Tuesday, November 25, 2014

pumpkin muffins easy peasy

If you are on Facebook you might have seen the recipe for the Pumpkin Muffins using a box of yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin.

I thought I would try it...... I used a box of Spice Cake Mix Instead of the Yellow Cake Mix with the can of pumpkin.  It is delicious and easy- peasy. I also tried it with a box of Carrot Cake Mix, it too was yummy.

Instead of the large muffin pan I used a mini muffin pan.

I also found it easier to empty the canned pumpkin into mixing bowl first and then gradually add the cake mix while stirring.

All you need to do is pre- heat oven to 350 degrees

Grease or oil muffin pan

In a large bowl,

Mix one box cake mix  and one can of canned pumpkin( I used Libbys)

Stir by hand until smooth

Spoon mix into muffin pan ( no need to worry how full. I filled each to top.)

Bake for 25 minutes

Remove from oven, let cool

Thats it!

makes 24 to 28 mini muffins

You can add chopped walnuts or chocolate chips if desired!!!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Paper Beads

Remember making paper beads?
The other day I found a bracelet that I made with  paper beads.
The colors are so pretty and they look like ceramic beads!

 I went into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of wood skewers then I went through my patterned paper picked out a few designs, cut them into strips and started rolling.  All shapes and sizes. It is relaxing. I have my pile of paper, glue and while watching ( well more like listening) to TV I roll and roll and roll.
 I  cut some at 1/2 inch and a few at 2 inches but I like the 1 inch size best. Cut at diagonal and you have a cone style shape

Depending on the thickness of the paper most of my pieces were 12 inch lengths. The thicker sheets did well at 6 inch lengths.

You can use magazine pages too. In fact years ago when I first learned how to make them we used magazine pages.  Book pages, music sheets, origami paper.  Its a great way to recycle left over scraps of paper and magazine pages. Easy project for kids to try.

To seal them after rolling you can use a glaze, Mod Podge or UTEE .  I found the quickest and easiest  way was to use UTEE (Ultra thick embossing enamel)  Just roll bead using skewer onto the Versa Mark pad then using a plastic spoon sprinkle UTEE all over the bead  then heat with a heat gun. I repeat with a second coat of UTEE and heat again.  Wait a few seconds to cool and remove the bead from the skewer.  Voila!

You can use a twilling tool too but remember you need enough of an opening to string bead

On some of the beads I inked the edges with a darker color before applying the UTEE.







Sunday, November 16, 2014

I had these two heart shape pictures that I bought years ago from Home Interiors and Gifts!

For some reason I couldn't get rid of them....I like them. Out dated  and pictures fading but the frames  are nice.  So I had an idea that I could paint the frames add a new picture or paint a new picture. That thought stayed in the back of my mind and the pictures went into a box!

I love butterflies, my bathroom has a butterfly theme  Hmm... I have a huge butterfly stamp, two heart shape picture frames.
 AHA moment!!!!
I painted the frames light blue, stamped and inked the butterflies and of course I added some fairy dust  (lightly glittered).

I like the result. What do you think?

 Before and after pictures