Wall Art, Redo

One of my oldest and dearest friends is having her second baby -- and her first girl. She's naming her Alayna Sue and I am beyond excited for her. Mainly because I was there when she was a little girl and I know what she was like. And much like her mother, I really, really can't wait until Stacy gets a dose of herself. Love you, Stace!

So I went back to HobLob and bought the last clearanced frame that I used for my daughter's room. But I wanted to do something softer for this little, bitty baby girl.

I came up with this:

Aren't those buttons adorable?? This was a little more expensive since I needed to buy the letter (1.99) and the buttons (1.99). But I used the same white paint I used on my daughter's wall art for Alayna's letter and fell in love with the background paper.

Honestly? I think I like this one more than the one I did for my girl. But that's OK. I can always tweak hers. And this one is going to a special friend and her special girl. I'm so excited for her to see it!

Oh, I just added this to my first linky party!

The Dress That Almost Beat Me

I started this dress in 2009 after my little girl turned 1.

Remember -- I've only recently dedicated myself to conquering the sewing machine. So I intended to do this by hand.

But it proved to be more than I could chew -- er, sew.

In the last few days, I've had sewing machine success. I am by no means good, but I am passable. PASSABLE! (Side note: Anyone else watching this season of Project Runway? That girl learned to sew FOUR MONTHS AGO -- as in, when she decided to try out for the show. Crazy.)

So I brought the dress back out and decided that today was the day.

But can we just think about this for a second? I started this for my daughter when she turned 1. She'll be 3 next month. Measurements ... not quite the same. And I'd already cut the fabric.

Let that stop me? Nah.

Good idea? Nah.

But I did it. And I should have added a zipper. But I didn't have one. And I don't know how to put on on a dress. So I painted it on my daughter and then had to peel it off her.

But cute, no?

Oh, she's also 16. Did you know that?

I'm happy, too, love.

Upcoming ...

We're a little busy this weekend, but coming up next week, I'll have a recipe for Salted Caramel Double Chocolate Chunk Brownies and a twist on the wall art I did for my girl.

Stay tuned!

:)

Wall art for my little lady

I've been hitting up HobLob's clearance aisles hardcore lately. They have TWO 90% off areas and while most of it is broken, some of it is awesome.

Like the 18" x 24" dark cherry wood frame I got -- WITH GLASS intact? Oh, did I mention -- it was $3? Yeah. That kind of awesome.

But I also got this:

But I don't have a baby whose name starts with a Z. I don't know anyone who has a baby who starts with a Z. So ... I decided to buy this thing because the frame was beautiful and the ribbon so sweet. BUT ALSO because it typically cost $12 and I got it for $1.20.

I mean, come on.

So, I took it home and did a little of this:

With the help of a small paring knife, I popped off two sides of the frame and the backing, took off the Z (but I kept it. I don't know why. It's just pretty and I'm a little bit of a craft hoarder.).

Then I used these:

To turn it into this:

Look at my sweet girl two years ago! Sniff ...

I used a hot glue gun to affix the scrapbook paper (50% off .44) to the back of the wood. In retrospect, I should have bought some spray adhesive, but the glue gun worked. I just did the outside to avoid seeing bumps.

Then I painted the wood circle (30% off .50 cents, ya'll!) a sweet cream color called Magnolia White ($1.19). Doesn't that sound lovely?

When the paint was dry, I used the hot glue again and put in the center of the wood. With the leftover scrapbook paper, I glued a circular piece to the top of the wood. I'm not sure I love this idea, but, it's OK.

I taped on the picture of my girl so I can switch it out whenever. I think she'll like it. She was asleep when I finished it, but was able to hang it and sneak a picture while the little lady slept.

Here it is on her wall:

I like it! The bow's off center, but heck, that's OK with me. If you guys can make it to HobLob, go! This whole thing cost me $3 and took maybe 20 minutes. You can't beat that.













Just added this to a linky party!

My Heart Beats Pumpkin

Anyone else love pumpkin like I do? Pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin butter ... I just love it. Period.

But one of my favorite ways to incorporate pumpkin is in these pumpkin muffins. I don't know if you knew this, but pumpkin and chocolate are makeout buddies. Yes. And like all good relationships, they each bring out the best in the other. Chocolate muffins aren't chocolatey enough without pumpkin. And pumpkin treats with chocolate? Tears. Of. Joy.

So, want the easiest recipe you've ever had for moist, rich, WONDERFUL chocolate muffins? OK!

Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Muffins

Ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
1.5 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or CHUNKS!)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line with cupcake liners.

In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, spice and cake mix until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips.

Spoon equal amounts of batter into the muffin cups. Note--they will pretty much keep their shape, so I find they come out looking very pretty if you give them peaks by gently touching the back of a spoon to the top of each uncooked muffin before putting them in the oven.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

These are just so wonderful. Guys, I promise you -- make these today. You will NOT be disappointed.

Unless you're on a diet.

And eat 10.

But I always do haven't ever done that. 

For Someday

Eventually I want to have baby #3. Not anytime soon. But eventually.

And when I do, just in case I need to refashion a carseat, I found this great tutorial.

Anyone who's expecting a baby and needs it, GO HERE!

So. Cute.

Cheesecake Truffles = Love

That's right. Cheesecake TRUFFLES.

And easy as can be.

Messy. But easy.

Ingredients:
1 tub (18 oz) Philadelphia Ready-to-Eat Cheesecake Filling (or you can totally make your own cheesecake)
18 oz chocolate almond bark
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions:
With the large side of a melon baller, use 3/4 of the tub of cheesecake filling and form into 1″ wide balls. Place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and put into the freezer for 10-15 minutes until firm.

Melt the almond bark in one dish and spread the cocoa powder in another shallow dish.

Remove the cheesecake balls from the freezer in small batches and begin first by dredging the balls in the cocoa powder. You want a LIGHT coat, so I always drop mine onto a clean surface to shake some of the powder off. After that, dip the truffles, one by one, in the melted chocolate. This will be a little difficult because the chocolate does not want to stick to the cocoa powder. That’s why it’s important to really get a light coat of cocoa powder!

Note – your hands will get messy!! Wash frequently to prevent chocolate build up. Or eat the chocolate build up. Your choice.

Immediately after dipping in chocolate, roll again in the cocoa powder. The cold balls will make the chocolate start to harden and once that happens, the cocoa powder won’t stick. After dipping in the powder for a second time, place it back on the wax paper. Once these are done, put them in the fridge and take more out of the freezer.

Repeat until all are delicious.

Tell me if you try these. Don't be put off by the instructions -- they're SO worth it.