Saved By Love Creations

Introducing Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you thought you would never live to see the day when you could tell your thermostat what to do and it would respond, you were mistaken. The ability to speak commands to control your climate is not as futuristic as you may think. In fact, it is here now. I am excited to tell you about Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control. This is the first of its kind on the market. The Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control utilizes far-field voice-control technology, allowing it to break through the ambient noise of an activity filled home to carry out commands such as “make it four degrees warmer” or “make it much cooler” — even from across the room.

The thermostat immediately recognizes the homeowner’s voice upon installation, and adjusts the temperature setting based their commands. This is the first cloud-based solution and it will get smarter over time, with the ability to add more commands based on its interactions with the operator!

For those of you who are design sticklers, Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control allows customization to match your home decor. It also connets to WiFi, allowing consumers to regulate their climate and energy usage remotely. Users can control the thermostat via the Total Connect Comfort smart phone app – the top-rated thermostat app on Google Play™.

Honeywell’s Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control becomes available November 2013 at a suggested retail price of $349.

Visit Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control to learn more!

50+ Things to Make from Cribs

by Johnnie Collier

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Buying a crib can be a big investment, especially for something that is only going to be used for a few years max. Then what do you do with it? Well, you are in the right spot to have that problem solved. Check out the 50+ crib upcycle projects below and be inspired to repurpose your baby cribs and springs into cool furniture and home decor. If I missed your project in the collection, send me the link!

Crib Spring Dust Ruffle = Bulletin Board	Crib Spring to Memo Board	Crib Chair
Crib Spring as Display	Crib Spring to Inspiration Board	New Life for a Crib Mattress Frame
Crib to Wall Display	Pot rack from Crib Spring	Crib to Washi Tape Storage
DIY Crib Board	Ballard Design inspired Drying Rack	Repurposed crib legs table top
From Crib to Wagon	Antique Crib makes Charming Herb Garden	Crib Front to Fabric Display
Crib spring to Decor	Crib Wall Art	Ceiling light fixture from old crib spring
Crib art display	Repurpose an Old Baby Crib	Crib to Bench
Jewelry Organizer	Craft/tool station with wall organizer31	Baby Crib to Bike Rack Conversion
Crib turned Bench	Crib Into Plate Holder	Repurposing a crib as a magazine rack
Creative Station from Crib	Headboard: A Crib Repurpose	Crib to Porch Swing
Turn a Crib Rail into a Bookshelf	Sewing Organization from Crib	Crib Mattress Bulletin Board Podgeable Clips
Repurpose Crib Springs	Turn a Crib into a Bench	Crib Mattress Spring Turned American Flag
Crib to Fairy Garden	Crib to Magazine Rack	Crib to Daybed
Crib Chairs	Crib to Desk	Crib to inspiration board
Baby Crib Spring Repurpose	crib was converted into a daybed	Repurposed Crib Project: Kids Work Station
Crig to Shelf	Crib repurposed to clothes dryer	“Shabby Chic”Crib Stools
Repurposing Crib to Toddler Bed	Crib Repurposed Magnet Board	Upcycled Crib to Quail Coop

InLinkz.com

HAPPY STARTS HERE™ – ALPO® Brand Dog Food

by Johnnie Collier

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ALPO® Brand Dog Food for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are like me, your dogs are part of the family. I wake up excited to see them every morning. We have our routine, which consists of the beagle, Ripley, drooling at the sound of my alarm clock because he knows that it is breakfast time. The Jack Russell, Bovie, heads straight to the back door, determined to rid our yard of any squirrels or small animals that may be invading his territory! Then he can focus on breakfast. As different as they are, ALPO® Wet dog food is a favorite in both of their books. They love the taste, and I love that it is nutritionally sound. It comes in a huge variety of flavors, which you can see for yourself at ALPO’S HOMEPAGE. I have yet to find a flavor that my boys don’t inhale in seconds.

Here it straight from the mouths of dogs in this HAPPY STARTS HERE™ – ALPO® Brand Dog Food Video:

ALPO® Brand Dog Food provides high quality protein, essential vitamins and minerals and all the nutritional requirements for health and longevity. They demand high quality, safety and manufacturing standartds from the suppliers of each of their ingredients. You can rest assured that your dogs are getting what theydogs need good nutrtition for a healthy coat, strong bones and a happy life. Stay tuned for some taste testing by my boys in the coming weeks, and join me in following ALPO’s Facebook Page for news and updates!

I would love to see photos of your beloved canines. Do share.

Chalkboard Tray To Do List With Printable

by Johnnie Collier

If you are like me, to do lists are a vital part of keeping it together! They are just necessary, so why not incorporate some chalkboard paint and burlap into creating a pretty one? Today I am sharing a quick, easy DIY chalkboard tray “To Do List”, complete with a free printable template for you to transfer onto your painted tray using transfer paper. I can’t promise your productivity and punctuality will skyrocket, but I can guarantee you will have a pretty list. That’s something, right?

SUPPLIES:

Old Tray – I got mine for $2 at a thrift store

Martha Stewart Chalkboard Paint – Black

White transfer paper

One inch foam brush

Burlap or other ribbon

White opaque gel pen

White acrylic paint

Tiny detail paintbrush

Printable “To Do List” – click the link or the thumbnail above to bring up the full resolution file, then print

Painter’s Tape

Stylus or other pointed object to trace printable through transfer paper (I used a mechanical pencil with no lead)

TUTORIAL:

Clean tray off with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Let dry then paint with chalkboard paint.

I did three thin layers, allowing complete drying between.

Once the chalkboard paint was dry, I taped the transfer paper in place.

Then I taped the printable list template on top of the transfer paper and began tracing it, making sure to use enough pressure to transfer the design through to the chalkboard background. You can lift the papers to make sure the transfer is happening and tape them back down, being careful not to let them shift in the process.

I removed the papers and was left with a faint outline of the list, which i went over with my white opaque gel pen. I had to shake the pen often to keep the ink running, and I took some of the chalkboard paint off in a couple of places by pressing to hard. Don’t do that.

I used white acrylic paint and a fine detail brush to go fill in the title text, and to touch up here and there. I ended up painting over the <<<>>> under “Things to Do”. I just liked it better without, but I left it in the printable so you have the option of using it.

Once dry, your sweet new to do list is ready to go. Hang with a burlap ribbon or embellish as you wish!

Best Ever German Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

by Johnnie Collier

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It happened. I baked. From scratch. It is a first. These German chocolate cupcakes turned out to be delicious. There was a minor set back with the glaze and I had to improvise, but you would never know they weren’t exactly what they were supposed to be! If you aren’t a baker and want to impress your friends with a culinary treat, this recipe is for you. If your an experienced baker, add this to your arsenal. You can’t go wrong with German chocolate, right? This recipe is from Anne-Thornton at the Food Network, with a couple of happy accidents that made my recipe differ slightly!

Ingredients
1 Chocolate Cake recipe (see below)
Glaze:
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate (I bought a bar assuming it was 6 ounces and it was 4, so make sure)
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon brewed coffee
Topping:
3 egg yolks
12 ounces evaporated milk
1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 cups packed sweetened flaked coconut, toasted (if desired)
1 3/4 cups toasted pecans, chopped
Directions
You will need: silver/foil-lined muffin cups, 1 (2-ounce) ice cream scoop and 1 (1/2-ounce) ice cream scoop
Make sure all of your topping ingredients are at room temperature, except for the shredded coconut which you should keep in the refrigerator or freezer just until needed.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 regular muffin pans with muffin cups.

Chocolate Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs, at room temperature for 30 minutes
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups well-shaken buttermilk (or 1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together onto parchment paper. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 4 or 5 minutes. Add your eggs, 1 at a time, mixing until completely incorporated before adding each additional egg. Mix in the chocolate and vanilla, making sure to combine really well. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, in 3 batches, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Make sure to let it mix thoroughly.

Use a 2-ounce ice cream scoop and portion out the Chocolate Cake batter evenly into the muffin cups. Pop the pan in the oven and bake 25 to 30 minutes, turning the pans halfway through. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cupcakes comes out clean. Let the cupcakes completely cool in the pan on a rack.

For the glaze: Mix the cream, chocolate, honey and coffee in saucepan on low heat. Stir until smooth. Let it cool a bit.

For the topping: Put the egg yolks, evaporated milk, brown sugar and butter in a separate saucepan. Place it over medium heat and cook until the sugar dissolves and the butter melts. Continue cooking, stirring constantly until thick, 8 to 10 minutes or so.

Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, coconut and pecans. Allow to cool.

Dip the cooled cupcakes in the chocolate glaze. Place on the rack and let the glaze harden.

Scoop the topping on the cupcakes with a heaping 1/2-ounce ice cream scoop. Enjoy!!

Make a Butterfly Necklace with Vintaj

by Johnnie Collier

Hi there SBLC friends! Amy from Plucking Daisies here to share a Butterfly Necklace tutorial with you. I created this Necklace using art metals and patinas from Vintaj. This was my first time playing with Vintaj Patinas and I’m so excited to share what I discovered along the way!

Generally I am not much of a Jewelry maker. If I have to open more than a few jump rings I get squeamish so fear not this jewelry tutorial will be relatively easy. I completed this project in about an hour and had a lot of fun doing it and I think you will too.

There were a lot of good sales in the jewelry section of my local craft store this week and I wanted to try something new. I grabbed a few pieces from the Vintaj collection and this multi-strand chain from Industrial Chic to use as the base of my necklace design.

I fell in love with this Vintaj butterfly and decided to try the Vintaj Patinas out to add some color to it.

Start by adding Vintaj Patinas with a paint brush. Allow Patina to dry between coats. You can experiment by layering different colors on top of one another or mixing them together on a craft sheet.

After coloring my butterfly with Vintaj Patinas I added highlights to the wings with Snow Cap Alcohol Ink using a q-tip. I layered on several other colors of Alcohol Ink (with q-tips ) to the outer edges of the wings as well.

Once the Alcohol inks were dry I tore a small piece of cotton from the end of a clean q-tip and wrapped it around the end of a toothpick. By squeezing a few drops of Pitch Black Alcohol Ink on my craft sheet I was able to use the tooth pick to add bold details to the butterfly.

When the detailing was finished I gave the butterfly the once over and touched up areas that needed more Alcohol Ink.

Using a soft file I removed some of the ink from the raised areas and edges of the butterfly to bring out a lovely metallic sheen.

This was my Inspiration photo. Pretty close eh? You can find this inspiring photo and more on my Doodle Diva Pinboard.

To create the necklace I used a bead board to measure the Industrial Chic chain. It was just a touch short so I added some chain from my stash and attached it with Vintaj Jump rings. So far Vintaj Jump rings are the best I’ve ever seen! So sturdy and easy to work with!

Here I have attached toggle clasps to the end of the chain with Vintaj jump rings. When it comes to clasps for jewelry I’m a huge fan of the toggle clasp. I always struggle with lobster clasps and have found that toggles make putting on jewelry a breeze.

Now all that’s left to do is attach that freshly Patina-d Vintaj butterfly with…you guessed it…Vintaj jumprings.

I hope you get a chance to play with Vintaj Patinas and create some fun jewelry pieces of your own.

Wear your art with pride 🙂

Amy*

Easy 10 Minute Chain Bracelet Tutorial

by Johnnie Collier

These trendy mixed metal chain bracelets are a cinch to make, and are a great way to use up those links left over from other jewelry projects. Mix and match as you please. Scoop up costume jewelry and vintage pieces to dismantle and incorporate into your own custom, stylish bracelet. Make some for yourself and give them as gifts. Embellish with charms and fibers for unlimited design options! I will show you how.

SUPPLIES:

2 pairs of jewelry pliers, flat or needle nose

Several lengths of chain about an inch shorter than you want your final bracelet to be

2 8-10mm jumprings and a length of chain to make bracelet adjustable

TUTORIAL:

Open jump ring with both pairs of pliers and add one end of each chain to the jump ring. Add clasp then close jump ring with both pairs of pliers. Pic above shows jump ring still open.

Repeat on the other end with the 2nd jump ring, attaching a 1.5 inch length of chain for the adjustable length connector. That is what the clasp will grab when fastening the bracelet.

Use jump rings to attach charms. Tie coordinating fiber scraps to large jump ring where all the chains meet.

Check out more of our Bracelet Tutorials and Features

Repurposed Cart to DIY Jewelry Storage

by Johnnie Collier

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There are tons of cool ways to make your own jewelry holders using the most random of objects. I shared a roundup with you not long ago – 50+ DIY Jewelry Display Ideas – with some of my favorite ways to store your bling. Today I am excited to share my jewelry storage solution using a cool rusty cart given to me by a friend. I saw it in her barn and lit up, immediately picturing bracelets and earrings dangling from the naturally aged, patina wire grid. She was happy to part with it, and I am equally thrilled with my awesome antique display. This project took a whopping 5 minutes.

I sprayed the cart with the water hose to removed the cobwebs and other debris. Then I wiped it down with a lint free, soapy, wet cloth. This was mainly to get rid of loose stuff. I love the rust, and wasn’t trying to get rid of that!

I spray 3 coats of Krylon Crystal Clear, which I had on hand for sealing polymer clay pieces. This was to protect my jewelry from the rust on the cart. I let that dry and it was good to go!

Need some jewelry to put on your new display? Got you covered:

Check out 50+ Other Creative DIY Jewelry Display Projects:

Ice Resin Bezel Pendant Tutorial

by Johnnie Collier

I have shared several resin tutorials with you, trying out the various types available. ICE resin is quickly becoming my favorite. It is easy to use, and hardens to a strong, clear, glass-like finish. Today’s project is a fun bezel resin pendant using Susan Lenart Kazmer’s papers, Iced Enamels and ICE Resin. You can find everything I used for this piece at your local Hobby Lobby.

SUPPLIES:

Iced Enamels: Shattered Fire Opal

ICE Resin

Spellbinders Bezel

Tim Holtz Word Stickers

Chain

Charm

Image

Pen

Scissors

Popsicle stick and cup for mixing resin

Sealant such as Mod Podge or Embossing medium

TUTORIAL:

Place your bezel over the part of the image you want and trace with permanent marker.

Place word stickers where you want.

Seal image and word stickers with embossing medium or Mod Podge and dry with heat tool. This protects the image from the resin, which can darken it if not sealed.

Sprinkle in Shattered Fire Opal Iced Enamels, or glitter or other mica powder. Anything sparkly will do!

Drip resin into bezel using popsicle stick until it domes. Be careful not to overfill!

Let dry 6-12 hours, attach chain and charm. Enjoy your awesome, custom resin jewelry.

Check out more SBLC Resin Projects:

50 Plus Repurposed Dresser Projects to Make

by Johnnie Collier

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If you liked last week’s 50+ Ways to Repurpose Old Doors, you are in for a treat today. We have gathered 50+ ways to repurpose dressers! From Vanities to organizers to benches and more, you will see ways to transform that chest of drawers into an entirely new creation. If you have a project you think fits that we missed, send us the link. Enjoy!