Recycled Fence Sign

I work every other Saturday. I had last Saturday off and knew it was a great day to be cleaning my neglected house. I didn't want to clean my house because I was feeling crafty! I was feeling the need to use power tools. At my house we have a pile of scrap wood, most of it left over from other projects. I went and looked at the pile to see what was there and what would inspire me. In the pile there were several pieces of left over fencing that were very aged. 

I first decided how big I wanted the sign mostly based on how long the wood was. I used a circular saw to cut the pieces. ( The finished piece is approx 17 X 33) I also cut some thin strips of wood for the backing.  I cut them so that they would cover each of the bigger pieces with out going to the edges because I didn't want to see the back strips. 

Then I attached the thin strips of wood with nails to the back. 

After attaching the first thins strips of wood I realized that the top and bottom pieces of wood didn't seem stable enough so I added some more thin strips for stability. 

Next I used eye bolts and frame wire to hang the sign. 

I attempted to draw on the wood how the letters would look. After I did that I then used craft paint to paint, " Home is where the heart is." I didn't quite like how the heart turned out. I didn't like the shape or the color. I ended up using a small file to file off some of the paint to help shape the heart better. I also used some red glitter glue to sparkle up the heart. Now an empty wall in my front room has some decoration!

T-Shirt Pattern with Tuxedo Ruffle

I have a couple of favorite T-Shirts. You can tell they are my favorite because of the stains and holes! With some extra fabric laying around (ha ha) I decided to make a pattern out of my favorite T-Shirt and make a new T-Shirt. This was one of the easiest article of clothing that  I have ever made with out a store bought pattern! Even the beginning sewer can sew this T-Shirt. 

First Start by finding one of your t-shirts that is only two pieces of fabric. One that doesn't have sewn on sleeves. If you want to make a pattern for later use, lay the t-shirt onto wrapping paper and trace a pattern onto the wrapping paper making sure to add extra for the seam. Cut two pieces of fabric out. Lay the wrong sides together. If you want to pin the pieces together you can. Because this pattern is pretty straight forward I didn't pin my pieces together.

Start sewing by sewing the shoulders together. Then sew the sides together. 

Next sew your seams. I started with the bottom then the collar and sleeves. 

Here is the shirt I traced and the finished project.

I needed (wanted) to add something a little dressier to this t-shirt so I decided to add a tuxedo type ruffle. Measure how long you wand your ruffle to be. I wanted my finished ruffle to be approximately 14 inches so I cut my piece about 21 inches long. Fold a piece of fabric in half and cut a wave in the fabric the length you want. Cut a second piece about 1/2 inch smaller than the first piece. 

Ruffle each piece. 

Sew the larger ruffle piece onto the center front of the shirt. Then sew the second ruffle on top of the larger ruffle. After washing the ruffle will role a little bit. After I washed mine I ended up cutting the ruffle down. Try the shirt on and see how it looks. At first I felt the ruffles were jumping off of my chest!

Here's the finished product! 

Enjoy! 

Salted Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookie

Now try and say that twice! Salted Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookie. Yep, it is exactly what it says it is. I found this recipe on Pinterest via The Diary of Daves Wife. Basically if it has all of my favorite ingredients listed in the title it must be good. And it is!

Salted Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookie

Yield: About 34 Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

2 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup chocolate chips 

1 cup caramel bits

1/2 cup pretzel pieces

Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Pre heat oven to 350 degrees F

2. Cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.

3. Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt.

4. Stir in Chocolate Chips, Caramel bits and Pretzel pieces.

5. Scoop dough onto baking sheets and sprinkle with Sea Salt. 

6.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until almost golden brown.

7. Cool for 5 minutes and remove onto a cooling rack.

Original recipe called for milk chocolate chips I used semi sweet because that is what I had. It also called for crushed pretzel pieces, I didn't totally crush mine because I wanted to taste pieces and didn't want them to get lost. Next time I will double the recipe they were so good.I ate one last night, one at work and two after dinner!   When I left for work this morning I put a sign on the cookies saying, " Don't eat all of the cookies, Love, Mom."  It actually worked. Most of the time when I make a dessert in the evening the next day when I get home from work there isn't any left. The kids actually listened to my note! 

Fruit Salsa

Sounds weird right? In my church I serve with the Young Women. For one of our combined activities we had a salsa challenge. There was one long table with a lot of ingredients. We divided into our three class groups, then we went to the table and grabbed what ever ingredients that we wanted. The girls grabbed the typical tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, salt, pepper, green bell peppers and onions. I then started to grab the mango, strawberries, pineapple and lime. We brought all of the ingredients to our table and started cutting everything! We made two salsas but could only be judged on one. Not that the traditional salsa was bad but the Fruit Salsa was much better! For the judging it was a tie between our Fruit Salsa and a traditional salsa. The traditional one won by a coin toss! Next time I think we would have three judges instead of two.

The Fruit Salsa was so good that I brought about 2 cups worth home. The next day on the way to work I stopped a bought a bag of tortilla chips to eat the fruit salsa with.  I was in a non sharing kind of mood with this oh so good salsa that I only shared it with one  co-worker and we basically ate  almost the whole thing by ourselves. So of course I had to make more a few days later. I made enough that I wanted to can it. Now you don't have to can it. It taste so good that you would probably use (eat) it all before it goes bad in the refrigerator.  I scoured the internet (looked at a few recipes) to see if there was anything special that I needed to do. I couldn't find anything special to do other that some recipes for Mango Salsa say to use green mango's not ripe ones. I was afraid of the fruit turning colors so I did add some fruit fresh and did use green mango's. Next time I would go ahead and use ripe mango's because I wanted to eat some salsa right away and some bites of mango were hard. No bueno!  Here is a picture of the finished product. 

Fruit Salsa

Yields: 5 1/2 pints 

Ingredients:

2 large Mango's or 4 small/medium Mango's

2 Pineapples

2 lbs of strawberries

2 jalapenos

Cilantro to taste

Juice from 2 limes

1 tablespoon Sea Salt

Gloves

Directions:

1. Cut up fruit (Mango, Pineapple, Strawberries) into small bite size pieces - About a quarter of an inch in size.
2. Using gloves cut up jalapeno into very tiny pieces. You can keep the seeds for more heat or eliminate them. 
3. Finely chop the cilantro. 
4. Mix the fruit, jalapenos, and the cilantro. 
5. Add the juice from two limes. (Before you squeeze them cut them in half then roll them on the counter or cutting board to loosen the juice. It will make it easier to squeeze.)
6. Add the salt.
7. Mix all ingredients well.
8. At this point you can eat it and refrigerate any left overs. If you want to can it you will need to put the ingredients into a pot and cook for 5-10 minutes to get the mixture hot. Ladle hot fruit salsa into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Adjust two-piece caps. Process 15 minutes in a boiling water canner.

Key Lime Cupcakes

I don't now about you but I usually make the same desserts over and over because they are good and familiar. I have been trying to broaden my scope of recipes. I've never tried anything flavored with lime before except a Cherry Limeaide from Sonic. So I decided to try this Key Lime Cupcake recipe. I must say that it was quite refreshing!

Key Lime Cupcakes

Recipe:

1 3/4 cups cake four

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cool unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces

1 1/4 granulated sugar

2 large eggs at room temperature

2 1/2 tablespoons key lime juice

1 tablespoon key lime zest

1 drop of green food coloring

3/4 cup buttermilk at room temperature

Frosting:

1/2 cup cool unsalted butter, cut into eight pieces

8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature cut into 8 pieces

2 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon key lime zest

Directions:

1. Pre heat oven to 350 F. Line cupcake pans. 
2. Mix the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside
3. Using a mixer beat the butter on low until it's softened a bit. 
4. Add the sugar and increase the speed to medium. Beat until fluffy.
5. Add one egg at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. Add lime juice, zest, and food coloring and beat until mixed. (The mix will look curdled)
7. Add the flour in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Mix on low until combined. 
8. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full.
9. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely 
10. For the frosting, mix the butter on low until it's softened. Increase the speed to medium and add the cream cheese one piece at a time. Reduce speed to low and slowly add powdered sugar until combined. Beat in the key lime zest.
11. Frost the cupcakes and enjoy!

You can make approximately either 36 mini cupcakes and 12 regular size cupcakes or 24 regular size cupcakes. 

I thought I "pinned" this recipe. I can't find it even looking with Google. So if this is your recipe let me know and I will credit you! 

Piano Find and Piano Bench Re Upholstered

Did you know that many of your Cities and School Districts have surplus stores? I found out a couple of weeks ago that my kids school district has a surplus store, is open on the first and third Tuesday of each month during the school year between 6:30 am and 9:30 am. Crazy and not very many hours. If you want the really good stuff you go when the school year starts. They have shop tools, kitchen appliances, preschool play sets, T.V's, stereos, chairs and lots more! A friend went last month because he heard that they have pianos. He was able to go and buy a piano for $150! He also told me that there were 2 left. I had to get me one. I played when I was a lot younger and have wanted my kids to play but could never afford a piano. I couldn't really afford this one but couldn't pass up on the deal! When we got there they told us that one of the pianos was untuneable. I'm guessing the sound board is cracked. So I was hoping the other one was in good shape. When I saw the piano I played a few notes and I was sold. It will need to be tuned but that will be another day! 

Since it came from a school it had these large casters on them. I want to change them because I don't like the look but they sure do make it easier to move!

I was so excited to get the piano that I didn't even notice that it was missing a leg! I can fix that, someday!

My dad came over today and we were talking about the piano. I told him all I need now is a piano bench! He said he had one at home! Yeah! I don't have to pay for one! I knew it would be in rough condition. The bench is in as good as condition as the piano. I want to refinish the piano and the bench to be the same color and fix some of the scratches. For now I decided to re upholster the bench. It was pretty gross looking. I took a close up of the fabric but decided to spare you the grossness! 

It was pretty easy to take apart. Only four screws! I took off the old fabric to find an even older fabric underneath. I didn't take that one off because I was afraid to find out what was underneath that! I went through my stash of fabric to see if I had something that I could use to reupholster the bench. I added a little more batting over the really old fabric then added some red vinyl over that. 

Here is the (almost) finished project.

This is what the sides of the bench look like. When I decide a color for the piano I will take care of the bench at the same time. 

Here is a close up of the vinyl.

Now all I have to do is find a piano teacher for my 5 kids that won't cost an arm and a leg!!!

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

I tend to make the same kind of muffins and wanted to make a little something different. I really like a lemon cake and I like blueberry muffins so I decided that I could combine the two. Muffins are really easy to make and make for a quick something to grab on the way out the door in the morning.

 

These Lemon Blueberry Muffins are chalked full of blueberries that you get a mouth full in every bite!

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients:

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

3 tbls lemon juice

2 tsp grated lemon peel

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

dash of salt

2 cups fresh blueberries

Glaze:

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 tbls lemon juice

2 tsp butter melted

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 tbls milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. Mix butter and sugar together
3. Mix eggs in one at a time, set aside.
4. Mix four, baking powder and salt together.
5. Mix flour mixture into the butter, sugar and eggs mixture.
6. Mix in milk, lemon juice and lemon peel. 
7. Fold the blueberries into the mixture.
8. Fill baking cups 3/4 full. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 25 minutes. Depending on your oven you may need to cook a little less or a little more til golden brown.
9. Mix Glaze ingredients together. 
10. Cool muffins and then drizzle the glaze on top.  

How to Make a Sewing Pattern

I feel like I have been doing so much sewing this year. I have made lots of purses and I have made lots of skirts and shirts. Let me say that I do not like using patterns from the store. I have an attention problem when it comes to following the directions and being able to figure out what they are trying to say. So I have resorted to making my own patterns. Sometimes they work out and sometimes they don't! 

You don't need very many supplies when trying to make a pattern. Lots of times I take something lay it out,  measure it and trace it. If there is something about it I don't like I will adjust it when I am drawing. 

Basic supplies are needed. I use a yard stick, a tape measure, permanent marker, pencil, objects to trace, scissors and the most important part - wrapping paper. Yep, wrapping paper! Most wrapping papers have a grid on the back. The grid is in one inch squares and make it really easy to make patterns. In the picture above I was making a pattern for a purse. So I was using a plate to help make the rounded edges.

In this picture I have a t-shirt that has lots of stains on it that I really like. I like how it is tapered and only uses two pieces of fabric. No sleeves to sew on. So to make this pattern I one inch around the shirt to make the pattern to allow for a seam allowance. I have also done this with pencil skirts.

 When I am done making a pattern I write on it what it is and if needs be the instructions on how to sew it together. I haven't made a purse in a while. I think I will create a new one soon. But the shirt above was so easy to make that I will probably make a shirt or two before I get to another purse. Look for the shirt tutorial  coming up sometime this week. 

Ultimate Smore's Brownie

Who doesn't love a good brownie? Who doesn't love s'mores? What about salted caramel? How about combining all three? First you start by lining a 9x13 pan with foil with the foil hanging over the edges. Spray the foil with non stick spray.

Make the graham cracker crust and pack it into the lined pan. Bake the graham cracker crust.

While the crust is baking mix the brownie mix according to directions on the package. Pour the brownie mix into the baked graham cracker crust.

Bake brownies according to directions on box. Take out of oven and layer the brownies with chocolate chips and marshmallows. 

Turn on top broiler. Broil the brownies for up to two minutes. DO NOT walk away from them. Watch the marshmallow brown in the oven. Take out when they are golden brown.

Let the brownies cool on a cooling rack. Using the foil, take the brownies out of pan and place on a cutting board. With a wet knife cut the brownies. Re wet the knife in between cutting. This will help prevent sticking and make a cleaner cut. When ready to serve, drizzle with a salted caramel sauce. 

Make sure to have a glass of milk handy with this very rich dessert! Enjoy! 

Ultimate Smore’s Brownies

By Susan Johnson

Ingredients;

Crust:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons sugar

Pinch fine salt

Brownie:

Favorite Store bought brownie mix

Topping:

1 cup chocolate chips

5-10 ounces of small marshmallows

Salted Caramel Sauce:

Follow recipe here or

Caramel Sauce from store

1 1/2 tsp salt

Directions;

1. If making the salted caramel sauce from either scratch or by simply adding salt to a pre made sauce do so now.
2. Heat oven according to directions on package of brownie mix. Line a 9x13 pan with foil so it hangs over the edges by about an inch.
3. For the Crust: spray foil with cooking spray. Stir the butter together with the crumbs, sugar, and salt into a medium bowl. Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 15 to 20  minutes. 
4.  Mix the brownies according to directions according to package.
5. Pour brownie mix onto the baked graham cracker crust. Bake according to directions on the brownie mix. 
6. Remove from the oven and carefully position a rack about 6 inches from the top broiler. Turn top broiler on. Then layer the chocolate chips and marshmallow on top of the brownies. Toast the marshmallows under the broiler until golden brown. Keep an eye on them, they can go really quick, only about a minute and a half. 
7. Cool brownies on a cooling rack.
8. Gently remove the brownies from the pan using the foil and place on a cutting board. 
9. Carefully separate any marshmallows from the foil and fold the foil away. 
10. Wet your knife by running it under the sink. Cut the brownies, wetting the knife in between cuts to prevent sticking and to help make a clean cut.
11. When serving drizzle the salted caramel sauce on top of the brownies. 
12. Enjoy with a glass of milk!

Crafting Our Kids Review

I recently won a prize from I Heart Nap Time. I won a two months membership from Crafting Our Kids. Basically it is a monthly club that sends you a craft a month for your child to make. Last week we received our first box. I hadn't told my daughter about it so she was excited when I showed it to her. The kit was to make a heart fleece pillow. In the box there was a September newsletter. It had information about Labor Day, Grandparents day and more. There were also instructions on how to make the Fleece Pillow and all of the supplies to make the pillow. The fleece was even already cut out!

Here is the finished product. Really easy to make. The only hard part was keeping my daughter focused on finishing the project! 

I would say this craft was a success. It only took about a half an hour to finish. My daughter is so excited about the pillow that she had to bring it to Grandmas to show her! It also reminded me how easy some fleece projects are. I hope next months project is just as fun and easy!

Homemade Marshmallow Cream

I was recently having some guest over and I wanted to make Whoopie Pies for them. Basically the main ingredient for the filling is marshmallow cream. I knew I didn't have any so I had to go shopping.  When I went to one of the local and closest grocery stores they didn't have any because it is a seasonal item. Well I new I could have gotten it at Target but I didn't want to make another stop just for Marshmallow Cream. I thought I saw somewhere that you could make your own. I quickly used my smart phone at the store to make sure that I had all the ingredients at home and I did! It's actually pretty easy to make. If you saw one of my last post on how to make Homemade Suckers, this gives you another reason to get a candy thermometer!

Homemade Marshmallow Cream
Ingredients: 

3 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/3 cup water
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract 

Directions: 
1. In a glass or metal bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with electric beaters on high, until light and foamy. 
2. With the mixer still running, gradually sprinkle in the 2 tablespoons of sugar. Continue beating until soft peaks form. 
3. In a small saucepan, mix the water, corn syrup, and granulated sugar together. Cook over medium heat until it boils and comes to the firm ball stage (246 degrees). Don't over cook. It can have a burnt taste. 
4. Drizzle the hot syrup into the egg whites with the mixer on low. 
5. Turn the mixer to high, and beat for 5-6 minutes, or until the sauce is very fluffy and the consistency of marshmallow cream.
6. Beat in the extract till combined. 

I found it easiest to use my stand mixer so I didn't have to hold the mixer the whole time. When done the mixture will look like store bought Marshmallow cream and will have the consistency that you would be able to pipe. This recipe made about 3 cups of Marshmallow Cream. I have also used this recipe when I needed Marshmallow Cream in fudge and I couldn't tell the difference!