Marla, Plain & Small

Websites to Check Out

2012-02-14T14:22:00.000-08:00

Here are a few sites you need to check out!

This website is too much cuteness-- in a good way! I was going to link to my favorite posts, but I gave up after I realized I "awwwed" at every post! This site is great when you need some brightening up.

I know, I know, you know what Pinterest is! I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. I think that it can be a huge time waster and it can lead to copying what you see rather than being unique and original. But I think it can also be a great resource. I've used it most for recipes. I can find a recipe in a snap and read what other people think about it. If you're not on Pinterest yet, and you're trying decided whether or not to join, I say go for it. Just don't lose your own creativity or let yourself be overwhelmed by it all.

coreylauren.com

I was in college with Corey, and she's now started a styling blog. I designed her blog and business cards. Her blog is new, so go give her some love!

What websites are you loving right now?

2012-02-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

Hi loves.
Have a good Friday.

Katie's Potato Soup

2012-02-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

About a month ago, I went to have lunch at my friend Katie's house. She made a potato soup that was delicious!

It's been chilly here this week, and I wanted some of that soup for dinner this week. I texted Katie and asked for the recipe. When I went home at lunch, I hadn't heard from her yet, so I went ahead and made it the best I could remember.

When I got back to work, I had an email from her with the recipe. So, here's Katie's recipe for potato soup:

Ingredients

green onion diced (I use around 5)

block of cream cheese

2-4 cups of diced potatoes (we like ours chunky)

1 can chicken broth

2 cups of milk

1 package of real bacon bit pieces

Put bacon in pot and heat until it starts to shed some of the grease.
Add onion and saute a little bit.
Next pour in chicken broth and milk.
Add cream cheese and let the cheese melt.
Finally add potatoes and cook on low until they are tender.

Top with cheese, sour cream, gluten free croutons etc.!

She added the gluten free croutons for me ;)

So, remember that I said I didn't have her full recipe when I made mine? Here's how I threw it together:

-Sliced the potatoes

-2 cups of vegetable broth

-2 cups of milk
-block of cream cheese

-5 strips of cooked bacon-- diced

-salt, pepper, garlic salt, onion powder, cayenne pepper (I like spice!)

-Threw it in the crockpot and cooked on high for 4 1/2 hours

-Put green onions in for the last 20 minutes of cooking

-Topped with shredded cheddar and sour cream

It tastes almost exactly the same both ways. It just depends on what ingredients you have in the pantry that day!

This is a great winter meal, so make it before winter is gone!

Free Etsy Shipping

2012-02-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

I am offering free shipping in my etsy shop.

This isn't a limited time offer. While there may be items that one day need to have shipping costs tacked on (or they would otherwise look overpriced), for now there is no shipping fee.

I didn't go in and raise prices on the photography. There were $10 before. They're $10 now.

This is just my way of streamlining things and saying thank you to customers.

Sure, I'll lose a bit of money doing this, but I'd rather someone enjoy the photo.

So, say hello to free shipping!

~Marla

Click here to visit:

Marla, Plain & Small etsy shop

Valentine Popcorn

2012-02-03T11:22:00.000-08:00

Need a sweet treat for your sweet?

This snack would be great for kids. I don't have kids, so I tested it on adults at work. And they loved it! I finally had to hide the bowl in my office so I could take some home to Colin!

I made this on my lunch break, so it's quick and easy to whip up.

-3 bags of 100 calorie one-serving popcorn (I used this)

-3 squares of almond bark (I used 3 squares of this)

-8-12 large marshmallows (I used strawberry flavored, giving it a pink tint)

-1/4 cup butter/margarine

-I popped 3 bags of popcorn (not all at once!) and emptied the bags into a bowl. I only had the one serving bags, so that's why I needed 3 bags.

-In a microwaveable bowl, put in the marshmallows and butter. Microwave for about 30 seconds and then stir until smooth. Microwave for a little longer if needed.

-Pour the marshmallow mix over the popcorn and stir it all around until the popcorn is evenly coated.

-Melt the almond bark in the microwave, stirring occasionally.

-Pour the melted almond bark over the popcorn, making sure to evenly coat the popcorn.

-Let it sit for a few minutes to cool off.

It's like you made popcorn balls and then coated them in almond bark!

It's a great mix of salty and sweet!

Warning: you may want to eat it all in one sitting and not share!

Crockpot Pork & Parmesan Broccoli

2012-02-01T07:22:00.000-08:00

This meal was slap yo momma good!

The potato salad is the Red Skin Potato Salad from Walmart. I think it's the best store bought potato salad ever. Ever.

The pork was based off of a crockpot recipe I found on Pinterest. I used Coke Zero and added brown sugar and honey. I also only used about 1/4 small bottle of bbq sauce. Two thumbs up for this pulled pork! I think this would be great for chicken too.

The broccoli was also a Pinterest recipe (thanks, Pinterest!). This broccoli is ahhhmazing! I wanted to go out and buy more broccoli to make more of it! I highly recommend this recipe!!! This will be a regular in our house! I used the same recipe on cauliflower, but I definitely think the broccoli wins out in this round.

This is a great, round meal with lots of flavor, and it's simple to make!

PF Chang's Spicy Chicken (Gluten Free/Soy Free Option)

2012-01-31T08:01:00.000-08:00

I love Chinese food.

Correction: I LOVE Chinese food.

So it's sad that a gluten and soy allergy keep me from my love.

No more buffet or take out for me :(.

There is a PF Chang's about 30 minutes from where I live, and they have a pretty good gluten free menu, but that's just too far and expensive to regularly fill the void!

I found a recipe online that is a knockoff of the PF Chang's Spicy Chicken, and it's pretty good!

I made a few changes to fit what I had around the house:
-garlic powder
-orange juice (instead of pineapple)
-soy sauce substitute

I cooked this two days in a row, because it's that good!
The first time I cooked the chicken on medium-high for about 15 or 20 minutes.
The second time I cooked on a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time, and the chicken was crispier (not pictured) which is my preference.

Serve it over some brown rice and add more chili sauce or soy sauce to your taste.

This will be a regular meal in our house now!

Crockpot Potato Soup

2012-01-30T17:41:00.000-08:00

My best friend (the crockpot) and I made a pretty good potato soup last week.

Place these ingredients in the pot:
-3/4 cup chopped onion & 1 tbsp cooked together in the microwave for 1 minute
-2 1/2 tbsp flour (I used Pamela's gluten free flour)
-4 cups sliced potatoes
-1 1/4 cup milk
-3/4 cup vegetable broth
-1/2 cup water
-salt & pepper to taste

Cook on high for at least 5 hours

Scoop it in the bowl and top with:
-shredded cheddar
-green onion
-sour cream
-salt & pepper to taste

This is perfect for cool weather!

This makes about 2 1/2 servings, and Colin and I gobbled it up!

Veggie Dinner

2012-01-24T07:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just need some veggies.

I love meat, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood for it. Last night was one of those nights.

I made portabella mushroom sandwiches and roasted cauliflower.

I love a good portabella sandwich. I made this one a bit differently than usual.

Instead of washing the mushroom, I patted it clean with a damp paper towel. I heard somewhere (Rachael Ray maybe?) that you're not supposed to completely wet the mushroom.

I still brushed both sides with extra virgin olive oil and then seasoned it with garlic salt, basil, onion powder, and cajun seasoning.

I put them in the skillet and cooked on medium heat until both sides were soft. Then I turned the burner off and let them sit. I found that this softens them up more without over cooking them. It flattens them to make them a little easier to eat as a sandwich.

While the mushrooms sat in the skillet, I sliced some tomatoes from my tomato plant-- that's still producing!

It lives by my washer. I planted it in a huge pot, and I'm glad I did! That way I could move it inside when it turned cold outside and the tomatoes would keep coming for a little longer!

I had earlier put some cauliflower in the oven and followed a recipe I found on Pinterest.

I dressed the sandwich with cheddar cheese and mayonnaise mixed with some cayenne pepper. And it's sitting on a gluten free bun from Dempsey Bakery.

This meal will fill you up without making you feel guilty! And it has lots of flavor!

Pinterest Pillow

2012-01-23T12:43:00.000-08:00

I might be obsessed. I love and hate Pinterest. But that's for another day. Here's a pillow to salute Pinterest.

You can get it at Branch Out or contact me for a custom pillow.

Natural Inspiration

2012-01-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

I've been working on loads of projects that I'll be sharing with you very soon. Until then, I wanted to share with you a few things that have inspired me lately. I'm a summer girl at heart and loved that these little treasures gave me a bit of greenery and sunshine in the middle of winter. I hope they brighten your day a bit too :)

plant necklaces

thimble planters

jellyfish plants

this gal's business story

short girl inspiration

this pretty print

What has inspired you lately? PLEASE share!

Spicy Roast Beef (Sandwiches)

2012-01-18T20:32:00.000-08:00

I love my crock pot. It's a working woman's best friend. So here's another crock pot recipe I'm pretty happy about.

Spicy Roast Beef

I bought the roast beef at the grocery store and threw it in the fridge. I'm sure you could freeze it and throw it in later, but I only had mine in the fridge for a day or so. Season it as you like. I seasoned it with garlic salt and cajun seasoning. Now here's the secret ingredient: a jar of peppercini peppers-- juice and all. Just empty the jar on top of the roast. Cook on low for at least 8 hours or cook on high for at least 5 hours. The longer you cook it, the better it will be.

Once it's cooked, just pile it on some bread. I put some bbq sauce on my sandwich. You can also eat the peppers. This roast beef will have a bit of a kick. I think it's better warmed up the second day. If you don't want to serve it as sandwiches, serve it with potatoes.

Thank you crock pot. Hugs and kisses crock pot.

Christmas iPad Case (Custom Gift)

2012-01-15T12:24:00.000-08:00

My dad gave my mom an iPad for Christmas, so I made a cover for her to protect it until she found a hard case she wanted for it.

The lining is blue fleece.

She found a keyboard/hard case for it, so now we'll have to alter this case to make room for the keyboard.

Christmas Custom Orders

2012-01-10T06:12:00.000-08:00

I was on vacation a couple weeks before Christmas, and my break was spent working on custom orders. I had some husbands who needed gifts for their wives, so I got to take a general idea and make what I thought would fit the ladies!

The first husband told me he wanted scarves that were pink and red. You can't tell very well from these iphone photos, but the first scarf was mainly red with some pink shades, using a traditional yarn. The second scarf used pom pom yarn, which can be fun but also a bit of a pain to work it.

The second husband said his wife wanted something "cool". I talked to the wife, and she wanted neutrals. For her first scarf, I did a two tone gray and wheat scarf. The second scarf was a fleece infinity that I sewed together.

I love doing custom orders, because I'm always thinking of the person while making it. But it can also be a bit intimidating, because you hope they like it!

Did you make any handmade gifts for Christmas presents?

Spicy Chicken & Rice

2012-01-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

I like spicy food.

I love spicy food.

I do not like bland food.

I introduce to you an easy spicy meal.

Meet Spicy Chicken & Rice:

Make some minute rice.

Grill a piece of boneless, skinless chicken breast.

Stir together.

Add soy sauce and chili sauce to your heat tolerance.

Stir.
Eat.

This is quick, easy, healthy.

It's great for leftovers too.

(I didn't promise that this was revolutionary or completely original. I just said it would be spicy.)

What are some quick, spicy meals you make?

I'd love to hear about them!

Branch Out Conway

2012-01-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

You can now buy Marla, Plain & Small items at Branch Out Paint Bar in Conway!

If you live in Conway, go to Branch Out to paint and check out the boutique where you can buy these scarves and more!

New Year's Meal

2012-01-06T06:12:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!!!

I know I'm a bit late!

I'm still celebrating Christmas!

I had to go back to work on Monday, but the hubster was still off work, and he surprised me with a great dinner! He made boiled cabbage with sausage and black eyed peas with bacon! It was delicious!!! And we ate on it for three days, because it makes so much!

When I got home, I whipped up some corn bread to go with it and a cake for dessert.

I am about to share one of my most prized possessions with you--- the cornbread recipe. It can be found in the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook, but I don't think many people know how wonderful it is. I've been making it since I was a kid, because it's what my mom used. This will be the BEST cornbread you've ever made. I don't follow the directions. I throw all the ingredients in a bowl and just mix all at once. I think that's part of the magic. So make sure you do that. Oh, and make it in a cast iron skillet-- no exceptions!

(click picture to enlarge)

I also made a cake from a recipe found in the cookbook. I had never made it before, but it might be my new favorite cake! I love the history they tell you about the recipe. And I love that it's gooey like brownies and not all dry and cakey. I had to use gluten free flour, but that was my only change from the recipe.

This picture is extra gooey, because I couldn't wait for it to cool! It won't be this gooey once it sets. But I agree with the recipe in that it needs to be served warm.

Ruby laid by the table as we scarfed down our wonderful food. Poor Ruby. She just had dog food for dinner.

I hope you have a blessed New Year!

Tutorial: Card/Picture Hanger

2012-01-04T11:46:00.001-08:00

About two years ago, I saw a post from Oops, I Craft My Pants, and I bookmarked it.

Then almost two years later, I finally got around to the project!

Anyone else like that?

She tells you how she did it, but I snapped a few photos on my phone to show you how I did it.

Step 1:

Grab a frame

I've had this frame for a few years. It's in good condition, but it was missing glass and the backing-- perfect for what I needed!

Step 2:

Paint the frame (optional)

I literally finger painted a few coats.

Step 3:

String the wire

I used floral wire, and instead of hot gluing the wire in place, I wrapped the wire around the staples on the back of the frame. These staples held on the former backing of the frame. If your frame doesn't have staples, then use hot glue.

You may want to use something a little stronger and thicker than floral wire if you want to hold lots of pictures.

Step 4:

Create loops in your wire by twirling it around your finger

Step 5:

Attach a hanger if your frame doesn't already have one

Step 6:

Hang and fill!

I put Christmas cards in mine, and I plan to fill it with photos the rest of the year!

I'd love to know if you make this!

Linking up:

Christmas Decorations in January

2012-01-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

I haven't taken down a single Christmas decoration yet.

I just can't make myself do it!

Colin and I spent most of the holiday at our parents' houses, so we feel like we didn't get to totally enjoy Christmas at our house.

So we're leaving everything up for another week!

Here's a peek at just some of the decorations around our house:

Anyone else still have their decorations up?!

2011//2012

2012-01-02T18:42:00.000-08:00

2011 was quite the year! I feel incredibly blessed and thankful for all that God has provided.

While there's too much to fully cover, here's a list of just a few things that happened to me in 2011:

-Colin and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary.

-I got my merchandise in four stores- Antique Brick Outdoors, The Green Corner Store, The Freckled Frog, and Branch Out.

-I visited Honduras, Guatemala, Bolivia, and Brazil.

-I found out that being sick stinks, but thankfully it was nothing more serious than a gluten and soy allergy that can be easily managed.

-I became a certified open water scuba diver.

-I did my first craft festival (Hillcrest Harvestfest).

Here's how I finished out 2011:

Me & Colin & Ruby on Christmas morning at my parents' house.
And flowers I got for Christmas!

Here's the very first picture of 2012:

Me & Colin at midnight of New Year's at our friends' laid back NYE party

and I got roses for New Year's!

I'm so excited about what this year holds! I'm excited about making more handmade items and making more ways for more people to have access to them. 2011 was spent praying for God to open doors, and I feel like 2012 is going to answer many of those prayers. I can't say enough how blessed I feel.

Blessings to you and Happy New Year!

Love, Marla

Placemat to Purse

2011-12-22T08:16:00.000-08:00

I've been silent for a few days, because I've been busy, busy, busy crafting for Christmas. I've had a few custom orders I've been finishing up (that I can blog about once the gifts are given!).

I just wanted to drop by to say MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'll be back after the holidays. Enjoy your break!

Oh, and here's a peek of a small gift I'll be giving...

Started as a placemat...

Became a purse!

Velcro closures

Pleated bottom

Just a little clutch!

Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole

2011-12-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

Having night guests over for the holidays? Then you need to make this for breakfast!

You just throw a few things in the pot, go to sleep, then wake up to eat it!

I first saw the recipe on the Jimmy Dean site. Check out the recipe or tweak it a bit like I did.

I used about half a bag of hash browns, leftover seasoned ground beef, and four eggs, so it didn't make quite as much as the original recipe.

This is a warm, tasty, comforting breakfast that's a snap to make. Hope you enjoy!

Open House: Antique Brick Outdoors & The Green Corner Store

2011-12-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago, I went to the holiday open houses at Antique Brick Outdoors and The Green Corner Store, both in Little Rock.

My sister-in-law Loren works at Antique Brick Outdoor as a designer. This was my first time in the store, and I was blown away! This is one of the coolest stores in Arkansas! You and your husband would love this place, because you can shop for you indoor and outdoor living spaces.

*Click photos to enlarge*

Loren & Colin:

Loren & I have some of our handmade items for sale:

I bought one of these feather ornaments!

Loren & Me

^ I want this brick oven in my back yard!

not pictured: all the grills and outdoor seating they have

Me and my boo!

Destin & Loren

They have two buildings to shop in!

After hanging out at ABO, we headed over to the Green Corner Store. It was packed with people!

Some of my items on display

If you still have some Christmas shopping to do, want something unique, and live in central Arkansas, check out these stores!

One Napkin - Several Projects (Part 3)

2011-12-16T08:55:00.000-08:00

Here's the third and last post about turning a simple cloth napkin into several projects!

PROJECT ONE:

Reusable shopping bag

I took a new reusuable shopping bag, cut a piece of the napkin, and hand stitched it to the front.

PROJECT TWO:

Bag

with velcro closure

Get both of these at The Green Corner Store!

One Napkin - Several Projects (Part 2)

2011-12-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

It's time for round two of turning one napkin into multiple projects!

I loved that this napkin had flowers on one side and stripes on the other.

PROJECT ONE:

Bag

with velcro

PROJECT TWO:

Bag

with envelope/tuck closure

These bags would be great for makeup or lose items in your purse.

You could even throw your keys and cards in them to run errands.

You can buy these at The Green Corner Store.

One Napkin - Several Projects (Part 1)

2011-12-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

For the next three days, I'm going to show you how one small piece of fabric (cloth napkins, actually) can make multiple items!

I found this napkin at Dillard's and loved the circles pattern.

FIRST PROJECT:

Reusable Shopping Bag

I got a small (new) reusable shopping bag and cut the napkin to cover one side of the bag.

Then I took a second napkin and cut out a small square.

I hand stitched both pieces to the front of the bag.
Hand stitching will take some time, but it adds lots of character!
And I did it while watching tv!

And I made a little pocket inside!

PROJECT TWO:

Wallet

with velcro

PROJECT THREE:

Small bag

with tie closure

and pleated bottom

Three separate pieces made from one napkin (and assistance from a second napkin)!
Never think that a small piece of fabric can't be of use!

You can buy all three of these bags at The Green Corner Store!

More Tea Towel Aprons

2011-12-13T06:23:00.000-08:00

Here are the last of the tea towel aprons that I started. You could have a different apron for just about every day of the week!

(I'm a terrible model...I know. Colin and I were in a hurry to get a picture before leaving the house, so I think you can see the frustration!)

These aprons are for sale for $20 each. Contact me if you'd like to purchase one! I'll throw in free shipping :)

Tutorial: Social Media Pillows

2011-12-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

Love social media or know someone who does?

Then you need these pillows!

I made these for my work Christmas party and thought I'd share a rough iPhone picture tutorial!

If you don't want to make them, but still want some, check out the end of this post.

1) Print off the Twitter and Facebook logos

2) Trace and cut out the pieces onto felt or fleece.

I traced them backwards so the ink wouldn't show on the front side.

3) For the Facebook pillow, applique the f to the bottom bar.

4) Pin the pieces to the top piece of your pillow and applique on.

5) Sew the 2 pillow pieces right sides together, leaving a small opening at the bottom.

6) Trim the corners.

7) Turn the pillow inside out.

8) Stuff the pillow.

9) Hand stitch the opening closed

Social media pillows!

If you don't know how to sew or just don't have the time, you can contact me, and I'll make pillows for you! Choose what size you want the pillows to be, and that will determine pricing. You can email me for more information: marlashep@aol.com. Pillows start at $10 each.

Tea Towel Aprons

2011-12-08T07:19:00.000-08:00

In keeping with my latest obsession of making old things new, I bring you aprons made from vintage tea towels!

I found some tea towels at a local antique store and loved their unique personality.

This one has hand stitching that's flawless!

And now you can wear it!

While I'm not a cat person, I think cartoon kitties can be adorable!

I thought about my college roommate Jen when I made this...she's a total cat lady!

You would be the hostess with the mostess in these aprons!

You can buy these at The Green Corner Store in downtown Little Rock!

Feed Sack Table Runner

2011-12-06T08:45:00.000-08:00

I kinda have a crush on old feed sacks. Especially these that have MISPRINT on them. It's like they're rejects that need to feel loved.

So like the earlier feed sacks I had, I made these into table runners!

These two runners have a muslin backing and clean edges.

Another feed sack before:

And after:

This one is a bit more rustic with fraying edges and no backing:

If you want to adopt one of these and welcome them into your home, you can buy them at The Green Corner Store.

More Cowl Scarves!

2011-12-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

I have been working really hard on making more cowl neck scarves! I made 10 in about a week. I was knitting nonstop! If you see any you like and you live in the central Arkansas area, you can buy one at one of the three stores that are selling them! Keep reading for more information.

Plum Warm: Get this large scarf at The Green Corner Store. It's super tall to keep your face warm in the chilly wind. You can also fold it down. These have a snap closure.

Military Oatmeal: You can buy this scarf at Antique Brick Outdoors. It's also really tall but easily folds down.

Black Pearl: This is available at The Green Corner Store. Tall but scrunches down!

Pumpkin Latte: This is available at The Green Corner Store. This is a good in between size for when you want coverage but want to go a bit smaller.

Olive You: This is available at The Green Corner Store. A good in between size in a yummy color.

Egg Noggin: This is available at The Green Corner Store. This scarf is small. It keeps your neck warm and doesn't require any fuss. These scarves have a band closure for easy on and off.

Dash of Salt: This is available at The Green Corner Store. This is a good neutral color for matching all your outfits!

Toast: This is available at The Green Corner Store. This scarf is two colors!

Cinnamon: You can buy this scarf at Antique Brick Outdoors. Make a statement and keep warm with this larger scarf!

Hot Coal: You can buy this at The Freckled Frog. This is large but can be folded down.

These scarves are soft and comfy. They are made with love and devotion by my two hands! If you don't live in the area (or even if you do!), I custom make scarves and can mail them to you. Contact me if you'd like to order one. They range from $20-45 based on size.

Where to buy in Little Rock:

The Freckled Frog

Antique Brick Outdoors

The Green Corner Store

Tutorial: Fabric Magnets

2011-12-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

Do you have some ugly magnets on your fridge that are cramping your style?

Let's fix that!

What you'll need:

-Mod Podge or some other kind of glue

-Scissors

-Magnets

-Scrap fabric

Step 1:

Lay your magnet face down on top of the wrong/back side of the fabric.

Glue it in place.

Trim around it (doesn't have to be exact at this point).

Step 2:

Glue the top of the fabric to make it stiff.

Optional:

I also did this to some clothespins!

Step 3

Once the glue has dried, trim the fabric down to the size of the magnets/clothespins.

Ta-da!

Isn't that so much better than a pizza delivery magnet that you really don't care about?!

Christmas Ornament Hair Accessory

2011-12-01T17:01:00.000-08:00

This isn't my first time making an accessory out of Christmas ornaments (remember the necklaces?). I think ornaments are a great way to make affordable, unique pieces!

I got this ornament at Walmart for $1. It has a clip on it like an old fashioned ornament-- making it easy to turn into an accessory piece. Just clip it in your hair or clip it to a headband.

Now you have a new statement piece!

Flashy!

A Dose of Encouragement

2011-11-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

I have never considered myself a feminist. It's just that I've had so many great men in my life, that I never felt the need to bash men or to say that I'm more capable of doing something than they are. The first man in my life was my dad. My dad is smart, bold, firm, funny, able to make or fix anything, a baker and cook, loving, so on and so on. My husband is also incredible. He's the most caring person I know and makes me feel so valued. I had a lot of guy friends growing up and in college. Most of my best friends were guys. They never made me feel like I wasn't capable of doing certain things or that I was less. I have been really blessed to have boys and men like that in my life.

But

I have been around guys that have made me feel quite the opposite. I hate to say it, but it is so true that women that are determined and hard workers are often seen as pushy or mean, while men that have the same attributes are just seen for those attributes and are not put into some emotional category like women. I am a hard worker. I have ideas, and I like to accomplish goals. The end. There's nothing catty to read into that.

A few months ago I read Tina Fey's book Bossypants, and it was so refreshing to know that it's okay to be a dedicated and hard worker. She and Amy Poehler decided to not let guys keep them from being funny and from being on TV. Thank you! Because I love both 30 Rock and Park and Recreation and am so glad they didn't give up!

I've been reading Mindy Kaling's blog recently and have also gotten some encouragement from it. Not like in a Teenage Soup for the Soul kind of way, but in a Do What You Love No Matter Who Wants to Keep You From Doing It kind of way. Plus I love The Office. What is it with me loving NBC comedy gals?

Mindy posted a link to Beyonce's Year of 4 documentary. Let me say that I think Beyonce says some weird stuff in the documentary. Especially with the whole feeling baptized by the sea thing. But anyhoo, I really liked the piece and felt motivated by it.

I say this to say: I have been having to remind myself lately that it's not about the critics or the doubters. I need to do what I love. As a female, I can bring unique things to the table. If you feel discouraged by others, don't do what I've done for so long. Don't let others stifle your passion and love and creativity.

I know that this post had lots of words and no pictures. Thanks for staying with me and letting me rant a bit. And please know that what I've said is not a self pity party. It's just what's currently on my heart, and I hope that it helps one of you.

Love, Marla

A few other gals that inspire:
Zooey Deschanel & New Girl show
HelloGiggles
Leanne Marshall
**There's no way I could list them all. These are just a few that are recently encouraging me through their art.

Keep Calm And Bear On!

2011-11-29T11:29:00.000-08:00

My husband and I met at the University of Central Arkansas, so we (of course) love the UCA Bears! That's partly why my blog is designed in purples (the official color of UCA)!

To celebrate the UCA football team winning last Saturday in Tennessee and going on to play this coming Saturday in Montana, I made this:

To save: Click to enlarge then right click to save

Go Bears!

Thanksgiving Leftovers

2011-11-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

There's no food involved with these leftovers. Just iPhone photos!

^decor at my house

^tomatoes had to be brought inside because of the cold weather...and they're growing like crazy!

^went to Walmart Thursday night for Black Friday, and it was sheer madness! this doll made me laugh-- wets 'n wiggles!

^drove by all the stores to see the crazy lines

^went to see my parents this year (haven't been with them in a couple Thanksgivings) and dad grilled cajun chicken and mom made gluten free hash brown casserole! oh, and there was plenty of sweet tea :)

^mom made a gluten free chocolate cake from scratch

^colin and i got back home sunday night and i started putting buttons on scarves (more info on that coming soon!)

I hope you all had a grand Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for-- including all of you!

Small Business Saturday AND Free Etsy Shipping

2011-11-22T06:50:00.000-08:00

Well, we all know that Black Friday is almost here.

But did you know that Saturday is Small Business Saturday?

So, after you hit all the big retail stores on Friday, be sure to visit locally owned stores in your area.

In celebration of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, I'm offering FREE SHIPPING in my etsy store!

When you make a purchase, enter coupon code FREESHIP to get just that-- free shipping!
You'll be saving $5 per purchase! You can use the code through Monday, November 28.

Marla, Plain & Small etsy shop

Announcement: Facebook page!

2011-11-21T08:25:00.000-08:00

Marla, Plain & Small is now on Facebook!

I would LOVE it if you would come on over and be my Facebook friend!

I promise not to bother you too much. This will just be a way for you to stay up-to-date on the blog and etsy shop.

While it can be a bit embarrassing setting up your own fan page, I knew I finally had to take the leap. Facebook is such a great way to keep in touch and to meet new people.

I hope you'll come on over and say hello!

<3 Marla

Click HERE to hop over to Facebook!

Free Facial!

2011-11-18T11:09:00.000-08:00

I've never had a professional facial.
I've always had to live pretty frugally, so a professional facial is a luxury I have yet to experience.
That doesn't mean I can't do my own, though!

I saw this facial from Krazy Koupon Lady and decided to try it out.
What's even better is that this facial is all natural!
And it only uses 3 ingredients...which you probably already have in your pantry!

I know what you're thinking...
...it looks gross...
...you don't have to say what it looks like...
...I know...I know...

BUT...
I loved it!
My skin felt great afterwards!
I kept trying to convince Colin to do it, but he said it looked like...well, let's not go there.

I definitely recommend this facial.
I'll keep doing it!

Suggestion: I found that this recipe makes enough for two facials. If you're going to do like I did and only need enough for one facial, cut the recipe in half. Or have a friend over to use the rest!

Iron + Wine

2011-11-17T06:23:00.000-08:00

Sunday night we got to see Marketa Irglova and Iron and Wine in concert!

And yes, I got a set list. And I got to meet Sam Beam!

He was so nice and even remembered that he had signed a poster for us (a surprise that we didn't know about yet)!

It was their first time to play in Arkansas, so it was pretty neat to be a part of the experience :)

Links

Marketa Irglova

Marketa Irglova: NPR Tiny Desk Concert

The Swell Season (another band Marketa is in that I love!)

Iron and Wine

Iron and Wine: NPR Tiny Desk Concert

Dempsey Bakery (in iPhone photos)

2011-11-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

Colin and I spent Saturday in Little Rock running errands. I had a meeting with The Green Corner Store, and we decided to get some more things done while in town.

I was taking a picture of myself, and Colin unknowingly stepped into the mirror!

First stop: Dempsey Bakery

Dempsey Bakery is a new bakery that's entirely gluten free and soy free (two yay's for me!).
They also have dairy free items and vegan goods.

What I loved so much about the bakery is that they had samples out for you to try everything.
Everything! So you didn't have to wonder if you would like it.

They had cookies, cakes, dessert rolls, breads, pizza crust, soup, chicken pot pie, more things than I can name!
They even had cake pops! I don't have a picture to show you, because I ate it in about 2 seconds. It was amazing!

I even love their packaging!

We got a pizza crust (which was so yummy!), rye bread (also delicious); Colin got a blueberry cake donut; I got a death by chocolate cake roll.

Everything was so good that I thought I was going to cry! I haven't had cake since I found out about my allergies in July. The last cake was my birthday cake, and I was too sick to even enjoy it. The cake pop and cake roll made me so happy! I've already told Colin that I want the death by chocolate for my next birthday cake!

If you're gluten free (or have various other food allergies), Dempsey Bakery is going to make your day!
If you don't have any food allergies, I still encourage you to visit them. Everything tastes so good-- you won't care if it's missing the usual ingredients!

Thank you, Dempsey.

Now, how about opening a branch in Conway? ;)

Announcement: The Green Corner Store

2011-11-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

I have a very exciting announcement:

You can now buy Marla, Plain & Small handmade items at The Green Corner Store!

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If you live in Central Arkansas (or are traveling through), stop by The Green Corner Store to check out all of their neat handmade merchandise. They're in downtown Little Rock near a lot of neat shops and restaurants, so you can make a day out of it!

I have lots of scarves there as well as some bags, other miscellaneous items, and the table runners you see below made out of antique feed sacks.

Be sure to go check out the store, and tell them that I sent you! :)

Tutorial: Frayed Scarf

2011-11-14T11:11:00.000-08:00

I've had this material for awhile and knew I wanted to make a scarf. This scarf is for those who like a bit of personality with their pieces.

Why?
Because the edges are frayed!
They fray a little more each time you wear it.
When the fraying gets a bit too long, you just trim it (making sure not to cut into the seam).

Here's how I made a frayed edges scarf:

Sew around all edges of the material with a straight stitch. I left about 1/2 an inch all around.

Now you have a straight stitch.

Trim the excess fabric as close to the stitch as you can without cutting into the stitching.

Now let the fraying begin on its own!

This is made from a lightweight fabric, but it's long and thick, so it would be great for fall and light winter days!

Cake in a Cup

2011-11-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

There are a few bakeries in town that offer a treat called Cake in a Cup...or something similar to the name. When bakeries make speciality cakes, they shave off the tops of cakes to make them flat for decorating and stacking. Instead of throwing away the shavings, they've made a treat that's possibly more delicious than the decorated cake.

Here's my version of Cake in a Cup!

I baked a box of strawberry cake. I baked it in a bundt pan, because it doesn't stick and it was easier for me to crumble.

Crumble up half of the cake with a spoon and put it in a dish. I used a glass bowl so it would be pretty and show through!

Crumble...

I then mixed up a cup of powdered sugar with half a stick of margarine and a dash of vanilla.

Drizzle that mixture onto the crumbled cake.

Now crumble the other half of the cake and put it in the bowl.

I microwaved half a tub of cream cheese icing to make it easy to pour.

Drizzle the icing on top of the cake.

I then added white chocolate chips.

Pretty pink!

This cake is super moist and sweet!
I couldn't have any, because it wasn't gluten free :(.

You can either serve it on plates or people can put it in cups and eat it with a spoon!

Sidenote:

Colin's birthday was Sunday, and we had quite the full day. But I managed to bake him a yellow cake with chocolate icing (his favorite). I usually go all out with the decorating, but because of time issues, he got white chocolate chip lettering!
Happy birthday, Colin! <3

Tutorial: Dictionary Necklace Charms

2011-11-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

It's that time to start shopping for Christmas presents! Or to start thinking of what presents to make!

Here's an idea that might be the perfect small gift, and it's completely personable!

It's easy to make, and the supplies you need will come in handy for several craft projects.

Step 1

Cut out pieces of paper.

I cut words out of a dictionary.

Step 2

Mod Podge the paper to jewelry bails.

You can find bails at any craft store. They come in a variety of finishes. My bails are a bronze color.

Step 3

Once the paper is dry, trim it to fit the bails.

Step 4

Use Mod Podge Dimensional Magic to add a clear gloss to the top. This also (as the name says) adds dimension to your paper.
I won the DM from a Mod Podge Rocks giveaway...it's amazing!

I did one coat and let it dry.

Then I did a second coat and let it dry.

Then I did a third coat.

You number of coats will depend on the amount of dimension you want.

Final Product

My dictionary paper was thin and inexpensive, so you can see the color of the bails coming through, but I like the antique look it has.

This is one way to create a completely unique piece of jewelry. You can pick words out of the dictionary that describe the person you're giving the gift to. Or you can use decorative paper or a photo.

Get creative!

I'd love to see if any of you have tried this or if you make any!

Linking up:

Edit:
THANK YOU to Craft Gossip for linking to my tutorial!

Comfort Potatoes

2011-11-04T06:45:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just need some comfort food.

I need to eat it and not feel guilty.

This is one of those foods.

I had some baked potatoes that I put in the freezer. I loving freezing baked potatoes, because they're already cooked, and you can do so many things with them.

I thawed the potatoes and then cut them into cubes.

Then I put a small amount of cooking oil in a pan, threw in the potatoes, and crisped them up a bit.

Then I dumped them in a bowl and added:

shredded cheddar

margarine

sour cream

chives

Then I ate them.

These potatoes are so yummy and warm you up.

Maybe pair it with grilled chicken so you get some kind of nutrition...and don't eat the whole batch of potatoes like I was tempted to do!

Edit: Don't have leftover baked potatoes? Just slice up some uncooked potatoes, throw them in the skillet, and fry them up. Everything's better fried :)

Tutorial: Ribbon Trimmed Scarf

2011-11-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

I've been going through a scarf making phase, and a few weeks ago you saw me knitting scarves and sewing scarves. Well, they're baaAAaack!

For this scarf, I trimmed the edges with a silky ribbon.

Just simply sew the ribbon onto the edge of the scarf.

As you can see, I didn't sew on the absolute edge. I sewed in a bit and then later trimmed the edge of the scarf to meet the edge of the ribbon.

And there you have it!

Fall Engagement Party

2011-11-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we had an engagement party for Cody and Meredith!

It was thrown by Meredith's bridesmaids.

Cody is my brother-in-law (Colin's brother).

Meredith is Cody's fiancée (duh!), one of the bridesmaid in my wedding over two years ago, and one of my first friends in college way back in 2003!

Here's the special couple:

Loren (my sister-in-law...Colin's sister) made the engaged banner and MR and MRS pumpkins!

Allison (Meredith's sister) printed out sepia and black&white photos of Cody and Meredith.

The guest book was signing bottles!

Whitney (one of Meredith's bridesmaids) had that idea!

I was in charge of wrapping the cookies...I'll explain a little later!

Yummy appetizers!

Loren also made pumpkins for the tables. She took lace pantyhose and squeezed the pumpkins into them!

Loren and her boyfriend Destin:

Loren, Meredith, Me:

Meredith and her bridesmaids! (minus Liz that lives out of town)

Sarah, Whitney, Meredith, Allison, Loren, Me

The good looking couple again:

We're #1! That picture just happened. We couldn't fight it!

And here's me with my handsome husband:

We had the party at SO Restaurant in Little Rock. They have a neat room that's separate from the rest of the restaurant, so you completely have your own space. I definitely recommend it for fancy parties!

Alright...cookie time!

Sarah (a bridesmaid) ordered cookies from Maggie's Cookies in Conway. Maggie's is delicious!

I put the cookies in food bags and wrapped ribbon around them.

I found the bags and ribbon at Hobby Lobby. The ribbon had so elastic, so it was super easy to wrap them, and the ends curled on their own!

The party was so much fun! I hope that Meredith and Cody had a good time!

Flourless Cookies

2011-11-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

I found a recipe for flourless cookies, which made me really excited since I can't have regular flour!

Well the cookies

1) were easy to make

2) tasted interesting

3) made a large batch

4) only stayed moist for two days...so hurry and eat them!

The first round out of the oven crumbled :(

So then for the second round I actually followed directions and let them cool before taking them off the cookie sheet.

They stayed together better that way but were still fragile.

I threw the crumbled ones in tupperware and took them to work!

People at work thought they tasted like brownies (I'm good with that!).

I would make these again, but I wouldn't use them as a cookie substitute. If you're craving a cookie, this doesn't quite hit the spot. If you're in the mood for brownies, then this will probably be a good fit! I'll go back to making cookies with expensive gluten-free flour for now...

Bag for Brady

2011-10-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my cousin Amy gave birth to this beautiful boy:

Meet Brady Wells!

He cried when I held him. He'll just have to learn how much I love him!

Brady's room is a cowboy theme, so I made this bag for him:

I used the same instructions I used to make the sweater purse. I changed the dimensions and left out the interfacing and batting.

I'm so happy that little Brady is finally here!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

There's a touch of Halloween spirit around our house:

Have a good Halloween weekend!

Meet Marla (Followers Fest)

2011-10-28T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hi.

I'm Marla.

I'm married to Colin.

He's my best friend.

We have a dog.

Her name is Ruby.

She's the best.

I've been incredibly blessed to travel the world.

I travel with a camera in my hand.

To make videos like these for work.

And I make videos for fun.

And I make videos for others.

And I craft.

Which is mostly what this blog is about:

crafting, sewing, cooking, and living.

So, if you're new to the blog, it's nice to meet you!

Now, tell me about yourself!

<3 Marla

Braided Bun

2011-10-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

I first saw this tutorial on Pinterest and had to try it out!

source

Here's my interpretation:

I love a great bun and a great braid, and here the two forces combined!

Go check out the easy step by step instructions!

Baked: Pork Loin & Beans

2011-10-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

I got some pork loin on sale at the grocery store and marinated them in a raspberry chipotle sauce. Then I topped them with some salt and pepper and baked those babies.

I also made some delicious baked beans. I started with a can of Bush's Grillin' Beans in the Bourbon and Brown Sugar flavor. Then I added some ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar and let those bake up.

This meal was a winner!

I'm such a good wife ;)

Note: Those are TGI Friday's green bean fries that I got in the frozen section at the grocery store. I know I wasn't supposed to have them because they contain wheat and soy, but I've missed eating them at the restaurant. So I gave it a try. And they made me sick. So I guess that's goodbye to the green bean fries :(

What have you been cooking for dinner since the weather turned cool?

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

2011-10-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. I look forward to going every year. You get to see documentaries from around the world and even meet some of the filmmakers. This is a great festival!

The Festival headquarters is at the historic Malco movie theater. Here are a few iPhone shots:

For the first time since I've been coming, they even screened films at the Central theater a block down from the Malco.

My favorite documentary was Big in Bollywood. I went to India in 2008, so it was especially fun to watch. But Colin hasn't been to India and loved it just as much as I did. This movie is funny, funny, funny! It also gives you a peek into the life of a struggling actor and let's you see how movie stars are idolized in India.

Another favorite was Boys of Bonneville. Even if you don't like racing, this movie has great heart. I might have teared up a bit.

If you live in Arkansas or in the mid-south or even far away-- this festival is worth visiting!

Giveaway: Free iPad 2

2011-10-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

Want an iPad 2?

Want to win a free one?

Go on over to Community Source to enter.

The sweepstakes is open for one more week, so hurry!

Pumpkin: Latte, Pancake Drizzle & Bread

2011-10-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

When I was little, I loved the pumpkin pies my mom made at Thanksgiving. Then one day the taste of pumpkin pie made me gag. And I was sad. But now the love is back! And I might be going a little overboard with how much pumpkin I'm consuming! Good news-- all three of these treats can be made from one can of pumpkin! You don't have to be worried about wasting left over pumpkin...just make all three treats within a couple days of each other!

Pumpkin Latte

I bought some super strong coffee in Brazil and knew it would be perfect for a pumpkin latte!

I love getting pumpkin lattes at coffee shops, but I do not love the price or calorie guilt that comes with them!

But now I can make them at home and control the calorie intake! Find the recipe here!

Pancakes with Pumpkin Drizzle

It's been several months since I've had pancakes, but thanks to Bob's Red Mill gluten free pancake mix, my Saturday love is back! Colin makes pretty good pancakes, and Bob's doesn't disappoint!

Bob's had a recipe for a cinnamon sugar drizzle, and I just took it to the next level.

You won't need any syrup with this magic concoction!

Recipe:
1/2 cup butter/margarine
1/2 cup of powdered sugar
cinnamon
1/4 cup pumpkin
stir, stir, stir

Now I'm drooling...

Pumpkin Bread

I've also been missing bread since going gluten free. But now I can have it and have it sweet thanks to Pamela's gluten free baking mix!

Find the recipe here.

If you're not gluten free, you can maybe substitute the mix for regular flour? I'm not really sure.

I made a second loaf for dinner at a friend's house. I changed the drizzle on top to this: 1/2 stick butter, cup of powdered sugar, drizzle of vanilla, sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg. I put it on after it came out of the oven, and the drizzle soaked into the loaf and made it heavenly. Ahhhh. Sorry I don't have a picture of that loaf. It was eaten in a flash! And the friends didn't care that it was gluten free, because it tasted amazing!

What pumpkin treats do you like to make?

Hillcrest Harvestfest

2011-10-17T11:35:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who came to see us this past Saturday at Hillcrest Harvestfest!

We had such a great time and loved getting to meet everyone. This was the first time we've ever done anything like this, so we were learning as we went. The weather was beautiful, and everyone looked to be having a great time.

Loren & Destin

Destin had some great Razorback paintings that everyone loved, and Loren had the cutest jewelry. Her southern wineglasses were the hit of the day!

Marla & Loren

I'm so thankful to each one of you who bought something that I made. Each piece was made by hand, so while it's not factory perfect, it was made with love and thought and originality.

If you came by, I'd love to hear from you!

Again, thank you and much love!

<3 Marla

More Scarves! (and some table runners)

2011-10-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

Hillcrest Harvestfest is TOMORROW so here's one last peek at some thing that I'll have for sale!

I feel like I've been making everything for it for awhile. And now that it's here, I feel like I've run out of time!

I've knit a few scarves that will be for sale tomorrow.

I'm really excited about the kids scarves I made. They're so tiny and adorable!

And of course I have scarves for adults too!

I also have a lot of stuff that isn't a scarf! I made these two table runners out of feed sacks.

The feed sacks are perfect for fall and harvest decor.

Come see me tomorrow! Our booth is listed as Two Girls, A Guy, and A Booth if you're looking for us on the vendor list!

Lace Scarves (and how to wear them!)

2011-10-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

When I was in Brazil a few weeks ago, I saw lots of scarves, and all of them had trim on them! They were feminine and flirty. I had some material I wanted to make into scarves, so I picked up some lace and go to sewing!

Here are a few of the lace scarves:

These have lace hanging off the edge.

I'm also a sucker for paisley!

These have lace on the scarf rather than hanging off the edge.

These scarves have mermaids on them!

All of these scarves will be for sale at Hillcrest Harvestfest THIS SATURDAY!

Now sure how to wear a scarf? There are a TON of ways. These two videos show you a few different ways to stylishly sport a scarf:

Tutorial: Cowl Neck Scarf

2011-10-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

Step 1:

Knit

This scarf is 20 stitches wide. The length is judged by how comfortable it fits around your neck. I used almost an entire skein of yarn.

*If you don't know how to knit, it's easy and fun to learn! My friends taught me in college. If you don't have a friend that knows how to, I'm sure there's lots of video tutorials online. Maybe I'll do a tutorial on it one day!

Step 2:

Closures

I hand stitched snaps to each end of the scarf.

Step 3:

Button

I hand stitched a decorative button to the front.

Here it is in all its glory!

Here it is with yesterday's makeup (eek! I know!)

I made a smaller gray one with a fun red button:

crazy eyebrow alert!

And an even smaller one in brown with a green button:

And a little longer one in white with a handmade black button:

Sorry for the way I look...but everyone knits in their pjs right?

These will be for sale at Hillcrest Harvestfest! (<---- new updated link)

Pom Pom Scarf

2011-10-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

I bought some pom pom trim at Hancock's and knew I wanted to put it on a scarf. It was that simple!

Directions: Sew trim to scarf material.

The end.

(yes, I need to empty my trash :-/)

(Flash necessary to cover my un-makeup face. And I'm wearing my husband's shirt. I like being comfortable when I craft!)

The day after I made this scarf I got this email for this scarf:

source

That scarf is $154. $154!!!!

My scarf will be for sale at Hillcrest Harvestfest, and it will not cost $154. Promise :)

Sneak Peek: Hillcrest Harvestfest

2011-10-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak peek of what I'll have at Hillcrest Harvestfest on Saturday. I was practicing the set up on my dining room table :).

photos I've taken in Arkansas and around the world

handmade wallets made from fabric scraps

Throughout this week I'll be showing different items and doing a few tutorials, so keep checking in!

Grey & Red Rosette Necklace

2011-10-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

I've been doing LOTS of crafting this weekend!

I made this necklace!

It will be for sale at my booth at Hillcrest Harvestfest!

Sweater to Purse

2011-10-07T14:34:00.000-07:00

Before:

This sweater was given to me by someone who used to worked at my company. This sweater is very likely as old as I am. It was limp and unshapely and dated. I wanted to make something out of it using the best pieces.

After:

Ta da!

A fun purse with a vintage feel!

I got the instructions from here.

I used a yummy orange for the lining.

I bought the wood handles at Hancock Fabric's and used a faux leather material to attach them to the purse.

And I added a removable rose pin!

This was the most detailed project I've done to date, but I was so proud of myself! Although the purse looks simple, the process is very professional, and the purse turns out looking seamless!

Tutorial: Fashion Statement Necklace

2011-10-05T07:41:00.000-07:00

I love big and bold fashion pieces, but I do NOT love the big and bold prices that usually come with them. So I found an easy solution and made my own!

Materials:

1 curtain tie back (I bought mine at Hancock Fabrics. I bought multiple colors for multiple necklaces!)

Pliers

Jewelry wire

Necklace clasp

1) Fold the tie back in half so the ends meet

2) Wrap jewelry wire around both ends (since jump rings are too small to fit around the ends)

3) Attach the ends of the claps through the wire

(click pictures to enlarge)

Now you have your own snazzy necklace for a fraction of the price!

I will have some silver and white necklaces like this for sale at Hillcrest Harvestfest!

linked up to:

Apple: Cider & Pie

2011-10-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

Colin and I have been a bit under the weather since we got back from South America. Coughing. Runny Nose. The usual suspects. So we needed some treats to make us feel better.

First treat: apple cider

Colin loves apple cider. While I'm not much of a fan, I thought it might have some healing powers. And again, Colin really likes it, so I knew just the smell of it would make him smile.

The recipe is simple. I added a bit more cinnamon and nutmeg since I left out the "cocktail" part.

Second treat: caramel apple cheesecake

This was what I chose to make myself feel better. Apples are good for you, right? Colin took one bite and then giggled. That's how good it is. I had a piece last night. And I might have had a piece for lunch (and nothing else...it's that good!).

The recipe came from the same gal, Emma of Food Coma. That girl's got skills. I didn't have any fun cinnamon sticks, so I sprinkled some cinnamon on top. I couldn't find any last minute gluten free graham crackers, so I'm gambling with the crust. So far it hasn't made me sick...but it would be worth it!

Isn't it pretty?

While these treats realistically haven't made us get over our colds, they made our tummies happy!

Announcement: Hillcrest Harvestfest

2011-09-28T08:46:00.000-07:00

I keep telling you that details are coming soon on something...

...well the something is Hillcrest Harvestfest!

My sister-in-law (Loren) and her boyfriend (Destin) and I will have a booth at Hillcrest Harvestfest!

We'll have lots of handmade items! Loren is an interior designer, and Destin is a graphic designer and artist. And well, I like to craft. So we will have some fun stuff available!

The week of the event I'll be blogging about items that I have for sale.

If you're in central Arkansas, mark it on your calendar and come see us!

Applique Onesies & Slice Fabrique Review

2011-09-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

I won this Slice Fabrique in a blog giveaway a few months ago.

The first time I used the Slice, I got very unhappy and frustrated and gave up.

Then I decided to give it a second run and still didn't turn out thrilled.

I appliqued a few onesies (for others...not for me!) using the Slice:

Complaint 1: I still had to trim the pieces, because the razor did not cut all the way through. I even followed directions on adjusting the blade. The parts of the material that did get cut were fuzzy on the edge.

Complaint 2: You must iron interfacing to your fabric. I wanted to just cut the fabric, but the blade will get caught and move the fabric around unless it's ironed to interfacing.

Complaint 3: You waste quite a bit of fabric getting your shape. You cut a square of fabric to fit on the cutting board, and you can get only one good shape out of it. You can get two shapes if you cut the smallest size possible.

I like the concept, considering it's much easier for a machine to cut a shape than for me to try to draw/trace a shape and then cut it to where it looks professional. But overall, the Slice falls short.

I'm going to give it a few more go's to see if it gets easier or works better. I've already read the instruction booklet a dozen times, but here we go again!

...to be continued...

South America in iPhone Photos

2011-09-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Once I go through all the photos from my trip to Brazil and Bolivia (that's where I've been these past few days!), I'm going to share some with you and tell you all about the trip.

Until then, here are a few photos I snapped on my phone.

Bolivia

I met this little girl our last night in Bolivia. At first I took pictures of her and then showed them to her. Then she pointed at the camera, and I quickly taught her how to take photos. She loved it.

This is a two year old I met in a village who was mesmerized by his picture!

We had a flat tire in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere. That was an adventure!

Bolivian coffee is muy bien!

Brazil

We visited a couple of soccer arenas in and around Sao Paulo. They are crazy about soccer! Or futebol, I should say! This is me with the Central/South America cup!

We went to the beach one day, and I found Ruby's Brazilian twin! She even liked to be petted and dragged around like her!

I know that doesn't tell you much about the trip. I just have a lot of pictures to go through before I can share more!

Woo Hoo! Congrats! Yay!

2011-09-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

Congrats Cody & Meredith!

Colin's brother (Cody) got engaged to his girlfriend (Meredith) last weekend!

We'll all be Stanton sisters!

Loren (Colin's sister), Meredith, me

After Cody proposed, both families (parents not pictured, because the pictures were blurry :( ) went to eat and celebrate!

me and my boo <3

*NOTE: I won't have any blog posts for about two weeks. I'll be traveling for work. I'll tell you all about it when I get back and settled. I'll also be back with a few tutorials!

Something's Different...

2011-09-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, you guessed it. I got my hair cut.

Ok, no, I didn't get my hair cut.

But I did restyle my blog a bit!

I hope you like it. I'm going to have to live with it for a spell to see how it goes. I just felt like it was time for a change. Maybe the weather had something to do with that.

I'm having a few issues with buttons linking to the right places, so please bear with me as I work out the kinks.

So, welcome to the new look of Marla, Plain & Small!

<3
Marla

Tutorial: Shirt Alteration

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you find a cute shirt that's several sizes too big?

Buy it anyway!

I found this shirt at Gap for just a few dollars, but the smallest size was 5 sizes too big.

But it was cheap!

And fun!

So I decided to attempt an alteration...

I felt a bit like a flying squirrel in the before pictures!

Step 1

Line up the armholes and decide how much to take in.

Step 2

I wanted the width to stay the same at the bottom, so I decided to taper from where it needed to be smaller to where I wanted the width to be the same.

Draw a line, using a ruler, from where you want to take in the shirt.

Step 3

Pin in place.

Step 4

Sew down the line.

Step 5

(not pictured)

Try the shirt on to make sure it fits!

If it doesn't, use a seam ripper to remove the stitches and let it in/out.

Step 6

Once you have the fit that works, cut off the excess material.

Step 7

Ta da!

These are shameless self portraits! I really need a live-in photographer!

I used a belt to define a waist, but if fits great even without the belt.

This will be a good fall transition with a cardigan!

So if you find a great bargain that doesn't quite fit, don't be afraid to do a little altering! The alteration doesn't cost anything and doesn't take much time!

Tutorial: Marble Pendants

2011-09-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

I had step-by-step photos how to make these. And then I accidentally deleted them all from my computer.

Sigh.

If you want an affordable way to accessorize, personalize, and craft, you should make your own necklace pendants!

Materials:

Flat bottom marbles

Decorative paper

Bails

Mod Podge

1) Cut the paper and glue it to the back/flat side of the marble

2) Glue the bail on top of the paper

3) String it through a necklace chain

Now you have a new piece of jewelry!

I'm sorry that's all the pictures I have. I would have taken more, but I ran out of bails to make more pendants!
Sad day when I deleted the photos, but I wanted to share anyway!

Tutorial: Shirt Scarf

2011-08-31T07:32:00.000-07:00

DISCLAIMER: This is not my original idea. I have seen this on several blogs. I wish I could credit every site I've seen this on, but alas I did not keep a record (shame on me!). So please know that if this is your original idea, I am not trying to steal. And thank you for the idea.

Step 1

Grab a shirt.

I used this shirt I got at Walmart last summer.

Step 2

Cut the shirt into horizontal strips.

Most of the tutoriasl I've seen have you cut the strips entirely off, but I left them hanging...I'll explain in a bit.

Step 3

I cut some strips thick and some strips thin.

Step 4

Cut up to the arm pits (or pocket in my case) and then cut it straight across to make a clean break from the top of the shirt.

Step 5

WEAR!

I didn't cut my strips completely separate, because that left them all attached.

Other blogs have cut the strips apart and then attached them together with another piece of fabric.

I thought it was easier to keep them intact.

Twist them a bit and you've got a warm weather scarf!

This would be a great way to transition in to fall!

I think I'm going to make more and layer them!

Craft Store Purse Facelift

2011-08-29T17:08:00.000-07:00

A few years ago my dad gave me this canvas purse that he got at a craft store. I wasn't sure what to do with it at the time, and I just found it the other day.

I took some lace and made a rosette and used fabric glue to put them on the purse.

Can you say EASY!

If you see these on sale at your craft store, pick it up and decorate it! It's an affordable way to accessorize and personalize!

Tutorial: Shirts to Pillows

2011-08-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

One of the simplest ways to decorate your home is with pillows. They add character and color.

But pillows are sometimes very expensive in stores. And with pillows being relatively easy to make (you can even hand stitch!), it's usually more affordable to make your own.

It's even more affordable when you make pillows out of tshirts!

There are a ton of tutorials on making pillows and making t-shirt pillows, so if my instructions aren't clear enough, do a google search, and I'm sure you'll find lots of tutorials! I just hope I can be of some help!

Pillow 1

A friend gave me this shirt in college, and the more I washed it, the more distressed it became. It really wasn't wearable anymore, so I distressed it even more with white paint and bleach pens.

I cut through both layers of the shirt a rectangle.
With right sides together, I sewed around the edge of the shirt

I left a small opening so I could pull the shirt right side out.

I clipped the edges of the corners so they would turn in nicely.

Now turn the shirt right side out and you have your unstuffed pillow!

Now just fill it with stuffing! I got stuffing on sale at Hancock's. You can also get it at Walmart.

Then hand stitch or sew the opening closed.

Pillow 2

I bought this shirt at a resale shop. It was like new (no stains!), but didn't fit very well.

I cut a rectangle through both sides of the shirt.

This shirt is different because I sewed around the shirt with right sides facing out. It left with me raw edges (what I was going for!).
I did a straight stitch and then went back with a decorative stitch.
Here's the opening once the shirt is turned right side out

Then stuff the shirt and sew the opening closed.

Shirt 3

I got this shirt at Gap and have had it for awhile. I distressed it with a bleach pen on both sides of the shirt.

Then I made it the same way I made Shirt 1.

Before you throw out old shirts or take them to donate, think about if they might make good pillows!

Like the scarf bags, these too will be for sale soon...details soon!