Crayon wall art!

Well if you have been inspired to make some crayon art work now is the time to do so!!! Crayons are on sale for back to school so you can pick up 3 boxes for what you would normally spend on just 1 box.




Start with a plain canvas. Any size will do! Next grab your glue gun and start gluing on your crayons.




We laid out all the crayons of the shade of crayons we were working with and made a pattern. (you would not have to do this but one of my daughters is a "type A" personality, so trust me when I say, we had to do this step. (it also let's you visually check to make sure that you have enough crayons purchased)




Next we found a silhouette on line that we liked, and printed it out. You might have to print a few different sizes out in order to ensure that your image is the correct scale that you want.




We used graphite paper to transfer the image to the back of some black vinyl that I already had. Contact paper would work as well. Once the Image has been traced onto the back of the vinyl/contact paper grab your scissors and start cutting it out.
I then held up the image to the canvas (with backing still on!! To eyeball the area that I wanted to tape off). Note: you must use a good painters tape like Frog tape, not masking tape. Again I repeat myself not masking tape- it will not stop the dripping wax.




(note masking tape was used in this picture. Learn from my mistakes). I then grabbed my Embossing heat gun and turned it on, and started to melt those crayons. I focused on the tip of the crayons that were pointed down. I would follow some of the dripping wax down the canvas with the heat gun to various degrees down the canvas.




Then remove the protective tape & peel the backing of the homemade sticker image & apply to the open area on the canvas. (both the dancer & girl with umbrella was a Pinterest try the only source I can find to give credit to is @danielle Milner, if this is incorrect I apologize. Please let me know & I can always update the info, thank you)




(the above wall art was a Pinterest try pinned from the following website: http://benfranklincraftsmonroe.blogspot.com.br/2012/03/how-to-melted-crayon-spring-bouquet.html?m=1)
Amy

Glammed up memo board

My daughter's memo board suffered from the "uglies"! It was a plain, boring, completely overlooked feature in her room. Look at her memo board now that we "Glammed it up"!



What a difference! There is no ignoring this memo board now!

I saw this memo board redo on two twenty one blog. Below is a link to her tutorial, which is fab! Great pictures with step by step instructions.

http://www.twotwenty-one.com/2012/02/faux-nail-head-trimmed-cork-board.html


You will have to check out her tutorial! (the nail head trim is actually thumb tacks! Isn't she creative!)
Amy

Book review: Mr. Churchill's Secretary

The book is titled "Mr. Churchill's Secretary" it is written by Susan Elias Macneal. This book was a fun delightful read for any mystery lover! Especially if you enjoy anything from the World War two time period.




The book is set in England. Since the time period is World War Two, if you enjoy "Foyle's War" on PBS you will find the setting of this book comfortable.
Even though the book centers on a cast of young friends, the heroine of this book is a female named Maggie. Maggie finds herself accepting the position of a typist in the war office even though she is way over qualified. She reasons "there is a need, and I can fill it. It was as simple as that and in wartime it was all that mattered.". Isn't that the attitude that made that generation known as the "greatest generation"! Their attitude to push on, keep on, or as the saying goes "Keep Calm and Carry on."




Though that famous saying wasn't used in the book, many other war time sayings were. Since the setting is wartime London, it does reference many challenges that the British public faced daily while living in London during the Blitz without the details taking over the storyline.




I have always been fascinated with Winston Churchill, since he was so accurate in warning the British people of the dangers that was to come, even when he was laughed at. As you can guess from the title Mr. Churchill shows up here and there throughout the book.




This would make a great addition to any mystery lovers summer reading list! (I would have said beach bag, but since summer has been really warming up! Maybe it would be most enjoyed while reading inside in the comfort of air conditioning!)

I hope that you will give this book a try if you enjoy a good mystery!

Herbst appliance update

Well It has been 4 months since Paige has had the Herbst appliance installed in her mouth. I see her every day so I have to admit that I don't notice change as well as someone who doesn't see her often. However, when I was looking through some old photos from the start of school I was amazed at the change in her teeth, her overbite & her top front teeth which are currently in braces. (she will have full braces put on Chen the Herbst appliance is removed. They estimate she will wear it for a year)




Can you tell a Huge difference? I sure can. The pictures on the left are from the start of the year, the pictures on the right have been snapped in the last month.

Paige has gotten used to the appliance, it really is not a big deal. The main thing Paige says is,"it is hard to brush around." It frustrates her that it takes longer to brush around it. Besides that, talking, eating, and yes even yawning is no Big deal now days.

When I take her in for an adjustment. (I bring her to the orthodontist about every 6 weeks where they adjust the appliance by moving the jaw forward a little bit more. Small adjustments are made slowly each 6 weeks to try to make the change more comfortable. For about a day or two she will take some Tylenol, but usually by the middle of the following day she forgets to ask for it.

I am really glad that we decided to do this!! The changes in her jaw line and the decrease in her overbite is so startling and we are not even halfway done!! I'm glad that we did not get scared off from doing this by some of the scary stuff we read on line!

Amy

Fun Emi-Jay "knock off" bands

If you are like me, you have been seeing these fun hair bands popping up everywhere!



However these fun hair bands can add up to some money!!! Remember I not only have hair but I also have three (3) daughters. So what's a mom to do!




Go to your local fabric store & pick up some elastic that is 3/4 - 1 inch thick. Grab a ruler & a pair of scissors & let's get going! (excuse the above picture, I am still learning how to edit my pictures from my iPhone)



1. cut a strip of elastic approx. 12 inches in length.
2. Fold the strip of elastic in half.



3.make a loop with the folded strip of elastic



4. Pull one end through the loop. I pulled the part that was folded through the loop, while carefully griping and holding the ends tightly together



5. Slide the knot down towards the tail, while pulling the folded section the opposite direction.



6. You can choose to be done at this step, or if you purchased white elastic you may choose to dye your completed hair tie a fun color. (my fabric store is starting to carry some colors in the elastic besides just black & white, but who knows if it's a color you need).

Simple, easy, and a fun new look on one of a girls best friends! ( I know they say diamonds are a girls best friend, but really some days I just need a hair tie & lip gloss and I can conquer the world). Hope you enjoyed this post!


Amy

A Pinterest Party!

A few weeks ago I decided to host a Pinterest party. A Pinterest party is where you invite a group of friends over to take the time to make some pins/crafts that you have been pinning.

I had red bags out for each lady to label & place their goodies in as they went from center to center.


I tried to make centers so the girls would have to circulate, and everyone could work at their own pace. Below is an example of one of the centers. This center was the "Brown sugar scrub center".



The instructions and ingredients or supplies needed could be found at each center or station.



Above is the brown sugar in cute containers ready to be taken home & tried out.


Above is a picture of dry erase tiles used to label drink or food area. There were stickers & extra stuff so each girl could decorate & take home two, along with a dry erase marker.


Above is a picture of a styrofoam ball being covered with thumbtacks all over. Once fully covered they could be left silver/gold as the thumbtacks or they could be spray painted before using them in decorating by filling a hurricane vase.


Isn't the above the cutest coffee cup. I thought this would be the easiest craft to supply. I purchased mugs at the dollar store-no problem! Then I strolled I to Michaels Craft store to purchase the "porceliane" marker that I had read about on about 4 different projects on Pinterest. ALL of them listed "Michaels" as the place to purchase a
Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Paint Markers. Did mine have this - no! Agh! (I'm sure you heard my cry of frustration!). I called all around town & no luck. I even tried Hobby Lobby craft store, no luck! This was the morning of the party so I had to go with plan b, which was sharpie brand paint pen.

The mugs turned out cute but to be honest they did not hold up to the dishwasher. If I had planned better, I wish I would have ordered this pen on line.

I had each girl bring a snack or dessert from Pinterest to share. I served drinks from Pinterest. I think it was overall a fun night!
-Amy

My daughter is in a contest and I would like to ask everyone to follow this link, to the site, all you have to do is hit "vote" for her to have the credit.  The link below will take you directly to her voting page.    Thank you all so much for your help!!

http://apps.facebook.com/offerpop/Contest.psp?c=152879&u=17545&a=254553244581393&p=106917435099&v=Entry&id=453972&rest=1

Rum cake, need I say anything more

My Aunt Sandy makes the best Rum cake!!! She not only makes it but she must make about 100 of them around the holiday and gives them to her co-workers, neighbors, her husband co-workers, and family & friends. (if you know my Aunt Sandy then around the holidays, your very lucky to know this lady!)

Rum cake recipe:

1 cup of pecans (chopped)
1 box of yellow cake mix
(I prefer Duncan Hines)
1 box of vanilla instant pudding mix (3.4 ounce)
4 eggs
1/2 C of oil
1/2 C of water
1/2 C of Rum (I usually use golden but dark rum will work)
Glaze:
1/2 C butter
1/4 C water
1 C sugar
1/2 C Rum (this is the part of the recipe that I start to act like Paula Deen "1/2 C of Rum, or maybe a teeny but more, maybe a little bit more" ha! But not too much or it will be too strong tasting.


1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees, spray bundt pan with cooking oil, sprinkle bottom of pan with chopped nuts
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, water & 1/2 c rum, 1/2 oil & pudding mix well pour into cake pan and bake for 1 hour (top should be golden & inserted toothpick should come out clean!!
*** immediately once taken out from oven, poke cake still in bundt pan with the handle of a wooden spoon leaving holes in cake (note poke holes deep but not all the way to the bottom!!!)
3. I mix all of the glaze ingredients in a sauce pan (usually when there is 10 minutes left for the cake to bake based on the timer) & heat over medium heat bringing glaze to a boil, let boil 5 minutes then remove from stove.
4. Drizzle glaze over cake top filling holes and pouring down the sides of the cake using a butter knife to seperate cake from sides of pan. Let sit approx 15 minutes before inverting. (be careful when inverting cake there maybe some run off)

My Aunt Sandy is a Fun talkative person. Sandy never meets a stranger, and has maintained several close, special life long friendship that I admire! My Aunt Sandy and myself have been constantly compared to each other while I was growing up. I think my personality and my ability to get into trouble was only rivaled by her. Ha!

However, me and my Aunt Sandy are very opposite on a lot of things. Our opinions are probably as opposite as the Republican and Democrat party is opposite. With that said....however I have come to appreciate the seasoning & influence that My Aunt Sandy has had on my life!

My Aunt Sandy having had such strong opinions, have made me really take a look at what I believe and why. All very important things to know!!

Also even though my Aunt has strong, strong opinions and would love the opportunity to banter with you about them. The banter is for enjoyment sake, not out of meaness. Us talkers understand this. Us talkers take pride in our ability to out talk, or talk our opponent under the table until the wave the flag of surrender. Ha!

My Aunt has a strong, strong, family love that must have come from her mother my Grandma Cavitt, who I shared with you the other day always loved consistently. Because that is how Sandy is, she may not always agree with you, she might not even like you at times, but if she's your family member she is loyal and she is showing up to be part of your life in the small and big ways.

I have heard it said that actions speak louder than words. Then my Aunt Sandy's action scream love! You see my Aunt Sandy lives 4 hours out of state but this does not stop her for helping pull the family together for holidays, coming into town for happy celebrations, and even sad one such as funeral. Sandy will be there standing strong giving her strength to others.

I think My Aunt Sandy must be to my life like a egg is in baking, you might not always taste an egg in a chocolate cake, or coconut cream pie, but without the eggs ability to bind and keep all the ingredients together you wouldn't get to enjoy that piece of chocolate cake or pie very much!

Who is the binding ingredient to your family? Do you share in that responsibility of helping pull your family together? If you live far apart do you make an effort to keep in contact with your family members? I would love to hear what you do!
-Amy

Grandma's are moms with lots of Frosting!

Isn't that the truth, Grandma's are Mom's with lots of frosting!! They love you & get to be fun & send you Ali g your way. They don't have to discipline you, they just get to love on you & make you feel special. As granddaughters we get to learn from them, their experiences, their knowledge, their beliefs, and some yummy recipes!!!


My grandma Cavitt made the Best Chocolate Pie!!!

The Cavitt Family Chocolate Pie:
2 C sugar
4 T Cocoa powder
8 T flour
Dash of salt
3 C Milk
3 egg yolks- beaten*
1/2 stick of margarine/butter (melted)
1 t vanilla extract

Combine all dry ingredients in a large sauce pan. Gradually add in liquid ingredients while stirring with a whisk. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly!! Cook until thick!!!

(note: I save the egg whites to make the meringue for the pie)

Pour pie filling into a pie shell that has been cooked until golden. I have made crust from scratch as well as I have used store bought crust. Hey, don't throw anything at me, it can save a girl some time!! I make 3 of these every Thanksgiving!

Grandma Cavitt flavored my life by consistently loving her sisters no matter what. If they were mad, if they were happy, if they were leaving her out. I never heard her say anything bad about them. Amazing! (Also I remember that my Grandma Cavitt always had cookies in her cookie jar. Even if they were store bought. As a child I loved getting permission to get a cookie or two out of this fantastic jar!)



My Grandma Mullings makes the best gumdrop cookies! It would not be Christmas, without me getting to snack on these cookies. She's the only one I know who ever makes this type of cookie-Yum!!

Gumdrop Cookie Recipe:

1 1/2 C of gumdrops (not spice drops! & no black licorice gum drops!!)
1 C Butter,softened
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 t vanilla extract
2 3/4 C flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
3/4 t salt
2 C quick cooking oats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cut gumdrops up (or fruit slices up that are large gum drops if you can't find them)
Set aside,
In large bowl cream butter & sugars together, then add eggs one at a time until completely mixed.
Add flour, baking soda, baking powder & salt gradually beating mixture as you go. After all the dry ingredients have been incorporated add the quick cooking oats & gum drops by hand stirring it all together.

Scoop 1 inch balls onto cookie sheet bake for 10 minutes.

Let cool on pan for 2 mins before removing from pan.

My grandma Mullings showed me how to pray. I have spent so many nights at her house while growing up. It was my favorite place to "go to"! If I happen to get up after being put to bed, I would find my Grandma down on her knees with her bible open before her praying. Wow, what an impression on my little mind & heart!!!



Here I am "cooking" at my Grandma Mullings house, while she really cooked. She would let me stir a bowl of marshmallows & chocolate chips. Then I would get to eat them. Good times!!

can't imagine my life would be as sweet as it has been without my Grandmothers seasoning my life so sweetly!!

Amy

One direction addiction or better known as 1D

My girls have come down with one direction addiction. Or what I refer to as the 1D Fever. My girls spotted some decorated shoes that were selling for $100.00 per a shoe. (that would be approx $300.00 for me to buy each girl a pair- that was not going to happen!!!) So what's a girl to do. Get busy being creative!

I went shopping & found "knock off" shoes for approx $8.00 a pair at Walmart. I gathered the rest of my crafty supplies that I needed from there as well.


Note: I found the "fabric paint" in Walmart by the ribbons, & sewing section, not by the craft area.



I came home and taped off my design, section by section. The painting took awhile because each section needed to dry before I taped & painted the next color.



As you can see it was very important to let each section dry completely before applying tape to the painted area!!

Below I used tape to mark a straight line for stenciling.



The Stencils I used can be found at Walmart in the craft section.


I used blue glitter to sprinkle on the section of "wet" blue paint, before it dried. To help adhere the glitter to the shoes.

Last but not least, the last step was I used spray Mod Podge, to spray the completed project with 4 coats. This helps protect the paint job, as well as a bonding agent that keeps the glitter on the shoes themselves.

I estimated that I spent around $20.00-$25.00 dollars in craft supplies. The shoes themselves were $8.00. I made three pairs, so each pair of shoes ended up costing me approximately $17.00 a pair to make. Below are some pictures of my completed project.






(P.S. here's a picture of the $100.00 pair)




To be fair they did use Tom's that sell for approx $50.00, however I did not trust myself to paint on fifty dollar shoes.

I think they turned out pretty great, if I say so myself. What do you think?


Amy

This chicken is a fruit

I love this chicken salad recipe! It is a show stopper, turns out great and makes enough to serve +16 people. It's my favorite to serve at showers.

Chicken Fruit Salad

16 ounce box of small shell pasta
6 Cups of cubed/shredded cooked chicken (approx. 6 breast)
3 C of sliced celery
3 C of grapes, halved (red grapes are the prettiest in this salad-make sure they are seedless)
2 - 15 ounce cans of Mandarin Oranges, drained
2/3 C cashew pieces
1 1/2 C Mayo
1/4 C finely chopped white onion
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 C whipping cream, whipped **added right before serving

1. Cook pasta, rinse with cold water, drain.
2. In a very large bowl, combine cooked past & all remaining ingredients---Except whipping cream. Refrigerate until serving
3. Just before serving, fold in whipping cream.


This salad is refreshing with both grapes & mandarin oranges in it. It reminds me a lot like my friendship with Cathy who gave me this recipe!




Cathy and me became friends in a small group for newlywed couples at our church. In my friendship with Cathy I recognized a kindred spirit. Cathy had been raised in a household with all brothers, she was the only girl. Cathy is very close to her parents, and is a wonderful cook!! I counted 5 recipes from her that I count as in my "Tried & True Favorite" category.

God blessed me in having a friend with a common background and values to travel the road of being a new wife, a first time mom, trying to figure out what we needed to actually go into the diaper bag, fix our hair, get dressed & arrive as close to time as possible for church each week. A friend that was learning the ropes at the same time that I was, could only be described as refreshing to my soul!


Amy

Riot inducing Mississippi Mud Brownies

I know you have probably heard of Mississippi Mud Cake, but girl you haven't tasted anything as warm chocolatey, to die for if you haven't had my Aunt Daretta's Mississippi Mud Brownies! (I could go on for days about this recipe!)
Mississippi Mud Brownies
Brownie recipe –
1 ½ c granulated sugar
1/2 c butter or margarine, melted
6T cocoa
2 T butter or margarine, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/3 c flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
½ c pecans or walnuts (optional)
7 oz jar marshmallow cream
Combine top 4 ingredients, add egg. Beat well. Stir together 2/3 c flour, baking powder and ¼ tsp salt. Add to chocolate mixture alternately with a mixture of the milk and vanilla, mixing after each addition. Fold in ½ c pecans, if desired. Pour mixture into a
9 x 13 metal cake pan.
Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes, until done.
When you take the pan out of the oven, IMMEDIATELY put a jar of marshmallow cream over the brownies, spreading it with a knife over the brownies. It will melt, then cool.
Brownies should be completely cool before pouring frosting on top of them.
Frosting
1 stick margarine or butter
1/3 c cocoa
1/3 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 lb powered sugar
Melt together in a saucepan margarine, cocoa, milk & vanilla. Stir in powdered sugar and blend well. Pour mixture on top of marshmallow cream. Cut into squares.
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Warning this recipe is rioting inducing if you have not made enough to share!!
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My Aunt is so special, I was trying to think how to explain how much she has flavored my life.

How do you describe someone who is such a generous, giving person. I decided she must be compared to sugar! For not only has she given material items to me, she has given her time, her attention, & sprinkled my life with little things that make life pleasurable!

My Aunt taught me about "good" chocolate, not just the Hershey brand chocolate, kept me in bubble bath through out my teen years, surprised me with little gifts of lip gloss, lotion & fun socks. My aunt would take me out for Fun days, just because! My brothers and myself always looked forward to seeing my Aunt.

However my Aunt was not only generous to my brothers & me. I saw how as a teen herself, she gave of herself, through time, and financially to younger girls from the local baptist shelter. She would act as a "Big Sister" capacity with some of the same girls for years! Pouring herself into their lives. Even after she had married and had a child of her own; she continued to give hope and love to others by opening up her home to provide a shelter for Foster children who needed a safe place to live while their parents took classes on how to be a better parent.

My Aunt is the Proverbs 31 woman, as described in verse 20 "she welcomes the poor and helps the needy"
Romans 12:8, talks about those who have the gift of giving. That describes her beautifully! I have known some who have been able to give financially but not many who give financially, AND of themselves: giving their time, attention, and love quietly, not boastfully or showy. Just showing up continual in the people's lives she is blessing. Giving to those who could never begin to pay her back.

What an impact she has had on my life. Not only have I been blessed to be on the receiving end of her giving. My Aunt taught me how to give to others, with no thought of what I would receive back, giving to show Christ's love to others because he loves us.

I hope you have had someone in your life who was "Sugar"!

Are you being the "Sugar" in anyone else's life right now?

If not look around, you just might be surprised to see whose life God would like you to "sweeten"!

-Amy