Embellished Bayou

Baby Boy Gift Basket

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-06:00

In addition to the mesh wreath I made for my friend’s new baby boy, you know I couldn’t resist burning up the embroidery machine making some cute gifts for him. I assembled them all together in a gift basket.

If you never know what to get a new mom or a new baby, I always say stick to the registry. But since this was my friend’s third baby, there was no registry so I had to wing it. I always think you can’t go wrong with some basics like a blanket and bath products. And of course anything personalized!

I found a free download for an in-the-hoop stuffed cow, and it turned out pretty cute, but I’m not sure it would be a best seller in my Etsy shop. I didn’t take a better photo of it, but I embroidered “Jr.” across the front.

I outfitted him with several onesies, a gown, and some pants.

I couldn’t resist putting this little paw print on the backside! How cute will a little diapered booty be in that?!

I’m not quite sure about the practicality of boxers for baby boys, but they sure are cute! I’m sure he’ll enjoy lounging around the house in these.

These sets below weren’t in the gift basket, but I had given them a couple weeks ago as shower gifts. You can find the LSU Tiger Paw set HERE in my Etsy shop.

This was the first opportunity I’ve really had to make baby boy items, I seem to do a lot more things for girls. So it was fun doing something different and getting a little creative. But don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of pink and ruffles on the way as another good friend is expecting a baby girl and I went all out putting together a basket for her….coming soon! Happy Friday!

Baby Boy Mesh Wreath

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

As you probably noticed, poly-mesh wreaths are one of the popular new trends in wreath-making lately. I had been dying to make one, and I finally got the perfect opportunity for my friend’s newest addition, a baby boy.

There are lots of tutorials and YouTube videos on how to make these, so I won’t bore you with a step-by-step on how I made it, but I will share a few details. I purchased a work wreath form like this one:

from Mardi Gras Outlet online and purchased the mesh rolls at Hobby Lobby. I used two rolls for this wreath.

I went around the wreath once with white and blue mesh layered together and then around once more with just the blue. So I have about half a roll of white leftover. I also wove in some coordinating ribbon to give it more color. The whole project really was quick and easy. You can fluff and re-arrange as much as you need to.

I painted this 5x7 canvas with the baby’s name (blurred for privacy) and stats and tied it on with some cute ribbon.

I found this little wooden alligator already painted at Hobby Lobby and just added his initials.

This was the perfect addition to the hospital door when he was born, and then can be displayed either in the baby’s room or on the front door when he gets home!

I will definitely make another one of these to keep for myself for another occasion. I really love how they can be customized to any occasion and they really make a bold statement. The possibilities are endless!

My “State of the Blog” Address

2012-01-22T20:45:00.001-06:00

You may have (or not) noticed that I have pretty much been MIA on this blog for the past few months. I can come up with all sorts of excuses as to why I haven’t maintained this blog like I did for the first two or three years, but the truth is I just really didn’t have it in me to blog. It really fell to the last thing on my “to-do” list. Of course, I have still been reading my long list of favorite blogs and popping in on Facebook and Pinterest, but I haven’t been sharing much here.

I have been struggling lately about what I want to do with this blog, what I want its “purpose” and “message” to be. I have even thought about just quitting posting altogether. The blogs I most enjoy reading not only share fun projects, yummy recipes, and useful tips, but also give me a peek into the writer’s life. So I think I want this blog to become a little more personal in content. I will still post about whatever home or craft projects I’m working on, what’s new in my Etsy shop, and the occasional recipe or tutorial, but you may also see more personal details and the highs and lows I’m experiencing. That may consist of long ramblings or short quick posts with just a photo or phrase, who knows!

If you’d like to stick around with me on this journey, I’d love to have you stay on as a follower. I’ll try to be more regular in my posts, and by “regular” I mean at least once or twice a week!

So, to get started, here are some recent highs…..

LSU beats Georgia to win the 2011 SEC Championship image source

Spending Christmas with our niece & nephew

Plenty of snuggles with Gidget

and some recent lows….

LSU loses the National Championship to THAT team and THAT coach! BOO, HISS!!

image source image source

The Saints win the NFC South division, but lose to the 49ers in the Playoffs image source

So that’s where I’m at. Who knows what 2012 has in store for all of us!

Super Sale

2011-11-16T19:05:00.001-06:00

If you’re a fan of Embellished Bayou on Facebook, then you may already know about the SUPER SALE I’m having on out-of-season merchandise. There are some great deals available, it’s a perfect opportunity to get a bargain on a shirt or outfit to put away for next year!

Here’s a look at some of the items on deep discount:

So stop on by my Facebook page and check out the fantastic deals! And while you’re there, don’t forget to enter my GIVEAWAY!

Facebook Fan Giveaway!

2011-11-08T10:28:00.001-06:00

If you are not a fan of Embellished Bayou on Facebook, you are missing out! I recently reached 500 fans and I’m having a GIVEAWAY to celebrate!

Head on over to my Facebook page for your chance to win a Personalized Travel Tumbler or Sports Bottle of your choice. Just click the “500 Fan Giveaway” link on the left sidebar of the page, only viewable from your computer (not your phone).

The possibilities are endless!

You’ll also notice the “Fan Discount Code” link on the left sidebar of my Facebook page as well. If you’re a fan, click on that link for a special discount to my Etsy shop!

Good luck!

Giveaway disclaimer: Giveaway entries will be accepted through 11/30/11. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Winner will be notified via email on or about 12/1/11. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You are providing your information to Embellished Bayou and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for entry into the giveaway.

Where Have I Been?

2011-11-06T21:14:00.001-06:00

It seems like I have fallen off the blogging bandwagon lately. Honestly, my heart just hasn’t been in it. I’ve been dealing with some pretty tough personal “real-life” situations, plus I started a new job back in July that has been keeping me busier. I really haven’t been doing much crafting lately besides making things for my Etsy shop. So, needless to say blogging has fallen to the bottom of my “to-do” list.

That being said…..I am not planning on abandoning this blog completely, but my posts will probably be less frequent.

I do have some fun things planned for my Etsy shop for the holidays, so I’ll be sharing those soon. Just this weekend I made a bunch of LSU turkey shirts while I was anxiously awaiting the big showdown between LSU and Alabama:

So speaking of that BIG game, it definitely lived up to all the hype! I am so proud of the way the Tigers played, they fought tooth and nail to get that win and really showed some spirit. I always enjoy seeing Saban get beat!

Images Source

Image Source

I’m excited about the rest of the season, it looks like the Tigers are on the road to another National Championship game!

My Most “Pinned” Posts

2011-09-29T23:06:00.001-05:00

It’s always a thrill to know that someone out there has enjoyed or been inspired by one of my projects or blog posts. I took a quick look at Pinterest the other day to see if I had anything “pinned” from my blog and was pleased to see quite a few pins. It’s no surprised that most of them are fall/Halloween related posts. Here are my most popular pins so far (click on the titles or photos for the original post):

Halloween Smores in a Jar

Beaded Spider Headband

Friendly Ghost Candle Shades

Curly Ribbon Wreath

Since I haven’t been posting any new projects lately, it’s good to see that some of the old ones are making a come-back!

A Family Affair

2011-09-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

Looks like my husband has gotten the crafting bug lately! He has started making these cool Paracord Survival Bracelets:

They are made from military-grade 550 weight parachute cord. He weaves it in this “Cobra” knot pattern. The paracord can be used in an emergency for countless survival applications. Such uses include: securing equipment, shoelaces, vehicle tie downs, sewing, repairing equipment, fishing line, and much more! Basically, every inch of your wrist diameter equals approximately one foot of paracord.

They are available in my Etsy shop in two different colorways. A great way to show your support for your favorite team or make a unique fashion statement!

Geaux Tigers Burlap Wreath

2011-09-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

I finished my Pinterest-inspired burlap wreath and I really love the way it turned out!

I really needed a wreath to transition from summer to fall and I think this was the perfect choice! Even though summer is almost over, it is still 90+ degrees so I’m just not ready to bust out the orange and rust colors and pumpkins yet.

I followed THIS TUTORIAL on Today’s Fabulous Finds and adapted it to my needs. First off, my dollar store was out of the foam wreath forms, so I used a straw wreath form instead. I just left the plastic covering on it.

I used some neutral ribbon from my stash to wrap the wreath so none of the straw would show through.

I also used these floral pins instead of regular sewing pins because they are a little more heavy duty.

I cut about 40 squares of burlap, I guess they were about 4”-5” each. So my wreath is not quite as large or full as the one on Today’s Fabulous Finds.

I then folded all the corners together using the floral pin to hold them together.

So I ended up with these little burlap “bubbles” that I pinned all over the wreath.

Totally cute all on its own, but since it is football season, I couldn’t leave well enough alone! I made a bow using purple and tiger striped ribbons and painted up a quick “Geaux Tigers” sign on a 5x7 canvas.

Here’s how it looks from the back, all nice and neat:

Perfect for the first few weeks of football season! I may just have to put my fall wreath into retirement and use this one until Christmas!

2011-09-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

I’m sure many of you have jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon by now, as have I. Just what I needed, another internet-based time waster! Although, I prefer not to think of it as a waste of time but as another to-do list. I’ve got my boards loaded down with mouth watering recipes, cute and crafty ideas, helpful tips and ideas, just plain funny stuff and MORE.

I’m currently attempting my first Pinterest-inspired craft project. I just love these burlap wreaths:

Here’s a peek at how my version is coming along:

So, stay tuned to see how it turns out, and if you’re on Pinterest, start following me so I can follow you back!

Southern Living’s Southern Football Traditions

2011-08-31T23:32:00.001-05:00

I came across Southern Living’s Southern Football Traditions while searching for the 10 Commandments of College Football Fandom the other day. I was proud to see Mike the Tiger as one of the mentioned traditions.

Photo: Courtesy Jim Zietz/Louisiana State University , Article: Austin Murphy

There’s a few other traditions I would love to experience in person someday, like Tennessee’s Vol Navy.

Photo: Courtesy University of Tennessee , Article: Austin Murphy

This reminds me of a blog I came across last year, Taylor Takes a Taste. This lucky guy did a tailgating tour across the nation last year which brought him to 14 games in 14 weeks. Of course LSU was on his route.

I recommend checking out his other blog, Taylor Tailgates for an interesting peek at all things college football and tailgating, including tips on where to tailgate, what to wear, and what to eat. It will be interesting to see what kind of tailgating goes on this weekend in Dallas at Cowboys Stadium for the LSU/Oregon game. You know the Tigers will bring their OWN party no matter where the game is taking place!

Football According to Southern Living

2011-08-29T21:53:00.001-05:00

Well, the countdown is on!! Only 5 more days until LSU Tiger Football! Despite all the recent off-field trouble, I’m excited about the season and so ready to watch some football again! The Saints have been looking pretty good in pre-season and I can’t wait to see how they do, too.

I received my September issue of Southern Living magazine last week and was thrilled to see several articles regarding college football in the South. Here are the “10 Commandments of College Football Fandom” according to editor M. Lindsay Bierman (my comments will be in purple italics):

1. Thou shalt wear team colors. But think twice before adorning yourself with body paint – you don’t want to be the Internet photo that goes viral. This is why there is an abundance of purple in my wardrobe.

2. Thou shalt know – and sing – your team’s fight song from beginning to end. Sure, you can “watermelon watermelon” your way through the alma mater, but not memorizing the fight song is a fan failure. “Hey Fightin’ Tigers, fight all the way!”

3. Thou shalt keep your language clean (unless, of course, the quarterback fumbles on fourth and goal). Or the clock runs out while the offense is running around cluelessly, or the QB throws a horrible interception, or the field goal kicker misses a 20 yarder wide right….

4. Thou shalt support the coach. Even when his calls are questionable. Usually not hard to do, Les Miles is a stand-up guy.

5. Thou shalt be respectful to visiting teams. Remember: Southern ladies and gentlemen never boo. Well, I have to make an exception for Florida, and Auburn, and Alabama, and….

6. Thou shalt set up a tailgate no fewer than three hours before kickoff (six if it’s a night game). Table linens and matching huggers encouraged, but not required. Um, try at least the day before a night game and three days before a BIG rival game.

7. Thou shalt theme your tailgate food around the visiting rival. Gator bites, anyone?

8. Thou shalt stay through the fourth quarter – rain or shine. That’s what ponchos are for, y’all. Ask my step-dad how he feels about this one. The clock must read 0:00 before he will exit the stadium!

9. Thou shalt respect the solemnity of Game Day by planning weddings, births, and other life events around the football schedule. Amen!

10. Thou shalt not covet other teams’ bowl games, national championships, or Heisman Trophy wins. There’s always next year. No need to covet, we already have a handful!

I’ll be highlighting some more of Southern Living’s college football articles this week, stay tuned!

Geaux Tigers!

Back To School T-Shirt

2011-08-05T08:34:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it’s almost time for kids to go back to school already? We don’t have children but most of my friends do, so I know they’ve been shopping for school supplies, getting organized, and making plans for the upcoming school year already.

I made this cute monogrammed t-shirt on the embroidery machine the other day. It was my first try at a reverse applique, and I think it turned out precious. How perfect for the first day of school or school pictures?

Speaking of back to school, be sure and check out my Etsy shop for great personalized gifts like bag tags, tumblers and sports bottles, perfect for backpacks, lunchtime, and teacher’s gifts!

So get your pencils ready, it’s almost time to go back to school!

DIY Floral Art

2011-08-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

You may have noticed the colorful and whimsical art featured in my last post:

This was something my friend and her daughter made for her room, and it was a great way to get her daughter involved in decorating her new room. They started out with a square canvas and brushed on shades of blue for the background.

She knew she wanted a floral theme to coordinate with the bedding. She added the “stems” of the flowers in a free-form shape.

Then, to make it easy for little hands, she used a variety of items from around the house to stamp circles on the canvas to be the “flowers.” Just use your imagination and don’t be afraid to experiment with colors and shapes.

And some glitter glue for accent. These glitter glue sticks from Hobby Lobby are great for kids because they are easy to handle and don’t make a lot of mess.

Stamping and painting:

Almost done, just need to go back and add some leaves and accents :

It looks so much more fabulous in person, you can really see the little glitter accents and the colors really pop and bring the room together. Best of all, her daughter was so proud of her project and will enjoy it for years to come!

A New Big Girl’s Room

2011-08-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

I’m featuring another room in my best friend, J’s, house today. With the addition of a third child looming in the near future, it was time for her to play musical rooms again and move her youngest out of the nursery into the “big girl room” and her oldest out of her “big girl room” into her “really big girl room.” I wanted to share this room since I think it turned out so beautifully. At the age of 5, her daughter, little MHB, had plenty of input on the color and style of the room, which her mom turned into a tasteful, chic room that can grow with her all the way to high school.

She mixed and matched the linens on the bed with sheets from Target, a quilt from Home Goods, and professionally made throw pillows, bedskirt, and curtains.

Most of the accessories were found at local boutiques and TJ Maxx. The bookcase is a refinished antique piece that I think really adds some class to the room and is a great storage piece.

Fun fabric and trim on the window and bed keeps the room lighthearted and whimsical. That is a hot pink leopard print peeking from underneath the curtain and used elsewhere throughout the room:

This window seat will be the perfect reading nook as she grows older, again featuring the leopard print. J is planning on making one of the DIY book slings to hang on one of these walls:

This little green chair from TJ Maxx was the perfect addition. I love the nail head trim and funky shape:

She used some left over leopard fabric to create a memo board by covering a piece of cork and inserting it into a large painted frame:

All those special touches make the room so fun and unique. Her daughter just loves it and I can see her enjoying it for years to come! If you noticed the artwork hanging over the bed, I’m going to feature more about it in an upcoming post.

My Poor Plants

2011-07-29T09:21:00.001-05:00

What happens when you have a month of 100+ degree temps, hardly any rain, and then forget to water your plants for a day or two:

BEFORE

AFTER

Whoops!! Guess I’ve been spending too much time in the pool! Luckily the rest of my garden doesn’t look quite this bad!

Pool Progress: The Final Product

2011-07-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

Guess I kinda left everyone hanging after my last pool progress update….we’ve been too busy enjoying it! Here are ~~some~~ a lot of photos of the final touches.

I decided to go with a more neutral fabric for the patio set, rather than the bright red/yellow/blue stripe I previously picked up. My mom made the cushion covers and I love the way they look with the furniture and pool! Oh, and we have GRASS!

We got one of the extra-large cantilever umbrellas from Wal-Mart, here it is all wrapped up:

Mom also made some coordinating pillows for the Adirondack chairs on the other side of the patio. That little table is a tile with a vinyl fleur de lis and our last name that my friend made with her Cricut.

The rock garden with growing (hopefully!) plants and solar lights:

One of my favorite spots is over in the rock garden where we placed this gorgeous pot from a local nursery and ceramic ball from Hobby Lobby.

On the opposite side is another palm, some hanging vinca, a lava rock planter and iron tiki torch.

The palm tree/leaf theme just happened to come about, first with the fabric, then with these cute hooks and thermometer I got on clearance at Hobby Lobby:

And then this cute solar lamp my mom found at the grocery store!

Here are some night-time pics:

That’s all, folks! Time to jump back in the pool!

Fabric Scrap Collage

2011-07-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here’s another great project from my 2011 Sewing Calendar that utilizes all those leftover fabric pieces from other projects. This one comes from Belle and Burger. Click on this link for the full tutorial or read the calendar’s version below.

I love the idea of either covering a plain frame with coordinating fabric or using a re-designed thrift store/garage sale frame.

DIY Book Sling

2011-07-18T22:23:00.001-05:00

I received a great little Christmas present from my brother and his girlfriend last year, the 2011 Sewing Calendar, which is full of over 100 easy sewing projects, 99 of which will make it to my to-do list and never get done!

Many of the projects were gathered from crafty DIY blogs and websites and I thought it might be fun to feature some here every now and then.

The first one that caught my eye is from Penny Carnival. Click HERE for the full tutorial on her blog. Below are the detailed instructions for this cute Book Sling from the calendar:

What a great project for a child’s room or nursery. Since children’s books come in all shapes and sizes, this is a great organizational solution. It would even look nice in a den, family room, or study with the appropriate fabric choice. You can even make it “no-sew” by using an iron-on adhesive. Many versions of this project can be found on the web just by searching for “Book Sling.”

Have you made something like this lately?

Modern Kitchen

2011-06-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday you saw the living room & dining room of my friend’s home, today we’ll peek at the kitchen. I just wish I had some before photos, because believe me, you would NOT believe the transformation! This is the view from the living room.

As you can see, she went for a very clean, monochromatic look and very neutral color scheme.

A little wet bar in a nook around the corner.

I love the stain/finish and pulls on the cabinets.

She has her own decorative concrete business, so she made the concrete countertops herself. The floors are also concrete finished to look like marble.

It’s beautiful to see in person, I hope the photos do it some justice. Just goes to show even if it’s not your own style, it’s easy to appreciate good design!

Modern Decorating Touches

2011-06-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

I know everyone’s style is different, and it is always fun to peek in other’s homes and see how they decorate. When I stayed with my friend in Baton Rouge a few weeks ago I snapped a few photos of her decorating style. You’ve already seen her guest bathroom, so here are some shots of the rest of the house. She leans toward the modern side with an eclectic touch. Here’s her living room:

This room was featured in Louisiana Homes & Gardens magazine last year. I love the warm color she chose for the walls.

The dining room. I think the table & chairs is a family piece. I like the juxtaposition of the retro dining set with the super modern chandelier. Also love the monochrome window treatments.

More modern touches, like these fabulous clear doorknobs and cool light fixtures.

I’ll share her fabulous kitchen tomorrow!

Pool Progress: Day 29

2011-06-21T08:28:00.001-05:00

We are swimming!! I think we have been in the pool everyday for the past week. Such a nice refreshment from the 100+ degree temps we have been having. We worked hard this weekend to finish the landscaping and pathway.

We still have to set the stones in the sand grout and will probably get to that sometime next week. For now, it is functional!

We picked up a load of creek rock to add to the landscaping on the backside of the pool and layed some sod around the perimeter.

My mom helped make some cushions for the furniture, I changed the color scheme but don’t have any photos yet. Looks like rain for the next couple of days, which is okay, we need it and are a little sun-whipped!

Circa 1857 Art and Architecture

2011-06-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

I was in Baton Rouge a couple weeks ago for my little sister’s graduation and we spent the day after shopping around town. We found this great little antique/architectural salvage store.

Plenty of photos ahead of the fabulous treasures to be found….

All of the architectural pieces were outside or on the porch. Stacks of old windows, doors, spindles and tin ceiling panels.

Inside, different booths were set up with both new and old merchandise. Everything from antique light fixtures to handmade soaps and local art, including these vintage seltzer bottles:

Looks like burlap is still in style, I love these pillows.

Check out this lamp adorned with oyster shells:

Just about every style of doorknob you could want!

I came away empty-handed, but it was still fun to look! I definitely recommend checking it out if you are ever in the area.

Pool Progress: Days 24-28

2011-06-12T21:20:00.001-05:00

What an exhausting weekend! We got some hard work done in the back yard but still can’t get in the pool since the plaster is curing in an acid bath. Hopefully it will be neutralized tomorrow and then all the pool chemicals will be added and we will be swimming by mid-week! Here are some photos of the progress:

Full of water!

Pump is on and the water is circulating. You can see the plaster is darker than when it was first filled.

My mom helped with landscaping the backside of the pool. We planted some fan palms and irises. We still have to get the landscape fabric down and a layer of creek rock on top.

Hubby and Dad put up a fence to hide the equipment and A/C.

I decided on this patio set from World Market. Thanks, Mom, for generously gifting it to us! I’m sure they will get almost as much use out of it as we will! I snagged the big canopy umbrella from Big Lots and the lounge chairs from Academy.

This stripe fabric on the cushion is actually an outdoor table cloth I found at Kohl’s. I’m trying to decide if I want to make slip covers for the cushions with it or leave them white for now and then maybe cover them in a more neutral fabric this fall. Any opinions??

Up next, the flagstone walkway leading to the pool. Hubby and I got about 3/4 of the way through and hope to have it finished in the next couple of days.

Pool Progress: Day 23

2011-06-08T21:22:00.001-05:00

Although I don’t think too many of my readers are interested in the pool progress, I still want to document for us. The pool was plastered on Tuesday and we began filling it that afternoon.

The guys walked around with special spiked attachments on their shoes while they were troweling on the plaster.

We chose a quartz plaster in a color called Mediterranean, which will give the water a dark blue look. More like a “lagoon” style as opposed to the traditional crystal turquoise blue.

There will be a fence hiding the equipment and a/c unit eventually. Add it to the long list of “fine tuning” we have to do!

Slowly filling up with water….

So even though we have a full pool now, we still won’t be able to swim in it for another week or so. It has to sit in an acid bath in order let the plaster cure, then it has to be neutralized and chemicals added. It will be chlorine for the first 30 days then the salt system will take over.

I’ll have more pics of it filled soon!

Pool Progress: Day 19

2011-06-07T09:52:00.001-05:00

We have a patio!

It looks great and I can’t wait for it to be stained, it is really bright white right now! That probably won’t happen for several weeks, though. Looks like there will be plenty of room for lounge chairs and a conversational set. Now I’m just agonizing over what kind of patio furniture to get, any suggestions?!

Plaster is next and then it will be filled with water!

Pool Progress: Day 17

2011-06-02T22:47:00.001-05:00

Yesterday the forms and re-bar for the patio (officially called decking) were installed. Now we get to see how much patio space we will have.

We aren’t carrying the decking around the whole perimeter of the pool, we’re going to landscape the backside eventually.

Looks like there will be plenty of space for a couple lounge chairs and a table set.

The concrete gets poured tomorrow. We are just doing a light broom finish for now, and it will eventually be stained, hopefully sooner than later! After the deck gets poured, the plaster will be put on early next week, then it’s just curing and clean-up. We should be swimming in less than two weeks!

Graduation Gift Basket

2011-05-31T09:34:00.001-05:00

My little sister graduated from high school last week, so I put together a little “dorm room essentials” gift basket for her. I love putting together gift baskets because you can put so many personal touches in them without spending a lot of money.

I found this basket/box on clearance at Hobby Lobby and knew it was perfect because those are her favorite colors! It set the tone for the rest of the gift and will be useful for storage. It was surprisingly easy to find little goodies to put inside.

I included a set of personalized towels, a laundry bag, a dry erase memo board, a note pad and fun pen, some hand sanitizer, a picture frame, and some room deodorizers from Bath & Body Works.

She loved it! Our real celebration will take place in New York City in a few weeks, I can’t wait!

Amazing Bathroom Redo

2011-05-26T21:34:00.001-05:00

A long time ago, I had a little “Decorating Mistakes” linky party and shared the bathroom in a friend’s home. I’m proud to finally be able to show some after photos of an amazing transformation. It was a total gut-job and she switched the floor plan around a bit.

Here are a couple before photos to refresh your memory:

Awful sponge-painted walls and weird tub!

Broken drawer pulls and super-ugly marble tile floors.

And the fabulous after photos:

Ahhhh…..so clean and serene now!

Beautiful tumbled stone shower…if I recall correctly she scored these tiles at a garage sale for a steal.

My friend has her own decorative concrete business so of course she did the floors and countertops herself. They are both concrete but look like marble.

It took a lot of time, hard work, and money but I think the end result is totally worth it! I love the clean, modern lines and neutral palette. It’s not everyone’s style, but it works for her home.

Have a great weekend!

Pool Progress: Day Nine

2011-05-25T10:25:00.001-05:00

We had some lag time over the weekend and just some little technical things got taken care of over the past few days. Yesterday the tile and flagstone coping was installed and the electrical was run.

The flagstone coping looks fantastic! I’m really happy with the stone I picked out.

This blue tile won’t stand out as much once the Mediterranean Blue quartz plaster is on, hopefully it will blend the pool with the flagstone. Our original tile selection was out of stock for the next two months, so I hope I picked a good substitute!

It’s still a mess out there, but I guess that means progress is being made! There probably won’t be any big changes the rest of the week, and then there is the holiday weekend. I think the next big thing is the concrete patio, which should get poured the middle of next week.

Pool Progress: Day Three

2011-05-19T22:17:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a dead day because the rebar had to be inspected by the city. Today they sprayed in the gunite and it is starting to look like a real pool! It’s hard to believe how much has happened in three days. There is no turning back now!

This is the tanning ledge and steps. That little hole will be an anchor for an umbrella.

Looking down towards the deep end.

The swim-out bench in the deep end. This is in place of a ladder.

There probably won’t be too much change over the next few days. The next step is the tile and flagstone border, which should get done next week.

Pool Progress: Day Two

2011-05-17T22:20:00.001-05:00

Lots of progress made in one day! The hole was dug and the re-bar and plumbing was placed. And of course the yard was pretty well torn up.

Tomorrow may be a dead day….the re-bar has to be inspected so it will be Thursday or Friday before the gunite is sprayed in.

Day One

2011-05-16T22:38:00.001-05:00

Well, we have an exciting “home improvement” project starting this week…..we are getting a POOL!

The planning and designing has kept me busy the past few weeks, hence the sporadic blog posts. So now I’ll be taking you along on our journey to summer fun, if for nothing else than to document it for ourselves.

Today the designer drew out the shape with spray paint on the grass and a crew came and dug out the perimeter and formed it up with boards. Of course I don’t have a true before photo, but you can use your imagination. Here’s how we stand at the end of the day:

side view

view from back of yard

We are also doing some work on our patio area. We took up the flagstone extension that the previous owner put in and are planning on laying sod and using the flagstone to make a pathway to the pool. Here’s the work in progress:

The pathway will go where the red arrows are. I’m going to re-do/add flower beds along there as well.

I will try to post daily or when there are major changes. The ground will be dug up tomorrow so I’m sure it will be a messy day. I just have to take deep breaths and tell myself all the mess will be worth it in the end!

What I’m Working on Wednesday

2011-05-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

I haven’t been doing much crafting or decorating lately, but I have been working on some new embroidery projects. First up, a Teddy Bear version of my popular personalized Bunny Peeps:

These will be great year-round and make a great baby gift. Find them HERE in my Etsy shop.

I just love this Louisiana Crown applique from Applique Frenzy so I stitched it out in a couple different color-ways.

I couldn’t resist making another ruffle-butt onesie!

It’s crawfish season here in Louisiana, so every little girl & guy needs a t-shirt for the crawfish boil!

Thinking ahead to football season with this cute little outfit….also available for boys in a ringer t-shirt & shorts.

So that’s what has been keeping me busy lately! We have a really big “house project” coming up soon, I’m so excited and you’ll hear all about it soon!

Product Review: Plastic Brick Edging from CSN Stores

2011-04-27T08:30:00.000-05:00

I have been putting off this product review from CSN Stores for quite some time now! It took me a while to find the perfect product to review. We have lived in our house for five years and the previous homeowner did a great job putting in a beautiful flower bed across the front of the house, but I was not a big fan of the green plastic edging she used. I have been on the hunt for something to replace it for the past couple of years. I came across the Plastic Brick Edging with Solar Lights while browsing CSN and decided to give it a shot. Here are a few photos of the garden before:

And some after shots with the new edging and new mulch:

I love the look at night, even though it is hard to tell from these photos. Each 40’ set comes with six solar bricks and I used two sets.

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised with the overall finished look. I was worried that you would be able to tell that the bricks are plastic and that they would look “cheap” but I really don’t feel that way now. They went together easily and the only tools needed were a spade (to level out the ground) and a mallet (to tamp them down into the ground). The lights have worked without fail every night.

There are so many options for edging/borders out there, and with the length of flower bed I had to cover everything else I looked at was just going to be too expensive. At $60 per set, the price was much more reasonable. One more look…..

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I highly recommend CSN Stores, they have everything from outdoor furniture to shoes and clothing! The shipping was relatively quick and the customer service was excellent. Check them out next time you are surfing the web!

*Disclaimer: I was provided a coupon code to use towards the purchase of this item. All opinions are purely my own and were not influenced by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this post.

Wearable Chocolate Easter Bunnies

2011-04-22T10:41:00.001-05:00

My friend made some adorable Chocolate Easter Bunny t-shirts with her twins and I just had to share. I love crafts that involve the kids and this one was just perfect. How cute are these?!

Start with a solid color cotton t-shirt.

Use a fabric marker,water-soluble pen, or a piece of chalk to trace an outline of a chocolate bunny minus the ears.

Paint the bottom of your child’s feet with fabric paint and have them stamp them at the top of the bunny’s head. Be sure and place a piece of cardboard inside the shirt so the paint doesn’t bleed through.

Paint the rest of the bunny and his tail. Add a bow at the head for girls or one at the neck for boys. The bunny on the girl’s shirt here is wearing a tutu to match!

I hope the Easter bunny fills your basket with lots of chocolate, have a great weekend!

Happy Easter!

Hippity Hoppity, Easter’s on Its Way!

2011-04-07T08:20:00.001-05:00

Another fun in-the-hoop project on my embroidery machine. These little Peeps Bunnies are ready to hop right into your Easter basket!

I couldn’t resist making these for all the little girls in my life, and now they are for sale in my Etsy shop and through my Facebook page.

Made of super-soft minky dot fabric and personalized just for you, they are the perfect addition to any Easter basket!

I’ll be away from the computer and embroidery machine for a couple days, and any orders placed through the rest of the week will ship Monday or Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

Jungle Safari Baby Shower Cake

2011-03-31T22:59:00.001-05:00

My mom was a hostess of a baby shower last weekend and I just had to share the cute cake she made. She bought some fondant at Michael’s, colored it, and shaped it into little jungle animals, which she set on the 3 tiered cake iced with buttercream frosting:

She also made polka dots and zebra stripes out of the fondant. I was so impressed with her animal-making skills! These kind of cakes sell for hundreds of dollars around here, so to think that she created this with less than $20 and a ~~little~~ lot of time is pretty incredible.

She said she learned how to make the animals on You Tube!

The detail she put into them is just amazing.

Of course my favorite is the tiger with her cute little pink bow!

I’ll share more details from the shower decorations next week, just wait until you see the amazing diaper cake she made!

Sharing with the following parties:

I’m Still Here!

2011-03-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Not that anyone has been wondering or worrying since it has been two weeks since my last post, but just a quick note to let you know I am still alive!

My mother-in-law has been visiting for the past 10 days and the sewing/craft room has been very busy to say the least! She is an excellent seamstress and we have been coming up with all sorts of cute projects to share. Here is a peek at the current state of my craft room:

See my new embroidery machine back there?! Sadly my old hand-me-down bit the dust last week. I am so excited to have a new machine, it has been a dream to use this past week!

Ribbon and fabric everywhere! Some of our completed projects:

So keep an eye on my Facebook page and Etsy Shop this week, many new items will be listed soon! Also be sure and check out my mother-in-law’s Etsy shop and Facebook page to see more of her beautiful creations.

Monday Musings

2011-03-14T10:17:00.001-05:00

"The English language lacks the words 'to mourn an absence.' For the loss of a parent, grandparent, spouse, child or friend we have all manner of words and phrases, some helpful, some not. Still, we are conditioned to say something, even if it is only 'I am sorry for your loss.' But for an absence, for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent, ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?"

~Laura Bush

Embellished Bayou GIVEAWAY!

2011-03-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

Head on over to the Handmade Louisiana blog and check out my interview, CLICK HERE to read it! AND you can enter to win a FREE Personalized Travel Tumbler from my shop!!

While you’re there, be sure and check out the other talented Louisiana artists on the team. There’s something for everyone, from children’s clothing, to pottery and homemade jellies! You can find us on Facebook, Etsy, and the Team Blog.

**Don’t forget ~ all the FRAMES and TINS in my Etsy shop are 50% off!! Get these great deals while they last, the sale will end March 31.**

Have a great weekend!

Throwback Thursday: Curly Ribbon Wreath

2011-03-09T21:00:00.000-06:00

It’s been a year since I posted my DIY Curly Ribbon Wreath tutorial. With my birthday coming up this weekend, it’s time to bring my wreath out of storage and it got me thinking I should repost the tutorial.

CLICK HERE for the Curly Ribbon Wreath Tutorial

Different versions have been seen around blog-land over the past year. CLICK HERE to see some of them. It’s so fun to see them all, and I’m so glad it was one that everyone enjoyed!

Recently, Alice emailed me about the one she created and I love how it turned out!

Hers was made using an 18” wreath form from a local florist wrapped with satin ribbon instead of painting it. She made her own curly ribbon bows by using 22” lengths of 6 different colors and stapling them in the middle then curling them. She made about 45 of them and used floral pins to attach them to the wreath.

I love the embellishments she used and the way she personalized it. Great job, Alice, thanks for sharing!

If you have a project you’d like for me to share on this blog, email them to me at christy@embellishedbayou.com.

Sharing today’s post with the following parties:

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Happy Mardi Gras!

2011-03-08T08:00:00.000-06:00

Even though the weather tried to put a damper on our party, we still had a great Mardi Gras weekend. Saturday the weather was cold and windy in north Louisiana and rainy in south Louisiana. I think the big Saturday night parades in New Orleans had to be re-scheduled for Sunday.

But in Louisiana, we don’t let a little rain keep us from celebrating Mardi Gras! We had a beautiful day Sunday and a good time was had by all at the local Highland parade. Here are a couple of the floats:

In honor of Fat Tuesday, I’m reposting the

Mardi Gras History & Fun Facts

I posted last year. Enjoy!

When is Mardi Gras? The Mardi Gras season begins on or after the Epiphany (or Twelfth Night) and ends on the day before Ash Wednesday (Mardi Gras=French for Fat Tuesday) source
Why do we celebrate Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras is a period of abandon and merriment that precedes the penance of Lent. Although originally of pagan content, the traditional carnival celebrations which precede Lent in many cultures have become associated with the season of fasting if only because they are a last opportunity for excess before Lent begins. source
When was the first Mardi Gras parade in Louisiana?

The Mistick Krewe of Comus made its parading debut in a torch-lit procession on the night of Mardi Gras with two floats, costumed maskers and brass bands in 1857. A group of businessmen and civic leaders invented a king of Carnival, Rex, in 1872. source
What’s the deal with the beads and coins? The throwing of trinkets to the crowds was started in the early 1870s by the Twelfth Night Revelers. In 1884, Rex started using medallions instead of trinkets. These medallions are represented by today's doubloons. Doubloons are usually aluminum and anodized in many different colors. They depict the parade theme on one side and the Krewe's emblem on the other. source Other throws may include stuffed animals, small toy/trinkets, and even food like Moon Pies and hot dogs! Try yelling “Throw me something, Mister!” at the float riders and see what you can catch! As a float is passing, instead of just waiving and glancing quickly from rider to rider, zero in on a single rider. Establish eye contact, flash a big smile and make a lot of noise. Watch out while trying to pick up throws from the ground, you may get your fingers smashed as it is customary to step on a bead/doubloon on the ground, then bend down and pick it up.
Why all the purple, green and gold? Rex selected the official Mardi Gras colors in 1872. The 1892 Rex Parade theme Symbolism of Colors gave meaning to the colors: Purple represents justice; green, faith; and gold, power. source
Who’s in charge of the parades, and how do I attend one? Krewes, or bands of people, construct their own floats and/or organize themselves to parade during Mardi Gras. The first krewe, formed in 1857, was called the Mystick Krewe of Comus, and the second krewe – the Krewe of Rex – was not established until 1872. source Most Krewes developed from private social clubs that have restrictive membership policies. Today, in order to obtain a Parade Permit, all Orleans Parish Clubs must sign Affidavits agreeing not to discrimate in terms of membership, but many of the more established Krewes continue to allow membership by "invitation only." source Krewe members are assessed fees in order to pay for the parade and/or ball. Fees can range from thousands of dollars a year per person for the most elaborate parades to as little as $20 a year for smaller marching clubs. source Check the parade schedule for your town to find out when and where the parades are held. Best of all, they’re FREE!!
What is a King Cake? The king cake of the New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition comes in a number of styles. The most simple, said to be the most traditional, is a ring of twisted bread similar to that used in brioche topped with icing or sugar, usually colored purple, green, and gold. Some varieties have filling inside, the most common being cream cheese followed by praline. Popular bakeries such as Gambino's, Haydel’s, and Randazzo’s, feature original recipes and types of king cakes. The cakes have a small plastic baby (sometimes said to represent Baby Jesus) inside, and the person who gets the piece of cake with the baby has various privileges and obligations (such as buying the cake for next year's celebration). source

Mardi Gras Fun Facts

The average rider in a parade spends $600 to $800 just on throws, with some high rollers spending $2,500 or more. For a mega-parade like Endymion, with over 2,000 riders, that means upwards of $1.5 million of goodies tossed in a matter of hours.
Float parades were banned from the French Quarter’s narrow streets in 1973.
More than 500,000 king cakes are sold each year in New Orleans between January 6 and Fat Tuesday, and another 50,000 are shipped out-of-state via overnight courier.
The super parades of Endymion and Bacchus, scheduled for the Saturday and Sunday before Fat Tuesday, feature a combined total of 75 floats, 60 marching bands and more than 250 units. Their 2,300 members toss more than 1.5 million cups, 2.5 million doubloons and 200,000 gross of beads.
One of the most photographed objects in all of Mardi Gras is the Boeuf Gras float in the Rex parade. Since the Middle Ages, the bouef gras (fatted bull) has been the symbol of the last meat eaten before Lent. While once a live bull was included in the procession, now a huge papier-mache' figure appears.
source source

You can see all of my Mardi Gras posts HERE. Happy Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras Decorations

2011-03-01T10:26:00.001-06:00

With Mardi Gras day just a week away, I guess it is about time I shared my Mardi Gras decorations! They are pretty similar to last year's, but it’s always fun to look at a little sparkle, right?

The great thing about Mardi Gras décor is that it transitions so easily from Christmas. You can use many of the same gold and green sparkly ornaments, wreaths, etc. that were on display for Christmas and just jazz them up for Mardi Gras. Case in point, my front door wreath:

This is the same gold glitter wreath I used during Christmas, I simply changed out the bow, and added a garland and some glittered feathers.

The wreath on our backdoor is my favorite. I re-vamped it last year and just added a couple more things to it this year, namely some glittered peacock feathers from Hobby Lobby and more gold foil picks.

Inside, another carry-over from Christmas, a purple tinsel tree:

It’s always fun to shop the after-Christmas clearance sales and pick up decorations that can be used for Mardi Gras, too! Most of the glittered candles and ornaments were purchased at 50% or 75% off!

These gold glittered candle holders and basket did double-duty as well:

I jazzed up the coffee table with a purple candle arrangement mixed with beads and ornaments:

A great way to “recycle” all those beads caught in the parades is to use them in your own decorations!

Be sure and check out last year’s posts for more Mardi Gras decorations, wreaths, and craft ideas!

Quick Party Headband

2011-02-25T01:00:00.001-06:00

I felt the need for a fun and quick little Mardi Gras project while browsing through all the goodies at Hobby Lobby. I picked up some headbands at the dollar store and decided to embellish them with some fun trim I got on sale at Hobby Lobby.

Simple and quick, just adhere the trim to the headband with hot glue!

Now I’ll be festive from head to toe for Mardi Gras!

Check out this cute project over at Blue Cricket Design for another fun way to use similar trims.

I had so much fun with all my Mardi Gras posts last year, I’ll probably re-post some of them next week as well as some new photos of my decor, so be sure and stay tuned!

Linking today’s post to these parties:

Friday

Saturday

A Blooming Success!

2011-02-21T12:29:00.001-06:00

The paperwhites that I planted a few weeks ago did well in their little container and sprouted a bunch of blooms!

Their fragrant white blossoms have been filling up the house with a sweet smell.

And they were the perfect addition to the lovely lilies hubby brought me last week:

They didn’t last as long when cut & added to the vase, but I replaced them with some daffodils from the garden today:

And look what else is sprouting blooms….my lazy little Christmas Cactus has decided to finally produce some color. Seems it blooms later & later every year!

What’s appearing in your garden?? Spring is almost here!

Keeping Shop…

2011-02-14T16:04:00.001-06:00

Just a couple Etsy Shop notes….

Use the code “LOVEYOU” through midnight on Feb. 15 for FREE SHIPPING on any purchase from my Etsy shop!
Stay tuned, starting February 16, ALL ready-made FRAMES and TINS will be 50% OFF!!

Check out my feature on the Rock Bottom T-Shirts blog:

Embellished Bayou Founder-Christy Wilson speaks with Rock Bottom T-Shirts

Hope everyone is having an extra-sweet Valentine’s Day! Gidget is all dressed up with no place to go!

Much Love,

Cute As a Bug

2011-02-10T19:17:00.002-06:00

I don’t normally decorate much for Valentine’s Day, or make any Valentine’s Day crafts, but when I saw the free download on the DIY Dish Facebook page, I knew it was something I had to try.

This cute little “luv bug” can be made with either a sewing machine or an embroidery machine. I had never tried any in-the-hoop designs with my embroidery machine, and this was a great one to start with. It stitched out quickly and the included directions were easy to follow. Here’s how mine turned out:

I didn’t have any yarn, so I just used ribbon for the legs, which was just fine.

So cute, right? I thought these would be a fun little “happy” for the little girls in my life on Valentine’s Day.

Head over to the DIY Dish Facebook page and you can get this free download for yourself in time to whip up a few for Monday. Just click on the “Exclusive” tab after you “Like” the page. While you’re at it, be sure and check out the new look of my Embellished Bayou Fan Page, where you can get updates on new products, specials, and discounts!

Sharing today’s posts with the following parties:

You Tube: An Important DIY Tool?

2011-02-01T08:10:00.000-06:00

If you are into crafting, creating, or decorating, you may consider some of the following essential tools in your DIY arsenal:

Glue Gun
Crafting/Jewelry Wire
Glitter
Quality Scissors
Paper/Vinyl Cutter
Needle Nose Pliers

….and a host of other items I’m too tired to think of right now. But have you ever considered You Tube to be an important crafting/decorating/DIY tool? If not, you should! It’s not just for funny videos or clips of your favorite TV shows. You can find an enormous amount of how-to videos for a wide variety of projects. In fact, if I have a question about a project, I often search You Tube before Google or message boards.

For instance, I consulted You Tube during our kitchen makeover, when making a tu-tu, and most recently when making a few Mardi Gras hair bows:

I found several videos that were very helpful in showing me how to get the loops just right and stack the different ribbons together.

There’s everything from sewing tutorials to how-tos on building decks. They even have a Lowe’s Channel with loads of home improvement advice!

If you are a visual learner like me, You Tube is a great resource because you can see the exact steps needed to complete your project and follow along at your own pace if need be. I highly recommend checking it out before starting your next project!

p.s. This post is entirely my own opinion, I have not been compensated or influenced in any way by You Tube.

Sunny Days

2011-01-28T08:00:00.000-06:00

Finally, some sunshine around these parts! While we haven’t had to bear the harsh winter storms of the northeast, it has been particularly gloomy and cold here lately. I took advantage of the sunshine to plant some paperwhites.

I’ve never grown any indoor bulbs before, so this will be an experiment!

I’m not even sure if it’s the right time to plant them, am I a little late?

Hopefully not, and some green will start sprouting up soon!

I’m keeping my green thumbs crossed!

Shop Update

2011-01-25T08:14:00.000-06:00

Just a quick update to let y’all know I have a couple new specials going on in my Etsy shop right now.

SPECIAL #1:

Buy three travel tumblers, GET ONE FREE! Buy four travel tumblers, GET TWO FREE!!

This is a great opportunity to stock up on gifts or get a complete set for yourself!

I have both Fleur de Lis and Mardi Gras styles listed in my shop, but I can do just about any pattern/style insert you need, just ask!

SPECIAL #2:

Buy any Travel Tumbler or Sports Bottle, and get an extra insert for FREE!

This means you can pick TWO inserts….one for everyday and one for a holiday, birthday, special occasion, etc.! Once again, I’ll work with you to create the perfect custom item just for you.

To take advantage of these specials, just visit my Etsy shop or send me an email to Christy@EmbellishedBayou.com. Also, make sure you “like” my Facebook page to get updates on all specials and new products!

Stay tuned, I’m planning a BIG sale on frames and tins soon!

Friday Faves

2011-01-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

A few of my favorite “guilty pleasures” from the past few weeks….

What I’m watching:

What I’m reading:

What I’m eating/drinking:

What I’m working on:

What are your faves this week?

Craft Craze of 2011

2011-01-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Last year I wondered what the craft craze of 2010 would be, so I thought it would be fun to look back and then make my predictions for 2011.

I received a few theories such as “patterns”, “repurposing”, and “monograms”. Some of those were right on, as we saw the reuse, recycle and repurpose trend continue in the craft and decorating world. I featured my friend’s shutter turned wall art as a prime example:

and also salvaged auto glass used as a unique vase filler:

Monograms were also indeed popular in 2010, seen in projects such as pillows, furniture, wreaths, and wall art.

Image credit

So what do you think the craft craze of 2011 will be? I definitely think that personalized crafts will continue to be popular, as will the repurpose and reuse trend. I’m also seeing lots of people going crazy for their Silhouettes and Cricuts, so I’m sure we’ll continue to see plenty of creative projects using those. I can’t wait to hear your ideas in the comments!

I Confess…

2011-01-13T08:05:00.000-06:00

…I’ve been a bad blogger!! To be honest, I just haven’t felt inspired to post lately. The crafting has been on hold since before Christmas and I can’t seem to get my mojo back.

I have been working on a few new things for my Etsy shop for Mardi Gras, so be sure and stop by to check them out!

Hopefully I’ll be back to a more regular schedule by next week!

A Fresh Start: DIY Memo Board

2011-01-02T23:49:00.001-06:00

Well, it is a brand new year and for many that means a time to make a fresh start. I typically don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I know for many one goal is to get organized. This was the case for a good friend of mine who wanted to de-clutter the front of her refrigerator. So I knew the perfect Christmas gift for her would be a “new” memo board where she could display photos, her daughter’s artwork, and other important information.

I had just the thrift store frame in my stash to transform:

Sorry little angels, but you’ve got to go bye-bye!

The first thing I did was remove the artwork from the frame and give the frame a couple coats of brown spray paint. Then I distressed the frame a bit with some sandpaper. No photos of those steps, but I’m sure you get the idea.

Then I purchased a piece of sheet metal from Lowe’s. Make sure you don’t get aluminum because it’s not magnetic. They sell pre-cut sheets, but I had to trim one with tin snips to fit my frame’s measurements.

I found some cute fabric at Hobby Lobby and just hot glued it to cover the sheet metal.

Then I popped the whole thing back in the frame and used some small nails to hold it in.

The finishing touch were these coordinating magnets:

You can find the glass marbles at any craft or dollar store, and then modge podge scrapbook paper to the back and hot glue on a magnet.

Voila! Instant organization!

Here’s another look at the

BEFORE:

and AFTER:

What are some of your goals for the new year? I’ll be linking this post to the following parties:

Best Projects of 2010

2010-12-29T19:42:00.001-06:00

I’m a late joiner to Rhoda’s party over at Southern Hospitality and Layla’s party over at The Lettered Cottage, but I thought I would post and link up anyway just to do a re-cap of my favorite projects of 2010. You can click on any of the links or photos below to see the original post.

My husband helped me out with a few organizational projects around the house this year, first completing this drying rack inspired by Ballard Designs:

and later building a new TV stand for our entertainment center:

And we teamed up to tackle perhaps my favorite project of 2010, our kitchen transformation!

BEFORE

AFTER

I had re-stained the cabinets a couple years ago. We transformed our countertops with a concrete overlay and installed a new glass tile backsplash. The look was completed with a new sink and my innovative table runner window treatments.

I had a few popular crafty projects as well, the first of which was my DIY curly ribbon wreath:

and some DIY textured artwork:

I got colorful with these DIY beaded plant hangers:

and these beaded plant stakes:

In May I featured several projects created by my best friend after our trip to Canton. The recap can be seen in this post, and features such projects as a flea market transformation, salvaged shutter wall art and a DIY burlap table runner.

I also featured a couple projects from my mom & dad, including their front door and French door transformations.

Finally, I wrapped up the year with some holiday crafts, like my ghost candle shades, beaded spider headband, and glitter dot ornaments:

Whew!! That’s a lot of favorites for 2010! I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep up in 2011…

I’ll be back after the New Year with another thrift store transformation, so stay tuned! I hope everyone has a blessed 2011!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T16:40:00.001-06:00

Wishing everyone a bright & happy holiday filled with lots of love and laughter! I truly appreciate all who read my blog and offer comments and encouragement, and I hope 2011 brings good things to every one of my readers.

I’ll be back some time after the holidays with some new projects to share. Until then, go busy yourselves with good food, good company, and good cheer!

Simple, Elegant Christmas Centerpiece

2010-12-16T21:09:00.001-06:00

Today Cheryl at Tidy Mom will host a Christmas edition of her I'm Lovin' It event to share anything from a product, to a recipe, a picture you took, a project, or even your children or family…..really anything Christmas-related that you are loving right now! So here’s mine….

I’m totally loving using ornaments to create simple, elegant centerpieces! All it takes are a few sparkly balls nestled in a dish, bowl, or other container to make a stunning display. Use different sizes and textures to create some visual interest.

I paired ornaments with tree candles to make a simple centerpiece for the kitchen table:

Since I automatically gravitate to anything purple and gold, especially if it is coated in glitter, I have accumulated a plethora of ornaments in this theme. Too many to fit on the tree, so they make perfect decorations in other spots around the house. I sued them in several places throughout the living room to carry out my purple and gold theme:

An easy and elegant way to add holiday sparkle to your decor!

Holiday Baking

2010-12-15T22:24:00.001-06:00

Today’s link-up is over at Simply Sweet Home and we’re sharing our Christmas recipes. Here’s a re-post of my Christmas cookie post from last year:

Cookies: The Smell of Christmas

I’ve been so busy with work (both my normal job and some Etsy orders) that I haven’t done any Christmas baking yet, but I plan to fire the oven up this weekend to make a few batches of my favorite Christmas cookies.

We’re still rolling in pecans, so I can’t wait to make some Lacey Cookies. Here’s the recipe my mom and I use:

Lacey Cookies

2 cups oats

1 tbsp. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 sticks melted butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup finely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix oats, flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Pour hot butter over mixture. Add eggs, vanilla, and pecans. Drop 1/2 tsp. (use a demi-tass spoon) 2 inches apart onto a foil lined cookie sheet. Bake for 10-20 minutes. Let cookies cool and peel from foil.

Yes, you really do spoon them out that small and that far apart! The cookies will spread a lot while baking. This recipe makes a ton since you spoon them out so small. I love these because they are so buttery and delicate.

Of course I’ve got to make some traditional sugar cookies. I would love to get all ambitious and make some of these cookies I saw over on We Are That Family (from a guest post by Bake at 350):

How cute are they?!? But I’ll probably just be boring and go with some basic round cookies with red & green sprinkles! Here is the recipe I use for soft sugar cookies:

Sandy’s Sugar Cookies

Blend: 1/2 cup shortening, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 egg

Add: 1 tbsp. milk, 1 tsp. vanilla or lemon

Mix: 1 1/4 cup flour, 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. baking powder

Roll into balls and flatten slightly. Sprinkle with colored sugar or desired decorations. Bake at 425 degrees for 5-7 minutes. Makes about 2.5 dozen.

Make sure you don’t over-bake these so they will stay soft and slightly crisp on the edges.

If you are making cookies to share, check out this cute packaging idea from Martha Stewart:

Get creative with your containers by using vintage glassware, compotes, or milk glass and keep it thrifty by seeing what you can find at Goodwill, estate sales, and your garage sale stash! Be sure and visit Simply Sweet Home for more yummy recipes!

My Christmas Decor

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Today is the day to show off our Christmas Decor for the Holly Bloggy Christmas link-up over at The Shabby Chic Cottage.. My decor hasn’t changed much from last year (you can see last year’s post HERE), but I snapped a few new photos anyway.

Here’s our “ol’ faithful” artificial tree as it looks in the daytime. I didn’t take any nighttime photos this year, but you can see them in last year’s post.

And my little LSU tree in the dining room….I picked up a real tree for $15 at Lowe’s. It’s tiny, but it’s cute!

In the living room, I decorated with lots of sparkly and glass trees and plenty of purple and gold ornaments! I especially love this gold candle I got at Pier One last year:

I was so excited to discover the set of 3 grapevine trees I bought after Christmas at Target last year for 75% off, I had forgotten about them! The sparkly gold and purple was just perfect for my theme and I love the texture they give.

Somehow I ended up with three beautiful glass blown tree toppers, so one is on the tree and the other two are displayed in candlesticks in the foyer:

In the kitchen eating area, more trees and glass ball ornaments:

And last but not least, my Lenox manger scene. This is one of my favorite things to display every year.

Thanks for looking! Hopefully I’ll have time this week to visit some of the other posts…..share your Decked Halls, Christmas Trees, Mantels, Home Tours and more with Gina over at The Shabby Chic Cottage.

DIY Glitter Dot Ball Ornaments

2010-12-13T20:37:00.001-06:00

Today’s Holly Bloggy link-up is Christmas crafts. Pretty much the only Christmas craft I’ve done lately is ornaments. Last year I showed off my handpainted personalized ornaments, CLICK HERE (or the photo) for the tutorial/post.

So this year’s version was inspired by some ornaments I saw in the Crate & Barrel catalog:

They are $35.95 for a set of six, but I knew I could DIY these for much less. I used my Glitter writer from Decoart and a pack of glass balls from Wal-Mart ($2.50 for 10).

Not much explanation needed for this project, just point and squeeze dots of glitter paint in a symmetrical or random pattern. The pointed tip of the glitter writer makes this a quick and easy no-mess project. Allow a few hours drying time before handling.

Add some ribbon to your hanger and you have a fancy ornament for little time and money!

FYI, don’t use the matte finish ornaments for this, the glitter paint will pop/peel right off! The shiny ones worked for me.

I also did one with our initial and a clear one with some swirls.

I filled the clear ball with some sequin trim to give it even more sparkle. You can use tinsel, glitter, or ribbon, too.

Come and show off your crafts with Nicholette and Vanessa at Craft Envy.

Homemade Gifts for Holly Bloggy Christmas

2010-12-12T21:29:00.000-06:00

I’m going to join in with the Holly Bloggy Christmas this week and link up some posts from last year as well as some new posts. Today’s theme is Homemade Gifts, hosted over at Tatertots & Jello.

Last year I shared my handmade Christmas ornaments, which make the perfect finishing touch to any gift. These handpainted wooden ornaments look great on your tree, but they’re also cute little tags to accent a gift, bottle of wine, or any area in your home that needs a little extra holiday cheer.

I simply bought a piece of craft wood in my desired width, then cut it to the length, about 6 inches. Then just use your imagination to design and decorate them!

What a great way to add a personal touch to any gift. Even on their own they make a great gift for teachers, neighbors, andco-workers. The possibilities are endless!

Be sure and visit Tatertots & Jello for more great homemade gift ideas.

A Chic & Trendy Birthday

2010-12-10T08:15:00.000-06:00

I had the pleasure of attending another super-cute birthday party recently and was thrilled to make a custom shirt for the birthday girl:

The shirt fit in perfectly with the zebra/hot pink theme carried out in the invitations, decorations, and food.

Here are some more details from the party….

Pretty much everything was DIY’ed by the birthday girl’s mom & family. She ordered a zebra cake, and decorated the table with some zebra fabric and zebra paper-wrapped candles. They even made the ever-popular tissue paper pom-poms! All easy and inexpensive ways to get a totally custom look.

Even the punch server, glasses, and water bottles were coordinated with custom-made stickers!

What a fun idea to have a candy bar for guests to enjoy!

No girl’s party is complete without pink cupcakes! Overall, the party was a big hit with both the birthday girl and her guests!

A Magical Birthday

2010-12-08T21:58:00.001-06:00

Last year I showed you my friend’s DIY fall carnival themed birthday party for her girls who were turning 1 and 4. Well, this year she went all out again and had a magic themed party, complete with a performance by a real magician & his bunny!

Did you know I can make birthday shirts to match just about any theme? Here are the ones I appliquéd for the this year’s party:

Here are some more details from the party…..

Instead of a cake, my friend whipped up some deeee.li.cious cupcakes and we decorated them the night before with sprinkles and bunny picks that she bought online.

She and her daughter made this cute topper with some wooden cutouts and star stickers from Hobby Lobby. What a great way to get your child involved in the party planning!

She got personalized birthday banners from Oriental Trading to use as decorations, and we hung large metallic stars along the deck and underneath the patio umbrella. It was simple but cute and effective! Here is the magician performing some of his tricks, you can see some of the decorations in the background:

Everyone had a fabulous time, especially the birthday girls!

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post, I’ll share another super special, super chic girly birthday party theme!

DIY TV Stand

2010-12-07T08:19:00.000-06:00

I apologize for my extended blogging absence! After Thanksgiving things got a little hectic with work, embroidery orders, and lugging all the Christmas decorations down from the attic!

Amidst all that, we had to get a new TV since our old one bit the dust. I can’t say hubby was too disappointed about that! In order to make our new television fit in with our entertainment center, hubby had to make a new stand and I wanted to show off his handy work!

I took the idea of the storage cube he built last year and expanded upon it. Here is the end result:

I think he did a fabulous job, it really looks like it came with the entertainment center!

We used some deck railing caps to build up the bun feet.

I was able to find the perfect baskets at Hobby Lobby for easy access storage.

I really wanted something light colored and textured to break up all the wood tones and these worked perfectly. They match a rattan footstool that sits across the room.

This was a great solution for us since we needed something with specific measurements and couldn’t really find the perfect fit. Plus, everything we looked at online and in stores was more than we wanted to spend! Including the baskets, this project cost right around $100. I’m so lucky to have a handy hubby!

Spirit Friday: Fabulous Football Weekend

2010-11-26T08:07:00.000-06:00

It’s going to be a fabulous football weekend, especially for SEC fans. Several good rivalries will be going on Friday and Saturday, including LSU vs. Arkansas. Some of y’all didn’t think last week’s match up against Ole Miss would be all that tough, but I knew better! And the Tigers have another formative opponent this weekend in Arkansas. Then hopefully they will have a great BCS bowl game to look forward to!

The Saints pulled off a “Thanksgiving miracle” yesterday against those pesky Cowboys. Boy am I glad they won that one!

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving, I am still full from all that yummy food! For those cyber shoppers out there, be sure and check out the Black Friday weekend special I have going on in my Etsy shop! You can learn more about it on my Facebook page.

I may take a few days off from blogging next week to catch up after the Thanksgiving holiday, but I’ll be back soon with a great ornament project I have in mind as well as some new embroidery designs! Have a great weekend!

Geaux Tigers, beat the Hogs!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Gidget is patiently awaiting a turkey treat today!

Happy Thanksgiving!