Friday Shout Out with Ladies Holiday

What is this blog hop all about, you ask? myself, Cinthya and a Guest Host will be hosting this blog hop every Friday for the duration of three days. The Guest Host will be a featured blogger picked randomly every week (and can only be featured once every month) from the list of everyone who link up. They will have the benefit of joining Loren and Myself in hosting the Friday Shout-Out blog hop along with getting some free promotional space on our blogs (hence the Shout-Out). We will post their button on our page for a week for free. Who doesn't love free advertisement?!

I am happy to introduced to you Ladies Holiday , Christine, Deirdre, Seana and Tamar 

How Ladies Holiday came to be... Christine, Deirdre, Seana and Tamar were friends of various configurations when we came together to form a book club. The first title was Stephanie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn. In hindsight, how apropos that a book filled with so much blood could serve to congeal strong friendships and ultimately inspire a blog about menstruating.
Our intent is to create quality articles, reviews and more that readers can relate to and learn from. We won’t pretend to have all the answers, but encourage you to join us on this journey as we try to find a few and learn and grow along the way.












<center> <img border="0" src="albums/ee457/cinthyatravis/Friday Shout-Out/FRIDAYSHOUT-OUTFINAL.jpg" width="200"/></center>

How to join in:

1.  Follow the hosts, Loren and Cinthya (Pandora's Craft Box and Eye Heart) and our Guest Host,  Ladies Holiday via GFC or Linky Followers or Facebook. 

2.  Be sure to link up the HOME page of your blog as this is a Social Blog Hop.

3. Be social and visit some of your fellow bloggers who linked ahead of you.

4. Post the "Friday Shout-Out" Button on your blog to show your support and spread the love. Help us make this blog hop grow.

Randomness of my life

Hey, you! Over there, want to see something?

Here are some of my random pictures I've take during the week. Enjoy your weekend.

x0x0x,

Friday Shout Out with Makin my apt a home

What is this blog hop all about, you ask? myself, Cinthya and a Guest Host will be hosting this blog hop every Friday for the duration of three days. The Guest Host will be a featured blogger picked randomly every week (and can only be featured once every month) from the list of everyone who link up. They will have the benefit of joining Loren and Myself in hosting the Friday Shout-Out blog hop along with getting some free promotional space on our blogs (hence the Shout-Out). We will post their button on our page for a week for free. Who doesn't love free advertisement?!

I am happy to introduced to you, A Rodrigue from Makin My Apt A Home 

I'm a daughter, a sister (to 8 siblings) and a mother of a teenager. Livin life as best I can. Figuring out every day that life is not about the destination but about the journey.









<center> <img border="0" src="albums/ee457/cinthyatravis/Friday Shout-Out/FRIDAYSHOUT-OUTFINAL.jpg" width="200"/></center>

How to join in:

1.  Follow the hosts, Loren and Cinthya (Pandora's Craft Box and Eye Heart) and our Guest Host,  A Rodrigue from Makin My Apt A Home via GFC or Linky Followers or Facebook. 

2.  Be sure to link up the HOME page of your blog as this is a Social Blog Hop.

3. Be social and visit some of your fellow bloggers who linked ahead of you.

4. Post the "Friday Shout-Out" Button on your blog to show your support and spread the love. Help us make this blog hop grow.

7 question Wednesday, Do I snore?!

1. What's your favorite style for home decor? (eclectic, modern, shabby chic, etc.)

I really don't have a set style for my home decor. I just do what I like and that's how I describe myself.
I am different than everyone else so my home should be too.

2. What is the best trip you have EVER been on?

Well... I've not really been on a trip. I go on trips to see my family but I don't think those count since I grew up in NYC.
One day I would love to go visit Ireland and just enjoy the beauty.

3. If you could have an exotic pet, what would it be and why?

I don't believe in people owning exotic pets they are meant to leave in the wild and not kept in captivity. You do more harm than good keeping them in your home as pets and at times you place yourself and others in danger.

4. Do you snore? (you can be honest, we're all friends here.)

I only snore when I am extremely tired or when I am pregnant. I use to snore so bad when I was pregnant with my little monster, but I will deny it to anyone. haha.

5. Your car breaks down on the side of the road, what do you do?

If my car would break down I will call either my best friend Erica or my hubby's best friend Kristian because they are both basically like family to us. They will drop anything they are doing to come and help us out. They are fantastic people.

6. What's one item that has been on your wishlist lately?

umm...that's a good one, I would have to say a sander believe it or not. I need to sand down my little monsters dresser and fix it up. If you would have asked me this question a year a go I would have never said a power tool. I also need some fabric for this chair that I am finally going to start reupholstering this weekend!

7. It's almost Summer (or winter if you live in the Southern Hemisphere), what are you looking forward to most?

I am looking forward to going to museums and the Zoo with my little man and enjoy being outside. I just love taking him to different places and watching him enjoy himself.  We already went to the DFW Zoo and I hope to take him to the Dallas Zoo soon. 

Our Trip to Dallas Comic Con

We had a blast at the Dallas Comic Con. I am a very lucky girl to have the comic con on the same weekend as my bday and I just love attending. Everyone goes to the comic con for different reasons. I go to see the comic book artists.  I love buying prints and comic books. Some people like to go for the clothes and the toys and others just to see movie celebrities. Last year I got Leonard Nimoy's autograph, I was so excited and giddy the whole day! 

Yes, I am a big Nerd, but you will never know if you did not come into my home. I have my little nerd corner tucked away. Even my hubby never knew I was a nerd until we started living together.

The first thing we saw when we got to the convention was the line!

The line to purchase tickets was looping around several time but the line with advance tickets was just as long. It was insane, I've never seen the convention center so packed. 

The next thing we saw was so funny if you don't want to lose your friends and family you have to make one of these.

You will be able to spot them from faraway. 

Then we found the queen of hearts just wandering around and she even lights up! Haha I just love seeing the creativity that people come up with their costumes. Comic Cons is the best place to people watch and see all the different costumes. 

My hubby was instantly attracted to Mike Maydak booth. He fell in love with his stylized Marvel super heroes ( *Hubby Note: i just really appreciated his unique stylization of the characters and his etched canvas presentation of his art). He was really down to earth and super sweet. He even wished me a happy bday. We purchased Iron man and Captain America print wrapped canvases. Now we have the theme for our little monster's room. I've been having a hard time trying to figure out a new theme for his room but after seeing the Avengers movie and purchasing the prints I have a couple of ideas. I hope to have his room done in a month. I can't wait to show you all the transformation.

We also bumped into a storm trooper. One of my favorite things is to see a well made costume and then watching the person take out there wallet to purchase an item, it makes them look so ordinary  compared to the perception you have of that character as seen in movies or book. Its kind of a shock seeing them act like a normal person. 

One of my favorite costumes I saw was a female scarecrow from batman. It was fantastically made and she looked awesome. 

Now I can't wait to go to the scrapbooking convention at the end of the month! Fingers crossed to find something unique! 

Till next time,

Friday Shout Out! No. 13

What is this blog hop all about, you ask? Myself, Cinthya and a Guest Host will be hosting this blog hop every Friday for the duration of three days. The Guest Host will be a featured blogger picked randomly every week (and can only be featured once every month) from the list of everyone who link up. They will have the benefit of joining Cinthya and Myself in hosting the Friday Shout-Out blog hop along with getting some free promotional space on our blogs (hence the Shout-Out). We will post their button on our page for a week for free. Who doesn't love free advertisement?!

I am happy to introduced to  Dinah from DIY Inspired, 

I’m not a designer, decorator, editor, photographer, or even a writer. I’m a stay at home mom that loves to craft, decorate, repurpose and create.  I get my inspiration from several people from Nate Berkus to Martha Stewart, or even from my daughter and my extremely talented older brother.  I spend hours getting ideas from television shows, swap meets and flea markets, other blogs, thrift stores (even though some of them are smelly), and books and magazines.

Deciding to be a stay at home mom was not easy for me because I had spent the last ten years working my butt off and prior to that, I spent several years in college getting degrees and even teaching a little.  Working hard was in my blood. Everything changed when my amazing husband and I had a beautiful little girl, Mia. Becoming a parent, as many of you can attest (that is, if anyone ever reads this), flipped my world upside down, and there was no way I was going to miss the first laugh, the first word, the first step, or any milestone in between.  Staying at home not only meant quality time with my daughter, but also allowed more time to do what I love… get DIY crafty on the cheap.

With the support of my family and friends, I started this blog to simply test and challenge myself to start new projects, share my inspirations, and hopefully inspire a few others along the way.

  <center> <img border="0" src="albums/ee457/cinthyatravis/Friday Shout-Out/FRIDAYSHOUT-OUTFINAL.jpg" width="200"/></center>

How to join in:

1.  Follow the hosts, Loren and Cinthya (Pandora's Craft Box and Eye Heart) and our Guest Host,  Dinah from DIY Inspired via GFC or Linky Followers or Facebook. 

2.  Be sure to link up the HOME page of your blog as this is a Social Blog Hop.
3. Be social and visit some of your fellow bloggers who linked ahead of you.

4. Post the "Friday Shout-Out" Button on your blog to show your support and spread the love. Help us make this blog hop grow. 

Magnetize your toddles puzzles & The Zoo

Don't you just hate it when you can't find all the pieces to your toddlers puzzles? Or you find some pieces to one puzzle that don't belong to that board. I know I do, its a constant struggle to keep all the pieces in one place. My little monster is always running around with the pieces and I find one in every room. That's until now. I figured out away to keep all of the pieces together and not misplace them while storing. 

I cut up small pieces of magnets and glued them to the board and the pieces. I used crazy glue to make sure they would stay. 

Ta-Da!!

Super easy project to do on a busy week. We went to the Zoo today and we had a blast! It was my little monster's first time visiting the Zoo and he was so excited to see all the animals. He was running around and falling down, but that's what happens when you have a little boy.

He was holding a little bird by himself! I was so surprised, can you see it in my face? haha

Here hes is learning about fish with daddy! 

Till later,

7 Question Wednesday my craziness

1. Are you a thrift shopper?

Yes, I am and I love it. I love finding something interesting and unique. I just found a unique book adorned with beautiful metals. It was a very old and interesting find while visiting an antique store. 

2. You just had a very bad dream, what do you do?


When I have a bad dream I go check on my son and watch him sleep, it always makes me smile. Then I go back to bed and cuddle with the hubby. He always seems to know what I need and he just holds me until I feel better. 

3. What is your favorite flavor of Ice Cream?

My favorite flavor and the only one I will eat is chocolate! I love chocolate and I can never have enough of it.

4. What do you do with your money? (spend it, save it, invest it, bury it, etc)

I am a spender and my hubby is the saver of the family. We balance each other out very well. 

5. What was the last quote or statement you heard that really hit you?

A problem is not a problem if there is a solution and if a problem is a problem then you can  worry about it. haha. It's was said by Dylan Reaveley at my art class. She was full of quotes that day. 

6. What do you do when you're driving alone? (ex: dance, sing, listen to talk radio, etc)

When I am driving alone I love to sing and move my hands around while listening to my favorite song. Yes, I am crazy.

My favorite song right now is Fighter by Gym Class Heroes. 


7. Did you watch the premier of Bachelorette? If so, who was your favorite bachelor?

I did not watch the premier to Bachelorette because it always end the same, in divorce. 

Till Later.

Thrifty Finds in Dallas

I had a super busy weekend, I went to 4 antique stores, the salvation army, an estate sale and a flea market. I even tried haggling (I am not very good at it). I also attended a class with Dylan Reaveley, who is funny and full of fantastic quotes.  

My first stop was Lost and Found antiques. You never know what you are going to find in antique stores, but they are very pricey. I found this cute little antique stroller. I've always wanted to own one don't ask me why because I don't know.

I so want to get my hand on a pedal car for my little monster, maybe one day.

We also went to Junkadoodle and I found a great find. I also saw this beautiful Red Riding hood picture. I just fell in love with it and I am so tempted to go back and purchase it. 

While at Junkadoodle I found this cute little old shoe shine box that I purchased. You can't go wrong with a wooden box. I am thinking of using it to store all my craft supplies. First I will sand it down and paint it up. I also found this cute little tobacco pipe at the flea market. It was totally an impulse buy because I don't smoke. 

At the flea market I also got a drinking flask with a leather pouch and a stamp spinner holder. This is where the haggling came in and I got it for $8 instead of 10. I told you I am not really good but I just had to have it. 

The best deal of the day was this stool that I got for only $2!! I've been looking everywhere for a stool and I found one just hiding in the corner of the flea market. The seller said that her daughter used it to sleep on when she was with her at the booth.
What luck I had that day.

I attended Dylan Reaveley class at Stamp Aslym and found her to be just wonderful. She was full of insight and is a great teacher and of course she was teaching new techniques on making tags. I can't wait to show you what I come up with.

I had too much fun and I am just hooked on going to find little treasures. I hope to go the flea market again in two weeks. Next weekend we are going to the Dallas Comic Con and its also my Bday weekend so I am very excited to explore the comic con and maybe even get Stan Lee's autograph! Eekk!! I know I am such a nerd but I am okay with that :)

I hope all of you mom's had a wonderful mother's day and that you know you are cherished by those around you.

Till next time,

Friday Shout Out No. 12

What is this blog hop all about, you ask? Myself, Cinthya and a Guest Host will be hosting this blog hop every Friday for the duration of three days. The Guest Host will be a featured blogger picked randomly every week (and can only be featured once every month) from the list of everyone who link up. They will have the benefit of joining Cinthya and Myself in hosting the Friday Shout-Out blog hop along with getting some free promotional space on our blogs (hence the Shout-Out). We will post their button on our page for a week for free. Who doesn't love free advertisement?!

Meet out guest host for this week: Theresa from Dear Creatives

Hello Everyone, I am the voice & writer behind DearCreatives.com a creative, crafty and inspired living site. I go by the name of Fawn on the site. I reserve my real name for my artwork. I have an art journal too, which has been on hold, soon to be website. I have an online shop selling my artwork & crafts. If you see something I have made on the site and would like something made just for you, email me! (shameless plug) Soon I will be adding creative supplies to the shop! Dear Creatives is a way for me to share & inspire the craftier side of me or you. Do drop by to see what is sparking my creativity & inspired living. A cup of creativity, a dash of craftiness. Add in a pinch of ways to be healthier & green. Stir in a recipe or two. I am a mom who loves creativity, photography, nature & coffee too. Join me! I'd be glad to get to know you better. Thanks so much for the Friday Shout Out! I am happy to be co hosting for such a creative & fun link-up! Don't forget to visit to find out more along with all the other ways you can connect with me.



  <center> <img border="0" src="albums/ee457/cinthyatravis/Friday Shout-Out/FRIDAYSHOUT-OUTFINAL.jpg" width="200"/></center>

How to join in:

1.  Follow the hosts, Loren and Cinthya (Pandora's Craft Box and Eye Heart) and our Guest Host,  Theresa from Dear Creatives  via GFC or Linky Followers. 

2.  Be sure to link up the HOME page of your blog as this is a Social Blog Hop. 3. Be social and visit some of your fellow bloggers who linked ahead of you.

4. Post the "Friday Shout-Out" Button on your blog to show your support and spread the love. Help us make this blog hop grow. 

Shadow Box redo to Footstool

I am so excited to show you what I did this weekend. I was up to 2 am doing this project all by myself! It almost sounds like a song, haha. Yep, I am a little corny.

I am rating this post

 I have had this shadow box for a couple of years and it has always been in the way. Its to big and bulky and it would never stay in place. Finally on Friday night I pick it up to place it somewhere else and it came to me. I've been looking for a footstool on craiglist, by the dumpster and The Salvation Army and I can't find the right one. Why not make one? The stool is sturdy enough to handle the weight and big enough for my cute little tootsies. 

The first thing I did was run to home depot and get stool legs which I then stained. One piece of advice don't start staining in 90 degree weather because the wood won't have enough time to soak in the stain and will dry to fast.

While doing this project I learned something new which was the thread rod extends. I was not told that by the associate. Don't get me wrong I like the the HD associates and they are very helpful and knowledgeable but this little piece of information would have sped up the process. Another associate did recommend a T-nut to be used to hold the stool legs in place. I was so happy he recommended it, forgive the blurriness as i intended to take a better one but... well you'll see.

The T-nuts have little teeth at the bottom to dig in the wood to make sure the legs stay in place. First you will need to make the hole and then hammer the t-nuts in the hole. Then you can attach leg bottom. 

I cut a piece of airtrex foam chair pad to fit the top of the shadow box and then cut the Ikea fabric to cover the foam. 

Second piece of advice make sure you fold in the edge of the fabric so you have a nice hold. If not you will need to take out the staples and do the hold thing all over again, like I did. I had already started gluing the trim when I figured out what I did wrong. The glue I used was fabric glue and it dries clear so it was not a big problem.

At the center of the box I decide to use Ikea fabric to cover the T-nuts. 

Ta-Da!! I finished my footstool. If I wanted I could even attach the stool to the wall so it would not move. I have not decided if I want to remove the mounting hanger from it. 

I know you where wondering what book I am reading, right? Are you reading any of the same ones?

I hope you liked my journey from shadow box to footstool. Now to go read a book. If you want to see my tutorial on the matching chair Here

Link Parties I attend