Silhouette Machine

Does anyone out there own a Silhouette machine?? I'd love to hear some reviews on it...it might end up on my Christmas list ;)  My main concern is it's compatibility with Mac.  I would love comments and reviews ~ thanks!!

Visions of sugarplums are dancing in my head!

Is it bad that Halloween is officially over in 40 minutes and I'm totally psyched to decorate for Christmas??? I CAN'T wait! Ok...I'll wait a few weeks but I'm already planning my projects! How about you??

Recipe Wreath!

A while ago, I saw this great tutorial over at Jones Design Company on a book wreath.   Such a cute idea!  I decided that I wanted to make mine for the kitchen area to bring some life to it.  As I've said before, right now we are renting so we can't change much physically, although our landlords completely renovated the kitchen and it's a wonderful change, but I thought adding the wreath would be a nice touch.  I basically followed Emily's tutorial & changed it ever so slightly.

These are the materials that you will need:

Old cookbook {I loved how it looked vintage with the yellowed pages}

Glue gun & glue sticks

Foam wreath {it looks small here, but it gets much bigger once the paper is added}

Satin ribbon & two pins

So lets get started...

First, rip out the pages of an old book.  I chose an old cookbook from my grandma to go along with the kitchen theme.  I loved how it had a vintage feel with yellowed edged and old-fashioned recipes.

Then after your glue gun has heated, fold the pages like this:

I varied each page going back and forth between the ripped edge and the yellowed edge.  I chose to glue the bottom pages together before gluing the whole page on the wreath. Once you fold the paper like what shown above, put little dabs of glue between each fold at the bottom where my finger is...then once the bottom is glued {it will look like a small paper fan} put glue on one side of the paper on the bottom like this (sorry so blurry):

Then push onto the wreath...

Continue around until it looks like this:

Now, flip it over so it looks like this:

Start your second layer by doing the same as above {gluing the bottom} and fold slightly to attach to the wreath like this:

Continue your way around for the second layer...

Watch out for glue gun burns! Ouchhh

Moving on to the next layer, do the same thing and overlap the second layer.  Since I was using a cookbook, I tried to vary pages by recipe titles and directions.

Once you are done with your third layer, it should look similar to this:

Side view, LOVE it

Then add a fourth and fifth layer and leave the bottoms hanging off slightly in the middle.  You will glue those to the back layer next.

and...

Now, turn the wreath over, and glue each of the front flaps back like this:

Flip it back over and fill in any areas that are looking a little bald :)

Now measure your ribbon for the correct height you need and add a pin to hold the ribbon in place

Then add another:

The final project, in all it's glory: 

{Don't look at the icky decorative titles}

I'm picturing it hanging in a beautiful window over the kitchen sink in our future home!

Hope you enjoy this!  If you create you own, I've love to see! These would work great for dining rooms (using music sheets), baby rooms (vintage baby books), family rooms, anywhere..Enjoy!!

Happy Halloween Eve!

Want to become a sponsor of The Birds Nest?

Hi All,

Just a little uncomfortable putting this out there...but I've noticed that most blogs I follow have sponsors. Would anyone out there like to sponsor The Birds Nest? I'd love for you to contact me {send me a comment & your email and I'll contact you!} I would offer low monthly rates if you are interested. I am not looking to make money, simply add some spunk to my blog & give my readers great options. Thanks for reading!

Check back soon for the Dining Room Makeover!!

Have you...

Have you gotten your flu shot??

Just got mine :)

Quick recipe for yummmmy Hungarian Goulash:

1 28oz. can of crushed tomatoes in puree {I normally use RedPack}

1 medium sized yellow onion, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

1 tbl. paprika

1 tbl. thyme

1 - 2lbs. of cubed bottom round beef

Flour

Salt & Pepper

1 cup of sour cream

Egg noodles

To begin:

1.  Coat beef cubes and onions in flour, add to slow cooker

2.  Add chopped carrots

3.  Add can of crushed tomatoes

4.  Add spices, salt, and pepper

5.  Turn on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours

Boil water for egg noodles, cook until al dente or your preference

When you drop the noodles in boiling water, add 1 cup of sour cream to the slow  cooker and stir until incorporated.

Serve goulash over noodles & enjoy!  My hubby wasn't sure of the name...but LOVED it!  

Have a great day!

Smorgasboard!

Hi Everyone!

Hope you're all having a great week so far... the title of this post explains it all: a little bit of everything over the past few days:)

First, if you are married or living with a guy how many things do they do that drive you nuts?! I love my hubby but seriously does he know where the hamper is???  I told him I was going to blog about his towel a.d.d. if he didn't fix it and did that happen...I'm afraid not.  Therefore, the great towel debate:

Sometimes he hangs towels wherever he sees an open spot places towels here:

or here...

or here...

and so on...you get the idea.  I understand that we have three bathrooms but why can't he find the hamper?! Now, this may seem like a small thing but seriously everyday? Hmm...maybe he needs to be in charge of laundry duty from now on to prevent the accumulation of so many towels ;) 

What are some things that your hubby does that drive you absolutely crazy?  I'd love to hear! 

On another note, he redeemed himself and surprised me with this book today!

Restore. Recycle. Repurpose.: Create a Beautiful Home (A Country Living Book)

I love it so far!  Awesome ideas and great pics to inspire such as:

Gahh I love fall...

I would sell someone for this mantel...just kidding but I looove it

and this b-e-a-UUUU-tiful sideboard...

Seriously, buy this book it's worth it in pictures alone! And no, I'm not being paid to advertise...it's that good.  

Also, to add to my blog smorgasboard today, I made the cauliflower soup from Centsational Girl...so yummy & a little messy! :)

Carrots, celery, onion...

Mmm...add stock, milk, half & half, simmer and you get this...

Make a little wedge salad...

and some parmesan crisps to go with it...

and you have this yumminess:

Delish...try it!

Anyway, off to take my fur baby Annabelle to the vet for her checkup!

She makes my heart go pitter-pat I love her! Have a great day all!

Goodwill treasures

Hey All,

Just stopped by the Goodwill store and scored these:

$3.99...loove it...I can see visions of Christmas ornaments underneath :)

and

$3.99...this would be a great stand for the glass.  I can't wait for Christmas to use it!  I think I'm going to put a small pumpkin underneath in the meantime...

I never even thought of going there to find household items but once I started reading and following decorating blogs I couldn't wait to go!  So many of you have found some awesome finds!

What are some treasures you have found lately??