5 more days of spring.

       According to my research, summer officially starts June 20th. So I guess I can still call what my past week has been consumed of "spring cleaning". I apologize for the lack of posts and for the lack of this post. I wanted to reassure you all that more design/craft projects are coming! And I came across a very inspiring DYI website that I wanted to share with you all to get your creative juices flowing!!!

Design Sponge

^Click^  

Strawberry Banana Bread Recipe.

     I didn't get any crafts done yesterday. I did manage to make my amazing Strawberry Banana Bread. I thought I would share this recipe with you all for today's post.


Preheat oven to 325 degrees-

Ingredients:
3 eggs
3/4-1 cup sugar ( You can make it with 1/2 cup sugar as well )
4 ripe bananas
1/2-1 cup strawberries ( add as much as you want/any stage works )
2 tbsp vanilla
1 & 1/2 c flour
Toppings: (Optional)
Whip cream
Strawberries

Mash bananas in a medium size bowl, slice (or don't slice) strawberries, mix in with the bananas. In a separate medium size bowl beat eggs, stir in vanilla and sugar. Add egg mixture to the bananas and then add the flour. Stir until completely blended. Pour in a loaf dish, muffin pan, bundt pan, etc. Bake for 1 hour. Depending on your oven I would suggest checking them around the 45 minute mark with a tooth pick/knife in the middle.Timing will vary depending on the pan you use also. If you are using anything other then a loaf pan check about 30-40 minutes. If you are doing muffins check them about 20 minutes. Let it set out to cool and store in the fridge.

Hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Old Books & Pruned Fingers.

Last night I came across these tacky old tins I have for storage. I used them for storage because that is exactly where they would stay. Stored, Away. So I decided to cover them. I own some older books that the words of would never come spilling out of my mouth. Hoping that I wouldn't regret doing this as if this could be a million dollar book one day (exaggeration). I tore the pages out. Then I got my glue mixture ready- 1/2 water, 1/2 glue. My tins set to go and started on my decoupaging journey. Here is the out come of yesterdays (and the day before) project. 

  

I also decided to "attempt" a design with the paper... and maybe got a little carried away with the lids. After dipping and placing (and repeating), I took an art knife and trimmed under the lid and inside the container so I could close them. I set it out to let it dry over night. Then I took some day old coffee and wanted to give it a antique/distressed kinda look. I don't know if I would consider them finished products yet... I am debating on whether to do some designs with paint. I'll get back to you all on that. I also will be finishing them with a clear coat. These would also be great to make for a little girl as doll hat boxes too.

Here is a great idea:

                                                                    How to (click)

When I stumble upon some more tins I will be making a couple with some old worn out children's books along with a few of these chalk board paint tins. 

I have an idea for a design to be painted on mine, which will be on today's to-do list. 

Oh, and I almost forgot. Here is a close up of the picture frame that I decoupaged as well. I took the cover of the book (added a touch of the side) It was "My Old True Love" and placed it inside the frame. I also have a few more ideas for picture frames. Those will be for another day.

Inspirational Sunday

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

Sunday, does anyone else ever feel guilty for working on a day that god created for rest? Now... this isn't work but I consider cleaning and laundry a ton of work. I don't know if that is what ^he^ is referring to as "work" but as stay at home mothers or housewives, it is "our" job. One of our many jobs. But on this Sunday I will not worry about the dishes and the laundry. I will focus on family. On building a stronger family. A closer family. Building it based around God. As soon as they wake up. Until then... on to today's post.

I did a craft project last night. I only finished the first part of it as it had to dry. The second part will be done and ready for tomorrows post. So today's entry will be all things want and all things to create. 

To Create:

Now this is something I would love to create but for only 39.99 a crate (On Sale) I might just end up purchasing a few of them. 

Buy here> http://www.etsy.com

Buy here> http://www.etsy.com

Buy here> http://www.etsy.com

Ive always wanted to do some sort of light fixture with wine bottles.

 Courtesy of

Courtesy of

Now I am no jewelry creating wizard, but for these I would like to be. I think I have few of my grandmothers earrings and pendants that would work well for this project.

Courtesy of



 I love the concept of this!

 Courtesy of

Must Have, Will have:

 Those bird cage mirrors. 

 Courtesy of 

This table.

 Courtesy of

 With these chairs.

Courtesy of

For a mudroom.

Courtesy of

The coffee table. 

 Courtesy of

Basically this whole set-up. Especially the armoire.

Courtesy of

I am not a fan of tangerine but how its used in this bedroom. I am in love with it.

Courtesy of

Come back tomorrow for another DYI project.

Everything Candles.

    I have an obsession with candles... that is my personal decorating must. Everywhere a candle. Every store, to the candle isle I go. One of my favorite things about them are the millions of amazing scents. Although, I have yet to create any because all the pans I have, I use to cook with. It just seems like too much of a mess to clean out of a pot. I have however created candle holders. I went to dig out some pictures of older candle holders I got crafty with and I seem to have misplaced them (aka more then likely deleted them) which kinda stinks. I had some really cute ones I made out of old glasses with a vintage fabric wrapped around, then placed over the fabric was black gutter guard. Those will be added to my to-do list. However, I created some new ones yesterday. I think I have a habit of saving things that I have no current use for... my significant other despises this. Mainly because my glass jar collection takes up a lot of "valuable space" (That he isn't using anyways). But they will all serve a purpose one day.

    Along with my jar collection, I have been saving corks and old glasses. (If you are anything like me then a few in the set only survive.) Ive seen lots of cool things done with corks. So yesterday I decided to do my own cool thing.

I used a paring knife to slice the corks. Tip: Don't slice all the way through so you can get all of the cork with out risking a finger. Use scissors to finish them.  I used hot glue (My best friend) and a drinking glass, any size-any style.

The Pine Cone candle holder. I am in love with this one. As you can tell I just tore off the "pines of the cone" (?) Which is another one of my collections. I am beginning to sound like a pack-rat. Every fall after last. I would enter the grocery store and get a whiff of cinnamon. So last fall I had to get some of these cinnamon scented pine cones. Fall is my favorite season, especially for the smell of burning fires in the crisp autumn air and all the colors mother nature brings to us. These lost there scent and this is where they are today. I glued them to the glass and took some thin decorative sticks to wrap around the top. I think my mother would love this one. 

    And the joys of a another finished project. Here are some other creative crafty candle holders that will find a home in my house one day. Hopefully sooner then later.



Courtesy of Indulgy.com

I am in love with these... I will make these one day soon! (Hopefully then later) I would place these inside my fireplace.

These outdoorsy candles I have actually made before. They were an easy craft project. Id suggest putting a green ribbon around the bottom.

I have no idea how I would make these wonderful works of art... But I will figure it out.

 I cant decide if I love these or just like them... They would definitely be an outdoor kinda candle.



These were on pinterest. So I have no idea who to credit. But they are amazing and these are going to be one of my next projects.

Finally... I think I found the inspiration for all those jars Ive collected.

If you have any decorative candle holder ideas. Please share!

blogspot (playlist)

A few of my Favorites. In the moment.

"A Cup of Productivity"

    My first blog. Ive been "anticipating" when I would come around to creating this thing. Ive been admiring my aunts garden blog for awhile now... along with her words, photos and artistic ability in all things. Finally, after a day of boredom and aimlessly browsing the internet stumbling upon a few very creative crafty blogs... I decided to succumb to my own. Also, I must think I have stuff to talk about and to share to my fellow crafting/design loving sisters. So here I am.

   Yesterday (After getting much needed inspiration from those blogs.) I decided to start AND finish a project. I have a whole bunch of old scrap fabric that has been piling up over the years. Mainly old clothes and curtains. So I turned on the coffee pot, poured my self a "Cup of Productivity", dusted of my sewing machine and got to it. Now I like to think I am creative when it comes to crafting/designing. I also like to think I have a bit of experience... when I was little I would watch Mr. Dress Up and have my gear ready to start whatever crafts he and those creepy puppets were up to that morning. 

  (Mr. Rogers)
    Ever since then Ive been painting, gluing, sewing and creating. Well... and with growing up surrounded by crafty women I think it has molded my talents to where they are today.
    Over the past years I created a few decorations for the home and also attempted a few wearable items. (I have some pictures of such things but those will be for another day.) Ive piled up in my head tons of ideas I want to do and I think having this blog will help inspire me to starting as well as finishing them and completing a few that have been left undone.
    But back to yesterdays project. Last night after dinner, I decided to put those scraps of fabric to use and make one of a few different throw pillows I have in mind. I attempted my first fray and believe it was pretty successful. Please excuse the wrinkles... As soon as I finished this pillow I was so excited to get pictures up that I didn't even bother ironing it.

  My inspiration: We have a 1 1/2 year old English Bulldog.
 As well as always having a love for decorating with silhouettes.

  (Meet Darla! This picture was taken when she was about 4 months)

  (This is a current picture of her!)

    Now... On to crafts and gathering ideas for my next post.