Wordless Wednesday - My Sweet Nephew

Easter Egg Chalk

Easter Egg Sidewalk Chalk

These were so easy to make.

Here's What You will need:

Plaster of Paris
Tempera Paint
Petroleum Jelly
Plastic Easter eggs
Disposable cups
Disposable spoons or wooden craft sticks
Egg carton

Instructions:

Take petroleum jelly and liberally coat the insides of the eggs and then place in the egg carton. Mix 1/2 cup Plaster of Paris with 1/4 cup water and stir well. Mix in enough liquid tempera paint to get your desired color. We added about a teaspoon or so. You can also use powdered tempera paint (start with about 1 tablespoon and go from there). We mixed up a blue batch, poured it into the eggs then immediatley mixed up a pink batch.Pour mixture into egg halves. This amount makes about 1 1/2 eggs. We used the 1/2 to make two colored eggs. DO NOT pour extra plaster down your sink drain – Throw it in the trash!

Allow this mixture to set about 5 minutes or just until thick enough to put the egg halves together. Once together, hold tightly and carefully give egg a good shake and a firm tap on a hard surface to allow plaster to form to the egg and the halves to come together.Allow eggs to harden overnight. We couldn’t wait (patience issues) and rushed ours allowing only about 3 hours (this is overnight in child time isn’t it?) to dry. To remove them from the plastic an adult must use a knife to work the halves apart.

These can be made for more than just Easter. Try changing up the colors and make for a boys birthday party. I think gray ones would make cute favors for a dinosaur party.

**I wish I could remember what website I saw these on. If I can locate it, I will add the link in an update.**

Have Fun!

*Tiffany

Easter Treat Holders

This one’s for the kiddos!!

A fun little craft project for all those Easter Bunny treats found on AwesomeMoms.com!

PAPER BUNNY CUP Treat Holders

Here's What You’ll Need:
white paper cup
white cardstock
pink felt or pink cardstock
2 wiggle eyes
small pink pom-pom
medium white pom-pom (for tail)
white chenille stems (aka Pipecleaners)
scissors, glue, glue dots or a stapler

Directions:

From the white cardstock, cut 2 large white ovals for the bunny ears. Trim one side of the oval off so it’s squared off at the bottom.
• Cut 2 smaller oval shapes from the pink felt (or paper) for the inner part of the ear. Glue the pink ovals in the center of the white ear shapes and set aside to dry.
• Cut white chenille craft stems into short pieces for the whiskers. Use craft glue or glue dots to attach the whiskers to the cup, then glue the pink pom pom on top for the nose.
• Attach the ears to the back rim of the cup with a stapler or glue dots.
• Glue the white pom pom to the back of the cup to create a cotton tail.
• Fill with a colorful Easter grass and candy treats!

PAPER CHICK CUP Treat Holders

Here's What You’ll Need:
yellow paper cup
orange cardstock
orange chenille craft stems
2 wiggle eyes
yellow craft feathers
scissors, glue/glue dots, stapler or tape

Directions:

From the orange cardstock, cut a small triangle for the beak and glue it to the front of the cup.
• Glue the wiggle eyes above the beak.
• Cut six 3/4-inch pieces of orange chenille stem for the chick feet. Twist three pieces together at one end for each foot. Attach the feet to the front of the cup with glue dots or tacky craft glue.
• Staple or tape a few feathers to the back edge of the cup, making sure they peek out over the top.
• Fill with a colorful Easter grass and candy treats!

Edible Easter Baskets

Edible Easter Baskets



8 Servings

Ingredients & Preparation:
1 (14 oz.) bag sweetened flake coconut in a bowl. Use a toothpick to apply and stir in a few drops of green food dye. Let dry. Melt 1 (7.5 oz.) jar Marshmallow Fluff in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring, until soft and pliable. Stir in 3 cups Rice Krispies. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips; remove from heat. Arrange 8 paper cupcake liners on a work surface. Mist hands with cooking spray. Gather a small amount of cereal mixture and shape to fit into a cupcake liner. Add more cereal to make a rim around top. Let cool. Make 7 more. Fill each nest with a bit of coconut and 3 Jordan almonds.


Here is my version of the Edible Easter Basket... I made Cheesecake Easter Baskets last year and everyone loved them. Super Simple, Super Cute!

Let the kiddos help you make these... they will love it!

Enjoy!

*Tiffany

Get Creative With PEEPS!

Get creative with PEEPS (Yes, it's possible)!!

RealSimple.com has a great article/slideshow up right now featuring new and fun ways to get creative with Easter’s favorite sugar-coated marshmallow friends!

The feature also includes some “Fun Facts” – including this one which seriously shocks me: “PEEPS were made by hand using a pastry tube until 1954, when a machine was invented to create multiple marshmallow chicks at a time. Prior to this time it took 27 hours to make one PEEP.” 27 hours?! Who knew! Does this make you feel little guilty for the 30 seconds spent microwaving them?? (Yes, this is VERY common.)

Click here to check out the full article.

Enjoy!

*tiffany

Favorite Song Friday - Love's Divine

It's a GREAT one!!

Today my "Favorite Song Friday" is a song from a sweet friend of mine, DeDe Murcer Moffett. Take a moment to listen and to be uplifted!

DeDe Murcer Moffett is a Recording Artist, Speaker and the CEO & Founder of Snap Out of It. I cannot say enough wonderful things about her uplifting, postive spirit and the beautiful person she is (inside and out). DeDe combines her inspirational speaking and singing to deliver a message of hope and transformation after overcoming a 24 year alcohol addiction. She is a woman helping other women unleash their personal power!

"What I know is this, there is nothing that you cannot overcome or transcend. Life is a series of events and we label them good and bad, however they are truly just experiences for our soul to learn from as we keep expanding and growing. Me, you and all of us are worthy and loved. Let this be your knowing and may it propel you forward to the life of your dreams!" ~ DeDe Murcer Moffett



Read more about DeDe and how you to can Snap Out of It by clicking on the links below.

www.dedemurcermoffett.com

www.snapoutofitradionetwork.com

www.twitter.com/SnapOutOfItShow

Have a SPECTACULAR Friday!

*tiffany

You've been EGGed!

Now, this is my idea of FuN for the kids & I can't wait to try it!! (Yes, I am one of the kids!)

I found this FuN idea on Executive Homemaker and I am not surprised! One of my FAVES, Laurie from Tip Junkie, heads that up.

Have your kiddos fill Easter eggs with goodies & sprinkle it across a friend's lawn and leave this cute sign. Seriously, what a FUN thing to open up your door to!

I think we should ALL take more time to do things like this! OH and You can get a downloadable sign here.

Have FuN with this idea... I know the kiddos will LOVE it!

*tiffany

Wordless Wednesday

I want to paint this wall, but I LOVE my words and I want save them.

I have an idea... Stay tuned!

Who Knew What a Can of Paint Could Do?

I know what one can of paint can do & yet I am ALWAYS amazed!

Lil Man's bathroom had plain white walls (UGH) and he wanted "REALLY green walls". So, we found a color that we all liked and I think it came out perfectly!

This may be my new favorite green... I just LOVE it!

Another view

Hope you are ignoring the finger prints... I can't be perfect! ;-)

A coat of paint is EXACTLY what this bathroom needed!

We have been painting machines!

Keep checking back for more Mini-Makeovers!

*Tiffany

Bunny Face Cupcakes

With Easter right around the corner, these cute cupcakes are a MUST!

Bunny Face Cupcakes

Makes 12

Ingredients:
1 12-oz. can vanilla frosting
12 cupcakes, any flavor
2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, chopped in food processor
1/4 cup pink decorating sugar
12 marshmallows
24 thin pretzel sticks
12 mini marshmallows
24 brown M&M's minis
12 pink heart candies, such as Runts
6 black licorice laces

Directions:

1. Spoon 2 Tbsp. vanilla frosting into a small ziplock bag. Frost cupcakes with remaining vanilla frosting. Roll tops of frosted cupcakes in coconut to cover.

2. Place pink sugar in a small bowl. Using scissors, cut large marshmallows in half crosswise. Press cut side of each marshmallow into pink sugar to make ears. Insert a pretzel stick into 1 short end of a marshmallow ear. Insert pretzel-stick end into cupcake to make ear stand up. Repeat with another pretzel and marshmallow ear; place second marshmallow ear next to first. Repeat with remaining marshmallows and pretzels, placing 2 ears on each cupcake.

3. Snip a small corner from ziplock bag with vanilla frosting. Using scissors, cut mini marshmallows in half crosswise to make cheeks. Pipe small dots of frosting and attach the mini M&M eyes, heart-candy nose and cheeks. Cut licorice into 1 1/2-inch pieces and insert as whiskers. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.

Enjoy!

*tiffany

Favorite Song Friday

Me & Mrs. Jones

Michael Buble'

Yes... He IS singing about THIS Mrs. Jones! (That would be me!)

Have a GREAT Friday!

Wordless Wednesday

Well... Not completely Wordless.

This is one project that I could have NEVER anticipated & it's one of the only projects that hasn't made me very happy!!

TERMITES!!!!!!

Terminix will be out here today, I think they lady felt sorry for me when I was crying and hyperventilating on the phone. (A little dramatic maybe, but it's my HOME!)

Until the issue is resolved, I guess the terrible termites will continue to devour my entire fireplace mantle. *Sigh*

I LOVE how NOTHING is to BiG for My God!

I continue to be amazed at the promises that have been made to each of us. The promises of God are trustworthy, because the God who promised them is Faithful! God's love is personal. He knows each of us individually and loves us personally with all His heart. I am thankful today for the love He showed me, long before I even noticed it and I'm grateful for His blessings and grace.

Here are a few reminders of God's promises... May you be blessed today and everyday.

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:6-8

Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him." Psalm 37:3-7

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," delares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity." Jeremiah 29:11-14

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:3,35,37-39

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." Hebrews 6:10

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19

Hugs,

*Tiffany

My Kind of Welcome

I am FINALLY back in my groove!! I've decided to start AND complete (that's the keyword) a minimum of one craft, home & cooking project a month.

I know I can do it...

I first mentioned my door dilemma, in THIS post. There was something missing!!

Below is the "BEFORE" picture.

I decided that what our home needed was a more "welcoming" entrance. I started thinking that a black door would do the trick.

SO... after months of going back & forth, I finally decided to take the plunge today!

And here it is...

I am loving the "new" door so far!

However... I just can't leave it alone. I am wanting to add the word "Welcome" with a stencil and my hubby isn't loving the idea. (What does he know anyway?)

I photoshopped "Welcome" below, to kind of give me an idea of what it would look like. I think it's the perfect touch, but wanted to get your thoughts as well.

What are your thoughts??

*tiffany

**Ignore my not-so-greenery. We've had a few freezes here in Texas (insane!) and everyone's front yard looks just like this. I'll have to fit the landscaping in before Spring gets here!**

Favorite Song (& More) Friday

My absolute FAVORITE season is FALL...

When the trees are this gorg, how could anyone not love Fall??

My favorite song today (Yes, I have a BiLLiON favorite songs) is by Meredith Andrews. Her voice is just so pure and her words are uplifting.

"You're Not Alone" is a song that I always sing to my Little Man and it's such a great reminder for us all.

Have a great Friday Bloggers!

*tpj

Scribble Snacks

SCRIBBLE SNACKS

These look SOOOO good, you could almost EAT them!! Oh, WAIT.... you CAN eat them!

Brooke over at Crafting Chicks posted about edible crayons she made as a Back-to-School treat for her kiddos. She Photoshopped the wrappers with her kid's names on them... Talk about GENIUS!

The instructions can also be found at THIS website.

Layla Grace... He Set Me Free

"Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me, God wanted me now... HE SET ME FREE" - LAYLA GRACE MARSH 11-26-2007 to 03-09-2010

I have spent the last few months praying Layla Grace out of Heaven. Yesterday was the day to pray her in. Layla went to play the angels yesterday morning and has truly left a legacy and her footprint on so many hearts! She has touched many lives and made us take time to appreciate what we have so much more! She did more for the Kingdom of God in her 2 years, than others attempt to do in 80 years. This little girl has touched us all! She has brought us to tears. She has inspired us to smile. She has made us hold our little ones a little closer. She has forced us to take a moment to appreciate life and she has generated SO MUCH LOVE. I do know that she brought light to a world that was dim and now we are all better for knowing and loving Layla Grace.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." --Matthew 5:4

Thank you sweet Layla Grace for getting a hold of me and changing my life! Life has so much more purpose and meaning when God is put into the center and not to the side.

"Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love." --Lamentations 3:32

Compassion, which literally means, "to suffer with," is the ability to be moved by the troubles of others. When we reach out from our own pain to help others it comes back to us in healing and a sense of worth. Jack Cornfield says, "You take it all in. You let the pain touch your heart and you turn it into compassion. What a splendidway to go through life, bringing blessing to all we touch."

Praise God for Layla Grace & Praise God for the compassion of her Prayer Warriors!

Bring on SPRING!

Springtime Simple Wreath

I am SO over this cold weather! When I said that "I loved cold weather", I lied!!

I want the Spring weather and I want it now!
(**Arms crossed & stomping feet, just like any bratty kiddo would do!**)

I stumbled upon this wreath and thought it was the perfect way to kick-off my Spring Craft Season.

Pursuit Of Craftyness made this CUTE wreath out of scrapbook paper. It's a-dor-a-ble! Perfect craft to color coordinate and accessorize to your liking.

Just click on these photos for a more enlarged picture. You can even see the scalloped edges! Click on her blog and She includes a mini-tutorial on her blog as well.

Craft Away!

Favorite Song Friday

I Will Not Be Moved

Natalie Grant

This is what I like to call "Mom Rock"... A great song to start a great weekend!

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday - Wacky Weekends

Welcome to My World... NEVER a dull Moment!!

It's Jon Bon Jovi's Birthday Baby!!

This Man... Well, He just does it for me!!



Using only song names from ONE ARTIST/BAND, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title (There are 19 questions). It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)"

Pick your Artist: Bon Jovi

Are you a male or female: She’s a Mystery
How do you currently feel: One Step Closer
Describe where you currently live: Runaway
Your style: It’s My Life
Your favorite form of transportation: Fast Cars
Your best friend is: We Weren’t Born to Follow
You and your friends are: We Got It Going On
What's the weather like: 99 in the Shade
What You Would Say To Someone You Just Met: (You Want to) Make a Memory
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Living in Sin
What is life to you: Live Before You Die
Your fear: Shot Through the Heart
What is the best advice you have to give: Stick to Your Guns
Thought for the Day: Have a Nice Day
How I would like to die: Undivided in a Bed of Roses
My soul's present condition: Livin’ on a Prayer
My motto: Keep the Faith, Always

This was SOOO Fun!!

**Keep checking back... I have a few before/after's that I plan on posting this week & weekend!! And I'm back in the game!!**

Hope your week is SPECTACULAR!

*Tiffany