Don’t Even Think About Stealing My Mixer!

Louisa is at it again!  Seriously, I let her out and she goes all crazy on me.
But I would be lying if I didn’t love that about her ;-)
Recently she updated my pantry and my spice cabinet!  I love how Louisa (the name I gave my Silhouette Cameo) gets me lookin’ all puuurdddy!

I’ve seen so many spruced up mixers lately that I thought I could add a little flair to my Kitchen Aid mixer too, and I want to show you how you can add flair too :-)

I am obsessed with monogram….maybe it’s my southern roots? I don’t know, but I just love it! I would put it everywhere if it didn’t make me look completely crazy lol

I decided that my monogram would be just the flair I wanted on my mixer :-)

Like any mixer this is what mine started out looking like

I downloaded a monogram font (for free!!!!) and figured out about what size I would like my monogram to be on the mixer.  I wanted it kind of big, but not so big that it started to wrap over the top.Typically with monogram, the order is your first initial, last initial, middle initial. 

I also like it when the initial of the  last name (the initial in the middle) is a little larger than the other letters.  Just play with this until it looks appealing to you.  There is no right or wrong way to do this, just until you like the way it looks.When you print out the letters, the blade on the machine will cut three separate letters.  You actually don’t want this because then you will have to line it up on your own to make sure it’s straight on your object which can be extremely frustrating.  So that you can skip that annoyance, select all of your initials and then click the Weld option in the bottom left hand side of the screen.  If you notice that some of my initials overlap, and after welding the separating lines will disappear and it will be printed off onto the vinyl as a single product.1.  When it comes out of the Silhouette it will be hard to see the monogram but it is there.

2. Using your pick, pull out all of the inner loops.  I don’t know what the technical term is but it is the stuff in the middle of an ‘O’… you know that gives it its shape around the loops.

3. After you take off the extra vinyl you should have your monogram.  Looks good right?!  

4.  You want to get your transfer paper and scraper.

5.  Peel the backing off of the transfer paper and place the sticky side directly on top of your monogram.

6.  Using your scraper go over the transfer paper to make sure that everything is stuck on well.

Steps 1-6 help you to move your vinyl and seamlessly place it on your object.

Once your monogram is securely on the transfer paper, you can now peel off the backing of the vinyl.  Now your image should be completely on the transfer paper.  Then place the transfer paper directly on the object.  Try to do this as accurately as possible the first time.

Now just peel off the transfer paper.

Tada!

I know there are a lot of steps, but it really only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.

It’s really easy & fast…

… and I think it looks pretty good!

What do y’all think?

What else should I monogram?

Happy Friday friends!

Dog Purse...Size Large

A friend of mine sent me a link to this..... I've got to have this, or two, right?

hehehehehe Happy Thursday! image

What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday: Waffles Anonymous

I don’t know what happened to me last year, but I got on a waffle-kick and I can’t stop. 

Remember when we went on our 28-hour road trip back home? (see here)

Well at some point along the way, I fell in love with waffles.  So much so that I think I may have definitely had them at least once in every state and purchased a waffle iron as soon as we got back to Texas.

hehehehehehehe
Funny, right?

image

Right now this is my favorite waffle recipe, by, none other than, yours truly ;-)

Banana Buttermilk Waffles with a Maple-Pecan Spread = HEAVEN!

But, I have a few recipes that have been calling my name and I plan on trying these out next:

Initially when I think of waffles I think of sweet syrup and breakfast….but really you can have waffles anytime!

See what I mean:

Benedict Waffles // Caprese Salad Waffles

Pulled Pork Cornbread Waffles // Cornmeal Waffles with Spicy Chili

Waffle Tacos // Western Waffle Quiche

Chicken Ranch Waffle Sliders // Pumpkin Beer Waffles

Now let’s think about sweet breakfast, yummmmmmm:

Almond Joy Waffles // Butter Pecan Waffles

Chocolate Waffles // Coconut Waffles

Peanut Butter Waffles // Red Velvet Waffles

Almond Joy Waffles (again lol) // Carrot Cake Waffles

Praline Waffles

Cinnamon Peach Waffles // Apple Spice Waffles

Pumpkin Waffles // Belgian Cookie Dough Waffles

These two recipes I cannot wait to try….they’re perfect for dinner and dessert, right?

Fried Chicken & Waffles with Maple Gravy // Chocolate Brownie Waffles

Okay, so which one was the best?

Which recipe should I try first?

Are you a waffle lover too?

Should I start a waffle addicts group?

Spring Goodies

Who doesn’t love getting mail?!
Who doesn’t love trying new beauty samples?!?!?
I love both, which is why I love Influenster!  Makes perfect sense, right? :-)

For the spring I received several awesome goodies:Secret Outlast Clear Gel Deodorant-  I have been using Secret since I started wearing deodorant…..which was what? Some time in elementary school? So in an effort to protect me from admitting my age, I’ll just say I’ve been using this brand for decades lol  Why do I keep using it, because I love it and it works.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!  However, I have never used the gel deodorant before, so I’m looking forward to trying this.  It smells sooooooo clean & fresh!  It says that is lasts for 48 hours! That is 2 days people!  I can’t wait to try this with the Houston heat!

Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Geltastic- I love the name of this product: geltastic!  It is a strong gel that is supposed to help define and control hair.  I have never used this product but I’m looking forward to trying this gel and seeing how well it defines my curls in the summer humidity. 

Tastykake Kandy Bar Kakes- I would like to say that I got to try this one…..but someone (who shall remain nameless) dove into this bar before I could get to it.  Perhaps it was one of my furry friends?!?!  Either way, it was gone in less than 15 seconds….so it must to have been good, right?

Broadway Nails imPRESS  Press-on Manicure- These peel & press nails give you an instant manicure look.  It really is fast and simple….and my favorite part is that there is no drying.  Now I probably haven't worn press-on nails since I was in college and didn’t have housework to do.  I am constantly breaking my nails as I do things around the house, so I imagine that press-on nails would break pretty easily, so I will save these for a fun night out…..without housework :-)

Has anyone else tried these products before?

What did you think?

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

A Cork For Your Hurricane

Guess what?! It’s Friday!!!!  Probably the best day of the week, right? ahhhhhhh I am already sensing the relaxation of the weekend :-)

When I finally cleaned off our dining room table from my sewing escapades last week, I decided a new look on the table was in order.  In true Darby Fashion, I went shopping around my house for some ideas.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a lot of these hanging around my house. They’re really great for decorating and crafting!Easy peasey lemon squeezy DIY project:

All you need is a candle and a hurricane or apothecary jar.  Mine is from the formerly Southern Living At Home, but you can also get some affordable glassware from Hobby Lobby.

Place the candle in the glassware and then fill the jar with the corks.  The corks will help to hold the candle in place.

Done!

No hot glue gun, glitter, or tape required!Mine is now on a turqouise table runner in the dining room. 

See? So easy!

Put those corks to use!Have a great weekend friends!

Blogging Brings Us Together {{GIVEAWAY!!!}}

On more than one occasion I have told y'all about the awesome blogging community.  I have met so many wonderful people that have become dear friends as a result of blogging. I truly cherish these precious friendships.

One of my sweet blogging amigas is Amy from One Artsy Mama.

We have fabulous banter throughout the football season, as our teams are rivals....and clearly my team is better.  The Ravens may have won the Superbowl, but the Steelers are still the best......sorry Amy.

I digress....yes we have fabulous banter, but she is also a great crafter and mentor for me.  I cannot wait for the day (which is hopefully very soon) that I get to hug her in person.

With that being said, today we are celebrating with Amy!  Last night her blog reached 4000 followers!!

A-MAZ-ING!

In honor of this awesome achievement we are celebrating with a $200 giveaway to either Amazon, Target, or Silhouette!!!!!!!!!

Help us celebrate and enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to entrants ages 18 and over and ends at 12:00am EST on May 30, 2013. Approximate retail value $200.00. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. One winner will be selected. This is a giveaway sponsored as a group buy, which means the bloggers pooled their money together to purchase this product for you. All liabilities and responsibilities with the product itself is directly responsible by Silhouette America. Winner will drawn by random.org from all verified entries, contacted by the email provided when entering, and announced on this page at the end of the contest. Winner has 48 hours to respond or prize will be redrawn. Entrant is responsible for the email address they provide, whether through typing it directly or through the Facebook entry method. One Artsy Mama is not responsible for lost, misdirected, or undeliverable emails. All prizes will be awarded, no prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to One Artsy Mama, not to Facebook, and your information is never sold or shared. Facebook, Target, Amazon, and Silhouette America are not a sponsor of this giveaway. Prize is mailed or emailed directly by Amy of One Artsy Mama. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting; tweets must come from a public account. Bloggers in this group giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. International entrants are not eligible to receive the Silhouette Portrait unless they provide a valid US Shipping address.  No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday: Pizza {The Homemade Kind}

Y’all, if you asked me what my favorite food was as a child, I would tell you pizza.
If you asked me today what my favorite food was….. I would tell you pizza.  I’m a very predictable individual ;-)
But I can’t help it: I just love pizza.  I could eat it everyday, and would if it weren’t for all the calories!

The Mr. and I have been on the great pizza search since moving to Houston.  We must find the best pizza!  So far we’ve eaten some good pizza but still have yet to find great pizza….at least our favorite to pizza purchase.  Which is where this recipe comes in handy (Did you see that?! Did you see me get all clever and creative with that segue?!)

I think the best pizza is the pizza that caters to your every pizza desire, and the only way to do that is to make it yourself.  This is the best pizza in Houston because it's fast and exactly the way we like it (because we make it duh!).  Seriously, even though this is homemade, it doesn’t take any time, and I’ll tell you how……
Ingredients:
1 tsp active dry yeast
1.5 cups warm water
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus more for drizzling

Directions:

DOUGH (make this before going to work in the morning)

1. Sprinkle yeast over water.
2. Combine flour & salt in a mixer, then slowly drizzle in EVOO with the mixer on a low speed. Mix in yeast/water mixture just until combined.
3. Using your fingers, spread EVOO to coat a separate mixing bowl.  Form the dough into a ball, & toss to coat dough ball in EVOO.  Cover with a moistened paper towel and place in front of a sunny window and go to work.

PIZZA

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. Lightly drizzle EVOO on a large baking sheet and use your fingers to spread it around. Stretch the dough around to the edges of the baking sheet forming a large rectangle.
3. Before decorating your pizza, spread on a thin layer of marinara sauce.  When I use homemade marinara, I use this recipe.  But I only use that if I already have it on hand; I don’t go out of my way to make it for pizza (I’m lazy folks!).  More often, I use Prego (meat flavored); no shame in purchased sauce ladies; no shame!
4. Now decorate that pizza!  Sprinkle sliced veggies, meats, and of course cheese.  This is where you make the pizza your own!  Our favorite includes sliced green pepper, sausage, pepperoni, chipotle cheddar by Cabot, and mozzarella :-)
5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. We cook ours a little longer because the Mr. likes the peaks of the cheese a little crunchy.  Remove from the oven, slice, and dig in!

recipe based off of PW’s.