The Best of February

Tomorrow is the first day of March! Can you believe it? February was definitely a fun month here on the blog so I figured it was only fitting to say goodbye to February with a look back at a few of my favorites (in no particular order)...

Christmas in February

Sun Dried Tomato and Spinach Pizza with Artichoke Hearts

DIY: Mounted Toy Animal Heads

DIY: Valentine Dioramas

What's In My Bag?

Homemade Chocolate Brownies

DIY: Faux Terrariums (featured on Skunkboy Creatures)

DIY: Toy Animal Valentines

Free Printable Valentine (although this could be used to show some love anytime)

DIY: Army Men Frame

Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

DIY: Moss Toadstool Wreath

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a free March desktop!

DIY: Moss Toadstool Wreath

After making my mini terrariums for the DIY on Skunkboy Creatures last week, I had quite a bit of leftover preserved sheet moss. So, I decided to make a wreath!

What you'll need:

• preserved sheet moss
• wreath (straw or styrofoam)
• styrofoam balls (different sizes)
• red fabric
• hot glue
• white cardstock
• white fabric paint
• ribbon for hanging the wreath

Hot glue the sheet moss to the wreath.

Cut the styrofoam balls in half. Now cut your red fabric into circles big enough to wrap around the styrofoam balls. Use hot glue to secure the fabric.

Paint white dots on to the fabric using fabric paint.

Cut strips of white cardstock and roll them up. Use hot glue to secure the rolled paper and then glue them to the bottoms of the styrofoam balls.

Make little holes in the moss to place your mushrooms. Put a little hot glue on the bottom of the mushrooms before placing them into the moss to make sure they are secure.

Hang and enjoy!

Tip: since this is made using paper and fabric, it's probably best for indoor use.

Wall Hangings

Do you like how I titled this post 'wall hangings' and then shot the photos on my lawn? Well, I have my reasons. I'm in the process of moving... if you consider bringing empty boxes home from work and then just looking at them 'in the process'. Anyway, I wanted to share a few of my recent purchases with you. When I was a kid, I always thought that my taste would mature with age. I figured I wouldn't be so attracted to brightly colored, cartoon-style things. Clearly, I was wrong... and that kind of makes me happy. Who wants to be mature anyway, right?

I bought the colorful Homco wall hanging from Kitsch Village just a few days ago. I've seen these pieces around and have always wanted one. I just love all of the colors. It's pretty ridiculous how much awesome and affordable stuff Rebecca (Kitsch Village owner) has up for sale right now. Go take a look!

The owl clock was a purchase I made a few months ago when I went to visit my cousin and aunt in Vancouver, Washington. I found it in an adorable little shop called Most Everything. It was one of those, 'if I leave the store without this, I'm going to regret it' purchases. I can't wait to hang it in the new apartment.

So, since I've recently been doing some Etsy perusing for items of this sort, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites...

owl and squirrel set. bluebird chalkware plaque.

refashioned chalkware mushroom set. Homco raccoon.

Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

Remember last week when I admitted that I had never made brownies from scratch? Well, I have another confession... I've also never made pancakes from scratch... until today! When I saw this recipe, I just had to give it a try, and you should too. These are delicious!

Ingredients (makes 12 large pancakes):

• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/3 cup sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup poppy seeds
• zest of 4 lemons
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Combine the buttermilk, eggs, butter, lemon zest, and poppy seeds.

Now combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add the wet to the dry and stir until combined. Melt a little butter in a skillet and cook the pancakes until golden brown. 

I topped my pancakes with fresh strawberries mixed with a little sugar. Enjoy!

Weekly Wrap-Up

I've barely had any time to cook lately but I've sure been dreaming about a few old recipes. This weekend is going to be really busy but hopefully I'll have some time to make at least one of these. I'm thinking pickled eggs.

Recipes, clockwise: no-knead bread. pickled eggs. grit cakes. pasta salad.

This was an eventful week, to say the least. To begin, I FINALLY updated the vintage shop! 

On Tuesday, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to share my faux terrarium DIY on Skunkboy Creatures. Click here to take a look.

My Mom's birthday was yesterday and one of the gifts I gave her was the Design Sponge book. It's been hiding in my closet for about a month. We looked through it a little bit last night and were overwhelmed with all of the wonderful ideas. I can't wait to take a more thorough look at it.

The biggest event of the week? My good friend, Amy, and I found an apartment! I'm EXTREMELY excited about this. There is so much decorating to do... curtains to make, photos to hang, furniture to paint. That empty apartment is our new blank canvas. I can't wait to share the details here on the blog. 

I'll leave you all on that note, but before I sign off for the week, I have to choose the Giveable Greetings giveaway winner!

Congratulations Jess! We'll be emailing you shortly.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

DIY: Army Men Frame

Well, I went on yet another shopping spree at the dollar store last weekend. I purchased a bag of army men and a cheap frame and made this! A $2 craft?! It doesn't get much better than that!

What you'll need:

• hot glue
• plastic army men
• picture frame
• primer
• spray paint (whatever color you choose)

Remove the glass and backing and glue the army men to the frame.

Spray the frame with primer.

Now spray the frame with whatever color you choose. I'll admit, I painted it hot pink first. Then I decided I hated it and tried metallic silver. I love the silver!

Once the frame is dry, add a photo, replace the glass and backing, and you're all set! This would look great in a boy's room. Don't you think?

Psst... I'm picking the winner of the Giveable Greeting giveaway tomorrow! Have you entered?!

Sponsor Spotlight: The Life of a Cupcake

It's that time again! I would like to introduce you to the lovely Jules of The Life of a Cupcake! Jules has an adorable blog and runs her own custom made cupcake business, but I'll let her tell you more about that...

my name is jules and i am from toronto! i am a creative and fun loving girl and i do my best to live my life in a very positive & happy way! i am a lover of all things cute, a cupcake baker, little miss christmas, arts & crafts lover, hugest beatles fan ever, i love party planning/hosting!, i love travelling and going on adventures!, wearing cute dresses and red lipstick and spending time with all the amazing people in my life :) my little blog "the life of a cupcake" is my place to post things that make me smile and hopefully brighten someone's day!

How cute are her cupcakes? I love the colors!

Learn more about Jules...

BLOG / TWITTER / FACEBOOK / PINTEREST

DIY: Faux Terrariums

Psst... I have a DIY featured on Skunkboy Creatures today! Go take a look!

Homemade Chocolate Brownies

I have a confession to make... I've NEVER made brownies from scratch... until today! The ones from the box are just so good. Especially the Ghirardelli ones. Anyway, I found this recipe and knew I had to give it a try. I'm pleased to tell you that these brownies are absolutely delicious! 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9"x13" baking dish. In a saucepan, melt the butter and then add the sugar. Cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Do not let the mixture boil.

Place the butter mixture, cocoa powder, eggs, salt, baking powder, and vanilla into a large bowl. Mix until combined.

Stir in the flour and chocolate chips.

Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. 

These babies are rich! So I'll leave you with a Steel Magnolias quote...