One Insane Week

This week in one word: INSANE.  Undeniably insane.
Work has been overwhelming.  And even though I've been able to sit down after the kids go to sleep and work on some crafts (aka blanket, jewelry, headbands and bows), I just haven't had the energy to lay them out, make them look presentable, take pictures and link up to parties.  So I am so very sorry.  But I'll catch my breath soon.

Couple of fun things:

The hubby, Mr. Crazy, upgraded my wedding band set for Valentine's Day.  I was shocked!  It's on my finger now and I can't stop looking at it:

Ummm yeah, I'm in love.  :)

Landon has a dance competition at the Disneyland Hotel this weekend and we're so excited for him.  I love seeing my little man up on stage... and he loves it when people cheer for him.  Especially in hip hop.

Then on Monday, for some reason my work decided to honor the President's Holiday.  Not complaining, just shocked. So....
A friend is blessing me and my two little boys by signing us into Disneyland!!!!  I made them a poster to open on Monday morning that reads:  Landon and Cameron, Can't wait to see you today at Disneyland!  Love, Mickey Mouse.  They have absolutely no clue and I cannot wait to surprise them!  A video will be coming for sure, you can count on it!  I get to have a Mommy-boys date day and I couldn't be more thrilled.  I'll be taking pictures like crazy.  :)

Hope everyone has a fantastic-incredible-exciting-crazy weekend!
I'll be blog hopping at:

Come join the hopping-commenting fun!

XOXO

Valentines Fudge Squares

Whether you love Valentine's Day or not, one thing is always good... CHOCOLATE.  And I'm talking fudge.... made from scratch.  Mmmmmm.  Best part, it's the easiest thing in the world to make!  No baking, just microwaving.  Seriously.

Here is what you will need:
1 1/4 cup semi sweet morsels
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Dash of salt

1 1/4 cup white chocolate morsels
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Dash of salt

Mix the semisweet morsels with the milk and salt, melt in microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between each.  This only took me two 30 second go arounds in the microwave before it was smooth.  Spread into an 8x8 dish lined with foil.

Repeat with the white chocolate morsels, but melt at 20 second intervals instead of 30.  Again, this only took two 20 second go arounds.  Spread on top of chocolate.  Cut squares with a knife while the fudge is still warm and top off with a conversation heart candy.  Refrigerate uncovered for at least 2 hours.

Remove the fudge by pulling the foil completely out.  Re-cut gently to remove fudge from foil.  And ta-da!  You've got adorable fudge squares for Valentine's Day!  I put them in heart cupcake liners and Valentine's bag just because I can.  ;)

They're to die for.  And to give away so I don't gain 15 pounds.  Hope you enjoy!
This week's projects consist of all things blue and green to represent Cutting Edge Dance Center... next competition is this coming Sunday at the Disneyland hotel.  I'm making jewelry, bows, blankets... it's an obsession and I can't help myself.  Yup, it's one of those moments where I'm definitely "That Crazy Mom Over There".  What can I say, I'll always support my kids loudly and proudly.  Can you blame me?  They're crazy adorable!
Happy Sunday everyone... and Happy Blogging!

XOXO

Chalkboard Vases!

Ok this was seriously so much fun and super easy to do... the only hard part... being p.a.t.i.e.n.t.

I got three different size vases at the Dollar Tree and Chalkboard paint from Home Depot:

I painted in vertical strokes for the first coat.  Then waited three, count it t.h.r.e.e. hours before applying the second in horizontal strokes.  Finally, I waited an entire day before putting on the final coat.  Glossy finish before drying:

Are we liking the Michael's newspaper?  Ok just had to throw that in.  :)
The waiting got even worse.  I waited three WHOLE DAYS before painting on red frames/designs and once those were dry, it was chalking time!!!  Man was I excited.  And when I'm happy, my household is happy.

I made them "Valentine-ish", cause you know, duh, isn't everyone doing V-day stuff right now?  LOL  You better believe I will be changing these up constantly.
I want to give a HUGE thank you to Domestically Speaking for the project idea.  I ADORE my new multi-purpose vases.
Linking up to:


















XOXO

An Everything Post - Food, Cake and Projects!

I'm feeling better!  Which means lots to do and so little time to do it all!

Where to begin?  Ok first, here are some food pics from our Superbowl Party.  After all was said and done, we had 42 people over for the big game, two tv's going inside and out, jacuzzi time, and PLENTY of munchies!

Homemade Cinnamon Chips

 Meatballs in Tomato Sauce for "Turnovers"

 Look at all the food!

A few posts ago, I posted about the "jazz" cake I made.  But I was finally able to upload better pictures of it, so here you go!

Triple Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Filling, Buttercream Frosting, Fondant Pieces

I'd really love some feedback.  I definitely had a lot of fun doing this one.

On to one of the projects for this week.  I read a project at Domestically Speaking on using chalkboard paint on vases or old empty glass bottles.  So I started it this week!  Here's the progress... final pictures to come for some party links this weekend:

They definitely take a few coats, so be patient, like 3 hours in between coats patient.  Then 3 days before chalking on patient.  I hate being patient.  But I WILL wait.  The finished product will be worth it.

I'm also working on one of those "no sew" blankets in my son's dance studio's colors.  Go green and blue!  Let's just say this Mama is not going to be cold in a theater or ballroom anymore.  :) I'll post pics when I'm finished with that as well.

XOXO

Dayquil + Coffee = Finished Project

So I finally found the strength to finish our headboard wall with many thanks to Dayquil and McDonald's coffee. :)  Not to mention, I actually got 12 hours of sleep last night since my hubby sent me to bed at 7pm.  Good hubby.

Well, here it is.  I finished putting up the decal above our headboard.

In process:

It takes a lot of arm strength to get that up there... our walls are textured so it doesn't go on as smoothly as you'd might think.

And now the result:

I LOVE it.  What do you think?

Now here is my bedding.  I need and want to keep the white walls, but I'm debating on changing the white fabric that hangs above our bed.  Should I tie in the chocolate brown instead?  Change the color of the white sconces?  

Please ladies, I need some inspiration.  I can only think so far right now.  LOL  Time to rest up and clean the house for Superbowl tomorrow.  Yes, our home is the gathering location for 30 of our closest friends and family.  I cannot wait to see everyone!  And I have lots of recipes in mind, so in the kitchen, I will be.  :)

I linked my decal project to:

Check out her page, it's amazing!

And:


And:





It's Party time people! :)

Happy Saturday everyone.  Happy Dayquil to me.  

XOXO

All About Decals

When you live in a rental home, you need to get crafty with the way you decorate.  To me, nothing is better than removable wall art.  And accessories.  :)
I posted earlier this week how I'm stumped as to how to vamp up our master bedroom.  I will post pictures tomorrow on the start of this project.  I've had a wall decal that says: We do not remember days, we remember Moments.  I've been waiting for the right place to put this and it dawned on me... duh, above our bed.  I started working on it when I got home from work tonight, but since a head cold has consumed my day, I got 1/3 of the way through and had to stop to sit down.  So here I am, medicated and on the couch with a million tissues in front of me, updating my blog instead of finishing my headboard wall.  *sigh*
So that's it for now.  If you ever need a great place for decals, I highly suggest Dali Decals.  Their stuff is insane!

And on top of cleaning and prepping my house for our Superbowl Party on Sunday, I'm determined to try the chalkboard paint-vase project that I linked to earlier in the week.  I bought the vases, just need to get the paint.  This mama is can't sit down, want to jump around excited!

Goodnight blogworld.  Happy coughing, sneezing, best sleep I'm going to get tonight?  Riiiight.  ;)

XOXO

A Quick Lunch Break Post

Tuesdays are my absolute most insane day at work, so I usually only take about a 15 minutes lunch break, if I even take one. 
Well, I've been running around all morning and needed to give my body a rest.  So what did I do?  Surf blog world of course!  And I decided to quickly post the beginning of my February decor at my desk.  I get into the spirit of things every where I go... home or office... it really doesn't matter.
I found the mailboxes in the dollar section at Target and a coworker and I decorated them with foam hearts.  The hanging heart wreath and blocks are also from the dollar section... I just couldn't resist.
Believe me, with all the inspiration from creative blog women, there WILL be more.  But like I said, this is just the start.

Ok, back to the grind.  Oh but before I go, I wanted to link up with the DIY's post today about painting vases with chalkboard paint!  Told you I was addicted to the stuff.  I am DEFINITELY trying this idea... we have an overabundance of empty wine bottles at our house, so there will be some painting going on.  :)

DIY Club - Chalkboard Vases

Have a fabulous Tuesday everyone! 

PS - I would LOVE to get more followers, since I'm so new at this.  Help?  Anyone?  :)

XOXO