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Valentine Lanterns

During the Christmas holiday my husband & I visited a local shop that sells some high end hand crafted items.  One particular piece that caught my eye was a lantern made from a mason jar with a winter scene painted on it.  I decided we could make these for our Valentine's craft.  I gave the girls their choice of painting something on the jars or Mod Podging them--they decided on the Mod Podge.  Our finished products are above.

The items needed:
Mason jar
3/8" grommet
3/8" glass & tile drill bit
C7 replacement cord
Mod Podge
colorful tissue paper
Paint brush or sponge brush to apply Mod Podge
Ribbon
Beads or other decorations

3/8" glass and tile drill bit

 

Drill hole in the back of the mason jar

3/8" grommet

Place the grommet in the drilled hole.

Insert the bulb/cord into the hole on the back of the jar.

Cover the jar with the tissue and decorations. 

I glued some shiny, red seed beads over a few of my tissue hearts to make them really stand out even when the light is not turned on.

Courtney's lantern.

She added some hot pink stripes.

Stripes and hearts in various pinks.

Amber's lantern.

Purple with pink hearts and small red hearts made from the shiny seed beads.

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Perfect Strawberry Cake Mix Cupcakes

Strawberry cupcakes are one of my husband's favorite flavors.  This is an easy recipe using a boxed cake mix. Unlike the mix I used, you should avoid using mixes with pudding added in them when making cupcakes.  Cupcaking requires firm cake so you shouldn't use any of the lighter kinds such as angel food or the pudding added mixes. Unfortunately, this was the only type I had on hand. 

1 box strawberry supreme cake mix
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs

Prepare muffin cups with paper liners.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. 

Beat with an electric mixer until moistened (about 30 seconds). Increase the speed to high and beat until thick, 2 minutes longer.

Spoon into a large ziplock bag, press out the excess air and seal.  

Snip a 1/4" corner from the bag and fill the paper liners 2/3 full. 

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  15 minutes for standard size cupcakes.  8 minutes for mini cupcakes. 

Remove the cupcakes from the pans, place on a wire rack, and allow to cool completely.

Make up your favorite frosting, I used cream cheese, (our favorite) and decorate.  

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Tempting Taco (Puppy)Treats

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 cups wheat flour
1/2 cup powdered dry milk
3/4 cup water
1 egg beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour and dry milk. Mix in egg. Add water (a little at time) so that mixture forms a ball.

Roll out dough 1/4" thick.  Cut out shapes with a biscuit cutter.

Fill with meat ( leftovers work great) sprinkle with a few chopped tomatoes and little grated cheese.  Make sure the vegetables you use are dog friendly.  Keep in mind, dogs can't tolerate salt and shouldn't have sugar.

 

Fold the dough in half and seal by pinches the edges together.

Pop them in the oven and bake 17 to 20 minutes.  Brush the top with a beaten egg to give them a glossy sheen.

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Mod Podge Photo Christmas Ornaments

I thought I posted this before Christmas.  When I checked my blog today I realized it was just sitting there waiting...So, here it is, too late for the holiday, but in plenty of time for next year.  :)

I have made these ornaments a few times over the years.  No one would ever guess how easy they are to make, and they make a great keepsake gift for everyone on your list.

Supplies:
glass ornaments
glitter
ribbon
Christmas decorations
picture
scissors
paint brush
computer
scanner
printer
glue gun

Scan your favorite picture into the computer and print onto paper.  The picture needs to be pliable enough when you Mod Podge it onto the ornament it will bend to the shape of the round ball.  Printing it onto regular paper will allow it to do this.

1.  Cut out around the picture.   2.  Mod-Podge the cut out picture to the ornament.  3. Mod-Podge the rest of the ornament and sprinkle glitter to the back of the ornament (make sure the picture area is dry before doing this).  4. Decorate around the rough edge with ribbon/cord.  Tie a bow and glue to the top or use some other Christmas decoration.  Then tie a string to hang it with.  Done!  Simple, easy gift.

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