365 Days of Pinterest Day 29 - Valentines Day Gingerbread Men :)

365 Days of Pinterest Day 29 - Valentines Day Gingerbreadmen :)

I started trying to make these guys in December.  I wanted to send them as a gift to a friend.  Alas I couldn't find a recipe I  liked the taste of, then I just kept messing up the recipe .... So finally after many batches of not so perfect gingerbread men .. I have perfected the art!  ... but its February, so the candy canes are out and Iv added some fun hearts .. hence .. the Valentines Day gingerbread man :)

Yes I did find this recipe on Pinterest .. a Martha Stewart recipe, but the original called for coarse salt which stayed in chunks and didn't taste to great, so I replace it with table salt .. and perfection.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon table salt
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup  molasses

Edible Ingredients for decorating;

       I bought fun toppings from the bulk barn

       I also bought Wiltons Valentines Day mix from Micheals

       ~Conversations hear candies

       ~Heart candies

Frosting;

I tried three methods and found the Wiltons icing in a piping bag with a tip the easiest method.  The pumps in the cans came out too fast to control.  The Cake Mate brand does not dry hard, it stays in a soft frosting consistency, so if you stack them on a plate or mail them to a friend the frosting will smear.

Wilton Icing in the jar or pump.

If you are going to use the jar you will need a icing bag and tip.  I bought mine from Micheals.  

Making the cookie;

Sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder into a medium bowl; set aside.                   

        Mix butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes; mix in spices and salt. Mix in egg and molasses, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl. Add flour mixture; mix on low speed until combined. Divide dough in half; pat into two disks. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour.

        Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

Now Decorate;

Pipe on your frosting.  In the photo I'm using the Wiltons icing from the jar in a bag.

If you are using the Cake Mate icing from the can you can sprinkle the toppings directly on the cookie. 

 If its the Wiltons iceing you will have to put the toppings in a plate.  

Press your man into the toppings.

next use the iceing like glue to attach the eyes and buttons

Finito!!

Super Cute

365 Days of Pinterest Day 26 DIY Christmas Tree Snowglobe Necklace!!

Snow Globe DIY Christmas Tree Snowglobe Necklace!

 Yay!!!  Im almost at the end of my home renovations and Im so happy to finally have a little more time on my hands .. for crafting!  Recap .. I just bought a gorgeous 203 year old Colonial style home 4 months ago, we've had 120 days for massive home reno's ... its almost done!!!  I'll show you all my before and afters pics soon .. 

Iv decided all my crafting posts from now until Christmas will be DIY holiday gifts!  Iv seen so many amazing things on Pinterest I cant wait to try so lets begin .. 

Here they come! ....

                           

What you will need:

~ small trees.  I found my trees at the dollar store but I also saw them in the diorama isle at Michaels. 

~ Small bottles, again I found my bottles at the dollar store (with beads in them) but I also saw them at Michaels in the 'Idea-Ology' line or you can get them here from Etsy  http://www.etsy.com/listing/112283804/10-small-glass-bottles-with-cork-and?ref=shop_home_feat

~ necklace finding and chain (Michaels ... my second home)

~  fine white or iridescent glitter, I used the Martha Stewart Craft Essentials 24 pack from Michaels .. use your coupon 40% off  :)

~ E6000 Glue or a Glue gun if you are a fast mover (I used E6000 because I was working with my nieces and nephews)

~wire clippers

~ toothpick

 I like to set some of the more difficult crafts I do with children "buffet" style.  I take one child at a time and we go down the line, each step layed out in order .. I find that kids really love the individual attention and time you spend with them one on one .. makes them feel special .. and they are.  Also if you have a more difficult or messy craft you can make sure 5 kids aren't sticking their hands in bowls and flinging glue and glitter at each other .. :)

 first trim the top of your tree off ... size up the tree next to your bottle to see what height you need then clip of the top.

                               

glue the base of your tree.  Either E600 glue wich you will have to wait about 5 min to dry firm enough to continue or a glue gun for immediate gratification :)

I used E6000 so my niece could put the tree in herself .. sense of accomplishment .. priceless 

There she is .. tree in jar .. next up ... glitter ...

I put the glitter in a little bowl so the kids could pinch it out with their fingers and drop little amounts in the jar 

or if your plying solo .. sprinkle away 

next attach your necklace finding and loop to your cork top.  I trimmed mine with the wire clippers, dipped the end in E6000 for extra hold and then put it in the top.

attach to chain .. 

Walaa!!  The prettiest little tree in a bottle you've ever seen  A gorgeous gift!

In the first photo you see the necklace the children made with the glitter tree,  I used a more natural snow covered tree in mine below

 Verdict .. super fun and easy craft!  We all loved it .. inexpensive supplies .. makes a really nice whimsical winter gift .. have the kids give it to their teachers .. A+

Heres the original Pin .. thanks for the awesome inspirations!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/139330182194843644/

Find of the week ...

I love this little birdie plate I picked up from Home Sense .. In the USA the store is called Home Goods .. I used it when I had my family over to serve little chocolate truffles my mother had made .. 

365 Days of Pinterest Day 20 - Shimmer Flower Vase

Well I took a detour from my 365 Days of Pinterest "Testing one Pin a Day for a Year" and Ill tell you why.  Pinterest inspired me to buy a home ... not just any home .. A 200 year old Heritage Home!  I saw in this home so much potential, so much DIY!  I cant wait to move in in June and blog all the wild and crazy adventures.  I also sold my town house.   It sold in less then 24 hours with 4 bids and ended at $18,000 more then the asking price.  We spent one month completely renovating and staging on a shoestring budget.  I used so many tips and tricks from Pinterest for renovating, organizing beautifying and staging!  I will be sharing them soon.

SO NOWWWW without further ado back to some fun DIY's!  YAY!!

I found this pin when looking for a gift to give my real estate agent and mortgage brokers.  All extremely wonderful and inspirational women.

Sparkle Vase!!! oo la la .. nothing like sparkle ..

What you will need:

~ A cute vase (I bought my mini mason jar style vases from the dollar store .. so cute)

~ Flowers (I choose the ever delicate and gorgeous hydrangeas for my adult gifts and fun colorful Gerbera's I gave to my daughter and her friends for their high school talent show)

~ GLITTER!!!  Of course I used Martha Stewarts Hexagon Glitter from Michaels purchased with my 40% off coupon as the glitter is almost $30.00 for a 12 pack. worth it

~ ribbon. I used pretty shimmer ribbon for the Gerberas and rustic woven burlap ribbons for the shabby chic Hydrangeas

The rest is pretty self explanitory .. 

ribbon on vase

glitter in vase

water in vase

flower in vase.

I filled the vases half way and gifted them in a tiny brown bag .. very cute.

Wa laaa ... glitter and fresh flowers .. such a pretty happy gift.. and when you want a little extra magic you swirl the water in the vase around .. instant glitter globe effect!  makes me smile!

  find of the week .. pretty vintage butterfly serving dish from a thrift shop :)