Ballerina Party

Hello, Thanks for stopping by!

Stephanie Paget, you are the winner of the Hillary Weeks CD. You will be contacted shortly for your address.

I am so excited to share with you a little late night I hosted a few weeks ago. It looks like it was a big deal, but it was really kind of simple.

 My daughter spends so many hours with her dance class every week, that I thought it would be great fun to host a little late night for them.  She was so excited. I just have to say... I have never seen such a giggly adorable group of girls. They were SO excited when they walked in and saw the set up.

The ballerina silhouette picture was one I pulled from my daughter's bedroom collage wall. You can take a peek HERE.

Could you DIE over the cute cupcakes? My amazingly talented neighbor makes them.

I paint up the doll dresses with nail polish in the colors of the party, just like I did with the good luck gifts we handed out for Nutcracker. You can see those HERE.

I found the grape Vines at Walgreens, and HAD to buy them!

I made the popcorn in advance. It is my mom's famous, SUGARED POPCORN. You can find the recipe HERE. It is always a crowd pleaser! The popcorn boxes are from Zurchers.

The girls came for a dinner of hotdogs, chips, and pop. We are high class here. I wondered how I would entertain that many girls for 2 1/2 hours, and they actually entertained me! By the end of the night, we all knew, "The Cup Song." It was so fun as a mom to host this night, and fun for the girlies to just be girls, before boys come into the picture. I am loving this age.

I have a few more parties and Halloween decore in the works. Be sure and come see!

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Ballerina Good Luck

Tryout season is upon us, and I created this darling little printable for my daughter to give to her friends that were trying out for, The Nutcracker, as a little good luck! You are welcome to load this copy onto your computer, and use it yourself. Just remember to give me the credit!

I got the little ballerinas at Bakers Cash and Carry, in SLC, UT. They are 6 for $.89. They only come in pink and blue dresses, but I painted them the colors I wanted with nail polish. I used them the other day for a dance class party, that I will share on my blog next. You won't want to miss it.

The rulers are from Walmart, and were 4 for $1. Not too bad! I just punched holes, and threaded tulle through the holes in the paper, and ruler hole, and tied a knot around the ballerina's foot. I love the way they turned out!

I wish the dancer in your life all the luck in the world!

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Pretty Darn Funny, and a GIVEAWAY!

I am so thrilled to offer a giveaway to my viewers today, with a link to Pretty Darn Funny, my new favorite web series!

This episode of Pretty Darn Funny is about SOMETHING I SO RELATE TO!

Here's a pic of a photo I posted on Instagram 28 weeks ago. Can you relate?

To enter the giveaway, all you need to do is watch this week's episode of Pretty Darn Funny (below), and tell me your favorite part of the episode in a comment. The winner will be chosen at random, and you will be sent the new Hillary Weeks CD. Don't you just LOVE Hillary Weeks?

Here is this week's episode.

This is what I am wearing as I type this post... I actually exercised today, and I only have makeup on, because it is permanent. I can't believe I admitted that, but it was the best thing I ever did... Eyebrows and liner, incase you were wondering ;)  Lucky for me... I don't have to drive carpool. My kids are on year round. They are off track and just woke up. Happy day at the Baker house!

I will be sharing this pic on Instagram today, and would love to see what you are wearing when you drop your kids off to school tag me @restlessrisa_risabaker, and hashtag #prettydarnfunny #dropoffdickie.

Did you know I got to try on the drop off dickie in real life???

My happiest moment... 

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure and enter the drawing! I would love to hear what you think about this episode. It is my favorite!

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

How to Mount Antlers

 If you saw my last post, it was all about the antlers I bought in South Dakota this summer. I showed what I did with a single antler. You can take a peek HERE. Today, I am excited to show you what I did with a full mount!

First step: Wash your antlers. I just put mine in a soapy sink full of water, and rinsed and dried them.

Decide what you want to do with your skull. If you want to cover the skull, you will need to cut it down.

Use a Sawzall with a fine tooth blade. I am not going to lie. This was a little sick, and I felt a weird amount of guilt, cutting the skull of something that used to be living.

If your husband is a hunter, you can have him do this.

You need to cut off both sides.

Cut the bottom so it lies flat.

Next, drill two to three holes with a drill bit that will work with whatever screws you decide to use.

Position the skull on the wood mount you plan to use. I got mine from Hobby Lobby for $2.33.

Drill the screws into the wooden board.

You will need a filler , and a styrofoam ball is perfect for this. You can cut off whatever you need to cut off, and then you cover the whole thing with Crayola Air Dry Clay. I got mine at Hobby Lobby. It was $5.99 for a whole tub, and it went a long way.

Cover the whole thing. It will be a little lumpy.

After you have covered the whole thing with clay, get a container of water. Dip your finger in the water, and start to smooth out the clay. The whole thing will be shiny. 

After you have done this, let it dry for about two days. You may see some small cracks where the clay shrunk during drying. You will just need to get small amounts of clay, and lots of water, and fill the cracks. This step will only take a few hours to dry.

After it is dry, you can paint it however you like. I sprayed mine with primer, and then gold paint.

I hung mine in my guest room.

I love them! I love the way they add that little bit of unexpected masculinity to an otherwise feminine space. I might even hang some jewelry on them!

Thanks for stopping by. Come back to see the full guest room reveal! Most of it is thrifted!

Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Painted Antler Decor

Today, I am sharing with you my newest DIY decor piece, that I am SO excited about!!! It is an antler that I picked up on vacation this summer, and glammed out. It is now sitting proudly on display on my coffee table in my formal living room.

The kids have been begging to visit Mount Rushmore for a few years now. We decided this was the year to do it! We stayed in a cabin in a little town called Custer, SD. 

Every day, as we were going on our outings, we drove down Main Street, past this truck who's entire bed was full of antlers! I didn't think much of it, until the last couple days, when it dawned on me that maybe the antlers were for sale!

After all, the store where the truck was parked is called Claw - Antler & Hide Co.

I decided to drop in, and

HIT THE ANTLER JACKPOT! 

Is there such a thing? I think so... I have been pinning painted antlers on pinterest for a long time. You can visit my antler board HERE.

I bought a bag full of antlers, and brought them back to our cabin. Mr. B was like... "Why do we need those, Babe?" I was like... "Have you seen all the painted antlers on Pinterest?" He obviously hasn't! 

I put a picture of my find on Instagram, and my insta-friends were dying! I got lots of comments from friends asking me to bring them back antlers! So I did. I went back, and got a second box of antlers to bring home.

These antlers are kind of old, and were rather clean. I just put them in a bath of soapy water to get the dust off, and let them dry.

Then, it was time to paint. If you are spraying antlers, a grocery bag and painters tape will be your best friend. Slide the bag over the part you don't want to paint. Tape the top with painters tape. Spray on a layer of primer and let it dry.

Then, spray the color you want to paint and let dry. Next, slide another bag over the antler tips, and then tape crisp lines around the bag and antler tips.

Spray the color you want for the tips.

Wait for it to dry, remove the tape and bags, and you are all set!

You will have a great conversation piece for any room in your house. I originally made this for my master bedroom, but loved it in my formal living room! 

I love the juxdeposition of the high sheen and metallic paint, with the exposed natural antler.

Okay now... go raid your husband's antler stash! You might want to ask him before you paint his antlers though. I know how proud men can be of their beloved antlers. If your husband doesn't have an antler stash, you can visit www.clawantlerhide.com. They ship, and the cost is actual and low, because the antlers are not heavy. If you live in the Utah, contact me. I still have some antlers left.

Come back soon, to see what I did with my full set antler mount! It is glamorous and fabulous! You won't want to miss it!

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Pretty Darn Funny, Season 2 Episode 1

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to a preview for season two of the web series, 

Pretty Darn Funny

We met a few of the actors, a few of the writers, and the directors. I had never heard of Pretty Darn Funny before that night, and I have to say that I am so thrilled to have been introduced to it. The cast and crew are fabulous!

This clip is about a very serious topic... one that I have experienced personally, 

Movie Cheating

Yes, my husband has movie cheated on me. I felt so betrayed...

I am thrilled to share the clips with you as they are released. 

I hope you will watch it and come back again next week, to see the next episode. By the way, you can watch this with your kids. You can watch this with your husband. You can watch this with your mom and grandparents. Nothing embarrassing. Just good clean fun!

Please let me know what you think about it, and let the cast and crew know, by commenting!

Thank you Pretty Darn Funny for the realistic portrayal of life as a married couple!

Did you know the writers of this series based most all the episodes on real life experiences? My mom and I always have conversations about funny things that happen in life, and we say... "Someone needs to make a movie out of this." Well, the folks at Pretty Darn Funny have done just that. Thank you, Pretty Darn Funny! I might have some material to send your way ;)

Thanks for stopping by. Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Wooden Hose Holder

I just finished this project up, and am so excited to replace my not-so -attractive plastic hose caddy with this pretty little DIY project, that was finished in no time! All my supplies came from Home Depot.  My husband offered to do this project with me. And we had a great time! I love doing projects together!

You will need:

4X4" x 8' post (cut in half) Home Depot will do it for you.

4" turned bun foot

1 1/8" x 4 - 1/2" x 4 - 1/2" Hardwood Rosette

7/8" x 3 - 3/4" x 3 - 3/4" Hardwood Rosette

Hose Hanger

And, you may have on hand already:

Wood Glue

2, 3" screws

2, 2" screws

Spray Paint

Drill Bits - 1/8 & 1/4

Drill

Brad Gun, with 18 gauge, 2" brads

Vice Grips
Sand Paper

Remove the screw from the bun with vice grips.  According to my husband...

"Every woman should own vice grips. They are great for women, because their hands are typically not as strong as mens hands."

I have to say, I agree! Made the job of getting that screw out so much easier!

After lightly sanding the wood, glue the larger rosette to the top of the post. Gluing the pieces in place, makes it so they will not slip when you permanently attach it later.

Glue the bun foot to the small rosette. Let them both dry for a while, until they won't move when you drill holes for the screws.

They will not be attached.

Now to make it strong! This extra step is important... Making a hole for the screw to go into, makes it so you not only get it in the right place, but also makes it so the wood has less of a chance of splitting. Drill a long hole with a 1/8 drill bit.

This step will make it look like you know what you are doing... Get out your 1/4 drill bit, and sink it lightly into the hole you just drilled. 

This picture shows how doing the counter sink makes it so the top of the screw sinks into the hole, and the wood will lay flat on top of it. 

 Do the same for the top piece, like this!

Now it's time to glue the two pieces together.

It will look like this.

After gluing, shoot brads up and into the two pieces, joining them together.

Next, attach the hose holder, using the same method you used before. Drilling holes before setting the screws.

Now, it's time to paint or stain.

I have to admit. I didn't think this project up. I saw a few of these on pinterest, and like this one from Shanty 2 Chic the best! 

I shared this on Studio 5. Watch the full clip HERE!

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa