A little inspiration...

        The Holidays are approaching! Are you getting ready? Or waiting a few more weeks?

     We are doing things a little different this year. We typically are not completely done with shopping and/or decorating before Christmas Eve. Sincerely. I couldn't really tell you why. It is just how it has been. Our "style" you could say. This year we are in new territory! Our shopping is very nearly done, and I have a jump start on our decorations! I must say.... It is kind of nice! This lull, the quiet before the holiday storm. Taking advantage of this slow time has been most productive! Now ordinarily crazy time will be spent snuggled up in a blanket downstairs with my cute family. Christmas lights glowing on the tree.... Yes! We even have one of two trees up!

    Last Saturday while the hubs was pheasant hunting my gals and I headed into town. Our little valley is the newest to welcome Tai Pan Trading. Really exciting! I did not want to leave. I was completely enamored  by the hanging Christmas wreaths they had displayed. As I quickly began formulating a plan to duplicate the wreath, the total started to creep upwards. Although completely head over heels with the store and their wholesale pricing, I could not bring myself to spend the nearly sixty dollars it would have been to purchase all the supplies.... and really, sixty is not bad, but cursed am I with a frugal mind.

 
    A simple Christmas garland can be purchased for less than a traditional wreath. I wrapped a tree garland around an old grapevine I already had. Then secured it with wire. I used white string to attach silver snowflakes at different lengths to the grapevine on the outer edge. My old reliable friend jute was used to hang the ornaments from the ceiling first then through the middle of the wreath after it was hung.  I literally only spent $10 on this wreath! Hobby Lobby is having a fantastic 50% off sale on all of their Christmas items. I bought 5 large ornaments. Everything else I had from previous years! The cute deer? Dollar store!

  Inspiration and creativity are endless. It is really what we do as bloggers. Inspire one another. Make our own special touches and contributions. I really love Tai Pans wreath. Like, love it! I really love mine too! Maybe a little more. Something rewarding about creating for my family.

    How have you been inspired this Holiday season?

Out with the old! In with the.... Old?!

    Good old Tuesday! One day down in the week. I'm in a bit if a rush today. Ever notice how incredibly slow Blogger is when you just want to post! Its probably not Blogger, but my impatient, antsy old self.

     My to do list is brimming. My want to do list growing. Today I get to take not one, but two Iphones to the Apple store. Insert: frown. Teens and pre teens are tough on things! Good grief! After that the lil one and I will hit a few stores for a jump on Christmas shopping. Insert:... I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. Somewhere in there I get to grab supplies for my newest beloved piece of furniture. Has that ever happened to you? You just know even before the first stroke of sandpaper you are going to fall in love! This UEA weekend we were visiting family. My mother in law sent me home with a true treasure.

    My sweet husband does not understand this old soul that lives deep inside, and normally probably would not have loaded said treasure into the trailer and dragged her home, BUT... we need another dresser. After seven years of marriage you would not think that I am still trying to piece our bedroom together.... I am. We have never had matching furniture in there. That bothers me some. Like teens in a dorm room sort of bother. Styles change. Tastes change. When we got married we were trying to combine two households into one. Now we have accumulated seven more years worth of stuff. We could afford a new set, but just simply have not gotten around to it, and I don't mind. I love to create for my family!  Last month when the hubby was deer hunting (when I do my best work) I tackled our existing dresser:

    Not to shabby! I replaced some of the missing handles sanded here and there, slapped some primer plus paint on and voila! So are you ready?! Here is the newest addition!

 Wah Wah Wah!

 Can't you see the possibilities though! Ugh! Im so excited! Nerd alert! The first place my eye was drawn, was to the lovely "brass" handles. No worries! After a quick removal, and I mean quick! I cleaned them up good with a baking soda paste and lightly sanded them with a 220 grit sandpaper. have you ever used Rust-Oleum's Metallic paint and primer?  Oil rubbed bronze is the bomb! The stuff is a God send! I have updated fixtures like a mad woman around the house!

    The cost of all new hardware can get a little pricey. I am still planning on purchasing a few different handles so this dresser matches the other dresser, but my cost for a simple update using what is already available is right around $10, for the paint and sandpaper!

Now I'm really excited! Happy Tuesday!

Vintage desk upcycle and milk paint!

    Baby Keeg, Ab and I loaded into the car and hit the local Deseret Industries! Living in a DIY valley, finding treasures is a rarity! We lucked out! I found this great desk, a matching head and footboard, and fantastic set of shutters! My mind was racing as we crammed our prizes into our small car! We were certainly a sight! 

    

    Milk paint is making such a comeback! I was just about to hit the checkout button and purchase milk paint over the web.... then me, being me thought "I have to try to do this on my own!" I try everything once! It was amazing! I highly recommend the following recipe! I started out with the Martha Stewart recipe, but after 24 hours had few curds. I did a little experimenting and was very pleased! Not to mention I saved so much learning how to create my own!

1 quart skim milk (must be skim!)

1 cup white distilled vinegar

acrylic paint

cheesecloth

strainer

Allow skim milk to reach room temperature. In a large bowl combine milk and vinegar. Let the mixture sit overnight. The next day cover a strainer with cheesecloth and pour milk mix in to separate the whey from the curds. Rinse well and place the curds into a mixing bowl and mix until smooth. Add a few drops of color and continue adding until you reach the desired hue! I got about 2 cups from this recipe. enough for three coats on the desk. Do not mix until you are ready to use. It is important you use it quickly, as it will not store.

    If you have never used this type of paint before.... Be patient take your time and figure out how to apply it. The first coat is very nearly transparent. Making sure your surface is properly sanded and prepped is crucial! It will begin to lift itself off as it dries. So it will just fall off of any unprepped surface. It will not stick to a varnished surface real well. I promise you will love it once you figure it out! If you love that chippy, vintage paint look... this is the paint for you! I used to spend hours painting, sanding, and distressing! This paint does it for you!

   

       I was able to keep a reasonable budget with this project by using what I had on hand! Using a little spray paint and spare buttons, I covered unsightly areas. The original hardwood seat was upholstered. This desk is solid wood. Very sturdy! It has a functioning book rack, and desktop! Made even more fun with a few chalkboards! Perfect for any corner in your home! The desk was finished and sealed with several coats of polyurethane and furniture wax! 

AND.... she's for sale! Available for pick up in Cache County Utah! Asking $100 If you would like more information please email: curiouswisdomlj5@gmail.com

Tar paper fireworks!

I love the 4th of July! 

 Back and refreshed from a vacation I was ready for some cute outdoor decorations! A set back from being "back and refreshed" is my wallet now needs to be refreshed:) I pondered for sometime trying to figure out what I wanted...

 and on a next to nothing budget!

I was just about to paint over my Halloween pumpkin logs, to transform them into fire works when I saw the roll of tar paper in the back corner of the shed. I admired the shape of the roofing paper and had an idea....

I cut a piece and then secured the top and bottom with a staple to create my cylinder shape.

Then used hot glue along the seam.

Grabbed a few buckets of leftover paint! Spray paint would work fine, but I liked the instant thick coverage I was able to achieve with the latex paint. 

Once my tubes dried I cut a square of the paper, poked a wire through the center and secured the inside end with hot glue...

Then trimmed and painted the top. Twist the wire around  a pencil for a fun look!

I used a stencil to decorate my fire works and then created the "fuse" by tying several strands of yellow ribbon to the wire.

My total cost for this crazy cute DIY $0.00 I simply used what I had around the house!

Share your fun 4th of July ideas!

                                                                          

Fall Fun!

    There are so many wonderful decorating ideas floating around! Plenty of inspiration! Talented Bloggers and Pinners abound sharing their creativity!  Easing into the end of the year craft season with a few quick and simple projects can be just the thing you need to get your creative juices flowing! Look around and gather ideas, then make them your own! I fell in love with a tutorial for vintage signs and decided to give it a go!

    It was really quite simple and quick! Cut the wood to the desired length! (I also thought this would be cute on a wide variety of surfaces! Old doors, walls, old windows, just about anything!) Paint colorful stripes! This is where I got nervous! It looked rather weird! I found that I was happier with a straight lined stripe in the finished product... Use masking tape to create letters! Paint over the top with a festive color! Remove tape and allow to dry. Finish with a distressing method of your choice, mine is the old reliable stain distress!

I was having so much fun...

That everybody's getting one!

What can you do with $2.50?

    So far we have had a rather industrious summer! Chasing a toddler, training for a half marathon (Gulp! Three weeks to go!) cupcake stands, camping, yard work, school shopping for my best girl, Mia Maids, swimming pools....

Sigh!        

    Somewhere in between I have managed to squeeze in some DIY therapy! Much needed DIY therapy!

    My child is convinced that she would like her bedroom reprinted for her upcoming birthday! JOY! As I got looking around at the well loved hand me downs, it was decided that no bedroom remodel would be complete without sending a little love to the furniture!

    Shopping mistints can save you hard earned $ at the check out counter! After parousing paint samples for near an hour we found a Valspar mistint that we immediately fell in love with! I used a stain distressing method,and can't stop gazing upon the new found beauty of some old beloved pieces! 

    To go with the "new" furniture she has chosen a charcoal gray and lavender to don the walls! Can't wait to see it all together!

Feeling Blessed!

Raspberry Cream Cheese Pin Wheels...

    Behind the scenes I have been working on perfecting my pastry skills! Yesterday, wanting a delightful treat! Yet not wanting to commit to the time frame a fluffy pastry dough takes, I decided it was time to experiment!

    There has been some debate on whether or not a cream cheese dough can be laminated properly. The fundamental basics of a puff pastry dough depend on a high fat content. This binds your ingredients, and high fat content allows you to create wonderful, flaky layers of goodness by creating air pockets in the dough while baking! A typical puff pastry recipe calls for 24 tablespoons of butter, and can take anywhere from 1 to 3 days to prepare. By omitting more than half the butter and substituting with cream cheese you lose fat content.

  But! Determined am I! 

     My husband has a real sweet tooth! Not the candy and chocolate sweet tooth that I have, but rather a danish, cinnamon roll, monkey bread kinda hankering! I am happy to oblige! I love to have treats ready after school and work! Again, not wanting a treat that took days of anticipation... (all though croissant dough is resting in the fridge as we speak) here is what I came up with! Just a little quicker, different textured version of a great! 

8 T softened unsalted sweet cream butter
4 ounces softened cream cheese cut into cubes
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 T sugar

splash of vanilla

(I wondered about orange zest)

    This can be mixed with a food processor or by hand! I used my food processor. Mix butter, cream cheese, and whipping cream until smooth. Add the flour, salt, sugar, and vanilla and blend/knead until a smooth ball is formed. If dough is too sticky add additional flour a Tablespoon at a time. Let dough rest covered with plastic in the fridge for an hour.

    On a floured surface roll the dough out into a thin rectangle. Then fold into thirds, like a letter... cover with plastic and refrigerate for thirty minutes. After thirty minutes remove and with the open flap towards you roll out again. Fold into thirds, refrigerate. Repeat this step two more times. I turned my dough three times. If dough becomes to sticky to work with pop back into the refrigerator!

These are the layers I achieved with three turns, you could add a few more if you are so inclined!

 Pre heat oven to 350 After the final turn, roll out once more shaping an even rectangle. Cut off the uneven edges. With a pizza cutter or knife divide dough in half lengthwise. Then make 8-10 squares. For a pinwheel shape cut two inches into the corners of your square and fold in on top of your favorite fruit topping! Sprinkle Coarse granulated sugar on top! If you would like that golden brown appearance use an egg wash. I did not do this. Bake until the tops of your pinwheels are browned, mine took about 12 minutes!

    Cream Cheese topping:

At our house we prefer to taste the cream cheese, so this recipe is not the typical sweetened frosting recipe!

4 ounces softened cream cheese

3 T salted sweet cream butter

1 T milk

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Mix it all together until light and fluffy! Top and enjoy!

no truffle at all... A tasty post from the archives!

Get your chocolate on!

     I am so behind! Sweet baby K has been so sick this week and I have been busy keeping her happy. My Valentines prep is suffering! I have finally begun! I am going to share the easiest chocolate truffle recipe with you!  

 For easy peasy chocolate truffles you will need:

16 oz bittersweet chocolate chips
1 cup whipping cream
2 tsp almond extract
truffle toppings of your choice!

 In a saucepan bring your cream and almond extract to a simmer. Stir occasionally. Like my spatula?

 Have your chocolate chips ready in a separate bowl.

 Pour cream over chips and let sit for a few minutes then mix.

Oh my ganache!

     You just created ganache! Refrigerate for three to four hours. Once chilled roll into teaspoon size balls and top! This step gets kind of messy so move fast!

Peanut Butter?

 Feeling encouraged? My husband loves peanut butter! Try this awesome recipe! Peanut butter truffles

     While your mixtures cool get to work on your presentation! I love books so I always feel bad when I destroy one! However...creating a book box is always a fun and unique gift! I found a few old books at the D.I. for under a dollar! Start by gluing the pages and back cover together. Once dried trace a square onto the front inside cover, and using a razor blade carefully begin cutting out your box.

Too cute!

    Once I get close to the back cover I start peeking carefully at the pages remaining until I find a neat picture to stop on. This will serve as your box backdrop.

Yum!

    Truffles rolled and topped! I used two coffee filters to line my box and place my truffles in. It turned out darling! I might have to keep one for myself! Keep refrigerated until ready to share! Happy dipping! 

Peppermint log candles...

     I have had these logs kicking around for awhile now. The intent was to turn them into pumpkins. The pumpkin logs I have already made have been holding up real good. Sooo these logs have sat in the backyard making my husband irritable for some time:)

     I cleaned them up. Brought them in and painted them white. I was relieved when the spray paint did not stick to the oil treated logs because it was chilly outside! I painted them with a latex semi gloss instead whilst keeping warm!

     While the paint dried I gathered some random items still not positive what I was doing. I used some old bulbs we had laying around, some jute, and a few bamboo sticks to fashion my wick and flame.

     When the paint was almost there...I am low on patience:) I used red ribbon and a matching red acrylic paint for my peppermint striping effect.

I really like them! They turned out just like I imagined! Good luck!