Inspiration Monday Party | Easy Holiday Idea Features + a GIVEAWAY!!

November 24, 2013 by 15 Comments
It’s a FOURTH MONDAY party…our favorite kind. ANNNNNND…
we have a super special treat with not one but TWO guests joining the fun.
If you’re linking up via A Little Claireification or Busy Being Jennifer,
WELCOME! We’re so glad you’re here. And welcome back to all of our regular party-goers, as well…you guys always rock this thing!



Today your links are seen simultaneously on all SIX blogs at the same time…
all you need to do is link up on ONE of our sites.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY THIS WEEK>>>
Our giveaway this month is from the delightful online shop, HomeSpun Happiness. 
This shop is stocked with gorgeous jewelry, gorgeous embroidered items, crocheted fabulousness and much more! You could win $100 to spend there by entering below through Rafflecopter. Perfection for the holiday season!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Please keep in mind: 
– Be sure to mingle with other party guests (It’s always fun to click on a few other links to see what fellow bloggers are up to.) – Link up all of your creative fun, including recipes, crafts, printables, DIY projects and other fabulous things you’ve been up to on YOUR blog. – Please do not link Etsy stores, giveaways, or other link parties {Bummer, huh? But there are lots of specific parties out there just for these fun things!} – By linking up to Inspiration Monday you are giving the six blogs, listed above, permission to feature your project and/or photos on our social media outlets and blogs. – If you wish to be featured, please include the “Inspiration Monday Party” button  or link on your link party list (find the button on the side bar).

 Now… Let’s Party!

Filed Under: Christmas, craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, How To Decorate, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Wreaths

Merry + Bright Rustic Christmas Wall Art

November 22, 2013 by 32 Comments

I live for Christmas, like collect all year, live.
Sing Christmas songs way too early and far too late each year kind of live.
It’s 
just
magic.
Every day I bring some old and some new things out to enjoy throughout 
the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, my pulse beats a little faster.
Visions of orange rolls and homemade fudge are dancing in my head.
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a fun-filled glitter-covered time of year,
while we watch the forecast a hope for snow.

We might have to head for the mountains to see it, and settle for rain here in
the valley, but the rain can’t dampen my spirits.
I have a turkey to thaw out and Christmas lights to check.
A wreath to finish and sweet potatoes to fluff.
So while the sweet potatoes are a baking,
here is what I am working on…

I started by using an already finished piece of wood that I had stained in a grey stain
this summer.  I looked through all of my mason jars and rings, and found enough regular
and wide mouth rings to spell out my phrase.
I found some very pretty and realistic wood grain scrap book paper at JoAnn’s.  By
tracing each canning ring and cutting them out, I was able to insert them and glue into
place to form a backing for each letter.

From there, I used a dab of hot glue on the back of each letter and attached it to the 
wood grain paper.  I attached each ring with a few dots of hot glue around the back 
edge of each ring, and glued in place.  A couple hooks, and picture hanging wire
created a sturdy picture hanger for the back.  This way I can use it on a shelf or 
hanging up.  The ornaments a Dollar Tree ornaments strung on jute twine.

{more DIY Christmas ideas from twelveOeight}

To see how I made these Christmas hurricane lamps 
and silver leaf stand click HERE


Make a Candy Cane Canning Jar Wreath
find the instructions HERE 


How to make Hand & Body Scrub
recipe HERE


My Favorite Eggnog Bread Recipe
click HERE

What are your plans for the week of Thanksgiving? Lots of eating, shopping, 
decorating (I just revealed my plans!) I cannot wait to see what you have been
up to as well!

Fabulous link parties:

Monday

Thursday
Friday 

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Three Mango Seeds 
Uncommon Designs – Monday Funday
Inspiration Monday at twelveOeight

Filed Under: Christmas, craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, Gifts From The Kitchen, Homemade Beauty Products, Recipes, Thanksgiving

Inspiration Monday Party | Holiday Side Dish and Appetizer Ideas!

November 17, 2013 by 13 Comments
Hello party friends!
 Welcome back to Inspiration Monday Party!
 It’s been a fun & busy week but we cannot wait to see what you have been up to!!
big inspiration monday
This is the place where your links are seen simultaneously on all four blogs at the same time…
all you need to do is link up on ONE of our sites.
We had so many great projects linked up last week, you guys rock! I’ve got Thanksgiving on the brain, so this weeks inspiration is favorite holiday sides and appetizers. We love to pin your projects through out the week to our “Monday Features & Favorite Board” found here, so be sure to follow us there.  Feel free to grab a button if you were featured.  (on the sidebar)

1.  Sweet potato butternut squash from Joyful Healthy Eats2.  Great Dinner Rlls from My Turn for Us3.  Roasted Fall Veggies from Love Grows Wild4.  Cranberry Maple Brie from Will Cook for Smiles5.  Bacon Green Bean Bundles form Five heart home6.  Orange Spoced Cranberry Sauce from Lemon Tree Dwelling7.  Apple Sausage and Leek Stuffing from Flavors by Four8.  Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes from Spend with Pennies

How about two of the cutest Handmade Holiday outfits from Two Many?

{this week at twelveOeight}

Please keep in mind:– Be sure to mingle with other party guests (It’s always fun to click on a few other links to see what fellow bloggers are up to.)– Link up all of your creative fun, including recipes, crafts, printables, DIY projects and other fabulous things you’ve been up to on YOUR blog.– Please do not link Etsy stores, giveaways, or other link parties {Bummer, huh? But there are lots of specific parties out there just for these fun things!}– By linking up to Inspiration Monday you are giving the five blogs, listed above, permission to feature your project and/or photos on our social media outlets and blogs.– If you wish to be featured, please include the “Inspiration Monday Party” button  or link on your link party list (find the button on the side bar) Now… Let’s Party!

Filed Under: Christmas, craft, Craft Ideas, DIY, Gluten Free Recipes, How To Decorate, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Wreaths

Etched Glass Typography Vase | Krista from The Happy Housie

November 13, 2013 by 3 Comments

Hi everyone!! It is Krista from The Happy Housie back again and I am so excited to be here today sharing this super easy DIY Etched Glass Typography Vase with you – just in time for your holiday table.

DIY Etched Glass Typography Vase
For this project you will need:
  • a vase or large candle holder
  • glass etching cream and brush (I used Martha Stewart brand)
  • alphabet stencils (or you could use scrap booking letter stickers to do the reverse etched pattern)
IMG_0206
I started by cleaning my vase thoroughly according the package directions on the etching cream. 
I then placed my adhesive letter stencils randomly around the vase, in varying directions.
IMG_0210
I made sure all the edges were pressed down nicely and then applied my etching cream. The package instructions say to leave it for fifteen minutes and then rinse off, but I would experiment a little first. When I only left the cream on for 15 minutes it didn’t seem to etch as completely as I wanted,
but perhaps I hadn’t applied enough of the etching cream.
After experimenting, I applied about this much and left it for a couple of hours 
while we went over to a friends for dinner.
IMG_0217
When I returned I rinsed all the etching cream off thoroughly and washed the vase 
again inside and out with warm water.
Done!
IMG_0234
You can see that the pattern is really subtle. I also like that it can be used all year around 
because the typography is not specific to one holiday.
DIY Etched Glass Typography Vase with candle by thehappyhousie for twelveoeight
Here I have it dressed up for Christmas, but you could add a different coloured candle 
and perhaps some corn around the base and it would look great for your Thanksgiving table
as well.
DIY Etched Glass Typography Vase by thehappyhousie for twelveoeight
I have a few other Projects I would love to share with you and would be thrilled if you had the chance to hop over and visit me at The Happy Housie to see what I have been up to lately…
such as how I made these Decoupaged Succulent Mug Planters (a great DIY gift idea!):
DIY Gift Idea Gold Decoupaged Mug Planters by thehappyhousie #MSholiday
Or take a look at our Late Fall Mantel….
Late Fall Mantel with vintage paddle and mason jars at thehappyhousie
And I finally even shared how we created our Faux Mantel  
out of an old ugly china hutch from a second hand store….
DIY Faux Mantel Cabinet made from old hutch before and after
Thank you Tanya for having me here today…it is always so much fun 
to connect with the readers of Twelve O Eight! Thanks for reading.
And remember my housie friends, HOME isn’t built in a day. 
Enjoy the journey.
Krista at thehappyhousie profile image with signature
bloglovin facebook google+ instagram twitter rsspinterest
I absolutely LOVE typography, thank you so much for sharing your creativity with 
us Krista!!

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Filed Under: Christmas, craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Table decor, Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Recipe | Donna from A Little While

November 12, 2013 by 3 Comments

You know how people are always saying that there wasn’t enough food at Thanksgiving Dinner?  
And how your Thanksgiving pants are still loose even after the feast is over?  
And how everyone goes home hungry?

Yah.  Me either.
We added Mac and Cheese to our Thanksgiving Dinner menu our first ‘married’ Thanksgiving.  We were hosting.  I wanted to dazzle.  

I have brothers.  

Brothers like to eat.

Brothers like to eat Mac and Cheese.

I found the perfect recipe, and perfected it even more. (Who doesn’t like more butter?)

Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese
(kraftrecipes.com)

1 stick of butter
1/4 cup flour
1 cup milk
8 oz. Velveeta, cut into small cubes
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 sleeve of butter crackers, like Ritz, crushed

Heat oven to 350.

Melt 3 Tbsp. butter in medium saucepan on medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook 2 min., stirring constantly. Gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir 3 to 5 min. or until thickened. Add Velveeta cubes; cook 3 min. or until melted, stirring frequently. Stir in macaroni.

Pour into 8×8 glass dish, sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle with cheddar. Melt remaining butter; toss with cracker crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole.

Bake for 20 minutes.

The year my family came for Thanksgiving, I doubled the recipe and put it in a 9×13 baking dish, which was all but licked clean after dinner!  The next day I made it again, but added chopped leftover turkey.  It was so good!

Have you ever made your own homemade pumpkin puree?
Click HERE to see how easy it is!


Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Donna
a little while 

Thank you SO much for sharing your recipes with us Donna! 
Have a wonderful day friends, and as always thank you so much for reading-

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Filed Under: Autumn, Christmas, Recipes, Thanksgiving

DIY No-Sew Deer Placemat Pillow

November 8, 2013 by 13 Comments

Now that I have more pillow forms than could ever be needed in a lifetime, I have
a really hard time buying new pillows when I know I can recover my own easily.

And, throw a no-sew option in there, and I am ALL in! If I had the space set up,
my fabric organized, and a working machine I would probably sew more. 
That’s actually one of my hopes for the new year is to get my Grandma Edith’s
Bernina (this was my inheritance from my wonderful Grandma, that story soon)
up and running finally.

So for now, here is the story of a frazzled mom (played by moi) shopping at
Target to find sanity within it’s glorious walls.  The aforementioned mother
looked as though she had not shopped alone in a very long time.  She took it
all in as if Target was the mother-ship that had finally brought her home.
Iced chai tea in hand, she threw goodies in her cart like she was leaving the
country, when in fact she was only two freeway exits away from home.
But it was far enough to breathe, and create.
And find the perfect placemats.
Oops, I mean placemat.
Yep, this lovely deer placemat was rolling solo the other night.
All by his lonesome.
What am I going to do with ONE DEER PLACEMAT?
WHY WOULD SOMEONE BUY THE REMAINING PLACEMATS AND LEAVE
JUST ONE?
But before I could go on an internal rampage of how wrong that is, it hit me.

You
have
a
ton
of
pillows.

Duh.
I grabbed up that placemat and stuffed it down inside my cart, now worried that
someone else may see a no-sew pillow in it’s future too.

Here is what I used:
-One placemat, in the style of your choice
-Fabric to back it, I used a scrap of linen left over from another project
-Pillow form
-Stitch Witchery
-Scissors
-Iron set on high with no steam

Using the placemat as a guide, I cut the fabric backing about 1 inch bigger around all the
edges.  I folded them in, pressed them then attached the placemat on top creating a
seam around all edges but the bottom.  Make sure and follow instructions on package
for best results for the no sew bonding material.  I placed my pillow inside, and applied
the last strip of no sew material across the bottom, pressing until it was sealed, cooled
and ready to use!
I don’t usually sit in a slipcovered dining chair on the edge of my yard, but I couldn’t

get over how pretty emerald the grass looks in the fall.  It had been raining all day, and

finally let up long enough for me to play stylist outside for 15 minutes.
So, that’s it! Easy, and thrifty, and this entire project cost just under $4.00 since I only
needed to buy the fabulous deer placemat.
I have named him  in case you were wondering, I named him Walter.
He just really strikes me as a Walter.

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Filed Under: Christmas, craft, Craft Ideas, DIY, How To Decorate, Pillows, Thanksgiving, Thrifty Finds, Thrifty Living

Thankful For You Thanksgiving Printable | Brooke from Blissful Roots

November 8, 2013 by 2 Comments
Hello twelveOeight readers!  I hope all of you are enjoying this special time of year.  With Halloween over, I don’t even mind seeing all the Christmas stuff in the stores, in fact it’s quite exciting!  But I love Thanksgiving enough that I don’t put up any Christmas decorations until the day after Thanksgiving.  I always want this time of year to slow down and last forever, but it seems to fly by faster than any other time, doesn’t it?

Well, today I have a simple activity to share with you that I do with my boys.  We started this three years ago, and it has become a fun tradition for us.  I really should do something like this year-round, but I’m glad we at least get it done at Thanksgiving time.

On November 1st, we put the names of family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, etc… into a can. Then each day during the month (until Thanksgiving) we draw out a name and write a little note of thanks.  I realize we’re a bit into the month, but there are still 20 days until Thanksgiving.  I’m sure there are 20 people you know right now that you could use a note of thanks.  Even if you don’t have kids, this is a great activity to do this time of year. 


I made our thankful cards in PicMonkey.  You can click here if you’d like to print them out.  There are two cards per page.  After you print the cards, cut the paper in half lengthwise, and then fold each card.  I have my boys dip their fingers in craft paint to make the leaves on the trees.  They turn out so pretty every time!  Each tree looks a bit different, but beautiful.  And once again, even if you don’t have kids, you can do this.  I started doing the leaves with my boys, and found it quite entertaining and enjoyable.  I could have done it for hours!

Since I probably won’t get one in the mail to her, I need to give my thank you note to Tanya here.  I’m very thankful for her this year.  She’s been so kind, and I’m grateful she lets me take a bit of her space every month.  I’m thankful for you, Tanya! 

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the month, and an early Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!  I’ll see you in December. 
{more of Brooke’s lovely projects below!}
 
DIY Tin Can Organizers 
What a wonderful idea, thank you so much for sharing your traditions and amazing 
talent with us today Brooke!!
So, are you inspired? What does your weekend hold friend?

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Filed Under: Autumn, craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Thanksgiving

Inspiration Monday Party | Thanksgiving Project and Recipe Features!

November 3, 2013 by 9 Comments
Hey y’all & Happy November!!
~Welcome back to Inspiration Monday Party~
big inspiration monday
This is the place where your links are seen simultaneously
on all four blogs at the same time…
all you need to do is link up on ONE of our sites.
It’s finally November, and Thanksgiving comes up fast.
Our features this week can help us get an early start.
We love to pin your projects through out the week to our
“Monday Features & Favorite Board” found here,
so be sure to follow us there.
Feel free to grab a button if you were featured.
(on the sidebar)
Thanksgiving
1. Thanksgiving Table Favors by Echoes of Laughter
3. Fall Family Room by Georgie Emerson Vintage
4. Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts by Growing Up Gabel
5.Pilgrim Picture Napkin Rings by Grandparents Plus
6. DIY Mason Jar Chandelier by Upcycled Treasures
7. How to Build a Farmhouse Table by Art is Beauty
8.Turkey Soup by Jenn’s Random Scraps
hostess_pick
thankful sign
Thankful Sign by Craft Dictator

Please keep in mind:

– Be sure to mingle with other party guests {that’s what it’s all about, right?}. – It’s always fun to click on a few other links to see what fellow bloggers are up to.

– Link up all of your creative fun, including recipes, crafts, printables, DIY projects and other fabulous things you’ve been up to on YOUR blog.
– Please do not link Etsy stores, giveaways, or other link parties {Bummer, huh? But there are lots of specific parties out there just for these fun things!}
– By linking up to Inspiration Monday you are giving the five blogs, listed above, permission to feature your project and/or photos on our social media outlets and blogs.
-While certainly not required, we would love for you to follow along on social media with the hostesses {links on each of our blogs here}:

{This week at twelveOeight}

 

Filed Under: Autumn, Baking, Blogging, chai drink mix, chai recipe, craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Thrifty Finds, Thrifty Living, Wreaths

Inspiration Monday Party | Pumpkin Recipes AND a $100 Scentsy GIVEAWAY!!

October 27, 2013 by 7 Comments
It’s a special GUEST HOSTESS and GIVEAWAY edition of
Inspiration Monday! 

{Your links are seen simultaneously on all FIVE blogs at the same time…
all you need to do is link up on ONE of our sites!}

Today, you could win a $100 credit to spend at Wickless Habit 
{a Scentsy Independent Consultant site}. 
Details below!

Feel free to grab a button if you were featured below:


 
party
 

Our special guest hostess, Remona, from The Stitching Scientist, has selected all of today’s fabulous features: Sweet Pumpkin Inspirations.
Features are also pinned to our
Inspiration Monday Features & Favorites board. 

 

Now for the AWESOME Giveaway! 
You can win a $100 credit to spend any way you choose at Wickless Habit, an awesome Scentsy site from independent consultant, Diedra Blankenship.




Enter through the Rafflecopter:

Now…let’s party!


Please keep in mind:
– Be sure to mingle with other party guests {that’s what it’s all about, right?}. 
– It’s always fun to click on a few other links to see what fellow bloggers are up to.
– Link up all of your creative fun, including recipes, crafts, printables, DIY projects and other fabulous things you’ve been up to on YOUR blog. 
– Please do not link Etsy stores, giveaways, or other link parties {Bummer, huh? But there are lots of specific parties out there just for these fun things!}
– By linking up to Inspiration Monday you are giving the five blogs, listed above, permission to feature your project and/or photos on our social media outlets and blogs.
 
While certainly not required, we’d love for you to follow along on social media with the hostesses 
{links on each of our blogs} we love to feature your projects there:
 
Not required, but feel free to include us in your link party list or grab the button below:

 

 
party

Filed Under: Autumn, Baking, Blogging, craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Fall, Halloween, home decor, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Thrifty Finds, Thrifty Living, Wreaths

Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats

October 25, 2013 by 1 Comment

I suppose that making Halloween treats on top of the plethora of candy most of us have 
around Halloween could be considered too much.
But not if you love candy corn.

 Candy corn was initially created by a gentleman by the name of George Renninger, who in

the 1880’s was a candy maker at the Wunderlee Candy Company in Philadelphia.  It was then
purchased and distributed by Goelitz Confectionery Company, and the company that we know
today as Jelly Belly has the longest noted history making our favorite Fall candy.
The way they make candy corn over the years has changed, but the original recipe combining
sugar, vanilla, fondant, and mallow creme is the same today as it was back then.  Source for 
this data can be found here.
Now that you know more than you ever thought you wanted to know about candy corn,
let’s make something yummy.  Here is how I make:
Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats
makes a 13″ x 9″ pan of treats
2 T. butter
6 cups of mini marshmallows
6 cups of Rice Krispie Cereal
1 t. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups of candy corn
1 cup of vanilla frosting 
orange food coloring or red and yellow food coloring
Set aside about 16 candy corn pieces to top your treats with before you begin.
Start by melting your butter over medium heat in a deep pan on the stove.  Once 
your butter is melted, stir in your marshmallows and mix with butter until melted.
removed your pan from the stove top, stir in vanilla, then cereal, until blended.
Fold in about one cup of chopped candy corn and spread into greased pan with 
a buttered spatula.  Set aside to cool.
In a small bowl combine frosting with enough food coloring to achieve your 
desired color of orange.  I like to cut my krispies into about 16 or so squares,
then frost them and add the candy accent once they have already been cut and
separated.  
Enjoy!
Thank you so much for baking with me today!
What kind of treats and goodies do you like to make in the Fall?

Fabulous link parties:
Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

Filed Under: Autumn, Baking, Fall, Gifts From The Kitchen, Gluten Free Recipes, Halloween, Thanksgiving
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Thank you so much for reading, and as always, may your heart and home be full of everything you love! xo, Tanya         linking up to: http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/ And these awesome parties: http://www.twelveoeightblog.com/awesome-link-parties