Felt Wreath

I've seen felt wreaths popping up everywhere these days.  Especially on Pinterest, which of course, is where I found the tutorial I used for this project.  A friend of mine came over for a crafternoon and this was the first project we took on.  Now, I will say that this project was time consuming.  I cut 200 felt circles to make the wreath.  One thing I will say... good scissors are key to cutting felt!  It will make time pass much much quicker.  I cut 4 layers of felt at a time and was done within an hour.  I honestly thought it would take much longer.  Below you will find the instructions for the wreath that I used.  After cutting the circles, I kind of just winged it with the pinning on the wreath.  I found a way that worked for me and went with it. As the wreath became filled with the felt flowers, it became easier.  Once the entire wreath was filled, I was in love! 

 I changed up how I hung the wreath after realizing it needed more than a simple hook.  I made a bow and attached a ribbon loop to the back of the bow.  I'm glad I decided to go with the bow, it added the perfect touch.  This wreath will definitely make an appearance during Christmas and Valentine's Day.  

What you’ll need for the wreath:

- a 12 inch styrofoam wreath form
- approximately 2 1/2 yards of felt
- straight pins (enough to match the number of felt circles needed, plus two for attaching the hanger)
- scissors
- a 3 inch circle template
- a pencil
- ribbon for hanging

Making the Felt Rosettes

Using a pencil and your circle template, trace circles onto the felt. Cut the felt circles, and fold them in half twice to form rosettes. Insert a pin near the bottom corner of the rosette, about 1/8 inch from the corner.

Attaching the Felt Rosettes

Attach the felt rosettes to the wreath form, making sure to group the rosettes tightly enough that no styrofoam is showing through the rosettes. After you’ve added a few, fluff and adjust the rosettes to your liking. Continue making, pinning, and attaching the rosettes until you’ve worked your way around the wreath form. If you have circles that are slightly misshapen or that have a little pencil or ink on them, place them toward the outside or inside edges, where they can’t be seen when the wreath is hanging.

Wreath Back

This is what my wreath looked like on the back when I was finished. As you can see, I started off with ball point straight pins, but I switched to flat head pins when the rosette count started to get up there and I had to run out and buy more pins. If you use flat head pins, then I suggest using a thimble to push them into the wreath form, or your thumb will take a beating. Ask me how I know.

Wreath Hanger

After you’ve finished adding the felt rosettes, cut a 5 inch length of ribbon, fold it in half, and attach it to the wreath form with two pins to form a hanger.

Wreath Finished

I love how organic the wreath looks when it’s finished. The ruffly felt rosettes, when grouped together like this, remind me a bit of a coral reef. While this is a rather ambitious project, I think it was completely worth the time spent. I’ll be using my wreath year ’round as part of my home décor!

This is the wreath that my friend made, I love it! 

Scrapbook Bow Holder Tutorial

Every little princess needs a place to hang all of her gorgeous bows and I've got just the creation.  There are so many different types of bow hangers out there, I've decided to share my scrapbook hangers with you today.  The scrapbook hangers are made with scrapbook paper and take less than an hour to make.  What I love about it, is that you can choose the perfect paper to match your little girls bedroom or bathroom.  

Materials: 

Wooden Letter

Acrylic Paint

Paint Brush

Mod Podge

Scrapbook Paper

Ribbon

Hot Glue 

Step 1: Start with a plain wooden letter. Paint the back a color of your choice.  

Step 2: Then, paint the edges and a bit of the front.  Just incase your paper doesn't match perfectly you won't see the plain wood. 

Step 3: Grab some coordinating scrapbook paper.  Trace the letter on the paper.  

Step 4: Cut out the letter.  

Step 4: Cover the painted wooden letter with Mod Podge.  Start with the back and move to the front.  The Mod Podge on the front will adhere the scrapbook letter.  

Step 5: Place the scrapbook paper onto the wooden letter.  Press it down on all sides to get rid of little air pockets.  Then, cover the front (scrapbook paper) with Mod Podge.  So, you would have painted Mod Podge on the back, then front of wood, then on top of the scrapbook paper.  

Step 6: Hot glue ribbon on the bottom in a loop.  I usually use 20 inches of thick grosgrain ribbon.  

Step 7: Glue a smaller piece of ribbon to the top in the shape of a hoop.  This is how your holder will hang on the wall.  Add ribbons or little accessories to dress it up a little more.   

Here are some of the finished products!  If you're interested in ordering one, visit Simply Made with Love. 

Tortellini with Balsamic Brown Butter

Okay, I know I've mentioned Pinterest a lot on this blog lately.  It's a fact that I spend way too much time on it.  But, I probably wouldn't have found some of my new- instantly favorite recipes without it.  This recipe comes from Gimme Some Oven.  I love balsamic, especially on tomatoes and mozzarella! So, why not try it on pasta?  I'm glad I did, because this is my new favorite pasta!  Delish!  

Tortellini with Balsamic Brown Butter Recipe(Adapted from Giada DeLaurentis)

Ingredients:

• 18 to 20 ounces store-bought tortellini or ravioli (pick your favorite flavor!)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup toasted, chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans or pine nuts)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Method:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions (generally about 2-3 minutes until tender, but still firm to the bite), stirring occasionally. Drain the tortellini.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan cook the butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When the foam subsides, and the butter begins to turn a golden brown (and begins to give off a nutty aroma) turn off the heat and remove from the burner. Let cool for about 1 minute. Then gradually (and very carefully!) stir in the balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Transfer the ravioli to the pan saucepan with the balsamic brown butter and gently stir until combined. Sprinkle nuts and Parmesan over the top. Serve immediately.

Good Eats Meatloaf

When is the last time you made meatloaf?  For me, it had been many months.  Lately, I've been trying to make meals using the food I already have at home. One of those ingredients was ground turkey.  After doing a little searching, I found Alton Brown's recipe for meatloaf.  The recipe received 5 stars with over 300 reviews.  For me, that is worth making. Even with using ground turkey instead of ground chuck, this dish lived up to the high expectations.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 6 ounces garlic-flavored croutons
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 onion, roughly chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and broken
• 3 whole cloves garlic
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 18 ounces ground chuck
• 18 ounces ground sirloin
• 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 egg

For the glaze:

• 1/2 cup catsup
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• Dash hot pepper sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a food processor bowl, combine croutons, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and thyme. Pulse until the mixture is of a fine texture. Place this mixture into a large bowl. Combine the onion, carrot, garlic, and red pepper in the food processor bowl. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped, but not pureed. Combine the vegetable mixture, ground sirloin, and ground chuck with the bread crumb mixture. Season the meat mixture with the kosher salt. Add the egg and combine thoroughly, but avoid squeezing the meat.

Pack this mixture into a 10-inch loaf pan to mold the shape of the meatloaf. Onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, turn the meatloaf out of the pan onto the center of the tray. Insert a temperature probe at a 45 degree angle into the top of the meatloaf. Avoid touching the bottom of the tray with the probe. Set the probe for 155 degrees.

Combine the catsup, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and honey. Brush the glaze onto the meatloaf after it has been cooking for about 10 minutes.

Total Time:

1 hr 10 min

Prep

25 min

Cook

45 min

Cheesy Biscuits

I made these gems to go along with the chicken broccoli bake I posted yesterday.  I came across a picture of it on Pinterest and put it at the top of my list to make.  I decided to make big biscuits, which was a big mistake.  They were way too sweet.  BUT...if you follow the recipe below and use a mini muffin pan, maybe cut down the sugar a bit, I'm sure you will enjoy them.  They are just to quick and easy not to make once a week! If you make them, be sure to let me know how they came out.

Better than Jim 'N Nick's Cheesy Biscuits

1 1/2 cups Bisquick

3/4 cup buttermilk

3 Tbps sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 425.  Stir together all ingredients just until combined.  Scoop into a mini muffin pan coated with cooking spray.  Bake 12-15 minutes, until golden.  **I used a medium cookie scoop and got 20 muffins**

Chicken Broccoli Bake

I had a great coupon for Philadelphia Cooking Creme recently and picked up one of each flavor.  I love how they post recipes on the containers.  That is exactly where this recipe came from.  To find it online, go here.  This is not your typical broccoli bake, the garlic creme adds a kick.  I loved it.  I served it with white rice.  Enjoy!

1-1/2 lb.

boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1 pkg.

(14 oz.)frozen broccoli florets, thawed, drained

1-1/2 cups

KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1 tub

(10 oz.)PHILADELPHIA Savory Garlic Cooking Creme

1/2 cup

milk

24

RITZ Crackers, crushed (about 1 cup)

1 Tbsp.

butter, melted

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400ºF.
2. Combine first 5 ingredients in 13x9-inch baking dish; cover.
3. Bake 25 min. Meanwhile, mix cracker crumbs and butter.
4. Stir chicken mixture; top with crumbs. Bake, uncovered, 10 min. or until topping is golden brown.

DIY Crayon Holder

I've been inspired by all of the crayon creations I've seen on Pinterest lately.  With the start of school in a few weeks, I wanted to make a few of them for my classroom.  First up is this crafty crayon pencil/ marker/ whatever you want it to hold holder.  Since I don't have all my school stuff at home, I can't tell you exactly what it will be used for.  But, I'm thinking washable markers or highlighters.  It's a pretty good sized box.  This little gem took me just an hour to make.  

Materials: 

Acrylic Paint

Wooden Box

Mod Podge

Ribbon

3  (24) Packs of Crayons 

Hot Glue 

Step 1: Start out with a plain wooden box.  I bought mine at Jo Ann's.  

Paint your box your desired color.  I painted one coat on the outside and inside.  I painted a second coat on the top of the box since it would not be covered in crayons.  

Step 2: Paint a coat of Mod Podge over the paint.  I painted the entire box.  

Step 3: Hot glue the crayons to the box.  I started at the corner and makes my way around. I ended up using just over two boxes of crayons.  

Step 4: Hot glue a coordinating ribbon around the top of the box and you're finished!  Fill with whatever you'd like.  

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