Amazon Mom!

If you don't have an Amazon Mom or Amazon Prime account, now may be the time to try it!

Read below...

Not only do you get FREE 2 day shipping with thousands of items, now you can have a free streaming of movies and shows too!  Prime membership is $79 a year, but you can sign up for a free trial...and there are ways to extend that trial by purchasing certain items from the Amazon Mom Store!

For instance, I registered to get a GIANT box of diapers once a month.  It is delivered to my door, and costs almost 50% less than the same GIANT box of diapers from Costco.  Each month Amazon sends me an email about a week before my box of diapers ship, and if I decide to change it I can before they send it out so that I am not charged.

Go to, and find the amazing deals you have been searching for,  enjoy this Crazy Deal!

Cheers,

Stylish Blogger Award!

Jessica at My World Made By Hand awarded me with this!

What?  I mean...what?  I don't even know what to wear!

I guess I will just stick to the regular nighttime pjs...

Here are the rules to receive this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person(s) who awarded you with this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 15 recently discovered bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Number 1 is done!  On to things about me...and I will try to make these interesting.

You already know I am a craft-o-maniac...so let's talk about other things!

1. I LOVE cheese, and have since I was a wee little one.  I love it so much that I use to consider it my calcium intake.  I would go through an entire block of Mild Cheddar every week just snacking.  Unfortunately I have recently been diagnosed Lactose Intolerant.  So sad.

2. I am a night owl.  I rarely go to sleep before Midnight.  Part of that is being married to a Auditor/CPA/Manager and I usually wait up for him.  The other part of that is the fact that all three kidlets are sleeping and I can get a lot done in 3-4 hours without little ones awake.

3. This is a big one...I cut and highlight my own hair, and I do it when I am stressed out.  Right now my hair is REALLY short.   I do go and get it professionally cut and highlighted at least once a year so that I don't look too crazy.  These thinning sheers below are my best friend when I am stressed...I can cut some off without it looking like it.  But I wouldn't recommend it as stress relief.

4. I crave spicy food ALL OF THE TIME.  I love Thai Red Curry...mostly because it has the perfect kick of coconut and "hot spiciness".  My favorite go to snack is a bag of Spicy Hawaiian Kettle Style Barbecue Chips.  I shouldn't have put that in this post, because I want some now and there are none in the house!

5.  I collect scarves. Not really on purpose, but I love scarves.  I think it is because I can wear a scarf instead of a light jacket and totally stay warm.  I didn't realize until Mr. Pepper brought me some scarves from London, that I now have 14 of them!  Colors are: blue, bright blue, gray, cream, bright lime, "crate and barrel" green, purple, lighter grayish purple, black, black/brownish mix, silvery-cream color, brown with cream color blocking at the bottom, orange print, purple black and white print...is that it?  14 yes.  But I still want a red one, and maybe hot pink.

6. I am a Craigslist obsessive junkie.  I look under the FREE ITEMS many times a day, and I have acquired a few free things that I am proud of.  Mr. Pepper does NOT like this.  Our garage usually has a few unfinished projects from this little addiction.  Right now I have a corner desk, vintage cabinet, wall shelf and a vintage sewing table waiting for my time.

7. I am NOT a Girly Girl...but I like to pretend to be!  I paint my own toes instead of a pedi.  I love to dress up for a date with Mr. Pepper, but the moment we are back home I change to comfy clothes.  I wear jeans everyday with flats in the winter, flip flops in the summer.  Although I love shoes and I have 23 pairs, I only regularly wear 3 of them.  I hate fussing with hair and make-up, especially putting on make-up but I will sacrifice putting on mascara so that I don't look so plain.  I make jewelry, but I rarely wear it...except for date nights and church.  I am just weird.

Now I want to know more about some other mommy bloggers!

I LOVE these 15 blogs below.  Click on them to take a look!

1. Mummy Nuggle

2. Coffee Break Crafts

3. Life Uncommon

4. Infarrantly Creative

5. Attempting Aloha

6. Little Miss Momma

7. The Crafty Cupboard

8. The Scrap Shoppe

9. Snips and Spice

10. This Is Me Inspired

11. Oopsey Daisy

12. Kuzak's Closet

13. Who's Watching the Baby

14.  Big Sis Lil Sis Is Love 

15. Craft Edition

Have fun searching through these darling Blogs!

Thanks again to Jessica at My World Made By Hand!

Etsy Extravaganza!

Even though here in California I don't have much of a winter weather forecast...Sassy does in Reno.  I keep seeing and hearing all about the snow around the country.  Here is to you snow shoveling climates...enjoy!

Snowflake Stud Earrings by Hook and Line

Recycled Wool Mittens by Wool Werks Org

Knit Snowflake Baby Hat by Babbidge Patch

Pink Snowflake Silk Tie by Rabbit Stop

Vintage Snowflake Push Pins by Vintage Button Push Pin

Crocheted Baby Shoes by Heather Bays

Snowflake Gift Tags by Dabbling Delights

Happy Snowflake Shopping!

                                                     Cheers,  

Craigslist Dresser Update

My husband and I have been slowly getting our older daughter's room furnished. First, we built the bed. Yep.We built it. Mostly he built it, but I drilled almost all of the pocket holes (of which there were PLENTY, believe you me) and helped with touch-up paint. I would have done more if I hadn't been 8 months pregnant at the time, but you know...

Anyway, when the bed was almost finished, I started looking for a dresser on Craigslist. I found one for a great price, but it needed some work. It was ugly and dirty and a little beat up:

We sanded it down and painted it (including the "natural wood" top) with the leftover paint from the bed project. Then added these crazy cute pink knobs and voila!

To be honest, I found the knobs before I ever found a dresser to put them on. Sometimes that's just how it goes. Just look at them! Would you have passed them up at that price?

Pepper has been insisting that I do a post about the bed. I'd have done it by now if we hadn't made a polyurethane error and turned the white stairs (yes, stairs) yellow! Once we find the time to fix that little issue I will finally post the bed. That will feel good. :)

Man, I wish I was my kid. She has the coolest room ever!

Feeling a little more accomplished,

Ebay: My Mommy Scraps

I have an obsession.  I want the entire Tea Time Bedding from Land of Nod.  Actually, I need two sets.  Not for me, but for Little Gal and Little Sisters' Room.  It is bright, simple, and sooooo ADORABLE!  I am a little embarrassed to admit that I look at it on my computer screen almost every day.  I am trying to figure out how to get the WHOLE set bit by bit.   I want the duvet, but I am going to start small with the Ric Rac sheets.  Unfortunately I can't spend $$$$$ for two sets of sheets.  I figured I could buy some simple white sheets and sew some bright large Ric Rac onto the pillow cases and the flat sheet.  

I know I always brag about Etsy finds, but Ebay has so many crafting supplies and handcrafted goods as well!  I found this darling Ebay store called My Mommy Scraps.  The prices were great and everything I wanted was Buy it Now!  I love the rush of a win on Ebay, but not having to wait for the auction to end was even better.  I ordered, I paid...it came!

I ordered from her Ric Rac page and you should too if you need some Ric Rac, ribbon, scrapbook supplies...the list goes on.  I would HIGHLY recommend My Mommy Scraps!  Here's why:

1) My order came SUPER fast

2) The colors were exactly what I wanted

3) I got a FREE sample!

I can't wait to add the Ric Rac to the girls' plain white sheets and make them complete.  

Happy ribbon shopping!

                                                         Cheers,

Recipe: Glazed Lemon Cookies

Long time no post, eh friends? I know. Apparently I drop off the face of the earth when I have a new baby!

I have been trying to find my way back to the blogosphere, but didn't want to jump in without something worth sharing...so you can believe me when I say this recipe is worth trying! Oh baby, these cookies are to die for. I had to send half a batch to work with my husband just to get them out of the house, and when his coworkers started requesting the recipe I said they'd have to wait for me to post it here!

Well, I don't know where you are but winter has finally found its way into my city. All this snow/rain/overcast business is making me crave warm weather. And what better way to get my summery fix in the middle of a snow storm than to bake up a lemony treat?

Behold, your new favorite summery cookie:

Glazed Lemon Cookies

Ingredients:
2 C all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 T lemon zest
2 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 C unsalted butter, softened
1 C sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For Glaze:
2 C powdered sugar
2 T lemon zest
1/3 C fresh lemon juice

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.

1. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and lemon zest. Set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Add egg, vanilla and lemon juice. Beat until combined. Set mixer to low and add flour mixture.

2. Drop dough by heaping tablespoons onto baking sheet, about 1" apart. Bake 10-15 minutes, or until edges are golden. Do not overcook. Let cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then move to wire rack to cool.

3. Prepare the glaze. Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice until smooth.

4. Spread the lemon glaze on the cookies and leave until set (about 1 hour). Enjoy!

Be warned: they are very sugary. "Glazed" is a not-so-subtle code word for hyper fest. No matter how sweetly your children beg, do not pass these scrumptious delights out before bedtime. Don't do it. I know you value your sleep.


And there you have it! I hope you LOVE the cookies, all you loyal readers, and be sure to let us know what you think.

Happy to be back in business!

Etsy Extravaganza!

Etsy Extravaganza London Style...

In honor of Mr. Pepper traveling to London this next week, I thought I would choose some Etsy finds with that "My Dear Watson" sort of feel.  Look below at these British style treasures!

Sherlock Holmes Coasters by Green Chair Press

Gentlemen Fighter Artwork by Curious Printery

London Calling Photo by Velo Noir

Three Great Monuments Art Prints by Indira Albert

Sherlock Holmes Pocket Watch by Glazed Black Cherry

Have fun shopping British Style!

                                                            Cheers, 

Expressions Vinyl!!!

For all of you wondering about Sassy...COME BACK FRIDAY and welcome her back to the blog!  

Sassy and I were chatting on the telephone a few days ago, and she mentioned she ordered some vinyl and is planning something adorable of course.  Now I have wheels turning in my brain of some vinyl designs I could cut with my cricut.  Sassy has had some vinyl wording on her wall before and it was darling.  Sometimes I have to get my supplies ready or at least ordered and getting new supplies will spark that little extra flame I need to get a project going.

So if you have any desire to make some vinyl designs...Sassy shared a deal with me, and I am passing it along!

Expressions Vinyl!

You can buy vinyl by the sheet at Expressions Vinyl.  $1.89 for a 12 x 24 inch sheet in the color you choose!

The 12 x 24 size is for the Cricut Vinyl.  And if you are interested in Silhouette Vinyl they have that too in 9 x 24!

Honestly, I think the price is a little crazy.  So crazy that I am going to order some, because you never know when you will need vinyl.  And that wasn't me being sarcastic...vinyl is extremely diverse!

I hope you take advantage of this awesome deal,

and make even more amazing creations with it!

                                                                  Cheers,

Mod Podge FURNITURE tutorial (gasp!)

Little Sister was asking for  this vanity way before this last Christmas.  I didn't know at first whether or not to take her seriously.  She has been my rough and tough tom boy for the last 4 years...but all of a sudden she wanted to venture into the world of girly things.  Of course I waited too long, and couldn't find one that was cute enough OR the right price, until about a month ago. 

Craigslist...$20.00 

 It was the {almost} the perfect gift for her upcoming Fancy Tea Party!

I know what you are thinking...

Why did they paint weird cabbages in the corners?!?!  And why does it have the initials for California Pizza Kitchen?!?!  I just kidding, I am sure it was part of the Cabbage Patch Kid Movement.  Well, that can be (and was) changed!  This project shows the stool.  I also applied the same techniques to the front drawer, mirror, and I painted the vanity desk surface pink.

What you will need:

Cute furniture you want to make cuter (solid wood is best)

Heavy Grit Sand Paper

Primer

Paint brush or Sponges (I used 3 paint sponges)

Mod Podge

Cute Paper

Wax Paper

Polyurethane or varnish

Step 1: Sand It 

Sand down the surface you want to paint and/or Mod Podge!  I used heavy grit sand paper and just made sure that the shiny finish was gone.  Bye bye weird little cabbages!

Step 2: Prime it

As you can see in the picture below, I primed over the surface I wanted to Mod Podge.

Two thin coats should do the trick.  Now you can get your cute paper and Mod Podge supplies ready!

Step 3: Adhere Your Cute Paper

A: I thought about tracing the top of the stool onto paper, but I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to make it match up very well on all sides.  So I invented a new little trick.  First I wanted to see if one piece of 12 x 12 paper would cover the whole stool.  It was just right.  If your project is too large for one piece of paper, you can easily piece it together.  

B: I slathered Mod Podge all over the stop of the primed stool.

C: Then I smoothed my 12 x 12 piece of scrapbook paper onto the stool.

Smooth from the center out to minimize bubbling.

D:  I then smoothed and bent the paper over the edges of the stool. 

E: I used my same heavy grit sand paper to "saw" off the paper over the edge.

Seems like it would take forever, but it actually went quick.

 Can you see where I sanded?  This was 3-4 strokes over the edge of the stool.

Once you "saw" all the way through, the paper will start remove itself.

Voila!  Can you see how cute it will be!!!

Step 4: Check all edges

I made sure my edges weren't all loose like this one below.

If they are, simply apply more Mod Podge and smooth down.

Step 5: Mod Podge Edges and Surface

Make sure you allow 20 minutes between coats if you apply more than one coat.

Step 6: Let Dry Overnight

I allowed my project to dry overnight.  I placed the stool face down onto wax paper.

Then I applied weight (full paint can) so that any bubbles would disappear by morning.

Step 7: Apply Polyurethane

I applied 3 thin coats for durability, letting dry 20-30 minutes between each coat.

One more night of drying and then my weird cabbage vanity turned into this...

I can't wait to see your projects if this post inspires you...

Please send pictures of them to me!

                                                                  Cheers,