Rainbow Cake {in a jar}

I had SO much fun making this that I had to share it with ya'll!

I have never tried making cake in a mason jar before, but it totally works, and is SO cute looking!

Go here for the recipe, and I'll give you my tips to make it turn out great!

Start with some yummmmmmy looking cake batter, divided into several bowls.

(I used neon food coloring for all my colors)

Spoon in one layer at a time, filling your jar about halfway with all your colors.  Like so:

TIP: the first time I tried "layering" my batter in the jars, it was WAYYYY too runny.  Add about 2 tsp. cornstarch, and 1-2 Tbs. of flour to each bowl.  It will thicken it up, and make it much easier to "layer".

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, and top with frosting and sprinkles when cool.

Love it!!

FYI: I used half pint mason jars.

(because I love stuff that is miniature!)

Linkin' up here
and Tidy Mom

{How to} Spray Paint Furniture

I've been promising you a "how to" post on spray painting.  

Here we go!

First off, most of the things I spray paint are small-like picture frames, random do-dahs, chandeliers etc.

 tutorial found here

chandy makeover found here

Sooo, the thought of spray painting actual furniture was a VERY scary thing for me.  

Here's what to do if you want your paint job to turn out great!

• The brand of spray paint you use MATTERS!  I have used lots of brands, and I honestly think that Krylon is the best.  Do not buy the $1 can of spray paint.  You will wind up using 4 cans of cheap-o paint to do what 2 cans of Krylon can do.  Experience speaking!!  

 (the "no cheap-o spray paint rule" applies to ALL spray paint projects.  Not just furniture!)

• I do not sand my furniture before priming.  I think it creates a huuuuuge mess, and if you use a good primer, it's not really a necessary step.

• Prime your furniture before spray painting!  DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!  I cannot emphasize enough how much it matters whether or not you prime.  If you don't prime, your spray paint will chip and look awful.

• I have tried lots of brands of primer, and the best by FAR is Kilz.  It covers a lot with one can, and it is just awesome.  For some reason, it leaves a fine "grainy" texture on your furniture after it dries.  Use 220 grit sand paper and lightly sand your furniture after you prime.  That grainy feel comes right off, and leaves your furniture feeling smooooooth!

•  Prime the heck out of whatever you are spray painting.  It will take a few coats, but will be worth it!  Prime until your furniture is a uniform white, with no splotchy patches.

• After you prime, it's time to spray paint!  No matter what color you choose, the rule is the same.  Light, even coats, with plenty of drying time in between.

• If you want to save your hands, use rubber/vinyl gloves when spraying/priming.  It is hard to get spray paint off your hands! 

(this is my favorite kind to use)

•  After you spray paint, it's time for the final step-Polycrylic.  This seals and protects your paint job.  I've read that polyurethane will yellow over time on furniture that is painted white, so polycrylic is a better way to go. 

• Other pros of polycrylic: it is way less odorous than polyurethane, you don't have to use mineral spirits with your brush, and it doesn't bubble.  I used the minwax brand, and I really like the results. It is easy to apply, and dries fairly quick.

•  I highly recommend sealing your furniture; it really is a step you shouldn't skip.  It will keep your primer/paint job from chipping!

• For those that will ask: I have tried brush painting furniture before, with latex paint, and I never get good results.  I always have brush strokes, and I just don't think it looks as professional.  I think that spray paint is usually a much better option.

Specifics on spray painting a crib

see the transformation here!

• All of the above tips apply.  

• I personally emailed several ladies in blogland who spray painted their cribs to ask how their spray paint job has held up.  They all said it has held up great, with no chipping, and that they wished they had done it sooner!

• Spray painting is going to be your fastest way to give your crib a face lift.  I can't imagine trying to get in between all those slats with a brush!

• Disassemble your crib as much as possible before spray painting.  It will make it easier to get in all the nooks and crannies.

• To give you a reference, my crib (which is a large crib) took 6 cans of primer, and 5 cans of spray paint.

Hope these tips help, and feel free to email me with questions!
alittleofthis.alittleofthat.blog@gmail.com 




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and Tidy Mom

Easy Easter Snack Idea {Goldfish Carrots}

It's Miss J's turn to bring snack for her preschool again.  She and I wanted to jazz up snack time a little....she loves bringing a "fancy snack" to school.

I don't know how fancy these snacks are, but they sure turned out cute!

Rather than load them up on sugar (which I'm sure they will get enough of this weekend for Easter!), I wanted something less sugary.  

I saw a great idea on No Fuss Fabulous.....

Can you ever beat goldfish?  What three year old doesn't love 'em?

How to make goldfish "carrots"

• Take a disposable decorating bag (the kind you put frosting in), and fill it about halfway with goldfish.

• Gather the top and tie with green ribbon.

• Done!

Totally cute, right?  

And, they take all of 5 minutes to make!

Linking up here
and @ House of Hepworth's & Today's Creative Blog!

Nursery Reveal: Part 2

I showed you my crib transformation in Part 1 of my nursery reveal.

Ready for Part 2?

I had a dresser that was in great shape. The only problem was that it was the same icky honey oak color as my crib. 

It had to go!

I started with this:

After a lot of primer, spray paint, and polyacrylic, this is what I have now!

I replaced these knobs:

With these beeeeeeeee-utiful amethyst colored crystal knobs:

So girlie.  I love it!

Now all that is left is to show you the rest of the room!

"How to Spray Paint furniture" can be found HERE!

Linking up here

Sports Birthday + {FREE Printables!}

My little man is 2!

He had a GREAT birthday party!  Lots of his little friends were there, and he seemed to be really happy the whole time.

Highlights of the party

FOOD

The Cake!

Drinks

GAMES!

Bowling

Basketball

Tee Ball

and of course....

PRIZES!

GUEST FAVORS

And now, would you like the FREE PRINTABLES for all of this??

I designed this myself in Photoshop, so please use it for personal use only!

Game Signs:

Basketball (click here)

Bowling (click here)

 Tee Ball (click here)

Guest Favor Tags (click here)

Food Labels 

(page 1) 

(page 2)

(page 3)

(page 4-popcorn)

Prize Bag Labels (click here)





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Empire City Studios - Welcome!

There is a new sponsor at  A Little of This, a Little of That!

Do you remember in this post that I showed you the awesome wall decal for Mr. A's big boy room?

Well, I ordered it from Empire City Studios on Etsy.

MY experience with them was fabulous! 

Fast shipping, and they totally customized the size of the decal for me.  They were QUICK to answer my questions by e-mail - that is a big deal to me!

Here are some other fun things from their shop!

I can never resist damask!

Love the idea of defining your kiddos name!

I always love cherry blossom trees; very springy!

All of their products are customizable, and they will work with you on any custom order you want. 

They have 26 colors of vinyl to choose from!

Welcome Empire Studios!

{Word Whipped} Winner!

WOW!  

There were 364 entries for this fab "Keep Calm and Carry On" sign!

and the winner is.....

Little Bird who said-

Congrats!

Thank you to EVERYONE who entered!  What a fun giveaway!

Nursery Reveal: Part 1

We are expecting our third baby in July! 

When we found out it was a GIRL I was very excited!

I've been busy painting, sewing, and decorating for the last few months. The nursery is FINALLY finished!

I thought I would share it with you in stages....just to make you wonder what it looks like all together :)

I started with our crib.  I LOVE the lines of our crib, and the shape, and the fact that it doesn't have a drop down side.....but the color had to GO!

This is what I started with.

Close up:

Again, I love our crib, and it has sentimental value (having been used by my two previous little ones), but I have never been crazy about the color.

So, I decided to go for it, and paint it!

I took six cans of Kilz Primer, six cans of Krylon spray paint, a few coats of a polyacrylic sealant.

(don't worry, I used a really good spray paint respirator to keep those fumes away!)

Here is the result:

Close Up:

And yes, I made the bedding myself.  A true labor of love!

I am so happy with how it turned out!

Before and After:

A full "HOW TO SPRAY PAINT FURNITURE" post can be found HERE

Nursery Reveal Part 2 is here!

Linking up here