Super Cute Shoe Makeovers

It's a terrific Tuesday!

I don't know about you, but I'm a tennis shoe gal (that is if I can't be in my bare feet!).  And these cute kickers are right up my alley.  I swear I'm going to end up having a rainbow of them in my closet (hubby thinks I'm a shoe hound and he's probably right - LOL).  I've always loved mules and these fit the bill when it comes to no shoelace tying!!!

I'm definitely putting the supplies for this project on my shopping list.  And if you want to make your own - this blog is the place to get the know how: sweet verbena: Shoe Makeover    Skip on over to get the scoop!



Love this Yellow!!!!



This Turquoise is super cute, too!!!!

Here's to hoping your day is great and your shoes are cute, comfy and bright!!  See ya soon!

Deep Fried Ice Cream!! YUM!

Good Morning!!

It's a holiday weekend and school is just about out for us!!!  Hurray!!!  Wouldn't it be fun to have something 'cool' and different for dessert at your Memorial Day picnic?  How about Deep Fried Ice Cream?  Doesn't it look yummy?  Fortunately for us my darling husband worked in a Mexican Restaurant in his youth and knows how to make this sweet treat.  But for those of you who don't here's a good tutorial: Deep Fried Ice Cream!!

Mmmmmmmm!!!!!!!

I'm totally torn between this and Deep Fried Candy Bars - decisions, decisions!! Hmmmm - maybe both! LOL!!! Well, no matter what you decide for dessert, I hope your holiday weekend is great!

Happy Saturday to you and see ya soon!

Lightscoop for Better Pictures

TGIF!!!! 

I have to tell you that my week has been fast but bad at the same time.  I managed to do something to my back and it's absolutely killing me.  To the point that it's even hard to get comfy in bed.  I have no idea what I did, but I really wish this would just go away!!!

Anyway, today's post will be short and sweet! Have you ever wondered how some photos have just the right lighting?  Well I have - but wonder no more.  This nifty little gadget gets the job done!  Go here to see what it's all about!  Lightscoop

Have a terrific Friday.  I'm working on a cute project for my friend Michele's 1st grade class which I'll show you when it's done - so stay tuned!  See ya soon.

Our NEW DIY Mailbox

It's Over the Hump Day!!

Well, we finally did it!  A few posts ago I showed you some of the outdoor projects that are on our to do list.  A new mailbox was one of them!  We did the whole thing in one day and we are very happy with how it turned out.

Of course, we still need to plant the clematis that will vine up and I'd like to get a magnetic mailbox cover for it, but overall I think it looks terrific!!!  The plans came from Lowe's Home Improvement and I believe the link is a few posts down.  It was not a hard DIY project and we were surprised that we were able to get it done in one day.  It took both of us working on it but well worth it! The only suggestion I have is - paint the wood first!!  So if you are in need of a new mailbox as badly as we were - what are you waiting for???

Have an awesome Wednesday!  Chat with you soon!

Dip-Dyed Baskets

Happy Tuesday!

Today is the first day of EOGs for Cristian and he is a nervous wreck.  He did pretty well on the 'mock' EOG a few weeks ago so I know he'll do great!  But none the less he is a little scared.  I have to say his teacher is doing everything possible to encourage the class.  She asked for donations from parents for the kiddos snacks this week as well as cards of encouragement that she can give them each day.  I loved that idea!  I made each child in the class a 'lucky' penny with a little poem that my hubby and I came up with.  His teacher seemed very pleased with them!  Sadly, I didn't take a picture of them before I sent them in to her so I can't show them to you.  I promise that if I make more in the future I will take a picture!!

Anyway, today's find is thanks to Martha Stewart!  I've seen these baskets and like them very much.  Now you and I can make our own!  Go here for the tutorial on her site: Dip-Dyed Baskets

Have fun making your own dip dyed baskets!  Short post today since my hubby has the day off and we're making our new mailbox - the one from Lowe's Home Improvement.   I'll show you tomorrow the finished project (if we get it done today)!

Hope your Tuesday is terrific.  See ya soon.

Puppy Kisses and Cheesecake - What a Combo!!!

 Good Monday to you!

As promised, here are a few pictures of our new babies - Daisy and Violet!  Aren't they cute? They are sisters and I rescued them from a local shelter.  The shelter is a high kill facility and I just couldn't bear the thoughts of these little ones being put to sleep - could you?  So they are our newest family members and they keep us hoppin'!

Daisy

 

Daisy



Violet



Violet



Sleeping (sorta) With Cristian

Both are very sweet puppies.  They have pretty big feet so they will be larger dogs.  That's ok though.  I wouldn't have cared how small or how big they would be - just as long as they weren't put down.

Now, a few posts ago I showed you the Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake that is supposed to be a close second to the Cheesecake Factory.  Well, I finally made it and according to my friend Michele, it tastes exactly like the one from Cheesecake Factory!!!  Check it out!



This Icing is to Die For!

 

The Cheesecake Layer is Scrumptious!



I have to say that I was surprised how easy it was to make.  It really did come out great.  I'd venture to say that it's my favorite thing I've ever made baking wise!  What a compliment from my friend, too!!  I have a feeling I'll be making many more of these in the future - LOL!!!  So if you missed the original post, scroll down a few and get the recipe for yourself - you won't be sorry!!!

Have a fantastic Monday!  See ya later! 



Stacked Succulent Planter

Hello.  Did everyone have a good weekend?  I know that we certainly did.  It went really fast though - but don't they all!

I came across this planter and I think it is lovely.  It is very simple and elegant.  And it appears very easy to make.  I've always loved this type of plant and this planter is the ticket!  If you want to make one for yourself the tutorial is here:  Stacked Succulent Planter 

I'll be back tomorrow with some cute pictures of our new 'babies' and the awesome red velvet cheesecake cake that I made for my friend Michele on Friday.  I still can't believe how good it was!

Have a wonderful Sunday evening and I'll see ya soon!

Rainbow Stuffed French Toast

Happy Tuesday!

How about a new way to make french toast on Sunday mornings?  This makes my mouth water every time I look at it!  Doesn't it look scrumptious?  My guys are going to love it and I think you will too!  Here's the link for the recipe: Rainbow Stuffed French Toast



ENJOY!!

Enjoy the rest of your day - see ya soon!

Yet Another Outdoor Project - 'Tipsy' Flower Pots!

Good morning!  

Our weekend was fairly busy - how about yours?  Now that the weather is nice it seems like there is always so much to do in the yard.  We spent most of yesterday starting the landscaping project in our front yard.  And by starting I mean pulling out all the old stuff that has been there since we moved into the house back in 2006!  Believe me, it was long overdue to be done!!!!

Also, my flower pots were looking kind of sad and needed some flowers!  So after a trip to Lowe's Home Improvement (one of my favorite stores), we got busy potting the petunias.  I picked petunias because they are hardy, like the sun, grow easily, bloom all summer (don't forget to dead head them), and most importantly attract hummingbirds!

A couple of years ago we planted day lilies around our lamp post and added a border.  But that area still needed something....so DH and I added this:



Tipsy Flower Pots

What do you think?  Amazingly, it was pretty simple to do!  We used a 5 foot piece of 1/2" metal conduit to stabilize them.  The bottom pot is 12", then there are three 8" pots, and topped off with a 6" pot.  These particular pots did not have drain holes, but that was easily solved with a cordless drill and a big drill bit (we put the holes right in the center).  Once the holes were done, the conduit got tapped into the ground.  (No real science there, we just sort of eye balled it!) Then the fun began - stacking the flower pots - adding the potting soil and petunias - and Voila! 'Tipsy Flower Pots' to admire.

I'm so happy with how it turned out that I'm totally thinking about doing a larger version (bigger pots) in my backyard once we get the patio finished!  (haven't told my hubby yet, though - LOL)

Maybe this gave you an idea for a landscaping project for your patio or yard. If so, have fun with it.  The sky really is the limit.  You could paint the pots, or use them as address markers, or just leave them plain like I did (I liked the color of the pots so much that I hated to change them).  But whatever you do, make it your own!

Well, have a wonderful Monday!  See ya soon.

Single Serving Pie in a Jar!!

Good Saturday to everyone!  I know I've been MIA the last few days but between blogger being unavailable and the addition of not 1 but 2 retriever mix puppies to our family - it's no wonder! 

I came across this site the other day and I just think these are ingenious!  They would make cute gifts for many occasions - teacher appreciation, at Christmas time for your hair stylist, your letter carrier, or your friends.  They would be cute hostess gifts, too.  They are even great little desserts at the end of a special meal!

Wanna know how to make them?  Here's the site: Our Best Bites

This site is terrific and I'm sure you'll find so many other things that strike your fancy!  So go check it out and enjoy the rest of your Saturday.  See ya soon!

The Cheesecake Factory's Red Velvet Cheesecake? Almost!

Good morning!  The Cheesecake Factory's Red Velvet Cheesecake, anyone?  How about a close second made in your very own kitchen?  Let me explain...

My friend, Michele, is a fan of the Cheesecake Factory.  I personally have never eaten there, but I did have a piece of their cheesecake recently.  (I must tell you, it was absolutely to die for!!!)  So anyway, back to the matter at hand...frequently, Michele has cravings for this particular Cheesecake Factory dessert - the only problem being is the closest restaurant to us is about 1 1/2 hours away!!! 

Long story short, this past weekend she had the craving again. Only this time she was bound and determined to find a recipe that is similar to the one that the Cheesecake Factory makes.  Hence, today's post.  She discovered this recipe and passed on the site to me (of course, I want to make this now!) and I'm in turn passing it on to you good people!  So to get the recipe you need to go here (it's even printable from the site):  Lincoln’s Red Velvet (Cheesecake) Cake 

  

Looks Yummy, Doesn't It?

This recipe looks to be pretty easy and I most definitely have to thank Erins Food Files for finally satisfying Michele's craving!  (I have a feeling that we'll be having this dessert in the not too distant future!)  I spent some time on the site and found several recipes that interested me.  So if you have time, go on over and check it out!

Hope this helps to satisfy your sweet tooth!  Have a terrific Tuesday and I'll see you tomorrow!



Another Outdoor Project - Tube Lights

Happy Monday! 

Well, my hubby's outdoor project to do list just got a little bit bigger!  Aren't these lights awesome looking?  Not only do they appear to be very easy and inexpensive to make, they will also be a great DIY project for the sitting area in front of our house! 

Again, we have to thank Lowe's Home Improvements for this idea.  It is in the June 2011 edition of the Creative Ideas Magazine.  You can go here for the project supply list and instructions:  Tube Lights

Inspired?  Well, don't wait - be the first on your block with these creative, DIY lights!!

Have a fantastic day!  

Finally - Mobile Picture Scanning!!

This is the coolest gadget I've seen in a long
time!  Check it out at the link below
or the link in Sites I Love.  I've also placed

the YouTube Demo in the right side bar.

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner

Mobile, Accurate, Quick and Simple,
Versatile, and Keeps the Photo Safe!!
Comes Well Equipped and is
Reasonably Priced - have
a look see! So Cool!!

Have a fantastic Saturday! See ya soon!

Gift Card Bracelet - What?

Hey there!  How is your Thursday so far?  Mine is starting off with a stiff neck so today's post will be quick.

Yes, you read the title of my post correctly - it's a bracelet made from a Walmart gift card!  Upcycled or Recycled?  Well whichever it is, it is very lightweight and came out even better than I expected.  I saw this idea somewhere a while back, but it was done a little differently.  I wanted it to be as feminine as possible - I hope I've achieved it with the addition of the beads on the connecting jump rings.

So the next time you're at Walmart, get a gift card and give it a try.  Or go to our Studio at eWillow and pick up one for yourself (free shipping in the US)!

Thanks for looking - have a great day!

Upcycled "Fishing Swivel" Bracelet and Earring Sets

Hey all!  It's Over the Hump Day - Hurray!!!

First, I want to take a moment to recognize those of you who visit!  I appreciate you taking time to check out my posts and hope you have found something that inspires you in some way. So, thank you!

Today I have a couple pics of upcycled jewelry sets that I made.  Yes, they are made from fishing tackle.  I know it's hard to believe, but it's true - LOL!  Surprisingly, they are quite lightweight and attractive.

What do you think?  I'd love to know.

Hope your day is awesome!  See ya soon.

Teacher Appreciation Day Gifts

Good Morning. 

Today is Teacher Appreciation Day!  Cristian was excited to give his teachers their gifts today.  I made both of them glass tile pendants.  Since, by now they have received them, I can show you the pics.



Cute Tins, huh?

 

Perfect Fit!

 

Inspire

 

Encourage

Both pendants are 1 inch square glass tiles mounted in a shiny silver tray.  The stamped circles (which are a little hard to see in the pics) have the teachers initials.  The chain is a 24 inch length shiny silver ball chain, which can be adjusted to a different length if they wish.  I was pleased with the end result, and these pictures really don't do them justice.

I want to make more and put them in our Studio at eWillow.  They will probably be embellished with beads instead of personalized stamped discs.  But, if I used the metal stamped discs maybe words of encouragement or inspiration would be good - hmmmm - that's something to think about.  So keep an eye out for them to be added to the studio!

Have a terrific Tuesday and see ya soon!