More Craftiness.

I have been having fun with the cheep 2 $ plate sets from the dollerama. I have used christma and winter paper.

I used the plate to trace on the paper. I cut a line 3/4 of the way into the circle in a straight line.

I then mod podged the paper to the plate, let dry and then mod podged the front of the paper.

Then using letters or sticker letters bought from doller stores I made the words on the plates.
I think they turned out pretty cool. I like them.
Yay for doller stores!
:)

Mint-Chocolate Chip Cookies and White Chocolate Candycane Drops

This is a recipe I got from the Family Circle website www.familycircle.com
These are awesome:)

Mint Chocolate chip Cookies
2 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks)unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated (white) sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups mint chocolate chips OR semi sweet chips

Glaze:
3/4 cup confectioners (icing) sugar
2 drops of mint extract
3 1/2 teaspoons water

1. heat oven to 375 f. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt into a medium sized bowl.

2 beat butter in a large bowl until creamy. Add brown sugar granulated sugar; beat until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in vanilla.

3 On low speed, beat in flour mixture. Gently fold in chips. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto ungreased baking sheets.

4 Bake in 375 f oven 9-11 min, until crisp. Cool on sheet on rack 2 min. Transfer to rack.

5 Glaze: beat together sugar, mint extract and water in a small bowl until smooth. Transfer to plastic food-storage bag; snip off corner. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Let stand until glaze is set



This is also another awesome recipe. This is from a Better homes and Gardens Christmas coookies magizine they put out in 2005. This one is always a hit:)
White Chocolate Candy Cane Drops:
8 ounces white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 & 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes


1. Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Chop 4 ounces of the white chocolate; set aside. In a small sauce pan, cook and stir the remaining 4 ounces of white chocolate over low heat until melted. Set saucepan aside to cool chocolate slightly.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt. beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in melted white chocolate. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Stir in the chopped white chocolate and the crushed candy canes.

3. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven 8-10 min or until cookies are lightly browned around edges. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool. makes around 50 cookies.
TO STORE:
layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store up to 3 days @ room temperature or freeze up until 3 months.

Gwen’s Note:
Make sure you use parchment paper as the candy canes do bleed a bit out of the cookies. Let sit on cookie sheet a couple of minuets for candy to harden again so it doesn’t stick to your spatula and you have to fight with it. When I doubled this recipe I used ½ cup less the flour as they are super crumbly otherwise and you have to really squeeze them together to get them to hold form (side effect of living on dry Canadian prairies)







Hope you enjoy ^_^

Christmas Countdown

When I made my halloween countdown I wanted to do one for Christmas. I cut 12 different Christmas paper. I painted the blocks black and mod podged the paper onto the blocks and mod podged over the top as well.


I used letter stickers to write "Count down to Christmas on it. I also used stickers for the numbers. First cube had 0, 8, 1, 7, 6(which also doubles as a 9),2. The second cube had 1, 5, 0, 4, 2, 3.

Whats cuter then one of these? Why two of them of course.


or maybe a whole basketful:)



I had such a fun time making these.

Clothes Peg Wreath

This is an idea I got from a different blog. I have tried to go back and find out where I got this idea from but I really have no clue.
Anyhow I really wanted to try this out.

What I used:

scrap book paper, cut into small strips
50 clothes pegs
7 inch embrodery hoop (the inside hoop of the two)
cardboard cut from a pizza box lid
hot glue gun and glue
snow flake orniments
string

I measured the clothes peg, and cut the strips to match



I then mod podged the strips to the tops of the clothes pegs.



I used a pizza box lid(we had one haning around) and traced around the outside of the hoop. then I drew a circle around the outside of about 1 cm, but next time I think I will make it 1 inch as the band wasnt quite big enough.


I then put the cardboard ring around the embroidery hoop and hot glued it into place.

I then hot glued the clothes pegs onto the cardboard by putting the glue inside the where it pinches and cliped them onto the cardboard.



I then hot glued snow flake orniments I had bought from the Dollerama andtied the string onto the wreath.




When my husband saw the clothes pegs he took them out of the bag and started playing with them clipping them onto the embriodery hoop. Whe he saw me watching him he told me he was making a stockaid. I mentioned that I thought it kinda looked like a head dress. "Ooooooohhhh!!!" he said, "Good idea!" He then used my second package of clothes pegs to make a second layer.

Anyhow we both had fun. I want to make a second one that is more Christmasssy as this one is more winter/snow.
I really like how it turned out.
:)

Meatloaf Minis

this is a recipe from www.kraftcanada.com

BBQ Style:

1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
1 pkg (120g) Stove Top Stuffing mix for chicken
1 cup water
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup Kraft Origional BBQ sauce
1/4 cup Cheese whiz process cheese product

Mexican Style

1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
1 pkg (120g) Stove Top Stuffing mix for chicken
1 cup water
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 cup Cheese whiz process cheese product

Heat oven to 375 f
Mix meat, stuffing mix, water and either garlic powder or chili powder(depending on which recipe you are making) until well blended.
Press into muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray.
make an indentation in the center of each meatloaf with back of spoon; fill with sauce.
Bake 30 min or until cooked through(160 f) Top with Cheese whiz; continue baking 5 min or until cheez whiz is melted.









I made both kinds of these this week. the BBQ ones are good but the mexican ones were amazing. So simple and easy to make. Just dont forget to spray the pan like i did or they won't come out so easy and crumble apart.

Easy Oreo Truffles

This a recipe that I got from the Kraft foods website.
Easy Oreo Truffles:
1 pkg (8oz) Cream cheese, softened
1 pkg (1 lb. 2 oz)Oreo cookies, finely crushed(about 4 1/2 cups), divided
2 pkg (8 squares each) Baker's semi sweet chocolate, melted.

Mix cream cheese and 3 cups cookie crumbs until well blended.
Shape into 48 (1inch) balls. Dip into melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs

Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Store in tightly covered container in fridge.

How to melt chocolate:
Place unwrapped chocolate squares in microwavable bowl. Microwave on high for 2-2 1/2 min or until chocolate is melted, stirring every 30 seconds.

To easily coat truffles with the melted chocolate, add trufffles in batches, to bowl of melted chocolate. Use 2 foks to roll truffles in chocolate until evenly coated. Remove with forks letting excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Place truffles on prepared baking sheet; let stand til firm.

I have recently purchaed a mavel in inventions called a cookie scoop. I have to say that it is really awesome. I have been on the lookout for one and finally found one at our local Walmart. It doesnt say what size it is but it is larger then one inch.
When i did this recipe with the cookie scoop it only made around 21 truffles. Also when i had crushed all the oreos from one bag it only came out to 3 cups, so I didn't use any for sprinkling.

Here all the oreo balls. I placed them in the freezer for about 10 min so they wouldnt be so soft.


I boiled a pot of water, then placed the chocolate in the bowl and the bowl over the boiling water. Thee chocolate melted, but had to be stirred. I left the bowl over the pot so that the chocolate wouldn't cool and harden while i was using it.



I decided that I would put mine on lolipop sticks for easier dipping.


Okay... the batch I did for my sister in law went smoothly-ish enough. As I said I decided to put mine on lollypop sticks. I then stood them into the foamy type stuff florists use. I should have thought to put these on a tray. The first block I took to the fridge went fine, however the 2nd and 3rd one I had pressed the sticks further in so when i lifetd the block half of them decided to slide through. I then tried to put the block down to get a tray but the truffles were a bit heavy so most of them slid trough on angles making it difficult to get them back up through thier holes. I had wanted to put them in the fridge to harden so most of them were still soft and wet and a bunch decided to fall into each other. Separating them caused some bald spots on the truffles.

What a gong show!!! Anyhow when the carnage was done, I had a chocolate trail. You can tell what I touched in the fridge as it has smears of chocolate on them. As I had been washing my hands in the kitchen sink it wasnt until I was gettting ready for bed that I saw that i had chocolate on my face as well. *Sigh*

So please, learn from my mistakes.

Kathleen, I have your truffles ready, I'll work on the batch of cookies next week.
Ta

Getting excited for Christmas

This is one of the blogs i follow. They will be posting Christmas goodness for the next month at least.

Boo!!

Ive have been seeing all different halloween crafts out there in blogger land. So when I was out at the dollerama and came across these plates and holder, I had an idea come to mind.

I photographed a pencil beside the plates and holder so you can get a sense of thier size. I have to say this has got to be one of the ugliest butterfly decor's I have come across. I bought three of the butterfly sets as I dont mind so much covering them up.

I did like the fruit one and put it up in my kitchen. goes with my apple theme:)

I have a pad of halloween paper that I bought from Micheals. I tuned the plate over and traced it onto the back side of the paper. I then cut it out made a slit into the center of the paper about 2/3's the way in as the plates are concave. then I modpodged the plate, placed the paper on top. Let it dry then modpodged the top of the paper. After letting it dry I added sticker letters I had . (from Micheals too) Now it is on my wall, and I think it turned out really well:)

English Muffin Pizzas

This is also an easy homemade pizza fix. Primo now has pizza sauce in a squeeze bottle, probably not as healthy as the regular pizza sauce you can make or buy, but it is really handy to have on hand.


All you need are English muffins, halved
pizza sauce
meat of your choice. I usually do pepperoni but any sausage or ham will do.
cheese, I usually do cheddar or mozzarella
any other toppings you wish, just remember these are kinda small.

Preheat your oven to grill
Place muffins on cooking sheet.
Add sauce, usually about 1 tsp.
Add toppings, adding the cheese last.
place in oven
bake about 4 min under the grill
take out and serve.

This is a cheap and easy pizza and kids love them. The Preschool I used to work for made them for lunch quite often, and the children were always excited for "Pizza Day"

I have also made other toasted varieties on the English Muffin:
BBQ sauce and chicken with Mozzarella cheese

mustard and ham and Cheddar

The possibilities are endless.

I quite often make these for my husband for lunches when he is on the road. He likes them cold as well as hot. I prefer them hot, but then I don't like cold pizza either and my husband loves it.

Mustard, ham and cheese:
mustard and ham baked:

Regular pizzas: pepperoni and cheese:

These are also really quick and easy. Make on whole wheat English muffins for a healthier choice.

:)

Pizzadillas

These are super easy. If you have the ingredients on hand they are great for those times you are starving and not really interested in taking a long time to make something. I usually find that two of these per person is quite often enough.


All you need:
pizza sauce: probably about 1-2 tbsp
sliced meat, I like the pepperoni sticks
grated cheese, I usually have Cheddar on hand.
any other pizza toppings you would like.

heat your skillet on med heat.
spread pizza sauce onto half of the tortilla.
add topping adding cheese last.
place in skillet.
heat until the side on the skillet looks toasted
flip and heat until cheese is melted.

Primo now has pizza sauce in a squeeze bottle now. this is great for having some in your fridge for when you want it.

enjoy :)

Homemade Oreo Cookies

These Cookies were really good. Recipe originally found at Confabulation in the Kitchen.

Homemade Oreo Cookies:

2 1/2 c all purpose flour
1 c unsweetened Cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 c sugar
1 c + t tbsp room temperature unsalted butter (or 2 1/2 sticks)
2 large eggs

Filling
1/4 c room temperature unsalted butter
1/4 c vegetable shortening
2 c sifted icing sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract.

Alternate filling:
I actually had a lot of icing left over. This filling was literally to die for. It was AWESOME!

Cream Cheese filling:
1/2 c butter
1 8 oz (250 g) package of cream cheese softened
3 c icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Set two racks in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 375 f

In a food processor, or bowl with an electric mixer, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar. While pulsing, or on low speed, add the butter, and then the eggs. Continue processing or mixing until dough comes together in a mass.

Take rounded teaspoons of batter and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet approximately 2 inches apart. With moistened hands, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 min, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets n rack to cool.

Make regular filling:
place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat 2-3 min until mixture is light and fluffy.

Cream cheese filling:
beat butter on high for 1-2 min until smooth and fluffy. Add the cream cheese and beat until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla beat until combined.

To assemble the cookies , in a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch, round tip (or a Ziploc bag with a 1/2 inch hole cut in one corner) pipe teaspoon sized blobs of cream into the center of one cookie. Place another cookie, of equal size, to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue this process until all cookies have been sandwiched with cream.



Beat until dough forms.

I decided to make the fillings Halloween coloured. Orange and purple.

I find it helps to place the bag in a cup to hold it. This way you can use both your hands for scooping the icing into the bag.

Pipe icing onto cookie.

Let icing harden before you start stacking the cookies so the filling doesn't get squished out by the weight.

Enjoy your cookies with a glass of milk or on their own:)

I made these and they have gone pretty quickly. The cream cheese icing was particularly yummy.

:)

Halloween Countdown

I have been seeing several different blogs that have done Halloween Countdowns, but this is the only one whom I can source. It's from HowDoesShe. com.I really liked the idea of this so, of course, then I had to do one of my own.







So Off to Micheal's I went. I found some 2 inch (5mm) cubes. Then I had to buy whittling blocks, that came in a pack of three, as I couldn't find anything else appropriate for the job.

I painted them black with Black Acrylic Indoor/outdoor paint. Then I scrounged around my scrapbook paper to find appropriate fall/Halloween type paper. I cut the paper just slightly smaller then the face side so that there would be a bit of a black frame around the paper.

Then I Mod Podged the paper to the wood. I then pulled out all the scrap booking stickers I had so I could find some the right size.

I used black stickers for the words and white for the numbers.

On the first cube put the numbers 0, 8, 1, 7, 6, 2. (the 6 will double for the 9)

On the second put 1, 5, 0, 4, 2, 3.

Isn't this the cutest? I was really pleased by how well it worked out.

So now the dilemma!!! I bought this at Micheal's so now I have some coupons I can redeem next week. Hmmmmmm......:)

What to make next!

:)

Stuffed Buns

This is a recipe I use all the time. In fact I made these today for my husband's lunches. The bread recipe I got off the Ellison's Best all purpose flour bag.

Jo-Ella's 2 hour Bread and Buns

2 tbsp/ 30 ml instant yeast
4 cups/ 1000 ml flour

2 eggs
8 tbsp/120 ml sugar
6 tbsp/ 90 ml oil

3 cups Luke warm water

3/4 cups flour
1 tsp salt

In a large bowl #1, mix instant yeast and the 4 cups of flour thoroughly and set aside.

In large bowl #2 Mix flour and salt together, set aside.

In large bowl # 3 beat eggs, sugar, oil and add the Luke warm water.

Once combined, add the dry yeast and flour mixture from bowl #1 and beat thoroughly.

Add remaining flour and salt from bowl #2 until dough has formed.

Knead for 5 minutes.

Put in greased bowl and let the dough rise for 15 min.

Punch down and let rise again for another 15 min.

Make into buns, Cinnamon buns, breads or rolls and let rise for 1 hour.

Bake in a 350 f oven for 15-20 min until golden brown.

I lay out what I want to put into the buns. I take about a handful of dough.

Press it flat.

Add my sauce of choice.

Then the shredded cheese.

Then my meat.

then I fold the dough around the filling.

Place seam side down.

Place some grated cheese on top.

Then bake til golden brown.

The fillings that I have used:

Ham

mustard

Cheddar

chicken

BBQ sauce

mozzarella

pepperoni

pizza sauce

Cheddar or mozzarella

the possibilities are endless.

Enjoy:)