Repurposing wood! On the hunt!

Refurbishing wood, re purposing wood using old wood for a new use! Call it whatever, I'm on the hunt. I've been at the neighbors houses, in yards driving down the road looking! Honestly the fence in our backyard would be perfect but I don't think my husband would be happy with a section missing :) I have a few stops in mind that I'm making today. I am going to be making a dessert table for my daughters birthday that will then be used for an art/reading desk. I'm also going to be making a backdrop that with save my "decorating wall" from a bunch of new holes. The only thing is I need is the our weather to cooperate! It's cold, not cold enough to cut and build the table in the garage but way to cold to paint! I have some awesome ideas in mind and need to be able to paint! I can't wait for these upcoming projects! Keep you posted! :)

Valentine's Day Celebration Table!!!

IT'S HERE! LOVE DAY!!! I stayed up late putting together our family Valentine's Day table and making some last minute sweets!!!

 

 

****If you see something you like that didn't make it to the blog , let me know! I didn't make a tutorial on everything I made but if you want one I'll do it!

 

My daughter was so excited she started singing Happy Birthday, she just melts my heart! She clapped jumped up and down yelling "happy!" Aw she makes it all worth it :) Thank you for taking a peek at our set up. We have invited friends and family to stop by for amazing sweets and Valentine's gifts! Share the love!

 

 

 

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Spoons (bottom right)

DIY Dessert Plates (bottom middle right)

Scrap paper wrapped candy bars (bottom middle left)

Chocolate Strawberry Chews (bottom left)

DIY Paper Boxes (above the Chocolate Strawberry Chews)

DIY Metallic Heart Candle Holder (above DIY paper boxes)

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries (middle middle :)

Chalkboard painted platter (top left)

Greek Yogurt Chocolate Mocha Mousse in Chocolate Tuxedo Cups (top middle)

DIY Paper Rose Bouquet (very top middle)

Burlap Push Pin Board (in the back)

LOVE Push Pin Holders (on the board in the back)

Pebble Strand Garland (middle wall)

Heart Felt Garland (top of wall)

 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

DIY Paper Boxes for Valentine Goodies!

I needed something to put my chocolate strawberry chews in for Valentine's Day, as I was rummaging through my stash I found cupcake wrappers. Perfect, unless you are taking them to go. I then thought paper boxes! I would make them to fit around the cupcake wrapper for sweets to go!

 

Grab some colored construction paper, scissors, glue and ribbon!

 

My cupcake wrapper was about 3" wide and 1 1/4" tall.

I started with a 6"x6" square for the bottom of the box.
 

 

The middle of the box  needed to be 3" so I made 1 1/2" cuts down into the sides 1 1/2" leaving my 3" in the middle.

 

 

After making my straight cuts, cut diagonally on the sides into your straight cuts these will be the tabs that you glue to the inside of your box.

 

 

Use a ruler or something similar to make the folds in your paper.

 

 

After folding all four sides your paper should take on the shape of a box.

 

 

Now glue the triangle tabs onto the inside of the box lining up the paper on the sides and top.

 

 

Perfect!

 

Now I wanted my lid to be able to fit over the box with a little room to add ribbon, I also didn't want the lid to fold over the box too much. I cut a 4 1/4" square for the lid of the box. 
 

Same instructions as above only different dimensions for the lid.

I cut down into the sides 1/2" leaving 3 1/4" in the middle.

Continue above instructions for folding and gluing.

 

 

 Size difference between lid and bottom of box. Below
 

 

 

LOVELY!!!!

 

Not decorate however you would like!

 

I had some left over ribbon that worked out :)

 

Now off to make Chocolate Strawberries Chews to fill my boxes!

 

Please always let me know if you have any questions!!!!!!

Red Heart Shaped French Toast!

I have the pleasure this weekend of having three beautiful little girls! My daughter has had a blast with her cousins and I like that they have been wearing out our wild puppy!! Yesterday I made heart shaped colored food for all their meals, I couldn't help it. Girls are so fun and they love this stuff :) Last night I was thinking I should have been taking pictures so this morning when I made their french toast I snapped a quick pic!

I used my heart shaped cookie cutter for the bread.

I used red food dye to color my french toast dipping mixture.

I placed round white sprinkle in the best I could do heart shape.

Severed with cinnamon syrup.

 

The plate I put together real quick to match the theme! To see how to make fast decorative Valentine dishes click here :)

 

They LOVED it!

Make quick and easy Valentine dishes

 

 

I have a couple of plain white dish sets to use throughout the year, they are so handy for holidays and family themed meals!

 

This is great for kids also, let them pick the theme!

 

All I did was take stickers! Yep that's it stickers!!! I placed them on the outside rim of my dishes for the girls heart french toast breakfast this morning!!

 

How cute and easy!

Give your kiddos the stickers and dish sets so they can decorate while your cooking!! Keeps them busy while your slaving away :)

 

Saves on having many different sets for the holidays or events for family time.

 

When your done remove the stickers, wash and your ready for next time!

A Valentine for the man in your life (kids too)

Metallic Magnet Cars!!!! These are great for a guy (little guy or big guy) In the garage or kids bedroom! I made this one for the hubby for his garage :)

 

All you need is ....... paint (love this stuff) some cars (mine are plastic) magnets (I used strip magnets and cut small squares) and a place to put them (I made a magnetic board)

 

I painted the cars in a box,*uses less spray paint if you don't know how to properly use spray paint like me :)

 

Let them dry.

Glue magnets on the bottom.

 

Give him them on a **magnetic board for Valentine's day with some cute love coupons, notes, movie tickets or anything you like.

**I will post how to make different magnetic boards in the future :)
 

Then you can hang cute little hunny do's for him throughout the year or he can remind himself of things he needs to get done (ah-em)

 

Aw....a gift with an ulterior motive :)

Valentines Heart Felt Garland

I have seen these everywhere! Big ones little ones all different colors! I saw one with great big hearts that I just loved (after I started this one) I have even seen them for sell a few places but why not make your own??!! :)

I used the stiff red felt and split rings (I thought it would be easier then opening and closing jump rings) I used my scrapbook eyelet punch for the holes. That was it!

I started making one with great big hearts and I'm not even punching holes in the felt! The split rings punch right through! Save yourself time and a step :)

Valentine Bouquet To Last All Year

Here's a half a dozen paper rose bouquet that I kinda want to keep for myself! You could do yours with a dozen red roses if you wanted :)

 I trimmed one of our shrubs outside for the branches, grabbed a jelly jar, some twine and sequin ribbon and of course paper flowers which you can learn to DIY HERE

I wrapped the jar in twine except for where the rim is up top, I covered that with my sequin ribbon. I stuck the branches in the vase and poured glue into the bottom to hold the sticks in place. I then glued on my paper flowers I made from red card stock.

I love this creataion! :) It is such a beautiful combination.

After a day though I didn't like the way the inside of the glass looked so I filled it will little pebbles.

Burlap Board for those Valentines LOVE Push Pin Holders

I was going to make a different push pin board but my daughter gave me the opportunity to use my frame again. Quiet does not equal peace, if I hadn't been so panicked I would of taken a picture of her sitting inside the Valentines Day Countdown I made, with all the envelopes opened, hearts scattered and the cloths pins missing. I think there was a piece of bakers string left hanging :) Someone is excited for Valentines Day :)

Well here's to another use for one of my favorite frames :)

 

I cut out a piece of foam board the inside dimensions of the frame. I then wrapped burlap around the front of the foam board gluing it onto the back side This made the board fit nice and snug also into the frame

Ta-Da!

 

Now push your LOVE push pin holders on to the burlap covered foam board!

 

You can use this to display your notes, Valentines, sweet nothings or make a new Valentines Countdown (LOL)

Valentines LOVE push pins slash holders!

I LOVE these ;)! They were so fun and easy to make! Great for holding your Valentines Day cards, letters, notes!

Paint, clothes pins, letter beads, tacks and glue

 

Paint your clothes pins, glue the word LOVE on the front and then glue tacks on the back!

It's that easy!

These can hold your pictures of those you love! Tomorrow I will show you how to make a burlap push pin board to hold these cuties!

Valentines Countdown In A Frame! 14 days of LOVE!

It's February, woot woot! I will be posting a little something you can do everyday! Hopefully you will find something you like to create for those you love or to keep for yourself! Spoiler alert friends and family you will be getting one or more of what you see! So everyone check back each day and by the time Valentines is here you will have lots of gifts made with love to give!!!! I am going to be using everything for a special surprise also, I will keep you posted :) 

 

Countdowns aren't just for Christmas! Thanksgiving and Christmas and in between can be such a hectic time! It's a bit busier, there is so much going on, don't even get me started on when, where and who the Holidays are spent with!!! I prefer to spend them mostly at our home with our family creating our own memories and traditions. So I enjoy all the other holidays where there isn't as much hustle and bustle. Like Valentine's Day! My daughter will not know the stresses of the Holidays for many many years until maybe when she has her own family and ideas so for now I encourage love, delight and thankfulness during all holidays throughout the year. Here is our countdown to Valentine's Day! 14 days to be thankful for love and whoever you love or what you love :)

Here's what you need! (above picture)

Frame

Mini Clothes Pins (or big)

Baker's Twine (or ribbon, string)

Paint or Glitter Glue (I used both)

Mini Note cads with Envelopes

Glue or tape (I used glue dots and tape)

 

I used a frame I already had and taped bakers twine across

I then painted clothes pins......white ones and pinks ones for two rows, one row I used red glitter glue and left one row all natural

I placed glitter foam hearts alternating colors on the envelopes

On the first envelope I wrote "all you need is....<3" with a <3 for love)

On the last envelope I wrote  "<3....is all you need"

 

Spooky Forest in the house!!!!

Sneak Peek! Here is a little bit of the Spooky Forest Halloween Party I did for my daughter (2012) I will eventually come back to this post and add more pictures and how I did it tips:) I place large 12'-14' dead trees in the house decorated. It was a blast! I loved the candles (here) I am still using them!
 

Goodies Station! On the left in the Halloween cups I made "microwave cupcakes' I found the recipe on a blog.....FAIL! They were so cute but that was it.

 

 Caramel Apples to go!

 

Spoons with white chocolate and candy pressed in

 

There's those PB & J sand-WITCHES

  

Drink Station

I used cut wood to display food items

Oreos dipped in white chocolate and black icing writing

Vials filled with skull and crossbones candies topped with a cork

Valentines Day Craft! Perfect for Kids!

I have been working on my 14 Valentines day ideas and crafts for this blog and I decided to try this one out today with my daughter. We had so much fun I had to share now, I couldn't wait!!!! (I'm not good at surprises either:) It is very easy, great for kids and I'm sure you already have the supplies! My daughter had a blast she's so proud it's hanging in her room!

All you need is paper, we used red construction paper, paper slicer (or scissors and a ruler) and glue! ***side note I just got a tip to use a stapler!!!

I cut the construction paper long ways into 1" strips, I made 30.

Fold the strips in half

Glue the cut end of the paper down into a V this gives you your heart shape :)

*Put a drop of glue on the inside on the inside of the bottom of the heart and pinch together (I took the picture to soon)

Now glue on the outside of the bottom of your first heart the cut stripes of paper, one on each side. Make sure your fold is pointing down before you glue.

Continue each step until you have your desired length.

Use multiple color combinations, alternate colors, or use similar shades for an ombre effect!

Ok you are going to really have to really wait for the rest :) February 1st will be the next of the 14 Valentine's Day post! You won't want to miss one!

My Handy Helper (AND A GIVEAWAY)

 My handy helper bracelet!!! Not only a huge help but stylish also!!!!! I use it when I'm hanging pictures, banners, sewing doing my hair, the list goes on! It will hold my bobby pins, small nails, thumbtacks, needles and more. Keeps my mouth clean...... yes you know you hold that stuff in your mouth too.

WAIT HOLD UP!

So I am not going to put the tutorial up until I get 50 followers, yep that's right I said FIFTY! I have been getting an average of over 150 visits a day to my blog, but why no love???!!!! BUT WAIT, once I get fifty followers I will give away this bracelet too!!! So to encourage you to be part of my blog, try something new, leave a comment, yep that's right I'm bribing YOU!!!! It's doesn't really work well with my daughter but hopefully it will work for you!!!! So join the club and this awesome bracelet could be yours! 

My followers now each have a 50% chance to win, lets made those odds a little harder :)

 

*****Don't want to wait??? You can purchase one for $30 and start putting it to use! Contact me at catescastle@gmail.com
 

Tea for two and an apple for you

It's been raining these past few days, I like it :) It's not too cold, there's actually humidity and it makes sleeping in, easier. I like my coffee iced but my flavored tea on days like this needs to be steamy hot. My daughter and I had tea together this morning she loved sipping out of the apple :) So grab an apple and let's have a cup of tea.

 

Hollow out your apple of choice, I used Red Delicious. Brew your tea and then I added a squeeze of lemon, pressed some apple in my garlic press for it's juice, a little honey and a cinnamon stick to stir.

 

Does an apple a day really keep the Doctor away? If you aim right???!!!!! te-he-he

ENJOY!!!