Cupcake Liner Jelly Jar Covers

After making bath salts last year (Layered Bath Salt Gift Idea), I had a few empty 8-ounce jelly jars sitting in my closet.  Here is another idea for them that is simple and cute!




Find cupcake liners with a cute design on the bottom.  I found mine at Michael's for $1.00.  There are LOTS of cute options out there.


Fill the jelly jars with your choice of candy and use a cupcake liner as the jar cover!  Simply center the design and screw on the lid.


Wouldn't this be a cute gift?


If you wanted to do this for Valentine's Day,
Wilton has cute, themed cupcake liners!

You could fill the jars with red, pink, and white M&M's...

Strawberry Shortcake Paper Doll Printable



I found a very cute website where you can print paper dolls for free!  The Strawberry Shortcake set would be cute as a gift for a little girl on Valentine's Day.


(Click on High-Quality Print under the image, then print preview/print.)



Note:  I printed mine on regular cardstock, but an option would be to print them on "magnet paper".  The dolls could then be used on your fridge (with the tabs cut off) or in the car on a metal tray!  (Note:  The price for 5 sheets at Costco.com is around $9.)





Here are a few of the other paper dolls available on Teri Pettit's home page:

  • Six and Sweet 16 (two sisters)
  • Ziegfeld Girl
  • The Ginghams
  • Betsy McCall
  • Marlo Thomas (That Girl)
  • Little Kiddles
  • Carmen Miranda
She has scanned and resized everything...the images are just darling!  (I think I have clicked through every link.)




Even if you don't want to print anything,
I encourage you to look around her website...

I guarantee it will bring back some good memories!


Puzzle Piece Treasure Hunt

January 29 is National Puzzle Day...

so it's OK to engage in some puzzling behavior!


(I found this cute puzzle at Dollar Tree today...we'll be thinking of you, Grandpa!)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here is an EASY treasure hunt using a
photograph that you cut into puzzle pieces.

(Make sure you cut up a "leftover" picture...maybe an extra school photograph?)


Simply write the hiding place of your "treasure" on the back of the picture.  (I am giving my kids gum, because they are always taking it out of my purse anyway.)


Cut the photograph into puzzle shaped pieces and put them in an envelope.  


Have them tape the puzzle together and then flip it over to read the message!  (My kids have done this before.  They just put together the white side and didn't need tape...either way will work!)


Happy Puzzle Day!



Candy Bar Brownies

Thursday (Jan. 27) is Chocolate Cake Day...
in my mind, brownies are close enough!

(My sister sent me this recipe so I felt it was my duty to try it...
all for the good of the blog, of course!)



You will need a 13x9 (family size) box of brownie mix and three large Symphony bars.

Mix the brownies according to the package directions.  Pour approximately 1/2 the batter into a greased cake pan.  Unwrap the three candy bars and place them on top.  Cover them with the rest of the brownie batter.
















Bake according to the package directions (depending on your oven, you may need to leave them in a tiny bit longer than it says).  Let them cool...and enjoy!

(These candy bars have nuts and toffee chips in them, so there is a little crunch.)



Easy (and the kids liked them)!

The cost for the whole thing was around $5.00,
so if you need "fancy" brownies, give these a try!

(I'm already wondering what other candy bars to try...Caramello anyone?!?)



Folded Paper Heart Frame

Does anyone else have Valentine's Day on their mind?  Today I'm going to show you how to make a folded paper heart frame.  This would be cute to hang on your fridge (or give as a gift) saying,


"My heart belongs to Daddy!"
(or Grandma/Grandpa/Auntie, etc.)

(My cute nieces!)


  
  • In my photos, I'm using a 10x12 piece of paper because I thought it would be easier for you to see what I'm doing.  However, cutting your paper down to 8x8 (to frame a wallet sized photo like in the example) will waste less paper.

  • Note:  Don't use heavy scrapbook paper...the weight needs to be similar to copier paper so that you will be able to cut through it easily.

  • Fold one edge to the other (into a triangle) as shown:

  • Fold the white part in half again...
  • Fold it in half (underneath) one final time:



  • I found a pattern for various sizes of hearts.  Click here:  Link to heart template to open the page.  On the left hand side, click on the words, "Heart Template", then right click, print picture.

  • Cut out the heart marked 8x8, and trace it onto the paper as shown.  Make sure you leave a little "connecting" piece on each side.


  • Cut around the heart (except for the connecting pieces) and unfold your frame.  Mat your wallet sized photo for a...


  • True gift from the heart!


    



    Children's Song Quiz


    How much do you remember about the
    songs you learned in elementary school?
    (I’ll give you the song title as a hint if it’s not obvious.)


      1)  What will mama/papa buy you if the mockingbird won't sing?  (Hush, Little Baby)

      2)  How long have I been working on the railroad?

      3)  What color is the basket in "A Tisket, A Tasket"?

      4)  Where does the "Muffin Man" live?

      5)  How many blackbirds were baked in a pie?  (Sing a Song of Sixpence)

       6)  Who did the Three Blind Mice run after?

      7)  How long is the Camptown racetrack?  (Camptown Races)

      8)  What happened to Clementine?  (Oh, My Darling Clementine)

      9)  What should we tell Aunt Rhody?

    10)  What three types of animals are mentioned in the first verse of "Home on the Range"?

    11)  Where did I come from and where am I going in "Oh, Susanna"?

    12)  What did Yankee Doodle call the feather that he stuck in his cap?


    Scroll down for the answers...























      1)  A diamond ring
      2)  All the live long day
      3)  Green and yellow
      4)  Drury Lane
      5)  Four and twenty (24)
      6)  The farmer's wife
      7)  Five miles long
      8)  She drowned (I didn't know that!)
      9)  The old gray goose is dead
    10)  Buffalo, deer, antelope
    11)  Come from Alabama, goin' to Louisiana
    12)  Macaroni




    How did you do?

    What was your favorite song to sing?

     




    Free Music Download From Subway/Biggest Loser

    For a limited time, Subway and The Biggest Loser are giving away a free music download for you to enjoy!

    You will get six current, upbeat songs (either for you or your pop music loving teen):

    • Forget You (Cee Lo Green)
    • Just a Dream (Nelly)
    • The Time/Dirty Bit (Black Eyed Peas)
    • We R Who We R (Ke$ha)
    • DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love Again (Usher)
    • What's My Name (Rihanna)

    You only need to give them an email address.  Check it out!



    Does anyone besides me like this kind of music?
    I hear it a lot in the car with son #2...
    son #1 likes scream-o music (which I just can't listen to).

    The Conversation Container


    This is a fun activity!  Print and cut up the "conversation questions" and put them in a container from the dollar store...

    How we used them:  Every night at dinner, we chose one question and went around the table giving our answers.  This was popular with my kids when they were younger, so I also made some as gifts for my friends.

    (Optional:  If you don't want to make an actual container, print out the questions and use them to pass the time on a road trip.)

    Here are some questions to get you started:

    If you had to be trapped in a TV show for one month, what show would you choose to be trapped in?

    If you could open your own store, what would you sell?  Why?

    If you could play any musical instrument at the professional level, what would it be?

    If you could be in the Olympics, which sport would you like to compete in?

    What is your favorite thing to play on at a playground?
    (Adults:  When you were a kid, what was your favorite thing to play on?)

    What is your favorite toy to play with?
    (Adults:  What was your favorite toy to play with when you were little?)

    What are you most afraid of?  Why?

    If you were offered a free trip to any foreign country, where would you like to visit?  Why?

    If you could have two front-row tickets (and a backstage pass) to see any singer or musical group in concert, who would you like to see?

    Which sport would you most like to play professionally?

    You are offered an envelope that you know contains $50.  You may keep the $50 or take a chance and exchange it for another envelope that may contain $500 or may be empty.  Do you keep the first envelope with the guaranteed money or take a chance on the second one?

    What particular feature/attribute about your mom do you see most in yourself?

    Whose house do you always look forward to visiting?  Why?
    (Adults:  As a youngster, whose house did you always look forward to visiting?)

    What one item that you really wanted was worth every penny?

    What is something that you thought you really wanted, but when you got it, found out that it wasn’t so great?

    What kind of clothes are you most comfortable in?

    What is one thing that you really like about yourself?

    What is your favorite fragrance or smell?

    What is your favorite summer (or winter) activity?

    Which of the following events would you enjoy attending the most…a play, a concert, or a movie?

    What special food do you always look forward to eating at Christmas?

    If you were creating a movie about toys coming to life, which toy would be your main character?

    If you could “shop until you drop” in any one store, which store would you choose?

    If you had a great singing voice and could record a duet with any famous singer, who would you like to sing with?

    Which one of your friends makes you laugh the most?

    Which member of your family/extended family makes you laugh the most?

    Working together, can you name all nine of Santa’s reindeer AND all seven dwarves?

    What is something that you got in trouble for as a kid?

    If you could have one superpower, what would you want it to be?

    Which of the three daily meals do you look forward to the most?  Why?

    What has been your most memorable family vacation?
    (Adults:  What was your most memorable family vacation when you were growing up?)

    What is your favorite meal?

    What is your favorite dessert?

    What childhood Christmas present do you remember most fondly?

    Who is your favorite musical performer or group?
    (Adults:  Who was your favorite performer/group when you were growing up?)

    What is your favorite TV show?
    (Adults:  What was your favorite TV show when you were a kid?)

    What is the most daring thing that you have ever tried?  What daring thing would you still like to try?

    Besides a family member, which person (living or deceased) has had the greatest influence on you?

    If you could change one thing about your current house, what would it be?

    What is your favorite room in the house?  Why?

    What is/was your favorite grade in school?  Why?

    Who is/was your favorite teacher?  Why?

    Most of us have had something taken away from us as a form of punishment…what would you most dislike giving up if someone was going to punish you in this way?

    When you have a bad day, what is the best thing you can do to make yourself happy again?

    What has been the most enjoyable club, team or group that you have ever belonged to?

    What is something that you’ve always wished you could do well, but still can’t?

    What particular feature/attribute about your dad do you see the most in yourself?


    Happy Chatting!



    Free Tea Party Printable

    If you read my last post, then you know that January is National Hot Tea Month.  I encouraged you to get together with some friends for tea.  To go along with this idea, I found a very cute free printable for you!

    Why not host a Mad Hatter-inspired Tea Party
    (to celebrate your "unbirthday")?!?



    (B. Nute Productions, for personal use only.)

    *******************************************************************
    After printing the tags on cardstock and cutting them out, you could:
    • Attach them to two different teacups as your centerpiece.  Fill the "Drink Me" cup with various teabag flavors and the "Eat Me" cup with chocolates.

    • Make them into bookmarks.  (Glue them together back-to-back and tie on a ribbon.  You could even laminate them.)

    • Attach the tags to small cello bags filled with candy/tea to send home with your guests as party favors.

    • Instead of tea with girlfriends, have a special tea party with your child.  (It would be fun to stuff a large "Alice" doll into a small dollhouse!)

    The possibiliTEAs are endless!


    (If you don't have teacups/saucers, borrow them or head over to your local Goodwill and buy mismatched sets.)



    I'd like to be a teabag...
    And stay at home all day.
    I'd talk to other teabags...
    In a teabag sort of way.

    I wouldn't have to do a thing...
    A life of bliss, you see.
    Except, that once in all my life,
    I'd make a cup of tea!



    January is Hot Tea Month


    I have a calendar that shows unique monthly holidays.  Did you know that January is National Hot Tea Month?

    I'm not TEAsing! 

    For a mother/daughter outing one year, we went to a local tea room and enjoyed the British tradition of "taking tea".  It was very non-rushed, quiet and relaxing.  We enjoyed a Tea Sampler with little sandwiches, scones, desserts and our choice of tea. 


    In honor of National Hot Tea Month, I encourage you to invite some girlfriends over for tea OR to visit a tea shop near you!



    What did the teapot say to it's lover?











    O, darjeeling!











    How long does it take to ship tea from China?











    Oolong time!




    Do you have a favorite tea that we should try?

    "Can" You Figure These Out?


    On your pantry shelf are cans galore...
    Each had a label when it came from the store.
    A prankster thought it would be clever and fun...
    To remove the labels, one by one.

    It was a dirty trick, but they did leave a clue...
    A note on each one before they were through.
    Study the hint attached to each can...
    So the labels can all be put on again!




      1)  The plural 16th letter of the alphabet.
      2)  Hits someone on the head with a ball.
      3)  Holy Mackerel!
      4)  Diamonds are measured this way.
      5)  Heart pulsations.
      6)  You can make 3.14159... out of this.
      7)  Like a boxer's ears.
      8)  In a state of anxiety about something.
      9)  A hardening of the skin on your toes.
    10)  A fruit eaten as a vegetable.


    Scroll down for the answers...

















      1)  Peas
      2)  Beans
      3)  Tuna
      4)  Carrots
      5)  Beets
      6)  Pumpkin
      7)  Cauliflower
      8)  Stew
      9)  Corn
    10)  Tomatoes



    Why did the tomato go out with a prune?










    Because he couldn't find a date!









    What is small, red and whispers?











    A hoarse radish!

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