Homefront: Sparkly Sprinkles

 

This display started with my husband. When we packed up Christmas, he saved this mirrored disco ball type ornament because it cast prisms in the light. It hung around our mantle for a while, until it somehow ended up hanging from the blinds in our little kitchen window.

I loved the movie Pollyanna when I was a girl. I was always astounded by the prism wall of the crotchety old man, and how Pollyanna used those magnificent little crystals to bring warmth to that bitter old soul.

Well, I'm not particularly bitter, or crotchety or a man... but I do feel like I am an old soul at times.

Collecting antique glass apothecary bottles, bejeweling them with vintage rhinestones and adding vintage chandelier crystals to this window has brought a spark of joy to our day.

When the sun is at it's peak, we see thousands of little silver lights, and rainbow prisms dancing across the ceiling, floor and walls.

 

My son asks me to make the sparkles dance, so I lightly tap the blinds and off they go! One day, our whole window will be full of prisms, and the whole wall full of sparkly sprinkles.

Homefront: Something out of Nothing

I went a-garage sale-ing and found a huge pile of fake berries and such for about $5 (though the bag of awesome Christmas beaded garland was thrown out when I discovered it had a massive cat urine smell). When it came time to create some Thanksgiving centerpieces, I had plenty of stuff to use.

Only there wasn't much of any one kind of pick to pull any actual design concept together. By starting with a base of the berry garlands, and just working my way up, I think the little creations came out very sweet and festive indeed. 

~Arrangement 1~

 

a bunch of nothingness

a bunch of weird yellow things

pinecones and leaves are nice

a white feathered bird, glittered acorns and a feathered pick adds some balance

~Arrangement 2~

For the second arrangement, I'll spare you the details, but here is my "spread" of choices:

 

almost finished...

a nest, bird and some berries complete it (though, I wish I had cut off that weird daisy)

~Thanksgiving display, on my overcrowded bar~

 

  

  

fin. 

* yes, this post is 4 months overdue, but I had to write it so I could delete my pictures ;)  But, the concept here can apply to any season, with any type of riff raff you have strung around the place.  Nester also has some good advice and ideas on making a centerpiece with things you have.

Nutty Red Pepper Chicken Tortellini Recipe

I got the basics of this recipe from some magazine, but I changed it up a bit to make it a family favorite. It's quite easy, feeds a lot and relatively cheap. Add a side salad, maybe garlic bread sticks and some fresh fruit for a satisfying meal, that even most picky eaters will like.

Red Pepper & Green Bean Tortellini

Ingredients

1 pkg. cheese tortellini

4 chicken breasts, cut up in 1 3/4 inch pieces

2 TB olive oil

1 red bell pepper, julienned

1/4 chopped red onion (about 3/4 inch)

1/2 c chopped walnuts (adds a light crunch without a nutty taste)

1 can whole green beans (or use fresh)

1 pint heavy whipping cream

2 TB sour cream (optional)

2 cloves crushed garlic

sea salt, pepper, basil

Parmesan cheese for garnish/taste

Directions

Prepare cheese tortellini, drain, keep warm and set aside.

Heat  olive oil, then saute' garlic and onion on stove.

Add in red pepper, green beans and walnuts until tender.

Set aside.

Add chicken to pan & salt and pepper. Stir fry until done. Add in the nut/veggie mix to the chicken. Add heavy whipping cream, sour cream, basil and any other spices.

Bring sauce to a boil, then cover and simmer for approx 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally.

Remove covered pan to unheated surface and toss in cheese tortellini to coat.

Sauce will thicken as it stands.

Serve topped with a light sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, and freshly ground black pepper.

*ps, I'm not a stickler to cutting the exact sizes I mentioned, I make things a little small since I have toddlers, but you don't have to, (with the exception of onion, chopping too small will result in a very oniony taste).

*pss, I don't usually set the veggies aside then do the chicken. I usually mix the chicken in with the onions and garlic too, then add the rest of the veggies/nuts when the chicken is done, but sometimes, I like the veggies to be a little more pan seared. Either way works.

A Very Happy Unbirthday

design mind via house of turquoise

It was my son's birthday this past weekend and we of course, decorated for him. He wakes up every morning still thinking it's his birthday because some of the streamers are still up. I like giving him a little bit of excitement over holiday decorating magic, so I gradually take decorations down.

  

style files by styled by Sweet Paul

 

So, what kinds of party festivities can go year round, without being too party like? The above tree branch with ornaments, I believe is an old Christmas idea, but imagine changing the ornaments throughout the seasons. Starfish, little burlap or vintage fabric potpourri filled hearts, berry garlands, large chandelier prisms, hand sewn birds... so many easy and affordable options for a natural statement piece!

  family fun.go - streamer bed curtains

This streamer curtain idea wouldn't last longer than a few hours in my home, but maybe your little girl (or craft office space) could use a little sprucing! Wouldn't it look lovely in pales shades of creme, white and soft grey?  It is super cheap and takes minutes, instructions here.  ps, love the unicorn picture, haven't seen anything like that since the 80's, I'm pretty sure it says "Believe Your Dreams"!

 

style me pretty - more photos from this gorgeous wedding shoot here!

You don't need to be having a wedding to enjoy colorful table linens, fresh flowers and a few colorful party pom mobiles hanging above. Besides, fresh strawberries are a joy to munch on for any day. A little color, polka dots and table scape ingenuity can make a blah day, seem a little more exciting.

Twilight Inspired Designs Shop

Amazingly, I have my new Twilight Inspired Jewelry shop {mostly} set up... and it took only 2 days to do it! Feel free to check it out, and I would love some critiques, if the layout is understandable to navigate and such. Really though, I think my tag line I came up with last minute is my favorite part ;)

"jewelry for your inner vamp"

I will be retiring the line once my supplies are gone, so moving it to it's own little place was the best so I can focus more on my vintage inspired jewelry shop. Jeweled Ambrosia is heading into a new direction and I'm so excited!

Mahna Mahna and the Snowths

This is the all consuming project I was in the midst of during our move and during the holidays. It was a pain and a joy all at the same time, kind of like giving birth, without the tearing and diapers. Our family has always been a fan of the Snowths and Mahna Mahna trio, so when the opportunity arose to make them, I decided to take it. I've been asked to do it before, but always turned it down, so I wanted to challenge myself this time.

It was one of those things that I miss dearly, but will never do it again unless I got paid millions of dollars to do it. Actually, maybe not, I learned tricks so a second round would go easier, but the execution and planning in the beginning is quite stressful. Though if I ever did attempt these guys again, I would do puppets, not dolls.

My sister came the last night to help me do some machine sewing for the bodies, since sewing machines terrify the crap out of me, and another friend helped me sew up the arms and legs in the beginning, b/c the thought of hand sewing 6 arms and 6 legs gave me an anxiety attack. So thanks for helping me keep my sanity!!

 

Getting very tired, very very sore, very... covered in fur...

My husband found a sign of life in the small crack of a smile through my hair. He's goofy and sweet.

In any case, I was quite sad to see these dolls go. My husband and I made a quick little video so we could always remember their awesomeness. If only we had more time to play with them before I shipped, but they needed to go asap as they were for a birthday present. I  hope you enjoyed my process, the creation of the Jim Henson sensational Muppets inspired Mahna Mahna and his two Snowths!!

*don't let the song get stuck in your head ;)

"Mahna Mahna, Do doo be-do-do, Mahna Mahna, Do do-do do, Mahna Mahna,
Do doo be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do-doodle do do do-doo do!"

Do doo be-do-do,

Red and Turquoise {not so} Valentine's Amazingness

valentine handformed paper mache' folk art valentine crows- indigo twin

It is still winter, and Valentines is right around the corner, yet I still haven't come to terms with Christmas being over. So many things I didn't have a chance to do, but that's life, and my blog is my happy place, so here it goes. This post is about marrying holidays and  taking something gracefully from one season, to the next.

jen johner blog pom wreath

 I'm a sucker for wreaths, and one that can transcend time and theme makes me weak. Originally a cheerful Christmas wreath, this can be remade in different colors for any happy occasion or season of the year. Tutorial on making the yarn poms poms HERE. Once the poms are made, just glue, tie or wire them on, and top the wreath with a bow and ribbon for hanging

.

 

gingerbread house perch treats tutorial - not martha

Whilst gingerbread houses fall in the Christmas season, a warm and happy home is a year round goal. Add a little heart candy to the rooftop for a Valentine's sweet, or pipe on their initial, and give your special someone a warm cup of cocoa.

*psstttt... my dear aunt (the one who made my slipcovered pillows) started a blog. She's a very hardworking mom to 5 children and a pro seamstress that makes the most delicious children's clothing and pinafores while  she is not working on costume design. Check her blog out at Twigs Kids!