Friday, May 30, 2014

How to Apply Vinyl Stickers

Today I'm going to show you how to apply vinyl stickers. I was hesitant to share this because it seems like everyone knows this. But I remember when I  first cut some vinyl. Then I tried to apply it by picking up each individual letter. I wondered how everyone got their lettering so straight. Well, it's really simple if you know what to do. It's all about the transfer paper. It's almost like clear contact paper, but it's more tacky than sticky. It's also called transfer tape and it's sold wherever craft vinyl is sold.
UPDATE 5-4-17: I now always use clear contact paper. It's so much cheaper and it's readily available - last time I grabbed a roll at the grocery store!  Plus a roll of it will last a long time.

Applying vinyl is like second nature to me now that I've been making and selling my menu boards with vinyl lettering. Sometimes I think that when something becomes easy for us, we think it's easy for everyone else too.

But in case any of you are like I was in the beginning of my adventures in applying vinyl here's the tutorial:


How to Apply Vinyl Stickers

 Step 1 - Once your vinyl is cut, remove the excess vinyl that you will not be using.

Step 2 - Cut a piece of transfer paper large enough to cover your vinyl. Then place it on top of your vinyl. Rub over it with your fingers or a credit card and make sure that the vinyl underneath will firmly adhere to the transfer paper.

Step 3 - Carefully and slowly pull the transfer paper up. The vinyl should come with it. If it doesn't, set it back down and rub over it again in that area. It's important to go slowly, because then you can see if the vinyl isn't attached before you've removed the transfer tape completely and ruined your chance at having perfectly spaced lettering.

Step 4 - At this point your vinyl should be on the transfer paper.

Step 5 - Place the transfer paper in place where you would like to apply it and press down firmly all over the vinyl. 

Step 6 - Remove the transfer paper. Again, go slowly so that if a piece of your vinyl doesn't attach, you can rub over it again while it's in the correct position.

Step 7 - Once the transfer paper is removed, I like to rub over the vinyl again just to make sure it's all firmly adhered.

If you are applying more than one vinyl sticker at a time, you should be able to re-use the transfer paper. I generally use one piece to do all seven days of the week when I make my menu boards. If you feel like it's not working as well, then cut a new piece.

You can check out my 3 steps for an organized pantry where I used these labels.











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Thursday, May 29, 2014

3 Steps to an Organized Pantry


I don't think that organizing the pantry should cost money. I look at all the pretty pictures from pinterest and it's tempting to want to go out and buy coordinating jars and baskets. However pretty that may be, you can still have a well organized and functional pantry in three steps without spending a bunch of money.

3 Steps to an Organized Pantry
Since I recently reorganized my pantry I thought I'd share my three steps to get an organized pantry. I try to go through it real quick once a month when I take my major grocery shopping trip, so it wasn't too horrible. But it had been a long time since I'd done a thorough job and a lot of items that don't really belong in the pantry have ended up there.

I used the following three steps for each shelf. It's a bit time consuming and so I did a few shelves one day, and the rest the next.

3 Steps to an Organized Pantry

Step 1 - Remove everything from the shelf.

Take a look at the expiration dates and throw out anything that is expired. If it doesn't belong in the pantry, place it in a pile to be put away. I worked on half a shelf at a time, since the shelves are so large. I found a lot of extra room by just removing the items that don't belong in the pantry. I was pretty pleased with how few things had expired.

Step 2 - Wash the shelf. 

I grabbed a bucket of soapy water a rag and quickly washed down the shelf, then dried it.

Step 3 - Place everything back on the shelf with like items together. 

I keep all the canned goods on one shelf, the boxed items on another. Noodles are at one end {beyond the camera's viewpoint}, and baking items such as salt, baking powder, cocoa, vanilla etc. are all placed together. Small items can be corralled in containers. Ice cream buckets are great to reuse in the pantry. For other cheap containers check out your local dollar store or keep you eye open for them at yard sales.

3 Steps to an Organized Pantry

 I've pretty much found the way I like things to be organized. But when you've removed everything and are putting it back, you can sometimes see a better way to utilize your space. For example, the whole floor of my pantry has 5 gallon buckets full of flour, wheat, rice, etc. There's also my wheat grinder and food dehydrator. Once everything was out and I'd cleaned the floor, I started putting things back in. I found a much better way to put everything back.

 Bonus Step - if desired label your containers. 

This can be as simple as marking your containers with a sharpie. Which I've done with a lot of them. But I was in the mood for something a little cuter. So I got out the vinyl and cut out some labels. I used the Champagne and Limousines Font. You can download it for free.

I have all different shapes and sizes of containers that I've collected over the years.  The coordinating labels help bring them together.  I also have some containers that I opted not to label, either because I forgot about them when I was making the labels, or because the container is not for a particular item, but is used as needed. Like when I get goldfish for a snack one time, but the next time I get pretzels.

3 Steps to an Organized Pantry

Is your pantry in need of some organization?



Thursday, May 22, 2014

Berry Trifle Recipe


I made myself a special treat for Mother's Day this year - Berry Trifle. Can I just tell you how good this is? Fresh fruit, a creamy filling and angel food cake. What could be better than that?

It was the highlight of the day because my husband was super sick - like can't get out of bed for three days sick. And then three of the kids got sick. Thank goodness, I didn't ever catch it.

 But actually I'd already kind of had my Mother's Day anyway. You see, the week before my kids made me go hang out in my bedroom so they could make me something. An hour later, they had chocolate chip cookies for me. They had even cleaned up the mess.

That got my husband thinking that it was Mother's Day that weekend, so he took me out to lunch on Friday. He even wished my happy Mother's Day the Sunday before. We had a good laugh when I told him it was the next week.




Berry Trifle Recipe

This recipe comes from my neighbor. It was my first attempt at trifle and I was so happy with how it turned out. Since I'd never made it before, I don't have a trifle dish.

I layered it in a large glass mixing bowl. It tastes just as good, but it just doesn't look as pretty without a trifle dish.

Luckily I had decided to make an individual serving to take to my mother-in-law, so I snapped a few pictures.


You can totally use premade angel food cake, but I made my own the day before. My first year of blogging, I shared a tutorial of how to make your own angel food cake.  

You may also like: 


Print Recipe

Berry Trifle Recipe

1 angel food cake, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 (8 oz.) pkgs cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
2 c. heavy cream
1 pint blueberries, washed
3 pints strawberries, washed and sliced

Combine cream cheese and sugar together. Cream until smooth. Add heavy cream and mix for until completely combined.

Layer ingredients in trifle dish. Begin with the cake, sprinkle on half the blueberries. Dollop on half of the cream and then add half the strawberries. Repeat leaving a few blueberries to sprinkle on top.

Cover and refrigerate one hour.

Berry Trifle


Enjoy!

You may also like: 



Berry Trifle

Berry Trifle

Servings: 12
Author: Rachel Nielsen
Prep time: 20 MinTotal time: 20 Min
Berry trifle is the perfect spring dessert with lots of fresh berries, a delicious cream and scrumptious angel food cake.

Ingredients

  • 1 angel food cake cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 (8 oz.) pkgs cream cheese, softened
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 2 c. heavy cream
  • 1 pint blueberries, washed
  • 3 pints strawberries, washed and sliced

Instructions

  1. Combine cream cheese and sugar together. Cream until smooth. Add heavy cream and mix for until completely combined.
  2. Layer ingredients in trifle dish. Begin with the cake, sprinkle on half the blueberries. Dollop on half of the cream and then add half the strawberries. Repeat leaving a few blueberries to sprinkle on top.
  3. Cover and refrigerate one hour.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

265.58

Fat (grams)

16.39

Sat. Fat (grams)

10.16

Carbs (grams)

29.86

Fiber (grams)

2.41

Net carbs

27.45

Sugar (grams)

24.86

Protein (grams)

2.35

Sodium (milligrams)

44.70

Cholesterol (grams)

49.84

Nutrition information is generated automatically and is not guaranteed to be correct.

berry trifle
Dessert
American

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

How to Make a Beadboard Picture Frame


Today I'm going to show you how to make my latest beadboard project. This beadboard frame is designed to not only look cute, but to be functional and versatile as well. In the kitchen you can use it as a recipe card holder. In the living room, it can hold pictures. In the office, it could hold important memos.



how to make a beadboard frame


This frame has been turned into a mini easel, by adding a hinged board.

How to Make a Recipe Card Holder Frame


This allows the frame to be set on any surface. If you are using it as a recipe card holder it's convenient because the recipe is upright as opposed to sitting flat on the counter. You can check it easily with a quick glance.

Want to make your own Beadboard Picture Frame?

You will need:
5 X 7 frame {preferably black}
bead board {just a couple small scraps will do}
clothespin
sandpaper
large paint stick
small hinge
twine
paint
E6000 glue
wood glue
saw
drill
staple gun
1/4" staples


Let's start by cutting our wood.

How to Make a beadboard picture Frame

 You will probably need two pieces. It will vary depending on the type of beadboard and the frame you are using. I measured across the frame and then cut the wood to fit. I did have to cut a tiny bit off the bottom piece of beadboard as well to make it fit. The above picture shows what it should look like from the back and the front.

Now it's time to paint.

How to Make a Recipe Card Holder Frame
I wanted it to match my Menu board, so I used the same colors as I did for that. The beadboard is painted with a brown chalkboard paint. The frame and clothespin {taken apart} are painted Light Houser Green. {Chalkboard paint is not necessary at all, I will probably not ever use it as a chalkboard. But  I wanted it to match my Menu board, so I used the same colors as I did for that.} I always do three coats of paint.

Now it's time to sand off some of that paint on the frame. This is where it gets it's character.

How to Make a beadboard picture Frame
 Just grab some sandpaper and rub it along the frame. Take off as much or as little paint as you like. This is where it's nice to have a black frame to begin with. If you use a frame that is not black to begin with, you will want to paint a few coats of black paint on before painting your chosen color.

How to Make a Recipe Card Holder Frame

Now it's time to glue the bead board to the frame. I always do a dry fit one last time before adding the glue. Just add a little bit of wood glue along the frame as picture above.

How to Make a beadboard picture Frame

Place your beadboard in the frame and fold down the metal clips.

How to Make a Recipe Card Holder Frame

Now turn your frame over. You will probably have a little glue squeezing out in a few places. It is very important that you clean it off while it is still wet. Just grab a damp paper towel and it will wipe right off.

How to Make a Recipe Card Holder Frame

If you want to hang this on the wall, just add a sawtooth hanger to the back and you're done.

But I wanted my frame to stand on it's own. So I had to think of a way to make that happen. I found a paint stick in the garage, cut it to 8 1/2" and sanded down any wording that was on it. I drilled a hole in the center of one end.


How to Make a beadboard picture Frame
 Then I added the paint stick to the frame using a small hinge. I found that the wood in this frame was VERY hard. I ended up pre-drilling two small holes to get the screws in. They went into the paint stick wood a lot easier.

How to Make a Recipe Card Holder Frame

Now staple a piece of twine to the bottom of the frame.

How to Make a beadboard picture Frame

Then insert the twine into the hole and tie a knot.


The last step is to put your clothespin back together and attach it to the beadboard. I used E6000 glue. You could use hot glue, but it isn't as strong.

DIY Beadboard Picture Frame

There you have it. How will you use your frame?


You may also like my Chalkboard Menuboard:





Thursday, May 8, 2014

Butterfinger Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe

Recently I made these Butterfinger Peanut Butter Brownies. I love peanut butter desserts.

However since my oldest is allergic, I don't make them very often. I made sure I had something special for her and went ahead and made these. I'm glad I did.

They are so delicious and the Butterfinger on top adds the perfect crunch.

Butterfinger Peanut Butter Brownies

Butterfinger Peanut Butter Brownies 


I used my mom's peanut butter brownies recipe, my favorite chocolate frosting and topped them with crumbled Butterfingers. YUM!

Butterfinger Peanut Butter Brownies




Butterfinger Peanut Butter Brownies

Enjoy!


MORE DESSERT BAR RECIPES


Butterfinger Peanut Butter Brownies

Butterfinger Peanut Butter Brownies

Yield: 12
Author:
prep time: 20 Mcook time: 20 Mtotal time: 40 M
Delicious peanut butter brownies topped with crumbled Butterfingers!

ingredients:

Peanut Butter Brownie
  • 3/4 c. peanut butter
  • 3/4 c. butter, softened
  • 3/4 c. sugar
  • 3/4 c. brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 t. vanilla
  • 3/4 t. baking soda
  • 1/2 t. salt
  • 1 1/2 c. flour
  • 1 1/2 c. oats
Chocolate Frosting
  • 1/4 c. butter, melted
  • 1/3 c. cocoa
  • 2-3 c. powdered sugar
  • 2 T. milk
  • 1 t. vanilla
Topping
  • 1 pkg (10 oz) Butterfinger bites (or crush a few candy bars)

instructions:

How to cook Butterfinger Peanut Butter Brownies

Peanut Butter Brownies
  1. Cream together peanut butter, butter and sugars. 
  2. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
  3. Stir in soda, salt and flour. Mix well.
  4. Add oats and mix.
  5. Spread in a  greased 9 X 13 pan. 
  6. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
  7. Frost as soon as they come out of the oven.
  8. Sprinkle with butterfinger crumbles.
  1. Stir cocoa into melted butter.
  2. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and mix well.
  3. Add milk and vanilla and mix well.
  4. Mix in 1 cup of powdered sugar.
  5. Stir in remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar as needed to reach desired consistency.
peanut butter bars, peanut butter brownies, peanut butter fingers
Dessert
American
Created using The Recipes Generator

Thursday, May 1, 2014

How to Make Flower Beaded Bracelets


Today I'd like to show you my latest variation of a bracelet that I shared last week on the Prima Bead blog. This flower beaded bracelet is perfect for spring and for any little girl.  I made them for my two youngest daughters.

How to Make a Flower Beaded Bracelet
I love how they turned out. And more importantly, my girls love them too. I made two slightly different styles.
How to Make a Flower Beaded Bracelet
To make your own you will need:
large flower bead {or other focal bead}
small beads - {6mm or 8mm work great}
.45 mm beading wire
crimp beads
toggle clasp
wire cutters
crimping pliers


How to Make a Flower Beaded Bracelet




































 Step 1: Gather your supplies and cut your wire to about 10 inches long.
Step 2: Insert your wire through a crimp tube, then through the toggle clasp, and back through the crimp tube. Crimp the crimp tube.
Step 3: String on 9  {6mm} beads.
Step 4: Add your focal bead.
Step 5: String on 9 more {6mm} beads.
Step 6: String on a crimp tube, insert the wire through the remaining toggle clasp, back through the crimp tube, and through a few beads. Pull wire tight and cut excess wire.

The final bracelet length is 7 inches. That size fits both my 4 and 6 year old.


If you use larger beads or your focal bead is larger or smaller than mine, adjust the amount of beads on each side to create the length you desire.  This may take a little trial and error to figure out how many beads you need on each side to center your bead.



How to Make a Flower Beaded Bracelet

Other bracelets you may like: