Cake Pops: St. Patrick's Day

I really have enjoyed making cake pops with my babycakes Cake Pop Maker.  They are simple to make and  so delicious.  And they are always a hit to bring to parties or give to friends!   

I just made vanilla cake batter and gussied it up with a whole-lotta green food coloring :)

Then I just poured the batter in my babycakes Cake Pop maker, dipped them in chocolate and yum yum yum!  Tried not to eat all of them...at least in one sitting :)

Go here and here to read more about the babycakes Cake Pop Maker.

I participate in the link parties found here.
Subscribe to Simply Designing by Email

I'm not dead yet...

Whenever I have a chance to pull out a Monte Python quote I have to say, I still kind of enjoy it...yes, that probably dates me :)  Anyway, I am just writing a quick post to let you know that I'm not dead yet.

Both my kids have ear infections and haven't been sleeping well.  Which means I haven't gotten a full night's sleep in over a week and a half and I have grumpy kids during the day :(

I have also come down with a cold, but I think it is more the combination of not sleeping and kids who don't feel well that has me walking around in a daze and a fog.

So I am not dead yet.  I am still here, but I don't have much brain power to blog.  I hope to get a post up Wednesday but for sure I will be posting on Thursday with a fabulous Giveaway from We Love Citrus!  So be sure to stop by then to enter to win!

I participate in the link parties found here.
Subscribe to Simply Designing by Email

Simply Link {Party}

My son has been sick all week and now I've come down sick :(  So if you have commented, emailed or otherwise tried to make contact with me in the last 7-8 days I am so sorry.

So let's party!  I can't wait to check out all your fabulous links!



I participate in the link parties found here.
Subscribe to Simply Designing by Email

Spring Moss Wreath

In spite of the ridiculously short winter and unseasonably warm weather we have been having, I am anxious for spring to come!

So I brought out my glue gun, some sheet moss and a dusty wreath form I had hiding in my closet and got to work creating a cute Spring Wreath for my front door.

To create this project you will need:

• 18" straw wreath form, leave the plastic wrap on
• Sheet moss, 3-4 bags should be enough, but I bought a big 'ole roll for less with my 40% off coupon
• Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun (and lots and lots of glue)
• Sticks (yes you can go out and gather them, but I've had a sick kiddo so I just bought sticks), optional
• Fabric, optional
• Or other decor like a monogram, ribbon or whatever suits your fancy

It's pretty simple, you'll just cut your sheet moss into strips and hot glue the sheet moss to the wreath.

You can do this two ways, either wrap the strips around the wreath like this:

Or glue it on like this:

Either way works.  The first way takes a little more moss because you are forced to cover all sides of the wreath whereas with the second method you don't have to cover the back.  However, you see less "seam" lines with the first method.  The first method definitely takes longer though.  So.  Ya know.  Take your pick but either way works!

Use your hot glue to attach your sticks or any other embellishments that you like.

And if you'd like, make a few flower rosettes to add to your wreath.

To make flower rosettes you will want to cut a few strips of fabric (cotton or duck cloth works well) about an inch wide.  Tie a knot in one end.

Glue the knot onto another piece of fabric or felt.  Then twist the fabric strip and wrap around the knot.  Glue the fabric down occasionally so that it will hold.

Keep wrapping until your rosette is as large as you want.  Then use hot glue to tack the fabric end underneath the rosette.

Attach to your wreath and enjoy!

My wreath was inspired by this.

I participate in the link parties found here.
Subscribe to Simply Designing by Email

Reusable Swifter Duster Cover

I love my Swifter Duster!  It is what I use 98% of the time for all my dusting needs.

But I don't love the constant expense of having to buy the replacement dusters.  It really adds up.

So I came up with a solution!  Reusable, Washable Swifter Covers!!

Confession time.  I don't really sew so I wasn't thrilled about pulling out my sewing machine.  However, these ended up being really easy once I figured it all out.

So I am going to give you the simple how-to so that you don't make the same mistakes I did :)

You Will Need:

• Fleece, anti-pill preferred
• Most fleece comes 60" wide.  Each duster will be 4.5"w x 7"t and have four layers.  So with a strip of fleece 60" wide and 5" across you can make 2 dusters!
• Thread
• Fabric scissors
• Sewing machine

How to:

First you will want to cut your fleece 4.5"w x 7"t.  You will need four pieces this size per duster.

Take what will be your top layer and cut about 3/4" off of the bottom of this layer only.

Take your top two layers (including the shorter layer you just cut) and sew a squared "U" shape in the middle.  This "U" shape should be about 1 3/4" wide and 4 3/4" long from the bottom of the short layer.  These  become the top two layers of your duster.

Layer two more fleece pieces underneath these top two layers and sew a line down the center of the fleece from the bottom of the short layer until the top of the "U".

If you like, you can round the corners of the duster at this point.

Next you will need to take a sharp pair of fabric scissors and cut your fringes.

Trim your top two layers close to the "U" being careful not to cut your stitch.

Trim the bottom two layers close to the straight line being careful not to cut any stitching.

That's it!!  Pretty simple!

But they real test was in the usage of it.  I admit I was a little skeptical.  I know, I know.  I made these but still wasn't sure how well they would work.  So here is my 100% honest opinion.

They work better then the disposable Swifter Dusters.  BETTER!  Seriously!!

There was dust that didn't come off my baseboards the last time I dusted them with my disposable dusters and when I swiped my Reusable Swifter Duster over my baseboards, it cleaned the dust right off!  I was pretty impressed.

I am actually sad that I have half a Costco-sized box of disposable dusters I still need to use because I think these fleece Reusable Dusters are even better!

When one gets pretty used, I can just toss it in the wash!

I made 4 dusters for less then $2!!!  And since they are reusable so I am saving a ton of money!  (And this is a better alternative for the environment as well.)

These would also make a great house-warming gift.

How great is that!?

I participate in the link parties found here.
Subscribe to Simply Designing by Email