Monday, February 25, 2013

Protein Peanut Butter Bites!

I am making these tonight and will post pictures as soon as I do! I am so excited to make them I thought I would share the recipe first! HUBBY IS HOME! That's why I have been absent a bit, he came home Saturday so I have been enjoying family time!
 
My husband likes to work out, he likes his protein and he has a sweet tooth. My daughter and I were going to make them Friday and have them ready for his return but that didn't happen. Here is the recipe I will be using and I will will share pictures and taste comments tonight!!!
 
Ingredients:
2 cups Organic peanut butter, crunchy
2 scoops Husbands Protein Powder
Sea salt, to taste
Water, as needed.
2 cups vegan sugar free dark chocolate
1 tsp vanilla extract
 
Directions:
 Mix peanut butter, protein powder, sea salt and water in a large bowl.
 Roll mixture into balls (approx.1 tablespoon per ball) and place in a dish, then refrigerate for 30-45 minutes. 
Melt your chocolate. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Remove balls from refrigerator.
Dip into melted chocolate and arrange on baking sheet.
Let set for 30-45 minutes, then place in the refrigerator for another 30-45 minutes before serving.
 
You can use any peanut butter, protein, chocolate you would like!!!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Yo Gabba Gabba Clipart Printable

I was going through my files working on my little boos birthday and I found some Yo Gabba Gabba clipart I used for her birthday last year. (Wow that was a long sentence :) If you are a follower and would like to use it for personal use leave me a comment and I will send it to you!!!! Here's a peek of it :) I used the clipart on a banner, cupcakes, treat bags, food and drink displays, just about everything!!! :)

 

 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

WELCOME printable flag banner (free)!!

I made this welcome banner to hang on our front and back doors for our daughter's birthday party! I thought it would be a fun printable for you for any way you would like!!!! This is a two point WELCOME flag banner. The banner prints on 8.5 x 11 paper (2 flags (letters) per a sheet of paper, you will need four papers) all you have to do is print, cut and hang! I am printing on card stock and hanging with ribbon side slit style! I will post a picture as soon as I get this banner up on party day! If you make one sooner please send me a picture!!!! Please remember that this printable is for personal use only!!! Thank you!!!!
 

Birthday Party Planning!

Birthday craziness is in full effect!!! I have so much to do, all the little details seem to take forever but it is totally worth it!!!! I love detail! Until after our daughters party which is March 2nd, I will mainly be posting free printables here and there. Photoshop stuff is what I have been working on like crazy these past few days!
My little sweetie is having a puppy themed party :) She is obsessed with puppies and it has only gotten worse since my husband gave her one as an early birthday present (sigh). I have tried to make her birthday party gender friendly since she has a lot of little friends that are boys but o my we do love pink!!!! I CANNOT WAIT TO POST ALL I HAVE DONE!!!! I am so excited for it all to come together and I am sure I will be posting a peek or two!!! Have a wonderful day, week, month!!!! Enjoy!!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Love Quote (Free Printable)

This quote makes me teary eyed........

This free printable for you is formatted for an 8x10 print.

Please enjoy but also remember that this free printable from my blog is for personal use only.
 
Thank you!!!
 

 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Easy Ombre Nails With Only One Color Of Polish!

Ok, I know that the Ombre everything has had it's 15 minutes of fame many times over. I think it's still nice to break out the ombre every once in a while, especially on my nails. First of all it's easy and it's gives your nails great dimension if you don't have much time to do them all snazzy. All you need is a dark color, white polish and a paper plate! That's it!
I'm starting with my thumb as the darkest nail.
First paint one nail on both hands with your choice of nail color.
Next pour a small amount of the polish on your paper palate, add a small drop of white, mix and paint your next nail on both your hands.
Add another drop of white, mix and paint your next nail on each hand. Continue adding a drop of white until all nails, toes or all are painted!
 
Beautiful, easy, consistent colored ombre nails!
 

Friday, February 15, 2013

Repurposing wood! On the hunt!

Refurbishing wood, re purposing wood using old wood for a new use! Call it whatever, I'm on the hunt. I've been at the neighbors houses, in yards driving down the road looking! Honestly the fence in our backyard would be perfect but I don't think my husband would be happy with a section missing :) I have a few stops in mind that I'm making today. I am going to be making a dessert table for my daughters birthday that will then be used for an art/reading desk. I'm also going to be making a backdrop that with save my "decorating wall" from a bunch of new holes. The only thing is I need is the our weather to cooperate! It's cold, not cold enough to cut and build the table in the garage but way to cold to paint! I have some awesome ideas in mind and need to be able to paint! I can't wait for these upcoming projects! Keep you posted! :)

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Chocolate Strawberry Chews

O so sweet then tangy!!! These are scrumptious and easy homemade filled chocolates! I used two items! Semi sweet melting chocolate and strawberries! Don't forget to check out the cute and easy construction paper boxes I made to give these yummy sweets away in!

Preheat oven to 210 (doesn't take long) remove the green tops on strawberries and place on cookie sheet in a single layer.

Baked in the over for 4 hours (I actually had to bake mine about 4 and half, it might vary for you also)

I then placed the strawberries in the refrigerator overnight.

This morning I melted semisweet chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave and dipped the entire strawberry.

There you are, chocolate strawberry chews!
Why o Why do Holidays have to be so sugary addicting!!!!

Valentine's Day Celebration Table!!!

IT'S HERE! LOVE DAY!!! I stayed up late putting together our family Valentine's Day table and making some last minute sweets!!!

 
 
****If you see something you like that didn't make it to the blog , let me know! I didn't make a tutorial on everything I made but if you want one I'll do it!
 
My daughter was so excited she started singing Happy Birthday, she just melts my heart! She clapped jumped up and down yelling "happy!" Aw she makes it all worth it :) Thank you for taking a peek at our set up. We have invited friends and family to stop by for amazing sweets and Valentine's gifts! Share the love!

 
 
 
DIY Dessert Plates (bottom middle right)
Scrap paper wrapped candy bars (bottom middle left)
DIY Paper Boxes (above the Chocolate Strawberry Chews)
DIY Metallic Heart Candle Holder (above DIY paper boxes)
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries (middle middle :)
Chalkboard painted platter (top left)
Greek Yogurt Chocolate Mocha Mousse in Chocolate Tuxedo Cups (top middle)
DIY Paper Rose Bouquet (very top middle)
Burlap Push Pin Board (in the back)
LOVE Push Pin Holders (on the board in the back)
Pebble Strand Garland (middle wall)
Heart Felt Garland (top of wall)
 
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

DIY Paper Boxes for Valentine Goodies!

I needed something to put my chocolate strawberry chews in for Valentine's Day, as I was rummaging through my stash I found cupcake wrappers. Perfect, unless you are taking them to go. I then thought paper boxes! I would make them to fit around the cupcake wrapper for sweets to go!

 
Grab some colored construction paper, scissors, glue and ribbon!
 

My cupcake wrapper was about 3" wide and 1 1/4" tall.
I started with a 6"x6" square for the bottom of the box.
 
 
The middle of the box  needed to be 3" so I made 1 1/2" cuts down into the sides 1 1/2" leaving my 3" in the middle.
 
 
After making my straight cuts, cut diagonally on the sides into your straight cuts these will be the tabs that you glue to the inside of your box.
 
 
Use a ruler or something similar to make the folds in your paper.
 
 
After folding all four sides your paper should take on the shape of a box.
 
 
Now glue the triangle tabs onto the inside of the box lining up the paper on the sides and top.
 
 
Perfect!
 
Now I wanted my lid to be able to fit over the box with a little room to add ribbon, I also didn't want the lid to fold over the box too much. I cut a 4 1/4" square for the lid of the box. 
 
Same instructions as above only different dimensions for the lid.
I cut down into the sides 1/2" leaving 3 1/4" in the middle.
Continue above instructions for folding and gluing.
 
 
 Size difference between lid and bottom of box. Below
 
 
 
LOVELY!!!!
 
Not decorate however you would like!
 
I had some left over ribbon that worked out :)
 
Now off to make Chocolate Strawberries Chews to fill my boxes!
 
Please always let me know if you have any questions!!!!!!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

10 Ways To LOVE!!!

10 Ways to LOVE
1. Listen without interrupting.
Proverbs 18:13 – To answer before listening, that is folly and shame.
2. Speak without accusing.
James 1:19 – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
3. Give without sparing.
Proverbs 21:26 – All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
4. Pray without ceasing.
Colossians 1:9 – For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.
5. Answer without arguing.
Proverbs 17:1 – Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
6. Share without pretending.
Ephesians 4:15 – Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
7. Enjoy without complaint.
Philippians 2:14 – Do everything without grumbling or arguing
8. Trust without wavering.
Corinthians 13:7 – Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
9. Forgive without punishing.
Colossians 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
10. Promise without forgetting.
Proverbs 13:12 – Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
 

Source

Healthier Heart Sandwich for Valentines Day!

Now we have all seen the sandwiches around Valentines day with the bread cut out. The bread heart cutout is then replaced with sprinkles, frosting, marshmallows the cream too! So how about a beautiful red apple???!!! Yep that's right a pb and apple sandwich, maybe even with a drizzle of honey! Also for those with peanut allergies what about a sandwich for you? See below for a few yummy sandwiches for the family! *****Don't worry I will give examples of those sugary ones too, I know some moms like you love the sweet stuff :) but first the apple heart ;)
 
I put these sandwiches together quickly and a little sloppy but hopefully you get the idea and yours come out beautiful! I had already made these this weekend and with no kiddos today I wasn't going to be eating them so I just took quick pics. lol 
 
We have all seen the frosting heart in the middle the heart filled with strawberries, cream cheese mixed with food coloring and the sprinkles ones :) How about an apple one! For the healthier snack!

 Spread peanut butter on your bread, cut a heart shaped apple piece and place inside your heart cut out! You could also use any red jelly, strawberry, raspberry to peek through the heart shaped cut out!



Or for those with peanut allergies or for another healthy option what about meat and cheese! I used white cheese and colored it red with food coloring spray! Ta-da! Amazing and so many options! Enjoy!
 
 I bought pink and red!!! I gave the white cheese a squirt in the middle so you can see the color differences! Love this stuff!
 
*****The sugary sweet combos!
Peanut butter with red or pink icing!
How about peanut butter with miniature marshmallows??? Spray your marshmallows with color mist!
Cream cheese mixed with marshmallow cream then top with sprinkles!!!
 
I used white bread for the "color pop" lol  the first time I have ever bought it and gave it to my daughter. She liked it but now I hope she forgets about it!!! :)

Monday, February 11, 2013

Chocolate spoons with PB in the middle for Valentine's Day!

O MY O MY!!! I'm eating one right now! And NO I'm not going to tell you how many I have had so far! DELICIOUS, as my daughter would say!
 
I will tell you I have made over 100!!!! They are for my daughter to give on Valentine's Day and her cousins to hand out at theirs schools. I will also have them on my Valentine's Day display table. I will be making plenty more, especially as fast as we are eating them :)
 
These are so amazing!!!!!!! YUM YUM YUM!
 
Let's get started!
 
 
NEEDED
Melting chocolate (I used white and dark)
Peanut Butter
Sprinkles
Spoons
Plastic Baggies
Ribbon
Tags (optional)
 
 
Fill your spoon with PB and scrap excess off with spoon (if you have a mound the peanut butter will melt when you dip into the hot chocolate melts)
 
I then place the pb spoons in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes
 
Melt your chocolates
 
Dip your cooled Pb spoons in the chocolate and sprinkle
 
Let cool
 
 
I cut my plastic bags to just fit over the top of the spoon where the pb & chocolate
 
 
Tie with ribbon and hand out!
 
 
I put tags on the ones the girls are taking to school.
 
Don't forget to eat a bunch and then also save some to eat in the days to follow!!!!!
 
I've got to get back in the kitchen to make some more O and throw away all these empty piles of spoons next to me......KIDS???!!!
 

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Red Heart Shaped French Toast!

I have the pleasure this weekend of having three beautiful little girls! My daughter has had a blast with her cousins and I like that they have been wearing out our wild puppy!! Yesterday I made heart shaped colored food for all their meals, I couldn't help it. Girls are so fun and they love this stuff :) Last night I was thinking I should have been taking pictures so this morning when I made their french toast I snapped a quick pic!
I used my heart shaped cookie cutter for the bread.
I used red food dye to color my french toast dipping mixture.
I placed round white sprinkle in the best I could do heart shape.
Severed with cinnamon syrup.
 
The plate I put together real quick to match the theme! To see how to make fast decorative Valentine dishes click here :)
 
They LOVED it!

Make quick and easy Valentine dishes

 
 
I have a couple of plain white dish sets to use throughout the year, they are so handy for holidays and family themed meals!
 
This is great for kids also, let them pick the theme!
 
All I did was take stickers! Yep that's it stickers!!! I placed them on the outside rim of my dishes for the girls heart french toast breakfast this morning!!
 
How cute and easy!
Give your kiddos the stickers and dish sets so they can decorate while your cooking!! Keeps them busy while your slaving away :)
 
Saves on having many different sets for the holidays or events for family time.
 
When your done remove the stickers, wash and your ready for next time!


Saturday, February 9, 2013

I'm Tracking You! :)

I absolutely love this blog that I have it is a fun and creative outlet for me! And I know you like it to! I have been tracking all my traffic since I started my blog to see who peeks in and checks out my post. A lot of you I know, personally :) So please go ahead and subscribe! You can become a follower which is great or sign up by email. Either way would rock! You probably think it's kind of weird that I keep track of my traffic but it helps me to know who's interested and what you're looking at so I know what's popular!
Now that you know I know you're stopping by, say Hi!!!
 
By the way thank you all for reading my blog and showing me so much support!!!!

Red Metallic Tassel for Valentines Day!

I love to make these tassels for holidays, parties, gatherings! It goes along with my love of tissue paper! Plus it's easy and cheap :) I found this red metallic tissue paper and right away I knew it was going to be on my wall...........tassel form.....for love day :)

Grab some tissue paper, scissors, string and lets make some tassel!!!


 Take one sheet of tissue paper and fold longways
Cut the folded tissue paper about 1/2 inch strips wide up to about and inch or two from your crease.
***side note I use to take my time and make perfect cuts up and even across after a hundred of them I have a differant take. My cuts are quick, uneven and somewhat jagged but it looks the same :) and it's much faster now that I'm not to picky with these anymore :)
After you have cut across unfold the tissue paper where the cuts are on each side.
I love that this is silver on one side! Snazzy!
 Start from one side and roll down the middle where the crease was. 

Once you get to the end you can twist and fold over or just fold over, tie with some string. Leave an opening in the loop you folded over to run your ribbon or string through for your garland.

 Gently straighten your tissue paper untangleing any of the tassle pieces.
I cut the tassel the same length across the bottom after I was done
Continue to make as many as you want!!
I will show you this pretty tassel piece in action on Valentine's Day!!!

Friday, February 8, 2013

A Valentine for the man in your life (kids too)

Metallic Magnet Cars!!!! These are great for a guy (little guy or big guy) In the garage or kids bedroom! I made this one for the hubby for his garage :)
 
All you need is ....... paint (love this stuff) some cars (mine are plastic) magnets (I used strip magnets and cut small squares) and a place to put them (I made a magnetic board)
 
I painted the cars in a box,*uses less spray paint if you don't know how to properly use spray paint like me :)
 
Let them dry.
Glue magnets on the bottom.

 
Give him them on a **magnetic board for Valentine's day with some cute love coupons, notes, movie tickets or anything you like.

**I will post how to make different magnetic boards in the future :)
 
Then you can hang cute little hunny do's for him throughout the year or he can remind himself of things he needs to get done (ah-em)
 
Aw....a gift with an ulterior motive :)

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Metallic Valentines Day Candle Holder!

This is so calming and beautiful! I did make a mistake and grab the wrong paint...ooops (must be that caffeine :) Since I was playing with rubbing alcohol and paint earlier I decided to try on this! It turned out so artsy!


Here's the steps and the picture below shows what I used!

First off......I placed the foam stickers on the clear cylinder vase but then painted the vase with the wrong paint :) I took a detour and decided to squirt a little bit of alcohol only onto the wrong paint and give a quick spray with the correct paint.
 
After it dried I took the foam stickers off (it did have a nice 3D look at that point) and ta-da! I put a candle inside with some decorative pebbles and just stared....................
I wish I was able to take beautiful low light pictures! The room was full of beautiful hearts and a warm relaxing glow!

Valentine #7 and how I am doing :)

Today's Valentine's post marks the halfway point! While I have had so much fun, I didn't realize what this commitment would mean. My husband had to leave town for work and may be gone longer then expected. This had been hard juggling a new puppy (ugh I feel all I smell is dog lol) my lovely daughter who chooses on her terms her potty training schedule (I could write many post on this subject) and my tons and tons of party planning and projects!!!!! I'm a bit shaky right now from my yet another cup of coffee. I feel the bags under my eyes can be spotted before anyone even knows who I am. But I'm chugging right along with my caffeine engine........well kinda chugging :)
 
When I laid out my projects for this there were some pretty awesome ones but now the list has downsized a bit. I will definitely use my other ideas on future post. Day 11, 12 and 13 are awesome foods, sweets for my sweets :) as for now I am going to go and work on Valentine Day project #7. I hope it turns out as pretty as in mind, and no fails like yesterday's post. Have a wonderful day! The weather is beautiful today, finally, so why complain :)

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

$1 NO SEW pillow! Perfect for Valentines Day Decor!

No Sew and did I mention it only cost me a dollar!!
It turned out elegant and whimsical!
 
I had the paint and stuffing already but even if you didn't it wouldn't cost you too much :)
I bought this red place mat for $1 and made the flower out of a scrap piece of burlap!
So back to NO SEW!!!!! I love no sew projects that look like you sewed :) 
 
 *****Now here's a bunch of side notes..... I tried using the white paint marker in the picture.......BIG FAIL! It did not work for me after several tries. I don't know if it was the fabric, me, the marker, who knows. All I know is I spent too much time trying to make it work.
So then I went rummaging for other white stuff in my craft room, nope none of that....every other color I mean every color but something white of use!!!
So I decided to look for white paint, bingo! So I painted the place mat instead with a small brush. (make sure you paint your place mat first while it's flat with no stuffing)
I then cut the stitches out of about one third on the side.
After the paint dried I stuff the pillow with some stuffing I had. (I could have stuffed it better obviously! I need to go back and do that but I needed the picture more:)
Now I could of restitched the area I made the opening and you could but I said no sew, so I glued it!
It worked and looks just fine :)
 I then placed a burlap flower I made on the outside and there it is my pillow that cost me a dollar, a big fail, a little time and some thinking!
 
Any advice with the paint marker anyone? Thanks!!