Arrows

Well, here i am again with the southwest talk. I just can’t get enough. I guess it doesn’t help that my desktop background is a photo of the Arizona/Utah border and the state of Arizona sign that i took when i was out there a few years ago (bottom photo in this post). I just keep seeing goodies online that i can’t resist. One of those things are arrows. Arrows? Yes, once you see all these goodies you’ll see why i’m all over it.  Hehe.

(Source – AmyMarcella on Etsy)

(Source – KarinaManarin on Etsy)

(Source – iadornu on Etsy)

(Source – creatiate on Etsy)

(Source – SlippinSouthern on Etsy)

(Source – Carolyn’s Homework Blog)

Don’t you just love those signs? And the bracelet? And the arrow tutorial – gasp! I like them all so much i can’t even choose a favorite. Eeep! What are you obsessed with lately, Sweet World?

Kitty. Part 2.

The other day while dusting off the hand-me-down sewing machine for the first time ever, and using it for the first time ever, the kitty seemed to want to sit at the table and get in the way be close. Naturally i shot some photos of him. Notice how he’s using my cardboard to sit on. He’s a big guy, for sure, but don’t let his largeness fool you. He’s the biggest baby ever. He whines meows a lot and loses a lot of battles when he’s outdoors. We’ve tried keeping him indoors all the time but that seriously doesn’t work. He’ll just tear up the blinds or poop in the house in the most random places. Gross. So, he’s an indoor-outdoor cat and seems to get the best of both worlds. Especially when he brings home a squirrel, or two, or four, to show us that he’s really not a wuss at all (true story, i’ve got a picture to prove it). Want more kitty photos? See Part 1 of my mom’s cat i blogged about a few years ago.

Heart Cut-Out Garland DIY

Valentine’s Day is already right around the corner, ya’ll. Oh, how the time flies. I’ll be flying back into the country this Valentine’s Day after seeing my family in Holland. It’s already been three years since i’ve seen them. Oy. Didn’t i just say something about time flying? Anyhow. Here’s a simple photo garland DIY to decorate for the occasion. It’s pretty simple yet effective. Make lots of ‘em!

Start by cutting your photos into strips. Mine measure approximately 1.5 inches wide and are cut from 4 x 6 inch photo prints.

Once all your photos are cut into strips, fold them in half. Then, slide them into your heart punch (or other shape if you’re feeling extra crafty ;o) ). Make sure they’re lined up fairly well and even, and that they’re facing the right way for the shape of the heart (open side down). This step is tricky because the size of the folded photos is just the size of the punch and there’s nothing left to grab onto when punching. Usually, the fold creates enough thickness for the photos to be held in place while punching so they won’t slide around.

After you have all of your photos punched out, gather your adhesive and pick your string.

Place the folded photo over your string and use your adhesive on the bottom half of the inside of the photo. Fold the top half over and apply pressure. Repeat for the remainder of the punched photo strips and then space them on the string to your liking. They should move around on the string fairly well since the adhesive is used only on the bottom part of the photo so you can space them out easier.

Hang  at your location of choice!

Rollei

Last year, after i was researching a local estate sale online, i saw a camera i was interested in that was pictured in one of the photos for the sale. Needless to say, i had a dream about that same camera prior to going to the sale and basically dreamt that i put a bid on the camera at auction and won. I actually dreamt the exact amount i won it for and everything. So, you can imagine that was a good dream. And very strangely, it came true. We went to the estate sale and the camera was still there on the 3rd day, and went up for auction. I bid on it. The exact amount in my dream. And won. It was a vintage Rolleiflex camera and was oh-so beautiful. I was eager to put a roll of film in it and started shooting. It took a while to use the film but i finally finished the roll and finally got them developed. It turns out that the roll sat so long that it messed with the color of the photos, but i think they’re pretty dreamy. Check it out for yourself….Oh, and real quick, be sure to follow the HelloSweetWorld blog on bloglovin’ and facebook! We’re finally getting connected with technology.

In My Bag

I know this is a typical, mainstream post these days. Even the January photo-a-day on Instagram included a ‘what’s in your bag?’ day. I am not participating in the Instagram challenge, but i thought it would be fun to still share what is actually in my bag. (Speaking of Instagram, i added a new button below my links to mine ) )I rarely even get to carry a purse since i work a lot and don’t need one there. However, i got this snazzy new Coach bag for Christmas and soon filled it with lots of goodies to haul around. So, without further ado……

1. Coach!
2. Keys, complete with a Holland keychain. Gotta represent the fam!
3. Wallet. Handmade and bought at a local boutique. I carry it everywhere, even if i don’t have a bag.
4. Russian Belomo camera. See here.
5. Polaroid Mio camera. Thrifted for $3 when i first moved to the Midwest. All it needed was a new battery.
6. Coach wristlet. I’ve had this a few years and it magically matches the bag. The only other Coach item i own is a collar for my dog. Ha!
7. Travel journal.
8. Badger Lavender and Orange lip balm. My absolute favorite.
9. White iphone 4. We have a love/hate relationship.
10. Mentos gum. Fresh breath?
11. Red pen. Ballpoint.
12. Blistex lotion. My hands of are the unfortunate type to crack like dry leaves in the winter.
13. Ibuprofen. I try not to take it as much anymore but when you have that headache….
14. Hand sanitizer. Gotta be clean.

So, Sweet World, what’s in your bag?

Eat

Food is good. Good food is good. It’s no secret that i love to eat. I’m hungry pretty much all the time (seriously, about every 3 hours) and i’m usually snacking throughout the day. I’m really not sure why i’m telling you my eating habits but since i’m including a free printable (my first one!), i figured i’d just make this post about food. Lately, here’s what i’ve been enjoying:

• Wendy’s Wildberry Lemonade – yummy and cheaper than Starbucks Raspberry Lemonade, which is also yummy.
• Cake Batter Pudding cookies from this tasty food blog. Seriously good cookies.
• Italian subs from a local place called the Queen City Deli. And very reasonably priced for what you get.
• Cilantro. Yup, just cilantro. Add it to anything and it tastes amazing. Well, almost anything.
• Broiled swiss cheese bagel. Sometimes with ham. Pretty simple. So, with all this food, i’ve made a simple printable perfect for that foodie out there, or to post on your fridge or on your kitchen wall. Because after all, everyone needs to…..

Download here.

Lomo

Recently, i purchased a Russian Lomo camera off ebay after some extensive research (me sitting on my butt for hours looking at cameras on the internet) and finally got my first roll of film back from it. I am in love. I hope you are too. Don’t you just love the anticipation of getting that first roll of film developed?

Southwest Map Art DIY

This year, i’m striving to blog a little more and really add some elements to my blog. If you’re a normal reader, you’ve already noticed some changes – updated blog buttons! That’s not all i have in store for this space this year. I want to incorporate more ideas, DIYs, free printables and more. I really want to grow. I’ve been blogging in this space for almost 3 years, and while i am so happy i’ve kept up with it, i want to make it something more. It hasn’t been the easiest, as i moved halfway across the country and didn’t have internet, or got a 3rd shift job and struggled to actually have a life at that point, or to now, when i work 100+ hours a pay period but absolutely love my job. Anyhow. This post wasn’t supposed to be a reflection post, but a DIY post. So let’s get to it! My first DIY! We’re going to make some map art.

- Draw your pattern on the foam board. Cut them with the exacto knife to make the stamps.

- Cut the map to the size you want, or the size to fit the frame you’ve chosen. Mine is 11″ x 14″ to fit the frame i had. I found the map at a local antique shop.

- Now you have your cut map and your cut stamps.

- Use the paintbrushes to paint the colored paint onto one side of the stamps. This helps it stay smoother so it’s not a huge, slippery mess when you stamp the map and so it won’t smudge.

- Stamp the painted side onto the map. Repeat with your different stamps and colors as you desire.

- Keep stamping up the page, or in whatever pattern you wish. The options are all yours! Once finished, you can even add photos to spice it up more, or to add those extra memories. I chose to leave the photos out of mine this time around.

- Once your paint dries, place the map art in the frame and display! Simple, right?

Enjoy making your very own map art. I know i did, plus it looks pretty in the bedroom!

Southwest

Lately i’ve been dreaming of the southwest. As in, Arizona….New Mexico…. I’ve said before that i have a serious infatuation with Arizona. I feel like we belong together, as weird as that sounds. I am currently in a state of wanderlust to be there. Maybe she’s closer than i realize. Maybe i’m just nuts. Probably the latter. Anyhow. With the current bedroom makeover, i’ve been looking to the internet for inspirations. Here is some of what is currently taking me to the sweet southwest.

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(Taken by yours truly)

 

Bedroom

Since i’ve completed the living room makeover, i’ve been wanting to paint the bedroom. I had a color scheme of yellow and grey all figured out. And then i went thrifting and found new inspiration in one blanket. It reminded me of a comforter we had when i was little that had lots of texture. For $6, i couldn’t resist and now the bedroom has a whole new feel pretty much centered around it (its the brown and white one on the end of the bed). I wanted something Southwestern. Native American. Mexican. Earthy. All in one. The bedroom is currently going to stay it’s current color, which is some sort of peachy-tanish color.  But it’s the perfect earth tone for what i want right now. I still want to add a couple details, like an ottoman and a southwestern rug, but for now – here’s what i’ve got…..