Life in Color

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Tuesday's Trash to Treasure: Fall Wreath

Fall Wreath Tutorial
Reuse: Sweaters

Materials:
*Sweaters (thicker wool works better) [I purchased 5 from Salvation army for only $15]
*Scissors, Sewing Materials
*Metal hanger
*Ribbon
*Fabric

_Start by cutting 3" circles from your sweaters.

_Unbend your wire hanger. Poke through the centers of your sweater circles. Once you've made a wreath shape, twist the ends of the hanger together.

_Cut a 18"x6" piece of fabric. Fold fabric in half, right sides together. Sew around edges, pull fabric right side OUT, then sew shut. I sewed around the edges on the right side once it was sewn shut. Press accordion style.

_Cut a 30"x4" (or use ribbon) piece of fabric. This will be the tail to your bow. Follow the same steps above, then cut a 3" piece off to use for the bow.

_Hot glue/sew/pin the 3" piece around the smaller rectangle piece (bow).

_Tie the tail of the bow onto the wreath. You can then pin the bow to the tail.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Yummy [& easy] Frozen Caramel Coffee

I saw this on Money Saving Queen, and followed the links to this delicious-looking drink! This will save you LOTS of money, rather than visiting your local coffee shop :)

Frozen Caramel Coffee

Ingredients:

Drink:
1 Cup Coffee
2 Cups Skim Milk
1/2 Cup Caramel Syrup (I use the kind used for ice cream sundaes)
1 Tsp Vanilla
Ice
Whipped Cream:
1/2 Pint Heavy Whipping Cream
4 Tbsp Powdered Sugar
1/2 Tsp Vanilla

Directions:

Combine all ingredients for the drink into the blender with lots of ice and blend well.

In a mixer whisk together the whipping cream and powdered sugar with vanilla until fluffy.

This whipped cream can be spooned onto the drink or you can use a decorators bag and cake tip to add it. Then, drizzle with a little bit of caramel and serve.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Emergency Kit

I saw an article in the Parents Magazine a few months ago, and have wanted to start this ever since, but haven't. SO, after the earthquakes we got in Oklahoma this weekend, I decided it was TIME! You can find the article here. I modified it for my post :)

Assemble your Kit
American Red Cross sells kits complete with food, water, breathing mask, etc. Each kit contains enough resources for one person.

Purchase 20-gallon plastic containers with lids (you can also purchase containers that fit under the bed if you're limited on space).
Determine where to store your kit (garage, or on a lower level is idea).
Have an emergency cash stash & don't "borrow" from it!
Make "refresh" cards. These can be taped to the top of each box that details which items need to be "renewed". You will want to switch out food or other items that will expire.
You will need enough supplies for each person in your family, and to last you at least three(3) days.

KIT CONTENTS:

WATER - Have 3 gallons per person/pet in your home. If you are nursing, you will need more for yourself.
FOOD - Buy canned, high-calorie foods. Good choices are chili, tuna, veggies, and soup; as well as peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, cereal bars, and comfort foods like chocolate or candy. Buy foods with similar expiration dates to make it easier to refresh your kit. If you have kids, you'll want powdered formula for babies, and boxed milk for toddlers. Remember food for your pet.
FIRST-AID KIT - You can buy a standard kit and add to it. Add a couple pairs of gloves, gauze, tape and antibiotic ointment. You may also add over-the-counter medications (remember children's), since they don't come with standard kits either.
"REFRESH" CARD - This lists the contents of the box, and the expiration date of medications/perishable items.
DIAPERS & WIPES - Refresh your diaper sizes!
SUNSCREEN - SPF30 or higher
MANUAL CAN OPENER (got to open those cans!)
WATERPROOF MATCHES
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
UTILITY KNIFE
RESPIRATOR/SURGICAL MASKS - To reduce exposure to airborne particles.
CLOTHING - Have one complete outfit for each person, including sturdy shoes, a hat & gloves. Change out kids clothing as they grow (put on refresh card).
CHILDREN'S ACETAMINOPHEN - You may want to include your child's current dosage on a card (especially infants).
MEDICATION - Get a seven(7) day supply of any med's you/your child is taking. If you/child is on any important med's, ask the doctor for a one-week-supply prescription to fill for your kit. Add the expiration date of med's to your refresh card.
FLASHLIGHTS - One large for each adult and one small for each child who can hold it.
BATTERIES - Have enough for flashlight & radio. Include a full set of replacements.
BATTERY POWERED OR HAND-CRANK RADIO - American Red Cross sells one here.
HAND SANITIZER - Enough to last a few days & your family.
TAMPONS/PADS
GARBAGE BAGS
BLANKETS - Have one for each person.
TOILET PAPER
12- INCH ADJUSTABLE WRENCH - For turning off your gas line
CASH
CHLORINE BLEACH - As a cleaner and sanitizer
DUCT TAPE & PLASTIC SHEETING - To keep out airborne chemicals. The tape should be at least 10 mil thick; the sheeting, at least 4 mil thick.
DOCUMENTS - Use a waterproof bag with one copy of important documents including: Passports, Bank account & Credit Card numbers, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, and Wills. I would suggest keeping these inside in an easy-to-get-to spot that you can grab quickly. You might add family memorabilia such as photos.
FUN STUFF - Keep your families spirits high with a deck of cards, coloring books, stuffed animals, puzzles or board games.
WHISTLES WITH LANYARDS - So you can find each other in the dark.
A CORDED PHONE - One that will work when power is down.

These aren't in any specific-important order, so make note & start collecting the things which you find important to your family first.

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Two Ways to Protect Your Home Right Now

1. If you have natural gas, learn how to turn off the gas where it enters your home. If there's any disruption or damage to the gas line due to an earthquake or severe damage to your home, this will reduce the risk of fire. It's easier than I ever imagined, and so necessary. Purchase a 12-inch adjustable wrench or pliers that allow you to turn the valve. Then leave the tool at the site of the gas valve on the outside of your house, and add another to your emergency kit.

2. Familiarize yourself with the main water shut-off valve in your home. Practice turning it off so that if your water safety cannot be assured or if there's a leak in your pipes, you'll be able to quickly turn off all the water flowing into your home.

I haven't started our Kit yet, so as I add to it, I'll try & remember to add pictures, so maybe it will help you with yours! :)

Nov 10, 2011
***I just thought of these, but remember, this is YOUR survival kit, so put whatever you think you'll need in it:
>Utensils - spoons, forks or knives
>Cups - unless you want to drink right out of the gallon water bottles
>Napkins or Towels - for any clean up around cooking/food
>Bowls - one per person is sufficient. A bowl works because it can be used for any food. Plates would be hard for soup etc.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Boudoir Makeup [from Sept]

Here are a few shots from a session we did back in September! I LOVE how the smokey eye turned out!!

Smokey eye with nude lip

Brown eye with red lip

Pin-up look

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Tuesday's Trash to Treasure: Thankful Jar

Today's tutorial isn't necessarily "trash to treasure", but it's something my family is starting today (Nov 1), so thought I'd share the tip!

Reuse: Decorative Jar

Materials:
*Jar
*Paper
*Ribbon
*Tape/Scissors/etc

The idea behind this is, each day until Thanksgiving we want to write something we are thankful for (generic, specific to that day, etc) and put the papers in the jar (doubles as a table centerpiece), and on Thanksgiving we'll read what we were thankful for throughout the month!

Choose your jar, and decorate the outside how you wish! (Sorry, not much inspiration there, so be creative!)