Edible Wednesday: Cheater Cheesecake Bites

Get the milk out folks....get the napkins, and set the stop watch. You....yes you....can eat cheater cheesecake in less than 30 seconds! OK - so there might be a minute or two of prep time...but doesn't that beat the hour or two to make real cheesecake? This might be the one time anyone ever tells you it's ok to be a cheater! I'm a cheater cheesecake eater - and proud of it!

You need 3 ingredients! Only 3! No pan, no oven, no bowl or mixing spoon. I'm telling you - this is downright sinful and downright simple! Get a butter knife and a can opener for the pie filling.

Ok - so get some vaNilla Wafers, Cream Cheese & Cherry Pie Filling. (I guess you can do Strawberry Pie filling if you really wanted to - but I LOVE Cherries!)

Follow the steps in this image...

My husband was over my shoulder like a hawk while I was taking the photos, and when he finally popped one in his mouth he actually grinned. I thought I had made these before for him, but he smiled and said "Nope!" - not in all the 15 years we've been together? "Nope!". I guess that means everytime I made them - I ate them all too! But he sure was happy I made them for him now!

See how nice and bite size they are? Ok - maybe not so prim and proper to do that - but no one is watching! Go ahead! These would be *awesome* for party food, appetizers (I laugh as I type that!), etc. If you love 'em - tell me! If you don't love 'em - don't tell me! I might cry! -kg

This 'n' That

 

Thoughts of Summer and holding onto memories....kg

Busy Monday: Upcycling Cards & Photos

I have had this stack of thank you cards, birthday cards, Christmas cards, engagement photos, family photos, etc, growing for YEARS now! Many years ago when it wasn't so huge - I knew I wanted to do "something" really cool with them...but didn't know exactly what that cool something was yet.

To be honest - I'm still not so sure. But I have a pretty good idea where I want to take it - so the fire has been lit. This could still take me a long time to complete - but I thought I'd document the process here!

Here's some of the ideas I had/have...
1 - I thought it could make a really nice garland. But then I thought - it will hang around for a while, get dusty, probably wrinkled and desheveled, and then taken down and discarded at worst.
2 - Then I thought I could just throw it into an open top frame (I saw one years ago in a PB catalog)...and let them all collect in there as we go along in life - that could still be really cool, but I can't find the open top frame.
3 - I thought - I could very easily use them for gift tags - (in a bigger circle)...or notes to my girls in their lunch - but then I'd lose them all - slowly but surely!
4 - Then I thought I can do a huge collage of Jesus - since all my friends and family that cared enough to send these awesome cards and photos - would in essence - remind me of Him. But I worry I won't do a facial collage enough justice - esp with it being Jesus! (still worth a try - so the idea is not lost).
5 - Then I thought I could do a random pattern design with all of them - maybe even a little impressionist style - capturing the feel of Starry Night.

So that's where I'm at. For all of you wanting to do something similar...here's what I used. A 1 1/2" scalloped edge punch since I didn't want just a plain circle (you can get them in any craft store in the scrapbooking isle). I am fuss punching the cards and photos - but using as much of the extra as I can (fussy cutting in sewing terms - is cutting the fabric for a quilt or pattern so you get a specific image on each piece of fabric - rather than just cutting and getting whatever you get). The trick is to make sure you use the punch upside down - so you can see what you are punching out.

There will be more to post about this in the future - but for now - I still need to make a dent in this box! and I am very determined! If you've done this already - I'd love to know.  -kg

Seller Saturday: Yours Truly Dear

Today's Seller Saturday is Yours Truly Dear! No...not me - The wonderful Miss Jess and her BFF Darci!

This is a happy and sad post for me. Happy because I get to feature a really great friend of mine - but sad because this is the last Seller Saturday shop feature I'll be doing. So - technically that's another happy - because I end on a great note with Miss Jess and I move forward with new, great things to come! I would've featured her sooner - but she was wanting to "revamp" her shop and co-run it with Darci. So we waited....until now!


OK - onto Jess. Because it's really all about her. (If you read her very truthful blog and know her - you'd be laughing at my statement too.) Let's see - how long have I known Jess....Since 2000? Maybe 2001? I know she was at my wedding with curly hair and braces - being cute as all cute can be...and now she's married and all grown up and selling on Etsy! Yeah! That's about 9 years going on 10. Wow - time flies! (At some point next week I promise to post a really cute picture of her from my reception!) Until then - here's some more about Miss Jess and her partner in crime (makes me want to run my shop with a friend or sibling for that matter {twin}!):

1. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Jess: Purple! Purple crayons are the prettiest! Darci: Pink or green...how about pink and green swirled because I can't make up my mind.

2. Do you have a special talent? Jess: I just asked my husband if I have a special talent and he said "looking fashionable". Maybe it's a special talent to be a hydrology-minded environmentalist and still look fashionable! :] (Kid Giddy agrees whole heartedly with this statement!) Darci: I can make a 3-leaf clover with my tongue...and I am currently making a child in my womb so I think I am pretty talented. (Kid Giddy heard from a little birdie it's a girl...congrats!)

3. Which season do you love the most? Jess: The fall, I love love love the fall. It's the perfect temperature, and I love the changing leaves. I wish it was fall year round! Darci: The fall! Nothing better than stepping on crunchy leaves.

4. What made you want to open up your Etsy shop? Jess: It started when I made myself a laptop case for school and it was so functional and cute that I decided to sell them. I also do mixed-media artworks that a lot of my friends expressed interest in, so I had a few items to start off with. Recently, I teamed up with my best friend, Darci, and we revamped the shop and added new lines, including 'love your baby' and 'love your hair'. It's been very exciting.
Darci: Well I started to make baby blankets/burp cloths and needed a way to sell them...then I became a crazy crocheting woman and wanted to sell cute headbands too. Jess and I decided to combine our awesomeness and that is how we got all our cute crafty items on yourstrulydear.

5. What is your favorite item in your shop today? Jess: My favorite item is a little boys bib with blue patterned cotton fabric front and upcycled red plaid on the reverse side. I wish I had a little boy because I would make him wear it every day! Darci: It would have to be the birdy blanket. It is adorable and I want to keep it for myself.

My personal favorites (and my twin's favorites too)....are the Rose crochet headband and the Tansy Crochet Headband! I really hope you'll check out their shop...Yours Truly Dear!

You can find Yours Truly Dear on facebook and you can catch more of Jess' hair, shoes,  fun, fashionable, interesting life and thoughts here on her blog! No matter what she says...she's far from "Mundane"!!!

Thank you to all my previous Seller Saturday's for sharing some personal thoughts with me and all of our Kid Giddy readers! I look forward to this new, up and coming chapter in my blog and hope that you'll have a look around until then! Join us Monday for another Busy day! -kg

Giddy Up Friday: More than 1 Way to Say "Good Job"

Today my daughter painted a picture. (She does that a lot! - Both do!). Sometimes she takes her time and sometimes she likes to experiment. All I could think to say to her was "good job"......boring!!! (The Dalmatian painting was hers from last year...love this one!)

That response got me thinking...I decided that for the rest of the weekend - I'm going to find more way than 1 way to tell my girls "good job"....Here's a few - and let's see if we can come up with more! 240 more to be exact!

So here's some of mine to start...(I'll have to go add these in there....)
1. Awesome!
2. That's the best!
3. Terrific!
4. Fantabulous!
5. That is out of this world!
6. So Cool!
7. Keep up the good work!
8. Wonderful!
9. Way to improve!
10. I knew you could do it!

So here's your chance to add to the list. Please keep the words kind and loving - no profanity - after all, this is all about being positive to those around us - esp our children! I set a goal of 250 more positive ways to say "Good Job". Pleas3 share this link with others. No words should be repeated - for the sake of coming up with the longest list without repeats! When it's all said and done - I will transfer the list to a PDF to share! We have until April 25th (1 month) to try this! Thanks everyone!
-kg

Edible Wednesday: Cat Cupcakes

Good Morning on this rainy day...These Cat Cupcakes have been on my mind lately because my daughter's 7th birthday is coming up soon. I can't for the life of me - remember why I made them almost 3 years ago, but I did - and I later submitted them to Family Fun magazine for a contest. I didn't win - because it was for cakes - and this is a cupcake...Where was the love for the little cakes back then? Really people!!

For all you cat lovers and cupcake lovers out there...here you go....

You'll need - Cupcakes - yum!
3 Nonpareils per cupcake
6 - 1 1/2" pieces of Twisted Twizzlers (not as good as the real stuff - but works well here!)
2 Yellow M & M's (Yellow - are more believable - but Blue and Brown might work just as well!)
Regular Frosting (Frosting tip and bag for the nose and mouth - or a can)

Chocolate Frosting (The tube you throw in the microwave and melt the chocolate - for the eyes)

Step 1: First make the eyes - so the chocolate hardens. And then break some of the Nonpareils for the ears. I found it easier to score the back of them, which breaks them nice & easy! Then cut up the twizzlers for the whiskers with kitchen shears.

Step 2: Frost the cupcakes

Step 3: Place the whiskers and then the Nonpareils towards the lower half of the cupcake.

Step 4: Place the eyes, and poke in the ears.

Step 5: Finish with the Pink frosting to make the nose and mouth shape. (My daughter's helped with this part!)

Step 6: Enjoy!

Have a great Wednesday! Meow! -kg

This 'n' That

 
Please remember all images are copyright and owned by their respective artists. Please do not copy!

Busy Monday: KG Photos

Last week before I got sick I was at one of my daughter's school's taking pictures during class time. I can't share pictures of the kids - but I did take a few pictures of some of the "works" in the classroom. It's just too much fun - I wish I went to school here when I was little! It's a Montessori curriculum and it's awesome!!!

 Here's just a few  pictures I snapped of the "Colour Tablets". I'll be sharing more photos once in a while on Mondays!I love to capture the world around me - and the world my children see on a regular basis.

Enjoy your busy Monday! See you tomorrow. -kg

Seller Saturday: LittleLoveLetters

Hey Kid Giddy readers....today is Seller Saturday. LittleLoveLetters actually contacted me to be featured and I love her lettering/words, so I thought - absolutely! I have read so many tutorials about vinyl lettering - but can't seem to wrap my brain around it. Maybe I just don't have the right machine so all I can envision is something tiny? Someday I'll figure it out - for now - I'll will humbly allow sellers like Rebekah do it all!

1. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
That's hard, it depends on the day. I guess, I'd be that color you get when your kids leave their bag of crayons in the car on a hot day. You know, that swirly, kinda cool, mish mash of colors.

2. Do you have a special talent?
My husband says I can have more thoughts going on in my mind than humanly possible. I am constantly having to explain how something someone said lead me to a completely different line of thought or topic.

3. Which season do you love the most?
Spring! Lovely weather, cute clothes, my birthday ;)

4. What made you want to open up your Etsy shop?
After my daughter was born (four years ago) I decided to leave my job as a TV New Reporter to be a stay-at-home mom. At the time, my husband was a high school math teacher so we weren't exactly raking in the dough. I wanted to start a business that would help out with finances, but would also be something I loved! This just seemed logical, it combined my love of words, creating, decorating and names! I opened my Etsy shop just one month after starting the business and it's been more successful than I could have ever dreamed!

5. What is your favorite item in your shop today?
That's a toughie. I love them all (not to toot my own horn). Although, I would have to say my very favorite is my "LOVEly Classic Clock"! It's elegant and modern all at the same time. It takes me two days to make each clock, but it's always well worth the time (HA! No pun intended).

If you would like to be considered for a future Seller Saturday post please check out this thread on the Etsy forums for more information. Have a great Saturday/weekend everyone! Thanks! kg

Please remember all images are copyright and owned by their respective artists. Please do not copy!

Giddy Up Friday: MeddyBemps

Hi everyone....Thanks goodness it's friday...but with friday comes the weekend - luckily we will be out and about with this gorgeous weather - but for those of you stuck inside - or looking for more resources for homeschooling, reward time on the computer, etc...check this out.

This is another online game resource for kids - MeddyBemps. I've only scratched the surface on this one - but so far it looks really fun. I even found a couple of Easter games - including matching, decorating your own eggs, and stories.

There are different activities for Preschool age kids like Counting & Sorting, Fine Motor Skills, etc. And activities for older kids and adults. Like I said I have only begun to scratch the surface on this one - but it looks great and there are so many fun things I have already found - like this Tooth Fairy site they have also created.

Have fun - if you are on Twitter...Find us @ KidGiddyEtsy and you can find MeddyBemps on Twitter too....at TippityWitchet. You can also find the cute creators of MeddyBemps on their blog...and hopefully they will have a button to share soon!

This is not a paid advertisement. Again this is a sharing of resources and fun stuff! Happy Friday! - kg

Edible Wednesday: Fluffernutter Balls

Ever since I made my first fluffernutter ball in the second grade at GSS in Texas...with Mrs. R.B. - I have thought about them, remembered them, and have wanted to make them again.

I don't remember her smearing anything in my hands - but I remember rolling the mess together and forming a ball. I'm not even sure I remember eating them!? I think the freedom of this mixing sticky yummy stuff - was most of what stuck with me all these years (no pun intended!).

So we picked up some fluff at the grocery store the last time we were in there...and more peanut butter. While waiting for dinner to be ready, I decided to let the girls make some fluffernutter balls and have all the fun so I could take pictures! (You can mix them in a bowl....but kids will love this tactile experience!)

They thought the peanut butter felt different than the fluff and squealed with each one I put on their hands...and giggled often! As they began smooshing it, it took no time at all for them to begin forming a ball and peeling it off their hands. This isn't a totally clean activity - but it can be contained easily!

So get some fluff, peanut butter (or sunbutter or something else if you have nut allergies)...use equal amounts, and start mixing. After you've mixed it - you can roll the ball in crushed oreo's, coconut, melted chocolate or anything else you want for some simple truffles. Enjoy your edible wednesday! -kg

This 'n' That

Good morning everyone I didn't get a chance to post my this 'n' that etsy picks last week. I was busy making leprechaun pajamas, going to karate, making and shipping more thumb sucking thumb guards, volunteering, going to school board meetings and spending much needed time with my hubby, my daughters and me!

Regardless, I'm caught up for now...and these are just a few of the favorites I've found lately in the forums, and new listings, or who have found me. I hope you have a great Tuesday! -kg