Nesting!

 I just love nests! I found this little birdcage at the thrift store for $1 the other day. I spray painted it, added a little nest and some circle stickers. It looks great with my nesting mantle.

I am linking this up to Beth @ The Stories of A to Z’s wonderful 
Vignette party!
I’m a little late — just like in real life! 
Go over to see the amazing decorating vignettes over at her party!

And, I have seen so many nesting projects and crafts this week. I just had to share them with you!

Nest Fame Pedestal @ All Things Related

Faux Eggs @ Rooming With Gail

 Homemade Nests @ Creative Attempts

Nest Frames @ Persnickety Peacock

 Chocolate Nests @ Under The Table & Dreaming

Beautiful Nests @ Stories From A to Z

 Nest Centerpieces @ Organize ans Decorate Everything

 Nest Door Hanging @ My Lifetime Subscription

 Wire Bird Nests (made from Dollar Store supplies) @ Just Something I Made

Quick DIY Easter Nests @ Brassy Apple

Wire Nest @ Piper’s Pearls

 Cool Nest @ The Lemon Cottage

Cabbage Dyed Eggs and Nest @ Crafty Sisters

 Candlestick Nests @ Organize and Decorate Everything

Have a Great Day!

It’s the first day of Spring Break for us today and we’ve had about 6 inches of now – gah!!!

And, if you are in the Utah area, DownEast outfitters is having a huge sidewalk sale at their Layton store — starting tomorrow. With 90% off many things! Check it out if you can!

XOXO

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Nesting!

 I just love nests! I found this little birdcage at the thrift store for $1 the other day. I spray painted it, added a little nest and some circle stickers. It looks great with my nesting mantle.

I am linking this up to Beth @ The Stories of A to Z’s wonderful 
Vignette party!
I’m a little late — just like in real life! 
Go over to see the amazing decorating vignettes over at her party!

And, I have seen so many nesting projects and crafts this week. I just had to share them with you!

Nest Fame Pedestal @ All Things Related

Faux Eggs @ Rooming With Gail

 Homemade Nests @ Creative Attempts

Nest Frames @ Persnickety Peacock

 Chocolate Nests @ Under The Table & Dreaming

Beautiful Nests @ Stories From A to Z

 Nest Centerpieces @ Organize ans Decorate Everything

 Nest Door Hanging @ My Lifetime Subscription

 Wire Bird Nests (made from Dollar Store supplies) @ Just Something I Made

Quick DIY Easter Nests @ Brassy Apple

Wire Nest @ Piper’s Pearls

 Cool Nest @ The Lemon Cottage

Cabbage Dyed Eggs and Nest @ Crafty Sisters

 Candlestick Nests @ Organize and Decorate Everything

Have a Great Day!

It’s the first day of Spring Break for us today and we’ve had about 6 inches of now – gah!!!

And, if you are in the Utah area, DownEast outfitters is having a huge sidewalk sale at their Layton store — starting tomorrow. With 90% off many things! Check it out if you can!

XOXO

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Christy @ Embellished Bayou: Personalized Artwork Tutorial

 Happy Wednesday! I am excited because I am starting something new! I had such a great response of people who volunteered to guest post for me while I went on my trip, that I  thought it might be fun to try spotlighting a new crafter each week. Every Wednesday a cool crafter is going to come over and guest post a great project! I even made up a little badge they can have if they want it!

If you have ever shared a tutorial on tatertots & jello, feel free to grab this button. And if you would like to share your own tutorial — shoot me an email or leave me a comment here.

So let me introduce you to the first crafter — 

Christy @ Embellished Bayou

Hi, everyone! I am beyond excited to be featured on Tatertots & Jello today, Jen’s projects are some of my favorites! I can’t wait to make some of the cute ruffle necklaces she posted not too long ago.

My name is Christy and I have a blog and Etsy shop called Embellished Bayou.  Mainly I post craft and decorating projects, with some recipe, lifestyle, and shopping posts thrown in there for good measure!

Today I’ll be sharing two different techniques of textured art that are so fun and easy to make.  With so many of us trying to decorate on a budget these days, making your own artwork is a great way to personalize your space with just a little money and a few supplies. 

 Personalized Artwork
To start with, gather your supplies.  For the first project, you’ll need:

~A canvas in your choice of size (I used 8×10, which were on sale at Hobby Lobby for $2.80 for a 2-pack)

~The image you want to paint

~Paint

~Joint compound, spackle, or some sort of texturizing medium

~Small plastic knife

~Seed beeds (optional)

~Silver leaf (optional)

First, paint your canvas in your choice of background color. One coat is fine since you’ll be going over it again later.  Don’t forget the edges!

Next, I printed out the image I wanted to paint and used it as a stencil. If you’ve ever been to my blog, you won’t be surprised that I chose a fleur de lis! You can do this freehand, use a pre-made stencil, or just go abstract.  Draw your shape onto your painted canvas using a marker.Next, spread on your joint compound or spackle with a plastic knife, or you can use your fingers.  You can make it as smooth or as textured as you like.  I built mine up in several places to create lots of texture.  Try to cover your marker lines, and keep a wet paper towel nearby to wipe off any smudges.

So now you should have your shape on your canvas. 

Before the spackle dries, you can press some seed beads or tiny marble beads into the spackle if you want more texture.  I found these tiny silver marble beads in the scrapbook section of Michael’s:

Just for fun, I added some more spackle around my image to create even more texture.  

Allow the spackle to dry, then brush off any loose beads.  My canvas looked like this after all the excess beads fell off:

Now paint over the entire canvas again using your background color.
See all that great texture?

Now, you could leave your canvas just like that and call it done, but I wanted my fleur de lis to stand out, so I lightly brushed some black paint over the textured parts.

Of course, I just couldn’t leave well enough alone, so I added some silver leafing, too! Then I painted over it again with some watered down black paint so the silver wasn’t so bright and shiny.

I think the silver leaf just gave it another dimension and made the textured elements really pop!

You can seal the whole thing with a couple coats of modge podge if you like.  Don’t forget to sign your new artwork!  Now stand back and admire your work!  I’m still trying to decide if I like mine displayed on an easel in the bookcase:

Or in a thrift store frame hanging on the wall (I may just have to paint that frame black!):

Ok, this next version of textured art is a little more simple.  You’ll need:
~A canvas
~Scrap of fabric (I used burlap)
~Image you want to use
~Paint & paint pen
~Modge Podge
~Ribbons for hanging (optional)

Start once again by painting your canvas.  Give it a good two coats this time.  Next, cut your image out of fabric.  Since I wanted a lot of texture, I used the ever-popular and fantastic burlap.  You could do two or more layers if you want it really raised off your canvas.

Notice my fleur de lis is a little wonky.  After all, art is subjective, right?! It doesn’t have to be perfect, that just adds to the charm.  Next, give your canvas a coat of modge podge.

Then press your fabric shape down.

Spread on some more modge podge and coat over the entire image and canvas again.  When using a “hairy” fabric like burlap, I found it best just to dump the modge podge on instead of re-dipping my brush into the jar.  You wanna keep those little fibers outta there.  They will make their way onto the canvas, though, but again, that just adds to the handmade, charm, right?!

So now your shape is all glued down.  Let it dry and give it a second coat if you wish.

Lookin’ good so far! Next I outlined my image with a black paint pen to make it stand out.

Attach some ribbon to the back of the canvas (either hot glue or staple gun), tie a bow at the top, and you’re done!   

Totally cute inside hanging on a wall:

Or outside hanging on your front door:

The possibilities are endless with this type of artwork.  You could use a variety of shapes, from children’s silhouettes to abstract shapes, the only limit is your imagination!  Depending on how much you want to spend, you can make it as large or small as you want.  Be sure and stop by my blog next week for another way to create textured art!  Thank you, Jen, for having me on your fabulous blog!    

Thanks Christy! What a cute project – I love it! Make sure to check out Christy’s blog. She has great ideas!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

XOXO

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Christy @ Embellished Bayou: Personalized Artwork Tutorial

 Happy Wednesday! I am excited because I am starting something new! I had such a great response of people who volunteered to guest post for me while I went on my trip, that I  thought it might be fun to try spotlighting a new crafter each week. Every Wednesday a cool crafter is going to come over and guest post a great project! I even made up a little badge they can have if they want it!

If you have ever shared a tutorial on tatertots & jello, feel free to grab this button. And if you would like to share your own tutorial — shoot me an email or leave me a comment here.

So let me introduce you to the first crafter — 

Christy @ Embellished Bayou

Hi, everyone! I am beyond excited to be featured on Tatertots & Jello today, Jen’s projects are some of my favorites! I can’t wait to make some of the cute ruffle necklaces she posted not too long ago.

My name is Christy and I have a blog and Etsy shop called Embellished Bayou.  Mainly I post craft and decorating projects, with some recipe, lifestyle, and shopping posts thrown in there for good measure!

Today I’ll be sharing two different techniques of textured art that are so fun and easy to make.  With so many of us trying to decorate on a budget these days, making your own artwork is a great way to personalize your space with just a little money and a few supplies. 

 Personalized Artwork
To start with, gather your supplies.  For the first project, you’ll need:

~A canvas in your choice of size (I used 8×10, which were on sale at Hobby Lobby for $2.80 for a 2-pack)

~The image you want to paint

~Paint

~Joint compound, spackle, or some sort of texturizing medium

~Small plastic knife

~Seed beeds (optional)

~Silver leaf (optional)

First, paint your canvas in your choice of background color. One coat is fine since you’ll be going over it again later.  Don’t forget the edges!

Next, I printed out the image I wanted to paint and used it as a stencil. If you’ve ever been to my blog, you won’t be surprised that I chose a fleur de lis! You can do this freehand, use a pre-made stencil, or just go abstract.  Draw your shape onto your painted canvas using a marker.Next, spread on your joint compound or spackle with a plastic knife, or you can use your fingers.  You can make it as smooth or as textured as you like.  I built mine up in several places to create lots of texture.  Try to cover your marker lines, and keep a wet paper towel nearby to wipe off any smudges.

So now you should have your shape on your canvas. 

Before the spackle dries, you can press some seed beads or tiny marble beads into the spackle if you want more texture.  I found these tiny silver marble beads in the scrapbook section of Michael’s:

Just for fun, I added some more spackle around my image to create even more texture.  

Allow the spackle to dry, then brush off any loose beads.  My canvas looked like this after all the excess beads fell off:

Now paint over the entire canvas again using your background color.
See all that great texture?

Now, you could leave your canvas just like that and call it done, but I wanted my fleur de lis to stand out, so I lightly brushed some black paint over the textured parts.

Of course, I just couldn’t leave well enough alone, so I added some silver leafing, too! Then I painted over it again with some watered down black paint so the silver wasn’t so bright and shiny.

I think the silver leaf just gave it another dimension and made the textured elements really pop!

You can seal the whole thing with a couple coats of modge podge if you like.  Don’t forget to sign your new artwork!  Now stand back and admire your work!  I’m still trying to decide if I like mine displayed on an easel in the bookcase:

Or in a thrift store frame hanging on the wall (I may just have to paint that frame black!):

Ok, this next version of textured art is a little more simple.  You’ll need:
~A canvas
~Scrap of fabric (I used burlap)
~Image you want to use
~Paint & paint pen
~Modge Podge
~Ribbons for hanging (optional)

Start once again by painting your canvas.  Give it a good two coats this time.  Next, cut your image out of fabric.  Since I wanted a lot of texture, I used the ever-popular and fantastic burlap.  You could do two or more layers if you want it really raised off your canvas.

Notice my fleur de lis is a little wonky.  After all, art is subjective, right?! It doesn’t have to be perfect, that just adds to the charm.  Next, give your canvas a coat of modge podge.

Then press your fabric shape down.

Spread on some more modge podge and coat over the entire image and canvas again.  When using a “hairy” fabric like burlap, I found it best just to dump the modge podge on instead of re-dipping my brush into the jar.  You wanna keep those little fibers outta there.  They will make their way onto the canvas, though, but again, that just adds to the handmade, charm, right?!

So now your shape is all glued down.  Let it dry and give it a second coat if you wish.

Lookin’ good so far! Next I outlined my image with a black paint pen to make it stand out.

Attach some ribbon to the back of the canvas (either hot glue or staple gun), tie a bow at the top, and you’re done!   

Totally cute inside hanging on a wall:

Or outside hanging on your front door:

The possibilities are endless with this type of artwork.  You could use a variety of shapes, from children’s silhouettes to abstract shapes, the only limit is your imagination!  Depending on how much you want to spend, you can make it as large or small as you want.  Be sure and stop by my blog next week for another way to create textured art!  Thank you, Jen, for having me on your fabulous blog!    

Thanks Christy! What a cute project – I love it! Make sure to check out Christy’s blog. She has great ideas!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

XOXO

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Spring Project: Perk Up Your Pillows With Yo Yo’s!

It’s officially Spring  

{although there’s still snow on the ground here}

I wanted to brighten up my family room couch a little. One day I was walking through Target and they had pillow covers on sale from $4.99 to $3.99. So I bought a couple — one blue and one green. I figured I couldn’t beat that price and it would be so much easier than making the covers myself. I got them home and they just needed something else.

So I got out my trusty fabric scraps and made some yo yo’s!

This is a “No Machine Required” project! 

All you need is: a needle, thread, and some fabric scraps (you can buy fat quarters at most fabric/quilt stores).

First you cut out some circles of fabric. They don’t even have to be perfect. I measured the size I wanted, made a square and then curved the edges of the square into a circle. The largest circles I made were 12 inches wide by 12 inches high. Note: Your finished circle will be approximately half the size when done.

Turn your fabric circle so the inside out side is facing up. Then make a little fold about 1/2 inch into the circle and fold it toward the center. Then take your needle and thread and bring the needle up through the outside the fabric up through to the top. Then bring it back down again — creating a running stitch along the entire outside of the yo yo. Do this until you get to the first stitch, then pull on the thread and gather the seam up until the yo yo is closed and there is a circle in the middle of the yo yo. Then make a couple stitches at the ending point of the yo yo and tie it off.

I made 3 different sizes of yo yos — you can use your imagination! Once you have all of your yo yo’s done, lay them all out on your work space, along side your pillow covers. Then arrange them on the covers and make a pattern that’s pleasing to you.

Now, I have a few tips that I discovered while making mine that I wish I had known. When you have the pattern of yo yo’s laid out the way you want it to be on your pillow, iron them so they are flat and then  — stitch them together — connecting the sides of the flowers together with a few stitches. Then, lay it on top of your pillow cover and stitch it on to the cover.

{I made the mistake of putting all of the flowers on separately and it is much harder this way to get all of the flowers to connect without bunching on the pillow cover. So connect them first — it will be so much easier.}

Then you are done! Enjoy your Spring pillow covers!

I am linking this project up to:

I hope you are having a wonderful week!

XOXO

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Featuring Cassity @ Remodelaholic!

My name is Cassity,

and I am a Remodelaholic…

(forgive the cheesy picture…. I couldn’t stop myself!)

…well at least I have a blog called Remodelaholic.  And, I am so excited to be blog swappin’ with Jen today.  Isn’t is funny how in this bloggin community we feel like we are friends with people we don’t actually know.  Well, I feel like Jen and I are good friends.  Of course she is the stylish, cool friend and I am the frumpy, paint on her fingernails friend but that just makes life more fun right?

I am here to introduce myself and my blog, Remodelaholic.   My name is Cassity, I am a wife, a mother and an interior designer by degree.  My husband Justin is a Landscape Architect and a honey do list genius!

Halloween 2009 The Three Amigos

We are remodeling our third house.  The thing is, we don’t like to spend a lot of money to get the look we want… Can I get an Amen?   So, we are always trying new creative solutions.  Then we share them with you, with complete tutorials to make it as easy to recreate as possible.

On my blog you will find:

Tutorials

Design Plans and Ideas

Remodeling Ideas

Before and After

Holiday Ideas

Recipes (and a linky party just for recipes)

Weekly Linky Parties (Fridays)

Guest House Tours (Mondays starting in April)

Featured Guest Projects

Here are some of the projects you will find on my blog:

Mosaic Art Tutorial

How to make your plain garage doors look like carriage doors.

Make a Headboard for $15.00 and a little recycling.

Faux Roman Shade Tutorial

Room Divider / Screen Tutorial

Build this Bathroom Vanity, Full Project Plans

Get Bigger Base Moldings CHEAP!

Make a Floor Mirror, Full Tutorial

Update a builder’s grade bathroom vanity full tutorial

Book Bag Literally

Lollipop Topiaries

Stop by Remodelaholic when you get a chance!  
Thanks Jen for letting us have the swap today!

*****

Thanks Cassity! 

Isn’t she just amazing?!!!! 

If you haven’t been over to her blog — you really should go check out her fabulous ideas!

XOXO

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Tuesday Tastes: Linking up some great recipes

 My friend Jaysey over at Crazy Daisy is throwing her first ever linky party today! It’s a really fun weekly party called Tuesday Tastes. 

Where you can link up your favorite recipe for each week. Then everyone votes and the person who wins gets a cool People Choice Award button.

So I thought I would let you all know about it. 

Go join up — it’s going to be very fun! 

And in the spirit of fun, I am going to link up one of my favorite desserts: Chocolate Souffle — YUM! 

I am very excited to go over and see all of the tasty recipes. As you may have guessed from this POST, I need some good recipes and dinner inspiration!

Amazing Chocolate Souffle

Chocolate Soufflé

Ingredients:

• 7 ounces or squares of semi-sweet or sweet baking chocolate
• 1/3 cup strong coffee
• A small saucepan with cover set in a larger pan of almost simmering water
• 1/2 Tbs softened butter
• A 2- to 2 1/2-quart souffle dish or straight-sided baking dish 7 1/2 to 8 inches in diameter. (I used 8 individual ramekins)
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• A 2-quart saucepan
• A wire whisk
• 3 Tbs butter

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
2. Place the chocolate and coffee in the small pan, cover, and set in the larger pan of almost simmering water. Remove from heat and let the chocolate melt while you proceed with the recipe.
3. Smear the inside of the dish with the butter. Surround with a collar of buttered aluminum foil (double thickness) to reach 3 inches above the rim of the dish. Set out all the rest of the ingredients called for.
4. Measure the flour into the saucepan. Start whisking in the milk by dribbles at first to make a perfectly smooth cream; rapidly whisk in the rest. Add the butter, and stir over moderate heat until boiling; boil, stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and beat 1 minute or so to cool slightly.

• 4 egg yolks
• 1 Tbs pure vanilla extract

1. One by one, whisk the egg yolks into the hot sauce, then the smoothly melted chocolate, and finally the vanilla. (if you are taking a break before continuing, put plastic wrap over the top).

• 6 egg white (3/4 cup)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup sugar

1. Beat the egg whites and salt in a seperate bowl until soft peaks are formed. Then, by sprinkles, beat in the sugar and continue until stiff and shining peaks are formed.
2. Scrape the chocolate mixture into the side of the egg white bowl; delicately fold them together. Turn the souffle mixture int the prepared mold(s) and set on a rack in the lower level of the preheated oven (I also put them on a cookie sheet). Turn the thermostat down to 375 degrees.
3. In 35-40 minutes (mine were 30 because they were in the ramekins), when the souffle is well risen and the top has cracked, rapidly sprinkle the surface with powdered sugar; continue baking another 5 to 10 minutes. Souffle is still creamy in the center when a skewer plunged down through a surface crack comes out slightly coated. It is fully done and will stand up well (if that is how you like it) when the skewer comes out clean. Serve at once with either whipped cream or ice cream.

 

 So what are you waiting for? 

Go over  

and check out the fun recipes and link up your own! 

XOXO

 PS – I also have a surprise guest coming over today.

She is going to share her fabulous project ideas. 

And then tonight I am going to share a quick, easy and fun project to Spring-ify your space!

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