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Stump Side Table Inspiration

Mar 14, 2013 by

Mom and Dad had to cut down a large tree last spring, I was feeling ambitious that day and  made them save part of the trunk so I could make a stump side table.  3 seasons have passed and I still have no side table to show off.  The 1 year mark is quickly approaching so I need to start making moves! So  I have turned to the internet for inspirations… as I do for most things.
inspired-by-pantone

I found this natural stump on the  The Nesting Game.  The stump looks naked- i love it.   Although, I would need a much taller and slimmer  stump to make this one work

october

Wheels would be fun. Especially because tree stumps weigh a ton!  This would make them easier to move around.

Tree stump table hairpin legs

I think this is the one I am leaning toward making.  Not only does 17 Apart have great instructions, but i think this is the size my stump would be if I cut it in half and thats what ill need to do if  i want to make 2 bed side tables.

tree-stump-table-mesas-con-troncosThere is always the option of painting the stump like they did at Wind Mil Deco 

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Sweet Challah Bread

Dec 4, 2012 by

After my challah making disaster last year it was time to set my bread fears aside and try again.  With a fresh start I naturally turned to the internet and searched for a step by step video so I could follow the “look” of making Challah.  “How to make challah” from Howcast.com was my favorite and I followed it from beginning to end .

Looking back at my first attempt I was able to identify a few of the areas I went wrong in:

  • I didnt let my yeast rise enough- this round it was overflowing out of the bowl
  • My braid was two thick and the middle didn’t cook- I actually think my dough was meant for 2 loaves (embarrassing).  Tip: If the crust is getting brown two quickly make a tent for the loaf out of aluminum foil.

 Sweet Challah Bread
Adapted by Bon Appétit
Yield: 2 loaves

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup plus 2/3 cup warm water
  • 2 tablespoons dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup sugar
  • 5 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 7 cups (about) all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon water

Directions

Combine 1/2 cup warm water, yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in large glass measuring cup and stir until yeast dissolves. Let yeast mixture stand at room temperature until foamy, about 10 minutes.

In large bowl of heavy-duty mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat 5 eggs until blended. Add oil, salt and 3/4 cup sugar and beat until pale yellow and slightly thickened, about 4 minutes. Beat in 2/3 cup warm water. Add yeast mixture and beat until blended. Remove whisk and fit mixer with dough hook. Add enough flour 1 cup at a time to form smooth dough, beating well after each addition. Beat on medium speed until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, adding flour by tablespoonfuls if sticky. Turn out onto floured surface and knead 2 minutes.

Lightly oil large bowl. Add dough, turning to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap, then with clean kitchen towel. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Punch down dough. Cover with plastic and clean kitchen towel and let rise 30 minutes.

Grease 2 large baking sheets. Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Divide each portion into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into 9-inch-long rope. Braid 3 ropes together; pinch ends together to seal. Repeat with remaining dough pieces, forming 2 braids. Place each braid on baking sheet. Cover with towel . Let rise in warm area until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk yolk with 1 tablespoon water to blend. Brush dough with egg mixture. Bake 10 minutes. Bake until bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on bottom, about 35 minutes. Transfer loaves to rack and cool completely.

Combine 1/2 cup warm water, yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in large glass measuring cup and stir until yeast dissolves. Let yeast mixture stand at room temperature until foamy, about 10 minutes.

Beat 5 eggs until blended. Add oil, salt and 3/4 cup sugar and beat until pale yellow and slightly thickened. Add in 2/3 cup warm water.

Add yeast mixture and beat until blended.

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Ribbon Tassel Garland

Apr 22, 2012 by

I spotted Confetti System garlands a few months ago and fell in love with the  mix of colors and textures.  These garlands are absolutely beautiful, but they come  at a steep $100+ price.  Making them a perfect DIY project to add some color and inspiration to my office.

Colorful Tassel Garland | Vanilla & Velvet

The garland turned out beautifully and I love the playfulness it adds to my work environment.

Materials

  • Several rolls of ribbon
  • 1 2yd strand of strong string (to hang the ribbon batches on)
  • Wire (to seal ribbons together)
  • Scissors
  • Pliers
  • Candle flame

Directions

Cut ribbons to your desired length and amount, you will be folding the ribbons so each strand counts for two.  I cut mine at different lengths, between  10in-17in with 3-4 strands in each batch. Begin a fishtail braid with the ribbon strands around the support string, making sure the base of the ribbon is straight.  Braid 1-2 inches and seal braid with a 2 in wire, by wrapping the wire around the end of the braid and clamping shut with pliers.  Continue the above steps for each strand until you have the desired amount or ribbons on your garland.  Seal cut ribbon ends by swiping the ribbon tip by a flame.

Above are the materials I used to create the garland.  I used gold wire and string to match the ribbons I picked out.

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A Lovely Mirror

Oct 4, 2011 by

Over the weekend I painted this boring brown mirror to a lovely shade of green.  The best part about painting a mirror is you dont have to tape it off and you can be messy.   Any access paint that ends up on the mirror can be easily scrapped off!

I lightly sanded and wipped down the mirror to make a good surface for the paint to stick.  Then laid out magazine pages to avoid a mess.

The paint I used was a Premium Decor High Gloss Waterborne Acrylic Enamel Indoor/Outdoor in the color Barberry.

When painting do not be afraid to get paint on the mirror.  You can take out the blade in an exacto knife and use it to scrape off the paint on the mirror.

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How to: Recover a Chair

Aug 17, 2011 by

I inherited these fantastic fruitwood chairs from our family friends.  All they needed was a little love with new padding and fabric.  I must admit this was my first time recovering chairs but, with help from my experienced mother I was successful and ended up with beautiful new chairs.

Before                                                                                    After 

Materials:

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