Painting Spider Webs

I've seen some great glass painting projects on the web lately. After a little research on how it is done, I decided that I wanted to give a spooky update to the lantern I bought last Spring.  I was going to be more ambitious and do our front windows, but I'm afraid that will have to wait until next year.

My poor little air plant bit the dust a few weeks ago. Turns out, that if you go a couple of days too long and forget to water it, it will shrivel up and die. Sad.

First, I cleaned the glass on the lantern. Then I got out some black, water-based, acrylic paint and a thin Golden Taklon brush and set to work.  Half way through my first web, I decided that I didn't like how it was going. So, I just used some glass cleaner and wiped the paint right off of the glass. Apparently, when the season is over, all that I'll need to do is soak the paint with water and then use a credit card to scrape it from the glass. I hope it works as well as it is supposed to.

It was a fun addition to our Halloween decor. I'm almost thinking of going overboard and painting our mirrors as well...

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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Sundae Scoop

Destination Craft: Cutsey Monday

Wow Me Wednesday

First Day of School Chalkboard

Buddy just started his first day of preschool today!  I'm certain that I'm more anxious about it than he is.  Is it okay for the parent to experience separation anxiety?  He's my first, so unlike most of the parents I meet, I kind of want to keep him home forever. He's pretty much awesome.  Perhaps, after I've experienced life with just one child a few days a week, I'll feel differently. Maybe. And I suppose that the one on one time with Jellybean will be good for both of us.

Here's my amazing preschooler (AHH! I have a preschooler!)

See that chalkboard in his hands? I got this really simple tip from a friend.  Just pick up a frame and spray paint the glass with chalkboard paint. Now, I'll be able to use this chalkboard every year. How awesome is that?

Here's the step by step:

1. Get some chalkboard paint and take the glass out of your frame.
2. Spray paint the glass. I gave it several thin coats. After it was dry to the touch, I did a few more thin coats.
3. Let it dry for 24 hours
4. To get it ready for use, rub chalk over the entire surface.
5. Erase.
6. Put it in your frame and you're ready to write.

I don't have incredible art skills, maybe they'll improve over the years.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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Random. Awesome. Friday.

I don't usually post on Friday.  This is my Pinterest/catch up on blogs day. I'm breaking from the usual routine because I have a few totally random tips that I wanted to share:

1. Bake Don't Boil Eggs:

I found this awesome idea on Pinterest, but it's really all thanks to Alton Brown from America's Test Kitchen.  Turns out that it is 20 times easier (at least for me) to hard cook an egg in the oven instead of boiling it on the stove.  Plus, less sulfur smell and the eggs come out perfectly every time.  I've been baking eggs weekly since I got this tip. 325 degree oven, 30 mins. Place in ice bath immediately for about 10 minutes. Peel eggs, put back in ice bath to completely cool. Keep in a sealed container in the fridge. I'm now able to enjoy deviled eggs any time I want. :)

2. Dryer Sheets on Water Stains:

My awesome sister in law gave me this great tip.  I was having trouble cleaning the glass surrounds on my shower.  I tried a ton of different options, this one took the cake. Turns out that a slightly damp dryer sheet is excellent for removing water stains on the glass.  Rub the glass well with the dryer sheet and then finish up with a slightly damp microfiber cloth and you'll have lovely clean glass that you can actually see through.

3. Engage, Embrace, Enjoy:

Nice little tip brought to you from the lovely people at Dove chocolate.  I eat an embarrassing amount of chocolate. So much actually that I've mostly stopped reading the little sayings inside of each wrapper.  Well, I read one today and found it particularly applicable to my current state of mind regarding my children.  I'm sure it had more to do with life in general, but I decided, as a mother, that this would be an excellent daily mantra.  I need to engage my children more, embrace them more and just simply enjoy them more. Words to live by and a tasty piece of chocolate to boot. Not bad.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ