Royal Lovlies

Only a few more days until the Royal Wedding {sigh}  I'm oh-so-sad that I won't be able to watch it as it happens on Friday, but at least there's DVR!  To tide me over, I've been doing a little Anglo-spotting on Pinterest.  Here's a royal flush of my favorites :)

1  How cute is this mug! {source}
2  If I were hosting a party, these would definitely be hanging up {source}
3  Sweet pillow {source}
4  Nothing says high tea (well to me, anyways) like a pretty petit four {source}
5  Sweet printable {source}
6  What the world needs now... {source}
7  With or without the cute pennant, this cupcake looks delish {source}
8  Wonder if I could talk the Hubs into a sapphire anniversary ring {source}

Will you be watching?

My First Silhouette Project

Last month I broke down and ordered a Silhouette SD.  I had dreamed, schemed and bookmarked a hundred different projects to try.  I was giddy with excitement...I tracked it all along the UPS route...I ripped it open as soon as it got in the door.  And then it sat...and sat...and sat for almost a month. 

Well no more!  I finally sat down and spent the 45 minutes getting it set up and working some practice cuts.  Ooooh it's nice.  And here's the product of my first session...

Baby steps people!  I held myself to one simple project.  Otherwise my head might explode trying to decide on what to make.

This is just a scrap piece of wood, sanded well and stained.  

try not to be jealous of my sweet gloves ;)

Some pretty pale cardstock.  A little Modge Podge.  Simple.  Pretty.  Now bring on the crazy crafts!

I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick,

Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

For Easter breakfast, I wanted something yummy and simple that I could whip up early and pop in the oven while Munchkin was looking for his Easter treats.  Growing up we always had homemade cinnamon rolls for Easter breakfast (usually in the shape of bunnies).  I was feeling a little, shall we say, less ambitious.  So I tried combining my favorite cinnamon nut roll filling with a basic coffee cake.  Add a little cream cheese icing and you have yourself the taste of a cinnamon roll with the ease of a coffee cake.  Winner winner I could eat this coffee cake for dinner :)

Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Topping
1 1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup pecans, chopped fine
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

Icing
2 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk


1 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease 13x9 pan
2 - Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside
3 - In a large bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy
4 - Gradually beat in sour cream & sugar
5 - Beat in the eggs one at a time and stir in vanilla
6 - By hand, fold in the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Spread batter into prepared pan.

For the topping

1 - In a medium bowl, mix together brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon
2 - Stir in melted butter and mix into a sugary paste
3 - Sprinkle over cake batter in pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Icing

1 - Beat cream cheese until soft
2 - Add sugar and vanilla and beat until combined
3 - Add milk by teaspoon until desired consistency reached
4 - Drizzle over coffee cake

I like it best served warm.  Oooey gooey cinnaliciousness!



I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick,

Happy Easter!

Some of my favorite Easter things on Pinterest :)

1 Adorable chickies {source}
2 Sweet bunnies {source}
3 Chicktastic craft {source}
4 Simly beautifull placesetting...maybe next year ;) {source}
5 Incredibly cute carrots {source}
6 Gorgeous Easter tree {source}
7 Cutest mini pillow {source}
8 Could peeps get any cuter! {source}

Pretty Peeps

I have been crushing on all the candy and flower arrangements out on the blogaritaville Easter parties.  I have sweet glass containers...I could stand to sacrifice a little sugar to decorating...it was only a matter of time

These don't really reqiure a tutorial - its candy in a pedestal vase.  But I do have a few tips to share, because I like tips and peeps.  Tippin it to the peeps.  Ok, maybe I ate a little to much sugar while putting this together :)

Tip #1 - If you're using a tall thinish vase (like the dollar store vase/candle holder that I am) an empty TP roll stuffed with paper takes up some space so that you don't need quite so many jelly beans

Tip #2 - These take ALOT of jelly beans.  I had 5 bags to make 4 arrangements.  I need to get more to finish the other 3 (and maybe beef up the finished one).  Thank goodness these bags o beans only cost a dollar (I used Brach's pastel jelly beans).

Tip #3 - To keep the peeps pressed to the glass while you're adding a layer of jelly beans, stick a jelly bean between the peep and the tp roll

Tip #4 - Try not to eat your arrangement :)

I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick,

Does the Easter Bunny Like His Carrots Glittered?

During my weekly blog stalking reading, I came across this great baking soda clay tutorial over at Creative "Try"als.  Her step by step tutorial for the clay is awesome and so easy to follow.  And I was oh-so-exited to have the 3 (yes 3!) ingredients for the clay; Obviously I had to give it a try!  While I love the adorable eggs, I was itching to make some carrots.  Some beautiful glittery shimmery carrots. 

I love how cute they turned out!  What's that?  You too have a need for more glittery awesomeness?  Well here ya go...

Make a batch of this awesome clay-dough

Shape the clay-dough into carrots (I shaped carrots in various sizes)

Using a skewer, poke a hole in the top of the carrot (this is where the green tops will be attached)

Let the carrots dry...and dry...and dry  (I helped the drying along a bit by baking the dough on 200 degrees for an hour - but I still waited overnight to ensure they were dry)

Paint one coat of orange craft paint (I mixed a few orange & mustard colors together to get an orange that I liked) and let dry

Paint a second coat and sprinkle with the wet paint with glitter (I used an orange glitter from JoAnn's dollar bin) and let dry

For the carrot tops, I used green foil used for wrapping candy.  I litterally saved the foil from Easter candy last year because the foil is nice and heavy and the color is on both sides.  Green scrapbook paper, shredded paper, felt or fabric would also work great.

Cut the foil/paper/fabric into thin strips (these are about 2 inches long - for the tiniest carrots, I folded them in half)

Add a little dab of hot glue into the hole on top of the carrot

Add the foil/paper/fabric strip and use a small pointy instrument to push the foil/paper/fabric into the hole (a toothpick would work perfectly - I used a leftover silk flower stem from another project that I was working on)

Continue adding strips until the top is full enough for your taste

Add your adorable carrots to a pretty container

Now I'm looking around the house for things to embellish with tiny glitter carrots :)


I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick,

Coffee Filter Flowers

After adding the Robin's Egg Garland to our dining room hutch, the ends looked a little unfinished.  I was thinking of adding big bows to each end...but I wanted something different.  So with a new package of coffee filters and a little time to play, I ended up making these fluffy flowers:

They're pretty and super quick to whip up....

Start with a lovely pile of coffee filters - I used 8 for each flower

Crumple them into a loose ball

Then unravel

Start by hot gluing (a dab'll do ya) each of 5 coffee filters together - attaching at the centers

Crumble each layer a bit smaller than  the previous layer by pulling the center in a bit

Once the first 5 layers are adhered, crumple and fluff the filters

Now it's time to attach the remaining 3 filters

Fold the first filter in half

Pull back the first two filter layers and apply dabs of hot glue at the center of the flower to attach the folded filter

Repeat for the additional two filters, overlapping slightly around the center of the circle

This creates a kind of crinoline effect to maximixe fluffiness

For the flower centers, I wanted something a little different.  I saw this awesome felt technique over at Copy Craft and knew that it would work perfect (if you want to see a gorgeous pillow go check out the link - I'm serioulsy in love with it!)

Cut approximately 7 of these cute little 4 petal flowers out of felt (they can be totally wonky - no need for perfection)  I went with a 4 petal instead of 5 just because it was faster for me to cut out. 

To attach them, I used a similar technique to the hydrangea eggs

Pinch the petals together

Apply a dab of hot glue to the center of the flower and press the felt flower down, still pinched

Repeat for all of the felt flowers - add more if you like a larger center

Viola - coffee filter flower

At this point, the white was a little too, um..white for my taste.  To add a bit of color, water down a bit of craft paint (the wetter it is, the better the watercolored effect)

And paint the filters (I painted every layer completely)

Then leave to dry overnight

Crumple and fluff when dry and ta-da

I really wish that I'd have tried these out before my sister's bridal shower last year.  They are oh-so-much faster than the napkin flowers I made!

And here they are dressing up the Robin's Egg Garland

I think I like 'em :)


I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick,