Please Remove Your Shoes Mod Podge Tutorial

If you've been to Ladycrafter14 before then you have already seen this lovely little picture and "friendly reminder" as I called it.  I got to thinking one day... (rarely happens anymore)... it probably isn't the best idea to have a framed picture hanging right near an entrance to my home.  Kids slam doors frequently and I was just asking for broken glass to clean up.  Then it occurred to me that I could mount this puppy with Mod Podge (aka: a girl's best friend).  Here is what I did.

Obviously you'll first need a photo or signage or something... if you want to use mine I'll share a link at the end of the post. (just pretend these 8 little precious feet belong to you:)

 Next, you'll need a piece of scrap wood. (or if your husband isn't around, steal a beautiful piece of oak that probably isn't scrap, but is the perfect size... haha)

Below shows the beautiful oak painted black with two generous coats off black craft paint.

Choose a trendy piece of scrapbook paper and cut slightly smaller than your wood.

Generously coat the wood with mod podge and then apply the scrapbook paper.

Using a scraper or credit card smooth out the paper and try to get any air bubbles pushed out.  Allow to dry for an hour or so.

I like the distressed look, so I took some sand paper to the edges, but this is optional.

Distress Ink is a must for any serious crafter; found at Hobby Lobby.

Rub a little, or a lot on your sanded edges.

To apply the picture, coat the entire thing with Mod Podge again.

Using the scraper, smooth the picture out and make sure to get as many air bubbles out as you can. Allow to dry for an hour or so.

Coat the entire surface (picture, paper, and wood edges with Mod Podge.) Try to put a very even coat on with your brush strokes going all the same direction.  At first it will look cloudy, but it dries clear)

Lastly I chose to hang it with ribbon.  This I fastened on with staples... also a girl's best friend:)  You could also drill holes and thread ribbon or wire through.

Hang outside or right in your entry way for that "friendly reminder" that helps keep your OCD in check:)

I love the edges!

Happy crafting!  Click HERE if you want to borrow my picture of the feet:)

Candy Corn Sugar Cookies...Yummoooo!

I am barely getting this post up before the "Halloween Season" is over but these are so fun and cute and good!  Read on to see how!  and thank you Kathie Cooks and Pinterest for this idea!

Sugar cookie crusts:

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

3 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

5 1/2 cups flour

In a mixer, cream butter and sugar, and then add eggs and vanilla. Add sour cream. Combine salt, soda, and flour, and add to mixture. Create a formed uniform ball and knead a few times adding flour to keep mixture from being sticky.  Divide the dough into three equal parts.  Using food coloring knead yellow into one ball and orange into another.  Create a layered brick as seen below.

Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Cut into slices about 3/8 of an inch thick.

Next is the fun part... make pretty little triangles.

Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. I like them a little doughy so maybe longer for others?

Enjoy and try not to eat 10 per sitting:)



Take better photos with kitchen supplies

I must admit that I used to be cheap and tried to take my own "professional" pictures. Unfortunately for my husband and my bank account I'm not all that cheap anymore, but the good news is I have an, "I can do that(about everything)" complex... so I'm still attempting to take my own "professional" pictures.  The below picture is straight out of my camera.  No edits, nothing, nada!

 How to???

Supplies:

• freezer paper
• tape
• tin foil
• cookie sheet or cutting board

Instructions:Cover a cookie sheet or cutting board or cardboard with tin foil.  This will be your light reflector.  In a big window or patio door tape up a long sheet of freezer paper.  Position your photo subject on the paper with the diffused light shining in.  Use your "reflector" to bounce more light onto the subject.  Get as close to the subject as you can with both the reflector and your camera.

 Below I used one of my fall decor items to hold up my "reflector."

 God Bless America... now I can take beautiful pictures of all the crap I'm selling on Etsy:)

Above is one of the ruffled camera strap covers I photographed using this same technique.  If you don't Pinterest then you will think I'm some sort of genius.  If you do... you may have viewed another "helping tutorial" at Handmade Spark which is where the idea/inspiration for this post came from.

New to this site or Pinterest?  Click HERE to follow me on Pinterest.

Book Review of The Help

From the Amazon.com website "...set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. "

This may be my first and last book review but this book consumed most of my time last week and therefore I must comment.  The issues within this story will stick in your mind for days after reading.

This book was so well written I felt like it had to be a true story.  It is actually fiction but based on real historical events.

On a scale of 1-10, I give it a 10 for sure!!!

Very good book and it was Kathryn Stockett's very first novel.  Bravo!

Baby Slings and Things!

Wondering where all the posts are???
Me too... but I have been busy and I have decided that since Christmas is coming and I love creating I am  re-opening my Etsy Store and I am selling a couple things that I have made.  Please note that some things I'll probably make as they are ordered and therefore things may take more than a week to ship, but if you have ever shopped Zulily that will seem super speedy...lol.  Below is a preview of the things the Shop offers. 

I made my sister-in-law model for me last week and little Millie too.  Amber could definitely be a model!

The slings are custom made to fit.

Another thing in the store are these cute ruffled DSLR camera strap covers.  The perfect gift for the family photographer. (haven't listed these yet but they are coming this week)

I have custom prints and typography gifts.. 

Photo editing for a fee is another service of my Etsy Shop.

Another thing added this week are these adorable tie onesies available in several prints. (coming this week)

There you have preview of what I'm up to and so enjoy browsing my now up and running Etsy store!



Pinterest Anyone???

So everyone and their dog probably knows about Pinterest now.  If you don't beware... you spend hours and hours of your life "pinning" and that is time you'll never get back, EVER!  As much as I hate Pinterest, I absolutely LOVE it!  It is a great place for inspiration, style, and my favorite, humor.  Here are just a few of the funny things I've found. 

 White Trash Barbie... should this even be funny?... uhm yes it is!  I love the beer under the cart and the fact that she is pregnant and smoking... terrible!

 Say "my butt hurts" and then say "what?" out loud... it is way funnier.

 Seriously gross, but funny!

 If babies could talk:)

I love the costumes... oh how I would pay to see my little girl and husband try this one.
If you have a few minutes and what to read a funny but true little post about facebook check out Becca at The Texas Darlings.
Enjoy the day, have a laugh, and if you want check out the rest of my Pinterest Boards.

The Tenley Jo Show

Angie, don't show Ten these pictures... she'll be ticked if she knows we got some cute ones:)...lol What a beautiful family!

 Sorry the above one turned out blurry... darn it... I tried to sharpen as best I could!

 Thanks for the laugh Derek!