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 Lucky Charms!

I am really excited we have more time this year between holidays.  Usually St. Patrick's Day and Easter are so close, the GREEN holiday gets overlooked...but not this year! 

I really wanted some cute little lucky charms hanging around this year.  I went to the closet to see what I could find.  Green felt, green scrap fabric and a cricut to cut out a clover and we are ready to go!

I used my cricut to cut out a clover on card stock - about a 3-4 inch size.

Trace each clover onto your felt and fabric and cut out.

I also used the cricut to cut out the words LUCK onto the card stock.  I used Heat n Bond and adhered it to some fabric.  Traced the letters onto the fabric and cut them out as well.

Wow!  Check out the UGLY, GROSS ironing board cover!  I think it is time it be replaced.

Anyway, back to the task at hand... I took a small piece of Heat n Bond to adhere the two clovers together.  Less wiggle when it came to sewing them, or no sew if you don't wanna!!??

Iron the clovers and the letters on.

I strung a piece of twine from one hook to the other and used four small clothes pins to attach them.

And there you have it... You're Lucky Charms!

I'm loving me some Lucky Charms!!



Brussel Sprouts & Bacon

YES! You read that right!

BRUSSELS SPROUTS & BACON.

I always wanted to like Buster Browns (has my Mama calls 'em) but I just couldn't.  They tasted like dirty socks.  Then one day, I came home with MORE than one family could possibly eat - thanks to the lovely fruit and veggie co-op we all love Bountiful Baskets.

I couldn't let all these green veggies go to waste.  So I had to find a recipe that would spark my kids interest.  When I saw a recipe call for BACON, I knew in my heart of hearts this would be a HIT!

And it was DELICIOUS!

I will never look at these little green things the same!

I guess I had been cooking them wrong.  And I am really happy I learned how to cook them RIGHT!  Because they truly are amazing and with bacon.... OH YUM!

Here's How:

Wash and rinse brussels sprouts

Peel off outer layer on all sprouts and cut in half

Chop bacon into chunky pieces

Pour a little olive oil in a pan

Toss in brussels sprouts and bacon

Coat with Greek Seasoning - Oh how I love this stuff!

If you are an onion lover, chop up some onions and throw those in too!

Saute until bacon begins to crisp but make sure you don't burn the brussels sprouts!

My kids and I were a little nervous at first.  But, trust me - it was DIVINE!

When I began my recipe search, I just used the main ingredients - the bacon, brussels sprouts and olive oil!  They all called for weird items I didn't have on hand so this is kind of my own made up recipe.  If you want a more gourmet version, give it a google! 

Got Cold Feet?

I do.  All.  The.  Time.  I blame it on my Dad.  He has cold feet too.

I don't enjoy my cold feet, but I do love when my toes are toasty.

 So, I came up with a solution for my cold toes!

A quick, easy and inexpensive heat pack to keep your toes nice and toasty!

What to make one for you?  Well, let's get to it!

I started off with two old pillow covers from Ikea and a scrap piece of fabric.  I wanted to use the pillow covers because they have zippers.  I like the idea of being able to "change" the insides of the heat pack when it's time.

I wanted the packs to be long and skinny - to fit nicely in the bottom of the bed.  I measured 9.5 inches from the top and cut the bottom off.

Turn the fabric inside out, so the right sides are together.

Sew a 1/2 inch seam allowance along the bottom/open end, closing it up!

Turn it right side out, and press.  See how nice and pretty she looks!?

You can stop here, because technically it's done.  You can fill it full of good things like:

beans

rice

rock salt

tea bags (makes it smell pretty)

BUT, if you want to give it some character...let's carry on!

I used my Cricut to cut out some letters on card stock.  I wanted these two packs to say "TOES."  I then used Heat n Bond and adhered it to the green fabric.  I traced the the letters on the fabric and cut them out.  I know you are supposed to be able to cut out fabric on the Cricut, but every time I try I fail miserably.   I took the long road and did it by hand today!

After cutting out the fabric letters, I ironed them onto the heat pack.

Filled it full of good things.  And, check out how cute!  I am actually giving these two to my mom and dad.  I know my dad will LOVE having warm toes.

The other great idea about this!?  In the summer when it's hot?!  Throw this in the freezer in the morning, by bedtime, toss it in bed and it's sure to COOL you down!  Yeah, I know BRILLIANT!!!

How cute would this be for a wedding gift?  His and Hers?  Mine and Yours?

Here is the cute one I made for me!  I didn't have a zipper at home, so I used Velcro, not a shabby idea!

I was even in such a good mood I taught Cooper and Charlee how to sew.  Here are the heat packs they made ALL by themselves.  I swear!  I didn't do a thing.  I sat next to them at talked them through everything, but they did it all!  I have to say, they did a FABULOUS job! 

I love these little things.  I throw them in the microwave while the kids are getting their jammies on and brushing teeth.  Put them in the bottoms of their beds and it keeps them warm.  I can turn the heat down at night and there are no complaints of being cold!

So friends, say goodbye to cold feet and hello to

TOASTY TOES!

Leftover Love

I'm sure you're over Valentine's Day.

I am.

Cleaned it up yesterday, boxed, and packed away until next year. However, we just finished the leftovers from this German Chocolate Drizzle Cake that I made for my hubby on Monday.

Yes, this cake is as good as it looks. The frosting was DIVINE. We had plenty to share. You better bet we shared this cake (I'm already failing miserably on my new years resolution to slim down a little). It was huge. It also paired nicely with a couple of tall glasses of ice cold milk. You have to try it. It was finger lickn' good.

Valentine's School Party

So here is a cute idea Julie and I came up with. 

I am one of the room mother's in my daughter's kindergarden class which means we throw all the parties! Crazy I know. So I went in and took a picture of all the children the week before. Cut and sanded out some wood. Painted and distressed the wood and then they were ready for the kids to glue their pictures on and put their thumb prints on for their Mom's I hope they liked them!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Oh My!  Valentine's Day Is Here!

Now, I am the "Slacker Mother of the Year," - because we just finished our Valentine Box on Saturday afternoon and our Valentine Cards on Sunday night. 

So, for your viewing pleasure.....

The Valentine Box & Cards for Cooper

A little story behind this box (you know I ALWAYS have a story).  Cooper desperately wants an Ipod Touch. I won't buy him one.  He's only NINE and I refuse to spend that much money on one more piece of electronics!

So, I made him a paper IPod.  Then he informed me he wanted FLAMES on his box.  FLAMES?  Please tell me how FLAMES and an IPOD go together?

This is the best I could do.  Along the top it says "To Hot To Touch."  Get it?  I hope so...!!???

The backside (sorry the pictures a little - ok a lot blurry) of course the Apple Icon!

Now, the Valentine's Cards I am pretty proud of - mainly because I came up with this little idea all by   my little self!  Looks like an ordinary deck of cards, right?  WRONG!

I used some super cute digital scrapbook paper from Summertime Designs and Photoshop to created this card.  I guess the reason I am so proud of it, is because that deck of cards you see...well I designed it!  By that I mean, I started out with a plain piece of paper, created hearts, used some tools to make it look like you are holding the deck of cards in your hand.  (So I sat here for a long time trying to figure out what word to use to describe that process and I am dumb and can't think of one...).  I scaled it down to fit two cards on one 4x6 photo print and used spray adhesive to adhere it to the deck of cards!

BRiLLiANT!

The Valentine Box & Cards for Charlee

I took Charlee to the craft store (our favorite place to go together!) and let her pick out TWO pieces of paper.  This is what she decided on!  She LOVED the little Love Birds, and so did I.  We found all the ribbon and embellishments in my "Closet of Awesomeness" to decorate the rest of her box.  She cut out all the hearts and told me where to put everything!  I have a little mini me on my hands!

(Forgive the nice little off the shoulder look she has going on here...she was in her pajamas)

Here is my little sweet thing showing off her Valentine cards.  I used a scrapbook kit called Cloud Nine (for the life of me I cannot remember where I got this kit but it is freaking adorable!) and scaled them down to fit two on one 4x6 photo print.  We filled little cello bags with cinnamon hearts and attached her card with some twine.

Now, just so we all know - the cost of the Valentine boxes?  $1.50 FOR BOTH!  I kid you not!  I drove through Del Taco and asked them if I could buy two of the Fiest Pack boxes minus all the food.  The nice lady said "We don't sell them and we don't give them away - but I will let you have them!"  SWEET!!  The only out of pocket cost was the two pieces of paper I let Charlee buy.  The rest?  Came out of the closet. 

Really, you have to just LOVE Valentine's Day!  I know some people hate it and think it is a waste of money, but come on!  It is a FUN day to show others you care.  So all you LOVE haters - don't be haters be lovers! 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

R U Ready?

Valentine's Day is quickly upon us. There are so many cute valentine ideas around blogland that I have just been in awe. I'm not sure if Julie and Holly feel the same way, but speaking for myself, I have just had so much fun looking at everyone's ideas and getting inspired. Instead of posting a lot about the crafty holiday ideas, I have spent this holiday actually crafting and enjoying it with my kids. Sometimes I have to remind myself that it is best to make them first priority.

I have made some cute valentine decor for the house including some of these ideas:

Valentine Subway Art from Eighteen25

Valentine Snowflakes

(photo from Peppermintplum since we already mailed our off valentine packages to family members)

We also made these heart shaped snowflakes from Family Fun. So clever!

Along with our very own Julie's "Owl Always Love You" Owls. Haven't gotten around to make the plaque yet, still on the to-do list.

Mom (me) decided to make our valentines this year. They were so much cuter than store bought cards, but a little more time than I thought they would be. I guess everything always looks easier in blogland. That's okay though. We had a very enjoyable family night fully prepared with suckers in our mouths, making valentines, and listening to music.

Okay, not sure about the very wild hair going on here. My little girl did the ever so famous lollipop photo cards (made famous originally HERE, I think). She only had a few to do for family.

Next, was my son's valentines. I blog surfed and found five of my favorite ideas and then let him choose which one he wanted to do. Of course he didn't pick the one I was wanting him to do, still picked a great one, but I guess that is what I get when I give him autonomy! So Dana over at MADE is the awesome person that claims the credit for this stinking cute valentine idea: HEARTBREAKER VALENTINES. You have to check out her post. She has a way with photos. This is our version. Lots of cutting, letting him do the writing, stapling two sides together, filling with candy to make pillow like valentines.

But, we couldn't have done it without Dad's expert stapling skills. No, really! There was a lot of stapling going on that night.

And we finished off with a simple and cute dynamite idea from Family Fun for his teacher. "You're the BOMB Valentine". Rolos covered in paper with a pipe cleaner fuse. We also made up a few single sticks of dynamite for neighbors.

Well, there isn't much time left...so get on it, get out there and get crafting. And most importantly, tell your loved one how much they mean to you.

A Moment...For Jade

Today I am feel impressed to do something different than my average post.  I usually post about crafts, cupcakes, sewing, or something I have created.  Today I want to share something completely different and delicate.  So please, read these with a tender heart.

I have a sweet friend - Jade.  For those who know her, know what an AMAZING friend, wife, sister, mother, and daughter she is.  She is beautiful, talented, funny, dramatic, spunky, sassy and full of personality.  Just to give you a taste of Jade, on her blog she says about herself  "My husband once told me I had an unhealthy obsession for shoes.  I told him he had an unhealthy obsession for me, and while he was doubled over in pure hysterics, I dropped kicked him to the ground...maybe you had to be there, but it was pretty cool!"  This is Jade, she is hysterical!  She always has the greatest stories to tell and always can make everyone laugh!

Jade is married to Matt, together they have a beautiful little girl, Laken and a handsome boy Track, and a few weeks ago, Jade gave birth to Locke William, who returned back to his Heavenly Father a few short minutes later.  Locke was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 while Jade was pregnant with him.  He beat several odds of even making it full term, Locke was a miracle and wanted to have a few minutes on earth to be with his mother.

I was able to attend the funeral of Locke William, and I can testify the Spirit of God was there, and Locke is with our Heavenly Father.  I cannot imagine the pain and agony that Matt and Jade are feeling as they have lost their child, I only know the comfort that our Father in Heaven offers is what will carry us through this life.  What a blessing it is to have the gospel in our lives.  Jade, I know our Heavenly Father loves you, and I love you too!

Matt and Jade are the most SPECIAL parents to the most SPECIAL boy.  If you want to read more about their story, you can go here.  Matt set up a site where you can purchase SurvivalBands, proceeds go to help with Trisomy 18 research, you can read about it here.

Dirty Little Secret

Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo by TIGI

I love this stuff. If you don't have time to wash your hair because you have a million things to do and kids screaming 'MOM' use this and you can keep your hair rockin' for one more day!

Just spray at your roots to absorb excess oils and it smells fabulous!

You can buy this at any salon that sells TIGI products but it can be quite pricey. I have found a cheaper one at Sally's Beauty Supply, works just as good just does not smell as good. 

Over the Hill

This is nothing spectacular by any means, but it was fun.

I threw an impromptu 60th birthday party for my mom. We are talking from a thought to the event in 24 hours! We had missed her birthday the week before because she was still very weak from the bad case of walking pneumonia she has had for what seems like the entire month of January. She was feeling better and my aunt let me know she was taking her out to dinner. I decided we would decorate my aunt's house while they were gone and have a dessert bar after their dinner. I only had 24 hours to pull this baby off and so the decoration are not stellar, but at least we surprised my mother and celebrated her momentous birthday. 60 is a big deal and I couldn't just let it slip by without telling her she was special. Most of my time was used up calling people and baking cupcakes. It was mostly just family and a few neighbor friends, very small and casual. I think if it had been planned longer, someone would have blown the surprise.

We had chocolate cupcakes with a simple buttercream frosting and silver sprinkles and also a salted caramel cupcakes (from Joy's Hope, you can find the recipe HERE), YUM. Mom has recently been through a lot and I didn't want to really focus on the "you're older than dirt" aspect and make everything black. We added a little bit of color and tried to put some silver in it to make it a little more festive.

We also gave her a portrait of the Salt Lake Temple that I made from Poppyseed Projects. I have to say thank you to my hubby for "helping". I had run out of time to do everything and asked him to take the ribbon and make a bow to put on the picture. Men just do things differently as you can see in the photo.

We also watched a short (5 min) video of pictures of mom. It was a super casual and informal party. Probably what mom would have wanted if she had been able to plan her own party. She hates the spotlight. LOVE you Mom. Happy Birthday.