TrIck oR tReAt

Can't say this is my favorite project, but hey, it was free!!! My friend's husband does bank homes, and he let her and I go into the home to get what ever we wanted before he started chucking stuff. We found some pretty good treasures! I over looked these canisters several times, and just as we were leaving, inspiration hit - "I can spray paint those!" (I know - shocking it took me that long!)

So here are the beauties before:

I debated back and forth whether to paint them orange and make them Jack-O-Lanterns, or Black with "B-O-O" or black with "trick-or-treat" I finally decided on the trick-or-treat.

First they needed a good bath in the dishwasher, then I pulled out my trusted can of spray paint (high gloss black) After about 2 coats, they were ready. Kinda forgot to get a pic of them all black - oh well, you get the idea

Did you know that spray paint mist kills flies? Yup this one dropped dead right as I was spraying!

I then spent way to long trying to pick the perfect font (again - not sure how happy I am with the results, but I like it enough) I find all my fonts at DAFONT.COM They are all free and super easy to download. This font is Andrea Karime. (to download the font, click the name, or go HERE)
I have the program Sure Cuts Alot (thanks to my sister Annie) and so I just typed the words into that program, plugged my cricut into my computer with my printer cable, and pressed cut - that easy!

Oh - I decided to spray paint the letters instead of using vinyl. So I cut the words out on Contact paper and used it as a stencil.


I very carefully pealed away the paper, and adhered the contact paper to my canisters, pressing firmly and pushing out all the bubbles.


AHHHHHH!!! I took off the lid and this little nasty guy was running in circles around the canister! EWWWWW! I guess it wouldn't be a Halloween project with out a spider! :)

I didn't want my beautiful paint job to get ruined - so I wrapped a grocery sack around the canister and taped down the edges. (looks like they are going into surgery)


Now the fun part - Spray Paint! (this time I used my leftover appliance enamel from painting my KitchenAid)

After a long wait, I finally pealed back the contact paper.
Final results:

Not the best (it blead a lot more than I had hoped- but at least it was consistent- kinda adds to the Halloween look)



I like! Like I said, not my favorite ever, but definately keepers! Now I just need to fill them with yummy candy! (or maybe a nasty trick!)
Go find something to spray paint! It's fun!!!

Answered Prayers and a Tribute

ADDENDUM: I just have to share this comment that a reader left me, I am so grateful for it, she said it best: Jeanette said...Just wanted to add, after going back and looking at the photos you posted again, I love how the temple is a beacon of light, shining even brighter than the fire, letting us know where the real power lies. Not in devastation, but in hope and faith.

Wow!!! What a night! I live about 2 miles from the massive Herriman (machine gun fire) All night I watched out my window the devastation, it was quite frightening seeing the fire come so close to homes. My family and I said many many prayers last night that the homes would be spared, that the families would be comforted, and that the firefighters would be protected. Our prayers were not the only ones. Herriman is an extremely religious area, and I can only imagine the hundreds of thousands of prayers that were said last night. Our prayers were truly answered! Last night as I watched the fire raging, I thought that there were going to be at least 100 homes lost, if not more. This morning, they announced that only 4 homes (they are now saying 3 - one was on out building) were lost! I couldn't believe it! I watched a video taken this morning from a news chopper, and there were homes that were completely surrounded by burnt land, and the house was still standing. Many homes had flames that burnt up to 5 feet away and the home never burnt! They were saying that it was a miracle that more weren't lost, but I know it was a loving Heavenly Father who protected those homes and helped those firefighters do what they did to protect property. It is humbling to see how quickly a fire can roar down a mountain side. Some people were literally running away from the fire as it came towards their homes. I just had to say how grateful I am that our prayers were answered, and that everything looks like it will be okay. My heart and prayers go out to those who did loose so much, one family lost their home of 35 years, and left with only the shirts on their backs, they couldn't save anything because it came so fast. Thank you to the firefighters, police men, CERT volunteers, and National Guards men who are fighting this fire! And thanks to the families of these people who are serving us, I can't even imagine the fear they have felt over the past 18 hours.
Here are just a few photos of the fire. Just a little too close to home for comfort!
















To see more photos, go to KSL.com, or FOX13now.com

To Die For Calzone!

I am always getting requests for this recipe and some of you have asked me for instructions, so here they are! It is super easy and way yummy -
Recipe:
* 1 Rhodes dough loaf (they come frozen like the rolls)
* 1 small can tomato sauce
* 1-1 1/2 Tbsp italian seasoning (no it is not the same as the italian dressing dry mix)
* 1/8 tsp minced garlic
* canadian bacon, pepperoni, motzerella and cheddar cheese (any other toppings you like)
* garlic salt
* parmissian cheese

A few hours before you are ready to make it, put a loaf of Rhodes dough on a plate, spray with non-stick spray and cover with plastic wrap. Let defrost and rise till double in size:

Cover cookie sheet with tin foil, spray with Pam, then roll out dough on a separate piece of foil cut the same size as cookie sheet and sprayed with Pam. Roll dough to fit the piece of foil.

To make the sauce, take 1 can tomato sauce and add 1- 1 1/2 Tbsp Italian seasoning, and 1/8 tsp of garlic. (I buy the jar of pre-minced garlic, its cheep and lasts forever) Mix together. Spread in center only of dough, leaving about 1" at each end. (you will only use about 1/3 of the sauce, you can freeze the rest for later)

Add your toppings. We have found that we prefer only Canadian bacon and pepperoni, we love supreme pizza, but we like our calzones the best simple like this. If you buy the same meat as I did, the box of Hormel pepperoni has two sealed packages in it, so it lasts for 2 calzones, plus the Land O' Frost canadian bacon is enough for 2 as well. (I just cut the bacon in quarters because it is really big) - you can see it in the picture. I have also found that it tastes so much better if you use freshly grated cheese, I used to buy the pizza blend bag of cheese, but it just isn't nearly as good. I grate and freeze my motzerella because I pretty much only use it for these. Grate about 1 cup of each cheese.

I put the bacon all the way across, I just took the picture so you could see. They both fit perfectly 3 across.

Add your cheese and then pull up the sides and pinch tightly together. (sometimes you have to pinch it a few times to get it to seal.) Pinch the ends and fold up.


lol - notice the belly, It's too big to keep out of the picture!

Flip calzone onto greased and lined cookie sheet. (the pinched side needs to be down, that is why I roll it out and make it on a separate sheet of tin foil.)

Poke holes in top with fork, spray with butter flavored Pam, or brush with melted butter. Sprinkle on garlic salt, then parmessian cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Note: It helps keep your pan clean if you fold up the edges of the tin foil, because sometimes your calzone will leak while baking.
I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as my family does!

I Do Believe In Spooks...

Sorry I have been MIA as of late, I needed some time to just relax and enjoy the last few days of summer with family and neighbors! But here comes my favorite time of year, so hopefully I will have plenty of projects to share!

I had so much fun with the last craft night, so I am anxious to do another! Hopefully it isn't too soon, but I want to do this Halloween craft, and if you want to enjoy it this year, we need to get it done.
Here it is:



The cost is $12 (sorry but this wood is pricier than a 2x4) It is about 6" high and about 3 1/2' long. It will be pretty much the same process as last time, paint the board black, sand it, and mod podge on the letters. Easy Peasy!
As usual I will supply everything, wall hooks and all, you just need to show up!
I am debating doing it on Thurs the 23rd, or Thurs the 30th. So for those of you that sign up, let me know which date you prefer and I will pick the date that the majority chooses. Can't wait!

For those of you who want to make one, but can't come: The font I used is ZOOBALOO from cricut. *I used the dot from the letter "i" for the "eyes" in the word "spooks" I just use a light cream card stock, and a 1x6 (or a 1x8) board from Home Depot or Lowes. (if you don't have saws, they will cut it to the length you want for you) I also used a dremel to antique the edges, but that is optional, I just like the "spooky" look it gives the board. Paint and distress your board and mod podge on your letters!

I always feel so special when someone features my projects! Thanks ladies!