Faux Caramel Apples!

I saw these last year, but never got around to making them.  Then, a few weeks ago, I was going through Google Reader and spotted this tutorial.  I ran to the store, picked up some styrofoam apples (Walmart had nice ones for only $1).

I changed up the tutorial that I found since I didn't want to buy a massive amount of popsicle sticks or a huge bag of corn cob litter.  Instead, for the handle of the caramel apple, I used sticks that I found outside.  For the nuts, I used pieces of cork that I found at Michaels a while back.  The pieces came in a little bag, and I thought it would look just as nice as the corn cob litter.

To make the apples was super easy.  First, I put a stick in each of the apples.  Then, I mixed together some mod podge and caramel-colored paint.  After I got the right color, I poured the paint on top of the apples.  Once all the apples were covered with paint, I sprinkled the cork pieces to the wet glue/paint.  I set aside the apples overnight to dry and then sprayed them with glossy finish.  

I am quite pleased with how they turned out and they look so real!  I posted some in my etsy shop and will definitely need to make some more for myself!

Two years ago today....

We walked down the aisle!  Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband, Jeremy.  You are the best!

Photographed by Kurtis Wiersma

What I've Been Up To

I've been slowly starting some Christmas gifts.  I actually finished one project!  Right before our trip to the Jersey shore, I made some headbands following this tutorial.  The only thing I changed up was instead of using elastic, I used 2 hair elastics.  The hair elastics didn't pull my hair and kept the headband in place.  I also wore the headband during the 5K I wogged (walk/jog, I decided what I really did was not running at all, so I can't call it wunning...so it's now known as wogging) last Saturday. 

The one Christmas gift I finished was for our nephew.  After looking around on some blogs and websites, I came up with a fishing set.  I sewed up some fish.  Added button for eyes and sewed in some washers for the mouth.  I then made a fishing hook out of felt and put a strong magnet inside the hook.  I made the pole out of a wooden dowel and string.  I wrapped felt around the handle to give a good grip.  I really like how it came out! Check out my model... ;-)

The other project I've been working on, but haven't finished, is some felt food for our 4-year old niece.  She is always playing her in kitchen and 'cooking' up some meals for everyone.  As of right now, I made about a dozen raviolis, four strawberries, two carrots and one bean.  I want to make a few more beans and then some more fruits and veggies.  I love making the felt food!  It's so easy to make and everything is super cute. 

And that's what I've been up to for the past few weeks!  Hopefully I will finish up a few more things this week to post soon. 

As for my cooking...not too much going on with that.  But I am planning on making some pot roast this week!

Craft Hope Project 9

I came across Craft Hope about a year ago, but never helped with any of the projects.  The most recent project, project 8, was to make towels and washcloths to send down to the Gulf Coast to help clean the oil off of animals.  It felt really good to help out in some way.

Craft Hope just announced project 9, which is to make colorful pillowcases for the organization ConKerr Cancer.  The pillowcases are given to kids in the hospital, to help make their room more cheery and to help make the kids smile.  

I can't wait to get to pick out some bright and colorful fabrics!  I know what I'll be doing this weekend.

Ocean Beach 2010!

This past week, Jeremy and I spent a few days at the beach with family.  My mom rented a house in Ocean Beach, NJ and it was just a short walk to the ocean.  The weather was perfect and the ocean was warm!  I'm not a huge fan of swimming in the ocean, but it was too hot not to go in.  

I woke up early Thursday and Friday to take a walk on the beach and collect some shells and sea glass.  I didn't find too many things, but my cousin and I did find a baby hermit crab!

Most of our time there was spent relaxing, oh, and eating!  We had happy hour, went to the boardwalk, got ice cream.  It was a great little break from everything!  Below are a few more pictures from our trip.

I cannot believe we are in the last week of July.  Where has the summer gone?  But I have to say, this summer has been quite relaxing and doesn't seem to be nearly as busy as last year.  I have actually been able to enjoy the pool!  But the end of the summer also means time to start working on all those Christmas presents I want to make this year.  Anyone have any ideas on what to make my nieces?  They are between the ages of 4 and 6.  I think I have everything else figured out for the rest of my family members.  

Oh, and one last thing.  I sold my very first item on Etsy two weeks ago!  Woo hoo!!