Make your own "Chocolate milk glass"...

I was initially inspired by these milk glass Christmas trees over here, but needed something a little different. I needed a different color. Let's say "chocolate milk glass"!

I started with an inexpensive (dollartree!) glass.

Then I used a plastic grocery bag and carefully taped it around the top rim of the glass:

(Please disregard my messy counter top!)
Then outside I went to spray! I used the cheapest brown spray paint I could find and just did light coats, allowing it to mostly dry in between.

Here's what I needed it for, faux blossom branches!

I think this would be awesome to do in all sorts of colors. I could see pinks in a girls room, robin's egg blue for Easter.
A simple quick way to jazz up inexpensive glass.

The fun blossoms in the vase will be an upcoming tutorial!

 

 

A little redo...

At our home we've been doing a little room swapping. We swapped our "TV room" and our "Piano room". With this we did a little painting, I did a little vinyl and we got a few new pieces of furniture. We still need some more, but we're getting there. Here it is in the mist of painting:

I received a temple print from my parents for Christmas and was happy to finally find a home for it:

I also changed the layout of my hand trees:

We got a new TV as well, which required a new entertainment unit! (We still need another shelf on the other side, but it wouldn't fit in our van with all 6 of us)!

Here's another shot of the room:

I would really like to get some table lamps to go next to the couches, as well as a ceiling fan.

So what do you think?

Mmmm, poptarts....

I was recently asked to do a product review of Nutella by Mommyparties and because of that I made my first ever homemade pop tart! I had seen the recipe on Smitten Kitchen and knew I had to try it!

You start with a pastry dough. This was really my first time venturing into pastry and it was a little tricky for me.

After the dough has chilled your roll it into a rectangle

Then an egg wash and your filling (mine was Nutella!)

Top with your other half of pastry dough (mine was not looking very pretty at this point. I need some pointers on how to do this!).

Use a pizza cutter to make your tarts and put them on the pan. Use a fork to seal the edges and poke some holes in the top.

Bake until lightly brown on the edges.

Now I would not serve these as an alternative breakfast item. They were tasty, but also contained 2 sticks of butter! The dough was flaky and yummy (due to the butter) and they got gobbled up!

You can check out the recipe over on Smitten Kitchen or on King Arthur Flour.

Recipe: Lasagna Rolls

My husband loves Lasagna. I, for some odd reason, have a mental block against making it! But this is my best effort. I've been making these, since we got married almost 10 years ago, for special occasions-father's day, anniversary, birthday and this year Valentine's. So here you go:

Lasagna Rolls

(adapted from Gooseberry Patch: In the Kitchen with Family and Friends)

• 1lb bulk sausage browned and drained


• 8oz plus 3oz of cream cheese softened


• 1 bunch green onions chopped


• 1 bell pepper (red or green) diced


• 1 15oz jar Spaghetti sauce


• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked


• 1 1/2 C shredded cheese

Combine browned sausage, cream cheese, green onions and bell pepper in a large skillet. Cook over low heat until cream cheese melts and it has all combined. Spread 1/2 the spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Take cooked lasagna noodles and place 2 TBSP cream cheese mixture at one end of the noodle and roll. Place in the 9x13 pan. Continue with the remaining noodles. Top noodles with the remained of the sauce and top with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese has melted.

 

Magnetic recipe cards

I am constantly printing and reprinting the same recipes off my computer and I finally was tired of doing it! This was my solution-Magnetic recipes cards!!

I used Powerpoint to make my recipe cards. They're very simple, yet just enough to be decorative!

After they were printed, I cut each recipe out and glued it onto a piece of scrapbook paper slight larger than the largest recipe.

Here they are all lined up ready to go!

Next I used a dab a glue on the back and put a small magnet (from here) in each corner. I made sure that all of the magnets lined up and were in the same position.

Then each card got laminated!

After trimming off the excess they were ready to go. They will be stored on the side of my refrigerator all in a nice stack.

When I want to use a recipe it will fit perfectly on my stove:

I love that they can be wiped off when there are spills and they all stay together in one place!

Here are some links to some of my favorite recipes that I like to have on hand:

Banana-Oatmeal Bread

Soft Wrap Bread

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

Quick & Easy Valentine

I saw this idea last year but had already purchased my kids Valentines. I was determined to do it this year though. I love how my daughters turned out. Unfortunately for my son, his class decided to celebrate friendship day, not Valentines. So, here are my daughter's Valentines:

I took a picture with her holding her hand out. Then used the "text" option on Picasa and added the message. Then all you have to do is click shop and upload to your choice of stores for printing.

Once you have the pictures, use a craft knife or razor blade and make a small slice at the top and bottom of the hand. Stick the sucker in and use a small piece of tape on the back to secure.

She loves how they turned out and so do I!

Baby food spice jars...

In my online browsing I came across some cute baby food spice jars here. I decided I just had to make some myself, but I changed it up a bit!

Here's what you need:

• baby food jars (I used #1 jars, the smallest) washed and dried


• strong magnets


• E6000 or another strong adhesive


• vinyl with spice names (or a sharpie if you have nice handwriting!)


• spices

I found it to be easiest to place the vinyl down on the counter

and line up the jar through the bottom.

It made it easier to center the vinyl on the jar.
Rub your vinyl

Remove your application tape!

Then get the lid, magnet & E6000, and apply and let it fully dry. (in this image I have 1, 8mm magnet. I ended up using 3 magnets in the end to get it to stay put. I have ordered larger magnets, 20 mm, and it shouldn't be a problem).

I like to order my magnets at dealextreme. They have free shipping, but be aware it can take about a month to get your order.

Now you're ready to fill your jar

And your set!

Depending on how many you are making they would great on the back of the stove:

I ended up putting a metal bar under my cabinets so I could have more:

They also would be great on the side of a refrigerator. This same idea would be great in a craft room with pins, buttons, etc!

Have fun!