Sunday, June 27, 2010

Girlie picture frames

This weekend I decided to work on these picture frames that were laying around in the basement; I really didn't want to spend any $ so I dug out some fun paper and forgotten pop up stickers, grabbed some paint and went with it! I REALLY enjoyed making these! They will look quite adorable hanging in Bella's room! Check it out:) 
The basic process was to put a coat of paint on a wooden frame, and then play a little with textures to give the project a rich base. I picked out papers to compliment paint colors and decoupaged it onto the frame with some Mod-Podge 
I then added some pop-up stickers, but as a suggestion, i would do that before using the mod podge
since the stickers did not stick on so well the first time I tried these.
Final touches were made by adding some self-stick gems
and that's all!







































 thanks for reading! beijos,
 allypye

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Hair stuff for my Bella Boo!

OH my GOSH! I have craft fever!!!! SERIOUS CASE! So excited about making stuff this summer I don't even know where to start:) What a great problem to have huh? I am pretty sure I will be working on some fine art stuff as well (more on this later), but right now I am working on making hair accessories for my beautiful daughter! I had a post about the same thing last year during Halloween but I like these new ones much better!

















Thanks for reading!

beijos
allypye


yummy brunch! frittata with grilled apples

Weekends at our home are pretty relaxed as far as food goes. Brunch is a must and everyone loves it! Here is a pretty healthy option that even my picky eaters have grown to love!

Grilled Apples

sliced apples (1 per family member)
quick oats (I use about a half a cup for 5 apples)
brown sugar (I use 1/4 cup)
Cinnamon

mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl, heat up a griddle and add the mixture in one layer, so the apples cook evenly. Use a spatula to turn the apples to cook both sides and if you need more of the caramelized sauce add about a 1/4 cup of water to the griddle slowly.
Keep them in the griddle until the apples are soft and the sauce is sticky! YUM!


Frittata
(for 5)
10 eggs beat
2 cups of spinach
10 grape tomatoes or 5 cherry tomatoes cut in quarters

one large red onion sliced
1 cup of diced hash brown potatoes, thawed
salt and pepper
(i always add fresh cilantro or parsley too)
Parmesan cheese to top

mix all ingredients except Parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl. spray a large skillet and heat it up for a few seconds before adding the frittata mixture to the pan. Add the mixture, cover the skillet and cook it in LOW/MEDIUM heat until the eggs are set. Top it with parmesan cheese (fresh grated is best) and serve hot.


Doesn't this sound good? Now just add your favorite breakfast beverages, some whole grain toast, and you are off to a great start to your weekend! LOVE good food! It is a gift from the Earth to you:)
Thanks for reading

beijos
allypye


Monday, June 14, 2010

Wood Burning the Play Set



"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair"

I've been thinking about this quote by Kahlil Gibran ever since Spring started so one day I decided that it would be a good idea to carve those simple, amazingly wise words right on our wooden play set as a constant reminder of our oneness with the natural world.

I still need to touch it up, but I have to say I just love going to the backyard and seeing it everyday! I hope it will inspire you too...

Thanks for reading,

beijos,
allypye

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Stepping Stones



Just dropping by real quick to post some pictures of the stepping stones we made on mother's day weekend. Instead of buying kits from the craft store we bought a big bag of quick cement mix, plastic plant bases, and pebbles of various colors and shapes from the dollar store. We ended up with 7 stepping stones, total cost of about $15.00. Much cheaper that buying the kit!


each of us selected our favorite glass pieces

adding them to the cement was a no-brainer after laying them out on paper plates first


My oldest son's design! I love it!



hand print stepping stone

The final product! This was truly a great day!





Hope you enjoy the pics and the tips!
Thanks for reading
beijos
allypye

Friday, June 4, 2010

The gift of a Painting

Last year I attended a house warming party for some friends of mine who had just purchased a new house. Instead of bringing a gift, I promised them an original painting, which they were thrilled about. Of course as the story of my life always goes, there were a few road blocks and the painting was delivered 5 months later! YIKES! That is a LONG time...
I am however, very happy with the result and so are my friends! I decided to paint on a birch wood board, using some drawing, wood burning, acrylics and some paper cut outs. Some areas were also enriched with colored pencils and pastels.
Making art as a gift is so different than planning an exhibit; it is liberating in a way because you don't have to worry about maintaining homogeneity, or flow, conceptualizing themes and etc...
It becomes more about the person who is to receive the painting, their taste, personality and the colors in their home. So this was definitely refreshing!


pencil drawing and wood burning



adding wood cut out with decoupage

almost done

painting the birds



 The gift that enriches both the giver and the receiver, is a gift worth giving!

Thanks for reading!
beijos
allypye

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Backyard Robin's Nest


Nest with eggs


Waiting


Feeding

If I were a robin, the last place I would want to build my nest would be in a play set, where a 7 and a 3 1/2 year old are accustomed to climbing, jumping, shaking amongst other activities that would make life for newborn birds rather unbearable.
Well, this particular robin mama felt like our backyard play set was the perfect place to have babies, and so she did. Here are some pics of the whole process, taken by my 13 year old who has now developed an interest in nature photography. I must say, it was pretty great to see the way each of our kids reacted to the whole thing. They all developed a true sense of caring for the mama bird, the eggs and later the new born babies. We watched them hatch, feed for the first time, learn to walk, and fly. Living in an urban area does not mean we lack opportunities to see nature at work.

All it takes is to open your eyes wider, and look a little closer!
Thanks for reading!

beijos
allypye