Cabinet...

Finished the cabinet!!
Before: After:

I decided that I want to put some feet on it though. I feel like it needs to be a little taller, plus where it's going to be going in the new house has 10 ft ceilings, and so it needs a little height. Hopefully I can get to it soon!!

I used the glazing technique from All Things Thrifty, but I don't think it can be compared to theirs...I'm an amateur...

Tatum's Angels...

This is baby Tate. He is the son of my husband's cousin. He was born about a week ago at an at home delivery. He had to be life flighted to LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah from St. George Utah. He has a cleft lip, part of one ear missing, heart problems, possible downsyndrome and just had his first of many surgeries yesterday, seperating his trachea from his esophagus. And the parents don't have insurance...

I have been thinking for days about what I could do to help them while they're standing by helplessly, praying their little boy survives all of this, and consenting to surgery and procedures that they don't have any money for. So I decided to turn to my blogging friends.

I am going to be hosting a Giveaway and am trying to collect donated items from other crafters that I can give away for money donations. Once I've gathered a few items, as well as some items I'm making, I will do the giveaway! I have placed a donation button at the bottom of this page, and for every $5 you donate, it will give you one entry to win one of the items that will be in our giveaway!! So the more you donate, the more of a chance you'll have at winning!! I'll post the items that you're donating to win for hopefully in a couple days! And then the giveaway will begin!!

I know it's a lot to ask for people to donate to a family they don't know, but I don't know how else to help them. If I had a bunch of money to donate myself, I would. But if you feel uncomfortable donating, then please keep them in your prayers. It would be much appreciated!! Thank you so much everyone!

Read about baby Tatum and his progress and see pictures at Tatum's Angels.

Want to donate an item for the giveaway? Please email me at stylemonkey2003@yahoo.com
Thanks!!

Beach Chair Makeover...

I found this little chair at the thrift store for $4. It was in great condition, but honestly I'm a little tired of the whole "princess" theme. So I gave it a little makeover!
Before: After:

Now all we have to wait for is some warmer weather!!!

A little glimpse...

...only because I'm too excited to wait to share...

My fun new job...

I recently mentioned that I now work at a reception center making food look pretty. Well, I didn't do anything in these pictures, but I thought I'd share a little of what I get to hang out around!! So pretty... The wedding planner that works there is amazing, and does beautiful things!!

To check out more amazing pictures of the weddings I'm around, go here.

Fabulous Finds...

Since we are going to be building a house, I have been on the prowl for furniture to refinish since our new house is going to be a lot bigger and I won't have nearly enough furniture to fill it! (What a nice problem to have, right?) So here are a couple finds I got today from the thrift store.I lifted this sucker out of the car by myself! I'm sure it would have been a hilarious site for an onlooker!! (Please excuse my dirty car in the picture. We live on a dirt road, one thing that I'm thrilled we'll be rid of in our new home)

I can't wait to refinish this, and antique it so that the designs "pop"!! $40

I found this little toy box/bench seat for $25 dollars. It's in great condition, so I could just leave it how it is, but what's the fun in that?? I'm also going to make a pad to go on the seat of it. I'll probably put this in front of the window in Kadie's room so it feels like a window seat.

Can't wait to give them makeovers and share!!!

Cherry Blossom Branch Tutorial...

Since outside is still lacking the "spring feel" here, I decided to spruce up the house with the feel of spring. Hence the Cherry Blossom Branch! Here's how you do it:

What you'll need is-

branch from the yard (any size you want)

spray paint in any color you'd like (optional)

construction paper one in the color you want your flowers, and one in green for your leaves

ink pad (for centers) in coordinating color

small stamp preferably round (more details below)

"dot" stamp (optional)

vase

tissue paper

scissors

paper cutter

glue gun
For the stamps, use whatever you have in your stash. The center, you could use a small snowflake, or even the "o" from your alphabet stamps. For the small dot, I used the "." from my letter stamps.

Spray paint your branch whatever color you want, if desired. (It looks cool when it's the branch color, but I wanted to do something different)
While your branch is drying, prepare the flowers and leaves. Cut some 3x3 squares and 2x2 squares from the paper that will be your flowers.
Fold each square in half, and then in half again (so you have a fourth square)

Like so...
Then fold the square in half diagnally so that one corner is the center of the flower (where my fingers are pinching)
Cut an arch at the top so you have a petal shape.
It should look like this when it's opened.

Stamp the center with your round stamp.
Now stamp every other corner with the dot stamp, placing scrap paper underneath, and only stamping halfway. (optional!)
It looks like this when it's done.
Fold your flower back up, and barely snip off the center. This will make it a little more "flexible" when you put them on the branch.
With your green paper, cut 1x1 1/2 inch rectangles with the paper cutter.

Fold them in half length-wise (hot dog)
Cut a half-leaf shape.

When all your flowers and leaves are cut out, start gluing them on the branch.

Put a glob of glue on the back center of the flower, and stick it on!

When your flowers are all glued on, start gluing the leaves, arranging them as you go. Put a glob of glue on the corner, and slightly down the center so they lay nicely on the branch.

When they are all glued on, and look how you want them to look, place your branch in the vase.
Stuff the vase with tissue paper so it stays put, and looks cute!

And you're done!!
Perfect little spring/Easter decoration!

Marinated Chicken Kabobs...

Try these! SOOO good! Marinated Chicken Kabobs:

1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 TBL sesame seeds
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Garlic salt to taste
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 pkg. mushrooms, cut in half
2 onions, quartered
1 green pepper, into large chunks

In a medium bowl, blend oil, soy sauce, corn syrup, lemon juice, sesame seeds, garlic powder and garlic salt. Add the chicken to the mixture. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Preheat a grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Thread the chicken onto skewers alternately with mushrooms, onions and green pepper. Pour the marinade into a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Cook for 5-10 minutes.
Place the skewers on the prepared grill. Cook 15-20 minutes, turning frequently, until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. Baste with the boiled marinade frequently during the last 10 minutes.

Today is brought to you by the color Aqua...

Since we're going to be building our house very soon, I thought I'd get a jump start on decorating the kids' rooms. Here is a glimpse into Kadie's room:Recognize Hooty?? He's for her room. I'm going with the whole "bird theme". It's kinda the trend right now, and I have to admit that I LOVE it! You'll be seeing a lot of aqua, because that's the focus color in her future room. And also, because it's currently my favorite color! Here is a mirror that I want to use for her room, but it needed a little makeover to flow in the room better.

Awww, love... I used the technique from all things thrifty.
Here's the fabric for her future quilt!!! I'm in love with it!

There's a little peek. And I have BIG plans for Gavin's room!! I can't wait to show you!!!

The Sapphire Flute...

The Sapphire Flute was released yesterday and is now available at all Barnes and Nobles as well as on Amazon. If you like fantasy, you HAVE to read this!! This book captures you from the beginning and doesn't let go until the end. Actually, it doesn't let go after that either, because you'll be itching to get your hands on the next one!! I was able to go to the book signing last night at Barnes and Nobles in Salt Lake City, and got my book signed, as well as one for my mother in law who also loved the book (I got to read the manuscript before it was edited and released, and I let my mother in law read it as well) and I got a picture. Why did I get to read the manuscript you ask?? Well, that would be because Karen is Aunt Karen to me! And no, I'm not being biased because she is my aunt, she is an incredible writer!! I have been able to read another book she has written that hasn't been published yet and it was just as incredible. She has an amazing talent for writing and story telling.

I had my camera phone, so here's me posing with my famous-author-aunt!! It was so much fun going to the signing. She also played her sapphire flute for everyone. She's also extremely talented with music as well as the writing! Jealous....

Check her out here!