Photo Art Blocks

  Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I am so excited to show you the AMAZING Project I have been working on!!! It turned out just as I pictured it in my head, which makes me even happier! Ok, enough chit chat. On to the project...

  I started with the same steps as the Easy Art Blocks. I went to Lowes and had them cut down a
12 in x 4ft board down to (4) 12in x12in boards ( I needed 5, but already had an extra one at home ) total cost $3.  Next I set all 5 on top of cups ( I know it looks kind of Ghetto, but it worked) haha ;) This made it easier to paint all 4 sides.

  While sides are drying, lay out your paper and photo combations to find which pattern is going to work the best.

  After all the sides are painted and dry you can mix your watered down glue to make a thin paste like this...

  Paint it on and let dry for a minute, until it is tacky. Once tacky add 12x12 scrapbook paper (trimmed to fit each block) I like to use my Pampered Chef Scraper to get any air bubbles out.

  Then I added the distressing to the sides. I couldn't find my beloved Distessed Ink pad so I just used some of the espresso paint mixed with glaze.

  Add photo corners and 8x 10 print and you are good to go!!!

  The BEST thing about this project is not only is it easy but CHEAP! You can always change out the 8x10 to get a whole new look, that is the GREAT thing about using the photo corners!

   Wood $3 (Lowes)

   5 8x10 pictures $9 (Snapfish using 50% code)
  
   5 scrapbook pages $2 (hobby lobby)

   Photo corners $0 (had from scrapbooking)

   Paint and glue $0 (had from old projects)

       TOTAL= $14

 

  I can't wait to see what it will look like when I add her DIY fabic headboard twin bed and cute bedding!!! What have you been working on this week? I would LOVE to know, and stop by and check it out, leave me a comment!



Thanks for stopping by,

Jeni

World's Best Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

  I am going to re-share my go to "Worlds Best Peanut butter Cookie Recipe" with you guys again today! I am linking it up to the CSI Projects Cookie Exchange! Here is my my same post about them from last month! P.S. I just made them this morning again for a Ladies get together, and everyone wanted the recipe! ;) They are just THAT GOOD!

   I wanted to share this AMAZING peanut butter cookie recipe I have used for years! I can't tell you the number of positive comments I have had on these cookies! They are just that good! I mean the recipe calls for a WHOLE jar of peanut butter, how can they not be awesome? Ha ha! They are crisp on the outside and super moist on the inside. If you like hard cookies this is not the cookie for you, but if you attack the cookies as soon as they get out of the oven (like I do) just to get the soft, melt in your mouth goodness, then here is the recipe for you! ;) I copied and pasted the recipe here, but this is the link to it on allrecipes.com.

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar ( I have used 2 cups white sugar and they still turned out great!)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 egg ( I use 3 eggs, so I don't waste.)
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (18 ounce) jar peanut butter
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped peanuts ( I don't put peanuts in mine.)

1. In a large bowl cream butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, yolks, and vanilla; mix until fluffy. Stir in peanut butter. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the peanut butter mixture. Finally, stir in the peanuts. Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
3. Roll dough into walnut sized balls. Place on the prepared cookie sheet and flatten slightly with a fork. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Cookies should look dry on top. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet before removing to cool completely on a rack. These cookies taste great when slightly undercooked. ( First I use a cookie scoop and leave them in mounds to bake for 10 minutes, then I pull them out to put the fork indentions on top, and bake for another 3 minutes for perfection!!! This way they keep the fork indention, because a peanut butter cookie is NOT a peanut butter cookie with out them!) :)

Mommy's Kitchen Helpers

 

Because You Always Need a Glass Of Milk With Your Cookies!!!

 

Mix, Bake, and ENJOY!!! Merry CHRISTmas!!!

   Thanks for stopping by,

     Jeni

The Lovely Teal Dresser

  I have been busy, busy working on Abby's vintage dresser! My sweet friend Casey gave it to me a few months back. It is beautiful... but I was really craving some COLOR in Abby's Monochromatic room! My inspiration came from...

  this beauty.

 









Then I found this one, that is my dresser's twin! I just LOVE the distressing and blue grey color. Pinterest is AMAZING!!!

   My first task was to fix something that bothered me from day one! The missing wood applique that is suppose to be in the middle of the second dresser drawer. It just killed me that the beautiful engraved detail just stopped on both sides of where the applique should be. I decided I would just use my Dremel tool and finish it myself. Which could actually work, or just RUIN the whole thing! ha ha As luck would have it, it worked!!! Here are the basic steps I took.

1. I traced the design I wanted on to the drawer with a sharpie.



2. Then I very slowly dremelled following my curvy line.










3. Next was the FUN part, prime, paint, glaze, and add 3 coats of Polycrylic. The Color turned out AMAZING!!! I added cute knobs from Hobby Lobby at $1.50 each and I am DONE!



  I picked two different knobs because the the size of the drawers. The top ones I chose a cute little pink knob with bronze center, and the bottom knob is larger white one with pink dots on it! They look so cute together!




Close up...


  Well that is it for today! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! :D



Thanks for stopping by,

Jeni

Slip-On Furry Leg Warmers

  I just wanted to post these cute pictures I took of Abby today modeling her new black furry leg warmers. I finished the cape too! She is going to wear it at church tomorrow :D Let me know if you like the leg warmers and I will make a tutorial. :) They were pretty easy, and I want to make her a white pair too! Feast your eyes on this cuteness! LOL



  I just.... LOVE her!



  Not sure why the lighting changed in just this one picture, but it was a Great Shot!



  This is what I get when I ask her to sit pretty! ha ha



  I think the BIG bows really set them off!


She thought Teddy needed to help her model ;)





The funny thing is I don't pose her most of the time! I just let her dance and play that's when I get the best shots.



This one is my favorite!!!





  What do you think are a pair of Furry Leg Warmers in your future? ;) Would you like a tutorial? Leave me a comment and tell me what you think! Merry Christmas everyone!



Thanks for stopping by,
Jeni

DIY Baby Doll Crib

  I know it has been a while since my last post, we just found out my husband will be deployed at the end of January to Kuwait. It was very unexpected, and I am still trying to cope with him leaving. I know that he will be just as safe here as he will be overseas (you never know what day will be your last)! It is just that I am going to miss him so much!!!




  Ok enough of the mushy stuff and on to the project... ;)

 In a few weeks we are going to transfer Abby into her own twin bed, that I am going to build!!! Right now she is sleeping with Cole in his, because she will NOT sleep in her toddler bed. Well, I was going to sell her toddler bed or put it in the attic, until I got the idea to make it into a doll crib! Genius I know, right? LOL! It was so easy and took under an hour!



    First, I took the foot board off by taking out the bolts.



   Then I cut down the rails to the 4th side post. Then all I had to do was use screws to reattach it to the foot board. Easy peasy. I am going to cut down her nursery bedding to use in this mini crib, that way it will make it even more special! The best part is.... it was completely FREE!!! What a great Christmas idea, right?



  Here it is with her bedding just folded and tucked in to make it fit, but I will post an update when I finish sewing the bedding! :)



  * In this one you get a sneak peak at my next post :)



 She LOVES that she can fit in it too! :)

  Ok I have 3 more posts to write ;) and get posted!

Thanks for stopping by,

Jeni

Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner!!!

  Well the WINNER is... Comment #30 "I like you on FB already :D" from theYPswife!  Congrats I know you are going to LOVE this necklace!!! Please message me on FB with your info or send it to my email  becomingmartha@yahoo.com!

Key to Wonderland

    If you didn't win or just can't wait to get your hands on something from the site, here is a special discount code for 10% off. Use "becomingmartha10off"at checkout. This code will work for 30 days.


Thanks for stopping by,

Jeni

Shabby Apple Giveaway!!!!

  I am so excited to tell you guys about Shabby Apple! They offer unique vintage inspired clothing and accessories, and they even have a little girls line! (squeal) The dress line by Shabby Apple is so awesome! I seriously want everyone! I love the fact that they are modest and modern at the same time. Here are a few of my favorites...

Red Fox

Sierra Nevada

Aloha Dress

Tea and Cakes

Unlock Wonderland

 



  Not only is the clothing awesome, but the jewelery is AMAZING!!! Each piece is so unique and timeless. So believe me when I say I was in shock when they contacted me a few weeks ago about giving away this awesome necklace!!!

Key to Wonderland

So here is how YOU can win this beauty....




 1st entry is MANDATORY, go to Shabby Apple and then leave a comment here with your favorite thing from the site. It can be anything dresses, skirts, jewelry, etc.


2nd entry is also MANDATORY, Become a fan of Shabby Apple on Facebook



- Bonus Entries, you can get additional entries if you...


(3rd)  Become a follower of Becoming Martha :D



(4th) "Like" Becoming Martha's Facebook page! 



If you do all four things then you will have 4 entries, just leave me a  separate comment for each entry!!!

I'll pick one winner using random.org sometime on Friday, Dec. 2nd

If you don't win or just can't wait to get your hands on something from the site, here is a special discount code for 10% off. Use "becomingmartha10off"at checkout. This code will work for 30 days.

Details: The winner must live in the Continental United States. Please leave your email in your comment if it is not linked to your Google account so I will have a way to contact you! Good Luck to you all!





Thanks for stopping by,



Jeni