My Auntie Loves Me

While perusing the isles of Bed, Bath, & Beyond this evening, I discovered this nice little package. POLKA DOTS!!! These were $60 sheets for $24. If I did my math right, this set should be about 8 yards of fabric. I'm thinking...QUILT backing, perhaps? Have I mentioned I can't wait to get my camera? If you're wondering about the terrible quality of these pictures, read disclaimer here.

Anyway, I've been thinking about a P-touch FOR-EV-ERRR. This handy dandy little item will just encourage my OCD tendencies, but OH the fun I'll have. Martha Stewart gave these out to the audience on her show the other day and I was sold.
And last but not least, I ventured into Carter's. I'm going to be a first time Aunt this summer (YAY!) and I wanted to get something small to send to my sister and BIL to say congrats. These two items took me about 30 minutes to purchase because I couldn't stop oohing and ahhing over all the adorable baby clothes. I obviously do not have children yet. Let the shopping and sewing begin!

Picasso Wannabe

I've been searching high and low for some wall art for this room. I knew exactly what I wanted, but couldn't find it anywhere. Solution? Do it myself!

You can find a canvas at any craft or art supply store, and fairly inexpensive! I used acrylic paints and a variety of different texture brushes.

I started painting stripes of blue from the bottom up, in varying shades, and blended them together to soften the look.

Originally, my intention was just for a progression of blues on the canvas. It ended up looking like the ocean, but oh well! I still love it and it is perfect with my new duvet cover from Pottery Barn. I've been salivating over it for a while now and haven't found anything like it, so I just had to splurge. :)

P.S. I'm linking this back to Crafts in Bloom!

Tissue Paper Art

After I hung (one) of my heart wreaths up, I decided I needed some quick art for 2 IKEA picture frames I had laying around. These silver frames also come in black, brown, and white and were $3 each!

I love me some tissue paper, and since I save EVERYTHING, I pulled this sheet of rose beauty out of my stash. Cut a 4"x6" piece and pop it in the frame. Quick, easy, and cute!

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Today I was fortunate enough to go on a tour of the White House, the second in 2 months. On a normal tour day, such as today, no photographs are permitted and it's fairly strict, as you can imagine. However, I was extra fortunate to be on a Christmas tour in December with the Secret Service. Every holiday season, they have one day where the SS officers can bring their friends and family to the White House, and can take pictures! I have a few good friends in the SS and was invited along. I thought I'd share a few pictures from the Christmas tour!

The East Hallway close to the entrance.
The official White House tree!

Looking from the balcony out to the Washington Monument.

The White House gingerbread house. This monster of a creation had something like 250 lbs. of white chocolate and gingerbread. Can you see Bo the dog up front?!

The historic green room, where Thomas Jefferson used to have his lunch!

The red room. This picture doesn't do it justice; it was absolutely beautiful!

I was even able to bring my Mama along on the tour. I can't even begin to tell you how excited she was! She says it was her favorite Christmas present!

Buh-bye White House!

Such a great experience. I am truly grateful!

Glitter Heart Wreath

Keeping with the theme of heart wreaths, I LOVE this one! I saw an idea for a wreath on Jill's blog and adapted it for Valentine's Day.

• Cut out your desired shape from cardstock, spray with spray adhesive, and quickly toss with glitter. I used 5 different colors of glitter for a total of 40-50 hearts. Let the glitter dry and hot glue each heart to a wreath form. Attach ribbon to hang, and a matching bow. Voila!

• This project was fairly easy, but be careful with the spray adhesive. It does a number on your skin...aka I had glitter fingers for two days! Speaking of, I have to thank Jill for turning me into a Martha Stewart glitter addict! Now you don't have to use Martha's glitter (found at Michael's), but this stuff is awesome! The 24 pack is pricey ($30) but I used a coupon for 60% off!
  
  Helpful hint: I bought a 10" wreath form at Joann's for $4...then figured out I could get the same 10" form for $1 at the dollar store!
  
  
  
  

Felt Heart Wreath

Who doesn't love a great Valentine's Day project? I saw this idea on Amy's blog and knew I needed to make one of these. Ok ok, so maybe I'm on my third one now. I may even make some more and send them to my Mom and sisters for Valentine's Day!

• The heart forms can be found at Joann's. If you use coupons for all the materials, each wreath should end up costing around $6. Sweet!
• I cut all the circles out, one at a time, for the first wreath. Then I got smart and cut 2 layers at a time for the second one. Just double up your fabric, it works like a charm!
  
  

Alright, any takers?

Ok, so here it goes! Up until a few months ago, I had never even looked at a blog online before (gasp, I know). I was googling ideas for recipe organization, and came across a wealth of information. I adopted one blogger's awesome idea (which I will share later), and so it began. I spent hours clicking through quilting, crafting, and cooking blogs. Now I'm addicted! I would have never thought of starting my own blog, but the road to my "inner domestic diva" just has to be documented. I will need a good laugh later on in life.

Disclaimer #1: I do not have a fancy camera...yet. This will change soon. With that being said, don't make fun of my iphone pictures. Seriously.

Disclaimer #2: I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing in this new world of blogging, so it might take me awhile to learn the ropes. People, FEEL FREE to drop hints, and help a sister out.

Disclaimer #3: I have a sarcastic (I'd like to say witty) sense of humor, and you may see it emerge from time to time. Warning- it may make you laugh, it may make you cry (but I really hope not). My Mom thinks I'm funny; that's all that matters. ;)

Other notes of interest:

I have always been a crafty person (going way back to early childhood when I made all kinds of cool stuff and sold it at school), but I'm taking this to a whole new level. I am buying a sewing machine. Stay tuned, this WILL be interesting. I promise.

Paisley and Polk dots, you may ask? They are my absolute favorite! I am instantly drawn to anything of the sort in clothing, accessories, fabric, ribbon, paper, you name it. If you make things (especially quilts) with paisley and/or polka dots, let's be friends. Like BFF's.

Alright, enough for now. Thanks for stopping by!