Custom Monogram Canvas Painting

I decided to be little artistic and add some southern sass to my room. I create this hand-painted monogram paintings on canvas. 

The "H" & "S" are on 11x14 canvases. The "F" is a 12x16 canvas. 

I will admit the first one was a stencil and took me an entire day to complete. Then again I will brag about my artistic ability slightly, after using the stencil the paint started to cake on it and the stencil did not turn out as fine lined. So after every use I had to go back over with a fine end paint brush and fix the edges. After a total of 8 hours it was complete. 

The second and third were simple patterns. I just used a ruler to make the measurements, and make everything even. 

The font is Harrington, I just traced it onto a piece of computer paper and cut them out. The colors I used were Americana's Terra Coral, Anita's Acrylic White, and Anita's Acrylic Purple.

Glitter Starbucks Cup

I have never brought the official 24 fl oz. Starbuck cold cup to an actual Starbucks. I was told that if I bring the cup I would get a discount on my drink, fingers crossed I can still use it in the store after this project. But since I am in college my favorite type of cups to haul around are the tumbler cups. So I decided to take this cup off the shelf, dust it off, and add some sparkle. 

What You Need

Starbucks double wall tumbler (or any double wall tumbler cup)

Mod Podge OR adhesive spray (I used gloss mod podge)

Glitter

First, I decided to place the mod podge on the outside of the inside cup. If that makes sense. This way the glitter doesn't look so dull and it sparkles more. The less mod podge caked on top the more you can see the glitter. I painted a layer of mod podge, then simply poured the golden glitter on top. 

Once that was dry, I added another layer of mod podge then layer of glitter. I was too impatient so I blow-dried the glitter & mod podge until most of the mod podge turned clear.

After two [2] layers of mod podge and two [2] layers of glitter I was able to set it back into the out layer of the cup. Even though my first drink was just water, I can't put the cup down.

Inexpensive Gifts: Hot Cocoa

It's no longer winter season, but who doesn't like a good homemade hot chocolate recipe. For Christmas I made my roommates each a jar of this delicious hot cocoa. This happens to be the greatest hot chocolate I have ever taste, which my roommates agreed with at first sip. It has an extremely rich taste. Just how I love it! 

I filled three [3] mason jars and it cost me a total of $20 (not including the jar, ribbon, monogram decal). And I still had the majority of the ingredients left over. 

The extra mile to make it an adorable gift for anyone.

Mason jar (Hobby Lobby $2)

Ribbon (Hobby Lobby $3)

Monogram decal sticker (Etsy $5) 

Ingredients

3 cups nonfat dry milk powder

2 cups powdered sugar 

1 1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

sweetened chocolate chips

mini marshmallows 

Instructions

Mix the dry milk, powdered sugar, cocoa powder & salt in a large mixing bowl. Once all the contents are completely mixed making a light brown color, store in an air tight container. (Mason jar works perfectly). Add a layer of chocolate chips and mini marshmallows on top of the powder in the mason jar for creativity & deliciousness. To make hot cocoa, put 1/3 cup of mix in a mug and stir 1 cup of hot water. Stir in chocolate chips and top with marshmallows.