Peanut Free Granola Bars-Inspired by King Arthur Four

    These granola bars are fantastic and totally peanut free. My son who has a severe allergy to peanuts loves them and can help me choose what types of fruit we use.
   
     Make it different every time if you want. We have made straight blueberry, and tropical ones and have enjoyed them very much. Get the kids involved for a fun time.



Ingredients....
1 2/3 cups quick rolled oats
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup flax seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 to 3 cup dry fruit(total of 10-15 ounces)
1/3 to 2/3 cup soy nut butter (optional, we didn't use salt when we used the soynut butter)
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon water


Directions.....


Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
   
      Line an 8x8x2" pan  in one direction with wax paper so paper goes over the sides a bit
lightly grease paper and exposed pan or coat with nonstick spray.Stir all dry ingredients together including dry fruit.In separate bowl whisk together vanilla, melted butter, honey or syrup and water.

      Toss wet and dry ingredients together and add the nut butter if using it, until crumbly.
Spread mixture into the pan and press firmly with plastic wrap to get a good press and protect your hands.
Bake for 30-40 minutes until the edges are a bit browned. They will be soft until they set. Cool on a rack in the pan. remove once cooled and place in freezer for 30 minutes to completely set them and them cut with a serrated knife into personal size bars. Wrap individually and place in fridge in an air tight container. They can also be frozen.
 
   Enjoy!

Reverse image T-Shirt Painting Inspired by Disney's Family Fun, Kids Magazine

     I saw this project in the Disney's Family Fun, kids magazine and made it with my son.
     We simplified it by just using painters tape instead of a stencil cut from contact paper and it came out so neat I made one for myself using the puffy foam stickers.
      It is messy so prepare your area and yourself and child with covers. We wore plastic bags with holes cut for the arms and head and did it on the porch with more plastic and card board to protect the wood. You can also clean it up with soap and water.





List of supplies.....
Fabric paint
small spray bottle
painters tape or puffy stickers
white cotton shirt
Cardboard( to prevent bleed through)
Plastic to protect surfaces and yourself.

Directions....
First place cardboard into shirt to prevent bleed through and then using painters tape or stickers make a fun design, remember this is where the paint will not be.

       In spray bottle mix one part fabric paint and two parts warm water and shake the heck out of it till it mixes well. I used a travel size bottle for 1 toddler shirt and one adult shirt. Now just spray away, It is ok to get heavy handed in some places and not in others, it makes for a more interesting look.

Let this dry a bit before you remove the tape and then hang it to dry. Then follow the paints directions for setting the paint. If you want to do the other side go for it!

Enjoy and get messy!

Charm Bracelets made with my homemade chain stabilizer

    Here is an update from my last post on the charm bracelet hammock inspired by the Chain Sta Stabilization Solution.  I made a few new pieces with it and wanted to share them with you.  I made two copper bracelets.

 

This bracelet is made with 10mm puffy fish charms, 10mm double sided Abalone shell, and alternating colors of Swarovski crystals.

This bracelet is made with 15mm Starfish charms, 10mm turquoise magnesite and 8mm brown gold stone beads.

 I am very happy with the way they turned out, it made it so easy to do the placement and spacing. I am looking forward to having time to make a much more complicated piece soon.  

How to Make a Charm Bracelet Hammock (Inspired by Chain Sta Stabilization Solution)

I have seen these for sale from many jewelry suppliers but they always seem to flimsy for my needs, so I asked my very handy husband to help me come up with a design that was colapsable and easy to make, and of course as inexpensive as possible. I hope you like it. It has made it much easier for me to work with charms and bead placement as well giving me a portable work shop that I can virtually set up any where, including at my art shows. This brings lots of traffic to my booth and a way to open the communication to the customers. I Love it!






List of supplies you will need.....
1. A scrap piece of 1x6 atleast 12" long
2. 1/4" wing nuts(4)
3. Copper wire 20 gauge ( you can use heavy paper clips-2)
4. 1/4" thread rod 3ft long
5.  2 1/2" C clamps (2)
6. 1x1/4" washers (4)
7. 5/8x1/4" washers (4)
8. 220 grit sand paper
9. Small felt sticky back dots (optional)

You will also need a measuring tape, a pencil, speed square, hack saw, regular saw or power saw, 1" Fostner or spade bit, 1/4" drill bit and a drill press or hand drill. Keep the band-aids close to, just in case.

Cut 2 pieces of the wood to 5 1/2" to make squares. Then using square mark the center on both. 

Using the 1" drill bit drill half way through the wood making a counter sink. Then with the 1/4" drill bit go all the way through so you can thread the rod.

Time Management

     I have come to the point in my life when I seem to never have enough time to do all the things I want to and also all the things I have to do. I am certain I am not alone in this problem and that it is not a new issue that has occurred in this century.
   
In fact it seems to be that it has been a very popularly subject for many of books. The best part is that you can go on the internet, look in the local book store or even the library and find multitudes of information on how                to organize your time and get more of it.

     I have spent lots of evening reading and then making lists for every thing imaginable. I made a grocery list that is on my fridge so all I have to do is circle what I'm out of to make it more efficient, but I still manage to forget something. I have a calendar for all the house keeping things I have to do over the week and my child's activities and my own and still never seem to do any of it on the day listed. I make a memo every morning of what I want to accomplish that day and I actually almost get it all done, but never all of it completely.

     I have come to the realization that no matter how organized I try to be, I spend more time trying to get organized than I do actually accomplishing anything, lol. Also Life happens and so a calendar or list must be looked at as reference material or you will never go to sleep trying to check it all off.
I do use my lists and calendars, but I have come to look at them very differently as time has gone on and I feel less stressed about not getting them finished.

     So use them yes, but don't get all crazy about them, there are more important things to worry about other than the milk you forgot. Relax a bit and enjoy the things you can do. Happy Time Management :)

D R Designs' photostream

D R Designs' photostream on Flickr.

A new place for me, please check out some of my other talents.

Southwestern Crock pot Chicken

Just wanted to share a new dish I came up with and my family loved. Enjoy!

This recipe makes a lot and can be frozen for another night or even 2 depending on your family size.

Ingredients....

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2-8oz cans tomatoe sauce(can use chunky tomatoes if you want)

1 package of taco seasoning

1/2 cup fresh or frozen pineapple chunks cut into small pieces

1 to 2 cup frozen corn

1  can kidney beans

2 tbls brown sugar

garlic salt to taste

Directions....

Place chicken in crock pot. Mix all other ingredients in a large bowl and pour over the chicken. Cook 4-5 hours. Chicken can be served as is with a scoop of the bean mixure. Or shred it and mix back in and make awesome burittos, just add cheese and any other stuff you like. Yummy!