ITS FOOD WEEK! Pt.2

Hello to all my followers!

Todays post caters specifically to the cheese cake lover in all of us! This recipe may not be found on Pinterest but is near and dear to my heart because it has been past down through generations of family!

Heres what you'll need:

Crust 

• 2 c graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 lb butter or margarine 
• spring form pan

Cake

• 4 packages 8oz. cream cheese 
• 4 eggs
• 1 pint sour cream 
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 4 tbsp. flour
• 1 1/4 -1 1/2 c sugar
• 3/4 c whole milk

Step One

     Melt the butter in a large frying pan

Step Two 

     Add the cracker crumbs and sugar to butter and mix well

Step Three 

     Press the mixture into the bottom of the spring form pan 

Step Four 

     Mix softened cream cheese with all other cake ingredients in a large bowl until smooth 

Step Five 

     Pour mixture into spring form pan on top of the crust

Step Six

      

     Bake for one hour in a 370 degree oven, the cake should have a golden brown top

Hint: to prevent the top of the cake from cracking open the oven slightly and let the cake cool down before taking it out 

For added flavor mix your favorite fruit with water and sugar and heat until they melt and become a syrup. Pour the syrup over the cake and enjoy!!

This is a fairly simple recipe to please everyone during the holiday season!

Andie

Crazy Cups!!!

Hey crafters!!

Welcome back! I recently tried out this DIY painted mug tutorial and it was a HUGE success!

Heres what you'll need:

• a mug (of your choice)
• a variety of paint markers
• rubbing alcohol
• oven 
• stickers

Step One

         Clean off the outside of your mug with some rubbing alcohol and let air dry

Step Two

       Choose the design you want to decorate your mug with

Note: I chose to place an A sticker on one side and dot around it. Tighter dots closer to the A and have them dissipate the further i got from the sticker

Step Three

          Apply the design using the paint markers.

Hint: let the paint dry before applying multiple layers 

Hint: rubbing alcohol applied to a paper towel will allow you to "erase" your mistakes 

Step Four

        Place your finished mug in a cool oven and set the baking temp to 300.

Hint: Remove any stickers before baking

Note: Yqou want the oven to heat up with the mug in it because if the oven is hot and then the mug is placed in it the mug can crack

Step Five

       Allow the mug to cure in the 300 degree oven for 30 minutes

Step Six

        Turn the oven off and allow the mug and oven to cool down together 

Step Seven

      Use your new mug any chance you can!! OR you can decorate them and give them as gifts!

Note: always hand wash your mug to ensure the paint is preserved

Let your creative flags fly!!

Andie

Mason Jar Madness

Hello Followers!!!

Have an excess of mason jars?? Turn them into fancy house hold utility jars!

Heres what you'll need

• Mason jars
• Primer spray paint
• Colored spray paint

Optional

• Elmer's school glue
• lace, sparkles, ribbon or, rope

Step One 

        Wash out the mason jar and let them dry 

Step Two 

       Shake the spray paint primer and then cover the jar's out side in an even layer. 

Note: let the paint

air dry before put on a second coat

Step Three

       Once the primer layer is dry shake and spray the colored layer evenly around the jar.

 

Hint: you can make different patterns using tape to cover areas you don't want to be your main color.

Note: apply as many coats of the colored paint until the color you desire is achieved.

Step Four OPTIONAL

      Using Elmer's glue you can add sparkles or tie the rope/ribbons around the top of the jar.

Enjoy using these decorative jars to house spare change, flowers or even tooth brushes

See you guys next week!!

Andie 

The Drunken Pumpkin

Welcome back!

Though Halloween is over Autumn isn't!! There is still time between now and Thanksgiving to get your pumpkin carving done!

The drunken pumpkin will surely be a conversation starter that takes little effort to make.



Heres what you'll need:

• 1 fresh pumpkin
• 1 carving knife
• 1 empty glass bottle
• 1 tea light
• A pen

Step One

       Cut out a circle around the stem of the pumpkin. Leave about a half an inch from the stem to where you cut.

Step Two

      Remove all of the guts from the pumpkin.

Note: if you pick the seeds out from the stringy pulp you can season them and toast them for a snack.

Step Three

          Draw two large eyes using a pen on front of the pumpkin towards the top leaving space for the eyebrows. Draw another circle  inside of the eyes about the size of a quarter. Then another circle inside of that one about the size of a nickel.

Hint: the eyes should be about as big as the opening of a standard cup

Step Four

           Outline 2 eye brows above the penned in eyes. 

Template for the perfect pumpkin eyebrows 

Step Five

       Slightly below the eyes cut out diamond for the nose. Round the edges to give your pumpkin a less harsh face.

Step Six

         Using the bottle cap to trace around make a circle below and slightly to the right of the nose. 

Step Seven 

        Cut out the eye brows nose and mouth completely. 

Step Eight

       To make the eyes look more 3D cut out the nickel sizes circle. Then gently shave away the skin of the pumpkin. Shave only about a 1/3 of the skin. Do not go all the way through the rind.

Shave the pink section 

Step Nine

        Clean out the empty glass bottle and wedge it inside the mouth hole.

Hint: for added effect lightly shave in 2 thin curved lines under the mouth. This will help the mouth look more realistic

Step Ten

      Place the tea light inside the pumpkin and light it.

The drunken pumpkin is finished and ready to drink any of his fellow 21 year olds under the table!



Enjoy your new buddy!
Andie 

MEAT the Man of Your Dreams

Hellooo Followers!

For all of you single ladies with the perfect couples costume don't beg your friends to complete the costume with you. I have provided all of the instructions to cook up the meatiest man out there.

Heres what you'll need

• 1 plastic skill
• 1 package of prosciutto
• 2 skirt steaks
• 1 chicken thigh 
• 1 full rack of ribs 
• 1 package of cocktail weenies 
• 1 red bell pepper 
• 1 bottle of honey
• 1 bottle BBQ sauce

Step One

  

     Baste the chicken, ribs, cocktail weenies, and steaks with BBQ sauce.

Step Two

      Cook the Ribs in a 180 degree oven until the internal temperature is 160 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Note: Check the ribs periodically. Baste with BBQ sauce to taste. When the ribs are finished cut them in half and let them rest in the pan covered with tin foil.

Step Three 

       Cover the plastic skull with honey. Then place the prosciutto over the honey. 

Hint: you want the prosciutto to look like dry decaying skin.

Step Four

         Once the ribs are cooked raise the oven temperature to 350. Place the chicken in the oven to cook until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step Five

          While the chicken is cooking warm up the cocktail weenies in a pot with bbq sauce. 

Note: After about 10 minutes add the bell pepper and let it cook down and soften.

Step Six

         Use a medium sauce pan to sear the steaks.

Note: cook to desired temperature (rare, med rare, med, or well)

Step Seven

          Once all of the meat has been properly cooked assemble the "man".

• Half way down a cutting board place the red bell pepper, the pepper is the heart
• Place the steaks (lungs) on both left and right sides of the pepper
• The chicken should be located below the pepper, this will be the man's stomach
• Pile the cocktail weenies to look like intestines below the chicken stomach.
• Rest one half of ribs over each side of the mans insides creating a rib cage effect.
• Put the prosciutto skull at the top of the man's body.

Below is a link for proper internal temperature of different kinds of meat:

http://www.flamingroosterbbq.com/index.php/tips-and-tricks/cooking-meat-101

Enjoy watching all of your friends drool over your hot pice of meat this Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!
Andie 

    

Chew It Yourself!!

Hello Ghosts and Goblins!


The options for homemade Halloweens costumes are endless! Ever since I was little I have worn homemade costumes and as a college student on a budget the tradition continues!

This "chew it yourself" costume will wow all of your friends as you transform into a walking gum ball machine!

The supplies:

• Pompoms
• Thick strapped tanktop
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue
• Red skater/circle skirt
• Grey felt 
• Sharpie marker

Step One

         Try on the tank top and skirt and draw a line on the shirt where the top of the skirt hits.

Step Two

        Lay the shirt on the floor and smooth it out so theres no wrinkles.

Step Three

        Begin hot gluing the pompoms onto the front of the shirt.

Note: there is no color pattern for the pompoms. Its a random free for all.

Step Four

        Once all of the pompoms are glued down try the shirt and skirt back on to make sure there are no gaps between the end of the pompoms and top of the skirt.

Step Five

        Measure out a 5x7 rectangle from the grey felt. 

Step Six

       Cut out the rectangle.

Step Seven

      Using the sharpie draw a circle about an inch below the top of the fabric. Add a sharpie rectangle to the left and right side of the circle

Note: the rectangles do not have to be in the middle of the circle they can be off centered.

Step Eight

       Below the gum ball crank add in the money money amount. I chose to write .25 cents on my costume. At the bottom of the felt draw and fill in a trapezoid. Make sure to leave about an inch on each side of the trapezoid.

Step Nine

          Using the hot glue secure the felt to the top of the skirt. 

Hint: find the middle of the waistband and place the felt there before glueing it down.

Have a terrifying Tuesday night!!!

Andie

Home Sweet Apartment

Attention all apartment/homeowners!

The only thing worse than having to stare at bare apartment walls is the nauseating feeling of shelling out the cash for cool wall decor. It always seems like the paintings and knick knacks you like the most also cost the most.

These do it yourself shadow boxes allow you to fill your walls with your most memorable times. You are also in control of the exact colors and sizes that fit your rooms!

Heres what you need:

• 1 Vintage picture frame
• Tape measure
• 1 inch common finishing nails 
• 1/4 inch utility plywood 
• Saw 
• Wood glue
• Paint in the color(s) of your choice 

Step One

      Measure the inside of the picture frame along the long side. Cut two pieces of wood to this length.

Step Two

      Place the cut boards inside the the frame and measure the distance between them. This distance is how long the remaining two boards should be. 

Step Three

       Glue the wood boards to the inside of the frame and to each other.

Hint: wipe off all of any extra glue

Step Four

      Once all of the glue has dried nail the boards together. For extra security nail the boards the the picture frame itself.

Step Five

        Paint your new shadow boxes as you please!

Note: I painted mine to match my bed comforter.

Step Six

         Fill the boxes with memories that will last a life time!

 'Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them.' - Bob Dylan 
Andie 

Its All About That Font!

Welcome welcome!

Being a blogger is a blast! There is a world of possibilities when it comes to background designs, picture placement, text color and font styles and all of these choices are up to you!

One of the most important but underrated decisions in creating a blog is the font style. It would be so easy to utilize the default font but that wouldn't allow the readers to see your personality. Choosing a font that represents you but is also easily readable is huge!

For my Pinterest DIY blog I selected Times New Roman because it isn't drastically over whelming. If too funky of a font is chosen the reader can get lost or even nauseous. Making your readers sick isn't something that is going to make them want to come back for more! An over loopy or detailed  font can distract from the information trying to be conveyed because the reader is trying to make sense of the lettering, if its too difficult they may give up trying all together.

I have encountered fonts that have taken me several minutes to decipher. This didn't really keep me interested in what the company had to say I was just annoyed and my eyes hurt a little. Some font styles can make it hard to distinguish similar letters misleading your followers.

A good example of bad font choice

Text color is just as important as text style! I decided upon a grey color for my text because it can be read for a longer period of time when compared to a harsh black. The softer color wont hurt the readers eyes and  will still stand out well on a light background.

I styled my headings with a larger text size and eye catching color. This helps order the post and display where the step by step instructions begin. Important words and phrases should be a different color to help readers navigate through your posts quickly and pain free!

Though all of these decisions are yours to make you should ALWAYS have the reader in mind!

Stick around for more blogging tips!
Andie

Be A Barista!!

Hey college groupies!

Since the snow fall has begun here in Western PA you're going to need a cozy drink to sip on while snuggling up with a good text book!

The PERFECT Starbucks replication recipe is finally here! Turn your self into a caramel apple spice making machine!

The ingredients:

• 1 cup water 
• 1 cup granulated sugar  
• 1/2 TBSP ground cinnamon
• 4 cup apple juice (any brand)

This recipe yields about 4 cups.

Step One

         Boil the water mixed with granulated sugar and cinnamon. Make sure all of the sugar is melted. Once the sugar has melted remove from the heat and place in a regular sized bowl.

Step Two

       Heat the apple juice. Do not bring to a boil. 

Step Three

         Pour the hot apple juice evenly into four individual mugs.

Step Four

          Add 1 and 1/2 TBSP of the sugar mixture into each mug and stir well.

Optional steps:

     

          Top off each mug with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

It will be so easy to wow all of your friends with this soul warming drink or melt the cold days away when snuggle partners are hard to find!

Stay warm and beautiful!

Andie

The Set Up!

Hello All!!

So you guys have been following me for a couple weeks now and should know a little bit more about me and the blog! I had a vision of an easy to read and visually captivating blog. I found inspiration for the lay out of each post from reading recipes! They provide you with a list of ingredients/materials needed and step by step breakdowns.

People often find the step by step breakdowns in dinner or dessert recipes super helpful. I found incorporating this layout in to other DIY projects displays the directions in a way that allows for easy reading. It can get hard to follow directions displayed in large chunky paragraphs!
















                          Theirs









                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                  Mine

Though my projects don't come out magazine perfect, like the projects I attempt to replicate, I want to show you all what they come out like! Most people don't have state of the art kitchen appliances or work with Mod Podge on a daily basis. With this blog I hope to make Pinterest DIY projects feel more attainable and real. I am by no means a professional.

The material list I provide allows you to find or purchase the materials you'll need with out going crazy looking though large paragraphs and risking forgetting an item. It also shows how much of the items needed you should have.

I love to display visual aids so if you're navigating the store for an unfamiliar item you at least know what the labels may look like. A lot people including myself are visual learners and find it easier to copy something you have a picture of. I like to post  pictures to keep the blog visually interesting as well!

Theirs

Mine

                                                                       

I am always up for comments and advice or suggestions from my readers who may have done some of these projects before or just want to see me attempt something before they do it themselves! Reader interaction is highly encouraged!!


Don't be a stranger!
Andie

Scottish Egg!

Welcome back followers!!

As the last day of food week is upon us were going to amp up the difficulty!!

This post will be all about the Scottish Egg...or soft boiled egg stuffed sausage, as I like to call it.

Step one

      Watch Youtube directional video BEFORE attempting to make this wonderful dinner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkPPn5ycsnc


Hint: Instead of using green onions I used green peppers....mostly because I heard the ingredient directions wrong, but it was still delicious.

Step Two

      Prepare side dishes of minute rice and corn.

Step Three

     Crack open that delicious sausage and watch that runny egg go!

I found this to be a fairly difficult meal to make because it was so labor intensive and time consuming.

Enjoy!!
Andie

ITS FOOD WEEK!!!!

I know everyone couldn't be more excited to read this weeks blog posts!

They're ALL about food!

I am going to kick it off with a fun, easy treat that will please everyone... OREO TRUFFLES!

These little gems are perfect for a kids birthday party, late night dessert, or that up coming football Sunday tailgate. They travel easy and satisfy the sweet tooth but the best part is they're NO BAKE!!

Heres what you'll need

• 1 Package of Oreo cookies
• 1 Package of Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese 
• Nestle Semi Sweet Morsels 
• Food processor
• 1 Cookie sheet
• 1 Sheet of freezer paper or wax paper

Step One

       Remove all of the delicious cream from each Oreo and place it in a bowl. Place the cookie pieces into the food processor.

Note: It is okay if you break the cookies they will be broken down anyway.     

Step Two 

 
       Grind the cookies down with the processor. They should be the consistency of bread crumbs. 

      Add the whole package of cream cheese to the bowl of filling you removed earlier and microwave until the cream cheese and Oreo cream can be mixed together easily. 

Step Three

     
       In a large bowl combine the cookie grounds and cream cheese mixture together. Mix until the cookies and filling are completely combined.

                                           Hint: the mixture should look like a thick paste.

Step Four

         

        Roll the mixture into small balls. each ball should be a little smaller than the palm of your hand. Place each ball on a cookie sheet covered in freezer or wax paper.

Hint: the freezer or wax paper will make clean up much easier.

Step Five

      

       Place half of the bag of chocolate morsels into a glass bowl and heat until just melted. Mix together, making sure all if the pieces are liquified. 

Step Six

      Dip each Oreo ball into the chocolate and place back onto the cookie sheet.

Step Seven

       Let the Oreo truffles sit in the refrigerator until the chocolate has solidified again or until you're ready to head to that fun party! 

Oreo Truffles are the perfect dessert for any occasion! 

Comment below and let me know what you think!

Andie 

Easy Homemade Stained Glass!

Hi Everybody!

Ever wonder what to do with old vases and boring glassware? There is now a simple and fun solution! All it takes is Mod Podge, tissue paper and a small amount of time.

To transform dull and boring into fun and fabulous you'll need:

• Mod Podge Matte-Mat
• Tissue paper 
• 1 Sponge paint brush

You can find Mod Podge Matte- Mat in any craft store. 

Step One

Wash off glass with soap and water and dry throughly.

Step Two

Decide what kind of design you would like to adhere to the glass. Cut the design out of tissue paper. Depending on the size of the design you may need to cut out a lot.

I chose to use a variety of different sized square shapes in three different colors. 

Step Three

Apply a small amount of Mod Podge Matte- Mat directly on the glass. 

Step Four

Place the tissue paper over the Mod Podge and press gently to ensure it is well adhered.

Hint: Working on small sections is best. This is to make sure the Mod Podge doesn't dry before you lay the tissue paper down. 

Step Five 

Let the vase completely dry before you use it to house fresh flowers or to create a fun ambiance with tea light candles.

Here is finished photo of my fo-stained glass vase:

Check me out for more ideas next week!

Andie

Save A Shirt!!

Hello Followers!

Today I would love to share with you guys on how I saved one of my favorite shirts with BLEACH! I got an oil stain on one of my favorite shirts and was desperately searching for any solution to get the stain out or covered up so I wouldn't have to throw it out. That is when I stumbled on this project idea! I used a Clorox bleach pen to draw on a design and erase the stain! This idea can be used to save a shirt or simply spice up a bland old shirt into something new and creative.

Heres what you'll need:

• 1 fine tipped bleach pen
• Old/ Stained shirt
• Design
• Chalk
• Light box
• Thin cardboard sheet 
• Cold running water

Step One

    

     Google search a cool design or simply sketch one out on a piece of white printer paper. I liked the intricate henna design to camouflage the spot better. 

                                                              Above is the design I used

Step Two

     Trace the design on the shirt with chalk by placing the paper on the light box then the shirt over the paper. 

Hint: Placing the light box inside the shirt will make it easier to trace the design exactly. Also if you don't have a light box you can use a large, clear tupperware bin with a lamp under neath.

Step Three 

       Once you are satisfied with how the chalk design looks remove the light box and paper design from inside the shirt. Place the thin sheet of cardboard inside the shirt to prevent the bleach from leaking through. 

Step Four

       Trace over the chalk design with the bleach pen. Make sure you keep the lines thin to prevent them from meshing together.

Note: The bleach will spread so you have to work quickly and precisely. 

As you can see in the photo above the top right portion of the design has spread more than the bottom because I started there so the bleach had more time to soak into the material.

Step Five 

     Carefully place the shirt under cold running water to rinse off excess bleach and set the shirt. Then, wash the shirt alone making sure you don't bleach any other clothes.

You can wash with the same detergent you normally would use.

Step 6

WEAR IT!!! Go and show the world this awesome new shirt that you designed!

Let me know what you guys think of this fairly easy shirt saving technique! 

Talk to you guys soon!

Andie 

My New Blog!!!

Hi Guys!

This is my new blog featuring DIY Pinterest projects. Twice a week I will be attempting a new Do It Yourself activity and reviewing my success or failure. I will be trying out new craft ideas along with full meals and desserts. I will post pictures along with helpful hints, tricks, and links! Feedback is always appreciated along with suggestions. Follow me on this semester long endeavor!

 Thanks,
Andie