Magnetic...

Hoping you all had a great Valentines Day! My Valentine was so sweet and made me chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate chip cookies. He made my Valentines Day so special!

Magnetic Picture Frame

Materials:

• Picture Frame
• Sheet Metal
• Glue Gun
• Tin Snips
• Fabric
• Magnets

Remove the back and glass from the picture frame.

Measure sheet metal and cut using tin snips. My Dad helped me as it had sharp edges. He used a hammer to pound sharp edges flat.

Center the sheet metal in the center of fabric.

Use hot glue gun to glue fabric to the sheet metal.

Place fabric sheet metal into the picture frame.

Place the back on the picture frame.

Finished magnetic picture frame.

Hot glue magnets to back of makeup containers or whatever you want to place on the magnetic picture frame. 

This project was so easy my little brother made one for his room.

Wishing you all a magnetic Saturday! Can't wait until next week to introduce you to another member of our family!

Love is in the Air...

Heart Wind Chimes

Materials:

• Red pony beads
• Clear pony beads
• Pink pony beads
• Heart shaped silicon treat pan
• Baking pan 
• Ribbon or string
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun/glue sticks
• Stick/Twig

Start by filling the heart shaped silicon treat pan. 

Place the filled silicon treat pan on the baking dish and place in the oven or BBQ grill. If you use the oven heat to 400 degrees F for 25 minutes. **Note the melting plastic will create MELTING PLASTIC SMELL/FUMES. Open windows to air out your kitchen. I chose to use BBQ at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes. Using the BBQ grill eliminates fumes in the house.

Once the beads are melted remove from heat source and allow them to cool. I placed the silicon pan in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Pop the hearts out of the silicon pan.

Glue hearts on the ribbon. I did 4 ribbons total with 2 to 4 hearts on each.

Next wrap the ribbon around the stick gluing it down with the hot glue.

Glue the final piece of ribbon to each end of the stick to hang.

Wishing you a very Happy Valentines Day... Love is chiming in the Saturday breeze!

Expectations...

Themed parties are no strangers to my family. As I'm spilling my guts about my MUSE last week, my cousin was having a "GREAT GATSBY" - Roaring 20s" party to celebrate her 25th Birthday. 

Good looking family right?

This week I've been dealing with "expectations". You all know that feeling.

I know many have the weight of the world on their shoulders living up to someone else's expectations. Expectation from parents, friends, teachers... you catch my drift.

I'm trying to remember a time my parent's had "expectations" of what I should be doing. Honestly... the only phrase(s) that comes to mind constantly uttered by my parents in no particular order is, "My expectation at the end of the day is you've finished your chores, homework, brushed your teeth (okay this is my brothers not mine), washed your face, did anyone hurt or offend you, were you kind today, and did you pass judgement on anyone." 

You see... my dad is the calm and "balanced" one of my parents. He has the kindest and most generous heart. He sees the good in all... even the bad ones. He is the one that has the smile on his face and waves at everyone!

My mom on the other hand... is in a constant state of alert and is poised to go for the jugular at any moment. She is the one that sees the elephant in the room and squares up and says, "what's your issue?" Mom is the one that asks everyday, "How was your day... did anyone give you grief today? Cuz... you know I will pull a broom out of my "cuss" and fly right over there and beat that kid!"

I get it... because the subliminal messages my parents are giving me are to be a kid, enjoy life, be happy, screw up, pick myself back up, be a decent human being, do what I love, and the rest will fall in place.

I have only one expectation today and it includes my Tony! Ah, expectations...

Muse...

Penelope here... It all started with a New Year's resolution. Start something, stick with it, and finish it. Yesterday, I decided I fulfilled my resolution and was trying to figure out a way to say... "Adios" Penelope's adventures have been fulfilled and off I drive into a sunset filled with snow and ice!

Today, I'm working on an English assignment and out of nowhere... I found my muse. A muse is usually a woman who inspires one to create. Mine is a man (go figure). 

F. Scott Fitzgerald... why you ask? Well, I can relate with his life. My parents doing everything possible to ensure I have all the advantages of a middle-to-upper class upbringing and living comfortably.  I can identify with him as he really didn't fit in with any group when he was in school. Then he discovered he had a talent and passion to write which opened doors for him and well the rest is history.

Now, let me be clear... I know I'm no Fitzgerald when it comes to the literary word and putting pen to paper. That job belongs to my multi-talented sister, Aub. I do on the other hand have a creative side, love poetry, and love other people who just don't fit in.

 I belong to a special group of people who can see and understand the big picture. I understand everyone is important, don't care what group you are affiliated to, what background you come from, or whatever your preference in life may be.

Penelope here... I do believe I've convinced myself to continue my 2016 resolution.

Wanderlust...

I had an incredible time getting lost in Rome. I wandered the streets  in the historical city with a great friend. It's amazing to see a beautiful city with someone who's experiencing it for the first time.

Now... jet lag is setting in after our first flight from Amersterdam to New York. Our 

Flight was delayed to Arizona. I'm looking forward to arriving home tomorrow afternoon to 10 inches of snow. 

Wanderlust in Rome... I highly recommend adding it to your bucket list!

Wanderlust...

Italy Bound...

So... I've been up since 3:45 am. My alarm was set for 3:00 am! I slept through my alarm, slept through phone calls from my parents on my cell and hotel room. Finally... woke up dazed and confused and remembered the shuttle leaves in 20 minutes.

Beauty sleep what a joke. I got dressed in 15 minutes and made to the shuttle with the rest of the group right on time. Although... I didn't escape my mother'she stink eye 😳!!!

Flight from Phoenix to New York was uneventful. AND now we have a 7 hour layover. 

Hmmm... what to do? 

Terminal 3 at JFK airport is like a MALL! So, ate some lunch, got a gel manicure, and shopped in all of the DUTY free shops.

Waiting to catch my 8:00 pm flight to Rome. Beauty sleep at last!

Arrivederci 🛫

New Year...

I survived the Holidays and had a great time with family and friends. My cousin visited and spent 3 days hanging out with my family. It was so good to catch up with her. We miss her.

This week we are preparing for a trip to Italy.

I am looking forward spending a week in in a country rich with history, beauty, incredible monuments, and priceless art.

After spending the day shopping and packing... I am spending my evening hanging out with my love... Tony! 

I will be traveling next week... with some very long layovers. I will be back Saturday, 21st to share my adventures.

I hope you all had an awesome New Year's!