Wednesday, January 25, 2012

New Project Update


I have been very busy getting ready for our big move which will take place this weekend. We also have the joy of getting to move our parents on the same day. That is going to be one crazy day! Of course, being that I am already not in my right mind at the moment I decided to start a paint project in the same week! When my grandma died we decided to keep one of her old cabinets. It desperately needed repainting and a little update. These are pics of it before. I put primer on it yesterday, and I am painting it a yellow color today. I am then going to attempt my first faux finish and apply brushed pearl to it to give it a Tuscan look. The end color is called Tuscan Italy. I will be back with the after photos!

Friday, January 13, 2012

My Little Masterpieces

Today I am posting a recipe for mini pineapple upside down cakes. Boy are they yummy! I guess I should be posting something healthier for this time of year, but I actually made these to cheer up a sick friend. They turned out too cute not to post! Here is the recipe:

Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes
1 can 20 oz crushed pineapple
1 box yellow cake mix
12 maraschino cherries, cut in half
1/3 cup melted butter
2/3 cup packed brown sugar


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray and set aside. Melt butter in a small bowl and then stir in the brown sugar. Drain pineapple, but RESERVE the juice and add enough water to juice to equal what the cake mix calls for. Divide sugar mixture evenly among muffin cups. Then top each with the drained crushed pineapple. Cut the 12 cherries in half and place one on each cup with the slice side up. Next make cake mix according to package directions and use juice/water mixture when it calls for the water. Pour this evenly over muffin cups. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes, loosen edges and invert onto cookie sheet. If there is brown sugar mixture still in the pan you can use a fork to scoop up and place around the top of the cakes. Also, I had enough extra cake batter to make a one layer cake, or you could make more cupcakes and add any kind of flavoring to the cake mix.  I hope you enjoy!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

The New Year!

Here is to fresh starts and a new year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I know we did, but I must admit it was a crazy time. I was very busy this year with baking, cooking, working on gifts, and of course visiting with my amazing family and friends. One reason I was extra busy this year is because I went a little overboard with making homemade presents. I am very eager for us to get started on some new projects that have more to do with decorating, but I am going to share one more gift idea, that if modified could easily be used to decorate your home.
My father in law is only 63 and has been in a nursing home for 14 years due to a severe stroke. We had really run out of ideas on what to get him for Christmas. I decided I would make him a collage frame of old photos, but  we realized he didn't really have any more wall space. My husband came up with the great idea of making him a place mat to put on his tray table. It is in front of him at all times, so he would always see them! I thought this was a great idea!
To do this project you need:
 Poster board cut to 11x17 (You should check with your local copy shop to see what size works best with their laminating system before beginning).
Photos you are wanting to use (Can be originals or paper copy).
A cutter (If you need to cut them straight).
Cut out embellishments (Optional)
Scrapbook tape squares to stick photos to poster board

After applying the photos the way I wanted onto the poster boards I took them to the local office supply shop and had them laminated. I had two laminated for around $6.00. A couple of tips to remember is to ask the store to leave a 1/2 in to an inch of laminate around the sides so liquid cannot seep through. Also, have them make a color copy of your boards before they laminate them. This way if you ever want another copy you will have it handy!

You could easily use images from magazines, or from online to make place mats that match your decor. Another great idea is to use pictures of your kids. They will be tickled everyday when they eat, getting to see themselves. Another idea is to use their drawings! I hope you have fun with this project, and let me know if you have any questions!