From Clock to Chalk

So I have had this broken clock for awhile.  I just couldn't bring myself to throw it away, because I really liked it.  I knew that I would eventually I would know EXACTLY what I wanted to do with it.

And it happened.  One day last week while perusing some blogs, I though CHALKBOARD.  That is what my clock needs to be!  So I dug it out and went to work--not that it took much for this transformation.

The "face plate" had a hole in the middle.  I just put a piece of duct tape on the back, filled it in with wood filler. and sanded it down.  Then I spray painted it with chalkboard spray paint (AWESOME!!!). I also decided the whole thing needed a little more color.  So I took my paint that I used for my headboard transformation  and painted on a couple layers.  Then lastly, I just sanded it down a bit to show some of the original black.

I am so happy with how it turned out!  And it was simple.  Hmm, I think that is about how all of my projects are these days!

My little owlets {rice warmers}

I like to do a homemade gift for my kids each year for Christmas, but with just a week until Christmas, I still didn't have one made.  Plus, I didn't have the slightest idea what I should make.  Well, thank goodness for PINTEREST!

I saw the cutest little owls, and it linked to a GREAT tutorial!  The best part was that I didn't have to go to the store because I just used fabric scraps, and they came together really pretty quickly.  I absolutely LOVE how they turned out!

Oh, and another bonus--my 6-year old gets to take something to school to share with his class every Monday.  Guess what he picked on his first Monday back after Christmas--HIS OWL!  My kids have LOVED them and already used them a ton!

Don't you just love when a gift comes together like that!  Thank goodness for people sharing their great ideas!

Resolutions

Happy New Year!  I hope you have been enjoying the holiday!  I know I have been, although with kids out of school, I think I have been lacking on my responsibilities.  Don't I get a break, too?  Haha.

Anyway, I decided to make a little printable for my resolutions.  I had so much fun designing it that I also made one for my kids and husband (although I let them pick their own goals).

So, if you promise not to laugh or judge because of my goals, I'll give you a little peek at mine.

I'm excited to print a few out so I see them more often and am reminded of my goals.  

Interested in having one created for yourself?  Leave me a comment.  If I get a good enough response I'll do a giveaway!!!

Merry Christmas

From my family to yours...

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas...

So my advent calendar is getting very full, and my countdown is down to single digits.  I can't believe Christmas is just 4 days away!  Yikes!  I hope you are ready...I am close...very, very close.

Anyway, I thought I'd give you a peak at my Christmas decor:

Mantel #1

Coat Hanger/Shelf:

 Simple circle garland {scrapbook paper, inked edges, sewn together}

 Advent Calendar {Even my 1-yr old LOVES when it is her turn to pick the magnet for the day}

 Mangel #2

 Little yarn pom-pom garland:

 The stockings were hung...

A little closer look at my newest sign for the year:

I am loving it!  I just love this time of year!  Merry, Merry Christmas!

Little Birdie Ornaments

I wanted to make some ornaments to hand out with Christmas goodies to friends and neighbors, and since I seem to have a thing for birds, I knew this Pinterest find was PERFECT!

You want to make some of your own?  They were actually pretty easy!  Grab some burlap & contrasting fabric scraps, pick some ribbon or jute, find a bird template online & get started!

It is pretty self explanatory, so my instructions will be simple:

1--Cut bird shaper out of 2 layers of burlap

2--Cut a wing out of contrasting fabric

3--Stamp Christmas words (joy, love, noel, wish) onto the wings.  I used a metal stamp set and just used regular ink and it worked just fine.

4--Sew wing onto one layer of bird.

5--Place birds right-sides together, inserting a little ribbon in-between the layers to act as the hanger.

Done and done!  Don't you just love easy little projects!

Merry Christmas!

Delicious Chunky Wheat Bread {RECIPE}

I thought I would quickly share the recipe I used for my homemade bread from yesterday's post.  I seriously LOVE this bread.  It is the perfect mix of crunchy goodness and soft chewy bread.  Oh, and spread honey on top...OH MY GOODNESS GOOD!

It is great with all wheat flour, or a combination of wheat flour and regular white flour.  However, I do use white wheat flour--I just think it is a lot less dense than regular wheat flour.

12 Grain Bread

Mix:

5 c. very warm water

1/2 c. honey

Add the following ingredients, mixing one in at a time:

6 c. flour

3 T. yeast

3/4 c. gluten

2 c. 9 grain cracked cereal (or just cracked wheat)

2 T. salt

1/2 c. millet

1/2 c. Sunflower seeds

1/2 c. pumpkin seeds (or just use 1 c. sunflower seeds)

1/2 c. sesame seeds

2 T. lecithin (This can be replaced with oil)

At this point, add more flour a little at a time  (aprox. 6 more cups).  Once it gets too shaggy and sticky to use a spoon, start kneading. (if mixing by hand).  Knead about 200 times or about 10 minutes.  If using a bread mixer, knead about 4-5 minutes after the flour is mixed in and the dough tends to be one mass.  Cover and let rise for 1 hour.  Divide into loaf pans--makes 3-4 loafs.  Let rise again for 30 minutes.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

***If some of those ingredients are new to you, they can be found in health food stores!

I hope you try it!  It is delicious!