Sugar Flower Cake Toppers

2 more sugar flower cake toppers....

(tulips, baby calla lilies, garden roses, stephanotis and fillers)

Christmas Advent

Its complete -Just in the 'Nick' of time....

This years Christmas Advent.

I found this giant black frame at the local goodwill store for $2 .... even better, it was a set so I have two of them. When I bought them I didn't know exactly what I was going to do but then came the 'ah-ha' moment..... Advent Calendar!

I simply covered the board in Christmas wrapping paper, added little hooks (found sticky hooks sold to be used with Christmas lights) at Walgreens for $3 bucks and then I placed an ornament on each hook.

That's it. So easy and sooooo cute. (sorry for the picture quality, or lack thereof. When I went to power up the camera, guess what.... it wouldn't power up. Dang.)

3-D Christmas Cookie Cutters

How Sweeeeeeeeeeet are these?

What a fun little twist on the Holiday cookie.

Cookie Cutters Kit available online at Better Homes and Gardens.

http://holiday.bhg.com/holiday-3d-cookie-cutter-kit.html/

Christmas Card Pinecone

Yet another darling DIY ornament idea from Better Homes and Gardens.

JunkMarket Costume Jewelry Christmas Tree

I saw this on JunkMarket and I had to share,Its so cute and I see so many possibilities.

Thanks for the inspiration ya'll!

http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/20233/costume-jewelry-christmas-tree-centerpiece

Frozen Banana Bites

AKA... HEAVEN!

This is a must.

Thank you (neverhome)maker!

Chain and Ribbon Bracelet DIY

I found this project on MSN and just LOVED the look.

Its super easy and inexpensive to create.

(They used a dog leash in the picture below! Yup, that's right, a dog leash.)

You will need :

29" small link chain. The original instructions on MSN used a dog leash cut down to size, however you can find chain at the craft store or walmart in the beading aisle or go to a hardware or home improvement store and they will cut you exactly the length you need.

1 1/2 yards of 1/2" wide ribbon or flat seam binding

Embroidery or craft needle with a large eye (large enough for the ribbon to pass through the eye) Masking tape Instructions: 1. Thread your ribbon through the needle, and use a piece of masking tape to hold the end of the ribbon in place on the surface where you're working. Make sure to work on a surface that wont be damaged when you peel the tape away. (We used the kitchen counter top.) Begin lacing the ribbon back and forth through the chain links, leaving a 12" length of ribbon at the end where you started. (This will become one of the ties for the bracelet.) 2. Continue lacing the ribbon through the entire chain, smoothing the links with your hands as you go so that the ribbon and chain stay nice and flat. 3. When you're done, loop the end of the ribbon back through the last link and knot it. Make a knot at the beginning of the bracelet in the same manner. Trim ties so they are both approximately 8" long. 4. Wrap the bracelet around your wrist a few times and tie the ends together in a bow. *You can also use different types of closures found in the beading area of your craft store. Lobster claw and toggles work great and look darling. * Try different lengths of chain - You can have just one simple strand or wrap it around twice or three times. Lots and LOTS of options with this project. *You can use fun fuzzy fibers too. Try using it with a ribbon or use several fibers all at once. *BLING! Add a charm or bead to the clasp to bling it up a bit.

Sandbox Threads

OH MY GOSH

I love this place!

http:/www.sandboxthreads.com/

Clever Ways To Save On Your Beauty Essentials

OK, no kidding, I saw this coconut oil in the grocery store and picked it up to read what it was. Then today I come across this idea and I couldn't believe it. Of course I had to give it a try and guess what..... It works like a charm and I prefer this smell over mayo (mayo works, it just smells funky).

V and Co. Jersey Knit Bracelet

I LOVE these!

We've made a few of these and people go nuts over them and we even used old t-shirts so we didn't pay a dime. They are super cute as gifts too (with Christmas right around the corner and all...)

Leftover Mashed Potatoes.... WHAT TO DO?

Here's a great recipe for your leftover Thanksgiving mashed potatoes..... Mashed Potato Pancakes Leftover mashed potatoes onion egg grated cheese four butter salt and pepper to taste Combine mashed potatoes, onion, egg and cheese. Shape into large size balls. Roll balls into flour and flatten into pancakes. Melt butter in frying pan and brown for about 5 minutes on each side. Salt and pepper to taste. There are no real exact amounts in this recipe, just whatever your family prefers! So EASY!

The lights are ON!

Yay!

Christmas is coming and Temple Square is magnificent.

Awe, the smell of Christmas.....

I LOVE to make my home smell nice but with 4+ kids running around its not always easy.

Here is my quick fix.....

This is perfect for this time of year!

All you need is an orange, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, bay leaves, a lime and a lemon. Slice the orange, lemon and lime and place in a sauce pan with the rest of the ingredients. Add water and simmer on stove top. (remember to keep an eye on it because you don't want the water to evaporate and your fruit to burn - This will NOT smell good)

*I've also used this as gifts. I pick up cute little containers here and there and fill it with all the ingredients ready to be dropped into a pan.

Homemade Hot Fudge

I made this a few years ago and gave it to neighbors and friends as Christmas gifts.

I also put together 'Ice Cream Party' baskets which included, whipping cream, hot fudge, Maple-Pecan topping, sprinkles, scoop and of course ice cream.

Needless to say.... It was a HUGE hit!

Hot Fudge Ice Cream Topping

2 (1oz) semi-sweet chocolate baking squares

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup evaporated milk

2 Tbl. butter or margarine (I prefer butter)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Melt chocolate in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Stir in sugar until smooth. Gradually add milk, stirring until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Boil, stirring constantly 6 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks. Serve warm over ice cream.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups.

I found this recipe in my Southern Living Christmas Cookbook that Mom gave me.

Thanks Mom!

Tiramisu Bread Pudding

More amazing yummy-ness from Better Homes and Gardens.

Tiramisu Bread Pudding!

$20 Personalized Canvas Duffel Bags ($27 Value)

Oh my goodness I love this. What a darling gift.

$20 Personalized Canvas Duffel Bags ($27 Value)

Yup, more pinecones

Pinecones on the garland...

I gave the pinecones a little spritz of paint, glue, a little ribbon and hang 'em up.

So easy, fun and inexpensive.

Pinterest homemade Christmas ornaments

I saw these darling little ornaments on Pinterest (one of my favorite places ever) and I just loved them. I immediately started making a few (I knew I was saving all those toilet paper rolls for something).

Cozy Hugs aroma therapy stuffy

Oh my goodness, look what I found at Smiths Marketplace.

Cozy Hugs aroma therapy purple Hippo... to die for!

Wire Tomato Cage Christmas Tree

Super quick and easy Christmas decor, oh ya did I mention the 'cheap' factor?

All I did was wrap strands of lights around a wire tomato cage bottom to top.

I picked up tomato cages from the local nursery, I only paid around $2.50 each. (beautiful black jungle feline not included)

As I started wrapping the tree in lights, I found that it was turning out to be a bit

on the triangle side.

Didn't like it. My solution...

I took some of my green floral wire and wrapped it around the horizontal wires on the cage. This helped the lights to go around in a circle rather than taking a triangle shape.

Next step...LIGHTS! woot-woot!

I picked up Christmas lights from Walgreen's

(they have them on a buy 2 get one free sale, nice right?)

For this tree I used 5 strands of 100 lights each.

I LOVE the final result!

Tomato Cage Christmas Tree

Bring on

CHRISTMAS!

I had been dreading Christmas, then on October 20th everything changed. Our precious little Peyton entered the world and I swear the color of the sky changed to a different shade of blue.

I am soaking in every minute of every day and cant wait to decorate and celebrate EVERYTHING!

My second project for Christmas this year (first project isn't quite finished) was this super cute tomato cage Christmas tree. I am so thrilled with the result! I would like to create three for the front porch, lets see if I have enough time......

Thanksgiving Day

Turkey-Day Tips

from Better Homes and Gardens

Pinecone Madness

Suddenly I find myself on a crazy pine cone trip.

After making that fun square wreath I have been obsessed with pine cones. Who knew you could do so much.

The possibilities are endless.............

(and of course, the pine cones are free which just happens to be my favorite price EVER)

Check out some of these fun ideas courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Christmas Scent

I LOVE to make my home smell like Christmas!

Here is an easy recipe and it also makes an amazing gift for neighbors, teachers and friends.

http://www.familyoven.com/offsite?r_id=159653&u=http://www.recipezaar.com/102950

Pine Cone Wreath

Pine Cone Wreath This particular wreath turned out far better than I ever expected and people are LOVING it! I spent $3 on a small wooden form which is sold as a do it yourself frame at Walmart. I then took my son over to a huge park near our home and we found LOADS of pine cones, totally free (that's my favorite price ever). Next, I whipped out my handy-dandy hot glue gun and ta-da!