Take Time for Lemonade: October 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

Fall Table Bushel

Hey y'all! Since my favorite season is fall, I thought I'd share a centerpiece I made this week. It was really quick, easy, and cheap! Can't complain about that. Here it is!

First, I picked up some free paint samples from the store. I chose colors that went with the fall theme I was going for. They even had some with leaves! Who would've thought?

Paint Samples - FREE

Then, I grabbed an old book that I bought from a garage sale for
20 cents. It looked like it might have some nature-type text, and
by golly, it did!

Book - 20 cents

I flipped through it to find sections about LEAVES, since that was the theme of my project.

Heck, I even learned a few facts while crafting.

Chlorophyll - more like Bore-o-phyll!

Next, I cut the text into squares - the same size as the paint samples that I cut earlier. To me, I didn't matter if I cut words off - but I wanted to make sure I kept certain words like "autumn" and "leaves."

Then, I crumpled these up and opened them back up again. Who knows why - I guess I like the look of imperfection. Next, I used the leaf-print paint sample to cut letters spelling "F A L L"

Then, I bordered the letters in different colored paint samples to make them "pop." I glued the book pages and the letters to the paint samples and let them dry in a book overnight to make sure they were flat. Next, I punched holes in the top and threaded them together some good ole' garage sale twine. While these people sold it is beyond me - I've used it thrice already!

Punch

Thread

I originally was going to include beads, but then decided it looked too busy. Once I had my "garland," I tied it to a bushel I bought from a garage sale. I filled the bushel with cardboard pieces to make the contents show. Then, I filled it with mini pumpkins, an old washboard, and some decorative wheat.

The Finished Display

Cost Breakdown

Pumpkins - $3.00

Wheat - 50 cents (last season's clearance)

Garland - 20 cents (from book)

Washboard - 50 cents (garage sale)

Bushel - 50 cents (garage sale)

TOTAL COST - $4.70

I just tied some scrap measuring tape on there for fun!

Gosh, I just love fall colors.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, HERE'S what happens when you try to make a Wheaten Terrier pose with a pumpkin...

Is this a treat, ma?

Yum! Tastes like a bone!

Hey! Give me my treat back! I didn't do anything wrong, Ma.

SOMEBODY needs his beard brushed. Not naming any names.

Take Time for Lemonade,

Kris

This post has been linked to:
Nifty Thrifty Things
Under the Table and Dreaming
Dittle Dattle
Flamingo Toes
Pinkapotamus
The Girl Creative
Keeping It Simple
C.R.A.F.T
Craft-O-Maniac
DIY Home Sweet Home
Marvelously Messy
I Heart Nap Time
Home Savvy
LadyBug Blessings
Tatertots and Jello
A Vision to Remember
Lolly Jane Boutique
Creation Corner
The Trendy Treehouse
Home Stories A to Z

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Neighbor Welcome Basket

We just had some new neighbors move-in next door to us. They seem very nice, and have two Labrador Retrievers! Hopefully they like Jake. So far, they've just been friendly barking through the fence to one another. New besties?!

Anyway, I decided to bring over a welcome basket, introduce ourselves, and exchange contact information. Since I spent four hours making kolacky with my Grandma today, I decided that baking was out of the question. So, I put together a quick little basket with a few goodies for the new homeowners.

Neighbor Welcome Basket

HGTV Magazine

Painting Pamphlets

All-Purpose Paintbrush

Painter's Tape

Picture Hanger Kit

Card with Neighbor Contact Info

I thought that these were items that every new home owner could definitely use. I was kinda psyched about the picture hanger kit.
Wish we had one!

I made the "Welcome" sign and card from paint swatches (FREEEEEE!!!). I found one that was particularly applicable to the situation, and put it in front:

"Warm Welcome"

Love the saying...love the paint color!

Gotta love SIMPLE and FREE

It's fun to play around with paint swatches to make different color combinations!

Just a little welcome package...

Hope this basket helps my new neighbors turn their new
house into a HOME!

Take Time for Lemonade,

Kris

This post has been linked to:

Tatertots and Jello
A Vision to Remember
Lolly Jane Boutique
Along for the Ride
Craft Envy
Creation Corner
Fingerprints on the Fridge
The Shabby Nest
Just a Girl
Pinkapotamus
Nifty Thrifty Things
Flamingo Toes
Dittle Dattle
Under the Table and Dreaming
Home Savvy

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Noodle Ribbon Wreath

As mentioned in my last post, my lovely God-daughter was born a few weeks ago. I wanted to make something special for her nursery, and decided on a simple wreath. The ideas? Well, I got them from Pinterest. If you've never been on it - then you don't know the wonderful world that you're missing! Here's the ribbon wreath I created for little Victoria:

In order to make the wreath, I started off with a pool noodle that I purchased from a garage sale for 25 cents. I love the idea of using a pool noodle because (1) they're cheap, and (2) they're thicker (and therefore, cuter) than the Styrofoam rings they sell in craft stores. Cut the pool noodle to the desired wreath size, and duct-tape it until it's secure.

Pool Noodle - 25 cents

I then wrapped some green tulle around the noodle to soften the bright yellow color. In case I missed any spots, I didn't want the harsh yellow to show through on my pastel creation.

Then, I chose a bunch of different ribbons. The nursery is pink and green, so I chose a plethora of shades and prints in those colors. I cut them to the desired length after a few trial pieces were measured against the noodle wreath.

The next step is the most time-consuming. Tie, tie, tie! I tied in patterns so that I got a dispersed placement of each pattern and color. For instance, I tied all of the brown with pink dots at various evenly-spaced spots around the wreath. Then, I did the same with the next color. Be sure to tie the knots the same each time. I also added tulle to create a soft look - I especially like this effect for baby nurseries.

Make it as fluffy as you want! I like it reeeeeal fluffy.

Lastly, I attached a pink flower foam shape that I bought in the craft store clearance bin a while back. I also bought a wooden letter "V" (for Victoria) and covered it in some awesome green glitter. I LOVE GLITTER. I had it in my nostrils and ears for a few days, but
IT WAS WORTH IT.

...and there you have it! A pretty ribbon wreath for a pretty baby...

Take Time for Lemonade,
Kris

This post has been linked to:

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Grilled Cheese with Attitude

My dearest friend had a beautiful baby girl last week, and guess what?! I'm the Godmother! I went to see the baby (her name's Victoria), and thought I'd bring some snacks for the fam, since they're probably busy and what-not. I thought and thought about something that would please a two-year-old and two adults. It also had to be something simple, because I am not a chef by any means. Not an easy task. Then, I had an idea...

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup!

Who doesn't like that? Turns out, two-year-old children don't - but that's beside the point.

Personally, I thought they were delicious.

Parmesan-Crusted Italian Grilled Cheese
Italian Bread (Arnold)
Parmesan, Romano, Asiago Blend (in shaker - Kraft)
Italian Seasoning Blend
Sliced White American Cheese
Sliced Cheddar Cheese
Vegetable Oil Spread (I used "Move Over Butter!")

Basically - it's your standard grilled cheese sandwich, but with some attitude. Spread the margarine/butter spread on one side of the bread. Shake a little of the Parmesan mix and the Italian seasoning onto the bread. Put this slice spread-side-down on the griddle. Put one slice each of the American and Cheddar cheeses. Top with another slice of bread (complete with spread, Parmesan and seasoning on the outside as well). Flip around and cook until they're a pretty golden brown! Substitute with any cheeses/breads you desire.

* NOTE - I discovered that these are best served fresh off the griddle, but they also reheat decently.

I also cut the sandwiches up for easy reheating...

Oh! Don't forget the tomato soup! Come on now...did you think I would split-up this romantic union?

Then, I tied it all up with a little bow and tag.

Easy as ~~pie~~! Grilled cheese.

Hope you enjoy this easy lil' recipe as much as I did!

My husband also approves.

Take Time for Lemonade,
Kris

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Sunday, October 2, 2011

Spooktacular Halloween Window

I really like Halloween. I enjoy the concept of scary stuff, and especially love dressing up! Last year, one of my friends gave me a wall decal that I believe she got as a free gift-with-purchase from UpperCase Living (uppercaseliving.com). She didn't know what to do with it - but I sure did!

Last summer, I bought an old vanity glass door from a garage sale for $1. I didn't know what I was going to use it for, but when my friend showed me the wall decal, I thought immediately of the window, just sitting in my basement waiting patiently for its transformation.

SO, I painted the window black, adhered the decal, dug through the remnants at the bottom of my Halloween decoration bins, and came up with this: