Chocolate Glop

I remember making this recipe with my siblings when I was a kid. I was trying to think of something simple that my kids would enjoy as well. I remembered this and tracked down the recipe. (Thanks to my sister Lisa for finding the recipe for me!)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Milk

1/2 Cup Butter or Margarine

3 Tbsp Cocoa

Combine in pan, bring to boil, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool.

Then add:

3 Cups Oatmeal

1 tsp. Vanilla

Peanut Butter (to taste)

(I used 3 large spoonfulls of peanut butter.)

Mix together then drop onto wax paper.

Then they just need to set. I like putting mine in the freezer and eating them frozen. Yum!

I know these don't look too apetizing, but they are delicious!

Easter Wreath

I love making festive wreaths to decorate my front door. That's about the only decorating I do but it's still fun! If you want to make this fun Easter Wreath here is what you'll need:

Cardboard

Scissors

Medium plastic eggs (about 45-50)

Easter Grass

Hot Glue Gun

Pencil

Ribbon or Bow

Use some cardboard to cut the shape of the wreath. I just used an old box I had on hand so I cut 2 pieces to make it more sturdy. Then glued them together.

Then start glueing the eggs in place. The outter row should have the fat side of the egg facing toward the center of the circle. Put a ball of glue on the egg to glue it to the cardboard, then a ball of glue wherever the egg touches another egg.

Then do the inner row of eggs. You can do both rows at the same time if you want. The inner row of eggs should point to the center of the circle. Again, glue each egg where it touches another egg.

Once the two rows of eggs are in place, randomly place the left over eggs on top to cover the empty gaps. (I bought a bag of 42 easter eggs thinking that was enough but it turns out I needed more. I went back and bought another pack of 10 and that was perfect. It also depends on how big you cut your cardboard.)

Then put your easter grass in place. Just put a little glue in the hole you want to cover up, and use a pencil to glue it in place.

Next you'll want to trim any grass on the inside and outside of the wreath.

I added a few more eggs after this picture so I had a place to secure my bow. So if you leave it open, it's fine because your bow will cover it.

Then make your bow and glue it in place. I would suggest to have your bow the same color as your grass just so it matches.

Then find a way to hang it. I just glued a piece of ribbon onto the back. Looks real professional huh? ;)

And that's it! You have a pretty simple Easter wreath to display!

Happy Crafting

Granola

My Mother in law found this recipe and it turned out great so I thought I'd try it myself. This is Alton Brown's Granola recipe from the Food Network.

Ingredients:

3 Cups Rolled Oats
1 Cup Slivered Almonds
1 Cup Cashews
3/4 Cup Shredded Sweet Coconut
1/4 Cup plus 2 tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup plus 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
3/4 teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Raisins

I did a few things differently, I used regular brown sugar instead of dark, and I doubled my recipe. Also, when I make it again, I think I'm going to leave out the cashews.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour into 2 cookies sheets. Cook for 1 hour 15 minutes. ( I ended up cooking mine for 1.5 hours.) Stir every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix.

I really love this granola and will definitely be making more!

Enjoy!

Valentine's Decoration

Supplies Needed:


Wooden Hearts
Paint
Ribbon
Hot Glue
Vinyl (stickers or paint)

I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it looked pretty simple. First pick your paint colors and paint your wooden hearts.

Once the paint is dry, glue a ribbon to the back. I connected all of mine together.

Then I used my vinyl cutter to cut each of our names out. If you don't have a vinyl cutter, you can use stickers or paint. Be creative and make it your own.

Then just hang it up.

This is a simple project that adds to the Valentine's decor.

Happy Crafting!

Valentines Wreath

I'm already decorating for Valentine's Day. I saw this idea at The Idea Room and wanted to give it a try. I couldn't find a heart wreath anywhere so I just made a circle wreath instead.

Supplies Needed:

Foam wreath
Felt (off the bolt) I got 1 yard with a little left over
Matching Ribbon
Straight Pins
Cup
Hot Glue Gun (optional)
Scissors
Fabric Marker (a pen might work)

First, wrap your ribbon around your foam wreath. Hot glue the end so it stays in place. Then wrap and glue the other end. (If you don't want to glue it, you can just pin it into the foam.)

I was about a foot short on ribbon and didn't want to go back to the store, so I just left it. The gap will be covered anyway. You don't have to wrap the wreath if you choose, I decided to wrap it so the back would look nicer, but it's not too important.

Then use your cup to trace circles onto your felt. You'll need a lot of circles. I just did a row at a time, but I didn't count how many I ended up cutting.

Then take a circle, fold it in half, then in half again.

Put a pin in close to the tip, then stick it into the foam wreath.

Put the circles as close together as you'd like.

This is what the back looks like.

Then cut a ribbon, and pin it into the back.

And you're done! This project took about 2 hours and I did it all in one night. Pretty simple.

Happy Crafting!

Platter

Here is a very easy and inexpensive way to make your own serving platters.

Supplies:

Plate
Cup (vase or candle holder)
Clear caulk

I bought my cup and plate at the dollar store and I got the clear sealant at the hardware store.

First I had to soak the price stickers off the glass.

Then dry.

All you're going to do is put the clear sealant on the bottom of your cup, then place your cup on the bottom, center of your plate.

Then let it dry. I let mine sit for a few days just to make sure it was completely dry.

That's it! Super easy and it only costs a few dollars!

Happy Crafting

Coasters

For Christmas gifts this year, I decided to make coasters. Since everyone got a set of 4, I made a lot of these. :)

Supplies Needed:

Tiles (4X4)
Mod Podge
Sponge Brush
Felt
Patterned Paper
Clear Sealant Spray
Tacky Glue

First cut your paper into 4 X 4 inch squares. The tiles are 4 1/4 so you'll want your paper about 1/4 inch smaller than the tile. You don't have to use scrapbook paper, you can use wrapping paper, napkins or anything else that has a cute print and can be glued.

Put a light layer of Mod Podge on the tile then put the paper on top. (Make sure to get the corners.)

Let it sit for a few minutes so it can dry a bit, then put a layer of Mod Podge on top of the paper. (If you're making a lot, you can do all of them, then start back at the beginning with each step.)

Once that dries, I suggest adding another layer of Mod Podge. It gives it a more finished look and seals it better.

Then spray them all with a clear coat. Make sure you do this in a well ventilated area. This will seal them and give them their finished look.

Then cut the felt into 4 inch squares.

Once the tiles are dry, glue the felt onto the bottom. I used tacky glue but I'm sure any glue will work.

Let them dry completely before stacking them. Then tie a cute ribbon and they are ready to go.

This was such a fun project and a fun Christmas gift.

Happy Crafting!