Customize your LightSwitches: Easy Modge Podge Project

I recently moved into a new home and in setting up my new home-office I decided to take my private space personalization up-a-notch. Since I was going to be able to stay in this home for more than my normal 6 months or a year stint, I re-painted and considered how to funkify my office space.  While I waited for the wall-paint to dry I considered the dull, plastic light switch on the wall and thought, "I can do better."

I have seen painted and decoupage'd light switches online and they are truly the fastest and easiest art project you can do to customize a room in less than a few hours. Think about the overall style of the room decor and then collect some images, text or whatever and start gluing or painting that simply wall plate.

For mine, I started by spray painting my white plastic light switchplate a metallic iron/coppery color to match my dark "drama" wall in the room.

Since my office is where I do my writing, and my overall decor in the room was going to consist of vintage photographs, old typewriters and other related stuff like that, I decided to print out some old photos, and use an old typewriter font to print out the definition for the words "illuminate" and "darkness" since it was a light switch.  Get it? Clever huh?

I ripped the paper and crinkled it so that it looked old, and used an old photo (of myself, cause I was so cute) and applied them to the plastic wall plate with Modge Podge.  I added a final coat on top to seal the whole project when everything was in place.

The final project turned out kind of cute... a subtle artistic touch that reflects my love of language and the other vintage photos in the room. 

Get creative today, just grab that switch plate off the wall and get started!

Happy Holidays from ATA Girls

Holiday Wishes

I don't know about all of you, but I use this holiday time to do some reflection.  With only 5 days remaining until Christmas is here and only 11 days remaining of 2012, it is the best time for me to take a minute or two out of the hustle and bustle of the season to sit down and just breathe.  As big fluffy flakes of frozen water descend from the sky to coat everything in a blanket of white, a silence falls over the wintery world. Isn't it wonderful!   The sounds of cars traveling on snow covered roads becomes the gentle crunch of tires moving slowly through the drifts.  All is quiet.

This is the time of winter I love best. Just after a big snowfall, before the snowplows come barreling through, before the sounds of shovels hitting pavement and snowblowers roaring down driveways.  It's the perfect time to sit by the window with a cup of hot chocolate (and a cookie or two), look out at the world and think about the past year.  What am I thankful for? What do I wish I had accomplished?  What regrets do I have? What can I do better?

This year I have much to be thankful for. I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to my sister, Diane, who is the developer of this beautiful blog and does all of the behind the scenes stuff that makes the page, facebook page and ATA girl store come together.  She's an ATA girl with fingers in many pots of paint, able to create works of artsy goodness with a snap of her fingers.  She's given me an outlet for my writing and allowed me to let my creative juices flow so that this blog can be filled with cool things for you all to read.  I'm thankful for all the wonderful ATA girls and guys I've met, some of whom I've been able to share with you here.  I'm also thankful for our many followers and friends that have "liked" us here or on our facebook page.  Your support has been a guiding force for our endeavors.

So to all of you who take the time to visit our page, support our stores, and enjoy our projects.... we wish you a Merry Holiday Season and a Safe and Happy New Year.

Dani

Pecan FIngers! Christmas Cookies

15 Days and Counting

Can you believe it - -only 15 days left until all the excitement is over!  I know - I've been crowing about the fact that all my Holiday pressies have been bought or made and wrapped up ready to go. And now (thanks to a 3am start time on Sunday) all my cookies and treats are done and in containers ready to be shipped off or presented in person. Since I'm in the cookie mood - thought I'd share a favorite with you all.

Our family has always LOVED these cookies.  These finger-sized pieces of powered sugar delights are easy to make with few ingredients and one of our family staples.  At least until I can master the Hungarian Butterhorns Aunt Rosie used to always make - just can't get them quite right!   Anyhow - here's a recipe for you to try.

Pecan Fingers

Cream together:

1 cup butter

¼ cup powdered sugar

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 tblspn water

 

Mix in:

2 cups flour

2 cups ground pecans

 

Heat oven to 350

 

Make finger shapes by taking 1 large tsp of dough and rolling it into an oblong in the palms of your hands.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet.  May be placed close together as cookies do not raise.

 

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until slightly brown on edges

 

Immediately roll warm cookies in powdered sugar and place on wire rack to cool

 

Makes 5-8 dozen depending on size.

Enjoy -- and yes Diane - I made enough for you!   Happy Holidays everyone!