Springtime means allergies or a cold, or both.
But at least it’s (finally) getting warmer and plants are growing!
And, it’s always a nice treat to get flowers on Mother’s Day.
Author Archives: Juliet Tiu
Mugshot Monday: April in Review
I felt like Spring was finally in the air…
… until it snowed like this on April 14. I was so stunned that I forgot my mug in the shot.
Tax Day came and went. Then I got down (literally, on the floor) to work on some projects, like One Little Word.
Here’s the finished Vision Board.
And, I found an old artist trading card series I made in 2008 for an “Encouragement” swap… It finally has a home in my One Little Word binder.
12 Earth Day projects to make
Since it’s Earth Day, I’m rounding up some past projects that highlight recycling or reusing. The projects range from very easy to more involved. I hope you try some out!
An Accordion Spine Journal with reused envelopes for pages
Tutorial: Accordion Spine Journal
Reusing a gift bag by embellishing over a logo
Any cardboard box can become a fun notebook cover.
Newspaper Seedling Pots and a Cardboard Tray
Make a tray to hold all your seedlings.
Food grade plastic barrel becomes a composter.
Use pages from a favorite catalog to make mini envelopes
Make envelopes from a paper bag
Magnetic Pin Holder from a mint container
Mint tins can be handy containers
Bottle caps can be fun little frames
Upcycled Sweatshirt Throw Pillow
Upcycled Sweatshirt Pillow
Reusing Wine Bottles as water carafes
Reuse wine bottles as water carafes
and, I reused a grocery bag as gift wrap in this gift wrapping post.
A simple brown paper bag can be a nice gift wrap.
Enjoy your time creating and making!
Quick and Easy Easter Greeting Card in under 10 minutes
Okay, so it’s Easter tomorrow. If you celebrate Easter, I hope you’re all set with your baskets, food prep, and all things beautiful. Amazingly, I am not hosting this year. Still, I’ve been busy, you’ve been busy… I missed my Mugshot Monday this week. Boo.
Last Saturday, I had a chance to play around with washi tape and my pals at the Iannelli Studio. This is what we made, and now you can make it too. You can also see card in last week’s cookie recipe post.
Washi Tape makes greeting cards easy and fun
What you need:
- Cardstock or pre-cut cards
- Vellum or thin white paper (Vellum gives that see-through, stained-glass effect)
- A variety of washi tape
- X-Acto knife (or utility blade)
I just draw my eggs freehand. It’s totally cool with me to be all wonky and imperfect.
So, I learned this last weekend from my friend, Vicky, that by drawing inside, you don’t see the pencil lines on the front of the card. Again, if you don’t mind erasing lines, by all means draw on the front. And save your egg shape.
If you trace your shape on your paper, you’ll know exactly where your tape will need to go. Another “Vicky tip”.
Check this out… use the shapes on the washi tape and cut around them to get cool effects.
Last part, stick the taped-up paper onto your card!
For more quick Easter crafts, check out articles at GeekMom.com! You can see how I dress up some plastic eggs with a permanent marker and rub-on letters.
Monogrammed plastic Easter eggs
Enjoy your Easter, friends!
Recipe: Ranger Cookies Redo
While we were visiting our friends last week, I thumbed through their cookbooks one evening. Just something I do. Some people like reading fiction, non-fiction, I peruse cookbooks. So I stumbled upon a cookie recipe that reminded me of monster cookies, or everything-but-the-kitchen-sink cookies. What caught my attention was the crispy rice cereal (okay, Rice Krispies, everyone!). I thought the texture might be a weird, interesting contrast. I also thought, will all the rice get crunched up and smooshed into dust? They did not… the cereal added a fun crunch and for my kid and me who have nut allergies, it’s a welcome change!
I checked out a few recipes and found that three cups of flour would make the batter very crumbly and dry, so I took out a cup. Original recipes did not include chocolate chips either. In this batch we made it festive and added spring colored M&M’s. I also used butter instead of shortening, and omitted one cup of shredded coconut. Please feel free to put it back in, I just didn’t want my son’s friends complaining. Next time around I’ll add it.
Ranger Cookies
Yields 24-36
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks, softened at room temperature)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups rolled oats, not instant
1-3/4 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup M&Ms or chocolate chips
1 cup shredded coconut (Optional, and if you add this, decrease the chocolate chips by 1/2 cup)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cream butter and sugars until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder together in a large bowl and add to the butter-sugar mixture. Add oatmeal, cereal, and chocolate chips (and/or coconut). Mix well. Drop by tablespoons on slightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
Mugshot Monday: It’s Finally Spring
This week’s Mugshot Monday is full of pics from last week – Spring Break. It goes by so quickly, doesn’t it? My family and I didn’t go anywhere too far since there’s a big trip in the works this summer. We didn’t want to bust our vacation budget, nonetheless we filled our week with kid-friendly activities at Goldberry Woods.
It’s so fun just hanging out, eating, drinking and laughing with friends! All our kids ran around the woods and only came in when they were hungry, or they wanted screen time. Imagine eight kids huddled around one computer screen! It’s the new fireside chat by the radio – and if you get that reference, kudos to you.
At Goldberry Woods
I had a good weather day which meant… bicycle maintenance checks!
Bicycles all cleaned up at Goldberry Woods
My hubby and our friend held a science lab for the kids… DIY calorimeter. Awesome.
Somehow I got the kids to doodle and draw with me. Hehehe.
We even had some time to walk around the property… checking out the seedlings in the hoop house (greenhouse)!
Seedlings at Goldberry Woods
… walking on one of the trails.
Now we’re back home. Everyone’s at work and school. Today, I’m finishing our taxes (crossing fingers!). My head was spinning from papers, so I took a small break outside with a cuppa.
I thought, “What a cool reflection in my mug! Oh, look, my grass is actually turning green!”
The Spring miracle.
This week, stay tuned for a “vintage” recipe redo and some Easter artwork!
