Fail: DIY Bread Bowl

 Making bread from scratch is cheaper than buying a loaf at the store. However, there are some barriers to creating a warm delicious hunks of flour goodness. Temperature, too much flour, too little flour, too much kneading, too little kneading etc etc etc. Aware of the barriers I was determined to make bread bowls for our guests last night. I sought out a recipe and found this one:

I read through all of the recipe's comments taking notes. I got all of the ingredients ready determined this DIY was going to be a success! I used my KitchenAid mixer to help me mix and knead. I set the dough in a warm place to rise and waited... and waited.. and waited. Nothing happened. I knead the dough some more, prayed over the dough, and waited some more. The dough was supposed to double, and mine grew a total of one inch (yes I measured!). I baked them any way. Here is what mine looked like:

They tasted good, but were very dense. This, my friends, was a big FAIL. Perhaps I used too much flour. Or maybe using the KitchenAid mixer was not such a great idea? Conscious of the possibility of failure, I started baking early in the afternoon allowing time to run to the local grocery store. The guests never knew the difference, but I admit I was very disappointed. I am determined to attempt this recipe again. Any ideas on why they did not turn out?

DIY: Hemp covered Christmas Ornaments

So, I pin. Do you pin? It is oh so trendy! :) Pintrest is a great place to find inspiration for DIY projects. Many pins link back to instructions for the project. While browsing I found these:

I have seen similar decorative items as center pieces in stores such as Pottery Barn. I love the rustic look of the twine. The month was October, but I was already thinking about the Christmas season. The Hubby and I had already decided to have a low key rustic Christmas decor (to match our living room). I had also decided to make most of our ornaments in an effort to save money. See where this is going?

For this project you need:

• Hemp/twine (color and width is up to you!)
• Hot glue gun
• Round Christmas ornaments

I used hemp as I could not find twine to my liking. I purchased various round ornaments at the Dollar Tree. The hot glue gun was borrowed from my Mother (I need to get one!). Instead of buying colored hemp I bought spray paint and painted the finished product.

1. Start with a "dab" of hot glue at the top of the ornament. Hold the beginning of the hemp until dry (careful not to burn yourself!). Slowly start winding the hemp/twine around the ornament adding dabs of glue every so often.

 As you get to the center of the ornament you will need to use more hot glue. After the third or forth ornament I had a glue system down.


 Here is the finished product! If you want to add some color see the next step.

 

 2. Select your preference of spray paint. I used:

 I used an empty egg carton to assist me in the painting process.

 Let the paint dry, grab an ornament hook, and Ta-Da! 

I also wrapped a star ornament.

Semi-finished decorated tree:

I hope you are inspired to do a few of your own DIY ornaments! This project is deemed a SUCCESS!

Successful fails

Successful fail: a project/event/conversation etc that is planned and hoped to be successful, but ends horribly. I have many successful fails throughout my day. They shape me into who I am today. Through this blog I hope to share my genuine successes and my successful fails. Entries will vary from DIY projects to general life. So follow and plan to laugh, smile, and cringe. :)