World's Best Lotion

Well, in my opinion it is the world's best lotion...I guess you will have to make it and see what you think.

Whatcha need: (I really need to let my southern drawl kick in just a little every now and then..hehe)
16 oz. of your favorite lotion
8 oz. vitamin E cream
7.5 oz. petroleum jelly


Now you want to add all of your ingredients together in a bowl. If you use regular petroleum jelly (it is cheaper), then you will want to warm it in the microwave for about 1-2 min. I microwaved it in 30second intervals. It won't get runny, but it does make it easier to work with. If you use the creamy petroleum jelly, then you don't need to worry with heating it....just dump it in as is.


I just used a rubber spatula and mixed the lotion and creams together. You want to make sure you get the jelly incorporated well and not in lumps.



After you get the lotion to your desired consistency make sure you have plenty of dry skin exposed...this next part can be messy.
You want to place the lotion into containers, either as gifts or for yourself. If you already have jars or bottles that is great!! I made my lotion for me and just put it back in the containers I just emptied. If you plan on filling a small mouthed container the easiest way is to fill a ziploc bag 1/2 to 3/4 full and seal. Then, you will cut a small hole in the bottom corner of the bag...and I do mean small b/c it will get bigger the more you work with the lotion.



Then just squeeze the lotion out of the bag and into your container. Once the bag is empty refill until your container is full or you run out of lotion. I use my feet, elbows, my husbands feet, elbows, and my kids (if i can catch them) to wipe off the excess lotion.

This lotion is very creamy and a little bit goes a long way. I really like to use this lotion on my feet at night and sleep in socks...you will wake up with soft, happy feet. With sandal season fast approaching this is a great way to treat your winter abused feet.

If you try this lotion let me know what you think!!!
--Amy

Baby Blanket

I know several prego people right now...and most of them are expecting little girls. When I stumbled upon this super soft fabric at Hobby Lobby I just had to snatch it up...$3.60 for 1/2 yard.

I knew this would make a perfect baby blanket. It will be just the right size to cover a little lap in a car seat.

Here is the material I used.


1/2 yard of soft fabric, coordinationg ribbbon for the edges, and coordinating thread.

First, I folded my fabric in half and trimmed the edges into an even line. (Note: Be careful-I have read of some cutting misshaps with rotatry cutters this week, it has made me a little nervous.)

Second, I measured my ribbon and cut seperate seciont for each side. You could probably measure and cut one piece, but I was afraid I wouldn't get it on straight.

Third, I folded my ribbon in half and creased it.

Fourth, I placed the ribbon around the edges and pinned in place.

Lastly, I sewed the ribbon onto the blanket.

And your done...you have a perfect gift for a baby shower, or new baby!!

Mine cost less than $5 to make.

Happy Sewing!!

--Amy
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Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Today is a special day for me...No, I am not Irish.

Eight years ago today on a beach in Florida, my now husband proposed!!

We were both still in college and new that we would have at least a year long engagement, but we were both okay with that.

I remember that afternoon really well. It was Spring Break, and my Mom had chaperoned my, my now husband, and 4 other friends, to my parent's condo on the beach. We had all gotten up and gone to church that morning and after lunch headed out to the beach. We had taken a nice stroll along the beach and after returning to the condo everyone was trying to decide what to do next. My husband (from this point on in the story...boyfriend) said he wanted to go get his Dad's SLR camera and take some pictures, and that he had a gift for me. I said okay no biggie.

We headed for the elevator to go to our unit and get the stuff we needed. I remember waiting for the elevator and putting my head on my boyfriend's chest....wow, his heart was about to pound right out of his chest. At that moment I knew something was up...he kept a cool composure, so I was suspecious of what was going on.

Once at the room, I told my boyfriend I would like to put on some make-up and pull my hair back...he said we didn't have time that he just wanted to take some cool snap shots and we needed to head back down to the beach.

Once we got to the beach my boyfriend handed the camera to my best friend's boyfriend (her now husband) to take some pictures from the pool area while we were at the beach.

As we walked out on the beach my Mom and friends congregate around the camera man to watch the festivities.

Once we get to our destination my boyfriend tells me I can open my present. It was a beautiful jewlery box and when I opened the lid it played music....AND there was a diamond ring inside. My boyfriend presceded to go into some speech that I am not sure I comprehended a word of. I did get the final message though when he asked me to marry him. I was of course crying...the emotional waterwork machine that I am. I thought I said yes, but my now fiance' said I never said yes. I did say yes when it really mattered....at the wedding.

This was a special day b/c my friends and my Mom got to witness a milestone in my life. Even though my husband and I had talked about getting engaged and married a lot, and we had already gotten blessings from our parents, it was still surreal when the time actually came. I am glad my husband had the foresight to have those moments documented for us to share for years to come!!

Now you know a little bit more about me and why St. Patty's day holds a special place in my hart.

I hope you all have a great day and enjoy a little bit of some Irish festivities.

Amy

DIY Dish

This is a new show started by two crafty twins. (Who happen to look a little like Marie Osmond, but they insist there is no relation...i still wonder). The first episode over at DIY Dish is about making cake pin cushions. I am not sure I would put pins in these cakes...they would be cute to set out as decorations, especially at birthday parties.

Anyway, not only are Kris and Kim hosting a cool new web show, they are also giving away 2, that is right 2, Janome machines. Janome sponsored the first web show and are giving DIY Dish viewers the chance to win either a Janome sewing maching or a Janome embroidery machine. Either one of this would be a great machine to own!!

So head over to DIY Dish and check out the show and the giveaway.

Have a great day!!

Amy

PB Inspired Easter Egg Topiary

I receive Pottery Barn catalogs all the time, but can't afford to spend tons of money on their cute merchandise. So, I set out to create my own version of this cute Easter Egg Topiary.

I started with a cone shaped Styrofoam piece, floral moss, styrofoam eggs, paint, tooth picks, a hot glue gun.

I purchased 5 bags of small eggs from the Dollar Tree and cut the strings off.

I wanted my eggs to have the speckled look, so I used a tooth pick and my paint to dab spots on my eggs.

While the eggs dried on a sheet of wax paper I started hot gluing the floral moss to the topiary.

Once I had the tree covered I started adding the eggs.

I broke tooth picks in half.

Then, I poked the broken end of the toothpick into the egg.

I added some hot glue to the egg, for extra support once attached to the topiary.

I added 4 columns of eggs to my topiary with 7 eggs in each column. Then, I added one last egg to the top.

This topiary is cute just as it is, or you can add some cute ribbon to add a little more flare.

Happy Crafting!!

Amy

Raspberry Cupcakes

My Father-in-law loves raspberries, and since our family came over for supper last week I decided to make a raspberry dessert. I started searching for a cupcake recipe...remember I am on a cupcake kick. Through my diligent searching I came across these little goodies. Amazingly I had everything I needed to make these babies except the raspberries and some raspberry jam. NOTE: I would suggest making these cupcakes when raspberries are in season, or buying some frozen raspberries. I paid $5 bucks for an ittty bitty container.

Here are the ingredients you will need for the cupcakes.

First you want to preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

Next, mix your cream cheese, butter and sugar using an electric mixer. I put my cream cheese, still in the wrapper, on my oven racks and let it warm up while the oven is preheating. Keep an eye on it for a couple of minutes, and use ovenmits to remove it from the racks...better safe, than burnt fingers.

Add the eggs, milk, and almond extract.

Mix thoroughly.

Add the rest of the cupcake ingredients, the batter will be a little stiff.

Line your muffin tins with paper liners (or grease and flour, but why deal with all that mess, I just use liners).

Fill the cups 1/2 full of batter. Make an indention in the center of each cupcake using the tip of a spoon.

Here are the ingredients you will need for the raspberry filling:

Combine all the filling ingredients in a small/medium bowl.

Beat with a mixer. It will be a little lumpy.

Add about 1-2 tsp. of filling to the center of each cupcake.

Bake 25-30 minutes (my oven took the full 30 minutes). Let cool 10 minutes in the pan. Then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Here are the raspberry frosting ingredients.

Combine all ingredients except the milk in a medium bowl.

Beat with an electric mixer.

Gradually add the mile until the frosting is creamy...if you haven't made butter cream icing before...a little milk can go along way...so be careful and don't add too much.

Put the icing on the completely cool cupcakes. If they are still a little warm, then the center will get stuck to your icing utensil and make a mess...which means you will have to eat that one...oops.

The instructions say to refrigerate the cupcakes until ready to serve. They are good cold, but it also drys the cupcakes out. So, do whatever you feel is best. The next time I make these, I probably won't refrigerate.

Here is the final yummy product.

Cupcake Ingredients:

8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp almond extract

2 cups flour

1tsp baking powder

1//2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Raspberry Filling:

8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1 egg

3 tbsp fresh or frozen, thawed raspberries

1/3 cup sugar

Raspberry Frosting:

3 cups powder sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 tbsp raspberry jam (seedless)

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp milk

Have a wonderful day!!

Amy

Hostess Cupcakes

I have been really bad lately. I have convinced myself that I NEED dessert with my evening meal. This new philosophy of mine is wreaking havic on my scales...I was trying to loose weight in the new year.

The othere night I had my family over for supper and decided that I wanted to make some cupcakes.

Let me explain why I am on a cupcake kick. Recently there has been a new cupcake store open in our town...and it is all the rage (great for them). The probelm...at least in my eyes...is that these cupcakes are $3.00 a cupcake!!! I have yet to go to this new store for fear that I will become addicted to these cupcakes..I know people this has happened too. And as much as my scales are cruching from my dessert kick...my wallet couldn't stand the same strains of these cupcakes.

From what I hear these are normal size cupcakes that you would make at home...with as much icing on top as there is cupcake underneath.

So, I decided to embark on my own cupcake journey and decide to make some chocolate cream filled cupcakes covered with ganache.
Here is the final product...well at least what is left.

Here is the recipe I used for the cupcakes and filling (from allrecipies.com)

Cupcakes

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Filling

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 pinch salt
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract


Ganache

8 oz. chopped semi-sweet chocolate
1 cup heaving whipping cream



Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line 36 muffin cups with paper liners.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking sodan and 1 teaspoon salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, 1 cup each of milk, water, and oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well. (DON'T WORRY-this is a very liquidy batter) Fill each muffin cup 1/2 full of batter. (I did about 3/4 full).
4. Bake in the over for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
5. Make filling: In a large bowl, beat butter and shortening together until smooth. Blend in confectioners' sugar and a pinch of salt (if you used salted butter, then I wouldn't add the extra salt). Gradually beat in 3 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Fill a pastry bag with a medium tip. Push the tip throught the bottom of paper liner and fill each cupcake.
6. Make the ganache: Place chopped chocolate into a bowl. Heat the cream in a saucepan until boiling. Pour the cream over the chocolate and whisk until all the chocolate is melted and smooth. Spoon and spread the ganach on top of each cupcake.
7. If there is any extra icing...i had plenty. Pipe the icing ontop of each cupcake to decorate.
8. ENJOY!!

Have a great cupcake day!!

Amy
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Hoosier Homemade--Cupcake Tuesday