Teenagers like money.

This much I know. So here's my clever way to send $20 to my nephew for his birthday.

I think I watched this money origami shirt & tie how-to video on YouTube about 56 times before I finally got it right. Totally worth it though. It's so cute. Might have to use this idea again next month for my father-in-law's birthday. It'd be perfect for Father's Day too.

Gimme an S!

And a T. And an H. And a couple of L's. And about 13 E's.

What's that spell? Nothing. Unless you're an art director that loves great big letters, and then it spells: FUN, FUN, FUN!

While I can't reveal my source for the truckload of old sign letters I picked up this week, let's just say that one man's trash is another woman's treasure. And I have big plans for these alphabet jewels.

You'd be surprised how many places throw away stuff like this because they can't see a use beyond it's original purpose. Are you kidding me??? This is recycling at it's best, people! I can't tell you how many times I've rescued a cool store display from the fate of a trash dumpster, just by simply asking the store manager "Can I have that when you're done with it?" It never hurts to ask. 

Creative Juices

My morning coffee (mostly milk, sugar and a little bit of coffee) just got better, thanks to this sweet & unexpected gift from a friend. I love the wide handle. It feels comfy and secure in my hands. And the embossed "CREATE" on the front makes me smile.

Slip 'N Slide season is officially open!

Gus, Bea and our neighbor-buddy Jay christened the backyard with our Triple Threat Slip 'N Slide this weekend. That patch of grass won't need watered for weeks.

I've been spending much more time in the flowerbeds than in the kitchen, that's for sure. And the coats, jackets and mittens have officially been put away (again) until next fall.

Bring on the heat, with a side of margaritas, please.

Teacup Cookies

Gus' 3rd grade class hosted an "Author's Tea" this week and I signed up to bring cookies -  teacup cookies, of course. 

Ingredients from bottom to top include: 

1. Vanilla sandwich cookie wafer

2. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

3. Ice cream sugar cone (top 1 1/2-inch)

4. Circle pretzel

5. Filling = whipped chocolate ganache* and chocolate candy melts

* In hindsight, the chocolate ganache was waaaayyyy too bitter for those kids. I saw lots of faces scrunch up when they tasted it. I should have made it out of semi-sweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate. (Bitter chocolate is definitely an acquired taste. And even better, paired with a glass of wine.)

All of the parents were invited to come and listen to their young authors read from the mystery novels they've been working on. Gus' book was called "The Case of the Missing Parrot." I found the storyline to be very similar to the movie "Rio." Coincidence? I don't think so. Delightful? Yes, very much so.

I thought this dedication page was pretty funny.

Art + Outdoors = Artdoorsy

When I saw this idea for an outdoor chalkboard on Ohdeedoh last week, I instantly wanted one in our backyard too. And I knew just the daddy who could make it happen. Lucky for me, Eric thought it was a pretty cool idea and didn't hesitate to go buy the materials and get started. It might have worked to my advantage too, that a new Menards had just opened and he wanted to check it out.

Needless to say, the kids are enjoying it. Bea's favorite part is the bucket of chalk that hangs off the side. Go figure.

Moms, then & now.

“A mother is a person who, seeing there are only three pieces of cake for her family of four, promptly announces she never did care for cake.” 

Cinco de Mayo Piñata Cookies

It wouldn't be a piñata without a candy surprise in the middle!

After baking these multi-striped, burro piñata sugar cookies, I frosted them together in sets of 3's. (The middle cookies have hollow centers so that I could insert a stash of mini M&M's.) That way, when you break open or bite into the cookie, the M&M's come spilling out. Just like a real piñata. 

Olé! 

I recently teamed up with SheKnows.com to make a complete tutorial for these cookies with lots & lots of helpful, step-by-step photos. Check it out here!

The Boudoir Baker

If I'm not careful, I'm gonna start getting a reputation for my R-rated baking projects. First boob cupcakes and cookies, and now bra & panty cookies.

Some friends of mine were getting together in KC this weekend for a bachelorette party and they wanted to surprise Rachel, the bride-to-be, with these slightly risqué cookies. I made one white bra & panty especially for the bride to eat. And I packaged them in pizza boxes so they'd be easy to transport. (Plus, that way they wouldn't have to worry about returning any of my cookie trays. I'm constantly losing those things.)

I thought it was funny that my 9-year-old son didn't even question what I was making last Thursday night. Apparently it didn't seem out of the ordinary for his mom to be frosting thong underwear cookies at the kitchen table.