Better Late Than Never...

i heart faces: sun flare

When I heard what this week's challenge was at I Heart Faces, I knew exactly what face to use! It's been a long, hard winter in Indiana, but a couple of weeks ago, we had a rare glimpse of spring. Ruby, David, and I took full advantage of being able to play outside! I caught this beautiful smile while David was "trying out" one of the riding toys in the backyard. At first, I was really unhappy with the sun flare, but with a little playing around, I think it is absolutely precious!

Head on over to I Heart Faces and see all the other wonderful photos, and, don't forget your sunglasses!

Wordless Wednesday: What's so tough about surveying?

I Heart Face: Best Face of February

This photo was taken taken on Ruby's pirate day at preschool. She was SO very excited about dressing up and having a treasure hunt! And I was so very happy to create this photo to help her remember her special day. Head on over to iheartfaces to see all the other "Bests" of February.

Tasty Tuesday: Cocoa Butter Sticks

This Tasty Tuesday is for my Aunt Sharon, who I promised to share this recipe with many moons ago...:)

Grandma Alice's Cocoa Butter Sticks

Sift together:

1 1/2 cups sifted flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder (*carob powder for IC friendly)

Cream:

3/4 cup butter, gradually add

3/4 cup sugar, creaming well

Beat:

1 egg slightly; reserve 1 Tablespoon: add remainder to butter-sugar mixture

Blend in:

The dry ingredients gradually. Chill 2 hours for easy handling.

Place:

On lightly floured surface. Divide dough into four parts; shape each into a long roll, 3/4 inch in diameter. Place 4 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Flatten to 1/4 inch thickness with fork which is dipped in flour occasionally to prevent sticking. Smooth dough at edges to form straight sides.

Blend:

1 Tablespoon cold water with the reserved egg. Brush lightly over dough.

Combine:

3 Tablespoons blanched almonds, chopped fine, and 2 Tablespoons sugar. Sprinkle over dough.

Bake:

In moderately hot oven (400 degrees) 10 to 12 minutes-- begin checking after 5-- until set but not browned. Cool 1 minute; cut into 1 inch bars and remove from baking sheet.

Personally, I think this recipe make it sound much harder than it is; I was amazed at how simple these were to make on my own. Regardless, these are yummy delicious and practically a religion in the Kotnik family!

Craft Corner: Book Page Canvas

Book Page Canvas

I am not artistic. Not. One. Little. Bit. I can not paint, scult, and don't even get me started on how badly I draw-- even stick figures. But crafting, that I can do. I originally saw this on our favorite photographer, Jen Sherrick's blog. She had a few photos of her creations and a link to Jones Design. I love all of the creations these two ladies did, but I needed something a bit more, me.

I decided to start with a creation for Eli and David's room, aka the decorating nightmare! I went to the store and purchased a double pack of canvases ($7.99 at Hobby Lobby), Mod Podge (6.99 at Hobby Lobby), and a book-- Where the Wild Things Are ($7ish at Target). The paint brush I already had.




So for Where the Wild Things Are, I cut all of the pictures, layed them out perfectly, and then tried to lift each one up carefully and Mod Podge underneath. Personally, this technique did not work well for me (more on that later). After they were all Mod Podged underneath, I put another layer over the top. (You have to make sure that you wrap the pictures around the edges of the canvas as well.) Trim any extra paper at the edges and let it dry.






I added some "hanging devices" (more on that later as well), and POOF, awesome wall art for about $20 with materials left to make a 2nd!



The second time I got a little lazier, um, I mean smarter. I used my Grandma Alice's old recipe cards to make a canvas for our dining area. This time I put a layer of Mod Podge down, put one recipe card down, and Mod Podged over the top of just that card. For me, this technique worked MUCH better. If you are a mommy who is likely to be interupted by a child at any moment, I would definately recommend this technique!




Just like with Where the Wild Things Are, I attached photo hooks and wire (which we already had), and POOF again. My grandma's famous recipes, in her own handwriting, loving displayed.



I hung it over our antique china cabinet, behind my grandma's old Kitchen Aid. The recipe card project used materials I already had along with some left-over supplies from the Where the Wild Things Are canvas.

This is art even I can handle!

iheartfaces: Anything But a Face

This week's challenge was SO hard for me; I have TONS of photos I love that don't involve a face! In the end, I decided to go with this one. This is a photo of my nephew, Jordan, digging into his first birthday cake. I love the chubby little legs, the fat baby hands, and the icky icing! Head on over to I Heart Faces to see more awesome photos, but don't expect to see a face:)