Pinteresting for the Win!

I've mentioned in the past how great we think Pinterest is. You get to share all the amazing things on the internet, and also have a quick (and visual) way of finding the links again! So I've been inspired to do a few of the things I've pinned which have turned out surprisingly well...unlike the ones over at CraftFail (seriously- so funny).

First up we have baked avocado fries. I'm a fan of anything with avocado, and especially of something that tastes deep fried but isn't. My friend Jessica and I made this before another one of her viewing nights of the Bachelor (don't judge us) and were pleasantly surprised how tasty they turned out - and they were super easy! We spritzed a bit of lemon juice on them after they were done baking and sprinkled on Parmesan, and it added that little extra flavor. Find the easy and delicious recipe here.

pictures from the original recipe

and ours! I think ours look even better than the original.

they tasted as good as they look!

Next up we have Nutella Pound Cake. Today is Valentine's Day and instead of getting my boyfriend some lame card that he wouldn't care about anyway, I baked him something since we all know the way to a man's heart is through is...tongue I suppose? Anyway, I looked to Pinterest for "pinspiration" (har har har) and didn't have to look far....nutella pound cake.

Side story: Nutella is from Germany, where my family is from. We used to bring over several jars when I was younger and when I would bring Nutella sandwiches to school, everyone would be all "Ewwww, chocolate on bread? That's sick!"   ...flashforward 14 years and everyone just can't get enough of it. I was a trendsetter even back in 2nd grade.

...moving on. So Nutella poundcake it was for this year's VDay present. The recipe is pretty straight forward - find it here. We just cut into it and it is delicious. A perfect combination of crunchy, chocolatey and ...pound cakey. You know what I mean!

The original - they used mini pound cake pans.

Mine - we used a normal sized pound cake pan

I was concerned about the "blackened" Nutella but the crunchiness actually really adds to it.

Have you had success recreating your Pinspirations? Or are you about ready to submit a post to CraftFail?

If you are interested in following me on Pinterest and seeing all the things I pin (yummy food, pretty clothes, puppies), you can find me here!

Life Is A...

I think my mom's greatest craft ability is transforming something boring and dull into something so unique and special. This table offered nothing to a room, but with some acrylic paint and mosaic, it becomes a center point. How cute are all of the little creatures?

Dad helping with the polishing

Giveaway Winner!

We have a winner for our recent giveaway! Thank to everyone who entered! Our winner is:

kimandshaun

Congrats! Email me at fhasselhof@gmail.com with your contact information!

Tutorial: JCrew inspired Bracelet

I've been seeing this great big diamond bracelet all over the blogosphere. I finally found out that it is a JCrew bracelet, and will set you back over $100. I may be making the "big bucks" now at my first real person job, but...not that big of bucks. So I became resourceful and made my own! I love the way it turned out, and it was super easy.

 Top: the inspiration (seen here)

Bottom: the homemade version

 Step 1: Supplies. This only required 3 things, all found at your local craft store: 8-10 large diamond buttons, a lobster clasp, and jump rings (these are 6 mm). Total cost: $15.  You will also need a pair of pliers.

 

 I laid out my supplies with an already made bracelet so I knew how long I would want it to be.

Step 2: Attach the jump rings to the lobster clip by simply opening the ring up enough to slip it onto the clip. I added 4 rings until I added the first button.

Step 3: Attach button.

Step 4: Add 3 more jump rings, add another button, and keep going until the bracelet is as long as you want it to be. Then add enough jump rings at the end so you can put it on. Done! Super easy, only takes ~20 mintues, and you save yourself $100+.

P.S. Only 3 days left to enter the giveaway? Enter here!

Tutorial: Window Pane Jewelry Board + our first Giveaway!

I know I've mentioned my jewelry board before but I just really love it! Both Viktoria and I have one, but it was time that Karoline got one as well. My mom made one for her 16th birthday, and documented the process. Make sure to read to the bottom to see our first giveaway!

before and after

Step 1: Find your window pane. This one was found in our barn.

Step 2: This window pane still had all of the glass in it, so it had to be removed. A screwdriver, hammer and sandpaper was used to remove the glass. Once the glass has been removed, sand down the wood. It doesn't have to be perfect (so you can keep that vintage look!) but just enough so you can paint it.

Step 3: Paint the frame. It took 3 coats to get the kind of coverage needed. (P.S. how funny is that old shower curtain used as a backdrop for painting?)

Step 4: You will need a piece of wood that is the same size of your picture frame. You can have this cut at any place that sells wood. A piece of burlap is cut about an inch wider on each side, and then stapled onto the wood. Burlap was used since it adds texture without being distracting like a patterned piece of fabric would be.

Step 5: At this point you will be combining the wood and the window pane. This requires a bit of planning ahead because you can use longer screws so that they can also be used for the pulls to be attached to the front.

Step 6: Add the pulls and hooks. You can use any assortment of pulls - my mom usually uses a mix of vintage thrifted pulls, and store bought ones. DIY silk flowers were glued onto the corner (tutorial to come!)

Step 6: Attach a hanger to the back, and hang up! I love the way this turned out, especially how the headbands are incorporated!

The button earring frame was hooked to the bottom of this frame.

GIVEAWAY: We are giving away one button earring picture frame! All you have to do is become a follower or like us on facebook, and leave us a comment telling us how you follow us! Giveaway ends Friday, 3 February 2012.

Tutorial: Homemade Earrings Frame

It is Karoline's 16th birthday tomorrow! And to keep with the homemade presents, here is another quick and easy step by step tutorial on how to make your own earrings frame. This would look great next to my jewelry frame!

Step 1: My mom found a simple frame at Vinny's, and painted it white with several coats of acrylic paint.

Step 2: Hot glue buttons onto the frame. This frame got all white/cream buttons, but you can use whatever colors you want!

Step 3: Cut a square piece of plastic mesh that fits exactly into the picture frame. Then cut a piece of burlap that is about 1 inch wider on each side, so that when you lay the plastic mesh on top of the burlap, there is about 1 inch of burlap on each side.

 Step 4: Using a staple gun, staple the plastic mesh/burlap onto the back of the frame, where the glass would normally be placed.

Step 5: Cut off the overlapped burlap.

 Step 6: Finished!

 

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Update! We are giving one of these puppies away! Enter here.