Pinterest Probs

My name is Bethany and it has been WAY too many days since my last blog post.  Forgive me friends, I promise I have thought of you all many times.

Tonight's post is in regards to one of my favorite past times.  Pinning.  How man hours do we gals spend pinning things like "How to turn a headboard & footboard into a cute bench!" on our DIY boards?  A lot, that's how many.  Though I often wonder "how did I think of ideas before Pinterest?" however, there have been times I've also thought, "Who the heck can I talk to about how much of a disaster this project/food/whatever has turned out to be??"  In honor of both of these sentiments, here's a post about the things that confuse me about Pinterest.

1.  Pins to Nowhere
This may be the most confounding thing about the beloved Pinterest.  You see a lovely DIY project pin, click to find the original link from a blog or website and all you get is a stinking picture.  Oh good, because I definitely just wanted to admire that lovely craft some mystery pinner created....or found on Martha Stewart.com.  The worst has to be when you see a cute dress and it just takes you to a photo of the dress and not the actual place to purchase the dress.  Said Dress Maker is probably not crazy about that either.

In other news, I don't mind as much with "room inspiration" pins.  I'm fine with those just taking me to a pretty picture to file away for future use.

However, this pin is a prime example.  I think we skipped a few steps.  That or this girl has a magical curling iron that fishtail braids her hair- in which case I need to know where she got it....but there's just a picture :(

2.  Looks Too Good to Be True Pins
Did you notice that I mentioned a bed frame turned bench in the intro to this list?  That's because I pinned it once.  But never made it.  Primarily because it involved power tools and purchasing extra lumber and I wasn't that determined.

I also got really inspired to make a "pallet couch" since I had access to all sorts of pallets (for free!) and needed some cheap/cute patio furniture.  I stained and stacked those bad boys but when the time came to make the cushion I could tell it was just going to be a lost cause.  So instead I now look like a wood hoarder.  I should have taken a picture and posted it on Pinterest as one of those "Nailed It!" pictures.

Sidenote:  I've got plans for the patio that don't involve sewing enormous cushions.  Stay tuned.

3.  The People Who Don't Change the Caption Accordingly Pins
As you're scrolling through your pins, you see a delicious chocolate cake with the caption "Hands down THE best chocolate cake ever.  My mom makes it every year for Christmas!" and you think "Oh hey, so-and-so's mom is an awesome cook, maybe I'll try that," only to see it repinned four times down the page with the exact same caption.  Edit people.  I know all of your mama's don't make that same chocolate cake.  However if they do, I will totally retract my statement.

4. This Last One is Just a Warning
Okay, this last one is really just a warning.  I pinned this delicious looking recipe for Beer Cheese Chicken a while back and decided to give it a whirl.  I had a feeling it was going to be similar to taking baked chicken and smothering it in beer cheese dip from the Blackhorse and topping it with bacon.  Plus it was a crockpot recipe and therefore could not get much easier...so I thought.  The recipe called for some brand of some kind of "ale" but then said "or some (insert type) of ale" so I didn't think it mattered much what type of beer you got to use.  Buddy was I wrong.  I should've just gotten a Mich Ultra or something because whatever crazy thing I got to use was not good.  I am very sensitive about my cooking and was pretty sad about it.  Lesson learned: Follow the Beer Cheese Chicken recipe to the letter or accept failure.

Looks delicious doesn't it?  Now you see why I was so disappointed!

But I have tried recipes that were just wonderful!  Have y'all ever run into any of these Pinterest probs?  Or any I may have left out?  Better yet, let me know about some recipes that went great via Pinterest....I like ending on a positive note!

Do you follow me on Pinterest?  Hopefully my pins won't cause any Pinterest Probs for you :)  Follow me here!  Spoiler alert, I like pinning monogrammed items and pictures of really cute puppies.

Testing 1-2

This is going to be a bit of a multi-faceted post...but all about things I've been testing out lately!

A few weeks ago, G got me a Keurig for my birthday (thanks G!) and I have been trying out new flavors of the K Cups.  In the spirit of the fall season, I picked up some Green Mountain Pumpkin Spice while in Morristown.

I was planning on trying it with the Pumpkin Spice Coffeemate but alas, I was too excited and was a little premature getting to the grocery and had to settle for caramel.  It's great though!  If I can hunt down the Pumpkin Spice CM I think we'll have a great match.  I get really weird about pumpkin spiced things....I don't care for them when they are too "spice-y." This is just right Goldielocks!

Moving forward with my testers, I had pinned a pin a while back about making your own fabric softener sheets.  I was a tad skeptical but I decided to give it a whirl.  So far I like it!  You take a jug of liquid fabric softener, dump it in a container, add old washrags/dishrags/cut up old t-shirt and then when you're ready to dry your clothes.  Take a "sheet," wring it out and toss it in with your laundry.  Reusable and therefore cheaper than those blasted sheets that always seem to wind up throughout my apartment.  Check out my "pinspiration" for this project here

The last of my test subjects was something my friend/sorority sister/former roomie suggested.  Few people can really appreciate a good owl find like a Chi Omega since our mascot is the owl.  However, there are such things as "cute owls" and "creepy owls."  Creepy owls tend to be porcelain  and perched in an attack/stalking position.  Nonetheless, a Chi-O is not a Chi-O unless she's got some creepy owls hanging around in her room or closet.  But I digress, Katy had suggested spray painting the little creepers all one color.  Here are my before & after shots!  

Before

After

Sound off in the comments on your thoughts on Mr. Owl here.  Do you like his transformation or should I have let him be?

Swirlz Night!

I'm back y'all!  My apologies for the blog hiatus but I'm back from Gulf Shores and very relaxed!  PS - the backpack beach chair was amazing!  My friend Jessica had one just like mine and we called them our "Turtle Chairs" as we felt like we had a shell while wearing them.  SO convenient.  Also, if you're ever down on the Alabama Gulf Coast and have the opportunity to hear a band called The Foxy Iguanas...do it!!  They were my favorite!  We even got them to play a little "Rocky Top" for some Tennessee girls (btw if you're reading this Iguanas, I'm still REALLY sorry for mistaking your ashtray bucket for your tip jar.  That could have ended badly)!

The weekend before last, while on blogging hiatus, G and I went to Swirlz with two of our good friends.  Swirlz is a painting studio where you are given a set painting and then an instructor gives you step-by-step directions on how to recreate it.  It was such a good time!


We signed up for "Starry Night," very similar to the Van Gogh edition. As you can tell from this picture G and I got a little carried away with our moons.  G also took his own artistic liberties with his painting and eradicated his entire town of houses.  He also accidentally turned his church into the Weasley's home from Harry Potter.  What can I say?  The man is an artist... or something like that!

Our friends had been to a previous Swirlz class to celebrate a birthday.  Jen said she figured her husband would have to go if it was her birthday...and he loved it!  I'm pretty sure that was the only reason G was talked into the situation....and he loved it too.  So guys, don't think it's girly or silly...just go and have fun!  Plus they do "manly" paintings like 12-point bucks or Apache helicopters.


The calendar is posted online (here) so you are able to see which painting you'll be working on that night.  As previously mentioned, they do different styles of paintings and will hold private events for groups as well as paintings specifically for kids.  The website is also where you reserve your seat(s) for the class.  Depending on what painting you sign up for, prices typically run from $35-$45 per person.  That provides your paint, smock and canvas.  You're allowed to bring in the beverages of your choice as well.  Water, cokes, wine, beer, Gatorade....whatever!  However, beware that you may or may not accidentally try and drink your brush water and/or put your dirty brush into your bev.  


Also, if you are a little pokey (like me) they try and accommodate you, but try and keep up.  Until G went rogue I had to keep asking what the instructor said because I was super focused on the proper blending of my stars.  Now, don't go all speed demon either...that's how G ended up with a brown moon....


So, if you're feeling some artistic energy you'd like to get out or are in need of a fun/unique date night or girls' night, head on over to Swirlz!


PS - I left with more paint on myself than on the canvas (no seriously, it was in my hair and I even found some the next day I had missed!  Can't take me anywhere.) so maybe bear that in mind when selecting your outfit!

DIY Photo "Frame"

Hello friends!  I hope everyone is having a happy Thursday and congratulations on making it over that hump!  As I mentioned in a previous post, G has a new job (same company, new position) and also a new office.  I had printed one of my favorite pictures of the two of us around Christmas time and have yet to do anything with it so when he said he needed a picture of me for his office (what a sweet guy!), I decided to grab my craft box and get to work!

I wanted to do something a little different using wood but G is super picky about things like this.  I made a trip to Hobby Lobby and found these manly looking "wood hunks" and decided that was my best bet.  

Now, if you would like to create your very own "wood hunk photo frame" here is what you will need:

• Piece of wood (could be from your own backyard if you've got some spare wood handy)
• Mod Podge (I made mine with equal parts white school glue and water mixed)
• Desired photograph
• Scrapbook paper of your choosing
• Paint brush/sponge
• Spray sealant
• Easel

Step One:

Cut your scrapbook paper to the size of your wooden piece.  If you are using a piece of wood from your own home you could always cut it into a fun design of your choosing.

Step Two:

Brush your wood piece with Mod Podge.

Step Three:

Place your scrapbook paper onto the wood and cover with Mod Podge.

Does anyone else have the problem of their paper bubbling while Mod Podging?
Let me know if there is a way to fix that!

Step Four:

Place your photo on your layer of paper.  Smooth from the center using your sponge or brush and apply one last coat of Mod Podge.

Step Five:

Allow the whole project to dry for a few minutes.  Then spray the entire project with a spray sealant.  I used a Krylon clear coat.

Step Six:

Once dried, sit your new photo "frame" on an easel and enjoy!  

This bad boy is sitting on G's bookshelf in his office.

And that's it!  It's that easy!

DIY Fourth of July Shirt

I hope y'all had a fabulous Fourth!  We're currently under a Stage 2 draught and a burn ban.  But, thanks to some law breakers out there I got to see some fireworks.  Plus it actually did rain for a spell, praise God (again, the draught)!

As a part of our celebration, G and I hit up Walmart early that day to get our American wear as this was indeed, a 'Merica Party.  Now if there's one thing I love, it's a good theme party!  For your reading pleasure, I'm going to show you how to turn

Disclaimer: You'll have to pardon my lack of step-by-step photos as I made this beauty in a bit of a hurry.  Also, the red-eye corrector kind of gave me a wild eye.  I apologize.

Step One

Cut off the sleeves of the tshirt about 1/8 of an inch on the inside of the seam.

Step Two

Depending on the original length of the shirt and your desired length of the shirt cut off any excess fabric at the bottom.  This shirt was a men's size and pretty long so I took off a couple of inches.  I've found the best way to get an even cut is to fold the shirt in half and cut through four layers.

Step Three

Laying the shirt flat, begin cutting strips (through both layers of the shirt) about 1-1 1/4 inches thick.  Optional: I cut the strips on the side seams along the seams so that I'd have two extra fringe pieces.  You can choose to do this or not, it shouldn't affect your final product too significantly.

Step Four
Tie a knot in each strip of fabric close to the top of the cuts. 

Step Five

Wear!  Put this bad boy on and show your 'Merican pride in all your glory.  Here are some photos of how we wore ours!  We may have gotten a little carried away....

PS - this is not my typical procedure for making clothes.  I consider this and other costumes appropriate for theme parties and other instances where others will be dressed up (ie Themed pub crawls).  This is not acceptable to wear in public unless accompanied by others who look just as ridiculous/awesome as you.