Handmade Gifts under $1.50!

This Christmas, I handmade a few gifts. This was an apron I made from some fabric I bought on clearance after Christmas one year for $1/yard. (It literally cost less than a dollar, b/c I used less then a yard!) Despite the fact it took a couple hours, I loved the way it turned out. I also added a fabric rose to the side by the chest, but didn't get a photo taken after the add. (Here's a tutorial to make a VERY easy fabric rosette: http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/2011/07/fabric-rosettes-tutorial.html)

For teachers this year, I busted out those pears & peaches that I canned last fall. My in-laws brought tons back from the West Coast. They are SUPER yummy and a delicacy in our house; however really a great frugal gift for us! Just the cost of the mason jar & I added some of that same Christmas fabric. I also purchased some reusable shopping bags with the phrase "#1 Teacher" in the fall for 25 cents each. Each bag held a jar of pears & a jar of peaches. :) (Total cost per gift about $1.25 plus fruit)

Lastly, I made these photo coasters. They are made from tiles (cost 11 cents each), felt, photographs, & modge podge. Such a simple, yet fun gift. The total cost of the craft was $1.16!! (Plus ribbon & modge podge which I just had on hand.)

Tangled Birthday Cake- Abbey's 7th Birthday!

My niece wanted a Tangled cake for her birthday! I made a whimsical tower out of rice crispy treats and texted it with a quilting-like fondant tool. The little cobblestones are covered in sparkle gels. The cake was a 3 layer 9" with creme cheese frosting covered in fondant.

Detail. I wrapped her extra long hair in plastic wrap until the piping was dry.

Full cake!

Here's Princess Abigail with her cake!

Bearded Dragon Cake

My amphibian lovin' nephew requested a "Bearded Dragon Cake!" :) Here it is:

He said, "I want the exact same cake NEXT year!"

Scarecrow cookies!

David was on the treat schedule for preschool today! They took a field trip to our local scarecrow festival display and we thought a scarecrow snack would go along nicely! We made 24 of these yesterday together! I think they turned out okay. :) He was such a great helper.

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/sweet-scarecrows-686957/

Dora Map Cake ~ Anna's 2nd Birthday

For Anna's 2nd birthday, I asked her what kind of cake she wanted and she yelled, "DORA, DORA!!" :) I thought it'd be fun to do a "map" scene like on the Dora show. In order for Dora to get to the birthday party, she had to first go to the apple tree, next the lake (watch out for swiper!), and finally the birthday party!

The actual cake is two layers (2- 9x13) with a white cake and a strawberry cake as well! :) It was fun to have the variety in flavor, but also in color! The more pink the better! :)

My precious 2 year old! Happy Birthday Anna!

Baby Boy Shower

It's been a crazy busy, but WONDERFUL summer! My sister & I hosted a baby shower for one of her coworkers last Sunday. It was great. :) She's having a baby boy so baby blue and brown were the theme. Check out the cake:

The cake is dark chocolate & white so when you cut in the theme is carried out with every bite. :) p.s. I LOVE dark chocolate.

Check out these fun puffs my Sister and I made. They are so fun and affordable. They costs 50 cents a piece to make and added so much.

Along the deck railing, we had citronella candles in BABY FOOD jars! :) We added some Easter grass for color. They kept the buggies away, but added a fun baby flair.

Here's our food table. Cake, homemade mints, veggie tray, & almond bark oreos with sparkles. Yum yum!

Sky High Strawberry Pie

This is a fresh strawberry pie recipe that doesn't involve using the oven. :) It's great for the summertime! Recipe makes 2 regular sized pies in graham cracker crusts or use only 3 quarts of strawberries and use a pre-baked pie shell.

Ingredients:
4 quarts
1 1/2 C Sugar
6 Tbsp Corn Starch
2/3 C water
2 Graham Cracker crusts
2 Containers of Cool Whip

Wash, core, & slice strawberries. I promise this is the only part that requires any real work! ;)

Of the strawberries, mash 3 cups strawberries with fork or potatoe masher or like me, use a food processor and pulse until it's to the above consistency; not pureed, but coursely mashed.

Combine corn starch & sugar in a medium sauce pan. Stir in mashed berries and water. Mix well and bring to a boil over medium heat.

STIR constanctly and cook for 2 minutes.

Mixture should thicken and be almost jelly like. Remove immediately from heat and if you desire add red food coloring. (I did not)
Pour mixture in bowel and chill.

Have your pie shells handy and fold berry mixture into remaining strawberries.

Pour into remaining pie shells. Chill 2-4 hours.

Top with Cool Whip before serving! Enjoy!