Made By Stephie

Fabric Wreath!

2010-12-07T02:13:00.000-05:00

OMG - I can't believe that it has been over three months since I have posted anything!!! It's an understatement to say that I have been busy! My photography business is doing really well right now - but I missed my blog and all of my wonderful followers! Here is one of my first crafts of the Christmas season!

I love love shopping the fabric section at Hobby Lobby - so many bright and beautiful prints! I am constantly buying yards when it's on sale and I have finally found something to do with some of it.

Isn't she beautiful!

Here is how I did it:

I started off by wrapping my wreath form with a strip of fabric.

Once I got it completely covered I started with my little flowers. I cut tons of circles out of coordinating fabrics - 3 different sizes. I used some glasses to trace for my circles - but anything would do!

Next I stacked the three sizes on top of each other and just kind of "pinched" one side and folded it to the middle and then pinched the other side and folded it to the middle.

Then I just stuck a straight pen through the middle of the folds and stuck it in the wreath form.

And that's it! I made several different kinds out of some of my favorite fabrics!

Have a good Tuesday!!

$7.00 Starburst Mirror!

2010-08-25T00:03:00.000-04:00

I am sooooo proud that I finally got this project finished! I've had the mirror, $2.62 from GoodWill, for about 4 months or so - just sitting in my craft cabinet waiting to be turned into something fabulous. I bought some bamboo skewers from the Dollar Tree shortly after. I tried to layout a pattern I liked with the skewers - but there was just something missing. Then - back to school season rolled around and the light bulb went off! Rulers would be perfect! So - I waited for a few weeks - until the rulers went on super sale ($.25 each) and scooped a bunch up!

So here is what I used!

$2.62 mirror from GoodWill
$1.00 pack of bamboo skewers
$.25 rulers (I used 16 of them $4.00)
And - my ever trusty Gorilla Glue

First I laid out a pattern -

Then I just flipped it over and glued it together!

All finished and in it's temporary home...

Back to Blogging!

2010-08-16T21:27:00.000-04:00

Hey Guys!

I am back from my blogging hiatus! School and my photo biz has really kept me busy lately - but I am glad to be back! I miss being crafty and making things. I am working on a project now that should be done in a day or so! I can't wait to share it with you!

Here are a few pics from what has been keeping me busy! As always you can check out my work on my photography blog: www.stephiehicksphotography.com/blog

Terrific Tuesday Photos

2010-07-20T02:57:00.000-04:00

Yay! My fav day of the week!

This week I am participating in Trendy Treehouse's Shutter Love Tuesdays.

I love linking up photos to Trendy Treehouse! The theme this week is faces.

Look at this sweet angel face! He was soooo happy and content hanging out under that tree!

You can check out more photos from that shoot on my Stephie Hicks Photography blog!

I'm Back in the Saddle Again...

2010-07-19T03:36:00.001-04:00

Wow! I have been away for a while. The past few weeks have been mad crazy and unfortunately Made By Stephie had to be put on the back burner for a while. But - I am sooooo happy to be back to the blogging world! If you are wondering where I have been for the past few weeks head over to my photography blog and check out all of the fun stuff I have been up to Just click right...HERE!

Now to Matty Monday!!

Matty made these wonderfully delicious cupcakes...

This week, one of my co-workers (shot-out to Chelsea!) was on a blueberry kick,
having purchased a large quantity of in-season blueberries, while she was back
home in Arkansas. So hearing about the berries made crave them somthin’ bad, so
behold this week’s recipe:

This is a great go-to cupcake, perfect amount of light sweetness, almost like a
muffin… This one’s not for the sweet tooth, uses tons of sugar though. The
whipped topping is a perfect addition and super easy!

Till next time!
Matty

Here is the Recipe!

For the cupcakes

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups cake flour (not self-rising), sifted
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 3/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups milk, room temperature
2 cups fresh blueberries, plus more for garnish
Whipped cream

For the whipped cream

2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Martha Stewart's Cupcakes by the Editors of Martha Stewart Living

Method

Make the cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line standard or mini muffin tins with paper liners.

2. Whisk together both flours, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla.

3. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of milk, and beating until combined after each. Fold in blueberries by hand.

4. Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until pale golden, about 25 minutes for standard and 15 for mini.

5. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored up to 3 days at room temperature in airtight containers.

Make the whipped cream

1. Whisk heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add confectioners’ sugar, and whisk until combined. If not using immediately, whipped cream can be refrigerated, covered tightly, up to 3 hours in an airtight container.

2. To finish, dollop cupcakes with whipped cream, and garnish with berries. Serve immediately.

Terrific Tuesday Photos

2010-06-29T12:37:00.001-04:00

Happy Tuesday! This is one of my favorite days of the week! I love sharing my photography with you guys and I love love participating in all of the photo contest out here in blogland every week!

Here are some Summery Travel photos that I have taken! Hope you enjoy them!

I took this photo during my summer studying abroad. I spent a quarter studying photography at SCAD's campus in Lacoste France and was able to take a few trips to Paris!

Does it get any better than this? Key West, Florida...

This one was taken in Michigan - during our "lighthouse tour"...

Matty Monday - Sort of...

2010-06-28T13:43:00.000-04:00

Matty is taking this Monday off for a much needed vacay! So - in honor of the upcoming holiday I decided to round up a few really cool cupcakes!

I found these beauties at One Ordinary Day:

These yummy fruit topped ice cream creations came from Annie's Eats

And - the ever lovely Bakerella made these. The story behind them is really awesome!

Head over and check out all of these Patriotic treats!

And the Winner is of the $40 gift card is...

2010-06-28T12:28:00.001-04:00

My random number generator thingy picked # 20!

Congratulations to Laura @ Rada Rhythm a Rhyme!

She said:

I would use it towards the Designer Catbox Litter Box Enclosure in Espresso! Had no idea these things existed but I really NEED and WANT it! Thanks for the giveaway!

I's sending an email your way!

Awesome Giveaway @ Breakfast Club Photography!

2010-06-26T00:29:00.000-04:00

Breakfast Club Photography has another great giveaway going on! Just 4 Photogs has offered up another one of their awesome camera necklaces - they are so dang cute! Head on over and check it out!

$40 CSN Gift Card Giveaway!!!

2010-06-25T08:25:00.000-04:00

I'm extending the giveaway until Monday!! I have had a really busy week and just haven't had the time to sit down and pick a winner - so there is still time to enter!!

I was contacted earlier this week by CSN - they want me to do a second giveaway! This time instead of picking a particular product to giveaway I am going to let you choose what you want! I have recently been made aware of their amazing lighting website! We are in the market for some new lights in our kitchen area and they have some really great stuff!!

Here is what you need to do to enter the giveaway!

1. For one entry become a follower and leave me a comment letting me know that you are! If you are already a follower leave a comment letting me know!

2. For one entry head over to CSN and tell me (in a separate comment from the followers) what you would buy with the Gift Card.

2. For 2 entries head over to my photography facebook page and become a "liker".

Each person can have up to 4 entries!!

Giveaway ends one week from today on June 23 @ 11:59 pm!

Terrific Tuesday Photo

2010-06-22T12:00:00.001-04:00

This weeks photo is in honor of father's day! And - I am guest judging over at Trendy Treehouse this week!! I am sooooo very excited to see all of the "Father's Love" themed photos this week!

Head over to Trendy Treehouse and check all of them out!

This is of a dad giving away his daughter at a recent wedding that I shot:

The next two are of my dad and my granddad - fishing on the lake!

Dad:

Granddaddy:

Matty Monday - Week 6 - Brown Sugar Pound Cake with Irish Cream Frosting Cupcakes

2010-06-21T18:08:00.000-04:00

Hey!

This week I made the Brown Sugar Pound Cake with Irish Cream Frosting Cupcakes!

Technically these are the Saint Patrick’s Day cupcakes, but the Bailey’s Irish cream frosting sounded too good to wait till next march 17th! Instead of crystallized four leafed covers, we opted for more practical (but cute) tartan paper cups. Hope you enjoy them!

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup ( 2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup buttermilk
Baileys Irish Cream Icing

Makes 28 cupcakes

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line pan with baking cups. Wisk together flour, banking powder, and salt.
2. With an electric mixer on high-medium, cream butter and brown sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scrap bowl as needed. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and beating until combined after each.
3. Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake, about 25 minutes rotating halfway through, until cake tester comes out clean and golden brown. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes, and then turn out cupcakes onto racks and cool completely.

Bailey's Irish Cream Icing

Ingredients
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1lb confectioners sugar sifted
3 tablespoons Bailey's Irish cream liquor (you may substitute milk if desired)

Instructions
1. Cream butter and shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla and Baileys Irish cream. Gradually add sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Tint icing a pale green color.
2. Using decorator tip 1M, pipe a swirl on top of each cupcake. Top with shamrock icing decoration and sprinkles.

This recipe ices 1 1/2 dozen cupcakes.

Another Awesome Giveaway

2010-06-18T16:10:00.000-04:00

Don't forget about my really cool $40 CSN Gift Card Giveaway!!

Breakfast Club Photography is hosting a fabulous giveaway! They are giving away a pom pom blanket from Oops I Knit It Again!!!

Oops I Knit It Again has some really really awesome stuff!! You should go and check them out!!! And head over to the etsy store to see all of the things she makes and sells!!

Terrific Tuesday Photos - Week 6!

2010-06-15T01:36:00.001-04:00

This weeks photo is of a sweet baby girl I recently photographed! I just loved her sweet little smile - while she was taking a little rest from posing...

P.S. - Stay tuned for a giveaway coming up this week!!!!

Matty Monday - Week 5 - Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes!

2010-06-14T16:41:00.000-04:00

Hello!

This week we made the Chocolate Salted Caramel cupcakes, the recipe calls for mini cupcakes, but I don’t have that pan yet, so the regular size would have to do.

Making your own caramel may sound intimating, but was easy and is the best caramel I’ve ever had! WOW!

Double bonus, when you scoop out the center of the cupcake for the caramel, you get a bite size snack, which we consumed immediately.

This cupcake is very chocolaty so if you need a chocolate fix this is it, have a glass of milk nearby!

This recipe is somewhat straight forward compared to the other recipes, surprisingly, but created the most dirty dishes!

Here's the recipe!

Cupcake
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup warm water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line mini muffin tin with paper liners. Whisk together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. With mixer on low speed, add eggs, buttermilk, oil, extract, and the water; beat until smooth and combined.

Spoon the batter into liners about two-thirds full. Bake approximately 15 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Transfer tins to wire racks and allow to cool for 10 minutes; turn cupcakes onto racks and let cool completely. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 1 month in air tight containers.

To finish, use a paring knife to cut a cone-shaped piece (about 1/2 inch deep) from the center of each cupcake and throw away the pieces. Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons warm Salted Caramel Filling into each hollowed-out cupcake. You will notice the caramel will sink into the cupcake a little, just fill it up a bit more. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over filling.

Use a pastry bag with a medium open-star tip (I used Wilton #1M) and pipe Dark Chocolate Frosting onto each cupcake, swirling tip and releasing as you pull up to form a peak. Garnish each cupcake with a pinch of sea salt. Cupcakes are best eaten the day they are filled and frosted. Store at room temperature in airtight containers - do NOT refrigerate. Enjoy!

Salted Caramel Filling
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup water
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, preferably fleur de sel

Directions

Heat sugar with the water and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan over high, stirring occasionally, until syrup is clear; clip a candy thermometer to side of pan and stop stirring.

Cook until syrup comes to a boil, washing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush as needed. Boil, gently swirling pan occasionally, until mixture is caramelized and just reaches 360°F. Remove rom heat and slowly pour in cream; stir with a wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in sea salt.

Use immediately; if caramel begins to harden reheat gently until pourable.

Dark Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients:
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon boiling water
2 1/4 cups (4 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 pounds best-quality semi-sweet chocolate, melted and cooled

Directions:

Combine cocoa and boiling water, stirring until cocoa has dissolved.

With electric mixer on medium-high, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, and salt until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to low. Add melted and cooled chocolate, beating until combined and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in the cocoa mixture.

Frosting can be refrigerated up to 5 days, or frozen up to 1 month in an air tight container. Before using, bring to room temperature and beat on low speed until smooth again.

P.S. I’m pretty sure Martha has the photographs so carefully controlled and/or later retouched, that the home kitchen could never produce the same coloration as the photos from the cupcake cookbook, just fyi, don’t be discouraged when your frosting and caramel is not a dark and luxurious as hers, etc…

see you next week!

Matty

Our First Garden!!

2010-06-14T01:31:00.000-04:00

I am so dang proud of our very first garden! It was originally started out to be an herb garden - but my grandparents talked me in to a few more things. We now have cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, herbs, hibiscus trees, geraniums, and my absolute favorite - my lavender from Provence!

Here is how it all started:

While we were getting the ground ready to plant

the seeds were growing in the greenhouse

This is what it looked like before we planted anything:

Everything is transplanted from the greenhouse and all wet after a good rain

A few weeks later:

Isn't this basil gorgeous (and soooo yummy!)

Here are the first products!!

More picture to come later on when the tomatoes are ready!

Terrific Tuesday Photo Week 6!!

2010-06-08T01:43:00.000-04:00

This weeks photo is of a little girl I had a session with over the weekend - such a cutie and easy as pie to work with!

Matty Monday Week 4!! Roasted Banana Cupcakes with Honey Cinnamon Forsting!

2010-06-06T23:19:00.000-04:00

Hello all!

This week I made the Roasted Banana Cupcakes, mostly because all I had to buy was the Bananas! Roasting the bananas was easy and fun! They are great, very dense little cakes, though the richness of the icing may be a little to much on this one...

Makes 12

Cupcakes:

* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 ripe bananas), plus 1 whole banana, for
garnish (optional)
* 2 large eggs
* 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Icing:

* 1 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Make a well in center of flour mixture. In well, mix together butter, mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Stir to incorporate flour mixture (do not overmix). Dividing evenly, spoon batter into muffin cups.
3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely on a wire rack. Spread tops with Honey-Cinnamon Frosting. Just before serving, peel and slice banana into rounds, and place one on each cupcake, if desired.

Icing:

In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat confectioners' sugar, unsalted butter, honey, and ground cinnamon until smooth, 4 to 5 minutes

See ya next week!

Matty

Fun Find Friday with "Sew Cute" Gifts and More!

2010-06-04T17:58:00.000-04:00

Today's Fun Find is "Sew Cute" Gifts and More! Go Here to check it out!

Check out all of the super cute things that Kitizie does and she does all of the monogramming too - and YES she does ship out of town for all of you not local to GA! Everything is quality made (I have recently purchased 2 totes and they are fabulous) and super affordable!

P.S. Head over to the "Sew Cute" Gifts and More fan page on Facebook and become a "liker" for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate!

Terrific Tuesday Photos - Week 5!

2010-06-01T02:52:00.001-04:00

Hi!

I'm finally back - I had lots of fun this week but I really missed blogging! I hope you like the photo for this week!

Meet Coltrane:

He loves flowers...

Happy Memorial Day!!

2010-05-31T00:25:00.000-04:00

Hi! I hope everyone is having a safe and fun Memorial Day Weekend!

This past week has been super busy (4 photo shoots, 3 different friends visiting from out of time, 1 birthday, 3 cookouts, Kayaking trip, etc) and I didn't have one single second to post - anything! I guess you can say I went on a blog vacation...I am going to extend my blog vacation through tomorrow and resume things with Terrific Tuesday!

So - I'm going to leave you with a picture of me and the hubs - taken in the city where we met - Savannah, GA...

Terrific Tuesday Photos - Week 4!

2010-05-25T01:12:00.001-04:00

Hey Everybody! Welcome to Terrific Tuesday! This weeks photo is one of my favorites! I love fluffy white clouds and these make me want to just dive through them! This was taken over Lake Michigan during connecting flight from Michigan to Wisconsin (for some reason they sent us to Wisconsin before they sent us back to GA?)

Hope you enjoy the photo! Have a great Tuesday!

Matty Monday - Week 3!! Mocha Cupcakes!

2010-05-24T02:03:00.000-04:00

Hello all!

This week we tried the Mocha Cupcakes! Phillip, my roommate, as been going on and on about coffee flavored things since I don’t have a coffee maker, I think he’s going though withdraws. Well to make the process more painful and drawn-out we made the Mocha Cupcakes to ease his coffee tooth…

Those little devils need a lot of leg work, including going to a cafe for the required freshly brewed espresso. We did the wrong recipe for the frosting, forgetting their was a coffee version….but all in all very good, very coffee tasting, with a sugary foam (frosting) top.

Mocha Cupcakes, page 74, Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes

For the cupcakes:
2 1/4 cups cake flour (not self-rising), sifted
2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
3/4 cup freshly brewed espresso
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder (not instant coffee)

For the frosting:
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2/3 cup water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
6 large egg whites, room temperature
2 tablespoons pure coffee extract

Make the Cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line standard muffin tins with paper liners.

Whisk together cake flour and cocoa. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter until smooth and light. Add the brown sugar and eggs; beat until fluffy, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add the vanilla, baking soda, and salt; beat to combine thoroughly.

Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of sour cream, and beating until just combined after each. Mix together brewed espresso and espresso powder; add to batter, and beat until smooth.

Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached, about 22 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely be¬fore removing cupcakes.

Make the Frosting:

Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar with the water and corn syrup in a small saucepan; clip a candy thermometer to side of pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Continue boiling, without stirring, until syrup reaches 230°F (110°C).

Meanwhile, in the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk egg whites on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. With mixer running, add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, beating to combine.

As soon as sugar syrup reaches 230°F (110°C), remove from the heat. With mixer on medium-low speed, pour syrup down side of bowl in a slow, steady stream. Raise speed to medium-high; whisk until mixture is completely cool (test by touching the bottom of the bowl) and stiff (but not dry) peaks form, about 7 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons coffee extract, whisking to combine. Use immediately.

See ya next week!

Matty

Fun Finds Feature Friday with The Plaid Platypus

2010-05-21T16:56:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the first edition of Fun Finds Feature Friday!!

Today's feature is The Plaid Platypus!

Rita @ The Plaid Platypus makes really amazing and fun cakes and I am so excited to be featuring them today! If you are in the local area and are looking for a great cake - for any occasion - give her a call - You won't regret it!

Check these out!

Doesn't this look so tasty!

My dad would looooove this one:

Head over to the Plaid Platypus' fan page on Facebook and become a Fan!

Come back next Friday to see what Fun Find I am going to Feature!

New Blog Look - Coming SOON!!

2010-05-20T15:36:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that the look of things around here are about to change!! I've been wanting a new look for my blog for a while now and I finally took the next step and contacted Diana @ The Girl Creative to design a new look for my blog! She is oh so very talented and such a sweet person!

If you are looking for someone to design or redesign your blog I would definitely recommend you stop by and check her out!

So check back later on to see what she cooked up for me!!!!

Key Holder!

2010-05-19T01:20:00.000-04:00

Hi! Hope you all are doing well!

I am super excited about this project - I've wanted to make one for a while now! I have seen several variations of this project around the blogging world and decided to make it my own. I loved the way it turned out - so much that I actually gave to my mom as part of her Mother's Day gift!

I started out with these supplies:

Wood plaque - $1.00 on the clearance rack @ Wal-Mart
Scrapbook Paper - already had in my stash of paper
ceiling hooks - $1.59
decoupage - already had
White Spray paint - already had
sand paper - already had

First I cut the paper to fit the inside of the wood piece. I did this by tracing the shape on to the back of the paper - then I just cut out the shape. (I made sure to have a little overlap so I could sand it down and make it a perfect fit.)

Next I gave it a light sand and spray painted the edges white. After allowing it to dry for an hour or so I applied decoupage to the wood piece (not the paper - I tried this first and it was disastrous!)

After letting it dry for a bit I took my sand paper and lightly rubbed the edges of the paper so I would be flush with the plaque. Then I marked off my spots for holes and screwed the hooks in place. I got the self starting hooks so I wouldn't have to pull out the old drill...

This project has endless possibilities - I can't wait to make another one to keep for myself!!

Terrific Tuesday Photos - Week 3!

2010-05-17T23:42:00.000-04:00

Hey Everybody! Hope you all are doing well!

This week I am going to share a before and after photo - before and after editing that is...

Here is the SOOC (straight out of camera) shot:

The colors are a little flat and I hate the brick wall in the background.

SOOO...after playing around with my new Photoshop CS5 I came up with this:

I could of stopped there but I still wasn't totally happy. I played around with ita little more and finally got this:

I love the vintage feel of this one and the bright and crisp feel of the one before - I just can't pick out which one is my favorite...

Matty Monday - Week 2!! Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Cupcakes!

2010-05-17T00:44:00.000-04:00

Hi Made By Stephie readers!! I'm back for another edition of Matty Monday! Thanks for all of the nice comments you left last week - I am so glad you liked the Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes!

This week we decided to do a cupcake that was a little bit easier but just as yummy.

Here are the details:

Martha Stewart's Cookies and Cream Cheesecakes

Makes 30

Ingredients:
42 cream-filled sandwich cookies, such as Oreos, 30 left whole, and 12 coarsely chopped
2 pounds cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
Pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Place 1 whole cookie in the bottom of each lined cup.

2. With an electric mixer on medium high speed, beat cream cheese until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Gradually add sugar, and beat until combined. Beat in vanilla.

3. Drizzle in eggs, a bit at a time, beating to combine and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in sour cream and salt. Stir in chopped cookies by hand.

4. Divide batter evenly among cookie-lined cups, filling each almost to the top. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until filling is set, about 22 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours (or up to overnight). Remove from tins just before serving.

Hope you enjoy them! See ya next week!

Matty

Terrific Tuesday Photos - Week 2!

2010-05-11T00:44:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody! Thanks for all of the nice comments and emails this week! I'm glad everyone likes all of the new things I'm doing!

It's time for Terrific Tuesday again! One of my photos from last week was picked as the #1 photo in Trendy Treehouse's Shutter Love Top Ten Photos!!!! Go HERE to check it out!

This weeks photo was taken this past week @ one of my photo shoots. I had the privilege to photograph a sweet little boy for his 2 year old photos. This photo is of him checking out a tattoo of his feet prints on his mom's back.

Have a great Tuesday!

The First Edition of MATTY MONDAY - Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes!!!!

2010-05-09T23:50:00.017-04:00

My bestie Matt, a fabulous interior designer in Los Angeles, is going to be doing a guest post here on Mondays! I am sooooo excited that he is going to be taking on Martha Stewart and her cupcake recipes!!! Enough from me - here's Matty!

Hi Everybody!

I'm Matt...

And I'm excited to be here at Made By Stephie!!

Ever since Stephie made those delicious looking Jam Tea Cake Cupcakes from the Martha Stewart’s Cupcake book I have been awaiting for the next cupcake post. Skip ahead to now and no new cupcakes have graced the blog, can’t blame her of course, she’s had beautiful and clever things for ya’ll week after week So when Stephie asked if I could contribute something, I (after long contemplation) choose to take up the cupcake torch, or perhaps, the cupcake whisk. With my friend Phillip, we choose to start with the Boston Cream Pie cupcakes, which we hoped to be easy, yet not too easy. Now, I live in an apartment, never needing to bake, and the first thing we discovered was I had no baking supplies, at least not the kind needed for cupcakes.

Many store trips later…

The cupcakes themselves went really well and we were proud of ourselves, same too the chocolate ganache spread, we ran into trouble with the pastry cream. In the picture of the cupcake, the cream is a perfect shade of white, ours never did that, staying a yellow color. It still tasted great, just the wrong color! All in all a good first attempt, but you should see the pile of dishes! I wonder how many medium sized heat proof bowls Martha thinks we have?

Go HERE for the recipe!

Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes, page 114, Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes

Till next time!
Matthew

Head over to Craftaholics Anonymous to participate in a Recipe Swap!

Pretty Little Cloche

2010-05-09T23:38:00.000-04:00

Aint' she a beaut!

I made this cute little cloche thingy out of things bought at GoodWill, the dollar tree, and a family heirloom brooch! I wanted to display the brooch that belonged to a family member that and was passed on to me (I'm not much of a pin wearer). A shopping trip to GoodWill yielded a cloche and a milk glass base to put it on!!!! I just filled milk glass dish with some Spanish Moss I got at the Dollar Tree, sat the brooch on top of it, and placed the dome over it!

Total amount spent: $3.50!!

Giveaway @ Rada Rhythm and Rhyme!

2010-05-04T13:53:00.000-04:00

My friend Laura @ Rada Rhythm and Rhyme is hosting her first giveaway! She has got some really great Chum's Eyeglass Retainers (especially for you South Carolina people!) - So Head on over and check it out!

Terrific Tuesday Photos

2010-05-04T01:59:00.004-04:00

Hey guys! I am going to make a few changes around the blog - sort of organizing things and trying to get a steady rhythm going for weekly post! To start things off I am designating Tuesday as Terrific Tuesday Photo day. Each week I will put up a few favorite photos (maybe just one) that I have taken (some for my photo business/clients and some I did just because) - just a little way to share one of my passions - photography!

Here are today's photos:

I had so much fun shooting this little girl and I absolutely love this photo!

This is from earlier this year - Feb I think...isn't the snow so pretty!

And last but not least:

Something Springy and purdy!

Stop by my photo "blogsite" for more photos by me!

White Bowls...

2010-05-03T01:44:00.000-04:00

Hey Everybody - hope your weekend went well!

I've had several emails in the past few weeks about some white bowls that were in a picture in my Apothecary Spice Jar post. So - I thought I would post about them!

They started off like this:

I pulled out my trusty sand paper and gave them a good rub or two and then spray painted them white. Then I sprayed them with a clear top coat protectant to keep scratches to a minimum.

And here they are after:

Just as pretty as can be! I paid $2.72 for all three at Goodwill - I love me some Goodwill!

Yay - I'm back - and with a new headboard!!

2010-04-26T17:42:00.000-04:00

So - I am finally back! I took a week off to get caught up on projects and photo shoots and let me tell ya - I missed my little blog like crazy...

I was finally able to finish my headboard and we absolutely love it!

Here is a sneak peek of the finished job:

This was another really easy project (I got a little help from my Granddad) that only took an hour or so to complete.

After measuring the space where the headboard would go I had my Granddad cut a piece of MDF. I needed something besides batting to pad it so I found an old egg crate mattress pad thingy and cut it to fit the MDF. Then I just spray glued it into place! After that I attached batting by stretching it around and stapling it to the back of the MDF.

Then I wrapped the white fabric around the whole thing and stapled it in place - and voila! It turned out to be sturdy enough that I didn't have to mount it to the wall - so that was a plus!

Here is a list of the supplies I used:

MDF - cut by my Granddad but if you usually can get it cut at the place you buy it
Spray Glue
Staple Gun
padding/batting
fabric

I already had everything except the fabric which I got in the clearance section at Hancock Fabric's for $2.00!

I'll Be Back...

2010-04-22T00:03:00.000-04:00

Hey Guys!

I've got a few emails wondering where I have been this week...Thanks for all of the kind words and concern - I have some really awesome followers! I am just taking the week off to catch up on a few projects and things. My photography business has really taken off within the past few weeks and that paired with a tough week at school I had to make a decision to take a vacation from something. Just a week long vacation though - I can't stay away any longer than that!

So keep an eye out for all the new stuff and head over to my photography website to check out all of the new stuff! wwww.hicks-photography.com

Thanks and I'll be back...

yada yada

2010-04-13T01:00:00.001-04:00

So...we just got back from visiting my husband's mother in Michigan and I have had to do a ton of homework to catch back up and I just haven't had time to photograph any of my completed stuff (that and I haven't got anything completed this week). So I thought I would delight you with an almost finished project.

My granddad had a huge cabinet in storage that was just begging for me to rescue it. We were in desperate need for extra coat and linen storage and thought that it would be perfect.

Here is the before:

Notice how absolutely lovely it was...yucky. We had to saw part of the bottom and top off, sand it for hours, turn the doors around, put new sides on it, clean it, clean it some more, and finally prime and paint it.

This is what it currently looks like (sorry for the bad photos - I had to use a flash and they are cropped weird because of something else I am working on - for another project):

It's not quite done yet - notice the leg thingies on the bottom and the left door needs adjusting so that it will stay closed, and for some reason there is only 2 hinges on one side.

And this is what it looks like on the inside:

The reason for the close crop is because the insides of the doors are going to be revealed later on for another project feature!

It holds oodles and oodles of pillows (some really ugly ones that are about to be covered), 90% of my purses, coats, sheets, blankets, and more. Not quite gorgeous yet but definitely on its way!

Blog Swap with Simply Designing!

2010-04-11T23:34:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody! Today I am doing a blogswap with the awesome Ashley from Simply Designing! Head on over to her blog and check out my post there!!

Hello!! I am so excited to be guest blogging here at Made by Stephie! I always love a good blog swap!

Isn't this just a great blog?! I am so honored to be here and I really hope I don't mess it up :-)

I am Ashley, the face and voice behind Simply Designing! I am fairly new to blogland but am loving every minute of it! I am an interior designer and a floral designer. I own my own business. I also love to dabble in crafts, baby / child items, sewing, baking, cake decorating and a variety of other things. I love finding ways to make my life more SIMPLE!

I enjoy keeping busy and I have a list a mile long of "projects" I want to do. And I love posting about my projects on my blog!

In addition, I am a wife to a wonderful husband and a mom of a 3.5 year old spunky little girl and a sweet cuddly 6 week old little boy! So much fun!

Oh. And in my spare time (ha!) I am attempting to open and then promote an Etsy shop. It is a slow process for me, but I am enjoying that too. (Go check it out if you don't mind!)

Ok. Now. On to the GOOD stuff!

I am so excited to be guest posting here today. I am actually going to show off a tutorial that has been one of my most popular tutorials! It is so much fun! I just love it!

I wanted to share with you my tutorial for making simple, but the best EVER, Burp Cloths!

I made similar ones to these for my daughter but also received a myriad of other burp cloths at her baby shower. These were by far the most functional and the cutest!

I recently made some in anticipation of our son’s arrival (he was born February 22nd!), so these are more “boy” oriented ones, but you can obviously use any prints you want to.

I was lucky and found my fabric on a 50% off sale! Then I had a coupon for 20% off your entire purchase, even sale items. So, I figured my cost was 80 cents per burp cloth! (Plus the thread costs, but since we didn’t need to buy new thread…).

So not only are they the best burp cloths, they are also the cheapest!

Here is what you will need:

• Brown paper grocery store bag to make a pattern with (or, if you don't want to make your own template, go here to purchase a template!)

• Ruler

• Pencil/Pen

• Scissors for paper

• Fabric Pins

• Fabric scissors

• 1/3 yard flannel fabric per burp cloth (44”-45” wide fabric) (Flannel is the key here, so don’t buy cotton fabric. Spit up will just run off of cotton burp cloths and/or soak through to your clothes. Ew. The flannel fabric will absorb the spit up and they actually work better after each washing!)

• Matching or contrasting thread (4 spools of each color)

• A serger, or someone who loves you who owns a serger and is willing to sew a bit for you

Step 1: Prewash your fabrics

I know it is not a lot of fun, and I accidently left my flannels in the dryer too long and they became entangled and wrinkly (Yes, I then had to iron them before I could cut them out…don’t make that mistake!), but prewash your flannel fabrics. You will be SO happy you did this!

If you don’t, they will shrink and cause the edges of your burp cloths to become wavy and then your burp cloths will not look nearly as good and, if you are like me, you will want to iron your burp cloths, which really is a ridiculous thing to have to do.

So please, avoid the heartache and prewash all your flannels before you get started!

Step 2: Create your Pattern!

(or skip this step and buy one)

Use the following dimensions and photograph to sketch out your burp cloth pattern on to an open brown paper grocery bag.

This does not have to be perfect, but try to get it as symmetrical as possible. However, remember that you will be serging around these so that will make up for some discrepancy in this step.

Once you have the pattern sketches on the bag, cut it out.

Length: 19.5"

Width middle: 7.25"

Width (widest point): 10.5"

Step 3: Cut the burp cloths

Fold your fabric in half. You will be cutting two burp cloth sides at a time. These burp cloths are double sided and made with 2 pieces of flannel each. (1/3 yard fabric yields 2 burp cloths sides).

If you are really adventurous, you can put two, folded fabric pieces together and cut four sides at a time. However, if you try this, be sure to pay attention that the pattern fits in all directions on all fabric layers otherwise you may end up with a short burp cloth in there. Oops.

Pin the pattern to both thicknesses of flannel and cut!

I like to cut all my burp cloths at the same time before moving on.

Step 4: Decisions, decisions, decisions…pair your burp cloths

Decide how to pair your fabrics. You will use two flannel pieces to make one burp cloth. You can, of course, use the same pattern for both sides of the burp cloth, but I like to mix mine up!

You get 2 flannel sides out of 1/3 of fabric. So, if you choose 2 different fabrics, you will have 4 sides which means you can use one fabric for the front and one fabric for the back and you would have 2 matching burp cloths. (does that makes senses?)

Once you have figured out your pairing, place both sides, right-side out together.

Step 5: Serge

Ok, well I fall into the group who does not own a serger (but I have one I am eyeing so hopefully soon!). But I do know someone to owns a serger so I enlisted help for the final step of this project: serging the edges together!

With wrong sides together (right sides out), serge around the outside edge in either a matching, complementing, or contrasting color of thread, your choice!

(You can also finish these off using binding, sewing wrong sides together and flipping right side out or any other way you can imagine! I just like the look and the simplicity of doing a serged edge!)

Step 6: Use and Wash…or give away!

Use these burp cloths often and wash them to death! They will absorb better after each wash! Or make to give away as baby gifts!

And that's how it's done wonderful Made by Stephie readers! Simple, but the best EVER, burp cloths!

Stop by my place if you have a moment and check out my blog. I love to get new visitors and new followers! And, you can check out Stephie's blog swap post there too!

Thank you so much for letting me come by and share my tutorial with you!

Happy Designing!

Ashley

Apothecary Spice Jars

2010-04-05T17:50:00.000-04:00

I don't know if I should classify this under DIY or so easy a cave man could do it...? I am addicted to Apothecary jars or all shapes and sizes - but I am especially drawn to the "candy dish" sized. Every time I go to Goodwill I come home with at least one. After most of them sat around for weeks collecting dust I finally decided that I needed to do something with them. SO - I turned them in to spice jars!

I doesn't get much easier than this!

Lazy Susan + Mugholder = Jewelry Holder

2010-03-29T00:14:00.000-04:00

While browsing around Good Will the other day I came across a lazy susan and two mug holders. I stared at them for a while trying to come up with something to do with them - then the light bulb came on! I have an over abundance of jewelry and I hate digging through my jewelry armoire to find the pieces that I wear most often! SO - I decided to make a spinning jewelry holder for my dresser.

Here is a sneak peek of it in action:

Here are the pieces I started off with:

mug holder thingy ( I actually used 2 - one tall and one short $1.00 for tall and $.50 for short)

and this lovely $1.00 Lazy Susan:

All I did was spray paint each piece white and glued the holders down on the Lazy Susan. It would be hard to find an easier project!

Here is one more shot of the finished piece:

I already had the paint and glue so I got a really cool jewelry holder for only $2.50!

Someone asked me why I painted it all white - I did that so the jewelry would stand out more and take center stage!!

New Photography Blogsite!!!!

2010-03-27T18:34:00.003-04:00

I know I have never advertised my photography business on this blog before but I am so excited about my new blogsite and all of the new bookings I have. I am coming off of a failed joint venture - which was really disappointing - but I have received so much support and really positive feedback about starting up Hicks Photography again!

I combined my photo blog and my website into one and I can't be more happier with the results! Here are a few pictures from my recent posts and shoots! Hope you enjoy!!

Finally...

2010-03-21T23:44:00.006-04:00

I finally finished this piece!!

Here is a sneak peek of it finished: (sorry for the bad pic - I photographed it at night. For some reason it looks so small. It's actually quite a large piece. Also - the mirror is not staying in that exact spot. It takes an act of congress to move it and I just haven't had the chance to tackle that task!)

I inherited this piece of furniture from my great grandmother (Big Mama). After staying in the shop for a few years it was in desperate need of refinishing and using.

Notice all of the peeling and missing original veneer. It took a while to get the rest of it off - I had to peel it by hand.

After sanding and sanding and filling holes this is what she looked like:

After several layers of bright white, semi-gloss paint, and Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint on the drawer pulls I was finally finished!!!!

She now sits in our living room an holds office supplies.

Spring is in the air!!

2010-03-15T20:50:00.002-04:00

Several weeks ago I participated in a Spring Fling Gift Swap over at Life with Lori! I had so much stinkin fun doing it...and was able to be paired up with one awesome lady - Jane @ Blondie's Journal!!

This is what I received!

(there were also 2 things of candy but my husband got into them before I could get the photos snapped)

Everything was so very perfect and gave me the spring decorating bug!! Head over to Blondie's Journal to see what she received and stay awhile and check out her blog. I really love all of the tablescape Thursday and I know you will too!!

yucky to yummy!

2010-03-14T16:56:00.000-04:00

Karl and I recently added on a room to our home that we made in to our master bedroom. I wanted some new/custom furniture but as usual there was no room in the budget...So I found this dresser at a yard sale for $10.00. (it came with the mirror but I am going to use it for a different project)

It clearly had seen better days. I believe the previous owner used it in their kitchen - so it had lots of dings and scratches on the top and the inside smelled like rotten food.

Jingles has to check everything out...

After what seemed like days of sanding, painting, and some new knobs this is what it became!!:

The color is Behr Premium Plus Ultra (primer built in) in Ozone. This paint is my new favorite. It's a little pricey but it only took one coat and the color was perfect!!

Giveaway Winner!!

2010-03-09T11:56:00.003-05:00

WE HAVE A WINNER OF THIS FABULOUS TOTE!!!

Thanks to everyone who enter the CSN giveaway!!!

The lucky winner of the Thomas Paul Tree Tote is Jessica @ Live It. Love It. Craft It.

Congrats Jessica! Send me your info and I'll get it out to you ASAP!!

Thrift Store Mirror to Shabby Chic Jewelry Tray

2010-03-08T20:05:00.009-05:00

I found this gold mirror @ a local thrift/junk store (Bowmart to all of you local readers).

I wasn't sure what to do with it but because it was a dollar so I took it home. I needed something for my nightstand to hold jewelry (I'm always taking my earrings off and laying them on the nightstand.)

First I removed the backing and pried the mirror off.

Then I spray painted it a glossy white. Before it dried I took a dry paint brush and rubbed some of the paint off to give it a distressed look.

I glued the mirror to the original cardboard backing. Then I glued fabric on to it. Once it dried I hot glued it back into the frame.

And now I have a jewelry tray for my nightstand!!

Yippee Skippee Part 2!!

2010-03-01T22:27:00.004-05:00

As I mentioned in this post Karl and I were also working on a Race car room! Here is the final product - all hand painted by my super talented husband and me!

This is for above the bed:

And this is the super cool CHALKBOARD racetrack and race cars that completely circles the room!!

I'll be uploading this to all of my favorite linky parties!! Go here to check all of them out!!!

My first Giveaway!!!

2010-03-01T22:02:00.006-05:00

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!! WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY MARCH 9TH!!

YAY!! It's time for my very first giveaway - courtesy of CSN stores!!! CSN has over 200 really cool websites. They have a website for anything and everything! One for just bar stools, one for just clocks, and even one completely dedicated to Air Hockey Tables (how cool is that?).

They have offered me this super cute Thomas Paul Tree Tote (from All Modern) to giveaway to one of my bloggy buddies!!

Here is how to enter!

For one entry - visit CSN and leave a comment on this post telling me an item that caught your eye.
For a second entry - Leave an additional comment letting me know you are or have become a follower.
For a third entry - Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to the post in a comment!!

Please leave me your email or a way to get to your blog so I can let you know if you have won the tote!!

Giveaway ends on Monday March 8th @ 10pm!!

Yippee Skipee!

2010-02-21T23:21:00.005-05:00

I am so excited about this post!!! Karl and I did this mural over the weekend for my cousin Deanna's new home. It's in her baby's (Reese) room. (Just imagine the crib in front of it!)

Sorry for the bad pictures. The lighting wasn't the best.

Karl free handed the shapes and I helped shade in the colors. Here is a close up of the super cute little birdie:

At the last moment we decided to add the owl at the top...here is Karl contemplating where to put it:

And here I am working on the branches:

We are also working on her son's (Garrett) race car room...pics to come later!!

I'll be uploading this to all of my favorite linky parties! Go to the link at the top to check all of them out!

Awesome Giveaway @ Blue Cricket Design!

2010-02-17T12:16:00.003-05:00

Hey everybody!! There is an awesome giveaway going on at Blue Cricket Design!!

Becca @ Blue Cricket has teamed up with Dot and Line - an awesome home accessory company - for an amazing giveaway!

They make really really cool designer lampshades and coffee sleeves that I just adore!! Each shade is handmade, created from scratch (not just fabric glued to a lampshade!!) I am already in love with there stuff and can't wait to order some!! (especially the blue, white, and cream lotus shade!)

Check these out:

They are giving away $50 plus free shipping to the Dot and Line site!!

Head over to Blue Cricket to enter the giveaway!

yummy in my tummy...Garlic Cheese Beer Biscuits

2010-02-15T00:46:00.004-05:00

If you like all things bread like I do you will love how easy and delicious this recipe is!

Garlic Cheese Beer Biscuits

3 cups of bisquick
1 can of cold beer
3 T sugar
1 cup cheese ( I use Sharp Cheddar)
1 T garlic powder ( or more if you are like me and love garlic just as much as bread)
1 tsp salt

Just mix all of it together and spoon into a muffin pan.

Bake at 350 for about 20 min

It makes 24 biscuits that will knock your socks off!!!

Blog Swap: Sumo's Sweet Stuff!!

2010-02-12T13:40:00.000-05:00

Yay!! I am so excited that today is my first blog swap!! I'm even more excited that it is with Summer @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff!! So...here she is:

Hello Stephie fans!

I'm so excited to be here today!

I'm Summer, or Sumo as my husband lovingly calls me. (And now consequently has all of my family calling me. Doesn't Aunt Sumo have a nice ring to it?)

I'm the blogger from Sumo's Sweet Stuff!

I use my blog to share my projects, tutorials, recipes, host giveaways, and shamelessly promote my etsy shop!

I AM:
- married to my best friend

- mother to the most beautiful little girl (and a baby girl on the way!)
- daughter and sister to the best family ever
- friend to some of the greatest people out there

I LOVE TO:
- play piano
- sing

- read
- craft
- go on walks

- spend time with my family
- drink Diet Coke
- bake/cook
- exercise (well, sometimes)
- crochet

SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:
- Diet Coke
- popcorn
- chips and salsa
- anything that involves peanut butter and chocolate
- public library
- fall
- craft stores
- black and green
- Christmas
- historical fiction
- cats

Stephie and I decided to share a tutorial with each other's readers today, so here we go!

Reece (my one year old) got two different Leapfrog magnet sets for Christmas. I love these toys, and wanted to make sure she had access to both. But I also absolutely hate having her under my feet while I'm trying to cook and do things in the kitchen! So I decided that I would keep one on the fridge - the smaller of the sets - and make up a magnet board to hang in her room so that she would have easy access. I got this one at Robert's, using a 50% off coupon.

At first, I was thinking about glittering up the edges of the magnet board, but then I realized that a one year old + glitter = messy and not such a great idea (although it would have looked smashing!) I had a bunch of leftover fabric scraps from when I made flowers for my curtains, and from making some other flowers for my etsy shop, as well as some fun ribbon, so I decided that I would modge podge the fabric and ribbon around the edges.

Here we go....

What you need:

- magnet board or any sort of wood frame

- Modge Podge

- fabric scraps

- foam brushes

- hot glue/gun

- paint (optional)

You'll need to take the magnet board part out of the frame while you are working.

I decided to paint the top and bottom of my frame so that I didn't have to worry about trying to get ribbon or fabric over those parts. Your call!

Then I just measured the first ribbon I was going to use, allowing for wrapping it around to the back, cut and glued it down!

You may want to make sure that your various sizes of ribbon and fabric strips will fit so that you aren't left with some funky sized space when you get down to the hole part of the frame.

Just continue doing this all the way down the frame! I used a mix of hot glue and mod podge, depending on what type of material I was working with. This is about halfway down.

And all finished!

Add your magnet board magnets and you are good to go!

I was going to put some ribbon on the back to hang it with, but this is really heavy, so for now, it is just leaning against the wall in Reece's room. Eventually - maybe not even until we get to a different house - I'll probably just have my husband hang it on nails! Might be more secure with little hands grabbing on it all the time!

I love making new blogging friends, so come on over to Sumo's Sweet Stuff! You can find something different each day:

- Market Yourself Monday: I share my latest projects and invite you to link up yours!

- Tutorial Tuesday

- Mouth-Watering Wednesday

- Things to Try Thursday

- Feature Friday

Thanks to Stephie for letting me swap blogs with her! She is such a creative gal, and I'm so happy I get access to her creativity!

Have a good weekend!

Its going to be one fabulous friday!!

2010-02-11T18:24:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day for me!! Lots of things are happening! As some of you know we are building an addition on to our home - a master bedroom to be exact. It should be ready for us to get in there and paint and put down flooring tomorrow!! I'll be posting photos later on!

I am also going to try and get some photos up of all of my recent thrift/junk store finds.

And - I am going to be a part of Feature Friday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff!!! It will be my first blog swap and I am super excited!!!! She will be here at Made By Stephie to give you an awesome tutorial and I will be at her blog doing the same!

So tomorrow go check it out:

Have a GREAT evening!

Cutie Pie Door Hangers

2010-02-08T02:08:00.008-05:00

I'm putting together a house warming gift and needed something for the kids...so I decided to make something they could hang on their doors!

Here are the supplies I used:

Canvas, paper, chipboard letters, wood cut out of a race car and butterfly, Mod Podge, glue, acrylic paint and the usual tools:

First I covered the the letters with paper - while that was drying I covered the canvas with paper. I did both with Mod Podge.

After everything was dry I used my exacto knife to cut out the letter. The I glued the letter to the canvas and the wood cut out to the letter. The butterfly wasn't the right colors so I just used acrylic paint to change it up a little bit. For the G I used a little sandpaper to rough it up a little bit (it is for a little boy after all) and I didn't have the right color of brown paper so I painted the canvas.

Really easy and super cute!!

I'll be linking this to all of my favorite linky parties! Go the the tab above to check them out!!!

Fabric Covered Monogram Canvas!

2010-02-08T01:40:00.008-05:00

I have been trying to get this canvas done for a while now...it's finally done!!

I couldn't find my staple gun so I used hot glue to attach the fabric to the canvas.
Here's how I tackled the corners:

Pinch the fabric:

Fold over the corner:

Then fold it over again:

Hot glue it down (or staple it) and your all finished!!

The canvas is a recycled one from a previous project that no longer matches my decor, I already had the fabric (a whole roll of upholstery fabric for free), and I got the chipboard H at hobby lobby for 50% off!!!

I'll be uploading this to all of my favorite linky parties!!! Check out the tab above and go and visit them!!

Love...

2010-02-02T02:54:00.006-05:00

I made this rag garland and decorated this mantel for my grandma...hope you like it!

Here is a close up of the garland:

and one of the other goodies! ( I even made the hurricanes out of vases and candle holders and made the hearts out of scrapbook paper!!):

total cost: 3.00 for the candy!!!

Well read flowers

2010-02-02T00:36:00.008-05:00

I am really loving all of the projects made out of books. I am also in love with all of the cute flowers made out of fabric/felt. I wanted to do something to combine the two and this is what I came up with:

They are super easy to make. All you need are book pages (I used newspaper that I sprayed with Archival mist), adhesive (I used hot glue), scissors, and something to embellish the middle.

First I drew the shape on to the paper and cut out 2 pieces.

Then I kind of pinched (both flower shapes) the paper and made creases so that the finished flower would have a little texture:

Then I hot glued the 2 shapes together and finished it off with a button:

This project cost me absolutely nada. I had everything just sitting around!

I'll be linking this up to all of my favorite linky parties...check out the linky party tab above to see all of them!!

Decoupaged Monogrammed Magnets

2010-02-01T23:54:00.008-05:00

I am not the biggest fan of decoupage (I know I'm crazy). It all goes back to a color theory class in college and a failed attempt at a decoupaged assignment. BUT - I really love some of the things that I have seen around the blogging world that involve decoupage. So I decided to pull out the Mod Podge and give it another try.

I made these really cute monogrammed clothes pin magnets!!

Here are the materials that I used (forgot to photo the magnets):

First I cut my paper to fit the clothes pin and then I followed the instructions on the Mod Podge and attached the paper to the pin.

I was pretty satisfied with how they looked but I decided I wanted to add something to them. I dug through my letter drawer (yes I have a drawer full of letters) and found a size and shape that I liked - and decoupaged them in coordinating paper.

Then I used my hot glue gun to attach the letter to the pin!

Thats all - simple and really cute!

ps. I am going to use these as part of a housewarming gift...the person receiving this gift reads this blog so I guess I'm giving away part of a secret. (and I'm sure she can figure it out since the monograms are the first initials of her and her family...)

I'll be linking this to all of my favorite linky parties...check the Linky Party tab above for those parties and go and check them out!!!!

La de da...

2010-02-01T19:40:00.002-05:00

New projects to come later on tonight!!

I've been super busy this weekend working on a few things and refinishing some furniture(2 pieces that belonged to my great grandparents and one that belonged to my mother). AND we are building an addition on to our home! I also just realized that I kind of forgot about Thrifty Thursday the past two weeks. I did my thrift store shopping - just forgot to post about it.

SO...be back later on tonight with some completed stuff and a preview or two of things to come!

Changing...Again

2010-01-31T22:46:00.002-05:00

I'm changing the blog around again...I have ADD I can't help it. I am currently in the process of cleaning it up a little and adding a few features. It's all jumbled up right now so please excuse the mess!

A Piece of Cake...part 2

2010-01-24T23:27:00.008-05:00

After making my milk glass cake plate I decided that I needed a more casual one for everyday use. But - I also wanted it to be personalized. I did the same thing as before (gorilla glue epoxied a plate to a candle holder) but I followed this tutorial at Centsational Girl (one of my all time favorite blogs) to make it more fabulous. And this is what I got:

This is the top, personalized with a H (for Hicks).

I already had the paint and the stencils so I only paid 25 cents for the plate and 50 cents for the candle stick - that make one really cute 75 cent cake plate!!!

I'm adding this to all of my favorite linky parties - click on the buttons on the right to go and check them out!

Make Your Monday @ The Twice Remembered Cottage!

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The Elusive Flame

2010-01-24T23:03:00.008-05:00

I know everyone is tired of seeing things made out of books - especially wreaths - but I have just discovered them.

I turned this book:

into this wreath:

I don't have step by step photos but it was super easy to make. First I painted the edges of the book with a little black and brown paint. Then I rolled and folded the pages of the book and hot glue them to a dollar store foam wreath. I then attached a piece of ribbon to the back with hot glue to hang it.

You can go to this tutorial at Living with Lindsey for a similar wreath and detailed instructions!

I'm adding this to all of my favorite linky parties - click on the buttons on the right to go and check them out!

Make Your Monday @ The Twice Remembered Cottage!

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It's a piece of cake...part 1

2010-01-24T22:38:00.008-05:00

I've been looking for a milk glass cake plate forever - but I have yet to find one within my price range. After months and months of searching I finally gave up and made one.

I found this hobnail candle holder for 99 cents:

And this plate for 99 cents:

After a little gorilla glue epoxy I got this:

Cheap, easy, and a perfect fit with my milk glass collection!!

I'm adding this to all of my favorite linky parties - click on the buttons on the right to go and check them out!

Make Your Monday @ The Twice Remembered Cottage!

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I love cheap frames...

2010-01-24T22:17:00.005-05:00

I could help but post these...I got the set of three at a local "thrift" store. They came with the mattes and a metal ledge/shelf to put them on - all for 7 bucks. I spray painted them yellow (Krylon Bright Idea), put some coordinating scrapbook paper in them, and placed them on our new shelving unit. (shelving unit photos will come later on!!!) They metal shelf thingy that they came with is going to be used for a different project (more to come on that later).

I'm adding this to all of my favorite linky parties - click on the buttons on the right to go and check them out!

Make Your Monday @ The Twice Remembered Cottage!

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Silhouettes...Finally

2010-01-17T21:56:00.015-05:00

So...after days and days of drooling over everyones fabulous silhouette art work - I finally made my own. The best thing about it is that its basically free/really cheap.

Here is a sneak peek of the finished project:

First I made a stencil out of a photo I printed onto cardstock.

Then I used the stencil to trace the shape onto the blue paper that I chose. (I wanted to do something different than a traditional black and white silhouette.)

I then attached the the silhouette on to some awesome yellow paper and placed them behind the matte.

That's it!! Finished and ready to go! I reused a frame (after spray painting it of course) that I already had and used paper that I purchased ages ago - so I didn't spend anything on it!!

Affordable and Cute - does it get any better than that?

I'm adding this to all of my favorite linky parties - click on the buttons on the right to go and check them out!

Make Your Monday @ The Twice Remembered Cottage!

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From Blah to Beautiful

2010-01-17T20:46:00.013-05:00

I found some really cool yellow and blue paper at the scrapbook store and just had to have it. It's been sitting around forever while i tried to decide what to do with it. After a trip to Hobby Lobby the light bulb finally came on.

Here is a sneak peek of the finished product:

Here are the supplies that you will need:

paper mache box
scrapbook paper
adhesive (I used sticky tabs and acid free glue)
pencil
scissors
sand paper and paint to distress
3-d embellishments ( I used a twenty-five cent felt coaster and a unfinished wood fleur de lis)

I got this paper mache box thingy at Hobby Lobby...after the 90% after Christmas discount it was only twenty-five cents!!

I traced the front and sides of the box onto the back of the paper.

Then I just cut out the shapes and glued them to the box. After the glued dried I used sandpaper and white paint on the edges to distress it a little. Then I glued the embellishments to the front.

Thats all!! The possibilities are endless with this project. There are gagillions of papers you could use and even more embellishments!!

I'll be linking this to all of my favorite linky parties - click on the buttons on the right to go and check them out!!

Make Your Monday @ The Twice Remembered Cottage!

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Easy Artwork

2010-01-17T20:18:00.011-05:00

Currently our bathroom is decorated with some bullfight photos that I took while I was studying abroad a few years ago. My husband hates it...So we are in the middle of a bathroom redo. After several days of the do you like this idea game we finally decided to go with a beachy/Tybee Island/Savannah, GA theme (we went to college at SCAD and miss Savannah terribly).

We have lots of things to use decor wise - but I wanted some cute artwork for the walls (and that something had to be cheap). So I came up with this:

I picked out a starfish from my collection of shells and sea creatures and found a piece of scrapbook paper in my stash that coordinated with the colors we wanted to use. I took one of the frames we were already using in the bathroom and painted the frame white. Then I just glued the starfish to the paper with 3-d embellishment glue.

And that's it! Super easy, super cheap (free), and really cute!!

Stay tuned for the before and after pics of the bathroom...

P.S. Linking up to all of my favorite linky parties - check out all of the buttons on the right to check them out!!

Make Your Monday @ The Twice Remembered Cottage!

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Thrifty Thursday # 2

2010-01-14T01:44:00.008-05:00

First up...these 2 twenty-five cent each mini Apothecary/Candy jars. I've already glued the smaller one to a glass candle stick to make it taller!

Next...the little pitcher was fifty cents (a nice addition to my collection), the two glass candle holders ($1.51 for both) are heavy enough for me to use as bookends on my bookshelf, the blue vase was ten cents (not sure what I am going to do with it).

The next two are my favorite finds of the day!!! They were not exactly "thrift store finds". A girl from one of my classes was cleaning out a storage barn getting ready for a yard and thought that I would like to have these!! And boy was she right!! And the best thing about them is that they were free. She wouldn't take a dime for them. Such a sweet girl...thanks Kimber!!

These milk glass mixing bowls are a perfect fit with the rest of my milk glass collection!

I am adding yellow to my decor so this was a perfect fit!!

More to come next Thursday!! Hope you enjoy!

Linking up to Show Off Your Stuff @ Fireflies and Jellybeans!!!

And to Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous!

New!!!

2010-01-12T23:41:00.001-05:00

New template coming!! It's time for a new look - check back for more!

Monogram Canvas

2010-01-11T20:53:00.009-05:00

I made this cute and super easy monogrammed canvas for my parent's living room mantel. It was such an easy project - I baked a cake while doing it!

Supplies needed:

Canvas
paint ( i used spray paint and acrylic paint)
Chipboard letters
scrapbook paper
Decoupage/glue

First I painted the canvas a solid color (I used Rust-oleum American Accents Soft Wheat). I then dry brushed some metallic gold once the spray paint dried. While the canvas was drying I decoupaged the chipboard letters with scrapbook paper. I let everything sit for about and hour - to make sure everything was good and set. Then I used my trusty gorilla glue to attach the letters to the canvas. You can't tell in the picture but I also stapled some ribbon to the back to make a hanger.

Hope you enjoy!

p.s. I'll be linking this project up to all of my favorite linky parties!

Look to the right for the links of the parties!! They are really fun - you should check them out!

And to Made It Monday @ Persimmon Porch

And to Show Off Your Stuff @ Fireflies and Jellybeans!!

Thrifty Thursdays!!!!!!

2010-01-07T17:55:00.004-05:00

Every Wednesday is Goodwill/Thrift store day for me - my favorite day of the week. I love browsing through the isles and finding fun stuff. I don't look at the item as is - I look at it's potential. So - I give you Thrifty Thursdays! I am going to show off all of my finds from my Wednesday shopping adventure!

I collect milk glass so this was a big find - the ashtray was $2.00 and the rectangle dish was 50 cents (I'm pretty sure that it was a part of a butter dish.) The glass plates were 25 cents a piece (going to turn them into cake plates) and the white platter was $1.00:

Two candle sticks - haven't decided what to do with them yet or what color they will eventually be - they were only a quarter each. (yep I said a quarter each) The little stainless steel cup was 10 cents and it has Christmas 1981 etched on it - which was my first Christmas:

My favorite find of the day - a light blue fire king casserole dish - $2.00! I'm going to use this in the bathroom to hold my makeup:

More to come next Thursday and every Thursday after that!

DIY Hurricanes

2010-01-06T22:03:00.011-05:00

I have seen these DIY Hurricanes all around the blogging world - I'm sure you have seen them too...I've been wanting to make one but put it off until I had a need. The time finally came - yay!

This is all you need: a vase and a candlestick (got both at Goodwill for $.51 each) and glue. I used Gorilla Glue Epoxy - I'm in love with it!

Just glue the candle stick to the bottom of the vase and let it dry over night.

Thats it...super easy...super cute!

Stay tuned for more photos of what they are being used for!

P.S. Linking up to Shanty2Chic's I made it without my hubby party!!
And to Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special Party!!

And to Made It Monday @ Persimmon Porch!!

Awesome Handmade Apothecary Jars!!!

2010-01-04T23:38:00.017-05:00

I originally found this project at Shanty2Chic and absolutely loved them. I just had to make my own. ( I am currently addicted to Apothecary Jars).

Here are the parts you need:
2 unfinished wood finials
2 unfinished wood circles
2 unfinished wood candle sticks
(I got each for 50% off at the Hobby Lobby)

and 2 glass canisters - I paid 2 bucks a piece for them at Home Goods.

I spray painted all of the parts - including the canister lids with a satin nickel finish paint.

This is my first time using Gorilla Glue Epoxy and I am in love with it! Just follow the directions on the package and glue the parts together. I let each glued section dry for about an hour before adding another section.

Here they are finished!

Now I just need to decide what to put in them. Any suggestions?

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P.S. Linking up to Shanty2Chic's I did it without my hubby party!
And to Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special party!

And to Made It Monday @ Persimmon Perch!

Busy as a bee!

2009-12-28T16:17:00.004-05:00

Hope everyone had a Fabulous Christmas!

I've taken a few days off from blogging to get some things done...I've been working on some new crafts and DIY things that I am so excited about! I can't wait to show them off! I should have some ready to post later on in the week!

I love Scrapbooking!

2009-12-18T21:18:00.005-05:00

Here is another scrapbook page...just thought I would upload one while working on some crafts! I love using different printed papers on a page. I usually stick to papers and a 3-D embellishment on a page - I'm not the biggest fan of flat stickers.

Hope you enjoy!

Awesome Giveaway @ Sassafras Stuff!!!

2009-12-18T02:34:00.003-05:00

Head on over to Sassafras Stuff - she is celebrating her 100th post with an awesome giveaway!

The giveaway includes the following:

~ vintage basket
~ vintage 152 page RECORD book.....while the outside cover is a little worse for wear, the inside reveals 152 pristine pages never before written in!
~ new french script spiral bound scrapbook or journal
~ vintage Royal Staffordshire brown and white transferware creamer
~ small cream silk rosette pin
~ new white ceramic pear
~ "Eau de toe" lavender filled sachets for your shoes
~ round fleur de lis box with Earthworks brand lotion and perfume
~ plum currant Bluewick brand votive candle
~ lacy crocheted gloves
~ Eiffel Tower dish towel
~ photocopy of vintage Christmas postcard

I've Been Featured!!

2009-12-17T17:17:00.003-05:00

Hey Guys...I've been featured at today on two different blogs!!!!! My glass beaded ornaments are featured over at Someday Crafts!!!!! My pinwheel ornaments are featured over at The Remodelaholic!!!!! Go check them out!

Pom-Pom Wreath!!

2009-12-17T15:39:00.004-05:00

Finally finished my pom-pom wreath!! For a tutorial on how to make the pom-poms go here.
I used three colors (that matched my Christmas Decor) but you can use as many as you like. I also used different sized pom-poms. Once you get the pom-poms made just tie them on a Styrofoam circle/wreath. I did a final trim once I got them attached...I love how it looks vintage!

Pinwheel Ornament

2009-12-16T14:57:00.008-05:00

I love to make things with scrapbook paper... These are super easy and really cute.

First make a pattern - after several times of trial and error I came up with this shape:

Then just trace it on the back of printed paper and cut it out (I used a hole puncher to make the holes on the ends and in the middle) I cut out four shapes, 2 of each print:

Then place the middle hole on to a brad, making sure to alternate the prints.
Fold one side of the shape towards the middle and push the brad through the previously punched hole. Do this with all of the remaining sides making sure to alternate the prints just like before.
Just fold over the brad to secure it and ta da! a pinwheel ornament:

Our Peacock Christmas Tree!

2009-12-15T21:21:00.006-05:00

Here's our Peacock Tree and one of my favorite ornaments.

I love, love our tree. It is covered in blue, green and goldish brown ornaments and peacocks...so pretty.

Go check out The DIY Showoff for fun linky parties!

Scrapbooky Monday

2009-12-14T15:20:00.004-05:00

Sorry for the lack of post in the past few days...it's the end of the quarter and I'm in the middle of finals ( 1 down 2 to go). I've yet to post any of my scrapbooking so I thought I would that today! I love scrapbooking - I get to incorporate my photography with my love of design. Hope you enjoy!

Awesome Giveaways @ DIY Show Off!!

2009-12-09T11:58:00.000-05:00

Awesome Giveaways!!! Go Check Them out!!!!

Mantel Decor

2009-12-06T23:13:00.008-05:00

I do a lot of Christmas decorating - some for me and lots for other people. It is one of my favorite things to do during the Holidays. This is a mantel I did this year. First I wrapped some garland with lights. Then I attached balls of different shapes, colors (burgandies and golds), and textures to the garland with floral wire. Then I added the candle holders. And Voila...

Check out The DIY Showoff...great stuff and linky parties!!

Punched Paper Ornaments (super easy!)

2009-12-06T22:38:00.008-05:00

I have tons and tons of paper scraps from Scrapbooking...a problem that has plagued me for a while. SO - i finally put them to use and made some really cute super easy ornaments.

Materials needed:
Styrofoam balls
paper
paper punchers
straight pins with colorful heads
ribbon

Punch paper into desired shape (I used different amounts depending on shape punched and size of ball)

Attach a loop of ribbon to the top with pins

Pin shapes onto ball overlapping the ribbon and layering the pieces:

Here is one I did with different paper and a different shape:

Go check out DIY Showoff...participate in the Linky Party!

Chair Redo

2009-12-02T20:52:00.001-05:00

My desk/craft station is really tall so I needed a barstoolish type chair. I also wanted something with a back because I sit at my desk for long periods of time. Little did I realize that Grandma had just what I was looking for. I just needed updating...

I was a dummy and forgot to take a before picture - so you will just have to mentally visualize it :)

Before:

Scratched up pine colored wood, pink and seafoamy green Aztec printed seat cover (from the 80's).

After:

Candied Pecans

2009-12-02T15:36:00.000-05:00

Try these easy Candied Pecans - perfect for gifts or parties. They taste just like pralines!

Ingredients

* 4 cups pecans, shelled
* 1 egg white
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 275°F.

With an electric mixer,beat egg white until stiff peaks form.

Add the sugar and vanilla and mix until thoroughly incorporated.

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.

Put pecans on an even layer on the sheet.

pour mixture over pecans and stir to coat.

Cook 15-20 minutes until coating has hardened.

Put on plate to cool.

Store in airtight container.

Upholstered Bench

2009-12-02T15:05:00.000-05:00

Karl and I needed some extra seating at our new house. So - my Grandfather built us a bench out of an extra door he had laying around. Anytime I get the chance to upholster something I am really excited!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Glass Beaded Ornaments

2009-12-02T12:06:00.001-05:00

Anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I love peacocks...especially at Christmas. My tree is covered in peacocks and peacock colored ornaments (picture of tree to come later). Several years ago my bestie and I bought some round ornaments covered in beads that matched my tree. During a move from Atlanta to where I am now they got lost. SO - I made some!

Supplies needed:

- Styrofoam ball
- fire polished beads
- clear "string" of some sort (I used fishing line)
- glue
- ribbon for hanger
- lots of patience

Just string the beads ( I did a little at a time...I have ADD). I applied the glue first with a small paintbrush. Then I started applying the beads from the middle of the ball and went up and then started again at the middle and went down leaving a small space at one end for the ribbon hanger. Next I attached a loop of ribbon to the top with a little glue.

That's it...pretty easy!

Fun Felt Reindeer Photo Frame Ornaments

2009-11-29T17:39:00.000-05:00

Oh the fun you can have with a little felt and some ribbon. I made these for Santa's Sleigh and promptly sold out...

White Wine Sangria

2009-11-29T16:55:00.000-05:00

I love making Sangria - especially at Festive times. This is my go to easy recipe...

1 to 2 bottles of dry white wine depending on taste ( I use Sauvignon Blanc)
1 liter bottle of Club Soda
1 liter bottle of lemon-lime sparkling seltzer water
2 cups sugar
2 large oranges (one to slice and one to squeeze juice)
3 limes (one to slice, one to juice, and one for garnish)
2 large apples
(any other fruit you like)

Do not peel the fruit. Wash and thinly slice one of the oranges, one lime, and the apples.

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher, adding as much of the wine as desired (taste and add more if needed to reduce sweetness).

Squeeze the juice of the remaining orange and one lime into mixture.

Cover with plastic wrap and allow to stand overnight in fridge. Serve over ice. Garnish with lime slice.

Snow Flake Ornaments

2009-11-18T23:43:00.000-05:00

I made these for Santa's Sleigh. I think they are sooo cute.

Need:

glass balls
tiny Styrofoam balls ( I used 2 sizes)
white paint
glitter paint
adhesive gems

Just paint a snowflake on the ball - put a little glitter paint over it - add gem - pour in some Styrofoam and you have a beautiful ornament!

I'm in love with my Apothecary Jar...

2009-11-18T23:39:00.000-05:00

I love it...nuff said.

Just some ornaments and pine cones - got to love how easy that is!

Been away for a while...

2009-11-15T18:36:00.000-05:00

I've been a little busy lately and haven't had the opportunity to post anything. That's all about to change. I've got a bunch of things to post...new baking, new crafts, and my Christmas Decorating! All of it will be coming soon!

Fabu Chair Redo

2009-09-23T23:55:00.001-04:00

My Grandma gave me a chair to use in our new home that was handed down from another family member. I loved the structure of the chair - but the color and upholstery needed a redo.

So...here is the BEFORE:

A little old and faded...a little scratched up and rusty orange. Not exactly what fits into our decor. So after a some glossy white spray paint and some new fabric and ribbon you get the AFTER:

2009-09-23T23:38:00.001-04:00

WELCOME.

2009-09-23T22:04:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my new blog!! My name is Stephanie Finch Hicks and I'm a photographer (in nursing school) from Dewy Rose, GA. I'm also a furniture refurbisher, baker, sewer, designer, painter, and crafter. I started this blog to showcase all of those things plus show what inspires me to create. Enjoy!!

Contact Me

2009-09-22T22:45:00.001-04:00

email: madebystephie@yahoo.com

or you can find me at www.hicks-photography.com

Blogs I Love and Stalk Daily!

2009-09-22T22:44:00.004-04:00

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2009-09-22T22:21:00.001-04:00

Hi!! I'm Stephie...this is a picture of me and my wonderful husband Karl:

I am a wife, photographer, crafter, scrapbooker, obsessive DIYer, Goodwill upcycler, sewer, upholsterer, etc, etc. I created this blog so all of my family and friends can see what I am up to.

I can also be found at www.hicks-photography.com!

Hope you enjoy!

Linky Parties!!!

2009-09-22T22:13:00.034-04:00

These are some awesome Linky Parties that are going on in blogland!! Go and check them out!!

Mondays:

Make It Mondays @ Persimmon Perch

Tuesdays:

Wednesdays:

Thursdays:

Fridays:

Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

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Saturdays:

Sundays:

Go check them out and link up your awesome stuff!!