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Friday, February 27, 2015

Easy Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Friday, February 27, 2015

Easy Chocolate Chip Pancakes

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Who loves pancakes?! My daughter would eat pancakes and/or waffles for every meal if she had her way. Her favorite kind of pancakes are chocolate chip pancakes, topped with some peanut butter. Since they are requested so much at our house, I decided to share our easy and quick basic pancake recipe so that you can make some, too! Eat them plain, or add in whatever mix-ins you like (chocolate chips, blueberries, etc) to fit your tastes.

Easy Chocolate Chip Pancakes at artsyfartsymama.com

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 beaten egg
1 cup milk
2 Tablespoons oil
1/2 cup (or small handful) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

Directions:
1. In a bowl, mix together flour, sugar baking powder, and salt.
2. In a small bowl, combine beaten egg, milk, and oil.
3. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the egg/milk mixture.
4. Stir until just combined. The batter will be lumpy.
5. Add in chocolate chips and stir until just combined.
6. Pour about 1/4 cup for each pancake and cook until golden brown. Top with peanut butter and maple syrup (sounds weird, but it's totally delicious!!).

Makes about 7-8 pancakes.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Shamrock Spritz Cookies

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Shamrock Spritz Cookies

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St. Patrick's Day treats are so much fun to make! With a little green food coloring, you can make some adorable cookies, candies, and even make your dinner festive for the holiday! These Shamrock Spritz Cookies are super simple to make, and taste amazing. The kids will love getting to help, and the cookies would make a cute St. Patrick's Day treat to share with family & friends!

Shamrock Spritz Cookies at artsyfartsymama.com #StPatricksDay

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
green gel food coloring
sprinkles (optional)
vanilla frosting

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light & fluffy.
  4. Add egg, milk, vanilla, almond extract, and food coloring.
  5. Add flour mixture and mix well.
  6. Fill cookie press with dough, and use three-hole disk.
  7. Press cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet. Top with sprinkles (optional).
  8. Bake 10-11 minutes or until edges are are a light golden brown.
  9. Cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet, then move to a cooling rack.
  10. Once cooled, fill a Ziploc bag with vanilla frosting. Clip the corner, and pipe frosting to the underside of a cookie. Top with another cookie. Repeat until you've put all the cookies together.
Makes about 7 dozen cookies.

Shamrock Spritz Cookies at artsyfartsymama.com #StPatricksDay

Friday, February 20, 2015

Crazy Hair Day with Lalaloopsy Girls

Friday, February 20, 2015

Crazy Hair Day with Lalaloopsy Girls

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This post is sponsored by Lalaloopsy Girls. All opinions are my own.

Crazy Hair Day with Lalaloopsy Girls at artsyfartsymama.com #CrazyHairDay

My daughter loves everything Lalaloopsy lately (especially Lalaloopsy Girls), and playing dress-up. Combine the two, and we've got a crazy hair day with Lalaloopsy!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Lucky St. Patrick's Day Printable

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Lucky St. Patrick's Day Printable

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Lucky St. Patrick's Day Printable (in 3 colors) at artsyfartsymama.com #freeprintable

Now that Valentine's Day is done, we are starting to decorate for St. Patrick's Day! I wanted to add a little more green, gold and a bit of sparkle to my decor, so I created a "Lucky" St. Patrick's Day printable that I'm excited to share with all of you!

There are 3 different colors that you can download: green, gold glitter, and white - all with the word "lucky". This printable doesn't just have to be for St. Patrick's Day either! You could easily display this printable year-round.

Lucky St. Patrick's Day Printable (in 3 colors) at artsyfartsymama.com #freeprintable


Some things you should know before downloading:
*Artsy-Fartsy Mama printables are for PERSONAL USE ONLY.
*You may NOT modify, re-sell, redistribute (sharing with friends or in the classroom is fine), or claim the design as your own.
*Please do not remove the credits/watermarks.
*If you share this on the internet, credit must be given to Artsy-Fartsy Mama & linked back to this post.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Easy Beef Enchilada Casserole

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Easy Beef Enchilada Casserole

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Mexican food is a favorite at our house, and we are eating something with taco seasoning at least once a week. This easy beef enchilada casserole is an easier and quicker version of my Enchilada Lasagna recipe with a few adjustments that has turned into one of my husband's new favorite dishes.

Easy Beef Enchilada Casserole at artsyfartsymama.com

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 (14 oz) can enchilada sauce
1 can refried beans
2 cups cooked white rice
1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
  1. Cook ground beef, drain and add packet of taco seasoning. Stir until all the beef is covered.
  2. Stir in enchilada sauce and refried beans. Keep stirring over medium-low heat until combined.
  3. Pour meat/bean mixture into a 9x13 pan* and add cooked rice. Carefully stir until combined and make sure all the rice is covered with sauce.
  4. Add in 1/2-1 cup of cheese and mix in. Then spread the mixture evenly in the pan and top with remaining cheese.
  5. Cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350º for 15-30 minutes or until cheese has melted.
  6. Top with favorite taco/enchilada toppings and enjoy!

*If you have a large enough pan, you could easily make this into a one-pot dish and take out the baking step. Just mix all the ingredients together in the pan, and top with cheese. Place the lid on the pan and heat on low (or turn off) until cheese on top is melted.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

24 Red Velvet Dessert Recipes

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

24 Red Velvet Dessert Recipes

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24 Red Velvet Dessert Recipes at artsyfartsymama.com

Red Velvet is a popular flavor this time of year, and with it's gorgeous red color, it's a favorite on Valentine's Day and anniversaries!! Today I'm sharing 24 decadent Red Velvet dessert recipes for you to make this Valentine's Day or just to enjoy for dessert tonight! I'm excited to try some of these this weekend!!
Sunday, February 8, 2015

15 Simple & Sweet Valentine Treats

Sunday, February 8, 2015

15 Simple & Sweet Valentine Treats

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15 Simple and Sweet Valentine Treats at artsyfartsymama.com #ValentinesDay


Valentine's Day is almost here, and my daughter is so excited to help me make treats for the big day to share with friends, family, and neighbors. Today I'm sharing 15 of my favorite simple & sweet recipes that you can make this week to celebrate Valentine's Day with your loved ones. 
Saturday, February 7, 2015

Easy Pom Pom Valentine Wreath

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Easy Pom Pom Valentine Wreath

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Easy Pom Pom Valentine Wreath Tutorial at artsyfartsymama.com #ValentinesDay

Valentine wreaths are so much fun to make, and look adorable! This Valentine Pom Pom Wreath is SO simple to make, and you can get all the supplies for less than $10 (even more savings if you already have a wreath form)!!
Friday, February 6, 2015

Teach Your Child Addition at Snack Time!

Friday, February 6, 2015

Teach Your Child Addition at Snack Time!

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Teach Your Child Addition at Snack Time with Free Printable Math Bites Worksheet at artsyfartsymama.com

My daughter has been learning addition and subtraction lately, and seems to do better when she's learning in a more creative way. So, I created a fun "Math Bites" printable to help her practice addition at snack time! This would also be fun for kids who are out of school for the day (or summer) and need a fun learning activity to keep their brains working!

Speaking of snack time, I'm always looking for different snacks that my daughter will love, and that I won't regret letting her have. Honey Maid Go Bites (crispy graham pockets filled with vanilla or chocolate filling) have been just that. They are quite delicious and are made with 7g of whole grains and 5g of protein per serving, so I know she's getting some nutrition instead of just a sugar high. I even grab a handful when I'm needing a snack during the afternoon!!

Teach Your Child Addition at Snack Time with Free Printable Math Bites Worksheet at artsyfartsymama.com

Here's how the Math Bites printable works:
  1. Print out the Math Bites printable on cardstock and laminate.
  2. Give your child a small bowl and fill it up with some Honey Maid Go Bites or other small snacks.
  3. Have them put some pieces in each of the large boxes. Now they have more of a visual aid to help them learn to add.
  4. Count all the pieces, then write the answer in the last box with a dry erase marker.
  5. On the bottom of the page, there's a number line. If your child is just learning addition or wants to practice counting, add one piece at a time to each square. The number above each square will help them remember how many pieces there are. It's also a great way to begin teaching basic addition.*
*For example, for the problem 3+1, have your child fill up three squares on the number line. Then, show them how many snacks they will have if you add one more: there are four squares filled up! Then, show them how adding three snacks plus one snack in the larger boxes is the same thing. It just looks a little different.

Teach Your Child Addition at Snack Time with Free Printable Math Bites Worksheet at artsyfartsymama.com

I was going to create a subtraction page, too, but I figured it would be easy for your children to learn by just eating the snacks! Fill up the number line, then eat one or two pieces. Now how many are left??

I hope your kids have a lot of fun with this printable. My daughter has been loving it and it has really boosted her confidence being able to figure out the math problems all on her own. It doesn't hurt that she gets to eat all the Honey Maid Go Bites when she's done either!


Teach Your Child Addition at Snack Time with Free Printable Math Bites Worksheet at artsyfartsymama.com

Did you know less than 1% of children get the recommended amount of whole grains in their diets? That's why it's important for me as a mom to do better at finding snacks that are healthier for my daughter and provide the nutrients she needs. Honey Maid Go Bites are made with whole grains and real honey, which means they aren't filled with high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors or colors. They also provide 15% of both the recommended daily value of whole grains (48g) and protein (34g), so I can feel better about letting her eat up at snack time!! You can purchase Honey Maid Go Bites in vanilla or chocolate flavors at most retailers nationwide for about $4.19 per box.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Unicorn Valentine Card Box

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Unicorn Valentine Card Box

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This is a sponsored post with Plaid and Blueprint Social. All ideas and opinions are my own.

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

My daughter loves everything unicorn. Every. Thing. I designed her some unicorn valentines to give to her friends, and when I told her we were celebrating Valentine's Day with Plaid Crafts by making a fun Valentine card box, you can guess what her answer was. With a little help from Apple Barrel Paints, Mod Podge, and a few other supplies, I think we came up with a pretty cute Unicorn Valentine Card Box that she will love showing off at her Valentine's Day party!!

To make your own Unicorn Valentine Card Box, you'll need:
  • Cardboard Box (we used a corn dog box)
  • White Tissue Paper (5-10 sheets)
  • Matte Mod Podge
  • Extreme Glitter Mod Podge (or Mod Podge & iridescent glitter)
  • Mod Podge Collage Clay
  • Apple Barrel Paints
  • Clear Tape
  • Iridescent Gift Wrap Ribbon
  • White Cardstock
  • Glitter Paper (we used pink & silver)
  • Unicorn Eye Printable

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

Start by cutting a hole in the top right side of the box with a utility knife for the Valentine cards to be dropped in. Mine measured about 3x2 inches. Also, cut a door in the back for larger Valentines and to be able to remove all the cards later.

You can paint the box, but I was having a hard time getting all the packaging covered even after three coats of paint... so I decided to just wrap it instead! So much easier, and way less time!! Start with 5 sheets of tissue paper and check if you can still see the packaging through the paper. If you can, add more sheets. I used 10 just to be sure nothing would show through.

Wrap the box like you would a regular present, but keep the seams on the back and the sides so they won't show on the front. Use clear tape, and try to keep all the edges as smooth as you can.

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

Once the box is wrapped, you need to be able to access the holes you cut. You'll be able to feel the edges of the holes with your fingers, so just kind of press around it to lightly mark where the edges are. Then, take an Xacto knife and cut an "X" from corner to corner in the top hole. Then, you can bend the 4 triangles into the box and stick them down with a piece of tape.

For the door in the back, cut around the door edges, then just tape the 3 edges down. If you cut a hole instead of a door, do the same as the top hole. This way, all the edges are covered, and you won't have tissue paper ripping off.

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

Using Extreme Glitter Mod Podge (or some Matte Mod Podge mixed with some glitter), paint a light coat on all sides of the box. It will crinkle a little, but I like how it looks. Once the first coat is dry, you can add a second light coat of you want a little more sparkle. I did one coat on the sides and back, and two on the front.

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

Next, I cut out two hearts out of some silver glitter paper for the nostrils. You can easily cut them with a Cricut machine, a paper punch, or by hand. To stick them on, I painted a light coat of Mod Podge on the back and stuck them on.

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

For the ears I cut an ear shape out of white cardstock, and an inner ear piece from pink glitter paper. Then, I flipped them over, and cut out a second set. Paint a light coat of Extreme Glitter Mod Podge (or some Matte Mod Podge mixed with some glitter) on the white cardstock, then just put the pink glitter paper piece on while it's still wet. Let dry completely. If it warps at all, just carefully bend it back to lay flat.

Once the ears are dry, glue them on the top front corners of the box with a little Mod Podge. Let dry completely before doing anything else to ensure they stay in place.

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

While the ears are drying, roll a piece of white cardstock into a cone, trim the excess and stick together with tape. Then, paint stripes onto your unicorn horn with Apple Barrel paints. We used Pink Parfait, Key West, and Purple Pansy. I only had to paint 1-2 coats, and the stripes looked great!

Once the paint was dry, I painted a couple light coats of Extreme Glitter Mod Podge (or some Matte Mod Podge mixed with some glitter) on the horn, letting each coat dry completely before adding another one. It turned out sparkly and magical, just as a unicorn horn should be!!

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

While the unicorn horn is drying, start cutting pieces of ribbon. I cut 20-30 pieces at all different lengths. Curl all the pieces using scissors or a ribbon curler. Then, attach two or three pieces together with a small piece of tape at one of the ends. You'll now have 10-15 pieces of hair!

Trace the unicorn horn on the top where you want it to go. Then, attach all 10-15 pieces of hair around the circle using pieces of tape.

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

Next, you'll need to use some Mod Podge Collage Clay. This was my first time using this product, and it is so much fun!! It's like frosting, but in craft form. It totally keeps its shape if you are using it for decorating, and comes with three different tips for a different look. It also made it super simple for me to securely attach the horn to our unicorn's head!!

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

Use the regular round tip for the Mod Podge Collage Clay. Pull the ribbon ends out of the way with your fingers (or ask a friend for help), and trace the circle you drew with a thick layer of Collage Clay. Then, place the horn into the collage clay, and hold in place for a few seconds. Make sure it's level, then leave it to dry for a few hours.

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

Now all you need are some eyes!! Print and cut out the Unicorn Eye Printable. You could also easily create some eyes from paper scraps/circle punches, add some big googly eyes, or draw them on with marker.

Unicorn Valentine Card Box at artsyfartsymama.com #plaidcrafts #modpodge #applebarrel

Once everything is dry, your Unicorn Valentine Card Box is ready to take to your Valentine party!! My daughter absolutely loves her new unicorn, and can't wait to fill it up with Valentine cards from her friends!!