Mason Jar Decor
19 Feb 2012 1 Comment
in Misc Crafts Tags: candle holder, diy, do it yourself, hanging, home decor, how to, mason jar, outdoor decor, sconce, tutorial, vase, wall sconces
I recently became tired of my living room wall sconces and decided to switch them up a bit. The old ones were chipped and outdated. So instead of buying all new sconces, I decided to make my own out of mason jars I had collected.
Anyone can make them… It was super easy and they turned out great!
Mason Jar Wall Sconces
To make these super-easy Hanging Mason Jar Vases, you will need:
Supplies
- 1 glass mason jar
- 1 votive candle
- a handful of glass pebbles
- craft wire (about 22 gauge or heavier)
- wire cutters and needle-nose pliers
- (Optional) seed beads
- (Optional) thin craft wire (24 gauge or lighter)
I simply placed the votive into the mason jar and surrounded it with the glass pebbles. 
Then I wrapped the heavier gauge craft wire around the mouth of the jar and created two loops directly across on each side. I made sure that the loops were wrapped well, creating a strong enough hold that the jar would not slide out once it was hung. I then snipped off any excess pieces.
Then I took another piece of the heavy gauge wire and created my “handle” from with the jar would hang from. I measured it so that it would hang where I would want it to and then added an inch or so on each end. I then wrapped the wire securely to the other piece of wire around the mouth of the jar. You can see here how the two came together:
Once I did that on both sides, it was ready to hang. However, I wanted to add a bit of color to the jar, so I created a beaded vine by using the light gauge wire and seed beads and twisting them into little clusters that somewhat resemble a vine of flowers.
I then wrapped the vine around the existing “handle”.
The end result was just the look I wanted! And the whole process took me about an hour to complete.
Here are a few ideas to expand on this craft:
- Change the color of the votive candles or the glass pebbles to add even more color.
- Change up the beaded vine as well or add more to make the vine look fuller.
- Take the candles out and add fresh flowers in the spring.
- Hang several jars from ceiling hooks above a window.
- Hang outdoors on porches or around a garden and use citronella candles to keep the bugs away.
The possibilities are endless!
A Dog’s Love
08 Feb 2012 1 Comment
in Random Thoughts Tags: dog, golden retriever, love, mornings, saturday, sunday, weekend
On the weekends, if I wake up before the rest of the house, I like to go sit in the living room chair and watch out our front picture window. Angus, our Golden Retriever, loves to sit next to me in “his” chair. Often he too watches out the window, or sometimes just stares at me as sip my morning coffee. I just love our little quality morning time together!
It's tough being this darn cute!
Quick, Easy, Messy and Delish!
07 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in In the Kitchen Tags: chocolate, dessert, graham crackers, peanut butter, recipe
What else could you possibly want in a dessert?!?
Last night I made Chocolate covered Peanut Butter Graham Cracker squares… and they were so yummy! So of course, I thought I would share 
PB Graham Squares
3 Simple ingredients:
6 Graham Crackers (broken in halves – 12 total)
Peanut Butter
1 Package of Melting Chocolate
My simple steps to yummy goodness:
Melt 1/2 the chocolate in a double boiler.
Once it is melted, remove it from the heat. Dip graham cracker halves and cover them completely with a thin layer of melted chocolate. Remove and set on wax paper over a cookie sheet. Once all the crackers are dipped, place the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 10 minutes – until the chocolate has set.
Take the chocolate squares out of the freezer and add a thick layer of peanut butter to the top of each square. Place back in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes – until the peanut butter is hardened slightly.
Melt the other half of the chocolate in the double boiler. Once it is completely melted, remove it from the heat and remove the squares from the freezer. Pour a couple of spoonfuls of melted chocolate over each square and carefully spread them over the top and sides of the graham.
Once every square is covered, return them to the freezer once more until the new layer of chocolate has set (around 10 minutes or so).
Peal them off the wax paper and VOILA! A tasty treat!! Enjoy!
Resolutions…. Blah!
03 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Random Thoughts Tags: 2012, new years, resolutions
I will not set myself up for failure. I will set goals that are too lofty for me to achieve. Instead this year, I simply vow to “Be Who I Be” and “Love me for me”!
Cute little canvas by lemonswithapea on Etsy
Have a wonderful 2012!
Shhhhh……
19 Dec 2011 3 Comments
in Featured Shops Tags: baby booties, Christmas, coffee, cup cozy, earrings, eco friendly, etsy, gifts, handmade, jewelry, recycled, repurpose, soap, t-shirt, upcycling
I’m really excited about some of the handmade items that have blessed our home this Christmas. With the multitude of shows and on-line orders that I had filling my plate this year, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to make a lot of my gifts. But that’s okay, as I am constantly surrounded by handmade beauty each and every day thanks to Etsy.
I wanted to share a few of the awesome handmade items that I have bought for Christmas this year.. and a few that I have received! I’m not saying who they are for… just in case 
Someone I know is going to be sporting these awesome earrings really soon! SevenPly recycles broken skateboards into fun and beautiful jewelry. I just adore her shop, and knew someone who would too!
Recycled Skateboard Stud Earrings
I love these sock monkey cup cozies! I have actually purchased two now, one as a birthday gift and one for a Christmas gift. CrookedHookCreations has some of the cutest crochet items I have ever seen. And these monkeys are perfect!
Sock Monkey Cup Cozy
One of my favorite shops on Etsy is OrangeThyme. Rachel makes some amazing smellies! And I mean that in the best possible way!! I’m looking forward to receiving this cute little soap in the mail soon. Complicated Reindeer is the brainwork of both Rachel and her 6-year-old daughter. A sweet-smelling soap with lots of red glitter…. just like Rudolph’s nose! There is none of this magical soap in stock at this time, but let me assure you that there isn’t a bad product in this shop. They are all amazing!
Complicated Reindeer Soap by OrangeThyme
Owl Booties!
I haven’t fit into baby booties for quite some time now, but Erica found some awesome items from other Etsy sellers and had them sent to me.
TNTees is a shop after my own heart! TNTees litterally stands for “Trash into Tees” and that’s exactly what Jenelle does. She makes gorgeous jewelry, adorable clothing and functional and fun items out of recycled t-shirts. You can see why I love this shop so much! I just love my new produce bags
Recycled T-Shirt Produce Bags
I was also fortunate to receive 2 amazing items from DirtyDeedsSoap from my secret Santa. The lavender soap smells so lovely, and the Chocolate Truffle Lip Balm is absolutely heavenly. I don’t know how Erica knew that I was a soap addict, but I want to thank her and DirtyDeeds for helping fuel my addiction
Chocolate Truffles for your lips!
I most likely will be too busy to blog the next few weeks, so I wanted to leave you all with my Christmas wish….
I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season! Bless you all and I will see you in 2012!
Christmas Ideas – Recycled Style!
14 Nov 2011 2 Comments
in Featured Shops, ideas Tags: book lamp, Christmas, cigar box, eco friendly, etsy, gift guide, gift ideas, gifts, lamp, leg warmers, organizer, ornaments, paper ornaments, recycled, upcycled
If you are looking for ideas for Christmas, why not buy handmade? And if you are looking for handmade presents this year, why not buy recycled?
Here are a few of my favorite Eco-Friendly gift items:
These gorgeous leg warmers from SweetBriers on Etsy are recycled from an old sweater. They would look darling with some black tights and cute pumps!
- Repurposed Sweater Leg Warmers in Gray and Black Stripes
I love these book lamps made by ConduitPress! This is totally on my wish list this year!
World Book Encyclopedias Book Lamp
How about an organizer with drawers made from recycled cigar boxes? Check out this awesome three shelved wooden case from APKHandmade!
Chest of Cigar Box Drawers
These recycled paper ornaments are so awesome! Kerri from TheRehatchery hand cuts and assembles each one. I love it!!
Geometric Paper Ornament made from a recycled Christmas Card
I think just about everyone I know would appreciate one of these gorgeous gifts… Including myself!! (not that I’m hinting or anything….)
Sweet Sock Monkeys!!
18 Oct 2011 2 Comments
in Featured Shops Tags: artwork, children, childrens artwork, custom, heidi bg, illistrations, monkey, monkeys, nursery art, sock monkey
Much like every Christmas, I have been wracking my brain trying to find cute, handmade items to give this year. Cute, and preferably affordable.
I, much like many others, always seem to have a hard time finding gifts for the kiddos in my life that fit this criteria and usually end up buying them some sort of mass-produced toy. Shame….
However, this year I think I have found an artisan to help me in this area. Meet Heidi and her adorable Sock Monkeys!
Heidi is the talented owner of Heidi BG – Art for Children on Etsy. Besides these sweet little sock monkeys, Heidi is also a very talented illustrator. She does some of the most adorable nursery artwork out there, including custom portraits that are truly amazing! On of my favorite pieces (other than her adorable sock monkeys) is her Custom Bunting Pennant Banners seen below.
So if you are anything like me, and are looking for some great gifts for the little ones in your life this holiday season, check out Heidi’s shop and help support a very talented small business owner!
Autumn is in full swing…
07 Oct 2011 1 Comment
in Random Thoughts Tags: apple cider, autunm, cider haus, farms, green bluff, harvest house, pies, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin picking, siemer's farm, walter's fruit ranch
That’s right. Summer is over and Autumn is here.
As much as I hate the cooler weather, I am loving the rich and rustic colors I see all around me. And I am looking forward to one of my favorite family traditions… our annual trip to Green Bluff.
Every year a few weeks before Halloween, our family takes a short drive up towards Mt. Spokane to the small farming community known as Green Bluff. We take the entire day and visit several farms and partake in many of the fun family activities they set up.
We usually start at the Harvest House, grab an espresso and a dozen pumpkin donuts (they are small and absolutely delish, so a dozen doesn’t last long). We sit, enjoy our goodies, listen to live music and relax in the crisp autumn air. The Harvest House also has fresh produce and an amazing selection of baked goods to buy, and we rarely get out of there without investing in some.
Angie enjoying an espresso and a few pumpkin donuts at the Harvest House
Another of our favorite stops is Walter’s Fruit Ranch. Walter’s is well-known in this area for its amazing homemade fruit pies, preserves and syrups. And they always have a great sugar-free selection. I love to grab a fresh hot cider from the Cider Haus (the farm’s big, red barn) and then go into the store and grab a pie or two. Walter’s also has the “Fruit Loop Express” – a tractor pulled tour of the ranch that stops in the orchard and allows you to pick your own fruit. Lots of family fun!
Another great place to visit is Siemers Farm. We don’t always stop here, but when my daughter was a bit younger, it was a yearly must. Siemers has a lot of the same features as the Harvest House and Walter’s, but it is definitely designed to appeal to the kids. In addition to great food, craft vendors, an awesome farm store and a very cool gift shop, Siemers also has a giant blow up slide and a very large corn maze. In the middle of the corn maze is a four-story “castle” for the kids to explore.
The Corn and Hedge Maze at Siemer's Farms
There are also several farms up on Green Bluff where you can pick your own pumpkins. And many places like The Harvest House have areas where you can choose from just picked pumpkins, if you prefer to do it that way.
If you would like more information on Green Bluff or any of the Farms I mentioned, you can find it here:
http://www.greenbluffgrowers.com/
Happy Autumn to all! Now to get me some pumpkin donuts…
Have an Awesome Autumn!
23 Sep 2011 3 Comments
in Friday Feature Tags: autumn, creativity, creativity is messy, etsy, fall, handmade
Even though summer still lingers here in Eastern Washington, Autumn is on my mind. Here are a few awesome Autumn inspired pieces from some amazing artists…
Adorable little pumpkins by Bobbi Lewin
Autumn Leaves Paperweight by AuberryGirl
And, of course, one of my favorite parts about Autumn… Halloween! Here is one of my Halloween necklaces that I currently have on sale in my Etsy Shop.
Halloween Interchangable Bottle Cap Necklace
Well, Hello!
19 Sep 2011 1 Comment
in In the Kitchen Tags: caramel, chocolate, coconut, cooking, cupcakes, girl scout cookies, home-made, recipe, samoas, the novice chef
I’ve been blog-negligent again. I suck and I’m sorry… :*(
However, to make it up to you all, I have decided to share a recipe for the most amazing cupcakes ever to come out of my kitchen.
I have always been a sucker for “Samoas”. If you don’t know what Samoas are, they are chocolate, caramel, coconut goodness wrapped up in a donut shaped cookie. They are like cookie crack, and they are pushed by some of the most dangerous dealers… Girl Scouts.
The other day on Pinterest (if you don’t know what “Pinterest” is yet, check it out) I ran across a recipe for Samoas Cupcakes. I nearly pee’d myself with excitement. I mean, cupcakes… great! Samoas…. awesome!! Samoas Cupcakes…. OMGosh! Honey, catch me while I pass out!! Needless to say, I was ecstatic
So, please, take this token of apology and make these babies up ASAP! They will not disappoint.
SAMOAS CUPCAKES
Aren't they pretty?!?
(adapted from The Novice Chef)
For the Cupcakes
- 2 cups sugar
- 1-3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons coconut flavoring
- 1 cup coconut, packed
- 1 cup boiling water
1. Preheat oven to 350° and line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. Add in eggs, milk, oil, vanilla, and coconut flavoring. Mix well.
4. Fold in coconut, then add boiling water. (Batter will be very thin)
5. Pour batter into muffin tins, filling each cup no more than 3/4 full. Bake at 350° for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for several minutes, but then remove cupcakes from tins on cool on a wire rack.
For the Salted Caramel Buttercream
- 2 sticks butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup caramel topping
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
1. Cream butter until fluffy.
2. Add in vanilla extract, salt and caramel topping. Slowly add the powdered sugar into your mixture. If icing is still too thin after 4 cups, add a bit more powdered sugar. You want it light and fluffy, not too dense.
3. Wait until cupcakes are completely cool, and use a pastry bag to ice the cupcakes.
To top the Cupcakes
- 1 cup toasted coconut
- dark chocolate chips (I used Kroger brand “chunks”)
- caramel topping for drizzling
1. Toast coconut by placing shredded coconut on a cookie sheet and baking it on 300 for about 15-20 minutes. Mix/turn the coconut every 5 minutes to make sure it toasts evenly.
2. Once the coconut is toasted and has cooled, place a dab on the top of each cupcake (about a tbsp).
3. Place 3 (or so) dark chocolate chips on top of the coconut, pushing them down slightly to “stick” them into the frosting.
4. Drizzle caramel topping on to the top of the cupcake.
Now eat. Enjoy. Repeat.
My name is Tera and this is my blog...
