DIY: How to Customize Your Vinyl

Today I'd like to share with you something I discovered out  of necessity.  I LOVE to create frugally and often try a lot of different things to achieve that.  I was trying to create a piece of art using drift wood and vinyl.  I knew what I wanted but didn't have the  color of vinyl I needed. I am limited to only the colors of vinyl JoAnn Fabrics has and that's pretty limited so I decided to try painting it. I had nothing to lose except a piece of vinyl.  So I got out my vinyl and my paint and tried it and I LOVED it.  

Here's how I did it.

I used a piece of white vinyl and found a paint color that would coordinate with my project.  It happened to be a "pearl" color which I thought added a lot interest.

I painted the vinyl with a foam brush and let it dry.  

Once dry I ran it through my silhouette machine just like I would normally do.  I cut out the word "beach" and I also cut an anchor and piece of coral.   I put the pieces on a piece of  driftwood I found on the beach.

Here it is in my bathroom. Last month I showed you how to make your own wall art from chargers.  If you missed it you can find it here.  I think my customized piece of vinyl goes great with the rest of the room. What do you think?

Here are a few of my favorite DIY Projects!  Come over and take a peek.

DIY House Number Sign Tutorial 

Painted Glass Garden Art

Happy Creating!

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Friend Connect Blog Hop

It's Tuesday again which means it's time for the Friend Connect Blog Hop!

It's the time to meet new friends and find new blogs. You can choose to follow the cohosts in whatever way is best for YOU! Here are some of my favorite ways: GFC, BlogLovin', HelloCotton, RSS, Twitter, Facebook.

Ok, so let's get to the party, shall we?

RULES are simple:

1. Follow your host 

The First link below

2. Follow your co-hosts 

The Next 6 links below

3. Link up below using your main blog url not a specific post.

4. Make sure to visit some of the blogs in the link up and follow them 

and if you want to leave them a comment, I'm sure they'd appreciate that as well.

5. Tweet about this blog hop

Tweet

6. Share about this blog hop by grabbing a button and putting it on your sidebar!

<a href="http://www.thelifeofanotsoordinarywife.com/search/label/gfcbloghop"> <img src="http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z237/melissaenault/fcbloghop_zps81aaa394.gif" border="0" /></a>

I have cohost spots available! Email me if you're interested at melissa@thelifeofanotsoordinarywife.com

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Pina Colada Cupcakes

This is a must have summer recipe! It will be the spotlight of any party. 

Makes 24 Cupcakes

Cupcakes

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter softened

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon coconut extract

1 teaspoon rum extract

1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

1/4 cup milk

Fluffy Tropical Frosting

2 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon coconut extract

1/2 teaspoon rum extract

Garnish

1 cup shredded coconut

Directions

1. Heat over to 350F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
2. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
3. In large bowl, beat butter with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in coconut and rum extract. Drain pineapple, reserving juice in a small bowl. Stir in milk with juice. On a low speed, alternatively add flour mixture, about 1/3 cup of mixture at a time, and milk mixture, about 1/2 at a time, beating just until blended. Stir in pineapple.
4. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; place on cooling rack to cool.
6. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat egg whites with electric mixer on high speed just until stiff peaks form.
7. In 1-quart saucepan, stir 1/2 cup sugar, the corn syrup and water until well mixed. Cover; heat to a rolling boil over medium heat. Uncover; boil 4 to 8 minutes, without stirring, to 242F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into cup of cold water forms a firm ball that holds its shape until pressed. For an accurate temperature reading, tilt the saucepan slightly so  mixture is deep enough for thermometer.
8. Pour hot syrup very slowly in thin stream into beaten egg whites, beating constantly on medium speed. Add 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract and 1/2 teaspoon rum extract. Beat on high for about 3 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Frost cupcakes. Dip tops of frosted cupcakes in coconut.

Recipe is from "The Big Book of Cupcakes".

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My First Kitchenaid Mixer

After years of wanting one but just never getting around to it... I finally got my Kitchenaid Mixer! I waited for the delivery all day yesterday constantly refreshing the update tracking page hoping I didn't miss it and only proving I have NO patience at all. And well of course it came at around 7:30pm (longest wait ever). 

My husband was just as excited as I was because he is also pretty good at baking. So he pulled it out of the box and we made our first batch of cupcakes. It was the most fun I've ever had making cupcakes HAHA. I'm sure that will wear off in time HA. Seriously though the difference between my old beaten down, random brand mixer and my new kitchenaid is literally night and day. I have never been able to make whip cream because my old mixer just couldn't beat it long enough, with this one it's a breeze! I'm so in love!!

After tons of research on which kitchenaid I wanted, I went with the tilt head deluxe edition and the deal I got from QVC came with 4 paddle attachments and a glass bowl which I love. I also ordered an extra glass bowl with a lid so I can make frosting and batter at the same time without having to clean out the bowls. 

Definitely a fun purchase! Can't wait to make some fun treats!

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