Easy, Inexpensive Gift You Can Make

If you are looking at this picture and wondering if this is a piece of wall art, the answer is no.  These are coasters that I made for Christmas gifts and they are so quick, easy and inexpensive.  They are made from ceramic tiles, scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, acrylic sealer, and a square of felt.  Aren't they pretty?

I don't know if you have tried to buy coasters lately, but they are hard to find and when you do they are expensive!!  They are something every household can use.  We have always used coasters to keep water marks off our wood furniture.  These coaster were made as companions for another gift I am giving this season.  (Will post on that next.  It is a really cute gift also!)

The tiles were bought at Home Depot.  They come in lots of colors and are really affordable. The white and tan tiles were only $.13 each.  The most expensive tiles were the black ones and they were $.38 each.  You can find scrapbook paper at any craft store and the sheets I used were on sale 5 for $1.00.  One sheet of paper will make 4 coasters.  Mod Podge and acrylic spray sealer are also available at any craft store.  Oh, and you will need a couple sponge brushes also available anywhere paint is sold.  I used a 1 inch size.  A square of felt from Michael's was less than $1.00 and I made all the little squares used on the back of the tiles from on square.  You will need a hot glue gun to glue the felt squares to the back of the tiles.  I used scissors that cut different shapes to make the fancy little scallop on the edge of the paper, but that is not necessary.  Otherwise -  easy peasy.

First, I found a box that was slightly smaller than the square tiles and used it as a template to draw the shape for the paper.  I drew 4 squares on each paper and cut them out with scissors.  Next, I lined my tiles up and started by brushing a thin layer of Mod Podge on one tile at a time.  Place a piece of the paper in the center of the tile, leaving an even border showing around the tile.  Smooth the paper with your fingers to remove any air bubble.  Continue the process with each tile.  Set aside and let the Mod Podge dry (it dries clear).  I let them dry overnight.

Next, put  another thin layer of Mod Podge all over each tile (over the paper too) and let it dry for several hours.  Just for safety, one more coat of Mod Podge.  After all the tiles were good and dry, I took them outside and sprayed them with a thin layer of acrylic sealer following directions on the can.  Acrylic sealer is very pungent and I would NOT recommend using it inside.  Two more thin layers of sealer were applied after each layer dried.  It dries very quickly and makes your coasters waterproof.

Take a square of felt and cut it into half inch squares.  You will need enough for 4 squares per tile.  Using a hot glue gun, glue a small square of the felt to each corner of each tile on the back side.  It will look like this:

I applied the glue to the felt square and then pressed it on the tile.  That way you are sure to cover the surface of the felt so that it sticks!  Because the tiles are rough and scratchy on the back, you don't want to skip this step.  No one wants scratched furniture protecting it from water stains.

Let these dry overnight again, so that they are all good and dry.  Next, I stacked 4 tiles together and tied them with twine.  They are a lovely and useful gift.  The really nice thing is they can be personalized for each recipient and they are a thoughtful, heartfelt, handmade gift.   Don't forget to make a set for yourself!

If you need a gift that is quick, easy and inexpensive this is one that everyone can use!  Hope you have fun with this.  We are in countdown mode and I still have a long way to go.  Back to the crafting table - I really am going to make it.  I know I can, I know I can.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Heartfelt and handmade gifts are the most precious.

Gluten Free No Bake Cookies - Delicious!

Everyone loves a sweet treat sometime.  Unfortunately, those with gluten allergies are limited because wheat flour contains gluten and most baked goods contain wheat flour.  Our son in love has Celiac, so I am always on the hunt for gluten free recipes, especially ones that don't require a bunch of hard to find ingredients.  He also happens to love no bake cookies, and guess who found a gluten free recipe?  This girl!  Thank you Pinterest.  Now, we can eliminate the gluten, but unfortunately there is nothing I can do about the calories.  hahaha

No bake cookies are easy and delicious.   He was so excited yesterday when he found I had made him a huge batch of these cookies to enjoy for the holidays - especially when everyone is enjoying all kinds of delectable goods.  You might want to see my post on peanut brittle from yesterday which is also gluten free!  And, you can  make Rice Krispie  Treats gluten free now because there is a brown rice gluten free version of Rice Krispies available!  It's easy to find gluten free marshmallows (just check the package) and the only other ingredient is butter.  So, you are good to go!  Now, back to the no bake cookies.

You must use gluten free oats to make this recipe gluten free.  I got mine at Trader Joe's.  By the way, did you know that Trader Joe's will give you a list of all their products that are gluten free?  It is pages long, but ever so helpful when shopping.  Walmart has also added lots of gluten free products.  They tend to be pricier than other grocery items since they are "specialty," but Trader Joe's and WalMart's are more affordable.  Just thought I'd let you know that piece of information in case you weren't aware.  Now, back to the no bake cookies.  Sorry I keep getting off track.

Here is what you need for the no bake cookies.

1 stick butter

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (make sure it's gluten free)

1 teaspoon vanilla  (make sure it's gluten free)

3 cups old fashioned gluten free oats

1 cup dry roasted peanuts

2 baking sheets lined with wax paper

Directions:

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium high heat.  Stir in the brown sugar, cream and cocoa and boil for 1 minute.  Remove the saucepan from heat, add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until smooth.  Stir in the oats and peanuts.  Drop heaping tablespoons full of the batter onto a wax paper lined baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart and let them cool until set - about 20 minutes.

Storage suggestions  Keep the cookies at room temperature between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container.  

One recipe makes 36 cookies.

These cookies are quick and easy to make and they are really, really good - especially if you like no bake cookies.   This also allows those with gluten allergies a chance to enjoy a sweet treat.  Give these a try even if you don't have gluten allergies.  You could use regular old fashioned oats in place of the gluten free. 

Hope you enjoy this quick and easy recipe that will give you your chocolate and peanut butter fix and they are extra good with a nice cup of coffee!  Yum!!!  Enjoy!!

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Cookies are made of butter and love.  ~Norwegian Proverb

The Easiest Peanut Brittle - EVER!

Things have been rather hectic this past week.  This weekend we had two children with birthdays to celebrate and our oldest daughter and her family moved to Nashville from Dallas.  To say that we are excited is a bit of an understatement.  We now have 4 out of 5 grandsons living within minutes of us and grandson #6 is due in February.  It doesn't get much better than that!

In preparation for their arrival, I made some goodies that were:  #1 - delicious and #2 - gluten free.  Our son in love has Celiac and he doesn't get to enjoy many treats because most baked goods are made with flour and flour has gluten.  I always try to have something for him to enjoy along with the rest of us.  

I made gluten free no bake cookies and I will post the recipe later in the week, but this was the recipe I wanted to share with you.  Make in the microwave peanut brittle!  Oh my goodness!!  It is beyond easy and is soooo delicious!  By the time I took this picture, half of the batch I made had already been consumed.  So, tomorrow I will make another batch.  Here is what you need.

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 Tbsp butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup peanuts (I used dry roasted)

1 tsp baking soda

First, combine the sugar and corn syrup in a microwave safe bowl.  (I used a corning ware bowl).  Stir to combine.  Microwave on high for 5 minutes.  Add the butter, vanilla and peanuts.  Stir.  Microwave on high for 1 minute 25 seconds.  Remove the bowl from the microwave and quickly stir in baking soda.  (It will foam a lot, don't be alarmed).  Immediately pour mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, aluminum foil or a silpat.  Spread into a rectangle using the back of a spoon or a wooden spoon and let cool for 1 hour.   Break into pieces and enjoy!

Nothing could be easier and it is really, really, really good!  It is also gluten free which is a real treat for those who have allergies to gluten.  

This makes a nice sized batch of candy that would be great boxed and given as a gift, shared with co workers or eaten by your family!  It doesn't take hours slaving over a hot stove.  You don't need a candy thermometer and you don't have to worry about the humidity.  Candy can be a real pain sometimes.  This is the easiest candy recipe ever!  If you like brittles, you are going to love this one!  Enjoy.

Everyday Donna

Things to remember:

“Candy is nature's way of making up for Mondays." ~Unknown Author” 

It's Called Pumpkin Crunch But We Called It "Pumpkinlicious"!

If only I could get a picture of this dessert that would: 1. do it justice and 2. let you taste it just so you could know how good it is.  Maybe good is not the right word, maybe it should be fabulous - pumpkinlicious.  All I know is that it is one of the best dessert's ever - EVER!  Goodness gracious, I have no effective description for this fantastically wonderful goodness.  

Our second daughter and son in love came to dinner last week, and I wanted to make a dessert that I had all the ingredients for.  Well, God bless Pinterest  because I had found this recipe a while back and posted it to my recipe boards.  Let me tell you, it's a keeper!  Here is what you need.

Ingredients:

1 15 oz can pumpkin

1 12 oz can evaporated milk

1 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

3 eggs

1 box yellow cake mix

1 cup chopped pecans

3/4 cups butter (1.5 sticks)

1 12 oz container cool whip

1 8 oz block cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 350

Mix pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, cinnamon and eggs and pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish.  Sprinkle dry cake mix on top of pumpkin mixture.  Sprinkle pecans on top of cake mix.  Cover nuts with pieces of thinly sliced butter.  (Make sure it is almost completely covered with butter, you'll understand when you eat it).  Bake at 350 for one hour.  Let cool completely  Beat cool-whip, cream cheese and confectioners sugar together and spread on top.  Serve.

Wowee, did we all love this dessert.  Our "kids" each ate two pieces.  I mean, yeah, it's that good.  You are thinking that is a lot of butter, but it makes the pecans all "praline like" and the filling is like pumpkin pie and all that gooey goodness on top.  Wowza.  If you could just taste it, you would rush to your kitchen right now and make one.  I'm not kidding.

This is an easy dessert to make for the holidays and everyone will enjoy it of that I can be sure!  This will become a standard at our celebrations - right there with coconut cake and pecan pie.  It's actually better than pumpkin pie and easier to make.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.  It's making my mouth water just writing about it.  If only I had a yellow cake mix in the house......

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Christmas was better when I still believed in Santa.  Oh to be 20 again.  ; )

Chile Relleno Casserole - It's Better Than Good!

It's Monday again and the gift making continues.  There seems to be no end in sight at the moment and I have got to get some things in the mail or they are not going to arrive in time for Christmas.  Also, our oldest daughter and her family are moving to Nashville this weekend and next week we will be busy helping them get settled along with -- yes -- Christmas.  This happens to me every year even though I intend to be finished by this time.  Oh well, don't know why I am even remotely surprised.  

Since today was busy, busy, busy I needed something for dinner that wouldn't take a  lot of time and this casserole certainly filled the bill.  It's a recipe I found on Pinterest and knew I would give it a try because it has ingredients that we love.  The "Pinterest poster" called it beef, cheddar and chile casserole.  I call it chile relleno casserole because that is what it tastes like and my husband and son called it fantastic! 

This is a good one if you like Tex/Mex food and it is easy.  It's one that we will be having often.  I can tell you that because it is that good.  Here is what you need.

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef (I use grass fed)

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 jalapeno, seeded and chopped (I used canned)

2 teaspoons chili powder (I added more chili powder)

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 8 ounce can tomato sauce

3 cups water

1.5 cups corn meal

1 can creamed corn

1 egg

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2  -4 ounce cans chopped chiles

Preheat oven to 350

Brown ground beef and onion until beef is just done.  Add garlic and the jalapenos and continue to cook for another minute.  Add the cumin, chili powder and salt - stir to combine.  Add the tomato sauce and stir to combine.  Remove pan from heat.

In a medium saucepan, bring three cups of water to a simmer.  Using a whisk, slowly add the corn meal and stir to remove lumps.  Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the creamed corn.  Stir in the egg, then stir in the baking powder, salt and grated cheese.  Mix well.

In a 9 x 13 casserole dish, layer the ingredients in the following order:

Spread green chiles evenly over the bottom of the casserole.  Spread cooked meat mixture over chiles.  Spread cornmeal mixture over meat, smoothing the surface.

Place the casserole dish in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.  Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.  This is how a serving looks -  full of meaty goodness topped with cheesy cornbread!

And this is how it tastes -- yummmmmmmmy!  Since Dan and Tyler declared it wonderful,  it will appear on the menu again (and again and again).

This casserole would be perfect for a crowd, holiday party, tailgate party, or family dinner.  It is easy and ever so tasty.  If you like chile relleno or tamales, you will love this recipe!  All you might need is a green salad and you are all set!  And maybe some guacamole or salsa and chips - yeah.  That sounds wonderful.  We also had black beans cooked with Rotel and Chiles, one of our favorites.  There are so many possibilities here.

With all the busy schedules in the coming days, this is a recipe that is tasty, quick and easy.  Give it a try. I think you are really going to like it.  Simply delicious.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.

Hand Painted Table Runner Tutorial - Easy and Beautiful

I

It's been another busy, creative week here at the little yellow cottage.  Once I get started (finally) the ideas start to roll and I can't seem to work fast enough to accomplish all my goals.  You know how it is?  Anyway, I wanted to create a new table runner for our dining table and for the trunk I use as a coffee table in the living room.  My burlap phase from Thanksgiving has passed for the moment and now I am into painter's drop cloths.  Talk about a bargain!  You can get a drop cloth at Home Depot for $9.00 and it is huge.  Way cheaper than comparable fabric from the fabric store and it is much wider!  

From that one drop cloth I made a bunch of pillow covers, two table runners, two stockings and a partridge in a pear tree (just kidding about the partridge).  But, the fabric has the look of linen and is very easy to paint on with a brush.  Burlap requires a stencil-type method because it is very porous and has lots of "holes".  This fabric is like painting on canvas, you can use fine brushes and control the look you want.  Super!

Here is what you will need:

Fabric

Paint - colors of your choice

Fabric medium

Brushes

Print outs of words and stencils

Tracing paper

Trim

Sewing machine or glue

To make my runners, I simply cut pieces of fabric the length and width I wanted to fit the table and trunk.  Next, I printed out words I wanted to use in a font and size that I liked.  For this project I used Chopin Script which is quite beautiful and I was able to download it free from the internet.  Free = Yay!  Also, I downloaded and printed a lot of free Christmas stencils from About.com.  (They have some really great ones and they are - free.)  I printed a lot of stencils because I wasn't quite sure what I was going to use.  I ended up using two different stencils and putting them together for the big table runner to get the look I wanted.  

Now, I didn't use the stencils as "stencils" this time, but traced the words and stencils onto my fabric using tracing paper that I bought at Michaels in the art department.  Those of you my age will know it as carbon paper.  Remember typing class and all those carbons we had to make?  Sorry, I digress.  Simply find the center of your fabric and mark it with a straight pin.  Next, decide on the design you are going to use and place it where you want it to on the cloth.  

I used masking tape to hold my paper to the cloth, placed the tracing paper underneath and used a dull pencil to trace the words and designs.  It will look like this when you remove the paper.

These are the three brushes I used - a fine liner, a small angle and a small square shader.  The most important brush is your fine liner.

Put about a 50 cent sized glob of paint on a paper plate (so it doesn't dry up as you are working) and mix in fabric medium according to directions.  This will make your paint washable.  If you want to use fabric markers, you can.  I just prefer paint and brushes and I have plenty of both on hand.   Since I am right handed, I begin at the far left and work to the right so that I don't drag my hand through wet paint and get it everywhere.  You do what is comfortable for you. When using the liner brush, "roll" it through the paint to keep a sharp point so that the bristles don't splay out when painting.  I do the outlining first and then fill in one letter at a time.   It took me about an hour to paint the big table runner and slightly less for the smaller runner.  This is how they looked completely painted.

You may ask why I chose the French words Joyeux Noel?  Because I think they are lovely, the English equivalent is Merry Christmas, and French script is very popular this year in decorating.  It was just a decorating choice.  But, isn't it gorgeous?  I simply LOVE the Chopin Script.  

Next, I pressed the hems all around the runners and stitched them down on the sewing machine.  If you don't sew you can use stitch witchery or "sewing" glue - just follow the directions.  Then, I added trims.  I don't like "matchy/matchy" so I used different designs and trims and yet they "go together."  Just personal choice.  The trim I used on the small runner is vintage and looks like this close up.  It ties in with all the colors in the living room.

It has the look of needlepoint with dark reds, greens, blues and blacks.  It is gorgeous.  This is the small finished runner.

For the big table runner I used a black and gold metallic trim that is very "madrigal" and regal in look.  

And how it looks on the table.

I had trouble getting the "whole" thing in a picture, but this gives you an idea of how beautiful it looks with all the decorations. 

Where else could you get a hand painted runner for so little money?   The joy of producing such a lovely piece is worth the effort!  You can customize it in any color with any words and decorations you like.  That is the best part.  And, you are using your inner artist!!  

What fabulous gifts these would make!  It wouldn't even have to be for a holiday - it could be something "everyday" useful.  It's the little things that make a house a home.  Have fun with this project.  Let your imagination run wild and let me know how much fun you have making it!  

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Man will begin to recover the moment he takes art as seriously as physics, chemistry or money.  ~Ernst Levy

Remember those $1.38 plate stands I showed you yesterday?  Well, here is what I did with them.  This is the big reveal.  If you look really close, you will see that I used a candlestick, a sherbet dish and a martini glass to achieve different heights for my candle holders.  The variety is also very visually appealing.   The picture simply does not capture how pretty they look on the table.  

This is the way our kitchen table looked this morning before I began setting it for Christmas. 

 Nice huh?  Guess you would never know I have been crafting on the kitchen table.  Why you ask?  Because my craft/sewing table is also buried in projects.  At least, I resolved this table today.  The other one is going to take some more work.  

After I cleaned off the table and put everything away (sort of), I put down my new hand painted table runner.  It looks like this.

I made it from a painter's drop cloth.  I will give you a tutorial on how I did it later.  I have to say I love it!   Next, I placed three of the plate stands in the center, added three of the sparkly candles I made and some cedar and holly from our bushes outside.  (Remember, use what you have.)  The holly has really beautiful red berries on it and it makes a nice little pop of color on the elevated plates.  Then I added one of my beloved acrylic stars.  Yes, more stars because it goes with the star in the center of the table runner and it WAS a star that guided the wise men to the nativity.  

The same treatment was done on the other two plates.  Next, I added 5 mercury glass votives, and hung some stars from our light fixture.

Then, I put out my red chargers which were given to me by my dear sweet friend Don and added a festive red holiday napkin that is embroidered with gold holly.  I have some beaded napkin rings, but didn't want to use them so I searched around and decided to cut a branch of artificial berries apart that I had and twisted them around the center of each napkin and then added a sprig of fresh holly leaves.

The backs of the chairs have red velvet bows tied on them with a crystal snowflake and some red and white string.  Here is a close up.

Because we use our table every day (we don't have a dining room) I will have to move the chargers for daily use, but I just love the way the table looks.  It is simple but festive.  Smashing actually and that is what I was aiming for.  There will be so much ambience when all the candles are lit. 

These pictures were taken with my phone because I don't have a camera at the moment.  They are not the best, but will give you an idea of what you can do with little expense.  Here are a few more pictures.

I also used some of the plate stands on the trunk I use for a coffee table in the living room.  There is a new hand painted tabled runner on it also.  Instead of candles, I used some of my Dollar Tree mirrored trees that I got a year or two ago.  Here is what the coffee table looks like.  I LOVE this look.

So I have $1.38 in each plate stand and $1.00 in each mirrored tree for a total of $5.76.  Not too shabby for a great looking arrangement.  Greenery is from the yard.  Now that makes me happy.  Here are a few more pictures for you.

At last, I am at the end of my decorating spree.  Everything has come together quite nicely and I will be sharing some more tutorials with you and pictures of all of my efforts.  I LOVE when the sun starts going down and all the lights are on and everything looks so beautiful.  It's a lot of work, but so worth it.  Can't wait for the grandsons to see all the trees! Our New York grandson won't make it here this Christmas  because his dad (our son) will be performing and we will really miss him.  Otherwise, it's going to be such an exciting Christmas and we are counting down the days.  

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more 
beautiful.    Norman Vincent Peale