Got a minute....

Fall is officially here! Time to get to work! True to fashion, or blog style. I have looked around the house to come up with this quick inexpensive decorating idea! My cost was $0.00! Using some imagination and what you have laying around, is hands down the best way to begin your Fall fun! Next time you are tossing out recycleables... give them another look! Enjoy!

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!

                                                                          

Bread and Better....

What are you feeding your kids? There is an amazing web article in Parents that has some sandwich ideas that will give you confidence and your kiddo's proper nutrition! 

You Cornball.... A post from the archives!

Are you ready to get your Fall on?!

    These candy corn cuties are just the thing to ease into the Fall season! Starting with a Styrofoam ball, paint it orange using acrylic paint. Once dried use hot glue to apply your candies.....

     These critters are quick easy and super cute! Cheap also...My total cost, paint and all for under ten dollars! Looking for easy Christmas ideas! Paint your Styrofoam red and apply Star lite peppermints!

                                                                                Loressa

Save the date! An invite only tutorial...

 
 I am feeling old today! The wedding season is upon us! Awhile back while pondering a gift for the daughter of a good friend I stumbled unto "my thing"... What is "my thing"? Well every bride gets a mixer right?! I got out my Cricket and pressed for time and sanity I was admittedly going to slap the initials of the happy couple unto a piece of glass and call it good...while looking at their invite I was grabbed by the notion that I should use their invitation in some form...

So! 

    That has now become "my thing" I create gifts using the invitation! It has been a huge success! An announcement is the first announcement to the world of their new life! I love these projects! It also gives me time to reflect on fond memories of friends and family! The beautiful bride here is my cousin whom I used to babysit! Hence the "I feel old today!"

Using the first letter of the soon to be last name I had a few ideas!

Remember the lace stencil from a few posts back? I still love it!

     I painted the front and back of one of the letters. Then used hot glue to adhere them together once I had completed my collage...

    My little sister introduced me to modge podge! I am now convinced it is the most underrated craft supply!

    I carefully ripped their beautiful invitation to shreds, and created a collage. Be creative! Get sloppy! When your collage is finished simply flip over the letter and trim the excess paper off with a razor blade.

Back view! I attached small wooden blocks as the stand.

Front beautiful view! What are your wedding gift traditions?

                                                                                Loressa

Are you getting your 30/30...

    So by now I am betting everyone has heard of Tim Ferriss....right?! Please tell me this man has you doing all sorts of funky little things also! Cold showers....a daily dose of saurkraut...Heavy creamer in the coffee?!

Anyone else?

    OK so now that I sound like a full on weirdo let me explain...

   Tim Ferriss is the author of the amazing book the 4 hour body. An awesome book that everyone one should own! Full of small consistent changes that will change your life! My favorite of course would be the material on rapid fat loss. Basic fat subtraction and also advanced subtraction tips. The lovin chapter is also pretty good:)

    One of the many recommendations that I have been using myself is to consume 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking... The first morning I put this habit to use all we had in the house that could produce a quick protein fix was of course...eggs! Five eggs later I was strapped in and riding the Hurl a Whirl at full speed! 30 grams is a lot of protein! Before you run to the toilet Hear me out! I have since fine tuned my morning protein intake to include a variety of choices. Low fat cottage cheese with grapes is one I can stomach a little easier! Plain Greek yogurt with a little honey is yet another of many great options!

    This morning I was able to find a smoothie recipe that looks delicious! Why am I sharing this tid bit with you? Because it works! Adding the 30/30 habit to your morning routine will change the way you snack and feel throughout the afternoon! In addition to my running and a few other small dietary changes I am noticing a big difference! I have more energy in the afternoon and I am snacking less! I am better able to make good food choices and I am back into my pre prego jeans! Try it out!

                                                                Loressa

Ball O yarn ornaments...

     Here is what I did with the mystery Styrofoam balls! The other day my mom, sister, baby K and I stopped in to grab a bite at our new favorite deli Kneaders...They had a tree in their entry that was adorned with ornaments similar to these. This is my version with a burlap bow twist!

     With one  5oz package of yarn I was able to cover a 6 inch, 5 inch, and a 4 inch ball with yarn to spare!

     Start with a dot of hot glue at the top then wind your way around and around! Stop occasionally to apply some glue....that way when the ball flies out of your hands and the last three feet come unraveled $%^#!  It will eventually stop unwinding:)

Stop on the top of the ball and leave yourself a few inches to loop over and create your hook.

Apply your bow! Now all I need is a tree!

Our version of a classic treat...

 I could not place the familiar taste of these delicious cookies...They reminded me of something....

 Oatmeal Cream Pies! Follow the directions on package...and for the sake of argument I added some instant oatmeal. Drop by teaspoonful trying to keep them equal sized...

YUM!

Crunchy pillow anyone...

  OK time for some honesty...I am to tired too try to wow anyone with my mad.. um... er sewing skills! While my machine sits collecting dust in the spare room I long to provide myself the means of ease...Alas! (Snicker) I recall a certain wise and crafty family member of mine spray painting designs unto pillows...How bout the whole pillow? Would certainly save time and hassle....

    Pro's:
 It is done!
 It is brown!
The variance of color is indeed pretty cool!
The zipper looks neat!
Twas easy!

    Con's:
Its crunchy?!
It smells....a dryer sheet helped some:)
Its crunchy.....

I sorta like it:0) Maybe I should try another avenue?

Happy painting!

Projects Two and Three...Finally!

Project #2...

I decided to make myself an earring holder and love it! I realized that many of my posts have to do with organization...but I finally have the time to do it! I feel so incredibly busy and there is always so much to be done, but I am grateful for a flexible schedule now. Full-time work and full-time school never was good for making a home. So I find myself organizing and doing all the things that I have wanted to do for years and feeling like it is coming together one day at a time.

I have become a fan of pink as of late and even though it doesn't match the bathroom, couldn't resist! Again, just got a frame from the thrift store for $1, painted it, backed it with fiberglass screening and then with fabric. Add a hanger and you're done!

 Here it is with my earrings that finally have a home!

 I think it turned out nice in my bathroom. I found the white shelf at the thrift store for $4. I have my headbands and bracelets on the shelf with a few other odds and ends. I hang my necklaces from the bar and now the earrings are easy to find and fast to put off and on.

 Project #3...

I found this cute shadow box at the thrift store for $1 with the roses in it. The door is hinged, so it can be closed for a box, but I like to keep it open for more dimension and so it can stand up. All it needed with a little TLC - removal of some extra hardware, a little paint and glass cleaner. Cute for the baby room or living room.