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Thank you!

❤ Messy

Star Wars Lego Earrings in the shop!

I recently listed 3 new earring sets in the shop.  All made from Lego Minifigures.  Meet the Stormtroopers, Chewbacca and Yoda!!

I have sets of Super Hero Earrings coming very soon!  Check for them at www.creativityismessy.etsy.com

Easy Instagram Magnets

Looking for an easy and quick gift for someone special? All you need is a smart phone and magnet sheets!

I recently decided to make my boyfriend a little something for Father’s Day. He was working, and his 3 kids were out-of-town, so I wanted to do something special that centered around him and his kiddos.

I have an Instagram account with many photos of him, his children and his Chocolate Lab, Matty. He LOVES pictures and is always asking me to “Print Out” the good ones. After much thought, I decided to make him magnets with some of my favorite shots of his family. It was super easy, so I thought I would share this little ‘how-to” with you!

These are the “Materials” that I used:

• Instagram Account
• Diptic Account (other apps also work for this part. PicFrame is another of my favorites.)
• A place to print Instagram photos (if you don’t want to print at home, Walgreens has an app that allows you to print direct from Instagram onto 4×4 sheets you can pick up at their photo center)
• Magnet Sheets with a sticky side

I first used my Diptic application. I chose the layout (under “classic”) with 4 square frames equal in size. I chose 4 of my favorite pictures and placed them into each of the squares. Then I saved it as a picture onto my phone. Next, I used my Instagram app. I chose the photo I had just made in Diptic, added a little Instagram flare, and them saved it to Instagram. I actually made 2 sets of four this way.

Next using my Walgreens application, I chose to print the two Intagram photos at my local Walgreens. They turned out great, by the way. Wonderful quality, quick turn around and they were only .39 each.

Once I had the prints, I purchased magnet sheets at Hobby Lobby. I chose the sheets with one sticky side, so that I wouldn’t have to glue the photos myself. I strongly suggest this. It obviously makes the whole process quicker and easier, but also you don’t have to worry about the possibility of your photos getting ruined by the glue.

I simply stuck each photo onto a sheet, cut off the excess magnet, then cut each 2″ x 2″ square with a sharp pair of scissors.

 

The end result was a quick, easy and inexpensive gift that my boyfriend loved! I can’t wait to make more!!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!!

Here are a few faves from my shop that are sure to please!

“Gnome Love, Like Our Love” Tiny Terrarium Necklace with Loving Gnome Couple

The Mr. and Mrs. Bottle Cap Magnets (also come in Mr. & Mr. and Mrs. & Mrs.)

“Love Potion” Necklace

Set of 3 Valentine’s Day Bauble Rings

“Love Birds” Necklace

 

 

I Made My Own Pho!!

That’s right ladies and gentlemen… I finally broke down and made my own Pho!  And I am SO glad that I did!!

I researched a GAZILLION different recipes, broke down what ingredients my favorite Pho restaurant used and even found ways to make this light and (typically) healthy soup even better for me.  And now, I am so excited to share it with you 😀

 

Here is my recipe for Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup):

6 Cups Broth (I used Low-Sodium Chicken Broth, but both Beef and Vegetable broth can be used as well)

1 8oz package of Whole Wheat Rice Noodles (I prefer the Pad Thai style)

3-4 Green Onions (sliced)

1/4 cup Thai Basil (whole leaf)

1 Tbsp Fresh Ground Ginger 

1-2 Tbsp of Minced Garlic

2 Tbsp Lower Sodium Soy Sauce

1 Tbsp Rice Vinegar

1 Tbsp Lime Juice

2-3 Jalapenos (sliced thin)

Chopped Cilantro

Sriracha (AKA Rooster) Sauce or Paste

 

 

First, bring the broth to a boil on the stove in a large soup pot.  Once boiling, add the green onions and basil to the broth and then lower the stove temperature to a medium-low.  Stir in the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.  Let the mixture simmer while you begin cooking the noodles. 

Cook the noodled per the instructions on the box/package in a separate pot.  Once cooked, drain and rinse and then add them to the simmering broth mixture.  Add lime juice.

Let the soup continue to simmer while you slice up the jalapenos and cilantro.  Place the jalapenos, cilantro and Sriracha on the side and place as little or as much of each as you prefer into your soup.  If you aren’t a spice lover, omit the jalapenos and Sriracha.  However, if you like it hot (like me) add a half a dozen slices of the peppers and about a tablespoon the the Sriracha.  It will really heat things up!

Makes 4 servings. 

 

P.s.  You can also add Chicken, Beef, Bok Choy, Bamboo Shoots or other ingredients to the soup as well.  Add whatever you like.  Try something new.  Just have fun with it!!

Mason Jar Decor

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

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!

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!

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……

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

 

I was lucky enough to have an awesome Secret Santa this year through my Treasury Tree Team.  Erica of BisonGirl makes some adorable baby booties.  Here is an example of her work:

 

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!