Leisyl Boone at Home

Time flies!

2009-03-06T23:16:00.003-05:00

Time flies... when you are super busy! Almost a year has gone by since my last post, and it seems as though so much as happened since then! School is going really well. I am enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, completing my Interior Design degree. My classes are taken via the internet, which allows me to complete the classes after work and on the weekends. It is great - and I am proud to say I am maintaining a 3.85 GPA! I am still working at least 40 hours a week as well, so I am actually pretty happy to be able to keep up a pretty descent GPA.

I have taken some other classes in the last year as well, getting more involved in some different forms of jewelry making. I am now creating pendants in the format called "art under glass". You may have seen this before. It looks similar to framed art. I have also gotten into lampworking, which is firing glass to create my own beads. I am excited to announce that these items, along with my lampshades, are now available for sale on my new etsy site! Visit LeisylB.etsy.com for more information!

My dad has been working away in his workshop. Not only has he created a beautiful book shelf for me, and an awesome cupboard for my mom, but he is now in the process of finishing a kitchen for a local chef and artist. He is very talented! His latest project is an island with a butcher block top for our kitchen. I hope to either add his pieces to my etsy site, or to create his own site, which I will be sure to keep you all posted on!

I would also like offer up a bit of exciting news. Along with my Interior Design degree comes the need for an Interior Design porfolio. I am currently in the process of looking for projects! This includes anything from staging a home for sale, re-freshing a room by rearranging furniture, a personal shopper for the right accessories for your home, or a complete overhaul and upgrade. If you are interested in soliciting my services, please contact me at LJBoone22@yahoo.com with Interior Design in the subject line. I would love the opportunity!

I hope to be on again soon, and to keep you all updated on all the great projects I am working on, and also some of the great ideas and tips I have for you. Until next time... Happy Spring!

Open Mic

2008-04-16T16:48:00.005-04:00

I am curious as to what ideas you may have, or thoughts on some of my articles! I would like to open this post up to my readers. Use this post as your "Open Mic"! Let me know what you like reading, what you don't like, and ideas you have for me! Do you have a neat project or recipe that you would like to share with us? Would you like to see a section added, or my format changing? What do you want to see in the future at Leisyl Boone at Home? Do you have a blog that you would like me to add to Leisyl's List? Please feel free to comment to this post, and tell us what you think! You can also email me at LJBoone22@yahoo.com, and be sure to use "Leisyl's Blog" as the subject line. I can't wait to hear from you!

Please be aware that any inappropriate comments will be deleted from this blog.

A Sweet Substitute to Your Facial Scrub

2008-04-16T16:45:00.002-04:00

It’s Monday morning… you woke up 30 minutes late, and you have a big meeting with your boss about “where you are going” in the company… You are already off to a bad start, when you grab your usual facial scrub, only to find out… it’s empty! How will you ever make it through your day without a bright shiny face?!

Has this ever happened to you? Have no fear! Just run to your sugar bowl!

Sugar is an excellent (and natural) exfoliant! Just mix a spoonful of sugar with some warm water, and use as you would your regular facial scrub. The raw shape of the sugar granules act as a natural exfoliant, scrubbing away dead skin cells, giving your face a natural glow! If you feel you still need to use soap, simply mix some shampoo or body soap with the sugar.

Preparing for Sandal Season

2008-04-15T22:59:00.005-04:00

It is about that time... Time to get the swimsuits, sunglasses, and sunscreen out! But more importantly, it is time to get those cute little summer open toed shoes and flip flops out!

Our feet have been stuffed in socks and shoes for months now, and it is time to start pampering! But if you are like me, and simply can not pay $60 for a pedicure, have no fear! There is something we can do at home, costing literally pennies!

Did you think tea bags were only to make that wonderful Southern Sweet Tea in the summer? Tea bags are also great for pampering your pretty piggies as well! Just fill a tub with warm water, and let a few tea bags soak. I recomend using just plain Lipton Tea Bags. When you get in to using flavored tea bags you risk the chance of adding uneeded stickiness! Let the tea steap for about 5 minutes, and then soak for about 20 minutes. The antioxidants in the tea bags leave you with the softest feet you will ever have!

And Ladies, this is not only for us! Does your guy have "stinky feet"? Tea bags are a natural deodarizer. With regular use, you may never run from your mans shoes again!

Yummy Oreo Brownies

2008-04-15T22:39:00.011-04:00

This is an excellent, easy and quick recipe that will surely be a hit with your friends and family!

Yummy Oreo Brownies

Box of Brownie Mix
Package of Oreo Cookies
Ready Made Vanilla Frosting

Prepare the brownies as the package describes. Crush the complete package of Oreo Cookies into bite size pieces. Put half of the Oreo Cookies aside. Add the first half of Oreo Cookies to the brownie mix. Bake as directed. Let brownies cool. Mix remaining Oreo Cookies with the already made frosting and spread on brownies.

Want to add a little something special? Add peanut butter to the frosting mixture before spreading on the brownies.

Long time, no see!

2008-02-18T17:52:00.002-05:00

Well friends, it is hard to believe it has been months since I was last on here. I have to apologize! In fact, I completely forgot I even had a blog until my friend Mary mentioned it last weekend! (By the way, Thanks Mary!)

It has been a hectic few months, to say the least. Our family had a very big Christmas. We had a big homecoming. We had a big health scare. Big decisions. You name it, we had it. I am sad to say we also saw the passing of my Great Grandma Nettie. So, as I said, it has been crazy.

Another big change since the start of the new year? Well, I made the decision to finally go back to school. I started classes last week at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I am working towards my Bachelors of Science, with a major in Interior Design. That is right, I am finally doing it. I am going back to school to work towards my dream. I was very fortunate enough to find a program that allows me to take classes online, on my own schedule. Although it is quite pricey, in six years I will have a degree in Interior Design from one of the top schools in the nation.

So, as you can read.... I have been a busy girl! That is not to say I have not come up with a TON of ideas and projects while on my brief hiatis. I have tons to share. I promise that I am going to try and work harder to get on here! Send me emails to keep me posting!

I must be off. I can no longer put off homework... A drawing in One Point Perspective.

God Bless!

PS. Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

Christmas on the Radio!

2007-11-20T13:35:00.000-05:00

Well, it's that time of year already! I don't know about you, but it seems as though this year has gone by so fast! It can be hard to get in the Holiday Spirit at times, especially when it seems like it was just labor day! That is why I was so excited to find that the new local radio station in the area, WHOF 101.7 is playing the seasons great classics from now until Christmas Day. I have changed all my radios to 101.7, and I have been listening non-stop! It has really helped me get in the spirit! They are playing a good mixture of Holiday and Christmas music, and they are also including a lot of the classic carols that some stations leave out. So, put a pot of hot cocoa on the stove, start a fire in the fireplace, bundle up with a warm blanket and turn your radio to 101.7! And for goodness sakes, just say... Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-20T13:24:00.000-05:00

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

I have so many things to be thankful for this year. An awesome family, a beautiful and warm home to live in. My health. My amazing group of friends that are so loving, and so selfless. The ability to get up every morning and go to a job that I love. My creativity, my talents. Most of all, I am thankful for my faith. I am so grateful that even when there is something scary going on, something I am not quite sure as to how it is going to turn out, something I have absolutely no control over, I can stop a minute and feel complete peace, because I know God is in control of my life, and he has some pretty awesome things in store for me.

Take the time to share with your family and friends what you are especially thankful for this year. God bless!

12 Days of Cookies

2007-10-26T11:00:00.000-04:00

I love the Food Network! It is such a wealth of great recipes and entertainment! A couple of years ago Food Network started a great project called the 12 Days of Cookies. Starting in early December they send out 12 daily cookie recipes for the holiday season created by the stars of Food Network and the brilliant chefs of the Food Network Kitchens. I have gotten so many different, and tasty recipes from these emails!

If you are interested in receiving this daily sweet treat, you can sign up at foodnetwork.com.

Pear Cone

2007-10-26T10:30:00.000-04:00

I come from a long line of Colonial Williamsburg fans. I love to combine the history and design of Williamsburg, with the classic and modern looks of today, to come up with a style all my own.

One of the places included in "Leisyl's List" in the right hand column is the Williamsburg Marketplace, a great website for shopping the many items that were birthed in the tradition of Colonial Williamsburg. My favorite section of the site (besides the jewelry ofcourse!) includes items for decorating during the holidays. One of the staple items included, the Apple Cone.

The Apple Cone has been a staple of the Christmas Tradition in my family for years. I remember as a child watching my mother put hers together from scratch, using a wooden cone, and fresh apples. The only problem with this tradition is the smell of rotten fruit that would generally hit right around December 24! I loved this idea, but I wanted something that would stick year to year, season to season, and also a little something with my personal touch.

This was a quick, simple and inexpensive project! I purchased all my items at our local craft store, and was able to make one small cone in under $20! All you need is a cone shaped piece of styrophome, silk leaves of your choice, faux fruit of your choice, toothepicks and a glue gun!

Simply stick a toothepick in your fruit, and secure to the cone. I also used hot glue just to be sure nothing moved or fell off. When you are done covering the cone in fruit, fill the open spaces in with your greens. For more information, or to order a cone of your choice, contact Leisyl!

Pumpkin Butter

2007-10-23T14:01:00.000-04:00

There is one flavor synonymous with the fall season, pumpkin. This time of year you find it in pies, cookies, soups, even candles! There is nothing more I like this time of year than to curl up with a book in front of a fire, with a cup of hot apple cider and a warm roll with this delicious Pumpkin Butter Spread. This year I am making some for holiday gifts. Make some yourself, experiment with decorative jars, and create a tasty gift basket full of the season’s tastes and smells!

Pumpkin Butter Spread

Ingredients:
29 ounces pure pumpkin
1 cup apple cider
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
12 whole cloves

Mix all ingredients together in a saucepan over medium heat. Let the mixture come to a full boil, then turn the heat down to low. Let the mixture cook at a slow boil, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 20 minutes, until spread has thickened. Let the spread cool until warm. Store in refrigerator. Makes enough to fill 6-7 6 ounce jars.

Contact me if you have any questions, or if you would like to make an order. Thanks!

Pencil Trees

2007-10-14T17:20:00.000-04:00

I love pencil trees. The Christmas tree I set up every year is a tall pencil tree, with white lights, red berries and those rusted star ornaments that seem to be so popular right now. I also have made some home made cinnamon ornaments that scent the room with a real homey fragrance when the tree is lit. A large grapevine star adorns the top of the tree, with white lights woven through it. I can't wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving when I can set up the tree and enjoy it!

I have found that it is very hard to find these pencil trees in a small form. I have been searching for a small one that will fit just right on top of my desk at work. One day, I finally got sick of searching, and decided I will just get a small tree at Pat Catan's and dress it up a bit, forgetting about my pencil tree. As I stood at the end of an endcap searching for just the right little tree, this idea came to me. I will make my own small pencil tree! I completed it today, in less than 40 minutes! It is very easy! So easy, I am sure you can do it!

Below are directions and what I hope may be some helpful pictures. If you have any questions, or if you interested in purchasing a tree, please feel free to contact me using the information included in this blog. Happy crafting!

Small Pencil Tree

You will need:
Small Christmas Tree
Cinnamon Sticks
Small plant pot
Small Grapevine wreath
Berries, feathers, etc to decorate
Small square of Floral Foam
Hot Glue Gun
Wire Cutters

Start by removing the wooden block at the bottom of the tree. Once this is removed, line up 3-4 cinnamon sticks, roughly the same size, and one by one glue them onto the wire stem of the tree. Let the glue harden good before you begin to spread apart the branches. Using both the floral foam, and hot glue, place the tree "trunk" into the pot and secure. Use left over cinnamon sticks and berries to cover the foam and the base of the tree. You will want to use the glue gun to help hold these items down. Once all the glue has hardened, you can begin to decorate. Take the small grapevine wreath, and using the wire cutters, take off the piece of vine holding the wreath together. Gently unwravel the wreath, then wrap the vine around the tree as garland. Use berries, ornaments, feathers, beads, etc to decorate.