A Vision to Remember All Things Handmade Blog

Summertime Fruit Salad with Frozen Pudding Bites

2013-06-19T14:35:00.001-07:00

I am always wanting a nice, refreshing, and light summertime treat. I love pudding, ice cream, and other frozen treats and fruit. So I thought...why not combine them?!?

You will need a box of strawberry creme pudding, a silicone mold, almond milk (you can use regular milk, I just wanted low calorie), and your choice of fruit.

Recipe: Mix pudding with 1 to 1 1/2 cup almond milk (if you are using regular milk follow the boxes directions). I have read online that almond milk makes REALLY thick pudding so to half it. I wanted mine a little thinner so I just kept adding almond milk til I got to the consistency that I wanted.

Put your pudding into a mold. The mold I used is from Wholeport. The cubes are about an inch square.

Freeze until solid.

Cut up the fruit you want. I used mangos, strawberries, red grapes, and an apple.

Pop the pudding pieces out of the mold and mix with your fruit. Let the pudding sit for a couple minutes to let them soften and ENJOY!

Let me know how you like the recipe...Thanks for following along!

Watermelon Jolly Rancher Semi-Circle Jiggles with Silicone Mold

2013-06-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

I received these fun baking molds from Wholeport last week and was excited to try them out...the only problem. Its too hot outside to turn on the oven. My husband would just LOVE me if I made our house hotter. I would never hear the end of it ;) So instead I opted for a fun cool treat that EVERYONE in my family would enjoy. Jigglers!

I followed the directions on the back of the box and made the jigglers for the mold. I must not have the magic touch because only a few of my semi-circles made it out in without tearing. Boo! So if you have a trick PLEASE SHARE it with me. My girls would love you forever. lol.

PS the watermelon jolly rancher (and the apple flavor I am told by my husband) jello taste just like the candy. Yum!

You can get your very own silicone mold from HERE

Stay tuned tomorrow. I will have another silicone mold summer treat.

Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party

2013-06-14T22:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks for stopping by Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party hosted by A Vision to Remember. There were some really awesome links last week.

Instructions:
1. Link up what you have been working on this last week.
2. Grab a button and put it on your blog
3. Tweet, FB, or Pin the link to get more exposure for your links.
4. Stop by at least 3 of the other links and leave a comment. Tell them where you found them through.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I always enjoy checking out your links. There are always some great inspiration available! Enter your email below if you would like to know when the link party is live. Your email will not be used for any other purpose and you can unsubscribe at any time. Loading...

Custom Pillow With Baby Clothing, blanket, and Burp Rags

2013-06-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

I had the nicest lady contact me about make a pillow for her using her sons old burp cloths and clothing. I hadn't ever made a pillow using baby clothing before but I was excited for the challenge.

She gave me the dimensions of the pillow she wanted to cover and I went to work. I made it rag style (surprised? Probably not. lol) and reversible because she had so many different cute prints.

For your own custom throw size pillow made from your baby's stuff she no longer needs you go visit my etsy shop

Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party

2013-06-07T20:10:00.004-07:00

Thanks for stopping by Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party hosted by A Vision to Remember. There were some really awesome links last week.

Instructions:
1. Link up what you have been working on this last week.
2. Grab a button and put it on your blog
3. Tweet, FB, or Pin the link to get more exposure for your links.
4. Stop by at least 3 of the other links and leave a comment. Tell them where you found them through.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I always enjoy checking out your links. There are always some great inspiration available! Enter your email below if you would like to know when the link party is live. Your email will not be used for any other purpose and you can unsubscribe at any time. Loading...

Free Chevron Rag Quilt Pattern with Bonus Car Seat Tent Instructions by A Vision to Remember

2013-06-04T15:00:00.001-07:00

I promised my friends over on +Instagram a few weeks ago a free pattern to the Chevron Rag Quilt that I created.

This quilt pattern can be made reversible, or not, depending on you taste. I have also included instructions on how to make a chevron rag quilt car seat tent.

Free Chevron Rag Quilt Car Seat Tent Pattern

So hurry on over and download the instructions. Let me know if you have questions while making it. Click on the picture below for the link.

Free Chevron Rag Quilt Pattern

Also, PLEASE do not reproduce the pattern in any way and PLEASE do link back to this post if you share on your blog, pinterest, etc. THANKS A MILLION!

Check Me Out Saturdays Craft Link Party

2013-05-31T21:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks for stopping by Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party hosted by A Vision to Remember. There were some really awesome links last week.
Instructions:
1. Link up what you have been working on this last week.
2. Grab a button and put it on your blog
3. Tweet, FB, or Pin the link to get more exposure for your links.
4. Stop by at least 3 of the other links and leave a comment. Tell them where you found them through.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I always enjoy checking out your links. There are always some great inspiration available! Enter your email below if you would like to know when the link party is live. Your email will not be used for any other purpose and you can unsubscribe at any time. Loading...

Tips for Running in the Country

2013-05-31T15:16:00.004-07:00

Let me start out by saying, I am really not that athletic. I like to run 5-10 miles a week to stay healthy and fit. Since having my last baby a year ago, I have lost all the baby weight plus another 12 lbs. In total I am down 25 lbs. I still have a few more to go, but I am really happy with my progress.

Most of the running I have done so far has been on my treadmill during the winter. Last summer I ventured outside running a couple of times. So far this year I have gone outside to run a few times. Where I live there are no sidewalks, no bike path, just the road and the borrow pit (the dip on the side of the road. So for my safety (and yours too) here are the tricks that I use for running in the country/rural area:

Run towards the traffic. Don't run on the side of the road that the cars are going the same direction as you are. I do this so that I can see the oncoming traffic. If I need to I can go into the borrow pit. If I run with the flow of traffic I have to keep looking over my shoulder and wonder when the next car is going to zoom past me.
My roads are not even. They are higher in the middle and low on the side. This causes me a lot of knee, hip, and ankle pain. I have found that if I run where the cars tires mostly are the road is flatter there, but then I am out in the road a little. Thats ok as long as I pay attention to the oncoming traffic.
Run when traffic is the lightest. I like to get my run in the morning. Traffic gets a lot heavier the closer to 8 am it is.
This is a weird thing but relates to #2. The roads where I live going north and south are a lot more uneven than the roads going east and west. So I try to do most of my run going east and west and not north and south. Its much easier on my joints, plus those roads have less traffic. Two pluses for me.
Find a running buddy. I don't have a steady buddy, but I feel safer when I my husband will go running with me. Its also a lot easier for a driver to see two bodies than one body.
Wear bright clothing. This is a must. Its a great idea to wear bright clothing any time you run but especially when you are sharing the road with cars.

These are all some tips that I have learned and might help you to be safer running.

Leave a comment with your tip for running, even if it isn't for the rural areas :)

Purple black zebra quilt

2013-05-30T16:45:00.004-07:00

I made this custom purple and black zebra twin size rag quilt a couple weeks ago. I have done several with hot pink but hadn't made any in the purple color scheme. I love how it turned out!

Twin size Rag Quilt can be found on A Vision to Remember Custom sizes can be made depending on the size you need.

Custom Zebra Purple and Black Pillow Sham

Happy Memorial Day

2013-05-27T06:14:00.001-07:00

Today is a great day for my family to get together and remember those who have gone before us. It's a time I teach out girls about family, and what others have done on our behalf.

If you have served in the military... Thank you for your service and willingness to keep our country safe! God Bless!

Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party

2013-05-24T19:11:00.002-07:00

Thanks for stopping by Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party hosted by A Vision to Remember. There were some really awesome links last week.
Instructions:
1. Link up what you have been working on this last week.
2. Grab a button and put it on your blog
3. Tweet, FB, or Pin the link to get more exposure for your links.
4. Stop by at least 3 of the other links and leave a comment. Tell them where you found them through.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I always enjoy checking out your links. There are always some great inspiration available! Enter your email below if you would like to know when the link party is live. Your email will not be used for any other purpose and you can unsubscribe at any time. Loading...

Just Checking In

2013-05-24T07:51:00.005-07:00

Holy Cow! This week has been crazy with end of school year stuff. Field trips, preschool registration, mom daughter achievement day party, graduation party, dance recital, dance tryouts, dance year end party, and now school programs today.

Man I hate being busy! Is your life as crazy as mine has been?

Check ME Out Saturday Craft Link Party Hosted by A Vision to Remember

2013-05-17T19:47:00.002-07:00

Thanks for stopping by Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party hosted by A Vision to Remember. There were some really awesome links last week.
Instructions:
1. Link up what you have been working on this last week.
2. Grab a button and put it on your blog
3. Tweet, FB, or Pin the link to get more exposure for your links.
4. Stop by at least 3 of the other links and leave a comment. Tell them where you found them through. Thanks so much for stopping by! I always enjoy checking out your links. There are always some great inspiration available!
Enter your email below if you would like to know when the link party is live. Your email will not be used for any other purpose and you can unsubscribe at any time. Loading...

Mombo Nursing Pillow Review

2013-05-17T14:00:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Comfort and Harmony for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was asked a few weeks ago to review a Comfort and Harmony Nursing pillow. I was a little skeptical at first. I had just stopped nursing my 1 year old a couple days before, and I already had a nursing pillow that I liked.

But I decided I would give it a try. I was still skeptical, because seriously, how else could you make a nursing pillow better. It goes around my waist nicely, it props baby up a little to help with fatique in my arms, and its nice to use to help baby sit up a little better when they really want to sit up but still aren't strong enough yet.

So when I received the pillow I was pleasantly surprised. This pillow was awesome!

My favorite parts of it:

it has a foam side to help prop baby up. My favorite part of the foam side is that it gives the pillow some extra support so it doesn't bend as easily. I remember back when I would be nursing a newborn and I would have to put a pillow under my nursing pillow to help prop the baby up a little higher. I wouldn't need to with this pillow!
The pillow is thicker than my regular nursing pillow. This goes back to my last point. I don't need 2 pillows to nurse a newborn anymore!
It has a little vibrator thing that you slip inside of the pillow. This is a great idea! I don't know how many times I have proped my baby up with my nursing pillow so that she can see around a little better. The vibrator would hopefully help to keep baby calm longer!

The cover that I received from Bright Stars has soft minky fabric on one side and a nice, soft, wipeable cotton on the other (cause we all know what happens after a baby eats :)

So next month in my garage sale that I am having, my old nursing pillow will find its way there. I am keeping this Mombo around for the next baby!

So head on over to Comfort & Harmony on Facebook or Comfort & Harmony on Twitter and check them out!

Custom Baby Rag Gift Set

2013-05-13T12:15:00.001-07:00

Just finished up this fun gift set...it includes a rag receiving blanket, burp rags, bibs, rag quilt, and purse. It was lots of fun to make!

Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party

2013-05-10T19:42:00.001-07:00

Thanks for stopping by Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party hosted by A Vision to Remember. There were some really awesome links last week.
Instructions:
1. Link up what you have been working on this last week.
2. Grab a button and put it on your blog
3. Tweet, FB, or Pin the link to get more exposure for your links.
4. Stop by at least 3 of the other links and leave a comment. Tell them where you found them through. Thanks so much for stopping by! I always enjoy checking out your links. There are always some great inspiration available!
Enter your email below if you would like to know when the link party is live. Your email will not be used for any other purpose and you can unsubscribe at any time. Loading...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Rice Krispies

2013-05-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

I always seem to need a quick treat. Whether its for a family get together, after school special treat, or I have a sweet tooth coming on. I don't have time to wait around for cookies to bake!

So the other day my girls REALLY wanted a treat. I was in a hurry to do whatever I was trying to get done that day, but wanted to make them a treat too. So this is what we came up with. Rice krispy treats are always a family favorite and a quickie, but I really didn't want those. So I started to melt the marshmallows like usual and then decided to change it up a bit. Here is what I did.

Chocolate Marshmallow Rice Krispy Treats:
6 cups rice krispys
1 bag mini marshmallows (you can use the larger but the minis seem to melt lots better)
1/2 bag chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter (you can omit this if you want)

Melt the marshmallows, chocolate chips and peanut butter together. I melted the marshmallows a little bit before I added the chocolate chips so they wouldn't burn. Then stir in the rice krispy's . Easy peasy and it only took me 5 minutes. The girls were happy and so was I!

Yum, Yum!

Cheer Up, Mouse! Children's Book Review

2013-05-08T12:38:00.002-07:00

I was asked a couple weeks ago to check out a fun kids book. I was excited to be able to share this fun book with my girls! They love reading, getting read to, and looking at pictures in books. The book I was asked to review is called "Cheer Up, Mouse" by Jed Henry.

This book is all about a mouse that is sad, and how the other animals try to cheer him up. They try all sorts of shenanigans and none of them seem to work. That is until the thoughtful Chickmunk decides to give him a hug. That hug was just what the Mouse needed!

Its a fun little read for the kids, and a great way to remind them (and even us adults) that sometimes all someone needs is a hug and a reminder that they are loved.

So, if you are looking for a fun book to share with your family, you should check out Cheer Up, Mouse!

Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party

2013-05-03T20:46:00.001-07:00

Thanks for stopping by Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party hosted by A Vision to Remember. There were some really great links last week. Thanks to those that stopped by and added theirs.

Instructions:
1. Link up what you have been working on this last week.
2. Grab a button and put it on your blog
3. Tweet, FB, or Pin the link to get more exposure for your links.
4. Stop by at least 3 of the other links and leave a comment. Tell them where you found them through.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I always enjoy checking out your links. There are always some great inspiration available!

It's a Work in Progress! Chevron Rag Quily

2013-05-02T14:17:00.001-07:00

Just a little quilt I'm working on today. :D

Quick snack: Frosted Crackers with Sprinkles

2013-05-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but whenever I make a some frosting I always seem to make way too much! So I found a quick and fun way to use up the extra.

I love chocolate graham crackers. They are a little weakness of mine, but they are so hard to find. This would work with any sweet crackers.

Step 1~frost your crackers

Step 2~dip frosted side of crackers into sprinkles.
If you want to do the colored coconut you will need to add a couple drops of food coloring into a bowl that has a lid. Put the lid on and shake the coconut until all the coconut is covered in the food coloring.

Enjoy!

Mothers Day Gifts and Craft Ideas for Kids

2013-04-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

This is your friendly reminder that Mother's day is just around the corner. Funny cause as I was preparing this post I kept thinking "Moms are the ones that read my blog...they won't be making themselves any gifts!" But alas, I still did the post. So you can "accidentally leave this blog post open on your computer so your husband will see it and "hopefully" get an idea or 2 on what to help your kids make for you!

So here is a quick roundup of a few kids crafts that I found on the blogosphere this morning. First off a few links with tons of craft ideas:

Mothers Day Crafts - Kids Books - Children's Activities and Crafts for Mother's Day

Momma GaGa has 8 Cute Mother Day Craft Ideas

Then we all could use a cute bouquet for Mother's Day. Especially if it comes in our favorite drink!

Handmade Website

Or a candy bar bouquet?

733Blog

The little ones could draw your faces:

Bitsy Creations

First Grade a la Carte~put the things they love about their mom on the stems or a job they will do for Mom

I Can Teach My Child Footprint Art

For more Mothers Day Craft Ideas visit my Mothers Day Pinterest Board

Owl Rag Quilts!

2013-04-29T07:15:00.001-07:00

I am in love with these owl quilts! I think my favorite would have to be the orange, pink, green, and turquoise one!

Isn't it cute!

The other girl one is just as cute! I love the soft minky owl.

Of course I had to do another boy owl quilt. This time I did it in green, brown, and turquoise. Again, with a soft minky owl and 3-d scallop feathers.

If you would prefer to make your own...you can go to HERE. But please remember to share a picture with me! I love to see how different people make the same quilt pattern their own.

Check Me Out Saturday Craft Link Party

2013-04-26T20:38:00.001-07:00

Welcome to another week of Check Me Out Saturday Craft link party. Can't wait to see what you are going to link up this week. Instructions:

1. Link up what you have been working on this last week.
2. Grab a button and put it on your blog
3. Tweet, FB, or Pin the link to get more exposure for your links.
4. Stop by at least 3 of the other links and leave a comment. Tell them where you found them through.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I always enjoy checking out your links. There are always some great inspiration available!

Easy Stroganoff Meatball Recipe~Kid Friendly

2013-04-24T14:03:00.000-07:00

Let me start off by saying that I have the taste buds of a 4 year old. I am so picky! I hate it. I want to love salmon, red sauce on pizza, sausage, hot dogs, peppers, tomatoes, grapefruit and many other "normal" foods.

As a kid I would rather go hungry than eat the meals that I hated!

So, I often times try to hide things my girls don't like (and me) in other things that we do like. This time it was green peppers in meatballs.

Recipe:
1 lb hamburger (I used elk burger cause that's what I have in my freezer)
1/2 c bread crumbs or crushed crackers (sometimes I will use oatmeal as well)
1 egg
little bit of milk to help hold the mixture together
1 medium onion finely chopped (I used my food processor)
1 medium green pepper
2 cloves garlic
1 drop liquid smoke (love this stuff!)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 tsp Lawry's salt
Any other seasonings of choice

Thaw hamburger if needed and combine all the ingredients.

Sorry this picture is bad. My girls were taking the pictures for me cause my hands were dirty. I like to use my cookie scoop to make perfect size meatballs.

I place them onto my cooling rack for cookies that is on a cookie sheet lined with tin foil (for easy cleanup). That way the meatballs are baked out of their grease.

Bake the meatballs at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Don't over bake them or they will get really dry. For the stroganoff sauce I just use cream of mushroom soup. Its easy and quick. Serve the soup and meatballs over some spaghetti noodles and enjoy!