9/30/13

Craft It: Pumpkin Jar Using Glass Etching

I recently got a Silhouette Cameo! Life-changing electronic for a crafty person :) I was a little intimidated at first, but I have been playing around with it and watching some You Tube tutorials. I am getting more comfortable with it and I now have a list of projects that I cannot wait to try. My first Silhouette Cameo craft is this cute Halloween Pumpkin jar.


Using the Silhouette Ethcing kit, I made my own template using the shape designer. Then I cut the designs and followed the DVD tutorial (love that it came with the kit!)
Oh this is just me doing a little 'glass etching' in the messy playroom-- lol! 
The steps were explained well, you just have to be really careful not to get any of the 'etching compound' on the other parts of the jar. Whatever it touches- it will etch! Afton and I did it together. She made her own version of this pumpkin face on a pickle jar :)


The jar can be filled with sweet or spooky treats-- candy corn, m&m's, cookies etc. It would make a fun little Halloween gift for a neighbor. Or pop a candle in it use it to light up the room. I am filling it with orange play dough and sending it to my daughter's preschool.


As an affiliate of Silhouette, I get to share the latest and greatest promotions. Simply go to www.silhouetteamerica.com/glass  and enter the code: TEXAS to receive the promotional discount price shown below. 


Have you made any Halloween crafts yet?

 Like this post?
Subscribe to crafty texas girls

Keep in Touch with Crafty Texas Girls
Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blog | Shop 

Sharing here: The Lettered Cottage, Too Much Time on My Hands  -Home Stories A to Z  -Tatertots&Jello  -The 36th Avenue --Serenity Now -Love of Family and Home -It's Overflowing  -I Should Be Mopping the Floor -Live, Laugh, Rowe

All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.

9/28/13

What I Wore: New York & Little Black Dress Giveaway

I don't usually post about fashion, but with my trip to New York, I had fun spending a little more time on my outfits. (Usually I spend my days in work-out gear!)

Oh and on my trip, I actually had time to curl my hair! If you haven't tried a cone rod curling iron - you are missing out.
The curl seriously lasts two days. 
One of my favorite outfits from my blogger trip was the dress from Shabby Apple. The top is made of a stretchy jersey material (yippee-feels like a tshirt!) and the bottom is a full skirt, embellished with flowers. The dress has a satin 'ribbon' with bow attached, but I decided to belt it. I like adding a belt to dresses, it makes for good proportions!



While I was there, it was fun to get up and actually 'dress up'. At home, this dress will be perfect for church, date night, or for a party. Everyone needs a little black dress right?! So, the fabulous creators of the cutest vintage clothes on the web, Shabby Apple, are going to give one lucky reader this dress!




To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Have a great weekend!

Like this post?
Subscribe to crafty texas girls

Keep in Touch with Crafty Texas Girls
Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blog | Shop 

All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.

9/26/13

Craft It: Twine&Pearl Bracelet

Fall is officially here, so our sweet MOPS group needed a fun craft to kick off autumn. With a little inspiration from a friend, we decided to make something that every woman needs more of--- jewelry!


I like this bracelet, because it combines that rustic and chic look that we all love. And it is actually something you are proud to wear and tell people that you made it yourself!

For the "Twine& Pearl" bracelet you will need:
-2 twine strings, 40 inches long
-13 pearls
-1 button
-scissors

1) Before beginning, take both twine strings, fold them in half and tie a knot to form a loop. This loop will serve as your closure later. (Make sure the loop fits around your button!) It will leave you with 4 strands to work with.
2) Put 3 pearls or beads on 3 separate strands. Choose a variety of sized beads.
3) Tie a knot.
4) Put 2 pearls or beads on 2 separate strands. Choose a variety of sized beads.
5) Tie another knot.
6) Put 3 pearls or beads on 3 separate strands. Choose a variety of sized beads.  Tie a knot.
7) Put 2 pearls or beads on 2 separate strands. Choose a variety of sized beads.
8) Tie a knot.
9) String on a button.
10) Tie a knot and cut off excess.

I made one for me and then one for each of the girls. That tiny looped one in the photo below belongs to little Maisy :) Stack your "Twine & Pearl" bracelet with a few of your other favorites and have enjoy your 'arm candy'!


What are you crafting for fall?

Like this post?
Subscribe to crafty texas girls

Sharing here: The Lettered Cottage, Too Much Time on My Hands  -Home Stories A to Z  -Tatertots&Jello  -The 36th Avenue --Serenity Now -Love of Family and Home -It's Overflowing  -I Should Be Mopping the Floor -Live, Laugh, Rowe

Keep in Touch with Crafty Texas Girls
Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blog | Shop 

All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.

9/24/13

Oh the Places You'll Blog


Last Wednesday, I boarded a plane and headed out on an adventure with 7 other bloggers. We had been invited by Miele to visit their New Jersey office to learn about their newest vacuums and have a little fun in New York City along the way. Since we had bought a Miele vacuum a few years ago, I can honestly say our house has never been cleaner. So taking a trip, to learn more about a product I already love all in the name of blogging was kind of amazing.
Aren't these the cutest cookies ever?! I tried to 'save' them, but you can guess how that ended :) 
Our group of "Pure Air Bloggers" got to know each other the first night over dinner at Eno Terra. It was farm-to-table fresh food and delicous wine. Swapping stories with other bloggers is always fun. Lots of picture taking and hash-tagging with the group :)



The next morning, we toured the Miele office. Much to my surprise (and delight!), Miele has an entire line of home appliances. Everything from dishwashers to coffee makers, steam ovens to cook-tops. Miele makes high quality products and stands out from the crowd with exceptional customer service.



Breakfast Frittata cooked in a 'steam oven' by Miele. That's right- a steam oven. Amazing! 
Best coffee ever :) 
 See these beauties? They will last 20 years. Yep, that's why we bought one ourselves back in 2010. We were tired of replacing vacuums and having dirt/dust blown all over our house. Plus, check out the design. Who doesn't love a beautiful appliance?



After a morning of learning at Miele, we headed into Princeton for a tour by the infamous Mimi. If you are ever in Princeton, look this lady up! She was hilarious and knew all the 'dish' about the rich, famous, and brilliant minds of this ivy league town. I texted my husband while we were out with Mimi and said, "I want to live here!". The academic environment of the school is embraced by the entire town. Theater, science, art and more seeps from every square inch of the community. The public library even has a 'sound proof' children's wing so that the little ones of Princeton are never 'shusshed' during their pursuit of learning. 

That's Mimi-- the smiley blond in the light blue pull-over. 
Can you imagine going to class here?! When can I start? :) 
Albert Einstein's house 
After our tour, we headed back to Miele for a gourmet cooking class. We worked together to make homemade pizzas in the fabulous Miele kitchen. Best way to get know someone? Make a pizza with them! Here we are with the President of Miele USA, Nick Ord. 

Christina's Adventures | Mom Colored Glasses | Just Us Four | Cleverly Inspired | I Love You More Than Carrots
It's Overflowing | Me- Crafty Texas Girls | Atta Girl Says
This girl--lives right down the street from me! We didn't even realize it til this trip. Yay for new friends :) 
Aimee Lane from It's Overflowing, Nick Ord- President of Miele USA, and Me
The last day of our trip, we headed into the city. I have never, ever been to New York City. So this was SO exciting!



We were invited to the Hearst Tower for brunch in the Good Housekeeping dining room, where almost all the US Presidents and the First Ladies have eaten. 

China of course :)


Then we toured the Good Housekeeping Research labs. I didn't know much about Good Housekeeping, other than I looked through the magazine. But I found out that if any product that bears the Seal proves to be defective within two years from the date it was first sold to a consumer by an authorized retailer, then Good Housekeeping will replace or repair the product or refund the purchase price! So basically, they do the research on everything from appliances, recipes, beauty products, towels, bedsheets etc. and then they pass along their findings to you. That Seal is a guarantee of quality.






You'll see this recipe in an upcoming issue of the magazine, it's a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake covered in Reese's Puffs!
Testing room- ovens, mixers, coffee makers are all put to the test. 

After the tour, we had 2 hours to see the City. So we squeezed it all in! A walk through Central Park. 





A true New York slice. Cannoli from a bakery. Times Square. 


And then a wild train ride back to the airport!
image via It's Overflowing on IG
It was once in life-time trip, I mean who would have thought a little blog about crafts could ever take me across the country?! I am humbled and astounded. Thank you to Miele for believing in the writing of 'mom-bloggers' and thank you to YOU the readers for being here! 

When I got home, my daughter told me "Dad did everything just as good as you, except homework and hair. He wasn't very good at hair." Lol. I am so grateful to them for holding down the house and supporting my writing and crafting. Being away from home, made me love our sweet, simple suburban life even more. 
 Like this post?
Subscribe to crafty texas girls


I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Keep in Touch with Crafty Texas Girls
Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blog | Shop 

All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.

9/21/13

A Little Pumpkin House

I'm baaaaack! After a super fun trip to New Jersey and New York with the Pure Air Blog Campaign, I am home! I got in last night at 10pm. And then today, I woke up at 5am and drove to Dallas with some friends for the Tour de Fleur 10K. This is my fourth year to do this race.


Honestly I keep coming back for a few reasons.
1. The people, races are more fun with friends. 

Post Race Photo :) 
2. The food-who doesn't like a nice cold BlueMoon with pizza after a run? 


3. And the pumpkins! The race is held at the Dallas Arboretum. And every fall, the Dallas Arboretum brings in a gazillion pumpkins. The sidewalks are lined with pumpkins, trees are decorated with pumpkins and even little houses are built out of pumpkins.




Despite being so tired, for some reason, I set a little personal record for that distance. Maybe I was delirious! :)
Are you wondering why my total distance for the 10K was only 5.1 miles?
Well, the course was mis-marked
 so the lead motorcycle cop took a wrong turn and lead the entire group of runners astray.
 We completely missed mile 3.
As you can imagine, there were some disgruntled athletes!
But what are you going to do?!
 That's right- have a BlueMoon and relax! 
I'll be back later this week with photos and details from my NY trip.
Have you ever been to the Dallas Arboretum?

 Like this post?
Subscribe to crafty texas girls

Keep in Touch with Crafty Texas Girls
Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blog | Shop 

All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 
Site Design By Designer Blogs