Valentines Decor

Hello Friends, it is a bright and beautifully sunny day here in Idaho! We are just in love with Valentines Day here at the Brumley house. Valentines Day is such a sweet holiday, literally(!) but also of how simple yet meaningful it can be. I added just a few touches of Valentines decor slowly over the last couple of weeks, I never really feel like I should decorate for Valentines Day until February 1st but then BAM I turn around and Valentines Day is here. This first picture is my absolute favorite little spot decorated up for the day of love. Simple red tie backs on the curtains, and red hearts hanging in the windows. Oh look! That awesome pillow.The mother of my high school sweetie made that pillow for me, I may not love him anymore but I still love the pillow! ;) 

My grandma's hutch has a couple of little romantic touches, my fabric heart wreath, and some dried roses. I made the wreath several years ago and it got misplaced in our loft of holiday decor so I was super pleased to find it. My husband, nephew, and oldest son all looked for the mystery box that held it but I finally had to get up in the loft and look myself. I am soooo not a fan of ladders or lofts but I wanted my wreath! The dried flowers are some of the roses my hubby has given me that I have dried! I am so spoiled by him. 

 A little banner of hearts made out of sparkly pipe cleaners., hanging on my pantry door. 

 Hanging on a cabinet is my dump treasure heart wreath, with and added little heart plaque. 

Some heart garland graces our plant shelf. 

A sparkly heart wreath hangs on the bathroom door. 

This is the little display on my reclaimed headboard shelf, this is my favorite spot to decorate. 

I never really cared for these angels in my Christmas decor but I moved them to Valentines Day and it made all the difference! 

My Dining Room area, another dollar store heart, some red berries on the chandelier and a Love saying on the chalkboard. 

But this my friends is real life and real love ~ my nephew Josh and my sweet Darky dog, taking a snooze amongs the Valentines Day decor. 

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Dump Treasures

Oh how I love a good sale, it is a great feeling to score something really amazing at a great price! Whats better than that? Getting it for Fer-eee (free)!

Our town dump has a little area called the "Clear Mart" - it really is my favorite store! My husband always knows I am in the mood to score some great junk  treasures when I offer to go to the dump with him. Sometimes these items cost a dollar or two but today I found four great things for free! 

My husband is NOT a fan of my dumpster diving...even if it is in the "Clear Mart" and not actually in the dumpster. (He has NO vision.) The first find was an easy one,  I spotted it while sitting in the truck as he unloaded the garbage. 

A great mailbox! I have BIG plans for this mailbox to be a part of my mailbox wall that is one of my visions for my entry way. 

This is the only thing I got on the first round of dump wars...........

I also spotted this super cool chair that clearly is screaming to be my first reupholster project. 

Hubby said no......

I put on my best pouty face and told him as he was driving away that he knows he has no powers against my pouty face.....so he turned around. 

At first he told me that it was unsteady, then he laughed and told me that it was just because it was on the gravel. What a joker he is.....

Then I spotted this perfectly cute flower pot and wreath! Clearly gems just waiting to be cleaned up and adored. 

On the way out of the dump he said "My pickup just decreased in value by putting this crap in it!" What a fun day we had.

Here is a little before and after of the wreath. Don't let the picture on the left fool you, those fake flowers looked much worse in real life, oh and that is not the chair we got. He had already tucked it up in the loft of the shop before I got home from an errand! He really didn't want it laying around! :)

I pulled the fake flowers off and lightly sprayed it with white spray paint. Now it is hanging sweetly on my cabinet door!

Super Bowl Spirit(s)!

Last night I had a wonderful time with my someday daughter-in-love, Brea. We whipped up 135 layered jello shots - oh my goodness - that is a LOT of layered Jello Shots. Now before you judge, we have 3 super bowl parties to attend between the two of us.

We followed the awesome instructions from Seattle Soap Girl, click here to get the instructions to make your own. Start now and get them done way before kick off!

*** We HIGHLY recommend cooling the jello in the fridge for about a half hour before you pour it onto the previous layer. We got some that came out pretty muddled. They will still taste amazing!

And I just have to brag, I got really blessed when Brea became a part of our family, I just love her. And isn't she just adorable?

Chicken Scratch

It has been a while since I updated you on the lives of our chickens! So much for my plan of writing a weekly post! But all is well in our little chicken family....I thought today would be a great day to show off our coop and my beautiful ladies! 

(The awesome coop my hubby built for me) 

We purchased our feeder and waterer, and I am so pleased with both of them. We hung the feeder from a wire from the ceiling, which keeps the chickens from scratching shavings into it and also keeps pest from getting in. The waterer is sat up on bricks so that the chickens cannot get shavings in it, they still get a few in but not nearly as many. I am so pleased with our new feeder and waterer. These little missies where so messy before and now they are trouble free. I like that. Alot. 

(this one is my favorite) 

(I set them on their roost board every day so they get the idea)

(the little group) 

(got cheek feathers?~she does! )

(my favorite part of this photo is the little grubby fist reaching in)

(little Mr. is sad because they just aren't as easy to hold as they used to be)

We have had one tragedy, one little chickie was more athletic than the rest and would routinely hop out of her box (which was in the bathroom) without problems, I never would have dreamed she might accidentally hop out of her box, into the toilet, and drown! Oh my goodness, the sadness! I felt like such a bad chickie Mommy! 

We still need to name our little girls, now that they are looking very different from one another I think the middle mister and I will need to get on that! 

Holidays for Everyday: May 17 - 23, 2011

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 ~ Pack Rat Day

Pack Rats unite, Brandon my son, this means YOU! Perhaps this would be a good day to do a little decluttering, or on the other hand give yourself a day of from decluttering. Maybe I will walk past Brandon's room and not sigh all day. If on the other hand you aren't wishing to embrace your pack rat self any longer you could always visit, www.flylady.org 

On the other hand you could go to Nick Jr. and play a little game of PakRat. Its fun....don't ask me how I know.

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 ~ Mt. St. Helens Errupted 

This is probably most relevant for those of us living in the Northwest, because this was a pretty signifiant even that happened around here. This appears to be a great resource for kids (and adults alike). http://www.kidscosmos.org/kid-stuff/kids-volcanoes-st-helens.html

Thursday, May 19th, 2011 ~ Circus Day

Personally, I think this clown craft is pretty stinkin' cute. It doesn't hurt that after they make this craft they can use it as a interactive toy. 

Go Here for the template and instructions! 

Friday, May 20th, 2011 ~ Pick Strawberries Day

Strawberries aren't even close to ready to be picked around here but I thought I would include it anyways. Just so I could share this link from one of my favorite new blogs, (new as in, new to me) 

Alicia's Homemaking - 10 Fabulous Ways to Eat A Strawberry (or Two) 

Saturday, May 21st, 2011 ~ Armed Forces Day

This is simply a day to salute sharply to all of the men and women in all branches of the service who protect our country and you. They can be called upon at a moment's notice to perform a risky and perilous mission for freedom and country. They train diligently both physically and mentally so they will be prepared to prevail in any mission they face.
Just how did it all begin? Well, each branch of the military had their own day of celebration. But, on August 31, 1949 then Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day. President Harry Truman also announced the holiday in a presidential proclamation on February 20, 1950. All branches of the military were asked to celebrate on this day and they complied on the first Armed Forces Day which was held the following year on May 20, 1950.  ~ Information from HolidayInsights.com

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 ~ Buy-Musical-Instrument Day

Personally I am not planning on buying any musical instruments anytime soon but.........remember these guys Maracas for Cinco de Mayo ? Now would be a good time to make them if you didn't on Cinco de Mayo! 

Monday, May 23rd, 2011 - Lucky Penny Day

Holy Moly ~ anyone up for making a necklace? Actually I see potential in this idea!

Cute idea for a card.....especially if your Dad happens to be a penny pincher! LOL 

This little doll could just as easily say~ I hope your day is Lucky! or Happy Lucky Penny Day! or I am so Lucky to have you! 

~~~~~As always have fun celebrating the fun and wacky, little known holidays~~~~~

Gifts for Grads Linky Party

Have you seen the party going on over there on my sidebar? Well technically it isn't a party yet...but as soon as you link up your projects it will be! I will be back later today to link up a fun graduation gift holder but go ahead and get this party started!

Heres your invite: (I wish I had some gold lettering right now)

Please link up your Graduation  ideas, this could be gifts, cards, decorations, ect. 


You can link up your etsy shop directly to a graduation gift idea but only if you link up one from your blog first. And only one etsy link up per shop please! 


Since this is my first linky party would you please help me spread the word....its ok, if you don't, I still want you here. But I would be thrilled if you did! (you can find the code to my cute button over in my sidebar)


This party will be going on all week so be sure and check back! 

Thank You!!!! 

Twig Wreath from my Dreaming of Summer Display

This is probably one of the most versatile crafts I have ever done. This wreath was first made in January when I needed a little something to decorate with. I traced two different circles on cardboard and then cut out the wreath shape. Then I started glueing on pieces of branches that I cut up. But as life goes I never finished it. When St. Patrick's Day rolled around I decided to add some ribbon instead of more twigs to finish it up. I loved the way it turned out! I just used scotch tape to tape the ribbon on the back. That way it is an easy fix when I go to change it up! 

Then I changed the ribbon for Easter~totally a quick and easy way to change the look! 

After Easter I started putting together my summer display and used a tan ribbon and a ribbon that says "treasured moments" on it. After I took off the Easter colored ribbons and before I put on the summery colored ribbons I spray painted the twigs white! 

I hung it up and then hung the coffee filter flower on top of it! 

Soooooo gorgeous~ I just love it! 

Sand Footprints from my Dreaming of Summer Display

So far this month Dreaming of Summer has been my most popular post! This little display is still making me smile every time I see it, and that's a lot! The last post only showed the end results so this time around I thought I would show you some of the behind~the~scenes action that took place to make my pretty little space!

First of all lets talk about those footprints in the sand. I was laying in the sun on a blanket watching Mike play in the sandbox. A warm wind was blowing and it was just warm enough for me to start dreaming about summer. At first I wanted to make a set of each boys footprints...well the younger two anyways....I don't think man size footprints from Stefan would have been so cute....anyways......after the hassle that was this project I ended up with one footprint from each boy that was in the same frame! And I admit....I really love it that way.

 First things first. To make your frame I glued 3 dollar store picture frames together. Remove the glass and the cardboard. I used my gluegun to glue the 3 frames together. However I think a glue like Gorilla glue would have worked better. I put the cardboard in the back frame which was my first mistake. If you are doing this project I would use something like a piece of lightweight plywood or foamboard would probably work to.

If you buy your frames at the dollar store, make sure your frames lay flat before you buy them, some of them are twisted and will not lay together nicely. After you glue the outsides together, using your hot glue gun use the glue to caulk any spots that aren't a tight fit. Do this on the inside of your frame.

Then I spraypainted my frames wit h a couple light coats of white paint. I want that beachy look so I did not try for full coverage.

My first idea was to use plaster of paris mixed with sand! NO NO NO! Don't do it! I tried this twice and both times I missed the small opportunity to get the footprints when the stuff was the right consistency! I was frustrated covered in plaster and Michael was having a meltdown. The floor, the porch, the kitchen counters all covered in plaster. Ugh!

So I did the only sensible thing. I changed our clothes, got lunch to go, and went to the park, where he played, and ran and then we went and through rocks in the river. It was a nice afternoon!

Unfortunately, the mess was waiting for me when I got back. This time I used Tile Grout with no sand mixed in. It took a lot of stirring but we had ample time to get the footprints, even smooth out and try again if needed. I did Brandon's footprint first since it was the largest and then Michaels. So here is my recommendations. Put your phone on silent, have a helper, lay the frame on something plastic or a drop cloth for easy clean up, have lots of clean rags ready to go, dry and wet, use tile grout, and have lots of patience! 

After the footprints were dry, and that took a while, since there were 3 layers of stuff in there, I used furniture polish to add accents to the footprints. I still need to find a way to add the date on there but overall I am pleased as punch with my footprints.

Blended Coffee from YOUR blender!

Some mornings I need a little kick of caffeine!Wednesday mornings usually and Monday mornings sometimes...and any morning where the kids kept me up all night! I am not one to buy a coffee unless it is a special treat so I "invented" this recipe. It is yummy, diet friendly and best of all, you can add as much caffeine as you like!

Ingredients:

1 Cup Milk - I use fat free or 1%
6-8 Icecubes
2 TBL. Cocoa
2 TBL. Instant Coffee Crystals
3 packets of Equal or Sweet~N~Low
2 TBL Peanut Butter

Any of these can be adjusted, I usually leave out the peanut butter altogether.

Blend and in no time at all you have this!

And that my friends is a VERY good way to start the day! 

Make It Yourself Miche Bag Cover

A couple of years ago my sister-in-law gave me a Miche Bag for Christmas. I loved the idea of it until I realized that the covers cost more than most of the purses I buy. Soon after I started dreaming of making my own covers. I googled the idea and saw that other people had in fact made their own covers.

I have two different ways to make these. The first I am sharing with you is the NO SEW method. Quick, and easy! Wham Bam, finished method!

You will need:

An original Miche bag cover to use as your pattern
Fabric of your choice
3 cereal boxes or other cardboard
Fabric Glue
Hot Glue Gun and Gluesticks
SUPER DUPER strong magnets

Step 1: Lay your original cover on top of the wrong side of you fabric and trace.

Step 2: Cut around your trace lines leaving 1.5" extra all around. Yes you can measure this but I didn't, I just eyeballed it!

Step 3: Lay your original cover on your cardboard and trace the stiff parts. I doubled the thickness of the cardboard so I did 4 pieces that looked like this....and two pieces for the bottom of the purse.

Step 4: Cut out all your cardboard pieces and if you are doubling the thickness glue them together.

Step 5: Lay your cardboard pieces on the wrong side of the fabric and using your hot glue gun, glue the extra fabric to your cardboard. Be sure to make your corners look nice.

Step 6: Measure carefully and glue your SUPER DUPER strong magnets on to your cover.

Step 7: Wrap cover around purse and ENJOY!

I will be sharing the sewn version later this week. If you have any questions just leave them in the comments and I will answer!

I was featured at *born-again crafter*!

I was featured, and let me tell you it made me do a little happy dance! 

Please go see what project she featured here! 

Come Visit me at While He Was Napping!

Today I am guest blogging over at While He Was Napping! 

She has an awesome blog with a ton of followers who think she is great! 

After all 1100 people can't be wrong! 

Oh and did I mention a little thing called a GIVEAWAY! 

You have to go OVER there to check it out! It is for a $20 gift certificate to my Etsy shop, 

Sparkly Mama Made It! And I know you ALL totally want to win! 

Holidays for Everyday: May 10th - May 16th

The holidays featured this week are a little bit lame! There simply isn't much to pick from, after all I don't make up the holidays I just feature them! The 13th -15th are pretty interesting so scroll down and be sure to read about those! 

Tuesday May 10th  -Clean Up Your Room Day

Boy do I know a couple of little boys who will be participating in this! 

Wednesday May 11th - School Nurses Day

The school my son goes to does not have a school nurse, at least not that I know of!But for those of you who do, show a little love! 

Thursday May 12th - Kite Day

Will you fly a kite with your kids at the park, search online for a virtual kite flying game or simply tell someone to go fly a kite? Whatever you do, enjoy! 

Friday May 13th - The ONLY Friday the 13th in 2011

Why is Friday the 13th so UNLUCKY? 


According to www.holidayinsights.com ~ 


In biblical references, it is believed that Cain killed Abel on Friday the 13th. We are not sure how this was determined, as calendars were unlikely to have been in existence back then.
We do know with certainty, the ancient Babylonian Code of Hammurah omitted the #13 in it's list of laws. Written in 1,700 B.C., it sggests ancient Bablylonians considered the #13 to be unlucky. 

Saturday May 14th - Dance Like A Chicken Day

What say you? You don't know how to dance like a chicken? Good thing I found instructions! 

1. Anyone who's not chicken, stand in a circle facing each other.
2. When the music starts, hold your hands out in front of you and open and close them like a chicken beak four times.
3. Put your thumbs in your armpits and flap your wings four times.
4. Place your arms and hands like the tail feathers of a chicken and wiggle down to the floor four times.
5. Clap four times.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 four times.
7. After the fourth time take the hands of the people on either side of you and everyone move in a circle.
8. When you get dizzy, switch directions.
9. Repeat until the end of the music or until you fall on the floor. 

Sunday May 15th - National Police Officer Memorial Day

Ways to participate in this day:

• Say thanks to local police officers.
• Make a donation to your police department.
• Participate in activities honoring officers who have died on duty.
• Make a card, bake cookies, write a letter to the editor showing police officers you are thankful for them.

Monday May 16th - Sea Monkey Day

I have always wanted to have Sea Monkeys! Yes I know, a weird thing for a 30 year old to want. Nevertheless I do! This year might just be the year I get some! 

Happy Mothers Day!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!! 

I hope every mother and every woman who isn't a mother but still touches other peoples lives (every woman), has a Mothers Day that is full of smiles! Full of fun! Full of the people who they love! And I hope that you get a little spoiled on this day and are shown appreciation and love! 

Thank you for reading my blog. I absolutely feel like being a mother is my calling from God and I love to pass on some of  the things we do. 

My family = My joy! 

(Photo taken by my lovely Mama) 

As I was reflecting on Mothers Day I can't help but feel extremely blessed. My mother is an angel, a saint, my hero and my bestfriend! She loves our family with her whole heart! She puts her job as Mother, Nana, Mother-in-law above everything else! She is a great example of motherhood and she sets the bar high for her two daughters to follow. 

(Photo taken by Brandon, I am sorry Mom I know this photo

is not one you would have picked out but trust me when I say it

was the best of the two of us) 

I love you Mom! 

And to show my LOVE I decided to get a little tattoo to prove it! 

(and now before you have a heart attack, please know that 

this is just an effect that is in Piknik, the photo program I now use!!!) 

And I need to share this story because it is super funny! I absolutely LOVE this dress, I got it yesterday for a date I went on last night with my hubby! Mom and I shopped and shopped . Today I wore it to church and was feeling sooooo girly! I went to grab up Michael my toddler to change his diaper and somehow the diaper came off and POOP got smeared all over my dress! What a mess! My mom was there and we had such a laugh over the joys of motherhood! 

This will be my last Mothers Day with a baby in diapers and I just couldn't help but laugh! 

Bonus! - photo of me before my date with the hubby! We went out for drinks to celebrate one of my best girlfriends birthdays!