Friday Pinterest Funny

After completing some Pinterest items that have taken me forever to do I so want a boom sound! LOL, hope this makes you giggle like it did for me.

Have a great weekend!

Frustrations ....

A while back around 2 years ago I did a Valentine box project for the kids.  I do like normal link back to the creator and gave thanks.  About 6 months ago she sent a nasty comment on the post asking I take down the directions that she wanted the people to come to her site.  So I obliged and took down the instructions and made a note why I did so.  Then this week I get another nasty gram from her about the pictures I left up of the kids making the boxes.   I'm not going to link to her here, I just will leave it be.  I'm blowing steam off here.

I so know how it is when you make a craft (unlike her comment that I need to create my own stuff and stop stealing others project ... I do many of my own ideas also) and have someone put it on their site and NOT link to you.  I have several of my ideas that are on other's sites with no mention of me, I just don't sweat it.  There is so much going on to have to make sure I get credit and to pump up my hits to my blog.

Maybe I should have printed out her business card and handed out at school when people asked about the boxes .. LOL.  Every time I go to a party from now on with something I made I'm going to pass out the website I found it on to make sure people get the credit .

I really do get where she is coming from I'm just over it and had to vent.  It has been a REALLY rough week and this was just the icing on the cake of a crap week .. lol.

AND to make you laugh

Holiday Cheer .... Funny Christmas Card

Each year I do the traditional card with Santa and all of us.  But this year I wanted to do something fun!  I so wanted to do the card that has me, Rick and the boys dressed up like the characters from Christmas Story.  BUT with little time with me leaving for Boston and trying to talk Rick into dressing up in a sweater vest and holding a leg lamp was not in my future.  So I searched Pinterest for ideas and found this funny one for "Silent Night".  You who know me know I have 2 VERY loud (but lovable) boys.  This was perfect, forgive me on not giving credit to who created I couldn't find the source, if you know let me know and I'll add a link to them.

What you Need:

Christmas PJ's

Christmas Lights (1 box)

Colorful or Seasonal Duct Tape (2 Rolls - 1 of each type)

Christmas backdrop is helpful

Wrap the hands (lightly NOT tight) with duct tap and add a piece to the mouth.  I gently put it on so it didn't hurt when it came off.  I went to my mom's since she had her decorations all up and it looked picture perfect.  I took a few and then went to PicMonkey a great FREE site to add the wording.  I then went to Walmart and found a 5x7 I could add my photo to.  The saying below was a letter to Santa Perfect!

My Photo with just wording.

NO kids hurt in the making, they could talk the whole time believe me they NEVER stop.  It was a fun picture, I hope I get some laughs and no nasty grams over it.

Do you do funny cards?

What did you do this year?

Thanks for Stopping by!

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

Clean Microwave ... Pinterest FAIL

So the boys are getting to the point when they can eat their own meals up.  They have mastered popcorn with the simple button that says popcorn.  And reheating spaghetti was where we had a little problem.  No matter how many times I have said cover your bowl/plate with a paper towel, it just doesn't seem to sink in!  So when I opened my microwave that I just cleaned to find this (mind you a few days had past since I rarely use the microwave) burnt on hard mess I wasn't pleased.

I thought I would give this no mess easy clean fix a try.  I made it up set the timer and who it's God Green Earth was I really thinking would be sparkling clean when I opened it up.  REALLY am I living with a house elf that cleans up after the kids?  How could hot water and vinegar wipe down the walls and clean?

What you Need:

1 Cup Vinegar

1 Cup Hot Water

Mix vinegar & water put in the microwave for 10 minutes.  The steam SHOULD clean everything off.  They claim no smell, no scrub and easy!  YUP I still had to scrub and now I have a microwave that smells like vinegar :)

I opened it up to see the same mess I started with. NOW some of the stuff wiped right off, BUT that was just some.  I had to actually take my scrubber sponge to clean most of it.  Then I had to take the plate inside to clean it up.  It smelled like vinegar and now after some elbow grease it's clean ... UGH!

LOL well they can't all work!  Has anyone tried and worked for them?

May the Force Be with You Valentine's Card

This weekend I had big plans to get all the boys valentines cards, treats and card boxes done ... BUT.  Well let's say a certain science project for Cole's class to make a Lava Lamp and the lovely display board that had to be done also took up MOST of my weekend!  Who knew a kids science project for a third grader could be so freaking time consuming.  That project I'll show next week.  This week I need to get the valentines done and posted before the actual date!

So needless to say I only got one done and it was the easiest of all the things I am going to do!  Jeez somedays I think I really need to rein it in ... oh yeah who am I kidding :).

I of course saw these on Pinterest and had to make them!  The boys LOVE all things Star Wars (oh yes boys after my and my dads heart).  I saw these May the Force be with You Cards on Stitch Creations.  

She was so sweet to actually give you a free printable in color or non color (click either link above to see the printables and her son that she actually took a picture of to make him part of the card ... very cool)!  I picked the color version and printed on some cream colored card stock paper.  I took my creative memories cutter and cut them down and used the blade to cut the whole for the glow stick.  It can be done with a pair of scissors also if needed (or a razor blade).  This really is so simple but what kid would not love a freaking glow stick card!  NOW one thing I learned is when you shove the glow stick in it will break which kind of is uncool when you give the card with a dead stick.  SO you use a glow stick that is broke to put threw to make the hole wide enough then take it out and add the new one.  I found this was the easiest to do, I did it for all the cards and only ended up with the one dead one!

This is going to be such a hit with Cole's friends, plus it gave me an idea of what to do for Cole's birthday invites that of course is going to be Star Wars themed :). 

Hope you all had a great weekend and for you who are stuck in the storm my prayers are with you!

How to add Pin It Hoover on Your Photos

I have been wanting a pin it button that hoovers over my photos but only have seen it on Wordpress blogs.  Thanks to Google Search I found an amazing tutorial on how to make this happen on blogger.  I tested it out and it works!  I had to share!  This is a great website with tips and easy to understand tutorials on how to apply the changes step by step.  Check out Blogger Sentral for this tutorial on a hoover pin it button!

Hoover your mouse or tracker pad over this picture and you'll see the pin it button.

Now header and install this!

Haul out the Holly Christmas Card Holder

For several years I have a Christmas Card Tree (it is an actual metal tree that holds cards) but it's seen a better day.  So when I came across this idea to make a Holly Christmas Card Holder I was sold.  I picked up the items except for the wire hanger and spray paint at the dollar store.  Note to self the dollar store clothes pins are very cheaply made and may just be worth spending a little extra  money to buy a higher quality version.  This was a simple one to make just took a little time but I think it was worth it since I so can use it again next year.

You'll need:

wire clothes hanger

yard of ribbon

1 pack of clothespins

green spray paint

pony beads

wire cutter/pliers

glue gun (I skipped this and just used the pliers to pin it together in a circle)

empty box (I used a piece of plywood clipped them to it and sprayed)

Pull the flaps off of the box, and clip all your clothespins (or do like I did and clip on plywood). Spray 3-4 coats of paint on the clothespins. Make sure to get in between the two parts as best you can, and underneath as well. Let them dry for a day or so.  (I was impatient and only sprayed 2 coats and should have done a little better and let them sit over night). Cut the hook off your wire hanger, and shape into a circle. Grab your beads. Then, alternating bead and clothespin, slide onto the wire. Continue until your wreath is almost full, and the wires overlap about 1.5 inches. Glue them together with the glue gun-lots o' glue here (this is where I just took the pliers and bent the heck out of the wire to hold it). Cut a piece of ribbon, and tie it around the wire, then trim the ends and glue that to the wires (I used a thicker ribbon then she did). Using the rest of your ribbon, tie a bow and glue that on top of your hanger (I skipped the glue part just tied it on).  I promise it is really easy!  

Hope you had a wonderful week and you may try this out!

Cookie Lover Gift Idea

So here is another gift I made for the Christmas party we went to last weekend.  I saw this idea on Pinterest but it just lead to a photo so I'm sorry I can't give credit to anyone.  I took the photo and kind of made it my own.  The original photo was a square potholder with a cookie cutter attached and a bag of cookie mix.  I wanted to give some cookie tools so the person who got it could whip up the cookies, I had a feeling a kid would get the gift since adults and kids were grabbing and either or would like this gift.  This is a simple one that would cost you around $10 (most of the items you can find at the dollar store.

You need:

Christmas Oven Mit (found it at dollar store)

Betty Crocker Spatula (dollar store)

Betty Crocker Measuring Spoons (dollar store)

Bettyy Crocker Measuring Cups (dollar store)

Bag of Betty Crocker Cookie Mix (Sugar Cookie for $1.29 Walmart)

Cookie Cutter (Ross $2.99)

Put the cookie mix and the tools into the oven mit.  I then picked up a cookie cutter a nice metal one at Ross for $2.99.  I took some scrapbook paper and made a sign.  I found the wording that worked perfect on label on Make it Do's Website.  Then stuck it together with some glue and tied it on with the ribbon I used for the cookie Cutter.  The perfect gift for the baker in your life.

Hope you make this it was so cute and the person who got it really liked it.

Fall Recipe ... Cinnamon Roll Waffles

Since I'm on a Waffle Roll here ... ok it's a pun I couldn't resist.  I was going to make homemade cinnamon rolls for this recipe but it was a late night after teacher conferences so I went for my back up pre-made cinnamon rolls.  This was a simple recipe to make and the boys loved them.  I of course didn't get to taste but the boys had seconds and were so excited for another breakfast for dinner night!

I've been seeing cinnamon rolls put in a waffle maker for sometime now on Pinterest.  Most of the links I found didn't link to any post just showed you how to do it, so that is why I'm not linking to anyone. I thought it was simple to do in a pinch and I was right.  Next time I will make my own cinnamon rolls but for this night it worked out great.

What you need:

Store Bought Cinnamon Roll Dough w/ frosting (or make your own)

Waffle Maker

Yup it's that simple!  Open the can put one of the cinnamon rolls in each side of the waffle maker (mine is made with 4 slots so I made for at a time).  Make sure to flip the waffle maker and then flip it back over, open up and take them out.  Frost right away so the frosting melts.  Again this came with frosting but you could make a simple frosting of powder sugar, milk and vanilla.  

Serve right away so they are warm and gooey!  My maker took only about 3 minutes to make!

Happy Tuesday!  I'm slammed at work and not getting a lot of me time after work.  I am trying to get around to see everyone.

Pinterest Halloween

So My Spooky Halloween Must Do's folder on Pinterest was getting rather full and I decided it was time to try some of these items!  So hold on this will be a LONG post of many fun ideas!

Idea #1 - Pumpkin Lollipop Holder

I started with the Pumpkin Lollipop Holder! NOW here is the importance of READING the post before you just look at a picture and say I can do this on my own.  So the article tells you do use a fake pumpkin!! THAT would have been wise to read, but I didn't so I had a real one that I had Rick do.  Which with my hairdryer and his air gun we dried out the real pumpkin and added the lollipops with out much mess, so all in all it can be done!

For this project, it's best to use a synthetic foam pumpkin. (The moisture found in real pumpkin flesh will turn the lollipops' paper sticks soggy.)

1. Cover every other rib with low-tack masking tape, and then, using a flexible tape measure, make dots every 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches down the side of the pumpkin. Punch through dots with an awl, or use a power drill with a 9/64-inch bit; remove tape.  (I of course just had Rick eyeball it, no tape ... lol)

2. Fill holes with orange and chocolate-flavored pops, alternating flavors from one rib to the next and keeping sticks a uniform length to maintain the spherical shape. Top with a black paper bat bearing a message in opaque ink; place pumpkin on a table outside your front door and in a sheltered spot.

Idea #2 - Cookie Cutter Pumpkin

Next was to try the cookie cuter pumpkin method on Fresh Home Ideas.  I learned that metal cutters are the best.  One of my plastic cutters was sacrificed to try it out (let's just say it had a quick death).

• Step 1: Tap Cookie Cutter
• Step 2: Remove Cookie Cutter
• Step 3: Carve Pumpkin
• Step 4: Remove Shapes
• Step 5: Insert Candle (I used LED candle)

Idea #3 - Vampire Teeth Cookies

We then move on to Vampire Teeth Cookies I found on Just a Pinch.  These were simple to make, they called for soft chocolate chip cookies.  Instead of buying store bought I found a recipe for Big Fat Chewy Chocolate Cookies.  I started with the cookies and then once they were cooled I decorated them.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 egg 1 egg yolk 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
2.	Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3.	In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy. Mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon. Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about 3 inches apart.
4.	Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly toasted. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Then for decorating:

INGREDIENTS

FOR EACH VAMPIRE TEETH COOKIE YOU WILL NEED - 1 soft chewy homemade chocolate chip cookie cut in half - red tube icing

- 6 mini marshmallows - 2 almond slivers

DIRECTIONS

1.   Take your cooled cookie and cut in half, then take a little off the center so it is more like a jaw. This will be the top and bottom of your mouth

2.   Line mouth with frosting and add the front two teeth then the almond slivers then the last two teeth and top with the other half of cookie that also has icing on so that it gives the feeling of gums.

 Step by Step:

Idea #4 0 Edible Eyeballs

Then of course you have to have the edible eyeballs.  These were the simplest item to make and just perfect for Cole's 3rd/4th/5th grade classroom.  

Eyeballs
round or square pretzels
white chocolate disks
chocolate chips
red jimmies

On a baking sheet, place pretzels in a single layer. Put one white chocolate disk in the center of each pretzel. Place in a 350 degree oven for approx 3-4 minutes or until chocolate is shiny but not melted or falling through the pretzel.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with red jimmies (I used red gel frosting). Invert one chocolate chip in the center of each disk. 

 Step by Step

Idea #5 Easy Pumpkin Pretzels

Then I made some Easy Pumpkin Pretzels that I found on Butter with a slice of Bread for Caden's Class.  This was another simple one to make that even the kids could do with out my help.

• 1 bag mini pretzels {you won't use the whole bag, only about 1/4}
• 1 bag M&M's candy, needing only the green ones {Alexis Note: I used jelly beans}
• orange food coloring & White Chocolate (I ended up using Orange Melts)

First step is to melt the chocolate. I took the melts in a microwave safe bowl and belted them for  minute. Coat pretzels in the orange chocolate. Once you've dunked your pretzel, adding a nice coating, lay it out on a piece of wax paper. While it's still wet, add a green jelly bean (or a M&M) and set it in the crook of the pretzel, on it's side.If you see a few bare spots on your pretzels, while they're still wet, dab some more chocolate on them using your finger (but using melts is thicker so I didn't have that problem).

Idea #6 - Spider Cake Pops

And we end with some spider cake pops for Caden's class also.  It was the end of the night so they weren't my cleanest creation but I think Caden's Kindergarten class won't mind.  I started with making a Vanilla Cake Pop recipe found on The baby Cake Shop.  I used my cake pop pans instead of the baby cake pop baker. 

Make Cake Pops

 Make the Spiders

Ingredients:

12 Cake Pops Made

1 Bag Black Candy Melts

1 Bag Wilton Candy Eyes

1 Box Wilton Candy Licorice (cut into legs)

Melt your candy melts in a microwave safe bowl (usually 1 minute). Dip your cake ball in the the melted candy melts.  While still wet add the candy eyes and add on the legs.  You can sprinkle with black sprinkles (but I couldn't find these anywhere).  Let dry and serve!

WOW sorry that was a lot but I wanted to make sure to get this all posted before Halloween was over.  Hope you all have a safe Halloween!

Band-Aid Cupcakes

Cole has joined the Pioneers at school and Monday they will have a CPR training.  I wanted to make something fun for there snack.  On cupcake wars the other day I saw a lady do band-aid to top her cupcakes.  I thought that would be perfect for this meeting.  It was late so I wanted to make something quick and easy.  I'm also going to make cupcakes tomorrow for Caden's class going to the pumpkin patch.  So why not make pumpkin cupcakes for both!  I found this Quick and Easy Pumpkin Cupcake recipe and made that.  I then made a Sturdy Whipped Cream Frosting I saw on Pinterest the other day.  And then of course topped with the band-aids.

First I stared with the cupcakes (which mind you was so simple and quick, I recommend this in a pinch).

Makes 24 cupcakes

1 package spice cake mix
1 15 oz. can pure pumpkin
3 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup water

Preheat oven to 350F. Paper-line or grease 24 muffin cups.

Blend cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, oil and water in a large mixer bowl until moistened. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared cups, filling evenly.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pans on wire racks for 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

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Then instead of a regular cream cheese frosting I needed something sturdy to last up the day until the meeting after school.

 Makes 5 Cups
1 (8oz) package reduced fat cream cheese
1/2 Cup White Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Almond Extract

2 cups Heavy Cream

Combine the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract and almond extract in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment and mix on medium speed until smooth. While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl a couple of times while you continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak.

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For the band-aids I just made this one up and it turned out pretty cool if I must say so!

6 Graham Crackers (broke into fourths)
Frosting (white)
1 tube Red Frosting Gel

Break your graham crackers in fourths to look like a rectangle (band-aid).  Add a small square of white frosting in the middle (to look like the gauze on a band-aid).  Add a drop of red frosting Gel (to resemble blood).

Step by Step:

First Frost the Cupcakes

Then top with the Band-Aid

Not bad for a quick one (took me less then an hour).

I hope these are a hit!

The best way to end a Slumber Party is a movie & POPCORN!

And we end our slumber party food with popcorn.  So at first I started with oil on the stove with the kernels but I decided that wasn't working so well so why not try the version I saw on pinterest the other day.  I saw this Blow-Your-Mind Microwave Popcorn and thought how could something with only a bowl, a plate and kernels really work but I was amazed it really did.  I found this great recipe on Everything but the ....  Again I'm not allowed this on my diet but my friend took a bite of it and you should have seen her face when she took the bite you could tell it was super yummy!  I will be making popcorn this way from now on, I can't wait until I have the ability to eat it!

Here is what you have to do:

Take 1/4 cup of dry popcorn kernels and place in the bottom of a microwave-safe glass bowl (pyrex is a great choice). Place a microwave-safe plate on top of the bowl. Plate should be wide enough to go beyond the rim of the bowl.

Microwave for 2 minutes 45 seconds. Popcorn pops perfectly, no oil, butter or bag!  YUP simple is the word and delish is the second word!

Enjoy from the empty bowls returned to me, I would say it's a hit and will be a staple in our house.  And as for the sleep overs I'm sure we'll do one again soon, it was a fun day (even the clean up afterwards wasn't too hard).