PAPER BAG MUSHROOM

Make a low-to-no cost lawn decoration using an small paper bag. I saw this project over at one of my favorite blogs, Dollar Store Crafts, and knew this would be perfect for the decorating the outside of our house. http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/07/make-paper-bag-mushrooms/ Items used:

• Small paper bag or lunch sack
• Bamboo skewers or sticks
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors

Probaby goes without saying that you wouldn't want to use a lunch sack that had any sort of anything that leaked, dripped or permeated the bag as it would attract bugs and varmits, but I have teen in my house that unless you indicate things explictly, he tries to get me on the technicality "but you never said that!" so I will just go ahead and say it.

There is a detailed photo tutorial at the following:http://www.dougrhodehamel.com/how_to_make_mushrooms.php

I varied mine slighly as I did not use any rubber bands as I wanted mine more poofy and offbeat for what is going to turn into the fairy garden under the eaves outside of my garage, but rubber bands would likely produce a more true-to-life looking one.

I also cut the bottom 2 inches off of the bag as I wanted it shorter and used a wooden skewer that is used for holding carmel apples.

Customized Digital Collage Birthday Card

This is a customized digital collage that I put on my son's Facebook wall for his 16th birthday. I used the free online software at Picnik.com and the basic steps used in the project, except I used a 3 photo template under the "Brag Book" option: http://craftsandcreationswithkathy.blogspot.com/2009/07/create-custom-birthday-card.html I also added a sticker with a key and a car in yellow, then overlayed it in black. The meaning of the "A's =" and the key and car is a subliminal prod to remind him although he will be old enough to get his learners permit in a month, he won't be getting it unless his grades are good in school.

Peanut Butter Magic Wands

A fun snack for an afternoon treat or a Harry Potter or Halloween party. The inspiration for this project was the carmel chocolate wands at the following site: http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/2009/07/swish-and-flick.html My son didn't want chocolate as it aggravates his acne, so we decided on making them peanut butter instead. Items used:

• 1 pkg. Peanut butter chips (we used Reece's)
• 1 pkg.Pretzel Rods
• 1/4 cup Sunflower seeds
• 2 TBSP milk.
• Double boiler or eqivalent
• Baking Parchment or wax paper
• Cookie sheet
• Large spoon
• Large bowl or mug(s) to pretzels up in after dipping.

Fill the bottom pan with water about 3/4 full and put the top pan in. Add more water if needed. Put the chips in the top pan of your boiler and turn on to medium heat, stirring occassionally with a large spoon.

When the chips have mostly melted, add in the 2 TBSP of milk. Blend melted chips and milk together. Coat the top of the pretzel with the melted chip mixture.

Place the completed pretzels in a bowl or several mugs while finishing up the pretzels. Place parchment or wax paper on a baking sheet spread out the sunflower seeds and roll the top of the pretzel in the seeds to coat them. Place completed wands in the refridgerator to harden for a few minutes, then serve.

POP ROCKS COOKIES

This is a fun novelty cookie to eat, as you get a crackle and pop in every bite. This is a fun cookie to make, if you can find Pop Rocks. Around the 4th of July I ran across several posts on the internet that incorporated Pop Rocks in to cookies but when I went to find Pop Rocks at major retailers/grocery stores like Wal-Mart, Meijers and Kroger, I found they didn't carry them and I had all but chucked the idea, until my son brought home a pack that he had picked up at Family Dollar (we have found since they also carry them at Dollar General). Item used: (This made 24 1 inch mini-cookies)

• Slice and Bake or pre-formed squares Sugar Cookie dough
• 1 can Vanilla Frosting
• 2 pack pkg of Pop Rocks
• Blue Food Coloring (optional)

Bake the Sugar cookies according to the instructions on the package and allow them to cool.

If you want to tint the frosting, you can just put a few drops in the frosting can and stir it up.

Frost the top of the cookies.

Sprinkle the Pop Rocks on top of cookies.