MIXING BOWLS... OR MODERN ART?

My two little boys have recently discovered the storage drawer under the oven, which is where we store our nesting stainless steel mixing bowls. The other day while I was folding laundry in the bedroom, I heard the clanging of the bowls, and knew that when I came back in to the kitchen, there would be a mess all over the floor - like I have MANY times before.

Much to my surprise, this is what I found...

an orderly line-up. I'm sure my oldest, who has some OCD tendencies, is responsible for this organized display. Of course, I had to snap a shot of it, and then I thought, I could turn it into some modern art.

I went to my favorite photo editing site - Picnik and played around a little bit. These are what I created.

The first one, I just cropped and rotated.

Using that same photo, I did further editing...

this one, I adjusted contrast, boosted color and then went black & white

this one I boosted color, applied the HDR tool and the "Posterized" it

this one, I boosted and then inverted.

What do you think? Would one of these make for some interesting Modern Art?

MY IMAGINATION WAS BIGGER THAN MY MANTLE

You know the old saying..."my eyes were bigger than my stomach" - meaning, you got way more food than you could eat. Well, rather than having the problem of over-eating, I have the problem of over-CRE-ating. My imagination was WAY bigger than my mantle.

I've been wanting to do a Holiday Bunting Banner, so yesterday, while my hubby had the kiddos, I went to Hobby Lobby and got everything I would need to make one. Then, last night after my youngest went to bed, I started working on it. Due to the fact that I took some Excedrin Migraine at 2:30 that afternoon, I was up until 2:00 finishing it. (Caffeine and I are not friends when consumed after noon).

Anyway, back to the Bunting Banner. Here it is!! What do you think?

My mantle is just not. quite. big. enough. Actually, my mantle is normal size, my bunting is just way. too. oversized. My triangles are 9.5" long and the lettering is 5". What the heck was I thinking? I definitely could have gone a lot smaller and saved a lot of money on paper.

Speaking of paper, isn't it gorgeous? I am TOTALLY in to shades of Grey as of late, so when I found the paisley floral pattern, I was in love. I pulled out the burnt orange and the charcoal, and I just absolutely love it. Probably not normally a color choice of this said Holiday, but so what.

I wanted to do something a little different, so I went with the Tres Gobble.

I wanted to get a full shot of the fireplace, and while doing so, someone thought they needed to be included. That's my youngest, Grey. I know, how crazy is that, given my latest color obsession.

Happy Thanksgiving, and... GOBBLE ON

I'm linking up here. Go check out all the other incredible creations...

This project was featured here...

THANKSGIVING DECOR

On Monday, the Halloween decorations came down, and I had to come up with something to replace them. I really enjoyed having the little holiday vignette on my Entry table, so I thought I would move on to the next holiday. But again, like the previous holiday's decorations, it had to be on the cheap. This one was even cheaper than my $14 Halloween display... this one was $0.

\

Everything I used, I had on hand... wicker wrapped carafe, cake stand, paper turkey, little pumpkins, and leafy fall branch from the yard. Love the coloring of the pumpkin on the cake stand - the green scalloped detail is au natural. Okay, I just lied. This wasn't completely free. Two of the items were purchased on a whim a couple of weeks ago. The small apple basket (which is on it's side on the cake stand) was purchased at Target in the $1.00 Bin section for $2.50 (go figure?), and the little grapevine pumpkin I got at the Dollar Store - I don't remember the price.

As for the artwork, I got out my scrapbook paper and Cricut. The frames I had from artwork I had hanging in my oldest son's old nursery.

I printed out the three words using three different colored papers, and two different sized fonts from the Jasmine cartridge. For the background I used three coordinating papers to create a basketweave pattern.

I have a vertical space, so the word "Thanksgiving" had to be broken up. I think it really emphasizes the Double Importance of the word.

Happy Thanks Giving!!!!

I'm linking up here. Go check it out to see all the other incredible inspirations...

This project was featured here...

FALL WREATH

Since my Halloween decorations came down on Monday, I had to have another wreath to replace the Toothpick one. From my failed Candy Corn Wreath, I used the twig wreath for my new "Fall" Wreath.

I had been wanting to try the rolled fabric flowers that I have been seeing all over blogland, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity. And since I have a TON of scrap fabric from my Etsy purses, I was good to go.

Also, all over blog land, I have been seeing wreaths being created showcasing the family initial... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. So, of course, I had to integrate that too. I found this cute whimsical letter at the Greatest Craft Store Ever... Hobby Lobby (new to my area... YAY!!!).

So there you have it, my new "Fall" Wreath. What do you think?

I'm linking up here. Go check it out to see all the other incredible inspirations.

This project was Featured here...

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

This year, for Halloween, the Faucheux Family went as Star Wars characters. Ever since we had our first son and named him Luke, we knew we would do this one year... this was the year.

After purchasing the boy's costumes on line - paying full price for Luke's but getting a deal on Darth Vader through e-Bay, I knew I needed to cut costs, and make mine and my husbands costumes.

Presenting... Han Solo & Princess Leia

Han's costume was pretty easy. I got the shirt and pants at Goodwill.

The shirt was a XXL, so I had to do a little tailoring so Marc wouldn't be swimming in it. I took it in 3" on the sides and in the arms, and I cut off the cuffs so it more resembled the shirt Han wore in the movie. Then to make the pants a little more authentic, I used Red Electrical Tape to create the stripe detailing down the sides.

I did however, have to make the vest. I chose a black twill, and using a fleece winter vest Marc has as a guideline, I sewed (without a pattern mind you) a vest... with pockets to boot.

Marc as Han Solo

Now for my costume. Originally, I was going to purchase ALL the costumes on line, but doing so would have been between $100-$150... a stupid expense for a one-time shot. After much deliberation, we decided we would only do the costumes for the boys... Marc and I wouldn't dress up. Then, I got my October issue of "FamilyFun", which had a tutorial on how to make yarn wigs for kids... like Pippy Longstocking and Rapunzel. So, that got me thinking..."I bet I could make a Princess Leia wig following these same instructions". And so, Marc and I would be dressing up after all... on the cheap!!

The wig - brown yarn, control top pantyhose, bobby pins and hairspray. I couldn't believe it actually worked

The gown - an old king size white sheet set. This is what I am most PROUD of!!!! I've made clothes for myself before, but ALWAYS with a pattern, NEVER on the fly. This creation, was a Full Length (somewhat form fitting) Gown with Long Flowing Sleeves, a Turtle Neck AND a Hood. The day I made it, I started drawing out the shape around lunch time and was finished by 8:00. I was so impressed with it, I told my husband I thought I would wear it all the time.

For the belt, I cut a piece of poster board to the pointy shape, added silver duct tape to mimic the metallic embellishments and hot glued on clear floral rocks.

Me as Princess Leia

The Faucheux Family as Star Wars Characters...

Me as Princess Leia, Luke as Luke Skywalker, Grey as Darth Vader and Marc as Han Solo.

If there would have been a contest for best Family Costumes... I'm SURE we would have won.

I'm linking up here. Go check it out to see all the other incredible inspirations.