craft – The Domestic Mama

fondant fall leaves

October 29, 2012 No Comments

I had big plans for cupcakes this weekend, and these little leaves were going to adorn the tops. Well, they eventually will…as of now, these little leaves are still out on my counter as I still try to find/create the perfect cupcake recipe for them.

I’m thinking maple spice.

I made these by gently mixing assorted colors of fondant… you can buy pre-made & colored fondant- or save lots of money and making your own.

Here’s how to make your own:

Homemade Fondant

Of course, I can’t take full credit for the leaves. My daughter walked in and immediately assumed I was working with Play -Doh and had to join in on the fun. Which was perfectly fine until she wanted to make other shapes, then I had to explain how we needed just leaves.

Then I gave in and let her make ~~Christmas~~ Autumn trees.

To make these:

Gently knead tinted fondant together.

Roll out to 1/8″ thickness.

Cut with desired mini cookie cutter.

Place on wax paper or a Wilton Drying Rack (pictured above) to give more curl.

(You can also gently curl the leaves by hand after they have dried 1 hour. )

Use them to decorate pies, cakes, cookies, cupcakes… your counter…. 😉

I will keep you updated on the progress of the baked good that these will end up on. Until then, head over to The Village Cook for an easy Sicilian Tart

craft, summer fun, tips

dollar store crafts

July 9, 2012 1 Comment

dollar store crafts

Over the weekend, my daughter and I camped, ate s’mores and went on some adventures… one of them was the dollar store.

I never have enough cake stands…so I made a couple. It’s pretty self explanatory:

At the dollar store, get yourself two candle sticks, then go to the plate section and find some that “match”. Of course, you could get totally creative and spray paint the glass, but I preferred the clear this time. Glue the two pieces together. (Make sure you use a heavy duty glue that’s good for glass and waterproof)

Next, I want to try some white spray paint, for a classic milk glass look. 😉

You could also try local thrift shops for other bases: cups and glasses, wooden candlesticks, etc.

I could go crazy and make two dozen, I just don’t know where I’d store them all… hmmm.

I guess there is always under the bed…

🙂

craft, easy, life organization

pretty lids

January 24, 2012 No Comments

I have been on a kick with scrapbook paper. Mainly since it was on sale for 6/96¢, and I spent four dollars.

These are jars I saved from random store-bought items and, they drove my hubby crazy, because he kept wanting to toss them. Not anymore. He says they look nice. Awww.

I gathered up several jars and lids, scrapbook paper, scissors, glue, a pencil, and some mod-podge.

Trace a circle slighty larger than the lid, so that you can wrap it around the edges of the lid.

Glue it on in the center, then cut small divots all around.

You’ll need to get the edges really wet with glue to mold them around the rims. Allow the glue to dry, then apply a coat of mod-podge.

That’s it! Enjoy!

kids, life organization

kids room clutter conquer

January 13, 2012 No Comments

I have to admit this and forgive me if I sound like a horrible mama; but sometimes I choose toys by how many (or few) tiny parts they have. Not because of choking hazards thankfully we are past that stage. Although I still have to say “Don’t lick that” a few too many times.

Sometimes, all those little parts make me crazy. All the little plastic ~~hair~~ pony brushes, Barbie shoes… ugh. If you have a boy, it may be little AK-47s or plastic insects. Then again, I have the plastic insects as well.

My point being, is that the little parts end up everywhere and it’s impossible to keep them contained, much less WITH the play set they came with. There are tons of great colorful bins they sell out there but , to be honest I simply haven’t had the loot for a bin-overhaul. I came up with a much thrifty-er version. Yay me.

I took my covered boxes idea a step further, and let my daughter pick out the scrapbook paper for her “toy boxes”.

She has good taste.

The boxes were FREE. The paper was 6/$1.00 and the glue stick was 3/$1.

Can’t get much ~~cheaper~~ thriftier than that.

So, until I have an extra $75 to color-cordinate bin shelf her room, these will be just fine. I’m trying to help her to keep the ponies, little pets and people separate… but she said they like to be mixed up. I’m okay with that. 🙂

For detailed step by steps, go here covered boxes

craft, decorating, easy, gift ideas

DIY dry erase board

January 11, 2012 No Comments

I wanted to post this last month… BUT~ some were gifts for Christmas, and I didn’t want to ruin anyone’s surprise. Can you blame me?

This is awesome and this is why:

You can use any frame I used a scrapbook frame, but you can snag some cool vintage frames at a thrift store for a more shabby-chic look.

You can use any printed or plain paper behind~ you can even make a “seasonal” dry-erase board with assorted scrapbook print paper.

It takes less than 10 minutes to make.

Taa~Daa!

Hint: If you have a dollar store where you live, you can get the markers there. 😉

craft, gift ideas, holiday

trinket boxes

December 15, 2011 No Comments

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I end up with empty toilet paper rolls.

Does that ever happen to you?

I saw this nifty idea on Pinterest and had to do it.

That’s tissue paper. Yeah, I should have used another color.

It’s not rocket science.

Wrap, tape, fill and fold.

Taa-Daa!

Spend more money on the gift instead of the “box”. 🙂

craft, easy, gift ideas, tips

dress project part one

November 2, 2011 No Comments

I’m short. When people ask me “How tall are you?” I smile and say, “I’m not!”Needless to say, a lot of my clothing is too long. It needs trimming and hemming. The problem? I don’t own a sewing machine and I am too lazy to stitch by hand….but, I found a nice loophole for that issue. Don’t get me wrong… I want a sewing machine. I just always “forget” to buy one.

SEW, (haha) I trimmed off a strip. And, that strip just happens to make an awesome hair tie/scarfy-thing)

To hide that unsightly cut edge of the dress… I used….

See that fancy trim? Pur-dee, huh?

You got it. I will post a part 2… once the “ok-to-wash fabric glue” dries.

Tomorrow.

I know, I have been a total slacker on this site. Well, folks it’s CRAFT SEASON! I mean that I will be making a lot of gifts this year since I’m ~~broke~~ really really on a budget. 😉

And… I will share them with y’all.Along with what’s in the fridge, of course.

craft, easy

covered boxes

October 10, 2011 2 Comments

I admit it, I’m a little weird ~~sometimes.~~ For instance, I am currently saving used toilet paper rolls for an awesome holiday craft. Yes, I just said awesome and toilet in the same sentence. See… I’m a weirdo.

So, the other day, I found this box. It was one of those perfect boxes. It was just the right size and strength for magazines and books, and it happened to fit perfectly next to my computer desk. The problem? It was just a cardboard box, and honestly… it would look ghetto if I just left it like that. I’m sure you understand.

craft, easy, gift ideas

cookie jar mix

September 30, 2011 No Comments

Cookie jar mix!

Get a head start on hostess and holiday gifts!

To make these:

Using a funnel, add ingredients in the order listed into a clean quart sized glass jar. Pack in firmly. Cover with a tight fitting lid.

1 2/3 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup white sugar

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup packed brown sugar.

Attach an instruction card using a ribbon and a hole punch on some heavy weight paper or an index card.

Instructions:

In a separate bowl, combine :

1/2 cup softened butter

1/4 cup shortening

1 whole egg

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Empty the jar contents to butter-egg mixture.

Drop by tablespoons onto parchment lined baking sheet, and bake in a preheated oven ( 350) for 8-10 minutes.

craft, easy, gift ideas

sillhouette how to

September 20, 2011 1 Comment

This is a classic meaningful little gift idea. And… so easy. Hooray to easy. Cheap, too… hooray for cheap!

I did about 28 of these last week for my daughter’s class. The most challenging part was getting 4 year olds to “freeze” for 25-35 seconds. That’s forever, when you’re four.
To make these, you’ll need:

black construction paper (large size, sold at craft stores-maybe the big super centers as well)

chalk

white heavyweight paper (same as above)

A kid, or whatever person you want to save on paper. Heck, you could even try your cat or dog…

scissors

glue product (stick is best)

clamp light or lamp without shade.

Directions:

Tape black paper on a wall, and position a chair next to the wall. Place “subject” (kid) on the chair. Tell them to stay still and “freeze”. 😉

Place the light source approx 1 1/2 feet from subject, you may have to adjust distance to capture the subject’s shadow on to the paper.

Trace the shadow using the white chalk.

Cut out and glue onto white sheet of paper. (You could also used colored paper, if desired…)

ADVICE AND TIPS!!!

Don’t worry about it looking really bad when you first trace it, it looks MUCH better once you cut it out.

I was worried some of the kids (including my own) were going to look like shadow blobs, but.. they all came out looking like humans… yay!

I used regular scissors to cut the main shape, and a smaller pair to get more details, such as eyelashes and hair strands.

Glasses are hard, you’ll need to use manicure scissors to get the outline just right.

Don’t worry about tracing the shadow “perfect” , as you cut it out, you can round out any jagged lines you may have gotten.

The stiller the subject, the easier it is.

Use a minimal amount of liquid glue, so it doesn’t wrinkle the paper. (Glue stick works best)

Have fun and enjoy!