New Year!

I'm taking part in the New Year - New Follower's Fest! Come and join the fun! Also, be on the look out for a New Years resolution/goals post coming soon! ...I hope!



ps. Sorry for the lack of posting, not only have the holidays consumed a lot of my time I've also had two deaths in the family of some really amazing people :[ regular posting shall hopefully resume soon!

Homemade Ornaments!

Here are some Christmas ornaments I have made for our tree!

We went with a fake one this year (It was SO easy to set up!) It looks a little scarce but I think it's because the cat keeps climbing it and pushing all the branches down! I'm more of a real tree person but I do enjoy the low maintenance...What about you? Real or Fake?

Crayola Clay Ornaments:

To make these I simply took some white crayola clay (Any clay would work, even model magic!) and used cookie cutters to cut out Christmas shapes. I also used some stamps to add a little something to them. I should have done colored ink to make them stand out but there's always next time. Put a little hole in the top and let them dry!

Once dry string a ribbon through and hang!

Glitter ornaments:

These have been all over pinterest and they are SUPER easy!

Simply take Pledge Future floor wax and pour it into a glass ornament. Make sure it coats the inside and pour out the extra. Then pour the glitter in doing the same. Swirl it around until it coats the inside. Then replace the top! So Super easy!

Sense they are glass I also decided to try some glass etching on them and I love it! Simply brush the product on, wait however long it says (I can't remember this second) and wipe off!

Paper Star Ornament:

This is a little twist on the paper ornament I've seen on pinterest. I took our wedding program, cut it into strips, and folded it into paper stars. (Don't know how? Don't worry, neither did I! I used a tutorial found here!)

Some Other Ornaments on our tree this year:

What does your tree look like this year? What personal touches have you added?

Pin It

Christmas Cards & My Fake Mantel!

I am far behind on Christmas cards! Anyone else? So here are some creative ideas I have found around the internet (pinterest more specifically!) :

And here is a Tiny Prints idea that I’m thinking about doing:

So what do you think?? Opinions?
Also, I don’t have a mantel so here’s my makeshift mantel! I took a piece of wood, cut it and put pegs in it.
Then I stained it:

And cut out letters to paint (LOVE my cricut!)

I don’t have the finished product quite ready yet but here it is so far (Don't mind the paper letters...)

Don't mind the absolutely horrible basement floor but what do you think so far? What does your mantel look like?

 

Also linked up at  http://www.the36thavenue.com/

Holiday Decorating!

More Holiday Decorating! (I know, I really just CAN’T stop!) Both of these were super easy and very quick! I got a two pack of canvases, wrapping paper, and some bows. Wrap the canvases like gifts and add a bow! Then hang it on the wall. I might even add a gift tag to spruce it up. The ones with the trees I plan to find ribbon and wrap it like this (but I haven’t found quite the right ribbon yet!)

Second thing I did was print out some awesome subway art (found here) and framed it to put on our headboard! I am falling in love with the subway art. I’m hopefully going to make some of my own so keep a look out for them!

Pin It

Advent Calendar!

I decided for our first married Christmas it would be really fun for my husband and I to make an advent calendar filled with fun little activities and treats. Each day we alternate, I will fill either odd or even and he will open and vice versa. I wasn’t quite sure how to do it and didn’t have much on hand besides my mass amounts of craft supplies so I ended up mod podging some scrapbook paper onto clothespins and cutting out some envelopes and etc. on my cricut. I think they might need a little something more but I’m not sure what. Any ideas??

Close-up of the clothespins:

Whole Calendar:

So what do you think? Any ideas to spruce it up a bit?

Pin It

Funfetti Brownie Bar Bites!

So apparently I still had leftover funfetti mix from the funfetti dip I previously made and found this awesome recipe Here! It's for some Funfetti Brownie type bars but let me tell you...at first I thought I was making it wrong because it seemed weird and sort of looked weird but they were FANTASTIC. My husband nearly ate the entire pan (ok, I admit, I almost did too...) They taste like cake batter practically melting in your mouth!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup funfetti cake mix
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup butter, slightly melted
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 5 tablespoons sprinkles (optional)

Step 1) Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8 x 8 inch pan.
Step 2) Mix sugars, butter, vanilla, egg, and egg yolk. 

Step 3) Mix in flour, cake mix, and baking soda until just mixed. Stir in sprinkles.

Step 4) Spread batter evenly into greased pan.

Step 5)Bake for 30-35 minutes until top is lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting.

The middle should be still fairly soft and wiggly. It will rise a lot but while cooling it flattens.

Enjoy! I was also luck enough to have some awesome homemade sauce before dessert!

I'm linked up with

December Pinterest Goals!

My December crafting goals:

• Ornaments
• A sign that says "The Stockings Were Hung..." with pegs
• Wooden letters that say "JOY"
• A Gumball Machine
• Cloth Letters

Let's see how many more things I will probably add to this list! (Keep a look out for them!)
Also, here is a great Holiday Photo Checklist that has been floating around pinterest!

My first December Pinterest Idea: (Lantern filled with lights & ornaments)

What are your crafting ideas for the month of December?

Fisher Price Coupons!

Looking for some great toys for your little ones this holiday season?
How about some coupons on some great Fisher Price toys?

$10 off Thomas and Friends Cranky and Flynn Save the Day
$10 off Big Action Construction Site with Remote Control
$5 off Topzy Tumblers Twirlin' Tumblin' Fun Park
$5 off Magical Fairy Dora
$5 off Little People Zoo Talkers Animal Sounds Zoo
$5 off Laugh & Learn Dance & Play Puppy

Coupons Found Here

Thankful...Saturday?

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I had a lot of family time to reflect on what I was thankful for this year. I’m sure everyone has a long list here (as do I) but I have to admit, this year, I am really thankful for my husband. He brought me out of one of the worst situations and taught me that I can do anything and be anything. He showed me that I am beautiful and strong. He is wonderful. I’m so glad God brought us together. (I know, corny & cliché)

Michael DeMaria

Black Friday & Wishlist

Well. Black Friday is upon us and I can’t wait to get a lot of items checked off my list!

I never ever know exactly what I want for Christmas so I guess here are some of my holiday wish list items (in reality there’s A LOT on there but it’s all general items, nothing specific):

1. Crafting Items

2. Photoshop or Lightroom

3. Kinect for xbox

4. Lia Sophia Jewelry (So what if I sell it…I’m still obsessed with it)

5. Just about anything Forever 21 (I have nooo idea why I love it so much)

6. Ipad

Check out more Holiday wish lists and guides here: http://www.layersofmeaning.com/

What is on your wish list? Do you go shopping on Black Friday? What are you after this year?

3-2-1 Funfetti Dip!

Not going to lie...when I found this recipe I was very apprehensive. I don't think anything can live up to actual funfetti cake batter, but it was still pretty good. I don't feel like it made very much so I'd probably double it up next time, but that means I would definitely make it again!

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons funfetti
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon cool whip
• Something to dip! (I used Nilla Wafers)

 (Hello Wegmans Advertising...my gosh)

Directions: Mix together in listed order! Yes, it really is that simple!

[LittleBittyBakes]

 I'm linked up with: