Winning, Cheating, & Mummies

How’s that for a post title?

Today we are having a meeting.

First order of business:  Winning.

The winner of the Soggy Doggy Super Shammy Giveaway is entry #45…Lisa!  Congrats and I’ll be in contact with you!

Second order of business: Cheating.

Today is the Random Acts of Craftiness challenge reveal.  This month’s challenge was “Odds and Ends from the Hardware Store.”  I am cheating.  Erin said it’s okay.  I am linking up our console table.  It’s only sort of cheating.  We did originally go wandering through the hardware store trying to figure out what we could cheaply/uniquely use for legs for our distressed top. Copper pipe for the win. Be sure to check out the other unique ideas from people that put forth effort this month.  (You can do so here!)  I’m just ahead of my time.  I totally like bands before they exist.

Third and last order of business:  Mummies (and ghosts)

Today is a big day at work.  Almost the entire medical clinic dresses up for Halloween.  It’s always a good time. There are prizes for group and individual costumes.  The pharmacy always goes the group route.  This year we are going as the Peanuts (Charlie Brown and company). I’m Pig Pen.  Check out my Instagram feed on the right side of the blog for photos.  Halloween is also cause for a potluck (as is Columbus day, Flag day, etc.).  I whipped up these cupcake mummies and Nutterbutter ghosts.  I don’t mess around on potluck day.

Both are super easy to make.  The cupcakes are from a box with a powdered sugar + butter + vanilla + water frosting.  My frosting was a tad too runny but I was kind of over baking by this time so I went with it.  The ghosts are Nutter Butters coated in white chocolate with mini chocolate chips for eyes.  Easy peasy Mcsqueazy.

Are you dressing up for Halloween?  The kids?  The dog?  What are you/they going as?  What’s your favorite Halloween treat?  Did you participate in the Random Acts of Craftiness challenge?

Linking up to: His and Hers

Scrappy Iowa Pillow Cover

Ike and I did it.  We took on the Pinterest challenge.



We made this Iowa pillow cover with exactly 99 little pieces of fabric. By “we” I mean, I cut a ton of fabric pieces while he drug stuff out of my fabric closet.  Super helpful, Ike. Super helpful.
I was inspired by this pin…

Source: seekatesew.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

My take on this project was to make the state of Iowa instead of the United States.  Sometimes it’s hard having a doctorate.  You see, I thought the WHOLE United States seemed like a lot of work and Iowa would be much easier.  Until I dove right into the project and soon realized that the 99 counties of Iowa would make my take on the project almost twice the work.  Genius.  The upside is that Iowa counties are pretty square so the top stitching was easier. (That’s what I kept telling myself when I realized my genius ways.)





I do love how it turned out though.  It is currently living happily in our master bedroom next to our headboard. I like the little dose of happy color it brings to the room!

Want to make your own state?  It’s honestly fairly easy.  It is, however, time consuming.

• Print 2 maps of your state (counties included).  Cardstock is preferred.
• Number each county on both maps.
• Line up some fabric scraps.  Apply Heat N Bond to them as directed on the package. 
  • I recommend buying the strongest Heat N Bond.  I had a little trouble with the counties coming off as I continued to work on the project.  Annoying.
• I placed the counties in a Ziploc bag and randomly drew them.  Neighboring counties sometimes had the same fabric.  But I was okay with that. I told myself to forget my perfectionist ways and just have fun with this.
• Cut the counties out of the cardstock and use them to trace on each fabric scrap.  When tracing, remember to flip your county or you’ll end up with backwards pieces.  Not that this happened to me…

• Place the completed counties on your intact map.

• I decided to make my map into a pillow cover.  You could frame this, hang it on the wall, etc.
• Find the center of your piece of fabric and find your center county.  Remove the back of the Heat N Bond and iron away.  Be sure to take crummy cell phone photos on your dirty ironing board for your tutorial.

• Keep on ironing.  I promise you will make it.  Looking back on this, I’m not sure how I didn’t burn myself.  Go me.

• Now for the fun part.  Top stitching.  If you used strong Heat N Bond you could probably get away with leaving it. I think the top stitching gives it that great scrappy/quilted feel though.  I did mine with my sewing machine but by hand may have been easier.
• From here, I finished off my pillow cover and told myself I’d never make another one.  But now I’m thinking a little black and gold Iowa Hawkeye pillow might be pretty cute.  Hmmm…

Did you take on the Pinterest challenge?  Anyone with a dog assistant?  Who is sad that work interferes with taking quality daylight photos?  Would your state/country/homeland be easier or harder?

***Check out our past Pinterest challenge projects…. West Elm Inspired Bedframe, Stenciled Powder Room, Painted Tub Claw Feet, and a Washer Monogram!***

Linking up to: Young House Love, Our Fifth House, The Ugly Duckling House, Bower Power

Diggin’ It

I wish I had something witty to start this post out with. I’ve been a little under the weather all week and I lose all wit when I get sick. Lame. 

Our favorites from the week, however, not lame.

• Exterior House Reveal at Hazardous Design: It’s amazing what a little paint can do.  Stop over to Hazardous Design and check out the before and afters of Carrie’s house.  It’s worth the click.  Carrie’s got a fancy style. I want to decorate like her when I grow up.
• Rustic Powder Room at Buffalo Roam:  Stop over to Buffalo Roam to check out Amy’s awesome powder room.  I love Amy’s unique rustic style.  And she’s funny.  Like really funny.  She’s not even paying me to say that. Or is she?
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins at Food.com:  I’m OBSESSED with these muffins.  As in I sometimes eat them for breakfast and lunch.  They are ridiculously good. Bring on the muffin top!

• Shirt Woot:  If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you may have noticed that Nate has a love for ridiculous t-shirts.  I think it’s mainly just to annoy me.  One of his favorite sources is Shirt Woot.  They have a deal a day.  He especially loved Wednesday’s “Two is Better” shirt.  I really hope he didn’t order it…

• Political Poop Bags from Smear Campaign:  Ike is getting all political on us this week.  How about a line of limited edition waste bags available in packages of 80 degradable bags, as your favorite Democrap (Obama) or Repooplican (Romney)?  Ike’s not telling which ones he would like.

What was your favorite thing from this week?  Do share!