What Did You Do Today?

I really try and keep Saturdays open for things I want to do. I clean the house Fridays when I get home from work. I go grocery shopping and do laundry on Sunday afternoons. Saturdays are my days.

Since  my living room is back to normal, I decided I'd set up my new television (Merry Christmas from my cool parents) and sound bar (Merry Christmas to me, lol, I spoil myself) on my new television stand (thank-you Target). 

Hahaha, you know how people make fun of assembling things from Ikea? At least Ikea things come with instructions. I open the box, no instructions. I go online, no instructions. I call, at least two weeks to mail instructions. I told her to forget it - surely I could figure this out. It probably took me twice as long as it should have, but here is my lovely television stand. 

I was insistent on a stand with wheels because, when people come over, I don't want a television in front of my giant fireplace. Instead, I want to see the fireplace and not look like my living room is really a television room.

Now all I need is a blue ray player for this room. But things come in time.

The bigger project I worked on today were the chalkboards. Since they were still hanging out in their Christmas glory I thought I'd refresh them with some love quotes (hey, not all single girls are anti-Valentine's day. I love "love quotes"). 

Since it is in my hallway, it is SO hard to get a picture of the whole thing. This is the best I could do. I need a wide angle lens ... for my iPhone. 

This sonnet (#27) by Pablo Nurda is one of my favorites.

(lol, see my finger here - I didn't until I posted it)

Here is the other end ... and some chalkboard art tips

1. You know all those stencils and everything you can get? Forget about it - anything in your own hand is better! Don't like your handwriting? I don't think anyone does - I'm always getting compliments on mine and I think it looks so ... normal. 

2. Start with a really clean board - like wet the whole thing down and let it dry. If you make a mistake, use a damp paper towel to fix it. 

3. Want to emphasize a word? Use two colors (my favorite trick). It doesn't even look like two colors - it just looks awesome when to write one on top of another.

4. Mix up your fonts. I have three that I can use (regular printing, handwriting, and block letters) then mix them with caps and lower case. Once you add in your different colors and ways to fill them in you have a whole variety. 

Washi Tape Magnet Tutorial

You are either one of two people. Either you are one of the people who are obsessed with using washi tape everywhere and for everything ... or, you've never heard of it and only came here because the link from Pinterest looked cute. No matter - this is a super fun and easy cheesy project. 

Materials: Washi Tape, Glue Stick, Roll Magnet, Cardstock, Glue Gun

Start by tearing the washi tape into smallish strips and glue it to card stock.

Then cut out the strips - the more detailed you are, the better this will look. 

Easy-peasy, cut a magnetic strip and hot glue to the back.

Display everything you like on your fridge!!

Don't have a collection of washi tape? Don't have the time to make a project? Head over to my store and pick up sets of these magnets for $5.00 each. Great for everyone on your gift list (you can say you made them, I won't tell).

Pinterest Challenge

Instead of just pinning forever, I've decided to make a point of doing some of these things. So, I have a new Pinterest Board: Things I'm Going to Do (Reviews to Follow) - I know, the title could use some work.

So, this board has just one rule - I can only have five things on there at a time that I haven't tried yet. 

Right now I just have four "To Dos"

Pacifier Clips (these would be great baby gifts)

That quote about dreaming, I'm going to use it in one of these projects

(which was also a Pinterest Project)

Some Etsy Tips to review and use

Homemade Washing Detergent

Two other items on there I have tired and are excellent, you should check them out

Homemade Carmel Corn

Brownie Batter Dip

Now that you are feeling all excited about doing a Pinterest Challenge, check out my

Etsy Store: Curious Fabulizations!!

Discounts can be found on our Facebook Page

Shopping Day ... or Why I Love Target

Run to your local Target store and check out the Christmas Clearance which is now a grand 90% off!!!!

So, I wasn't going to buy any more Christmas decorations. Then I had to run into Target. Sigh.

However, at those discounted prices, it wasn't really like spending money (lol, see how I justify these things for myself).

A breakdown, according to the receipt::

Penguin Pillow $1.49

Little Animals $0.49 each

Knit Christmas Trees $0.80 each

Christmas Cards $0.70 each

(I already bought a box of these at 50% off, so I'm set for next year)

Then two items from the decor section of Target that were only 70% off (only, lol)

Shiny Gold Bread Basket $5.98

Hurricane $8.98

I think both of these items I can use year around (or, at least, I plan to)

Grand Shopping Total $22.63 (with tax)

Grand Savings Total $62.00!!

Happy New Year

Wow, we haven't talked since last year! Since that was just a month ago, I don't feel too badly. Since chatting last I had a lovely holiday with my family. The only thing I was missing was a group of carolers at my door :( Alas, otherwise the Christmas season was utterly delightful, full of presents, decorations, crafts, and friends & family. 

Pictures? Well, pictures stress me out. That might sound funny, but I become so consumed with capturing every moment that I miss them (not getting them on film, but being a part of them).

I hosted Christmas for the first time ever - it actually went pretty smoothly. Then I threw a New Year's Day Open House to show off my new digs and see all of my friends. It was a great time! (My BFF's son, who is three, told us it was a GREAT party - so it must have been!)

My biggest news over the holiday season? My Etsy story exploded! Well, not quite, it was a great way to start off a new adventure. 

What is this for you? Well, lots more about Etsy and store building. Additionally, I will still be posting about crafts, decorating, shopping, and recipes. Lots of fun things to try (and pin - mostly I pin things, but I do make things occasionally). 

Oh, plus a lovely new (more simplistic) blog design!!