Crafty Link-Up: Dessert for One

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get a craving for something sweet, baked, and yummy. But I don't always want to a) make a big pan of something or b) wait for it to be done. Enter: The coffee mug dessert. I don't know who came up with this, but it's brilliant.

First off, coffeecake in a mug.

Chocolate chip cookie dough mug cake: for when you want cookies.

If you're in a cheesecake mood, this one takes a little longer (chill time), but it's still a single serve dessert.


How about a two-minute brownie? I'm always in the mood for one of those...


And last, but not least, a list of 10 more. Because you need options...

Hope you have a lot of mugs!

No More Crafty Link-Up

While I enjoy looking at other peoples' link-up blog posts, the crafty link-ups are getting to be more of a chore for me than a fun thing, so I'm going to be done with those, for now at least. I might throw one in every now and then, but nothing scheduled like it has been.

If you want to see past link-ups, just go here.

Hopefully getting rid of this weekly post means more time for projects! :)

Crafty Link-Up: Christmas Ornaments

Christmas is this week! You probably already have your tree decorated, but here are some fun ornaments you can make to add to your collection.

These delicate little ornaments are made of paper. You can find the directions and templates here.


I've seen so many adorable felt ornaments, like these Christmas lights.


Here's a fun one: make a melting snowman ornament from hot glue.


If you have any old lightbulbs, give them new life by making these Cat in the Hat ornaments.


And finally, a simple wooden shape nativity. I almost made this one for my mom this year, because she loves nativities.


For more Christmas ornament ideas, check out my board on Pinterest!

I hope that as you celebrate this Christmas, you remember the Reason for the Season. Merry Christmas!

Crafty Link-Up: Gifts in a Jar

We're getting closer to Christmas! If you still have some presents to knock off your list, what about some gifts in a jar? These food items are pretty and delicious!

For instance, these truffle hot chocolate balls that melt into milk and make hot chocolate sound absolutely amazing!

Or the more traditional hot cocoa in cone shape. Gifts in a jar don't have to actually be in a jar, of course.

How about some easy yummy S'mores Bars? They're from Paula Deen, so you know they're going to be good.


I'm actually planning on making myself this Mocha Cocoa mix.


I've also found some smart and fun ways to wrap these gifts, besides the typical jar. For instance: Pringles cans for cookies.


For more gifts in a jar, as well as more wrapping tips, check out my board!

Crafty Link-Up: Trees

If you haven't yet, it's probably time to get out the Christmas tree! We haven't yet, because Matthew at 8 months already pulls everything down, and I'm still debating whether or not we should even put it up this year.

Maybe we should do one of these felt trees instead, and both he and his brother can enjoy it.


This Tinker Toy tree makes me smile, because we used to play with these, and I actually still have the set stowed in the closet for when my kids are a little bigger.


This clothespin and lollipop tree is adorable, but it would be destroyed in our house (or any house with kids).


These wire trees look so simple to make, and very pretty!


And it's still not too late to start an Advent calendar! I mean, you are late, but you can still do one, especially an easy one like these construction paper trees.


For lots (and I mean lots!) more Christmas ideas, check out my Christmas board on Pinterest!

Crafty Link-Up: Snowmen

It's hard to believe that it's almost December, and it has snowed ONCE in our lovely little Minnesotan town. Not that I'm complaining...Here are some snowmen to tide you over until the real thing comes around.

I remember making one of these sock snowmen as a craft project in grade school, and my mom still gets it out every year.

Or, if you can't bear to part with a sock (or yours are too full of holes), how about a water bottle snowman?

These simple drawn on snowmen faces make me smile.

If you have (or thrift) an old muffin tin that's not being used, how about painting it with snowmen?

You can use the little plastic containers from quarter toys or nylons to make a snowman ornament or garland, or Advent calendar with a little treat in each one.

And it wouldn't be the holiday season without some yummy cookies! Simple decorated snowmen cookies, or...

...white chocolate covered Nutter Butters. Yum!

And there are plenty more where those came from. Go look at my Christmas board for more wintry fun!

Crafty Link-Up: Turkeys

In honor of Thanksgiving, here are some turkeys!

Who says you can't have dessert first? There are several variations of this edible turkey.

Or, for a healthier version, choose this fruit and veggie gobbler.

These egg carton turkeys would be easy table decor.

And last, but not least, these cookie turkey pieces look like so much fun!

For more turkeys and fall fun, check out my Thanksgiving board!

Crafty Link-Up: Book Page Projects

One of the more recent crafty trends is to make projects out of old books or just book pages. I think they're pretty neat, but I don't know if I could honestly cut up books.

Christmas is just over a month away (crazy!). Make some cute trees out of book pages.

Or make a wreath for your door. There are lots of options for this, but I like these book page rosettes.
Did you know you could feed a book page through a printer? Me either, but it makes sense. I would probably have to be OCD about it and make sure the topic of the book page matched my picture.
Or, you could just decoupage a bunch onto a canvas and use Sharpies to decorate.

And finally, who doesn't need another way to store all those pens and pencils on the desk? Do it with book pages!

There's more where these came from - click over to see my Book Page Projects board.

Crafty Link-Up: Soups

Fall is upon us (and winter soon to follow!), so it's time for soups to return to the menu. Here are some of my favorites, and some I haven't tried yet, but would like to.

First up, black bean soup with rice. The only reason I haven't tried this yet is because I haven't gotten any of the seasoned black beans.

I love this Slow Cooker Jamaican Red Bean Stew. The only drawback for me is that Jesse doesn't like sweet potatoes, and Jonah can't eat tomatoes. So rather than a dump and cook, it becomes a dump most of it to cook, fry up sweet potatoes for Jonah and me, and add tomatoes after I dish up Jonah's. But it's totally worth it.

This is another of our favorites: Crockpot White Bean and Sausage Soup. Slow cooker soups and stews are awesome!

This post actually has 10 soup recipes, including one for Panera's Broccoli Cheese Soup, one of my favorites. I really want to try this one!

And finally, my friend Sarah posted a recipe for Olive Garden's Toscana Soup, which we have only had once, but it was delicious, and very much like the restaurant version. I think we'll have to have it again soon!

My soup board is sadly lacking. Someone find me some more yummy soup recipes, quick! Bonus points if they use the slow cooker...

Crafty Link-Up: Leafy Fall Decor

I love leaves for fall decorating! There are so many shapes and colors - something for everyone!

Here are some simple felt leaves. Make a few, or make a pile!

Or you can use real leaves and drinking straws to make a garland.

How about supplies from the dollar store to make this leafy wreath?

Or, if you like the yarn-wrapped wreaths that are all the rage right now, pick from any number of designs and color combinations. Remember mine?

For more fall fun, check out my board!

Crafty Link-Up: Ghosts

Ghosts are one of the easiest Halloween creatures. All of these seem like really simple, but fun ideas.

First, ghost strawberries. I love white chocolate!

If that's not your flavor, how about these ghost milkshakes?


My fridge is too full of magnets and pictures for this decorating idea, but it's simple with a big impact.

And finally, these spooky glowing ghosts (or maybe they're aliens?) look much more complicated than they are. I'll give you a hint: glowsticks...


For more creepy, and not-so-creepy, check out my Halloween board!

Crafty Link-Up: Pumpkins

One of the fall staples that I like best is the pumpkin. Here are some pumpkin inspired crafts:

These pumpkin favors would be simple to make, and lots of fun to break into!

Here's a use for a roll of toilet paper I bet you never thought of: a pumpkin decoration!

If you like funny pumpkins, you'll love these fanged vampire pumpkins.


Or, if pretty is more your style, these scrapbook paper pumpkins are lovely.

Last, but not least, this pumpkin caterpillar is sure to please the kiddos.


For more pumpkins, and more fall fun, check out my board!