Memory Scroll Ornament

Happy December everyone! On Friday, I was lucky enpugh to take part in Jenn's Trim the Tree party {as mentioned on Fridays post!}  I wanted to share with you what I did incase you missed it! So without further ado...

In January I became a first time parent to a pretty amazingly adorable little man and I am just starting to do all things crafty, DIY and home decor related again. LONG overdue! I am a self proclaimed Christmas nut, however I am sure my family and friends would not bat an eye to nominate me as such.  Confession:  I listen to Christmas tunes BEFORE Halloween. Yes, that is a fact.


I am so excited to take part in Jenn's Trim the Tree Party!  I have known Jenn for a very long time and have been a huge fan of her blog since day one.  I love her crafty ways and her fearless outlook on all things DIY. This is actually my very first guest post ever and I just love that it is a Christmas themed feature.  
                                                    
I had been wracking my brain, trying to think of a way to capture some of the sweetest little details about my little man Alexander and make them into a special keepsake for our Christmas tree.  I wanted to do a message in a bottle type ornament-something he could he could one day open and read.  I wanted a way my hubby and I could express the joy he brings us and document a few milestones in a meaningful way.  I had a flash of genius! (ok, maybe a stretch?) I thought about using clear ornament balls (instead of a bottle for our message) and it took off from there.  I wanted it to be very simple, sweet and somewhat traditional looking. Here is what I came up with!
  
Materials 

• clear glass ornament ball
• glitter paint
• paint brush
• number stencil
• painters tape
• exacto knife
• bakers twine
• vellum paper
• kraft paper
• letter stamp set
• stamp ink in black
• jute string (for hanging)

 

How To 

• type a list of things you wish to document on the computer-I put the year at the top and then listed the sentiments in point form, the print it on vellum paper.  

 

• cut the list it to resemble a long scroll, roll it up and secure it with a piece of bakers twine.

• Next cut a small piece of kraft paper and fold it width wise {to give it more weight} and glue it together with adhesive dots to secure the fold.  I used tiny letter stamps to spell out my little mans name on both sides.  I also burnished the edges with black ink to give it some visual interest.

 

• Using a cardboard stencil, trace the number 1 on to painters tape and carefully cut it out with a exacto blade. Then place the painters tape stencil on the glass ball as a custom adhesive stencil. Be sure to press the edges of the painters tape stencil down firmly with your nails to avoid any bleeding of the paint.  I did three coats of paint to build up the glitter paint power ;) Let dry and carefully remove stencil. I VERY carefully scored the edges with the exacto knife first. 

 

• Carefully place the tied scroll and name card into the ball.
• Lastly, add some jute string to hang from your tree! 

 
This little ornament is the first of a tradition I plan to keep up each Christmas, recognizing the number of Christmases we celebrate with our Alexander. This year he is actually going to be 11 months old on Christmas day.  The number on this ornament is to signify his 1st Christmas :)

I hope you and your loved ones have a very happy Holiday Season and make many cherished memories with your loved ones.

Warm Wishes!

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Trimming our Tree

Hi everyone! I am so very excited to be guest posting over at one of my favorite blogs today!  Jenn of Clean and Scentsible has hosted a Trim the Tree party this past week and today I'm up!  I was so excited when she asked me and was up for the crafting! It was long overdue don't you agree?

So come on over to Clean and Scentsible to see my special ornament tutorial as well as all the other lovely handmade ornaments made by Jenn's favorite bloggers.

I also thought I would share Alexander's first Santa picture...poor lil guy did not think Santa was all he is cracked up to be! Disclaimer: no children were harmed in the taking of this photo ;) Baby MumMums fix everything!

Do you have any kiddo pictures that went a little like this?  

Happy Holidays!!

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Keys to finding your keys

"A place for everything and everything in it's place" right?  Right!  I had been looking for a key rack to hang at the back door off the laundry room for a while.  I came across a gently used frame/key holder for $4 and thought well, so what if it is bright orange and doesn't go with the space?  I have my trusty spray paint to combat that!  So I bought it and the mini project was on!

This is a picture from the girl I bought it from.  Orange.  Nice, but not my cup of tea.  So I took off the little hooks, gave it a light sanding and sprayed three light coats of Rustoleums Blossom White.

After some drying time I re-attached the little hooks and washed the glass for the picture spots.  Of course Baby AJ picture are what needed to go in there.  I used three 3M Commandstrips to hang it as the keys will add to the weight.

The boxes to the right are alarm system and thermostat controls.  Why in the 80's did they place these items in THE worst spots basically rendering certain walls useless! Oh well, I hung it there anyway. 
Hope you have a lovely day all!  Please don't be shy to tell me what you think!  Do you have a spot for keys on the wall, a dish or another specific place?  I would love to hear about it and see pics :)

Linking to:  The Ironstone Nest, Not Just a House Wife, Clean and Scentsible

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Best Banana Bread Ever!

I have been making the most delish Banana Bread for years now and think it is high time I share my recipe.  I think this recipe is from a family member actually, but I adapted it to my taste slightly...

I found using frozen bananas thawed and one counter ripe (read: VERY RIPE) banana is the secret to my success!   Hope you give it a try and love it as much and my family, friends and collagues do!

Becky's Best Banana Bread

3-4 ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup melted butter

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Mix mashed bananas and melted butter together in large bowl

Add in the sugar, vanilla and egg and give a stir til mixed

Add in baking soda and salt

Lastly add in flour and mix it all up!

If you love chocolate chips or walnuts add this too!  I do all variations :)

Grease loaf pans and pour in mixture

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

Cool and enjoy!

Let me know if you try it or have any questions!  It makes a yummy hostess or thank you gift!

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Oh. My. Word! Ramsign lucky!

I am so excited!!  Last night I was notified that I WON a Ramsign house number!  OH YEAH!  Sweet and talented blogger Anne over at Design Dreams held a Ramsign giveaway and I WON!  I have been coveting one of these beautiful enameled signs for over a year (at least!)  I still feel like I am the lukiest girl in the world for winning.  Seriously. 

Source: acasarella.blogspot.com via Elena on Pinterest

If you have not had the pleasure of seeing what Ramsign offers (aside from worldwide FREE shipping) you must take a boo.  I totally adore them.  I think I have finally picked my design and cannot wait to recieve this fantastic addition to enhance our curb appeal! 

Please visit Ramsign and check out all the charm and cuteness.  Thank you again Anne, I am ver the moon with joy!  I will definately post pictures of my new house number sign when it arrives :)

Hope you all have a 'winning' weekend.  Not like Charlie Sheen, but like me! LUCKY ME!

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