Halloween Wood Candy Corn Craft Tutorial

This is Elyse from Six Sisters' Stuff! With Halloween just around the corner, we thought we would show you a cute, inexpensive craft we made!

I found these cute candy corn at Wood Creations, and made them for around $5.00!

They currently don't take orders over their website as they are a brand new business. You can see a lot of their crafts on their Facebook Page and their Website. You can order through email at

info@woodcreationsutah.com or call them at 801-731-0788.

Here are the steps:

Started with my unfinished wood.

Painted it with acrylic paint.

Sanded all the edges.

Used wood glue to glue each piece together.

And you're done! So easy, inexpensive and cute!

Reeses Popcorn Munch

One of our family traditions is to eat homemade pizza & popcorn and watch a movie together on Fridays nights. We try to do this every Friday that we can. Because of commitments there are some Fridays that we miss. But if nothing is on our schedule, our kids know that is family time. I think it is important to have some sort of routine thing that your children can count on happening every week.

My husband is in charge of making pizza and I make some sort of yummy treat. Usually we have regular popcorn with the movie too, but a couple weeks ago I thought it would be fun to make something different. After looking through my cupboards, I realized I had an overload of Reeses products:-)...I'm not addicted or anything:-) This is the perfect sweet treat to munch on while watching a movie...or for breakfast...or really any time of day.

Do you have any fun family traditions that you do with your children?

Reeses Popcorn Munch

6 c. popped popcorn
1 bag of the mini Reeses cups, cut in half (not the ones in wrappers)
1 c. Reeses pieces
1/2 c. white chocolate chips, melted with 1 tsp. shortening
1 c. Reeses Puff cereal
1/4 c. peanut butter chips, melted with 1/2 tsp. shortening
1/4 c. chocolate chips, melted with 1/2 tsp. shortening

Mix popcorn, reeses cups, cups, and cereal in a large pan lined with waxed paper. Drizzle with melted white chocolate and toss until everything is coated. Place pan in refrigerator and let set for about 5 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and break into chunks. Drizzle with the melted peanut butter and chocolate chips.
*The striped popcorn boxes are from Michaels craft store*

Have a fabulous Thursday!

Jocelyn
Inside BruCrew Life

Idea Sharing Wednesday

In the past three months I have moved twice and will move again in eight months. Eww. Packing and moving is horrible. Anyone else with me on this one?

Its funny how there are things that you think you need but then the idea of having to pack it up and move it makes the sentiment of the item go out the window.

Oh yeah, Welcome to Idea Sharing Wednesday! Got a little carried away with my woes of moving, sorry.

I can't wait to show you some great links today and am even more excited about what all you wonderful people have to share with me!

Thanks for coming and hope you don't have to move anytime soon!

The talented link winner from last week with paper clip earrings:

If you have any trouble getting your kiddos to eat, try this beautiful and delicious treat:

Crafty ideas for a baby shower:

Fun orange and green themed rooms:

Thanks for coming, see you again next week!

Love, Caitlyn from

www.hesowedshesewed.com

Household Exercising

Weather you're a professional in the work place or a professional mother, a busy schedule is a busy schedule.  Before I became a stay at home mom, I worked a 9 to 5 desk job, and even though you sit at a desk all day, you still come home whipped.  And, if you're a SAHM, I don't have to tell you how draining your day can be.

At the time, it never occurred to me to add an exercise routine to my life.  I would come home from work, pour a glass of...whatever, and watch recorded TV shows with hubby eventually falling asleep on the couch before they were over.

Now, after starting my fitness journey over a year and a half ago, I can't imagine my life without it.  I feel and look healthier.  Granted, I am blessed with the ability to NOT have to have a full time job at the moment, so I do have time to run to the gym and train.  But there are plenty of other ways to exercise at home, after work, either while you're cleaning, waiting for dinner to cook or even while watching TV.  No need for any fancy gym equipment, just grab objects around the house to help.

Following are a few exercises that if done 3-4 times a week for twenty minutes, will not only help you feel good about yourself, they can help tone your body and even help you lose those few extra pounds...especially with the holiday right around the corner.

Before starting any kind of exercise regiment, you should always consult a doctor for any concerns before hand.  But I promise, these are not heavy body-breaking exercises.

There are three key things to keep in mind when doing the following exercises:

1.  Always keep your back straight and squared shoulders.  Do not hunch over or round your back...ever.  What's good for the boys is good for girls...and lungs...stick those chests out ladies!

2.  Always keep your core (abs and back) tight. Squeeze your abs to keep you stable.  This will help with balance and make sure that you are not swinging your body to perform the movement.  It will help aid in isolating the key muscles for that exercise.

3.  When standing, keep your feet hip-width apart, toes forward an knees slightly bent.  Adjust your weight evenly through the heels.  You should able to wiggle your toes, if you try this and lose balance, then you are not engaging your core.

Shoulder Raises.

Muscles Worked: Front and side shoulders.

Equipment: Two full water bottles, ketchup bottles, cans...any two objects that weigh the same.  OR one object to perform the exercise one arm at a time.

Execution:

Standing tall, hold your weights at your sides.  Locking your elbows and really pulling with the top of your shoulders, raise both arms to either side until they are shoulder height, parallel to the floor. Slowly, lower them back to your sides.  Do this 15 times.  Then, repeat but this time raising your arms, elbows locked in front of you until parallel to the floor, slowly lower.  Repeat this 15 times.

Repeat the above two more times.

Wall Push Ups

Muscles worked: Rear deltoids (shoulders) chest, and triceps (that annoying dangle arm thingy...)

Equipment: A wall

Execution:

Stand straight facing a wall, 2-3 feet away.  Feet hip width apart, knees slightly bent, toes forward.  Place your arms shoulder height, wider than body width, palms pressed against the wall.  Slowly, lean into the wall, making sure your elbows are folding back and then slowly push until elbows locked.  Repeat 15 times.  Then lower your hands on the wall until about the bra line, then slowly lean into the wall, making sure that your elbows are bending in a way they stay close to your sides.  The closer to your sides they are, the more you should feel it in your triceps.  Repeat 15 times.

Repeat the above two more times.

Triceps Dips

Muscles worked: Triceps (we need to get rid of dangle arm...right?)

Equipment: Coffee table, bench or couch.

Execution:

Sit straight, chest out, feet firmly planted on the floor on the edge of your coffee table.  Place your arms on either side of your hips, palms down on the table, fingers dangling over the edge.  Slowly, push up with your arms to push yourself off the table.  Swing your hips just over the edge.  The key is to keep your hips as close the table as possible.  Now, take a step or two forward with your feet, and slowly lower yourself with your arms in front of the table.  Remember, don't hunch your shoulders. Once you've gone as low as you can, slowly push with your arms back up.  Keep your arms close to your body.  Without sitting back on the table, repeat 15 times.  Rest for 1 minute and repeat set two more times.

Remember to dip with your arms, and NOT to push with your legs.

Variation:
If you feel this is too light for you, you can add weight by keeping one leg raised above the floor as you dip, or place a weighted household item on your lap as you dip.  

Wall Sits
Muscle worked: Quadriceps (front of your thighs)
Equipment:  A wall

Execution:
Stand up straight, back against a wall.  Take a couple of steps out with your feet, and slowly lower yourself until your legs are making a 90 degree angle with the floor, make sure your knees are directly above your ankles.  Do NOT put your hands on your legs, keep them hanging lose at your sides.

Sit there for 30 seconds at first, eventually working yourself up to a minute.  Do this several times a day as your walking down your hallway.

Squats
Muscles worked:  Glutes (your butt) and Quads
Equipment: None, a chair, or coffee table, couch...

Execution:
Stand straight, feet pointed forward, core engaged.  Slowly push your hips back and squat until your butt touches your chair.  DO NOT SIT!  Slowly stand again pushing through your ankles and do NOT push your arms on your legs, either clasp them in front of you or place them behind your back.  You can do this without a chair and go as low as you can but always remember to keep your knees in alignment with your ankles.  Repeat 15 times and rest one minute.  Repeat the set twice more.

The above are just a few exercises you can do while you're at home.  Pick an exercise a day, or combine three for a full circuit workout.  Again, keep your core engaged at all times. keep knees above angles when squatting.

Other ideas for home workouts; lunge while you vacuum or mop, frog jump from room to room (kids love doing that too!) or even laundry detergent core swings.

Below are some links to some videos that show several of the above exercises and then some.

Home workouts one

Couch exercises


I would also like to share my new website.  I work from home as a freelance graphic designer, painter, and muralist.  I also have an outlet and love for pet portraits.  Check it out and leave me a comment!

www.wix.com/dzyn4u/home

Thanks for reading!

Marcy
Life's Gristle

Bird Houses and Flowers....

Hello Lovelies! So it has been a while since I have had a new post over here on Women Who Do It All. Well things have been a little busy, with the start of a new school year, but I am back and ready to share some craftiness with you all.

Today I have a simple room revamp to share. Over the weekend my Little Miss and I found some vinyl wall decals on clearance at Target. They were 75% off and were marked from 14.99 to $3.48. We were beyond excited. Miss Priss's walls have been lacking in the love and cuteness department lately. We snagged those decals and came home to start on her walls. This was a perfect project for my little girl to help with as well.

The vinyl decal set had little flowers, birds, and bird cages.
Too cute!

We even had enough to put them all around her room and we decorated her toy box with them.

Wondering what the toy box is? It is a re-purposed cabinet. I painted it white and laid it on its back. Perfect for holding toys.

She was so proud of all her work.

So there you have it. New cute walls for under $5
Thrifty spending at its best.

I wanted to let you know that all month long
Women Who Do It All Readers will receive 15% off in my etsy store.
Use coupon code: BlissOctober



Hope you all have a fabulous week
and stop by and say hi.
Blissful and Domestic

Ruffle Fabric Apron

I have fallen in LOVE with ruffle fabric.

Have you heard of it?

It's awesome!

Check it out RuffleFabric.com.

You are going to love it too.

Ruffle Fabric Apron Tutorial:

1 Yard of ruffle fabric

1 Package of Bias Tape

I used one of my other aprons as my guide.

The ruffle fabric is great to work with but it is also kind of tricky.

It doesn't require seams or even a serge stitch. 

It doesn't unravel.

Awesome right!

To cut the fabric:

Lift the ruffle up and cut just under it: 17" x  25".

Make sure when you cut the length of the fabric

to be sure all the ruffles are facing the same way.

Cut the Bias tape: 58"

Fold the tape over and iron.

Like so.

On each end iron and fold into a point.

Like so.

To attach the bias tape to the bottom skirt I used fusible webbing.

Like I said its kind of tricky to work with.

It stretches and the ruffles sometimes like to get in your way.

Using the webbing just made it easier so I didn't have to pin it in a hundred places.

Here is a close up.

You can see the raw edge of the ruffle skirt.

Open up the bias tape,

lay the fusible webbing inside,

and sandwich the raw skirt edge between the fold of the bias tape.

Now iron it together.

This is what it will look like after you iron it.

Stitch 1/4" from the edge,

from one end of the bias tape to the other.

Cut your top piece: 15" x 12".

Again using the fusible webbing,

iron the top piece to the bottom piece.

I did this just to hold it in place

until it could be sewn.

Sew two stitches - one on the top and one on the bottom.

The fabric is thin, I thought it needed a little reinforcement.

Roll the top edge of the top piece and stitch using a gathering stitch.

Don't back stitch.

Pull the thread so the fabric gathers.

Once you have the top gathered as you like it,

stitch in place with a zigzag stitch.

Here is a close up of what the finished top looks like.

Using the last of the bias tape (apx 29"), cut it in half.

This will become the two pieces (each 14.5") that you will tie around your neck.

Using the same technique as before iron and stitch them to the top piece.

I could't resist making a flower for my apron.

I used Satin and burned/melted the edges.

 Added the feathers.

I made it into a pin so I could easily remove it so I can wash the apron.

There you have it.

  A Ruffle Fabric Apron.

Doesn't it just make you want to cook or clean something!

S'mores Cookie Bars

I found the recipe for these bad boys in the May issue of All You
and couldn't wait to make them.
It is very possible that they have been made
MANY times since May:-)
They are the perfect late night snack when a bonfire isn't possible:-)

What are you waiting for???
You need to make some of these NOW!

S'mores Cookie Bars
(slightly adapted from All You)

2 c. flour
2 c. crushed golden grahams cereal
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 sticks butter, room temp.
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 c. marshmallow fluff
2 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350* Spray a 9x13 pan with baking spray. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar for 2 minutes or until light. Beat in eggs until well combined. Mix in the baking powder and the salt. Slowly add the flour and crushed cereal. Divide the dough in half. Press half of the dough in the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the fluff on top and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Scatter the rest of the dough on top of the chips. It is ok if you see the fluff and chips peaking out. Bake 30 minutes. Cool.

*quick tip- it is much easier to cut these bars if you refrigerate them first....but let them come to room temperature before serving.

Have a fabulous Thursday!
Jocelyn
Inside BruCrew Life