Ikea Desk Makeover

  I purchased this small desk from Ikea years ago to use in our previous apartment.  Once we moved into our home, we didn't have a use for it.  My intentions were to donate it, but instead it just sat in the garage for years!
  Last weekend, as I was cleaning out the garage, I spotted my little desk and I knew exactly how I would use it!

  After updating my laundry room, I was pleased with the results, although the room was lacking counter space.  I gave my desk a makeover to help solve that problem.  I used leftover paint from the laundry room walls and fabric from my stash.

  For a quick fix, I used Stitch Witchery to hem the cover.

  I used a tension rod to attach the cover to the inside of the desk.  I added a second rod for additional storage after seeing this idea on Pinterest.

  Best of all, this makeover didn't cost a thing!

A Pillow, Inspired by Tad Carpenter

  After seeing this Tad Carpenter quote on Pinterest, I was inspired to find a way to incorporate this quote into my home.  I did a little brainstorming, then decided to stamp the quote onto a pillow.

  Although I did have to make a trip to Hobby Lobby to purchase some fabric.  I had most of  what I needed on hand.  I tested the stamps out on some scrap fabric, but I felt they adhered best on muslin.  Which btw, was great deal at 3.99 a yard!

Perfectly Imperfect.


*ETA an email response I received from Tad Carpenter-

that is great!

Thanks for using my quote.....beautiful work!

all the best

Tad Carpenter
Illustration + Design

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Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

  I thought I had an easy peanut butter cookie recipe, until I saw this post on Amber's blog.  Boy, was I wrong!  This is an amazing no-flour peanut butter cookie.  I did tweak Amber's recipe a little, by doubling the ingredients and replacing the splenda for brown sugar.  Thank you Amber, from the peanut gallery ;) !!!!

Ingredients

• 2 cups peanut butter (I used Skippy)
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.
2. In a medium bowl, stir peanut butter and sugar together until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.  Then roll dough into 1 inch balls and place them 2 inches apart onto the greased cookie sheets. Press a criss-cross into the top using the back of a fork.
3. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool  before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.  Enjoy with a glass of cold milk!

Cinnamon Waffles With Ice Cream

  Growing up in New Jersey, I spent many summers at the Jersey Shore.  Ahh...the memories.  It's hard to beat the food on the boardwalk.  Saltwater taffy, water ice, homemade fudge, curly fries, pizza, and WAFFLES AND ICE CREAM!  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!  Waffles and ice cream was more than a frozen waffle with ice cream in the middle. The waffles were made fresh on a waffle iron. I used to think they made them this special for me!  Here's my version of a treat I enjoyed a lot as a kid...

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups Original Bisquick mix
1 1/4 cups milk
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg

ice cream
powered sugar optional

Directions

  Heat waffle iron.  Spray with cooking spray before batter for each waffle is added. In large bowl, stir all waffle ingredients until blended.  Pour batter onto center of hot waffle iron.  Close lid and bake about 5 minutes or until steaming stops.  *I'm used to crispy waffles.  You can cook them longer if you like them that way too. Carefully remove waffle.  Top with ice cream and garnish with powered sugar.  Serves 6

recipe adapted from: http://www.bettycrocker.com

My Chevron Crush Continues

 I had a few yards of fabric leftover after recovering my dining room chairs.  I decided to use the leftover fabric to recover this chair.

It started out looking like this.

Then I recovered it using inexpensive fabric, that I didn't love.

now I'm in love.

The chair sits in my living room.  I made a few changes to the room since this post.  I purchased a larger rug and made small chevron pillow for the sofa.

Then I spied this afghan on Etsy...gosh I love Etsy!  and so my chevron crush continues...

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