Pinterest

If you've heard people talking about Pinterest and you have no idea what it is, let me fill you in on the greatest thing since the invention of the glue gun. 

Pinterest is a virtual pin board. Have you ever cut out recipes or articles from a magazine and put them in a binder (or intended to put them in a safe place, but never did)? Then Pinterest is for you! Click here to get started. 

These are some of the things that I have made since I discovered Pinterest. 

"I Dig You" Toddler Valentines

" I Dig You" Valentines

When I told a friend I was making these for Emily's toddler class, she said, "Oh, I made those last year." I didn't think they would be too impressive because this is all over Pinterest. I guess I overestimated the number of people that actually do the stuff they see on Pinterest and possibly the number of people who are on it. They were a huge hit!

It was a small class, so I just bought the nice shovels from Toy's R Us. If it had been a large class, I would have ordered cheaper ones from Oriental Trading or got them from the Dollar Store.

Materials needed:
  • Shovels
  • Cellophane bags
  • Ribbon (preferably wired)
  • Goodies (I used plain Goldfish and conversation hearts.)
  • Gift tags (Handmade or 
  • Hole punch
These are pretty self-explainitory: put the shovel in the bag, fill it with goodies, tie it with a bow, add the cute tag. Here is the link to the site that inspired my valentines and it includes free printable "I Dig You!" Tags (scroll down towards the bottom of the page).

"I need S'more friends like you" packs.

Bought these bag toppers at Hobby Lobby and packs of heart shaped sunglasses at Wal-Mart.
They were a big hit with the kids. 

Fourth of July Wreath

Oh, I just love this one! It was so easy. It took forever, but it just looks so nice on my front door. The original pinner of this wreath has a great tutorial that shows you step-by-step how to make it. I did two things differently:
1. To make the stars, I used my Circuit machine and white card stock. I didn't have sticker paper like she did. I cut out the stars and then "laminated" them with plain old packing tape. I trimmed the tape away with scissors, then hot glued the white floral wire to the back of the stars.
2. I cut out my felt squares with pinking shears.


So, this isn't a craft, but I just have to share this. The original pinner's plates are nothing compared to mine. We've had these porcelain plates for about 10 years. Using Bar Keeper's Friend (which you can buy for $1.50 at Target in the cleaning aisle) and a lot of elbow grease, I got most of the scratches off:
BEFORE
AFTER

Pinterest (gift card) Board

I came up with this idea by myself, but was inspired by Pinterest. What do you get your adult friends for their birthday? Most of the time I give gift cards. My best friend enjoys Pinterest- probably not as much as me, but enough for me to think that she would enjoy this gift. 
I bought a picture frame and replaced the glass with cork. You can buy it in squares or in rolls (which you can cut to size) to any craft store. 

Everyone brought her a gift card to the party. I picked one of her Pinterest boards that matched the gift card theme and put it in a envelope & pinned it to the board. I printed out pictures that she had on her actual boards to decorate the envelopes. Here is how I classified the gift cards:
  • Daniel Plan recipes: Whole Foods
  • People of Walmart: Walmart                              
  • Travel: Shell Gas Card      
  • Crafts: Joann
  • My Style: Kohl's

For the record, I could have made this super cute. With more time, I would have printed out color pictures, added a cuter bow, bought some extra large red push pins, etc... 
But it is what it is because I made 3 different kinds of cupcakes from scratch for her party and I just ran out of time.



From top to bottom: Espresso Mocha,
Andes mint, Vanilla


I made:
Espresso Mocha Cupcakes
Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream frosting
Andes Mint Chocolate Cupcakes

They were all fine, but the Andes mint cupcakes were the best! Seriously, we're talking "smack yo' mamma" good, in the words of one of the guests.

I made a simplified version of them for a church bake sale that also turned out well. You just need:

  • A box of Chocolate cake mix
  • a container of Cream Cheese Frosting
  • peppermint extract
  • a box of Andes mints
Unwrap the Andes mints. Prepare the cake mix according to the box and bake the cupcakes for about 5-6 minutes. Pull them out of the oven and drop an Andes mint in the center of each. You may have to push it down a little. Bake for another 7-8 minutes or so (follow the directions on the box for total baking time). Let the cupcakes cool completely. Don't wory if the hole on top hasn't filled in all the way. 
Then mix 2 teaspoons of peppermint extract into the frosting. Ice the cupcakes. Top with another Andes mint or crushed andes mints, which you can buy in the baking aisle (optional). I used a pastry bag to pipe the icing in a swirly circle, starting in the center of the cupcake so I could fill in the holes left in some of the cupcakes from where I inserted the mints.

Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving goodies: Cornucopia Cones, Pilgrim Hats, and Acorns



CHRISTMAS



Snowman on a stick and strawberry Santa hats

Snowman pizza for movie night
Christmas tree waffles for Christmas Eve. I put them in (powdered sugar snow and decorated them with M&M's and strawberry slices.


Homemade gingerbread play-doh fun


St. Patrick's Day

Rainbow Jell-o Cups
  

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