DIY Sharpie Mug

I've seen the "Sharpie Mug" project floating around Pinterest for a while, but I never had any interest in making it because I have plenty of coffee mugs in my house.  If I add another, I'm going to have to throw an old one away first!  When I was thinking of ideas for handmade gifts for my mom's birthday, this popped up on Pinterest again and I knew it would be perfect!  She drinks coffee every day and loves (LOVES) being Carson's Grammy.  Seriously, she's the proudest.  I love it!  This project was easy peasy and super cheap.  I gave it to her "from Carson" for her birthday with a coffee shop gift card inside!

What You Need
white mug*
Sharpie marker(s)
rubbing alcohol
stickers [optional]

*I heard that the mugs from the Dollar Tree work best for this project, but my store didn't have any plain white mugs.  I found my mug at Target (duh) for $3.49.

How to Make
1. Prep the surface of your mug with a quick coating of rubbing alcohol.  I just swabbed it on with a cotton ball and let it air dry.

2. If using stickers to spell a word/initial/monogram/quote, place your stickers and press firmly onto the mug.

3. Start decorating with your Sharpie marker(s)!  I chose to do a simple "ombre" dot pattern so that my word would stick out.  Use your creativity!
If you choose to cover stickers, I suggest carefully coloring around your stickers first and make sure that you are diligent so that your letters will look nice when the stickers are removed!  I did dots and it was pretty time consuming, but worth it in the end!

4.  If using stickers, now is the time to carefully remove them to reveal your design.  You can use a fine point sharpie to make any necessary touch ups now, too!

5. Stick your mug in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes.  Let your mug cool in the oven to prevent cracks!  Once your mug is somewhat cool, you can move it to the counter to cool completely.

6. Admire your work of art!

**I've read on Pinterest that once baked, these designed mugs are dishwasher safe.  I'm a little skeptical and told my mom to hand wash, or use the dishwasher at her own risk.  :)

S'mores Brownies = Yum!

I like anything with s'mores in the name.  I've tried so many different recipes for s'mores desserts and they're really hard to hate!  When I saw a recipe for S'mores Brownies on Pinterest, I had to try it right away!

What You Need 1 box brownie mix + ingredients to make them "cake like" (usually that requires an extra egg) 12 graham cracker squares 2-2.5 cups semi sweet chocolate chips 2 cups mini marshmallows How to Make: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare brownies according to ingredients on the box.  I added an extra egg to give my brownies a cakier texture.  (I just made up that word.  Trademark.)   Mix about 1 cup of chocolate chips into your batter before pouring into a greased baking dish. Stick your brownies in the oven for about 12 minutes. While your brownies are baking, smash up your graham crackers in a plastic baggie.  You can also measure out your mini marshmallows (2 cups) and chocolate chips (1-1.5 cups) at this time. When the brownies are ready, remove from the oven and sprinkle with crushed graham crackers, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. Return the brownies to the oven for an additional 15 minutes. *Optional: To give your marshmallows a campfire flavor, stick the brownies under your broiler for about 1 minute.  The original recipe said 2 minutes and it was TOO LONG!  I took them out about 20 seconds early and my smoke alarm went off.  :/  It DID give my dessert a nice "campfire" flavor, but they didn't look so pretty (see below)!

The picture at the beginning of this post was my brownies BEFORE sticking them under the broiler.  Here is the after:

Here is a link to the original pin.  My Pinterest account FINALLY switched over to the "new" Pinterest and I can't figure out how to embed a pin!

I'm linking up with Stephanie & Katie today:

Spray Painting Tip!

Today I'm sharing a super simple tip for all of you spray paint addicts!  How many of you have tried to spray paint something flat (a photo frame, for example), and then were hit with one of these problems: your flat object became stuck to your surface from the paint, you had to flip the object to get all the edges, you got paint on your fingers, etc.  Well I'm here to solve all of your problems!  (Do I sound enough like an infomercial yet?)

This is seriously the easiest idea.

What You Need
Cardboard base
Pushpins (not the flat type, obviously)
Spray Paint

How to Do It
First, gather the objects you want to paint as well as your cardboard base.  I used an old box that I pulled out of my recycling bin.  Dumpster diver!
Next stick your pushpins into your cardboard, making sure they line up with your objects.  I used 3 for each one of my letters.

Finally, spray your letters!  I chose the windiest part of the day to spray these so I hope they look okay when they dry!  It was so nice not to have to lift them at all and the paint is all around the front surface as well as the beveled sides!

I *promise* I found this idea on Pinterest but for some reason I can't find the original pin!  Also, if you're curious about what I'm doing with these letters, stay tuned!  ;)

I'm linking up with Stephanie & Katie today!

End of the Year Student Gifts

Even though I only taught a few months out of this school year, I still wanted to do something small for my first graders.  I had been in numerous times to visit and read stories and I wanted to take something small for them during the end of the year party.  I found this idea on Pinterest and liked that it was simple yet fun!  I also liked that it was cheap since I had to make 27!

What You Need
Crazy Straws (I bought a pack of 36 at Party City for $5)
KoolAid (I bought 5 flavors to coordinate with my straws)
Ziplock Snack Bags
Computer/Paper/Printer
Tape, Scissors

How to Make
First create a label on your computer.  I used Microsoft Word.  My template had 9 labels per page so I only needed to use 3 sheets of paper.  Print and cut your labels.

Next, start filling your baggies.  Each bag gets one KoolAid packet and one straw.  I coordinated the colors, but that's just because I'm a little obsessive.  

Finally, using a little tape bubble (or double sided tape), stick those labels to your baggies!

Here's a look at my finished products (front and back):

Total Cost for this Project (I made 27): $11.40
Crazy Straws (pack of 36): $5
KoolAid: $5.40
Baggies (box of 50): $1

The total cost came out to less than $0.50 per student.  SUCCESS!  :)

Source: thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

I'm linking up with Katie & Stephanie today:  

DIY Gift for the Hubster

Last Friday was our five year anniversary.  FIVE.  I can't believe we got married 5 years ago and I also can't believe 2008 was 5 years ago!  I'm getting old.  I bought Nick a Garmin GPS watch/heart monitor for his running, but I also wanted to make him something.  Before I get started, let's reminisce together....

So my DIY gift I decided on was Pinterest inspired: a Date Jar!  The basic idea is that you write a bunch of date ideas on craft sticks and stick them in a jar.  When we want to go on a date (family or couple), we can just pick a stick and skip all of that planning and "What do you want to do?" "I don't know, what do YOU want to do?"  Ugh, we're so bad at that!

Date Jar

What You Need
Craft Sticks
Jar
Marker to write on sticks
Stickers or colored markers to color code your sticks (You could also try to find colored craft sticks)

How to Make
1. Make a list of date ideas.  I asked a few of my friends and even googled.  I wanted to be creative and not just write down our "usual" dates.
2. Write your date ideas on the craft sticks (one per stick).
3. If wanted, color code your sticks.  I have family dates, couple dates out, and couple dates at home.
4. Decorate your jar.
5. Put the sticks in the jar.

Seriously, it can't get much easier than that!

Here are some of the dates I included in the date jar.  Some of the dates are dates we can do with Carson.  Some are dates for home after Carson goes to bed.  Some are dates that require a babysitter for Carson.  I tried to include a variety!

• "Rent" a movie (Netflix, Red Box, etc.)
• Firepit date in our backyard
• Blanket fort and movie
• Wii game night
• Take out + board games
• Visit our favorite restaurant
• Movie + Dessert
• Cooking classes
• Mini Golf
• Ice Skating
• Bowling
• Coupon Date (go somewhere we have a coupon for)
• Thrift Store Challenge (each person gets $5 and we have to come up with the craziest outfit)
• Trampoline Park
• Coffee Date
• Dessert only Date
• Bike Ride
• Food Truck Date
• "New to us" restaurant
• Bakery
• Restaurant Hop (one place for appetizer, one for main course, one for dessert)
• Fro-Yo/Ice Cream
• House Hunters (visit Open Houses for fun)
• "Hiking" at a Metro Park
• Family Lunch Date
• Farmer's Market
• Feed the Ducks
• Park
• Water Fun (sprinkler, pool, water table...all at home)
• Pool Day
• Children's Museum
• Zoo
• Picnic (home or at a park)
• Find a new park

Here is the original pin:

Source: sprinklejoy.net via Emily on Pinterest

I'm linking up today:

DIY Birthday Favors using Kool-Aid!

As most of you know, Carson had a WHALE of a first birthday.  Corny enough?  :)  I wanted to have some favors for the kids who came to Carson's party, but I didn't want to spend a lot and I didn't want to send them home with junky toys or junk food!

I saw the idea of making play-doh with Kool-Aid on Pinterest a while ago and pinned it for future reference to use with Carson.  Then I saw the idea of giving the dry ingredients for this play-doh as a party favor.  Since kids of all ages like play-doh, I figured this was a win-win!  (The kids attending our party ranged in age from 11 months to 7 years old.)  Once they get home, the parents only need to add water and oil!

DIY Kool-Aid Play-Doh

What You Need:

1 cup boiling water

2 Tbsp. cooking oil

1/2 cup salt*

1 cup flour*

1 Kool-Aid packet*

*Items marked with an asterisk are provided if you choose to make party favors!

How to Make:

Stir boiling water, oil, and salt until dissolved.
Stir in flour and Kool-Aid.  The mixture will be thick, gluey, and hot.
Mix until cool enough to knead to desired consistency.

Store your dough in an air tight container or ziplock baggie in the refrigerator.  I provided containers for my guests as well.

First, I made a test batch to make sure the recipe was legit.  I also typed up little "recipe" cards.

Next I made labels for the favor bags.  I created my label in Microsoft Word.

These are the items that were included in my bags (plus a small container for the play-doh).

I also used a ribbon to tie a sea-themed cookie cutter to the outside.  I was hoping to find all whales, but I found a pack of "under the sea" cookie cutters on Amazon that was super cheap so I went with that!

Here is the final product!  I think the kids enjoyed them and I feel good about not sending them home with junk! 

Here is the original pin with the favor idea:

Source: impressionsbyrochelle.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

I'm linking up with Katie & Stephanie today!

Parmesan Baked Chicken

What You Need

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (usually 3 breasts)
1/2 cup greek yogurt 
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
3/4 tsp. seasoned salt 
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

How to Make It
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray a 9x9 glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray (or coat with butter).  Lay the chicken inside the baking dish and set aside.

Meet my sous chef. :)

Mix together the remaining ingredients in a small bowl.  Spread this mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.  Make sure to full cover any exposed chicken!  Sprinkle the top with some extra Parmesan cheese...add as little or as much as you want!

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.  

Here is the original pin:

Source: mykitchenescapades.com via Emily on Pinterest

I'm linking up with....

A Pinteresting Party!

It's been a while since I linked up with Michelle!  Today I'm going to share some of my inspiration pins for Carson's first birthday party!  His party is a month and a day away!  Make the time go slower!!!

I'd like to make these with jumbo marshmallows! 

Source: party-wagon.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: designdazzle.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: iloveyoumorethancarrots.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: sugarbeecrafts.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: summerlynphotography.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Emily on Pinterest

Anyone else planning a party soon?  

Who wants to share some tips/ideas for a first birthday?!