Floating corner shelves

Wanted a little spot for my daughter to place some of her hair accessories and other misc things she wants to display.  I used a piece of leftover 1x12 I believe it was.  I cut them on an angle on the miter saw...  so they were triangles.  I cut pocket holes on the underneath side and also on the fronts to add a piece of trim... which I think I use a 1x2... measured and cut the edges to fit flush with the wall.  I measured from the floor and spaced all 4 of the shelves evenly.  My goal was to screw directly to the wall studs...  I think one side had a stud... plus the corner itself... the other side was just to drywall, but they are not very big and after doing 1 knew these babies were secure,  I primed and sanded before mounting... then after mounting....  I filled any gaps with caulk and then painted them in a whit semi gloss to match the rest of the room. 

This is a corner of the room that would otherwise have been unused.  The closet door opens to it and the big window is next to it.  So I felt confident the shelves would never be in the way of furniture if I rearranged the room

Distressed Farmhouse Bench

For the longest time I have wanted a new dining room set... even though I absolutely LOVED my table!  It was the first purchase we made as a married couple for our home in Colorado.  We bought 4 chairs and the table and had planned to buy the matching captains chairs and cina cabinet down the road.  Less than a year later we went to get the captains chairs and discovered they were no longer available...  the set had been discontinued!  I was super bummed!  We then moved cross country to Mississippi... over the years I have tried to find the set, or chairs that would match.  I really wanted more seating... to no avail.  I was going to purchase a new set to have a matching hutch and wanted to be able to seat 8... but at least 5 to seat my family :-)
Long story short I still LOVED my table and decided to keep it. And build the farmhouse bench I saw on Ana White's website!   The seats need to be reupholstered still... which is on my to do list.  I had leftover 2x4's laying around from our fireplace addition... so one afternoon my son and I tackled this!

I decided to notch my wood out as the plan calls for. This was a bit intimidating for me. I watched a YouTube video, called the hubby at work... "how do I use the skill saw and adjust the measurements?". Haha my hubby loves me. I waited for him to be home to show me... cause yes that thing does scare me after all. When I told him what I was doing he said I should use a jigsaw to cut out the area.... I told him, nope I want to use the skill saw and a chisel... the YouTube video made it look super easy! So he helped me figure how to set the depth to an 1 1/2. The first 2 I did were not as pretty and needed more chiseling, but then it went real quick. I had 8 to do... and by the end of it my little arms were sore, but I was popping out wood left and right! I was so proud! My 4 year old helped distress the wood with hammer and nails. And I used a black stain. 1 coat... then sanded areas for a distressed look. I finished with 2 coasts of poly and sanding in between.

I added felt to the bottom of the legs to protect my floor and it is easier to pull in and out :-)

HUGE $2 Bow Sale!!!

$2 BOW SALE!!!!

Huge bow sale!  Small Tots Bows are on sale this week only for just $2 each.  You choose your colors and clips.  Add another layer or monogram too!  Buy 10 get 1 free.... Buy 20 get 2 free, Buy 30 get 3 free, etc etc!  

Small tots bows measure 3" across and are perfect for babies, toddlers and even big girls that don't like an overwhelming bow!

Double Layer Bows are 3.5" across.

Happy to match outfits for you as well.... Please post any questions.  

You may choose from solids, polka dots, prints, stripes.  Visit SandraBees Bows on facebook for tons of photos and ideas.  also be sure to "like" the post for a free giveaway drawing!!!

My first King Cake

I absolutely LOVE King Cake!  For you Northeners  that have no clue what I am talking about.  King Cakes are part of Mardi Gras tradition and in New Orleans and surrounding areas.  Read more on the history on wiki here.  They typically are sold for just a couple of months during Mardi Gras season.  For a King Cake lover like myself that is not a good thing!  They are around $8 at the store!  OUCH!  I would try to squeeze in eating many King Cakes while I could get them in years past... I will shamelessly admit that on an occassion or two I would pretty much eat the whole thing myself, because I didn't like sharing, I mean the kids didn't want any... yeah that's it!

Mardi Gras King Cake

Inspired when I saw this recipe on Southern Plate yesterday... Well today I kept thinking about making one.  In Christy's Recipe she used frozen bread dough.  I pretty much make as much homemade as I can though so I made my dough in my bread machine which was easy peasy!  Now if you don't have a bread machine you can also make your dough by hand (first proofing your yeast, first 3 ingredients)  If you have any questions let me know!  For my dough recipe I altered my Easy Pizza Dough Recipe

Here is the run down:

Dough Recipe: (or use frozen bread dough, thawed of course)

• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm warm
• 2 TBS sugar
• 2 1/2 cups flour (I used bread flour but all-purpose flour would work ok too)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 TBS Vegetable Oil

Filling Recipe:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 2 TBS lemon juice
• 1 cup powdered sugar 

Glaze Recipe:

• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbs milk (add just enough to get to a pourable consistancy)
• 1 tsp vanilla  

I did my bread in the bread machine on the dough cycle.  (If you are kneading by hand work the dough to a good consistency and set in a warm draft free spot for the first rise) allow an hour or so for this

Then, turn dough to a lightly floured surface.  gently work it into a large... long rectangle shape.  (this will be your ring so get it good and long... mine was probably around 18-20" x 6" or so.  Ok... read on in the captions of the photos.  Sometimes seeing a picture is easier!

Beautiful dough :)

Use colored sugar.  You can make your own very easily by adding several drops into some sugar... Do this in a jar and shake vigorously.  I had green and yellow but needed purple.... I don't think I will ever buy colored sugar again!

This is our purple.  eh... not the best but will do! We used Blue and Red.  Next time I will try green and red and see how that goes

I shaped into a long rectangle and just patted the dough out with my fingers

Mix filling cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice

Slap on the cream cheese in the center  (or other filling)  I added blueberries to 1/2 that were partially frozen per eldest child's request :)  Then gently fold thetop of the dough to the center and the bottom over that.  making sure to seal the filling in

All rolled up!  Transfer to cookie sheer or baking stone carefully.  Cover with damp cloth in a warm spot for 45 minutes to an hour until doubled

Here it is all doubled up and ready to bake!  Bake on 350 F about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown

Golden brown!  I transfered mine to a glass plate to cool.

Once cooled you can hide a little plastic baby somewhere inside.  Just push it thru the underside or side, somewhere inconspicuous!  Drizzle glaze on top and sprinkle with colored sugar! 
Traditional Mardi Gras colors are Gold, Green, and Purple. 

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Free Friday Giveaway!

Post 1 comment for each that you do! Up for grabs this week is an awesome piggie set of SandraBees Bows! Do 1 (or all for more chances to win!)  1 entry each
1. You must be a public follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect.
2. Like SandraBees Bows on Facebook
3. Follow on SandraBees on Twitter
4. Write one comment for each entry.
5. Leave a comment on the Giveaway on Facebook Here
ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
1. Make a blog post about my Giveaway on your blog (5 entries)
2. Copy and paste the picture and post it in the sidebar of your blog (5 entries)
3. Share the link of my Giveaway Blog Post on your Facebook page (5 entries)
4. Tweet my Giveaway (3 entries)
So overall you have 22 entries if you do all!  Winner will be announced this coming Monday!


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New SandraBees Bows Specials

I guess I am in a Valentine's mood! That and spring!!! Many great bows this week. With the popularity of the St Patty's Day 2 in 1 Bow Set.... I created a Valentine's Day Version. The bow set can be worn together or individually making this a really versatile bow set. Can even be worn by sisters for a coordinated look! For ordering details please visit SandraBees Bows on Facebook

I make all bows custom to order so if you need a different size, want to switch colors, or need a bow or headband to match an outfit it is no problem.  Just post a comment here, thru facebook or email me

Also FREE SHIPPING on ALL BOW SETS ordered thru SandraBees.com  That's right!  On top of already low prices and buy 5 get 1 free specials, take advantage of free shipping this week only (1-17 thru 1-24)

M2MG Sparkle SweetHeart

M2MG Polka Dot Princess

An Awesome Bow set, wear individually or clip together... Year round wear!

M2MG Poodle Glamour

M2MG Butterfly Blossoms

Jumbo Gothic Valentine

Fireplace Redo ~in Progress

Well, it has been 1 week since we began framing the wall for the fireplace!   After the framing, we built a platform where the hidden cabinet for components will ultimately go.  Put a few new outlets.  One will being right at the base of the mantel shelf... Yay for easier decorating!  The other is in the cabinet area for the components to plug into.  Next we (I mean hubbby :) connected the gasline from the wall to the firebox itself... And then we cut, placed and screwed the sheetrock into place... (mostly hubby... that stuff is HEAVY!)

Here is the new wall!

Wow, I am amazed!

Here is where I takeover... Started mudding yesterday!  woo-hoo!  Now I was shooting to be done with this project by the end of January... But I am going to go ahead and say I think it will take a bit longer... we will see though.  The mudding, sanding etc may hold us up because it is a 24 hour dry time after mudding.  We hope to get some newpaint to match the existing this week and maybe start the mantel/woodwork soon. 

I still need to decide if I want to stain the wood or paint it white???  Maybe when some wood is in place that will help me decide.  I also still need to decide on some tile.  Originally I was going to do brick but it is going to be a very small 4" perimeter around the fireplace... I am thinking tile or maybe brick pavers?  Can I lay those myself... LOL

I am getting anxious to see the final result!  I ordered a new area rug that is supposed to arrive today!!!  I ordered it online (shopping with 3 kids is completely dreadful BTW!).  I am hoping the colors with brighten up the room and that the rug will "pop" from my dark floors, chocolate couch, darker curtains, etc.  My old couch was tan with ivory trim...  but we needed more seating and fell in love with this sectional... I do love it but as I get to looking around everything seemed dark! LOL  I think I will update some pillows for the spring in some lighter shades too.