Monday, January 30, 2012

Boy's Bedroom Inspiration

  If you've had a look through my Grand Tour Page, you'll have seen most of the rooms in our house. There are a few I haven't blogged about though. Mostly because I'm not 100% satisfied with the results of a couple of the rooms. One of those rooms is my son's bedroom. Last summer, we gave his room a fresh coat of paint & he was blessed with a cool loft bed. It's a start.

  But I've at last come up with a plan. Here it is!

 I'm wanting to repaint his old dresser into something like this, using the numbers of his birthdate:


Via

Create some wall art like this... using his name & maybe some of his interests:


Via

He needs some cushions for his reading chair as well. I'm looking at creating some like this. Maybe one with a letter & one with a number? 

Via

  Now that I have some kind of a plan, I feel like I can tackle this room. Here we go!


Enjoy your day!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Crab Salad in Endive Leaves

Have you ever invited friends over & needed something quick to whip together for a snack or an appetizer?
 Something other than a bag of chips?
Pretty much everyone has, right?  

This recipe is so fast, easy, & delicious that I think it has officially become my favourite appetizer. 



Crab Salad in Endive Leaves
serves 8

dressing:
1/4 cup white vinegar 
2 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 lb. (450g) fresh lump crabmeat
1/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
3 heads Belgian endive, trimmed & leaves separated 
Fresh chives

1) Whisk together dressing ingredients. Add crabmeat & bell peppers, tossing gently to combine. 

2) Stuff endive leaves with crab leaves. Arrange on a platter. Garnish with fresh chives.

Could it get any easier?? :)



What are your weekend plans? Are you having friends over? I hope you enjoy this if you try it!

Enjoy your weekend!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

"Guess Hoo Loves You" Valentine Bag & Card

  
Guess hoo loves you? Me!! :) 

  It's been a while since I've made any papercrafts. I'm so happy to bring them back! 
If you know me, you know I have a crush on owls. So any excuse to make something owl-icious... I'm in!



I started with my Cricut & the Hoot 'n' Holler cartridge.




All these pieces were cut of with this cartridge 
(except the bag - those were purchased from the craft aisle at Wal-Mart).






The card was very simple. Just a sweet owl & a sentiment. 



Together they make a cute little owl duet. Happiness!



Enjoy your day! Thanks for reading, my friends!


This project was featured on:



A Little Inspiration A Crafty Soiree

Monday, January 23, 2012

Lamp Revamp

   In these cold winter months, one thing that gets me through the dreary days is the expectation of Spring, Summer, & fun things to come. Right now, we're planning a big road trip for this coming summer and we've started talking about a trip next winter... somewhere warm. :) 

  Last week I posted some ideas using maps. With all this talk of traveling & maps, I was itching to get to this project I've been planning since last fall. I present to you my latest makeover, the travelling lamp!


It started out with this 80's brass lamp with a dusty rose little highlight in the middle. It would have gone perfectly in my bedroom when I was 12 years old. I'm not sure about you, but I'm so over that colour scheme. :) 
I paid $4 for it at a local thrift store. 
I also paid $4 for the lamp shade, which wasn't so bad to begin with. It was just a bit dirty. 


I got out my favourite glossy white spray paint...

Then I wrapped the cord & the light socket with aluminum foil before starting to spray.



I gave the base 3 light coats of spray paint. The first two I was able to do outside in the garage because we were enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures. Then it got cold & I had to bring it inside to do the last coat. 
The house smelled for days! Ya, not one of my most brilliant moments. :)


After cutting the map into sections, I used Mod Podge to decoupage the map to the lamp shade, 
being careful to push out the bubbles with my fingers. 
After it had dried, I trimmed the edges & hot glued some white grosgrain ribbon to the edges to finish it off. 


Oh, by the way, I paid $2 for 2 vintage maps at an antique store here in town. 
The colours are slightly more muted than a brand new map.


We're enjoying our new lamp in our family room & it reminds me of our fun travels to come. 


I would like to thank all of you, my wonderful readers, for stopping by. 
In these last several months, I've been so excited to see Silver Boxes grow & see my friend count rise bit by bit. 
I really appreciate all of my new friends in the blogosphere. Thank you for your kind words & support.
I hope you stop in again soon. And don't forget to join the party on facebook! :) See you there!
Enjoy your day!
I'm amazed by all these features! WOW! Thank you!

This project featured at:


CraftGossip Photobucket IhookedupwithHoHlamespice Photobucket It's Overflowing Let Birds Fly

Friday, January 20, 2012

Pad Thai

  Lately, I've been trying to cook a bit more vegetarian. Not cutting out meat entirely, but just trying to cut down on the amount of meat our family consumes. Not only is it easier on the pocketbook, it's easier on the waistline as well. I've noticed I've already dropped a few pounds since the beginning of January. Ya-hoo! :)  

  This Pad Thai recipe is one of our family's favourites. It's packed with flavour as well as lots of healthy veggies! It's a win-win!


Pad Thai
makes 4 servings

8 oz. rice vermicelli noodles, uncooked

sauce:
1/4 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. lime juice
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp. sesame oil
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (Depending on how spicy you want it. 1/2 tsp. is a bit too spicy for our kids, but my husband & I like it.)

1 tsp. canola oil
1/2 cup diced red onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup grated carrots
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped, fresh cilantro

1/4 cup chopped peanuts

Cook noodles in boiling water for 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain. Set aside.

Mix sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Heat oil in a large, non-stick wok or skillet over medium heat. Add onions & garlic. Cook & stir until onions are tender, about 3 minutes. Add sauce & bring to a boil. Add cooked noodles, bean sprouts, carrots, green onions, & cilantro. Mix well. Cook until noodles are heated through, about 2 minutes. 

Sprinkle individual servings with chopped peanuts. 

Mix it up: Add some stir fried shrimp, chicken, or steak to make this dish heartier. 




Have you made any healthy changes this new year?  I'd love to know about them - please leave a comment!

Here's to getting healthier in 2012!

Enjoy your day!

Thanks so much for reading!


Join me for even more fun on the Silver Boxes Facebook page!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

On A Map Quest

  Maps... they bring me a sense of excitement. Probably because my husband & I love travelling so much. So when I see old maps used in clever ways, it really brings a smile to my face. 

Here's several favourites I've spied over the last little while...

Cover some old shoe boxes in maps & use as a nifty storage solution.

Via

Cut out a bit of several maps that represent your favourite places 
and frame them together as a nice reminder of your travels.


Frame a vintage map.

Via

Use a map to brighten up a drab dresser.

Via

Cover some wooden letters spelling out the place on the map.



Cut an old globe in half & use as a bowl.

Via


Cut letters out of an old map (or sheet music) to add a nice alternative to a gift tag.

Via


Cover an old trash bin with a map.

Via


Add some fun colour to a monogram.

Via


Make some pretty pinwheels for your desk.

Via


Make light pennants from an old globe.

Via


Wrap a gift with a map. Wouldn't it be fun if the gift was a trip or some airline tickets? Or perhaps a travel book?

Via


Line a drawer with an old map. 

Via


Make a Christmas ornament.

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Line a table top.

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Make a set of coasters. Another great way to remind you of your favourite travels.

Via

Which was your favourite? Have you made any projects involving maps? Please let me know! I'm always looking for fresh inspiration. :)

I've actually been working on my own map-themed project this past week. 
I hope you come back to check it out next week!

Enjoy your day!