Braided Ribbon Flip-Flop Makeover

I am the type of girl who buys one or more pairs of flip-flops at the beginning of summer, and live in them for 3 months. This year, the dollar store even has a great selection of flippie floppies. This braided ribbon flip-flop makeover by Andrea's Bow Cottage uses a simple ribbon braiding technique to give a custom look to a plain pair of flip-flops. You can use any ribbon you like, including ribbon you find at the dollar store. I just found some adorable printed ribbon there last week - it has cherries on it! [how to make braided ribbon flip flops]

I like the look of the plain braid on the strap, but you can also go even further and put a ribbon bow on them too. Or how about a silk flower

Project Estimate:

• Flip flops, $1
• Ribbon, $1 each
• Craft glue, on hand
• Hot glue, on hand
• Barrettes, clothespins, or some kind of clamps, on hand or $1
• Needle and thread, on hand
• Button, on hand

Total: $2 and up

This post is thanks to

 

I myself do not wear flip flops but I think my 15 year old daughter would love doing this. Maybe I will surprise her and make her a pair!

http://blushingbeebyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/braided-ribbon-flip-flop-makeover.html

Brownie Refrigerator Cake

 

 

Super on a hot summer day

Brownie Dessert
Chef:  Glenda Mohn - Cherokee, IA          Category:  Desserts

RATING:

Ingredients
2 brownie mixes
1 extra large egg
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 (8 oz.) containers whipped topping
1 (3 oz.) package instant chocolate pudding
1 (3 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding
3 1/2 cups milk
1 Hershey candy bar or chocolate syrup

 Directions: Mix brownie mixes according to directions. Add egg. Bake in 9x13 inch greased and floured cake pan. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1 container whipped topping. Put this mix on top of the cooled brownies. Blend puddings and milk together and put on top of the cream cheese mixture. Top with another layer of whipped topping. Put chocolate shavings or chocolate syrup on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes: When I take this dessert somewhere I automatically put the recipe in my purse because everyone wants it.

 

This information is thanks to

Find more here http://www.hpj.com/HomeCookin/RecordView.cfm?RecordID=811

http://blushingbeebyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/brownie-refrigerator-cake.html

DIY wooden picture

 

Direct link to the video is here

This post is thanks to http://www.youtube.com/user/crystalshea

Saw this on Pintrest and I love it. I am sooo going to make these as gifts for people!

*make sure to use a laser print copy (like a copy machine) on regular copy paper. it works best on smooth, sanded wood. you can buy the other supplies at your local craft store. -have fun :)

 

http://blushingbeebyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/diy-wooden-picture.html

DIY Survival Candles

Candles are an easy-to-use source of emergency lighting and a little bit of heat. I'm shocked to see some of the prices that are charged for long burning candles sold for survival or emergency preparedness - if you want to buy a dozen or so candles, the cost really starts to add up.
Never fear! You can make your own survival candles at home for cheap, using high-quality, long burning soy wax. It's an easy project - the materials are easy to buy and you won't need any specialized tools.

The materials you will need are:

• Soy wax flakes. These are commonly used in making scented candles and are sold in craft stores or Amazon. I bought a 5 pound bag from Amazon for 12.79 shipped - right here. A pound of wax will fill around a 24 ounce container, give or take. You can use other wax, but soy is affordable, typically has a longer burn time than other waxes and has some other beneficial qualities (all-natural, renewable, etc.).
• Canning jars. I purchased a dozen 8 ounce jars from Wal Mart for around $8. If you have jars around the house, no need to buy 'em. We've used jars from jams, sauces and so on for candles in the past.
• Wicks and Tabs. You can find these on Amazon, eBay and at your craft stores. You'll want your wicks to be a bit longer than your candle holder is tall. I have 100 tabs and 100 nine inch wicks on eBay for about $10 total.

The tools you will need are:

• Scissors: For cutting the wicks to size
• Double Boiler: For melting the wax. I don't have an actual double boiler, so I just get a large pot, fill it about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way with water, and then nest a slightly smaller pot inside.
• A Pouring Device: I just used a pyrex measuring cup. 
• Protective Gloves: We'll be using boiling water and hot wax, so you want to keep you hands safe.

The steps are simple.

First, you'll want to get your wicks ready. If your wicks are way too long for your container, you'll want to trim them down to approximate size. I had 9" wicks here. Insert the wick into the tab - I found it helpful to use my Leathman to "tighten" the mouth of the tab around the wick, but it's not a must. If you buy pre-tabbed wicks then you can skip this part.

Put your wicks in the jars. Don't worry if they're not centered - we'll fix that after we pour the wax. Now it's meltin' time!

This is my "double boiler." Works well enough. Using a double boiler helps melt the wax gently, avoiding risk of it catching fire, burning, etc. You could probably do it without, but it's not hard to improvise so why not?

Here are the flakes beginning to melt.

And now fully melted.

Carefully transfer the melted wax into your pouring container. Then, pour away! Don't worry about the container - soy wax is all natural, non-toxic and cleans up fairly easily. Beware if you have a soy allergy, though.

Don't fill the jar up the whole way - leave some room between the wax and the top of the container. You'll want to center the wicks at this point. Then, take a break and let the wax cool and harden up. Almost done!

Last step. After the wax has cooled, trim the wicks as needed--you want the wick to be about 1/4" above the wax. Then, screw the lids on and you're ready for storage!
While some advertise 70+ hours of burn time for 8 ounce candles like this, they're more in the ballpark of 40 to 50 hours, and you'll get the most life out of them if you burn the candles four hours at a time. Since you would only use the candle for about 4 hours every evening, a single candle should last for around 10 days of regular use. Not bad! You can of course use different sized jars--bigger for longer burn time, or multiple wicks for more light.
Including the purchase of new jars, my cost per candle is around $1.62. With recycled jars, it's under a dollar.
These aren't crap materials, either--these are the same quality of materials use for high-end aromatherapy candles that sell for $20 a pop. Another plus - the combination of soy wax's lower melting point and the protective glass jar make this a safer source of light when compared to other candles, oil lanterns and so on.
One modification that I plan to make it to include a booklet of matches inside of each jar - cheap and makes sure you've got a way to light the candle if it's pulled out of storage during a power outage, etc.
Anyways, give it a shot and let us know how it goes! Have fun!
6/5: Check out our new how-to for making beeswax survival candles!

 

This information is thanks to  

Find the article here http://teotwawkiblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/diy-survival-candles.html

 

I think I may try to make these in a mugs and give them as gifts. May also try to make some of these scented.

 

http://blushingbeebyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/diy-survival-candles.html

 

Everyone!…Welcome the “Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Wedding Cake”!

 

 

(photo by theinternetchef.biz )

Everyone!…Welcome the “Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Wedding Cake”!  (I am making it as just a cake)

I think I am going to make this soon. Have REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups ever helped sweeten up one of your special events?

Please see here for more (you will need to scroll down they have a few different ways to make it from other sites)

 

http://blushingbeebyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/everyonewelcome-reeses-peanut-butter.html

Cute Snack Idea or Party Favor

 

Now THAT is pretty cute, don't you think? Snap lock bag, a peg and pipe cleaners. Easy.

This post is thanks to Best Recipes

 

http://blushingbeebyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/cute-snack-idea-or-party-favor.html

 

Bears at the beach!

 

Think I am going to make this for my kids soon.

Bears at the beach! Fill cups with blue jelly, vanilla pudding on the top, a couple of gummy bears and an umbrella!

This post is thanks to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Incredible-Edibles/305880106121754

http://blushingbeebyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/bears-at-beach.html