Open Call Tuesday #15

Welcome to Open Call!  We finally finished repainting our kitchen cabinets!  You can check out the before and after here.  So thrilled with the results!  I also made some Candy filled smash cupcakes.  So much fun for a party!  Finally, I did up some sweet red bell pepper jelly.  lt's good on everything!  How about you?

Kitchen Cabinets Before & After

Yay!  We finished repainting our kitchen cabinets!  I wish there was a photo kicking around of what they looked like when we first moved in.  They were these hideous golden wood colour, stained, marked up and had wood and brass handles to match.  Just not our style.

Candy Filled SMASH Cupcakes!

Years ago when my husband and I were planning our wedding, we really wanted to have a 'smash' cake as our wedding cake.  Well, that didn't work out as we ended up getting a great package deal at our reception venue which included the cake... so there just wasn't the need.  But I've kept that smash cake in the back of my mind ever since just waiting for the right occasion to make one.  Or at least, try!

Now that little Foster's 2nd birthday is approaching in October, I thought it would be fun to give him.... the smash cake.  It should fit right in with this destructive phase he seems to be entering!  But before diving into a full sized cake, I thought it best to try on a smaller scale first.  Enter... smash cupcakes.

The Hunt for Red... Pepper Jelly

Tangy sweet, red pepper jelly.  I.Love.It.  Have you ever tried it?  It is fantastic with soft mild white cheese, crackers, meats etc.  I had never made jelly or jam of any sort in past.  It was time to try.

Enter four big and beautiful, red peppers.  I saw these in the store and was reminded of my aunts pepper jelly.  It is delicious.  I brought my new red jewels home and began researching how to make jelly.  Thank you internet.

After much browsing and debating on ingredients, I decided to keep it very simple.  After all, in food, simplicity is often best when you want the main ingredient to shine.

Open Call Tuesday #14

Welcome to Open Call!  I have lots to share with you!

First, I would like to give you a heads up to a promo from eShakti.  Visit my posting to get the promo code to recieve up to 50% off a custom fit dress, shirt or skirt.  And yes, I have ordered from them before.  Love!  You only have until the 30th to take advantage of it.  So take a look!

If you follow SaltTree on Facebook, you may have seen there are a couple new sponsors around here.  I'd like to give a big thanks to Back For Seconds as well as True Aim Education!

A new blogger on the block, Stephanie dove into the world of food blogging to share her passion for making yummy food for her family.  Stephanie's recipes and photos will indeed entice you into her blog of deliciousness!  This new blog is quickly gaining readers and once you check out Back For Seconds, you will understand why!  Get ready to drool on your keyboard!

True Aim Education is a great resource site run by Janine, the mother of 3 blessings all under the age of 5. She has an in-home preschool and is currently teaching 3 other children.  She is passionate about early childhood education and teaches all of the children in her care an advanced custom curriculum. Check out her blog True Aim for parenting and education resources, news, and fun!

Guest Post ~ World's BEST Caramel Brownies

Today I'm very pleased to have a guest poster here on SaltTree.  Please welcome Lisa from Wine & Glue!

Lisa describes herself as a stay at home mom of two little monkeys, a wannabe seamstress, chef, baker, and party planner.  Today, Lisa is sharing her 'Worlds Best Caramel Brownies'.  You don't want to miss it.  Here she is!

Hello!  I'm Lisa from Wine & Glue.  When I was about six months pregnant with our third little wonder, a good friend of mine shared this recipe with me.  {Like my very pregnant self needed another method to get chocolate into my body.}  These are insanely good.  I have made them a dozen times, and without fail whenever I make them for someone, they ask for the recipe.  I cautiously give it to them, reminding them that I call them Crack Brownies for a reason.  You start off eating just a little piece, and then you casually think you'll just slice off a little snibit more.  Okay, maybe just a tiny bit more.  I mean, why not have another piece.  Before you know it, you have eaten a whole row of the brownies!

Proceed with caution people.

Eshakti ~ Get a Custom Sized Dress ~ Promo Code!

Hi Everyone!  I don't often do posts to promote a business or retailer, but this is a fab exception!  Especially when they are offering a promo savings code!

Have you ever heard of eShakti?  I had the luck of winning a giveaway sponsored by eShakti a little while back.  I was able to pick any item I wanted from their site!  I'm a tall women measuring up at 5"11.  Finding dresses to fit my frame is often quite difficult so I was extremely excited!  eShakti carries womens skirts, tops and dresses in a wide array of colours, patterns and styles.  The best part?  Custom fit to YOUR measurements!  The prices are very affordable and on many items you can chose the sleeve style, neckline and length of the garment!

When I received my beautiful royal blue shirt dress ... I was so excited to try it on.  I can never find dress with a defined waist to fit me.  This one... perfect!  I'll update with a picture of me in the dress in the next day or two.

eShakti is currently having a great 40% off sale until the end of the month.  They have also provided me with a special promo code AY20ZRX for 10% off which you can use on any item (excluding overstock), including the 40% off sale items.  That's a possible 50% savings!

I have to say... this sweet bow tie dress already went into my shopping cart!

Their items move quick and change often so don't wait!  Check it out!  Tell your friends!  Tweet it!  Facebook it!  Enjoy!

Promo code valid until July 31st, 2012

Fireplace Surround, Before & After

Since we moved into this house over 5 years ago, I've been on a mission to eliminate all the builder basic brass fixtures and hardware throughout the house.  I'm not talking about a nice aged looking brass with character, I mean the shiny in your face ones.

So far, we have replaced all 17 door knobs throughout the house, spray painted 4 ceiling light fixtures (those typical dome ones), replaced the thingies that keep the door from slamming into the walls... I have no idea what they are called lol.  All that is left is the front door handle and the fireplace surround.

Make a Knife 'Block' Vase

We can't leave our knives in the bank of drawers in our kitchen any longer.  Our little toddler can get anything out of those drawers, safety latch or not!  Nothing like being hit in the head with the end of a turkey baster when you least expect it.  He um...likes to throw things.  Lol.

The knives all migrated to the back of the counter, behind the toaster.  Classy, I know!  But with his long reach, we were running out of places to hide them.

Open Call Tuesday #13

Welcome to Open Call!

It's been another busy week around this house.  We've started refinishing our kitchen cabinets.  Eeee!  So excited!  I'm really looking forward to sharing the before & after when it's done!

In case you didn't see, I got up to dyeing some nylons with Kool-Aid.  Yes you read that right!  A fun one for kids AND grownups!  I also dabbled with transferring a printed image onto wood.  What did you get up to?

Image to Wood Transfer ~ A Trial Run

An acquaintance of mine sent me a link to a super cool tutorial on the web.  It described how to transfer an image printed using a laser jet printer, onto a piece of wood.  Awesome!  The secret ingredient was to use gel medium.  Naturally, I started rummaging through my paint supplies.

Dye Your Nylons With Kool-Aid

Pantyhose aren't a big part of a girls wardrobe anymore, but most of us have at least one pair somewhere in the closet or a dresser drawer, just in case.  I think we are more likely to wear colourful tights then the classic nude or black hose now... unless your job requires it.

Nude hose... is a little boring.  Let's make those nude hose something fabulous with a little dye.  Kool-Aid to be specific!  That's right!  And just to settle your curiosity, I'll also show you how nylons do using liquid Rit dye.

Open Call Tuesday #12

Welcome to Open Call!  What a cooker of a week!  Did you get up to much with all the heat?  I got a few projects done.  A hollowed out book tutorial which I used to store my e-reader (hehe) and some cherry buttercream sandwich cookies to settle the sweet cravings in the house.  I also shared a guest post I did over at Saved By Love Creations last week for a super cute (and cheap) toddler mattress protector.  Take a peek!

DIY Mattress Protector for Leaky Toddlers

Recently, I did a guest post over at Saved By Love Creations for a quick and inexpensive project.  Now I'm going to share it with all of you, just in case you missed it!

Often, we create out of necessity.  Having children usually kicks that into overdrive, especially babies and toddlers.  I know all of you mothers are nodding your heads in agreement.

Hollowed Book Tutorial ~ E-Reader Case

Oh the hollowed out book.  I made one years ago before this blog was ever a thought in my mind.  I used it as a gift box of sorts to put a friend's birthday present in.  The book became part of the gift.  She loved it!

I was trying to think of a fun way to store my e-reader.  I think it's a funny idea to store an electronic reading device inside a traditional book.  This is how the hollowed out book got resurrected.  Now mine is Hip Street brand reader that we got for a steal, but you can make this to suite your Kindle, Nook etc.

Cherry Buttercream Sandwich Cookies

It's been a while since I've made some sweet little cookie treats.  Sandwich cookies seemed to be just the thing to fill the gap.  Cherry buttercream frosting fills these sugar cookie halves... but you could easily use the flavour of your choice.

Open Call Tuesday! #11

Welcome to Open Call!  What have you been up to?  Last week was a little busy so I didn't get too many posts up.  I did however attend my first ever pottery class!

It was a 2 hour intro to pottery (thanks Groupon!) where we got to make a tray, and a vessel on the wheel!  I have always wanted to try making something amazing on a pottery wheel... ok... so it didn't turn out amazing lol, but.... I was pretty pleased!   They fire the pieces and glaze them in the colour you choose... so let's hope they survive the kiln!  I'm so excited to pick them up when they are all done and share the finished pieces!

I did get one post up... Strawberry Almond Meringue... and it is divine!  For all of my American readers, all you would have to do is add some blueberries and you've got an impressive red, white and blue dessert for your fourth of July celebrations!

Finally, I want to say a quick thanks to everyone that took a couple minutes to fill out the SaltTree feedback survey.  The survey will be closing soon, so if you haven't filled it out yet, you can find it here.  All answers are confidential and are to help me make SaltTree better for you!

Happy Canada Day!

Happy 145th Birthday, Canada!  Truly a wonderfully diverse country that I am very proud to call home.  Having perfect weather to celebrate this long weekend makes it all the more fantastic!

Enjoy my friends!

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