Cha-cha-Changes!

Happy Friday!!! Today is such a beautiful, sunny, warm day here in Western Pennsylvania! Hope you are enjoying this same kind of weather where you are!

I am noticing now that Summer time is fast approaching, everyone is just so busy! ME INCLUDED!!! I have been so busy with homeschooling, homelife, and renovating a home! So, with that said.....I am making a few CHANGES to the Pickled Pepper Patch Blog.

The biggest change is....I am not going to have a strict craft schedule that I have to stick too. Don't worry....I am still going to be sharing LOTS of new crafts with all of you! It's just at this moment, I really can't have "set days" for projects. As most of you know, I am in the midst of a MAJOR house renovation...and this is taking up a whole lot of my time!

I still have lots of fun projects planned for all of you...so make sure you check in often! Not to mention...I AM HAVING A NEW GIVEAWAY SOON!

But for now, I will leave you with my latest project. This is something that I saw in one of my favorite craft shops and I just had to make one for myself. It was made with all my pieces of scrap wood that I had lying around! Love them kind of projects! Hope you enjoy!

"Lighted Branches Box"

Supplies:

~1x4 Pine (cut 4 of them 14" long)

~1x6 Pine (cut 6 1/2" long)

~50 ct Rice Lights (can find these at Joann's in the wedding aisle, use your 40% off coupon!)

~Twigs (they will need to be around 4ft. tall & you will need several to fill your box)

~Paint, of your choice

~Mimwax Dark Walnut Stain

~Nails, Sandpaper, Wood glue

Directions:

First, you will need to have all your wood precut.

Let's Start! We will start with making our "box". Take your first piece of 14" board and nail it to the another piece of 14" board. (remember to use your wood glue)

Next, let's add your 3rd piece of wood. We are wanting this box to be "square". So, in order to do that, each piece has to be nailed in the "inside) part of each board. This is hard to explain, so please refer to the photo below, to complete your box:

Once your box is complete, center it onto your 6 1/2" board and secure with nails.

Lastly, finish your box in your color choice. I used a Black paint for the base, then topped it with a Linen colored paint. I then sanded it on all the corners, applied my stain all over. Then wiped the stain right back off to acheieve a more aged appearance.

Fill your box now with your "free" twigs! Take your Rice lights and wrap your Twigs with them. That's it!!! This makes such a nice corner piece or anywhere you need to just add some lighting too! Hope you enjoy!

Makeover Monday & I'm a Winner!

Sorry I have been MIA lately...but, last week I had the flu and really just very busy!



But, I thought I would share with you the goodies I won from Tarrah over at http://indiantrailpottery.blogspot.com .



It is a really nice size "Bowl & Spoon Rest"...and in my favorite color....BLUE!!!!

She also sent along these goodies! Love them! Let me tell you, that cookie tart....I could just eat!

Lastly, I wanted to share with you one of my latest makeovers. This is a really LARGE tray that I found at the Goodwill. It is so large it almost fits my whole Stovetop! So, I am thinking this will be my new Stove board at my new house?! Sorry to say, I can't find the before pix of it. But, it was just a plain-jane woodstained tray. Here is what I did with it with some of my Stencils!

Have a great week everyone!

"Feast On!" Friday

Here is a great ANYTIME dessert! Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

*1 pkg. fudge brownie mix

*1/3 cup strawberry all-fruit spread

*2 cups thawed nondairy whipped topping

*1/4 teaspoon almond extract

*2 cups strawberries, stems removed, halved

*1/4 cup chocolate sauce

Directions:

Prepare Brownies according to package directions, substituting 11x7 baking pan. Cool completely.

Whisk fruit spread in small bowl until smooth. Combine whipped topping and almond extract in bowl.

Cut Brownie horizonally in half. Place half of Brownie on serving dish. Spread with fruit spread and 1 cup of whipped topping. Place second half of Brownie, cut side down, over bottom layer. Spread with remaining whipped topping. Place Strawberries on whipped topping. Drizzle chocolate sauce over cake before serving. Enjoy! Makes 16 servings.

Alphabet Sign for sale!

Here is my newest sign I am offering up...

It's my "Alphabet Sign"

This sign is 4 foot long!!! It is done on a 1x4 board. This one is done in a Linen Color with Black lettering.

I am offering this one for $25.00 with shipping included! That's a steal, since it costs more to ship because of the length! So, if you are interested...drop me an email. I can do this sign in any color you choose if you don't like this one.

Here is a closeup of the lettering.

This would be a great teachers gift, since we are getting closer to the end of the school year! I will be having a few more unique signs coming soon!

Makeover Monday

Here is a little something I found in the Clearance section since it was an Easter Goodie. I have actually seen several different versions of these, that all can be done with this same technique. This Bunny I actually found for $3.00 since it was 1/2 off!!! Hope you enjoy!

Here is the Easter Bunny that I picked up at my local Big Lots. Not really Primitive with that shiny yellow finish, but I do love all the texture he has! He stands approximately 9" tall, so he is nice sized too!

First, I took and spray painted him all over with a Flat Black spray paint. Then let him dry completely.

Next, I took and covered him with a white craft paint. Let dry completely.

Lastly, I took Dark Walnut (mimwax brand) stain and covered it completely, then just wiped it right back off. All the stain stayed within the cracks and crevices revealing all that texture! Then I lightly coated it with a Satin Clearcoat Spray.

"Feast On!" Amish-Dish Friday

I Love this cake! This can be done with any package of Jello, that way you color it for any holiday or season! Hope you enjoy!

Jell-O Poke Cake

Cake Ingredients:

*1 package of white cake mix

*3/4 cup boiling water

*1 (3oz.) pkg. of Jello

Bake cake in a 9x13 pan as directed. Dissolve Jello in boiling water and cool at room temperature. After cake has cooled for about 20-25 minutes, poke holes into top of cake with a toothpick or wooden spoon handle; spacing holes atleast 1/2" apart. Slowly pour Jello into holes. Refrigerate.

Topping Ingredients:

*1 pkg. Instant Vanilla Pudding

*2 1/2 c. Milk

1 tsp. Vanilla

*4 oz. Cool Whip

Directions:

Mix all ingredients til creamy like frosting. Spread over cake to frost. Refrigerate & enjoy!

THIS IS A GREAT RECIPE TO USE FOR THE 4TH OF JULY. JUST USE RED & BLUE JELLO AND ALTERNATE IT AROUND THE CAKE. YOU WILL HAVE A FESTIVE PATRIOTIC CAKE!

"Wood'n it be Nice?!" Wednesday

Happy Wednesday everyone! I don't know about where you live, but it is like Summer here on the East Coast! Since last week our temps have been way in the upper 70's and lower 80's!!! I am loving this Summer time weather!

Here is today's project. I hope you enjoy!

PRIMITIVE NESTING BOX

Supplies:

*1"x8"x 8' Pine Board (cut one at 24", cut one at 25 1/2", cut two at 7 1/4", and cut two more at 6 1/2")

* 1"x2"x4' (cut 25 1/2")

*Paint or stain of your choice

*Wood Glue

Directions:

First, you will need to have all your wood precut, as specified above.

Next, we are going to put the "angles or slants" now onto your boards. Let's take your two 7 1/4" boards (these are your end caps) and cut them first. First you will need to know that all the wood grain on your end caps and inserts will run upwards now. With that said, you will need to measure over 2" and up 2" and connect the dots. This will give you your line to cut away for the slant.

Now, on your 6 1/2" inserts you will do the same thing, EXCEPT on the bottom of the insert you will measure up 1 1/2" (not 2").

Now, I just used my jigsaw and cut these.

Let's start building! First, we are going to attach your Ends to your 24" board (this is the bottom). Make sure you put a bead of wood glue on then nail in your end. It should look like this.

Next, let's attach the back. Take your25 1/2" piece and secure it with bead of wood glue and nails.

Time for the inserts. Take your last two slanted boards and on your 24" board measure in 8" & 16" and mark with a pencil. Now center them boards on that line. Secure with nails and wood glue.

Attach your last piece of wood (1x2) across the bottom front using a bead of wood glue and nails. You project is now complete! Finish it off with Paint or Stain. Just remember to sand down all the ends very well so they look worn and don't have a crisp sharp end to them!

Here is my completed Nesting Box! I just basecoated in black, added a white topcoat, sanded it very well, then applied the Dark Walnut Stain all over. This is going to house lots of Primitive Goodies on my kitchen countertop in my new home very soon! Hope you enjoy!

Monday Blues!

Here are some favorites I found one day while "googling"...who would have thought we would ever be using that as an everyday word?...LOL (or that one!) Hope you enjoy!

Love these cupboards!

Love all these doors!

Happy Easter!

The Tomb is empty....He is Risen!!!