Valentine Mailbox

This Valentine Mailbox from Tip Junkie is adorable!  Looks pretty simple to make, too.  I bet it could be used for storing other things, like Barbie clothes, crayons, or something else...

Stuffed Valentine Card

What a great craft to do with kids!  Get all of the details at Simply The Sweet Life.

If I can find the time, I know my 4 year old would love to make these for family and friends.

Sangria Punch

Sangria Punch


Ingredients:
1 packet (makes 1 pitcher) Crystal Light Raspberry Ice
1 qt (4 cups) cold cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup cold orange juice
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
3 cups lemon-lime soda
2 medium oranges, sliced
2 medium limes, sliced


Directions:
Empty drink mix into large pitcer.
Add cranberry, orange, and lime juices.
Stir until drink mix is completely dissolved.
Refridgerate until ready to serve.
Serve over ice, filling half the cup with the juice mixture and half with soda. Add sliced fruit.


Makes 8 servings, 1 cup each.


(Note: I originally found this recipe in a Kraft Foods magazine, but I cannot find the exact same one on their website http://www.kraftrecipes.com/.  Check out the site for a lot of great simple recipes!!)

Lemon Shakes!

Lemon Shakes sound like a delicious summer treat!  Plus, I never know what to do with my extra buttermilk.  I may have to try it out while the weather is still warm.  I found the recipe at Old Fashioned Tips.

Lemon Shake


Put 3 cups chilled buttermilk , 1/2 cup cold lemon juice, pinch of salt, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp. lemon rind, 2 small scoops ice cream into mixer. Shake or beat thoroughly. Serve at once with a dash of ginger. Makes about 1 quart

Snack Cracker Mix

This recipe looks simple but delicious.  I found it on the Old Fashioned Tips blog.

Snack Cracker Mix



Ingredients:

2 cups oyster crackers

1 cup mini pretzels

1 cup square cheese crackers like Cheeze-Its

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix

1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder



Whisk together the oil, dressing mix, lemon pepper and garlic powder. Pour over the crackers in a large bowl, and stir until coated. Place the crackers evenly on a large baking sheet or two if needed. Bake in the preheated 275 degrees F oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool before storing in a resealable plastic bag.

Notes: I often use garlic pepper in place of the lemon pepper and garlic powder-- using 1/2-1 tsp. to spice this up. Another variation is to use garlic powder AND 1/2 tsp. of Cajun seasoning.

The cracker mixture can vary depending on your family's tastes.

Summer Party Invitations

With two summer babies, I know I have a lot of summer birthday parties in my future.  Here's another GREAT project from the Idea Room.

Popsicle Invitations!

Dr. Seuss Onesies

I added some extra Dr. Seuss iron-ons to plain onesies to make these gifts.  The possibilities are endless!

The "A" and Flower are my faves.

Quilt for Baby Ava

I made this quilt for my friend's new baby.

I tried this binding for the first time.
I also quilted the layers together for the first time.
The quilting follows the pattern on the back.


This is also the first time I've tried this pattern.

I love the material on the back!
I've got to find another project to use it in.

Personalized Game Pieces

The Giver's Log has done it again! Check out her description for making these adorable personalized game pieces. I was just thinking about getting Candy Land for Audrey. Maybe I'll have to make some game pieces of our family! :)

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

Here is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes. Simple and delicious!

Hawaiian Chicken
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (15 ounce) can pineapple slices, reserve juice
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup cornstarch

1. Place chicken breasts in oblong slow cooker sprayed with vegetable cooking spray and sprinkle with a little salt. Place pineapple slices over chicken.
2. In small bowl, combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, lemon juice, ginger and cornstarch and stir until cornstarch mixes with liquids. Pour over chicken breasts.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Serve over hot buttered rice.

Organizing Your Fabric

When I find time, I'll be using tips from The Little Green Bean on how to organize my fabric. I love how she has displayed her fabrics (above), but I'll have to fit mine in a storage box instead.

Cute Photo Ornaments!

Do you and your family send out a photo with your Christmas card each year? We do, and I've been wondering what to do with them as the years pass. I think I've found my answer! Go to Clover Lane to learn more about how these adorable ornaments were made.

Keyboard Christmas Ornaments

A Christmas ornament that speaks to the geek and "tree-hugger" in me all at once! Check out GEEKWARE for instructions.

Handprint Ornaments

Wholesome Womanhood explains how to use Crayola Model Magic to make these handprint ornaments. One of the comments suggests adding a photo of the child on the reverse side. Brilliant! I'll have to try this with Audrey and the new baby this winter. :)

Blueberry Breakfast Cake

Is it just me, or is your mouth watering just looking at this cake? Get the recipe from Amanda's Cookin'.

Bleach-Pen for Decorating?!

Using a bleach pen to decorate a t-shirt... what a great idea! Check out the tutorial at I Am Momma to learn how to make the shirt pictured. This is a kids shirt, but you could make one for an adult too!

Re-Usable Swiffer Duster

I got a Swiffer and Swiffer Duster a few months ago and have felt guilty ever since! I don't like the idea of disposable cleaning products. It seems wasteful. Here is a tutorial I found at Sew Much Ado to make a a reusable Swiffer Duster.

Neat, huh? I'll have to give it a try!

Decorated Picture Frame

Check out the decorated picture frame I saw at Paper Playhouse. Cute, huh?

I think this is a great way to use those adorable stamp sets my friends have. It's just like scrapbooking, but on a frame you keep out in your house! Another craft to add to my "someday" list!

Button Shirt to Toddler Dress!

Have some men's button shirts that aren't being used anymore? Why not turn them in to a toddler dress!? hmm... time and skill could have something to do with it!

If you are up for the challenge, check out the tutorial at Craftster.org.

Decorated Diaper Box

How cute is this box?! Over at Aly & Ash she used scrapbook paper to decorate a diaper box as a baby doll bed. Of course, a box this cute could be used for storage or display as well!