Eggs and fireworks.. who woulda thunk it? they do mix!

Learn how to make these awesome "firework" eggs here for the Fourth of July...

From Grown in my heart

Now tell me, wouldn't those make the most awesomest deviled eggs ever?

Jen

Fantasy shopping!

Let's spice up this Monday morning and do some fantasy shopping. This is going to be for my fantasy vacation to Bermuda so I can pretend I am on a beach somewhere..... I think I need a fun outfit for a hip dinner out. Anyone else want to come?

This shirt from Urban Outfitter's,

With these bottoms. Can I tell you how much I am IN LOVE with these Palazzo pants by XCVI? They might be a little warm for Bermuda, but I am willing to suffer for fashion. If someone wants to send me a free pair; I am not to proud to beg baby....

and pants like that need some hip wedges to go with them from Anthropologie. I am so glad wedges are back in style. It only helps a short girl out...

And I think I'll mix it up with this fabulous fedora? That way, I don't really have to worry about the humidity and my hair. It's not exactly cheating...

How many Margarita's should I order?

Jen

Soups on!

The best thing about Succulent plants is they hardly need any dirt or water...

And you can plant them almost anywhere!

Jen

Welcome to the make-over open house!

Welcome! Link up and show us your make-overs! The only rules are you have to link back to this specific post so people can find it easily (if you are using an old post, please amend it), and put in your specific link to your make-over post, not your blog.

My make-over this month is of an old picture I had laying around. Tres chic in the '90s. Non?

I painted the frame black and used double stick tape to put the book pages inside the matting that was already there.

I just then used more double stick tape to put the bird picture on top! Easy-peasy!

Jen

Just in case you weren't sure...

I have been seeing painters canvas drop cloth's being used in a lot of clever ways all over blogland.

I needed a new valance over my kitchen sink area.

With pretending to be an (messy) artiste, I happen to have quite a few drop cloths lying around.

They have so much potential; like a blank canvas ...

So, just in case there were any questions as to where the dirty plates go; I thought I would clear that right up.

Jen

Happy Monday!

Thank you all for all of the nice compliments about my little nightstand. I had a few questions on how to decoupage the fabric on. You can instructions here on this post. I will also have to add that after you finish the decoupage, to really get that super glossy finished look and durability, you have to follow it with about 12 coats or more of semi-gloss or high gloss polyurethane/ polyacrylic.

We had a crazy weekend around here...

First we had to fix a leak in the bathroom wall..

Then we had a huge storm come through and ended up with this....

But the great news is.. CAMP STARTS THIS WEEK! YEAH! :)

Ready for the make over open house on the 25th? Hope to see you there!

Jen

Religious imagery

Raised as a Polish Roman Catholic, I have always had a fondness for religious imagery and I certainly know how to appreciate a good Mass card or two. I think for me there is something about it that not only can be beautiful, but gives me comfort....My Grandmother's house was religious art floor to ceiling and had everything from a picture of the Pope who's eyes followed you around the room no matter whether you moved, to an Infant Jesus of Prague...

to a HUGE (5 x 7 FEET) picture of Jesus knocking on the door to your heart. When I was little, I alway thought if I were allowed to climb up on her buffet, that I would be able to climb into it, it was THAT big.

Even though I am now more kind of Lutheran (long story), I still carry that love and have a few of her pieces displayed around my home.

This is her and my Grandfather's 25th wedding anniversary blessed by the Pope.

And this plaster framed picture of the Last Supper hung in her dining room and it's now in mine.

And I wasn't sure if I was going to share the next picture because it's so personal to me, but with you girls, I think I can.

This crucifix hung in my father's room when he was a child. It is now in our bedroom, but it has kind of become a very special memorial now. At first I just had my childhood rosary on it, but when my Dad passed 10 years ago, I hung his dog tags on it. Then when my sister-in-law passed, I hung a necklace made from rose petals from her service there. I also have one from my maternal grandmother's service and then I recently added my paternal grandmother's rosary. So even though it was probably a very inexpensive cross when it was first purchased , the value to me now is unmeasurable.

I noticed at The Farm Chicks, a lot of vendors were featuring beautiful religious images in their art.

This necklace that Jackie bought from Lisa Souers is amazing. I wish I had seen it first.

Thank you for the picture Jackie!

And this necklace that Farm Chick attendee Brooke Ahana

made from an old rosary and saint medallions. She showed us some of her things and they were beautiful.

I am starting to see much of it being used, I am wondering if it is going to be one of the next big "trends." Though I kind of think it never goes out of style ;)

Jen

Sometimes the easiest make-overs...

Are just a bit of fabric and paint away....

Stop back on the 25th for the makeover open house!

Jen

Been workin'....

New to my Etsy store...

Jake Ryan revealed...

I had quite a few questions about my tadpole experiment.  I thought I would answer a few of them here. I am glad to see that many of you are as excited as we are about them...

1. We really did buy the tadpoles! My mom has a huge pond and she buys them every year when she adds in  a Koi fish or two. When I found out that all they would need is  a bowl of water and  a plant, I thought it would be super cute for the kids to watch and learn about this summer.  They are Leopard and Green frogs which are native to IL.

2. We bought ours at  a local garden center that sells pond fish and supplies. They were $1.99 each. Not bad for some summer entertainment.

3.I only bought 3 because the bowl is only 18 inches by 8 inches.

4.We put them in an area where they have  lots of plants and cover so when they become frogs,  they have  a place to hide from predators. Hopefully they won't venture out into the main yard and get run over by the lawnmower. That's going to be a hard one to explain.

5. The plant we have in there is  called Creeping Jenny (ironic, huh?). My mom started to give me the Latin name first ( darn horticulturalists!). But all I heard was  her say Lypi.. then  blah blah blah as my eyes glazed over ( I am an artist...). She did say you could also use Water Parsley, Water Clover or even regular , old Impatiens. Take them out of the pot and float them. Leave the roots exposed however because the tadpoles eat the roots.

6. I associate Jake Ryan with the 80's as well, but my girls said there is a character on Hannah Montana with the same name, so I am assuming it is an homage to our youth. All of the names were put in a bowl . Like I said before, we were a pick away from Stella, Pinky and Poopyhead.

I hope this answers all of your questions! Feel free to ask if there is anything else!

jen 

New additions to the family!

Meet the new members of our family!

The names were drawn out in a hat for our three new Leopard and Green frog tadpoles.

Meet Penelope

Jake Ryan

And Snow White... Snow White was lucky, she was almost poopyhead.

I love a summer's worth of entertainment for $10.

Stop back at Kimba's for more garden views!

 Jen

Last Farm Chicks post, I promise, then we'll get back to some regularly scheduled blogging.. lot's of pictures, party at Chaps

Saturday night we were able to go to a party with the Barn House boys and Queene of Tarte. It was quite the experience for me since many of the parties I currently attend include balloons and scary clowns and someone under the age of six normally throwing up on me...

After a short car ride with 7 of us packed in...

Hi Jeanne and Rebekah!

Jackie.. who if I haven't mentioned was the best roomie ever and so sweet...

and the beautiful Brooke... Who is also a very talented jewelry maker .

We arrived en masse all purdied up..

Entering there was this cool vibe

and great displays.

The tables were covered in burlap with bandanna's for napkins.

a chocolate fountain

a band

and look at thie cooooollll sign we all wanted to steal made of burlap and transfer paper. Tara agreed that she and I would steal it and then split it and she'd have the Wel part.. I guess you know which part I was stuck with...

and these clever favors!.. Brilliant! The front and back of an old book cover bound with binder rings..

That were made into autograph books. I have to admit I could not shut up about them.

It was cool with a beautiful view and a s'more bar..

Drinks were chilling..

The bar was busy...

And Tara was contemplating stealing her half of the sign...can't you just see it in her eyes...?

Rebekah was the cutest thing EVER..

And this is the fabulous Miss Kimberly Taylor.. A.k.a Mimi Charmante

A girl who is so fun, friendly and a fantastic and talented photographer. She took on of the best pictures of me I have ever seen (Aaammmmiiee.. what ya lookin' at?).

It's my new favorite.

The inside of Chaps was just as cool as the outside too...

Thanks girls for putting up with my endless gushing the last few days. I am so glad I could share my trip with you. And I have to admit.. when I looked at my pictures I thought.. I could get three posts out of this easy.. You can't blame a girl for trying! I promise we'll get back to normal everyday asap!

Jen