Creative Mess: March 2013

Monday, March 25, 2013

Pinterest Monday #7: Ikea Hacks

I am in love with Ikea! They have awesome furniture for small spaces. Most of my stuff is from Ikea and is in need of some upgrades. When I say upgrades, I mean doing something to what I already have, but I could use a trip to Ikea...Wink, Wink. They have some really nice show rooms that is inspirational. I could easily be one of those people you see on the commercial for Ikea where they make themselves at home in the show room. Yes, that could be me...LOL!

Pinterest Monday will be focused on Ikea Hacks. There are really some awesome ideas out there and I can not wait to use them on mine.

As always, you can follow me on Pinterest by clicking on the button in the side bar or here.

To go to each of the projects, you can click on the title and it will take you to the direct site of the rightful owners of the projects.

Remember, please pin directly from the rightful owner's blog site, not from this post.

Here is what I found on Pinterest!

Ikea Stenciled Billy Bookcase

Photo Source: Brittnay Makes

This is a great idea to get rid of plain white, just spice it up with stencil. Looks amazing.

Crown Moulding Billy Bookcase

Photo Source: Brittnay Makes

Not only did she do stenciling to the Ikea Billy bookcases, she added the crown moulding to them. The moulding give it a classic look.

RAST Nightstand

Photo Source: Take The Side Street

This nightstand takes on a new look from what it is when you get it from Ikea. I love it. I just might do this!

File Drawers

Photo Source: Serendipity Refined

Would you believe these boxes is actually an Ikea hack? It is really not antique at all. They are boxes for organizing that had a modern look to them, but then was turned into something classic. Who would have thought of this stuff?

Mudroom Storage

Photo Source: A Charming Nest

This is an awesome Ikea hack. Would you believe this is made from two Hemmnes TV consoles? I could not believe it either until I read this post.

More Ikea Hacks

Photo Source: Everything Etsy

Here is a bonus. This has more Ikea hacks than you could ever imagine.

See you next week for Monday Pinterest...who knows what I will be finding next on Pinterest.

Don't forget you can follow me on Pinterest!

Enjoy!

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Ultimate Cookies In A Jar

Photo Source: Creative Mess

Don't you think these cookies in a jar are the cutest? These make great gifts and really easy to do. In my case, I made some for my next door neighbor as a thank you.

My neighbor's son has lawn and snow removal business. All winter long we had our driveway and sidewalk done after every snow fall...for no charge at all. How sweet is that? I had to do something. It is not often that you have kind people to do this kind of thing. Believe me when I say that I am soooooo grateful and it helped me out tremendously. Since my husband's disability, a lot has fallen on my shoulders.

Photo Source: Creative Mess

I got the original recipe here. I just changed it up with the name, Ultimate Cookies. I made these cookies to test them and they are fabulous!

Directions for the Cookies In A Jar:

You will layer the dry ingredients in a 1 quart Mason Jar in this order.

1 1/3 cup of all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup old fashion oats

3/4 cup M&M

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Make sure you pack it down. The ingredients will fill the jar up to the lid. If there is not enough room for the pecans, you can leave it out or use some of it. I had no problems with fitting it all and placing the lid on.

I then used some fabric and ribbon to decorate it up some along with attaching the directions for the Ultimate Cookies. Which as follows...

Preheat oven at 350

In a small bowl, mix the wet ingredients of 1 egg, 1 stick of butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Poor the cookie mix into a large bowl. Mix the wet ingredients in with the cookie mix. Use the back of a large spoon or your hands to work it all together.

Once all mixed, roll the cookie dough in to 1 1/2 inch balls, place them on a parchment covered cookie sheet and bake for about 10 minutes.

To make these seasonal, you can buy M&Ms that are in the holiday theme. I used the Easter theme.

Also, if you did not want M&Ms, replace it with the semi-sweet chocolate chips. There is a lot of different variations you could do by making adjustments of your own.

Enjoy!

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homework

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Wednesday

i gotta create
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Trendy Treehouse

Southern Lovely
Fluster's Buster

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Green Smoothie Challenge

I thought I would share this. It is official, I have signed up to do a 30 - Day Green Smoothie Challenge through Simple Green Smoothies. It starts April 1st. You can get all of the information here.

Why am I doing this, you ask?

Here are my reasons....

1. I do not eat my fruits and vegetables like I should. This might be a great way for me.

2. I do not like eating plain vegetables.

3. How in the world can you get in 4 - 5 servings fruits and vegetables? Seriously, I tried...

4. I so need to lose weight that I put on. I quit smoking 18 months ago. Get rid of one bad habit, just to pick up another....

5. I need another way to get healthy foods in my 6 year old. Good habits starts young.

6. Need to lose weight...oh wait I already said that.

7. It is easy to do.

8. Fun way of eating healthy.

9. To help balance me out. Acne at 36 is not cool. I never had acne this bad even in my teens!

10. Being healthy means your body is functioning properly.

So why not join this challenge! There is still time...

You can go to Simple Green Smoothies to get more information!

Disclaimer: I am NOT receiving any compensation, gains or kickbacks from Simple Green Smoothie. This is something that I am choosing to do and wanted to share my personal experience with my readers. My opinions are my own.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Pinterest Monday #6: Studio Space Ideas

I am in the process of re-organizing my studio or workspace. It is just not working for me. I need something that is clean, organized, and most importantly functional. Right now it has turned into the catch all room for the kitchen, office, storage room and workspace. So as you can imagine, it is not pretty.

Pinterest Monday will be focused on Studio Space Ideas. There are really some awesome ideas out there and I can not wait to make mine. Some of this I will have to wait until we finally move to a place that I know will be long term. Until then I can make stuff that will go with us.

As always, you can follow me on Pinterest by clicking on the button in the side bar or here.

Cute Place To Make Things

Photo Source: Raising Up Rubies

I am in love with this Studio Space. It is welcoming and it creates a place for everyone in the family. I like how she turned the living room into the work space. Who needs a formal living room when you have a family room?

Cabinets To Store The Supplies

Photo Source: Created From Paper

These beauties I know came from Ikea because those cabinets are on my wish list. Originally this was my dining room idea, but now I am thinking it would be perfect for the studio. I am long over due and having Ikea withdrawals. Need to go to Ikea to get my fix!

Work Table In Style

Photo Source: Being Brook

This studio space has a lot of different ideas for re-using furniture by painting them. The corner desk looks really easy to build. She even gives you the link where the plans came from. My favorite is the work table. I love everything about it from the color to its storage.

Small Space Big Ideas

Photo Source: Sew Woodsy

This work space uses the closet to maximize the use of the space. I like the idea of having a U shaped work surface. This way you have plenty of room to work and not far to go to reach for what you need.

Neat Space

Photo Source: French Press Knits

This would be an awesome studio space! It has natural light, plenty of storage, and plenty of room for a sitting area. I love the idea of having the clutter not showing and it being organized neatly in the cabinets.

See you next week for Monday Pinterest...who knows what I will be finding next on Pinterest.

Don't forget you can follow me on Pinterest!

Enjoy!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Liebster Award Nomination

Last week I was excited to learn that I have been nominated for the Liebster Award.... Twice by two different bloggers!

Thank you Meredith at Unoriginal Mom who nominated me on March 12, 2013

And

Alice at For The Love of Alice's Family. who nominated me on March 13, 2013

What is the Liebster Award?

In the blogging world it is an award for new bloggers who are just starting out. This award gets passed around by other bloggers who were nominated and they nominate other new bloggers. This helps getting the new blogs noticed. Pretty cool, huh? Basically, the purpose of the Liebster Award is to get blogs with less than 200 followers noticed.

Rules

1. Thank your Liebster Award presenter on your blog and link back to their blog.

2. Answer the 11 questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself and create 11 questions for your nominees.

3. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs of 200 followers or less whom you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have been chosen.

4. Copy and paste the blog award on to your blog. It is an award so show it off...Wink-Wink.

Questions from the Nominator

Because I had two people who nominated me for this award, I will answer their questions separately.

The first one will be Meredith from Unoriginal Mom. Instead of doing the 11, she chose to do only 4 questions, 4 random facts and 4 nominees. She was nominated by three separate blogs and thought it would be best to shorten it up a bit.

Now on to the questions she has for the nominees…

1. Who, in your life, has influenced or inspired you the most?

I would have to say my friends and family. I really don’t have just one person that has influenced me. Everyone in my life has influenced and inspired me in a positive way.

2. What is your favorite go to recipe?

I do not like cooking especially when I have an outdated small kitchen. So my favorite go to recipe is slow cooker recipe. I like throwing all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and then forget about.

3. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you want to live?

Some place warm and sunny. Close to a lake or ocean.

4. If you could meet any celebrity, who would you want to meet?

Sandra Bullock. She is simple.

And now the questions from Alice from For The Love of Alice's Family. She did 11 questions, 11 random facts, and 11 nominees.

1. What is your favorite cartoon or comic?

I don’t have a favorite.

2. If you could be an animal, what would you be?

A bird so that I could fly high in the sky when ever I felt like it.

3. What is your favorite subject in school?

Art and History

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you want to live?

Some place warm and sunny. Close to a lake or ocean.

5. If you had the time, would you write a book?

No. I think that it would be too formal for me…lol!

6. What is your favorite song?

It changes from time to time. Right now it is Madness by Muse

7. What is your favorite game?

UNO

8. If you won a million dollars, what is the first thing you would buy?

Have a house built with all of the customs that would fit our needs as a family.

9. How long have you been blogging?

I just started in January of 2013.

10. Do you use a bookmark or do you fold the page?

I do both.

11. If you won a vacation, and the hotel was located deep in the ocean, where you had to stay a week would you go? And why?

I would. Because it would be a different and unique experience.

15 Random Facts About Me:

1. I am a mother to a beautiful 6-year girl. She will be turning 7 this summer. It is hard to believe how fast they grow up.

2. I am married and will be celebrating 13 years in June.

3. I have a disabled husband since his accident in 2008.

4. I am a full time Graphic Design online student at Full Sail University. I will receive my bachelors of science in spring of 2014.

5. I am also a photographer and have been doing it since I was 14.

6. Constantly have to be doing something creative.

7. Get bored easily – If it is not interesting, you lost me.

8. Addicted to Pinterest – so many things that are inspiring. You are welcome to follow me here

9. I do different hobbies – Paper Crafts, Beading, Sewing, Crochet, DIY, and much more! It is not common to find me having more than one project going at the same time.

10. I struggle with depression, especially in the winter.

11. Love books and magazines, especially the creative stuff. Love to read paranormal books. Yes, I read the Twilight Series.

12. I dislike it when my house is in chaos. It has to be neat, organized, clutter free and cleaned. Otherwise I feel like it has bad energy. Yeah, I am weird like that.

13. I am at my happiest when it is warm and sunny outside. I love being outside.

14. I can spend hours in a place that has books, art, and a cute coffee shop.

15. Dreaming of owning a studio/coffee shop in an art community on a coastline.

Bonus

16. I love to travel

11 questions for all my nominees

1. What is your favorite season and why?

2. Your favorite subject in school?

3. Favorite music/song?

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?

5. What is your favorite color?

6. What is your favorite reading material?

7. Favorite quote and why?

8. What bugs you the most?

9. Why do you blog?

10. Favorite family/kid friendly meal?

11. What is your least favorite thing to do?

The 15 Nominees That I have Chosen

Because I was nominated by two different bloggers, I went ahead and fulfilled the the 4 from the first and the 11 from the second. This is why there is 15. However, the nominees can do what it is stated in the rules or what ever you like.

1. Better With Age

2. Andrea Arch

3. American Sewing Guild

4. Bobbed Curls

5. Born To Be A SAHM

6. Keeping Up WithTiffany

7. Marigolds’ Loft

8. Notions From Nonny

9. Our Prairie Home

10. Passion etCouture

11. RestorationBeauty

12. Sarah M Schultz

13. Crochet My Heart

14. Covered In ModPodge

15. Cocalores

Whew! This is a long post and I finally got it done. I follow theses blogs and really enjoy each of them. There is a variety of them. Be sure to check them out and show some love.

Don't forget to grab your Liebster Award button!

Again, big thanks goes out to Meredith at Unoriginal Mom and to Alice at For The Love of Alice's Family.

Don't forget to link back to my blog when you accept this award. Can't wait to read what you will put down. Have fun!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Google Reader Going Away!

Google Reader is going away after July 2013. If you are following me through google reader, you have the other options of following me through blog lovin and networked blogs. If there is other options that are better please feel free to share them. I am very new to blogging and I don't know if the GFC is going to be affected, however, I do have google +.

Click on the links below to follow me through these options.

Follow this blog

Monday, March 11, 2013

Pinterest Monday #5: Spring Time Inspirations

Spring is less than two weeks away! I am so excited for winter to be over. I have to say that for me it has been one of the worst winters. Not having a lot of sun and shorter days does not help with depression. It seems like the older I get, the worse it is. Being that I have lived in Michigan all my life, one would think I should be used to the winters. I wish it was the case. Spring is the door that is opening to let the sunshine in. Literally. So bring it on SPRING!!!!

Pinterest Monday will be focused on Spring Time Inspirations. Some of the projects could even be used for Easter.

As always, you can follow me on Pinterest by clicking on the button in the side bar or here.

Cashmere Bunny Tutorial

Photo Source: Betz White

These cashmere bunnies are so adorable! They would make a cute Easter basket gift for any child or even a cute gift to a friend.

Decoupaged Springtime Eggs

Photo Source: Brown Paper Packages

These eggs make cute decorations for spring. I love how they are bright and colorful!

Egg Carton Fairy Lights

Photo Source: Red Ted Art

How cute is this!?!?! This would make a fun spring project with your little one.

Butterflies and Flowers

Photo Source: Evelyn and Rose

When I think of spring, I think of butterflies. At Michigan State University they have a live butterfly display. It is so cool. I will have to post my photography work of the butterflies.

Spring Wreath Alternative

Photo Source: Green Owl Crafts

I love this cute idea because it is different and unique. What a great way to recycle a broken umbrella. Definitely will brighten those spring time rain that we will be getting.

See you next week for Monday Pinterest...who knows what I will be finding next on Pinterest.

Don't forget you can follow me on Pinterest!

Enjoy!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew

Photo Source: Creative Mess 2013

This hearty beef stew is part of the slow cooker freezer meals that I wanted to try. This meal is easy and it tastes great. I like being able to throw all of the ingredients in a Ziploc bag then put it in the freezer. When I am ready, I just pull the beef stew out the night before to thaw and put it in the slow cooker in the morning. By dinner time, I have this great aroma of the old fashion beef stew! I made some corn bread muffins to go with it. This meal was a hit with my family! Definitely will be making more of this.

This recipe was adopted from the Six Sisters Stuff and is a part of their 8 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in One Hour. I did all of the eight freezer meals which the beef stew is the first that my family and I have tried so far. As we try each of the freezer meals, I will share my results.

The recipe:

1lb beef stew meat (I cut mine up from bottom round)

4 carrots, cleaned and sliced

4 red potatoes, cleaned and cut into large cubes. (I left the skin on, but you can peel if you choose)

1 package of dry onion soup mix

2 cans of 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup (I used fat free low sodium)

1 8 ounce can tomato sauce

1 10 ounce package frozen green peas

Directions:

Place all of the ingredients in a resealable gallon sized freezer bag. Mix it up, close the bag, and place it in the freezer.

When ready to use, remove from freezer and thaw in the refrigerator 24 hours.

Empty the beef stew into the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 7-10 hours or HIGH for 5-6 hours

Serve with some warm corn bread muffins.

This meal fed 2 adults and 1 child. We had left overs for the next day.

Photo Source: Creative Mess 2013

ENJOY!

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Or so she says
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One More time
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Monday

Serendipity and Spice

Skip to my Lou

Boogieboard Cottage
sarahndipities

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Easy DIY Heart Wall Art

I wanted to spruce up my daughter's bedroom plain walls. The DIY heart wall art is a project that you can recycle and decorate at the same time! The best part it did not cost nothing to make because I had the old wire coat hangers and the scrap fabric. The DIY heart wall art is really easy to make. This is perfect for a little girls room.

As you can tell there is a heart fad going on in her room. Can you see the heart garland that I crochet hanging across the window? You can find the Easy Crochet Heart here. This heart theme purely by accident. But I think it fits her well because she wears her heart on her sleeves. Even at the age of 6, her heart keeps getting broken.......sigh.......yes......by a boy. I know, she is too young for this. All she wants is for him to be her friend and to quit running from her when she says hi. She just wants to play. This poor girl cried when he completely ignored her. She waited until she was in the car to let loose the tears. It broke my heart to see her this way. I do not remember having this problem at that age. I was too interested in my toys and playing outside. If this is what I am dealing with at 6 in a half, what is it going to be like in 10 years? I am thinking I am in a world of trouble.....sniffle.

Now on to the DIY Heart Wall Art. As you can see I made three hearts, two pink and one white.

Photo Source: Creative Mess

Using large wire cutter, I cut off the curved hook, this will be the bottom of the heart. Using pliers bend and shape the wire hanger into a heart. It does not have to be perfect.

I had some scrap fabric that I cut into long stripes that is one inch wide. The pink fabric is cotton and the white is an old lace curtain. You could use any kind of material, such as ribbon, burlap, or even yarn. Let your imagination go wild.

I secure one end of the fabric to the crease of the heart with some hot glue and stretch the strand to the outer edge of the heart, again with some hot glue. I kept going until I was satisfied.

You could experiment different ways of using the fabric and create a whole different kind of pattern.

Photo Source: Creative Mess

I hung it on the wall using small nails. You will notice in the photos how the hearts is not 100% flat which is fine. I think it gives it a nice old look to it. Also a shabby chic look.

My daughter loves her hearts. Now if I can figure out a way to make her forget about the boy who keeps breaking her heart, I will be satisfied... ; p

Where I party!