Saturday, February 4, 2012

A few more X's and O's

I needed to re-do my kitchen window again.  I change out the side pics depending on the holiday.  Usually I print out vintage images from The Graphic's Fairy, but this time I decided to raid my stash and copy a little of what Mandy did Here at Little Birdie Secrets.

First I gathered some paper.
This image came from Graphics Fairy here.    I resized it in Photoshop and made it fit an 8.5x11 inch paper then printed it out.  You're welcome to click on this image and save as then print your own.
These are some more pages I created in Photoshop using brushes from Brusheezy.  I needed both a portrait and landscape version.

Next I cut a bunch of hearts and X's and O's with my Cricut using the George basic shapes cartridge. The I Love You was also on the George cartridge.

 Now start gluing the letters and hearts onto the paper.

Lastly I followed Mandy's tutorial loosely.  I added stitching crosswise too.  I also stitched some hearts and X's and O's to use go across the window.  So simple and sweet.

The Left Side.

 The Right Side.


 And done.  I did add some berries to the mason jars I made here.
I love it.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Five Feature Friday #24!


How gorgeous is this striped chest from The Green Dresser?


I about flipped when I saw this entryway from Meeha Meeha!  How could you walk through there and not smile! 


Nine Red did a wonderful table makeover! I never even look at these tables I think the style is so bland, but WOW! This is awesome!


Revamp Home Goods made an amazing 'Land of Nod' knock-off for her kiddo! Love the chevron!


I might have squealed when I saw this end-table-turned-kid's-play-table from Maple and Magnolia!  She styled it using my chevron thread holder as inspiration and I flipping love it!

Feel free to grab a button if you were featured!

CRAPTASTIC


Cheers!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Sneaky Maple Apple Oatmeal Bread

I've discovered a new favorite bread.  The best part it that it's super sneaky.  I promise you'll be amazed at all the nutritional yummy-ness packed in to these gorgeous loaves.  Let's get started.



Maple Apple Oatmeal Bread
Since we will be adding in shredded apples, I found a super easy way to do it.  Fill your blender with water and add cored apples. 
I have a Vita-Mix.  
Best purchase ever!

Pulse apples until they are the size you want.

 Then  pour into a strainer and let sit while you assemble the other ingredients.  If I had thought of it, I would have used the apple water as the water for the bread.  I didn't this time, but I will next time.

 Next grind your wheat.  I used equal parts Hard Red and Hard White wheat.  I also threw in about a cup of 10 grain, and 1/2 cup of Quinoa.  Grind it all together to get a fine flour.  Again I used my Vita-Mix.  Can I just say it's extremely versatile!
Here's the 3 Grains.
This one is Hard White Wheat.
This one is Hard Red Wheat or 
also called Turkey Red.

 The Hard Red has a higher protein content and makes for a denser bread.  But for some reason, when you mix the two wheats together it makes an amazing light loaf of bread.

Lastly is Quinoa.  Pronounced KEEN-WA.  It is the only complete protein grain.  It also adds a wonderful nutty flavor to the bread.

Grind the following:
2 cups Hard White Wheat
2 cups Hard Red Wheat
1 cup 10 Grain cereal
1/2 cup Quinoa

Place in bowl and set aside.

In a large mixer combine in order: 
If you're using a Kitchen-Aid, you'll have to 1/2 the recipe.
4 cups warm water
1/2 cup Canola Oil (applesauce is an option)
1/2 cup maple syrup (Honey is an option)
1 Tbsp Maple Extract
2 beaten eggs
2 Tbsp sea salt
3 Tbsp Dough Enhancer
3 cups High Gluten bread flour or All purpose White flour
2 cups rolled oats (quick or regular)
2 cups of the freshly ground wheat flour
3 Tbsp instant Yeast

Mix for about a minute.  Let rest for about 1 minute.  Then turn mixer back on adding flour 1 cup at a time until dough cleans sides of bowl.  I alternated between white and wheat flour, although you could do all whole wheat.
Once dough cleans sides of bowl, cover and mix for 5 minutes.

Now add in  the 4 cups coarsely chopped apples.  You will have to add more flour to get the dough to clean the sides again.  Then mix for another 5 minutes.

Prepare bread pans by spraying with cooking spray.

Since it's mostly whole wheat, you only need to let it rise once.

Turn dough out onto counter and divide into 4 pieces.




In another pan pour about 1-2 cups quick oats.
Knead dough into loaves and roll in oats pressing to coat.
 Place dough in pans and slash the tops. I made 3 X's on mine.
Cover with plastic and let rise until bread is about 1-2 inches above the top of the pan.

 Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
When oven is preheated, remove plastic wrap and place in oven.
Drop temperature to 325 degrees.
Bake for about 40-45 minutes.  It's a longer baking time due to the water content of the apples.

 Let cool on racks.
 Slice and enjoy.  This was some of the softest bread I've made.  I love it when whole wheat comes out like that.  

Gone are the days of wheat bread door stops.  You're smiling because you know what I mean.




Guest Posting Today

I was invited to write a guest post for a blog called Craft Corners.  I was thrilled to share a jacket that I upcycled from some corduroy pants.  So, today, you can find me over at Craft Corners sharing my jacket upcycle!



In the near future, I will be sharing a full tutorial of how I made the jacket!  But for now, you will have to head over to my guest post to see my work!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Valentine's Game and Craft ideas



Because our Valentine's Party was for two different age groups(ages 8 and 12), I had 3 activities for them to choose from. The most popular one was "Steal my heart game", where the children started by removing hearts from a bowl using only their chopsticks, and then placing the candies in front of them. When time is up, the player with the most candy hearts wins. We also had a "Make a Valentine's Bracelet " and "Make You're Beary Special frames".



 The bracelets made by the girls! So cute!!


Game idea from: Family Fun
                   Poms: Pom Flair








February First

I have another project that I am so excited to share with you, but I haven't taken a picture yet.  I will probably get a picture later today after I have showered and look a little more presentable than a freshly worked out crazy-haired gal.  It is a project that one of my Facebook friends pinned a few weeks ago and I decided to give it a try.

Also, I just have to say, as I may have said before, I absolutely love going to IKEA!  My mom and I took a day trip there yesterday and it was so much fun!  It was her first time going there.  I got some inspiration for decorating.  My little guy was a trooper and rode in the car really well, but he wanted to run around all over the store.  Thank goodness for leashes, carts, and Curious George (Netflix on my phone)...we made it!

I am really excited that it is February now, and I am planning on figuring out a few Valentine's crafts!

Silverware Hardware part 2

Here's another window, also in my bathroom where I used spoons as the drapery hardware.  

Remember I used knives here?

This time I wanted spoons.  
The process was the same.  
Drill a hole in the handle, 
bend the spoon up to make a hook, 
and screw it into the wall.

Simple.
Easy.
Unique. 




Another window done.   A whole lot more to go.
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