DIY Notebook + GIVEAWAY!

These notebooks are the perfect size to keep in your purse or on your desk.  They'd also make a great gift.  Isn't your sister's birthday coming up?

Items you'll need:

-12x12 scrapbook paper

-Ruler
-Thread
-Sewing Machine
-Paper cutter

To make one notebook you will need to cut one 3x12 strip of paper for the cover of the notebook and four strips of white paper (also 3x12) for the inside pages of the notebook.

Fold all of the strips of paper in half.  It's best if you fold them each individually instead of all at the same time.  Sew the stack of paper together along the middle crease with a sewing machine.  I set my sewing machine to a medium straight stitch.  Be sure to do some back stitching on the ends so that the thread doesn't come undone.  

And there you have it, an adorable handmade notebook!  

Happy Crafting!
-Christal from MUSTARD ME YELLOW

Thank you so much Christal! We loved all the creative ideas you shared this week and look forward to keeping up on your latest projects on your blog, MUSTARD ME YELLOW.

Would you like to win some of the lovely Desert Springs product Christal used for these sweet little notebooks? To enter the GIVEAWAY just leave a comment on or before Sunday, July 29th. For up to 4 additional entries, leave a comment on any or all of her other guest posts this week.

DIY Painted Tray

I love spray paint.  Just give me a can of spray paint (metallic gold is my fav) and I'll paint everything! Here's a fun and simple tutorial for you.

First, find a tray that you like.  My mom had an old tray laying around the house so I snagged it.  You could probably find one at a thrift store.  You'll also need some spray paint and painters tape.  

Use painters tape to tape the design you'd like.  Make sure you tape the corners down really well so that the paint doesn't leak underneath.  Take it outside with newspaper and spray away!  I sprayed three coats of paint, letting it dry for about 10 minutes between each coat.

Once the paint is dry, peel the tape off carefully.  

Here's what the final product will look like!  Now you can serve a special someone breakfast in bed!

Happy spray painting!
-Christal from MUSTARD ME YELLOW

Lemon Layer Cake with a Triangle Banner Topper

This cake is pure lemony goodness and is made completely from scratch (I can't believe I used an entire carton of eggs!).  I guess that's what makes it so good, along with loads of butter, sugar, and fresh lemon zest.

(Recipe adapted from PAULA DEEN and LIFE IS GREAT).

Cake:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups sifted self-rising flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 lemons zest

Frosting:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar or 1 tablespoon white corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup water
2 egg whites
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Filling:
8 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
3 lemons, zest grated and juiced

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans. To make the cake: Using an electric mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and continue to beat until just mixed. Zest 2 lemons and mix it into the batter. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4-inches above counter, then dropping flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pans 5 to 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling racks. Cool completely.

To make the frosting: Place sugar, cream of tartar or corn syrup, salt, water, and egg whites in the top of a double boiler. Beat with a handheld electric mixer for 1 minute. Place pan over boiling water, being sure that boiling water does not touch the bottom of the top pan. Beat constantly on high speed with electric mixer for 7 minutes. Beat in vanilla.

To make the filling: Place the ingredients in the double boiler over boiling water. Don't let top pan touch the water. Cook and stir until mixture begins to gel or thicken. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

To assemble, add 1 tablespoon of filling to the cake pedestal. Run hands along the side of the cake to remove excess crumbs. Place the cake layers on the pedestal, spreading filling between the layers and on top. Spread the sides and top of the cake with the remaining filling. Frost top and sides of cake with frosting. (I took a blow torch to the frosting to harden it and keep it from sliding off the cake. I also liked the look it created. It reminded me of roasted marshmallows with a light brown crisp).

To make your triangle banner you will need these items:

-Scrapbook paper

-Pencil
-String
-Glue
-Scissors
-2 Skewers

Draw triangles onto the paper with a pencil.  Cut the triangles out.  Glue two triangles together with the string in between the triangles (I made six triangle flags, but it may vary depending on the size of your triangles and the size of your cake), then tie each end of the string onto the skewers.

Once your banner is complete top it onto your cake.  This is a fun way to spruce up a birthday cake or to impress your guests with what you made for dessert.


Happy Baking!

-Christal from MUSTARD ME YELLOW

DIY Color Blocked Painted Succulent Pots

This is a great summer project to add some more greenery to your home or porch.  I'm a sucker for succulents but you can use any plant you'd like.

First, you'll need a terra cotta pot.  You'll also need some acrylic paint and/or spray paint, and some paint brushes.  Make sure you grab some newspaper and go outside if you decide to use spray paint.  I just free handed the color blocks but you can use masking tape if you want straighter lines.  There are so many ways you can paint your pot (stripes, polka dots, chevron, etc.).  

After your pot is painted, wait until it is completely dry.  Add soil to your pot, plant your succulent (or whatever plant you choose), add some water, then put it in a place where it will get enough sunlight.  It's amazing what a little greenery can do to a room.  Now go have fun painting your own terra cotta pot!  I'd love to see what creative things you come up with.

Happy planting!

-Christal from MUSTARD ME YELLOW

Guest Blogger, Christal Bridge + GIVEAWAY

Happy Monday Everyone! We are thrilled to introduce you to Christal Bridge. She is a really talented photographer and all around creative person. She worked hard to put together a week of amazing ideas that you are going to LOVE. So, check back each day and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Hello SEI Lifestyle readers!  I am so excited to be guest posting here this week.

My name is Christal Bridge and here's a list of ten things about me:
1.  I was born and raised in SLC, Utah.  My parents are from Thailand & Laos.
2.  I love to travel.  In the past 4 months we've been in Hawaii, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Montana, and Canada.
3.  I am married to the best husband there is.
4.  I am obsessed with food, probably more than most people.
5.  I love to design, create, DIY, refashion, decorate, or anything that involves creativity.
6.  I take pictures all the time.
7.  I blog about the pictures that I take all the time.
8.  I like to cook, which probably comes from my love of food.
9.  If I could live by the beach I'd be one happy girl.
10.  Thrift store finds are my favorite purchases.

Stop by my blog MUSTARD ME YELLOW.  I'd love to hear from you!  And stay tuned for my posts here this week.  I have some fun posts coming up!