Sorry for my craziness ....

This is so me right now ... lol!  Trying to make my way to say hi to everyone! LOL hopefully after this weekend party will be over and I'll be sane just with crazy work stuff.

Have a GREAT weekend!!

Workout Funny

So if you follow me on Facebook you know I was in a car accident a few weeks back. Now I have the pleasure of going to Muscle Therapy (AKA torture). No one can ever call this massage because it's painful. 2 weeks ago she was working on my lower back, well it loosened up my hip. I did my exercise and POP my hip went out ... ugh!  So I've been out of working out for 2 weeks, and eat VERY bad. Gaining weight and not happy. This week I got back on the exercise train, and now I'm limping for a whole new cause ... LOL!!

This is so how i feel! LOL

Have a GREAT day!

Pokemon Ball Gift Bags

Next on the birthday to do list was the bag to put goodies in for the kids who attend. I found several ideas on Pinterest, again I figured I could do this myself.  So I went to work on making these bags and cheap as I could.

What you need:

White Bag (3pk - Dollar Tree $1)

Red Poster Board (1 Sheet - Dollar Tree $1)

Black Poster Board (1 Sheet - Dollar Tree $1)

White Cardstock Paper (30 cents Michael's)

Paper Cutter

Cricut Cutter - For Circles

Craft Glue

I took a large piece of poster board paper in red and measured against my bag then I folded it and used my paper cutter to cut it down into the nice square shape.  I glued the red onto the top of the bag. I then took the large piece of poster board paper in black and measured out strips to go on the bag. I used the paper cutter to trim and make nice. I then glued the black onto the bottom of the red. I used my Cricut to cut out black circles in the 1 1/2" size. I then used the Cricut to cut out white circles in the 1" size. Using the craft glue I put the black circle down first and then white circle then on top.

Bam Done, and I must say they turned out pretty darn cool! If you don't have a Cricut, first I suggest you buy one ... lol.  But you can cut circles using a circle cutter or if you're talented you can hand cut them.

Have a Great Day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Pokemon Ball (Oreo) Cookie Cupcakes

For Cole's class I wanted to bring some fun treats.  Cole's school has been very sweet and has allowed me to bring baked goods (usually they only allow store bought). I found several ideas on Pinterest to make Pokemon Ball's using Oreo Cookies.

What you Need:

Oreo Cookies

Red Wilton Melts

Black Wilton Melts

White Wilton Melts

Frosted Cupcakes

Clear Cups (Optional)

Clear Bags (Optional)

Ribbon (Optional)

I made a batch of simple white cupcakes and then tinted a batch of my sturdy buttercream with Super Red AmeriColor Food Color. 

Then I started to make the Pokemon ball cookies. I first melted the red Wilton melts in the microwave. I melt mine in my pampered chef glass bowl for 2 minutes. I then dipped each Oreo cookie into the red melt (only dip half the cookie). Let the red dry, you can put in the fridge to help dry. Then I melted white Wilton melts in the microwave (same process) and then dipped each Oreo in the the white melt (only dip half the cookie). When the white dries you can then add the black line and circle of the Pokemon Ball. Now this is the 2nd time I've tried to melt the black and do perfect lines. YUP not so perfect, I'm still working on this part, if you know a better way let me know. I melted the black into a Wilton squeeze bottle and made the lines (I've also tried piping bags etc).

Since I was taking these to school I wanted a easy way to transport and hand out to the kids. I found this trick a few years back on Pinterest. Putting cupcakes into a clear cup and then put a clear bag and tie with ribbon. This is perfect for parties. I find the clear cups at the Dollar Tree 25 pack for $1 and then the clear bags also at Dollar Tree 25 pack for $1. I tie with ribbon also from the Dollar Tree a spool also $1.

Have a Great Day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Pokemon Birthday Invites Done

Yes it is full on Pokemon Birthday Party Mode here!  And we start with the Pokemon Ball Invites to be sent out. I found a ton of ideas on Pintrest and figured I can make these myself! I got out my circut with the George cartridge it came with and went to town!

What You Need:

White Card Stock

Black Card Stock

Red Card Stock

Glue

I cut the Ball first, Black in 4" size, I then cut a red and white in the same size. I cut the red and white in half, I then glued a red half and a white half to the black.  NOW you can use a white ball with the info already typed on it. I should have done this but you try and learn :). I ended up typing up the party info on regular paper then cut out the circle and glued to the black. I would suggest printing on white card stock and using that as your back instead of the black but it's up to you.

For the front of the ball I add the black line (I cut mine too short so I cut in half and the gap was hidden with the black ball center. I then glued a black ball and a smaller white ball in the middle. Black ball 1 1/2" and White ball 1" on the dial on the Cricut. Use craft glue to hold it all together. I printed out the words "I Choose You!" and then cut that strip and glued on the front of the card.

Calling all Trainers, Let's Battle!

Have a GREAT day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

In Party Mode ...

Sorry I am MIA again, between work being crazy busy it's Cole's 11th Birthday party. And those who know me know I'm a little nutty about themes and parties. So I'm in planning over drive right now.  Here is what we have going on so far for the Pokemon Party next weekend.

A big Happy Birthday to Cole!  I can't believe you are already 11 years old! You're becoming an amazing young man!

Projects going on :

Have a GREAT weekend!

College Dorm Survival Kit Gift Idea

My bosses amazing daughter has been excepted into Providence College and I wanted to give her a fun college themed gift for her birthday. This could be a GREAT  going away to college gift also. I found several ideas on the internet for $100+, I figured I could do this myself.

What you Need:
Shower Caddy (Water proof perfect for showers - Amazon $39.99 on sale $12.95)
College Dorm Survival Guide Book (Amazon $11.73 Paperback)
College Tshirt (Providence College for my gift)
Shower Products (Bath Gel, Lotion)
Personal Products (Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, deodrant)
Cotton Balls / Q-Tips
Hair Spray / Mouse
Brush
Gum / Candy etc

Fill the bag with tissue paper to make everything fit nicely. I filled the side pockets with all the fun stuff I bought. Buy things that they will need or special items they like!  I love the book to tie in the theme.  The Tshirt was perfect to tie in the college she was going to also!

Have a GREAT day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Future Film Maker Gift Basket Idea

My bosses son just had a birthday and he's all into making video's and films.  He's brilliant I must say, technology these days and kids blow my mind! I wanted to do something fun for his birthday and thought a Future Film Maker Gift Basket would be perfect for him.

What you Need:
Popcorn Bucket (Dollar Tree $1)
Bugles 
Assorted Candy (Whatever you want to add)
Popcorn
Caramel Corn
Chips
Action Magaphone (Amazon $5.37)
Hollywood Director's Film Movie Slateboard Clapper (Amazon $8.99)
Award Trophy (Amazon $3.64)

Add your items into the pop corn bucket and tada easy and cool gift!

Have a GREAT day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Olaf Cupcakes (Made with Modeling Chocolate)

As most of you know I make cakes/cupcakes for a nonprofit that brings birthday's to homeless kids. Birthday Dreams is an amazing charity (they have a live auction going on now also to raise money).  I've done a Olaf Cake (click to see) for them so when I signed up for another one I went for cupcake decoration instead. I found inspiration on Pinterest of these Olaf's no person to give a shout out too. Her mouth's turned out so much better than mine, still working on that one!

What you Need:

Frosted Cupcakes

White Modeling Chocolate

Orange Modeling Chocolate

Black Modeling Chocolate

Candy Eyes

Circle cutter or fancy cutter

Small Circle Cutter for mouth

Small square Cutter for tooth

For those who have not seen my previous post on how to make modeling chocolate (aka candy clay) all pictured but the orange.

Modeling Chocolate

12oz Candy Melts

1/4 Cup light corn Syrup

Melt your Candy Melts in microwave (mine takes about 2 minutes). Stir them to become smooth and add the corn syrup.  It will become thick and form a ball.  Wrap in plastic wrap and let it sit out and dry.  Takes a few hours or over night is best. (Alexis note: I found to roll this out use a little powder sugar (like you would do with flour), also you have to kneed it a little like you would dough to make it easy to roll out).

Roll out modeling chocolate in white for the heads, cut out the rounds.  For the nose I took the orange modeling chocolate and formed a nose shape. The mouth I made a round circle and took a square to make a tooth spot. The white I took a square to form a tooth. I use Wilton candy eyes and took a small piece of the black to make eyebrows. 

Have a GREAT day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Easy Light Breakfast ... Egg White and Spinach Cups

Making light breakfast I found to make these ahead of time and they were perfect for a light breakfast.

What You Need:

Egg Whites

Spinach

Turkey Bacon (Can add in also)

Sea Salt

Cooking Spray

Take a muffin tin spray with cooking spray or use coconut oil which is great for you. Fill muffin cup with 3/4 cup All Whites top with spinach.  I like to add a little sea salt on top but it's up to you!  You can always add a little turkey bacon if you want. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes depending on your oven. If you can stick a knife in and it comes out clean your ready to go! Have breakfast and put the others in tupperware for other mornings.

Have a GREAT day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Healthy Pasta and Turkey Sausage Bake

Another yummy recipe that wasn't the prettiest but it sure tasted yummy!!  I found a version of this Pasta and Turkey Sausage Bake on Food Done Light. It is perfect during these cold nights we have been having. I find I can make put in the oven on delay and when we return from the YMCA and all our activities it is ready to go!

Prep time:  5 mins

Cook time:  40 mins

Total time:  45 mins

Serves: 6 servings

 

Ingredients

• 8 oz. Halloween pasta or any small elbow pasta
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1 cup chopped green or red peppers
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 12 oz. pre-cooked chicken or turkey sausage, chopped
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp. fresh ground black pepper
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour
• 1¼ cup (5 oz.) 2% fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray an 11 x 7 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook pasta 1 minute less than package directions. Drain.
3. In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, coat pan with cooking spray. Sauté onions, carrots, mushrooms, and peppers for 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Add sausage, marinara sauce, ½ tsp. salt, pepper and Italian seasonings. Cook for about 2 minutes or until most of liquid has absorbed.
5. Add pasta to sauce. Pour into baking dish.
6. In a small saucepan, whisk together milk, flour and ½ tsp. salt. Cook and stir constantly over medium heat for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in ¾ cup cheddar cheese.
7. Pour cheese sauce over pasta.
8. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese.
9. Bake for 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Nutritional value per serving: Cal 410/Fat 15 grams/Carbs 43 grams/Fiber 4 grams/Protein 24 grams

ALEXIS NOTES: I skipped the mushrooms we are not fans here. I used Turkey sausage. Organic noodles and marinara sauce.

Have a GREAT day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Tomato Soup Mac & Cheese (WW 9 Points)

And for a yummy meal that is on the lighter side.  I found this recipe for Tomato Soup Mac and Cheese on my favorite weight watcher recipe site Emily Bites.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb (16 oz) uncooked wheat or otherwise high fiber elbow macaroni or pasta shells
• 3 tablespoons light butter, divided
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 (14.5 oz can) whole tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• ¼ cup torn basil leaves
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 ¼ cups fat free milk
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 oz 50% reduced fat sharp cheddar, shredded (I used Cabot brand)
• 4 oz sharp cheddar, shredded (I used Cabot Seriously Sharp)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350. Lightly mist a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. While the water is boiling for step one, melt one tablespoon of the light butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, basil and thyme and raise heat to bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
4. While the tomatoes are simmering, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of light butter in another saucepan. Add the flour to the butter and stir to combine. Add the milk a little at a time and whisk the flour mixture into the milk until smooth. Add the mustard powder and salt and stir to combine. Add 4 ounces of the shredded cheese (set aside 2 ounces for topping) to the milk mixture and whisk together until smooth. Make sure heat is on the lowest setting and warm cheese sauce for about 5 minutes to thicken.
5. When the tomato mixture is done simmering, pour it into a blender (or use an immersion blender – one of my favorite tools!) and blend until smooth. Add the tomato mixture to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Mix in the cooked pasta until well coated. Pour the pasta mixture into the reserved baking dish and sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top. Bake for 20 minutes until cooked through and bubbly.

WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PLUS:9 per serving (P+ calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com)

NUTRITION INFORMATION:
330 calories, 48 g carbs, 10 g fat, 15 g protein, 7 g fiber (from myfitnesspal.com)

It may not be the prettiest meal but it sure was yummy and the kids and the husband ate all on their plates so that is a winner to me!

Have a GREAT day!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Pizza Buns Featured on Great Idea Thursdays 93

What a GREAT week another feature. I so needed a boost this week and to see a recipe featured made my week. This recipe was so yummy the boys and I actually made it for a second time this week.  Most of you know me and I'm crazy about repeating meals I usually never do, but this was so simple and easy. NOW the second time around I did switch it up a bit by using the mozzarella and added some black olives but still yummy! 

A big thank you to Joy Bee for featuring the Pizza Buns I made on her Great Idea Thursdays 93.  

Thank you again!

Have a GREAT weekend!!

Featured on Happy Monday

A big thank you to Jenny Marie for featuring my Small Olaf Cake on her Happy Monday.  Made my Monday to hop on and see my cake smiling back at me!

Thank you again!

Hoppy Easter ... Jelly Bean Bark

And last on our Easter list is Jelly Bean Bark, I saw several different ideas but came across a Spring Candy Bark on Three Kids and a Fish. She used M&M's but I had jelly beans on hand so I used that instead. I think next time I'll make with the M&M's, I really like the look of hers!

What you need:

White Candy melts (I used 2 bags)

Orange Candy melts

Yellow Candy melts

Jelly Beans or M&M's

Parchment paper

Melt your candy melts in microwave safe bowls (I use my glass pampered chef bowls). I melted white first and spread on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. I then did drops of yellow and orange. Using a knife I swirled making a marble look. Put the Jelly Beans on top of the melted candy (you may want to push them in a little bit).  Let the bark set up and then break it up and serve. I found bags at Micheal's and put them in that to hand out.

Hope you all had a GREAT Easter!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Hoppy Easter ... Bunny Bait Polish

And again yes I'm late with this post but save it for next year  .. lol. I found this perfect idea on Homemaking Hacks for Bunny Bait Polish. Super easy to make and was a perfect gift for our tutor and my best friend!

What you need:

Orange Polish

Green Construction Paper

Clear Bag

Ribbon

Hot Glue Gun

White Card Stock

Peep (optional add on)

Wrap the green construction paper around the top of the nail polish.  I used a glue gun to glue it down. I folded my construction in half so it gave a little extra paper to work with. I then made cuts on the paper to look like the top of the polish.  Fluff it up so the paper separates. Print the free printable Dawn made, I printed on card stock then took a hole punch to add to the bag with a piece of ribbon. I use the clear bags (25pk $1) from the dollar tree. I added a extra peep into one bag. Easy and perfect gift!

Hope you all had a GREAT Easter!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Hoppy Easter ... Easter Coffee Gift

I was grand plans to post this Sunday AM, well it of course got a little busy .. lol.  I know I'm a bit late but this will be a great one to save for next Easter. I wanted to do something fun and easy for the Teachers and came across Bunny Brew Mini Coffee Cup Easter Treat Holder on Sue Stampfield's blog for Stampin Up. NOW I love stamps but that is not one of my strong suits so I took her idea and created it with my Cricut machine.

What you need:

White Coffee Cup (Target 6pk $3.99)

White Coffee Lid (same pack)

White Card Stock

Pink Card Stock

Cotton Ball

Blush

Pink ribbon

Black Sharpie

Glue

Hot Glue

You can use Oval cutters or punches to do this.  I'm on the let's make this quick so I used my Cricut.  I used my George and Basic Shape Cartridge that came with my machine. I swear I use this cartridge for almost every project.

With your white card stock cut 2 large ovals (I used the skinny oval option - 4") for bunny ears. 2 medium ovals (I used the fat oval option - 2") for the feet.  I also cut a tag out (it even cuts out a dot for you to put the ribbon through). 

With your pink card stock cut a small heart (I used the skinny heart option - 1") for the nose. 2 medium ovals (I used the skinny oval option - 2") for the inside of ears. For the dots on the feet I couldn't get a circle small enough so I printed a B (4") and used the bottom dot of the B for the dots :).

I attached the heart for the nose.  Then using a sharpie I made a mouth and eyes.  NOW her's were perfect and amazing mine had a little character .. lol.  I wrote Hoppy Easter in the card tag.

I glued the pink on the white for the ear, then added the pink on the oval for the feet.  I then glued the ears (the back outside top of the lid) and feet on to the cup. I took my hot glue to glue a cotton ball on for the tail. I made a bow and hot glued it to the top lid.

I took some blush and a cotton ball to add the cheeks. I then took a hole punch to a Starbucks gift card made a hole and a then made a hole in the top side of the cup. I then attached to my tag and gift card with a ribbon to the cup. Put the lid on and done!

Hope you all had a GREAT Easter!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.