Paper Bag Lanterns

Today I thought we'd make some fun paper bag lanterns I saw in an old Martha Stewart entertaining book a long time ago.  I've been thinking about doing a little "Welcome Summer" party with my kids on their last day of school.  Nothing fancy but it will definitely involve the BBQ and some lemonade.  I thought these would add the perfect festive touch for practically nothing and very little effort.  Just what I was looking for!

Don't you just love colorful paper bags?  They are so versatile and can be embellished for all kinds of things.  Plus they are only about $2.99 for 10 of them.  The perfect price.


Here is a quick tutorial on how to make these paper bag lanterns:

Tada!

Repeat in a few different sizes and colors of paper bags and you've got yourself a delightful centerpiece for any party!

Add some battery powered tea lights and they are perfect for an evening dinner party.  Ambiance anyone? 

By the way, I spray painted that dark turquoise bag.  I could only find white in that size and that just wasn't working for me.  The light didn't come through it but it sure looked cute! :)

{this was what I posted yesterday over at Lolly Jane... thanks again for having me girls!}

Taking a Virtual Road Trip Today

Guess what?

I'm doing a guest post at Lolly Jane today!  I'm so excited.  It's my first time guest posting, you guys.  

Maybe if you have a second you can pop over and leave a comment making it sound like 1) you've never heard of me BUT  2) that was the most amazing guest post you've ever read.  ::winky guy::

Then people will think I'm the bomb-diggity and the girls of Lolly Jane will think having me guest post was the best decision of their life.  

You know... only if you have time.  :)

Aren't they cute as buttons?  Buttons, I say!

I've got a few fun projects I'm smack dab in the middle of for later this week. Now to just find a couple of free hours to finish them.  Here's to hopin'!

New Digs

If you are reading this via Google Reader, might I suggest clicking over and seeing the renovations around here?  I'm so excited about my new blog design I can hardly contain myself!

A big thank you to Lauren of Blue Lux Studio for all her work on bringing my vision of this blog to fruition.

Everything is pretty much business as usual around here but there are a couple of new features.  I now have some social media buttons up there in the upper right corner.  They make it so easy to "like" me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter and pin with me on Pinterest (my personal favorite)!  If you need an invite to Pinterest (for some reason you need to be invited to join... I think it's to make you feel special or something when you get invited?) please let me know and I'll send you one.  It's so much fun!  Not to mention handier than heck to gather ideas and inspiration from all over the web.

I also have a button (finally) that you can grab if you would like.  Having a button makes me feel official.  I can't explain why.

Thanks so much for stopping by... every day I am so thankful for all of your comments and interest in the things I am doing.  I don't want to say you're almost entirely responsible for the state of my self-esteem but....yeah... you are.

Painting A Perfect Stripe

As some of you may remember, I recently gave my kitchen a little face lift.  You can read about it HERE.  Basically, I painted my boring backsplash grey and added a fun vinyl quatrefoil pattern.   I still absolutely love it.

The only thing wrong with my kitchen now was that the other side of it was still a complete snooze fest! Here is my breakfast nook in all its "before" glory.

Still awake?  Good.   I know... it's almost like your eyes can't even process all the shades of beige and brown.

Not to mention the fact that we have been covering up this fantastic view with those blinds.  And for no reason...there is NO ONE behind us.  No need for some privacy. Those needed to go.

So last week I set in motion the process of bringing my breakfast nook up to par with the rest of the snazzy kitchen.   My plan?  Stripes.  Some nice wide grey and white stripes to coordinate with my quatrefoil backsplash.    Are you with me?

I know some people struggle with painting stripes on a textured wall but I tried two different methods this time around and both worked splendidly!  No need to deprive yourself of some fun stripes on the wall any longer!

Painting A Perfect Stripe: Method #1

This is actually the method I've used a few times.  Most recently to paint the stripe in our guest bedroom. I like to paint the entire wall with one of the stripe colors first and allow to dry completely.  It just seems easier to me than taping off for one color, peeling off the tape and then taping off for the other color.   Anyway, after your first color is totally dry, then tape off where you want your stripes.    I decided on 15.5 inch stripes.

I then took this stuff:

And used a foam brush to go all along the edge of the tape to seal it.  I apply it at a bit of an angle toward the edge of the tape so it is sure to get under the tape and into all the "pockets" in order to seal it off.

If you look closely you can see it settled in under the tape.  This pic was taken before painting the whole wall white, by the way.    Allow it to dry.  It dries clear so any that had seeped under the tape is invisible.  Then continue painting with desired color/colors.

I must say, this worked like a charm....again!  NOTHING got under the tape and the line was crisp. 

Painting A Perfect Stripe: Method #2

I had seen somewhere recently where someone had painted some stripes using a slightly different method.  It's the same idea but using different products.   I decided to try it out.  

After painting your wall with your first color and taping off your stripes, you simply go back along the tape with the same wall color you just used to seal off the tape.  This is brilliant!  Then, whatever paint does get under the tape is the same color you want there anyway.  I was excited about this because you always have left over paint so it's free!  

Again, I tried to paint it toward the tape so it would get under the tape and settle in nicely.

And what do you know?

There were actually a couple of spots where the grey paint seeped under and I needed to go back with a little paint brush and touch it up.  But really, I'm just chalking that up to user error.  I'm guessing I didn't get enough white paint in those few spots because the rest worked perfectly.  

Ready for the big reveal?

I obviously have plenty more to do in here (accessorizing that little wall, window treatments, jazzing up those lamp shades, etc) but I am loving the direction we are headed in!

If I had a fancy fish-eye lens you might be able to see how both sides of the kitchen now work together but this will have to do for now.

FYI, paint colors are:  Valspar Montpelier Ashlar Gray (same as my backsplash) and Valspar Woodlawn Bedroom White.

I already have a fun idea for making over that big clock (I keep looking at that blank wall to see what time it is!  It's driving me nuts).  I'm sure you can guess what color it will be.

Peanut Butter Dandies

My husband isn't exactly what you'd call "a chef" or "a cook" or "someone who knows where the whisks go when emptying the dishwasher."   He knows how to make two things:  1) leftovers he can heat up in the microwave and 2) Peanut Butter Dandies.

So guess what he made me as my Mother's Day treat last Sunday... no, not leftovers... Peanut Butter Dandies!  Oh, and then I may have modified them just a titch.  He wasn't offended or anything.

Peanut Butter Dandies are jam packed with childhood memories for my husband.  He grew up on the things.  To me they are just delicious little nuggets from heaven but I AM a bit biased toward peanut butter.  As a matter of fact, there was a three year period where all I ate for lunch every day was a peanut butter & honey sandwich.  Every.  Day.  For three years.   I would actually be SAD if someone wanted to go out to lunch & I didn't get to have it.  Peanut butter might be inextricably linked to my childhood as well . . . I'll ask a therapist to delve into that further one day.

Anyway.... the reason YOU should love them is that they are super easy, require three ingredients (four with my modification), the kids can practically make them on their own and I can almost guarantee you have ALL the ingredients down in your food storage!  That's right, file these away in your "Good Food Storage Recipes" binder.  It's a keeper.

Peanut Butter Dandies

1 part peanut butter

1 part honey

2 parts powdered milk

Mix it all together.  Roll into balls & chill for about an hour.  Eat.

Does it get any easier than that??  My husband did 2 cups each of peanut butter and honey and 4 cups of powdered milk and it was plenty.   I know they don't LOOK particularly pretty but this is a classic case of Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover.

And what was my modification?  As if you didn't know.  I dipped them in melted chocolate!  I may need to add melting chocolate to my food storage because WOW.  They're pretty much homemade peanut butter cup truffles.  I would call them that but Peanut Butter Dandies is way too much fun to say.  We've now shortened it to PBDs.... also fun to say.

Enjoy!

Fabric Decorative Vase Fillers

I was at my friend's home a few weeks ago when I spotted a glass bowl filled with the CUTEST little decorative balls I had ever seen.  She told me she had just made them that week & told me how to do it.  That, my friends, is what got the brain going on filling my empty glass vases... which helped me to come up with the Thumb Tack Decor I did last week (thank you for the amazing response, by the way, holy cow!) since I was wanting to mix a couple of different kinds of decorative balls together but didn't know what else to do.

Well, today we shall learn how to make the original idea!  You may or may not have seen these before but I absolutely love how they can be completely customized.  Not to mention how cheap & easy they are to make!

Decorative Fabric Balls

1.  Cut up fabric into 1/2 inch strips making sure it is long enough to go completely around your styrofoam ball.  You may want to go a little thinner or wider depending on the size of your styrofoam ball.  This is the perfect way to use up scraps from pillows or curtains you made in a room.  Or cut up one of your husbands old dress shirts if it goes with your room!  It doesn't take much fabric to make one of these.

2)  Wrap fabric strip around ball & pin so you attach both ends to the ball.

3) Turn ball & repeat with another fabric strip.  Using a new pin each time.

4)   This is really cute using different but coordinating fabric strips or all the same fabric on one ball.

5) Repeat attaching fabric strips until entire ball is covered!

6) Check timer to see exactly how long it took you to make (once the fabric strips were cut).

3 MINUTES???  That's IT??  

7)  Make a ton more because it's so fun that you can't stop yourself.  I did all different sizes for added interest. 

I also love that there is no commitment with these things.  Later on, when I want to make something else or maybe just change out the fabric they are so easy to take apart and use again.  It's just a matter of taking out a few pins.  Perfect!

Here are a couple of photos of the ones my friend made.  She has the Modern French Country style down to an exact science.  I love that these have an entirely different feel than the ones I made.

I am in love.

I'm now keeping my eye out for some other kinds of decorative vase fillers to put in the mix!  Have you made any?  Care to share?  I will probably copy you. :)

A Mother's Day Questionnaire (Plus a WINNER!)

{photo taken today after church}

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful women out there who are doing your best day in & day out.  My Mother's Day has had its ups & downs, if I'm being honest.

This morning started out fairly awful as I had a "run in" with my second son... the Dennis the Menace looking (and acting) one there on the right.  What it was about is unimportant but, needless to say it ended with me freaking out and taking away everything that is near and dear to him... namely his DSi.  He was screaming "I hate my family!" and the like for a good 20 minutes afterward.  I know these things happen but when it happens on Mother's Day it is an immediate and sharp reminder that I suck as a Mom.  I had no business reacting the way I did and I felt awful.  But I was still mad.  Things were not looking good for Mother's Day 2011.

We then go to church & Tanner glared at me from the stand as the Primary sang their Mother's Day songs.  Awesome.  (Luckily my other two kids were smiling and pointing at me as the words said "all flowers remind me of you.")

But then, during the last hour of church, someone tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a Mother's Day Questionnaire Tanner had filled out during his Sunday School class.  Due to our current standing with each other I was very nervous to read it...not to mention my guilt over that morning was at an all time high at that moment.... and here is what I read (I left the spelling as is):

Why did God make mothers?  To be helpfull
How did God make mothers?  He mixed awsomeness with hair
What ingredients are mothers made of?  sugar and spice and everything nice
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?  we're both crazy
What kind of little girl was your mom?  I have no idea
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?  How he would raise the kids
Why did your mom marry your dad? she was crazy
Who's the boss at your house?  Mom
What's the difference between moms and dads?  ones a girl ones a boy
What does your mom do in her spare time?  blog
What would it take to make your mom perfect?  zero
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?  zero


Zero.... I started crying and didn't stop.   He then came in to find me after church and handed me a card he had colored in class.  All it said on the inside was "Sorry Mom."  I hugged him, said I was sorry too & we've been best friends ever since.

Would you have guessed all of this had transpired today if I would have just posted that photo up there and that was it? Is this too much Landee for you?  I promise I won't bore you with a million personal stories here on Landee See, Landee Do but I just wanted you to know that I get it.  And I'm right there with you.

PS I started a Facebook page for LS, LD!!  Check it out here  & "like" it if you'd like to.  :)

**********************************************************************************

Now for the winner of my Birthday Giveaway!!  Thank you all so much for entering!  I loved reading all of your comments and birthday wishes all throughout the week!

And the winner is....

KARA from  June & Bear!  Such a fun & whimsical blog.... you should check her out if you get a chance!  

Thumbtack Vase Fillers

A while back I started collecting glass containers.  Tall ones.  Short ones.  Fat ones.  Curvy ones.  Straight ones.  I decided they were so versatile I could fill them up with various things depending on my mood/what holiday it was/whatever.

The problem is, aside from filling them with round Christmas ornaments during the holidays, they've been sitting empty!  I soon realized that a lot of those things people normally fill them with are somewhat expensive.  Plus, I'm the WORST at accessorizing.  I'm the same way with outfits...I can put on a shirt and a pair of pants but necklaces?  What?  I wear the same pair of earrings almost every day (silver hoops).

But I'm determined to be more of a "it's all in the details" kind of a girl and this is where I'm starting.  My glass vases.

Here are some cute thumbtack vase filler balls I made this week.  I'm quite pleased with them.  Pleased as punch actually.

Here's the what's what on making them:

Get inexpensive thumbtacks from your junk drawer or nearby office supply store.  Each ball took about 100-150 tacks depending on its size.

I started by creating a line of tacks around the center and then working my way up & down overlapping the tacks a best I could.

I also did a couple where I started at one end and worked my way down.  Both ways turned out fab.

Worried about the color?  Don't be. After the ball was completely covered in tacks, I took it out and spray painted it!  It was awesome.  Totally customized to what colors I wanted and very easy to do.  I did prime it first as well... I'm not sure if it was necessary but I felt better doing it.  I also finished them with a nice coat of clear enamel spray paint for a shiny finish.  That is entirely up to you, of course.

Now, if you do happen to get some metallic thumbtacks and want the silver or gold look then, by all means, do not paint!

Gorgeous, right?  I loved them unpainted, but I had a colorful vision in mind so I had to proceed with the spray painting.

I think they're great all together in one big vase.    But I also like them mixed in with other decorative balls (which I will show you how I did next time).

Or maybe you want them in a bowl or basket?

I think they added some funkiness to my living room space which was lacking in the accessories department.

The only problem I've had so far is my kids won't stop touching them!  There's something about that shiny smooth, yet bumpy texture they can't leave alone.  Plus they love that they are made out of thumbtacks.  I guess we'll see how durable they are!

Hey, check out THESE thumb tack decorative balls using silver thumb tacks and duct tape!

Here are the spraypaint colors I used:


Rustoleum:
Aqua
Eden
Lagoon
Summer Squash

Valspar: Everglade Glen
Krylon: Blue Ocean Breeze


*************EDIT on July 25, 2011************


I've had some people email me/leave a comment who have had some trouble creating these.  Unfortunately their comments are not attached to their email so I can't write them back!!  So, I figured I'd address the issues here...


You:  My thumbtacks are not staying in!


Me:  I had no issues with the thumbtacks until I got to the very end.  The last thumbtack always seemed to be loose since I was unable to push that one in as far as the other ones (it sat up on top of other thumbtacks all the way around).  On the couple that happend, I simply dipped the point of the thumbtack into white glue and then put it in.  Once it dried it was sturdy.    They were also sured up quite a bit after a couple of coats of spray paint.


I have also been thinking that the styrofoam on these balls must vary quite a bit from brand to brand.  Maybe mine were quite a bit denser than yours?    Perhaps as a remedy you could do a quick coat of Mod Podge over  your ball and allow it to dry first?  That might make a sturdier surface for you to push in your pins.  


You: My styrofoam is disintegrating when I spray paint it!


Me:  Again, maybe it is the brand of the styrofoam ball?  I had very little styrofoam even showing when I got to that point but what was showing had no problem with this.  I'm guessing a quick coat of Mod Podge would help this as well.... yes, Mod Podge is the miracle crafting drug!  :)


Other unsolicited tip from me:  I didn't mention above how I spray painted these bad-boys.  I actually took inexpensive bamboo skewers from the grocery store and stuck them into one of the small places the styrofoam was showing.  I then held on to that as I spray painted them, leaving them stuck upright in a bucket (sticking out the top) as they dried between coats.  If you picked one up now and looked closely you can still see the small hole it made.  But really, who is going to do that?  No one, that's who.  


Please let me know if you have any other issues or if the Mod Podge helps!  The world needs more thumbtack balls so let's figure out all the problems, k?  :)