Monday, August 30, 2010

Candy Corn Door Hanging

I know I'm jumping a head here but, I just can't shut-off my brain when it's in create mode. I've been starting to see fall and Halloween decorations popping up in all the stores around me. Naturally I want something that you can't buy in the stores plus I love the challenge of coming up with something unique.

Here's what I came up with!

I used canvas and cut-out the shapes in different sizes. Then  hand painted them with fabric paint. Sewed it up and stuffed it like a little pillow to add dimension. Simple!

What do you think?










 



Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sundays


Hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon. We are enjoying some free time painting and being creative.


It's been kinda crazy around here getting ready for pre-school and we have had a LOT of birthday parties and more to come. So sorry I have not been posting as much but I promise I'll be back and things will pick-up again.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Thrifty Finds

I have been hitting the jackpot on thrifting finds! If I ever had to come clean on an addiction this would be it. My name is Amber and I have an addiction to thrifting and all kinds of good buys.

I found these great pair of kitchen stools for $14.00 each.

Antique Redware Bowl for a whopping wait for it.... $0.49 I love antique yelloware and redware bowls.

Ethan Allen cedar chest for $10. I can't wait to break out the wood filler and paint and make this baby come alive again!


Last but not least this glass hurricane vase for $3.00



Don't you just love thrifting!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Tic-Tac-Toe Bean Bag Toss Game

It's Birthday time around here again! Today we have my Niece Emma's 4th Birthday party. I wanted to make her something fun and personalized that she will enjoy for years to come. So I came up with this      Tic-Tac-Toe game played with bean bags.



Visit thecsiproject.com 


Photobucket






Tic-Tac-Toe Tutorial


What you need:

1 yard white canvas
Masking Tape
Fabric Paint
One 4 lb. bag White Navy Beans
Two 1/2 yards of two different fabrics for the bean bags
Bias Tape home made or store bought

Let's get started!


Cut your canvas so it measures 36" X 36"


Fold the mat (canvas) in thirds and iron creating 3 equal sections. Then rotate and do the same. You will now have 9 equal squares.


Using one long piece of tape, lay masking tape 1/2" away from the fold line on both sides. This will give you a 1" paint line. Make sure to press and smooth edges of the tape REALLY well so you will not have bleeding like I did in the lower left. :) oops! Set the mat aside and let dry.

Grab your fabric for the bean bags.



You are going to need (10) bean bags (5) of each fabric. Cut each piece into 12 1/2" x 6 1/4" rectangles. Fold each in half with right sides together, stitch sides using a zig-zag stitch, leaving a small hole to turn.   


After turning right side out fill each bag with 1 cup of beans.



Tuck opening in and close using a strait stitch. Continue all the way around the bean bag sealing the beans from coming out and creating and nice finished edge.


Grab your mat and bias tape. Pin all the way around and then bast using a strait stitch.



Your DONE!







Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Mmmm....Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting need I say more?

Oh man...I made a red velvet cake for the first time and WOW! It was awesome and did not not last long in my house.  I've probably gained 8 lbs from eating so much of it!  Okay maybe not 8 lbs but I seriously could not get enough and either could the kids. Maxon kept crawling into the kitchen to point to the cake and whine for more (he is only 15 months). Really it's that good and I would have to say it is now my favorite cake on earth.

Here is the recipe. I got it from Cook's Country. Enjoy! 
Ingredients

Cake:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
Pinch salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons natural cocoa powder
2 tablespoons red food coloring
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter , softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

Frosting :

16 tablespoons unsalted butter , softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
16 ounces cream cheese , cut into 8 pieces, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch salt


Instructions:

1. For the cake: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Whisk buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and eggs in large measuring cup. Mix cocoa with food coloring in small bowl until a smooth paste forms.

2. With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down bowl as necessary. Add one-third of flour mixture and beat on medium-low speed until just incorporated, about 30 seconds. Add half of buttermilk mixture and beat on low speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Scrape down bowl as necessary and repeat with half of remaining flour mixture, remaining buttermilk mixture, and finally remaining flour mixture. Scrape down bowl, add cocoa mixture, and beat on medium speed until completely incorporated, about 30 seconds. Using rubber spatula, give batter final stir. Scrape into prepared pans and bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes then turn out onto rack to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.

3. For the frosting: With electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add cream cheese, one piece at a time, and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Beat in vanilla and salt. Refrigerate until ready to use.

4. When cakes are cooled, spread about 2 cups frosting on one cake layer. Top with second cake layer and spread top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 3 days.