DIY - VINTAGE PICTURE HANGER

I have spent alot of time searching for Vintage Pant Hangers [and looking at a blank hallway wall] that I could use to hang up 6 prints that I purchased from Obvious State on Etsy. Finding one hanger here and there and paying $10-15 a piece didn't interest me. I found 6 hangers at my local consignment store for $4.95 and I already had my favorite DIY product Briwax, I decided to just make my own 'Vintage' Hangers. It ended up being a very easy project + gratification was almost instant!!

EQUIPMENT:

• Wood pant hangers
• Sander + Sandpaper [I love my Black + Decker Mouse < $40 + gets in all the little nooks  & crannies!]
• Briwax [I used the Tutor Brown} 
• Assortment of tools for 'aging+ damaging' i.e. hammer, awl, screwdriver + pliers
• Fine grade steel wool
• Rags
• Double sided 'sticky' tape

DIRECTIONS:

1. Remove the padding from the underside of each hanger. Clean with soap and water and let air dry
2. Sand the outside and underside of each hanger. Don't be afraid to be aggressive on the edges, you want to get a 'worn' look!
3. Using any fine grade steel wool, rub over sanded areas to smooth the surfaces to be waxed.
4. Carefully avoid the metal hanger, and damage the wooden areas of the hanger by pounding, hitting, crunching and scratching with your tool assortment
5. Using your rags, follow the directions on the Briwax container in a well ventilated area and apply to the wood on your hanger. [A little bit goes a long way...] Let dry for 30 - 45 minutes and polish waxed areas with an additional clean rag.
6. Place a strip of double sided sticky tape on the BACK side of your picture, position and close your hanger + hang!

BIG FAT SNICKERDOODLE COOKIE RECIPE

A few weeks ago a super sweet and very talented friend Tina, brought over a plate of the most delicious Snickerdoodle cookies I have ever tasted. Huge + crunchy on the outside with an oh so nice soft center. At my family's request I asked for the recipe. Not only did she tell me where she got the recipe from, she brought over a recipe copy and a brand new X-Large ice cream scoop  [2.75oz|1/3 cup] necessary to get the Big Fat Cookie size and even shape ... She is such a sweetie xo

The kids are getting ready for school finals this week and what better comfort food is there to 'cope with the stress' than a crunchy + soft freshly baked cookie? I was so excited to try this recipe and my brand new scoop!

From Big Fat Cookies - Elinor Klivans p.73

INGREDIENTS

• 2 3/4 cups of unbleached all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) of vegetable shortening
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract

DIRECTIONS

Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 350F | 175C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a non-stick silicone baking mat.

Sift the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl and set aside. In a small bowl stir together 1/4 cup of the sugar + cinnamon: set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, vegetable shortening and remaining 1 1/2 cups of sugar until smooth and fluffy @ 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. Add the eggs, vanilla and almond extract and mix until blended, about 1 minute. On low speed, add the flour mixture, mixing just until it is incorporated. The dough will be soft and smooth.

Using an ice-cream scoop or a measuring cup with 1/4 cup capacity [ I used my 2.75 oz scoop = 1/3 cup] scoop out portions of dough. Roll each one between the palms of your hands into a smooth ball, roll each ball in the cinnamon- sugar mixture to coat evenly, and place the cookies 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake the cookies one sheet at a time until the bottoms + edges are golden @ 18 mins. The centers of the cookies should feel from on top and soft underneath - this indicates that the cookies will have the desired soft, slightly chewy center. Cool the cookies for 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then use a wide metal spatula to transfer them to a wire rack to cool thoroughly.

Makes 18 cookies...

This is also [Tina's] great gift idea for  family + friends. The Big Fat Cookie book + Ice-cream scoop!

* As an Aussie I am used to substituting caster or superfine bakers sugar in place of regular granulated white sugar, which I did in this recipe. While it should not make any difference in the batter texture, the granules do dissolve faster during the cooking process. The only difference that my boy's and I noticed was in the slight reduction in the crunch texture on the outside of our snickerdoodles!

** Note that when using a larger ice-cream scoop or cup unit of measurement, cooking time will increase. That being said, with smaller ice-cream scoop or cup unit of measurement, the cooking time will be reduced 

Please feel free to add your own 'go to' + favorite cookie recipes in the comments section ... I am always looking to add to our family collection of most loved cookie recipes! xo

I am linking this post to the following parties! Someday Crafts, Sugaranddots, Buns In My Oven, Ginger Snap Crafts, EllaClair Inspired

PRETTIE..SIMPLE DECORATIONS

One of my favorite things to collect is vintage wooden thread spools. They come in all shapes and sizes. I love the paper labels that usually remain on the top and bottom of the spool that are usually worn and have the most lovely hues....My mum and I guard our collections from each other obsessively!!

I love to dress up and display the spools on shelves and in vintage jam jars around the house, but, with the holidays coming up I just quickly decorated them with simple items I had on hand - vintage paper lace seam binding, bakers twine, glitter, paper music remnants and pipe cleaners. How do you display and decorate with some of your collections?!?!

Linking with : Laurianna's Vintage Home, Whipperberry, The French Country Cottage, Common Ground, Stuff & Nonsense

PRETTIE...BOO-TIFUL TREAT CUPS

This year is moving at a furious pace and I am feeling a little overwelmed with the approaching holidays. I found these fantastic wooden treat tasting spoons and thought they would go well with my Halloween tasting menu - now that our kids are too cool to "spook" we like to open our house to other Halloween "lonely" parents to help us distribute 400 + pieces of candy - which leaves no time to sit down and eat!!

These plain white drinking cups are the perfect size for chilli, soup, dips, apple cider, melon balls and ice-cream!

If all goes well I will do the same for our Christmas open house - substituting 'boo' for 'joy'.....Really restaurant supply stores are some of my most favorite places to shop! If you are looking for some cute treat tags click here for the download!

PRETTIE...VINTAGE PAPER FLOWER WREATH

My love of Vintage imagery is not just relegated to children's books, wrapping paper and gift cards from the late 1940's - early 1960's.....Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to find quite a few Vintage Sewing Patterns at my local Thrift stores.

Once I have scanned and cleaned up my favorite images....

I am left with quite a stash of often unused very pretty pattern paper.....which until recently I was unsure what to do with other than wrap a few choice goodies for friends with.

After making a few hundred paper flowers for my best friends wedding a year ago, (using this tutorial) and reams of purchased tissue paper - I had my "light bulb" moment. One thing let to another and my stash was quickly put to good use....I absolutely LOVE the random-ness of the printed directions and pattern pieces integrating with the kraft|brown.


One of my favorite crafting projects is to make one of a kind seasonal or celebratory wreaths which usually involve alot of tulle and/or tarnished glass christmas ornaments. For this wreath I decided to use a few (approx 120 - yikes!) of my Vintage pattern flowers and some Ivory tulle cut into 1 inch "ribbons" to make my now favorite and year round wreath.....


Basically I used about 40 of each flowers in 3, 3 1/2 and 4" sizes and tightly "packed" and hot glued them onto a 20" wire wreath frame in 3 layers. In between every 2 or 3 flowers I tied my tulle strips as a lite accent which also helped to "break" up the tone and texture of the pattern tissue paper.

The backside looks pretty messy and busy and I should have spray painted the wire frame a neutral ivory color but....hanging on the front of a decorative wall piece over my entryway mantle - no one can tell!

This entire project involved a significant time investment and the finished wreath is a substantial 24" in diameter ..... but it is a permanent fixture that has and will give me great pleasure and satisfaction for years to come. It is also used and loaned out (to worthy and carefully screened friends!) on occasion as a decorative accent for special events and celebrations. How lovely would a wreath similar to this look at your birthday party or wedding!?! Linking this project to: Tea Rose Home, Beyond the Picket Fence, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Whipperberry, Thirty Hand Made Days, The Shabby Nest, Common Ground, Farmhouse Friday, French Country Cottage

PRETTIE...DOILIES

A few weeks ago I was happy to send Melissa a few of my hand dyed doilies and ruffled seam binding as well as a few other vintage bits and pieces I had for a vintage inspired wedding photo shoot she was both styling and photographing. All I can say is wow! You can view more of her gorgeous and oh so chic photographs here! Not only am I thrilled to see how my doilies are eventually used but Melissa makes them look so good!

PRETTIE...VINTAGE WRAPPING PAPER

I spend alot of time here drooling over Vintage Wrapping Paper. My own collection is small but...growing! These are just a few of my favorite birthday paper images.

PRETTIE...VALENTINE INSPIRATION

Colors: Bold Red and White
Style: Sophisticated dinner party
Decor: Make the dining room glow with groupings of pillar candles, low profile table centerpieces of fresh red blooms, tie bows of red tulle on backs of chairs, scatter glittered red hearts and red table confetti, use bold red paper lanterns hanging from ceiling, have jazz playing in the background
Tableware: Best table settings (china, crystal and silver) white tablecloth with a shimmering red table runner with matching fabric napkins. Use votive candle place cards, print menu's and place on each plate setting
Food: Salad starter, Beef bourguignonne, Potato gratin, Roasted vegetables, berry torte with vanilla ice-cream, sparkling water and pomegranate juice, red wine, champagne and decaf coffee
Activities: Wine tasting or meal pairings
Favors: Iced red heart shaped cookies in cellophane bags tied with red satin ribbon

Colors: Shades of pastel pink and purple with red and white accents
Style: Dessert party
Decor: Pink or white tulle wreath centerpiece, pink and white blooms with vases lined with heart shaped sweet tarts, 3 or 5 large round pink or white balloons, hang a Valentines or Love garland in shades of pink and white, display paper cones in party colors filled with pink paper shred or candy samples
Tables: Buffett style - dessert bar, white table cloth with pink table runner, white plates, bundled pink linens/napkins wrapped with co-ordinating ribbon, quart sized milk bottle glasses, wine glasses, layered dessert plates, apothecary jars
Food: Cupcakes, color co-ordinated candy bar, savory and sweet finger sandwiches, strawberry shortcake, pink lemonade, strawberry milkshakes, champagne
Activities: Valentines bingo, Valentines trivia
Favors: Pink and white lollipops and candycanes - cello bags filled with cotton candy!

PRETTIE...BABY SHOWER FLASHCARDS

I was asked by a girlfriend to make up a Welcome Baby print and some vintage inspired flashcards to use as decorative accents and as little treats to give away to guests at her sisters gender neutral baby shower in a couple of weeks - It was a pleasure!

Download your copy here... Enjoy!

I am linking this project up with - WhipperBerry, TaterTots and Jello, Skip to My Lou - Made by you Mondays, Somewhat Simple

PRETTIE... VOTIVE CANDLES

I am trying to getting organized for the New Year and am taking stock of supplies that I have "on hand". I hate going to any get together empty handed and I thought these pretty votive candles simply embellished with color co-ordinated tape would make a "prettie original" hostess gift packaged in a cello or glassine bag topped with a hand dyed doily or just tied with a ribbon!.

The Japanese masking tape I purchased from here and the votive candles came in a bulk bag of 250 from Ikea...
I am linking this post to: Made by You Mondays, Making the World Cuter Mondays

PRETTIE...EMBELLISHMENTS #2

I have long been a fan of Julie Collings of The Adventures of Bluegirl xo. She is an extremely talented crafter and author who provides creative inspiration generously and in great detail. Her Etsy store is full of gorgeous vintage delights and eye candy - perfect for any of your packaging needs or party decor elements!

Please share any links that you have to some of your own favorite embellishments! xo

PRETTIE....INSPIRED #3 Golden Globes and Academy Awards

Now the holidays are officially over I am getting in gear for the "Awards Season" which is my not so secret guilty pleasure and a great opportunity to get together with the girls! These are 2 Inspiration Boards I put together and will use for planning each of the festivities!

For the Golden Globes (Jan 18th)

Colors Silver/White/Gold
Style Old Hollywood, Vintage Glamour - Elegant and Understated
Decor Balloons in theme colors, string lights, glittered garlands, flower bouquets, tinsel and glass ornaments, Hollywood inspired backdrop, framed pictures of Hollywood legends, paper lantern chandeliers
Tableware Set up as buffet style with movie inspired centerpieces (cut outs, vintage cameras/movie reels), linen table cloth or table runner, white cocktail plates, gold chargers for food presentation, shimmering gold or silver napkins, gold or silver utensils wrapped in tinsel or vintage white or ivory lace, vintage champagne glasses.
Food Finger-foods on served on white paper doilies or in silver cupcake liners, tiered plates of mini sandwiches, chicken skewers, mini quiches, fruit, petit fors, vanilla cupcakes, lemon bar bites, sparkling flavored water, white wine and champagne on ice.
Music Shuffled mix of old show tunes from movies and TV
Favors Rosettes, Movie Candy or caramel popcorn in glassine or cellophane bags embellished with tinsel and lace

For the Academy Awards (Feb 27)

Colors Black/Platinum/Red

Style Modern Movie Star - Simple and Sophisticated

Decor Balloons in theme colors, contemporary vases filled with fresh flowers in monochromatic colors, votive and perfumed candles, glass beaded garlands, sparkling ribbons and streamers

Tableware Set up buffet style with a movie inspired centerpiece or "oscar" replica, sleek fabric tablerunner, black and/or white cocktail plates, red chargers for food presentation, bundled black or red napkins, utensils wrapped together with satin or grossgrained ribbon, cocktail or martini glasses

Food Fingerfoods - filet of beef mini rolls, brushetta, antipasto plate, smoked salmon toasts, cheese plates, signature Hollywood cocktail mixes, sparkling red wine, red velvet cupcakes, rich chocolate cake bites or tarts and strawberries

Music Shuffled compilation of music from nominated movies

Activities Best Dressed, Oscar bingo and ballots

Favors Take home martini glasses with cocktail recipes, boxed chocolate truffles

CHRISTMAS...TRIVIA

Our Thanksgiving Trivia was a huge hit with all the kids and adults - the conversations and laughs that it spawned were priceless! Anyway my family wants more for Christmas! Be careful what you wish for......


Each printable sheet has 20 questions with answers. I made a sheet each for the kiddos and also for the hard core adult trivia buffs in our family. I cut some of my favorite 12 x 12" scrapbook paper (Cosmo Cricket) into printer friendly sizing (8.5 x 11" - insert blank side down) I printed the adult and kid version onto different papers so the kids wont get intimidated by some of the adult questions! All cut papers went into the mason jar, simply decorated with vintage paper lace wrapped around the bell jar. We are ready to go!

Download a copy here! Enjoy :)

CHRISTMAS GRANOLA GIFTS

My family and close friends and neighbors will be receiving this granola packaged and ready for Christmas Morning!

CHRISTMAS GRANOLA (makes @ 12 Cups or fills 2 1lb Coffee Tie Top Bags)

• 4 Cups of old fashioned rolled oats
• 2 Cups of sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 1/2 Cups of sliced raw almonds
• 1 1/2 Cups of cashews
• 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar
• 1/2 Cup of honey (or maple syrup)
• 1/2 Cup of vegetable oil
• 2 Cups of craisins
• 2 cups of semisweet milk chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
• Toss the oats, coconut, cashews, almonds and brown sugar together in a large bowl
• Wisk together the vegetable oil and honey (or maple syrup) in a small bowl
• Pour the liquids over the oat mix and stir with a spatula until all the mix is coated
• Pour half the oat mix onto each baking sheet
• Bake and stir occasionally every 5 - 10 mins until the oat mix turns a nice even golden brown (about 30 mins)
• Remove the mix from the oven and let cool, stirring occasionally
• Add the craisins and chocolate chips
• Store the granola in an airtight container until ready to eat or package

Play around with this recipe and add or substitute some of your own favorite ingredients!! I will be packaging the Christtmas Granola in Chinese Take out containers and in Coffee Tin Tie Top bags depending on the size of the family...

Gift tags can be printed out on cardstock or sticker paper and embellished with twine, ribbon, crepe paper or flowers..... download here!

PRETTIE..HOLIDAY & GIFT PLANNING

The internet is a fantastic tool! I only wish the onslaught of holiday catalogues and gift guides I have been inundated with in the mail (despite signing up here to have my name removed from their mailing lists....) looked half as enticing as these wonderful Digital Holiday collaborative and free E-Zines which include decorating and styling tips, menu guides, holiday party planning ideas and gift giving showcases!!

From Sweet Paul the Holiday 2010 Issue (don't forget to get lost in his lovely Spring and Fall 2010 issues as well!)

From Creature Comforts and the principle author of one of my favorite blogs - Nice Package..... is Gifted Magazine which includes some amazing tutorials on how to make your gift giving one of a kind!

The TomKat Studio has a shopping guide perfect for everyone on your list as well!

Rue Magazine has plenty of design, styling ideas to keep you busy decorating throughout the New Year too!
Happy browsing! If you know of any other great E-Zines that you would like to share please leave a link in the comment section! Happy Holiday Planning :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thanksgiving Illustration by Charlotte Byi and reproduced by Grandma's Attic

THANKSGIVING.... TRIVIA

Inspired by this post but looking for a few more challenging questions for the competitive adults in our brood. I came up with this pre dinner Thanksgiving Trivia quiz, the winner getting to get the first slice of chocolate pecan pie!

I am going to print out on cream colored linen bazil cardstock and place under the napkin at each place setting with little yellow golf pencils..... See how well you scored!! You can download yours here! After cutting at reference points each trivia card will measure 4.5 x 6.5".

Answers: 1-B (102), 2-C (1621), 3-C (3 days), 4-B (Horn of Plenty), 5-C (3,500), 6-B(North Carolina), 7-D (25mph), 8-A (Israel), 9-D (4 inches), 10-B (Lincoln)

PRETTIE...THANKS TAGS

Our family have so many reasons to give "Thanks" this year and we are especially grateful for the blessings and support of good friends and neighbors - especially when family is far away. I am going to help celebrate the season and say "thanks" to let them know in a small way that they are appreciated by all of us - by making this fabulous Dark Chocolate Bark (only 5 ingredients + you can freeze it for up to a month if you needed too!)

After the chocolate hardens I am going to break up into big chunks to put in cellophane bags and package inside these decorated Kraft gift boxes with this "thanks" tag - which you can use to give your own "thanks" to somebody special any time throughout the year...... Download here...

PRETTIE...GARLANDS

I have always loved streamers, garlands and bunting. They always project feelings of happiness, as well as sense of occasion. I love that they are appropriate for any celebration or event, that you can use them on packaging, in food and tabletop design as well as in your everyday seasonal decorating elements!

These stunning garlands are made from hand punched designer paper which have then been machine stitched together by Mara May - a very talented paper and scrapbooking crafter who also makes beautiful and one of a kind party hats too! The garlands are available here!

PRETTIE...MINI TUTORIAL..TREAT CUPS

I am thinking about the holiday season already....Neighbourhood gifts are a tradition and a lot of fun for the kids to deliver and receive. Traditionally I make some sort of ornament. This year I am going with white and soft pink so it can be displayed during Valentines and Spring (!?!) too. These would also make great shower, birthday or wedding treat/favor cups as well.

Equipment I used:

• Peat moss cups (mine are 1.5" at base and 2" high) from Home Depot
• Acrylic paint and paintbrush
• Crepe paper strip (1.5" x 36")
• Tinsel pipe-cleaners
• Bakers twine
• Fine cut paper shred
• Clothes pegs
• Glue Gun

Step 1 - Gather together all your supplies.Step 2 - Paint the inside and the outside of each peat moss cup with 2 coats of paint - let the paint dry thoroughly between each coat.Step 3 - Glue each end of the tinsel pipe cleaner separately on the inside of the peat moss cup approx 1/2" from the top, making sure that both ends are opposite each other. I let the glue cool down and "dry" for 20 - 30 seconds while steadying with my hand before I used the peg to hold the tinsel in place. The peg will help flatten the glue and the tinsel. Let dry.Step 4 - Remove pegs then gather your crepe paper strip to fit around the rim of your cup. (I used my sewing machine and gather stitched down the middle then pulled and bunched to the correct size) Fold your gathered crepe paper strip in half and glue at the stitch line (starting at one of the handles) to the top outside rim of your cup. Lightly glue a piece of bakers twine around the base of the gathered crepe paper (to help hide any irregularities!) Embellish with a little twine bow and the paper shred. Shape the pipe cleaner to the style of handle you would like your treat cup to have!

I am just going to wrap in a cellophane bag with a pink cardstock base and attatch a simple gift tag with some pink seam binding and deliver!