Lego Themed Birthday Party

My Bubba Gump's birthday is more than just a party for him. It has taken the help and love of all our friends and family to raise this sweet, tireless, spastic, crazy, and funny kid. So, each year we throw a party not just for him, but a thank you for all the love, help and support we get from our "village."

I scoured Pinterest for months getting ready for my son's 10th b-day party. Trying to keep it as budget friendly as possible, I used coupon's and the Dollar Tree to bring this fabulous party together.

It all started with this invitation. I found a free template online (no idea where) I happen to be handy with editing software, so I filled in the party information. I emailed them to Wal-Mart and printed them on 4x6 glossy photo paper. This only cost $1.98 and they provided envelopes!!! I trimmed the white edges off and put them in the mail :)

 

 

I must have watched 15 YouTube video's watching people make these wonderful Lego cakes. I bought cake mix a couple of weeks before the party to make an attempt. EPIC FAIL!! I wish I would have taken photos.

 

 

I went to Michael's to find a possible cake mold and butter cream frosting. I ran across this cake/brownie pan. An idea started forming, I picked up 4 bags of Candy Melts (on sale) and 4 colors of gel food coloring. Typically this all very expensive, but I happened to hit Michael's at the right time! I had a 40% off 1 retail item coupon, a 30% off entire purchase coupon, and the Candy Melts were BOGO! I picked it all up for $23.00 and some change!

 

I used regular cupcake liners in the pan, hoping it would work and it did perfectly. You do not need to buy those expensive square cupcake liners.

 

I made a vanilla and chocolate cake batter for 52 cupcakes. I did spruce up my batters using softened butter instead of oil, added vanilla butternut extract to the vanilla cake and some chocolate chips to the chocolate cake. I had these items already on hand.

 

While the cupcakes were cooking and cooling on the racks I started making my frosting according to package directions. When everything was ready I used an icing bag and star shaped tip and piped the icing.

 

 

I did make one splurge. When the EPIC FAIL cake happened I panicked and thought I need candy. No connection I know, LOL. I went on Amazon and scoured Lego themed party and came across Lego silicon molds. I purchased those for $9.98.

 

After piping the icing I melted the candies, filled molds and added a little Lego guy to each cupcake. How cute did these turn out!

 

 

I picked up yellow bags at the Dollar Tree and drew Lego faces for the goodie bags.

 

 

I also picked up the Happy Birthday sign, 4 table cloths, 5 different goodies for the goodie bags, plates, forks, cups, spoons, napkins, 3 cupcake stands, and red and blue streamers. I spent $25.00.

 

 

 

 

I made 2 Piñatas using old shoe boxes and the red and blue streamers. We filled those with candy and they were a HUGE hit!

 

 

 

 

I had a laundry basket of water balloons and of course no photo of that either!

 

The kids swam, played corn hole, and horse shoes, while the adults spent the afternoon and early evening under the maple tree at mama's house. We grilled burgers and dogs, had potato salad, baked beans, chips and slaw for lunch and dinner.

 

This is one of our favorite days of the year. No only because of our now 10 year old, but because of the friendships, our time for laughing, enjoying a fresh new summer, and the fabulous cupcakes!!!

 

Mel :D

Upcycle Mirror to Chalk Board with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

I've had this project in mind for a year or so and actually had 2 failed attempts. The first attempt after spay painting the mirror with chalk paint, I broke it. YIKES!!!!!  The 2nd attempt, I made a frame from some scrap crown molding and chalked a piece of laminate.... the frame fell apart (several attempts to fix)  and the laminate just didn't do it for me....

So, I put this little project on a shelf in the back of my mind. This past Saturday as the heaven's opened and rained pored down (No rain here for weeks) I got an itch. The hubs was sleeping the day away (3rd shift) and our boy was with his Nanny. I got in the car and started hitting the thrift stores.I went up several making a few scores of different things I didn't need, but had to have LOL.

Then I found the fabulous mirror! It was exactly what I was looking for and the price was right! Only $8.00! 

I went to our local hardware store and purchased Krylon Chalk Board Spray Paint for $8.00.

The DH was awake when I got home (YIKES!) I couldn't very well sneak my finds in... With my head held high I brought my bounty inside and grinned. His oh so famous, "Whatcha got honey?" You know what I mean ladies, my fellow, sneak it in and hope he doesn't see it until it is completed...I ran to the basement with "Nothing" coming from my lips. LOL

He laughed, he always does when I'm busted. One of the many reasons I love him so much <3

OK enough of the mush.

Here is my mirror before and what took place during its tranformation.

Supply list:
Mirror
Spray Chalk Paint
Paint
Paint brushes






The mirror is white although it is hard to tell in the photos and very dirty at that. I cleaned it up with soapy water.

Got out my Annie Sloan Arles and Emperor's Silk and started painting around the frame. I'm not sure what I had in mind, but it wasn't turning into what I wanted. 

I tried white washing it with Old White, but still couldn't get what I was looking for (apparently I had no idea what I wanted). I clear waxed and dark waxed and painted again and blahhhh. I just wasn't right.

After about an hour or so I left to show a property (my day job is real estate) with the project on my mind.

Moving forward, when I got back home I started browsing Pinterest. I searched Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and came across this must have future project dresser. The Emperor's Silk is a vibrant beautiful red and by applying the dark wax on top, Superb!

I had a direction. I applied 1 coat of the Emperor's silk, let it dry, and began sanding my edges etc. The Old White and Arels began popping thru, and it was an AHA moment, this was exactly what I wanted.

After sanding and wiping the dust away I applied the dark wax. Dark wax makes me nervous and this was my first attempt. I wanted control and a lot of it, so I used a lint free cloth and my index finger and worked the dark wax into the paint. WOW oh WOW. It deepened the aged the Emperor's Silk, it is beautiful.

Here is the finished project I am extremely happy with this piece!

Canning Crushed Tomatoes- Grandma Fread Style

Hello World!

Summer is in full swing and canning season has begun and I HEART canning! We've had a lovely garden this year even with the lack of rain.

I was beginning to wonder if our tomatoes were ever going to ripen and a few short days ago they began to show out! I've already canned Grandma Fread's easy sweet pickles, Canning Granny's jalapeno's, banana peppers, and bread and butter squash. Can I just say the bread and butter squash is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, one of my Grandma Fread's new favorites!

I guess you are here for the tomatoes though. :)

I have no idea how many tomatoes I used. I ended up with 8 quarts, 1 pint and 1 1/2 pint.

 

First, I get a large pot, fill with water, and turn to high. I also get my cans ready in the canner so they can come to a boil. I get my lids ready, but don't turn that eye on until I'm about ready to start canning.

Next, I rinse off the tomatoes and then core and score them (scoring is lighting slicing through the skin on the bottom of the tomato making an X.) I think this prep work saves time and I'm all about saving some time.

Once done with the core and score my water is usually boiling or just to that point. CAREFULLY drop 5-7 tomatoes in the water and watch the magic happen. Ok, not on the first one's you drop in 'cause you gotta get the ice bath ready!

Dump a lot of ice in the sink and then fill with water.

Check on your boiling tomatoes. You should start to see the skins loosen and wrinkle.  This can take a minute or 3, just keep an eye on them.

Let's go fishing!

Get you a large slotted spoon and take your tomatoes out and put them in the ice bath.

Once they are in the bath they will still be hot, but easier to handle. From here you simply finish peeling the skin away from the flesh. You may need a knife around the top where the core was, just cut any of the core out that may be left. (this is usually just around the opening)

Once peeled place the tomatoes in a large bowl. Keep working; boiling water bath, ice bath, and bowl. 

Now for my favorite part CRUSHING the tomatoes.

I use my hands and just start crushing them. You can have as small or as large of pieces as you wish. I typically crush mine up small. My large bowl fills up with juices pretty quick so I have another bowl handy just in case I need more bowl, LOL.

Once this is done, I take the pot I used for the boiling water dump and rinse and put the crushed tomatoes in the pot. I had enough this time to have to pull out another smaller pot. I like to add black pepper at this point. (add enough for your taste)

I set the eyes on a med/med-low heat.I want the tomatoes to come to a simmer and simmer for 15 minutes.

When the tomatoes have 5 minutes left I turn on the lids to boil.

Once your lids are ready you can start the canning.

Take your jar and fill it until you have 1/4 inch head room. I add 1/2 tsp canning salt and 1 tsp of lemon juice at this point. Using my handy dandy canning knife I remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rim, get a lid, and make it finger tight.

After the jars are filled I place them back in the canner to boil. 25-30 minutes for quarts, 20 minutes for pints and 15 minutes for 1/2 pints.

Pull them out of the hot water bath, set them on a towel and listen for that sweet PING!

I hope you enjoy canning as much as I do!

Mel :D