Blog Feed: Uncommon Artistic Endeavors

Dollar Tree Custom Candleholders

Published on 2011-11-19 22:33:00

I like to have pretty matching candles for all of my table settings. I also like to make something useful out of a Dollar Tree find. I was able to do both for this table setting in my dining room. I have done this project before with a smaller candleholder here. I found a great tablecloth with 8 matching napkins on sale at World Market. It has a beautiful, brightly colored print on it. I happened to have different shades of tissue paper that matched the colors in my tablecloth. I bought 5 of the [..] > read more

Pretzel Candy

Published on 2011-11-18 22:37:00

This is a very quick and easy candy recipe that Amby told me about. Different versions of it can be found all over Pinterest. You will need pretzels, Rolos, and M&M's.Cover a cookie sheet with parchment. Lay out the pretzels and place a Rolo on top of each one.Bake at 350 for 1-2 minutes. This is just to get the Rolos slightly melted. Lightly press an M&M into each one. I used peanut M&M's but you can use your favorite.Chill until hardened. These are very tasty and really cute for a party. > read more

Colla Voce in Concert

Published on 2011-11-12 16:05:00

The vocal ensemble that I am a part of is performing on Tuesday, November 29. The music is beautiful and the concert is free. If you live near the Birmingham area, it would be a great way to start your Christmas season! > read more

Cozy Autumn Decorating

Published on 2011-10-30 11:31:00

I love to decorate for Autumn. It is such a pleasant transition into cooler weather, chili, pumpkins, and Alabama Football (RTR!!). This is how I decorated my kitchen table this year. The tablecloth is a twin size comforter. The post about it, and more decorating ideas can be found here. I got the owl at Hobby Lobby 50% off and I found the lanterns at a yard sale. The soft glow is courtesy of World Market's new battery candles. It is a simple table, yet it makes a strong autumnal statement.My pu [..] > read more

Super Creepy Halloween Crackers

Published on 2011-10-26 11:20:00

We had a Halloween lunch at work the other day, and I wanted to make some special treats for my friends. I decided to make personalized Halloween crackers filled with candy. The full tutorial with measurements, etc, can be found here.I realized that I didn't have any Halloween scrapbook paper, so I searched online and found a great website from the UK called Activity Village. They had some very fun patterns.I printed the paper onto 8 1/2 x 11 white card stock. You can cut two from each page.I or [..] > read more

ACLS and BLS Certification Classes

Published on 2011-10-23 21:28:00

This year, it became a requirement to become ACLS certified at the hospital where I work. The prospect of having to accomplish this was very stressful. Fortunately I found Brant Bice, a firefighter and paramedic, who has been teaching CPR for several years. He can come to your home, church, or workplace and teach CPR and ACLS. He provides a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere, which is very conducive to learning. He uses the American Heart Association 2010 guidelines and combines it with his i [..] > read more

Mossy Pumpkin Wreath

Published on 2011-10-23 10:27:00

(Sorry I have been away from here for so long! I've been busy with work, family, and other various doodads. I have several ideas just waiting in the wings, and I should be able to get them posted over the next several days.)Autumn is such cozy time of year and I love to decorate for it. I wanted to do a wreath for my back porch door and I found a picture of a beautiful one on Pinterest. There was no tutorial for it, so I had to improvise. It turned out to be really fun, although it was a bit tim [..] > read more

Western Skillet Eggs

Published on 2011-08-21 05:22:00

This is a recipe that I found in the Food Network Magazine, the October 2010 issue. I followed it fairly closely, but did a slightly reduced version with 5 instead of 8 eggs. I also used onion instead of shallots, I didn't use parsley, and I added fresh rosemary. It was delicious. Perfect for a weekend breakfast. Western Skillet Eggs 1/2 cup half-and-half or whole milk Pinch of cayenne pepper Kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 shallots, sliced 2 tsp fresh ros [..] > read more

Melinda's Annual Pumpkin Party!

Published on 2011-08-18 18:57:00

It's that time again! Melinda is hosting another pumpkin party! She has the best, most beautiful pumpkins I have ever seen. Her party this year is Saturday, September 24 from 11-2. Come for a relaxing day with beautiful scenery. 477 Lake Road (Chandler Mountain) Steele, Al Directions: From Bham, take I-59 N to the Steele Exit. At the exit, turn left. Go 1/4 mile to Hwy 11. Turn left and go 1/4 mile to County Road 42 (Chandler Mountain Road). Turn right. This will take you up Chandler Mounta [..] > read more

Happy Birthday Roman!

Published on 2011-07-20 18:58:00

My sweet little grandson, Roman, is one year old today. He is adorable and hilarious. He has a delightful smile that will warm your heart and light up your life. We are so glad he is here!Amby made this sweet video of his first year. Happy Birthday Ro! > read more

The Coconut Macaroon

Published on 2011-06-26 13:11:00

I love coconut macaroons. To me, the perfect macaroon is chewy on the outside and moist on the inside. The best ones I've ever eaten were in San Francisco. Despite my ardent fondness for them, I'd never tried to make them before.I found this coconut > read more

Julia Child Brownies, Squared

Published on 2011-05-30 16:41:00

My favorite brownie recipe is by Julia Child from her cookbook, Baking with Julia. They are moist, chewy, and full of intense chocolate flavor. I posted the recipe a while back and it is here. The reason I posted it again is because I tried them in a > read more

Cheesecake in a Jar

Published on 2011-05-24 19:46:00

These individual cheesecakes are really fun to make and absolutely delicious. This recipe came from i am baker, which is an adorable blog, and different versions of it can also be found at several other sites if you want to google it. It is similar t > read more

Easter Cupcakes

Published on 2011-04-18 21:52:00

I wanted to make some special Easter treats and I decided to bake cupcakes! I used Duncan Hines Butter Recipe cake mix for the cupcake and my buttercream recipe for the icing. The instructions can be found here.I bought these cute cupcake liners at M > read more

Bacon Tomato and Turkey Pizza

Published on 2011-04-13 21:11:00

Here is a quick and easy after work supper! It is like an open faced sandwich in pizza form.Bacon Tomato and Turkey Pizzapizza crustdeli smoked turkey, choppedchopped tomatoesgrated cheesemayocooked, crumbled bacon (or Hormel real bacon bits)Lightly > read more

Easter Egg Candles

Published on 2011-04-09 21:06:00

This is an Easter craft that is fairly involved, but lots of fun. I got the idea from here. Zac and Alex did this with me. You can find all you need for this craft at Michaels. Well, except the vinegar and eggs. Dollar Tree has some of these supplies > read more

Birdcage Candleholders

Published on 2011-03-30 17:14:00

I am glad that spring is here for many reasons, one of which is getting to have dinner on the back porch again. I was having girlfriends over the other night and wanted to add a couple of fun new things to the porch to welcome my guests. I was at T > read more

Uncommon Dollar Tree Candles

Published on 2011-03-02 21:25:00

I think that battery candles are amazing. You can place them in areas where actual candles with a burning flame can't be used, such as a closed in shelf.I found these really cool pillar candles at the Dollar Tree. They require batteries, which I also > read more

Glass Etching 101

Published on 2011-02-13 20:18:00

"Would you like to see my etchings?"A guy actually asked me that on a first date back in my college days. Turns out he was an artist and really did have a portfolio of etchings. I'm fairly sure he used that line a lot, though. Lame.I have wanted to t > read more

Lemon Squares

Published on 2011-02-05 18:56:00

This is a recipe that has been around for years and years. It is a creamy baked lemon curd with a buttery shortbread crust. I needed to make these for a tea last weekend and couldn't find my mom's recipe, so I decided to use this one from All Recipe > read more

Chicken Parmesan Mini Pizzas

Published on 2011-01-23 16:44:00

I found this recipe in this Southern Living publication. I made them for an actual meal, but they would really be great for an appetizer.Chicken Parmesan Mini Pizzas1/2 pound fried chicken fingers (I used Publix)Ragú Pizza Quick Sauce1 loaf French b > read more

Create Your Own Vintage Bottle Brush Trees

Published on 2010-12-22 23:21:00

I have always loved the look of tiny bottle brush trees, circa 1940's. I ran across a very nice blog called Hazelruthes and realized I could make them myself. It turned out to be one of my most favorite Christmas projects ever. I think it's because t > read more

A Garland from Fabric Strips

Published on 2010-12-15 12:15:00

This is a great way to use scrap fabric. This idea came from Homemade Simple. It makes a cute Christmas garland, but would also be nice in a nursery or a child's room.I bought all new fabric for mine. I got 1/2 yd of 4 different fabrics. My garland e > read more

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...Tree!

Published on 2010-12-13 13:37:00

I love white Christmas trees. They are so clean and beautiful. We have a traditional green tree in our den, but I began a quest last year for a white tree to go in our foyer. I actually found almost all the ornaments before I found the tree. The ball > read more

Printable Christmas List

Published on 2010-12-12 11:33:00

I am busy getting ready for Christmas and have several projects going. Since none are ready to post yet, I thought I would post a cute download I found on one of my favorite blogs, All Sorts. It is a cheery printable Christmas list to help you keep u > read more

Diaper Burp Cloths

Published on 2010-12-07 10:56:00

This is a fun and easy way to make really cute burp cloths out of cloth diapers. I found this adorable idea at Chickpea Sewing Studio. All you need are cloth diapers and scraps of cute fabric. If you want to buy new fabric just for the burp cloths, 1 > read more

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Published on 2010-12-06 21:54:00

Who doesn't love chicken noodle soup? Especially on a frigid December night like tonight. Gil has a cold and really has felt bad for the past couple of days. I decided to make chicken noodle soup to help him feel better faster. I served it with Roast > read more

Personalized Baby Blocks

Published on 2010-11-08 21:59:00

This is a fun project that would be perfect for a baby gift or shower decoration. It is a little time-consuming, but if you are like me, you enjoy the process as much as the result.Supplies Needed:unfinished wooden baby blocksunfinished wooden letter > read more

A Facelft for a Built In Bookcase

Published on 2010-11-06 11:07:00

This is a project we did back in May of this year. We have a built-in bookcase in our guest room (which is also Amby's room), that was in dire need of a redo. In anticipation of my grandson, Roman, I decided to cheer it up with some fabric and add s > read more

A Country Fair

Published on 2010-10-27 20:26:00

Gil and I attended a Country Fair sponsored by Country Living magazine last weekend in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and Stone Mountain was the perfect setting.It was really exciting for me to read about the fair in th > read more