Photo Booth Memories...

I have always loved these little black and white photo booth phtos of my son and I.

Yes, they are a bit overexposed , but there is just something specail about them

I decided to give these little photos a place of hone...

So....



This is what I did with them...


I enlarged them at Staples, used a photo transfer process, and mounted them on an old book cover.

I painted a wooden pant hanger in a creamy off-white, stamped it up a bit with a scrolly stamp, attached a little black ribbon...

I stamped the "94" in the corner. That was the year the photos were taken.

That little boy will turn 21 this year.

Isn't this so much better than letting a favorite photo gather dust in a shoebox?

What a fun project with so many memories...

New In The Shop

Click here to link to The Graphics Fairy Brag Monday.

I've been busy working on these name banners. I'm really happy with the way they turned out. I added vintage images using a tape transfer technique on either end.

I am participating in the Brag Monday today. Click here.

I used vintage sheet music for the background for the letters. In additional to a creamy acrylic paint on the letters, I brought color in with liquid chalks (one of my new favorite craft items).

The possibilities are endless!

I absolutely fell in love with this adorable elephant.

I just love the name "ROSE". This one of for my childhood freind who just became a grandmother for the first time!

I think these will make great gifts.

Also, it's easy to hang them with the little suction cup hooks that you can get at just about any store. No holes in your wall!

I end the cord with a loop and a cute button detail.

It's simple and cute!

Click on my shop on the sidebar if you want to check them out!

I'm a Fan Of This Cookbook!

Last summer I bought the "Cook Yourself Thin" Cookbook.

I am definitely a fan! I do enjoy cooking, but let's face it, all those recipes are not always, shall we say? figure-friendly.

I've started working my way through the cookbook and haven't had a disappointment yet.

BUT, yesterday I made these and I had to share!!!! They were a hit with the kids and my husband (and of course I thought they were wonderful).

Give them a try...at only 157 calories per serving, you just won't believe it.


PEANUT BUTTER DREAM BARS
Serves 8
Calories per serving: 157

1/2 cup low-calorie thin chocolate wafers, finely ground in a food processor
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup creamy reduced-fat peanut butter
1 1/2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips, melted

1. Line a 9-x-4-inch loaf pan with wax paper or baking parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides.

2. Combine the ground wafers, oats, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the butter until everything is evenly moistened. Stir in 1 tablespoon peanut butter until mixture forms large clumps. Transfer mixture to lined loaf pan and press into an even layer. Refrigerate until firm, about 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla, remaining 3 tablespoons peanut butter and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and beat on medium speed until pale and nearly doubled in volume, about 7 minutes. Transfer to the loaf pan and spread in an even layer over cookie crust. Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.

4. Spread the chocolate in a thin, even layer over the chilled peanut butter layer. Refrigerate until firm, about 10 minutes. When ready to serve, lift bars out of the pan using the wax paper overhang. Cut crosswise into 8 bars and serve cold.

Whitman's Candy Box Remodel

I've been busy creating and getting inspiration from blogland.

Here's a project I finished last night. I found this Whitman's Valentine candy box at the St. Vincent de Paul. I had gone there to buy books and sheet music for altered art projects. Who knew they would have a little Valentine's display?

I thought about it and thought about it. You know how it goes.

What should I do to make this box really special? Maybe even special enough to stay out all year, not just fopr Valentine's Day. After all, don't we love hearts all year round?



I embellished it with rose and leaves that I made from wool sweaters that I had felted for a Christmas ornament project that really didn't get off the ground this year.

I used the Elmer's spray adhesive to cover the top of the box with some wonderful vintage fabric scraps I picked up last year in Portland at the Motnicello Antique Mall.

I have the lace trim on hand, but found it to be too light in color...SO...I stained it with some instant coffee from a spray bottle. Perfect shad of "aged".

I used some wired burlap ribbon to run horizontally across the box. It turned out to be the perfect "foundation" for the roses.

I added a bit of glitter to the brown leaves (also a felted wool sweater).

For the final detail, I tucked in one of my vintage keys to the knot.

There you go!

A great Valentine box that started with a 55 cent thrift store find and everything else I had in my stash.

I've got several more projects that are "almost" done...stay tuned for more dreary weather chaseaways!

Boy In A Box

Let me start off by saying this.....

The decision to have another child at 42 can be a brave one.

This boy in a box (Jackson), was a blessing of the sweetest kind.

I distinctly remember a thought that I had the day he was born....I said to myself "I hope this little boy has a sense of humor and keeps my laughing through the years ( I'm gonna need that!)

WELL...he has and HE DOES!

He is a quirky little guy, to be sure.

He decided to take ownership of this box. He "decorated it" and then plopped it in front of the television last week to watch American Idol.

He sat in the box (and sang his heart out) for the entire hour.

He couldn't have been happier.....

He laughed. We laughed.

It's moments like this when I realize how many of my dreams and wishes have come true.

He makes me laugh (at least once) every single day...my boy in a box : )

Here's to having a great laugh somewhere in your day.....

Dreaming of A Vanity Re-Do....

I ran across this photo and it has totally inspired me to turn this space in my closet into a vanity area.

There is great light coming in from the south in this little window and I've been sitting there the last few weeks to put my makeup on.

We will have to build a cornice box and hang it from the ceiling in order to achieve the look with the draperies. I'm not sure about color. My master bedroom is pretty much all whites and cremes with just a tough of whisper blue.


Here's a few photos of my space.

I am looking for suggestions and ideas for transforming this into something similar to the inspiration photo.

I will definitely be looking for a vintage mirror....a small chandelier....and a great chair.

AND, I LOVE the ruffle on top of the cornice board and on the drapery panels.

I look forward to hearing from all you creative women who inspire me with suggestions....

Oh, yeah, and it's been the most gorgeous sunny day here in Eastern Washington.

Talk to you soon!

A Stroll Through Paris?

My daughter's room has a "Paris Vibe" and she romanticizes about visiting the famous city sometime soon.

A few weeks ago her friend Sara brought over this Eiffel Tower room design as a gift. A "just because I knew you'd love it" gift--Aren't those really the very best kind?


Doesn't it just look perfect?

Je t'aime Paris!

You can find this room bling at hipinahurry.com. Check it out for great designs that can be removed easily when you want to redecorate : )

New On Etsy!

Just listed in my Etsy shop!

I can make a custom banner for you.....

Just choose the word or words and the colors for your space.

Here's the one I made for my daughter's room.

The banners can be done with or without the bling of glitter and the button details.

Just click here to go to my little etsy shop.

I'm Just Mad About.....

The TV series Mad Men!

A few days ago I finished the final episode of Season Three of this amazing show.

If you haven't seen it, it is DEFINITELY worth your time. It is very well written, has amazing character development and is just plain wildly entertaining!

Want to watch it right on your computer starting now?

It's as simple as clicking here and starting with Season 1.

You won't be disappointed.

This is some of the best television available. Oh yeah, there are now commercials on this website called tvgorge. Phenomenal!


Here's a peek at the two main characters, Don and Bets.

The show takes place in the early 1960's.

If you are a vintage fan like I am, you will love the fashions!

Let me know what you think, or better yet, if you are already a fan.

Can't wait for next season!

I "Heart" Inspiration....

I must admit, I have had a bit of the post-holiday blahs the last few weeks. I've been busy packing up decorations and playing catch up with the kids back at school. Let's face it, putting the stuff away isn't nearly as exciting as putting it up!

The nice thing about blogging is this--if you are having a creative dry spell, all you have to do it visit your blog friends. Where do some of these fabulous woman get all their energy and cleverness???? It really is contagious!

I'm ready to take on some of the projects that have been piling up in my head.

We actually had sunshine yesterday and warmer temps. I ended up spending the day planting some bulbs that I had pulled up last year. I'm trying to naturalize them around some trees.

The pillows from Ballard Designs definitely inspire me and I had to share them. I'm just sure one of those talented etsy sellers out there will recreat this look for quite a bit less!

And, how about this wonderful heart art from Ballard?

Love this.

Here's to inspiration and starting some new projects.

Enjoy your day!