Artsy-Fartsy Mama Quiet Flip Book: Tutorial Featured

One of my very favorite blogs (and bloggers) is Lindsay over at Artsy-Fartsy Mama.  She is very talented and I enjoy spending time at her blog.  There is so much there to be inspired by!

Last summer, she introduced this fantastic little project she had just finished.  I fell in love completely and instantly!  I knew (with every ounce of my soul) that I wanted to make one too.  I e-mailed her and asked her if she would be willing to send me a copy of the pictures she used.  She is such a talented designer, I knew I wouldn't be able to find something else I loved as much.

She was kind enough to write me back and tell me she was working on a pattern.  YIPPEE!  So, I waited patiently for the pattern (which is now on sale for $10 on her blog) and bought it as soon as I could.

It is a great pattern.  I had absolutely no problem following it.

Here's my cover:

I love embroidery, so this project was perfect for me!  

Here is a sampling of some of my pages:

Fun, right?  

I followed her pattern pretty exactly without changing much.  I may have changed a color here and there, but then I got nervous and went back to the pattern.  =)

I have never tried the coloring technique before, but I think it turned out great!  Seriously, I loved this project.  

(Can you tell?)

So, head on over to Artsy-Fartsy Mama and enjoy the inspiration available!

Thanks, Lindsay!

Easy Pumpkin Muffins

Have you noticed that most of my Pinterest projects done posts are recipes.  =)  I'll move on soon, I promise.  There are just so many great recipes out there!  

Have you seen this one?

Yeah, it got my attention pretty quick.

It leads to this post over at Scout's Stitches.

There are only 2 ingredients in this recipe. 

That's it!  No eggs or oil or water or anything.  

Genius.

I froze a year's worth of pumpkin last year.  It's been wonderful.  I have to get on top of the pumpkin  buying/baking/freezing for next year!

Anyway, I felt it necessary to add an ingredient. 

Pumpkin and chocolate go together beautifully.

Here are my results:

These were sooooooooo good.

So good.

I took them to a church activity and they were a hit.  L at 4 before I caught her and stopped her.

I'll be keeping this recipe handy.

Crockpot Grinders (Pinterest)

This week's project from Pinterest is another recipe.

My friends, Pinterest is an amazing place to find some amazing recipes.  Seriously, I'm in heaven.

This recipe, called Crockpot Grinders, links back to Big Red Kitchen.  (Click the link for the full recipe.)

Of course, I made some changes.  I didn't use any peppers.  I don't really like them and Mister doesn't mind adding his later.  Also, I used provolone, cheddar, and Swiss cheese.  In place of the peppers, I used marinated artichoke hearts.  

After assembling the sandwiches, I had some cheese left over and I just laid it on top of the bread so it could melt over the top.  

This is what I ended up with:

All I can say is, Try this!  It is so simple and sooooo amazing!  Fantastic.  

It's going on my favorites list for sure!

I'm linking up here.

Putting Pinterest to Good Use

Have I mentioned that I love Pinterest?  (send me an e-mail if you want an invite!)

It stems from my love of lists..and my love of planning.  For years and years I have collected ideas and planned on doing them only to be left with a pile of ideas that I plan to do someday.

That is a part of the reason I started this blog: To give myself an excuse some motivation to finish those long anticipated projects.  

I also have been so inspired by all the craft blogs in this great blog world and this is a place to test out those tutorials I have been adding to my pile of projects to be done.  It is time for me to start my tutorial testing and my Pinterest planning.

So, at least once a week (that's the plan, anyway) I will work through at least one planned Pinterest project or one waiting to be done tutorial.*  

It's going to be so fun!

So, here's where I started.

This cake has been all over Pinterest.  It links back to the blog Made in Melissa's Kitchen.  

When I saw this, oh....I knew I was looking at my next birthday cake.  It is cake, surrounded by Kit Kats (one of my favorites for years!), and topped with M&Ms.  Seriously, could it be any better?

I made it on Sunday.  

Here is my result: 

Underneath it is a chocolate cake (of course)...

I used peanut M&Ms (because they're my favorite).

It was a hit!  It is as easy as the tutorial says it will be and so delicious....soooooooo rich (lots and lots of chocolate!).  

And here's my niece 

With the cake.

Check my Linky Parties tab to see some of the sites I've linked this to!