Dress Up a Window

Have you ever wanted to add a little pizazz to a window treatment but didn't want to spend a fortune doing it? Here is a very inexpensive and easy way to give a window a facelift using little fabric and money. I used a throw blanket (that was sitting in my closet) and added fringe to the bottom edge.  We've also used fabric from a shower curtain we were no longer using, or you can use a basic department store valance. The secret to this treatment is the way it is hung. I used kitchen cabinet knobs and #8-32 x1in Hanger Bolts (available at any hardware store) Replace the knob screws with  hanger bolts and screw them into the knobs. Drill pilot holes in the wall, above the window, where you would like the knobs placed. After clipping the curtain rings onto the fabric, place one ring onto each knob and screw the knob into the pilot hole. It is that easy. A general rule of thumb for the curtain width is  double the width of the window. This allows for the draping affect.  


hanger bolts screwed into kitchen knobs

knobs above window with hanger bolts



Curtain rings and hanger bolts

Decorative Embossing

Embossing is a very easy way to add a decorative touch to any surface. Simple supplies:  a single layer stencil, joint compound, and a putty knife. If you are embossing a cabinet with a glossy surface,  lightly sand the surface before applying the joint compound. Simply position the stencil, tape it to the surface, apply a thin layer of joint compound, and lift off the stencil. Let the pattern dry for twenty-four hours then seal it with a layer of drywall primer. Next you can paint or glaze it any color.   This  technique can be used on picture frames, mirrors, wall, etc. Happy Creating!


Embossing with paint and antiquing glaze

Embossing with joint compound. No paint or glaze.

Easter Meringue Cookies

This cookie is an Easter eve tradition in our family, thanks to our dear friend Sister Linda! I love the bible verses and Christian message (in parenthesis) for kids, and the meringues are deliciously light and fluffy.  Being the chocoholic that I am, I sometimes add mini chocolate chips and drizzle melted chocolate over the meringues.

Ingredients and supplies:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
zipper bag
wooden spoon
electric mixer
wax paper and cookie sheets
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit -- this is important, don't wait to preheat.  Place pecans in a zipper bag and beat with wooden spoon to break into small pieces.  (Jesus was beaten after his arrest, Read John 19: 1-3.)

Pour vinegar into mixing bowl. (When Jesus was thirsty, he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.)

Add egg whites to vinegar. (Eggs represent life, which Jesus gave us. Read John 10:10-11.)

Add pinch of salt. (Salty tears shed by Jesus' followers.  Read Luke 23:27.)

Add sugar. (Sweetest part of this story is Jesus' love for us.  Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.)

Beat with mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks form.  (The color white represents purity in God's eyes.  Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.)

Fold in nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.

Place cookies sheets in over, close the door, and turn oven OFF.  Tape the oven door closed (representing the sealed tomb where Jesus was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60 and 65-66.)

Go to Bed!  (Read John 16:20 and 22.)

On Easter morning, open the oven and enjoy the cookies!  Notice the cracked surface and the cookies are hollow (representing Jesus' empty tomb on Easter morning. Read Matthew 28:1-9.)

Happy Easter!

Chocolate Easter Baskets

We love to make these custom chocolate baskets filled with candies for Easter.  They are the perfect complement to your Easter tablescape, and can serve as place card holders or individual dessert favors.

Ingredients and supplies:

Small Balloons

Cups

Chocolate chips or Melting Drops

Zipper bag

1.  Blow up balloons to size you prefer for your baskets.  (We used very small balloons.)

2.  Wash and dry balloons.

3.  Set each balloon in a cup to hold it steady.  (We used dixie cups.)

4.  Add chocolate chips or drops to zipper bag, and microwave in 20 second intervals until melted.  Knead between palms to mix melted chocolate thoroughly.

5.  Using scissors, snip just the tip off the corner of the zipper bag.

6.  Drizzle chocolate over balloons, first one direction, then the other, making a crisscross pattern.

7.  Allow chocolate to set in refrigerator.

8.  Pop balloons and carefully peel away from chocolate. 

9.  Fill chocolate baskets with candy and enjoy!

Happy Creating!

Bunny Tracks

The excitement of Easter morning is even more fun with these Easter Bunny tracks, using a repurposed cardboard bracelet box, baking soda and glitter.

Ingredients and supplies:

Small box with lid
Scissors
Baking soda
Glitter
Tulle or wire mesh
Tape

Cut out a footprint pattern in the lid of the box.  Tape the tulle over the pattern to create a screen.  Fill the box about 1/3 full with baking soda, then add a teaspoon of glitter and mix well.  Tape the lid to the box so that it is secure.  Turn the box over, tap lightly and the baking soda/glitter mixture will leave a footprint pattern on the floor.  You'll enjoy the excitement of little ones' finding the footprints as they hunt eggs.   It's easy to clean up the baking soda/glitter mixture with a wet rag.

Easter Egg-stravaganza!

Coloring and decorating eggs at Easter is a family tradition for many of us.  Eggs, not just a great source of protein, also provide a canvas for adding color and whimsy to your Easter tablescape.

If you have a closet full of plastic eggs, it's easy to dress them up by adhering scrapbook paper with Mod Podge (water-based glue and sealer.)  We love to personalize eggs with photos of each family member.  It's a very simple process to hollow real eggs for use in your decorating as well:

1.  Using a small straight pin, prick the widest end of the raw egg, creating a small hole.
2.  Carefully swirl pin around the hole so that hole is approx.  1/4" wide.
3.  Turn egg over and allow yolk and white of egg to drain out of hole.
4.  Rinse inside of egg with water several times and allow to drain thoroughly.
5.  Dye egg in food coloring, if desired.  Or use acrylic paints and a fine tipped brush for limitless possibilities!

Create beautiful hand painted eggs using simple patterns, such as polka dots or swirls, with a fine tipped artist brush.  Need a template? Apply small round paper reinforcers to the eggshell, paint one coat of your favorite color, then remove the reinforcers and the rings appear in natural white color.  Or, wrap 1/8" thick painters tape around the egg, and paint different colors between the tape. Finish with a spray of high shine glaze or enamel to preserve the egg shells.

TIP:  Place toothpicks in pieces of styrofoam and place eggshells over toothpicks to dry!

For the finishing touch, once your eggshells are dry, glue a small ribbon bow over the opening in the wide end of the eggshell.


Please share your egg decorating pictures with us!  Happy Creating!

Jello Ribbon Salad

This beautiful jello salad just screams "Spring!" It's easy to whip up on a day you'll be close to home so you can add all the layers - as many as you want!  Create a jello ribbon!  Thanks to Mary Cousley for the recipe and to Jeanne Hoefert for sharing it with us - delicious!

Ingredients:

3-4 small boxes Jello - three or four different colors/flavors 

1 container sour cream (1/4 cup per box of jello)

boiling water

8x8 glass dish 

cooking spray

Mix 1 small box jello with 1 c. boiling water.  Set aside 1/2 c. jello to cool.  Pour remaining jello in the glass dish, lightly coated with cooking spray.   Refrigerate until set.  Whisk 1/4 cup sour cream with the cooled 1/2 c. jello, until creamy.  Pour on top of jello layer and refrigerate. Repeat as many layers as you desire!  

Happy Creating!#Jello#Ribbon Salad #Spring Entertaining

April Fools Meatloaf Cupcakes

These "Cupcakes for Dinner" are an April Fools' tradition at our house!  They look just like cupcakes and are made of meatloaf with mashed potato frosting!

Just use your favorite meatloaf recipe (or ours below), and be sure to bake in foil cups.  We like to hide some vegetables in the middle, then add the potato frosting, and top with bacon bits for  "sprinkles."

Meatloaf Cupcakes (makes about 12):
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs
3 Tbsp ketchup or bbq sauce
1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 egg
Mrs. Dash seasoning or salt and pepper
1 cup shredded cheese
Foil bake cups and muffin tin
Favorite vegetable to use for "filling"

Mashed Potato Frosting (for 12 cupcakes):
3 cups mashed potatoes
Food coloring
Bacon Bits

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix together all meatloaf ingredients until well combined.  Divide mixture between 12 foil bake cups in muffin tin - should be about 3/4 full.  If desired, add vegetable (we use corn) and press down into meat mixture. Bake on cookie sheet for about 15 minutes (until cooked through.) Meanwhile, make mashed potatoes and stir in a few drops of food coloring.  (Make it festive by dividing potatoes into smaller bowls and using different food colors.)   Spread potatoes over meatloaf and top with bacon bits.
Happy Creating!  #meatloaf#April Fools