Monday, February 25, 2013

DIY: GILDED BUD VASE


These vases have survived (well barely, there used to be three in the set!) many moves and decor changes over the years, so I decided to give them a little facelift using gold leaf. Of course I'm partial to the color, but gold leaf is surprisingly easy to work with and the results are worth the extra effort.

SUPPLIES:
• glass bud vase
gold leaf
metal leaf adhesive size
metal leaf spray sealer
• two soft paint brushes (one for applying adhesive, and the other for the gold leaf)

1. Begin by deciding on the design you would like to create on your vase. I decided to cover the bottom of my vase and keep the edges uneven. I would suggest using painters tape or a stencil if you would like to create a design with a precise edge.
2. Use a paint brush to apply a thin even coat of adhesive to your vase. The glue is milky white and dries clear; it takes about 15-20 minutes to completely dry. Once it is clear, it should be slightly tacky and you're ready to apply the gold leaf!



3. Apply a sheet of gold leaf to your vase making sure to have the "bright gold side" down; you want to apply the gold leaf directly to the adhesive. Use your finger to slowly smooth the transfer paper over the vase to securely adhere the gold leaf. I found it best to work in small sections at a time; you don't have to worry about trying to cover your entire design at one time.
4. Slowly pull back the transfer paper leaving the gold leaf behind and use a clean soft brush to gently pat the gold leaf into place. Don't worry about any holes or any areas that didn't get covered;  just re-apply the gold leaf to fill in those areas in as you go.
5. Keep repeating steps 3 & 4 until you've completely covered your design with gold leaf. If there are still a few holes you would like to patch up, but the areas are no longer tacky, repeat step 2 and re-apply gold leaf to those areas.
6. Once you are happy with your design, seal your vase with a metal leaf sealer. This will help protect the gold leaf from tarnishing or changing color over time. As always, carefully read the instructions on the back of the can and be sure to use all aerosols in a well-ventilated area. Let your vase dry 24-hours before use.
* I found it helpful to read through the instructions included with the gold leaf, adhesive, and sealer before I began. Also, if you have any tips or tricks for using gold leaf, I would love to hear from you!


Photography, design, & styling by Jessica of SAS + ROSE.

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Monday, February 18, 2013

FEELING... LIKE TAKING A MENTAL VACATION

Lately my head has been in the clouds a bit more than usual and I'm beginning to wonder if Spring will ever arrive. I always seem to get a little antsy this time of year, which is why I thought I'd round up a few travel essentials. Although I don't have any big trips planned (yet!), a weekend trip to the Twin Cities and a mental vacation may have to do for now.

Shop These Items: J. Crew Floral Zip Pouch // Macy's Diane von Furstenberg Suitcase // Coach Leather Passport Case // Nordstrom Lolo Airplane Luggage Tag // Flight 001 "Getting A Tan" Luggage Tag // Horchow Tepper Jackson "Bon Voyage" Luggage Tag // Flight 001 "Duty Free" Eye Mask // Kate Spade iPad Case // ModCloth "Mix and Map" Tote.
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Monday, February 11, 2013

LET'S EAT: VALENTINE "HOT LIPS" COOKIES


Making Valentine's Day sugar cookies was somewhat of a mini tradition at our house growing up, so when I came across this cookie cutter, I knew it was on (read about my recent lip obsession here). For such a simple cookie, a good sugar cookie recipe can be the hardest to find, especially for cut-outs. Over the years I've tried many with varied results, but I am happy to report that this recipe is my new go-to. It was easy and straight forward, and the addition of almond extract gave these cookies a great flavor. Also, I used this royal icing recipe and found her tips to be helpful (for a more in-depth tutorial I would also suggest checking out this post). Royal icing can be a bit tricky, but with a little practice it has become my favorite way to frost sugar cookies. Do you have any tips or tricks for frosting cookies?


Photography, design and styling by Jessica of SAS + ROSE.
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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

VALENTINE'S DAY CARDS


Needing a break from my usual work routine, I decided to design something just for fun and I came up with these Valentine's cards. Click here to for a free download to print out your own. I suggest printing them out on white cardstock and pairing them with a brightly colored envelope. Oh, and conversation hearts are highly recommended, but not required!

Photography, design, & styling by Jessica of SAS + ROSE. 



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Friday, February 1, 2013

LET'S EAT: BAKED POTATO SOUP

To say it's been cold the last couple of days would be an understatement. It's been REALLY cold! It's been "my car won't start, I wear my coat all day long, and I avoid going outside at all costs" kind of cold.... but what do you expect on the first day of February in the Midwest?

Although winter has proven it's not quite over, there are a few things to look forward to and one of them is soup. I usually prefer broth-based soups, but I found this "skinny" version of baked potato soup and thought I'd give it a try. Perfect for game-day weekend, you won't even notice that this soup happens to be a lighter version and it will have you forgetting about the less than ideal temperatures outside.

Photography, design and styling by Jessica of SAS + ROSE.
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