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Well, if you live anywhere near where I do, today is the perfect day for staying inside and tackling a DIY project while eating a warm bowl of chili. Luckily, today’s blog gives you both of those things. They’re calling for up to 14” of fluffy snow here in Pennsylvania! Wherever you’re reading from, I hope that you’re staying safe and toasty—and remember, if you need some entertainment you can always catch up on past episodes of YHJ too!

It seems from your Facebook comments that you’re enjoying the DIY canvas theme we have going on this month. I’m so glad! I’ve got another good one for you today: Stenciled Initials on Canvas. I think this works so well for the bathroom, and it’s such a cute way to add a little personalization to a room that often gets overlook in terms of wall art. Monograms are one of those design elements that truly never go out of style and tend to show up in the bathroom (think monogramed towels, bathrobes, water glasses). With a few simple steps you can use your initials as a beautiful new addition to your bathroom décor.

You’ll Need:

Stretched canvas (you can decide how many you want to use and what sizes)

Spray paint (optional)

Painter’s tape

Stencils of your initials

Paint

Paintbrush or roller

To Assemble:

1. If you’d like to keep the white background on the canvas, your first step would be to secure the stencil to the canvas with the painter’s tape. I think white looks pretty for a bathroom, as it feels crisp and clean. If you’d like to have a different color background, start by spray-painting your canvas the color of your choice (make sure it’s a contrasting color than the one you’re using for the initial).  After the paint if completely dry, then attach the stencil as previously described.

2. Make sure your stencil is flush with the canvas and carefully paint over it, using either the paintbrush or the roller. Apply two coats.

3. Once your paint is completely dry, remove the stencil and the painter’s tape, and hang!

It’s that simple! You can also play around with the lettered stencils—write out your entire last name if you like. Again, the great thing about canvas art is that you can always go back later and change it if you want something different.

Now what to do while your paint is drying? Make a pot of something yummy, of course! My family always begs for chili during the coldest days, and though this is something I usually make for watching football, it’s a great snow day dish as well. With just a few ingredients and super-fast prep, it's perfect for when you want to just relax on the couch and cheer on your favorite team, or cuddle up with a favorite old movie. Here's the recipe:

Slow Cooker Three Bean Chili 

This recipe is prepared with the Temp-tations® Old World 5 qt Ceramic Slow Cooker with Glass Lid (K39882).

Ingredients:

                  1–1/2 lbs ground beef or turkey

                  1 small yellow onion, chopped

                  1 Tbsp garlic, minced

                  1 green or red bell pepper, seeded & chopped

                  1 (14.5-oz) can chili beans in sauce

                  1 (14.5-oz) can black beans, drained

                  1 (14.5-oz) can pinto beans, drained

                  1 (14.5-oz) can petite diced tomatoes

                  1 (29-oz) can tomato sauce (or 2 14.5-oz cans)

                  1 tsp oregano

                  1/2 tsp ground cumin

                  1 tsp chipotle chili powder (in the spice section)

                  1/2 tsp black pepper

                  1/2 tsp ground cayenne

                  Salt, to taste

                  Shredded cheese (optional garnish)

                  Sliced jalapeños (optional garnish)

                  Sour cream (optional garnish)

                  Hot sauce (optional garnish)

Preparation:

Brown the ground beef or turkey in large skillet with the onion, garlic, and green pepper over medium heat until the meat is fully cooked. Drain off any excess oil and put the mixture into your slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until mixed. Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 4–5 hours. Top with shredded cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, and hot sauce, if desired.

Let me know how you like it! I will be making this for the Super Bowl, and I know it will be a big hit—might have to double it!

From my home to yours,

—Jill