Printable Paper Button Embellishments
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You can download these super cute paper embellishments over at Creature Comforts.
Here are some other cute uses for these buttons (photos courtesy of Creature Comforts)
pssstt…. don’t forget, Sunday is Mother’s Day!
mum’s the word
Don’t forget Mother’s Day is just around the corner!!
Here are some fab freebies/downloadables around the blogworld that just might spruce up your mom’s Mother’s day.
downloadable/printable card (via How About Orange)
DIY Pop-up Mother’s Day Card (via Poppytalk)
Mother’s Day breakfast in bed printable signs (via Jordan Ferney, Oh Happy Day)
printable squirrel themed foldable card from How About Orange
Photo card templates also from How About Orange
Handmade Polymer Clay Tags/Charms
A while back, I read a tutorial on how to make clay charms. I thought these would be a great way to personalize any gift you might give, or even as little charms on wedding favors (embossed with the bride & groom’s initials; wedding date, etc.)! I personally can’t wait to use these to decorate a homemade dessert (in a jam jar!) using twine to tie it around
Although I can’t find that article anymore, I decided to buy some clay and make these bad boys, so bought some Fimo Polymer Clay and some clay cutter molds, and decided to play around. There are definitely tons of clay-related products you can buy to help you make these charms a bit easier, but I tried to use items that most crafters probably already have around the house, to save a few bucks 
I have to say… these are pretty easy to make!
What you’ll need:
- Polymer Clay
- alphabet/lettering stamp set; or other stamp you want to use (if you want to be real serious, you can purchase a metal stamping set at your local craft store or on etsy, like these)
- wire (I used floral wire– this is to create a small hole for your charm)
- clay roller (I used a thick hot gun glue stick; a pvc pipe or anything round will work too)
- clay cutter (or cookie cutter); you can also mold by hand
- acrylic paint
- oven
Take a piece of clay and roll it into a ball.
Using your roller, roll out the clay to your desired thickness.
Using your stamps, stamp your letter, phrase, or design onto the clay. You can also try to freehand it using the wire.
Once done, take your clay cutter/mold, and punch out your shape. (fyi: you can also cut the shape out first, then stamp the design).
Using the wire, punch a hole through the clay.
Transfer the charm onto a baking sheet. (You may need to use a knife, or in my case, a flexible metal ruler, to help lift the clay off the surface).
Set the clay by baking it. Different brands of clay have different baking temperatures; just follow the directions on the clay package. Once baked, allow it to completely cool off.
Once cooled off, paint the piece in whatever color you want the embossed letter/design to be in.
{sorry, switched out the charm! You’ll also note that I painted the charm pink color, but the charm as pictured below is blue. That’s because I changed my mind and just wiped off the paint).
Once the charm is painted, allow it to partially dry. Take a cloth (dampen it if the paint is being stubborn) and rub off the paint. You can leave as much or as little of the paint you want on the charm if you want to add some color.
Once the color is in, you can use a glaze to add some shine to the charm (if you like). I used Sculpey Glaze. The shine didn’t really show, but I think that’s because I used a silver clay.
Your charms are all done! You can string them up and add them to your next gift.
{Turkey Meatloaf}
{kind of looks like bread huh?}
I’d like to preface this post by saying the following pictures are absolutely horrible. My camera battery died just as I was starting… so I had to resort to my handy dandy phone to take pictures. So.. with that said, i’m sorry if the food doesn’t look appetizing. I promise you that it tastes much much better than it looks!!
When I make meatloaf, I usually use this recipe from Allrecipes.com and slightly modify it. Sometimes I make beef meatloaf, other times I make turkey meatloaf. I guess it just depends on how much beef I’ve had that week, and how healthy or unhealthy I’ve been the days prior to me making meatloaf. I will say that I personally think beef tastes better… but turkey tastes much healthier (but requires more salt). So choose the meat that suits you
I also like to add some veggies into my meatloaf, so I know I’m getting a serving of veggies in there. You obviously can take away the veggies or add more/less, depending on your liking.
Ingredients For the Meatloaf
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 egg
- 3/4-1 cup milk (note: if you don’t have milk, I’ve used 1/2 cup water and it was fine)
- 1 cup dried bread crumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3-5 dashes of worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 carrots, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1-2 celery sticks diced
- Fruit Jam (about 5 tablespoons; more/less as preferred)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
- 1/3 cup ketchup
To puree the veggies:
roughly dice all the veggies up and place it into a blender. Then add the milk.
Puree the mixture for about 30 seconds, or until pureed.
Pour the pureed mixture into the meat:
{i know, it looks gross. It’s like a child’s worst nightmare: a milk, onion, carrot, and celery smoothie! yikes!}
mix it up. Then add the egg, worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs, and salt & pepper. Mix well.
3. Place the meat mixture in a greased loaf pan.
4. [if using traditional ketchup glaze:] In a separate bowl, combine the ingredients of the ketchup glaze and mix well.
5. Pour glaze over meat mixture, covering the meat evenly.
6. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
7. Allow the meatloaf to sit for about 5-10 minutes to soak up all the juices.
serve with a side of veggies or a salad. I’m asian, so I pair everything with rice carb overload? you betcha! but that’s how I roll.
{yep, it definitely looks like bread here}
Another meatloaf recipe to try is this one by Michael Chiarello from the Food Network
Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up just next week (may 2-6)! How cute are these chocolate covered oreos in the shape of apples?? Check out Skip To My Lou for a tutorial on how to make these. Aside from teacher appreciation week, these would be super cute for any apple-themed party!
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Here are some other great craft projects you and/or your child can make for their teacher:
Silk-Dyed Eggs
Easter is just around the corner! I found this really cool tutorial (over at Our Best Bites) on how to “tie”-die eggs using silk ties! Seriously, i think this is awesome! haha.
Use these:
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To make these:
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Here’s a closer look:
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Did I mention that I think those are totally rad
Check out some other great ideas for decorating eggs over at Skip to My Lou
life
yep, i’ve been gone for over two weeks. sorry! I totally didn’t plan on taking so much time off, but somehow… well, i did
So i’m almost done with spring cleaning… I got a bit side tracked. You see, prior to my whole “spring cleaning mode” I was actually laid off from work. Getting laid off is actually kind of what prompted me to begin my spring cleaning. But halfway (or possibly even less than that), I got rehired. Good thing for me (financially!) but it kind of ruined by grand ideas of spring cleaning and redecorating haha. Soooo…. i’ve been kind of trying to catch up on my spring cleaning and all other miscellaneous things life throws your way.
I’m still catching up on running errands and what not, but I still was able to sneak in a little trip to visit my sister and her boyfriend in San Francisco this past weekend
[view of the City from the Golden Gate Bridge]
[took a morning hike in Muir Woods]
[the weather this weekend was SO gorgeous and warm!]
[some of the pretty trees in Muir Woods]
[graffiti on the wall]
[my sister's dog. He's so cute!]
[and no SF trip is complete w/o a trip to Blue Bottle Coffee! yep, that's the main store behind me!]
So, that’s what’s been going on with life I’ll try REALLY hard to get more up this week!
