Here's what you need:

8 x 10 canvas
Coral Paint
Doily (I used a David Tutera Doily)
Matte Mod Podge

Paint your canvas. To get good coverage, you'll want to do 2-3 coats, alternating the direction of your brush strokes.


Then, flatten out your doily.


If you need some help in the flattening process, you can use spray adhesive to apply it to the canvas. Once you've arranged the doily the way you want, apply a generous amount of Mod Podge, making sure you get into all the crevasses. Make sure you cover all of the canvas, too, because the Mod Podge will change the sheen of the paint.


Allow to dry completely. Enjoy the new graphic art!



Stay tuned for more coral projects for my master bedroom! I'm super excited to share this room with you.

My kids love meatballs. Not the Italian ones, but the savory ones that are kind of like little meatloaves. I love how you can mix up the meatballs and then refrigerate them overnight on a sheet pan and then throw them in the oven when it's time to cook dinner. I think that any kind of food that is small is a hit with them--it's their size!!


Here's my recipe for Savory Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup milk
4 slices of bread, pulsed in a food processor to make large crumbs
1/2 envelope of French onion soup mix

Mix all ingredients by hand. roll out 1 inch balls, and then place on a parchment paper lined sheet pan, about 2 inches apart.


Chill overnight, or bake immediately in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.


I serve my meatballs with a dollop of my tomato jam. It's got a little more zing that ketchup, and I think it's the perfect condiment for this type of dish!


How do you eat your meatballs? Are you Italian all the way, or Swedish, or are your meatballs like mine--kind of an American adaptation?


Enjoy!

It's another week! Eek! This weekend has flown by...I've spent it helping my friends who are getting their new house ready to move in! Lots of painting, and my husband did some plumbing work...loads of friends were contributing to this house.  But the end result is..one exhausted chica planning meals. So here it goes:

Monday: Pasta with Italian Sausage
Tuesday: Tilapia and Corn on the Cob
Wednesday: Pesto Caprese Chicken


Thursday: Peanut Butter Sweet Potatoes and Chicken Nuggets

Friday: Barbecue Chicken Pizza


Saturday: Hamburgers
Sunday: It's a birthday party day, so we'll be snacking all day

What are you doing for food this week?

It's time for my summer mantel! I took my theme from my beachy projects over the last few weeks and made a nautical mantel.


The lynch pin of  this mantel was a complete surprise. The faux window started its life as a black, beige and red sponge painted clearance find from Hobby Lobby. 80% off? Yes please!! (I also found that awesome gear replica there, and although it isn't strictly nautical, I had to throw it in!)


I wasn't fond of the paint job, so all I did was spray paint the frame the same deep blue as my wreath. I may make it antiqued looking with another coat of paint or wax later, but for now, I'm really enjoying the deep blue.


Easy, and only taking a little bit of patience waiting between coats. A simple, blue, slightly nautical mantel--the perfect counterpoint to the dog days of summer, I think!


If you're interested in the other projects on this mantel, you can find them here:

Origami Fish Art, for a touch of whimsy!


The Beachy Summer Wreath that inspired the color scheme


Sea Shell Beach Sign (aren't those buckets cute!)


Simple Tassel Redo (These guys have been on the mantel since the beginning of the year...I love them!



Ship Quote Sign on Tile (my contributor post at My Favorite Finds!)


Thanks for stopping by!

Hey everyone! It's been a crazy weekend around here! I've been working on some great projects.

We also spent some time clearing out some overgrown bushes at the front of the house. We cut 2 big bushes all the way down. Now we're trying to decide if we are ripping out the remainder or if we'll let it grow back. The deliberations were cut short by some wonderful yellow jackets, and then more rain.

However, we're enjoying the bounty of summer, despite the crazy rain. Tomatoes are struggling, but we've been seeing some other veggies!

This week, we'll be taking advantage of some of that garden (and co-op) bounty.

Monday: Homemade Meatballs (with Tomato Jam), Green Beans, and Swiss Zucchini Bites

I like the idea of homemade ice cream...I really do! But remembering to freeze the insert of a ice cream maker was just too much prep work for me to handle, for some reason.

And then I found out about Something Swanky's 2 Ingredient Ice Cream. I thought to myself, now this is a perfect base for some yummy cold goodness on a hot summer's day. I can handle 2 ingredients! The only problem: her recipe didn't have any chocolate! I can sacrifice adding a few more ingredients if it involves chocolate!

So here's my version of homemade ice cream--with chocolate...and nuts...and marshmallows...what's not to love?

Rocky Road Ice Cream

Ingredients:

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 16 oz lite whipped topping
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/3 cup milk chocolate chips
1/3 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans)
1 cup mini marshmallows

In a freezer safe bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk with the cocoa powder until well combined.




Gently fold in the remaining ingredients.



Once all the ingredients are incorporated, freeze overnight. I tried to just go 6 hours, and it wasn't quite enough...so you need to be patient!



Patience is indeed a virtue when you get something this yummy! Enjoy!