Bottled Mummy

Figured it's about time I jump on the Halloween craft bandwagon.  Also, I'm still working on re-using some of these plastic water bottles.  So, to make this fun, festive candy holder, you will need: cheesecloth, cotton balls, googly eyes, craft glue (elmer's would probably be fine if it's all you have), scissors, and an empty water bottle.

Start by cutting your bottle to the desired height.  I used a regular pair of scissors to cut mine, and it worked just fine.  Use your glue to attach two eyes and a cotton ball to the cut bottle.  The cotton ball will be your mummy's nose, so try to keep that in mind when you are gluing it on.

Next, cut your cheesecloth into strips that are about an inch wide.  Then, begin wrapping the cloth around the bottle.  I used dabs of glue to hold down the edges.

If you don't have cheesecloth, you could use gauze.  You're going for that bandaged effect anyway :)  Once your glue is dry, fill your mummy with any delicious Halloween treats you want!

Cap-tastic

Okay, so I'm one of those evil people that drinks all of their water from a bottle. Yes, it's bad for the environment, and I feel guilty about it, but tap water (even filtered) just doesn't taste good.  And I do recycle. However, I am aware that I create a lot of litter.  Taking that into consideration, I wanted to make something using my discarded bottle caps. They may surface again in a later craft, as I am determined that they can be salvaged into works of art!

Anyway, for this particular project, you will need: bottle cap(s), paint, Mod Podge, paintbrush(es), something sharp, a pair of pliers, jump rings, and key rings.

I personally like acrylic paint, but most any paint will do as long as you seal it.  I chose Mod Podge as my sealant again, but any clear sealant will work.  Begin by painting the top of your bottle caps a solid color. Set them aside to dry.  It will only take about ten minutes if you use acrylic paint.  One of the reasons I love it is that it dries quickly.

Once your paint is dry, you can choose one of two methods for decorating your cap.  You can paint over your base coat, or you can cut out a fun design and glue it on.  A 3/4 inch circle fits perfectly inside the small ridge on the cap.  I made keychains both ways.

If you choose the cut-out method, affix your design to the cap using Mod Podge.  Put another coat over the image once it is affixed to seal the edges.

If you choose to paint the cap, go crazy with the second layer.  Just make sure the base coat is dry and that you choose a color that will contrast well with the base.  Either method you choose, make sure you set the caps aside for another 10 minutes or so to dry.

Caps during the exciting drying phase

Once dry, use your sharp tool to poke a hole through the side of the cap.  Make sure your hole is aligned with what you want to be the top of your keychain image.

Open your jump ring and push it through the hole you created.  Before closing the jump ring, make sure that the jump ring goes around the key ring.  Then close up the jump ring and you're finished!

The black one is hand-painted, the others are made with pics from magazines

Cautionary Note: Please be careful with your something sharp! I made the delightful mistake of trying to catch mine when it leaped off of my craft table. 

Awesome puncture wound...pic doesn't do the bruising justice.

Needless to say, if you'd like to avoid a lovely trip to the doctor's office for a tetanus shot, please be careful with your awl, or whatever sharp tool you use to make the hole for your jump rings!

Pretty Lightswitches

First off, let me apologize for deviating from my regular posting schedule.  Things have been a bit hectic here for the past few weeks.  Hopefully, I will be able to resume posting twice a week.

I have a quick and easy project today since it's too beautiful out to stay cooped up indoors.  Materials needed: a cool picture from a magazine or postcard, scissors, a light switch cover, x-acto knife, adhesive and sealant.

You may notice that there is no x-acto knife in my pic. I couldn't find mine. (Yes, I understand it is rather a dangerous thing to misplace.) I used my fabulous pink pocket knife as a substitute.

Cut your picture down to size using your scissors (if necessary).

I opted to use Mod Podge as both my adhesive and my sealant.  If you are using something thicker than normal paper/magazine paper, you may want to use a stronger adhesive.  Apply your adhesive liberally and affix your picture to the switch plate.

Use your x-acto knife (or other sharp-bladed object) to cut out the switch hole and screw holes.

Once your sealant is dry, hang your fancy new switch plate!

Easy peasy! Now get out there and enjoy this beautiful fall weather!

Pantry Success

So, the first pantry experiment was a smashing success.  The hubby actually requested that it be packed for lunch today. May have to experiment more often!

What's in the pantry?

So, my hubby and I are dining on a tight budget. I am a little under the weather today, so decided not to go to the grocery store.  Poor decision on my part.  It's almost dinner time and it is very slim pickings in our pantry.  So, we will be having something experimental.  It's made with items that I found on our pantry shelves.

Ingredients: one can white albacore tuna
one can vegetable soup
one cup brown rice
splash of hot sauce
red and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350.

I cooked the rice in my Pampered Chef microwave rice cooker.  One cup rice mixes with a dash of salt and two and a half cups of water.  Microwave on high for five minutes.  Stir.  Microwave at half power for ten minutes.  Let the rice sit in the microwave/cooker for ten minutes. Fluff with fork.

While your rice is sitting, mix your can of vegetable soup, hot sauce and pepper with the can of tuna in a separate bowl.

Pour rice into an oven safe casserole or baking dish.  Add soup and tuna mixture.  Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Casserole is baking now.  I will let you know tomorrow how well it is received by the hubby.  This recipe should yield around 4 servings.