Pinning with Purpose | Week 15 (the last one)

Because of lack of interest in this endeavor (others as well as my own), this will be my last Pinning with Purpose entry.

I definitely want to thank Jenna at The Painted Apron for her almost weekly participation in this linky party. THANK YOU! Here are the two recipes she shared last week.

Cold Weather Comfort Bowls

Spinach Ravioli Alfredo with Chicken and Asparagus

These seem perfect now that the weather has turned more chilly.

As for what I had on my list. First was this cut-out skully tee for Halloween from my HOLIDAY | All Hallow's Eve board. It's based on this original skully-tee tutorial. (for some reason I can't get the original picture to share with you, please click over to see it.) Here's how I went about making it.

I bought a plain, black t-shirt at the thrift store.

Using some templates that I made from thick paper, I traced out the features with chalk.

With sharp sewing scissors, I roughly cut out the facial features.

I layered the black shirt over a white one to make sure the face could be seen.

I got a few compliments on the shirt as well as a few weird looks, but I really like how easy and interesting it was. I even had one lady tell me about her friend who made a similar pumpkin one layered over an orange tank top. Cool beans.

Secondly, I planned on making this Skinny Tuna Noodle Casserole (from my FOOD | Healthy-er Eats Board).

Skinny Tuna Noodle Casserole

I was a little worried before I made this about how it would go over at my house since my husband informed me as I was in the process of making it that he doesn't really care for tuna casserole (despite liking my tuna noodles). Gah! Seriously!?

my version

 It all worked out in the end as he ate 2-3 helpings of it. However, the leftovers are still sitting there. (One of the downfalls of no microwave). I might just make this again.

Since this is my last PwP, I haven't selected any new Pins to work on, though I do encourage you to link up. I'll leave the link open a little longer than usual just in case you do have something to share. Thanks to those of you who have played along with this. I thoroughly appreciate it.

An InLinkz Link-up

Pinning with Purpose | Week 14

After all the birthday merriment this week/weekend, I'm running bit behind on today's Pinning with Purpose. I do hope you'll forgive me.

As a reminder, here's some info on Pinning with Purpose. Each week, I pick out a few pins from my Pinterest boards and try to recreate them or use them for inspiration. And, I challenge you to do the same. Find a pin that gets your creative juices going; be it a craft tutorial, recipe, style inspiration, or organizational tip and run with it. I encourage you to share your results on your blog and then link it up here. I do ask that if you are going to link up here, that you mention it on your blog with a link back.  As well, if you want to pin anything seen here, please make sure you go to the original post to do it.

Big thanks to Jenna at The Painted Apron for sharing her super fun and festive Halloween tablescape last week. Thank you Jenna!

Halloween Tablescape at The Painted Apron

Once again, I was too ambitious for my own good and only managed to get to one of my picked pins. (I was too busy to make dessert. How is that possible!?) The one I did focus in on was this adorable bracelet.

Delicate button bracelet tutorial from Just Crafty Enough off my Jewelry Tutorials board

I decided to be less precise with my bracelet and went for my jar of white buttons and bowl of mixed jump rings.

First, I picked out some similar-in-size buttons. From there I sorted through my jump rings for larger ones. I wasn't concerned that they match in metal or size, just that they were big enough to work.

I'm really happy with the results of this project. I ended up wearing the bracelet all day and even my 14 year-old niece noticed it. Win!

For this next week, I'll be working on. . .

• Making this cute cut-out skully tee for Halloween from my HOLIDAY | All Hallow's Eve board. It's based on this original skully-tee tutorial.
• As well, after a week of indulgence, I want to get back to eating better. As such I'll be adding this Skinny Tuna Noodle Casserole to the menu (from my FOOD | Healthy-er Eats Board).

Now it's your turn to share what you've been up to with your Pinterest Pins.

An InLinkz Link-up

Pinning with Purpose | Week 13

My post yesterday should have explained much of my absence this past week. However, today begins a new week and a new resolve to begin again. It's time for . . .

Here's a little bit of what Pinning with Purpose is about. Each week, I pick out a few pins from my Pinterest boards and try to recreate them or use them for inspiration. And, I challenge you to do the same. Find a pin that gets your creative juices going; be it a craft tutorial, recipe, style inspiration, or organizational tip and run with it. I encourage you to share your results on your blog and then link it up here. I do ask that if you are going to link up here, that you mention it on your blog with a link back.  As well, if you want to pin anything seen here, please make sure you go to the original post to do it.

Before I show what else I accomplished this week, let me feature the ladies who linked up last week.

Jenna's super cute Witch at the Door {The Painted Apron}

Also, Jenna's delicious-looking Pigskin Tailgate Dip {The Painted Apron}

Leslie Anne's Humidity-proof Caramel Apple results {Fairhope Supply Co.}

Thank you ladies for sharing the results your creative endeavors and linking them up here! Y'all are the best!!

I had two pins to work on this week but was only able to get to one of them:

Button-lettered pumpkin from  Easy Day's list of Pumpkin Carving Ideas

For my pumpkin, I too the more economical route and picked out a small, carvable, styrofoam one from the Dollar Tree.

Using a pencil, I sketched out my letter (because of the size of the pumpkin, I went with just a single letter; our last initial). You can see the lines of my first attempt at drawing the S. . .oops. I decided to use some gray buttons as well as the black ones and Aleene's Tacky Glue to attach them.

After letting the glue dry overnight, my button pumpkin was ready to be displayed with my other dollar store pumpkins. 

I know it's not perfect, but I like it nonetheless.

Now, for next week. . .

• I'm going to try AGAIN to make these peanut butter and pretzel bars off my FOOD | Sweet board. They look just too yummy not to try to make. 
• As well, I haven't made any jewelry in a week or two, so I hope to dive back in with this delicate button bracelet tutorial  from my Jewelry Tutorials board. It looks easy enough and I get to use some of my buttons!

Now it's your turn to share how you've been inspired.

An InLinkz Link-up

Pinning with Purpose | Week 12

Hey guys! Unfortunately, this week kicked my butt. I just woke up to realize that I had no post for Pinning with Purpose for you. I hope you aren't too disappointed.

Here's a little bit of what Pinning with Purpose is about. Each week, I pick out a few pins from my Pinterest boards and try to recreate them or use them for inspiration. And, I challenge you to do the same. Find a pin that gets your creative juices going; be it a craft tutorial, recipe, style inspiration, or organizational tip and run with it. I encourage you to share your results on your blog and then link it up here. I do ask that if you are going to link up here, that you mention it on your blog with a link back.  As well, if you want to pin anything seen here, please make sure you go to the original post to do it.

Thank you to the two ladies who shared their projects last week.

Jenna at the Painted Apron shared her yummy-looking 5-minute Trick or Treat Bars

Mischelle at Michaladas Musings created this super cute Jellyfish Pendant

Thank you so much ladies for sharing your creativity here! It's much appreciated.

Since I was busy with a wedding, a magazine, my family, and doctor appointments; I just didn't get to my own picked pins. In that case, let me just remind you what they were and promise that I will TRY to get to at least one of them this week if not both of them. 

• These peanut butter and pretzel bars off my FOOD | Sweet board still look amazing, I just need to remember to get some pretzels from the store.
• I did remember to get some of the supplies together that I would need for the button lettered pumpkin from  Easy Day's list of Pumpkin Carving Ideas (it's a long list and you have to scroll down, but it's the one with the buttons. . .go figure) off my HOLIDAY | All Hallow's Eve Board. So, this one shouldn't be that big of a deal if I can just find the time to get it done.

I hope you have some time to be inspired by one of your own pins. I do apologize for my lack of something more to share with you.

An InLinkz Link-up

Pinning with Purpose | Week 11

So, how was your week!? I actually got some stuff accomplished myself. The one ahead looks rough though. I guess we'll see. Before diving into this week's Pinning with Purpose, let me thank Jenna from The Painted Apron for both her contribution of her Octoberfest Tablescape as well as her Sausage and Veggie Smoked Gouda Pie.

Octoberfest Beer Garden Tablescape

Sausage, Spinach, & Peppers Smoked Gouda Pie

For those of you wondering what this Pinning with Purpose thing is, never fear. . .here are the details: each week, I pick out a few pins from my Pinterest boards and try to recreate them or use them for inspiration. And, I challenge you to do the same. Find a pin that gets your creative juices going; be it a craft tutorial, recipe, style inspiration, or organizational tip and run with it. I encourage you to share your results on your blog and then link it up here. I do ask that if you are going to link up here, that you mention it on your blog with a link back.  As well, if you want to pin anything seen here, please make sure you go to the original post to do it.

As a reminder, here's what I was supposed to work on last week:

Garlic Roasted Cauliflower from SkinnyTaste

Dollar Store Floral Wire Pumpkins from Mad in Crafts

And, how did those work for me? Well. . .

The garlic roasted cauliflower was okay. The added steps of toasting bread crumbs and whatnot was a bit much for me. As well, I would have liked just the garlic and cauliflower roasted without all those crumbs on top. Maybe a little of the grated parm would be good, but I could have done without the breadcrumbs. Lesson learned. If you like a little something crunchy on your veggies, by all means go for it. It just wasn't for me.


The wire pumpkins on the other hand. . .they were easy peasy.

I found the wire in four different colors at my local Dollar Tree but went with the gold and the green. They seemed the most fall-like. Oh, and the little gold twist-ties holding the wire on the packaging are great for holding the wire together in the center of your pumpkin too.

The hardest part of the whole processes was spotting and deciding on a cylinder to wrap the wire around.

After that, it was a breeze to make a couple of pumpkins for my Fall decor. These really took minutes to  make.

And, they look even great next to the fru-fru pumpkin in my foyer.


As for what I'll be working on next week. I already told you the one ahead looks rough, so I went easy on myself again.

• First, I decided that something sweet would be right up my alley for a rough week, so these peanut butter and pretzel bars  off my FOOD | Sweet board seemed perfect.
• After making the pumpkins above, I realized that I need to get on the ball with some Halloween decorations, so I opted for a button lettered pumpkin on Easy Day's list of Pumpkin Carving Ideas (it's a long list and you have to scroll down, but it's the one with the buttons. . .go figure) off my HOLIDAY | All Hallow's Eve Board.

I hope you've found something inspiring on Pinterest too and will share what you've made.

An InLinkz Link-up

Pinning with Purpose | Week 10

Another week has come and gone so it's time for

Each week, I pick out a few pins from my Pinterest boards and try to recreate them or use them for inspiration. And, I challenge you to do the same. Find a pin that gets your creative juices going; be it a craft tutorial, recipe, style inspiration, or organizational tip and run with it. I encourage you to share your results on your blog and then link it up here. I do ask that if you are going to link up here, that you mention it on your blog with a link back.  As well, if you want to pin anything seen here, please make sure you go to the original post to do it.

Let me start by featuring and thanking to two ladies who linked up last week.

Jenna from The Painted Apron shared her spooky Haunted Halloween Mansion

Lorraine at Clamco Cottage showed off her beautiful Table Makeover

As for what I've accomplished. . .I still wasn't able to get to the French Quarter Cheese Ball so I'm going to postpone that one until I know I have an event/gathering that will be appropriate for it. However, I did take the time to print out these printables.

French postal graphics from Just Something I Made

Harry Potter Potions labels from Over the Big Moon

Vintage inspired dresses from Sweetly Scrapped 

See, here they are all printed out.

As for what I did/will do with them. I started by using one of the dresses in my art journal.

I'm tempted to use the Harry Potter labels for some Halloween crafts, but that's yet to be exactly determined. I know the French labels will also probably find their way into the journal too.

For next week, I'll focus on

• Garlic Roasted Cauliflower from my FOOD | Healthy-er Eats board
• Dollar store floral wire pumpkins from my Just Do It. . .Yourself board 

I might have time to dip into some other pins, but I don't want to continue to push myself too hard. We'll see what becomes of the week. Now I want to see what you've done with yours.

An InLinkz Link-up

Pinning with Purpose | Week 8

I cannot believe another week has passed me by. It's been a fairly productive one, though it's never quite as productive as I'd like. I'm looking forward to starting anew and trying again. For now, let's get to the meat of this post.

If you're new to Pinning with purpose, here are the deets: each week, I pick out a few pins from my Pinterest boards and try to recreate them or use them for inspiration. And, I challenge you to do the same. Find a pin that gets your creative juices going; be it a craft tutorial, recipe, style inspiration, or organizational tip and run with it. I encourage you to share your results on your blog and then link it up here. Fun, right!?

Let me start by thanking Jenna at The Painted Apron for linking up her yummy-looking Zucchini Garlic & Gruyere Galette last week.

You can bet that's been added to one of my Pinterest boards!

Now for what I had planned for this week. (Please go to the original sites to pin or otherwise share these images, above and below.):

Download and use the fonts from 1. 10 Favorite Font Combos from Yellow Bliss Road 2. Favorite Free Halloween Fonts from Ella Clair Inspired 3. Lovely Fonts from Ann Meer Design

Parmesan-coated Potato Wedges from MyRecipes

Yarn-wrapped print blocks from Print & Pattern's review of Print Workshop

Here's how they turned out:

I decided to break down the fonts and just use some of them to make a few images. For the Favorite Font Combos from Yellow Bliss Road, I made another Pinning with Purpose banner.

The Free Halloween Fonts from Ella Claire Inspired had me in a Halloween-y mood, so I went with it.

By the time I got to playing with one of the Lovely Fonts from Ann Meer Design, I went a little crazy with my photoshop.

I always love having a nice selection of fonts on hand for when the graphic design bug hits me. These new ones have definitely given me some more exciting options.

The Parmesan-coated Potato Wedges from MyRecipes were added to my menu easily enough. I had some red potatoes that needed to be used so I went with those instead of the recommended baking potatoes and sweet potatoes.

These came together well-enough, though I won't say they were easy (as coating anything is a bit of a chore.) However, they were a huge hit. Pat raved over them. They were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside as promised.

Of all the wedges I made, these three (above) were the only ones that remained. It was a good thing they did because I forgot to take a picture until dinner was over. Oops. Since the man loved them so much, I'm sure I'll be making them again.

Lastly, I've been obsessed with my Gelli Plate since it came in the mail. When I saw the yarn-wrapped block as part of Print & Pattern's review of Print Workshop I wondered how well that texture would work on the plate. Pat gave me a scrap piece of wood from his shop and I cut a length of yarn.

The first length wasn't quite long enough, so I re-wrapped it with a bit more yarn.

It didn't look like it left much of an impression on the Gelli plate,

but immediately worked well as a stamp.

The print from the Gelli Plate actually turned out better than I expected.

I'll probably use more yarn and something less. . .synthetic next time, but I think this worked well both as a stamp and as a texture tool on the plate.

Now to start planning for this week. Here's what I've selected from my boards to try out:

• Football season is in full force, and Alabama will have their first in-conference game this coming weekend against Florida. I'm planning ahead for what we'll snack on during the game and this French quarter cheese ball from Plain Chicken off my FOOD | Party Food board looks pretty tasty.
• I've been pretty lax in my jewelry-making this past week so I want to make sure I get my hands on some beads this week. The Wire wrapped wristlet tutorial from Shiny Little Things off my Jewelry tutorials board seems pretty fun.
• I don't pin much to my Printables board, but I never seem to get around to printing them either. So that I have some items on hand to play with when the collaging bug hits, I figure it might be time to print out a few. I'm starting with these three:
• French postal graphics from Just Something I Made
• Harry Potter Potions labels from Over the Big Moon
• Vintage inspired dresses from Sweetly Scrapped 

I'm looking forward to the week ahead and hope you are too.

An InLinkz Link-up