"Feast on!" Friday

Here is an Old Time favorite this time of year!

Popcorn Balls

Ingredients:

*Popped Popcorn (unbuttered)

*1 pkg. miniture marshmallows

*1 pkg. Jell-O, any flavor

*1/2 c. margarine

Directions:

Melt marshmallows, margarine, and Jell-O over low heat in a saucepan. Pour over popped popcorn. Mix well and shape into round balls. An old time favorite, enjoy!

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!"

Here's a great tip for your scissors!

Scissors need sharpening?

Scissors seem a little dull? Are they not are sharp as when you first purchased them?

Well, all you need to do is head to your kitchen and grab your self some Aluminum Foil! Just take your foil and fold it in half several times, then cut through it several times! Do this until you feel your scissors have been sharpened, it really does work in a pinch!

"Wood'n it be Nice?!" Wednesday

Been wanting to make one of these for some time now, but always forget about cutting one when I am in my workshop! So, the other day I specifically went out and cut a few of them then purchased some candles to display on them.

This is a very easy and fast project that I am sure you will enjoy.

Candle Nail Board

Supplies:

~Jig Saw

~1/4" x 6" x 18" Pine Board

~Five Brad (1-1/4") Nails

~Piece of Jute Twine

*Cordless Drill with 1/4" drill bit

~Five connected candles

~Your choice of Paint or Stain

~Sandpaper

~Hammer

Directions:

I am not going to bore you with every step of this project. This is a very easy project with basic instructions. So, I am just going to give you the steps & the finished results. Hope you enjoy!

First, you will need to make a pattern. I do this by simply taking a piece of printer paper, fold it in 1/2, and drawn my "half" design on it. That way when you open it, it will be the full design you want! The easiest design would be the one like mine that I simply call "nubby cutting board handle" design. LOL. That is just what it reminds me of, a short cutting board top!

Next, Cut out your pattern and trace it onto your Pine Board.

Now, taking your Jig Saw, cut out your Candle Board.

Next, take your Drill Bit and in the upper center of your Candle Board handle, drill the hole for hanging (this is where you will insert your twine.

Now, take and start hammering in your little Brad Nails into the bottom portion of your board. I didn't do any measuring for these, just started in the middle, then did each end, then split between the two left! Make sure you don't hammer them all the way thru and out the back! A few good taps is really all you need. You could use rusted nails for this too if you want a more Primitive look.

Now, take and stain or paint your Candle Board. I chose to stain one and paint one black, as I did make a few of these.

Take a piece of your Jute Twine and add it to the hole to hang your piece.

Hang your candles on the nails. Enjoy!

You could you always hang sweet annie, dried greenery, or Ornies from this board too if you don't have candles!

Thanks for the replies!

JUST A QUICK NOTE, I FILLED THE SWAPPER POSITION! THANKS FOR ALL THE RESPONSE!

I need one more Swapper!

I had a fellow blogger have to pull out of my "Olde Fashioned Christmas" Swap yesterday. She had something come up & felt she couldn't make the commitment. So, I am in need of one more swapper! I will let you know that you will be swapping with someone in Canada. So, if you are willing to ship to Canada and didn't signup for the swap but was wishing you would have.....WE NEED YOU NOW! So, if you are interested, please email me so I can give this wonderful blogger another swapping friend!

Makeover Monday!

This makeover was done to an old window that my friend, Kim (The Prim School Marm) gave me a while back. I FINALLY got to get it finished into something! My first intentions was to make a Primitive Window Cupboard out of it. But, since I am moving sometime soon, that was a little bit bigger of a project that I just didn't want to take on right now! So, I made it into this cute window box display. This is going to be a display area that I can easily switch out for different seasons and holidays, as you will see I put a little "twist" on something!

I am sorry that I don't any longer have a picture of this window in its original state (lost them when the computer got sick!).. But, I have NOT touched the finish on it at all. I did take an indoor/outdoor water-based sealer and apply it all over the window. I wanted to make sure that I preserved that wonderful chippy paint that this window had and all the wonderful primitive color! So, that will now be forever preserved! Also, there was glass in all the panes but one...the upper left hand window was busted out. So, I decided to just take all the glass out and I am glad I did! That really lighted this window up tremedously! It was HEAVY!!!

Here it is now all finished! I added muslin curtains to the back as if it were a real window looking in and a wooden box in the front for filling with prim pretties! Then a wooden sign up in the left hand corner and a rusty square nail to the right hand side.

Just look at this wonderful chippy paint!

This rusty handle!

This is the "twist" that I added. The wooden sign up in the upper left hand corner is on with Velcro! I plan on making more signs for the different seasons and holidays. That way I can change it out when the prim pretties get changed out!

So, next time you find an old window....take and make it into something useful for your Pretties!

SWAP SIGN-UPS CLOSED!

Just wanted to thanks everyone who emailed me to particiapate in this swap. This is going to be a fun one! I am getting all the names together today and will have them out to all of you by tomorrow evening!

Last day for Swap Signups!

Today is my last day for my Christmas Swap signups! So, if you are interested in swapping along with us.....click on the link to the right. Please make sure you read the rules & criteria for this swap. Have a great day everyone!

Freebie Friday!

Sorry I am so late! Oldest daughter is getting married today, so I had a little bit of running I needed to do!



Hope you enjoy this Freebie Pattern. It is in my Freebie Box to the right. These are wonderful to put on the tree or around the house. You can do them with heavy cardstock or a sheet of craft tin! Hope you enjoy!

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!"

Here is a great tip for all you Doll or Ornie makers!

Tip for stuffing your Dollies or Ornies

If you are using Muslin to make your Dolls or Ornies with and you are having a little difficulty stuffing them because your fabric is stiff. Then, go and grab yourself a squirt bottle and fill it with some warm water! Lightly spray your Muslin before you start stuffing and it will help "loosen" up your fabric some and make stuffing alot easier! Just remember to "lightly" spray and not saturate your Muslin.

"Wood'n it be Nice?!" Wednesday

Sorry everyone, but my computer got a virus and needed to be taken to the Emergency Room! After a brief evaluation they decided that they needed to rush it right into Emergency Surgery! So, my computer is recooping right now and I am just waiting for the call as to when I can bring it home. The surgery was extensive and worse then we had originally thought! They had to go in and do several "transplants" of many different organs! Whew! This is his second major surgery now, don't know how much more he can handle?!



Needless to say, I am on the hubbies laptop and can't download a thing! I can't even get my camera to download pictures....ugh!!! I usually have all my posts done in advance and "scheduled" for posting. But, of course I have been so busy lately that I didn't get time to do this one and this would be the time my computer would be sick! Can we say...."Murphy's Law!"?!



So, next week we will have our "Wood'n it be Nice?!" Wednesday. I think you will enjoy what I have planned.

First Annual "OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS" Swap!

Well, as you can see....Visions of Sugar Plums have been dancing in my head! I am so thinking Christmas lately!!! So, I am ready for a new Swap...A fun Swap....An "Old Fashioned Christmas" Swap!!!! Are you ready to play?



First, let me give you a little insight to this swap. This is an "OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS" Swap, do I need to say more?! That means...think Grandma's house...or better yet.....Great-Grandma's house! I really don't wanna see items with gold or silver glitter, I'd prefer to see them sprinkled with German Glass Glitter or Mica Flakes (I do sell Mica in my Shoppe-link on the right- if you need some) as you would have seen them years back, or just grunge them with some coffee stain and bake them in the oven!



PLEASE, think aged, worn & tattered, sitting in grandma's attic look! So often anymore when I am doing Primitive "searches" I am finding items that look new but are listed as Primitive. Sorry, but I HATE that!!! If it doesn't look Primitive then don't classify it as that! Just a little Pet Peeve of mine...hehehehehehehe.



So, I want grungy, tattered, rusted, cinnamon sprinkled, sanded, distressed items for this swap!!! Also, please read the rules thoroughly below before you commit to swapping.


Lastly, there are going to be 'Specific' items you will need to include in this package. This just makes it an even swap for everyone this time. Also, I like to see how everyone can take the same guidelines and make their package different from someone elses! Now, please remember...this is a Christmas Swap, so really put your Christmas spirit into this one and give a nice package of handmade Love to your partner! So, that means atleast 2 items MUST be handmade.

YOUR PACKAGE MUST INCLUDE:

~3 ORNIES/BOWL FILLERS. We all love new Ornies to hang or some new Bowl fillers to place throughout our homes this time of year! These could be all different or the same, however you prefer.

~1 WOODEN ITEM. Think items like a new sign, painted wooden plate, wooden bowl, antique bobbins, etc. for this one!

~1 TEXTILE ITEM. We all love our textiles & linens! Whether it be a homspun towel, a stitchery, or a new table runner...just make sure it is a finished item!

~1 "SMELL GOOD" ITEM. This could be a favorite holiday wax tart or candle of your choice, room spray, scented rosehips or homemade soap!

~1 LIGHTED ITEM. This could be something as simple as grunged tealights, grunged candles, a battery operated grungy taper candle, or a lighted gathering!

~1 ITEM OF YOUR CHOICE! This is a "WILD CARD" item that would like to include in your package. It does NOT have to be Christmas related. This could be a year round gift to your partner that you would just like them to have displayed all year long! A little "reminder" of a new blog friend that you made this year!

"OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS" SWAP RULES:

You MUST have posted with me atleast 5 times or more! (I will check too if I don't recognize your name, but I know most of my commenters anyways!) Just making sure I am familiar with you.
~You MUST have a blog of your own. This is blog land and I know that some of you like to just leave comments from your email accounts, but I prefer you have a blog for swapping. That just shows commitment to blogging and following thru on your swap.
~YOU MUST COMMIT TO SENDING OUT YOUR SWAP "ON TIME"!!! If you don't you will sit out the next 2 swaps I hold, and "YES!" I do keep a list of those who are late and those who don't send at all!
~So, you MUST be on time! Sorry, I HATE late packages! Just a pet peeve of mine! Nothing like anxiously awaiting a package to find it shows up 2 months late! I know all you swappers will agree with me if you ever had to wait! So, don't wait til the last minute to start your swap...START NOW!
~You MUST thank your partner when you receive your goodies! I HATE ungratefulness!!! I know we are all busy, but we all make time to check our emails & read them Blogs-don't we?! So, thank your partner for your package!
~You MUST send your package PRIORITY (if you don't this time of year, it takes forever to arrive) and get a Delivery Confirmation #! You MUST email me that number too! That if there is any lost packages, we can hopefully track them done, and know for sure that you sent it & on time too!
~You MUST have your Info to me by October 25th. I will get the Swap names out to everyone by October 27st.
~You MUST mail out your package by December 1st! This gives everyone a month to gather up their goodies and send out their swap! This is a Christmas Swap, so I am sure everyone would like their Christmas Goodies this holiday season and not next!
~Lastly, but MOST IMPORTANT: GIVE AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECIEVE!!! I always say, "I wouldn't give a package to someone, if I would not want to recieve it!" So, that is why I usually always make exactly the same thing for myself as I make for all of you! LOL
~This will be a "One on One" Swap. So, once I gather all the names, I will email everyone their partners!
~This is open to USA & Canadian residents only! Sorry the postal service is killing us with shipping costs anymore!

Now, I will trust that everyone who wants to play is willing to play by the rules! But, just in case there are those of you that end up not (this has happened already once here!), as I tell my children: There are consequences to every action; Good or bad? You decide! So, If you don't play by the Rules, you WILL be blocked from my Blog!!!

Sorry, I know life happens, that is why I say, "Don't wait til the last minute to start your swap!"Remember, Blog land is a Huge Arena we play in....but, it runs in very SMALL circles! I know we all like to leave good impressions on our SMALL circle of friends!Okay, I know that all seemed so very harsh with Rules & Regulations...but, they are really just Swapping Courtesy I think! Just want to make sure this Swap turns out a "Good One not Gone Bad"!So, if you are interested in doing this swap....click on the "email me" icon on my right side toolbar. I will need your BLOG NAME, NAME & MAILING ADDY. Also, I DO respond to every swap email and let you know I "added" you. So, if you don't get my email within a day, make sure you email me again as I probably didn't recieve it the first time! I hope I didn't scare anyone away! I would love for you to come and play!

Mason Jar Monday!

Here is a great Fall recipe. Hope you enjoy!

Spiced Apple Cake

Ingredients:

*Quart Sized Mason Jar

*3 cups all-purpose flour

*1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

*1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

*1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*1 cup chopped nuts

*1/2 cup golden raisins

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a medium bowl, mixing thoroughly. Place into your Mason jar.

Directions:

Empty contents of Spice Apple Cake Mix into a large bowl. Mix

*1 1/2 cups oil

*3 large eggs, beaten

*1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

*3 cups chopped apples (cored & peeled)

*juice of 1/2 of a fresh lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a tube or Bundt pan with cooking spray. Toss apples with juice of 1/2 lemon to prevent darkening. Place spiced apple cake mix in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl beat eggs well with a wire whisk. Make a well in the center of the mix; add the oil and eggs. Stir until mixture is smooth. Fold in the apples until well combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool; remove from the cake pan. Enjoy!

Freebie Friday!

I know since the calendar has turned to the month of October, I have been thinking CHRISTMAS! I also know, that to some, this is a little to early to start thinking about this holiday! But, if you are Shoppe owner or just a crafter as I am, we always need to be "ahead" of each season a few months earlier. This just gives us crafters some time to have our Goodies ready for the season and Shoppe owners a little time to start displaying thier items for the up and coming season. So, needless to say.....I making Christmas Goodies!



Right now I am working on a few Christmas Ornies, some Wool Bowl fillers, and a few little Christmas Gatherings. Yep! I like to always have "too many irons in the fire" so to say! It helps soothe the ADHD in me...LOL!



I have added this little guy into my "Freebie Box" on the right side toolbar for all of you to enjoy. This was a pattern that I offered up last Christmas to all of you, so if you didn't get it then, grab it now. I decided to make him into a GINGERBREAD MAN this year though! So, you can make the little snowboy as the pattern suggests or make yourself some gingerbreads from it! Hope you enjoy!

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!"

Got this tip from a forum I belong to, thought I would pass it on to all of you....very interesting!

When you go to buy bread in the grocery store, have you ever wondered which is the freshest, so you 'squeeze' for freshness or softness?

Did you know that bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week? Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each day has a different color twist tie.

They are:

Monday = Blue

Tuesday = Green

Thursday = Red

Friday = White

Saturday = Yellow.

So if today was Thursday, you would want a red twist tie; not white which is Fridays (almost a week old)!

The colors go alphabetically by color: Blue- Green - Red - White - Yellow....Monday through Saturday, Very easy to remember.

So, next time you are looking for fresh bread...don't squeeze it, just look at the twist tie color!

Tuesday's Tutorial

I have dabbled in all kinds of crafts over the years, and Soap & Candle Making is one that I still love! It is a very inexpensive way to create custom fragrances for a fraction of what it would cost in the Retail World.

"Rebatching" that is what this project is all about. This is a term that is usually used more commonly in Soap Making. "Rebatching" is the process of taking your soaps, that did not turn out well, and throwing them back into the melting pot to "remold" again. Basically, this is just a "Do Over" so-to-say in the world of Soap Making.

Well, I thought..."Why not do this with Candles?!". The only exception is, these are NOT candles that I have made and need to "Do Over" again. These are scrap candles that I have collected and decided to "Repurpose" them!

This is a very easy process that I know any of you can do! NO double boiler involved and this could be done in a few hours and right on your kitchen counter! Hope you Enjoy!

"Out with the Old & In with the New!"

Supplies:
~Crock Pot
~Ladle
~Muffin Tins or Tart Molds
~Vegetable Cooking Spray
~Old Candles
~Spatula
~Measuring Spoon
~Candle dye (can be found at most craft stores in candle aisle)
~Candle Fragrance (can be found at most craft stores in candle aisle)
~Freezer Paper or Wax Paper

Directions:

First, we are going to protect your work surface. You will NOT want to skip this step as we are working with Candle Wax! Take and line your surface with your freezer paper. Don't be afraid to line the whole counter area you are working in, as we are going to be spreading out your molds over this too. When placing your freezer paper you will want the shiny side up.


Now, we are going to start with all your Old Candles. Like to take them cut them apart some if they are pillar candles, or snap them into smaller pieces if they are taper candles. This just helps them to melt down a little quicker.

Next, take and place them all into your Crock Pot on "high". Let them melt down; stirring them occasionaly with your spatula. As the wicks break away from them, I do take and remove them from the Wax.

While your wax is melting, lets prepare your tart molds. First, make sure your molds are free from dirt & grime. Now, if you are going to use a muffin tin, I recommend designating this one now for just your wax tarts.


Take and spray your Molds lightly with your cooking spray. A little goes a long way! Set them aside now on your Freezer Paper.

Now, lets get started on making your Tarts! First, we are going to add your Candle Dye. I like to use the flake version, but you can use the liquid, either is fine. If using flakes I start with adding a 1/4 tsp. at a time to my pot. If adding liquid I do 3 drops at a time. Now, stir VERY well with your spatula. To test the color, just take and drop a few drops of wax onto your freezer paper. Let the wax cool and see if you need more coloring or not. If so, just keep adding til you have the color you are looking for.

Time for the Fragrance. Now, the rule of thumb is to add one ounce of Fragrance to every pound of wax. Well, this is hard to figure out since we just used old candles. So, I have found that a half pot of hot wax (I am using a regular sized crock pot) needs about 6-8 Tablespoons of fragrance. Stir the fragrance now very well for about a minute.

We are ready to pour your Tarts! Now, using your Ladle take and fill your molds. Make sure that you fill your molds to the top, as the candle wax shrinks in size as it cools. Let sit and cool for about an hour.

Once your tarts are cooled, take and flip over your molds and your Tarts should pop right out. If you are having trouble with them releasing just stick your mold into the freezer for a few minutes and try again. The cold will help release them.


How easy was that?! These make great Christmas gifts too! I just take and place about 10-12 in a pint sized Mason Jar, wrap a piece of homespun around the lid and place a label ontop or add a hanging tag with their fragrance name!

Makeover Monday

I LOVE this thrift shoppe find! This is a candle box that I picked up at my local Goodwill for only $1.49!!! It is solid Oak that just had been varnished to show it's "natural" beauty. Well, I am not a lover of the natural solid Oak color so, I did a makeover on it!



This was just a simple makeover, didn't change anything other then the paint color. But, WOW how paint can turn something bland into something interesting!



Usually, I don't paint anything in the color green. Truely it is just not one of my favorite colors, but I have been adding a few pieces here and there to my color palette. The reason being is a picked up a wonderful cabinet a few years back with a pineapple carving on the front door. It was done in this wonderful Antique Sage Green. Well, I love that little cabinet, so I thought I will add some small touches of that color here and there around my home. Not too much, but just enough that the cabinet is not a "Loner" in a sea of blues, buttermilks, black, browns, and mustards! LOL



So, here is my "new" candlebox. Now I can burn my beeswax candle and store the others within reach and never have to go looking for them again! This will be another great bonus for them times when the power happens to go out and I need some quick lighting! Think I will stash a lighter inside too!

Before:

After:

"Feast On!" Friday

Thought these would make a great breakfast pancake for all you Pumpkin fans out there! I might just cook these up for Thanksgiving morning as well! I got this one from one of my Amish cookbooks....Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients:

Pancakes:

*2 cups flour

*4 tsp. baking powder

*1 tsp. salt

*2 Tbl. sugar

*2 cups milk

*1 Tbl. butter, melted

*1 cup mashed pumpkin

*2 eggs, separated

Maple Whipping Cream:

*1 cup heavy Whipping Cream

*2 tablespoons Maple Syrup

*Sprinkle of Ground Cinnamon

Pancake Directions:

In a large bowl, sift ingredients. In blender, mix milk, butter, pumpkin, and egg yolks. Sir into dry ingredients. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold in at last. Ladle onto a hot greased skillet. When bubbly around edges, flip over. Cook until done.

Whipping Cream Directions:

In a chilled bowl, beat whipping cream and maple syrup until stiff. Serve pancakes with a dollop of maple whipping cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.

Serve with a Dallop of Maple Whipping Cream and Enjoy!

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!"

Here are a few sewing tips for all you stitchers out there! I found some to be interesting.

Sewing Tips

When you want to pre-shrink fabric before cutting out your pattern, zig-zag or serge the raw edges of the fabric. This prevents the fabric from fraying in the wash.

To stop your sewing machine foot pedal from straying try putting a piece of Sure-Grip drawer liner underneath it. It helps the pedal to grip onto the carpet or timber flooring. (Readily available from any home improvement store, or large supermarket). It's also useful to put a piece under your sewing machine to reduce vibrations.

The best way to store your rotary cutting mat is to use a pants hanger from your wardrobe, the type with the clips at the top. You can then hang it up vertically on the back of your sewing room door without any risk of it getting damaged, plus it also gets it out of the way when you're not using it.

Store scraps of fabric in a container near your sewing machine so that they're readily available when you want to test different types of stitches and tensions.

When you're buying fabric of a bolt, be sure to write down the care instructions that are on the label on the roll. Pin these instructions to your fabric until you are ready to use it. I'm sure we all have piles of fabric at home that we've bought a long time ago and have forgotten what sort of fabric it is and how to launder it.

Don't want to pin or hand-baste something??? Just don't have the time or energy to spend on basting??? Then GLUE IT!! Elmer's Washable School Glue Sticks are made for fabrics, among other things. And now it's in Disappearing Purple -- it goes on purple and dries quickly and colorless. It will wash out of clothes with normal laundering. It's readily available in the school supplies section of your favorite store and very inexpensive. Remember to try it on a scrap first before using on your real, beautiful project.

"Wood'n it be Nice?! Wednesday

This was a fun project! Kinda a trash-to-treasure project so to say. I had these wonderful old legs that I had taken from an older coffee table that I had found, and I just knew someday that I would find a use for them! Well, today is the day! Hope you enjoy!!!

Sign Hanger

Supplies:

*Coffee or End Table leg (an old spindle could work too!)

*1"x3" pine board cut 16"

*Small chain (I purchase a 1/2 yard at my local Lowes..they cut it right there)

*Package of Small Eyelets

*Package of Small "S" hooks

*Old Plaque (you could also use a 1"x6" board cut 12" long)

*Craft paints of your choice (I am using black, barn red, and country tan)

*Mimwax Dark Walnut Stain

*Krylon Flat Finishing Spray

*Stencil of your Choice ( I am using "Welcome" but you could also paint your house numbers on this)

Directions:

This is a very easy project! We are going to first start off by basecoating all your wood with your Black craft paint. Let paint dry completely.

Now, we are going to attach your Table Leg to your 1x3 board. You will need to measure down from the top 2" and first apply some wood glue and then nail in place from the back of your board. Use atleast 3 nails for this to make it secure. I just form a triangle with my nails.

Next, take and paint with your choice of Paint, this will be your topcoat; let dry completly.

Now, take and cut your chain to length to hang your plague on. I cut mine approximately 4" long. I then added my eye hooks into my table leg and added my chain.

I then painted my plaque and stenciled it with "Welcome". Added eye hooks to the top of the plaque and attached it with my "S" hooks to my chain. Then I just took two drywall screws and screwed it right to its hanging spot! This will be hanging outside my new home, right from my porch post, for all to see when walking onto my porch! Hope you enjoy!

The Pickled Pepper Patch Shoppe!

Yep! I have decided to start selling some of my Handmades on Picturetrail! I will be listing a range of items from Wooden Wares, Thrifty Makeovers, Primitive tarts & fixins, Rusty Pins & Bells, to Hand-Stitched goodies! So, make sure to check in often as I will be adding lots of goodies over the next few weeks for the up coming holidays! So, If see something you like...just drop me an email!



I will be adding a link on my right side toolbar for you to easily visit!

Here is my first 2 goodies up for sale:

Mason Jar Monday

Was surfing the Net this weekend and found this cute idea. I thought these would be great for kids parties, giving to friends and neighbors during the holidays, or just make up a few for dinner tonite! They are cupcakes in a jar! Yummy!



Here is the link for the recipe:
http://www.joyshope.com/2009/04/mason-jar-cupcakes.html

Freebie Friday!

Well, now that my Cinnamon Buns have hit the news stand in Create & Decorate Holiday Edition, I thought I would post here too. I know alot of you ladies don't get this magazine locally or even internationally. Hope you enjoy!



Faux Cinnamon Buns



Supplies:
~1 yd. Muslin
~Ground Cinnamon or All Spice
~Matte Mod Podge
~Wax Paper or Freezer Paper
~3-4 plastic cups & spoons
~Beige colored thread
~Fiberfill
~Large Needle
~Paint Brush
~Antique White craft paint
~1/4 cup of Corn Cob Litter (Optional)



Directions:
Cut Muslin into strips approximately 5" wide by 24" long. This will be for the smallest size. You can increase them into 7" and 9" widths for varying height.




Fold material in half long ways and stitch a straight line to sew together, forming a long tube. Take tube and turn inside out. Now, stuff your tube with fiberfill. Don't pack it too tightly because you will be coiling it together in the shape of a cinnamon bun. Sew both ends shut now.



Starting with one end, begin to coil your tube together and form your Cinnamon Bun. When your Cinnamon Bun is rolled together, stitch the end to the bun to hold this shape in place. A few good stitches should hold this in place. Now, push your Cinnamon Bun up in the center slightly, from the bottom, to look like the middle has risen slightly. Just as a real Cinnamon Bun looks like.



Now, take about a 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon and mix into about a 1/3 cup of Mod Podge, into a plastic cup; mix well. Apply this mix all over your Cinnamon Bun with your paint brush. Now sprinkle your cinnamon also over your Bun. You don't need to cover your Bun completely, it looks more real when you don't. Tap off excess. Place your Bun on wax paper and let dry for about 20 minutes.



Coat your Bun again with the Mod Podge mix (don't worry about clumping, this just looks more realistic). Sprinkle again with Cinnamon and tap off excess. Set aside again to dry.



Frosting Mix



Take about 1/4 cup of Mod Podge and place in a plastic cup. Mix in a few drops of your Antique White Paint and stir very well until it becomes very opaque.



Now, take your plastic spoon and drizzle your Buns with your frosting mix while they are sitting on the wax paper. You can now sprinkle your Cinnamon Bun with some Corn Cob Litter. Let dry for approximately 2 hours or overnite. (You can also spray the underside of your Buns with a Cinnamon Bun linen spray to give them that "fresh baked" scent!)



Hope you enjoy!

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!"

HAPPY OCTOBER EVERYONE!!! Wow did September fly by?! Fall is here, so that means more time being spent indoors with decorating, cooking and just getting ready for the holidays, as they are fast approaching! Here are a few cooking tips that I found in one of my Amish cookbooks. Hope you enjoy!
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Soup too Salty?!



If soup tastes very salty, a raw piece of potato placed in the pot will absorb the salt.
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Wanna keep the color of your veggies even after cooking?!



To keep your vegetables colorful, add a pinch of baking soda to cooking water.
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Want you pie crusts to brown better and more evenly?!



Then, set your pie pans inside Pyrex pans to bake your pies. This will make the crust brown nicer and more evenly.
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