Allred Design Blog: March 2013

29.3.13

Inspired by Pinterest: Writing on Dishes with Sharpies

Have you ever wanted to "decorate your dishes" or personalize a mug or a plate, but you weren't sure how to go about doing it? Well join me today as I teach you how customize mugs and plates from the thrift store using a Sharpie Marker and your oven. And they're permanent if done the right way! You will have tons of fun creating gifts for family and neighbors with this fun new technique.

Combine a thrift store plate or cup and a Sharpie Marker along

with your oven to create these fun decorative dishes.

Using vinyl, create a stencil and use your sharpies to trace the shape.

Best method to fill in your letter is to go back and forth and move upward on the design. Do not go back over the area you've already colored if you want a solid colored in area.

Peal off the vinyl to reveal your fun number.

View Question: Are the dishes "Food Safe" if we're coloring on the eating area with a Sharpie? From what I found on the pins featured they felt because we baked the ink into the plate that it was safe. However, to err on the side of safe eating, I would coat the surface with Acrylic Lacquer Glass Spray.

Pin Referenced in Today's Episode

Pin Source

For more card display ideas, visit my
Decorative Dishes:

Join me for additional great IBP episodes!

Disclaimer: Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration but not all pins lead to blogs. I tried to only pick those ideas that I could find the original creator and give credit to. Please take a moment and check out these great blogs because without them I wouldn't have content to talk about on Inspired by Pinterest.

27.3.13

Easter Peep Wreath Tutorial

Making an Easter Peep Wreath has been at the TOP of my to do craft list since I first saw them popping up on Pinterest. First of all, you get to eat the leftovers and who wouldn't love a sugar glitter wreath full of those colorful, yummy peeps.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Straw Wreath, Paper Grass, Toothpicks, Peeps (Carrots from Dollar Store optional). Note, I bought two packages of each color and it only took one package. But that also depends on the size of your straw wreath (mine was a 10"). You'll also need to open up the peeps and let them sit for a few days to a week so they get a little stale before you can assemble your wreath (fresh ones are too soft).

STEP 1: I've seen lots of these wreaths where they wrap the wreath with ribbon or leave it in it's original "straw" version. I didn't like either option so I picked up a bag of paper grass from the dollar store and started applying it to the wreath. I started with Mod Podge which worked great, but I'm impatient and quickly pulled out my glue gun.

STEP 2: After you get all the grass to adhere to the wreath you'll want and need to give it a bit of a trim so you don't have stray pieces hanging off your wreath and looking sloppy.

This is what it looks like when you're done and this step should only take about 10 minutes!

STEP 3: Start putting your peeps on the wreath by poking your tooth picks in the bottom of your peep and then piercing the other end into your wreath. Some people like putting the tooth picks on the wreath first and then adding the peeps, but I found I couldn't place the peeps as well that way. Experiment until you find a way that works best for you. But I didn't glue or anything, just used tooth picks and every thing stayed stuck. (Note: My family has every intention of eating these after the holiday.)

It didn't take too long to complete the wreath and I was so excited how well it was turning out. Oh, I noticed about half way through that I forgot the "peach" peeps, so I moved a few around and started incorporating them into the wreath...see the finished version above!

STEP 4: Wrap a piece of tulle around the wreath and tie in a knot and hang. If you plan on storing the wreath until the next year I would probably spray it with a clear varnish coat. However, I have not idea how it will store after a year so I cannot be held responsible for it when you unbox it. But let me know, I'm curious.

I know it's close to Easter but I was so excited about many of my projects that I couldn't resist blogging about those as well. Be sure to check out how to create the String Art Easter Eggs.

And be sure to come back before Easter to find out the following three:

Eggs Three Ways: Chalk, Book Page and Foil Wrapped
Foil Wrapped Easter Decor
Glitter Bunny Canvas & Birdy

Watch other Great Inspired by Pinterest
Videos on my YouTube Channel

21.3.13

Inspired by Pinterest: Wreath Made from Book Pages

Join me today on Inspired by Pinterest as I share some tips and tricks for creating Book Page Wreaths. I will walk you through what types of base to use and even creative ideas on glittered and decorative edges for your wreath. You'll love the inspiring pins I'll share in this episode and hopefully inspire you to start crafting your own "Door Decor" with old book pages soon.

Pin Referenced in Today's Episode

Pin Source

For more card display ideas, visit my
Book Upcycled Projects:

Join me for more great IBP episodes!

20.3.13

21 Years of Marriage - Still Hard Some Days

Today I have been married to my honey for 21 years... yep, TWENTY-ONE years. I remember thinking at two years of marriage that it felt like we'd been together lifetime and yet felt like only yesterday when we were married at the same time.

But today, I tried to reflect on how I felt... but it just feels.... well....
Normal....
..... part of my routine. I know, there's nothing magical to report. I don't hear love songs playing in the background and I don't feel comfortable posting about that we're anything less then average.

Do I feel like it's Happily Every After?
Nope... not really there yet (ask me in 20 more years). Do I feel like I'm more "in love with him today then I was yesterday?" Not really because he came home, yelled at a kid or two and then farted reminding me that the magic of marriage is LONG gone.

You would think with 21 years of marriage would mean that I am better at "being married," then say someone with only 10 years of marriage. But I highly doubt that is the case. I still feel like I fight for each day...try to find something good in it. Try not to get frustrated and not expect too much. Some days it feels like we're just roommates headed for the same goal but not always going about it together.

Do I think I'd be better off "not" married? NOPE, not for a second. I believe watching my kids, that having their dad here really does matter. Do I think having him here for me matters as well? Absolutely! He is definitely the ROCK in our family...sometimes a stubborn, immovable rock that spends more time watching TV then he should, but a rock still the same. Does this man I've been married to for 21 years have my back. 100% ....he would be the first one there to defend me, cheer for me and carry me if needed.

I just wanted to be real. I can honestly say I love him and I would miss him if he weren't here. Could we use some work on the marriage thing? For sure!! In fact, couldn't everyone from 1 year of marriage to 21. It does take a LOT of PATIENCE and even more compromise. But I cannot overlook the fact that LOVE is sandwiched in there somewhere.

But I am thankful that we've made it to 21 years together. My mom pointed out today that it's been longer then her two marriages put together, HA, HA. Anyway, here's to only getting better with practice.

14.3.13

Inspired by Pinterest: Mercury Glass Tutorial

Ever wondered what "Mercury Glass" was or "how to create it". In today's episode I share tips and tricks for working with Mirror Spray paint to create your own antiqued looking glass pieces for your home. And be sure to check out how she used the mirror spray paint in a different way on a picture frame.

The trick for creating that antiqued or aged mirrored look to create your mercury glass is all in how you rub the vinegar water on the spray paint. Rub too much and it creates big patches...so be gentle and rub a little bit at a time.

I loved this technique and I really want to try it on a frame painted red. Simply spritz your frame with only "WATER" and spray over the beads of water. Then let it dry completely. I did two coats and really loved the texture it created.

Pin Referenced in Today's Episode

Pin Source

For more card display ideas,
visit my Glass Board:

Join me next Thursday for another great IBP episode!

Also....

I hope you all saw earlier this week about a wonderful Charity Fundraiser I'm involved in with Ivory Homes' help. All it takes is a minute of your time to REPIN an image or simply LIKE that same cupcake photo on Instagram. Your LIKE/Repin = $1 to Chloe's Sunshine Playground. I believe every child should get to enjoy a day at the park whether they are in a wheelchair or not. This cause is near and dear to my heart. Please read more on my blog post from earlier this week. And look for my cupcake photo on Pinterest or Instagram under @allreddesign

12.3.13

Help me Raise Money for the Sunshine Playground with Ivory Homes Cupcake Charity Competition

Thanks to Ivory Homes | Utah I have the opportunity to raise money for the charity of my choice. So help me raise money for a sweet Foundation, No Child Left Out, specifically Chloe's Sunshine Playground Project (details about this wonderful project below the cupcake image).

HOW YOU CAN HELPIf you're on Instagram you simply need to find me at @allreddesign or click this link and LIKE my cupcake photo on Instagram. Or if you are on Pinterest will you repin the image by clicking here. Or do BOTH because Ivory Homes will dedicate $1.00 for each Like and Repin if I get the most. Thank you in advance for your support!

Source: ivoryhomes.com via Lori Allred on Pinterest

Thank you so much for helping and thanks to Ivory Homes for the opportunity.
Every LIKE & REPIN = $1 donated to my charity. Please read on to learn more about this wonderful charity.

Chloe's Sunshine Playground Project

Chloe and her parents live up the street from me and my family. I'm so thrilled to help spread the news about this amazing project and hopefully raise money to make this a reality. Chloe is a beautiful little girl and has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and West Syndrome which limit her ability to speak, walk, and to play on traditional playground equipment with other kids. This separation inspired Chloe’s mother to gather support to create a place where Chloe and other children can play together. The proposed playground will bridge this gap making Chloe's dream a reality.

The proposed fully accessible playground will feature ramps, swings, slides, a music garden, shade structures, a water splash pad, and restrooms. Here's a great video that better explains the Sunshine Playground (sooooo amazing):

There are three ways to donate; simply write on your Syracuse utility payment check what portion of the payment should be donated to Chloe’s Playground, online, or in person at America First Credit Union to account #905624-3. Checks should be made out to “The Charitable Foundation of Syracuse City”, a nonprofit 501 C-3 foundation. All funds will be immediately routed to the Foundation, which is not connected to Syracuse City’s account.

Additional Links about Chloe's Sunshine Playground:
Syracuse City Project Site
About Chloe and her AWESOME family
No Child Left Out Blog

8.3.13

Ivory Homes Cupcake Celebration + Vintage Whites Market

Ivory Homes | 25 Years as Utah’s Number One Home Builder | Cupcake Celebration

Ivory Homes is celebrating our 25th consecutive year of being “Utah’s Number One Home Builder.”

Where: Camden model home @ our Oxford Creek community 5761 S 730 E ( Erekson Ln )
Murray, Utah.
When: Saturday, March 9th from 11:00AM – 7:00PM
What: $2 Cupcakes from Cupcake Wars Winner, “One Sweet Slice”– all proceeds benefitting the Utah Food Bank.

Instagram model home scavenger hunt contest– Winner receives a Kitchen Aid
Mixer!

Anyone that attends and registers with Ivory Homes will also be entered in a
drawing for another Kitchen Aid Mixer!Join Ivory this Saturday in Murray from 11 AM - 7 PM for a chance to win a New KitchenAid Mixer!!! Participate in our Instagram Contest at our award winning parade model and enter for the drawing! One Sweet Slice cupcakes from Cupcake Wars will also be there!!! All proceeds from the $2 cupcakes will benefit the Utah Food Bank! We would LOVE to see you there!

Vintage Whites Market
So excited to be attending the Vintage Whites Market. My friend Jennifer from 3 Reed Dotters told me about this and she's decorating a bunch, so I cannot wait to see what she and the other vendors have in store for all of us. I'll be taking down a truck load of fun ladies and making a day of it. Scroll down to find out more details about this fun event!

Looking for a fun & unique vintage market to attend in Salt Lake City? Come to the Utah State Fairgrounds on March 9th from 10-5 to shop Utah, Montana, Idaho, & Washington's best vintage & antique vendors!

The Vintage Whites market will feature live music, great food & drink, a photo booth, classes (calligraphy with Melissa Esplin, chromatography, interior design, clay & chalk paint, and floral design), magazine signings by FOLK Magazine, and a vintage fashion show with Ruche!

There will be vendors specializing in furniture, decor, antiques, clothing, and architectural salvage! We couldn't be more excited. We've worked hard to bring you an event that is more fun than your typical antique show!

$5 admssion (kids 16 and under are free) AT THE DOOR.

7.3.13

Inspired by Pinterest: String Easter Eggs

Join me today as I teach you and (returning guest) Tausha Hoyt, host of Sassy Style Redesign how to create String Easter Eggs. You've seen them for years and all over Pinterest, but I will tell you the different ways to stiffen the string and tips I learned from creating eggs both large and small eggs and even ones filled with an candy surprise. Come get sticky hands with me today!