I love to see the temple/word art and a video

So...here is a peek of what I am sharing today...

But first...the project that has consumed my WHOLE week, made me frustrated, made me giggle, made me cry, made me want to throw my computer against the wall and all that jazz, is finally done and ready to view.  

A little background:

I've had this delightful sound recording of my daughter singing and it has been sitting on my computer begging to be creatively preserved for over 8 YEARS.  I had no clue what to do with it, so we would just listen to it every once in awhile and giggle every time.  From her mispronunciation of words to even making up her own words at the end, it is truly entertaining.  Maybe I am just biased, but I think it is just the cutest thing I have ever heard. 

 

After a little sweat and tears, it is finally complete with some added bonuses along the way.  I hope you find it as delightfully inspiring as this mama bear does.  

Feel free to share this video. 

I know we have a lot of visitors of different faiths, so if you have any questions about why we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, build and revere temples, feel free to email me or go here for more info.

Now... onto my next project (once again, forgive the camera). 

How cute is this for a little girl's room? (Check below for a darling boy version.)

To make them, I used some bead board for the plaque.  The measurements for this are about 9x9 inches.  

I painted this one white.

I added a fun texture to it by making circular swirly motions with the brush on the second coat.

For this one, I used fabric strips to hang it with.  I drilled 2 holes and entered the back on both sides, so I could tie it in front.  I added a staple on each side to help it hang more evenly. 

I sized the print to about 6x6 and I attached it to some foam board to give it some dimension.

I used some white and pink tulle and tied it around the fabric in front.  I added some wire and a flower.

And we can't forget the boys right?  Here is more of a boy version.

I painted this board black and distressed it.

I tacked down some burlap with hot glue on the corners.  I mod podged the print right onto the burlap.  It gave it a fun texture on top.  I did not add a coat of mod podge to the top of the print.

For the top of the plaque, I added some raffia, dark curly wire and hemp with a large black button.

 

And there you have it.  A darling way to display a something inspiring that your kids will see often.  My teenager has even asked me to make one for her room.

Because I am offering this free download as a thank you to those who are following Somewhere in Craftland, I ask that if you download/print it, you become a follower first.  Also, in an effort to analyze interest, please click on "I am adding this to my list of things to make," so I will know you like it, and of course, this kind of thing just motivates me to make MORE fun prints. Thanks!   

For personal use only.

I will be linking up to any or all of these fabulous linky parties here.

Sumo's Sweet Stuff Giveaway

Giveaway now closed

Ready for my second giveaway? I am! 

Summer from Sumo's Sweet Stuff is giving away one of her ribbon tie headbands, one size fits all (more pictured below).
*Edited with correct pictures of giveaway item

But first, I want to share a couple of tutorials from her blog that caught my eye.  I had been hearing all about these zipper flowers for hair and wondered what in the world people were talking about.  Flowers made out of zippers?  Then my world stopped spinning when I saw them here on her blog. I LOVE them.  

 

And, would you believe me if I told you there was bacon under all that chocolate?  True. story!  I don't know for what reason my mouth is watering, but I choose to believe it's because I know if I try them, I will be hooked.  Take a look here.

 
Here are just a few other items in her etsy shop that make me want to have another little girl so bad:

Binky holder

Charms and jewelry

Leggings and clothes.  

And I just had to throw this in here.  Isn't it so stinkin' cute?  

Alright, here is the link to her etsy shop where you will find a variety of headbands to choose from. The winner will have their choice of any ribbon tie headbands that will fit child to adult.

Aren't they so cute?!!!? 

This giveaway will go until Saturday night 2/5/11.  All entries must be submitted in the form of a comment on THIS post (one comment for each entry).  I will use random.org to pick the winner.  

Here are a few ways to enter:

1.  Leave me a comment on this post and tell me what you are planning fun for that extra special person in your life for valentines day.

2.  Go check out Sumo's Sweet Stuff and follow her blog (one entry).

3.  Check out her etsy shop and come back here and leave a comment about your favorite thing (one entry).

4.  Be a follower of my blog (one entry).

5.  Be a follower on my facebook (one entry).

Thank you so much Sumo's Sweet Stuff for this fun giveaway!

Crafty Craftlanders

I have been working on something super fun that I CAN'T wait to share AND... I have another giveaway coming up!  So stay tuned.

But until then, check out these great projects made by my very own readers who were inspired by something they've seen here.  Nothing is more fun than to get an email from one of you showing me things you made because of something you've seen here.

Marie from Marie's Obsessions made these fun printables.  I was tickled to get an email from her sharing them with me.  I already have my mind working on a project with these.

She has graciously agreed to share them with my readers as well. Check out her darling blog and give her  high five!

Brigit from Craftin' Cuties threw together a project for her crafting group using the love letter craft.  How cute are the letters she found?  I LOVE seeing how someone can take something and put their own personal touch to it.  They turned out so cute! 

The last one comes from my very own mother.  We have had so much fun making things together.  I found a super (unbelievable) fun idea to print right onto burlap.  It was easy peasy and now I have my wheels churning for some fun things to make.

My mother wanted to take the "count your blessings" printable and put it on burlap.  She loved the idea from the burnt scroll plaque for putting it all together!  It turned out wonderful!

Thanks ladies for sharing some new inspiration with us.

If you have been inspired by something you found here on my blog and would like to share it, please email me at bonbon251 at gmail and I would LOVE to feature YOU here.   If you don't have your own blog, but just have pictures, you can send those and I can post them.

Homemade Breadstick Tutorial

As promised, here is my tutorial on the most fabulous breadsticks EVER.  My grandmother used this recipe for just about anything, scones, breadsticks, French bread, cinnamon rolls, pizza dough, etc.  It also makes excellent hot dog and hamburger buns and soup bowls.  Though this is not my main bread recipe, I use this for just about everything else.

This is the kind of meal that brings disharmony between me and my scale...

Besides tasting like Heaven, these breadsticks only call for 5 simple ingredients.  

* 2 TBS Yeast

* 2 TBS Sugar

* 2 TBS Salt

* 1 qt warm water

* 8-12 cups flour (see below)

If you want to add Parmesan cheese to them, the mixture I use is fresh grated Parmesan, the Parmesan cheese from the jar and some garlic powder. 

Ok, here is one of my secrets.  Using Lehi Roller Mills flour is KEY.  I am not sure why, but if I try to use anything else for my bread, it just doesn't turn out as well.  Costco sells a 25-pound bag for UNDER $6!  Bonus!  If you don't live near Utah, you probably wont find this brand as I believe it is only sold locally.  Bummer!  I have family who stock up when they come to Utah for a visit.  If I didn't have access to this flour, I would relent and use Medal Gold bread flour.  Maybe someone has a better suggestion?  

 I have always had access to a mixer, so I am not the pro when it comes to mixing it by hand.  Sorry.  

Add all the ingredients except flour in your mixing bowl and let it sit until the yeast starts to get foamy.  Another key step.  

At this point, start the mixer and add flour until dough forms and comes away from the sides of the bowl.  I watch closely for this and when I see it, I add another 1/2 cup to cup of flour and no more.  Mix on high for 5 minutes.  

Dived dough into 3 balls.  Roll your dough into a circle on a floured surface, and for croissant-style (our family's personal favorite), use a pizza cutter to cut circle into 12-16 "pizza" slices.  Start from widest end and roll to smallest.

Dip into melted butter and then into Parmesan mixture.  Set on greased cookie sheet.

For twist-style, cut dough into long strips.  Fold strip in half and twist strip together.  Coat in melted butter and roll in Parmesan mixture.

For straight breadsticks, roll your dough right out onto cookie sheet.  Spread melted butter on dough and sprinkle with garlic and Parmesan cheese.  Use pizza cutter to cut down the middle and into strips.  

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.  

If you want to get pictures of all 3 pans after baking, your best chance is BEFORE the kids get to them.  Also a key step...This is the only pan I got to document :(.

 Together with this delicious lasagna and salad, I can say it was the perfect dinner.  

Now I will go and make peace with my scale.

FYI:  

*This recipe makes fabulous pizza dough.  The crust is so soft and chewy.  I divide the dough into thirds and make 2 pizzas and a pan of breadsticks.  Bake pizzas at 425 for 15 minutes.

*This recipe makes 3-4 loaves of French bread.  Form the loaves and cut slits through the top.  Let rise.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

*For scones, take golf ball size pieces and flatten.  Deep fry until golden brown.

*This is not my favorite recipe for cinnamon rolls, but my grandmother used it for this as well. I do happen to have the best recipe for the cinnabon brand that I can post if anyone is interested.

Discussing bread:

I have been making bread since I was 8 years old.  During those MANY years, I have learned some do's and don't's of making bread, what works and what doesn't.  Besides having tips to share, I know I still have lots to learn.  I know there are those of you in my "audience" who could put me to shame and we would love to hear from you.  Maybe some of you have tried your hand at making bread and wondered why it failed.  So here are a couple of questions for both audiences...Have you been frustrated trying to get your bread to turn out?  Do you have any tips or tricks that you use to make your bread the best ever?  Please ask and/or share.

I am linking this post up to any of these fabulous linky parties here.

Burnt Scroll Plaque

Somewhere in all my blog hopping, I saw this scripture/word art on a plaque on someone's mantle and loved it.  I wish I could find it again so I could link to it.  It was darling.  If it was your blog or you know the blog I am talking about, please tell me so I can link to it.  

I whipped up a copy of it in Photoshop and added an antique looking background.  I used my printer to print it.  I rolled it up scroll style and burned the edges.  I unfolded it and then folded the corners in to look like an old scroll.

For the board, I used some bead board.  The size is 12x12.  I pained it black and distressed the edges and the middle sections to highlight them. 

I had some wheat laying around so I took 5 pieces, put 2 on one side, 3 on the other and tied them together with raffia.  

I had some wood beads my kids use for making bracelets and necklaces and tied them onto the raffia.

I tacked the print onto the center with a few dabs of hot glue so the edges could remain curled. I had to tack the hanging raffia to the sides at the top (under the wheat) so it would hang down the sides.

If I had had some jute or burlap laying around, I am sure I would have incorporated it in there somehow.  What do you think?

You are welcome to download this print, I just ask that you only use this print for personal use.  As always, I would love to see what you create with it.  

I will be linking up to any or all of these fabulous linky parties here: