Pin There, Done That Pinterest Party

A couple weeks ago I blogged about my 10 Free Frills and I mentioned a certain sister's birthday celebration. When my sister revealed that she wanted to have a Pinterest party, I was absolutely thrilled. You may have seen pins about this kind of thing like this:

Original Pin Here

I have been seeing these pins for a couple years and had known people that threw or attended Pinterest parties. But I had never been invited to one. And I don't throw parties...yet. That's a story for a deeper day than this. It involves many insecurities and social anxiety issues...but not today. Today we're talking about fun happy crafty things!

So there are a number of ways to throw a Pinterest Party, I'm sure.

You can all make the same thing, like these ladies did:

I totes repinned this while I was there. How cute are those?
I always thought Missouri had an interesting shape...why not decorate with it?

You can throw a regular ole party using strictly ideas from Pinterest (A.K.A. a Pinspired Party):

Original Pin

You can throw a Pinterest-themed Party, like so:

Original Pin 

Or you can do like we did and throw a Pin there, Done that party.

All one needs to do is gather up as many lovely ladies (and/or crafty dudes) as you like. We had 4 of us for the bulk of the party. My other sister (aka Sissa) was there but had to leave before the Pinspiration really started flowing. Each lady (or crafty dude) brings their own supplies for a pin off their favorite Pin Board that they've never done. Throw in some Pinterest inspired snacks, sit back and enjoy the hum of the sewing machine and the smell of hot glue!

My sister, as you can see above, is expecting a new little soon. So of course this Pinterest Party was centered around stuff for Baby Mason. Shannon made a Blanket (Pin found here) and had enough leftover material to make a matching pillow for the rocker!

Big sister Sophia got to help stuff the pillow!

Big Sister is already getting use out of them!

I have the pleasure and the honor of throwing the Mustache and Bow Tie Baby Shower for Mason. So my crafts were (and still are) a plenty! First, I designed the invitations. I used Microsoft Publisher and then uploaded my designs to Vistaprint and had them printed on premium glossy 5x7 cardstock. They look like this:

Front

Back

After the invitations were done, I got to work on my 3D artwork. These were inspired by this pin, which I still want to do the original idea:

Here's how I did them:

First, I took my scrapbook paper and cut them to 5x7 size (the size of my frame). Because I knew I wouldn't use these frames again for anything else, I mod podged the scrapbook paper directly onto the frame's backing. I set the glass plates aside for use in a future unknown craft (because I'm a packrat...hey, that's what Pinterest does to us, right?).

Next, I found a mustache that I liked online and printed it out to use as a template. I suggest you print it onto card stock  or glue it to cardboard and cut that out for a template. Using a single piece of regular printer paper proved to be somewhat difficult. 

Okay, once I cut out the template, I grabbed some craft fur and outlined the template onto the back using a white crayon. Another tip, if you're using craft fur, I suggest cutting it over a wide-mouthed trash can because that stuff is gonna go everywhere. Luckily I had the presence of mind to think about that before I started cutting.

After your 3D part is cut out, in my case, my furry 'stache, attach to scrapbook-covered frame. I used glue dots, but I imagine that spray adhesive would work well, too. Make sure you're placing the 'stache on the frame correctly so that when you prop the frame up, your art isn't upside down.

Next, I made my bow ties for the other piece of 3D art and some other uses that I will disclose at a later date. You may see that I had a tutorial pulled up on my iPad as I was doing these. I found these no sew bow ties via this pin pictured below. However, you can skip that step and go straight to Fourth & Hazel's tutorial if you want to make these. Because Stephanie did such a great job, I'm not going to take this one step-by-step (that and I relied so heavily on her tutorial that I couldn't take you step-by-step!). I will say, however, that these bow ties are so stinking easy that I didn't even measure everything very well, nor did I measure after every step. I made 5 bow ties in a matter of minutes!

Oh yeah! And it does help to have an iron handy to firm up your creases before you glue them.

Overall, I think it was a successful day! Mom made the cupcakes below (Pinterest inspired, of course) as well as some other chocolate cupcakes with Pinterest inspired pudding frosting.

Pin found here

If you're curious about what else I'll be making for the Mustaches and Bow Ties Baby Shower, come follow me on Pinterest!

Thankful Thursdays: Celebrating Life

28 years and 2 days ago was a day that helped define my life. It was the day my husband was born. So today, on this Thankful Thursday, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for this man that has changed my life and made it perfectly complete.What do I have to be so grateful for him about? I'm glad you asked...

He is Amazing

He loves me even though I'm incredibly high maintenance, horrible with money, and the world's worst housekeeper. And even on my ugliest days he thinks I'm beautiful. How do I know? He tells me. Everyday.

I remember one weekend not so long ago when I wasn't feeling the greatest. He insisted that I lay down and rest while B was napping. So I did and of course I fell asleep. When I woke up it was dark outside and the smell of hamburgers reminded me that I should get up to make dinner. I walked into the kitchen only to find I was too late. There stood my husband, connoisseur of scrambled eggs and mac n cheese, had found my favorite recipe for cheeseburgers and was nearly done with dinner. They were better than mine, y'all!

He's a Superb Daddy

B's sperm donor biological father chose not to be a part of his life. But Mike didn't hesitate. When we started dating, Michael was chomping at the bit to meet my boy. I quickly realized why. He was a natural father from the beginning. Mike used to come to my parents house for dinner often when B and I lived there, and occasionally he'd stay past B's bedtime. It wasn't long before B was asking for Mike at bedtime...even when Mike wasn't there.

I began to get concerned when i saw their bond reach the point of no return before Mike and I even discussed the rest of our lives. And when he started calling him Daddy. Oh, the pride on Mike's face!

He's Supportive

Mike has always supported me in everything. When I went on the HCG diet before our wedding and could only eat 700 calories a day, he cut his calories significantly, too. When I wanted to buff up for my wedding dress, he went out and bought equipment for us both to do P90X together. And he let me use pink for a wedding color, friends! I rewarded him by picking ivory for him and pink for his buddies!

Photo by McBride Photo Design

When I decided to train for a 5K, he offered to go to the track with me and cheer me on! And even when the new & never again hairdresser botched my highlights last week, he told me it was beautiful on me (supportive or scared? It's a fine line).

He is Strong

Mike fought cancer as a child. From what I've heard, Mike was a happy child even through all the trips to the hospital and the chemo treatments. His diagnosis and remission dates happen to fall right around his birthday, reminding us every year how strong he is and how precious his life is. Although I was not around for either of those birthdays, I see the pain and triumph the memory brings every year. And every year it reminds me how strong he is.

As a way to cope with the memories and use them for good, Mike and I have walked in a couple of fundraisers for cancer. The first was the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night in 2011. We also did the same walk last year in 2012, heading up our own team of friends and family and we are revving up for it again this year.

Our whole Team in 2011

Mike at Light the Night in 2011

Then in May of 2012 we took part in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. This was the most emotional one for Mike. We attended a survivor's luncheon where he got to connect with other survivors. Mike was recognized for having the longest in remission and the youngest diagnosis. It was also emotional because it took place in May, right around his birthday. 

Mike got to walk the first lap with the rest of the survivors

Bryson was happy to support his Daddy!

He's Funny!

No one can make me laugh and have fun like my husband can. We were truly made for each other!

So what are you thankful for this week? Shout it to the rooftops in the comments, or link up your post below!

My Weekend Worth a Thousand Words

I am a lucky woman. I had amazing Mother's Day weekend. Especially Sunday. I pulled a muscle in my foot on Saturday and had to got to spend the whole day in bed. Both the hubbs and B were constantly checking on me to ask if I needed anything, and B kept coming in to give me loving and tell me happy Mother's Day. He's a sweetie. 

Here's proof of my awesome weekend:

My baby decided he is big enough now to make his own Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches....

And to do his own dishes.

We had a Mommy/Son date where he ate more than I did.

 I hit the pavement for some much-needed me time.

Then I overstretched my foot and I've been hurting ever since

 

My goofball took me to Breakfast for Mother's Day

with my Grandma and my Mother

And my sister with her family

And my other sister (whom you can't see, but she's in the purple right by me) and her family

Lucky me...my Mother's Day will live on through $25 worth of coffee.
God bless my husband.

Band Names

If you're stopping by from Monday Listicles and you're looking for a new linky party on Thursdays, come check out Thankful Thursdays and join us in spreading joy!

This week's Monday Listicle was difficult! Rachee came up with a vague but awesome topic:

"real or imagined band names". 

I thought about doing my top ten favorite bands, 10 bands I'd never heard of, 10 bands I wish I'd never heard...this could go on forever! But then I figured as a new blogger, maybe you guys would like to learn a little more about me. Perhaps I'm wrong...

Wrong or not, I give you....

10 Names of Bands I Could Be In (And Why)

Pink Void - Because there could never be enough pink in my life.

Glitter Fever - Everything should sparkle. And some would say that makes me sick.

Twihards - Because I'm one of those silly Twilight fans.

Hot Rolled Mamas - I work in the steel business and Hot Rolled is the most basic form of carbon steel. I know, this is totes uncool that I know this much about steel. Imagine how I feel when I'm sitting in a hair salon, getting my highlights done and I am studying the metal magazine rack trying to determine what type of steel it's made of.

Boney Bunch - Obviously because my last name is Boney.

Only By Grace - If it weren't for God's grace, none of us would be here.

ROFL - Our #1 Hit could be "Baby Rockers In the House (Be Quiet)"

Frillers - Does this really need explanation? Okay, fine. My blog is called The Frill of Life.

Pencil Pushers - We like to write...and be right.

Mother Mcree's Uptown Jug Champions - Apparently this was the original name of The Grateful Dead before they were famous. Although I loved them many years after they were famous, it would have been great to know them beforehand. So I'd totally join this band.

Now that you've heard mine, come check out other bloggers' takes on 10 Band Names! I promise you won't regret it! Just click the button below!

Best Beef Enchiladas

Hey folks! A couple weekends ago we had our monthly family food night at my dad's house. The theme: Mexican. Forever thinking of my dear readers (are you out there?), I snapped some step by step pictures for you in case you're looking for a fantastic Beef Enchilada recipe. I stumbled upon this recipe on Pinterest and my family instantly fell in love with it. I've tried it a few ways, and I'll tell you about that at the end. Let's dive right in.

First you need Recipe Girl's amazing Enchilada Sauce recipe. 

It's wonderful and so so easy. I was really surprised at the ease of it and the fact that I already had most of the ingredients in my pantry! Plus, whenever I cook it, my house smells like an authentic Mexican restaurant for half a day...sweet bonus!

Other than the Enchilada Sauce, Here's what you'll need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 pkg (about 1 ounce) of taco seasoning mix or burrito seasoning mix
• 1 can of refried beans
• 1 can of Campbell's Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
• 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup) Optional: Not recommended when feeding small children as they tend to not like them.
• 1 cup cooked regular long-grain white rice (optional)
• 8 flour tortillas (10-inch)
• 1 1/2 cups prepared enchilada sauce (I just use the whole batch above)
• 1 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese (if we're not counting points at the time, I just use the whole bag!)

Once you've rounded up all the major players, follow these directions:

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cook the beef in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat. Stir the seasoning mix, beans, soup, onion and rice, if desired, in the skillet.

Divide the beef mixture among the tortillas. I like to line up the tortillas in the pan side-by-side, that way it's easier to get close to equal amounts of filling in each. Like this...

Unfilled

Filled evenly

 Roll up the tortillas and place seam-side down into a 13x9 baking dish. I take out a couple in the middle so there is plenty of room to roll the tortillas.

 Pour the enchilada sauce over the filled tortillas and sprinkle with the cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the enchiladas are hot and bubbling.

Hot

Bubbling

Side View

Variations

So, like I said way up there before you had a pool of drool in your lap, we've tried these a few different ways. They're outlined, with my unsolicited opinions included!

• Replace white rice with brown rice: Normally I love brown rice. Not so much here. I'm forever trying to lighten things up, since I'm a Weight Watcher, so I'm constantly switching out brown rice for white. But again, does not do this dish any favors. The texture of the brown rice, which tends to be more grainy (obviously) does not jive well with the ground beef and refried beans.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey. Excellent way to lighten this up! The ground turkey is so close to the beef that one can hardly tell a difference.
• Replace ground beef (or turkey) with shredded pork. Ah. Ma. Zing. Whenever we have pulled pork (like we are tomorrow), I always get an extra pound on the roast so I can take it out and freeze it for use in enchiladas. Love it!
• 2% cheese. Another excellent way to lighten these up. Be sure to get finely shredded, however, as the regular shredded tends to not melt as well.
• Replace onions with chives. Just don't do it. It's funky.
• Fat free refried beans. I do this every time. It's excellent.

Sound like something you want to try? Printable version here.

If you try this recipe, please let me know how it goes!