DIY Popsicles

Summer is a perfect time to DIY with the kids.  Their little hands love to be hands on.  Some projects can vary depending on their age.  I love mixing food and fun with DIY. 

Thanks to Zipzicle for sending samples for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

My daughter loves to get in the kitchen.  She is always asking to help.  She grabs her step stool and get right in there.  I love that she wants to learn.  Today's lesson is how to make DIY popsicles.

Our first step was to gather our fresh ingredients.  In the summer, we love to make cucumber water and agua de pepino.  Both make refreshing drinks.  It also happens to be one of my daughter's favorite.  Did you know by definition that a cucumber is considered a fruit?

Ingredients-

1 cucumber

2 cups of water

2 limes

sugar

Wash your cucumber.  Cut cucumber into smaller pieces.  I usually cut them into 8 long pieces.   Throw the cucumber in the blender.  I do half of the cucumber with 1 cup of water at a time.  My blender is not that big.  Blend all cucumber pieces and water.  Place the juice in a pitcher.  Cut lime in half and squeeze lime juice into the pitcher.  Add sugar to your liking.  I added to sugar and kept tasting.  I only add enough to give it a small sweet taste.  Mix all ingredients.

  

Now you are ready to fill the Zipzicle ice pop molds.  Make sure to continue to mix your juice so that you can an even blend of juice when filling each pouch.  I recommend using a pitcher with a small spout enough to be able to fit around the opening of the pouch.

My daughter loved being the taste-tester.  She was able to push buttons and make the blender go wild.  She also enjoyed mixing and pouring.  But what she enjoyed most was the final product.  It is the perfect way to stay cool this summer.

For more information, go to zipzicles.com.

Valentines DIY Treat Bag

Valentines Day is tomorrow.  It is a holiday celebrated in the schools, daycares, and super sold on TV land.  Growing up my parents were too busy to think of DIY, Pinterest, or even wasting money buying gifts for a pagan holiday.  Gifts do not have to cost you an arm and a leg.  They can be small but made with love.  You don't want your kids to feel left out.    

I like to give thoughtful gifts. It means more to me to put some thought into it. Valentine's Day is no different. It is supposed to be a day where we show each other how much we love one another. I know some people will say things like:

"I love you everyday, not just one day" - but do you show me everyday?  Do you tell me?  Do you appreciate me?  Do you make me feel special in any way?

"The stores made up this holiday to get people in the stores" - You don't have to buy my love.  You just have to show me.  Hugs, time spent together, game night, movie night, something special or different than the normal routine.  We get to caught up in routines and schedules.

Anyway.  Whatever reason you may or may not celebrate, those are yours and yours alone.  I wanted my loved ones to feel special this day.  This is what I did for them.  I made goodie bags.  I personalized each one for each person and I spent under $20.

I went to the store the other day and noticed that V-day cards were $4.99 and higher.  Stuffed animals were at least $5 each.  The decorative bags-don't even get me started on those.  So I decided to make my own bags.  I bought most of my items at the dollar store.  I bought white paper bags.  They were 3 for $1.  I decorated each side and personalized it for each of my loves.

 Dad got a cupid's arrow.   I did 4 hearts-representing each family member.

 The goodies in my daughter's bag are a few of her favorite items.  I also gave her a heart puzzle that was specially made for her by a friend.  No cost.

 My son's goodies went over budget and broke the bank.  Sometimes you just have to splurge a little. The back of his bag has a poem I made up all by myself.  I am no poet but it came from the heart.

 My daughter is small and does not have money.  The teen probably has money but didn't think to buy us anything, I am assuming from previous experience.  I decided to make DAD a bag from them.  I picked a cute card that was 2 for $1.  I also found useful things for him, and favorite candy.

This is nothing big.  It is the thought that counts.  Plus a way to someone's heart is through their tummy.  Candy counts as food, right?  The dollar store has so many great things.  They also have toys.  You can put toys, books, or clothes in your kids' bags.  They have bigger bags for 2 for $1 or $1 bags that you can fit lots of goodies into.  You know your loved ones better than anyone else.

So if you are still looking for an idea or want to give your littles extra goodies, head to your nearest dollar store who knows what you will find. 

Wordless Wednesday-2015 Christmas Chalkboard Wall

Wordless Wednesday-Miercoles Mudo - Fireplace Chalkboard Wall

Bridal Shower DIY

A bridal shower is one of the special moments you as a bride-to-be gets to share with your ladies.  Your wonderful friends surprise you and it is a wonderful time of laughs and joy to kinda take you away from all the chaos going on before the wedding.  But throwing a bridal shower at work can be a little tricky.  One of our dear co-workers is getting married this month.  We decided to throw her a bridal shower at work.  We wanted it to be a surprise and also make it special just for her.  Her wedding colors are purple and silver.  One of the things we found that we all agreed on for the decorations was keeping it classy.  We searched Pinterest, the internet, and blogs for ideas.  We kinda knew what we wanted and so we decided to come up with our own design with the colors chosen.  We decided to decorate her office and make her space so special for her.  It would be a mini party space for the ladies and a big surprise for the bride-to-be to walk into that morning.  This is how we made it special and our DIY tips.

1)  Door Sign-This is an 8 X 10 door sign that is printed on regular paper.  Then glued to a piece of corrugated and taped to the door.  Our bride-to-be's future last name is Taylor so the Taylor made just made sense.  Do you see the purple's we used?  I like the two tone contrast.

2)  Window Curtains and Window Signs-We custom made these signs to cover the exact size of her windows so that she could not see what was inside.  We used white table cloths as valances.

3)  Picture Frames-These picture frames are already hanging in her office.  We replaced her pictures with 8 X 10 pictures printed on regular paper with the theme we are using.  This brought the room together and it added the tough of color we needed.

4)  Chalkboard sign-This is what is so popular right now at weddings and parties.  This is custom made but it is so easy to do.  All you need is a chalkboard, chalk, and letter stencils.  Draw out your wording and then use the chalk to trace it over.  So easy and inexpensive.

5)  Chandelier-We gave the room a spark of girlyness by adding a chandelier.  This is made with corrugated.  It is sprayed with silver glitter.  By the way make sure if using canned spray to do it in an area that will be safe for you to work on.  This can actually exploded when being used.  We were the 1% of people that this probably happens to, lol.  Purple ribbon was used to hang it.  The purple hearts and wire string are the pretty things hanging off of it.  You can add your own sparkle depending on your theme or colors.

6)  Hanging Picture Signs-I actually bought these thinking the example on the picture is what they looked like but I was wrong.  When I opened this package it was 3 pieces of paper, 3 strings, and 1 chalk.  So this is easy to make.  Just use construction paper, chalk, ribbon or fish wire, and print your own pictures.

7)  Mum-A special mum was made for the bride-to-be.  This is easy.  You can purchase all the items at a craft store.  You need a big flower, ribbons, glitter pens, letters, and other decorative items wanted to be added.  The craft stores sometimes have kits already with the starter kit you may need.  You can find it in the homecoming section right now.

8)  Water bottle or wine signs-These can be easily printed on 8 X 10 paper.  We took the branded paper of the water bottles and put our own signs on them to decorate and personalize the waters.  I used clear tape to kinda laminate them.  You can also use this method when icing down the waters in the coolers.  We also made the same sign bigger to add the the wine candle bottle.  I received that wine candle bottle for Christmas.  Have no idea where they purchased it from but I have had it there and had not used it.  It was perfect for this occasion.

 

9)  Bride Bag-We decided to make a special bag for our bride because there was not one that clearly said what we wanted it to say.  Sometimes that is exactly where DIY projects come from.  There is a need for an item, so you have to create it.  Our special bag said "Always A Bridemaid, Today A Bride!"  Someone had a bag they had received but never used.  So we added our own spin to that bag.

We also printed extra pictures and had them all over her office.  The other windows were decorated with a large purple valance draped down.  For decorative purposes we added white flowers and ribbon to each loop.  Also, in the last pictures you might be able to see the wine glass.  I purchased this but all it said was bride and it was white.  We added some stars to it and it came out perfect.  Lastly the last person who got married brought her Bachlorette sign, crown, and feather boa.  This is believed to be a sign of good luck.  Passing the luck from one bride to another.

Snow White Birthday Party

So I decided to throw my daughter a Snow White themed 1st birthday party.  I did my research by looking online to see what I could find.  I had went to stores and looked but Disney does not make Snow White party items only for the Princess all-together.  And if I found Snow White, she was in the background.  So I had to get a little creative with my party.  Check out my daughter's 1st birthday pics:

I had the seven dwarfs made out as cut outs.  We attached them to stakes and put them in the entrance.  Also if you look way down, there is the entrance to the seven dwarf cottage including a mini door that all the guests had to come in through.

My friend made her this wreath that said Princess Gia!

A magic mirror at the entrance.  I also had a photo album with pictures of her in a Snow White costume.  I had a basket full of apple.

We had salad, veggies, mushrooms, candy apples, candy apple lolli pops, rice krispie apples, red velvet cupcakes, and a Snow White cake, and pinata.

The favor bags for the little girls were felt apple bags I found at Target.

It was alot of work but the party turned out great.  I used the red, blue, and yellow colors everywhere.  I also printed 8 X 10 pictures of her and used them as decorations, thanks to Walgreens free 8 X 10s.  I found cute little forks and spoons at Party City that come in multi colors.  The menu was simple: salad, chicken salad, chicken salad sandwiches, 7 layer dip serve in small cups for individual serving portion, and chips.  The desserts also were joined by rock candy, ring pops, pixie sticks, and chocolate covered pretzels.

My Kitchen Makeover

I am going to share my kitchen makeover with you to show some of you doubters like my husband that it can be done.

6 years ago, I moved in to my brand new house.  It was perfect.  New paint, new doors, new everything.  But over the years, it started getting worn out.  We had parties, and gatherings.  Our walls took a toll.  I told myself I wanted to paint the house.  I even picked the colors but never had the guts to actually do it.  I told myself at year 5, I would actually do it.  Then what happened I was pregnant.  My husband takes a little encouraging, so he was only able to do the nursery and my son's room last year.  So with this year coming to an end I decided we were not waiting one more day.  See a couple of months ago, I visited Karen from Design with Your Dime In Mind.  She opened her doors and showed us how beautiful her home was.  She had done some great ideas.  One of the ideas she had done, I had only thought of doing but was always scared to do.

Chalkboard paint.  I have always liked chalkboard paint and the many uses.  The above picture is her kitchen-yes-chalkboard paint wall.  You know you think of ideas in your head but when you see them come to life, it is awesome, and for me this meant it was do-able.

Here were some of my inpirations, items I already had in my kitchen that made me decide on what to do and what colors to pick:

1st item is a chalkboard/pushpin board that has hooks for keys.
2nd item is the curtains I purchased when I first moved in.  I like the color combination.
3rd item that is not pictured is my EAT sign that was a burgundish color.
So the wall colors picked were red and chalkboard black.  Once we painted, I rearranged items, used items in the kitchen, and/or repurposed.  I do not have a before picture because I wasn't planning on sharing but after the makeover came out so well, I had to share.

I decluttered the area above my kitchen cabinets.  I had so much junk above there.  We also painted my EAT sign black so you could see it on the red walls.  I am very happy with this space now.  I really love the color combination I did.  I think the chalkboard paint on the opposite wall from this picture really goes well.  I do not have a picture of that wall as it is getting prepped for my daughter's 1st birthday.  I will share the pictures then!

What do you think?  Is your kitchen a bold color?  Is there anything you would do different?  Any suggestions?