Raising Oranges

Hey I'm back :)

2012-02-24T20:38:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well.

Being without a computer has really put many things into perspective for me. I have come to realize that there is more to my days than sitting at the computer watching how many followers, and visitors I have. There is more that I need to be doing as a Mom and Wife. There is more that I need to be doing for others.

I held onto this blog when I closed my etsy shop, I felt that I needed something to make me, a title to hold. But none of that really matters to me anymore. I spent the entire last 10 days without and it was great for me. It opened my eyes to see what I really needed to focusing on. It was kinda freeing.

There is more that I would love to share with you, maybe another time. Right now I feel like I have been sitting here way too long. I cannot believe I just spent 30 minutes sitting here, I could have vacuumed the living room, swept the kitchen and put the dry dishes away, and swapped the laundry!

Things are going to change for me. I will still be blogging, because I feel that it is an outlet. BUT, I will not be participating in link parties very often, if at all. I will continue to host Handmade 52 every week, because that is a commitment I made for this year. I still have many plans of projects that I wish to share with you all, and if you happen to read, then awesome! If not, it wont be the end of the world for me.

On a side note, I announced the winner of the LOVE clutch, congrats Patty! You should have an email from me!

Handmade 52 #8

2012-02-24T20:27:00.002-08:00

Thanks for all bearing with my absence lately! I'll talk more about that in a bit.

First lets party!

My only rules are:
--it'd be grand if you followed us

--your item needs to be handmade {even if it's your goal to tackle food this year}

--please link up something you haven't linked up here before

--preferably something you did this week

So show me what you made this week!

Handmade 52 #7

2012-02-16T20:11:00.000-08:00

Hi outside world, oh how I've missed you!!

A quick computer update--apparently we got a virus, our computer techy friend couldn't even see our harddrive--slim chances of recovering all my boys childhood memories {cry}. It's now at the shop, were waiting to hear if they can fix it or it'll be a new laptop for us.

Until then I have my phone.

A few things I have learned
1. Life does go on without a computer (remember we have no cable either, it's like the dark ages over here)
2. I kinda like not being attached at the hip to my email, pins, stats, etc. I feel more accomplished!
3. Ive rearranged my living room, cleaned my bedroom (that makes me sound like a teenager), and have tons of art projects in store for next week!

I will have tons to blog about when I am up and running again!! Until then bear with me, I think I succeeded in getting the pinky code right {only took 7 tried and 40 minutes} so please oh please link up :)

-Katie

A unexpected break

2012-02-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

Well it seems that my computer has decided that I need a break from it. Apparently it has a virus. Oh bummer.

Well so until then, I cannot blog like I normally do, and I'm totally bummed.
Hopefully this post from my phone makes it through.

I will try to get handmade 52'up on Friday at least, if I don't, please don't hate me!!

Love Clutch {giveaway}

2012-02-12T08:36:00.000-08:00

Guess what? We made it to 600 followers!

This is super exciting for me!

I feel like giving you something for being my friend....I know it is kinda like bribery.

But any who.

Would you like this?

About it: Materials: felt; teal outside, red inside, red/white lettering.

There are about 5 different ways to enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Handmade 52 #6

2012-02-09T21:00:00.000-08:00

This week I transformed an old cork board into an earrning holder.

You can make yourself one too, check it out here.

Cork Earring Display

This week instead of giving you features of my favorite projects that were linked last week. I decided that I needed to keep myself accountable for what I desire to do this year. I mean it is called Handmade 52 for a reason, that being I am making something every week.

Now my goal is to show you a completed item every week. There are weeks that I finish up more than one item, there are weeks I start on 4 or 5 different items. Pinterest has been my friend, with tons of inspiration and almost always giving me another idea of something to do. You can follow me along to see what I think I might try to tackle this year!

{sewing} frayed baby blankets (tute), bibs (pattern & tute), everyday tote (pattern & tute), scrap pot holders (pattern & tute), angry bird mask (pattern & tute), pattern weights (w/ washers), crinkle baby toy (pattern & tute), crayon roll (pattern & tute), square clutch (pattern & tute), monster hats, christmas tree skirt, apron, tote bag [or 2] {crafts} bleach shirt (tute) {boys} boys curtains {window & closet}, dresser[s] makeover, bathroom stool re-do, re-do old coffee table into desk, hooded towels (x6), Savings in a Jar, Succulent plants in baby food jars, art wall in bedroom, paint bookshelf, bath wall art, crib chew guards, comforters in their color {kitchen} Hutch Makeover, apron hook, recipe book, COOKBOOK, Prov 15:17 printable, painters canvas curtains (dip dyed?), china display, {bedroom} bench makeover, bedroom wall art (4'x3' canvas), headboard, painters canvas curtains, bedroom door curtain {flapper ruffles}, bedding {living room} Verse Printable, paint paper cabinet, desk chair re-do (paint, fabric), painters canvas curtains (dip dyed?), paint orange reading chairs, end table {find & paint}, spraypaint lamp, candlesticks, Photo Canvas {bathroom} paint walls, hang painted shelves, makeup box, mirror art, shower curtain {ruffles}, paint cabinet, cork earring holder {outside} paint wagon for planter, 1x2 door mats (x2), chalkboard on fence, twine chandeliers, front porch seating, garden

The italic items are finished, the bold items are in progress.

I'd like to accomplish more than 52 personally, but that's just me the little over achiever. Plus I know I've said it before, but I really want to flip my house this year. I'd love for most of the projects to be using things I already own, and not spending a lot of money. I believe I'm ready to settle, I want my house to have a sense of unity, to just be a place that I really enjoy being.

I'd love for you to create a list of what you'd like to do this year. You don't have to, I just like creating lists. Silly I know.

My only rules are:
--it'd be grand if you followed us

--your item needs to be handmade {even if it's your goal to tackle food this year}

--please link up something you haven't linked up here before

--preferably something you did this week

So show me what you made this week!

Peppermint Cream Cheese Brownies

2012-02-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe in my overstuffed recipe box. It's been re-written and I have no idea where I got it from. I made some changes to the recipe I had. The biggest change being the color of food coloring from green to red...apparently it must have been associated with St. Patricks Day. I also made a few other preference changes, I like it this way best :)

Peppermint Cream Cheese Brownies

{ingredients}
Cream Filling-
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
4 drops red food coloring {I used pink}

Brownie-
4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup flour

Chocolate Frosting-
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
2 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar

{directions}
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 9x13 pan with shortening {or spray}.

Melt butter and chocolate in a medium sauce pan over a low heat, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Cool 15 minutes or until slightly cooled.
Meanwhile, beat cream cheese & 1/4 cup sugar in small bowl with spoon until smooth, stir in egg, mint extract and food coloring until well mixed; set aside.
Stir in 2 cups sugar and vanilla into chocolate mixture. Add 4 eggs, mix well. Stir in flour until completely mixed.
Spread chocolate mixture into bottom of pan. Careflly spoon cream cheese mixutre over brownie mixture. Lightly swirl cream cheese mixture into brownie mixture with knife for marbled design.
Bake 45-50 minutes or until set. Cool 30 minutes at room temperature. Refrigerate 1 hour. Frost with Chocolate Frosting.
For the frosting, heat butter, corn syrup & water to rolling boil in small sauce pan, stirring frequently, remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar. Beat with spoon until smooth. Spread the frosting over the cooled brownies.
Store covered in refrigerator.

Cork Earring Display

2012-02-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

Recently the Husband asked me to start wearing make up and getting dressed every day. Not that I wasn't getting dressed...I at least put on jeans every day. But I was {still am} getting used to the fact that our day starts at 5am to get ready and take the husband to work, then the oldest to school. Before I knew it, it was time to pick up the oldest from kindergarten, lunch, homework, naps, and then time to get the husband from work. Somewhere in all that commute time I wasn't coming home to finish getting ready {hair, makeup, clothes, etc}. I was still in the same pull over and jeans that I dropped the husband off in.

Bad wife award goes to me.

I had bought this cork board on clearance at Marshalls quite a while back. It had a hole in the cork part, and a chip on the frame. I used it for a while in my sewing area just covering up the hole with papers. I really didn't love it there, but knew that someday I'd kick myself for giving up such a great circle frame. That's all I really wanted it for...someday I'd use it. Please someone tell me that I'm not alone in I just buy somethings for the containers they come in {like the case of lemonade I bought...purely for the bottles}.

Remember when I made my coke crate jewelry wall? Well I have been loving have all of my accessories pretty close and visual, so I'd remember to wear them. But something was missing...a place for my earrings. Then I decided, I should turn my cork board into a earring holder. I was looking for chicken wire so that I could hang the hook earrings on to, my mother in law had some spare wire mesh that she wasn't using, so I decided on using some of that. Mind you, I'm really trying to flip my house this year and don't want to spend very much money.

First I took apart the frame and used the circle of the backing to make a pattern on the mesh so I could cut it out. The mesh had been rolled up, so I asked my boy to stand on it while I traced the pattern. I used wire cutters to cut out the circle pattern, and once it was laid flat I needed to trim some spots because the mesh had a bulge to it. I found a piece of fabric I wanted to use, but it didn't fill the entire circle, which was perfect. I needed a place to stick my stud earrings anyways! I lined up the fabric and cork and placed the mesh on top. I drew the line where I wanted to cut the cork, so that it lined up evenly with a row of metal to make it blend a bit. I cut the cork with scissors. Then I took regular tacky glue and put it all over the back of the frame, you don't need a lot, just enough to help hold the fabric in place. I also glued down the piece of cork. I put it all together and secured the frame.

I love that the mesh has the bulge, it helps to hook the earrings, because it sticks off the fabric a bit. What you can't see is that I painted the frame, I used some antique white craft paint, just to take that pop of bright white away. Once I get my walls in the room painted to tan it'll stand out much better!

Here's what it looks all together in my dressing area. I'm really loving having my earrings accessible; it helps me remember to wear them. Plus now that I'm not using my jewelry box, I've decided on a new life for it. A little bit of paint and....well I'll wait to tell you until I finish the project!

Will you be my Valentine {printables}

2012-02-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

A while back I gave you all my 2012 calendars that I made. I have really started loving making graphics and printables. It's kind of addicting!

These will go great with your favorite candy attached!

I just love the lined paper look, a great place to write who it's going to!

Here's a treat Valentine {download here}

Oh and because everyone wants to be in a band these days!

RockStar Valentine {download here}

And for the boys...they're not all pink and lacy. Even dinosaurs can find love!

Dino Valentine {download here}

Happy Valentines Day!

PS- I took the time to make these graphics, please do not try to pass them off as your own. Thanks!

Handmade 52 #5

2012-02-02T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hey there crafter friends. I feel like this week flew by, what about you? I sure am glad I had a few days of motivation to finish up projects I started. I'm barely a month into the new year and the ambition to pretty things up around these parts is starting to dwindle. I honestly cannot believe that we've had so many people linking up...its kinda fun :)

Remember how at the beginning I said I had a friend that started the Handmade 52 idea. Well meet Leigh over at Rooibos Mom. She thinks she's not creative enough to keep up, but let me tell you this....I want a clear crayon pouch now! I mean this would look cool filled with makeup!! Will you make me one Leigh?

Clear Crayon Pouch at Rooibos Mom

The next project I'm drooling over is this Green Cottage Dresser Media Cabinet at Elizabeth & Co. I would LOVE one of these. But first I have to find 3 of these to transform my boys room. I have 3 boys in a room with one long dresser. It's just not working out...maybe someday I'll be in dresser heaven :)

Green Cottage Dresser Media Cabinet at Elizabeth & Co.

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This week I transformed my work area!

My New Workspace at RaisingOranges

So tell me, what did you make this week? I hope you're getting as many ideas as I am!

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.raisingoranges.blogspot.com" title="Raising Oranges" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt137/funshinegrl/handmade52.jpg" alt="Raising Oranges" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

My only rules are:
--it'd be grand if you followed us

--your item needs to be handmade {even if it's your goal to tackle food this year}

--please link up something you haven't linked up here before

--preferably something you did this week

Happy Birthday Cake

2012-02-01T08:43:00.000-08:00

Today is my husband's 29th birthday. Its a bittersweet year for us the end of the 20's...the beginning of getting old! I've learned that most things in life take patience. From baking to home decorating, if you have patience and take the time to do it right then you'll be very pleased with the results.

Take this cake for example, it was the first time I let a cake cool properly, and cutting off that top layer to make the cake even was a breeze {and my cake looks great too!}

And don't even get me started on the frosting! The husband is a picky frosting eater, so I decided to try this one out, BUT IT TOOK FOREVER! I mean the 30 plus minutes at the stove melting the chips and cooking it down, and then the hours in the fridge letting it set. In the end...it was so worth it! Seriously this is the BEST chocolate frosting ever!

Moist Devil's Food Cake
Source: Martha Stewart Living Cookbook {the original classics}
{Ingredients}
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for pans
3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, plus more for pans
1/2 cup boiling water
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
Mrs. Milman's Chocolate Frosting {below}

{Directions}
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange two racks in center of oven. Butter three 8-by-2-inch round cake pans; line bottoms with parchment. Dust bottoms and sides of pans with cocoa powder; tap out any excess. Sift cocoa into a medium bowl, and whisk in boiling water. Set aside to cool.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on low speed until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down sides twice. Beat in vanilla. Drizzle in eggs, a little at a time, beating between each addition until the batter is no longer slick, scraping down the sides twice.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk milk into reserved cocoa mixture. With mixer on low speed, alternately add flour and cocoa mixtures to the batter, a little of each at a time, starting and ending with flour mixture.
Divide batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center of each layer comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes, rotating the pans for even baking. Transfer layers to wire racks; let cool, 15 minutes. Turn out cakes, and return to racks, tops up, until completely cool.
Remove parchment from bottoms of cakes. Reserve the prettiest layer for the top. Place one cake layer on a serving platter; spread 1 1/2 cups chocolate frosting over the top. Add the second cake layer, and spread with another 1 1/2 cups frosting. Top with third cake layer. Cover outside of cake with the remaining 3 cups frosting. Serve.

Mrs. Milman's Chocolate Frosting
Source: Martha Stewart Living Cookbook {the original classics}
Yield Makes 6 cups
{Ingredients}
24 ounces Nestle semisweet chocolate morsels
4 cups whipping cream
1 teaspoon light corn syrup

{Directions}
Place chocolate morsels and cream in a heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until combined and thickened, between 20 and 25 minutes. Increase the heat to medium low; cook, stirring, 3 minutes more. Remove pan from heat.
Stir in corn syrup. Transfer frosting to a large metal bowl. Chill until cool enough to spread, about 2 hours, checking and stirring every 15 to 20 minutes. Use immediately.

My new workspace

2012-01-31T04:00:00.000-08:00

We've always had our computer in the living room. There really is no other space for it in our house, plus we don't have cable {gasp}, so we watch most of our shows online. Although we really don't watch that much anymore, since the accessibility is gone so is the desire. Originally I had a brown desk here that was the same width, just deeper. I felt it was too cluttered, so off it went to the bedroom {with the ugly black rolling office chair}, and out came my old sewing desk.
I had to get the hubby all set up to have a study area anyways, so his super comfortable chair got banished to a more secluded place {for now}.

First I tackled the paper cabinet. It was a nice dark wood, with a cool mesh grate over the openings on the door. I loved that look, but I hated that everyone could see my stash of unorganized computer paper.

I kept the original hardware. I sprayed the hinges and mesh grate white to give it all a clean and light look. I also used a light gray fabric behind the mesh to hide all of my junk. The paint on the cabinet is actually the same color as the chair, but with 2 parts white mixed in to make it a bit lighter. I wanted the colors to blend but not be the same. Plus I only paid $8 for the paint {gotta love oops paint}, and have already used it in the bathroom {still in progress}.

I found this chair at Salvation Army for just $3!

I've never done any sorts of re-upholstering, so forgive me if I did anything wrong.
I thought the original pad was in okay shape, but needed more cushion. I found a pillow form the hubby cut part of for something once, and I spread it out evenly over the fabric. Then I cut a piece of batting to staple over the entire piece. I really didn't want to take out all of the staples and the old piece, so I just left it. After I had the new pad on I used the same gray fabric from the cabinet and stapled that on too.

I took the chair apart to paint it, although I somehow forgot to take pictures. Maybe because my layers of paint were in between dropping the oldest off for school and picking him up, and trying to keep my new camera away from the 3 year old and keeping that same 3 year old out of the paint. Yeah I know, I think I'm crazy too. I did allow said 3 year old to help paint...the first coat. After I painted the chair I took the sand paper to it and gave it a roughed up look. When that I was done I used Minwax Wipe-On Poly. I've never used anything like it before, and only used it because I found it in the shed when I was looking to see if we had anything. Apparently I bought it for a different project, and there it sat unopened.

*Note...wear gloves....my hand had a nice shinny gloss for a few days**

And finally...all put together I think it looks so much better than it started out! The only part of the entire project I needed help with was having the husband tighten the bolts in the chair. He also needs to drill a new hole for the screws to attach to the seat cover for me {still waiting}.

Total Project Costs:
$3 chair....yup $3, everything else I had at the house already! Now how awesome is that?

Handmade 52 #4

2012-01-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

I've gone boy crazy this week. My favorites from last weeks link up are all things I could make for the boys.

First I have to say that my middle boy has a store bought shirt almost just like this one! I'm pretty sure that I need to make them all matching ones now! {There's even a printable applique pattern!!}

Applique Guitar T-shirt by A Mother and a Daughter

I also fell in love with the tag blanket when I saw it, maybe its the color combos, maybe because its so cute...maybe I have baby fever. Thanks Tara for the great ideas!

Tag Blanket Tutorial at Tara Being Tara

Be sure to grab a featured button for your blog!

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This week I finished up my crayon roll pattern & tutorial. The first online tutorial I've ever done, but there are rumors of more patterns to come!

Crayon Roll Pattern & Tutorial at Raising Oranges

So tell me, what did you make this week?

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My only rules are:
--it'd be grand if you followed us

--your item needs to be handmade {even if it's your goal to tackle food this year}

--please link up something you haven't linked up here before

--preferably something you did this week

Sponsor Raising Oranges

2012-01-26T13:26:00.000-08:00

Would you like to sponsor Raising Oranges?

As always, you can also click on "The Tip Jar" button and it will take you to paypal to donate with no strings attached!

Or, you can Sponsor me by paying for an ad space on the side of my blog.

A Large Ad Includes: {maximum 2 ads}
-Having your ad at the top of my sponsors {above the medium and small ads}.
-Being Featured in a group feature blog post with all other Large Ads.

A Medium Ad Includes: {maximum 4 ads}
-Having your ad in the middle of my sponsors {below the large ads, and above small ads}.
-Being Featured in a group feature blog post with all other Medium Ads.

A Small Ad Includes: {maximum 6 ads}
-Having your ad at the bottom of my sponsors {below the large and medium ads}.
-Being Featured in a group feature blog post with all other Small Ads.

If you are interested, or have any other questions please send an email to RaisingOranges@gmail.com.
I look forward to hearing from you!

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Crayon Roll {pattern and tutorial}

2012-01-24T03:30:00.000-08:00

I used to make the really really long crayon rolls like everyone else, but I wanted to be different, come to think of it that's always my excuse. So I came up with this roll, it's 4 inches sorter than the traditional one; but will hold up to 24 regular crayons {the old one only held 16!} The great thing about this size pockets is they will hold up to 3 regular sized crayons, triangular crayons, and even jumbo crayons.

Crayon Roll {pattern & tutorial}
{printable instructions here}
Materials Needed
1/6 yard fabric A {main}
1/6 yard fabric B {contrast}
1/6 yard fusible interfacing
1 elastic hair band
Thread

Supplies needed
Sewing machine
Pins
Iron
Scissors
Erasable pen

1. Iron your fabric and cut out pieces.

Main Fabric--12.5” by 5” --2 pieces
Contrast Fabric --12.5” by 6” --1 piece
Interfacing --12.5” by 5” --1 piece

2. Fold Contrast Fabric in half so you have a 12.5” by 3” piece; iron flat. This will become your crayon pocket. Also, iron the fusible interfacing to the backside of one of the main fabric pieces.

3. Using a ruler and erasable pen, mark 2” in on the pocket piece. Mark every 1.5” until you reach the edge. You should have 7 lines. {I only mark the top and bottom of every line, but you can make the line all the way down}.

4. Using the main fabric piece with the fusible interfacing attached, place the pocket piece with raw edges together at the bottom {see picture for more explanation}. Pin the pieces together in-between the lines you drew.

5. Sew along the lines you drew on the contrast fabric only. Be sure to lock all end seams of every line. Cut your loose threads. If you used the erasable pen you can spritz with water to make your lines disappear.

6. Attach the elastic band to the right side of the rectangle, where the pocket meets the main fabric with a pin. If you start with your pin on the underside of the fabric and poke through the top and back into the fabric it will create a holding spot so that the elastic band does not try to open up {see picture for more explanation}.

7. Sew over the elastic band 1/8” from side of fabric. Sew back and forth multiple times to lock the band in place. Trim loose threads.

8. Place second piece of main fabric right side down on top of pocket piece. Line up all fabric {right sides of all fabric should be on the inside and the wrong sides showing}. Pin the 4 corners and place 2 pins about 3” apart on the top side {this will be your starting and stopping point when sewing so that you have a hole left to turn your crayon roll}.

9. Sew your fabric closed with 1/4" seam. Be sure to stop at second pin on the top so you have a place to turn your crayon roll.

10. Trim loose threads and clip corners. Turn your crayon roll right side out. Using your scissors, {carefully} press the corners to be squared. Press all seams with your iron; you may need to fold in the raw edges from where you turned your roll. Line them up with the other seams and iron flat.

11. Top stitch all the way around your crayon roll. I find it easiest to start about 1-2” in on the bottom. Make an 1/8” straight stitch all the way around. Trim loose threads.

12. Fill with crayons and let your little one play.

The small print:
-This pattern was created by me; please do not try to pass it off as your own.
-This pattern is allowed for personal or commercial use.

You can download the pdf pattern here.

Handmade 52 #3

2012-01-19T21:00:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of my favorites from last week.

I'm always a sucker for food! This week these Sour Apple Microwave Lollies totally did it for me!

I'm currently in the planning stages for my youngest son's 1st birthday,

and these are definitely going on the menu!

Sour Apple Microwave Lollies at Salt Tree

I'm totally digging these lamps over at vixenMade!

They are bright and cheery for sure! Maybe it's just because I'm partial to orange!

Bright & Cheery Lamps at vixenMade

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This week I tackled this hutch. I think it came out pretty good...what do you think?

Hutch Makeover at RasingOranges

So tell me, what did you make this week?

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My only rules are:
--it'd be grand if you followed us

--your item needs to be handmade {even if it's your goal to tackle food this year}

--please link up something you haven't linked up here before

--preferably something you did this week

Holy Teal Batman!

2012-01-18T14:03:00.000-08:00

Well this week I really haven't baked anything, I know seriously there must be something wrong! Last weekend we went to the family cabin and camped. I say camped because although we were in a cabin there wasn't hot water or a heater {besides the fireplace}. Against popular belief we sometimes do have winter in Southern California, and it did snow for about 30 seconds.
But please don't go away....why don't you try out some of my favorite recipes.

Strawberry Crumb Bars

Cookies, Oreos & Brownies

Peanut Butter Fudge

Did you see what all of these recipes have in common? Look again...notice the teal?
Well those teal plates were ones I borrowed from my mother in laws collection when I needed something to spruce up my food for the blog. I've used many of her other pieces over the months as well, it's like a free antique store over there!
Well this past Christmas my present from her was this:

When I opened the box this was the conversation between my husband and I:
Me: "Hey look your mom gave us china!"
The Husband: "Are they {China} okay with that?"
Me: "Ummmm...what?"
The Husband : "How did she manage that, do I get Brazil??"
The Husband: "Where are we going to put that?"

The only valid question I felt needed an answer was "Where are we going to put it?" Somewhere on display in the kitchen of course! Now to find a good solution with 3 little boys and an oversize dog running around a gigantic table in a tiny kitchen...thank you pinterest!

Hutch Makeover

2012-01-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

To me furniture gives me the feeling of permanence. I always used to brag about the fact that my husband and I moved A LOT. We were super great packers, and even quicker unpackers. But something was lacking...furniture.

We had our basics, but the cutesy just because stuff was never there. The house never quite had the feeling of permanent...we were just waiting for that next opportunity to move again.
Maybe it's me getting old, maybe it's me settling, maybe it's just my desire to have crafts to keep myself busy. But now I'm scouring the free ads for all kinds of treasures...thank you pinterest...my current list is old doors, pallets, windows, small dressers for the boys. I also bravely asked my mother in-law for her vintage coke crates{now to ask her permission to give them a white wash finish}. When visiting a friend I saw this green hutch just sitting in her garage; so I asked her if I may have it. And guess what? She just gave it to me!

It already had some sanding, and antiqued look to it, but the color didn't fit my house at all. I wanted it white. My kitchen currently has tan walls {thanks to our landlord who allowed us to paint a very light tan in the whole house in place of the renters off-white}, and a huge light birch table and secondary buffet table from Ikea. We also chose the bench for the boys, and still have our ugly oak chairs {some day I'll find cool chairs}. Since I have so much tan and light wood I chose white as a secondary furniture color. Plus this high chair is white too!

Thanks to the new Hobby Lobby in the area I found this hardware. Since Hobby Lobby had 50% off all metal items I only spent $8 on the hardware, and sprayed the existing hinges black to match. Now to fully decorate it...I'm not really sure what I want on there....it's not really that big, but it does make a huge difference to the room.

4 years

2012-01-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

4 years ago today I became a stay at home mom!

{I called in sick to take my son to the zoo}

This has been my life since I started the longest job of my life.

I found out we were having another baby

another boy

had said boy

we lost our house {foreclosure}

opened an online bakery

started blogging

opened PaperFromHeaven

the husband quit his 7 year career job

we moved from California to Tennessee

moved back 3 months later

found out we were having another baby

another boy

husband got laid off

got a great dane puppy

had said boy

oldest boy started kindergarten

closed PaperFromHeaven

transitioned blog to RaisingOranges

husband went back to school

husband got a job

{thanksgiving 2011}

And now?

I'm striving to be the best darn mom to my little oranges!

I'm working on being the best wife to my loving husband!
And I'm just trying to be me...not getting so wrapped up in what others think.

Handmade 52 #2

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Wow! I can't believe so many of you linked up with me, this is exciting!

Here are my favorite projects that were linked up this week.

Erin over at Shakespear's Stage made a monster eating your head hat. I think it's just too cute, and all of my boys need them. She can't find the pattern she used....maybe that means I'll have to make one up for all of us ;) Thanks Erin for the inspiration!

Amber from Life...unscripted made herself a felt coffee sleeve for Valentines day. I love this, not because I drink coffee...because I don't. BUT because hand stitching and hand embroidery is the first craft I ever did. Now I want to make one, just to hand sew something. Thanks Amber!

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.raisingoranges.blogspot.com" title="Raising Oranges" target="_blank"><img src="http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt137/funshinegrl/handmade52featured.jpg" alt="Raising Oranges" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Here's what I did this week....a DIY Photo Canvas {with tutorial}.

My list is now at 35 projects I want to complete this year, some are easier than others. Still striving for the 52 goal!

What did you do this week?

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.raisingoranges.blogspot.com" title="Raising Oranges" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt137/funshinegrl/handmade52.jpg" alt="Raising Oranges" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Cinnamon Nuggets

2012-01-12T03:00:00.000-08:00

"Breakfast is best when its covered in sugar" --Katie Carter

Don't you agree? I mean come on, how yummy do those look? Actually I think everything is better covered in sugar, but then someone would bring up some random food that of course doesn't taste good with sugar...or anything for that matter. Just like how my husband believes that everything taste better with ranch...except ice cream. Speaking of ranch, its my goal to make my own this year...from scratch....we go through enough of it. And ketchup, my middle boy LOVES ketchup...actually he just loves all condiments. Pretty much anything that he can dip his food into.

Back to breakfast, you need to make these. I really don't care when you make them, eat them for dinner for all I care, just eat them okay?

Cinnamon nuggets
{print here}
{ingredients}
2 cans refrigerated biscuits
6 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk

{directions}

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a small bowl; add in brown sugar, sugar and cinnamon. Cut the biscuits into quarters, and drop them into the mixture and place in well greased muffin pan. You do not need to cover each biscuit with the sugar mixture; the sugar will get all over. I did about a 50/50 split on sugar pieces and plain pieces.
Bake for 10 minutes until tops are golden brown. Use a butter knife to remove from pan. Mix powdered sugar, vanilla and milk in small bowl until combined. Drizzle over nuggets. Serve warm {because you won't be able to wait for them to cool down}.

DIY Photo Canvas

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

I saw a tutorial from Pinterest and I thought "I can make that" and so it was on my list. When I told my husband I was going to try it out I said "I'll only be out $2.50 if it doesn't work", to which he said "yeah if you don't break the printer!" That was when I knew I HAD to try this out....just to prove him wrong! Although I forgot to pin it and I ran into problems, I had to make things up...but it came out pretty awesome!

So here's how I did it, the problems I ran into, and the solutions I came up with so that you won't have the same problems! I wanted mine to be big, I decided on a 16x20 instead of an 8x10.

First I took my image and sized it to be 16x20. I then went over to Pixlr and gave it the effects and framing that I wanted. After it was sized and I had the effects I wanted I took the one image and broke it into 4 separate images, each one measuring 8x10. From there I took the images into Microsoft Word and I added one to each page and prepped to print. If you want to do an 8x10 you don't need to go through all this work, just crop your image to an 8x10 and add effects.

Here's where it gets tricky...
All I remember from the tutorial I saw was print your image on tissue paper and mod podge to canvas. Let me tell you, there is so much more work, but so worth it!

Start by ironing your tissue paper to help smooth out the seams, then you'll cut the paper to be 8.5" by 11".
I started by feeding the tissue paper thru the printer, and guess what...it jammed...THREE TIMES! I was desperate, I HAD to make this project work, the husband couldn't win! My solution...I taped the tissue paper to cardstock and ran it through the printer....IT WORKED!!! Be careful that your tape does not exceed the .25" you have for the margin, otherwise it'll print on the tape, and you'll have to reprint it {like I did twice}.

The easiest way to get the tissue paper off the card stock is to use your straight edge and rotary cutter. BUT WAIT FOR IT TO DRY FIRST!!! Once you have it cut paint a thin layer of mod podge to your canvas and carefully lay your tissue paper on. Smooth out the edges {carefully not to tear the paper}, and apply a thin layer of mod podge to the top to create a seal.

The last photo above is my finished piece drying. You can see the smears of the mod podge still there, but it dried out and is clear now.

A few problems I ran into:
-My top right image got a bit crinkled in the printed {that explains the blank lines on my sons face}
-Also, when I was attaching the papers the top right was a little off set. I personally think it looks okay, gives it that homemade look...there's no undoing it once its done, so be careful!
-I had to re-print 2 images because my tape was too far over! Make sure you're careful not to do this too!
-My picture had a lot of dark spots, that mixed with wet tissue paper made smears {conveniently on my boys faces} but I think it adds to the characteristics of the photo.

My wall with the canvas {and my hutch that I'm in the process of renovating--coming soon!}

A photo 16x20 photo canvas will cost you somewhere around $80, I made this one for under $5!
Let me start off by saying the 2 pack of 16x20 canvas' were on sale at Michael's for $5, so one canvas cost me $2.50, regular price is $10 for two. A photo this size will use quite a bit of ink, which isn't in my figuring for price, a color ink cartridge runs me about $20, so you will need to take that into consideration. Still $22.50 is MUCH cheaper than $80!

And it's homemade...so when your friends come over and say "how cool is that?!" you can reply with "I made that!" and they're in awe of you!

Handmade 52

2012-01-05T20:36:00.000-08:00

I love surrounding myself with others that have a passion for handmade as much as I do. A friend of mine was talking about starting a group on our forum having everyone try to complete 1 handmade item each week, making 52 for the year 2012.

Since quitting my work at home business, my heart is going stir crazy with the desires to create. I'm finally getting over the loss of income, but getting excited about what I finally get to do for myself and family.
This enters "Handmade 52". I want to encourage you to create something each week. As long as it's handmade, that's all I care. I'm going to start having a link party every Friday....starting today.
Each week I'll feature some of my favorite handmade items from the week prior. Hopefully this will help give each other motivation to keep going. My list stops around #10, so give me some great ideas...okay?

My handmade #1 is my boys Jar of Savings.

You can read more about it here.

Grab our button and share with your friends!

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.raisingoranges.blogspot.com" title="Raising Oranges" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt137/funshinegrl/handmade52.jpg" alt="Raising Oranges" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

My only rules are:
--your item needs to be handmade
--please link up something you haven't linked up here before
--preferably something you did this week

Brownie Peanut Butter Cups

2012-01-05T04:30:00.000-08:00

I just want to tell you upfront that I didn't give up sweets this year. My life would be incomplete without sweets. I cannot give up eating them, or baking them. I am sorry if I have failed you less than a week into a new year. I would rather have dessert than breakfast...is that an even trade??

So will you join me? Will you continue to eat dessert this year so that I can use you as an excuse to need to continue baking? Please.

Brownie Peanut Butter Cups
{print here}
Yields 32 brownie bites

{ingredients}
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips

{directions}
Heat oven to 350 degrees, and grease mini muffin pan.
Melt 1 cup chocolate chips & butter in sauce pan. Stir to make sure it doesn't stick.
Stir in eggs. Add flour, sugar, vanilla & baking soda. Mix well. Spoon batter into mini muffin pan {about 2 tablespoons each}.
Bake for 10 minutes, until edges are set but centers are not. The centers should fall as the brownies cool off. If not, push down with back of spoon.
Microwave peanut butter for 30 seconds, until smooth and stirs easily. Add a spoonful to each brownie {be careful to not overflow}.
Mix chocolate chips and peanut butter chips in small bowl. Sprinkle on top of brownies.
Let cool completely in muffin pan, about 45 minutes. Remove and store in an air tight container.
adapted from Very Best Baking

Saving in a Jar

2012-01-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Why not start the new year off teaching the kids how to save?

I took jar lids from a pasta sauce and sprayed them the colors the boys chose. I was going to use regular canning lids and rings, but that would be 2 pieces...too easy to loose part of.

Once they were dry, I used a sharpie and wrote the boys initial on them. I was thinking of making the initial on the jar itself...but just in case one gets dropped or somehow broken in a house of boys...this makes an easier replacement.

These are going to stay in the boys bathroom {which I'm currently working on decorating, that'll come soon}.