Chic It Yourself

MY NEW BLOG!

2010-07-20T17:09:00.002-06:00

SO after taking the summer off and doing some soul searching I realized 2 things.

1- I love to blog but hate the pressure of having to blog

2- I needed help!

So my friend Lauren and I combined our blogs and now have a joint blog.

it's

houseofchicandpenoche.blogspot.com

Please join and become a follower. I promise that now with 2 of us there shouldn't be a week that goes by without at least 1 post. We will always be shooting for 2-3 but 1 is really all I can promise since we're both busy mom's.

Thank you for following this blog!

Stacey

Before and After Bedroom

2010-05-26T10:06:00.004-06:00

This Before and After is of our Master Bedroom. It's still a little bit of a work in progress. But I wanted to make this post mostly about the paint colors I used.
BEFORE: This is the ugliest color on earth! A fleshy peach color that ruled the WHOLE house!
So behind the bed I painted that wall a greenish/blue color from Pottery Barn called Wythe Blue.
Then I painted a taupe brown around the bottom of the rest of the room. It's a color called CityScape from the new Martha Stewart line at Home Depot. It's an amazing color! Can I just say that I love colors that can't decide what they are. For example this color is really taupey in my room but a warm grey in the bathroom! I also thought the paint went on really well and it's not very expensive either!

I did this damask stencil in our last house, but I really loved it so I did it again. The top color above CityScape is call Turtle Dove from BEHR and it is also my new love! It's this great blueish, green with even a hint of yellow. It's so vintage-y, it reminds me of the Palace of Versailles.

I could look at it all day.

To do the stencil, apply the top color over the dark, to give it a "bleeding" effect.

More Wythe Blue

So I now enjoying being in this room soooo much more! No more peachy flesh!

Revamping an old Frame

2010-05-19T15:45:00.006-06:00

Revamping an old frame! My mantle has been a thorn in my side! I've changed a billion times since we've moved in, and I think I'm finally getting to where I like it. Anyway, here is a project I'm finally posting!
A place to display old family photos.

I have this frame I bought at a scratch and dent sale at Pottery Barn years ago. As you can see the middle piece has always been loose. I thought it was time for some revamping.
I sprayed painted the outside this aqua color that I love. It krylon at Home Depot, the best spray paint out there!
Next I mod podge on some paper with a fun damask print.
Lastly I spray painted the inside part white and drilled some holds for hooks at the top.
Instead of laying out my pictures into the grid part of the frame I decided to clip them on useing cafe curtain clips. I used a combination of old family pics and new ones.

If you do anything PLEASE READ THIS POST!!! Happy Mothers Day!

2010-05-08T23:48:00.006-06:00

I've been waiting forever to do this post! But I've been waiting for Mothers Day and now my Library books are over due! What does this have to do with that?! Well.........

I was at the our cute little public library in my little country town (the best eclectic book collection ever!)and I stumbled across a little biography about Frank Lloyd Wright. Being a lover of all things Design and Architecture and wanting to keep my mind "sharp as a tack" I decided to check it out.

Wright is someone I love and abhor (no not adore, ABHOR). His professional life I amaze and covet over and his personal life (to say it nicely) puts a bad taste in my mouth.

Anyway, hopefully you all know about F.L. Wright, and I don't have to do a post about him too because I WILL DANG IT! But to put it in one sentence, Wright "is one of the most innovative and influential figures in modern architecture." His works include the House of Falling Water, the Guggenheim in NYC, and is basically "the Father" of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Any of this ringin' bell?!

So that brings me to the point of THIS post. As I read this little Bio, it mentioned Wright's mother, Anna Wright, and I was so moved and awed at what it said, "Humble livings and lack of financial success did not however, prevent Anna from exhibiting her tasteful sense of interior decoration at the home....things which she liked she surrounded herself and her family. Years later when Wright wrote down his own ideas about interior design, they corresponded in many significant details to the environment that HIS MOTHER had carefully constructed during his childhood." I love that! She used what she had and her creativity and surrounded herself with things she loved. I feel like that is what my life and blog are about. I feel like this speaks so strongly about mothers and what an impact they have on their children. To me, she will always be "The Mother" of the Arts and Crafts Movement!

This is the only pic I could find on the internet of Anna Wright. She is the one holding the baby.

One Man's Trash Mondays

2010-05-03T13:33:00.003-06:00

I really really debated giving out this secret........because I don't want my stash to disappear! BUT I figure there's not that many readers and those people who do read my blog ROCK and deserve this little reward so I'm letting you in!

Next time you're at IKEA skip the store and head straight to the AS-IS department. It's a bargin shoppers dream! Sure you have to rummage though bins and boxes but it's worth it.

So my secret and favorite is the little cubbies tucked in the back full of odds and ends of cabinetry! Like below, I found this kitchen cabinet glass door, for $3! Nothing was wrong with it so I took it home to re-purpose it.

I added the vinyl lettering and the little knob at the bottom, which went in like a cinch because there was already a hole there!These holes where already there too because that's where the hinges would go for a door, I used those for hanging instead!
I drilled little notches into the MDF so the screws in the wall would have something to catch and the door wouldn't just slide off of them. Now I have a lovey dovey room! Oh and the lacey curtains I also found in the AS-IS for $9 for the pair! I've also found taller doors, boards, frames sheets ect....Rummage through boxes my friends, rummage though boxes!

One Man's Trash

2010-04-17T23:13:00.008-06:00

Welcome to my new Feature, called "One Man's Trash." Every Monday I'm going to do a post on Thrift Store, Yard Sale, or even "Dumpster Diving" finds! Most Posts will be showing a way to refurbish the item. But sometimes they'll be perfect on their own. LIKE.......

This amazing find I found at the D.I. (a thrift store here in UT). Vintage (I'm guessing, 1970's) Canister!
So amazing! Who would give these away? And I got the whole set for $5! Say what?!

They're all metal with that great avocado green color and I LOVE the style of the words!

When you find "Finds" like this, they can be used in unconventional ways. I will probably be using these in my office to hold my paint brushes, markers and such. I'm a little concerned about the metal being used with to hold edible items. But If want to later put them in my kitchen for decor, I will!

Dish Towel Curtains

2010-04-16T21:23:00.010-06:00

This a projectt I don't think I ever posted, but these are also cafe curtains I made for the kitchen in my old house. This is the simplest way!

I found these dish towels and feel in love with them and the fabric was a perfect light linen.

Love the little birdie silhouettes!

Cafe Curtains!

2010-04-16T19:46:00.012-06:00

This is a one day project or a two afternoon project. Really easy and fast (if you can sew )BEFORE

My windows in the kitchen needed some dressing up! So I thought I'd make some simple cafe curtains.
AFTER

What do you think? Better? I chose a material that had a little of all the colors I have going on in the kitchen.
So I measured the windows and the material, but added an 2" extra on each side. 1" for the hem and an extra inch for some "slack" so they'd hang nice.
A trick my mom taught me to cut a straight line is fold the material over as you cut and follow that line. A side note, when I was little my mom would make me sew a project every summer. I hated it then, but I'm glad I learned. Thanks mom for teaching me your mad sewing skills!

A little pining and little sewing...

I added some ribbon on the bottom as a bit of a finishing touch.
The end! Well, I did have to hang the rods and then clip curtains on, you can find both at any Home Section at you local store.

Picture Blocks

2010-04-09T14:52:00.005-06:00

I took a little three day break from blogging to come down off my Easter sugar high and harness that energy into painting my bedroom (pics to come!). My post is not a project I did recently, but I did promise to post it.
These picture blocks are so simple and I love the dimension it gives the photo.

So at you local home improvement store find a 2x5 unfinished piece of wood and have an employee cut it into 5" pieces, about 9.cents a cut. I think the first 2 are free. I don't have a pic of the raw wood because I did this when we moved and my camera was somewhere between lost and packed.

Next paint it black or brown, depending on your style. and sand the edges.

This is a handy little laminating/sticker machine from any craft store. It's about $32 dollars and if you use a 50% off coupon at Roberts Craft, cha ching!

Basically you feed your 5x5 photo through the machine and it puts adhesive on the back turning it into a sticker!
Lastly, if you want to hang it on your wall, nail a little bracket onto the back.
So cute!

The photos were taken by Sweet Apple Photography, but I think now she is The Enchanted Photo. We went the Sanpete County Fair and by some shear form of luck, had the place all to ourselves!

Easter Candy Left Overs!

2010-04-05T00:16:00.007-06:00

Hope you had a great Easter! Did you eat all that Easter candy or are there still piles laying around you home?

This idea for making Smore's with your Easter candy, comes from the blog rootsandwingsco. It would make a fun after school treat or a dessert for dinner!

Mmmmm! Looks good!

Plant a Delicious Surprise for Easter Dinner Dessert!

2010-04-02T23:41:00.007-06:00

I've been waiting forever for the right opportunity to do this post. I love, love, love this!

A Dessert it a Pot!

Ingredients
1/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for pots
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for dusting
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
3/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Quick Chocolate Frosting

Click above for a frosting recipe or one of your favorite.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush the inside of each flowerpot with oil, and line with parchment paper or foil. Brush lining with oil, and lightly dust with cocoa.

Sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda and powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add egg and yolk, 3/4 cup warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla; mix on low speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.
Divide batter among prepared pots, filling each about two-thirds full. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, rotating sheet about halfway through, until a cake tester inserted into centers comes out clean, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cakes cool completely on sheet on a wire rack.

Frost cakes with an offset spatula; sprinkle with crushed cookies. Top with candies; "plant" 1 mint sprig in each cake.

Easter Morning for the kids!

2010-04-01T23:19:00.008-06:00

I love this idea! Ii comes from my friend Jane's blog, check it out HERE !

At Easter she gives her kids Magic Jelly Beans, they plant them in the front yard and every year they grow something fun.

In the morning they get to go outside to fun surprise.

This year she found these at Walgreens for $1!! (she can fill you in on the details)
This is another little fun project for the kids. They could help you make and you could leave them out for the Easter Bunny, kind of like Cookies for Santa. Or you could make them and have the Easter Bunny leave them for the kids.

TO MAKE: Buy piping bags from the bakery at a grocery store and the fill with Orange goodies and tie with a green ribbon.

2010-04-01T23:19:00.001-06:00

For the Girls!

2010-03-31T21:50:00.005-06:00

Ok, so I'm sitting on the floor of my bedroom with paint on my hands and paint on my pants. Paint is drying on the walls and paint is drying on my roller. But I took a second to do my daily Post!

So this one is for the girls since I did a post for the boys!

Put spring into your little girl's step with pretty paper-flower clips. Transform tissue or crepe paper into dahlias and use them to decorate barrettes and shoes, or to make a lovely bouquet.

Stack five 4-inch squares of tissue paper; fold into quarters. Draw petal shapes as shown. Cut out, and unfold.

Bend one end of a green pipe cleaner to form a round nub. With other end, pierce a hole through the center of the stack of petals, and then pull it through the hole to form a stem. Scrunch petals up. Wrap floral tape around the flower base and down the stem. Pull the layers of petals apart.

To attach flowers to shoes, wrap stems around shoe clips, tape crepe paper leaves to stems, and hot-glue flower bases to clips.

These yarn flowers are really cute and simple! Here's how

Cute little Bunny Ears! Here's how!

An Easy Gift for the Neighbors

2010-03-30T22:57:00.005-06:00

I was thinking of a gift I could make my friends that I visit for Relief Society, something Easterish. I saw these serving bowls at (I hate to say it) Walmart, in the Better Homes and Garden Section. I put some brown paper grass to create a "nest" and then topped with yellow peeps and used only the white robin eggs for a natural look. I first put the pink and blues ones on top but it looked weird, so I used just only white, and Ah ha! Success! I think they turned out pretty good. Over all, I probably spent $6 total a bowl! And after the kids have eaten all the candy Mom's left with a nice serving bowl!

The "Nest" Best Thing!!

2010-03-29T22:10:00.005-06:00

I love little bird nests! Here are some fun ways to display them all year long or just during the Spring.
I found this cute little nest at a craft store last year and you can't go wrong when you put a clotch over it!
In this apothecary jar I put some moss on the bottom and then another nest with a little birdie on top!
Here is a more Easter like center piece.
A basket that is transformed into nest and holds some pretty flowers!
A make it yourself nest is easy. Just stack 2 wreaths on top of each other, with a smaller one on the bottom and a bigger one on top. This one has some pussy willows added, or you could stick in some flowers. Then just adds some eggs, real or fake!
This nest is on the more difficult side. I wouldn't do it again. I like the ribbons added to the plastic eggs though, dresses them up.

Question.....

2010-03-27T22:22:00.002-06:00

This is a distraction from the projects but I don't know how I feel about this. I've seen it done but would I do it? Would you?

Hang a mirror over a fireplace or place on top of a mantel if it was too high for you to see yourself in? I want to know what you guys think?

Spring into a Week of Projects!

2010-03-26T20:58:00.011-06:00

It's about one week until Easter and so for the next week I'm going to post a Spring/Easter Delight! And by delight I mean a craft or decor or gift or recipe! Hopefully you'll get some good ideas!

My first "delight" is a Make It Yourself "Tie for Your Little Guy!" It comes from a the website, Youcanmakethis.com. Type "Tie for your Little Guy" in the search. You have to buy the instructions for this, but it's only $4. I'm sorry but I feel bad it I posted how to do it and robbed a business of their money. It would make me mad if someone did it to me. Well, now that's out of the way, give the website a try! They turn out way cute. I would recommend using an upholstery fabric.

What's HOT HOT HOT!

2010-03-21T17:35:00.010-06:00

This isn't so much a D.I.Y project, but it kind of can be if you are someone who is looking for a change and not sure what they like or want. Hopefully this will inspire you.

I'm sure some of you are very aware of these new yummy things. I love all the new looks and trends. Well, ok I don't love all of them. I could do without the big flowers, but to each his own.

Natural wood in all forms is everywhere. It's green and sustainable, and looks good with all different styles.

Love this Chunky Table from West Elm

The next trend or look that's big is the feminine and botanical look. I'm glad, because I have a secret love of bird cages.

Ruffles galore! We're seeing these everywhere in womens clothing and it now has made it's way into home furnishings and decor!

The big flower! Ok, so this is not my favorite look, but the few example I did pick here I like and can be used in everyday home.

What? Roots and flowers on curtains? Charming!
Homemade Grandma quilts! So comfy and you don't have to pay and arm and leg at Pottery Barn if inherit one from your sweet grandma.

I SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST! YELLOW AND GREY! This has been growing in popularity for the past 2 years, and now you can't open a Magazine without see this glorious combination! "Grey is the New Brown!"

Anthropolgie
WestElm
CB2

CB2

You can find these looks at West Elm, Pottery Barn, CB2, Anthropologie

2010-03-17T22:28:00.000-06:00

Add some Bling to your Bathroom

2010-03-08T20:37:00.008-07:00

I get tired of the same old thing. Don't you? Here are some ways to spruce up your bathrooms using glass tile mosaics. Glass tile has been around for years and will continue to be a big part of tile, so dive in people!

For this project, the level of difficultly lies in what kind of glass you choose. The easiest glass tile to lay are the kind with mesh backing and they're usually the cheapest.

see below for websites

Framing out a mirror is a great project to take on. It's a little area, so it's easy to tile if you're a first timer, and a little goes long way!

Below: Last year we had this small space of dry wall above our mirror and again, I just wanted to add a more modern look my bathroom. Using the product Mastic, which is a premixed glue-like material, I troweled it directly on my dry wall using a 1/8" v-notch trowel. Then put the sheet of glass right on the it. After I did one row, I staggered the next row so it would blend better and not have grid look. Lastly I picked a grout, mixed it according to the package and I was done in 2-3 days! I used the an Italian glass, from Sicis Glass. Check out this site

This is more contemporary look, with the circle glass tiles creating "bubbles" love it!

The nice thing about glass is that it doesn't have to be trendy or contemporary.

Above: Glass tile mixed with slate. It's more of a natural soft look. Great of a spa or rustic feel. Again, notice just a small area behind the sinks, under the mirror.

Check out Waterfall glass from www.walkerzanger.com or the Geologie ( that's how they spell it) Series from Oceanside glass www.glasstile.com

Below: This is subway glass tile. Ceramic Subway tile is your classic tile that's been around since the 1950. Given that name because it is literally tiled in the subway stations of New York City. We have seen subway tile come back in a big way the past few years in all sorts of materials, porcelain, marble, travertine slate, and glass. But it still has that classic, timeless look.

Check out www.crossvilleinc.com They are a very "green" company and also a "Made in America" company!

How I turned This into That

2010-03-01T20:33:00.004-07:00

Once again, using my love of paper I created some personal art!

I went to a local craft and scrapbook supply store and picked out some paper in coordinating colors and some vinyl stickers.

I bought these coordinating frames that all match. If you're going to do a grouping of pics or art it's best to have either the frames match or the pictures inside match.

I just kind of played around with the paper until I liked the way they looked together and with the one next to it. Like you would do with a collage.

Lastly, I looked up the word "Home" in the Thesaurus and it gave me a whole bunch of different words for "Home" so I just chose my favorite! You could do words like Love, Kids, Vacation or Family. Family had some great choices, one of my favorite was Posse!) I added my family pictures (that project is for another day) and now I have a personalized and inviting entrance! Enjoy!

Kitchen and Chairs

2010-02-23T12:06:00.006-07:00

Hi! So after a 2 month sabbatical I'm back! We relocated, reestablished, removed, renovated and remodeled! Here are some pics of the kitchen, and the bar stools I got for a steal of a price at a furniture outlet.
One was black and one was red, so we primed and painted using the brand Rust-oleum from the Home Depot. It can be sprayed right onto already finished MDF. Make sure to let it dry in between coats. My husband got a little carried away and sprayed to much at one point, but we just sanded and sprayed again on that one spot. That's the nice thing about sandpaper and paint. Using a high gloss white makes in easy to clean and more forgiving of mistakes. We finished with a light lacquer so it would have that nice candy shine!
I love that you can take the seats off and recover them if you wanted to. Right now I left them because they match my dining chairs.
The barstools in the kitchen. We also painted the walls a blueish, greenish gray that I made up in can because I couldn't find any color I liked. The furniture piece around the stove is one of my favorites.

It's all New!

2010-01-12T17:36:00.003-07:00

So after Christmas my life got crazy! I was going to make a post explaining that I wouldn't be doing a post for 2 weeks, and I didn't even have time to do that!
This new year has brought all new things for us. We packed up and moved across the state on New Years Eve and then didn't have internet until just now!
But I'm already working on some projects in the new home so I'll keep you posted!

Thank you so much to all those who read this little blog. I hope you're getting some sort of something out of it!

What to do with all those Candy Canes?!

2009-12-21T00:02:00.014-07:00

Every year there always seems to a bundle of left over candy canes and peppermints so here are a few recipe for cookies for Santa or desserts for the party!

Peppermint Spinwheels click here
Mint Thin Cookies click here

Desserts
Peppermint Chocolate Pudding click here

Swirls of Peppermint Cheesecake click here
Oreo mint pie click here

Let's Get Ready to Party!

2009-12-20T22:19:00.006-07:00

"Christmas is coming, It's practically here!" The Grinch

So lets get ready for those Christmas Eve parties and shock our friends and families by how creative we can be! First, add some sparkle to those dining rooms but dressing up the chandeliers!

Next, focus on a centerpiece. I saw this one at the Flower Market the other day and had to take a pic because I loved it.

If you don't like how fake or messy artificial snow is with your little village, try using white bowls flipped over to give a "snowy hillside" look!

"Oooohh this is lovely" you guest will say and you can say "I did it myself!''

To make- Hot glue fresh or silk flowers around a container and fill it with sprigs of greenery!

Food presentations is always important so when doing a casual buffet style try putting your food up on tiers for a more elegant look.

A simple way to display candy canes,.

You can find these star ice trays at IKEA during the summer (around the Forth of July) and then just add some frozen cranberries to a bowl and it will chill any bottle of your favorite sparkling drink!

This works best in one of the glass jars with a spout, but if you don't have one (I found mine at Costco in October for $35) you can always just do this in one without a spout and put it out on display!

And finally, a parting gift for your guest. A mitten filled with treats and a drink, we like "jul mus" from Sweden. It's my hubbies fave.

Chic it Yourself stocking!

2009-12-20T21:32:00.006-07:00

The Stockings were hung! I know I say this a lot but I love these projects!
These are little baby stockings all hung in a row! (Can also be a cute advent calendar like so)
So this is a project made with old sweaters! Click here instructions.

Simple red or white Stockings can be embellished with silk or fabric flower, ribbons or lace.

Wrap, Ribbons, and Bows

2009-12-18T14:12:00.012-07:00

Wrapping presents is, sometimes, the worst part of Christmas so I wanted to find a way to get excited about it. I think if you make the packaging part of the gift, it's more exciting for you and the recipient! There are some great ideas here, I'm really excited to do these! Below are ideas on making your own wrapping paper, tags and bows! I tried to post easy ideas with stuff that hopefully you already have at home.

WRAPPING PAPER

FREE FREE FREE!!

I'm pretty much obsessed with anything black and white so when I found out that you can print this paper for FREE on your own printer I squealed! (luckily I was alone). So click on this link. It will print out on a smaller scale on 8x10 but use 11x17 if you can! Or save it on a desk and print it at a Kinko/FedEx. They give you the tags and everything! http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/wrap-it-up#slide_13

Candy cane stripes made by wrapping ribbon inches apart over the wrapping paper.

This one I also love! Take fabric and photocopy it, then print it out onto paper! Very personal and chic! I think it would be a fun idea for birthdays, baby showers and weddings as well!

Go green! Use fabric, towels, maps, magazines, brown paper bags, anything lying around the house or can be a gift in itself like the dish towels.

I always try to do this, but color coding each person with there own wrapping paper. Then you don't need labels and your tree and gifts with coordinate and look a little more polished.

This is a project called Dip-Dye. You use rice paper and food coloring. Really easy, go http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/dip-dye-wrapping-paper to see how!

Doilies people! They're back in a big way! I have to admit, I like them too, used in the right way. Example, here it is a little more vintage and not so "grandma." Not that being "grandma" is bad! Let's just not frame doilies again, OK!

TAGS!

I probably shouldn't post this since I did it for the family,but it's a great way to give a picture of your cute little ones to their Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles!

This is a Do it yourself project, A way to package those gift cards using paper and ribbon. If you can't figure it out by looking you basically glue a piece of ribbon on three sides to piece of card stock cut like so. Then stick the card inside the unglued side. OR, make a little sack! Using just ribbon, cut a longer piece, fold in half, wrong sides together. Then staple, sew or glue together the 2 sides, leaving the top open. Flip right side out. Slide the card in and cinch shut with string or more ribbon!

This is a cute little printed tag. Click here for the FREE template http://www.marthastewart.com/article/typewritten-gift-cards?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/wrap-it-up#slide_45

BOWS!

Pom pom bows. See also the flower bows below on how to make these!

Cupcake-paper Carnation bows. Use petit four, mini cupcake, and cupcake paper liners. I read the instructions, pretty easy. Nothing you could figure out by looking at the picture. http://www.marthastewart.com/article/cupcake-paper-carnations?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/wrap-it-up#slide_72

I thought this was cute with the bows on all sides. Just something different.

Pom pom or Flower bows
This is your basic self-adhesive bow, but with a little scissor work it's 10 times better, wouldn't you say! Cut the loops open of the big bow, at angles rather than across the middle for best results. Then once it's open adhere a smaller bow in the inside and cut that one open too. Curl ends once open.

Top it off! Line the top of a box with different sizes of bows, but in the same color. Gives it a great texture and little more pizazz!

The Homemade Peony. Again, take a regular store bought bow and snip in open but instead of curling the ends fan them out. Then take a smaller bow and cut it way down at different angles and adhere in the middle.

Happy Wrapping!

My mistake!

2009-12-15T22:00:00.004-07:00

Sorry! I didn't have that link working for Studio 5! Why didn't anyone tell me? I'm such a loser. OK, well this one should take you there. http://studio5.ksl.com
You can still print out those numbers and they also have other crafts and recipes and such!
Happy Chic'ing (yes I plan to wear out that word!)

A Gingerbread (graham cracker) House

2009-12-15T17:28:00.008-07:00

We have a family tradition of making gingerbread houses, and we've done ever since I was little, and now I get to do with my kids! This year was my first attempt and it was pretty dang easy! The first important step is to build the house. The best, easiest and none messy way we've found is to use burnt sugar. You make it just like it sounds. Put 3/4 cup of sugar in a pan, on medium, stirring frequently and eventually it will liquefy to a sticky syrup!

Then dip the edges in and build it to your hearts desire!

The next, and best step is the decorating! I just get my candy from Dollar Tree and it is in no way "chic" but doing it with my son was fun just the same!

Here is a recipe for the frosting. It's a cake decorating frosting and it's super yummy so be prepared! This recipe will make frost about 6 small houses.

2c shortening

2 1/2 lbs powder sugar (that's 10 cps)

1/2 c milk

1 tsp vanilla

dash salt

mix until a fluffy consistancy.

In honor of this post, I posted some professional houses I saw when I visited the Festival of Trees at the beginning of the month here in Utah. The trees are just trees to me, sometimes there are some amazing ones. But I'm always amazed at the gingerbread houses. Our neighbor builds one every year, his was the "UP" house this year. So creative! Maybe someday I'll bake real gingerbread and make one. Add that on my To Do list.

This one was just funny.

"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"

"UP"
Sorry, out of focus because I had to hurry, but you get the idea.

A cute little Bird House

There is always some big elaborate, over the top Castle, this one, was it. Who has time? Really? But it is amazing.

A Chic and Custom Gift!

2009-12-11T21:17:00.005-07:00

I thought etched glass was common practice, but when I ask, I hear more "no's" then "yes's" so I'd thought I post this homemade gift project.
You know when you take a dish to a church or family function and after the food's all gone it's really hard to find YOUR dish again? Well, this personalized gift is perfect and simple to do!
I could do infomercials. I should also mention that it's permanent, and is oven and dishwasher safe!

So this is Armour Etch, you can buy it at any craft store. It's a little pricey, like $20 a bottle, but it goes a long way and if you use a 50% off coupon at Roberts or Micheal's like I did then it's not to bad.

So I used a glass baking dish (obviously) you can also use a pie dish or whatever. Pyrex does not always etch plus it has a lot of writing already on the bottom. I find the best in Anchor brand at Kmart, and it's bottom is pretty much blank. FYI, the brands at IKEA do NOT work!

Next step is to find good thick sticky stickers, though vinyl really is ideal, and spell out the last name of the recipient.

Once you've spelled out the name, tape a frame around it.

Next step is to fill in the taped frame with the etching paste. Follow directions on the bottle. Although it pretty much says what I just told you.

Let it sit for a least 2 min. and really that's all it takes.

Wash it off in the sink with water and dry and....

Now just add few of your favorite brownie mixes or a recipe and Ta Da! You chic'd it yourself!

Christmas Wall Decor!

2009-12-10T21:48:00.006-07:00

I'm a little behind I know, but I will catch up by the weekend I promise. Especially now that I no longer have a day job! Yea! So onto Christmas Wall Decor! Some fun and simple projects for the holiday.
So I like this. But, I would probably chose different colors, more on the neutral side. To do this project paint 12x12 canvases and once it dries wrap in ribbon.

Search consignment stores to find wrought iron pieces like this, or even local home decor stores and with a wreath it's quite charming!

Spruce up your walls with some(blue) spruce! Sprigs of greenery in vases adds that great Christmas smell to any room.

This is a cheap and easy project. It's not hard to find an old frame at a second hand store or one you already have. You can even find packs of ornaments at the dollar store and to create a tree use crafting wire and hang the ornaments using S-hooks. Pretty Pretty!

I wish I would have seen this last year before we sold our house because I would have done this on my french doors Christmas morning!

Christmas Cookies!

2009-12-07T22:06:00.004-07:00

One of the best Christmas traditions is Christmas cookies, we always make a whole bunch of different kinds for the friends and neighbors. And who doesn't love to get or give Christmas cookies! Here are some new chic ways of packaging those cookies as gifts instead of the usual paper plate.

Sometimes one is enough so stick a big gourmet cookie in a cd holder! You can find these cheap anywhere and with a pretty little label they look professional!

So I have a ton of these packaging tubes and with a little wrapping paper they can become perfect holders for the cookies.
This is just a box but create some compartments and you have an interesting little display!
2 gifts in 1! A cute little ice cream cup to hold the cookies. Wrap with cellophane and ribbon and viola!

This idea is just a little obvious, but I like it just the same!

Advent Calenders, It's not to Late!

2009-12-04T21:00:00.009-07:00

This is a quick project since it's already the 4 of December and because I have to go make 2 casseroles, a fruit salad, some baked brie and a red velvet cake all tonight for the 2 Christmas parties we have to go to tomorrow! It's the most wonderful time of the year!

OK so go to http://studio5.ksl.com/and click on crafts.
It's really easy, it's a pizza pan and plastic cups with lids that you fill with a treat. The website has a link so you can print out those cut circles numbers and the rest of the instructions!

Have fun! I'm going to make one tomorrow! Sometime after one Christmas party and before the other.

12 DAYS OF CHIC'NESS!

2009-12-02T14:44:00.002-07:00

Welcome to the 12 Days of Chic'ness! For the month of December I will be posting a Christmas decorating tip, idea, project, receipt, handmade gifts, ect...! It will fall on the even days, therefore making it 12 days by December 24! See how that works!

The First Christmas Chic'ness is Trees! Since it's usually the first thing you put up, if you haven't already! Here are some handmade ornament ideas if you want to add a personal touch or get the kids involved!
I love Silhouettes! This tree is so charming! You can make your own silhouettes of the family and put them in frames or mount to card stock. Take a profile picture against a blank wall and use the magic of Photoshop or Adobe to create! Hang with ribbon.
TIP: Everything looks better hung with ribbon!
Here is little more of a rustic tree, but it doesn't have to be that way. These are vegetable seed packets turned into ornaments! So clever, but I think using flower seed packets would be more my style and little more chic. Notice the tree stand, different. I like it. To do, line the bottom of a galvanized bucket (of anything container big enough) with bricks then put the tree stand on top and top with moss.

WARNING: Soooo easy and cute (and cheap!) OLD CHRISTMAS CARDS! Save them or buy on clearance for next year. To make the garland, cut circles out of the cards and then use a heavy string and stick it to back with stickers! You can find the stickers at any office supply store.

I've seen just Cookie Cutters on trees before, but because I'm a spaz about paper and think you can use it for anything I thought lining the inside of the cookie cutter is fun and you have an instant frame (and gift)!

I like this a lot, it's totally me. Put branches in a vase and hang stuff. So easy and chic. I would recommend like they did here and do a collection of the same ornament.

FOR THE KIDS

This looks bigger than it actually is. These are just regular sized peppermints put together with frosting (or glue) with a red candy such as a red hot or .....something red, you know check the candy isle, I'm sure there's something!

LOVE IT! Button ornaments. Looks harder then it actually is. Using pipe cleaner create a loop (for the ribbon) and then fill it with buttons. Obviously use the bigger ones for belly's and hat brims. To create arms or legs wrap another pipe cleaner and put in place of a button, then continue on with the buttons!

Hope you enjoy! If you have questions or need help feel free to email me!

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

2009-11-18T14:20:00.014-07:00

It's that time of year again! Time to get those creative juices flowing and create a show stopping center piece for your Thanksgiving table. One that will get oohs and awhs from all your guest (and maybe even that jealous sister... or brother, I don't judge).
Ok so take some time to be inspired, there's a lot to look at!
above: This is my favorite. A simple, modern center piece, for more of a elegant dinner.

Using baby gourds, put them on tops of old balustrades. This would be great if you had a lot of tables you needed centerpieces for.
Or... float them in water!
Piling them in glass containers with vines is simple and great for the buffet style dinner.

This would even been fun outside on a table on your porch to welcome your guests, or inside on a side table.
The gourd used for these 2 projects is called a Swan Neck gourd. I love how it's used as a vase for casual or formal look.

The gold and the candles are a bit much for me, but could still be tasteful in the right setting.

Gourds cut out to hold objects is always a favorite of mine. Really easy to do!

Candy holders! Just dry out for 24 hrs and line the inside with saran wrap if your a little eerie of the rind.
This place setting is simple with a gourd and a garden marker to hold the name of the guest.

Have a Happy (and beautiful) Thanksgiving!

courtesy of BHG.

Become a Follower!

2009-11-03T23:27:00.002-07:00

Just a little note. If you like what you see here at this site, join as a Follower! I'd love to know you and see who's interested.
Thank you!

Look for the craft project of the month coming this weekend! It's a good one!

More Halloween Goodness!

2009-10-26T21:03:00.004-06:00

This "Chic It Yourself" project comes from a reader and friend. She went all creative on us! Here is her fireplace, she printed these letters off the computer, cut and aged them with a marker and then strung them up with ribbon. To create a "haunted" center piece, she again went to the computer and printed out these images from the internet and framed them.

These candles are chic'd! (what? that's a word) She went to D.I. (a thrift store here in Utah) and found these candles sticks and spray painted them white and black and added contrasting candles to each!

GORGEOUS!! Love the display! The pumpkins in the cake stand, great! Lets not forget the table runner! It's just printed damask paper, brilliant!

OK so I was reminded by a reader that I never posted my old house from last year's Halloween (because the blog didn't exist, K) so here are a few highlights.

Remember when I said I loved pumpkins? Well, I grew them in my front yard so when fall came I would have vines of pumpkins! That's love.

This is a cake I made, not super professional. I got the cat template out of a magazine, it was suppose to be black but by the time I decided to make it I couldn't find black sugar anywhere. But the green worked, you can still find this template, I believe, at Country Living Mag's website.

Ok, so this what I did this year, I'm kind of regretting that I even posted it. But I found these cute wood circles and hung them from a dresser door, The End. Next year, when we're in a house, I promise to have more of a Halloween Extravaganza!!

I LOVE Decorating for Halloween

2009-10-10T16:55:00.007-06:00

So I should tell you that I'm sad. Sad because Halloween is my favorite holiday to decorate for ( I know,weird) and I currently don't have a house of my own to decorate. SOoo.. why do I love Halloween? Um can you say, Orange, Black and White, and Chartreuse! The best colors ever created! OK, so some of the best colors. I should mention that I only like the "classy" Halloween decor, not the blood and guts! Tacky. I should also mention that....I LOVE Fall! (if I was a computer nerd I would have put "I HEART Fall" with a little heart, but I can't)
You may have already checked out some of the pictures below that were featured on MSN.com on Sunday, but I had to post a few of them, they're great ideas!

TABLE TOP
Take small pumpkins and using double-sided tape put ribbons around them and group them in a bowl!

Cut off the stems, add a candle and some glass to create a hurricane lantern! Kind of tricky if you don't already have the glass!

Hallow out the pumpkin and then spray with matte black paint. Then use a spoon to scrape off the paint creating shapes! Stuff with fresh flowers or twigs from your local craft store.

FIRE PLACES

I love the spilling out look of the painted pumpkins. It's so easy to paint pumpkins, my mom had us doing it before we were 10. It's an easier clean up!

White pumpkins are very 'in' right now. You could paint or use vinyl lettering to create this, and spray paint some ivy black for the vines.

ENTRY WAY

So easy, stick some twigs in the top of a pumpkin. I did this last year, I found the easiest way was to drill smaller holes in the pumpkin then work the branches in. You could also just use a crafting pumpkin from a craft store.

Cut some bats out of black or printed paper and hang! Again, white pumpkins, some candles, and a bowl of candy complete the look!

These are great! Create the silloutes by cutting out scary creatures out of paper and mounting them behind a candle (not to close!) or if you can find Halloween ornaments those work best. A bent clothes hanger or even a fondue fork can hold them up, or buy a small picture holder at your local store.

Untraditional! Have a lot of butternut squash you don't know what to do with (besides make soup) turn them into scary Jack-o-lanterns! The elongated face gives a great spooky look!
courtesy of Marthastewart.com

I would love to see how you decorate! Send me some pictures if you want! At

staceymangum@gmail.com

School House Lights! Love 'em!

2009-09-24T13:25:00.007-06:00

One of my favorite websites is http://www.remodelista.com/ It's 5 women who collaborate and consider themselves a resource book to the world of all the products out there needed to design or remodel your home. Love it love it love it. So this was an ad on their site and I nearly fell out because I love old lighting like this, BUT it can also be new and modern! School House Electric is an USA based company "that practice century-old-hand-crafting." The price is great for what you're getting, a hand blown, hand painted glass fixture, like $119 for a pendent! They also have flush mount and just shades! If you're remodeling an old home or just recreating this look in your home now, it can be accomplished! Check out their site!
http://www.schoolhouseelectric.com/
sorry the pics are a little small....

Exposed Brick...How I love thee!

2009-09-06T21:40:00.003-06:00

This has to be the best project ever! I love exposed brick, the texture, warmth, the simplicity of it really! A single wall can be bricked and left alone and it adds so much to a house. That's why I'm so excited about this company, Arto Brick, they have created "thin bricks" which are real bricks but only a tile width in size! It's brilliant! They can be applied very easily like any kind of wall tile! So much better then faux painting them on! eeww! (Can you tell how much I love them? There are exclamation points everywhere!) I very much plan on using them in my next house. Here is the website. http://www.artobrick.com The site isn't the best yet so to see what they really have to offer, and if you're in Utah, go to any Contempo Tile store. These are some ideas of places to brick. It can be used in modern spaces.

Or in vintage, shabby chic, or country spaces.

In Commerical spaces.

Just a simple wall can transform the space. This kitchen could seem cold and stark but the brick warms it up and adds a little bit of a "cafe" feel.

The bricks can also be used outside (obviously!)

I should probably be apologizing for not posting sooner, but who really reads this anyway!

What happened?

2009-08-19T15:32:00.002-06:00

Um, OK so it's been a couple of weeks. Good excuse, we moved. But I'm back! So a new project and more is coming soon. Watch for it this weekend!

Chic-It-Yourself Painting.

2009-07-28T11:27:00.005-06:00

In honor of moving this week, I'm writing a post on some painting techniques that I have used around my own home.

Below: In our office I used a metallic glaze over the top of an orange. I bought the long, hard bristol applicator brush that gives it that brushed metal look. It was kind of difficult, actually, and if I were to do it again, I would do it over a grey base wall color or a green. You can find both the glaze and paint at Lowes. Below: This is our Master Bedroom. In a magazine, Creative Home (published by Better Homes and Gardens), I found this stenciling technique and I really like it.

To create: Paint the top half of the room a lighter color and the bottom a dark (for best results). Using a stencil, apply the paint from top half onto the bottom half. Gives a kind of a "bleeding" look. I used a Damask stencil I ordered online. I love Damask patterns!

Above: Stripes are "in" right now, but I would like to say that the stripes in my guest room (now my sons room) originated from my own brain 4 years ago (surprising, yes) and not from a magazine or a t.v. show on that HG station. I was daydreaming about what to do in there and the idea just popped in!

To Create: I found the best way to do stripes is to paint the lighter color all over and do the darker on top. The taping and measuring to ensure the stripes are the same width apart is time consuming! Be prepared! Also, using two monochromatic colors give the best results. Here I used two shades of a light lime green.

This also a "Stacey Original" I wanted to define the dining space in our kitchen, so I painted a different, cordinating shade of green around the window. This works because it draws your eye to the space and it becomes part of the window.

Paint can be used to liven or define any space. Painting an architectural element like a collum, post, nook, or arch in your house can really emphasize that detail and make that space become more your own.

Craft of the Week- Decorating with Paper

2009-07-14T08:54:00.000-06:00

This weeks project is late (due to illness) but still a good one! It comes for Studio 5, a local Utah television talk show. They always have great crafts, recipes, gardening tips and more!
Below: "Trend Alert" Fruit is Chic again!
Take a deep, shadow box like picture frame, it has to be doubled paned. You can find at most craft stores. Pick your favorite paper for the back drop.
Next, Using a Cricut machine or stencil or exacto knife, cut out a shape of fruit, using a solid color like shown.
Really simple! If you want to see a video, click http://studio5.ksl.com/ then click on the "projects" tab. Bare with me while I learn how to eventually post the videos here.

This week's project is all about using paper! I love decorative paper so much, even though I'm not a scrapbooker, so because I'm not, I wanted to find a way I could incorporate it in my home. Below are some ways I've used paper, and very cost effective too I might add.
Just simply framing coordinating paper.

Mod-podging a cardboard letter for my son's room. These big letters can be found at JoAnn's.

This is actually a tear out of a calander I loved. Most calenders are coordinating, for example I have one now that is all pictures of Paris. When I'm done with it I plan on framing the ones I love to create a wall grouping.

Above and Below: Decorative paper I just happened to love so I took them to a framing store and had them mount them on foam board and cut them out for me so they'd have nice straight edges. Cost, .75 cents each!

Flooring Chic'd by You!

2009-07-13T12:25:00.000-06:00

So to get the ball rolling I'd thought I start from the ground up, with Flooring. Probably the hardest project I'll post, so don't be scared away! Coming soon: moldings, paint, pillows, and furniture and more! Above: This is my laundry room floor that I tiled all by myself. I love checker board patterns. They tend to lean to a more vintage, classic look. They can really be timeless which is a great thing when remodeling!

Above: I was going to stain the concrete in our basement but now that we are moving, that won't happen. My husband has a friend who did it and he said it was easy and comparable, if not cheaper, than carpet. That's my kind of design! Check out http://diylife.com for a step by step instructions.

Aren't these gorgeous?! Stained concrete that has been stenciled, you can do it etched or with paint.

Above: These are glass tiles. Glass in 12x12's or smaller tiles can be found at most local tile stores (check with sales staff to make sure they are floor rated, not all can go on floors). Again, easy to lay. I like how they've created a "rug" here to define the seating space.

Below: Porcelain tiles that look like wood! Amazing! Looks great, easy to maintain and wears better. Again, available at most tile stores and home improvement stores. This tile is by Grespania.

Below: These are just wood floors I love by Ebony. Fun!

FINDING YOUR OWN STYLE

2009-07-08T13:58:00.000-06:00

These are 2 magazines I like. Home Depot and Lowes are where you can find great Kitchen and Bath Magazines as well as Do-It-Yourself Magazines.

I want to start off with how important it is to find your own style. I help people all the time who, from the beginning, have no clue what they like. WELL, no one can tell you what you like! So what to do.....? It's so simple, start by looking through a design magazine! And I mean that by literally look at each room pictured and deciding if what you're seeing is for you or not. Ask yourself these questions.

-Do I like the colors?
-What in this room do I like and why?
-Do I tend to lean towards warm or cool colors?
-Do I like the materials being used on the floor, the counters, the cabinets, the light fixtures ect..?
-How does this room make me feel? That is actually an important question, some people want calming, some energetic, some want trendy, some what rustic.

Now, I don't recommend coping these rooms verbatim at all. But once you get a sense of what you like, you can go from there. It should make picking paint and finding furniture and accessories a lot easier. For big projects, hire a designer who can help you piece it together. If you're looking for something to do yourself, you've come to the right place!

Welcome to Chic It Youself!

2009-02-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

This is a blog of an Interior Designer, who wants to help all those who are designers at heart! Most posts here will be projects that can be done yourself, and most I have tried ( and hopefully succeeded!) I'll also be posting projects I've found in magazines, the Internet and T.V. and the occasionally reader projects! Also the monthly "Lunch and Learn" where I'll post a new recipe and Design Topic.

I'm hoping for this to be fun and maybe a tool some people might use to get the creative juices flowing! Learning an art, craft or trade is good for the mind and soul. It's great to feel connected to something and see it accomplished. I feel passionately abut design. I have my degree in Interior Design and current balance being a homemaker and my job where I help people with the design of their kitchens and baths. I also do a little of my own design on the side. So as of now, I'm still getting this up and running so bare with me. My first Design Post, is a little bit about me and some of the current trends and timeless designs I love.

Enjoy!