Sofa Tables

Since I've been pregnant for the last year (miscarriage and now 9 months) and went back to work for awhile my crafting has slowed down quite a bit. However since I got my husband to make my sister and I a sofa table he has been building them every now and then to sale for a little extra money. I like to make them all a little unique and different. Most people tend to like the white, but I love the color.

 

This bed sat in my garage for ever. I've been wanting to turn it into a bench. I made it so we could have our Christmas pictures on it. However there is no room for it in our house and I was worried the sun would warp it, so I sold it to my sister. It is so darling in her house with cute pillows on it.

Living Room Remodel

The Tile for our Living Room has arrived

 First step tear out the old Carpet and Pad and Scrap up the glue

 Then put mesh over the cracks in the concrete and paint with the "special purple stuff" so the floor won't shift anymore and the tile won't crack

 Time to lay out the tile in the crazy pattern.

 Grout

 Look how pretty the Traverntine tile is after it's been sealed

 Time to move the furniture back in and have some good old family memories

Madison's 2nd Birthday

My Little girl is obsessed with Minnie Mouse. So of course she had to have a Minnie Mouse Birthday Party. I hand made these invites using various circle sizes. The ones i had to mail, I attached the ears with brads so that they would turn in and fit in an envelope. I also slid a picture of my little princess into the pocket with the party information.

 I made this wreath for the front door. I used a styrofaom wreath and then just glued tons of felt on the wreath.

 I bought dollar store head bands and dollar store foam. I glued felt on the foam and glued them on the headband and a bow. I gave these ears to the Birthday girl and all of her guest.

 I put Pink and black and red banners all over outside and inside to add more of a decorated feel. They were just old fabric I had laying around I sewed on as ribbon. I made a minnie mouse out of cardstock with a number two on it to hang out side as well. As you can see the wind got the best of it.

 For food we just served hot dogs as thats what they sing about on Mickey Mouse clubhouse. I made these cupcakes tying a bow out of fruit by the foot. (I got the idea off pinterest, sorry didn't save the website)

 What would be a party without my signature Birthday Banner. This one is Minnie Mouse of Course.

 I wish I would of got a better picture of the pinata I made out of a huggies diaper box. Got the idea on pinterest as well, I just made it my own.

Antique Sewing Table/ Nightstand

I scored this Antique Sewing Table on Craigslist for 8 dollars. When showing up I expected it to be way more beat up and unstable then it was. However it was in great condition. 

A few layers of paint and some distressing and it was now a nightstand for my bedroom. It doesn't have shelves, but I've never had a nightstand so I won't feel bad without them. The door does swing open and have a little cubby inside, as well the top opens and I guess if I decide I need to I can store stuff in the hole in the top where the machine used to go. 

I wanted it really distressed. I first painted it white than blue so I could sand through and you would see lots of white. However the only white i had on hand was latex. Bad idea, when I sanded all it did was gunk up the sand paper, plus it made it chip very easy. So it didn't go as plan, but it hardily ever does. Love it none the less. I did put a thick clear protective coat on it to prevent any further chipping.

Blue Buffet

My sister hasn't owned her house for very long, so she is still decorating and looking for the "perfect" furniture to put in it. I saw this on craigslist and convinced her she needed it. Should I say I love buffets, they are my favorite piece of furniture to redo. This mini buffet is far from perfect I know. But I saw this DIY chalk paint tutorial on pinterest and I was just dying to try it. You can check it out here.

The whole time we were doing this project I was so disappointed in the chalk paint, probably because it was 100 degrees outside and the paint keep getting clumpy. We also used the Vaseline trick where you put Vaseline on the furniture before you paint it so that the paint doesn't stick there, that didn't work for us as well as it usually does because it was so stink'n hot that the Vaseline keep dripping. I think with all the complaining my sister thought I hated how it turned out, but it was just the technique I was frustrated with. In fact I'm totally loving it. I can't wait to go to here house and see how it looks in it. The paint is the same paint she painted her living room wall in.

The more I look through the pictures, the more I am falling in love with this little blue buffet. I may even try chalk painting again, when it's cooler of course.

Mushroom-Spinach Eggs Benedict

Makes : 2 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

3 Tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream

2 teaspoons fat-free milk

 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

 1 teaspoon olive oil

 1 1/2 cups sliced button mushrooms

 2 Tablespoons finely chopped shallots

 4 cups baby spinach

 Pinch of ground nutmeg

 2 eggs 1 whole-wheat English muffin, split

 Pinch of black pepper

 Fresh Thyme Sprigs (optional)

1. In a small bowl, stir together sour cream, milk and mustard.

2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and shallots. Cook 4 minutes or until mushrooms are golden brown, stirring frequently. Stir in spinach and nutmeg and cook until spinach just starts to wilt; set aside.

3. Fill a medium nonstick skillet halfway with water. Bring water to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer. Break 1 egg into a small bowl. Carefully slide egg into simmering water, holding lip of bowl close to water. Repeat with remaining egg . Simmer, uncoverd 3 to 5 minutes or until shites are set and yolks begin to thicken. Remove eggs from skillet with a slotted spoon.

 4. While eggs simmer, toast muffin halves. Top each with half the mushroom mixture, 1 poached egg and sauce. Sprinkle with pepper. Garnish with thyme sprigs if desired.

235 calories, 15 g protein, 23 g carbohydrate, 10 fat ( 3 saturated), 6 g fiber

California Chipotle Chopped Salad

California Chipotle Chopped Salad

4 Tablespoons olive oil

2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

 2 Tablespoons agave nectar

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 garlic clove, minced

 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder

 1/2 teaspoon salt

 1 head romaine lettuce, cut or torn into bite-size pieces

 1 large tomato, finely chopped

1/4 red onion, finely chopped

 1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced

 1/2 cup quinoa

 2 Tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

1. To make vinaigrette: Puree 3 Tablespoons oil, vinegar, agave nectar and lime juice in a blender.

 2. In a small saucepan, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Saute black beans, garlic, chile powder and salt for 5 minutes. Let cool.

3. In a large bowl, combine lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, quinoa, black bean mixture and cilantro. Toss gently with vinaigrette to coat.

334 Calories, 10g protein, 37 g carbohydrate, 20g fat (2.6 g saturated), 11 g fiber