On a Tray Tutorial

Did you all get to see the tray yesterday?

With a little love, we went from this...

To this...

This adorable tray had a little extra love around the edges, so I sanded it down to make the love more uniform.


Using my Cricut Expressions, I cut out the 4 squares from some fun scrapbooking paper.


Then with a foam brush, I Mod Podge'd the squares down to the tray. I put a few layers of Mod Podge on top of the paper and around the inside of the tray to protect it also. (When the inside of the tray was dry, I also put some on the edges and around the outside.)


Some of the scrapbook paper had fun flowers and borders. I used those to decorate, and with my Cricut I cut out the name. {Cartridge: Cuttin' Up. Style: Cartoon Shadow) I also put few layers of Mod Podge on top of those.



This was one of my first Mod Podge crafts outside summer camp projects. :) And I can't wait to keep going with some more. Have you guys ever used Mod Podge for anything?

On a Tray

I love the back aisles of Hobby Lobby. Why? Two words: hidden treasures.


They're a little beaten around the edges. I just think of it as "pre-loved." (See below.)


Let's imagine we take those pre-loved items, give them some more love, some rubbing down (with sandpaper), pretty paper, Mod Podge love, and what do you get?


A roommate's birthday present!! Very quick, incredibly fun. A tutorial is here. :)

And I'll be partying at a few blog parties this week. See where on the right.

Cupcakes Make People Happy

I have a very sweet announcement...

Starting June 14, attempting creative will be hosting a Cupcake Carnival!


What you can expect
- Cupcake shops
- Giveaways
- Recipes
- Free downloads
- Guest blogging
- ...And lots and lots of cupcakes!

So do you wanna be a part of the Cupcake Carnival??? Do ya??? I'd really love it if you did!

You can share your local cupcake shop, a favorite recipe, a fun decoration idea. Maybe you have a precious cupcake craft you'd like to share or have something you'd love to give away?

You can e-mail me at attemptingcreative [at] hotmail [dot] com, and we can schedule you for the Carnvial June 14-25.

Go ahead - grab a button and share the sweet news!

<a href="http://attemptingcreative.blogspot.com/search/label/cupcake%20carnival"><img alt="cupcakes" width="150" src="http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz13/attemptingcreative/cupcake_carnival_small.jpg" height="233" /></a>

I'm very much looking forward to this yummy, sweet time at attempting creative.

Hey, Blondie!

Blonde brownies... Ahh, how those words complete me. They're part chocolate chip cookie, part brownie. And total perfection.

I've had many blondies in my day. Some good, some not so good. But this was the first time I'd ever made them with my own two hands, and I can guarantee, it won't be the last. Wanna see???

Mixing the flour in by hand.

I could just stop here and eat all this dough by myself. (Who's with me??)

Spread it into your pan. We're almost there!

There it is! Blondie heaven!

And then I stepped it up one more notch with some delicious gelato...

Did you say "gelato?" Yes, I did, and yes, it's toootally worth it. Talenti Gelato is all I buy now. You'll soon be like, "ice cream who??!" In my experience, gelato and sorbet aren't as heavy on the stomach as your traditional ice cream (great for summer treats). And the best part - the flavor!



Wanna make some for yourself? I know you're as tempted as I was...

What You'll Need
2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 lb. light brown sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 bag (11.5 ounces) milk chocolate chips
Optional - 1 cup chopped pecans

What You'll Do
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF, and lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch pan.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
3. In a mixer on low speed, combine butter and sugar until just blended.
4. Add eggs to sugar mixture, on at a time, mixing between each egg. Add vanilla, chocolate chips and pecans. Then turn off the mixer.
5. (I do this part by hand, but you can continue with the mixer if you wish.) Add flour a little at a time until well combined.
6. Spread batter evenly into pan, and bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Insert a toothpick in the center to see if it is done. Cut and enjoy!

Don't want chocolate chips? You could sub chips with M&Ms, Hershey's Kissables (that'd be really cute), maybe some peanut butter and chocolate chips. Lots of options! Please let me know how yours turns out if you make any. Or, if you have another yummy treat you've baked up recently, I'd love it if you'd share the recipe.

Original recipe came from Bakerella.

Memorial Moments

Ahhh... baseball. :) America's favorite summer pastime. And a great way to spend an afternoon on Memorial Day weekend. Go Braves!

The Braves showed their love for our service men and women and their families by inviting them down onto the field pre-game for recognition. They also got to throw out some pitches and meet the players. (Below.)

Star of the game, Tommy Hanson

Bobby Cox, ladies and gentlemen. On the right. The Bobby Cox. :)

Woo hoo!!! Braves win to take first place in the National League East.

Awesome Braves Drumline! Had us dancing in our seats.

That's right - The Beach Boys! After the game, Delta Airlines hosted The Beach Boys in the summer concert series.

And since we've got The Beach Boys, why not toss around some beach balls? Which was totally fun for the first 30 minutes, and then... well, getting hit in the head got old.

The Beach Boys!

So what did you all do this Memorial Day Weekend?

Glidden Giveaway

Have you been flirting with the idea of breaking out a paint brush and painting something? Now you can flirt for free!

With a brush attached to the lid and enough paint to cover 3 square feet, Glidden ready-to-go paint testers make it easy to get going on your next paint project. And they're now giving you the chance to paint with the Get Color Give Color giveaway. Starting June 1, log on to Glidden.com for your chance to get 2 free testers for yourself and give 2 free testers to a friend. June 1 – 7 while supplies last.

I am loving the Fresh Pineapple color for some new nightstands I just bought.

June's Jams

Now that I am finally back to a routine after having shipped What the Yuck?! for printing (by the way - yay!!!), I have a long list of things that were completely neglected for the past few months. And I am so ready to get caught up! June, you underestimate me.

Here's what's on my To Do List for this month - my June Jams if you will.

Things for Kimberly:
Read a book
Watch two new movies
Attend a baseball game
Plan a weekend trip to somewhere fun

Crafting:
Finish roommate's birthday present
Make housewarming present for friend
Make a summer wreath
Sew something
Paint some art

Gardening:
Make signs for herbs

Fooding:
Try a new recipe
Eat a vegetable I've never had before

Home:
Organize laundry room
Organize pantry
Set up desk
Decorate dining room table

Birmingham:
Try a new restaurant
Attend farmer's market every other weekend
Attend a Birmingham Barons game

Family:
Go home for Father's Day
Take little brother to a college for a visit
Research adopting a kitty

What goals do you have for June?