Craft: Mod-Podging

Art can be found in any old beaten down piece of junk you stumble across. 

A few days ago, Luke and I detoured from our road trip up north to make a stop at the Olde Plow Shoppe (an antique store) in Bonduel. A decrepit old red brick building, it was impossible for us to pass up. Inside, we met Dennis and Barbara, a lovely old couple who have run the place nearly their entire lives and wish to sell the place to some young, enthusiastic family-oriented couple. 

Dennis, like the majority of these type of shop owners, showed us into the back room, a room he claimed was full of treasures. And that it was. Rusty oil cans, run down wood signs, and big metal hooks covered every square inch of space. To the right person, these things are the biggest treasures of all. 

On my way back out, having not seen much to catch my eye, I spot an old worn vertical sign that reads "Antiques", even though it was hardly visible. I asked Dennis how much, because I saw a definite project in the making. He then proceeded to tell me, "Ah, you're one of those people that sees the art in things." He gave it to me for a mere $3. 

Today, that sign was my project. I repainted the letters on it last night, but I left the rain washed paint as it was, because it adds so much character to the piece. But after I painted on the letters, I thought they looked too new compared to the rest of the sign. So I took some large grain sandpaper and kind of wore down the letters a little bit to make them look more aged. 

Now, I am probably worlds biggest fan of Mod Podge. 

The only place I know to buy it is Hobby Lobby, but then again, I've never looked anywhere else. But man, this stuff is a miracle worker. Careful to not chip off any more paint than was already missing, I liberally coated my sign with it, hopefully sealing off any more damage to the paint and/or wood. I personally would recommend using a sponge brush to reduce the streakiness of the glaze. The Mod Podge also comes in gloss and semi-gloss I believe, but I prefer the matte. 

Honestly, I'm undecided on what I'm going to do with it yet, but my end result pleased me greatly. 

The lesson to be learned here today? Don't discount anything as art. If you keep an open heart and an open mind, you can find the beauty in just about anything, whether it be a rustic old sign or a lovely elderly couple. 

Bridal Shower

I can hardly believe it, but in less than three weeks, my best friend is getting married!!! In spite of the relatively cool weather we've been having as of late, she was blessed with a nice warm day on Saturday for a home-thrown bridal shower. As a bridesmaid, I was in charge of putting together a dessert (stay tuned for the recipe) and a taco dip, as well as bringing an assortment of supplies and prizes. The girls all showed up early and using many borrowed items, we decorated the garage and prepared the tables as best as we could. Honestly, for being a low budget yet very family style shower, I thought it was absolutely beautiful. Check it out!

The table cloths were half off at the dollar store. Yes, the dollar store apparently does have sales. The burlap runners were borrowed, as were the mason jars. The ribbon and stones were also purchased for cheap. 

Then we brought in the flowers. 

Then of course we had color themed EVERYTHING. Yellow cups, blue punch, and sunflower bingo boards. 

And here's the bridal party!

Just three days until the bachelorette party and then another two weeks until the wedding!

Saving Grace

I thought about giving this post a title that included "TV Review" but I feel like it deserves so much more than that. Allow me to elaborate. 

No matter how many times I watch this series, it will always always always be the best thing that I have ever seen. I watch a lot of tv. I could easily name 10 shows that I follow on a regular basis. But Saving Grace, a show that was robbed of more than 3 seasons, is seriously the single best creation I have ever experienced. The characters are unlike any other, each with their own story and heartbreak. Grace is hysterical, agonizing, loving, and heart wrenching. Holly Hunter is a phenomenal actress but Nancy Miller IS in fact a complete genius. Her humor and seriousness infused together make for a brilliant script with impeccable plot lines and unique characters. I'm eternally grateful that TNT allowed Nancy to write out episodes to wrap up the series. Sure, it was a little rushed, but based on what she was given, it was sheer perfection. It makes zero difference if I've watched the series once or a thousand times, I will always cry like a baby at that ending. I knew exactly what was coming and the tears came anyway. 

This show is gritty, passionate, intense, heartwarming, funny, sensual, and carries a message that is truly inspired. 

Whether you have faith in God or you are the single most atheist person on the planet, please give this show a try. It has the potential to completely change your life. 

Antique

My boyfriend is the best. No seriously. We went shopping all afternoon today for things for the house. It was my birthday present!

Among a wide variety of other things, we found some nice frames at Walmart for our antique newspapers! For someone who gets out and shops a lot, I could hardly believe that I never knew they had a wide variety of simple plastic frames for posters for super cheap! We picked out a few that would house our antique newspapers purchased last week and framed them for wall decor. 

Summer Days

After getting back late last night, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my Hollyhocks were finally blooming! I'm a big fan of perennials because to be honest, I'm kind of a lazy bum. Last year, these guys were barely a foot off the ground. But now that they're settled in and we've gotten plenty of rain this season, they're nearly to my chin!

Craft: Beanbags

A few weeks ago, Luke and I finished the bean bag tosses (finally!). 

Today, I worked with my grandma for a little over an hour to sew up some beanbags for it!

Fabric was from Hobby Lobby and we filled them with old popcorn seeds. My dad claims they're a little too small but we worked hard on them so that's just too bad!

So excited to finally use the things!

Craft: A Bag out of Bags

I've always admired how cool the bags made out of plastic bags are when I've seen them around, but never gotten around to actually making one. My best friend in high school taught me how to crochet, but I never advanced beyond the simple things, like scarves and blankets. But using my powers of logic and creativity, I managed to figure out how to construct a bag without the help of the internet or anyone else (which it really wasn't that hard). The hard part, however, was figuring out how to cut up the plastic bags to use them as "yarn". 

Allow me to teach you!

Step 1: Lay the bag out as flat as you can. I was doing this on the floor, but a kitchen counter or table works just as well. 

Step 2: Trim off the bottom. 

Step 3: Spread the remaining bag flat. The edges of my bag always curl kind of goofy because of how they're made. I just trim that part off too so it's square. 

Step 4: Fold one side of the bag up towards the other, BUT NOT EVEN WITH THE OTHER SIDE! Leave about 1 inch of space on the unfolded side. 

Step 5: Fold the bag again repeatedly, always leaving that one inch of space, until the two sections are about the same size.

Step 6: Cut 1 inch slices along the folded part, being careful to not cut through all the way to the other side. At the other end, cut off the handles to the bag. 

Step 7: Shake out the bag. 

Step 8: Now you're going to have to make this one long strip to use as "yarn". I like to use my arm as my divider. I have also been told that cardboard can work. I just like my arm because it's faster and requires less materials. 

 

Start in the middle of where the 2 cuts are and cut diagonally to one of the two nearest slices. I go right to left because I'm right handed. So in the picture above, you would cut from the seam up and left to where the cut in the plastic is. 

So it looks like this. 

Now you can use your brain. Cut diagonally right up to left for each slice, making sure to keep it all connected as one long piece of "yarn". 

Once you're to the top, end the same way you started. Wind up the plastic yarn and use as needed. I did a whole bunch of bags at once so I can have them at the ready. 

Here's my progress so far! I've used 7 white bags and I just started on my second yellow one. I anticipate using a minimum of 50 bags and plan on adding Kohl's/Walmart bags to my collection for alternating white, yellow, and gray stripes. 

Recipe: Scotcheroos

What a long-lost treat in my world. I hadn't had these in years until my roommate made them for us. Then, when my mom mentions we have some butterscotch chips that need to be used up, I'm like, hey now, I certainly know what we can do with those. 

Ingredients

1 1/2 C Karo light corn syrup

1 1/2 C sugar

1 1/2 C peanut butter

8 C Rice Krispies

12 oz bag semi sweet chocolate chips

12 oz bag butterscotch chips

First, heat the syrup and sugar in a medium pan on the stove until sugar is dissolved. At first, I wasn't sure how well it was going to work, but the syrup literally gets clear again when the sugar is dissolved and it's ready to go. 

Note: do not use a short handled spoon to stir the hot stuff. Because when it falls into the pan and you have to find a way to get it out, burning yourself is likely. 

While that was heating, I measured out 8 cups of Rice Krispies into a large bowl. In the original recipe, it says "add Rice Krispies" very vaguely. I thought it was way easier to pour the hot stuff on the cereal. 

Once the sugar is done dissolving, remove from heat and add the peanut butter, stirring until smooth. 

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the Rice Krispies and stir together until all of the Krispies are coated. It all came off the sides of the bowl nicely and plopped right into the pan. Press down into pan to make into bars. 

Put the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips into a decent sized bowl. Melt in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between to keep them from burning. I did 3 intervals and it worked perfect. 

Pour on top of the Krispies and spread evenly. Stick the pan in the fridge if you like the frosting hard, but I personally like it a little gooey. 

Cut into them with a lot of arm strength and enjoy ;)

Revamp

I thought the blog could use a little refresher! Do you like the remodel?

Be sure to check out the new "About Me", "Photos", "#ootd" and "Confessional"  pages, linked at the top of the site.

There may be more changes to come; check back soon!