Froggie Cupcakes

1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix

1 (16 ounce) can prepared vanilla frosting

6 drops green food coloring, or as needed

12 large marshmallows

1 bag semisweet chocolate chips

Bake cupcakes according to the directions on the package. Allow them to cool completely. Scoop 2/3 of the frosting into a small bowl and mix with green food coloring. Frost the cupcakes.

Cut the marshmallows in half to make two circles. Dip half of each marshmallow piece into the green frosting to make the eyelids. The remaining white will be the eyes. Place on the cupcakes. Use a little bit of white icing to glue a chocolate chip into the center of each eye for the pupil.

You can use chocolate frosting or melted chocolate chips to create the mouths.

Chill for one hour and enjoy!!!

Photo:cutestfood.com

Glass Etching

Important note: When using glass etching cream exercise caution. It contains an acid that dissolves a fine layer from the glass and it can cause damage to skin and surfaces. Protect hands and arms with long sleeves and gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Cover the area where you're working (it should be over a sink) with plastic and poke a hole in the center so that water can go down the sink. (Glazed surfaces such as porcelain will be permanently damaged by glass etching cream so be very careful). 
 
Find an old mirror that looks like it could use a pick-me-up. Flea markets, yard sales and antique shows are great places to look. If it's your first time etching glass don't spend too much money on it. Become comfortable with the process before etching an expensive mirror.
Clean and dry the glass surface with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Trace the design onto a shelf-liner and then cut it out using a sharp utility knife. 
 
Place the paper onto the mirror making sure it is stuck to the glass with no bubbles or creases. 
 
Use a small paint brush to fill in the stencil with glass etching cream. Use a thick, even layer and leave it on for the recommended time according to the manufacturer's instructions (usually 5-10 minutes).
Remove the cream. If it's reusable (it will say on the container) scoop it back into the container. If not, remove it with damp paper towels or a sponge. Make sure to get it all off. 
 
Peel off the paper and admire your handiwork. 





 
Photo:www.inspiredhomedecals.com Directions: familycrafts.about.com

Easy fleece blanket

Fabric needs to be at least 40 inches or wider (most are 54 inches)

Sizes of desired blanket

Baby/Toddler - 1 to 1 1/2 yards (in both fabrics)
Child - 1 3/4 yards (in both fabrics)
Teen/Adult - 2 yards (in both fabrics)

Feel free to make your blanket(s) bigger for taller or bigger people or to fit a twin sized bed.

Two pieces of fleece the same size. Piece may be the same pattern, two different patterns, two plain colors or a pattern on one side and a plain color on the other. Basically whatever you think the person you are making the blanket for will like.

Scissors (sharp ones)
Tape measure or yard stick
one 4" x 4" piece of paper

Easy fleece blanket instructions: 
 
1) Take your two pieces of fleece. Put one piece on top of the other lining up the edges so they are even. (one side will be the front and the other side will be the back of your blanket. 
 
2)Trim off any selvage around the edges of your fleece (try not to cut in more than 2 inches) Try to cut the salvage off as straight as you can. The nice thing about tying the blankets is that if you aren't exactly straight it will not show too much.

3) Take your piece of 4"x4" paper lay it on the corner of your blanket. Then cut out the corner through both layers. Proceed to do this on all four corners. This will keep you blanket square once you start to tie your fringes.

4) Now you are ready to cut your fringes. Cut 4 inches into both fleeces at 1" wide.

5) Your fringes don't need to be 1" exactly, just try to keep them the same size.( You don't want to have one fringe 1" and the next one 2".) Cut 1" intervals on all four sides.

6) Starting on one side, tie double knots (using one fringe from each fleece.) Tie these knots on every other fringe around the entire blanket.

7) Then flip the whole blanket over and tie the remaining knots until your blanket is complete.

If your blanket ties should ever come loose after wash and wear simply retie them.

Photo: leafytreetopspot.blogspot.com /www.the-best-homemade-gift-ideas.com

Homemade Clay Christmas Ornaments

       

4 cups flour

1 cup salt

1 teaspoon alum

1 1/2 cups water

Food coloring (optional)

Large bowl

Cookie cutters, drinking straw, and fine wire (optional)

Baking sheet

Fine sandpaper

Plastic-based poster paint, acrylic paint, or markers

Clear shellac, acrylic spray, or nail polish

1. Mix flour, salt, alum, and water in bowl. If dough is too dry, knead in another tablespoon of water. 

 

2. Dough can be colored by dividing it into several parts and kneading a few drops of food coloring into each part. 

 

3. Roll or mold into ornaments.

 

To roll: Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters dipped in flour. Make a hole for hanging by dipping the end of a drinking straw in flour and using the straw to cut a tiny circle 1/4 inch from the ornament's edge. You can also use the straw to cut more clay dots for use as decorations.

To mold: Shape dough into figures such as flowers, fruits, animals, and so on. The figures should be no more than 1/2 inch thick.

4. Insert fine wire in ornaments for hanging. 

 

5. Bake ornaments on an ungreased baking sheet for about 30 minutes at 250ºF.

6. Turn and bake another 90 minutes until hard and dry. 

 

7. Remove from oven and cool, then smooth with fine sandpaper. 

 

8. Decorate both sides of ornaments with plastic-based poster paint, acrylic paint, or markers. 

 

9. Let dry and seal with clear shellac, acrylic spray, or nail polish. Makes about five dozen 21/2-inch ornaments.

fun.familyeducation.com www.the-best-homemade-gift-ideas.com

Thanksgiving Thankful Tree

I'm always trying to get my son to do crafts that don't require a lot of time to do but long enough to get him away from the television. Children can make a beautiful tree of hand print leaves or leaf cutouts that displays what the children are thankful for. This tree makes a great Thanksgiving decoration. We made ours out of twigs and foam sheets. 


Vase is from Wal-Mart for $4.00,
Vase fillers from the Dollar Tree for $2.00,
Foam sheets from Wal-mart $2.00,
Packaging twine $1.00, 
Twigs are from our yard. 
Spending time with the entire family,  priceless.
Sorry had to put that in there. We even made two for our dogs since they are family too. :) 

Supplies needed:

Construction paper  or foam sheets. (fall colors) Crayons or markers Scissors Glue or a glue stick substitute brown paper for twigs ( from hobby store or from your own yard) string if twigs are used. favorite vase, if using clear vase, use rocks to keep the twigs in place.

If using brown construction paper or foam sheets, cut out a tree trunk and branches. Trace hands on construction paper or foam sheets. Then cut out the tracings. These will be the leaves. 

Have each person write their names and what they're thankful for on each of the hand prints.

Glue or staple the tree trunk on a large piece of construction paper or onto a cork or bulletin board. If using twigs for tree, either glue to the leaf if you use paper or cut a small hole and pull string through it if using foam paper and tie to twig or glue or staple the hand print leaves to the tree.

If you don't want to use hand prints, use cut-out leaves.
Template  provided below.