Tuesday Tidbits......Projects, Blog Links and Cuteness

hello, my friends....

sometimes i have so much to write about, i can't decide 

exactly what to write:)

so today i just have a few random things.......

but before i go any further,

we should all feel beautiful, every day,

because in God's eyes, we are!

now, i have to show you what i did.

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 i can't get it to line up for this blog post
but see my blog link buttons all in one place.
on my blog, it is at the top of the right sidebar.
get it for yourself at add this.com:
www.addthis.com

okay, there is something i've been wanting to make for a long time.

and i promise you i'm going to give it a try this week!

maybe by saying this, i WILL!:)

it's a hanging doily lamp.

(is doily spelled with a y or ie?)

anyway, like these.......

 using doilies and a balloon........

 keep your fingers crossed:)

i'll let you know how it turns out.

here is one of the cuff bracelets

 i recently made for Vintage Charm of Naples.

if you've read my blog for awhile,
you know i love decorating for Christmas,
and that i have a big WHITE Christmas tree.
usually i decorate in whites, champagne, and silver.....
and i still will.
but this year i'll add sea glass shades...
kinda like this.....

what else, what else.......
i think i'll leave you with a bit of cuteness today.
cause if you don't think this is cute, i don't know what to tell you:)

awwwwwww.......
xoxoxoxo
Suzanne

short...sweet...SUPER EASY craft projects...

wow...it's been a long time since I blogged about crafts.

 I seem to have GREAT difficulty focusing on one thing long enough to

actually complete a project...

until today:)

these are soooo easy and fun to do.

first up...

Flip-Flop Fun!

(we do LOVE our flip flops down here:)

this would be perfect and easy to do with kids, summer camps...anyone!

Here is the pic and click here...HUDDLE MO for the tutorial.

i made some today.

cute...but not quite as cute as hers.

still...you can see the potential:)

next...grab any old canning jars, vases, bottles...

get out your glue gun and write words on them...if you like.

after drying, go out and coat your goodies in spray paint.

I like matte paint for this project personally.

See...there could be a MILLION uses for these jars...

and they look great in white, pink, aqua...

and can you imagine how cute in orange or black for Halloween, 

red/green for Christmas...

yep...pretty COOL!

along the same lines...

take a canvas...any size...and glue wooden letters...

any size or shape...to the canvas.

you guessed it...then you spray paint it all one color.

stuff like this is all over the place these days.

I am absolutely going to make my version of this!

finally...

a vintage doily table runner.

OH. MY. GOSH.

is this amazing or WHAT?????

I don't know exactly what was done but I imagine a bit of sewing together

doilies and VOILA!

so there...cool craft ideas:)

by the way, i found my inspiration on PINTEREST!

I am TOTALLY addicted to this site.

if you love pictures, inspiration, photography...anything,

check it out.  yes, like always, there are a few who try to ruin it...

but it is BY FAR the cleanest, nicest photo site I've found.

you create "boards" and then "Pin" your favorite photos...from their site or anywhere on the internet.

it is beyond awesome, so check it out.

if you click HERE...it will take you to MY Pinterest site.

say hi...so I can find you and follow your boards too!

XOXOXO

Suzanne

Good News/Bad News

Good news: I really did get out my sewing machine

Bad news: While searching for my sewing kit and scrap fabric, I found 3 chocolate marshmallow santas..and ate them all, blowing my diet one more time!
Good news: The owners manual told me what all of the parts were and they were all nicely labeled.
Bad news: It would be nice if the owners manual told me immediately how to get the packet out from under the feeder.
Good news: I have a 14 year old daughter who has had a little experience with a sewing machine
Bad news: Should we have to lay the machine down on its side just to thread it?
Good news: Taylor figured out how to thread the machine. Can there be anything harder than threading a bobbin for the first time??? I never thought of myself as dumb but if you saw me with this thing...LOL
Really good news: I actually sewed some stitches!
Now I need a REALLY SIMPLE project. Ideas, anyone???

Mom's Cherry~Chocolate Cake Recipe

My Mom and Dad came for Christmas this year and my Mom made the desserts. We had her delicious pecan pie and she brought a chocolate cake that was unbelievable!!! It was the moistest, most flavorful cake I've had in a long time. It looks like your ordinary chocolate cake with chocolate frosting but it is soooo much more. Here is the recipe:

Cherry Chocolate Cake

• 1 Box Choc. cake mix
• 1 can cherry pie filling
• 2eggs, beat separately
• 1/2 bag mini choc. chips (One Cup)

• Mix together, put in Jelly Roll pan.
• Bake at 350 for 28-38 minutes
• Cool, frost with can of chocolate frosting
• Enjoy!

And speaking of Chocolate & Cherry...
I've decided on the color scheme for my Christmas tree and decorating next year. Chocolate and Cherry...with accents of creamy white...starfish, artificial snow, snowflakes and tons of white lights. These are some of the ornaments I got for CHEAP at Target and the rest are already packed away. Of course, I am counting on having a creamy white room again and a red slipcover for my sofa.:-)

Also, I saw the CUTEST idea for a wreath...too late for me this year but definitely next year. Buy a round styro wreath form. Buy a bunch of small round styrofoam balls and attach them to the wreath with toothpicks. Spray the styro balls with artificial snow and Voila...you have a snowball wreath. Hang with a beautiful red ribbon and it will look awesome!

Vintage Shabby Beaded Christmas Tree...my new favorite project!

Today I finished my Christmas tree. It is made from old, broken jewelry pieces or ones that I was missing a match to. I then used various pearls, again mainly from old necklaces I have gathered and finished my tree. I only wish it photographed better because it is truly beautiful. I saw one similar but bigger for almost $500. As I stood there looking at it, I realized I could make my own version, which I will be listing at my etsy shop www.shabbychicks.etsy.com. It is soooo pretty. Now I'm going to have to offer to buy old, broken pieces of jewelry from everyone I know!:-)

Rainy Day Projects

So the nap didn't happen yesterday but I did have fun making some new stuff. Here are a few of the new bracelets and headbands...I'll be listing them on my etsy site soon. www.etsy.com/shabbychicks.~This bracelet features pearls,crystals and a black onyx heart. There are also 3 beautiful charms attached...an angel, a heart locket and a mother-of pearl cross.~
~This bracelet is called " Weekend in Paris" and features denim blue stones, silver beads and pearls, with charms of a handbag, puffy heart, the Eiffel Tower and a charm that is inscribed with the word "Live".~