Star Make-Over

I bought this star at a Home Decor store and then as always saw one later I liked much better. The good thing is that this star was much more inexpensive than the one I really liked - so I felt compelled to do a make-over on a perfectly good - brand new star!

Here is the before...



I wanted something a little more patriotic. I love Americana decor no matter the time of year.

Now here is the after...



I painted it with acrylic paint in a maroon color and then dry brushed a bit of midnight blue around the edges for a bit of depth and giving an aged look. I used the $20 one that I liked as my example and this $6 one looks the same. I love how it looks on my door! The after picture is not on my door, it is dark outside (habit of night crafting) so the photos aren't coming out too well. I love to revamp things! So simple...and I am into simple these days.

Happy Independence Day America!

~jan

Linked to some of THESE parties! Thanks for letting us share :)

Wordless Wednesday - Making a Bouquet!

Patriotic Wreath

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday!

I love to decorate for the holiday...indoor and out.

I made a coffee filter wreath for the front door and I am sold!

It was super easy to make and FAST!

 Plus, I think it turned out cute so, all my front door wreaths are going to be made this way from here on out.

To make this wreath you will need:

- 2 pkg.s of coffee filters

- one foam wreath

- hot glue gun/ glue sticks

- paint/ paintbrush

- ribbon to hang 

First, I pulled all the coffee filters apart....

Then, I crumpled up the bottom...

And glued to the wreath, relatively close together.

I wanted it to be extra full.

I did about three "rows" around the wreath, to get the look I wanted.

And then it was mostly finished!

It took about 20 minutes from start to finish...not bad!

Using a paintbrush and selected colors,

I dipped the brush and gently brushed it across the top of the filters.

I did it uniformly to look like a flag but, next time I want to get a little creative and do some funky tie dye...maybe for a summery wreath or a purple and orange and black one for Halloween.

When it was finished drying I added the ribbon and this was the end result.

{yes, I am aware that my door trim needs painted...it on my list to do!}

There are endless possibilities with coffee filters.

I LOVE using them!

You you have done a project using them please leave a comment with you link.

We would love to feature you!

Enjoy your Fourth!

-Amanda

We link to these parties

Cottage Home Sew-Along

Have you seen the little girl's sew-along that Lindsay at The Cottage Home is hosting this week?

We're making this. 

My friend Kim and I are doing this together... 

I've got my fabric

and of course, my muse, Mz. I

I'll post the finished outfit next week! 

{SO} excited to get started!

<3 AmberLou

Patriotic Paint Chip Banner

I saw the cutest banner in Better Homes and Garden, July issue and just had to make one. I asked myself, "Self, why make it and then not share it's cuteness with all of our faithful followers." So I am...

Here are the paint chips - I didn't end up using them all.


I thought I could improve and make it cuter with things like these...


But in the end...simpler was so much better.


In the magazine they display this along the edge of a 4th of July decorated table.Mine will be going on Amanda's fireplace mantle, but the shorter version will be above my front door (but it is too dark for a picture now).

This only cost the price of the yarn, $1. Easy and a great way to add a splash of color to any party.
Happy Independence Day America!
~jan

Linking to some of these parties.
Linked to...http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2011/06/show-me-what-ya-got-30.html

Grandma V's Banana Bread

My mother made banana nut bread frequently when I was growing up, and it was one of the first "from scratch" baked goods I learned how to make. I've tweaked her recipe over the years, so now I suppose you could call it "Tutu Lorie's" banana bread as well. It's very simple and easy to make.


In a large mixing bowl, cream together until light and fluffy:

• 1 stick butter (Grandma used 1/2 cup shortening)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla (I started adding this some years ago)

Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Then add:

• 2 cups flour (I use half whole wheat)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2-3 mashed bananas
• chopped nuts (if you're into that sort of thing... Grandma was, I'm not)

Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350°F for about an hour. Or, you can bake in muffin tins for 20 minutes.

Let cool before keeping in a ziplock bag or other airtight container. It's wonderful hot from the oven, or toasted once it cools.


As an aside, if/when I move back to the mainland, I doubt I'll ever eat another banana. Living here in Hawaii has spoiled me with the fresh apple bananas everyone grows in their yards here. So tasty!


-Lorie!

More Dinosaurs...

I came across this pattern while looking for a fun 
homemade baby gift idea.

littleblackteapot.blogspot.com

So sweet! 

I made one of these little guys for a friend's baby shower. 


My son stole it and took this picture with his dinosaur toys.

My little girl stole it from him, and wouldn't give it up.

So I made her a pink one. 

My 5 year old wanted one. 

He wanted it to be really big, and he wanted to stuff it himself.

He did. For about two minutes, before he got bored and graciously allowed me to finish it.

Since then I've made a few more...

I am SET for a few upcoming birthday gifts!

My son informed me that this is a LONG-NECK, not a STEGOSAURUS, so it shouldn't have spikes. 

He's the dino expert. 

Then he told me I should make a stegosaurus.

So I did.

(I just tapered the pattern to a kind of point instead of making the neck swoop up)

I made this stegosaurus for another friend-with-baby, and made the spikes ribbon taggies. 

I just LOVE this pattern! 

Go print it! Her directions are super easy to follow, it takes just a scrap of fabric (stash-buster!) and the kids love this guy! If you've been wanting to try out some three dimensional projects, this is a great one to learn on!

<3 AmberLou

sharing at some of these parties...

Front Door Decor

Recently, in our whereabouts, there have been some disturbing events that have taken place in homes that have opened their front doors to...

 door to door salesmen/soliciters.

I have wanted to make a NO SOLICITING sign for quite some time.

They are ruthless in these parts.

Just the other day, I had a man stop by and knock for like 10 minutes before giving up and leaving.

It kind of made me uncomfortable so...I finally did it!

I made a sign using supplies I had lying around the house.

-an old picture frame {I painted it.}

-craft paper

-cardboard

-mod podge

-ribbon

In minutes I had the frame painted, the cardboard cut at 8x10 size and cover with craft paper and letters.

I mod podged the top of the craft paper...it kind of weatherizes the paper so that when it rains, it doesnt get ruined.

I placed the cardboard into frame and hot glued ribbon onto the back of the frame so I could hang it...

and TA-DA!

An original and personalized 'no soliciting' sign:

I like that it also covers the window in my front door.

No peeking in!

Make your own no soliciting sign and stop potential crimes from being committed.

-Amanda

Pizza on the Grill

We love pizza at our house. We make it often, usually at least once a week. But when the weather is hot (as is mostly is in Leeward Oahu), using the oven can be unbearable. So I decided to try cooking our pizza outside on the grill.

Use your favorite pizza dough recipe. I like to use whole wheat flour and a generous amount of olive oil in mine for best flavor. Roll out your dough inside, then brush with more olive oil to prevent sticking and place your crust right on the clean grill over hot coals.

Let cook for a minute or so, then flip over with a couple of spatulas and grill the other side. Once it's cooked a bit, add your sauce,

and your favorite toppings (I used grilled peppers and asparagus. Spinach, mushroom and tomato is great too. Or for purists, just pepperoni.)

 Then spread on the cheese

and cover the grill for 5- 10 minutes. Check it every minute or two to make sure your crust doesn't burn.

This was a bit more work than making it in the oven, but it was fun and the house definitely stayed cooler this way. When I do it again, I'll probably make individual pizzas (or at least 2 small ones instead of one big one) to ensure that the crust cooks evenly... the edges of mine weren't as crispy as I like them to be.

Bon appetit!

Lorie

Father's Day Banner

I am thinking Miss H should be a guest poster here on Paisley. I am always featuring HER work rather than my own. However, please note, the idea is MINE, the creativity of a toddler is what makes it cute!

Miss H - with Oma's scissor help (and not so great graphic art help) - made a cute and inexpensive banner for Daddy to celebrate his special day on Sunday. Note...the theme is fishing...just in case it got lost in the translation.

We hung it up for pictures and then hid it away until Sunday morning.


Bags of microwave popcorn are covered, candy-bar wrapper style, in Miss H's favorite color 'RAINBOW' featuring how to say 'daddy' in several languages. The fish are colored to be specific breeds of fish (are they called breeds?).


Another popcorn with a computer generated wrapper.

A candy bar printed with clip art for Miss H to personalize before wrapping and attaching to the banner.

This is a 'Rainbow Catfish' just in case you weren't aware of that species, hehe.


You may have noticed in the first photo, the center of the banner has a large green Ticket Admitting One to a fishing trip with Dad.

I guarantee Dad will love this banner A) because Miss H made it B) He has treats to take on a fishing trip C) He will be EXPECTED to go fishing with his girls who have their own poles - oh poor him, hehe.

This only cost the price of the candy bars and popcorn. Inexpensive, but made with priceless LOVE!

Happy Father's Day to all and Happy Fishing to Daddy Moser!

~jan (and Miss H).




I have linked to a few of THESE parties. Thanks all you creative ladies!
AND