$ Tree Candlesticks/Vases

I made these candlesticks for Valentines Day this year, but never got around to posting them.  You can find similar versions all over Pinterest and Blogland, so I didn't figure mine would be missed.

However, I've had a lot of fun using them in different ways so I thought I'd share an idea or two.

Spray painting the candlestick before gluing the pieces together with E6000 glue really added a nice touch of color.  I'm actually surprised how many ways I can use them in hot pink.  I think a red set is next on my list.

I love to use fillers I already have on hand like......dried peas, candy, moss, colored water, dirt.......and these colorful pony beads!  They remind me of jelly beans - which I think I will eventually replace them with.

Also, notice the hair bands I put around the base.  This is an easy way to add some fun color, but it also creates a great place to tuck a flower or glue something, since I really don't want to glue permanently to the glass.

For Valentines Day, I partially filled them with conversation hearts and a candle.  I think the egg is pretty cute for Easter, too.  My next idea is to see how they would look with Minnie Mouse cake pops for my grandbaby's birthday.  I think they could make adorable centerpieces!  When I get that far, I'll come back and post a pic.

Thanks for stopping by the Tub!

Ellie

Christmas Ball Floating Arrangement

Someone asked me recently how to make an arrangement of floating flowers.  They were trying to make one, but all of the flowers kept floating to the top.  I wasn't sure at the time, but I've since learned you can put a tack or nail in the stem of a flower to give it some weight helping the flower stay submerged.  I haven't tried this yet, but it sounds like a great tip.

I was pondering this question about the time I was making the little bud vases from Christmas ornaments, shown here. Well....... one thing led to another, and this is what I came up with.

Fill clear Christmas bulbs with flowers and water, then submerge them under water.

It works best to fill the ornaments first.  If you don't, the bulbs start to float making the arranging very difficult.  Next, start layering the bulbs and adding water a section at a time.

Also, you want to use flowers whose stems grow apart from each other.  This is important because when you push the stems into the bulbs, they create a bit of spring action and thus stay put. 

I really wanted to use all yellow mums for my arrangement, but there were not enough blooms yet.  I think the red and yellow ended up being a nice mix, however. 

A few final thoughts:

Use a chopstick to help arrange the balls as you go.  This also comes in handy to tap around on the arrangement to release small bubbles if some gather on the bulbs and flowers after a few hours.

Check your arrangement after a while for any bugs or floating petals that may have risen to the top.  I had a few.  That wouldn't be very attractive to see on a wedding table.

After 3 days or so the water starts to get cloudy, so don't make too far in advance.  A full day shouldn't give you any problems, though.

This doesn't require much floral arranging know how.  The bulbs position themselves nicely from each other, so all you really have to do is choose the flowers.  I can't wait to try this again in a tall cylinder.

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Sunday - The Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming, DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff   

Monday - Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy, Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday - Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife,  

Wednesday - Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage

Thursday - Open House Party at No Minimalist Here,   Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Friday - Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello   

Permanent Marker on Ceramics

I've seen several examples around Blogland of using dry erase markers to write on glass or ceramics.  While I like this application for marking on a glass memo board - since a person would want to easily erase what they've written - I don't like it for labeling a canister or decorating a plate.  When I've tried decorating a plate, let's say for a birthday celebration, I find that the dry erase marker wipes off on my hand before I can get it fully decorated.  Plus, the colors are pretty limited.

I decided to experiment with permanent markers to see if I could get better results, and I did!  With permanent markers I can draw away, and nothing rubs off while I'm creating.  The markers also come in sets that include several different colors.  Now, how fun is that?

I'm sure you're wondering though,

"How do you get the marker off?"  

After trying several cleaners and formulas, I found that rubbing alcohol takes the marker right off.  It might take 1-2 clean cotton balls with alcohol on to get all the smears off, but it works very quickly and easily.

Before you ruin a family heirloom, however, I would try a test on the bottom of your piece.  Also keep in mind that if your ceramic has a scratch or crazing, the marker may soak down into the tiny crevice and not wipe off.

I've had very good luck with this, though, and have used it to label plates at parties, write on vases, decorate Christmas ornaments, etc. etc.

Perhaps everyone already knows this and I'm just the last to join the party.  Oh well, I thought it still might be a fun tip for someone.

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Sunday - The Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming, DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff   

Monday - Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy, Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday - Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife,  

Wednesday - Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, 

Thursday - Open House Party at No Minimalist Here,   Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Friday - Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello  

Diaper Baby

I just had to share what a young lady in my church 

made for my expectant daughter.  

BTW, does it feel like she's been expecting 

for a very long time?  It's feeling that way to us - 

my daughter especially.

Isn't this adorable?  

It feels like a real baby when you hold it.

Oh, I'm so anxious.

She makes these for baby showers, 

and I must say they look very cute 

on the gift table.

Thanks, Felicia!

Have an especially blessed day,

Ellie

Butter Cream Decorator Frosting

My friend, Tasha, made me promise to post this recipe  

so Tasha

  this is for YOU!

I found this recipe in my America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.  They call it, Quick and Rich Vanilla Frosting.  I like my title better because, not only is this frosting very light and delicious tasting, it is also a dream to decorate with.

Ingredients:


3 Tbs. Heavy Cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch salt
3 sticks unsalted butter, room temp*
3 Cups Confectioners' Sugar

Stir the cream, vanilla, and salt together in a small bowl until the salt dissolves.  Beat the butter with an electric mixer on med-high speed until smooth, 30-60 seconds.  Reduce the speed to med-low, slowly add the confectioners' sugar, and beat until smooth, 2-5 minutes.  Beat in the cream mixture. Increase the speed to med-high and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, 4 to 8 minutes.

*  I usually keep salted and unsalted butter on hand.  I prefer to skip the salt in the recipe and use 1 1/2 stick salted butter and 1 1/2 stick unsalted.  You can actually make this with all salted butter, too.  It tastes very nice, just a little on the saltier side - which is really yummy on some flavors of cupcakes like banana nut, carrot cake, or caramel.

You can make this frosting ahead of time, just tightly seal and refrigerate.  Let it return to room temperature then briskly whisk to re-fluff before filling a decorator bag.  It is a great frosting for piling a generous amount on top of a cupcake for a professional look.  Even if you are intimidated at the thought of decorating cakes, I hope you will try this - at least on cupcakes.  I think you will be surprised at the lovely results even if you are a beginner.

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie

Easy Entertaining - Hosting a Buffet

I have missed posting for a couple of days because I was busy making preparations to teach a 

mini-session on Easy Entertaining to some 

very special ladies at my church.

In regard to food, one of the things I shared was how easy a buffet can be to put together.

Here are some of the reasons 
in favor of hosting a buffet:

*Buffets allow you to prepare much of the food in 

     advance

*Buffets spread the food over a wider area - taking 

     pressure off to prepare even more food 

*Buffets require less fussy preparation for the 

     hostess (serve cupcakes  or cakepops and let 

     guests decorate their own)

*Buffets let you be whimsical and fun 

     (serve brownies with all kinds of toppings, such 

     as caramel and salt, fudge sauce, cherries, 

     chocolate chips, fruit, sprinkles, nutella 
     or peanut butter sauce, whipped cream, 
     frosting, etc.)

*Buffets are fabulous ice breakers, less formal, 

     and get the party started without the hostess 

     being present in the room

*Buffets do not require a formal dining table.  

    You can cover a door and sawhorses with fabric 

     to create a buffet table - then set it up anywhere

     - living room, back yard, garden room, etc.)

These pictures are from the brownie buffet 
I used to demonstrate.

Super easy and so much fun!

No matching dishes here - almost all were garage sale finds.

I love you girls and had the best time!

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Sunday - The Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming, DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff   

Monday -  Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday - Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife,  

Wednesday - Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, 

Thursday - Open House Party at No Minimalist Here,   Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Friday - Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello   

Paisley's Shower

Baby Girl's Sister-In-Law 

Hosted a Beautiful Shower

for Paisley today.

She did such a wonderful job,

I thought you might enjoy 

the pictures.

Paisley is already very blessed

Thanks, Aunt R.

Ellie

Your heART's Design

You know those places where you go 

to paint your own pottery?

A few years ago, all four of my kids spent hours at a pottery place making this nativity set for me.  That's pretty remarkable considering 3 of the 4 were boys - including a son in law.  I absolutely LOVE it!

I know they've been around for a little while, but are they not the most fun places ever?  Sitting around with your best girlies making crafts all night - well, that definitely is my idea of an evening well spent.

Usually when we want to do something like this in these parts, we have to travel about 40 minutes to Oklahoma City. However, much to my delight, we now have a place right here in our own little town.

It is called

Your HeART'S Design

check out their web-site here

I went to a friend's surprise birthday party there last week and had a great time.  They were so helpful and accommodating with all of our party stuff.  It was relaxing, fun, cute, spacious - just a great environment for a party.

There is only one problem 

What on earth do you make when you go to one of these places?

No, I'm seriously posing this question to you!

It is sooo hard to come up with an idea on the spot.  The next time I go, I want to have some ideas in mind - and since everyone else was struggling too - I'd love to get some ideas from YOU!

I ended up making 4 coasters, after all I did need some.  How did they turn out?  Well, the red ones are nice, but my leopard prints look like some kind of creature footprints.  In my defense - I should have chosen to only paint 2 coasters in one evening, because as I ran out of time, I had to paint the leopard spots rather quickly.  I also should have grabbed something leopardish to look at while I painted.  Oh well, I like them anyway.  They kind of remind me of the Flintstones and they'll still do the job.  

To my local friends, I hope you'll check out Your heART's Design and perhaps join them on their next ladies night.  Or better yet, have a party there - you don't have to clean your house or anything.

Thanks for stopping by,


Ellie

GAK!!!

Got Spring Break?

Need a Diversion?

How about some homemade GAK?

This stuff used to be all the rage.  

I haven't seen it around for a while, but perhaps that's because my kids are teens now.

My sister texted and said, 

"Hey, put that slimy stuff you used to make with your kids 

on your blog."

So, here it is!  

It is so much fun to make, and your kids 

will play with this for hours.

All you need to make GAK is 8 oz. of school glue, 1 . 5 tsp. of Borax, warm water, food coloring, and 2 bowls.

Dump the glue into one of the bowls.  Fill the empty glue bottles half full of warm water, then shake.  Finish filling the bottles with warm water, then dump the water into the glue bowl.  Mix well.  (The water you add 
should be 8 oz. altogether)

You can make GAK any color.  

Since green is the color of boogers, and snot, and icky things that boys like, it has always been the color 
of choice at our house.  

I added about 8 drops of green 

and 10 drop of neon yellow.

In the second bowl, mix together 8 oz. of warm water 

with 1 . 5 tsp. Borax.

Now, slowly pour the Borax mixture 

into the glue mixture while stirring.

Instantly, a slimy mass will begin to form.  To me, this is the most fun part.  It will take 10-15 minutes for all the water to absorb into the slime.  If you are making this for a party and creating a few batches - I think the water will continue to absorb even if you are not working it the entire time.  I'm not sure since we have never kept our hands out of it that long to know for certain.  

That's it!  

Time to get out some marbles and army guys.

For the cost of a couple of bottles of glue and a teeny amount of Borax - you just bought yourself a nice long coffee break.

WORDS OF CAUTION:  We have tried to color this with kool-aid before, and it does not work.  Something in the kool-aid messes up the reaction.

Also, while it is quite diluted, it is still glue.  Don't allow stray pieces to dry on the piano bench, legos, the carpet, or the dog's fur.  I'm just speaking from experience.

Store in an airtight container.  It keeps quite well, but will develop mold after several weeks.  By then, it will be disgusting (or have reached its prime in a boy's mind), and you will be ready to toss it anyway.

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Sunday - The Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming, DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff   

Monday - Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy, Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday - Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife,  

Wednesday - Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, 

Thursday - Open House Party at No Minimalist Here,   Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Friday - Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello   

Gold Nuggets With Rainbows Inside

Today, I thought I'd share a fun recipe to make with your kids for St. Patty's Day.

My family called these Forgotten Cookies because we made them, put them in the oven, and left them overnight.  We usually made them for Christmas with red and green M&M's, and they are very beautiful that way.  It was always a thrill to check the oven in the morning for the pretty white, red, and green cookies.

As I was thinking about something merry for St. Patty's Day, I decided some gold nuggets with rainbows inside would have all the little Leprechauns trying to steal the pot.  I just adjusted our family's recipe and this is how they turned out.  Hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

 Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

  

Next, open a bag of mini M&M's, and eat all of the brown ones!

You know you're going to snitch M&M's anyway, so might as well be the browns.

Besides, we can't be a havin' dirty rainbows, now can we?

Beat 2 egg whites with 1/2 tsp. clear vanilla and 25 drops of yellow food coloring until frothy.

(I thought about the paste coloring for better intensity, but do not know if it has oil in it - which would deflate the egg whites.)

Slowly add 2/3 Cup of sugar and beat on high until the egg whites form stiff peaks.

Drop by Tbs. onto a cookie sheet lined with foil.  Using a spoon, hollow out a deep well, and add 1/2 tsp. of M&M's.  

If you can make your well deeper and get more M&M's in

 - even better.

 Add another Tbs. of the meringue batter on top of the M&M's and smooth so that no color can be seen from the candies.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, then turn the oven off.  Leave the cookies overnight and do not open the door again.

At the Top of the Mornin', you'll have gold nuggets with a very fun surprise inside!

Watch them carefully, however.  Mine disappeared in a flash.  Anyone seen any Leprechauns around?  I think mine went to school!

Thanks for stopping by,


Ellie


PS - for the Christmas cookies, we just folded in 1 Cup of M&M's and 1 Cup of chopped pecans.  We did not make the wells and fill.  Everything else is the same.

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello