not quite

Hello hello everyone so I have a confession to make. I had 'big' plans this evening to pop in here with a yummy popsicle recipe for my make something monday post but after dinner we popped these homemade orange coconut creamsicles out and well - they got mixed reviews.

The boys thought they were good, I thought they were okay and Mr. Gough thought they taste a bit like barf. :) Don't worry he said it sweetly. I enjoyed the sprinkles that we added on top because sprinkles make even barfy popsicles taste pretty good. ha! Anyways I thought I should come out with it since I mentioned it in my earlier post and let you know that I am going back to the drawing board before sharing any recipes. I am after a really yummy creamsicle taste but without the dairy - any suggestions or awesome recipes for me? Maybe I should skip the creamscicles and go straight for these mojito popsicles instead they look pretty yummy!

So in the mean time tell me what's your favorite homemade popsicle recipe? I would love to hear! Hope you had a great day today will be back soon!

make something monday :: salad spinner spin art

 For several months I have been on the lookout for one of those neat spin art sets but both Chris and I have yet to come across one that seemed worth the money. But knowing my sons, especially my paint lover Levi I knew that they would love to try spin art. So I got a little creative and bought a cheap salad spinner, cut some heavy paper into circles to fit in the bottom of the basket and got out our poster paints. We went to town it was so much fun and it worked really well!

As soon as I told Levi we were doing a paint project this morning he was racing around the house collecting all the supplies for me. He could not contain himself and Simon was quite excited about it too. We started by doing little dots of paint and layering each time taking turns spinning the salad spinner as fast as we could. Honestly I was even really excited to see what would happen.

It was so simple and so much fun! About halfway through I got smart and put the salad spinner on a rimmed cookie sheet to catch the excess paint flowing out of the bottom. It made for much easier clean up in the end.

We will be doing this again very soon I know it! If you have a salad spinner and paint I am telling you this is a fun summer activity that your kids will go crazy for (and you too :))!

Now my mind is spinning with ideas on how to use our colorful finished product!

Happy Monday Friends!

make something monday :: restyled moccasins

I picked up a pair of moccasins at the thrift store a few weeks ago for just a couple of bucks. They aren't vintage and in fact pretty generic but they were in my size and barely worn. I really want a pair of Minnetonkas like THESE for the fall and have been saving my pennies so I instantly knew that theses black ones would be the perfect pair to restyle. I decided to update them to look similar to the "I heart you" pair that Darlingtonia made for Red Velvet this past season...swoon worthy but a bit out of my price range and after restyling this pair I know why that's ALOT of work! (see them HERE)

The first thing I did was lift up and remove the fringe portion by using a seam ripper and some brute force. I also trimmed the leather bows down to simple knots.

Then I used a white and a burnt orange suede sampler that I picked up at my local Pacific Fabric for only a few dollars and cut a large and a small heart from each to layer. They remind me of tender heart bear...do you remember care bears? Of course you do :).

I used some Fabrictac glue to glue the two hearts together and while they were drying I added a white stitching around the toe with some embroidery floss and a glovers needle. I followed the black stitching that was already there. A note if you make some of these try to thread the needle like I did in the photo above it is super hard to fit your hand inside of the shoe to pull the needle back and forth and I finally figured out that you can almost whip stitch right on top.

Lastly I top stitched the hearts together with my sewing machine right down the middle and then glued them onto the shoes, this time I pulled out the big guns and used some E6000. They dried overnight and are perfect for the chilly fall like weather we have had her in Seattle today! It was a simple little restyle project to keep my fingers busy over the weekend. 

What have you been working on lately? Hope you have a wonderful Monday friends!

make something monday :: black bean quinoa salad

I know I just posted a recipe last week for make something monday and had planned on doing a craft tutorial but I have received several email requests for this black bean and corn quinoa salad that I mentioned in my dinner at eight post a few days ago so I thought it would be a fun one to share with all of you today.

This recipe was truly one of those throw it all together and see how it turns out kind of meals and luckily I thought to write it down afterwards because we loved it so much. It makes a huge batch and stores well in the fridge for a few days to snack on or to pack Chris for lunch and it is yummy in a wrap or with some grilled chicken on top. It's really hearty and has a strong Mexican flavor that I love I hope you love it too!!

I also wanted to thank you guys for leaving such kind, heartfelt comments on my last post about being sick and weary they made me teary eyed and so happy to know that I can come and be real and honest in this space too!

I hope you all have a wonderful day today and I will be back shortly with some more fun stuff to share! xo

Mexican black bean quinoa salad

1 cup of quinoa soaked for 15 min or so in water, drain well.

1 ½ cups of water added to the soaked and drained quinoa and a tsp or so of salt bring to a full boil, cover and turn to low and let sit for 15 min. Turn off heat and let sit another five min and then fluff with a fork. (can be made ahead and stored in the fridge)

When ready for salad –

Mince 1 jalapeno, 2 cloves of garlic and 1 small red onion (or half onion if big). Saute in olive oil, for a few minutes. Add two bell peppers that have been sliced thin. Saute a few minutes longer until softened. Add 1 tsp. cumin and 1 tsp coriander, stir and remove from heat.

Add quinoa to a large bowl followed by a can of drained black beans and a can of drained corn. Toss in the sauteed veggies and mix together.

Add 1 diced tomato

For the dressing use the juice of 1 lime (2 Tablespoons), ¼ cup of olive oil (less is fine), tsp or so of salt and a dash of cayenne pepper. Mix well and dress the salad and then top with cilantro if desired!

make something monday :: whipped coconut cream

A few months ago now I mentioned that I was making a much stronger attempt at avoiding dairy and eggs and choosing to eat mostly vegan (minus the fact that I eat some lean meat) because of some really severe food sensitivities. But I have some pretty strong non negotiables on my food list that needed to get squared away before I could make a lasting change - things like my insane love of baking and eating sweets and treats. I have to admit that I have been so pleasantly surprised at some of the amazing alternatives I have found when forced to look. Coconut milk topping the list for sure. 

First of all if you are considering going dairy/egg free you must know about So Delicious - their coconut products especially the ice cream and the creamer will in fact change your life. It is SO GOOD and so readily available at almost all major grocery stores!! Another fun thing I have discovered about coconut milk is how easy it is to make whipped cream. All you need is a can of full fat coconut milk that has been stored in the fridge for several hours or overnight. 

After you have refrigerated the can and it is good and cold it will seperate naturally so don't shake it but instead crack it open and scoop off the top thick part of the milk and leave the water at the bottom for another use. Plop the thick stuff in a bowl and then get creative. 

I have been adding about 1teaspoon of vanilla and a few tablespoons of powdered sugar and sometimes a dash of cinnamon. My friend Kim created her favorite using vanilla, cinnamon, honey and some orange zest which sounds a-mazing and it is on my list to try. I might also give amaretto a try because I am a huge almond lover. It's really super easy to experiment here and seriously the skies the limit. After you have added in all of your extras give it a good whirl with a wisk and you will be amazed and how soft and fluffy it gets. My favorite way to partake is a big blob on top of coffee or a vegan brownie but it's good right out of the bowl.

I think this must be one of the best kept secrets of vegans it is a must try even if you aren't avoiding dairy it is so light and easy - make it you will love it!

Happy Monday friends I will be back soon with more fun stuff to share but I couldn't help but pop in with this simple idea this evening hope you had a wonderful day!

isn't this cute!!

Amanda made her version of the paint chip banner - this adorable rainbow welcome sign! I am so in love and now I must get some more paint chips because I want one too!! This is seriously cute Amanda and really makes me smile!

Send me photos if you make something fun with one of my tutorials I would LOVE TO SEE!!!!!

the knock off necklace pattern

I have been getting tons of requests for the knock off necklace pattern that I posted about a few weeks ago so I finally took a little time to write it out for you guys. I don't really have a detailed tutorial but it was pretty straight forward as far as stringing the beads and tying little knots onto the components. I am going to include a supply list as well as the bead pattern for anyone who is dying to recreate this statement piece!

Supplies:

1. 8 colors of seed beads. I used black, white, light blue, dark blue, gold, pink and coral
2. power pro beading thread
3. two gold rectangle components like these
4. two open end bar links like these
5. gold chain (I used the plated stuff from the craft store but this is pretty too!)
6. 4 jump rings
7. chain nose pliers and cutters to cut the chain
*note I didn't use a clasp since this is an over the head length necklace

What I did first was connect the back chain to the rectangle and open bar links and then I clipped it all down to a black felt board. I eyeballed how long I wanted the chain by holding it up in the mirror and measuring how much I would need in order to make the big rectangles lay flat on my collar bone. If you have never done any beading before here is a tutorial on how to open and close a jump ring to attach chain and links together.

Then I cut ten long strands of the power pro (leave plenty of slack to tie them off) and tied them to one of the open end links before I started stringing the beads...but here is where I am going to suggest that you don't actually tie the thread on first. I had too since I was making up the pattern as I went along but if you use the one below it would be much easier to put tape onto the end of each piece of power pro and string the rows one at a time and then tie it all down at the end. It's really up to you though whatever works best for you.

Here is the beading pattern: (working from the outside in)

row 1: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 13 white, 23 pink, 23 coral, 30 lt blue, 30 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink

row 2: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 13 white, 23 pink, 23 coral, 30 lt blue, 30 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink

row 3: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 11 white, 21 pink, 21 coral, 27 lt blue, 27 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink

row 4: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 10 white, 20 pink, 20 coral, 26 lt blue, 26 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink

row 5: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 9 white, 19 pink, 19 coral, 24 lt blue, 24 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink

row 6: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 7 white, 17 pink, 17 coral, 21 lt blue, 21 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink

row 7: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 6 white, 16 pink, 16 coral, 20 lt blue, 20 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink

row 8: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 5 white, 17 pink, 17 coral, 18 lt blue, 18 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink

row 9: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 3 white, 15 pink, 15 coral, 16 lt blue, 16 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink

row 10: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 2 white, 13 pink, 13 coral, 15 lt blue, 15 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink

After you have strung each row of beads simple tie a few tight overhand knots right onto the open end link so that all of the beads are as snug and even as possible. Before you trim the extra thread string it back down the row to hide the ends and then cut.

I hope this helps those of you who were really interested in the process. I know this isn't a step by step with photos I didn't really take many but would be so happy to answer any questions in the comment section that you might have!

ps. this post is not sponsored by FusionBeads but I do occasionally teach classes there and use to work there before my babies were born so I am a fan and think you should be too :)!

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make something monday :: 4th of july paint chip banner

I wanted a quick and easy project for today and one that would be festive for the fourth of July holiday that is fast approaching (how is it almost July again?). And I mean, they are giving these paint chips away for free folks so it was kind of a no brainer while running errands to swing into our local home improvement store and select a few. Even though they are there for the taking it felt kind of funny grabbing such a huge stack and leaving the store without purchasing anything else. I was so tempted to grab some in yellow hues too and make one that says "sunshine" but I decided to play it safe and escape without someone asking me if I was painting a room in patriotic colors.

As far as a tutorial it was pretty straight forward. I printed off letters in Oklahoma size 400 and cut them out as a template (hint you only need an S, T, A, R, I, E and P and the ampersand)

Make sure you flip the letters over face down when you trace them onto the back of the paint  chips so that they aren't reversed, cut them out and then punch a few tiny holes in the tops and string them up. I used red and white bakers twine. I have some orange and white bakers twine so I know I will be doing another one come Halloween - or maybe just for Fall? Sheesh who knows there are just so many things you could do! After seeing the egg bunting that went viral around Easter I have been biding my time trying to think of another way to incorporate the cute paint chip trend into my decor.

Simple and festive and not stressful. No stressful crafting guys it's not good for the complexion :). Hope your having a wonderful Monday - any fun festive fourth of July projects you've made lately? 

 linking up with Heather today!

make something monday :: mason jar sippy cups

Chris and the boys made these cute little mason jar no spill cups for Simon's birthday party last week - I love how I get a project idea and Chris will head to the store for supplies and get the kids involved! They seemed pretty simple to make (although he did all the work) and were a fun little detail to have for beverages especially with kids since they are no spill!

 Chris picked up some jars and spray paint as well as a good set of metal files. He used a sharp drill bit to drill a hole into the lid of each jar and then carefully filed the holes so that they would be nice and round and no sharp burs would scratch anyone. Then he and the boys laid out the lids and went to town with the paint. Chris is my spray painting hero - he is always willing to make my dreams come true with a can of paint. I know so romantic! :)

In the mean time I ran the jars through the dishwasher to sterilized them and then when they were all ready added the lids some cute paper straws and set them out on the drink table. We also had some chalk ink markers so that everyone could label their cups. I had hoped that the chalk ink would wipe clean when we were done but the ink really likes the painted surface. All in all they were a fun touch and Simon was very proud of them - he let his friends take their jars home if they wanted!

Happy Monday I will be back with another birthday craft project this week so stay tuned! Right now I am off to catch my breath after an insanely busy weekend!! xo

make something monday :: crocheted binky clip

A friend of mine was teasing me at the park last week that I might need to break down and get a binky clip for Josie because I have been bending over to pick hers up and clean it off like every thirty seconds now that she is much more verbal and into playing with it. I was inspired to create this super simple crochet version - aka the fastest little project ever!  Like a fifteen minute baby shower gift here folks and under five big ones too! If you don't crochet this would be the perfect first project to get you started! 

 All you need are some mitten or suspender clips a crochet chain about 18" long a crochet flower I used this easy tutorial HERE and a button.

 After you make an 18-20" row of chain stitches you want to fasten it off and then fold the long piece in half so that the two end tails are together. Tie an overhand knot or two to attach the chain to your mitten clip.

 Now to fasten the flower your going to want to bring one of the long tails from the chain piece through the center hole of the flower and then up through the shank of the button.

 Then bring the piece back through the center of the flower.

 Now turn the flower over and tie a few more tight overhand knots around the mitten clip and then snip off the excess yarn.

 That's it that's all there is to it. Josie likes the texture of the yarn too and has been playing with it all morning. I realize that this is a pretty "girl" looking binky clip but you could totally customize it for a boy. I was thinking of maybe making a crochet bow tie like this one HERE instead of the flower or a simple circle and button in blues instead of pink for those sweet boy babies out there. I know that my two binky loving boys would have loved something similar as well!

I have an epic long week ahead of me including a big party being planned for my soon to be FIVE year old - ack how did that happen again? A graduation and a quick trip to Portland for Grandpa's funeral as well as a busy Sunday at Church. Nice and full is how we like to roll but I promise to be in this space some too!

Hope your week is off to a great start my friends!

make something monday :: a knock off necklace

Well I have a confession to make: I don't have a tutorial for you today. In my defense it IS a holiday and I DID make something this weekend but instead of crafting a little tutorial to share I selfishly decided to knock off a necklace I have been coveting for a few weeks. I first spotted it on the amazing Rachel Denbow's pinterest - this is the original:

When I saw it my jaw dropped. I love everything about this necklace and had to try to duplicate it somehow. Last week after teaching a class at the bead store I picked up a sampling of seed beads, some power pro and a few components and then spent a week slowly building this thing here and there when I had time. I am not big on puzzles but it sort of felt like a puzzle, something to keep me busy when I had five or ten minutes to spare. I was actually kind of sad when I finished it. This is how it turned out:

What do you think does it look like the original? I chose a few different colors including gold and pink instead of red and yellow. I think it turned out pretty close - I am excited to wear it out. It isn't exactly baby friendly but maybe I will convince Mr. Gough to take me out on a special date...or maybe I will just wear it to the grocery store...heck if I ever get five minutes by myself I will throw it on and have a party - ha!

Chris did take a couple of pictures of me wearing it this afternoon and he tried to convince me to let him photograph my face for the shot but it just seemed so senior picture - he totally had me laughing...and wow this is a bad angle for my nose :).

Happy Memorial Day I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday however you choose to spend it!

PS. If anybody wants me to write down the pattern and colors of beads I used I am totally willing just not entirely sure anyone else would be interested in stringing hundreds of beads in their spare time. I could be the only crazy lady but lemme know!

UPDATE: HERE IS THE PATTERN!

make something monday :: butterfly snack bags

project originally from BakedBree - thanks Bree for saving my hide today!

Were a little bit crazy over here today. I am teaching a jewelry class this evening at Fusion Beads and truthfully I am a tad unprepared. This morning I knew I would need to take my crew to the office supply store for some printer ink so that I could finish printing up the instructions for tonight and on our way out the door by the grace of God I remembered that tomorrow Levi is on snack duty for preschool. Those of you who have preschoolers know that snack duty is kind of a big deal - at our kids school you get to be *host with the most* for the day and treat everyone. I usually try to get the kids engaged in the snacks somehow but knowing I would be home really late I was sort of freaking out in my mind. I only wanted to stop for the ink (and maybe the drive thru for a venti americano - I have been up since 5am folks don't judge me) and I remembered that we had plenty of goldfish and raisins at home. I then thought of the cute little butterfly snack bags I have seen via BakedBree a few times lately. This week the kids are studying insects and bugs...hm could be perfect but I still needed snack size ziplocs (everything else was waiting at home) as luck would have it on our way into Staples there was a huge display of summer supplies including snack sized ziplocs - yes!

These are pretty self explanatory - we just filled the baggies with snacks and then I set up a little craft table for the boys to paint the clothes pins.

I rolled the antenna around a crochet hook while they painted

We clipped them to a plate and allowed them to dry and then added the eyes using a white and black sharpie. The googly eyes Bree used were even better but we were not going out again for those maybe next time.

Once they were all dry the boys added some stickers and we clipped the bags together. Levi was beaming with pride and decided which child in his class will get which butterfly.

And Simon made me promise that we would make these for his class next time he is host with the most he was pretty bummed that it wasn't his turn tomorrow! Wouldn't these be cute with skittles or conversation hearts as party favors??

Fun project - I love finding great ideas around the web to use in a pinch. Anything good you've seen lately? Hope you all are having a great Monday I am off to finish getting ready for what should be a fun evening making jewelry!!