Inspired By Pinterest

Spring Wreath

okoraf — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:19:23 +0000

Well it has been a few days since I have posted. I have family visiting right now and we have been spending time with them. The weather has been beautiful and we have really enjoyed it. My husband got the bikes out yesterday and filled tires, and tightened all the things that should be tightened. We then enjoyed a nice family bike ride.

This is my spring wreath. It was simple to make. I found some green, furry yarn and wrapped it around my dollar store wreath form. I didn’t use any glue to hold the yarn on the wreath. I just wrapped it tightly and then tied it off when I finished. Fluff up the yarn. Then add your embellishments. I found these cute daisy buttons at Walmart. Take some pretty ribbon, make a bow and add some extra ribbon to make a wreath hanger.

I hope you are enjoying some nice weather and that you make yourself a pretty spring wreath. If you do I would love to see it.

Inspiration Abounds…
okoraf

Homemade Butterfinger Bars

okoraf — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:09:33 +0000

This recipe is simple. It only has three ingredients, candy corn, peanut butter, and chocolate. It tastes very similar to a real Butterfinger Bar.

I found the recipe here. These came out flaky and delicious. I think next time I would double dip with the chocolate but I was in a hurry. I hope you try these.

Inspiration Abounds…
okoraf

Linking to:

No Sew Spring Pillow

okoraf — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:28:17 +0000

When I was at the Dollar Tree this week I saw this green place-mat. I thought it was such a pretty color for spring. Then I found some vinyl wall stickers. That is how this no sew spring pillow was born.

I just folded the place-mat in half and hot glued up both sides. Then I stuffed the pillow. Then I hot glued the top. I took my wall stickers and sprayed them with spray adhesive.

I don’t know how long the spray glue will last but the project only cost $2. I already had things to stuff it with(old t-shirts) and the glue. I love projects that are quick and inexpensive.

Inspiration Abounds…
okoraf

Linking to:

A Birthday Card

okoraf — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:00:30 +0000

Just want to post quickly about this birthday card I made my nephew.

My nephew loves fish. So I wanted to make a card that had fish on it. I used my Silhouette to cut the mason jar shape out. It has three different layers. Then I used watercolor pencils to lightly color around the edge of the mason jar. I used a blender pen to soften the color. Next I cut a fish shape from the Silhouette. I added some details to him and added it to the mason jar. Then I took some plastic wrap and wrapped it around the mason jar. This made it seem like it was really in water. I stamped Happy Birthday on a shape and added it to the front. Then I printed a sentiment and added it to the inside.

I really like the way this one came out and I think my nephew did too. Although maybe it was the money inside the card that he really liked? Who can blame him on that.

Inspiration Abounds…
okoraf

Tomato Parmesan Soup

okoraf — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:32:46 +0000

If you want a soup that is creamy and comforting, than this soup is for you. It is absolutely delicious.

Tomato Parmesan Soup

1 28oz can of diced tomatoes(with juice)
about a cup of carrots
about a cup of celery
about a cup of onions
1 tsp of dried oregano
1 tbs of dried basil
5 cups of water (you can use chicken broth instead of water and bouillon if you prefer)
5 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 cup of flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup butter
16oz half and half
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Add all veggies, oregano, and basil to your soup pot
add chicken broth or water and bouillon
allow to simmer on stove till veggies are very soft(I usually do it for about 2 hours.)
melt butter in a skillet or pot
add flour, stir continually for 3-5 minutes
add half and half to the flour mixture, cook until thickened
add the half and half mixture slowly to the soup pot
stirring all the time you are adding the half and half
add the Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper
check and see if you need to add any additional seasonings
let it cook on low for about 10 minutes (make sure the heat does not get to high at this point)
Serve with a little extra Parmesan Cheese and Croutons. Enjoy
(If you want a totally smooth soup, you can put it in your blender a little at a time)

Inspiration Abounds…
okoraf

Linked to: Its So Very, Cheri, Tasty Tuesday

No Sew Camera Strap Cover

okoraf — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 21:47:44 +0000

This camera strap cover was so easy. It took less than fifteen minutes to complete. I found my fabric at Walmart. The black and white fabric was $4.44 a yard. The yellow was on clearance for $2 a yard. I love the way it turned out. I love that I can just slide the strap out when I get tired of it and try a new color combo. I used this tutorial to complete my strap.

Inspiration Abounds…
okoraf

Linked to: Its So Very, Cheri

Grow

okoraf — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:33:29 +0000

We take part in a homeschool talent night every May or June. When I was looking for inspiration on what the girls could do I found this embroidery project. It was perfect for my 7 about to be 8-year-old. It was a small enough project that she didn’t feel overwhelmed at the thought of doing it. It was simple, cutting, painting, and simple stitches.

We live in small town. We have a Walmart that carries some craft supplies but not a ton. They did not have an embroidery hoop so we made use of things we had at home. After she finished stitching it, we put it on cardboard and added felt to the back. We also added her name and age to the back. The only thing I helped her with was putting on the buttons (the buttons are vintage ones my Nana passed down to me) and mounting it to the cardboard.

I think she did a great job considering her age and that this was her first embroidery project. She has started a project for this year. We will see how this one comes out. She is going to try a couple of new stitches on her new project.

Inspiration Abounds…
okoraf

Cake Batter Bars

okoraf — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:00:49 +0000

Cake Batter seems a popular flavor lately. To be honest, I think cake batter tastes soo much better than the actual cake. When I was looking for a recipe to use for my daughter’s birthday dinner, I found this one from luvin in the oven.

These were perfect. They were easy. They were delicious. They melted in your mouth. They were NOT low carb. Sacrifices must be made for our children though. I am hoping I have an excuse to make these again soon. If you make these be warned, You WILL want more than one.

Inspiration Abounds…
okoraf

Linked to: Tasty Tuesday

Washer Bracelet

okoraf — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:41:09 +0000

I like DIY jewelry projects. It is a great way to add to your wardrobe without breaking the bank. When I saw this washer necklace tutorial, I knew I wanted to try something similar. I thought the necklace would be a little heavy for everyday wear. So I thought I would make it as a bracelet. I followed her tutorial except I used less ribbon and I used 11 #6 zinc washers.

If I was going to do it again I would add a few more washers because the bracelet kept turning to the underside of my wrist.

Inspiration Abounds…
okoraf

Linked to:

Cupcake Lasagna

okoraf — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:57:41 +0000

Switching over to a reduced carbohydrate diet has been a real change in our house. My husband and I both love bread, and pasta. Before our switch we ate so many meals that had pasta in it. One of our favorites is lasagna. I tried the Zucchini Lasagna and it was good but it really wasn’t a substitute for lasagna. In fact my husband said he didn’t even consider it lasagna. Then I found the cupcake lasagna recipe on Pinterest.

I followed her recipe once. Then being the cooking rebel that I am, I made it my own way. I use whatever meat I have on hand. Sometimes it is sausage, hot, sweet, turkey, or pork. Sometimes it is ground beef, ground turkey or ground pork. Our favorite is hot Italian sausage. I mix my spices in with my ricotta. Garlic, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Then I add an egg to bind it all together. Take your won ton wrapper and lay it in your muffin pan. Add the ricotta mixture, meat, sauce, and a little mozzarella cheese. Then repeat. I bake it at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the edges of the won ton wrappers are browned. Let it cool for a couple of minutes. Then remove from the muffin trays and devour.

This tastes so close to real lasagna that my husband even calls it lasagna.

Inspiration Abounds…
okoraf

Linking to: Tasty Tuesday