My 2012 DIY List

I have so many projects that I really want to do... and that was before Pinterest came into my life. The list gets bigger and bigger every day but unfortunately time is not on my side. Or perhaps it's that I waste what little time I do have, honestly that is probably more the case. I love the satisfaction I get when I finish a project & when I save the money making something myself. I also love to share ideas and how to's so I thought that if I shared my projects here that I may be more likely to complete them and share with you.
Here's my current list of "want to do's", I'm sure I'll edit and add as the days go by but for now this is what is bouncing around my head.... it's a very busy head with lofty, lofty goals. I have included a few images I found on Pinterest that made me happy.
My DIY Project list for 2012:
- valentine decor (hearts to hang, love garland)
- make a heart pillow
- make a "love" pillow
- make a stripe pillow for our bed (bought the fabric today)
- paint a tree on Anna's bedroom wall
- redecorate Anna's room (garlands, Pom poms, pillows, name banner)
- quilt for our bed
- add hooks to old window frame

Source: emilyaclark.blogspot.com via Nadine on Pinterest

- measuring board for Anna

Source: sewmuchsunshine.blogspot.com via Nadine on Pinterest

- make fabric covered bulletin board
- make owl painting
- "I Love You because..." picture frame

Source: witandwhistle.com via Nadine on Pinterest

- Make a quote pillow
- make a T-shirt scarf

Source: yougogirl.typepad.com via Nadine on Pinterest

- make an owl
- plant a herb garden
- make a tutu for Anna for Valentine's Day

Source: alainnotebook.com via Nadine on Pinterest

- make a heart in the snow and take a picture
- make a "you are my sunshine" art piece
- make a ruffle canvas tote
- make a frame with chicken wire or a chalk board
- scrapbook 5 layouts a month.... This seems attainable without being overwhelmed by deadlines (have only completed one, have 5 days left)

I promise to keep you posted with my progress. What is on your DIY wish list?
xo

Be done with the rest

Source: this-is-glamorous.tumblr.com via Nadine on Pinterest

Project Life Week 3

Love this project. Seriously love! I get to do something creative for myself each week. I haven't done this much for myself in ages! Feels good. Here is a look at Week 3...

The weather here this past week was so bitterly cold! For 4 days straight the temperature was -30 degrees Celsius, with the windchill it reached the -40's!! The coldest day time temperature was -44 degrees Celsius! During the day! I don't even want to know the overnight temperatures! Are you kidding me?? They warned on the news that exposed skin would freeze within 2 minutes! Needless to say we didn't leave the house too much! We bundled up, cuddled under blankets and tried to stay warm. We get weather like this at least once a year but it's always like the first time each time it happens. Brrrr.

Page one: I decided to add in some sticker & chipboard words this week. I was needing to embellish and this did the trick.

We went to the Pet Expo on Saturday and I wanted to include the brochure. I placed it in a 8x8 page protector, trimmed off the excess and sewed it up with my machine. I also used a card collector page protector for a bunch of Pet Expo pictures.

On the reverse side of the Pet Expo pictures I placed a group of Mumbo Jumbo pictures and notes. I am the only mom there taking photos each week, they probably think I'm crazy but someday they'll wish they had more photos. 

This is Anna's craft from Mumbo Jumbo. It was oversize so I created another custom page protector. I placed the art in a 12x12 page protector, trimmed off the excess and sewed up the opening. Perfect.

Page 2: I wanted to include the story about our little car crash and decided to journal right on the picture. I like how it turned out. No worries, everyone is all okay and hopefully the quote to fix it won't be outrageous.

My favorite Anna thing for Week 3.



what's for dinner tonight?

This here is my new discovery: Butternut Squash pasta sauce. Ridiculously delicious. I found it here in Edmonton at Costco and can not have enough on hand. I make a super easy, super yummy cannelloni with it and wanted to share:

What you'll need:
-Sauce
-Cannelloni noodles (I use oven express)
-cottage cheese- 250ml tub
-large can of canned chopped tomatoes- most of the juice drained (I think it's 28oz)
-herbs: oregano & basil
- shredded cheese; I use mozza, old cheddar and parmesan

- In a bowl mix the cottage cheese, tomatoes and herbs.

- Line bottom of baking dish with a thin layer of sauce.

- Pull hair back to make wings. Not totally necessary but it's a good look.

- Take noodles and using hands, stuff each full of your cottage cheese mixture. Get messy.

- Line up noodles as you go in baking dish.

 - Pour remaining sauce over your stuffed noodles.

- Top with cheese. I use cheese in the excess, pile on at your own discretion.

- Bake at 350'C for approximately 45 min. 

You can make so many substitutions to this dish. I sometimes add spinach and onions to the cheese mixture. I used to make this with regular tomato based pasta sauce and it was also delicious. I usually have these 3 cheeses on hand but have made it with just mozza before and it's great, you definitely don't need all three. Want to make it more delicious (and fattening)? I make an alfredo sauce (from a package) and pour over the tomato sauce before I add the cheese. Mmmmm.

Enjoy!

xo

today: new discoveries

 alphas: American Crafts, hemp: May Arts, papers and embellishments: My Mind's Eye

Pin It

I finally have some scrapbooking to share with you, I think it's been months (maybe not quite) since I made a layout for myself. I used My Mind's Eye's January sketch challenge to inspire me here and I LOVE it. What else do I love? These papers, the kraft & the color = fabulous! (click the link to see the sketch)

I have a recipe to share so hopefully I'll be back today but I have a hot date with my husband tonight and a to do list a mile long... so we'll see.

Have a wonderful Sunday friends!

xo

Source: weheartit.com via Nadine on Pinterest

Project Life Week 2

I am loving this project! I am keeping up with jotting down notes for each day & I am not stressing out if I don't have a photo from each day. The only thing that is a bit of a pain and inconvenient for me- sending my photos out to be printed. I edit them through out the week, send them out Saturday night and pick them up on Sunday, it's a bit hectic. I may have to figure out a better plan for that & buying a good printer is not in my cards right now.
Here is week 2...

Project Life- Week 2

I have so many pictures from this week. I had such a hard time trimming back to make room for notes so I added in little journaling spots on a some of the pictures. This way I could keep my pictures and have my notes.

 I added in an 8.5 x 11 page protector to hold Anna's first from Mumbo Jumbo.

Anna started Mumbo Jumbo & swimming this week, these are our first registered programs and I was so excited. There were too many photos to choose from and I couldn't bare to cut any. I added in another 12x12 page protector (design F from Becky Higgins) to hold pictures from Mumbo Jumbo on one side & swimming on the other.

Swimming

My favorite Anna thing for week 2.