a picture of what is used to be. I have pictures of everything...I just left my camera at our house....so pictures to come!! Here is the outside of the house before.....

A good Start

2011-09-01T14:31:00.000-06:00

So I forgot to take a picture of the BEFORE so the picture above will have to do...but I think it will at least give you an idea of what my night stand looked like before. The problem with this bedroom set is, it is a vanier. So I really had to make sure it was primed right! But IT WORKED!! and here is the finished night stand.

Check out my New blog Start @ Home

Start at Home

2011-08-25T21:57:00.000-06:00

Hello out there. I am back.....I hope to be back for a long time to come! I have missed blogging. I don't know what it is about blogging but for some reason it makes you feel like your voice is heard. Even if no one is reading it! We have bought a home and close in a week! I am so excited to start making this house our home. That being said I have started a new blog to track the progress of our home and would love for you to come along with me, I need lots of input. My new blog is Start at Home. It isn't too exciting right now as I am just trying to get all my thoughts and Ideas going! I will not close this blog down and I may update it here and there with a fun wood craft! A huge thanks to all those who have been following! It makes me so happy to open up my blog and see I have a new follower! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

ttfn,

Brooke

Explanation....MUCH NEEDED!!

2011-07-15T12:01:00.000-06:00

Okay I know I am a slacker but I have great cause to be one!!

We just had Princess number 2.....Hooray

My husband also got transferred while I was pregnant so we moved too! Most of my crafts are still in storage as we still have not found the RIGHT house yet! So needless to say my crafting abilities have been limited!

However I have been loving Photography!!

Yes I have an addiction.....I WANTED TO SHARE!!!

I have seen tons of fun photo contests out there. I decided we need to do one at Brooke Larsen Photography! My favorite pictures of my kids are the SpUnKy ones! They always make me smile. I want to see yours too!!!

{definition of a [SpUnKy KiD] photo}

a lively fun spirited kid having fun

Of course there is always something to be won...

{ONE FREE HOUR SESSION}

{how to enter}

Submit any [SpUnKy KiD] picture ages 0-12 to Brookelarsenphotography@gmail.com

Include your child's name along with the picture

Pictures will be accepted from July 15th to July 24

{determining the winner}

all the pictures will be posted to an album at Brooke Larsen Photography on Facebook the morning of July 25 and YOU get to vote for your favorite [SpUnKy KiD] photo. All you have to do is LIKE the photo. comments will not count as votes.

Anyone can vote just make sure you LIKE my photography page so your vote counts.

{rules}

sessions must be done in August or September

with your sessions you will receive a disc with 20 edited photos and all unedited photos to print as you please.

location must be between Ogden and North Salt Lake Utah (there will be a charge to travel outside of these perimeters)

I will start....there are NO WORDS just giggles!

Music Class

2011-02-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

I have decided to start a MUSIC CLASS in our neighborhood. Klancee loves to dance and sing so we might as well have other people come too...right?? Plus I hope it will help with winter.

But my horrible confession is that I don't sing....I can stay on key but that is about it. This is way out of my element but I decided to do it for Klancee...

So I am asking for any ideas on things to do with the kids, their parents have to come with them, I am not quite that ambition. Any advice or help or anything would be great, I have found a few songs with cute actions....but that is about all I have got right now.

Thanks for your HELP!!!!

Quilt and Skirt!!

2011-02-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

I am 24 Weeks pregnant now....more than HALF way HOORAY!!! I have been making our baby girl a quilt, and Klancee felt left out. SO....... I patched all the scraps together and made this CUTE skirt. Klancee calls it her BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS!! I love how it turned out, and I LOVE this pattern...I am not much of a seamstress......but this skirt is so so easy and fun!! The pattern is a Portabellopixie it is so so cute!!

Here is a sneak peek at LUCI's quilt...I just need to get it quilted and then bind it!! HooRaY...I may just finish it in time!! I loved this pattern for the main reason that I didn't have to match any corners together...and the other reason ....... I LOVE THE RUFFLES!!! This quilt was also so simple!!

Purple Princess for the Day.....

2011-01-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

As a Mother winter time sure is hard. My daughter is a free spirit and hates to be cooped up. So I have scrambled to find things for us to do...today is Princess day PURPLE princess day that is. We had to be all purple from head to toe....We changed our ear rings, painted our toes and fingers, colored our crown, made a wand and of course we put on our princess tu tu! We ate a princess lunch, danced and now we are watching Cinderella! Klancee has loved being the princess today! I love to make things with her and see her have fun doing it!

Numbers Matching Game

2011-01-11T10:12:00.002-07:00

My daughter loves to count everything! I made this cute easy game to help her understand how to count and what number is what! So far she has loved to match the numbers up and count them into the jar.

I got the little glass rocks at Dollar Tree!

Cut out your paper the size of your glass rocks and I used a permanent marker to write the numbers!

Glue the paper on to the back of the glass rocks. I just put the glue stick right on the glass rock!

Once they have dried use sand paper and lightly sand the paper down so it can not be easily peeled off.

you can download the PDF file I made for the matching board here.

I printed mine on Cardstock but anything will work!

I found a cute jar for all the rocks, Klancee loves to count them into the jar. It has been a great help to her to learn that we count things one by one.

I love to watch little people learn something and when they finally understand they are so proud of themselves.

CrAzy SubWaY ABC's

2011-01-10T09:14:00.001-07:00

I am feeling the subway art vib!! I love to design subway art it is so much fun! I made this cute sign for my daughters room and it fits her just perfectly.

I am selling the vinyl if you want one too send me an email curlyq.expressions@gmail.com. This one is 8 inches x 8 inches for $6 shipped!! They are great for baby gifts too!!

FHE Lesson 1

2011-01-06T09:30:00.001-07:00

Here is the first lesson I decided on! THE CREATION...seems fitting!!! I will post something to add to your kit at least every Thursday!

I have included on the links below...hopefully.....you should be able to go to the link and print the items off.

I included a Conference Talk as well, I figured my children will not always be young so something a little older might be helpful in the future. If you hate to color you can load the pictures into your photoshop and add color that way!

FHE Lesson Plan

The Lesson (here is the lesson if you want to print it separately)

Pictures for lesson (page 25)

Coloring Page as the activity

Conference talk

I don't have a treat Idea yet....Cooking is really not my specialty......so if anyone has a great treat please leave a comment!!

Rag Flowers

2011-01-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

I LOVE how these cute fun Rag Flowers turned out!!!

My daughter is finally getting some hair...so I needed smaller flowers to go on her head...so here they are. They are so so simple too!

I used quilting Fabric it seems to fray the best.

I cut out 5 squares each a little smaller than the one before and then I rounded off the corners to create my circles. I don't have a fancy anything to cut circles so I found that to be the easiest way for me.

I then just made slits every half inch in toward the center which created the petals. Don't go all the way to the center you want to leave about an 1 circle area in the center that is not cut so when you wash the layers they will stay together.

Next soak the layers in water and help to fray them with your hands just a little.

Throw them in the dryer until they are dry this will continue to fray them and create the rolling on the edges

Once they are dry stack the layers largest on the bottom smallest on the top.

You will have to decide on your center now. On one of them I used a button and the other I didn't use anything. The button flattens the flower slightly giving it a different look. it all depends on what you like!

Next sew all the layers together...without the center.

Next as shown in this picture pinch the flower together on the bottom center and sew with your needle to hold the pinch together. This will make your flower much more full.

If you are using a center item turn your flower over now and place in the top center and continue to sew it on. Once it is all sewn on you can put and alligator clip on it or use a safety pin if you want to wear it on your clothes!!!

My new goal...Family Home Evening!

2011-01-03T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well the whole crafting thing has not been going to well...and I have been so sad. I realized crafting is what keeps me sane as a Mommy. It is so hard to find a balance, before my daughter, Klancee, used to take a nap which translated into CRAFT TIME FOR MOMMY....those days apparently have come and gone no matter how much I fight for them back she is just as stubborn as I am!! I am going to try to find things Klancee and I can do together.

My first project is a FAMILY HOME EVENING kit or box or whatever it ends up being. Klancee is now 2 and we had our first Family Home Evening tonight. It only lasted for 10 minutes but I would say it was a success. Obviously since it was only 10 minutes it was super simple, we had a prayer, read the story Pudgy the Polite Pig, that I found at Oopsey Daisy, it was so so cute and Klancee loved it, we sang a song, and had brownies and ice cream. SUPER SUPER EASY but it was so fun and Klancee loved it. As you can see!! I decided to use a magnet board instead of a flannel board...mainly because I had the magnet board downstairs. I hope to start getting things laminated and then putting magnets on back of them. But that will have to wait for now!!

My biggest challenge so far has been to find lessons that a 2 year old can actually sit through and so my quest begins. I will post new ideas as I find them and you can create one too! If anyone has any other ideas or links to share please post them or send me an email.

BROOKE!!

Fun Team Vinyl

2010-12-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

I had a friend order this University of Utah vinyl from me the other day and I loved how it turned out so I thought I would share it with you. She is making them for Christmas gifts for her friends she is dorming with how cute huh? I know it is late for Christmas gifts but this is defiantly something you could do all year with any team!!

I thought I would give you an update too.....we are having a little girl!!! I am so excited my daughter will have a sister. Every girl needs a sister, I know I love having one, my brothers just don't quite cut it all the time...ha ha!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!!!

Do it yourself Christmas ornaments

2010-12-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

My tree all the past years has been lime green and orange....yes I know odd colors but I get them at an after Christmas sale for so cheap. I decided this year I wanted a Green and Red tree.... my orange ornaments are big ones....So I decided to spray paint them, glitter them and add rhinestones!! You could really do this to any ornament as long as it has a smooth surface so the glitter and paint will stick!!

here is before....

I just used a spray paint that will stick to plastic

Once the spray paint dried I sprayed the ornament with a spray adhesive and sprinkled my glitter. For glitter I found that the brand Sugar Coating worked the best. Once the glitter was all over I sprayed it again with the spray adhesive to hold the glitter on a little better.

I then added my rhinestones. The believe above I purchased at a scrapbook store and for the star i just put them on like that myself!!!

For this fun one I got double sided adhesive tape...again from the scrapbook store and added white glitter. I love how much it added...and it is different!!

ENJOY!!!!

Christmas Crafts....

2010-11-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

I have been a slacker...But I LOVE these wood crafts at Mary Berry!! I love the simplicity of them but they are still so cute!!! I will get working on mine soon!!!!

Photo tips....part 2

2010-11-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do it mix up the angles you take pictures from. It can add some great dimension as well as a new look on a photo.

This photo is taken from standing over the subject!! This is my little Princess, I just love her

I love how this one turned out from behind, it really tells a story!

This one is taken from the side....I have to say this kid is so so so cute!!!

I love photos taken in the distance that are not posed but straight on. Sometimes a "in the moment" pictures tells more than a posed one!

Easy Last Minute Ideas

2010-11-18T12:34:00.002-07:00

Here are some super fun easy Fall decorations for last minute decorating!!

Holiday Photo Tips....PART 1

2010-11-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

I LOVE to take holiday pictures. Probably for the fact that everyone is together and so much work goes into the prep and of course cause they are so so so fun. I have taken a love to Photography, it is so fun to try new things and see what the result is!!

For my first tip:

Don't be afraid to Zoom in on the subject.....(now this doesn't always have to be true) but it can make a much more personal photo with less distractions.

I know my child really really loves Santa...we will hope for different this year!!

You can check out my photography blog too if you would like!!

Christmas Gifts....

2010-11-15T12:21:00.000-07:00

So I can't believe it is already this time of year......WOW!!!

I thought I would share a few ideas for neighbor gifts or anyone really. I don't know about you but I love to make gifts that are inexpensive but that people will actually enjoy and use. I have had so much interest in these items I thought I would post them again!

So here are the first 2 ideas:

I am selling the vinyl for these too if you are interested send me an email

A Baby's Hands dimensions are 6 inches x 13 inches $7 shipped

Christ Subway Art is 8 inches x 8 inches $6 shipped

WINDOW!!!!

2010-11-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

I am back! I feel like I have been gone forever. But I am feeling much better...not normal but better. I can handle this! So I have had this window in my garage forever so I decided I needed to use it....I love the simplicity of it and how much it adds!!! Don't mind my husbands speakers.......they are always his touch to the decorating!!

Slacker and MOST Questions Answered!

2010-10-27T20:46:00.000-06:00

I am so sorry I have been a Slacker!! I am PREGNANT...and I am not a well pregnant women...so it has been survival lately! But I have had quite a few questions...so I thought I would at least answer those right now!

For the Gospel ABC Book I can't actually give out the images because I got them from a friend that has asked that I only distribute them to the ward. However she did get all the pictures from LDS art and here is the run down with some of the harder pictures.

A is for Angels
B is for Baptism
C is for Church
D is for Daddy
E is for Eternity - picture of the temple
F is for Family
G is for Grandparents
H is for Heavenly Father - Joseph Smiths First Vision
I is for Isreal
J is for Jesus Christ
K is for Kneeling - Christ in the Garden
L is for Love - Christ with Children
M is for Mommy
N is for Noah
O is for Obedience - Christ calming the waters
P is for Prophet
Q is for Quiet - Child Praying
R is for Resurrection - Christ with Mary at Tomb
S is for Scriptures
T is for Tithing
U is for Utah - Pioneers coming to Utah
V is for Vision
W is for Word of Wisdom
X is for eXaltation
Y is for You
Z is for Zion - Enoch

As for the Porch Stand I don't have instructions or anything for that matter at this time. I am working on that and I will post it as soon as I get one made up!

Thank you to everyone for their comments and sweet emails! I don't always write back but I do read all of them!!

A Sneak Peak at my Daughters Room

2010-10-14T10:18:00.000-06:00

This is her room before...

And below is a start of the NEW room....you could call it my idea of shabby chic.

I decided to redo my daughters room mainly because I have had so much fun finding old CHEAP furniture and redoing it!! I love how it all turns out too!

Sorry I don't have before pictures on all of them.

Before

After

I actually found this piece at the DI Thrift store for $7 .... this is the piece that started all the refinishing!

This was my great grandma's head board... I just white washed it...I LOVE IT it is so beautiful and just what the room needs.

I think there needs to be this picture in there too...and possibly a real one too!! That is if I can convince the husband that his 2 year old daughter needs a chandelier in her room...I don't think my odds are very good. HA HA

Charm HOLDER!!!

2010-10-12T09:20:00.000-06:00

Back

So I have been making these cute charms!! And they were getting thrown in the jewelry box .... They needed a house of their own. So here is my solution....Jewelry Picture Frame! It was so so easy. I found a frame I hadn't used for years and painted it black, drove nails into the back, and wrapped wire around it!! Told you super easy!!!

Bottle Cap Alphabet

2010-10-11T09:40:00.000-06:00

I have really really wanted ALPHABET magnets for my fridge. My friend JENNIE inspired me, with her bottle cap addiction.....if you buy 300 of something it is considered an addiction right?? Ha Ha. So I decided I needed cute bottle caps for my fridge! The best part is they are super easy!!

all you need is

Bottle caps

Glue Sitck

Paper

Letters

Magnets

Diamond Glaze

Jennie actually had a 1 inch punch I used to cut out the circles which made it super easy. Glue the circles in REALLY REALLY GOOD, add your letters and put on the glaze. After they are dry just apply the magnets to the back and you have super cute fridge magnets!!!

He is now 30!!

2010-10-09T20:17:00.000-06:00

Well the party turned out good! I couldn't decide between the wreath and the topiary so I decided to combine the two. And actually I think it was the conversation piece of the party...ha ha!! I ended up making 125 mini cupcakes...they were so good and it worked great to feed people. Plus it only takes 2 cake mixes to make that many!

Yes I know the Party was at the beginning of the week and I am terribly slow to update...but man I have been busy! TODAY was super saturday so I have been getting ready for that....the items I made to come!!

happy 30

2010-09-30T16:53:00.000-06:00

So My hubby is turning 30 next week!! So I decided he needed a really really big party so I invited everyone I could think of to come for cake and ice cream! So instead of making a huge cake I thought it would be easier to make mini cupcakes with lots of frosting!! I have a cute video below from You tube. I love this decorating Idea from Ready Set Create and how does she...so that is where my planning has stopped....any other ideas???

Super Saturday

2010-09-23T14:57:00.001-06:00

So I am in charge of our Super Saturday this year...well every year! So I thought I would share what we are doing!!!

BOO

2010-09-20T22:29:00.000-06:00

I wish I could take credit for this cute sign but I can't! I actually saw it at QUILTED BEAR and thought it was so cute I had to have it...and I had to share my cute new halloween item!!! I LOVE HIM!!

Don't forget to check out the FALL link party below!!

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN

2010-09-20T09:04:00.000-06:00

One of my REALLY good friends is an interior decorator...and she always has the cutest house and decor....and YES she is VINTAGE!! So after going to her house I was inspired to create some vintage HALLOWEEN decor. And I think it is safe to say it was the easiest ever! All I did was found a cute picture on the web printed it and put it on a 1 x 10 block board. WOW so EASY! Also while I was at her house, we crafted and made these Pottery Barn inspired chalk board rocks...SO FUN!! Thank you JESENIA!!!!!

COUNTdown To.........

2010-09-17T11:25:00.001-06:00

I really really have wanted a fun countdown for every holiday or birthday or vacation or whatever for my sweety...but I didn't have 10 of them. I have had this addiction with chalkboard paint so I decided to paint the front top and bottom with the chalk paint so I could make the countdown be for anything I wanted!! I believe I have solved my problem!! HOORAY. All you need is 2 4 x 4 x 4 blocks and 2 2x4x7 pieces of wood some paper, numbers, and chalk board paint...so easy and fun!

Don't forget to check out the fun Fall Link party Below and link up!!!

FALL LINK PARTY!!

2010-09-15T21:38:00.000-06:00

So I LOVE themed link parties....probably because it is one stop shopping right?? So I thought I would have one for fall since I am in the fall spirit and LOVE new ideas!

So I thought I better start off....it is only fair right? Here are a couple of my favorite Halloween Crafts!!

I hope you will add your awesome ideas too!!

Grab the button and spread the word!

HOORAY I am SO excited!!! Thanks for posting your fun IDEAS!!

Witch Shoes

2010-09-13T20:13:00.000-06:00

I LOVE witch shoes...probably why I loved these cute towels when I saw them at Uncommon Designs. They are so cute and fun! I think I need a set!!!

how cute are these CANDY GLOBES...I NEED 10

2010-09-11T21:09:00.001-06:00

So I found this way cute Idea over at All You!! How fun...and a great craft to do with your kids...I LOVE them...and candy!! HA HA that is probably why Halloween is one of my favorite holidays...free candy!

Ladybug

2010-09-09T09:12:00.000-06:00

So I have been thinking about what Klancee is going to be for halloween...and I came across these photos from last year and thought I would share them! She was the cutest lady bug ... oh I loved this costume. It was so easy too...I found red wings and put spots on them and I made the tutu. All you do for the tutu is cut 3 inch strips and tie them to the elastic band. And it just do happened Gymboree's line was red and black!! Man she has grown so much in a year...time sure does fly when your having fun aka crafting!!!

Feeling the SUBWAY art vib

2010-09-08T09:29:00.001-06:00

So I have been looking at everyones cute subway art...and I decided I needed some! I think it is so fun. If you want to make yourself some subway art boards I am selling the vinyl below for $6 a piece and I don't know about you but I hate paying shipping when I buy something so I am not charging shipping!! If you are interested send me an email or leave a comment!

I needed a craft to do in my ward so I thought this Christ subway art would be fun!!

Here are some other way cute subway art ideas I have found on other blogs!!

I love this cute Wedding gift idea from Lyndsey. I always need cute wedding gifts!
I love all the colors and different fonts in this one from Swainston Vinyl and Dezign and I love love how this address one turned out! How fun is this to hang in your house year around?? Check it out here be be linked to Infarrantly Creative!!

ANOTHER frankenstein

2010-09-07T15:34:00.000-06:00

I think I have an obsession with Frankensteins this year!! THEY ARE SO CUTE!!! I love how this guy turned out! And he is super cute hanging on my closet door!!

MuMmY

2010-09-06T08:32:00.000-06:00

My frankenstein was very lonely so I HAD to make him a friend!! HE GOT A MUMMY!!

I have loved making 4x6 crafts...they are so fast!! All I did for this guy was I cut my 4 x6 8 inches tall sprayed him black and then I torn material and wrapped him up! I used 2 buttons for each eye...white on the bottom and black on the top!!!

4x6 Frankenstein

2010-09-03T10:07:00.000-06:00

I love HALLOWEEN!! I really can't wait. I think once you have kids you are even more into holidays. However if you asked my family they would tell you I have ALWAYS loved holidays! I couldn't even sleep the night before my Birthday I was so excited!!

I think you need to have a party on Holiday right....makes for a good excuse!!

So here is my newest creation. I really love how he turned out he will look so cute with the rest of my stuff!! The best part was he only took a couple minutes to throw together!! NOW that is my kind of craft!!!

So now the real question is.......CAN I DECORATE FOR HALLOWEEN YET????

Fun Link Parties today......click on the image

PUMPKINS

2010-09-01T13:32:00.000-06:00

So I saw this Idea on How Does She and LOVED IT!

So I made my own version of it! I love how it turned out such a cute idea! Over at How Does She, they are selling kits for $25. So if you want one and don't want to cut your own wood you can order them!

Wall of Windows!!!

2010-08-31T15:02:00.000-06:00

My mom and I just finished her WINDOW wall! My mom has always loved old windows and we found these for a killer deal so we thought we would turn them into picture frames.

You know grandma's they have to have EVERY picture displayed...! I

love how it turned out!!!

BoO

2010-08-30T09:14:00.000-06:00

I have been wanting to make something like this for awhile...and I finally did it!! I don't love to cut things out of 2 inch wood and 1 inch wood doesn't stand on it's own very well...so here is my solution. I just nailed the letters to the wood piece with my nail gun!

IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR......fOr DeCoRaTiNg

2010-08-28T10:02:00.000-06:00

I love this time of year...because I get to decorate like CRAZY!! So I thought I better get started making decorations for this year!!

I love how these cats turned out! They are so simple yet add so much to my decor!

Porch Decor

2010-08-27T09:00:00.000-06:00

So here it is my newest porch decoration!

I am so pleased with the way it turned out and it looks even better on my porch!

Blog Swap with Ready Set Create

2010-08-26T08:14:00.000-06:00

I have LOVED Ready, Set, Create for a long time, I think I have become a blog STALKER!! I am so honored to blog swap with her. I love her super cute ideas..and the Idea below is a MUST!!

Hey there Curly Q Crafters!

I totally excited that Brooke is letting me take over her blog today!

Here is a little about me. . .
I'm Aleesha. My husband and I recently moved to a small town.
So to keep myself busy I craft and I blog at Ready, Set, Create!

I blog about all kinds of stuff, home decor, homemade jewelry, yummy treats, anything that I feel like creating.

Here is one of my latest projects. . .

I've made l.o.t.s. of necklaces lately, so naturally now I need to make a place to hang them all!

So here is what I came up with.
Cute, easy, functional with lots of space to hang as many necklaces as I'd like!

In case you're interested in making one yourself, here is how I made it.

I started with a board, a 1x4 about 12 inches long.
Some fabric cut larger than my board
Hooks - I used 3 double robe hooks that i found at Walmart
Mod Podge

First I covered the board with Mod Podge and then smoothed my fabric over the board. When it dries give it another coat over the top.

For the back I just folded over the fabric and Mod Podged it down.

Once it is dry, position and screw in the hooks.
And there you have it!

Look how much room there is to hold so many necklaces!
And no more tangled messes!

And there you have it!

Thanks again Brooke and thanks to all your wonderful readers!

Solution to my Ribbon Problem

2010-08-21T15:20:00.000-06:00

Have I ever told you how I love the blogging world? Seriously who wouldn't. It has all the solutions to all your problems and GREAT ideas! I have become an ADDICT! So thank you to all of you out there who share all your cute ideas!

I love this idea because it is cheap...and I am CHEAP and it solves my ribbon problem. If you go to Notes From a Very Red Kitchen my ribbon looks about like hers before the solution right now!! OOPS...but it won't for for long! Thank you for sharing!!!

WAY cute SUBway ART

2010-08-19T14:44:00.000-06:00

I have to say I have seen a lot of subway art and I like it all...but I LOVE THIS ONE from Tatertots and Jello Check out her way cute ideas and tutorial

I have a FLOWER addiction

2010-08-18T14:31:00.000-06:00

So it probably isn't a surprise to you...but I love flowers! I saw this way cute denim flower idea and had to share it from the GREENS BEAN CRAFT ROLE.

Nothing like GARDEN fresh salsa!!

2010-08-14T14:53:00.000-06:00

Oh it is time...for SALSA!! I love to make salsa...probably because it requires no cooking so it never gets burnt. However I did cut my finger with the knife, go figure.

I love this salsa I have looked and looked for a good recipe and I have finally found it so I thought I would share

30 tomatoes

2 green peppers

2 onions

4 cloves garlic

4 jalapenos

1 chili

3 big jims

garlic and or onion salt to taste

make sure you cut open your peppers and take all the seeds out...it is warm without the seeds. My lips are tingling as we speak. I put everything in my chopper and cut it all up and mix it together and you are done!

ENJOY!!!

Freezer Summer Squash

2010-08-12T10:13:00.000-06:00

So I planted 3 plants of summer squash this year. Yes I have summer squash out my ears. I think my husband is getting sick of eating it. Can you blame him? Squash every night for a week now. So I decided to freeze it. It will be great for cooking with and using for baby food when needed. I found this awesome site Pick Your Own with step by step instructions and PICTURES too! We all love pictures!!! Check it out if you are looking to save some of your summer produce from the garden!

Do it yourself GLITTER TOES!!

2010-08-11T12:02:00.000-06:00

So I don't know how you are but I LOVE to pick at things. I had my toes done all nice and pretty to go to Bear Lake and it took A LOT of self control to not pick at them all week. But I finally gave in the day after I got home and picked them ALL off......GEEZ! So I did my own again very very cheap.....so I can pick all I want.

All I did was first paint them with green nail polish, I then add Martha Stewarts glitter on the wet polish. Once they were dry I painted over the top with a clear nail polish and there you have it!! TADA!

Cooking Blog

2010-08-09T17:35:00.000-06:00

So I am NOT a cooker! It is a standing joke at my house that everything is BURNT, and it was inhereted from my mom. See to us there is only one way to cook something and that is fast and on high.

I think that once you have eaten burnt food for so long you become hooked on the flavor you would call burnt. However I find it a nice touch now.

So since you probably will never get any cooking advice from me I thought I would share a yummy blog.

After all who wouldn't love to eat muffins that taste like donuts. Check out her blog here

SUMMER!!

2010-08-07T21:36:00.000-06:00

So we just got back from a week in Bear Lake! It was so much fun. My husbands family all rent one condo and we just hang out, eat junk food and drink LOTS of DR PEPPER by the lake.

One day a storm rolled in the water was so beautiful with the white caps.

Bear Lake is so so beautiful they turned out colorful, so since I haven't been able to craft lately I thought I would share some of my photos!

NEW ADDICTION

2010-07-27T22:25:00.000-06:00

I have found a new love...PHOTOGRAPHY!!!!

I never knew this world was so much fun! I have found some awesome sites so I thought I would share them! And you can check out my photography too at brookelarsenphotography.blogspot.com

Strobist.blogspot.com

and one of my friends...who is absolutely amazing

phillmonsonphotography.com

But don't worry I will love my crafts just as much...so I will keep crafting and taking pictures!!

Greeting Card Swap!!

2010-07-22T09:14:00.000-06:00

Yup it is that time of the month again! My MONTHLY greeting card swap!

I got so super cute cards last night. Take a LOOK!!!

I made this Happy Birthday card. The flower is made out of ribbon. I found an awesome tutorial at Little Birdie Secrets to make a ribbon flower. They are super fast and add so so much!

You can't really tell ...but the cherry on this cupcake is a cute button! What a cute IDEA!

Dried Fruit

2010-07-20T22:41:00.000-06:00

I went to an awesome class last week about dried fruit and I loved all the tips and dips. So I thought I would share for those dried fruit lovers out there. Sorry I didn't take any pictures.....BUT OH THE FRUIT WAS GOOD!!!!

Dried fruit is a great, portable snack. I keep some in my purse most of the time. My husband takes it to work and has become rather popular with his coworkers who like it too. Our family now eats more dried fruit than canned. Many instructions can be found online but I’ve included things that I have used over and over for our family.

To choose fruit to dry, use ripe, but not over-ripe freshly picked fruit. It’s not worth your time to use sub-quality fruit! Wash well and remove blemishes.

For apricots, prunes and plums, cut in half, remove pit and pop the back to expose middle to more surface to the air. Place evenly over dryer tray with a little space in between each piece, with skin side down.

For sweet cherries, cut in half and pit. Place on tray skin side down.

For berries and grapes, dry whole. Strawberries can be sliced. Grapes and waxy-skinned berries will need to be blanched first in boiling water to crack the skins. Drain well before putting on trays.

Remove skin from apples (they become tough), and peaches, remove center and slice into ¼” slices. Nectarines and pears do not need to be peeled. They may be dipped first to prevent becoming too dark. (Dips described at end of page). Bananas are also treated this way.

Leathers are blended fruits mixed with sugar or honey. Bananas are great for thickening the fruit puree and adding sweetness. Taste the mixture to decide how sweet you want the leather to be. Nuts or coconut may be added before drying. Cover tray with plastic wrap, then pour puree into center (about 1 ½ to 2 cups), carefully spreading to make the center thinner, as it dries more slowly, and edges a bit thicker as they dry more quickly. Don’t spread all the way to the edge of the wrap.

Finished leather will be shiny and non-sticky to the touch. Remove from plastic wrap and roll it in a fresh piece of wrap to store. I keep mine in a gallon zip-loc bag in the freezer.

Sliced fruit dries in 7-15 hours depending on humidity in the air, while whole or half fruits may take up to 20. Check periodically and rotate trays 180 degrees halfway through drying cycle. Fruits dry at appx. 135 F.

Finished fruit will be leathery but not hard except apples which are a bit crispy. If it’s squishy in places (especially the half-fruits) it’s not quite done. Remove the fruits that are dried all the way then put the others back into the dryer. They can be stored in bottles, plastic containers or zip-loc bags.

DIPS:

Dips can keep fruit from becoming dark and can also be used to sweeten more tart fruits such as apricots or apples.

Ascorbic Acid or Citric Acid dip can be bought in canning sections of stores. Follow directions on container. I use lemon juice mixed with water for most fruits: 1 cup juice with 1 quart water. Soak prepared fruit for a few minutes, drain well then place on trays. I never soak prunes or plums.

Honey dip: dissolve 1 C. honey with 3 C. hot water. 1 C. lemon juice may also be added. I’ve also added cinnamon when drying apples.

Other miscellaneous things to try:

Vegetables may be dried then added later to soups, or reconstituted with water. Peas, pumpkin, squash and yams, should be steamed first. Summer squash, eggplant, peppers, onions, mushrooms and even potatoes may be sliced and dried like fruit.

Herbs are cleaned, snipped and dried for use as you would those you buy. Both dried vegetables and herbs may be blended into powder form and mixed.

Jerky

Jerky may be made at home. Lean meat works best as the fat-marbled kind will go rancid more quickly. Flank, round and sirloin tip cuts are the best to use when making beef jerky. Deer, and elk meat are also great to use.

It is recommended to use a meat slicer to get a uniform cut, but a sharp knife will work. Cut across the grain if the meat is a little tough. A tender cut may be sliced with the grain. A dry cure means salt and seasoning mixtures are rubbed into the meat surface. A brine cure is a marinade that the meat is soaked in for a few hours. Either way, the meat is cured in the refrigerator for 6-12 hours or overnight. Make sure the meat is thoroughly coated.

To dehydrate, shake off extra cure and spread the meat strips in a single layer on the trays. Dry at 145 degrees for approximately 4-6 hours, occasionally blotting off any fat droplets that appear on the surface. To test for doneness, use a cooled piece and bend it. Properly dried jerky when bent should crack, not break.

Store in a dry, dark, cool place.

Please know this is just one persons opinion

Patching Jeans

2010-07-20T09:03:00.000-06:00

I just learned how to patch my jeans...and they actually look good!! So I thought I would pass it on to you! I had so many pictures for you on step by step and wouldn't you know they got deleted. JUST MY LUCK! So I will just have to explain it.....here we go.

These jeans actually had a stain where I patched it. I LOVE these jeans but the stain wouldn't come out, probably because it was polyurethane, oops!

I made a slit with my scissors and then I used a razor blade to fray the edges. I cut out a LARGE piece off of some of my jeans that are not salvageable..much larger then the hole, to make it easier to work with and I pinned it on the underside of the hole. I then sewed with a zig zag stitch vertically and then horizontally LOTS AND LOTS! Once it is sewn on good and secure turn your jeans inside out and cut the patch back to size...and TADA you have cute IN STYLE jeans!

HOMEmade BuBbLeS!!

2010-07-19T09:41:00.000-06:00

My daughter loves BUBBLES! I wanted bubbles that would blow big..so I made my own.

Here is the recipe I found to work the best!

2/3 cup of JOY dish soap

1 gallon of water

3 to 4 Tablespoons of Glycerin (you can get this in the pharmacy area)

You can also add food coloring so your bubble have a hit of color!

TADA there you have it a whole GALLON of bubble for your little ones to enjoy! Cause if you are like me...I am running out of things to entertain my little with! So now we have a GALLON of bubbles to go though, HOORAY!

Oven Curled Ribbon

2010-07-16T10:30:00.000-06:00

My daughter finally has enough hair to put one bow on top of her head...we call her PEBBLES! So I can't put a big flower up there, and I LOVED the curled ribbon at Gymboree but at $5.00 a set that gets really expensive if you want one to go with EVERY OUTFIT! So I figured out how to make it myself! You can curl just about any ribbon that has polyester in it!

Wrap the ribbon around a squewer, a knitting needle, a pencil...ETC. When wrapping it make sure there are not any creses or you will see them after they have baked. Put clothes pins at either end to hold the edges of the ribbon. MIST with water.

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees put aluminum foil over your cookie sheet and place in the oven once preheated for 10 minutes. Once they are done take them out and let them cool and finish drying on the stove. TA DA!! You have cute curled ribbon!

NOW FOR THE HAIR BOW!

I just got 7 layers of ribbon lined them all up and wrapped a piece of ribbon around the center and hot glued it to the alligator clip and you have a cute curled hair BOW!!!

Hand Pulled Taffy

2010-07-15T09:07:00.000-06:00

Last night my mom came and taught a class on how to pull taffy! I thought I would share the recipes and some tips! They all turned out so so good!

Any Flavor Taffy

2 1/2 cups white sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup corn syrup

1 1/3 cups water

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (0.13 ounce) package unsweetened, fruit-flavored soft drink mix

Directions

Butter 2 large baking sheets, and set them aside.

In a medium saucepan, stir together the sugar and cornstarch. Add corn syrup, water, butter and salt, and stir to blend. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and cook until the mixture reads 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, and immediately stir in the drink mix powder. Quickly pour out onto the prepared baking sheets, and let stand until cool enough to handle.

Grab a few helpers, and butter everyone's hands. Stretch (pull) the taffy until it lightens in color, and becomes firm. Roll into bite size pieces, and wrap in small squares of waxed paper.

TIP: We actually found on this recipe if you only cook it to the soft ball stage which is about 240 degrees and pull it for about 10 to 15 minutes, twist it like a rope and put it in the fridge for about 5 minutes it is the consistancy of Laffy Taffy! We just used grape Kool Aid to flavor the taffy, it was so so good! SOFT and MOIST!

Honey Taffy

1/2 C Sugar

1/2 C Cream or Half and Half

1 C Honey

Directions

Pour into buttered 13x9 pan, cool until candy can be handled, and pull until candy turns creamy white and is difficult to pull.

Twist in 1/2 inch rope place on wax paper. Make indents in rope with knife, turn over rope and hit indents with back of knife.

Molasses Taffy

2 C Sugar

1/3 C Molasses

1/3 C Karo Syrup

1/3 C Water

1/3 C Cube Butter

Directions

Pour into buttered 13x9 pan, cool until candy can be handled, and pull until candy turns creamy white and is difficult to pull.

Twist in 1/2 inch rope place on wax paper. Make indents in rope with knife, turn over rope and hit indents with back of knife.

Another trick you can use is butter a cookie sheet and fill your bath tub with a little bit of cold water. Place the cookie sheet in the tub but don't let any water get into the pan. You will want to scrap the pan until it is cool enough to touch. You will know when it is ready to pull cause it will not be quite at sticky and you can actually pull it!

I just found a great blog with pictures of them making taffy since my hands were too sticky to take pictures!! click here

This is a great summer activity for the kids! My daughter loves to watch it being pulled..she is a little small to actually pull it right now!

Enjoy!!!

Button Ring

2010-07-13T15:35:00.001-06:00

I have been wanting to try to make a button ring for a long time. I think they are so so cute and I am too cheap to buy one! As I found out THEY are SO SO SO EASY!!

All you need is a ring form...I found mine at Michaels, I got 3 for $2.50 and I bought my buttons at Wal-Mart for $1.50 for 3!

Cut the button part off the back of you button so it is flat!

Add some glue...you can buy jewelry glue almost anywhere..

Let it dry...and TA DA (this is my little girls new favorite word)!! You have a way cute ring for about $4.00 and left overs for something else!!

FEATURED!!

2010-07-10T10:12:00.000-06:00

I am being featured on on C.R.A.F.T! Thanks to Jamie for letting me take over her blog! Check it out here! I put up some of my favorite 2x4 crafts!!

Check back for some awesome crafts with resin! I have wanted to try resin for sometime now and finally did it! I LOVE THIS STUFF!! So AWESOME! They are drying, I hope they turn out!

Pantry CLEAN UP!!

2010-07-06T14:48:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you...but I think the messiest thing ALWAYS in my house is my pantry! So when I ran across this awesome idea from Oopsey Daisey I decided I better share it...and well make it!! So enjoy..she has an awesome tutorial on her site!!

Pictures and POPPIES!!!

2010-06-29T15:45:00.001-06:00

So I had to share these pictures I took last night!! I love how they turned out! I went with one my good friends and her cute family to an AMAZING poppy field in Mantua Utah! I was so amazed by the flowers...they are beautiful! I am a sucker for flowers anyway...but these were amazing!!!

Don't miss out on this way CUTE 4th of July Link Party!!

2010-06-26T15:59:00.000-06:00

There are so so so man cute Ideas on the Link Party Below...Scroll down and check them out and add your own. Here is a way cute Idea from I love naptime!!

4th of JULY fun CRaFTs and link PARTY

2010-06-22T10:10:00.000-06:00

So I have been a CRAFTING slacker!!! So I found so way way cute IDEAS from others blogs!!! Here are 3 wonderful crafts. Link up your ideas too the more the merrier!!

Punkin Seed Productions always has the cutest blocks!!
I LOVE these flowers! What a cute Idea from Oopsey Daisy!
cuWhat fun firecrackers from Lyndsey!!

Father's Day Gifts

2010-06-15T21:36:00.000-06:00

I was going to post Father's day gifts...but Stacy at The Creative Crate has a I LOVE DAD link party with great idea's!! CHECK IT OUT.

PS..Still working on the comment and formatting and everything else...sorry HOPEFULLY I can fix it soon!!

COMMENTS

2010-06-12T21:02:00.001-06:00

Sorry...my comment thing is broken...I am trying to fix it. HOPEFULLY SOON!!! Thank you Mary from MARYBERRY for letting me know!!

$4 home decor!!!

2010-06-11T16:45:00.001-06:00

All you need are bottles you were going to throw away anyway!! Twine from your hardware store...this is where the 4 dollars come in! I used a hot glue gun to start the twine. Take the caps off and just start wrapping. On some I started at the bottom and others I started at the top...it didn't seem to matter.

BEFORE

AFTER

I had this candle too...it was actually RED! I just spray painted it and wrapped it in twine! I love the color and TEXTURE it adds!! So fun, you could really do this it almost anything in your house you wanted to reuse.

Fathers Day Gift

2010-06-09T22:28:00.000-06:00

My husband and a friend just started a Golf apparel business called Par 4 Golf. HOORAY, they are both golf addicts! But I get even with my CRAFTING!!!

These would be great Father's Day present for all those golfers!! Check out the website here! Thank you for looking!!!

Amazing Laundry room!!

2010-06-07T23:17:00.000-06:00

I love this idea!!! My laundry room is so so so small...what a great way to use space! Check out Show and Tell here!! I LOVE HER BLOG!!

SpInNiNg 2x4 craft!

2010-06-05T11:48:00.000-06:00

My favorite....2x4 craft! I love how this turned out! I always have tall vertical spaces I need to fill. What a better way than with some wood, paper and pictures!

These 2x4 blocks actually all turn 360 degrees, so you can mix and match and turn as you please!

This would be great for Father's day too...It would fit nicely on Daddy's desk!

What you need:

3 2x4x4 blocks

2 2x4x2.5 (for top and bottom)

1 dowel

Drill pit slightly larger than dowel

Glue

Paper

Mod Podge/Spray adhesive

Stain/paint

Ribbon

6 Clips

After all your blocks are cut and sanded drill a hole down the very center of you 2x4 as shown here. Make sure your holes are straight and centered!

Once your center blocks are drilled, drill a hole on the top and bottom blocks (do not go all the way through, only about half way)

Cut your dowel down to size. Glue your dowel into you block but not your top.

I stained my blocks and then added my paper with spray adhesive and mod podge. Once your blocks are all decorated glue the top on and now you have a cute picture display that spins!

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

2010-06-04T09:58:00.000-06:00

How fun is this door hanging for the 4th? I love how big it is, so fun!

I just got 1x4's painted the white and red and glued them together! Super easy!!

2 Week Meals...and some Recipes!

2010-05-28T12:47:00.000-06:00

I am really not much of a cook so my meals are really fairly easy! Some a little more complex so my husband gets a gourmet meal every once in awhile!

2 week meals

FRIDAY

Eat out

SATURDAY

Chicken Enchiladas - cook then shred chicken, or use canned chicken, add to cream of chicken on the stove and heat until boils. Put filling into corn tortilla's add salsa and sour cream, wrap up, cover with cheese and salsa broil until cheese is melted!!

Green Salad

SUNDAY

Roast

Funeral Potatoes

Strawberry Banana Bread with Lemon Glaze

MONDAY

Chicken Noodle Soup - bear creek soup mix and add chicken

Rhodes Rolls

TUESDAY

Manicotti

Steamed Broccoli

WEDNESDAY

Teriyaki Chicken

Twiced Baked Potatoes

THURSDAY

Biggest Loser Fried Chicken

Red Potatoes

FRIDAY

Ceasar Chicken - marinate in Creamy Ceasar Dressin for 30 minutes and then grill!

Noodles

Broccoli

SATURDAY

Eat out

SUNDAY

Crock pot Sloppy Joes

MONDAY

Freezer Pizza

Salad

TUESDAY

Broccoli Beef

Rice

WEDNESDAY

BLT’s

Fruit

THURSDAY

Spaghetti

Bread Sticks

Rocking Chair REDO!!

2010-05-26T10:42:00.000-06:00

I was given this cute wood rocking chair for my little one! She thinks it must be in the family room. So I made it match!

Before

After

I just love how it turned out! Actually it was really easy too! I first sanded it down lightly. I then applied 2 applications of Kilz White Primer EVERYWHERE!! I sanded the edges and smoothed out the spray paint, rubbed my stain on everywhere! Wiped it off and let it sit and dry. Once dry I sanded it again to give it more of a vintage look! And HERE IT IS SO CUTE!!

Vintage Ribbon/lace Flowers

2010-05-25T13:05:00.000-06:00

I LOVE how these flowers turned out! I did the same thing to both with 2 different kinds of ribbon! So much fun and Easy!!

All you need is:

Felt

Ribbon or lace

Hot glue gun

Hot glue

Button

Alligator clip

Cut out of your felt a circle. Keep in mind your flower will be a little bigger than your circle.

Add hot glue to the edge and begin gluing your ribbon all the way around the outside of your circle.

Once your edges meet DO NOT CUT your ribbon just continue on the inside of where you just glued and keep going around and around until you get the the very center.

Add a button to the middle and glue your alligator clip on the back and you have a cute FLOWER!!

CUTE SUMMER...IT HAS A WATERMELON!!

2010-05-23T23:38:00.000-06:00

So I have a watermelon addiction this summer! I found this way cute SUMMER on Mary Berry Boutique. She has way cute wood cut outs. For all you wood crafters this is a site to check out! I would love to find more wood craft blogs...if you know of any leave a comment!

I think this needs to be my next project.......

2010-05-22T19:54:00.000-06:00

I love this Idea from the Creative Crate!! She always have the such fun Ideas...that are so fun to make! I have been looking for some fun new frames for my home. I think this will be what I will do! Click here to see all her pictures!

LINK UP GREETING CARDS

2010-05-20T10:51:00.000-06:00

I had a greeting card swap....here are a few of them...

I love the tulle on the flower on this one

If you look close this one is actually embossed...I need to start trying that out!

This one was left blank so I can write whatever I want on it!!

Cards don't have to be all big and fluffy! I loved how these turned out!

Well this is a never ending greeting card swap...and I am running out of ideas fast.

Link up what you have made so we can all get new ideas!!

THANK YOU!!!!!

Box Top Flower & an AWARD!!

2010-05-18T12:05:00.000-06:00

I saw this cute box top flower on Little Birdie Secrets and decided to try it for myself. I am actually part of a Greeting Card Swap, I have to make 10, so I simplified mine a bit. I used 4 circles instead of 8 like shown in the tutorial on You Tube. So fun to make and way easy! I just used my Cricket to cut everything! Lucky for me this doesn't include nails so my fingers are still in one piece!

Thank you Lyndsey for this award!!! Check out Lyndsey's blog!! I love all of her wood ideas...I often find myself on her site to get inspired!! And of course cause she always comments on my blog!! So thank you so so much!

1. Accept and thank the person who sent it to you.
2. List 10 things about yourself.
3. List 5 additional things you don't like.
4. Pass the award on to 10 other bloggers.

10 things about myself

I am an office addict

I love the biggest loser

I love to plant flowers and garden, I look forward to it all winter

My husband and I are big snowmobilers

I love being a mommy

I just quit my job as a cheerleading coach, man I miss the girls. This was the best job ever cause they let me take my kid to work.

I love to take LONG showers..until all the hot water is gone

I love the rain...IT IS RAINING NOW!

Spring is my favorite Season

I love to go swimming...CAN'T Wait

5 things I don't like

Lazy People

DRAMA

Being late

Having a dirty house

changing dirty diapers

WOW that is me in a nut shell!!

Now to pass on the award....

http://sistersstuff.blogspot.com

http://thecreativecrate.blogspot.com/

http://rockybella.blogspot.com/

http://craftsanddeals.blogspot.com

http://getyourmarthaon.blogspot.com

http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/

http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

http://thefabricmarket.blogspot.com

http://maryberryboutique.blogspot.com

http://craftingchicks.blogspot.com/

Interchangeable Flip-Flops

2010-05-16T15:57:00.000-06:00

I love to wear flip flops..and I like everything to match. So here is the perfect solution! Click here to see an awesome tutorial from Make It and Love It

Sunday ABC's

2010-05-14T23:18:00.000-06:00

I LOVE this idea from O0psey Daisy. My daughter has a book that is similar to this that she LOVES!! I have been wanting to put something like this together to share and I found this

one, so I thought I would pass it a long so everyone can enjoy!!! click here to see the full book! ThAnKs FoR ShArInG!!!!

Watermelons & an Ant

2010-05-13T14:50:00.000-06:00

Wow there are so many different ways to make a watermelon. So I thought I would try a few different ways!! As you can tell I love layers wood comes to life in layers!

However there was a lot of blood and sweat that went in to these guys! I actually nailed my finger to the bottom of one of them. And the worst part is the Nail didn't even hurt...it was the stupid Tetanus shot that HURTS! 3 days later and my arm is still sore...the finger however is doing great can't even tell! GO FIGURE!!

Picture Frame, Plaque

2010-05-10T11:54:00.000-06:00

Just slip a picture in and you have a way cute original frame!!

Sorry these are not the best pictures in the world, but I wanted to share them because I really loved how they turned out! I made these for my cute mom. Yes I procrastinated and finished them about an hour before my mom was coming for dinner...but hey they are done right? After I finished them...I wanted to make me some. So here they are if you wanted to make yourself one too. Cause as mothers we deserve it right?

More last minute Mother's day Ideas!

2010-05-04T22:55:00.000-06:00

Here are a couple way cute idea's from Lyndsey. I love the drawer knob on top! Check it out here.

Calendar holder for mom!

2010-05-04T09:35:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you but I always give my mom a fun calendar for Christmas...so for mothers day a holder for the calendar! LOVE THIS IDEA from the fabric market. Click here for instructions!

I am working on my mothers other gift as well! I will post it as soon as it is done! Stay tune!!

Mod Podge Necklaces

2010-05-02T19:08:00.000-06:00

I love this idea! How fun to make for mom with initials or even pictures! Click here to view the post at The Creative Crate!

MOM Blocks

2010-04-30T21:58:00.000-06:00

I love these blocks from Punkin Seeds Productions, they say everything you need to say to a MOM!!

Mothers day Gift

2010-04-29T10:12:00.000-06:00

So it is that time of year!! MOTHERS DAY!! I really wanted to make my mom something this year, for the next week I will post fun ideas to make for your mother!

The first is this fun Tulip flower pot!! So dang cute! Click here the instructions.

Greeting Card Swap!

2010-04-22T09:58:00.000-06:00

I am part of this fun greeting card swap. We get together once a month chit chat and swap our cards. It is so much fun to see everyones creative ideas! So I will pass them on to you! If you ever wanted to do one here are the guidelines we use:

Greeting Card Swap Guidelines

Card stock base with matching envelope

At least 2 different papers and one Embellishment

Wood Flower PoT!!!

2010-04-17T21:43:00.000-06:00

I love LOVE how this turned out! They were so easy to make too!

WooD FlOwEr!!

2010-04-15T14:11:00.000-06:00

I made this fun flower for a service auction last night! I was so proud it sold for the most points!

I have the pattern on my computer if anyone wants it I can email it to you. Does anyone know if you can attach PDF files to a blog post?

GIVE AWAY!!!!!

2010-04-13T18:19:00.000-06:00

It is time for a GIVE AWAY!!!

The give away is this fun pink flower on an alligator clip!

This flower is so fun to wear in your hair, on a hat or headband, or clip them on your clothes or purse!

Here is how to enter

1. Become a follower to Curly Q crafts

2. Leave a comment with your e-mail so I can contact you if you win!

I will close this Giveaway Wednesday, April 14th @ 9 p.m.!

Good Luck !!

Closet Redo

2010-04-09T09:37:00.000-06:00

I have SMALL closets in my kiddos rooms, so we have to make the most of them right?

I found this at Home Depot for $85

But I needed 2 closets done which gets a little pricey, so my brother and I made our own!

Before

After

I was able to do my 2 closets for $45 bucks!!

Without toys-
With all the princesses toys-

I made the black boxes too! The front and back are Bead Board and the sides are 1/4 inch press board!

Tiered Dress and Flower

2010-04-05T08:51:00.000-06:00

I finished it in time for Easter! I am so excited I did it turned out so cute! I also got this pattern from Portabellapixie! I love her patterns, the instructions are colored!! For Easter the Easter bunny brought me a serger! I am so excited it will make sowing so much cleaner, no more stray strings!

I also made this flower to go with the dress.

All you need is synthetic fabric, something for the center(pearls etc), an alligator clip, a needle and tread.

Cut out your circles, I started at a 4 inch circle and went down a 1/2 inch for each layer!

The reason you wanted synthetic fabric is because it curls when you burn the edges.

First burn all your edges, then put your flame under the edges so it will curl even more. as shown in this picture.

You can burn tulle, and lace too to add some texture to your flower.

sow the center of your layers to hold them together add your center piece and alligator clip an you have a fun fabric flower!

CURLY Q CRAFTS

Pottery Barn Pillows {look a likes}

Napkin Pumpkin!!!!!

Start at Home

Best fresh salsa ever

A good start to the nursery!

master bedroom

Pickers Heaven

A good Start

Start at Home

Explanation....MUCH NEEDED!!

Music Class

Quilt and Skirt!!

Purple Princess for the Day.....

Numbers Matching Game

CrAzy SubWaY ABC's

FHE Lesson 1

Rag Flowers

My new goal...Family Home Evening!

Fun Team Vinyl

Do it yourself Christmas ornaments

Christmas Crafts....

Photo tips....part 2

Easy Last Minute Ideas

Holiday Photo Tips....PART 1

Christmas Gifts....

WINDOW!!!!

Slacker and MOST Questions Answered!

A Sneak Peak at my Daughters Room

Charm HOLDER!!!

Bottle Cap Alphabet

He is now 30!!

happy 30

Super Saturday

BOO

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN

COUNTdown To.........

FALL LINK PARTY!!

Witch Shoes

how cute are these CANDY GLOBES...I NEED 10

Ladybug

Feeling the SUBWAY art vib

ANOTHER frankenstein

MuMmY

4x6 Frankenstein

PUMPKINS

Wall of Windows!!!

BoO

IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR......fOr DeCoRaTiNg

Porch Decor

Blog Swap with Ready Set Create

Solution to my Ribbon Problem

WAY cute SUBway ART

I have a FLOWER addiction

Nothing like GARDEN fresh salsa!!

Freezer Summer Squash

Do it yourself GLITTER TOES!!

Cooking Blog

SUMMER!!

NEW ADDICTION

Greeting Card Swap!!

Dried Fruit

Patching Jeans

HOMEmade BuBbLeS!!

Oven Curled Ribbon

Hand Pulled Taffy

**Button Ring**

FEATURED!!

Pantry CLEAN UP!!

Pictures and POPPIES!!!

Don't miss out on this way CUTE 4th of July Link Party!!

***4th of JULY fun CRaFTs and link PARTY***

Father's Day Gifts

COMMENTS

$4 home decor!!!

Fathers Day Gift

Amazing Laundry room!!

SpInNiNg 2x4 craft!

**PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN**

2 Week Meals...and some Recipes!

Button Ring

4th of JULY fun CRaFTs and link PARTY

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN