WallPapering Shelves!

http://pinterest.com/pin/129710622
Flickr
What did you make? "Wallpapered" Shelves!
How did it turn out? Great! It was so easy, I am almost embarrassed to do a post on it, but I was so happy with the result. It was one of those easy, "Why didn't I think of that before?" projects.
Did you follow directions or make changes? I didn't read the directions, there weren't even any to read actually. I just saw the idea for painting the back of shelving units with a contrasting color and knew I needed to do it. We have a shelving unit over the toilet in our bathroom that has seen better days. Some cleaner also leaked from the cabinet and left orange streaks down it making it even worse. It belongs to the owner of our house, so I needed something temporary. So I bought two sheets of 12x12 scrapbooking paper and just slid them in place, not even adhesive was necessary.
Would you make it again? For sure! I love the contrast and pop up color. I forsee painting or wallpapering shelf backgrounds around my house for years to come!
Any tips or advice? Nope!

-sierra

Apple Crisp!

(original All Recipes Photo)
http://pinterest.com/pin/271830589/

All Recipes Apple Crisp II

What did you make? Apple Crisp!
How did it turn out? Delicious! Rob had requested it after we got apples from the apple farm, and we have eaten it every night for the last three nights! Yum!
Did you follow directions and make changes? I mostly followed directions, but made the changes that other reviewers suggested. I made it in a 9x9 pan, instead of 9x13, and halved my apple mixture, but kept the crust measurements the same. This allowed me to put some crust on the bottom of the apples. I also mixed the apples in a bowl with the spices rather than just sprinkling them on top, and halved the water to 1/4 cup. I aded nutmeg to this mixture. Also, I just softened the butter in teh crust mixture instead of melting it.
Would you make it again? For sure! I think I am going to experiment a bit more with other recipes and ingredients though, as we would like a crust that is a bit more substantial - bigger chunks and maybe doughier. The flavor was amazing though!
Any tips or advice? Not really. I would make the changes that I made above to the recipe though. I think they really helped. We ate it with Vanilla Bean ice cream, which I would not leave out!

-Sierra

Banana Muffins!

What did you make? Banana Muffins!

YIKES - I can't find my link! I will update after I do some searching...
How did it turn out? Yummy! We loved them! Noelle would stick a whole one in her mouth and then sign "more" before she even chewed it!

Did you follow directions or make changes? The only changes I made were that I made mini muffins instead of bread. I also added chocolate sprinkles to about 1/3 of the batter.

Would you make it again? Absolutely! They were yummy and low sugar so I felt okay about letting Noelle eat five in one day...
Any tips or advice? Nope! Easy peasy and delicious!

-Sierra

Baked Club Pinwheel

What did you make?
Baked Club Pinwheels!
http://pinterest.com/pin/151434064/
Plain Chicken

How did it turn out?
Good! The whole family enjoyed it. It was posted as an appetizer idea, but we cut it into larger pieces and served it with fries and fruit for dinner.

Did you follow directions or make changes? I followed the basic directions, except that I cooked chicken breast tenders in ooloive oil in a skillet and replaced the deli meat that it called for with that. I was tempted to use turkey bacon too, but thought my husband would enjoy me using real bacon once in awhile. :) I am glad I did because we lost a lot of the salt and flavor by not using the deli meat, so real bacon added some good flavor.

Would you make it again?
Definitely. Super easy and yummy.
Any tips or advice?
I would definitely recommend the healthier, grilled chicken option, and also to make sure to use enough cheese. I think I went a little light unintentionally since I didn't measure and it could have used the whole cup and maybe more. You could also add some avocado or mushrooms or something for some veggie nutrition and extra flavor.

-Sierra

Children's Art Display

What did you make?

Children's Wall Art Display
http://pinterest.com/pin/80518356/
http://pinterest.com/pin/92511063/
Random Thoughts of a SuperMom

How did it turn out?

Great! I have a huge, boring, white wall in a galley kitchen that I have never known what to do with. We are in a relatively short-term rental situation, so I didn't want to do anything expensive or permanent. Now that I have a little, budding, one-year old artist, this was the perfect way to add a splash of color to our space.

Did you follow directions or make changes?

I was inspired by two different pins. I used the "Masterpieces" quote from one and the picture wire closeline idea from another. I followed the directions for the wire except that I used pushpins to hold it up rather than picture hanging screws in order to leave a smaller hole. I ordered the vinyl "Masterpieces" from Etsy. I am quite proud that I took the time to measure everything precisely so that the line and words are all centered and level; usually I am too impatient and have been known to just eyeball it. I still need to find some cute matching mini clothespins for hanging - right now it is a hodgepodge or paperclips and binderclips that I found around the house. We might handmake some cute ones.

Would you make it again?

Yep! I anticipate it being a staple accessory to all of our future homes. I even ordered two vinyl word art pieces so that I am prepared for the next house! :)

Any tips or advice?

Not really, it is an incredibly easy project. So fun too!

French Toast Muffins

What did you make? French Toast Muffins

http://pinterest.com/pin/121380164/

Velvet Lava French Toast Muffins

How did it turn out? Not so amazing. They were fine, we ate them, but there were a bit flavorless and dense. All reviews described them as "feather-light" and "melt-in-your-mouth"  and they definitely weren't. I had a one year old helper, so maybe I messed up a measurement or over mixed them. I will try them again later this week.

Did you follow directions or make changes?  Followed directions exactly, except made less butter mixture and just brushed it over the top of them after baking rather than dipping the muffins in butter. Seemed healthier that way!

Would you make it again?  I will give it one more go and hope for better results!

Any tips or advice? Not yet, maybe after I make a yummier version. :)

- Sierra

Summer Pasta Sweet Corn & Zucchini!

 

What did you make? Summer Pasta Sweet Corn & Zucchini

http://pinterest.com/pin/144432437/

A Cooking Life Blog: Summer Pasta With Sweet Corn Zucchini

 

How did it turn out? Delicious!

 

Did you follow directions or make changes?  Followed directions, but didn't do much measuring.  I was so bummed to have forgotten the garlic at the grocery store, so used garlic powder. I also went very easy on the basil. I used shell pasta and included lots of the "optional" fresh Parmesan.

 

Would you make it again?  Definitely! When I was making it, I knew I would love it, but wasn't sure if Rob would. It was covered in garlic-y butter-y yumminess, but is a pretty mild flavor over all. Rob always thinks mild things have no flavor, but he loved it! It helped that I heaped fresh parmesan on his serving, but he really LOVED it!

 

Any tips or advice? Nope, except try it while the summer veggies are in season! The fresh sweet corn was such a great flavor in the pasta.

 

- Sierra

Hair Bow Holder!

 

What did you make? A Bow Holder for Noelle

http://pinterest.com/pin/104869377/

Little Inspirations Custom Bow Holder
 

How did it turn out? Cute! I am pleased and it should help us not lose her bows all over the house. 

 

Did you follow directions or make changes?  The pin actually didn't lead to any directions, just a blog with a woman selling them. So, I just made it up - super easy. I took an unfinished frame from Michaels (no glass or backing), painted it black and attached two colors of ribbon to the back of the frame. They are just glued in place now until I borrow my Mom's staple gun, which will be necessary to help the ribbons hold up to lots of clipping and unclipping.

 

Would you make it again?  Definitely! It would be a fun gift.

 

Any tips or advice? Not particularly, just that it is definitely worth making rather than buying! Only takes a few dollars and a few minutes!

 

- Sierra

Command Center!

 

What did you make? A command center! I didn't follow directions from one specific source, but made my own based on lots of different ones. If you type in "Command Center" on Pinterest, they are many to view.

 

How did it turn out? I like it! It is a small one - it is all we have space for and all we need right now.

 

Did you follow directions or make changes?  I used the ideas found from multiple examples, including Vanessa's. :) The top right square is a corkboard with a piece of 12x12 paper glued on with push pins for hanging important to-dos, the bottom is a dry erase board and the bottom left is a mini calendar. The top left is a wooden letter from Michaels that I painted. I highly recommend using command strips for hanging as the foam squares that come with the corkboard just fell off of the products and left stickiness all over the walls.

 

Would you make it again?  When we move or need an upgrade for sure! I want to add a low profile mail slot/file holder to the wall adjacent to it on the right. I haven't found one yet though. Eventually it will include chores and the weekly menus too.

-Sierra

Dry Erase Menu Board!

What did you make? A Dry Erase Menu Board!
http://pinterest.com/pin/99101187/

Refining Domestic Weekly Meal Planner

How did it turn out? Good! I have been wanting to get back to making weekly menu plans and something cute and new is just the way to motivate me. It was super easy to make.

Did you follow directions or make changes?  I followed the directions  except that I used a different typs of frame, mine is plexiglass. Also, it is currently standing on the counter top as in the directions, but I am going to get magnets and hang it on the fridge. I don't have any counter space really, and being plexiglass it is light and safe to hang on the fridge instead and I would just prefer it there.

Would you make it again?  I think I just need one, but probably when I need an upgrade or as a gift for sure.

Any tips or advice? Only to use a grid under your glass when lining up your stickers like directed. I cheated and just eyeballed it. You can kind of tell, but I think it worked out anyway. :)

- Sierra

What did you make? Blueberry Muffins!

http://pinterest.com/pin/114874506/
Allrecipes To Die For Blueberry Muffins

How did it turn out? Good! I had never made real blueberry muffins before but had blueberries that had gotten smooshed so I decided to make a batch.They were easy and delicious. We are in the minority of blueberry muffin likers it seems as we don't like many blueberries in our muffins. So they were a little much for Rob, but our landlord that I gifted some to LOVED them. Also, my crumb mixture was a little chunky - I think the butter was too cold, but I just spread the coating out after baking to even it out a little.

Did you follow directions or make changes?  I followed the directions exactly, except that I halved the crumb mixture based on other reviewers' advice.

Would you make it again?  Yep! I will just probably halve the blueberries next time to suit our family better.

Any tips or advice? I would recommend cutting the crumb mixture in half as I did, it was plenty. I would also recommend letting the butter in the mixture soften first so that it is more of an even crumb mixture, rather than chunks of butter and dry, powdery stuff just hanging out. Next time, I will also try other reviewers advice by using brown sugar instead of white in the crumb mixture. If you are not a fan of blueberries (or even if you are), I would try this recipe with mini chocolate chips instead - yum!

- Sierra