DIY Easter Ideas - DIYInspired.com
10th Apr2013

Cardboard Box Photo Booth

by Dinah Wulf

cardboard-box-photo-booth (8)

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I know Easter is officially over (hope you had a great one!), but I wanted to share this fantastic Cardboard Box Photo Booth idea from a friend of mine.  This is such a great upcycle and it’s perfect for any party, especially for kids.

My friend had a box from a large flat screen TV which was the perfect size for a photo booth for small children.  She saved it and realized that she could make a two sided photo booth for an upcoming spring party she was planning.  The larger the box, the better, of course!  She cut out one side, and covered the entire box in white paper.

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On one side, painted an Easter theme with a bunny, egg tree, grass, and Easter eggs and cut out holes for your head in the shape of a balloon and an Easter egg.  She painted more Easter eggs and glued them on to add dimension.

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On the other side, she cut out two sections and used two picture frames as a border.  She decorated it with bows and pinwheels from the dollar store.

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The party guests had a great time posing for pictures.

This Cardboard Box Photo Booth could go with any type of theme party, the possibilities are endless!  Consider draping it with material, covering it with patterned gift wrap, or painting it.  You can also place a box or basket of photo props like hats, boas, funny glasses, and masks.  I may have to steal this idea for my daughter’s birthday party this year!

 

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Category : DIY Budget Party, Holidays, Kid Stuff, Trash To Treasure
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29th Mar2013

Easy Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

by Dinah Wulf

Plastic Easter eggs are EVERYWHERE during this time of year.  They are probably one of the most inexpensive, if not THE most inexpensive Easter decoration you can purchase at a retail store.  You can buy an entire bag for less than a dollar!  Being the cheapskate I am, I wanted to think of some Easter egg decorating ideas, particularly with plastic Easter eggs, because, well… I’m cheap.  Here are some fun and easy ideas that you can do in a jiffy just in time for Easter this coming Sunday!

Make a plastic Egg Garland.

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Unsnap each plastic egg and snap them back together around a ribbon to create your own Easter egg garland in minutes.  Hang it on a mirror, on your mantel, or use larger ones and drape them on your stair railing.

Embellish them with ribbon.

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Using some glue, ribbon, and rhinestones turn rather drab store bought eggs to fab store bought eggs that you can take out and use again next year.

Make a wreath.

Plastic Egg Yarn Wreath

Talk about a complete transformation!  Cover them in yarn and make a yarn Egg Wreath just like this whimsical one from The Sweet Survival.  I love how she used both small and large eggs.

Display them in glass jars.

easter-decorating-ideas

Gather similar color hues and display them in apothecary jars or vases.  Don’t be afraid to mix them up with natural glass fillers to match your décor.

Add your own artwork.

Sharpie plastic eggs

I may have saved the best for last!  Alisa Burke, took an ordinary plastic egg and used Sharpies to decorate her eggs. Mix the tops and bottoms when your done for a fun look!

Before you go, check out this 2 minute tutorial for a spring address wreath I made for Joann Fabrics!

 

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14th Mar2013

Arrowhead Holiday Water Bottles

by Dinah Wulf

Holiday Bottled Water Collage

Did you know about Arrowhead® 100% Mountain Spring Water’s ReBorn™ Bottle made with 50% recycled plastic? By recycling more, you’re helping us get closer to our goal of making our 500mL ReBorn™ bottles with 100% recycled plastic! This isn’t Arrowhead’s first environmental initiative. And it won’t be our last. In fact, Arrowhead has a long history of treating Mother Nature right.

  1. The new Reborn bottle material that can be recycled again and again, so there is no end to its usefulness.
  2. Arrowhead preserves and protects their carefully selected natural spring sources (and acres surrounding them) to sustainable sourcing of our waters
  3. Arrowhead uses LEED certified facilities to utilizing wind turbines for renewable energy
  4. Arrowhead is constantly improving packaging

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Join Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water in the recycling movement today!

I am so excited to have partnered up with Arrowhead in this recycling movement.  I wanted to share some creative ways to use plastic water bottles.  I had made this pineapple candy holder to give away as a gift but with St. Patrick’s Day and Easter coming up, thought I’d make some cute water labels for the get-togethers I’ll be attending.

Here’s what you’ll need:

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I cut 9”X1.5” strips of paper or ribbon to fit around the Arrowhead bottle label and used tape to secure it.  I embellished the bottle with stickers and used circle craft punches for the medallion in the center.  These are inexpensive and easy to make and will add a little extra fun and personality to your St. Patrick’s Day and Easter get-together.

Join me and show your support for Arrowhead’s recycling efforts!  Before you leave I want to share this interesting infographic!

arrowhead-recycling-infographic

A big THANK YOU to Arrowhead for sponsoring today’s post!

 

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Category : DIY Budget Party, Holidays
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06th Feb2013

Recycled Pringles Can Gift Kits

by Dinah Wulf

I have seen a few Pringles can cookie tins on Pinterest.  They are cleverly wrapped and hold the perfect sized cookie.  I’ve seen them wrapped with Christmas paper complete with a bow and I’ve seen them wrapped like a Mummy for Halloween.   These lovely ideas inspired me to create these Recycled Pringles Can Gift Kits with a “pull me” tag and ribbon.  The long vertical shape is perfect for this.

Pringles Can Gift Kits

Here are the cans I used.

Pringles Can Pull Me Gift Kits (1)

I made these nail kits for a teenage girl is four easy steps.

STEP 1: Choose your gift.

Pringles Can Pull Me Gift Kits (2)

STEP 2: Make a “pull me” tag.

Pringles Can Pull Me Gift Kits (3)

STEP 3: Tie all your gifts together with ribbon.

Pringles Can Pull Me Gift Kits (4)

STEP 4: Insert them into your decorated Pringles can.

Pringles Can Pull Me Gift Kits (6)

Other Gift Kit Ideas:

  • Sushi Theme- chopsticks, sushi mat, soy sauce dish, packet of soy sauce, instructions on how to make sushi
  • Movie Theme- different types of candy and movie tickets
  • Spa Time Theme – loafa, travel sized soaps, bubble bath, bath wash, foot scrub, sponge
  • Tool Kit – screw drivers, nails, other tools
  • Sewing Kit – needles, thread, scissors, buttons
  • Makeup Kit – brushes and makeup
  • Creative Kit for Kids – crayons, markers, paints, brushes, stickers
  • Travel Theme – travel sized toiletries, tooth brushes
  • Puzzles – puzzle pieces and a photo of the completed puzzle
  • Bachelorette/Bachelor Party Kit- small liquor bottles, shot glass, cards, vail, sash, temporary tattoos, fun straws, games, etc.
  • Fourth of July- fill it with sparklers, snaps, matches
  • General- fill it with holiday themed candy and decorate accordingly

Here are some more fun trash to treasure ideas and tutorials!

What else can you do with a Pringles Can???

 

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7 Comm
09th Jul2012

Stenciled Butterfly Wall Art

by Dinah Wulf

Recently, I wrote a post on DIY Butterfly Wall Art from items I found in my craft closet.  With my daughter’s garden themed birthday party coming up, I decided to make another craft scrap art piece.  I wanted to use it as part of the decorations at her birthday party, as well as hang it in her room after.

Once again, I didn’t have to buy anything new.  I had every item already sitting in my craft closet.  I even had another ugly painting that I inherited when my husband and I moved in together.  If you don’t have an old ugly painting, blank canvases can be purchased at any craft store.  Also consider going to a thrift store and recycle an old one.  It may even come with a frame you can reuse.

Here is what I used for my Stenciled Butterfly Wall Art project.

  • Old painting or canvas
  • Burlap
  • Staple gun and staples
  • Craft paint
  • Spouncer
  • Stencils
  • Paper plate
  • Glue gun and glue sticks
  • Craft Butterflies

I started off by covering the painting with burlap that I had from my Stenciled Burlap Placemat project by attaching it with a staple gun.  Make sure you pull the fabric taught as you staple it.  Next, I laid out my stencils and butterflies in the order I wanted them placed on the canvas and took a digital photo of it.

I stenciled my daughter’s name on the bottom right and stenciled a butterfly in the center.  Check out my Stenciled Burlap Placemat project for stenciling tips and tricks.  Next, referring back to my digital photo, I hot glued each butterfly onto the canvas.

Both quickly and easily I have a unique and personalized party and room decoration that didn’t cost me a dime!!

 

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8 Comm
16th Apr2012

Tea Party Inspiration

by Dinah Wulf

I have been contemplating what to do for my daughter’s 2nd birthday party.  For some reason I keep going back to a tea party theme.  I know she’s a little young, but I think it may work.  It’ll be a small and simple party anyway… we won’t go big until she turns five years old (at least that’s what I’m telling my husband).

I decided to get some inspiration from the World Wide Web and… man… there are some GREAT ideas out there… TONS of tea party inspiration right at your fingertips! I love it all!

Check out what I found.  The Better Homes and Gardens Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter party is tremendous!  One of my favorites is using colorful vintage tins as flower vases.  I found a ton of cool ideas from party favors to decorations, and centerpieces to finger food ideas.  I also dug up some of my past ideas that I thought would go nicely.  I added links at the bottom for tutorials and for sources for your reference.  I hope it helps.

If you have more ideas, please comment! I’d love to read them.  I need all the tea party inspiration I can get.

Tea Cup Candles

Mad Hatter Tea Party

Stacked Tea Cups

Pink and Purple Dessert Table

Fabric Flag Banner

Tea Party Dress Up

Accordion Flowers

Tea Cup Dessert Display

Mini Cupcakes in Tea Cups

Party Pinwheel How To

Paper Dahlia Favors

Tea Party Favors

Tea Pot Flowers

BHG Mad Hatter Party

 

Did anything on this inspiration board actually inspire you? Please fee free to leave a comment! :)

**Don’t forget to enter to win a $50 gift certificate to iStencils.com! The giveaway ends soon!

** Thanks to Amy from Pound For Pennies for featuring an article I wrote today for her Green Theme!  Check it out and peruse her site for some awesome coupon deals!

 

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06th Apr2012

Easter Themed Cocktails Part Two

by Dinah Wulf

Written By: David Edessa

More Easter Themed Cocktails!

Easter White Peanut Butter Egg Martini Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1¾ oz. Peanut Infused Vodka (recipe below)
  • 1¼ oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
  • ¾ oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • 1 teaspoon Smooth Peanut Butter
  • ½ oz. Simple Syrup

Martini Glass Prep:

Coat the rim of the glass with crunchy peanut butter. Also, drizzle with milk chocolate inside glass to rim. Then place upside down on wax paper and place in freezer to chill.

Instructions:

Stir peanut butter with Infused Vodka and Simple Syrup until peanut butter dissolves. Add remaining ingredients and shake with ice in a shaker filled halfway with ice. Shake vigorously for a few seconds and strain into prepped chilled martini glasses.

Easter Peanut Butter Bunnies Martini Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. Peanut Butter Cup Infused Vodka (recipe below)
  • 1 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • 1 oz. Heavy Whipping Cream
  • ½ oz. Dark crème de cacao
  • ¾ oz. Godiva Original Chocolate liqueur (refrigerated) to be used at end of drink.

Martini Glass Prep:

Coat rim of glass and let it drip into inside of glass with milk chocolate syrup. Then place upside down on wax paper and place in freezer to chill.

Instructions:

Combine infused vodka, Baileys, cacao and cream in a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice. Shake vigorously for a few seconds and pour into prepped martini glasses. Then, pour the chilled Godiva Chocolate liqueur slowly on the side of drink to create a tasty two tone effect on the drink. Garnish with Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

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Peanut Infused Vodka Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 750 mL Bottle of Vodka
  • 1 cup Unsalted RAW Peanuts

Infusion Instructions:

To prepare the infused vodka, combine vodka and chopped RAW Peanuts in a clean mason jar (make sure the peanuts are fresh from a sealed container). Close jar tightly and store in a cool dry place for 7 days. Give it a good shake once or twice per day. Once vodka has been infused, strain into a clean mason jar using a fine mesh sieve. Store in a cool place or in the freezer.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Infused Vodka Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 750 mL Bottle of Vodka
  • 1 cup Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Infusion Instructions:

Combine vodka and Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups in a clean mason jar. Close jar tightly and store in a cool dry place for 7 days. Give it a good shake once or twice per day. Once vodka has been infused, strain into a clean mason jar using a fine mesh sieve and then repeat process. Store in a cool place or in the freezer.

Glass Prepped Instructions:

Rub rim of martini glass with a lemon peel and fresh lavender flower. Place martini glasses in freezer to chill.

Strawberry Lavender Martini

Ingredients:

  • 2 to 3 ripe strawberries
  • 2 oz. Citrus Vodka
  • 1 oz. Honey Lavender syrup (recipes below)
  • ½ oz. Fresh orange juice

Instructions:

Muddle strawberries in the bottom of a shaker. Fill cocktail shaker to the rim with ice cubes, add all liquid ingredients and shake vigorously. Pour into prepped martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist or strawberry.

Pear Lavender Martini

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Pear Vodka
  • 1 oz. Honey Lavender syrup (recipes below)
  • ½ oz. Pineapple juice
  • ½ oz. Fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

Fill cocktail shaker to the rim with ice cubes, add all liquid ingredients and shake vigorously. Pour into prepped martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Mango Honey Lavender Martini

Ingredients:

  • 2½ oz. Mango Rhum
  • 1 oz. Honey Lavender syrup (recipes below)
  • ½ oz. Fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

Fill cocktail shaker half way with ice cubes, add all liquid ingredients and shake vigorously. Pour into prepped chilled martini glass. Use fresh lavender bloom as a garnish.

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I was walking into Trader Joes and saw planters of beautiful small lavender bushes and thought it’s time to add more cocktails!

Honey Lavender Simple Syrup Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1½ cup clover honey
  • 1½ cups water
  • 2 tablespoon lavender buds
  • 1 drop red food coloring
  • 1 drop blue food coloring

Instructions:

Combine water and honey in a pot and heat slowly over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Crush lavender buds using a mortar and pestle and add to sugar solution. Reduce heat to a low simmer and steep buds for 15-20 minutes. Steeping lavender buds tends to result in slightly brown tinted syrup, so I like to add one drop each of red and blue food coloring when I add the lavender buds.

After steeping buds, remove from heat. Pour contents through a fine mesh sieve and into a large mason jar. Let syrup cool until you can handle the jar without burning yourself. Line sieve with a coffee filter, place sieve over second jar, and filter syrup. The coffee filter removes fine particulate matter and will result in a clear and debris-free syrup.

Drying Lavender Instructions:

The best time to harvest the lavender flowers are when they are newly opened Harvest the lavender stems. Using a pair of gardening shears cut stems just above the leaves when the flower buds are starting to open and show their color. This is the time when the lavender aroma is at its strongest. Place several stems together and secure the stems with a rubber band. Unlike twine or raffia, a rubber band will stay secure even as the stems shrink from the drying process. Hang lavender bundles in a warm area away from direct sunlight. Place a clean sheet underneath the hanging lavender as it dries to catch any fallen buds. It can take between seven and ten days for the stalks to dry out completely. Remove the buds from the stems. Place dry stems on a length of newspaper or a large towel, and gently roll it up like a tube. Now roll it back and forth on a hard surface like you are rolling out dough. This will dislodge the buds without crushing them.

Lavender works well with the following ingredients when making cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages: Strawberry, Cream, Figs, Blueberries, Honey, Mango, Cucumber, Thyme, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Cream, Rhubarb, and Plum

What to do with the Stems?

Add dried lavender stems to the coals on your barbecue when cooking or on firewood to add flavor or scent to your meal of fire.

Happy Easter!!!! :)

 

Do you like this post?  We would love to hear your thoughts! Please feel free to leave a comment! :)

 

 

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3 Comm
05th Apr2012

Easter Egg Ornament Tree

by Dinah Wulf

Easter Egg Ornament Tree, Written By: Jennifer Hostetler

Easter’s just around the corner! After putting up the Easter stuff I found a few items that are cute but just needed a little something. One item was this tree, years ago it had something that went on it but I could not find anything in my Easter stuff. My daughter and I decided to make some egg ornaments to hang from the tree.  This took us about 30 minutes and we found everything we need in our craft and Easter stuff. Here is how to make an Easter Egg Ornament Tree.

Materials:

  • Small Easter Eggs
  • Ribbon
  • Glue Gun
  • Scissors

This is the tree that we had that looked just to plain:

1st cut the Ribbon in two lengths.  One that you will loop and make as the hanger and one that you tie into a bow.

2nd hot glued the hanger to the egg and then glued the bow on.

We finished by hanging them on the tree.

Added Tip:  When working with ribbon you can singe the ends of the ribbon with a lighter to keep it from fraying. Take precaution:  Holding the flame on the ribbon to long will catch it on fire so this should be a quick process. Always have a glass of water near by!

Have a fantastic Easter!

 

 

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04th Apr2012

Easy Easter Basket Update

by Dinah Wulf

Every year it seems you buy a new Easter basket for your kids.   I say, first, remember where you put last year’s Easter basket, and second, don’t buy a new one!  Rather, update and recycle the old one! OR go to a thrift store and buy a used one and upcycle it.

Here is my daughter’s Easter basket. There are a few reasons why I bought it: 1) it’s plain, 2) it’s boring, and 3) it’s sturdy. So why buy a plain, boring, and sturdy Easter basket?  You can use it for several years, not just at Easter, and it’s easy to match the Easter dresses and outfits you DO have to buy every year.

If you’re at all like me, you have something like this in your craft closet.

Ribbon has multiple uses for me besides gift wrapping (party decorations, DIY invitations, party games, DIY party favors, and EASTER BASKETS!) and I always seem to have a decent selection at all times.

A few pieces of colorful ribbon, and you have a whole new recycled Easter basket.  I think ribbon can be used for both girls and boys.  You can use coordinating colors and patterns and weave and tie it any way you want.  The possibilities are endless.  Ribbon is also great because after Easter, you can take it off and reuse it for other things. Here are a few AFTER shots.  Simple, quick, easy…

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03rd Apr2012

Recycled Candy Wrapper Easter Basket

by Dinah Wulf

Celebrate the Pink, Yellow, and “Green” Hues of Easter

TerraCycle® Provides Easter DIY Project and Free Collection Program for Candy Wrappers

Spring is in the air, and the Easter bunny is just a hop, skip and a jump away. This year, make sure to fill your Easter baskets, but not your garbage cans, with sweet treats. TerraCycle offers an environmentally-conscious alternative for all those leftover candy wrappers as well as fun DIY projects to get the whole family excited about an Eco-Easter. With the help of partners MOM Brands™ and M&Ms, TerraCycle hopes to make this springtime holiday greener than the newly-grown grass.

 

Need an Easter basket to hold those eggs from an Easter Egg hunt?  MOM Brands Malt-O-Meal® cereals and TerraCycle have a fun – and environmentally-friendly – DIY project the kids will love. All you need are food wrappers, scissors, and a few other items to make your very own Easter basket to fill with sweets. Get the free project here.

To keep those candy wrappers in your Easter baskets out of a landfill, TerraCycle and M&M’s Candy Wrapper Brigade offers an easy alternative. Simply collect candy wrappers, send them to TerraCycle and receive two points per item collected that can be used for charity gifts or converted to cash and donated to any school or charity. TerraCycle even covers the shipping cost. TerraCycle also collects Malt-O-Meal bags through its Cereal Bag Brigade, if you choose not to turn them into Easter baskets. Visit www.terracycle.com to sign up for the Brigade programs and view the full list of items TerraCycle accepts.

 

About MOM Brands MOM Brands is the largest family owned cereal company in the U.S. The company has produced quality cereal products since 1919 and manufactures many varieties of oatmeal, family favorite ready-to-eat and all-natural cereals as well as its original, farina-based hot cereal. Today, one in 10 servings of cereal breakfast eaten every day is a MOM Brands cereal. Dedicated to finding better ways to make a better breakfast at a better price, MOM Brands is continually innovating to produce, package and transport its cereals in ways that reduce environmental impact. For more information about MOM Brands and its cereal products please visit www.MOMBrands.com.

 

About TerraCycle TerraCycle, Inc. is an international upcycling and recycling company that takes difficult-to recycle-packaging and turns it into affordable, innovative products.  Founded in 2001, TerraCycle is the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste. TerraCycle works with more than 30 major brands in the U.S. and around the world to collect used packaging and products that would otherwise be destined for landfills. It repurposes that waste into new, innovative materials and products that are available online and through major retailers. The waste is collected through TerraCycle’s Brigade programs, which are free fundraisers that pay for every piece of waste collected and returned. For information on how to join a TerraCycle Brigade and on purchasing TerraCycle products please visit www.terracycle.com.

 

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02nd Apr2012

Easter Inspiration Board

by Dinah Wulf

I have VERY fond memories of Easter. First, an Easter post was one of the first posts I ever wrote for this blog. Second, I recall getting to buy an Easter dress with a hat, gloves, shoes, and purse every year to wear to church Easter Sunday. I also participated in two Easter egg hunts, one at home, and one at a family friend’s. My parents would hide two Easter baskets for my brother and me.  One made of all chocolate (including the basket) and a regular Easter basket filled with goodies…spoiled much?

Needless to say, I love Easter.  There are SO many great crafts out in the blogging world, so here is this week’s inspiration board, my very own Easter Inspiration Board, full of fun Easter craft tutorials from fellow bloggers, decorations, and ideas.

As a reminder, I did my best to find the correct DIY tutorial for each photo.  Some of the photos on this inspiration board are from Etsy.com or other online retailers, so the link will tell you where you can purchase it. Scroll all the way down; the links are below at the end of the post.

Easter Inspiration Board Links

Where you inspired by anything you saw on this inspiration board? Please leave a comment! I’d love to here what you think :)

 

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6 Comm
30th Mar2012

Easter Themed Cocktails

by Dinah Wulf

David has definitely outdone himself this week with some FABULOUS Easter themed cocktails, including a Jelly Bean Martini, a Carmel Cadbury Egg Martini, and …wait for it… a PEEP-A-TINI!!! Plus, at the end there is a bonus recipe for the perfect April Fool’s Day shot!!!

Written By: David Edessa

Happy Easter!!!…Felices Pascuas!!!Feliç Pasqua!!!Joyeuses Pâques!!!Buona Pasqua!!!Beannachtaí na Cásca!!!Frohe Ostern!!!
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Carrot Mascarpone Cheese Milk Shake (With Alcohol):

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Vanilla Rhum or Spiced Rhum
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3 scoops vanilla ice cream
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • ½ cup Mascarpone cheese
  • 1 cup of Carrot Purée (recipes below)

Instructions:
Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Serve immediately in tall glass. Garnish with whipped cream and graham sprinkles to personal taste.

Graham Cracker sprinkles mix:

  • ½ cup graham crackers smashed
  • ½ oz. ground cinnamon
  • ½ oz.  ground nutmeg

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I named this drink after one of my favorite childhood movies…HARVEY written by play wright Mary Coyle Chase.

Harvey’s Carrot Martini

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Citrus Vodka
  • 1 oz. Grand Marnier
  • 1 ¾ oz. carrot puree (recipe below)

Place martini glasses in freezer to chill.

Instructions:
Combine strained carrot puree and all liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice, shake vigorously and strain into chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a pinch of nutmeg/ cinnamon mix on top center of glass without mixing into drink.

Nutmeg/ Cinnamon mix:

  • 2 oz. ground cinnamon
  • 2 oz. ground nutmeg
  • 1 oz. powdered sugar

Carrot Purée Instructions:

Ingredients:

  • 16 ounces chopped carrots
  • 6 ounces apple juice

Carrot Puree: In a blender puree carrots along with apple juice, strain using a fine mesh sieve.
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Reminiscent of the Hostess Cakes snow balls…

Coco Snowball Martini

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. Vanilla Rhum
  • 1 ½ oz. Coconut Rhum
  • ¾ oz. Godiva White Chocolate liqueur
  • ½ oz. Blue Curaçao liqueur

Place martini glasses in freezer to chill.

Instructions:
Rim a martini glass with honey and fresh shredded coconut and for variety try toasted coconut. Place all liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice, shake vigorously and strain into chilled martini glass.

Jelly Bean Martini

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz. Jelly Bean Infused Vodka (recipes below)
  • 1 oz. Triple Sec
  • ½ oz. Sparkling Wine Brut
  • 1 lemon wedge

Glass Prep:
Add sugar along the rim of the martini glass. To do this, place blue curaçao or grenadine on a flat plate (depending on the color of the rim you wish to create) then dip the glass into the liquid to wet the rim. Place powdered sugar on a flat plate or surface then rim the wet rim glass into sugar and coat the rim. Place rimmed prepared martini glasses in freezer to chill.

Instructions:
Put all liquid ingredients and squeeze a lemon wedge into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice and shake vigorously and strain into chilled prepped martini glasses. Float on top of glass the sparkling wine.

Jelly Bean Infusion Instructions:
To create jelly bean-infused vodka, place 750mL bottle of vodka and 16 oz. of jelly beans in a glass jar for about 48 hours and shake throughout the day. Strain using a fine mesh sieve. Use one color of jelly beans for best results. Also, a great alternative to vodka is rhum….. For a different flavor you can try vanilla flavored vodka or rhum.

Peep-a-Tini

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz. Peep Infused Vodka Vanilla (recipes below)
  •  ½ oz. Vanilla syrup (recipes below)
  • 1 oz. Cream

Glass Prep:
Pour a small amount of vanilla syrup onto one plate (add food coloring opposite to that of infused vodka) and sprinkle sugar onto another plate. Dip the rim of the glass into the syrup and then into sugar to coat. Place prepped glass in freezer.

Instructions:
Put vodka, syrup (without food coloring) and cream in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake vigorously then strain into prepped chilled martini glass. You can garnish with or without a Peep!!!

Peep Infusion Instructions:
To create Peep infused vodka, place one 750mL bottle of Vanilla Vodka and 16 oz. of Peeps in a glass jar for about 48 hours and shake throughout the day. Strain using a fine mesh sieve, a second straining will be necessary (move liquid in circles in sieve to insure consistent dripping). Use one color of Peeps for best results. Also, a great alternative to vodka is rhum.
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Caramel Cadbury Egg Martini

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. Vanilla Rhum
  • 1 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream with Caramel
  • ½ oz. dark crème de cacao
  • 1 ounce Butter cream (recipes below) ½ oz.  chocolate syrup

Glass Prep: Drizzle chocolate & caramel syrup around inside rim of glass. Place in freezer to chill.

Instruction:
Place all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice, including chocolate syrup in a shaker half filled with ice. Shake vigorously until chocolate syrup is completely incorporated with shakers contents. Strain into chilled prepped martini glasses.
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Vanilla Syrup Recipes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cups water
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract (If you can get a hold of real vanilla bean the better :) )

Instruction:
In medium saucepan over medium high heat, bring water and sugar to a boil (stir to keep from burning). Cook until mixture thickens slightly, about three minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Simple Syrup Suggestion:
A couple of suggestions that will make your simple syrup better include adding ¼ cup of corn syrup to the mixture. This will help prevent crystallization of the sugar and keeps it smooth, since it is a super saturated solution. The other suggestion is to add one or two ounces of vodka or neutral grain spirit to the simple syrup after it has been bottled. This will help prevent mold or bacteria from growing.
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Buttercream recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (but not melted!) Ideal texture should be like soft served or churned ice cream
  • 3 cups powdered sugar (confectionary), SIFTED
  • ¼ teaspoon table salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons of heavy cream

Instructions:
Beat butter for a few minutes with a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar and turn your mixer on the lowest speed (so the sugar doesn’t blow everywhere) until the sugar has been incorporated with the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons of cream and beat for 3 minutes. If you’re frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add more sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add remaining cream 1 tablespoon at a time.
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Dead Rabbits (shot)

Ingredients:

  • ¾ oz. Rye Whisky
  • ¾ oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • 1 oz. Carrot Juice (recipes on page)
  • ½ oz. butterscotch schnapps
  • Crushed ginger snaps

Instructions:
Rim a shot glass with honey and crushed ginger snaps. Place all liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice, shake vigorously and strain into shot glasses.

HAPPY EASTER!!!ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕСЕ!!!פסחא שמח!!!Καλό Πάσχα!!!Pasg Hapus!!!Maligayang Pasko ng Pagkabuhay!!!

 

Bonus Shot: April Fool’s Day Gag Drink

Cement Mixer (shot)

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. chilled Bailey’s Irish cream liqueur
  • ½ oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

Instructions:

Pour the Bailey’s into a large shot glass. Slowly float the lime juice on top. Drink it quickly before chemical reaction takes place! The drink will coagulate in the person’s mouth!!

Happy April Fool’s Day!

Photo Sources: ListNLearn.com, SheKnows.com, MyMansBelly.com, ParchedNoMore.com, HealthyChicEats.com, SailusFood.com, SavorySweetLife.com

 

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29th Mar2012

Upcycled Sweaters

by Dinah Wulf

Spring it here!!! It’s time to put away all those winter sweaters, or in my world upcycle them!  Upcycling is taking something old and repurposing it into something new.  As you may (or may not) know, I love promoting Etsy handmade sellers because I respect their craft and I just think it’s amazing all the ideas that these talented folks come up with. Here are a few of my favorite items for sale that are currently on Etsy.  All of them are hand-crafted from upcycled sweaters… so awesome AND eco-chic (hey, that’s a new term I am officially coining today)!

These cupcake pin cushions made out of felted wool sweaters are a must have for every crafter.  Complete with a cherry on top, it doubles as an ornament too!

I found some SUPER cozy pillows from Pams Warm Creations and Fancy Marmot.

Spring also means Spring cleaning and organizing!  Check out these adorable upcycled hangers made from wool and cashmere by Folk City.  What a great idea!

I don’t care how nice it is outside, every cup of coffee needs this eco-friendly coffee cup cozy made out of vintage upcycled sweaters.

Display your Spring flowers in this clever sweater vase made out of the sleeve of a vintage sweater.

And last but not least, just in time for Easter, the Easter bunny is bound to fill up this eco-friendly sweater Easter basket full of goodies made by Seasons of Wool.

 

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28th Mar2012

Easter Egg Crafts

by Dinah Wulf

I can’t believe March is practically over already!  The next month will be the mark of my first Blogaversary! It has almost been one year that I have been blogging and the second post I ever published was about a cute Easter Egg-o-gram photo tutorial by one of my favorite blogs, Poppytalk. So I thought I’d pay homage to this cute little Easter egg tutorial that I put together some of my all-time favorite Easter Egg crafts so far. Enjoy!

I found a Paper Mache balloon Easter egg tutorial using recycled newspaper by The Goodies, Glam, & Gossip Boutique.  Check out the full classic step by step tutorial reminiscent of Easter time in art class in elementary school.

One of my favorite television channels, HGTV, always has a great selection of tutorials. Make this colorful and glittery hand painted Easter egg garland using real eggs.  There is also the perfect tutorial on how to successfully blow out the contents of your egg, a talent that I had difficulty mastering!

One of my all-time FAVORITE blogs, and one of the reasons I started blogging, Hostess with the Mostess has a DIY project guide to decorating these beautiful sienna inspired eggs with red and yellow vegetable skins and plant material!

Better Homes and Gardens has sweet and simple egg decorating instructions to make these pretty banded eggs.

Finally, you can’t have an Easter egg crafts post without mentioning Martha!  This tutorial instructs you on how to make these dainty egg shell containers.

 

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Category : Holidays
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22nd Aug2011

Accordion Flowers How To

by Dinah Wulf

Accordion Flowers How To

Accordion flowers are a very inexpensive do it yourself party decoration that adds a little whimsy to your theme and decor.  Perfect for a spring, summer, or garden tea party, these accordion flowers are very simple to make. They would also look great mixed with paper pinwheels.

This particular tutorial is for an accordion flower about ten inches in diameter, however play with different sizes to achieve the desired look.

Materials Needed:

  • Paper (desired size)
  • Wooden Dowels or BBQ Skewers
  • Double Sided Tape
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Step one: Fold two pieces of paper like an accordion (approximately a one inch in width) and fold in half. If you are making a smaller sized accordion flower, then shorten the width size.

Step two: Use scissors to cut a scalloped edge, or use craft scissors.

Step three: Adhere both pieces together with double stick tape.

Step four: Glue to a wooden dowel and add a center embellishment if desired. I found that a glue gun works well for this size and the wooden dowel and glue remains hidden. Consider using a craft punch and decorative paper or a button for your center embellishment for both the front and back. Another option is to use string or ribbon to hang each accordion flower.

Tip: To make smaller ornament sized flowers, cut one inch strips of paper, fold like an accordion, adhere the end, lay flat and fasten the center with an embellishment. Hang each paper flower by a string on branches to create a cute centerpiece perfect for a wedding or bridal shower or baby shower.  Make several color variations and sizes to complete your party look.

You may also like these other Paper Flowers:

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29th Jul2011

DIY Centerpiece: Paper Cherry Blossom Display

by Dinah Wulf

DIY Centerpiece: Paper Cherry Blossom Display

Martha delivers yet once again! This Paper Cherry Blossom Display is a great DIY Centerpiece from Marthastewart.com. Something like this paper flower centerpiece would be perfect for a wedding or baby shower.  I actually had a cherry blossom theme for my baby shower, a pleasant whimsical theme and perfect for the summer or spring. These simple yet elegant paper flowers are embellished with wood branches and a vase.

Materials Needed:

  • Scissors
  • Vellum paper
  • Utility Knife

 

The complete steps from diagramed on Marthastewart.com are as follows.

To create five-petal blossoms, start by cutting pink or red glassine or vellum into 3 1/2-inch and 4 1/2-inch squares. Fold a square into a flat cone, following steps 1 to 4.

Using scissors, make four angled cuts to remove the top of the cone as in step 5.

With a utility knife, carve out a small rectangular sliver on each side of the cone. Snip off a tiny bit of the pointed tip of the cone, and unfold and shape the paper to yield a blossom. Collect branches from the yard, and poke their tips through the centers of the blossoms. Place the decorated branches in a tall vase filled with pebbles to anchor the display. For favor bags, fill colored-paper bags with token gifts of your choice, and fold down the closed tops of the bags twice. Punch a hole through one folded corner. Push colored brad through flower, then hole in bag to fasten.

Source: Marthastewart.com

You May Also Like:

 

Also, check out these Sweet Treats, perfect for any party:

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Category : DIY Budget Party, Special Occasions
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28th Jul2011

DIY Crafts: Party Pinwheels How-To

by Dinah Wulf

DIY Crafts: Party Pinwheels How-To

These whimsical party pinwheels were found on non other than, (one of) my idol Martha Stewart’s, website. These are perfect inexpensive and easy to make party decorations.

Here is how you make them.

1. Cut four 2 1/2″ circles for each pinwheel from solid craftstock. Cut each circle in half.
2. Cut two 2″ circles from coordinating patterned paper. Cut each circle in half and adhere to the solid half-circles.
3. Arrange into pinwheel shape as shown and adhere to wooden skewer using tissue tape. Adhere candy sticker to the center of each pinwheel.

Cute and simple in three easy steps!

Also check out a post from Shindig Diva. She shared a how to on flower pinwheels by Gwynn Wasson. You get get the template needed to make this adorable pinwheel on her blog.

 

 

 

Use different colors and patterns to fit any themed party.  Here are the materials you will need:

-Pinwheel Template
-Xacto knife or scissors
-Cookie Stick or Drilled Dowel
-Wooden Beads
-Button
-Wire
-Small hole punch
-Ribbon
-Hot Glue

In eight easy steps, this cute pinwheel will add whimsy to your party decor.

Need More DIY Party Ideas? Try:

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13th Jul2011

Paul Frank Party Centerpieces

by Dinah Wulf

Paul Frank Party Centerpieces

I am having a Rock N Roll Paul Frank birthday party for my daughter because my husband loves music and I love Paul Frank, and well my daughter’s only turning one so she didn’t have much say. I knew it’d be a tough theme, so I had to get crafty and creative. I made these party centerpieces in purple, green, pink, and yellow. I went with colored plastic grass and paper flowers in “pots” because it is a summer birthday party.

Materials:

  • Square containers
  • Scrapbook paper
  • Wooden sticks from any craft store, or BBQ Skewers
  • Floral foam
  • Paul Frank stickers (optional)
  • Plastic Grass or colored candies
  • Hot Glue gun
  • Scissors
  • Craft punches (optional)

These are very simple to make, as the pictures speak for themselves.  Just cut out the desired shapes and glue or tape them to wooden skewers.  Insert them in decorative containers to make a decorative bouquet.

You can make these arrangements in any theme you choose.  Here are some tips.

  • Click here to find out how to make pinwheels
  • Use Google Images to look for your theme’s pictures to use in your arrangement
  • Use assorted craft punches or cut out flowers by hand
  • Click here to find out how to make paper flowers
  • Colored candies, like M&M’s can also be used to conceal the floral foam.
  • The dollar bins at major retailers like Target, always have cute containers in a variety of colors and patterns.
  • Use rocks or pebbles at the bottom of your arrangement to weigh it down if your party is outdoors.
  • Click here for ideas on making matching party favors.

You May Also Like:

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12th May2011

Paper Flower Week: Tissue Paper Flowers

by Dinah Wulf

Tissue Paper Flowers

Remember making these in grade school?  If we made them then we can make them now!  These are SO easy and can be used for baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays, or any occasion. You can also make flower bouquets.

Materials Needed:
-   Tissue Paper Sheets
-   Florist Wire
-   Scissors

These instructions are from eHow.com.

1. Place eight to 12 full sheets of tissue paper onto a clean work surface. Make sure they are evenly stacked, one on top of another.

2. Fold the sheets accordion or fan style from one short end to the other. The folds should be approximately 1-1/2 inches wide. Be sure to keep the folds even. Use a craft stick to smooth the folds down for a crisp edge.

3. Securely wrap a 15-inch piece of wire around the center of the folded strip.

4. Hold the center of the folded tissue in one hand while wrapping one “leg” of the wire around the opposite leg. Firmly twist the wire legs or ends until they are pinched tightly against the paper center. Twist several more times.

5. Cut the end of each sides of the folded paper with straight or decorative-edge scissors. Cut a round or pointed shape to the ends of the paper to make petal edging.

6. Carefully separate the layers of paper by pulling apart the outer edges near the center. Continue to pull the thin sheets apart to loosen and shape the pompom petals. Repeat with the other side of the pompom.

You may also like:

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24th Apr2011

Cute Easter Egg-O-Gram

by Dinah Wulf

I found this cute Easter Egg-O-Gram on Poppytalk Blog and HAD to share it. You can stuff it with a personal message. It’s abolutely adorable! If only I found it earlier… Happy Easter!

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Category : Crafts, Holidays
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