Banana Blueberry Oat Muffins

This past Christmas morning my Mom made these Banana Blueberry Oat Muffins for our breakfast.  Today I wanted to share this recipe with you because they are so good!  They are not too sweet which I really love.  So let's get started!

Ingredients:

-  1 1/2 Cups All purpose Flour

-  1 Cup Oats

-  1/2 Cup White Sugar

-  2 Tsp. Baking Powder

-  1 Tsp. Baking Soda

-  1/2 Tsp. Salt

-  1 Egg

-  3/4 Cup Milk

-  1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil

-  1/2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

-  1 Cup Mashed Bananas

-  1 6 oz. Container Fresh Blueberries

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and fill your muffin tin with paper liners.  

Begin by combining your flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.  Using a fork mix the dry ingredients together.  In a separate bowl, beat your egg slightly.  Then stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla.  Add your mashed banana and combine thoroughly.  Now stir in your dry ingredients until combined.  Add your blueberries and stir.  Fill your muffin tin cups with the batter, I filled mine a little more than 2/3's of the way full.  Place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  

If you make these awesome muffins, stop by and tell me what you think.  I'd love to know!  

Washi Tape Shamrock Silhouette Art

Ok so I gave in and decided to do at least one St. Patrick's Day project.  I don't really decorate for the holiday since it's so close to Easter, but this was a quick project and really easy to do.  Today I'm telling you how you can make this Washi Tape Shamrock Silhouette Art in under 30 minutes.  

Washi Tape Packages

Hi friends.  Today I'm sharing some sweet and simple Washi Tape Packages with you.  Have you heard of Downtown Tape?  Well if you haven't you should check them out, they have a great selection of Washi Tape.  I used some of their washi tape to create some sweet little gift packages for some orders I had recently.  

I decided to use a bright pop of color for these packages since spring is upon us.  So I chose a fun and vibrant yellow chevron tape.  I paired it with one of my favorites, the black and white polka dot tape.  Then I just created some simple stamped tags to go with them.  I also stamped directly on to one of the packages too.  I love when I receive a package and it has that extra special touch, it makes me love whatever I ordered even more.  This is an easy way to make your packages for gifts or orders just a little extra special.

Don't forget to check out Downtown Tape on facebook too!

Honeycomb Clock Makeover

Yesterday while filling a new open shelving spot in my kitchen I was hunting through the house searching for fun stuff to fill the shelf with.  About a year ago my hubby brought home a clock he found in the dumpster from a curtain home decor store.  We have no idea why it was in there since it worked and was in perfect condition.  So I looked at it for about 15 seconds yesterday and decided I needed to give it a fresh new look.  So today I'm showing you the Honeycomb Clock Makeover.

{P.S.  And do you think I actually remembered to take a before picture of the clock in the 15 seconds it took me to decide to make it over and tear the original decal off?  No!  Sorry.}

This is the closest clock I could find online to what mine use to look like.

When I took the clock apart I removed the hands of the clock very gently and made sure to not bend them.  I then removed the cardboard printed clock face that was there.  It came off pretty easy.  I then used my silhouette to cut a circle from white cardstock to fit the face of the clock.  I cut a small hole in the center with an xacto knife for the hands of the clock to be put back on.  I then used my silhouette again and cut out a honeycomb pattern on some metallic gray cardstock I had in my craft supplies.  I then just applied some spray adhesive to the back of my honecomb and applied it to my white cardstock on the clock face.  I then re-attached the clocks hands and put it all back together.  I love how it turned out for a quick 10 minute project.  Not only does it have the awesome honeycomb pattern but I love that it mimicks chicken wire too!  

St. Patrick's Day Recipes & Treats

Hi friends!  Yesterday I shared a ton of St. Patrick's Day Decor & Project Ideas, so today I thought I would share a bunch of fun St. Patrick's Day Recipes & Treats.  All these recipes are sure to make St. Patrick's Day just a wee bit more special!  

St. Patrick's Day Pizza

St. Patrick's Day Great Decor & Project Ideas

Have you decorated for St. Patrick's Day yet?  Or do you just skip straight to Easter decor?  Well if your all about St. Patrick's Day today I'm sharing 28 St. Patrick's Day Great Decor & Project Ideas.  And if you are skipping straight to Easter decor be sure to check back later this week, I'll have you covered too!  

Rosette & Clover St. Patrick's Day Art

Monogrammed Ring Bearer Box

Several months ago a very sweet friend of mine asked if I would create something special for her son to carry down the isle for his ring bearer duties at her upcoming wedding.  Of course I said yes.  So we brainstormed a bit on what she wanted, her wedding will have a classic theme.  I needed to create something with clean lines.  I wanted her to have something that she could keep to remember her special day so I made this Monogrammed Ring Bearer Box.  

I found this perfect little wood box at Hobby Lobby.  The wedding colors are royal blue with touches of royal purple.  I painted the box with acrylic paint, then using my new Silhouette Portrait {finally used it for the first time} I cut some vinyl stencils for the monogram on the front and the "his" and "hers" labels on the inside of the box.  We chose to do a simple monogram which I actually liked better than the more traditional fancy scroll looking monogram.  After I painted the box with the royal purple and let it dry I applied my vinyl stencils and used a white acrylic paint.  Once dry I pulled up the stencils carefully.  I then finished the whole box with a coat of satin brush on varnish.  

I then created the small little pillows that are removable for the rings.  I simply just sewed small pieces of fabric and stuffed with a small amount of polyfill.  I attached some ribbon to be sure the rings stay in place since the ring bearer is young and it wouldn't be good to lose a ring.  And after the wedding she can toss the little pillows if she wants and just use the box for special memento's.

  

{p.s. these are my dirty rings not her new shiny ones!  had to make it look pretty for pics.}

When I sent her a pic of what the finished box looked like she was super excited.  I shipped it yesterday. Unfortunately I won't be able to go to the wedding since it's in Colorado, but I am so excited for my sweet friend.  I hope her wedding is amazing and that she enjoys every moment of her day.  She deserves the very best!

Linked up at the following parties:

Skip to my Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, Craft-O-Maniac, DIY Showoff , Mad in Crafts,  Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts,  Home Stories A to Z, The Winthrop Chronicles, The DIY Dreamer, Someday Crafts, Lil Luna, Snap the Conference, Gingersnap Crafts, Sugar and Dots, House of Hepworths, The 36th Avenue, Somewhat Simple, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Live, Laugh, Rowe, Shabby Nest, Naptime Crafters, Whipperberry, Little Inspiration, Thirty Handmade Days, Just us Four, Tatertots & Jello, I Heart Naptime, Be Different Act Normal,  It's Overflowing, Too Much Time, Classy Clutter

25 Great Asian Dishes at Home

Good morning friends!  Hungry yet?  

How could you not be looking at all these tasty recipes.  I thought since I shared my recipe yesterday for Chinese Chicken Salad that today I would create a round up of some of my favorite Asian dishes.  These are all great recipes and look amazing!  So let's get to it, here are 25 Great Asian Dishes at Home!

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Chinese Chicken Salad

Many of you know if you have read the blog for some time that my husband is the Kitchen Manager for a  well known restaurant called Pei Wei Asian Diner.  That's where we met almost thirteen years ago when I too worked for the company.  Asian food runs through his veins {no literally it probably does since he's eaten it everyday for 13+ years} it's all he's ever cooked in his food career.  Asian food just happens to also be one of my favorite foods {Mexican is tied, with Italian in a close second}.  So today I'm sharing one of my favorite Asian salads, a quick and easy Chinese Chicken Salad.

Looks good right?!  

Linked up at the following parties:

Skip to my Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, Craft-O-Maniac, DIY Showoff , Mad in Crafts,  Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts,  Home Stories A to Z, The Winthrop Chronicles, The DIY Dreamer, Someday Crafts, Lil Luna, Snap the Conference, Gingersnap Crafts, Sugar and Dots, House of Hepworths, The 36th Avenue, Somewhat Simple, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Live, Laugh, Rowe, Shabby Nest, Naptime Crafters, Whipperberry, Little Inspiration, Thirty Handmade Days, Just us Four, Tatertots & Jello, I Heart Naptime, Be Different Act Normal,  It's Overflowing, Too Much Time, Classy Clutter

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope all you lovelies are having a wonderful love filled day!  Today I have no crafty post to share with you just some words.  Now that we have all prepared and planned those special Valentines gifts for our children, special love interests, and significant others I wanted to take a second and ponder on this day.  It's the day of "Love" right?!  A day to shower and show those we love just how much right?!  I know I love to get little gifts for my boys to wake up and find on Valentine's morning, it makes them feel a little extra special.  I won't lie, I love to receive the gifts too.  Usually I don't receive much of anything though since my hubby wasn't raised to be much of a gift giver, but he tries and that's what matters.  That's not all today is about though.

Yesterday as I watched a group of young girls {like 5th or 6th graders} sitting at McDonalds going gaga over a couple of boys outside, doing everything from tapping on the window and hiding {yikes were we all this obnoxious silly as young girls} to giggling incessantly over how cute they were.  I very much wanted to lean over and tell them "girls, boys don't actually like it when you act like crazy love sick pre-teens...act cool!" but I resisted the urge remembering I was probably the exact same way and just as love sick over boys.  Not that these girls actually "loved" this boy, but the innocence that they had was apparent and a reminder.  A reminder that even though we all go out and buy flowers, candy, gift cards, and expensive gifts those things aren't what today is about.  Much like Christmas isn't about the gifts either.  It's about innocent love, passionate love, motherly love, fatherly love, compassionate love, sincere love, and life changing love.  Sure it's nice to get things that say "I Love You!"  Today is about much more, and honestly it shouldn't just be today that we say it or show it.  Valentine's day is a day to share our love.  

So today I encourage you to share love.  There are so many people we come in contact with on a daily basis who need love.  Whether it's the lonely older woman who lives next door, the grocery store employee, a homeless man on the side of the road, your server at the restaurant, the person who doesn't have a significant other, the list could go on and on.  Share love with them.  I'm not saying go spend all your money on them, but even making a simple Valentine's day card and giving it to them, telling them they are loved and special could change their day.  So go and share the love!

I hope you all have a beautiful love filled day!

15+ Last Minute Valentines for the Hubby

Today I'm sharing 15+ Last Minute Valentines for the Hubby.  Only one day left until the big day of "Love".  If your like me you have probably remembered to all the kids Valentine's but not anything for the hubby.  We aren't big on celebrating it with each other usually, but I like to do something small just to let him know I appreciate him.  Here are some really great ideas that you can throw together in no time.

Candy Bar Bouquet

Valentines Day Soda / Beer Dressed Up

Root Beer Float Kit

Boys Valentine's Day Anchor Shirt - and Deco Art Giveaway

If you've followed my blog for a while you know I love to make t-shirts for my guys.  This year I decided they needed a new shirt for Valentine's Day, so I made these Valentine's Day Anchor Shirts for them.  They were easy to make, and they now have a shirt that is super awesome!  

Warning:  Be prepared for cuteness photo overload, I have handsome boys!!!

Want to make your own?
Here's what you will need:

-  Freezer Paper

-  Xacto Knife

-  Pencil

-  T-Shirt

-  Iron

-  DecoArt SoSoft Fabric Paint

-  Small Dobber Paint Brushes, or Regular Paint Brushes

I searched online for an anchor clipart that I liked and a heart shape, combined the two in photoshop and just printed the image on my printer in black and white on an 8.5 x 11" piece of paper.  Then simply tape your image on a flat firm surface like the counter top and lay a piece of freezer paper over your design and trace the areas that need to be cut.  Then cut it out with your xacto knife.  You can see more detail on how to use freezer paper stencils HERE, and HERE.  Once my stencil was cut and I ironed it on my shirts firmly I began to paint it.  

I used a small sponge dobber to apply my paint.  Let the paint dry at least 30 minutes between coats, apply as many layers of fabric paint as you want to achieve the desired look.  Let the paint dry completely for 2 hours after final coat, once dry to touch you can peel off your freezer paper stencil carefully.  Your then left with a fun t-shirt.

Now are you ready to get your craft on?  Well thanks to DecoArt you can enter to win this awesome Valentine's Day basket full of great products.  So hurry and enter for your chance to win.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Linked up at the following parties:

Cherished Bliss, Skip to my Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, Craft-O-Maniac, DIY Showoff , Mad in Crafts, Brassy Apple, Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts, Vintage Wanna Be Blog, Home Stories A to Z, The Winthrop Chronicles, The DIY Dreamer, Someday Crafts, Lil Luna, Snap the Conference, Gingersnap Crafts, Sugar and Dots, House of Hepworths, The 36th Avenue, Somewhat Simple, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Live, Laugh, Rowe, Shabby Nest, Naptime Crafters, Whipperberry, Little Inspiration, Thirty Handmade Days, Just us Four, Tatertots & Jello, I Heart Naptime, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, It's Overflowing, Too Much Time, Classy Clutter