Hi Friends,
I just wanted to let you know I’m taking a little breakity-break from blogging. Here are some of my favorite projects for you to check out in the meantime. (Oh, and a reminder to all of you eggnog lovers…go ahead and whip up your batch now for the holidays!)
(If you’re reading this via RSS, you’ll need to click over to the blog to view the images above.)
Hi guys! I just finished up a project that I’m super excited about! Seriously, it’s all I’ve been able to think about for the last week. I’m putting together a post, but here’s a glimpse:
It’s a hidden play kitchen for the Bean!
Stay tuned for the 411 on that.
I also wanted to send you over to one of my favorite blogs today. Jenn asked me what I’m loving this fall, so head over to A Home in the Making to read all about it! Jenn and her husband are in the middle of renovating their kitchen, and I am on the edge of my seat to see how it turns out. I truly love her taste.
Anyway, here’s a peek at the trend I’m sharing over there:
Source: live-breathe-fashion.tumblr.com via domesti on Pinterest
Happy Monday!
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m always looking for meaningful gift ideas. Last week EB and I came up with this project, and it took less than a half hour to pull together (including the trip to the store)!
I sat her down in front of a piece of paper taped to the table. I brought out my trusty ol’ watercolor palette and removed all but the green and blue colors. This way, as messy as she got, at least the colors would look good when they ran together. I gave her a wet brush, and let her go to work. Meanwhile, I took a bunch of photos of her painting.
So serious!
The beauty of watercolors is that they wash right out of clothes, should things get messy.
We left the masterpiece to dry, then we hopped in the car and headed to a shop to print out the photo and pick up a frame. (It’s best to get one that comes with a mat.)
Then while EB napped, I put things together. First I took the frame apart and measured the width of the sides of the mat. I cut the watercolor into 4 strips of that width.
I used a 45* angle and my ruler to cut the corners.
I glued them right on top of the mat, free-handed her name and age, and put it all together.
It’s a priceless piece of meaningful art, sure to be loved and admired for all time!
Linking up to Serenity Now.
Good morning! How was your weekend? It was a little overcast around here, but pretty darn nice!
We drove across the mountains to visit with some family and found ourselves stopping in Highlands, NC to stretch our legs. It’s such a beautiful little town, and I was amazed by the gorgeous flowers all of the shops and hotels have on display. I thought I’d share a few pretty (iphone) pictures with you guys.
I’ve tried several times to create overflowing pots like those baskets above. I just love how full they are and how the plants trail so nicely. I don’t have much of a green thumb, and haven’t had great success.
The geraniums were just outrageous! So full and pretty.
Here’s another example of a gorgeous hanging basket.
You can see my attempt at a hanging basket in the top right of the photo below (along with some other piddly little pots and two monster ferns). I planted two of these baskets in the spring and they turned out better than any I’ve done before, but they were hardly show stoppers like those in Highlands.
I must do some research and start a little earlier next year. Do y’all have any tips for me?
Hi guys! I’ve put myself on a bit of a restricted budget lately, but I’ve still managed to find some great finds for just a couple of bucks.
Finding these adorable little dollhouse pieces has inspired me to start collecting them for a future dollhouse for EB. She’s a bit too young now, but I may as well start keeping an eye out. So, if you come across some cute little pieces, pick them up for me. I’d be so grateful!
First up is this fabulous little brass claw foot tub. I mean, hello?! How cute is this? I’m currently using it to hold jewelry beside the bathroom sink.
Then I found this tiny lil wicker set. Perfect for a mini porch!
In the not-tiny realm of thrifty finds, I scored this rusty ol’ bamboo inspired magazine stand for $2 and saw such potential.
It was missing the top to one of the “legs”, but I found a bolt at the hardware store that matched the other tops pretty darn well. See it in the background on the table? It slid right into the hollow leg.
With a little super glue, a good sanding and cleaning, and some Rustoleum spray paint, she’s like new!
You might recognize her from my Front Porch Post on Wednesday.
Does anyone else collect dollhouse furniture? Is it typically difficult to find?
It’s been a while since I’ve shared a room for my “Our House” series, so I thought I’d kill two birds with one post and show you our front porch while it’s decked out for fall!
I’m loving this bright, colorful image from Pinterest (I think this is the original source), and am inspired to keep things fun this fall.
Source: greaterrecipes.blogspot.com via domesti on Pinterest
We haven’t actually gotten our pumpkins yet (am I the only one who holds out till October?), but the Mums and the wreaths bring that autumn feel to the space.
The front porch has always been one of my least favorite spaces in our house, and because of that I’ve never decorated it. I’ll throw up a couple of wreaths or some potted plants, but it’s such a small spot, and those wrought iron railings are such an eye sore, I typically choose to ignore it.
But, we recently discovered that the castors on those cane chairs were gouging holes in the travertine on our new back porch, so they had to move. I had upholstered them in outdoor fabric, so this was the perfect place for them. And they’re small enough to fit in this narrow space. I pulled out an old outdoor rug and picked up some Mums to complete the space.
It’s like the builders circa 1968 wanted to imply there was a porch, but were too cheap to build a real one. It’s too narrow to really enjoy. When those front windows are open, they swing out into the space and essentially cut off access.
When we (eventually) take down those wrought iron railings, I’m thinking we’ll just replace the columns with wooden ones and not put in a railing. The porch is low enough that code doesn’t require a one, so no railings would make it easier to move around.
The wreaths I made years ago, and the bright fall colors always make me smile.
Surprisingly, I’ve found myself sitting out here each evening, reading and watching EB play with her neighborhood friend.
In the summer the sun setting made this space too hot, but it’s downright pleasant with these cool fall temps!
Does anyone else have a “fake” porch on their house? Have you ever discovered a spot in your home that you thought you hated, but ended out loving?
Linking up at Thrifty Decor Chick.
Hi friends,
I’m working on a bunch of reading and papers due this week for school, but I wanted to check in and share this little glimpse of green building in my small home town. One of the classes I’m taking is Architect Construction Process. Most of the class content focuses on building codes (yawn!), but we’re also delving into sustainable building practices. Right now I’m writing a paper on green roofs. Are you familiar? In a [very little] nutshell, green roofs consist of vegetation and boast many benefits, including
Who knew!? So, check out this green roof right here in my town.
To give some perspective, you can see a few cars in a parking lot across the street on the right of the photo.
This is called an “intensive” green roof, since it’s built to be walked on and to hold large, heavy plants.
“Extensive” green roofs simply hold native grasses and succulents, like these stunning images I found on Pinterest.
Source: somacedesign.com via domesti on Pinterest
Though, this photo shows how they’re most often used here in the States, hidden away on urban rooftops:
Pretty interesting, huh? Have you guys seen a green roof? Would you consider installing one in your home? They make modular systems that are apparently easy to install and you can just place them on top of existing roofs.
(For another Design School lesson, click here.)
Linking up to Serenity Now.
Source: greenroofs.com via domesti on Pinterest
Well friends, it’s Friday again! How did that happen? I have to admit, now that I’m an at-home mom the weekends aren’t very different than weekdays. Friday doesn’t hold quite the anticipation and excitement that it used to, but it does mean that Frank will be home and we’ll get to do some fun family stuff.
The old, cloudy sliding glass door that leads from our dining room to the porch is such an eyesore, and we are finally replacing it! The new door arrived yesterday, so hopefully we (Frank) can get that installed soon, and it will make such a difference. That will be a fun family activity! Haha.
Anyway, I thought I would leave you all with this delicious recipe that I have made time and again, and it never ever fails. If you’re into coconut, you’ll love this cake.
The problem with most cakes, as I see it, is that they’re often dry. Our good friend Paula ensures this cake won’t be dry by including an extra step. She calls it the “filling.” It’s of a runnier consistency than frosting, and it seeps into the layers, soaking the cake in deliciousness. So, this is a three-part process: bake cake, make filling (for between the layers), make frosting (for the top and sides).
It’s best to make the cake a few days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. That gives the filling plenty of time to moisten the cake. I’ve listed the recipes and instructions below in an easier-to-follow manner than is listed on the foodnetwork website. I hope you’ll give it a try, and if you do…let me know!
(Oh, and in case you missed them, check out my earlier posts from this week: Stamp Your Glass and DIY Bed Skirt.)
Recipe adapted from Paula Deen, via foodnetwork.com
(Prepare the cake a few days in advance and keep it in the fridge.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans. Using an electric mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and coconut milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and continue to beat until just mixed. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4 inches above counter, then dropping it flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Cool in pans 5 to 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling racks.
While cake is baking, prepare filling. Stir together sugar, sour cream, milk, and coconut in a bowl until well blended. Remove cake layers from oven and allow cake to remain in pans as you prepare to stack and fill. Remove first layer and invert onto cake plate. Using the wrong end of a wooden spoon, poke holes approximately 1-inch apart until entire cake has been poked (be sure to get close to the edges, where cake usually dries out first). Spread 1/3 of filling mixture on cake layer. Top with second layer, repeat process. Top with last layer and repeat process again.
Place sugar, cream of tartar or corn syrup, salt, water, and egg whites in the top of a double boiler. Beat with a handheld electric mixer for 1 minute. Place pan over boiling water, being sure that boiling water does not touch the bottom of the top pan. (If this happens, it could cause your frosting to become grainy). Beat constantly on high speed with electric mixer for 7 minutes. Beat in vanilla.
Frost top and sides of cake. Sprinkle top and sides of cakes with additional coconut.
A bed skirt really finishes the look of a well dressed bed. But, don’t y’all know bed skirts can get pricy?! I’ve been helping spruce up my husband’s family’s beach place, and none of the beds there have bed skirts. I had some spare fabric at home in colors that would work well, so I came up with an easy way to make a bed skirt. Let me show you how!
First up, here’s the before pic of the bed:
And here’s a peek at the finished product, complete with all new bedding:
Basically all I did was create three long panels (one for each visible side of the bed) and two little pieces for the two visible corners. For the height of the panels I measured from the floor to the top of the box spring, then added 3 inches. For me, this number was 21″, so that’s the height of my panels/pieces. It will vary greatly depending on your bed, so be sure to measure.
I finished off the sides and bottom of each piece on the sewing machine, but you could easily make this a no-sew project and use iron-on hemming tape to finish them off.
I didn’t even worry about the top edge of each piece, since it will be hiding under the mattress. I knew I wanted an inverted box pleat in the middle of each side, so I added about 12″ to the length of each long side to account for that.
For some visual interest I hot-glued grosgrain ribbon onto each panel, using a ruler to be sure the ribbon was straight.
I prepped all of the panels at my home in the mountains, so I’d be ready to put them together at the beach. My plan was to use a staple gun and simply staple the panels in place, right to the box spring. When I got to the beach all ready to staple, it turned out the frame of the box spring was not wood. It was a metal frame, so no dice. Instead I used an old flat sheet spread out on the box spring and used safety pins to attach the panels. It took longer, but achieved the same result.
I started with the two little corner pieces, and carefully wrapped them around the corners of the box spring, folding the top edge down like I would wrap a gift.
Next I did the long sides. I pinned each end and the middle first.
Then I carefully folded and pinned the box pleat in the middle.
I added pins about every 6 inches, to keep the skirt in place.
And, that’s that!
Now, this is an quick, semi-permanent project. The construction of it doesn’t allow for easy removal for cleaning, but the reality of my world is that bed skirts aren’t things that get cleaned often, if at all. In a couple of years I’ll probably be itching for a new look, and I’ll upcycle this fabric for another project.
You may have noticed I re-covered the headboard, too. I just used a staple gun to secure new fabric right over the old upholstered headboard. It all feels much more fresh and sophisticated. Next up: those lamps and something to go on the wall over the bed. And, don’t you know I have some ideas!
Happy Monday dear readers! I’m so glad you stopped by today to see what I’ve got cookin’. It’s actually glass (acrylic paint on glass)! I’ll be painting soap pumps, but this is also a great tutorial on how to paint wine glasses, or any other glass, as a matter of fact.
I like to have a streamlined kitchen and counter top whenever possible, so occasionally I’ll evaluate what we have sitting on the counter and try to pare things down and tidy it up. It can be tough with a little one and all of her culinary accoutrements, so, you gotta pick your battles!
I nixed the dish soap and hand soap containers, and used some cute hand-pumps from Target for those products. I stamped on letters to label them.
Let me show you how…
First I picked up some acrylic paint made for glass. I also got out my inexpensive letter stamps.
I used a small paint brush to swipe the paint onto the letter stamp, being careful to keep the paint on the letter.
I then carefully applied the stamp to the glass.
The stamps can be slippery with the paint, so just work very slow and deliberately. If your stamp does slide and smudge the paint, just wipe it off the glass and try again. I had to do this a few times.
You can see that the paint doesn’t transfer perfectly. There are some areas that didn’t take the paint at all. But, I love it that way. It reminds me of an old antique typewriter (font).
Next, just follow the directions on your paint bottle. Mine had me leave the paint to dry for a while. Then I popped the glass in the oven to set the paint permanently.
(Note the pretty white “milk glass” on the left.)
Well, I learned the hard way that white glass wasn’t meant to be heated in the oven. Check out what happened…
It got a little toasted. Oops! I happened to have an extra glass that fit these pumps, so I re-made the “dishes” jar. The one I used the second time around had a very slight blue tint before I baked it, and it came out quite green. But, the color doesn’t bother me much. It feels kind of vintage.
It’s a simple project, but keeps things clean and fresh looking.
(To learn about my grass drying rack, click here.)
This is such an easy project and so versatile! Just imagine the possibilities…wine glasses, vases, candle holders or hurricanes, Christmas ornaments, etc. The paint even works on ceramics…coffee mugs, platters, etc. The paint comes in many colors, and you could use any stamps in your collection!
So, I know I’m not the only one opposed to the product labels and plastic pumps. What do you guys do to keep your sink and counter top fresh and streamlined?
and I'm SO very glad you're here! Pull up a chair, and stay a while! In a nutshell...I'm a new stay-home mom. I love all things craft and DIY, and in college my friends dubbed me domestiCate. I'm here to share my projects, recipes, design thoughts, and tales of my babe Elsie and my loving husband Frank. I hope you'll join me! 