Shabby Chic Dangling Earring Display

Crafty Christmas!  I made Emily this Dangling Earring Display for Christmas after seeing this blog: www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/our-home/tutorial-shabby-chic-dangly-earring-display.html

And this is how it looks in her apartment:

To complete this craft:
Materials:
- Find an old picture frame or buy one from Goodwill (or sometimes they're even cheaper new from Target or Wal-Mart)
- Buy framing wire at a craft store (usually in the section with picture frames)
- Staple gun

1. Find the frame and paint it or leave as-is
2. Remove the hardware from the back of the frame
3. Cut two pieces of the framing wire that are both about an inch longer than the width of the frame
4. Take the two pieces of wire and twist them together (do not twist it too tight- the holes between the twists are where the dangling earrings will hang from)
5. Staple the twisted wire to the frame
6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 three times.  The original blog has 4 tiers of wire, but I felt 3 was better for Emily's large earrings.

Enjoy!

Panera's Broccoli Cheddar Soup!

It tastes like the real deal!  http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/1833/Panera-Bread-Broccoli-Cheese-S79119.shtml

I chose to add corn along with the carrots and broccoli; I used frozen vegetables instead of "fresh".  I also did not puree the soup because I love the chunky textures.

Delicious! Highly Recommended!

You Light Up My Life!

One month away from Valentine's Day has got me jittery for crafts!

The supplies needed for this project include:
- wooden blocks (found at any craft store)
- red gauge wire (jewelry section of hobby lobby)
- clear Christmas ornaments
- sewing pins
- hot glue
- wire cutters

First step is to secure the label "You light up my life" with a sewing pin into the wooden block.  For me, it was easiest to nail a whole first before inserting the sewing pin.

Second, make the heart filaments with the red gauge wire.  To do this, cut a piece of wire about 5 inches.  Bend it in half to make a point.  Unbend the wire and fold the two pieces into the center to make the heart shape.  Twist the remaining wire into a swirl.  Refer to this page for further instruction: www.designspongeonline.com/2010/02/diy-project-valentine-lightbulb.html

Third, insert the heart wire filaments into the wooden block.  Again, nail two holes into the wooden block before inserting the wire.  Use hot glue to secure the wire into the holes.

Fourth, place the ornament on top of the wooden block and glue it down with hot glue.

Ta-da! You have a very cute Valentine's Day favor for your friends!  My room-mate and I have teamed up to make Valentine's for our friends, including our "Light up my life", heart-shaped felt magnets, and home-made paper valentines!