Feb 27, 2012

10 DIY Weekend Projects!

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Looking to do some DIY weekend projects? From doing some DIY wall art to painting your entrance door, I gathered for you some DIY projects you may be interested. Some of these I plan to do on the future! Let me know what you think?!


Paint Entrance Door:
This is one of my future DIY project.. to paint my entrance door in a bold color! Lime or Turquoise color is on my mind and I can't wait to paint my front door! The neighbors will know you from the pretty house with the lime green door!
Paint using a stencil:
Recently, I painted one of my living room walls using a stencil and it looks awesome. It was a tough project but it was worth the time! My walls were not smooth and it was more difficult to paint using a stencil on a textured wall. I recommend to be patient and take your time.

Fabric Canvas Wall Art
Hobby Lobby has some great deals on canvases and of course great coupons for FABRIC! Pick your favorite prints and use them on a canvas!


Closet Project:
This is absolutely an awesome idea. I only wish I had an extra spare closet!

Kitchen Cabinets: New Look with Liquid Sandpaper
I don't like the color of my kitchen cabinets and I would love to paint them but it's a tough job! I found out about liquid sandpaper so you can skip the sanding part! How awesome is that!

You don't need to get your cabinets replaced to make them look presentable. If they're scratched or look dated, it all needs of little paint. Below is the source on how to paint kitchen cabinets using liquid sandpaper.

DIY Shutter Entry Way
This is an awesome idea for an entry way.. a shutter to place your bills, notes, or calenders!

PVC Toddler Chair
How cute is this PVC Pipe chair?! I hope to make one for my daughter very SOON! Que Linda Blog has the the tutorial for you to try out. You can use CPVC pipes or Charlotte pipes as well; let your imagination and creativity run wild with different types of pipes!

DIY Decor
Ready-made carved ceiling mounties as wall decor- Oh, the possibilities! Check your local home improvement store for availability and Paint them with your favorite color to decorate your home!
DIY Painted Upholstery
How awesome is this.. ? If you have an old chair, or tired of the color?! TRY this tutorial to give it a fresh new look!


  source

Upholstering Your Box Spring
Upholster your box spring instead of buying a bed skirt? - Brilliant! Instead of replacing and finding the right  bed skirt why not use fabric and upholster it with some easy steps!?

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. This is written by me and no one else. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.


Thank YOU
I hope you enjoyed this post! 

{If you pin this on Pinterest, please pin the tutorials/pictures from original source. Thanks!}

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Health Insurance: Does it fit your Family budget?

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With health care costs increasing every year, many families are finding it more and more difficult to find affordable health insurance for their family. Health care costs in the United States are among the highest in the world and families spend anywhere from 5-20% of their income on insurance and health care related costs. This number depends on the size of the family income, on the insurance plan that the family has as well as the number of family members and their overall health. Many families report spending at least $250 a month for a high deductible insurance plan. However, it's not uncommon for families to spend $500-700 on lower deductible or no co-pay plans.

Roughly one-fifth of American's do not have insurance coverage, usually because their employer doesn't offer health insurance and they can't afford a private plan. In 2010 the government passed a health care reform bill that will require all citizens to have some form of health insurance by 2014. It will offer affordable group plan options to low-income families so that they can enjoy coverage for their medical costs.

One of the best ways to keep your health insurance premiums down, and your out of pocket expenses low, is to stay healthy. While this is certainly easier said than done, parents can play a huge role in making sure their children eat a nutritious diet rich in vegetables and fruits, get plenty of sleep and practice good hygiene. These are especially important during the winter time when colds force many children to head to the doctor to get some medicines.

For adults, staying fit and at a healthy weight, being a non-smoker and non-drinker will help keep costs down. Not only will you avoid, or reduce, illnesses and diseases related to being overweight, smoking or drinking, you'll have the energy to keep your kids fit and provide them with excellent meals.

In order to help prevent a major financial fiasco for your family, it's important that you have family health insurance coverage. The best way, and usually the cheapest option, is to get it through your employer since you are part of a group plan. If you are self-employed or unemployed, you might qualify for insurance through an organization that you are a member of like a professional organization or your religious affiliation. Even if you have to sacrifice a few extra hours a week, working at a part time job, to pay for your health insurance, when an emergency arises you'll be so glad to have insurance.


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Feb 24, 2012

Create & Inspire Party!

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Welcome to the PARTY!
A Little Inspiration


I featured the TOP 10 projects yesterday, here is the POST!


PhotobucketA Little Inspiration








This week A Little Inspiration & Polkadot Pretties are teaming up again for another awesome linky party!
No Rules.. Simply help me spread the word, Pretty Please?!
Pin this party on Pinterest, Share on Facebook 
and/or Tweet about it!
  • A Little Inspiration will feature TOP 10 projects next week.
  • Grab the button if you'd like.
  • Linky is open all week long.
  • Link up as many projects as you want, Pinterest Fun, Inspiration Posts, DIYs, Baking/Cooking Recipes.. anything is welcome!
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Feb 23, 2012

Top 10 Projects from Create & Inspire

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 Here are the TOP 10 Projects from last week's 
Create & Inspire Party!
Thank you ALL who participated and visited over to partay! 

 Ruffled Beanie Tutorial by Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

 Bohemian Wooden Bangle Bracelet by Art and Love & Me


 Quilted Tablet Cover by Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom


 St Patrick's Day Pretzels via Oh My Creative

Sandwich Cookies by Live Laugh Rowe

 Banana Cake by Inside Bru Crew Life



 Pretty In Pink Furniture by My Fabuless Life

Nightstand by A Bit to Whimsy

 DIY Eye Chart Art by Gardners to Bergers


 Happy Yellow Entryway by Meeha Meeha

Join us TOMORROW for another awesome party!
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Feb 22, 2012

10 DIY Lamp Shade Ideas

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Yesterday, I went to a thrift/antique store and found this awesome glass lamp for $10!
The crystal lamp needs a lil TLC and I'm looking for inspiration.
So here are TEN DIY Lamp Shade Ideas. If YOU are considering on doing dome DIY Lamp Shades these are AMAZING!
Now, I gotta decide what to do with this crystal/glass lamp! 


To check out the tutorial.. click "via" for the source. 

Zebra Hand Painted Shade

Ruffled Fabric Lamp Shade 
Rufles, I love ruffles. A shabby chic way to go!
 via

Calligraphy Lamp Shades
This is my favorite! Use your favorite quote or words to DIY your favorite lamp! 
via                                                           via


Ribbon  Lamp Shade
Cris cross ribbon to create and amazing style!

Fabric Covered Lamp Shade
A simple and easy way to decorate a lamp shade!

 Fabric Scraps Lamp Shade
 Don't throw away your fabric scraps! Use them to create a unique lamp shade!


Bamboo Cover Lamp Shade
How cool is this idea!? Use bamboo sticks to decorate your old lamp shade!
 via

Lace Spray Paint Lamp Shade
LACE as a stencil?! Oh my gosh.. that is an awesome idea!



Painted Lamp Shade
With the help of painter's tape.. you can do so many things like a DIY lamp shade!
Stenciled Lamp Shade
Use your favorite stencil to create a unique stencils lamp shade

These are some amazing ideas from some amazing lovely blogs!
Check them out..
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Partying HERE
Join us every Friday 5PM PT for Create & Inspire Party!
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Feb 17, 2012

Wedding Cookies Tutorial

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I LOVE, LOVE Mexican wedding cookies! They are my favorite cookie! Every time me and my family went to a wedding to a traditional Mexican wedding, I was always looking forward to eat some of those wedding cookies at the reception party!

I made these cookies last year for Christmas and it was a hit! They are so DELICIOUS and very simple to make! They can be made with out nuts, pecans or almonds!

Mexican Wedding Cookies are traditionally handed out to guests at weddings and other celebrations.They are also known as pecan butter balls, or snowdrops!

Ingredients:
2 Sticks(1Cup) of Unsalted Butter
*1 Cup of finely crushed Pecans or Almonds
1 1/2 Cup of Powedered Sugar
1 Tsp of Vanilla
1 Tbsp of Ground Cinnamon
2 Cups of Flour (not pictured)

*You can ommit the nuts if you are allergic.

Directions:


1) Cream butter until light and fluffy
2) Add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and vanilla to the butter. Blend well
3) Add flour and mix well.



4) Grind almonds or pecans
5) Add to cookie dough and mix well
6) Place dough on a container and wrap with plastic. Regrigarte for about 15 minutes.
7) On a small bowl combine the remaining cup of powdered sugar with ground cinnamon




8) Preheat oven at 350F. Make small balls and place them on a cookie sheet one inch apart. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden at the bottom.
9) Let cookies rest for about 5 minutes on cookie sheet. Then transfer the warm cookies to the cinnamon sugar and cover completely! Let cool. 
10) Enjoy!




PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Wedding Cookies

by Angie Ramirez
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Keywords: bake dessert Cookies
Ingredients (24-30 Cookies)
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) of butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
  • 2 cups of all purposed flour
  • 1 cup of pecans or almonds, coarsely ground
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon

Instructions
Beat butter in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and vanilla to the butter and blend well. Beat in flour, then pecans.
Cover dough with plastic and chill until cold about 30 minutes on refrigerator.
Preheat Oven to 350 F. In the meantime, in a small bowl whisk remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar and cinnamon. Set cinnamon sugar aside.
Using your hands make 2 teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place onto cooking sheet 1/2 inch apart. Bake cookies until golden brown on bottom or about 15-18 minutes. Cool cookies for about 5 minutes on cooking sheet and gently toss the warm cookies in cinnamon sugar to coat completely. Transfer cookie on a rack and cool completely.
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Are you are crafty or have recipes?! Join us every FRIDAY at 5PM at Create and Inspire!!!
Partying and Linking up HERE

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