Click here to view the embedded video.

Homemade Playdough- This is so much fun and so easy to make. The ingredients are oober cheap and probably things you already have in the pantry. Here is my favorite website for playdough recipes. Tell me what you think, but I even believe that if you packaged this adorable and special it could be a great gift to bring to the next kiddo b-day party!

Recipe I used

1 cup flour

1 tbs alum

1 cup water

1 tbs of oil

1/2 cup of  salt

2 tbs of vanilla

food coloring

Mix dry ingredients together first. Add liquids and stir over medium heat until it is mash potato consistency.

Remove from heat. Let cool and add food coloring. If consistency isn’t right add flour, water, or oil accordingly.

Water Painting- Ok now, I know this seems too simple; but I swear by this one!! One of the best tricks I have up my sleeve when the kids come to our place is to pull out a bowl of water and paint brushes and let them run free on the back patio. The cutest thing is they really feel like this is such a treat and it is virtually mess free. When their little creative hearts are tired the canvas magically cleans itself up! You have got to try this out- I have yet to meet a kid who doesn’t love it.

Mud Pies and Backyard Stew- Getting back to basics and living a healthy, happy, conscientious life is what Reclaimed is all bout. What says back to the kid basics better than a good ol’ fashioned mud pie! Send the kids out with your old kitchen utensils and let them be creative. Think how much fun they would have with a colander, muffin tin, wooden spoons, oh and a flour sifter!! FUN.

Backyard Stew is so fun to make and serve to your family and friends.

Don’t forget the Chips and Dip!

Let the kids go all out and practice setting the table for their guests.  Having fun with the kids

while pretending to sip pine needle tea, and chatting over dandelion upside-down cake, will make

memories that last a lifetime.

Inspiring our kids is the most important thing we can do for them. We inspire them to to create and one day be able to come up with ideas of their own. This vintage book was cherished by my sister and I. It’s mud stained pages hold many memories. I looked online and there are still copies available! Click on the Mud Pies and Other Recipes book below to purchase.

PLARN.

Has anyone ever heard of it?

Supplies you’ll need:

20-25 clean grocery bags*
Plastic crochet hook, size 6.50mm K**
Scissors

*Tip 1: When choosing bags for your plarn, consider color and texture. Try to keep all the bags for the project the same density: some bags are stretchy, some are crunchy. It’s best to keep your plarn consistent to achieve a good overall effect. When considering color, think about combining different color plastic bags to create a pattern of color, random color changes, or even create a look that doesn’t reflect plastic at all. For example, brown plastic bags can look like raffia and not at all like the original material when crocheted.

**Tip 2: While the pattern calls for a certain size crochet hook and a specific number of rows to stitch, there may be variation in your project due to the tightness of your stitches or the density of your plarn. Don’t feel like you have to follow the pattern to the letter. The number of rows in your project can differ from the pattern. The goal is to create a tote that is almost a perfect square, but not quite. You’ll know when you’ve stitched enough rows when the height of your project measures slightly less than the width before you’ve started crocheting the handles. This way you can use whatever size hook you’re comfortable with, stitch as many rows as you need to make your tote look nice, and have fun doing it!

Directions:

1.  Flatten out your clean grocery bags and fold them in half. Cut off the handles.
2. Cut off the bottom of the bags. Place these cut off pieces into a pile for the recycling bin.

3. Flatten out the round piece of plastic you now have and fold it in half. Fold that into thirds. Fold that in half again. Cut this folded piece into 1 inch pieces, discarding the pieces from both ends. I often layer 3 of the flat pieces and fold and cut them up together to save time, since we have so many bags to do. You can also cut them quickly on a cutting board with a rotary cutter and metal t-square.
4. Now we have created plastic loops that can be connected to create the plarn. Bring one loop through another.

5. Pull the other end of the loop through the end you just put through the first loop. They should now be connected.
6. Slowly and with finesse, pull the loops tight. You want that connection to be as flat and smooth as possible. If your loop is weak and breaks simply put it in your recycling pile and go on to the next piece.

7. Wind your plarn into a ball that feeds out of the center.
8. Create a slip knot and place it on your crochet hook.

9. Chain 20 stitches.
10. Stitch half double crochet for the body of the bag.

Tip: Make your stitches loose! You will become frustrated if your stitches are too tight. Do yourself a favor and keep it loose.

11. Crochet the tail in as you work.
12. Work in the round. No need to chain and turn, simply continue into the next stitch for the entire project.

13. After 4 rows of half double turn your work. It’s now right-side-out and you will continue working to left instead of to the right like before you turned it.

14. Complete 14 rows of half double crochet. If your stitches are tighter or looser you may need to do more or less rows. The goal is to have your bag slightly wider than it is tall at this point.
15. Now you will use single crochet. Do 6 stitches of single crochet.

16. Now you’re ready to make the first handle. Chain 20 stitches. Hold it up to the bag and see how you like that length. Want longer/shorter handles? Simply chain more/less stitches. Be careful not to twist your handle as you’re chaining. Count 8 stitches from where the chain started on your work and attach your chain to the bag with a single crochet stitch.
17. Stitch 12 single crochet stitches around to the other side.

Tip: Feel free to alter the pattern. Make the handles longer, the bag wider, more flowers. Be creative!

18. Now you’ll make the other handle. Chain 20, count 8 stitches along on your work, and attach the chain with a single crochet stitch, just like you did on the other side for the first handle. Make sure they look even. If not, find the place where they are even by holding the chain up to your bag and attach it there.
19. Now simply stitch single crochet all the way around and onto the handle, stitching into your chain stitches.

20. Continue stitching into your chain stitches, widening your handle.
21. Continue using single crochet and stitch along the other handle.

22. Stitch a few more single crochet stitches until you’re at the fold of the bag and the top looks even. Slip stitch and finish the ends off by hiding them in the stitches on the inside of the bag.
23. Attach the flower. Enjoy!

Pattern:

Abbreviation Key:
ch = chain stitch
ss = slip stitch
sc = single crochet stitch
hdc = half double crochet stitch
dc = double crochet stitch

Instructions for the Plarn Tote, for the crochet-inclined
ch 20.
Stitch hdc in the round. Crochet the tail into your work.
After 4 rows hdc turn your work right side out. Continue working hdc to the left now.
Complete 14 rows hdc.
Stich 6 sc.
ch 20. Count 8 stitches on your work and attach your chain with sc.
Stitch 12 sc.
ch 20. Count 8 stitches on your work and attach your chain with sc just like you did on the first side.
Stitch sc around and onto the first handle.
Stitch sc along the handle.
Continue sc around to the other handle.
Stitch sc to edge. ss and finish ends off by hiding them in the stitches on the inside of the bag.

Attach the flower.

Instructions for Flower
ch 4.
ss into first stitch to make circle.
work 10 sc around circle, crochet tail in as you work.
join by ss into first sc.
first petal: into first stitch do sc, 3 dc, sc. ss into next stitch.
repeat petal stitches 4 more times to make five petals.
ss into last stitch and finish by hiding ends in the back.

All photos and instructions from Montclair Made found on Etsy.com. You can find the original How-to post on Etsy.

Thank you Montclair Made for the great ideas!

Announcement #1

Jess and I have been busy and excited over the past couple weeks….we are reaching the homes stretch in school, and are almost college graduates! We were able to meet with Jill Knight of Jill Knight photography yesterday and take some amazing graduation photos. It is pretty neat that after all this time (we are on the 6 year graduation plan), we are finally almost finished, and we get to go through it at the same time together.

Announcement #2

We have been hard at work behind the scenes working on some really fun surprises for Reclaimed. You might notice a few changes happening over the next couple months, and we can’t wait to show you what we have been up to! Keep your eyes peeled for sneak peaks and announcements over the next few weeks.

Announcement #3

We are having our first ever Blog Party at Reclaimed! We can’t wait for everyone to join in and show off their spaces for fall. So… are you ready to link up your spaces? We can get pretty rowdy around these parts so makes sure your up for it…and let’s get this party started! Feel free to share everything from Halloween costumes and jack ‘o’ lanterns, to interior and exterior fall decorations. We are excited to get inspired by everyone’s creativity and share some wonderful ideas with each other.

To kick things off. Here are a few pics of our some of the things we have done in our home to welcome both Halloween and the Fall season.

We really focused on finding things we had around the house this year and re purposing them. Here you can see Liquor bottles, old books, and a silhouette of a “mystery” person we found at a garage sale a few years back.

I edited the photos a little in Photoshop to try and make them a little bit more spooky. Hopefully they look scary .

This is our first time doing an Inlinkz Party so we are excited to learn how it all unfolds. Here is how it is supposed to work.

1. Post the link (click on the “Click to view/add link” button below) to your fall and Halloween blog post by midnight on Thursday November, 4th.
2. Then starting on Friday you can come back and vote on your favorite!
3. Voting will continue through Monday November 8th, at which time the votes will be tallied and the winner of the 2010 Reclaimed Fall Blog Party will be crowned!

We can’t wait to see what everyone is doing to spruce up their home! Also be sure to leave a comment and let us all know what you have planned for your Halloween costumes tomorrow night. Be sure to be safe and have a very Happy Hallow-Green!

See you soon.

I know I can tend to joke and play. At times I may seem carefree with my words. But today I feel the need to share something a little more deep and real to my heart. This is a self reflection post rather than a Reclaimed one, but for some reason I was still so moved to share it with you all. It is by no means intended to offend, persuade, or impose. For those that know me, I fear it is obvious that I strive to have the answers. I enjoy talking with people, I enjoy helping people, and honestly I enjoy having the answers for people. The truth is that I don’t have the answers. All this time when I thought I was consoling, educating, and informing, the real thing echoing from my lips was arrogance and denial. Is it true that in conversations about life, business, money, relationships, and God, deep down my goal is to teach others a lesson? To show them how smart I am? To prove that I read a textbook with a definition and am educated on the topic? Who am I to think that I could possibly be the band aid for others problems or questions? Who am I trying to fool by reacting to anothers emotions with my empty words?

Maybe the truth is that I depend on the ideal of superiority in order to make myself feel like a mighty man. I know I talk about warm cozy blankets, vintage decor, and mid century design, which understandably may not be for the male audience. However, if we do have any male followers out there perhaps you know what I am feeling. I make every attempt to show no vulnerability, as if it is  a sign of weakness. As a man it is said that we need to be strong. Watch football. Drink beer. Shed no tears. And women; you know we are never wrong so there is no reason for us to apologize. Maybe, just maybe, I can put away my pride for a fleeting moment and openly admit without reservation that my strength comes from the Lord. Cue the hand covered gasping mouth – “did he just express his passion for Jesus?” What will people think? How will they perceive me? I believe that until we can admit that. Until our spiritual leadership takes the center stage and we accept Christ as our lord and savior, we aren’t mighty men. Quit the opposite. we are hiding behind the fragile walls of glass that we build up around us. A couple weeks ago our church service included this message, and I would love to share it with you.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It wasn’t until last night listening to Mike (the lead singer from Tenth Avenue North) speak that this message really hit home to me.  I put on a front and strive for accomplishments in order to prove to myself and everyone around me that I am not a failure.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’ve learned that as Christians it isn’t our job to have answers, we need to seek compassion. Which, if I’m honest, up until last night I never really knew what the true meaning of compassion was. According to the dictionary the word compassion is from Latin meaning “co-suffering.”

…And that’s why God tells me to feel it before I try to fix it. “Weep with those who weep. Rejoice with those who rejoice.” That’s what I’m called to do. Before I try to know everything and have a solution for everything and everyone, first I need to learn to sit down and weep with people. Before I try to put a band aid on their wounds, I need to actually feel the wound myself. I mean, isn’t that what Jesus did for us? He felt before He fixed. He hurt before He healed. He became flesh and dwelt among us.

- Mike Donehey Tenth Avenue North

Why not let our walls fall, shove our pride aside, and realize that Jesus is and will always be above our successes and below our failures. It isn’t our accomplishments nor our deficiencies that define us. It is the compassion that we have for others that reveals our fathers love for us.

Click here to view the embedded video.

..And so, this changes things. This means that it doesn’t matter how much Scripture and philosophy I know, what matters is what I do with it. Ironically, having a lot of information about Jesus can often be the very thing that keeps us from Him. We delude ourselves into thinking that Jesus is nothing more than a fact on a page. An idea to comprehend, a moral to ascribe to. And believe me, He’s much more than that. He is our life, our breath, and the pulse within our veins. He is before, behind, and all around. Over. Underneath. Inside. In between.

- Mike Donehey Tenth Avenue North

Click here to view the embedded video.

So for me this is where the healing begins. Thank you Tenth Avenue North, Matt Maher, and Addison Road for a great performance, powerful music, and life changing scripture.

In 2007 we were blessed with the opportunity of purchasing a home in the far away land of Queen Creek, Arizona. Now I know it’s not far fetched to ask your familiarity with Arizona, but Queen Creek might be pushing it. The quaint little town is a suburb of Phoenix, in the east valley, and surround by farmland. Yes, I know its intriguing to learn that farm land exists in the middle of the desert, but stick with me. There are some very exciting places to experience “around these parts” and this time of year is especially eventful. Right down the road from us is the ever popular Queen Creek Olive Mill. The weather is fantastic here this time of year, and warrants a blissful bask under the autumn sun. The Olive Mill could not be more perfect to sit outside and enjoy a bottle of wine, tear off pieces of warm crusty bread and dip into freshly pressed EVOO. For Halloween they will be offering “Blood Orange EVOO and Aged Dark Balsamic Vinegar.” Jess and I go in sometimes simply to sample their homemade olive oils, stuffed olives, and vinegars. Plus it is local and green-we love it.

But one thing we cannot wait for is the festivities of Schnepf Farms. While we have enjoyed Queen Creek for merely 3 years, this place has been around for 67! Throughout the fall weekends they throw a mean chili and pumpkin party. Now I have to tell you my two favorite things, next to my wife and family, might just be chili and pumpkins. I know, I know. How can a man enjoy pumpkins nearly as much as he enjoys a good bowl of chili? Well I grew up on homemade pies and pumpkin always took the cake. Seriously, I like the their seeds, I like their filling, and I like to carve them. Jess has been looking at me all weekend asking, can we carve yet? My nephew has been looking at me asking can we carve yet? And I have been looking at me (in the mirror) asking can we carve yet?

All joking aside we are very excited to go eat some chili and pick out a pumpkin. However we figured we may just have to wait a few more days. Carve a pumpkin too early and the only thing scarier than ghosts in your yard on Halloween will be the rotting, green, moldy jack-o- lantern on the porch. Although it may add to the festivities…maybe it will be a new trend? Me personally, I will wait until the time is right. Until then I have settled on a few inspirational photos. Shall we call them “re-thinking Jack?” I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Until next time….

Yesterday we celebrated three years of being married! We can’t believe it has been that long since we said our vows. Marriage has proven to be everything and more than I could have imagine. Marrying the man of my life has made my world so much more enriched. I know that together, with God and our family we can celebrate many more joys of marriage for years to come.

Even though we were not supposed to get each other anything I came home from work last night to a little Anthro bag sitting on the counter. Mr. M smiled and said go ahead. Inside this is what I found.

The traditional three year anniversary gift is something leather. Mr. Manhattan explained that to him this represents leather (he thought I would like this too much to pass up on). Leather is durable, warm, strong, flexible resilient and in many ways associated with deep comfort, like a solid, rewarding married life.

“I promise to always give you the better half of the sandwich.”

I love you,

They really seem like neat people with a wonderful family as well. We actually have a lot in common with the Gebhardts. We both were married on Today, married at age 21 and 22 AND I just found out Melissa is a nursing student! I have this dream to someday get all 11 couples that have been married on Today together. Maybe go on a cruise or something. I mean there are only 10 other couples in the world that have this in common. We should definitely all get together and share stories don’t you think?

Here are a few photos captured by the father and founder of wedding photo journalism, Denis Reggie. Denis Reggie also photographed the John Kennedy, Jr and Caroline Bessette wedding. He is an extremely talented and wonderful man. Check out all the videos of the big day here.

I love this photo! A little rain was not going to stop Melissa from smiling on her wedding day! This is Susie to the left of Melissa. She is the best, we just love her.

I love the lavender, and gray with pops of orange! So sophisticated.

I know it is hard to imagine getting married in front of millions of viewers. But on that day, during those moments, you think and hear nothing around you. All I remember seeing is Cody at the end of the isle waiting for me. I remember the feeling of my moms arms locked in mine as we slowly walked down the middle of our friends and family breathing in every moment. I can only imagine it being the same of Melissa.

We received several Happy Anniversary messages on Thursday after the wedding. We have the most awesome friends! Our true anniversary is on Tuesday October 5th. The Today Show switched it up a bit this year

Congratulations Melissa and Jeremy! Have a wonderful time in the Turks and Caicos Islands!

Cheers to a wonderful and blessed marriage,

Luckily, Saturday we were refreshed, revived and re-inspired! Mr. Manhattan and I were invited to be a part of the Domestic Bliss Anniversary Party! What could be better than spending the whole day in our favorite stores FOUND and Domestic Bliss (we like to play house and pretend like we live in FOUND when we visit!) The party was to start at 8:00 am. We arrived a few minutes after 8:00 to see the store filled with smiling women walking very fast… all in one direction! To the basement!!! Saturday was a very special day because Dan and Kristin opened up their basement for the public to shop! You can only imagine the finds that were FOUND! Here is a peak into the blissful day!

DOWN IN THE BASEMENT…

UP STAIRS…

Did you notice this awesome picture frame Mr. M made from an old reclaimed fence! This is the same frame we sent to Nate Berkus after he came over and admired the one hanging in our hallway! We did a raffle and had a ton of interest! Told you they were cool Babe!

And the winner of the frame is Katina Patriquin! Check out her photography! She is great!

This runner was super easy to make by re purposing check stubs! Just have fun with your glue stick and be as random as possible!

Special thanks to all the wonderful people who stopped by our table to say hello and support Reclaimed! We really enjoyed visiting with you all! As for Dan and Kristin Alber (the hosts of the party), you guys continuously amaze us. You are so incredibly talented, kind, and just flat out fun to be around! Thank you for allowing us to be part of this blissful day!

Have a fabulous day!

Still I endured through the night. I woke up. Got ready for work. Grabbed a cup of coffee. Kissed my sweet wife and the dog. Oh wait I mean I pet the dog. Yeah that’s it I pet the dog. I said my goodbyes and I love yous.  And, I walked out our red front door. I squinted my eyes as a natural reaction toward the normal cresting summer sunrise. But, alas I was not welcomed by the sun this morning. Instead I saw….clouds? It is true! We are supposed to have rain in Arizona today. The forecast reads:

…Wednesday we will have developing storms in and around the Valley. We have plenty of moisture coming in from the South. This will clash with a cold front increasing our chances of State wide storms. Flash flooding is also possible along strong winds. We will have 1 inch of rain in the Valley with up to 2 inches in higher elevations here in South Arizona. Expect clearing by Thursday into the weekend. Today is the first day of Fall. Stay dry!

James Quinones

So instead of being glum about the  sunny hot weather, (yes we feel glum when it is sunny, instead of rainy, in AZ) I am excited that today is officially “the first day of Fall.” All morning my head has been filled with thoughts of chilly weather and curling up by the fire with a favorite blanket. Or as Jess calls it her “comfy cozy.” So, to celebrate, I went on the look out for a new comfy cozy for my sweet wife to curl up with this fall. Here are a few inspirations that I found.

Love the lavender and cream

Vintage quilts bring back so many memories for me. Do they for you?

The quilt on the right looks so chunky and cozy to me, and the gold tones are great! Look it is globe decor!

Is that a mid-century sofa under that crocheted throw?

How cute would this be in a kid’s room? Be sure to click the image for a little “how to” on crocheting from Dottie Angel.

These are amazing! Cotton camp style blankets from one of our favorite little online shops Three Potato Four.

These are Beacon style blankets from the early 1900’s to 1940’s. Learn more about them at Design Sponge.

Jess and I love the fall! And it is finally here. So be thinking chilly thoughts, and find yourself a new comfy cozy.
Until next time.

Just joined a linked in party at The Twice Remembered Cottage!

I love these pendant lamps! What I really love is the finishes. The inside has an antique gold and bronze faux-finish.  The edging is trimmed in leather. And, it has been finished with an acrylic spray so it shines like a new penny!

A spherical clock is clever enough, but a reclaimed globe makes this even better!

Left: I don’t know which I like best, the “wall of globes” clock, or the mid-century sling chair. I think Jess might have told you about my fetish for furniture. Alas it is true.

Right: Another clever interpretation of a globe light. I love the vintage bronze fixtures. I am a little curious though at how much light this might provide with the small opening.

Or you could use them as decorative bowls. What I love about these is that you could create the whole look with reclaimed materials. You can line the inside with either old newspapers or maps, and use a cake stand or candle holder for the base.

How about turning an old globe into the classic piggy bank for the little saver in your family?

I saved my favorite for last. Jaimee Rose recently wrote a post about “chalkboard-themed goodies.” How awesome would a chalkboard painted globe be in a a kids room? Too fun!

Of course, you don’t have to repurpose globes to make them look great. Check out these examples of using vintage globes in a grouping.

Left: From Apartment Therapy: Roundup: Globes in Homes

Right: From Better Homes and Gardens: House Tours: A Modern Beach House.

Again,  I face the decision….do I like the vintage globe vignette in the corner, or the mid-century furniture best. For me this one is a no brainer. How can you not love the Eames plaid egg chair?

Hope you enjoyed! Which one was your favorite?

See you soon.