Preschool

This LO is for dd first year of preschool.  I have been so busy with other projects lately I haven't really done much scrappin'.  The plan is to get back to it.  This LO frustrated me for some reason.  I feel stuck in a rut and really need to look at some new techniques for my pages I guess.  They are all starting to feel the same.  Anyhow, to add a little more depth to the page I used Stickles over the top of my title and the date.  I even added some to the penguin and a few brads.  The top right corner is a large pocket where I well keep a few momentos of her school work.  The journaling slides out from behind the photo.

Orange Mini Monkey Bread

Ok, so I have no intention for using this blog as a recipe blog, there are enough of those.  HOWEVER, this is a special occasion.  You see, I'm on a Monkey/Banana quest.  I'm one of the girls hosting a Monkey/Banana theme baby shower in June.  Originally we were going to do a Banana Split Bar, but my cousins beat me too it a couple of weeks ago for their sister's shower.  Sigh  [Notice the puff of smoke carrying off our little fun plans].  Anyhow, we decided to go with an all Banana (or Monkey) food bar.  And though I have many, many, many Banana dessert ideas (thanks to all of the other crazies on Pinterest)...we're a bit afraid everyone will be on Banana overload.  Enter Monkey Bread.  If you aren't familiar with Monkey Bread, you live a sad existence and should rectify that immediately.  Now, little did I know that there are even a few different versions of Monkey Bread, even a Banana Nut Version.  So in my hunt I came across a Lemon Pull Apart Bread (that's grown up speak for Monkey Bread)...but after much searching I found a version that I thought sounded best.  This version over at BakerLady seems to die for...but, alas, I have no frozen dough.  What I did have was one can of buttermilk biscuit dough.  Which also convinced me that there MUST be a Monkey Bread for two.  I mean come on!  Not all of us have a hoard of people in our house.  I. Was. Wrong.  Apparently I am the only person that likes to make mini versions of food (can I get an Amen for mug cakes?!). 

Anyhow...  In my desperation to have monkey bread for one...

This is what you get when you use one can of dough and a mini bread pan.  Go ahead, be jealous.  Because I died and went to Monkey Bread Heaven.  Half of this loaf (I mean, it was a mini loaf after all) was gone before I jumped up from the table and literally ran from the kitchen.  There are 525 calories in a can of biscuit dough, not to mention the butter and sugar I added...oh, and the glaze.  I could not afford to sit there any longer.

So, using the Lemon Monkey Bread recipe from BakerLady as a jumping point, I created (ME!!  I don't create food recipes!  I create science experiments in the kitchen and have decided I am much better at creating...upstairs...in my scrapbook room!) this Orange Mini Monkey Bread.  I'll even be extra nice and not only BRAG about it, but provide all of you with the "recipe".

Orange Mini Monkey Bread

Serves 3 (if we're behaving, 1 if we're being honest)

1 can of Buttermilk Biscuit Dough

Zest of 1 Orange

1tbs Butter (plus more for greasing the pan)

1/4c Raw Sugar

Pop can, separate biscuits.  Zest orange over the top of the dough, knead zest into dough.  Pinch dough into bite appropriate pieces and put a layer on the bottom of a mini loaf pan that you've buttered.  Sprinkle with sugar, drizzle with butter.  Add another layer; sprinkle sugar, drizzle butter.  Pop in oven for about 30 min.  27 min might have been better, but I'm no pro here.  You be the judge.  Pull out when done, turn onto a plate, drizzle glaze.

Orange Glaze

1tbs fresh Orange Juice (from the one you zested)

5tbs Powder Sugar

Stir together.  A thicker glaze holds up better, so add more sugar if need be.  You can not have enough glaze.  I was sopping up what was on the plate.  Spoon over top of hot loaf.

Eat.  Eat it now!  Eat it when its still so hot it pains you to touch it.  It will be worth it.  I mean, its good when its cold too, but there is nothing like really hot, steaming Monkey Bread straight out of the oven!

And no one says you have to share.  I won't tell.

Chore Board

So, I only used these few things (and a PC/printer and white card stock) to make a chore board for my preschooler.  The board is a magnetic stand alone board from Darice ($5).  I used wooden craft rounds in 1 1/2", also from Darice (the clip art pictures were placed inside of a circle label template of the same size from Avery), and round magnets.  I Mod Podged the pictures on and did two coats.  I hot glued everything else, including a felt bottom to the board and a felt backing to the magnets to help them to slide easier and to not scratch the pretty purple paint).  I didn't use any text since my 4 year old doesn't read just yet.  I added a divider using ribbon and hot glue, and I added a flower embellishment to make it pretty.  The project cost me less than $18.  Her "To Do" is on the left, when she does them she moves the magnet to the right.  Though I call it a chore board, its more like a responsibility board.  To help remind her of the things she needs to do each morning (brush her hair/teeth, make her bed, get dressed...).  I stored the extra chores on the back of the board.  So far she absolutely loves it, and enjoys moving the magnets around, and being able to see what she has to do and then deciding what she will do next.  My favorite feature is that it stands on its own.  I so did not want to hang a chore board on my wall!  I bought all of the items in one location; Crafts 2000.  I'm sure you can find them all at your local craft store.

Here is the end result!

If you would like an email containing the images and template I used, contact me here and I'll send it on over!

Pinky - Amigurumi Octopus

As part of my 14 days of Valentines with my daughter I crocheted another octopus but made a bow for the top.  Get the pattern at Esshaych!

Crocheted - mini purse

I made this cute little purse for my daughter for the 14 days of Valentines I am doing with her.  Its made with sueded yarn and the pattern was a free pattern from Lion Brand, as a change purse.  I added a strap to make it into a tiny purse.  Here is a link to the Pin on Pinterest.

Crocheted - Leg Warmers

Ugh!  These were so boring for me to make, but I am so glad I finished them.  I used a half double crochet to crochet the rectangles for the legwarmers, they seemed to take forever to get done!  The flower is the roset I also used on the poof stitch hat, and the twists were done in the fashion of the octopus tentacles.  After all if this work, I sure hope my daughter likes them!