Creepy Crawly Fun

I constantly find myself in awe of the wonderfully talented people I encounter daily - especially here in the land of blogging.  I share links to some of the fabulous projects I come across each weekend in my Week in Review posts, and now on (most) Wednesday's... at least for a awhile... I'm going to be going a step further and inviting one of those creative folks to guest blog here at Ready, Set, Craft!  For today's post, I'm thrilled to welcome my sweet friend Caroline from Salsa Pie.  Enjoy!

Creepy Crawly Fun

For me (and most crafty people I know) my creativity likes to spill over in the kitchen. Being a mother, I have learned that when I have fun while cooking, my home is a happier place. I have also learned that my children are more likely to eat their food (can you imagine?) when they have fun in the kitchen. 

With this activity, I encouraged my girls to play with their food a bit. So, we decided to make our pizza interesting by making a funny little caterpillar. Not only was this a super fun project, but it made our tummies smile! I also think this would be a great idea for a birthday party, or even an adult gathering where you could serve this as a cool appetizer.

The best craft projects with children are often food related because that means everyone can enjoy eating the finished product!

Here's how we made our creepy crawly little friend:

Ingredients:

Pizza dough (I recommend using a pre-made dough such as the Pillsbury Pizza Crust)

Pizza Sauce

Your Favorite Cheese

Olives

Parsley

Directions:

1. Roll-out the pizza dough and if it looks too thick (ours was a little thick and could have been thinner) roll it until it is nice and thin.

2. Using a top of a glass or a 3-4 inch cookie cutter, cut out circles from the dough

3. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil

4. Place the circles of dough in the shape of a Caterpillar on the cookie sheet

5. Top first with Pizza sauce then cheese

6. Garnish using sliced olives for the eyes and mouth

Bake 425 degrees until for 8-10 minutes or until cheese bubbles and crust turns golden. 

Allow to cool, then serve to a happy crowd!

Head over to Salsa Pie to see more of Caroline's wonderfully creative and magical projects for kids!

Miss the last minute St. Pat's treats I posted yesterday?  Head here to check them out!

Last Minute St. Pat's Day Treats

Today has been one of those days.  Know the ones I'm talking about?  The ones where you have a laundry list of to do's and high hopes of being incredibly productive but the world rallies against you and every little thing that could possibly go wrong does?  Yeah... I hate those days!  But... I finally made it here to my blog (better late than never?) and I swear that I'm going to turn my day around and finish on top!

I had plans to actually celebrate St. Pat's this year - get a few friends together and head to the bar for a customary green beer (okay... I wouldn't have actually had a beer, since I'm not a fan, but I would wildly support the others who did have one... and get some green girly drink instead!) and some silliness.

Then I realized that St. Pat's is on a Wednesday this year.  And on Wednesday nights I have class - an hour and a half commute away from my home.  Shoot!

So hubs I and I decided rather last minute (last night!) that we would have an impromptu St. Pat's celebration this evening.  A celebration of food, that is!  Hubs got up early to put the corned beef in the slow cooker and I'll be adding the cabbage a little later this afternoon.  In the meantime... I whipped up a couple of additions to our feast...

This soda bread was my very first bread-baking experience.  And I tell you what - it was soooo easy!  I got the recipe here but added a little extra buttermilk (about a tablespoon) to the batter because it was a little too dry looking.  I haven't tasted it yet... but it smelled delicious while baking!

For these little shamrock sugar cookies I cheated twice over.  I used store bought dough (gasp!) and made the cookies per the package directions, then grabbed a Wilton ready to use decorating gel in green instead of making my own frosting (double gasp!), and free-handed the shamrock designs.

Steps to pipe an (almost) perfect shamrock?  Start with a heart shape...

Then flank it with two other hearts...

Fill in and add a stem!

These cookies would be quick and easy to do with kids, and the tubes of gel make it not too messy.  I made both the bread and the cookies in about an hour... and they were the easiest things I've done all day!  I hope that you all have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, and be sure to pop in for our weekly guest post... I am so excited!

Easter Stamp A Stack Wrap Up

We had a great time at my Easter Stamp A Stack on Sunday.  It was a full house with ten participants, and we created three Easter cards and a St. Patrick's card.  The ladies chose to make 2, 3, or 4 of each card design.

Here's how I modified my craft studio layout to incorporate so many stampers.  We were a little snuggly, but it all worked out!

Thanks for coming, ladies!  Save the date for my next two stamping events:

Stamp & Crop:  Friday March 26th from  7:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Eastern )

Join me on the fourth Friday of the month (February-November) from 7-10pm to stamp and crop!  Bring whatever projects you're working on and join social time while you create!  All of my stamps, inks, and tools available for you to use.  No cost.

Birthday Stamp A Stack:  Friday April 16th from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Eastern )

Stock up on birthday cards for friends and family!  Create 8, 12 or 16 cards in four different designs.  Bring your own adhesive, all other supplies included!  $10, $15, or $20/person.  Bring a guest who has never stamped with me before and you both get the class for half off.  

E-mail me at joanneroehm@yahoo.com to get registered!

Week In Review

Each weekend in my Week in Review post I share with you some of my favorite crafty links I've come across during the week, from all over the blogosphere.  Hope you enjoy... and happy weekend!
  

Make Paper Dolls at Salsa Pie

I used to love playing with paper dolls as a child... Caroline's paper dolls (to make in your PJ's!) are a beautiful and sweet project to make with your little ones.

Prep for perfectly decorated eggs at Wisdom of the Moon

Some wonderful tips on how to prep eggs for decorating - and some beautifully decorated eggs to boot!

Masking tape card at A Spoonful of Sugar

I love this Japanese masking tape and how simply this card was put together using it.  You could make something similar with scraps of scrapbook paper... a great stashbuster!

Baby Shower Cookies at i am baker
(via Craft Gossip)
Seriously... how have I not visited this beautiful blog before?!  These sugar cookies are ridiculously cute - and so intricate!  I can't wait to nose around this blog some more!  Yum!

Interchangeable Flip Flops at Make It and Love It
If you're anything like me you are dying for Summer to get here.  These flip flops are just darling - they make my feet long for the freedom of sunshine and warmth!  hee hee...

Pysanky eggs at Roots And Wings Co
 These are some of the most beautiful eggs I've ever seen!  I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to try it - but they sure are stunning!

What have you been up to over the past week?  Please feel free to leave a link to your latest favorite project in the comments section!

Finally! The big craft studio reveal!

I've been dragging my feet on revealing the new craft studio to you.  Mostly because I have lots left to do - but so many projects going on right now that I need to USE the space, not decorate it!  So, know that although (I think) it's a big improvement on before, there's still lots more to do!

If you are new to the craft studio re-do... head over HERE to get caught up!

So... are you ready?  Here goes...

(my apologies for the grainy photos - darn that basement and its bad lighting!)

So what do you think?  Wait - you want to see more?  One photo can't possibly give you an accurate idea of what the space looks like?  Oh, okay, I hear you, why don't you turn your volume up and take a tour for yourself?