Christmas Chaos!

Aaaaaaaaahhhhh!!! Things are SO out of control right now and I have a million projects on the go! I don't know why I do this to myself. I have decided that I am not only going to make as many of the Christmas gifts this year, as I can, but I thought it would be a lovely idea to take everything out of Ya-ya's room and paint!!!!! WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?! What makes me do such insane things?? Why can't I get away from all this chaos I create?? I am crazy I tells ya! AHHHHHHHHH!!! This place is a crazy, horrible mess! It just makes everything so confusing and nothing is getting done. It doesn't stop me from trying though...LOL! I just hope I can finish all the gifts I have on the go, before Christmas. I promised myself that I would NOT be sewing on Christmas day, like last year.

This year, the New Year's resolution is one thing and one thing only....NO MORE CHAOS! I have to rid myself, my life and my family of all this insanity I bring on. This means a clean, organized, clutter-free home and life (add healthy living to this list). It also means ridding myself of the chaos in my own body. I must lose weight! Just another thing in my life that is out of control!

Nothing negative, just looking to the positive! Even though things are super crazy, I feel good that I am actually getting some crafting done and Ya'ya's room is a quarter done..LOL! I think my Mom will be coming to help with the room, I really need to have it done before Christmas. I have most a lot of things cut out, I just need to sit in front of my sewing machine and get things done. I can do thins, I know I can. In fact, I am off to the craft room to do some sewing, right now!

I suppose that is all for this crazy lady update! I am really hoping to have some great crafty goodness to blog about later :) I will also finish up the construction on here, after Christmas (no time right now, you see the chaos...LOL)

Tree Hugger

Need I say more? I think not ;)

Another Tasty Treat

Just thought I would share another tasty creation. I figure, I better get all the tasty treats of the past, out there before I give up all the goodies in life. I MUST lose some serious weight, and eating this stuff is NOT going to encourage weight loss! Off topic, I think I may blog some of my weight loss journey as well...We'll see.

Anywho, I bring you "Blueberry French Toast Supreme"! Mmmmm, mouth watering!!



This is something I just decided to whip up for breakfast, one morning. Oh, it was super tasty!! I can still smell it cooking!! LOL

Strawberry Short Cake for Lottie!!

Just for you sweet Lottie!!

Baking Powder Biscuits

Ingredients:
1/4 cup shortening
2 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
1 Tbsp sugar, if desired
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk (soy, rice, cow, whatever)

Instructions:

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Cut shortening into flour, sugar, baking powder and salt with pastry blender until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in just enough milk so dough leave side of bowl and rounds up into a ball. (Too much milk makes dough sticky; not enough makes biscuits dry.)

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead lightly 20 to 25 times, about 30 seconds. Roll or pat 1/2" thick. Cut with floured 2 1/2" biscuit cutter. Place on ungreased cookie sheet about 1" apart for crusty sides, touching for soft sides. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet.

* If using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt.

I found the recipe here.

Strawberries and Whip Cream

All I did was wash and sliced the strawberries.
I made my own whipped cream, using a carton of whipping cream. It comes in a carton at the grocery store. You simply mix it with a hand mixer.
When whipping the cream, I add a few scoops of icing sugar and a cap full (from the bottle) of vanilla extract. I use a hand mixer and blend on high until it reaches the desired texture (whipped cream texture of course).

Cut biscuit in half. Put a piece of the biscuit in the bottom of your dish and top with whipped cream, then add some strawberry. Put top of biscuit on top of everything, add more topping and a strawberry to garnish. I also scattered some strawberries around the biscuit in the bottom of the dish. This is really up to you, however you want to put it together.

Amazing...

How something so simple...

Can become something so lovely and delicious!

That is all :)

Crafty Links for Fall

I was going through my HUGE list of craft links when I decided it was high time I share the interesting and fun tutorials I have come across.

I figured, since Fall is upon us and I have decided to try a few decorations out, I would share some Fall decoration tutorials. Woo hoo...FUN!!

Here they are:

Fall Leaves and Mod Podge Magic!
I plan to make this one for decorating around the house, as well as scrap booking :)

Coloring Pages from Crayola
This is a great idea for the little ones to get in to the Fall fun! Make a little printed coloring book. There are many seasons and occasions to be found here. There also games, puzzles and more!

Maple Leaf Coasters
These little tidbits looks so sweet and simple to make.

Acorn Garland
Oooohhh, so purdy!!

Life Saver Pumpkin Lollipop
A sweet, simple, tasty treat. I know, not really a craft but worth posting :)

A Reversible Quilt Coat for a Dog
Why not decorate the dog too? This one is special for you Lottie!

Hanging Leaves
So many ways to preserve leaves! I think these look very nice hanging in front of a window, just like in the picture.

Recycled Glowing Pumpkins
You know, it isn't fall without something pumpkin related. I do love a good recycled craft!

Well, I guess that's it for now. I'll be posting more links eventually ;) If anyone tries these craft items out, I would love to see the results...Happy crafting!

The Long Awaited Playdough Post!

Ladies and gentlemen! I give you, the post you have all been waiting for...HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH!! It turned out great, just as I remembered it as a child. The best part was kneading it while it was still warm, my favorite part of homemade cooked playdough!


Here we have a picture of the playdough before and after coloring. Next, is a picture of Tinker enjoying her new treats!! She had a great time playing with it and didn't make much of a mess (to my surprise). We both had a good time with the playdough and when Daddy got home from work, so did he...LOL!! See, great fun for all ages :)


I looked at all kinds of recipes and tutorial videos on You Tube, but I am not sure where the recipe I used came from. They're basically all the same idea and you can add or take away whatever you want, to suit your playdough needs :)

Here is the recipe that I used:

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 tbsp oil
2 tbsp cream of tartar (I believe this is just a preservative and from what I hear, you don't have to add it. I think it just might not last as long)
food coloring

I just mixed all the ingredients in a medium pot and then cooked it over a medium to low heat. Keep stirring until the mixture becomes lumpy and form a sort of ball. I then let it cool until it was cool enough for me to handle. Put dough on a floured surface and knead until smooth and no longer sticky. Add food coloring as desired and VOILA! Be sure to store in air tight containers or baggies, to keep fresh...ENJOY!!

This recipe makes a pretty nice amount of playdough. When I started to make it, I thought it was such a small amount, but it is actually quite a bit. I hope you all enjoyed this post and make lots of your own homemade playdough. If you do, be sure to post pics so I can see the playdough goodness :)