bia *betsy *independent *artist

Sleepless Nights and Learning New Hobbies

Life takes a new rhythm when a baby comes around. Priorities change and are re-evaluated.

Sleep is often an issue that keeps creeping up on me. I love reading new baby magazines and they say, "Sleep when the baby does!" That's great, until you have 2... or 3... or 4, and then there is no sleep--and even less when I now have 4 children that have a chance of waking up at night! I was happy to get 2-3 hours of consecutive sleep. 

Supper on the table becomes a challenge. 

Clean clothes?

They can be worn twice right?

Decorating and redecorating for holidays? The Christmas tree can be up until February... The baby likes the lights anyways.

The weird thing is, I chose this sleepless crazy colicky baby time to take up new hobbies.

Like knitting

and crocheting.

Why?! I don't know. Maybe because I was staying up till 1 am anyway, I might as well do something. That late at night it usually the only time my house is quiet ANYWAY.

That is the beauty of YouTube. I was able to teach myself to crochet and knit just through various videos.

Why spend money on a book?! (I'm too cheap for that). I found Knittinghelp.com and started right up. I also checked out TLC.com for simple beginning projects so I learned how to knit, purl and all the other tricks of the trade.

Then, when I needed to do something decorative (like a pretty flower) I bought a crochet hook, and added that to my repertoire.

Once I figured that out, I went crazy. I'd do a hat after baby hat.

Check out my Pinterest Board for awesome Knitting and Crochet ideas and patterns!

 

Over the last week I decided to make this beautiful crocheted sweater for my baby girl. So, off I went to the library (again, too cheap to buy the book), and found some wonderful easy patterns. This one turned out great!

Weak for Baby Feet

I cherish baby feet.

When I got to hold my babies for the first time, they were all handed to me in little bundles. Having them all C-Section, I couldn't hold them right away. Daddy got to take care of them until I was able to hold them. I already had heard their cry, seen their beautiful blue eyes, and even felt their little faces with the tip of my finger.

A bundle. And like a present I got to unwrap them. The little one that was growing inside for 9 months. Those kicks that reminded me they were there, a secret world we got to share together. 

Slowly I unwrapped the present. I would gaze over those long fingers and little hands. Soft skin, and those legs squished up close to their bellies. But it's those little baby feet... They get me every time. So beautiful.

Every Christmas my children get at least one ornament. Many people close to them will give them an ornament that reminds them of that child. But their first Christmas, I go on a hunt for a baby ornament.

I have "my" ornament. I have put it on the Christmas tree almost every year since birth. During the tree decorating it was a special time to take out "the baby ornament" and place it on the tree, always in a prominent spot. I was ready to find my own children their own special ornaments.

This year, I was getting ready for Christmas, making many gifts for people and hunting down gifts for others. My youngest is only 3 months old, and I was on a mission to find her "the ornament." But there is a problem when you have 4 children so very young... It's almost impossible to go shopping, especially in crowded stores, ESPECIALLY when looking at breakable ornamanets.

Then inspiration hit while I was making an ornament for one couple... What if I made Charity's ornament, using her footprint, something that will make this ornament memorable and a snapshot in time?!

I bought pre-frosted glass ornaments, some gold leafing paint, and gold ribbon. 

I painted her little baby foot with the gold paint and rolled the ornament on her foot. While I was at it, I made ornaments for my other three by "stamping" their handprints onto their own ornaments. I painted their names, ages, and the year onto each bulb. 

A snapshot of Christmas in 2011. 

Merry Christmas!

Finding New Avenues

“Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.” — Theodore Levitt

“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.” — Jack London

"There is no use trying,” said Alice. “One can’t believe impossible things.”
“I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” — Lewis Carroll

Ever since I was a kid I can remember that when people described me I wanted to hear the word "Creative." I thought of myself creative and I valued it. When there was a project at school, I wanted the most innovative, the neatest idea, something that almost didn't qualify my project. 

I didn't want to be easy on myself...because I had the MOST FUN when I was creating and doing.

I have been thinking a lot about this the last year--because I had to refocus my creative energy. I don't always have time to be artfully creative. 

How else could I use this energy? How else could I satisfy this part of me? 

One thing I had to learn, was to be willing to fail. I started exploring new interests, doing things that were new to me. And I hate looking like a fool, and I hate doing things wrong. But, I had to learn to accept that I can't be the best at everything, but to try these new creative avenues.

New Avenues of Creativity

 I hesitated to try anything new, but enjoyed what I have tried. Here are some lessons learned and questions I asked myself.

Food: What is healthy and tastes good? What looks good? Have I tried that type of cuisine? What haven't I ordered off this menu before? What substitutions can I make to this recipe? 

My favorite places now to find recipes is foodgawker.com and various pins people have on Pinterest. I follow certain blogs that seem to always post things that I find appetizing. Find some recipes and try things you have never done before (especially if it has a new food in it!)

Scrapping/Design: What looks good to me from magazines, internet, ads? Why? What can I pull from that and make my own?

I like trying to break and bend rules and the bounds of my own "box." A good question is, "Why CAN'T I?!"

Business: This has been the scariest for me... Can I actually make money doing what I love? Can I be my own boss? I am still exploring this idea, but I must admit, it was one of the scariest to try. Isn't it OK for it to fail? Yes. And I am glad to have tried.

Source: fromupnorth.com via Betsy on Pinterest

 

Organization & Repurposing: Creative in how you organize?! YES. Because to organize takes a bit of creativity. What can I do with this space? What should be here to be most efficiant? What items from around my home can I use better to make this more efficient? 

I like using what I have. It's cheaper than buying new, especially things that might become trash--like glass bottles or cans. What can I use these for? This fridge was the epitome of repurposing for me.

Home Decor: This somewhat goes into organization and repurposing. How can I make this space look better than before? What from around the house can I use? How can I change what I have to make it work better for this space? 

Source: bhg.com via Betsy on Pinterest

 

I have had SO MUCH FUN on Pinterest with this one! Shutters as repurposed decor to put mail in. Ladders as drying racks. Hand painting walls with templates. Painting frames all the same color and arranging in a pleasing way on the wall. Raingutters for books. The possibilities are endless!

Entertaining: How can I make people feel comfortable? What theme could I incorperate into this event? Better yet, how can I do it cheaply and on a budget? How can I keep repeating the theme?

  This year I put my son and daughter's birthday parties together. I wanted a primary colored party, and cheap! Well, after some searching, I thought of UP! Balloons, Primary Colors, and the kids LOVE the movie! Balloons and primary colors are so easy to repeat through out the party. Oreo "Balloon" Cake pops, UP Cake house (my husband made the whole thing!) with cake pop balloons, and balloons in bunches everywhere! 

 Ideas/Theology: Creative ideas and new ways to think of old things. I believe that I don't know everything, or that once I have an opinion on something that it can't change. 

“It seems to be one of the paradoxes of creativity that in order to think originally, we must familiarize ourselves with the ideas of others.” — George Kneller

What ideas out there sound "wrong" to me? How can I listen better to those ideas? What valid points are there? What's a completely new idea to me? Instead of a gut reaction, what if I had no reaction and just listened and let the idea be there for awhile before I formed an "opinion"? 

For this I choose to read books and listen to radio programs that aren't totally geared to my ideas. Just because I listen and consider doesn't mean I agree. But I think I have better knowledge if I have listened/read both sides of the issue.

 

Creativity--it's a muscle that needs to be stretched and toned. Some areas of life I haven't even covered yet. In what areas are you creative? and in what areas do you wish you were more creative? Leave a comment a let us know!

Vintage Fridge Cabinet

I'm back! 

We just had our 4th child in September, and all August we spent nesting and redoing rooms and doing projects... because we are procrastinators like that. My hubby and I (and help from friends), tore down wallpaper in 2 rooms and primed and painted. We painted tons of "to do" projects that have been accumulating.

But I must say, this is one of my favorite! My

Vintage Fridge Cabinet

In May I spotted the most amazing thing sitting sadly on the side of the road... a 1942 Kelvinator fridge!

It was trash week and this poor thing was going to be dumped if someone didn't claim it.

My husband thought I was out of my mind when I text him a picture of it, telling him that I wanted it, and QUICK! Someone else might take it away before me!

My father-in-law was equally puzzled when he and my husband loaded it in the truck to take it home. "Are you sure you want this?"

My husband knew better than to really question it.

My mother also thought I was completely mad when I showed her my new treasure in the garage...

"I don't think you really want that."

Oh, yes I do.

I really really do.

I was able to get it FREE and it just needed some love. And a new use.

Well, it sat until I was 9 month pregnant and then I got ambition to get it done. And since I couldn't be around paint, gave the job to Brian. Brian cut some shelves, painted them, and he pulled out the motor and took out some insulation and put a hole in the back so that it was no longer air tight. It was cleaned, prepped, and painted.

I do believe Rustoleum spray paint is my new best friend.

Partly they were the only one with cheap spray paint in the right colors!

Now all my craft supplies that have been homeless have a lovely home all in one place! My kids think it's great to get coloring paper out of a fridge! 

Some things just need a chance to be something NEW!

Subway Art

Have you noticed the subway art that is so popular now? I see it everywhere.

I love it. It's generally long rectangles of black with white wording on it of different sizes but all the same width of the rectangle.

Here are some examples:

(this is quite possibly one of my favorite quotes from Mother Teresa)

 
I thought these were fun, and each with their own flair.

But I wanted something personal.

I was listening to some music on iTunes and I came across a song for my daughter, Grace by U2. The song inspired her name--and so many other things. But just listening to it made me enjoy her and who she is.

And, that would be a great theme for SUBWAY ART!

So, I gave it a try. I had really no idea what I was doing. But that's the great part of being CREATIVE and doing things that are NEW!

Here's my very own SUBWAY ART dedicated to my dear daughter, Grace.

 

Now, I think I'll follow the tutorial on this blog, and put it up somewhere.

Homemade Butterfingers

I have a confession to make. I am addicted.

To a new website: Pinterest

I haven't been on there long, and I am amazed on what I have found! Basically, people can "pin" photos from a website onto their Pinterest "boards." I love it because I can more quickly find ideas and it's all organized in pictures! Also, you can see what others are pinning, and repin their pins to your boards.

I found sooo many awesome DIY tutorials and other things for around the home.

As I was surfing one day I found a recipe for something so completely simple and sinful.

Homemade Butterfingers

3 ingredients and SO SIMPLE. And, they taste just like a Butterfinger!

The texture is different, but as I gave them to people, they actually enjoyed that it didn't get stuck in their teeth like a real Butterfinger does.

 

Homemade Butterfingers

adapted from Plain Chicken

Ingredients:

• 16 oz candy corn
• 16 oz creamy peanut butter
• 16 oz chocolate candy coating, candy melt (I used dark chocolate, compared to the milk chocolate that a real Butterfinger has)

Directions:

Melt candy corn in microwave on high 1 minute in a large plastic microwaveable safe bowl (that way the glass doesn't scorch the candy corn). Stir and continue cooking in 15-second intervals til melted, stirring after each interval.

Warm peanut butter in bowl, stir in peanut butter into candy corn.

Spread mixture in an 8x8 pan (I used 9x9 for a thinner bar) lined with parchment. Cool completely. Cut into squares.

When ready to coat, put bars on a glass plate in the freezer for 15 minutes (get them cool, not frozen). Warm the whole pound of candy melt in a plastic bowl. Taking the butterfingers out of freezer a few at a time, dip in melted chocolate candy coating.

Lay on waxed paper to set.

_____________________________________

These are soooo easy and tastey. Everyone is surprised how much like a Butterfinger they taste like! 

Also, you can follow me on Pinterest, I have boards on Crafts, DIY, Organization, Recipes, Home Decor, and Kid Crafts. Look me up! betsy@biaartwork.com

Lemon Drenched Jar Cupcakes

The best things in life are unseen,

that's why we close our eyes when we

Kiss, Laugh, Dream, and eat Cupcakes.

Okay, maybe not really, but it is true that cupcakes are a craze that isn't going away. Have you noticed the cupcake specialty shops (which are sooo awesome!), abundant recipes, and awesomely cute ways to decorate cupcakes that are showing up on blogs, books, and tv?!

I love cupcakes. Personalized little cakes of sweetness.

Now there is another trend that's hitting the crafty scene: Mason Jars.

What?! That's so random.

Sure is! But I love them. I have been collecting them before I even knew that they were "cool." I figured if my grandma could have a bajillion of them and find uses, so could I!

Not only that, but I love lots of glass jars, especially ones that "come free" with stuff like spaghetti sauce and jelly in them. I wash them out and wonder... what on earth could I do with this jar?!

Well, I have lots of ideas, some of which I'll share later... But the next big thing in cupcakes are sticking them in jars!

Oh yes. 2 loves smashed together. And aren't they adorable? 

Some of the best parts of food is finding new ways to enjoy it: Cupcakes with different topping, cupcakes with different linings, and here are cupcakes with jars, lids, and ribbon!

Isn't perfect to bring to a picnic or for a bake sale, or a housewarming gift?!

Above I used all sorts of random jars. I have 4 oz mason (for my kids), 8 oz mason, and 8 oz reused jelly jars. Why not?!

There are lots of ways of sticking cupcakes into mason jars, but I thought actually baking them right in the jar was the funnest part.

Also, you can use any recipe for sticking these into jars, cupcake or cake recipe. Just watch them close in the oven until they are done.

Lemon Drenched Jarred Cupcakes

adapted from Take a Megabite

makes 6-8 cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 c flour
• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 1/4 c sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 c half and half
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1/4 c. (1/2 stick) of butter (melted and cooled)
• 1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
• turbinado sugar (optional, for sprinkling)

syrup ingredients:

• 1/4 c water
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• juice of one lemon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray cooking spray into 6-8 clean jars (I used 4- 4 oz jars, and 4- 8 oz jars). Place on baking sheet.
2. In a medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Put the sugar and lemon zest in a large bowl, working with figures, rub them together until the sugar is moist and smells fabulously lemony.
4. Add the eggs and whisk them into the sugar, beating until they are thoroughly incorporated. Whisk in the extract, then half and half. Gently stir in the dry ingredients in 3-4 additions. Finish by folding in the melted butter and applesauce.
5. Pour batter into jars 1/2 to 2/3 full.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, and start watching. I took the 4 oz jars out about 5 minutes before the 8 oz jars. I watched for a golden brown top and a knife inserted comes out clean.
7. Make the syrup! Stir the water and sugar together in small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar melts and it's no longer grainy when stirred. Bring to boil. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Pour syrup into a heatproof bowl and let cool.
8. When the cupcakes are done, let them cool for 5 minutes on a wire rack. Use a skewer and poke holes into the cupcakes. Brush the cupcakes with all the syrup. Leave the drenched cupcakes to cool to room temp. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar.

 

 

Reuse & Repurpose

I hit a creative block. I couldn't think of anything to post. Nothing seemed "post worthy." 

Into my 3rd trimester with child #4, my back has really started to give me problems, so I can't sit very long. I can't do anything for very long.

I felt like it was killing my creativity. I had ideas, and no way to manage them, no way to give them an "out."

Then, I decided to take my camera around the house and take pictures of things that I have done.

That made me feel like a million dollars! And I realized a new type of creative "theme" --REPURPOSE

As part of my "one little word" of being "simple" this year, was to think about things before I had to buy new.

It's amazing how I don't think out of the box much when it comes to just "shopping" around my own house to find things that work for my current need. 

My main reason for repurposing items was because it was CHEAP.

Don't pay for things that you already own.

But when I was taking pictures around my house, I realized that this was also the focus of my creativity lately. Not only was it cheap, but it was fun and creative. I felt very proud for simple finds and solutions to problems that didn't require much or any money.

Reuse & Repurpose Projects

Egg-Cartons:

Problem: Itty-bitty hair supplies that were "lost" in the organization drawers! Nothing more frustrating than to try to finish my 4 year-old's hair and I can't find that right clip!

Solution: I cut off the top of a clean egg carton, and cut the tray in half. So I had two 6-sectioned organization holder for all those tiny pieces! They were a tight squeeze into a 3 drawer Sterilite organizer. But it works and the drawers open smooth!

 

 

I really hate throwing these away... There are sooo many uses for egg cartons. I buy the fiber ones, so at least they'll decompose. I have also used these to plant seedlings, seen them used for jewelry holders, ring holders, paint palettes, and billions of kids crafts.

Baby Formula Cans:

Problem: Rubber bands around my various pens, paintbrushes, and colored pencils were driving me nuts.

Solution: Used Baby Formula Cans! Cleaned and pulled off the labels. I liked the sleek gray look, but I could have attached some beautiful scrapbooking paper on them as well.

I have also used various other cans for other things--baby food jars for storing craft buttons and glitter. Old spice jars for holding eyelets, brads, premade page embellishments. Whatever is small and needs to be together. 

Glass Jars

Problem: Proper food storage. I started buying lots of food in bulk, and if the food wasn't bulk, I don't like the plastic packaging. I have no idea if it's BPA-free or many other icky things that can be in plastics. Glass storage is preferable for long-term food storage. However, I do not have the money to go and find all the cute matching jars for ALL my pantry items.

Solution: Repurposing food jars (spaghetti sauce, applesauce, jelly/jam jars, mason jars from the bread and butter pickles your grandmother gave you...). I clean them out, soak them in warm soapy water and/or vinegar to get the labels off. Then sanitized them in the dishwasher. (If that pickle smell still lingers, soak the inside with white vinegar.)

I found BPA-free reusable screw-top lids for some of my mason jars (instead of the 2 part seal and ring), or just the original top. Then I used some raffia string and made little labels for what was in each. I honestly enjoy not having all the marketing screaming at me when I open up my own cupboards! (And yes, I have labels in my cupboards.)

Nasty 1970's furniture

Problem: In need of a entertainment stand that had doors that I could childproof. Too many little fingers were getting into the DVDs and other equipment.

Solution: Found a "beautiful" plywood 1970's buffet that was going to be donated. My husband and I simply sanded, painted, and put on new hardware. Viola! 1970's dining buffet turned eclectic modern entertainment center--with childproofed doors!

Well.... mostly child-proofed.

 

Vintage Refridgerator 

Problem: Scrapbooking/Office storage is lacking, meaning junk everywhere! 

Solution: Once it's finished... I'll post about this gorgeous fridge I got for free.

 

Comment on how you have reused or repurposed items! I would love some more ideas!!!

Cranberry Orange Oatmeal

Breakfast is so essential for me. I love it, and it keeps me going when I have 3 kids running around.

Breakfast seems to be catching on--even the fast food chains are opening with new breakfast menus. Even "healthy" options. Usually I eat before I leave anywhere (it's waaaaaay cheaper), but one day I went through a Micky-D's drive-thru and tried their oatmeal.

It's oatmeal, right? It can't be just too bad.

I should have known something was up when the employee had to go "look for some oatmeal."

Gulp.

I waited, and when I finally received my $1+ container of oatmeal, it resembled more like soup with a couple of oats floating around.

It was sick.

Needless to say, the next morning, I had to redeem breakfast and make my own oatmeal, Cranberry-Orange Oatmeal.

It was inspired from Caribou Coffee, who had oatmeal before Micky-D's, and actually made it taste good.

My kids LOVE it when I make this oatmeal, and they usually ask for seconds.

So here we go, my very own Cranberry-Orange Oatmeal.

Cranberry Orange Oatmeal

Serves 3 (or 1 adult and 3 children)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 c water
• 1 1/4 c milk
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 c dried cranberries
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar (divided)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 c quick cooking oats
• orange wedges
• milk

Directions:

1. In medium saucepan, bring water, milk, salt, and cranberries to a boil over medium high heat, stirring frequently to keep milk from scorching.
2. At a boil, add zest, 2 tbsp. brown sugar, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
3. Add oats and cook for 1 minute (or appropriate time for the oats).
4. Divide oatmeal into bowls. Add a splash of milk, and garnish with remaining brown sugar, and orange wedges.

Simply Amazed

This year my word has been simple. 

Simple reorganization.

Simple life.

And to be honest, 6 months in, I have felt that with my endeavor for a "simple" life has been anything but. However, can I expect any less? Life is complicated.

But in all the different facets of life, I am simply amazed. 

Simply amazed that my children learn something new everyday.

Simply amazed at God's creation of snow-capped mountains.

Simply amazed of life stirring within me, dancing and doing karate.

Simply amazed that popcorn and Reese's and a movie could be so much fun with my family.

Simply amazed that with a little creativity most anything can be used hundred of different ways.

Simply amazed how when I want to read I find the time to do it.

Simply amazed how much food my family can eat!

Simply amazed that I really can start working out in my 6th month of pregnancy.

Life is... simply amazing.

 

Your turn, what is simply amazing to you?