DIY: Mom's Bible Verse Sign

After using vinyl letters to complete this project last Christmas,

I knew I was hooked and would be using them again!

Luckily for me, Alphabet Signs and I teamed up once again,

and not only was I able to make another fun project,

but I was able to gift it to my mom for her 60th Birthday!

After finding out my mom's favorite bible verse,

I got in touch with the awesome people at Alphabet Signs.

I figured out the exact size I wanted to make,

played around with their Vinyl Sign Designer,

and turned to their amazing staff for the final help I needed.

This will be a pretty long post but make sure to read to the end,

for another great Coupon Code from Alphabet Signs!

The Goods:

Wood Fence Pickets

Wood Furring Stip

Alphabet Signs Vinyl Lettering

Valspar Lemon Twist Paint

Matte White Paint

Paint Brushes in 2 sizes

Round Paint Tray

60-Grit Sandpaper

1-inch Finishing Nails

Gorilla Wood Glue

Tape Measure

Hammer

I had Lowes cut my fence pickets and furring strips.

If you have a saw you can do it yourself.

But they were super nice and helpful!

Last time I used vinyl letter to make a DIY project,

I had an awful cute lil furry helper,

so you bet I had another helper this time too!

Lay your wood fence pickets out to make sure you get the look you want.

Put a thin layer of wood glue on one side of the furring strips.

Then secure them to the back of the fence pickets using the finishing nails.

One furring strip on top and one on the bottom made for a secure sign.

Now leave it alone and let the wood glue dry.

I left it overnight to be on the safe side.

Now get to work sanding ALL the wood.

Keep sanding until you have a smooth surface.

Not only will this will help the paint go on easier, 

but it will also help you avoid a splinter too!

It doesn't look much different,

but I can promise you it feels different!

Now that the sanding is done it's time to paint!

Do one thin coat of white paint...

Then let the white coat of paint dry completely.

I ran a quick errand when waiting, and it was dry when I returned!

Now get your yellow paint ready.

Then paint two coats of yellow.

And let those dry completely too.

I let mine dry overnight just to be safe!

Now it's time to do a little distressing to the paint.

I didn't want a ton, but I wanted it to show a little.

So I just did a quick sanding once again.

After distressing, make sure to wipe down the surface with a damp cloth.

You want it as smooth and as clean as possible before applying your vinyl.

Using a tape measure, figure out the placement of your vinyl.

I used small pieces of scotch tape to keep it in place.

Once your vinyl is laid out, now it's time to apply!

I simply flipped up the vinyl, keeping the top part taped,

and removed the backing from the vinyl letters/words.

Carefully return the vinyl transfer sheet to where it was originally placed.

Next, used the awesome tool shown above from Alphabet Signs, 

to make sure the vinyl letters/words adhere to the wood completely.

Now slowly pull up and remove the transfer paper,

making sure the vinyl letters don't come off with it!

Repeat the vinyl application steps again...

Until ALL your vinyl is applied!

Then step back and admire your work!!!

Yes, the white letters on the yellow paint is very subtle.

But to be honest - it's the look I was going for!

I didn't want it to be so bold and IN YOUR FACE, 

so I'm very happy with the way that it turned out!!!

Now...for the part I'm sure you're all waiting for -

THE COUPON CODE from Alphabet Signs!!!

Want to get the same exact vinyl as I used above?

Well then head on over to Alphabet Signs, 

use the code ROBYNSVERSE during checkout

and you'll receive the same verse in the same size and color!

Enter the coupon code in Step 2 of the checkout process.

Look for the "Have a Coupon" link. 

And act quick folks, offer only valid for first 10 customers!

Tacolandia 2015!

This past is a little different than normal.

I'm not sharing about anything I made,

but instead about something fun I did this past weekend!

If you follow me on Instagram,
you may have already seen some of the fun. 

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend Tacolandia.

Tacolandia was held in Downtown Los Angeles

and over 80 taco vendors were showing off their yummy tacos.

Keep reading to see some of tacos I ate and the fun I had!

We took the Red Line Subway from Universal City...

To Union Station Downtown!

And after a short wait to get our wristbands...

It was time to start eating tacos!!!

And of course drink some yummy beer too!

Gotta wash down the tacos somehow, right?

After trying too many tacos to count,

I was already past the point of being full...

But then we saw there was a past Top Chef serving Filthy Tacos!

They apparently get their name from the cut of brisket that's used.

Katsuji Tanabe himself was making the tacos!

And while it was the longest line we waited in all day,

they were, without a doubt, my favorite taco I tried!

At this point I was already super stuffed, 

but you better believe I ate the whole thing!

After spending a few hour at Tacolandia,

my feet were sore and my belly was more than full...

So I grabbed a Club Soda on the way out

and headed back to Union Station to catch the subway!

Saturday's event was the third annual Tacolandia.

If they have one again next year,

there's a pretty good chance I'll be there again!

And you should too!!!

Whiskey Wednesday: Adam's Mint Julip

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

Last month I started a fun new blog series - 

Whiskey Wednesday!!!

If you missed last month's post, you can find my Irish Mule recipe here.

And make sure to check back each month for a new recipe!

Whiskey Wednesday will happen every first Wednesday of the month.

This month's Whiskey Wednesday is extra special.

Why's that you may wonder?

Because today's post is a GUEST POST featuring my buddy Adam!

When I mentioned I was starting this blog series,

he quickly suggested a post featuring a Mint Julep,

so I immediately asked him to do a guest post about it!

And lucky me - he agreed!

His words were "Consider it done."

I won't say anything more and let Adam take over!

Hey there all you Robyn's Hobbies readers!

I met Rdub (that's what I call Robyn) years ago,

and have been a faithful reader blog since the beginning.

I'm excited to share with you an awesome Mint Julep recipe today.

Mint Juleps are a traditional drink at the Kentucky Derby

and are often served in a metal Mint Julep cup.

Let me show how it's made!

The Goods:

Kentucky Bourbon

Fresh Mint

Simple Syrup

Crushed Ice

Put six to eight fresh mint leaves in your glass.

Then add 1/2 ounce simple syrup.

Lightly muddle the mint leaves, but don't pulverize them.

Muddle just enough to release the mint oils.

Add 2 to 2 1/2 ounces bourbon after muddling.

Finish by adding LOTS of crushed ice!

I used the "ice crush" setting on a blender to make mine.

Add a sprig of mint to garnish.

And finally, drink on the patio and enjoy!

Baked Donut Monday: Toasted Coconut Donuts!

I'm back again for another Baked Donut Monday post

and today I'm going to tell you about some super tasty

TOASTED COCONUT DONUTS!!!

OH. MY. GOSH.

These baked donuts are amazing!!!

I'm pretty sure they're my favorite baked donut so far.

I love baked donuts 

And I love toasted coconut,

so it's no wonder that I really love these!

Now that I've talked them up,

let me show you how they're made

so you can make them for yourself!!!

The Goods:

All Purpose Flour

Sugar

Powdered Sugar

Vegetable Oil

Baking Powder

Salt

Coconut Milk

Butter

Toasted Coconut

Coconut Extract

In a large mixing bowl, combine the following:

flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

In another mixing bowl, combine the following:

coconut milk, eggs, coconut extract, butter and oil.

Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. 

Mix using a hand mixer until just combined.

It should look something like this!

Spray your donut pans with some kind of oil.

I used coconut oil because, well, it just seemed right!

Transfer your batter to a zipper bag.

Cut off the the tip of the zipper bag and fill your donut pan 1/2 to 3/4 full. 

Bake at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Cool in the pan a minute or two.

Remove from pan and finish cooling on a wire rack.

In another bowl combine the following:

powdered sugar, coconut milk and coconut extract.

Glaze should drip off your whisk, but not be too runny.

Dip each cooled donut into the glaze...

And then immediately dip into the toasted coconut!

It will be difficult, but let glaze fully set before digging in!

Finally!

Well worth the wait!!!

Now if you're me and can't be tempted by all the yummy donuts,

package up the rest to take to someone lucky!!!

Toasted Coconut Baked Donut Recipe

(From Taste and Tell Blog)

For the Donuts:

2 Cups All Purpose Flour

3/4 Cup Sugar

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon Salt

3/4 Cup Coconut Milk

2 Eggs - lightly beaten

1 Teaspoon Coconut Extract

2 Tablespoons Butter - melted

1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

For the Glaze:

1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar

3 Tablespoons Coconut Milk

3/4 Teaspoon Coconut Extract

Toasted Coconut for topping

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3. In another mixing bowl, combine the coconut milk, eggs, coconut extract, butter and oil.
4. Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients.
5. Using a hand mixer, mix until well combined.
6. Grease your donut pans using some kind of oil spray.
7. Transfer donut batter into large zipper bag and fill donut pan until 1/2 to 3/4 full. 
8. Bake at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes and cool on a wire rack. 
9. In mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, coconut milk and coconut extract.
10. Dip cooled donut into glazed, then immediately into toasted coconut.
11. Let glaze set completely and then enjoy!