Tea Lights From Old Jars

Weeks on end of sub-zero temperatures are getting me down ~ Mother Nature is off my Christmas Card List.

Rather than have a full blown sulk, I turned up the heat, and went rummaging through my basement. I grabbed glitter. Lately, it seems whenever I'm looking for something to do, and it's too cold to go outside, I reach for the glitter. I particularly love gold glitter.

Then I went dumpster diving at my parents house. That's right, I have no pride, but I've scored some great stuff. In particular, I found a couple of old pimento jars. What? They're not trash! They have cute little handle things.

So I mixed about 1/4 cup of Elmer's Glue with an equal amount of water. I used a small paint brush to "paint" the glue mixture on the inside of the jars. Then poured about a tablespoon of gold glitter into each jar, and tilted the jars to distribute the glitter. When I was happy with that, I tipped out the excess glitter.

After the glue/glitter dried, I wrapped a little twine, securing with hot glue, around the tops.

Perfect tea light holders. :)

What's going on in your neck of the woods? What are you working on?

Merry Monday Link Party #42

Welcome to the Merry MondayLink Party #42

INSERT INTRO Announcements:

• Still time to share your crafts on 18 blogs! Link-up to The Spring Craft Blog Hop is running on 18 blogs and we would love for you to share your Valentine's Day, President's Day, and Mardi Gras crafts. This will be the first of four Spring Craft Hops and we would love to see what you create! If you would like to help host the next Spring Craft Blog Hop (March 18th- May 25th, sign up HERE)
• • January 20th -Feb 17th Valentine's Day & Mardi Gras Crafts LINK-UP HERE!
  • Feb 18th - March 17th St. Patrick's Day, Palm Sunday, Recycle crafts, and general spring (first day of spring isMarch 20th)
  • March 18th - May 25th general spring, Recycle crafts, Earth Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Teacher's Day, May Day, Earth Day, Cinco De Mayo. Sign-ups for hosting now open!
  • May 26th - June 20th - Father's Day crafts, general Summer, July 4th

Meet the hosts of Merry Monday

• My Pinterventures l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin l SU
• The Lady Prefers 2 Save l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin
• Happy House and Home l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l G+ l Bloglovin
• Intelligent Domestications l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l SU
• The Kolb Corner l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin
• Craving Some Creativity l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l G+ l Bloglovin

See what the hosts have been up to...

My Pinterventures

An InLinkz Link-up

The Lady Prefers 2 Save

An InLinkz Link-up

Intelligent Domestications

An InLinkz Link-up

The Kolb Corner

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Craving Some Creativity

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Happy House and Home

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  Apple and Bisco Mini Turnovers @Christy's Cooking Creations PIN IT!!!

My Feature Picks
  *Visit the other hosts to see their feature picks. It might just be you!*

  Christine at Little Brags has an amazing eye and a fun style.  Check out how she designed her foyer.  

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Metabolism Boosting Mocha Smoothie

I posted this recipe a long time ago, but as I made this smoothie this morning, I thought I'd re-post it for anyone who missed it.  It's THAT good. And good for you. And the easiest way to get a healthy breakfast ready in one minute. 

What are your mornings like? Are you running up and down stairs, yelling like a crazy person reminding kids to brush their teeth, and remember a jacket, making lunches, all the while trying to mainline coffee?  That's normal, right?

(BTDubs, don't tell me if you manage a cooked breakfast for the family, and still have time to help your daughter straighten her hair. That would hurt my self-esteem.) 

If you're normal, but your mornings are crazy, you probably don't have time for breakfast, and may need a little help with breakfast for your (older) kids.  This smoothie tastes exactly like a mocha milkshake, so the kids love it, even though it's good for them.  (You could omit the coffee and just use more milk for little kids.)


METABOLISM BOOSTING MOCHA SMOOTHIE

1 large frozen banana
(The day before, cut the banana into chunks, put in a zip lock bag, and pop in the freezer)
1/2 cup cold coffee (leftover is fine)
1/2 cup fat free almond milk (or use fat free milk)
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Nestle)
1 tbsp almond butter (I used peanut butter)

Add all ingredients to a blender and BLEND until smooth. This takes about 1 minute. The result really is just like a milkshake. You'd never know that it's good for you.

This shake will rev your metabolism, burn fat, and is full of antioxidants. That works, right? Plus, I figure, your getting fruit, dairy, protein AND coffee all in about 250 calories. Not too shabby.

Convex Mirror DIY

I've been wanting a convex mirror forever.  An attempt at making one was was somewhat satisfying, and you can check out the tutorial HERE. 

But not quite the look I was after.  And then on a recent trip around my local thrift stores, I found this clock with a convex face ~ I don't need a clock, but I do have looking glass spray paint.  $3 and the clock was in my car. 

I used painters tape to cover the wood frame.  

Using an x-acto utility knife, I cut the tape away from the face of the clock. 

I then sprayed the glass surface with three light coats of Rustoleum Looking Glass spray paint.  And now I have my convex mirror. 

How To WhiteWash Your Fireplace

I've been threatening to whitewash the fireplace since before I even put an offer on our new home.  In fact, it was my first thought at the very first viewing of the house.  The main living room has decent wood floors, dingy white walls, and an outdated fireplace.  

See below? Not so pretty.  

First, I pulled the brass doors out.  Not. My. Style.  (They're now in the basement, looking all sad and dejected, waiting for garbage day. I'm ruthless like that.) 

Next, I grabbed the following:

~Tarp or drop cloth (I prefer a drop cloth because paint drips soak in rather than sit on the tarp. That way you don't get paint on your shoes and distribute it around your house.)

~White Paint (I used eggshell paint with primer-in-one)

~Water (Perrier, of course ~ joking) 

~Paint brush (any old paint brush will do, just not so cheap that the bristles fall out!) 

The first thing you have to do is prepare the brick ~ using a shop vac I cleaned the surface of the fireplace to get any debris and dust off of the brick.  

I then used painters tape to edge the work area, and used the drop cloth to protect the floor. 

Mixing equal parts white paint with water in a plastic container, I stirred the whitewash together ~ the consistency was very runny.

Paint quickly on the brick, and follow your work, blotting with a cloth.  

Blotting with the cloth may seem optional, but the paint is very drippy, so have a cloth handy, regardless.  When the paint is first applied, the coverage will look fairly good, but the brick is porous (shocker!) and in about 20 minutes you will probably see that you have to do a second coat.

Regardless of whether or  not you choose to apply a second coat, the entire project took me the afternoon, only about 4 hours. 

A couple of things I'd like to ask you about:

• Should I paint the inside of the fireplace black, or a color? 
• What color should I paint the room? I have no furniture in there yet, and the rug is not necessarily staying there. 

Merry Monday Link Party #41

Welcome to the Merry Monday Link Party #41

Announcements:

• Still time to share your crafts on 18 blogs! Link-up to The Spring Craft Blog Hop is running on 18 blogs and we would love for you to share your Valentine's Day, President's Day, and Mardi Gras crafts. This will be the first of four Spring Craft Hops and we would love to see what you create! If you would like to help host the next Spring Craft Blog Hop (March 18th- May 25th, sign up HERE)
• • January 20th -Feb 17th Valentine's Day & Mardi Gras Crafts LINK-UP HERE!
  • Feb 18th - March 17th St. Patrick's Day, Palm Sunday, Recycle crafts, and general spring (first day of spring is March 20th)
  • March 18th - May 25th general spring, Recycle crafts, Earth Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Teacher's Day, May Day, Earth Day, Cinco De Mayo. Sign-ups for hosting now open!
  • May 26th - June 20th - Father's Day crafts, general Summer, July 4th

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• My Pinterventures l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin l SU
• The Lady Prefers 2 Save l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin
• Happy House and Home l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l G+ l Bloglovin
• Intelligent Domestications l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l SU
• The Kolb Corner l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin
• Craving Some Creativity l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l G+ l Bloglovin

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My Pinterventures

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Intelligent Domestications

An InLinkz Link-up

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Craving Some Creativity

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Most Popular 

One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta @Christy's Cooking Creations

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My Feature Picks

*Visit the other hosts to see their feature picks. It might just be you!*

This recipe looks like the perfect antidote to the cold! Temperatures here in CNY are below zero, so my feature this week is this delicious looking Shrimp and Corn Chowder. Courtesy of On the Home Front. 

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Merry Monday Link Party #40

Welcome to the Merry Monday Link Party #40

Announcements:

• Still time to share your crafts on 18 blogs! Link-up to The Spring Craft Blog Hop is running on 18 blogs and we would love for you to share your Valentine's Day, President's Day, and Mardi Gras crafts. This will be the first of four Spring Craft Hops and we would love to see what you create! If you would like to help host the next Spring Craft Blog Hop (Feb 18th- March 17th, sign up HERE)
• • January 20th -Feb 17th Valentine's Day & Mardi Gras Crafts
  • Feb 18th - March 17th St. Patrick's Day, Palm Sunday, and general spring (first day of spring is March 20th) Sign ups are now open!
  • March 18th - May 25th general spring, Earth Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Teacher's Day, May Day, Earth Day, Cinco De Mayo
  • May 26th - June 20th - Father's Day crafts

Meet the hosts of Merry Monday

• My Pinterventures l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin l SU
• The Lady Prefers 2 Save l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin
• Happy House and Home l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l G+ l Bloglovin
• Intelligent Domestications l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l SU
• The Kolb Corner l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin
• Craving Some Creativity l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l G+ l Bloglovin

See what the hosts have been up to...

My Pinterventures

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The Lady Prefers 2 Save

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy House and Home

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Intelligent Domestications

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The Kolb Corner

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Craving Some Creativity

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Most PopularValentine's Day Love Mug made with Sharpie @A Life In Balance Lemon Blueberry Mini Loaves @Joy Love Food Cheesy Broccoli Bacon Mac Bites @Upstate Ramblings The Cost of the Vegetable Garden @A Life In Balance *Visit the other hosts to see their feature picks. It might just be you!*

Faux Globe Pallet Art @Fynes Designs You won't believe how Virginia made this faux globe art...it's really amazing! Check out her blog and see how you can make one of these too!

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MY FEATURE PICK

I love this chair! FabiFabu found a steal at an estate sale, and gave it a fab makeover. Click on this link and see how she did it!

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Winter Pom Pom Wreath

Seriously dorking-out today, and making Pom Poms.  Why not? It's freezing outside, and that's the kind of day I find a mindless project to do, so that I can justify sitting on the sofa, catching up with my DVR.

Spending some time trolling through the thrift store and AC Moore, I found this yarn yesterday, and it was sooo soft I bought it ~ having no idea what to do with it, considering I don't knit.

And then pom poms popped into my head (as they do), and I realized I could make a wreath.

Pressed play on Chicago PD, and just started wrapping the yarn around the wreath form. (This was in no way as time consuming as the Coffee Filter Wreath, but it did take some time to wrap.)

Once the entire form was covered with the yarn, I decided to make some pom poms to fluff it up a little. I know, right?

I just wrapped the yarn around my fingers 15-20 times (tight but not too tight), and then slid the yarn off, and onto a 6" piece of yarn. 

I wrapped a little bit of burlap around the wreath, and used hot glue to secure the pom poms. 

Kinda cute. :) 

I was going to give this wreath to my friend Sue, or to my sister, but then I thought "wait a minute, they short-sheeted my bed, and hacked into my Facebook account last weekend" ! 

I'll tell you about that another day. 

What do you think? You want to make Pom Poms now, don't you?! 

Merry Monday Link Party #39

Welcome to the Merry Monday Link Party

Announcements:

• Have a soup or chili recipe to share? Share it on the Soup/Chili cook off link party! The party starts January 25th at 9pm PST and all recipes will be pinned to Pinterest.
• Still time to share your crafts on 18 blogs! Link-up to The Spring Craft Blog Hop is running on 18 blogs and we would love for you to share your Valentine's Day, President's Day, and Mardi Gras crafts. This will be the first of four Spring Craft Hops and we would love to see what you create! If you would like to help host the next Spring Craft Blog Hop (Feb 18th- March 17th, sign up HERE
  
• January 20th -Feb 17th Valentine's Day & Mardi Gras Crafts
• Feb 18th - March 17th St. Patrick's Day, Palm Sunday, and general spring (first day of spring is March 20th) Sign ups are now open!
• March 18th - May 25th general spring, Earth Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Teacher's Day, May Day, Earth Day, Cinco De Mayo
• May 26th - June 20th - Father's Day crafts

Meet the hosts of Merry Monday

• My Pinterventures l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin l SU
• The Lady Prefers 2 Save l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin
• Happy House and Home l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l G+ l Bloglovin
• Intelligent Domestications l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l SU
• The Kolb Corner l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l Instagram l G+ l Bloglovin
• Craving Some Creativity l Facebook l Twitter l Pinterest l G+ l Bloglovin

See what the hosts have been up to...

My Pinterventures

An InLinkz Link-up

The Lady Prefers 2 Save

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy House and Home

An InLinkz Link-up

Intelligent Domestications

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The Kolb Corner

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Craving Some Creativity

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Most PopularLemon Cream Puffs @With A Blast

Winter Birch Wood Wreath @Love Create Celebrate

My Feature Picks

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Scavenger Chic came up with this quick and easy Pallet Wood Valentine DIY.  Click the link to find out how to make one of your own! 

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