Paper Towel Wreath

I saw this cute project made over at Made by Nicole. It was so cute that i just knew that i had to make it. It is a really easy project and perfect for the kiddo's to help out on. 

First i got all the supplies:

• Paper Towels (I used a combo of  2ply Bounty and Viva paper towels)
• Food Coloring
• Little spray bottles (in the travel size items at Wally's)
• Foam wreath (If you sign up to get Michael's e-mails they will e-mail you a 40 or 50% off coupon right away)
• Burlap to wrap your wreath and use with flowers(i got mine at Wally's)
• Newspaper to protect your table or counter while you are happily spraying.

I put at least 6 drops, sometimes more, food coloring in each squirt bottle mixed with a little water to make it dark enough to see when you squirt it out.

Lay your newspapers out and start being creative.....

See how much fun i was having...

And the boy thought it was so cool that he was able to help...

When you are all done and your paper towels are dry fold them in 4's and then trace circles using the top of a mug or glass. Then cut the circles out, you should get 4 circles out of 1 paper towel. 

From here on out you can get as creative as you want. You can mix and match different colored circles or keep all the same colors together. I would staple at least 4 together, you could do more or less depending on if you are adding fabric or burlap circles to the mix.

After you have them stapled together decide what side you want to be the front of the flower and put a dab of hot glue in the center and then give the back a little pinch like this....

I experimented a little and made a couple different flower shapes, i just pinched and folded them into shapes i thought looked like flowers and then stapled and hot glued my heart away, it was actually quite fun:)

Then EMBELLISH and glue to your burlap wrapped wreath...

And the finished product. Do they look like a bunch of Paper Towels to you???Now go make one, you know you want to....

-Jaime

Tin Can Creations

I have been seeing the cutest crafts out there in blogland made with Tin Cans. Here is a idea from Homemade Mamas, tea light holders, so fun. These would be adorable painted like a pumpkin and set out on your porch for Halloween. Go HERE for the instructions.....

And how about this cute craft organizer at Me Making Do. So fun and basically made with stuff you have laying around the house. Go HERE to see how this was made.

Below are some from Brown Paper Packages. These are made from formula cans. They would be great for a teachers gift or a scrapbook room. I love it wrapped in twine! Click HERE for more pics.

Too bad soup season is about over....I'm going to have to start feeding the kids more spaghetti-O's so i can stock up on tin cans!! Hope you all got some good idea's here, i know i did!!

-Jaime

Tasty Tuesday - Honey Dipped Chicken

Tasty Tuesday

This recipe i got from Good Things Utah, i can't remember the chef though. This is a great chicken recipe and the honey makes it so sweet and tasty.

Honey Dipped Chicken

1 egg

¼  cup honey

½ cup bread crumbs

½ cup almond meal (crushed almonds)

3 or 4 chicken breasts

Melted butter ( about ½ a stick)

Beat egg and honey in a small bowl.

Combine almond meal and bread crumbs in bag or pie plate.

Dip chicken in honey mixture then coat well with crumb mixture            .

Arrange in baking dish and drizzle with melted butter.

Bake for  1 hour at 375 degrees until tender.

Marble Magnets

If it's one thing that i hate it's a cluttered fridge. OK i don't hate it that much but some people do try to fit a bit too much on the front of their fridge doors and sorry people but it's not pretty. I try not to clutter my fridge up too much but there are always cute pictures of my friends and family and the all important pre-school art work that manage to make their way on my fridge.

This is how my fridge looked a couple of days ago.....a bit much right?!

But then i remembered about the cute marble magnets that i learned to make years ago. And now my fridge looks like this.....better right?

Now i know that most of you out there have probably made these before and if so then maybe you need to make some more, mother's day is coming up you know. These are a great, quick and thoughtful homemade gift.

Get your supplies - Mod Podge, brush, clear glass marbles(i got mine at Michael's), 1 inch round hole punch, small magnets and some uber cute paper.

Now start making circles. I always get a bit carried away and punch out a million circles and then look at the 8 magnets i bought and then have to pick and choose my favorite. I guess now i have extras for when i pick up some more magnets.

Next just brush a THIN coat of Mod Podge on the back of your circles and stick it right to the marble. Hold it down to get any of the air bubbles out, it dries pretty quickly. Now i have tried to do this with photo's i have punched out and i have a harder time with those. Mine never dry fast and always have air bubbles. If anyone knows the trick to Mod Podge photos feel free to tell me.

And there you have it, some beautiful little works of art! It will make your fridge look so much better i promise!

Oh yeah and i know you were all wondering what that little poster was on my fridge. Yeah that's me rockin' a purple bikini. OK not really but it's my "inspiration" poster. Is it working you ask, well not exactly but i refuse to take it down because someday soon it's going to kick my butt into action, soon i tell you soon.

-Jaime

"Happy" Passed On...

I feel so honored, M.O.T.B gave me this wonderful award!! Happy 101, boy i have had my dose of happiness these last few years and this is a great time to tell you all why and then pass it on.....

So here it goes:

10 things that make ME happy.....

1. My boys...

This has to be #1 because they are my heart and soul. All my boys, the hubster included, are so special to me and i would be nowhere with out them. Although some days i want to grab the first little girl i see and take them on a shopping spree, i am thankful for the boys in my life and i just look forward to taking their future wives and hopefully daughters shopping in the future!

2. Quality time with my husband...

Although it doesn't happen all that often i try to soak up every second of our date nights. I love getting to talk without being interrupted and not having to change diapers for the night:)

3. The Movies...

This kindof goes along with #2 because on our date nights we almost always head for the movie theater. I love a good movie and the ability it has to take you into another world if even just for a couple of hours, it's exhilarating.

4. Nature...

It can be very inspiring. I loved my summers spent working in West Yellowstone more than any summers i can remember. Being charged by a mother moose was one of the most frightening yet awesome experiences of my life. Then about 8 or years later while 4-wheeling we happened upon another mother moose and her two babies, i sat there for about 30 minutes just watching them, it was beautiful.

5. A good hair day...

Really what can make you feel better than when your hair is having a kick A** day. Side note: I have done hair for about 15 years now so i try to make every day a good hair day and when it isn't i take it pretty personal;)

6.Crafting...

I love creating things for my home and to give to others. This is the main reason why i love the blogging world so much, i get so many great ideas from all the talented ladies in blogland.

7. Traveling...

I absolutely love to travel. I love the airport, i love hotels, i love it all. I was the youngest of 4 kids and my parents took me on a lot of fun trips, i would say they spoiled me and gave me the traveling bug. It's just too bad i can't give that bug to the hubster, hopefully someday;)

8. The weekends...

I live for the weekends! Me and the boys can't wait for time with their dad. He is a very hard worker and we love to have time to spend with him whenever we can. I usually have a bunch of errands to run but he carts me and the boys around with little complaints. We also eat out and i love no cooking and dishes. I also love attending our church on Sunday mornings and the fact that my husband loves it as much as i do.

9. My friends...

I always look forward to a girls night out. I have made some great friends here in Kansas and i am very grateful for that. I do however miss my Utah friends like crazy. I hope they know how much i miss them and that they made me who i am today and i am grateful to them for that.

10. Planning, almost anything...it's all in the details...

I am a planner by nature. I love to plan parties. It's a thrill for me to make the perfect party favor or to make the perfect invitation. I go into planning mode and get very OCD about finding the perfect accessories for whatever the occasion.
I really have so much in my life to be HAPPY about and i am glad that i got this opportunity to share it with you. Now go think about what makes YOU HAPPY!

I would like to pass this award on to a couple of my favorite ladies in the blogging world....
-Fingerprints On The Fridge-
I love this blog and all the great decorating idea she comes up with. She always comes up with the most simple yet fabulous ideas. Her style is clean and crisp and i love it.
-Sarah-
One of my best friends since High School and one of the best mom's ever. She juggles it all and does a great job at it. Her kiddo's are adorable and she always has a funny story to share.
-Love, Actually-
I love this blog and all the wonderful idea's for keeping your relationship fresh and new. She always has great downloads and fun, fun, fun ways to spice up that love life.

Thanks again to Mom of Two Boys for making me feel super loved today. I am new here in the blogger world but there are so many great ladies that inspire and encourage me.

-Jaime

My baby is two!

My little guy is 2 years old today. I love this little man. He is wild, he is crazy, and i just can't get enough of his sweet kisses. He is always smiling and loves to be silly. He is Elmo's biggest fan and if he see's a train or an airplane he will let you know. He doesn't say much yet but his voice does not go unheard.

We love him so much and are so glad he came into our lives. Happy Birthday Jakey.

Chocolate Chip Banana Cake

Tasty Tuesday

Today for my Tasty Tuesday recipe i am sharing with you the recipe for Chocolate Chip Banana Cake. I got this recipe from Good Things Utah. I miss that show so much and a few of my favorite recipe's came from watching that show. This recipe came from Aimee Winder of Winder Dairy in Utah.

Chocolate Chip Banana Cake

Ingredients:

1/2 C. butter, softened

1 1/2 C. white sugar

1 C. sour cream

2 large eggs

2-3 very ripe bananas, mashed

2 C. flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp.vanilla

1 1/2 C. chocolate chips

1/2 C. chopped nuts, optional

Mix until smooth the butter, sugar, sour cream and eggs.

Add the mashed bananas and blend.

Mix in the flour, salt, soda,and vanilla.

Add 1 cup of the chocolate chips and all the walnuts if you are adding walnuts.

Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 glass pan.

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 C. of chocolate chips on top and lightly press down with back of spoon.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Serve with or without frosting.

ENJOY!!