I love Easter! I've always loved dying eggs, hand painting them and hiding them! I'm in the midst of planning our neighborhood egg hunt, so I'm buried in plastic eggs. Here's a fun use for those mismatched ones that always seem to be left over! I thought this idea at the Think Crafts! blog was so darling, I decided to adapt it to what items I had on hand. My girls (9 and 4) loved helping me make these. What's not to love about decoupage?
Here are the basic supplies:
scrapbooking paper
plastic eggs
decoupage glue/brush
ribbon
I cut the paper into angled strips so that it fit better on the egg and layered them on top of one another.
I knew I would find something cute to do with this iron tree that I found on clearance at Big Lots! I'll whip up a few more and maybe the Easter Bunny will fill them with chocolate kisses. Happy Easter!
I designed this "box" to fit a packet of cocoa and I was really excited when I learned that I could make it with a half sheet of regular sized cardstock! It holds a Peppermint Marshmallow Pop (RECIPE HERE) very nicely, and I just think it looks like a window box that sits under a window and holds flowers.
Here are the basic instructions. Start with cardstock that is 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches. Score along the short side at 1" and 4 1/2".
Rotate and score along the long side at 1/2", 4" (but just on the edges-see photo) 5 1/2" and 7".
Cut along the dotted lines, according to photo.
Fold along the score lines to form box (fold two flaps to the back according to the photo).
I have some other things in mind for this "window box", but I would love to see what ideas you come up with, so leave a link if you decide to give it a try!
Here's a heart-warming idea for Valentine's Day or even just a winter thank you. The peppermint marshmallow pop can be eaten as is or stirred into a cup of hot cocoa for a yummy treat.
These are the supplies you'll need: marshmallows, almond bark melt, leftover candy canes (or starlight mints) and lollipop sticks (we also used coffee stirrers).
Melt the almond bark in a double boiler.
Crush the candy canes. I tried my mini food processor, but the candy can get stuck, so crushing them inside a plastic baggy and dishtowel with a meat tenderizer worked well as a back-up.
When the candy is melted, place a stick in each marshmallow and dip in almond bark melt (be careful--marshmallows can melt), then dip in crushed candy cane.
Place on wax or parchment paper and cool in refrigerator. (As soon as they are firm, seal in a zip top bag to keep the marshmallows soft.)
For a quick tutorial on my "Window Box" CLICK HERE. I designed it to hold a packet of cocoa and our peppermint marshmallow treat, but it works for other fun things too. Won't this treat melt our teachers' hearts?!
Are you scrambling to get some Valentines made for your kids' class at school? These ideas are great, even for last-minute moms like me!
The ones above were made with the Sizzix Brackets Album die (which is on sale right now). I folded the cardstock before running it through and tucked an AirHead candy inside.
The shape that holds the watermelon and cherry Jolly Rancher pops is a large merchandise tag. The kids can help color the watermelon one in with the Pebbles, Inc. Shimmer chalks. It's really shimmery in person!
Don't forget the teacher! The white cardstock was scored and folded before putting it through the Big Shot. I got the basic idea from Heather's treat.
I've been back at my craft table lately and I've come up with a trick that's cheap and easy and will add a fun extra touch to your winter cards.
These round, embossed shapes were made by running juice and can lids through the Big Shot! I love the look of the metallic Nestabilities that emboss and cut beautiful shapes, but I don't have any yet. You know I love using things I have laying around the house too, so this is what I came up with!
If for some reason, you can't see the video, here is the basic recipe:
First, put the white platform on the bottom,
Followed by shims, (if needed)
Embossing pad
Cardstock
Juice lid
Then top plate
*IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER MACHINE and you have the recipe for, let's say, the Cuttlebug, please feel free to share it in the comments and I will add it here. Thanks ;)
A friend that I told this idea to asked about square shaped embossing and I told her she would just have to look for a square soup can or settle for this other cheap and easy "faux nestie" trick: Add a layer of plain white cardstock that is 1/8" larger than your white focal point layer for a look that mimics embossing. It's simple, but it does add a little something to a card.
Happy Holidays! I'm enjoying time with my family this holiday season, so I thought I would put together a few of "my favorite things" from holidays past. If you're looking for a last minute gift or a fun project to do with your family, maybe you'll enjoy one of these:
I bet things around your house are pretty crazy right about now, just like mine. The holidays are a blur of activity.
We are planning on taking some time around the Griffith house to slow down and count our blessings on Thanksgiving, but before we sit down at the table it seems there are a million things to do.
Here's a project you can make to keep the kids busy while you do last minute meal prep. And this won't take long either, so you can whip it together at the last minute. (Now that's my kind of project!)
We're having an October snow day! You never know what the weather will do in Colorado. The kids and I are making last-minute treats as teacher gifts and party snacks for Halloween, but these would be great for Thanksgiving as well. The same can be said for this adorable set from The {Stamps} of Life that I used for the tags. (See a ton of ideas for the fall holidays from the gallery here!) I recently joined their design team and I can't wait to share the next set, which is for Christmas!
The snack mix is so easy to throw together and has some sweet additions. It's packaged with a sugar waffle cone in a disposable decorator bag. So fun! (Barb has another adorable craft with decorator bags, which is my all-time favorite for Halloween!)
Here's another sweet treat that you and your kids will have a ball making! Peanut Butter Pumpkins are so easy, yummy and fun. Get all the details on how to make them **IN THIS POST**
If you're new to digital or hybrid scrapbooking, (or even if you're not) you probably love finding free digital papers you can download. The Angel Company is offering a new set of B&W papers that you can download here: http://theangelcompany.net/Downloads.html (There are two sets, so be sure to scroll down to see them all.)
So, they are pretty cool in B&W, but if you want to add a little color, it's very easy. You need to convert the papers to jpeg and use my favorite FREE photo software, Picasa. Here's how: With the Picasa running in the background, open the pdf document and change the view so that the full page can be seen. (It can also be helpful to use F11 for "full screen".) Press Ctrl + Prt Sc, then switch to Picasa and the screen capture should be visible. Use crop to highlight just the paper portion of the image and then save. (The default is to save as a jpg.)
Next, check out this YouTube video to see the step-by-step of how easy it is to recolor the paper with Picasa.
Ready to make some easy scrapbook pages? Try using Picasa's "collage" function! It's easy. Watch another quick video here.
PS- Are you still reading? Please leave a comment on this post, email me or give me the thumbs up in Facebook to let me know you're still out there! I heard a lot of chirping after my last post!
We do a ton of partying at this time of the year. I have been collecting all sorts of good party ideas and I have compiled my favorites here. Hang in there. There's lots to see, and even a chance for you to share your favorite ideas and win an appetizing prize! Below you'll find ideas for:
Easy Food & Drink for Grown Up Celebrations
Kid Friendly & Quick Crafts and Treats
Fun Decorations and Last-Minute Gifts
Candy Corn Pudding Butterscotch on the bottom, vanilla (dyed with yellow food coloring) in the middle, whipped topping on top. (Make this kid friendly by using clear plastic tumblers.)
Bewildering Beverages Here are some ideas for grown up refreshments: Yellow Twilight- Lemonade with an Absolut Bite, Morgueritas-a Deadly Lime Libation, Poison Appletinis- Dangerously Sweet
Glass Markers Grab some circle punches, an alphabet set and some other designs and make these easy glass markers. I used a script background to make veins in the eyeballs and flowers and flourishes for the irises. Make a set and decorate this little bag box to make a great hostess gift.
More Eyeballs The same stamping techniques worked to decorate my Deviled Egg card. The eggs themselves got their red veins from food coloring and vinegar added to a baggy as the hard boiled eggs cooled. Other great savory foods to bring to a party include Mummy Pizzas, Mummy Dogs, and Salty Bones (breadsticks). I found lots of great recipes at Family Fun and Pillsbury.
More Kid Stuff Mummy Tube Treats- these TP treats would make a good gift or craft. We'll be making them at our Girl Scout Halloween Party next week. If you're looking for a quick treat to give kids, try making some of my Yummy Mummy Candy Bars. (Both crafts use common party streamers for the mummy wrap.) I'll even show you how to make them in this video! (Want more hands on instruction? I have a video for Eerie Votive Candles too!)
A Decoration or a Gift Make up a bunch of spooky bottles, using these great downloads from KMcKay Designs. Be sure to ink up your bottles with Palette ink. It should be heat set, but will adhere to glass, giving your project that extra creepiness it needs. You could bring a bottle of wine to your hostess, dressed up with these fun labels or even give a set of labels that are ready to stick on to your favorite hostess's wine or even soda bottles. She will love that!
Now for your ideas . . . . I'd love to hear your favorite tried and true recipe for Halloween. Leave a comment with a link to your favorite recipe (and if you have a paper craft, packaging, label etc. that accompanies it- EVEN BETTER!) The winner will be announced on Friday and will receive the BONE APPETIT STAMP SET! So let's hear 'em!
I knew I would find something cute to do with this iron tree that I found on clearance at Big Lots! I'll whip up a few more and maybe the Easter Bunny will fill them with chocolate kisses. Happy Easter!
