Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Mod Podge Letters

First off I want to say if you haven't used Mod Podge you should try it. It is super easy and super cute for crafting....anything! A few weeks ago my mother brought over some of the things they found in the attic that I had in my room as a child. In this goody bag I spotted the letter that hung in my room as a child.
After inspecting it closely, I decided this was a decoupaging project. Later I found out Mod Podge is 40 years old...who knew, so this could be indeed a Mod Podge project 30 years ago. This totally got my wheels a turning, you see up until now I have only been painting the letters for my girls room.

 








After gathering my supplies: One wooden letter I nabbed at the Joann's opening sale (they were $1), Mod podge, foam brush, Scrap booking paper, ribbon, hot glue gun, exacto knife (to trim the paper). And to the desk to start my project. I wished I had taken pics to help navigate through this project, but it is simple so I am sure you can understand.

First off, if your letters are not white you might want to spray paint them white to cover the sides that will be exposed. Then after it dries apply Mod Podge to the front of the letter, I then placed the whole sheet of paper to cover the letter and let set for 10 minutes or so. I then turned the letter over (onto a protected surface) and used the exacto knife to trim the paper off to the same size as the letter. Turn letter back over and apply Mod Podge to the top of the letter and let dry. I  wanted mine to act as a bow holder so I attached ribbon with the hot glue gun to the bottom of the letter and a ribbon hanger on top and there you have it...one awesomely cute Letter to hang up.





While I am sharing all the crafts in the girls room I wanted to add the polymer clay hand print
 The handpainted canvas that matched her crib bedding (I am far from an artist)
And framed Ultrasound pics with scrapbooking supplies

 











Hope you enjoyed these crafts I have made for the girls. What have you made for your kids room?

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

The other day I was baking apples with cinnamon and the aroma of cinnamon in the kitchen took me back to my childhood. This next recipe are two things that take me back to childhood....cinnamon and cupcakes.


My husband thought they tasted like cinnamon rolls (hence the name), and I just thought they were delicious.
CUPCAKE BATTER:
1 package of butter cake mix
1 cup of milk
8 Tbl of butter (1 stick), melted
3 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tsp ground cinnamon
optional: I added a dash of nutmeg

CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
1/2 package of cream cheese (4oz)
8 Tbl butter (1 stick)
2 - 3 cups of confectioners' sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp of cinnamon

1. Place rack in the center and preheat to 350 F. Prepare cupcake tin by adding the liners.
2. Place cake mix, milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon (and nutmeg if using) in a large mixing bowl. Blend with electric mixer on low for 1 minute. Stop and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula then blend with mixer on medium speed for two more minutes. Spoon into the cupcake tins.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes (mine were perfect at 20) then remove and cool on wire racks.
4. Meanwhile prepare the frosting. Start by creaming the butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer on low. Stop and add the confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, blending on low until well combined. (I am sorry I don't know the exact measurement for the confectioners' sugar...I have been making it by memory for years, so just keep adding the sugar till you get the consistency you are looking for). Add the vanilla extract and cinnamon and blend to combine.
5. If the cupcakes have completely cooled then frost those babies and eat up!


I also wanted to share some of my crafty fabric pumpkins...aren't they SEW cute!!


Let me know if you try out the recipe!

 




Wednesday, October 6, 2010

A little Blog/Facebook giveaway

I have a giveaway that I am really excited about!

What you get: $25 gift certificate towards anything you see on the CuddleBug Facebook Fan Page

What to do: 3 ways to enter (you can do one or all three) Comment here that you follow me on Facebook, Suggest the page to friends and have them comment on my Fan page that you sent them, and browse the page and tell me what your favorite thing is here on my blog. For each thing and everyone you send you will get another entry.

Drawing will be on Friday, October the 29th.

Spread the love of CuddleBug!! 

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Happy Birthday Granny!!

We had such a wonderful day that I had to share. First I started with a little dress making, then realized a didn't have enough elastic in my stash to complete the project...bummer! Didn't have time to dwell on my misfortune because today is Granny's birthday! Granny is my great grandmother who is turning 98 (we think-they didn't keep records back then). She's a real hoot, we celebrated by going to Watertown, TN and eating at the Depot Junction then topped it off with some birthday cake, yumm-yumm! After singing Happy Birthday to her she finished up by adding "and many more"...gotta love that woman!

                                                                                 


Now that it's getting chilly outside, I wanted to share a little sweater makeover. It went from a woman's Size Small Sweater (my thrift store find-but you may already have one in your closet) to a toddler's sweater dress and some leg warmers (that I have yet to take a pic of). So here goes!!

Here is Gabie playing in the finished product!
 Items needed: 1 adult sweater, sewing machine, and sewing notions

Start out by turning the sweater inside out and laying out flat on the floor.
 I then cut the sleeves off and remember to keep the part you cut off to make some leg warmers (I will have to show you those later)
I then took one of the sweater dresses that I currently own to use as a guide, Just lay it on top and use a fabric marker to draw out your sewing line. 
Next take it over to the sewing machine and start sewing on the line you drew and cut off the extra fabric. I used a small zig-zag stitch and remember to not force the knit through the machine and just let it glide. I finished the edge on the sleeves by turning 1/2" under and running another zigzag through to hold into place. Turn to the rightside and slip onto your little CuddleBug!!