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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Inspiration Strikes!

Last night, while thumbing through a magazine inspiration struck.  I became intrigued by a large match box with a photo of a bird on it.  The price was $16 a box.  I thought that was a bit steep for a box of matches, so I decided to make my own.  We keep matches in the bathrooms and kitchen so I figured since they're on display, why not make them cute?  I used small boxes of matches instead of the large boxes (a package of 10 boxes was $1 at the dollar store) and surfed the internet for images I was interested in.  I then printed the images, cut them to fit the boxes, glued them on using Elmer's school glue, and coated each photo with a good covering of shiny Mod Podge ($6 at Michaels) just to seal the picture.  I thought they turned out pretty cute and it only took about 1 hour to do the entire project, from finding the pictures, to taking the photo of the finished product.  If my inspiration doesn't wane, I may make them for holidays as well.  (HINT *Click on each picture to enlarge it to see detail).

I like my photos better than pictures of birds, and while the guitar was cut a little small, it's still cute.
Having recently acquired a metal board, I have been on the hunt for unique and novelty magnets and my magazine had just the right idea I could put into action.  Old pins and earrings with hardware removed and magnets glued in place using E6000.  Use needle nose pliers to remove the pin and earring backs, then simply glue on the magnets.  Allow to dry and voila!
Finished product.  These are old pins and earrings that I turned into magnets.  Here they are on my magnetic board  I purchased a small pack of 10 magnets at Michaels for $1.79 and I think the E6000 was about $4 or so and of course I have a ton left.


While neither of these project is fancy or significantly time consuming, I have to admit, they did provide a bit of satisfaction knowing I had made something myself instead of purchasing someone else's handiwork.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Coconut Craze!

You've probably heard that your tastes change as you age.  I'm living proof.  While not a fan of coconut growing up, I have discovered just how wonderful it really is.  I've always enjoyed the scent, because it reminded me of suntan oil and summer time, but the taste was something different all together.  On the advice of my niece (thanks LisaDawn) I tried the Limited Edition Coconut M&M's and they're incredible.  Read on for me coconutty goodness :)


Delicious milk chocolate with a hint of coconut.  YUM!!!

I tried a sample of Starbuck's Mocha-Coconut Frappuccino and was instantly addicted.  I would have never paid to try it, so the sample was the perfect bait to get me hooked!
This scent came out last summer and I immediately adored the Berry, but was a bit apprehensive about the coconut.  When Bath & Body Works put the minis on sale for $1 I figured I had nothing to lose, and discovered I had everything to gain.  The coconut vanilla is warm, light and absolutely amazing and I can't get enough of it!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Cory's 40th Birthday Celebration!

On Monday, the 23rd, Cory will officially celebrate his 40th birthday.  But we've spent the whole weekend having friends and family over in honor of his big day.  He wasn't big on the idea of an all black "over the hill" party, so I decided on a camo party to commemorate his renewed love of hunting!

Cory and my mom were the only ones I could get to look at me for this picture!

Autumn and Emily!

Mom, dad, Kelly, Rob and Jeff!

Becky and Daniel!

The kids' table.....opening their treat bags!

Clockwise from top......Luke, Autumn, Emily, Cayla, Mark, James and Daniel!

Cory and his birthday pie - Marionberry!

After dinner (Pizza Hut! Did you really think I was cooking for 20? :)  Dr. Rob sat around and told us gross med-school stories :)
Even the ice bucket and cups got dressed up to celebrate :)

Two of my favorite people!  Cory and Autumn in their camo gear!

Thanks Poppy Jim for the '50's era duck decoys!

Kids' table pre-party!

Kids' table centerpiece!

My Autumn!

Camo cupcakes!

Thank goodness for camo-colored candy :)

"Hunting" dog - ha ha ha ha ha!

Autumn loving on Chuck Chuck!
Cory's camo jackets came in quite handy for decorating!

Thanks Aunt Lisa for the wallies, the pop-gun and the various decor you so generously loaned us!  A few yards of fabric, some shotgun shells and several vintage decoys strategically placed, added ambiance.  Can you use the word 'ambiance' in conjunction with a hunting party?!  :)

A little more decor!

The camouflage scrap-booking paper fit perfectly over my print of 1 Cor. 13.  It almost looks framed :)

Wallies in the window!

Still more decor!

Targets doubled as wall decoration!

Deer antlers displayed on burlap.  Chuck was VERY interested in these!

Poppy's goose decoy goes for a swim on the backporch in the wading pool!

Scrap booking stickers turned plain brown napkins and cups into camo-appropriate decoration!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Monday, May 9, 2011

Sleeper Bag!

Wow!  A Mother's Day post yesterday and now ANOTHER post today?  What is this world coming to?  If I post again tonight, call the authorities, it means my blog's been hijacked :)
So, my mom, ever the quintessential southern belle, introduced me to the sleeper bag.....years ago.  And while it never 'took' with me, I do have my Kate Spade purse in a sleeper bag (because it came with one) and I have occasionally employed one to transport shoes without being too obvious!
The bag below is a 'happy' for my mother; it's a sleeper bag for shoes.
The bag is made of a polyester fabric, lined with nylon and has a hidden drawstring.  It's completely washable, and holds everything from dainty sandals, to bulky tennis shoes.
I hope you like it mom!

Bag with string drawn!
Bag with drawstring hidden!

Bag inverted, so my mom can see what the lining looks like :)