Tag: DIY

These DIY tutus are so cute! They are good for all ages from babies to young girls.  They can be used for dress up, a cute outfit for photos, birthdays, or color coordinated for a holiday outfit.  You can find the supplies at at craft store and the tutu can be made in an afternoon or less.  Scroll down for the instructions!

 

Supplies:

• Tulle (either on spools, or by the yard) in your desired color
• 7/8″ ribbon in your desired color
• Scissors (or rotary cutter and mat)
• Measuring tape

Instructions:

1. Measure the child’s waist, as well as from the waist down to the point where you’d like your tutu to fall.   The measurement of your child’s waist is the measurement for the ribbon. And the measurement for how long you want the tutu is needed for the length of the tulle.
2. Cut your strips of tulle. (tulle on spool is recommended) (If you buy tulle by the yard cut it all into six-inch wide strips before cutting the strips to the needed length). You can use a little or a lot of tulle, it’s up to you. To make fluffy and full tutus, use about 75 yards of the tulle on spools.
3. To cut the length of the tulle measure twice the length you previously measured. (IE: if you previously measured 12 inches down, your strips will be 24 inches long) Cut the tulle into strips and set aside.
4. Cut your ribbon. Add 48 inches to your waist measurement and cut the ribbon this length. This will ensure nice, long ends to tie a pretty bow with. Heat seal the ribbon ends with a lighter so they don’t fray, but if you don’t mind a little fraying you can skip this step.
5. Start knotting on your tulle. To make super fluffy tutus, use three strips of tulle for each knot. Gather your three strips together, fold in half and slip the folded part underneath the ribbon. Grab the two long sides of the tulle and bring them up through the fold, pull tight, and slide all the way toward the left of your ribbon.  Continue until you have reached the desired amount of tulle for your tutu.
6. Leave about 10 inches of loose ribbon on each side of the tied tulle to tie a good size bow on your little princess.
7. 
8. You’re done! You can trim up the bottom if you’d like, but I like the not-so-perfect look of it when it’s finished so I don’t do any trimming.

Thanks, simplyrealmoms for the step by step instructions!

Pistachio and Chocolate Leprechaun Cookies Recipe! These Sound Amazing!

Saint Patricks Day is next Thursday, so our family has been planning some fun recipes for the day! So, I’ve been looking up recipes and these Pistachio and Chocolate Leprechaun Cookies look amazing! My husband is a big pistachio fan and I’ve never used them in cookies! Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding (dry mix)
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/4 cups cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup green M&Ms
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• green food coloring *optional

How did your recipe turn out? Let us know, we love to hear from our readers! For additional directions on how to make this sweet treat, visit the I Heart Naptime Webpage!

DIY Wine Cork Mat

This mat can be used both in the bathroom and entry room. Cork absorbs water so it is great for both of these rooms. You can make use of all the corks from your wine bottles and ask your friends to save theirs too.

1. Gather the corks. If you’ve been collecting corks, check that you’ve got enough, as you’ll need around 150 to 200. If not, additional corks can be purchased from brewing or wine-making suppliers, craft stores or through online retailers. Also check your local thrift store as sometimes they get people’s collections of old corks. If using used corks, check that they’re clean. They should be free of dust, wax or any build-up. Warm soapy water is best for cleaning them––just ensure they’re thoroughly dry before beginning the craft project.
   • For wine-stained corks, simply soak them overnight in a bowl of water to which you’ve added a touch of bleach. This should remove the wine. Rinse clean, and allow to dry thoroughly before using.
2. Slice each cork in half, lengthwise. Be especially careful not to slice your fingers when doing this. It helps to wear work gloves during this part of the process and lay down a non-slip surface for the cutting board to sit on, such as a silicon map, before beginning. Take plenty of breaks, as there are a lot of corks to get through––grab a friend to help if possible. To slice the corks in half:
   • Stand the cork up on the cutting board or cardboard, then cut downward. Hold the top of the cork with your finger and slice it neatly in half.
   • Sand the sides of the cork if they become too jagged. Gently run the sandpaper down the sides and along the middle to ensure a smooth, clean surface.
3. Create the bathmat base. Use a plastic shelf liner or shower mat to serve as the base––a previously designed rubber shower mat may be the best option, as it will provide structure. However, your mat will be more flexible if you choose to use a plastic shelf liner. A more solid alternative can be to use a piece of water-resistant wood, like marine-ply (or wrap the wood in plastic or oil it––the latter option may make gluing hard though).
   • Determine the size by either using another shower mat as the guide or measuring the custom size you desire. Consider your bathroom dimensions when determining size.
   • Cut the liner using either the box cutter or the sharp knife. If you need to size the base, use a ruler or straight edge to mark areas to cut.
   • Lay the shower mat or cut shelf liner down flat on the floor or on another flat surface. Cut the liner or mat either on a work table or on an outside patio so you don’t slash your floor or any furniture. Placing a self-healing cutting mat underneath can be helpful.
4. Arrange the cork halves around the perimeter of the line or mat. Begin by creating a border with cork halves lining up vertically along the edges of the mat:
   • Line the corks up so the bottom of each cork (end) butts up to the sides of the mat or liner.
   • Complete the entire perimeter of the mat with corks until the entire mat/liner has been lined with corks. If you don’t achieve a perfect fit, cut some of the corks to fit.
   • Apply hot glue to the flat half of each cork and press the cork into the liner or mat. Use a dab of glue at the top and bottom of each cork and press firmly into the mat. Use a rag to wipe any excess glue that may ooze out from beneath the corks.
5. Add the remaining corks to the mat. Create a pattern or design with the cork layout, working your way from the outside inward with the remaining cork halves. Continue either with the vertical pattern or consider laying corks in a horizontal fashion and then alternating for each surrounding row.
   • It’s probably a good idea to lay out the cork halves first to determine a pattern and then glue the corks to the mat after you’re sure they will all fit. That way, you won’t start your mat and then get stuck if your pattern doesn’t work out or if you don’t like they way it looks.
   • Trim corks if needed to accommodate the size of the mat/liner. Keep your knife/scissors handy in case you need to customize cork size.
6. Allow to dry completely before using. It might be a good idea to apply a coat of protective sealant such as polyurethane or cork sealant across the top of the cork bathmat, to waterproof it. However, corks can withstand small brushes with liquid (after all, they are in wine bottles a lot of the time), provided they’re not constantly soaked. You might find the mat lasts okay if you don’t end up with a floor awash with water each use and if you drop a small hand towel over the top of it before stepping on it from the shower. On the other hand, as with all bathroom items, there is a risk of mildew growth over time. This can possibly be avoided by placing the mat up somewhere that allows air circulation to dry it, and leaving it in the sun once a month or so, to ensure it dries out well. Whether or not you add a sealant is really a personal choice, and you might like to ask your local eco-hardware supplier if there are some eco-friendly choices for sealants available.

DIY Ideas: Repurpose Old T-Shirts for Spring & Summer. Start by going thru your shirts that are maybe old and warn or maybe even stained to repurpose. If you dont have any T-shirts you are looking to repurpose you could always go to the thrift store or a garage sale and pickup some gently used T-Shirts for cheap. Then you will be on your way to repurposing those T-Shirts.

A Few things that you can repurpose those old T-shirts into.
1. Head Band
2. No Sewing – Hand Bag
3. Dip Dye T-shirt
4. Easy DIY Scarf

For the Full Details watch the video above.

Rice Crispy Treats are always so much fun to make and eat.  I have gathered 5 recipes that gives a creative twist on the average Rice Crispy Treat.  All the ideas are Easter themed, no bake, and all are pretty easy to make.  Use these for a dessert for a party or an activity to do with the kiddos.  I can’t wait to try the Cadbury Egg Rice Crispy! Send me pictures (via Facebook msg)  if you make any of these, I would love to see them!

Easy Easter Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine
• 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows
• 4 cups of miniature marshmallows
• 6 cups of Rice Krispies
• ½ cup of turquoise candy melts
• candy sprinkles
• easy kids easter party food sprinkles

Directions
1. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add cereal. Stir until well coated.

OR

1. Microwave butter and marshmallows on HIGH for about 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes; stir until smooth.

2. Pour the mix into a 9” x 13” x 2” pan that has been coated with cooking spray. Put a sheet of parchment paper over the mixture (to keep from sticking) and roll it out until it is about ½” thick.

3. Use an egg-shaped cookie cutter to make egg shapes (periodically dip the cookie cutter in water to keep the marshmallows from sticking to it).

4. Lay the egg shapes on a cooling rack until they’re firm enough to handle.

5. Heat the candy melts in the microwave in a small bowl. Dip one end of the eggs into it.

6. Return to the cooling rack momentarily, with a cookie sheet underneath to catch any drips.

7. Dip the treat ends into sprinkles and return to the cooling rack until they’re firm.

For best results, use fresh marshmallows.
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows.
Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.
Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container.
To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. -Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

 

Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Hidden Surprise Easter Egg Treats

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Butter or Margarine
• 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular Marshmallows OR 4 cups of miniature Marshmallows
• 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal
• ½ cup M&M’s Brand Chocolate Candies (plus some for snacking)
• Canned frosting or decorating gel (optional)
• 12 plastic snap-apart 3×2-inch Easter eggs

Instructions

1. Thoroughly clean Easter eggs then coat inside of plastic eggs with cooking spray. Set aside
2. In large saucepan, melt butter or margarine over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
3. If your saucepan is large enough, add Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal and stir until well coated. If your saucepan is not big enough, add Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal to a large bowl and pour marshmallow mixture on top, stirring until well coated.
4. Using greased hands, firmly press ¼ cup of cereal mixture into each plastic egg half. Use fingers to make hollow center in each half. (TIP: Use a rounded tablespoon measuring spoon and press firmly in the center of each egg. This will make hollowing out the center much easier.) I used a mini muffin pan to hold the egg halves upright while I was finishing the whole batch.
5. Once the eggs have set, remove from molds and place on wax paper.
6. Place about six M&M’s in each egg half. Gently press two halves of each egg together until they stick.
7. You will have to have patience and keep pressing and molding around the seam.
8. Let cool completely and decorate with frosting and M&M’s, if desired. I used melted semi-sweet chocolate and sprinkles for ours.

 

Marshmallow Peeps in Crispy Nests

Ingredients:

• 12 PEEPS® marshmallow chicks
• 6 cups crispy rice cereal
• 3 Tbsp. butter or non-hydrogenated margarine
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows or 10 oz. regular marshmallows

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat, add cereal and stir until well coated.
2. Scoop out a handful of the mixture and shape into nests with lightly dampened hands. Set on a parchment-lined sheet, press a PEEPS® chick into each nest, and let them sit until set. Makes a dozen.

 

Coconut Cadbury Rice Krispies “Scotch Eggs”

Ingredients:

• 4 Cadbury Creme Eggs, refrigerated overnight and unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 3/4 cups crisped rice cereal (Rice Krispies)
• 1/4 cup sweetened or unsweetened dessicated coconut
• 24 marshmallows
• sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Melt butter over low heat in a large pot.
2. Add marshmallows and stir until nearly completely melted. Removed from heat and stir in cereal and coconut.
3. Quickly and carefully cover each egg in the coconut mixture and form into an egg shape.
4. Roll or sprinkle with sprinkles.
5. Cool completely.
6. Wrap in plastic wrap or store in an air-tight container.

Note: If you’d like to make more than four, make them in batches rather than doubling or tripling the recipe.

 

Chocolate Easter Egg Baskets

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces good-quality dark chocolate, broken or chopped into small pieces (about 1 cup)
• 4-1/2 cups Ricke Krispies
• 72 mini chocolate eggs (I used Cadbury mini eggs)

Instructions:

1. Place the chocolate in a microwave safe container. Heat at 50% power for 1 minute Remove and stir well.
2. If chocolate is not melted, return it to the microwave and continue heating, stopping to stir it every 10 to 20 seconds to avoid scorching.
3. When only small lumps remain, remove and continue to stir until the chocolate is completely melted.
4. Add the Rice Krispies and stir to coat well with the chocolate.
5. Divide the mixture evenly among 24 paper baking muffin cups.
6. Flatten each “nest” a little to make a well in the center.
7. Fill each cup with 3 Cadbury mini eggs.
8. Let them set until firm.

Thanks! spaceshipsandlaserbeams, simplybeingmommy, babble, coconutandlime, simple-nourished-living