Cutting Cafe Hershey Kisses

It's all about Hershey Kisses this week on Cutting Cafe! What fun files we had to choose from this week. It was hard to decide which one to play with.

HERSHEY KISS WINDOW BOX 2 TEMPLATE AND CUTTING FILE
HERSHEY KISS WINDOW CARD TEMPLATE AND CUTTING FILE
HERSHEY KISS WINDOW BOX....TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE
 HERSHEY KISS TREAT BOX....TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE
 HERSHEY KISS SHAPED CARD....TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE

I finally decided to make the Hershey Kiss Window Box. I had some fun glittery cardstock from My Mind's Eye that I thought would be perfect for this file. It's hard to see in the photo, but there is a tiny glitter dot in the center of all the small bursts in the paper. I made the bottom of the box using some black corrugated cardstock from Fancy Pants to give it a more masculine feel. It was hard to not add ribbon, buttons and other fru-fru.

Don't forget to stop by the Cutting Cafe blog to leave a comment for a chance to win 3 files of your choice.

Valentine Heart Window Box

Today I have a fun Valentine treat box to share with you. I cut the boxes with my Silhouette and then put together using the new Xtreme Glue Tape. The file I used is Lori Whitlock's that you can find here.

When creating boxes like this, you want to make sure to use a strong adhesive so it doesn't come apart, esp. when filled with candy/goodies.

For the window I used a page protector. The ones I have aren't clear, but have a little bit of texture to them. I still like how it turned out. These came together very quick and easy (the hardest part was deciding on what papers to use) and I plan to make a few more for gifts.

Pinned It Made It Monday Week 4 2014

Today's Pinterest share is a unique bread recipe that uses yogurt instead of yeast and only takes 1 hour to make from start to finish. I had a slice with my salad and DH with a bowl of hamburger stew and it was surprisingly yummy. We had it later toasted for sandwiches and it was very yummy toasted.

source: Roxanashomebaking

 If you look closely, you can still see the steam when I cut the ends off. Ü I didn't add sesame seeds to the dough inside or on top.

Frugal Friday 1-24

I have more savings to share with you today from the last two weeks...

*rec'd $100 for Christmas to use towards a Kindle. I waited until I thought I could get a good deal and Amazon had a $30 off special, so used that plus $5.42 I had in Amazon credit from Swagbucks and free shipping and only had to pay $3.58. It could have been free, but I hadn't cashed in some Swagbucks points and it takes a few days to get them, and didn't want to miss out on the $30 off deal.

*enjoyed warm weather to hang out clothes to dry 8 loads (okay, so one day we had 50+ mph wind and it was NOT warm, but they dried. LOL! I just pinned them very good and checked on them every half hour to make sure they were still on the line.

*eggnog marked down to 39¢. DH likes it, so got some. Aaron tried and liked it too.

*butchered our own cow and got 450# of meat. Most is hamburger as the meat was a bit tougher, a few small roasts and bags of stew meat and 42 qt jars of canned beef chunks.

* planned ahead and made lunch for 5 when in town (we live in the country) and lunch for 3 another time and supper for 2 when we had to go in early for youth group

*dried more of our apples (five 5 gallon buckets left to do!)

*qt of yogurt on sale for 99¢

*tried to eat what we had in the freezer/pantry and only bought milk, flour, eggs, cheese, canned vegetables and yogurt the past 2 weeks

*canned vegetables for 39¢, I can't remember the last time they were this cheap. They are usually on sale for 58¢ each. I bought corn, cream corn (DH loves corn casserole) and green beans.

Cutting Cafe Valentine Bingo

It's all about Valentines this week on Cutting Cafe. The DT was challenged to create a Valentine project using any of these files:

LITTLE GUMBALL MACHINE....PRINTABLE STAMPS SET 

ELISHA JEAN AND FRIENDS...WITH A BIG HEART...PRINTABLE STAMPS 

WHEELBARROW DELIVERIES PRINTABLE SET 

VALENTINE'S DAY BINGO.....PRINTABLE STAMP SET

I chose to go with the Valentine's Day Bingo set to create this card. I already had the My Mind's Eye kit out from my project I posted yesterday, so used up some of the same papers and fun embellishments from their Lost & Found 3 Ruby collection. My g'ma's name was Ruby, so this reminds me of her when I create with this set, esp the glittery items as she loved adding glitter to her cards.

The lace is some I found recently in an antique store for 50¢! I was so excited to find such a bargain.

I used Tombow adhesives to adhere the pieces together. Mono Adhesive Dots for the the open lacy pieces and Xtreme Glue Tape for the  lace and bulkier pieces. I also colored the heart on the bingo piece with a Dual Brush Pen.

Altered Altoid Tin

Hello! Today I am sharing an altered Altoid Tin project with you. This is made super easy by using the new Xtreme Glue Tape by Tombow.

I used My Mind's Eye for the papers and embellishments. I also used the Xtreme Glue Tape for the ribbon on the side of the lid. Foam tabs are used to pop up the owl and Mono Adhesive Dots to adhere the ribbon.

This "owl"dorable image is from Lori Boyd and colored with Tombow's Dual Brush Pens and Irojitens.

Pinned It Made It Monday Week 3 2014

When the kids were home for break, Aaron was telling me how he tried the school's ravioli and how bad it was. He wondered if you could make homemade ravioli, so I looked up a recipe and made this.

source: Taste of Home

It is tedious work, but the result was so yummy. I added hamburger to the sauce and put the ravioli in the sauce instead of pouring the sauce over the ravioli. Many thanks to Benjamin and Kassy for helping me or I would probably still be rolling out ravioli! LOL. There was so much left over that I sent a dozen home with each of them, plus some in the freezer for us, PLUS leftovers for 4 meals for DH and me.

I am linking up to Country Girl at Home for her Pinned It Made It Monday challenge.

Cutting Cafe Snowflake Coasters

This week on Cutting Café the DT is creating using any of these sets:
RAINBOW SHAPED CARD SET...TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE
RAIN BOOTS SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE SET
FUN WITH SNOWFLAKES....TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILES
SNOW WORD SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE AND CUTTING FILE

I chose the snowflake in Fun with Snowflakes and the circle in Circle Scallop Set to make these coasters.

 There are only 4 shown here, but I am making 6, I just didn't get them all done as we have been working on beef and that takes a lot of time! Ü But I love that we can save money doing our own butchering.

Okay, back to the coasters...I scaled the circle to 4.25" and the snowflake to "3.25 x 3". I cut the circle with computer paper for my pattern and then "sandwiched" fabric for the back, cotton batting, and green flannel and pinned the circle pattern on top and cut around with pinking shears.

I ironed on fusible webbing to the back of the white fabric and cut the snowflakes out with my Silhouette. ♥ that I can cut fabric with it!! I then peeled off the paper backing and ironed to the coaster and stitched around the snowflake with 2 strands of embroidery floss.

Here is what the back looks like:

And because this green moss heart matches the color of my coasters and it is laying in the snow, I just had to share. I was going out to hang clothes on the line last week and happened to look down and saw this perfect heart shaped moss in the ground. I just had to take a picture of it. Ü I don't know why, but we have patches of moss growing on the north side of the house and this is the only one that was heart shaped.

Don't forget to stop by the Cutting Cafe blog tomorrow to see what the rest of the DT created using the above files. AND remember to leave a comment. You just may win 3 files of your choice for doing so.

Pinned It Made It Monday Week 2 2014

For today's Pinned It Made It, I made homemade creamed corn. I was needing creamed corn for a recipe and was out, so looked on Pinterest and sure enough, found a recipe to make your own.

Here is mine, I had to cook it down some more and then forgot to take a picture when I was finished.:

Birthday/Address Book

For Christmas, I created this Birthday Book for my DIL to be and added an address section at the back. Benjamin and Kassy's wedding colors are plum and turquoise, so I used designer paper in those colors. She loved it. YAY! Ü

I cut 2 chipboard (cracker boxes) 4" x 8.75" and covered the front and back of each piece using Mono Glue Stick. "Birthday Calendar" is computer generated and then layered onto a Nestibilities Die which was cut with chipboard and designer paper.

In WORD docutment I created a 3 different pages. One with 29, 30, and 31 days. I cut the tabs with my silhouette using THIS file from Enchant Art and typed the months of the year to fit inside the cutout tab. I used Mono Adhesive Dots Stamp Runner to Adhere the tabs to the months labels and to the numbered pages.

The "addresses" pages were also computer generated to fit the 3.75" x 8.5" pages inside.

To finish it off, I punched 3 holes, inserted 1" metal rings and tied off with ribbons.

Frugal Friday

This is my first Frugal Friday post for the year. I hope to keep track of things we've done frugally as a family to share with you, to hopefully give you ideas of how you can save. I've decided to just do this every other week, rather than weekly.

Here are things that we saved on/was frugal with/etc for the past 2 weeks:

*Saved tissue paper and gift bags that we rec'd from Christmas gifts (I haven't had to buy gift bags for a couple of years now doing this.)

*Purchased Chobani Greek Yogurt in the mark down cooler at our local grocer for 59¢

*Bought a sofa and chair at a Menards. Was $100 off, then 11% rebate for in-store purchase, which we will use towards tile for the bathroom. We've been married almost 25 years and this is our very first NEW piece of furniture of any kind. I am so excited and love them! Together, they were 1/2 to 3/4 less expensive than you could buy one chair at any furniture store!

*Crackers for 1.88 box. We love crackers and snack on them. They are normally over $4/box.

*Mended 2 pair of jeans for Aaron. He mended one of them. Ü (for those of you who don't know Aaron, he is 19)

*Was able to dry some laundry on the clothesline 2 days (other days it was too cold/and or snowing)

*Planned ahead and made lunches to take with us when we shopped out of town 3 times. This was a big savings and better for us. Lunch for 5 one time, 3 for another, and 2 the other.

*Cut Aaron's hair. I've been cutting all the guys hair since I was married and the boys came along.

*Bought 2 gallon of milk while out of town for $2.99. If you live near here, Kearney's Menards' milk is $2.99/gal for all milk...1%, 2%, whole and I think maybe even their chocolate milk. I always try to get a couple of gallon when we go to Kearney. Beats the almost $4/gallon price here!

*used a coupon on marked down coconut M & M's. It was $2 off of 3 and the bags were marked 99¢ each! These were the big bags of M & M's, so that made them only 32¢/bag.

*used coupon on small bags of peanut M & M's buy 2 get one free and then there was a store coupon by them, so they came to 19¢ each. These are DH's favorite, so nice treat for him. I had 2 coupons, so was able to take double advantage of this

*marked down gallon skim milk for 59¢. I divide it and freeze it and use it for cooking

*marked down flour tortillas for 39¢/pkg of 12 ...made homemade chicken enchiladas

*3 lb bag boneless/skinless chicken breasts for $3.99. Bought 3 bags, cooked up one bag and shredded it and then divided it up and froze it for recipes...chicken enchiladas, chicken lasagna and the rest will be for homemade chicken and noodles. Saved the broth made by boiling the chicken.

*jalepenos marked down to 99¢, will make jalepeno poppers

*my SIL told me about a free class online called The Document Project. I joined and used swagbucks points I had to Amazon for the planner and a few rolls of washi tape. It is fun to get free goodies!

If you are unfamiliar with swagbucks, it is a site where you click on links, watch videos (I don't watch them, just click and go do something and then come back) for points that can be redeemed for gift cards to amazon, staples, walmart, target, etc. Also can be used for free money to paypal. Let me know if you are interested and I can send you an invite to join.

Are there things you do to save money? I would like to hear them.

CC Card Box Organizer Set

This week is another "free" week on Cutting Café; meaning the DT gets to choose the file they want to create with.

I chose the Card Box Organizer Set file and the Assorted Scallop Set 1 file. One of my 50 goals this year is to give birthday cards ON TIME! I am terrible about getting cards made and sent.

So I created this pretty box to keep cards in. I'm even going to get envelopes addressed, postage stamps on them and they will be ready to go.

This box is so quick and easy to create. The hardest part is decided on the the patterned paper to use! I used Tombow adhesive to put it together and chocolate ink to distress the edges.

Today the temps hit in the 40's. Yesterday, was so bitter cold that all our windows were frosted over. I didn't take a picture in the bedroom (wish I would have), but it was so cold there was frost on our walls! We live in a very old house (100+ yrs) and there is no insulation in any of it. The propane heater kicked on on Sunday and didn't shut off once until today!

Here are some pics I took of the windows yesterday from inside:

Be sure to stop by the Cutting Cafe blog this week to see the projects the rest of the DT created. While there, don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win file choices of your own.

Pinned It Made It Monday Week 1 2014

Today is my first Pinned It Made It Monday for 2014. This first Monday of the year is a cold one. Right now it is -9 with a windchill of -23. Definitely a good day to do some baking!

I made these salted caramel frosted pumpkin cupcakes for Thanksgiving and didn't get them posted. They were soooo yummy and definitely a hit with the family. I am going to make them again today, so thought this was a good time to share the recipe.

source: fishstitch

 

Recipe:

INGREDIENTS NEEDED:

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 tbls butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree

CARAMEL FROSTING:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tbls water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 24 tabs unsalted butter (3 sticks)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cup powdered sugar

 

 

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES:
1.  INGREDIENT PREP:  First, we’re going to mix a bunch of stuff up separately only to mix it all together later.  In one bowl whisk together your first set of dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves).  In a separate, smaller bowl combine milk and vanilla.  Set both of these bowls aside.
2.  COMBINE:  In a large bowl or in a mixer, beat together butter, sugar and brown sugar, until fluffy.  Then, one at a time, add the eggs.  Once eggs are combined, beat in pumpkin on low speed.
3.  ADD:  In 3 parts, add the flour and milk mixture; alternating between the two.  Beat on low speed until completely incorporated.
4.  POUR:  Line your cupcake pan, I used parchment paper, and fill each liner with a couple of spoonsful of batter.
BAKE:  @ 350* for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out batter-free, then let cool.

SALTED CARAMEL FROSTING:
1.  COOK:  In a small saucepan, briefly stir together sugar and water and bring to a boil.  Continue cooking on medium-high heat, without stirring, until the mixture turns DARK amber in color.  About 7-8 minutes.
2.  ADD:  Remove sugar and water mixture from heat and slowly add in cream and vanilla.  Stir with a wooden spoon until mixture is completely smooth.  Then set aside until it is cool to the touch.  About 30 min.
3.  COMBINE:  In a mixer, combine butter and salt on medium-high speed until fluffy.  Then, on low speed, add powdered sugar and mix until incorporated.  Once powdered sugar is combined, turn the mixer off, scrape down the sides and add the cooled caramel.  To combine caramel, beat on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until airy and thoroughly mixed.
4.  CHILL OUT:  Cover the frosting and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER:  Once the cupcakes have cooled completely and the frosting has chilled, pipe (or spread) some of that sweet caramel goodness on top of those tiny little pumpkin breads, drizzle  with a little extra caramel sauce (if you so desire) and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt!

Definitely use the sea salt! It totally makes it so yummy.

Here is a picture of mine:

I also thought I'd share this homemade pumpkin pie I made with fresh pumpkin. 

 

Thank you for stopping by. Let me know if you try making these cupcakes. You won't be disappointed.

 

I am linking this up to Made by You Mondays

 

 

and if Tammy posts today, I will be linking up to her blog as well.

 

Country Girl at Home for her Pinned It Made It Monday challenge.

2014 One Little Word

I have chosen "purpose" as my word for 2014. Twenty thirteen was a very hard, rollercoaster of emotions year and I am ready to put it behind and looking forward to what 2014 brings.

pur·pose

/ˈpɜrpəs/ Show Spelled [pur-puhs] 

noun

1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

3. determination; resoluteness.

4. the subject in hand; the point at issue.

5. practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.

 

In the Bible in Ecclesiastes 3:1 it says "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven..."

This past summer and fall have been hard on me learning to deal with empty nesting, figuring out who I am and what and where I want to go with my life. "PURPOSE" is a good word for me this year.

I want to find a purpose in my life personally, mentally, physically, spiritually, etc. I also turn 50 this year and am making a bucket list of 50 things I want to do, learn, see, be, etc before I turn 50. So 50 things by July 6!

I will be sharing some of these things on my blog along the way. Might even share them all...we'll see. Ü

I want to do some things different with my blog. I joined in often with Tammy's Pinned It Made It Monday and want that to be a permanent fixture this year. I ♥ Pinterest and am so inspired by it, that I will try to post every Monday something I have pinned and made and/or been encouraged/inspired by.

Another blog I read posts a Frugal Friday and I want to incorporate that into my blog as well. With me not working full time now, I try to find more ways to be frugal and want to share those with you. I don't know if this will be an every Friday event or maybe every other. I always love a bargain and love finding ways I can save our family money without it feeling like we are going without anything.

I will also be sharing more than paper crafting here this year. I love working with yarn, fabric, etc. and have been doing more of that, so will be sharing that as well.

Cutting Cafe 5 Year Celebration

5 YEAR CELEBRATION PLUS A BIG GIVEAWAY

The Cutting Cafe is celebrating 5 years in a BIG WAY

Want to win every new release for the next 4 months?

Come read all about it....

CLICK HERE