Studio 5: Pretty Paper Clovers

*  Studio 5 video will be posted here on Saturday morning.

**Craft with me LIVE on Facebook, Saturday morning (March 3rd, 9am).  We'll make these clovers together!

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One of the things I learned about Americans after moving to the US 26 years ago is they LOVE to celebrate!  I have to say, I've embraced this wonderful quality, and even though St. Patrick's Day is a "B" holiday, it's still a fun day/week to play!

How irresistible are clovers?  If you look closely each leaf is in the shape of a heart, so pull out your heart punches, green paper and glue gun and in short work, you'll bedeck  your home in the prettiest leaves on the planet.

Once you get how to make one clover, they will turn into a field of clovers!  Make a simple pin (so you don't get pinched!), place a few in a vase or create a whole bouquet!

Add a few large clovers to a wreath or embellish an Irish Blessing.

Change the angle of the hearts when you hot glue to wire depending on what you're making.  If it's a pin it'll need to be flat, in a bouquet, adhere at a 90 degree angle, a little more or little less.

Scroll down for my tutorial and other projects.
Download my Printable sheet here!

Enjoy

Studio 5: Chocolate Mint Whoopie Pies for St. Patricks day

Make something special for St. Patrick's day (or ANY day) ... these chocolate mint treats are like an inside out cake and easy to wrap up and put in a lunch box.  They might just yell out "whoopie" when they see it!

 Chocolate Mint Whoopie Pies

{by Susan Neal}

           

Chocolate cake rounds
{makes approx. twelve 4" Whoopie pies}

2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa Powder (I used Hershey Extra dark)

1 1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup softened butter

1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

Preheat oven to 350 F. 

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (several minutes).  Add egg and mix thoroughly.

Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

Mix buttermilk and vanilla together.

Add flour and buttermilk mixture, a little at a time, alternating dry and wet ingredients.  Mix on low, do not over-mix.

Use a 1 1/2" scoop and scoop batter (it will be stiffer than normal cake batter) onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.  Place 12 on a sheet, keeping at least 1" apart as they will spread.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Do not over-bake.  To check, touch the top of the rounds.  If the top springs back they are done.

 Chocolate Ganache

8 oz. chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy cream

Melt chocolate chips with cream in a double boiler until smooth and glossy.

Green Mint Filling/frosting

3/4 cup butter, softened

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

2-3 cups powdered sugar

7 oz. marshmallow cream

1/4 cup milk

1/4 tsp peppermint extract (or more if you want a very minty flavor)

2 drops of green gel coloring (or your favorite coloring)

Assembly:  Spoon a thick layer of chocolate Ganache on back of one cake round.  Let set in refrigerator for 10 minutes. 

Fill pastry bag with large tip.  Pipe generously on back of the other cake round.  You can also apply filling with a spoon and smooth out with a knife.

Place frosting round on top of Ganache round.  Press gently.  Refrigerate for a half hour.  Take out 15 minutes before serving.

Or wrap individual Whoopie Pies in plastic wrap and keep in fridge until ready to place in lunch box.

If you're looking for more St. Patrick's Day ideas, check out my Irish Blessing Card class!  Just a few kits left! 

Q's Creative Card Class: Ornamentals Christmas Cards

Sold out!

I combined my love of Christmas & winter with this pretty class; using some fun techniques for extra glitter and softness. 

4 cards; two of which are pocket cards, a window card and a ornament/tag topper.

Every kit purchased comes with a step-by-step photo slideshow which makes putting these cards together super easy and fun!

I used this new product by Ranger, called Dylusions Ink Spray for the 'snowy' effect. I have a few left to sell if you don't have one.

 
What you'll need:  

Adhesives: Your favorite tape to put cards together, as well as foam squares, scotch tape, dotto (or glue pen for delicate die-cuts), 1/8" tacky tape (or similar, will have some in class to sell) and most importantly, Ranger Glossy Accents (or similar clear-drying thick glue).

Tools: Scissors. 1/8" and micro hole punch.  Trimmer & Bone Folder (or something to score with).  Mini spatula (that comes with Cricut) and or tweezers.  Paper Piercer.
Ink:  Distress ink pad (Frayed Burlap) with distressing sponge. will have a few in class to sell.

Misc: Fine Clear Glitter and large serving fork (for tying bows).  Dylusions White Linen Ink Spray.  Apron (if you want to avoid being 'glitterized' and some wipes for your fingers.
 

Studio 5: Card in a cookie & High tech love

I finished designing my February class a few weeks ago; it's called Sweet Treats (should be up this weekend) and is specifically for Valentine's day.  It sure got me in the mood and I started reflecting on Valentine segments I've done for Studio 5 and how much fun they were.  I thought I'd repost a few of them here over the next few weeks.  Maybe it will inspire you...

Original post: February 2010

Really...for a card maker and cook, these hand-made & dipped fortune cookies are just the trick...it's like a card in a cookie. Please watch the video below for some handy tips and tricks. Please visit the studio 5 website for recipe and complete instructions.

Cookie + sentiment = fun! I can't stop thinking of new variations! How about you?

• Cinnamon scented plain batter, dipped in white chocolate and cinnamon sugar
• Chili scented batter, dipped in chili chocolate with red sprinkles (hot & spicy)
• Wedding & baby favors: coordinate colors with extract, message would be 'thank you for joining us on this special day'
• Christmas - red dyed batter, mint extract, dipped in white chocolate and green drizzle or sprinkles.
• Birthday - Plain dipped in dyed white chocolate, with multi-colored sprinkles.

I also had a lot of fun preparing my "7 ways to say I love you with technology" segment. Thanks for my dear husband who sent me on a high tech scavenger hunt a few years ago...probably the most birthday fun I've ever had!

For more details, please visit the Studio 5 website for my article, which includes the link to the YouTube proposal video.

If you caught that cute altered chinese take-out box, I have some simple step by step instructions you can find here.
Sneak-peek results: This was not only hard to guess, but also hard to 'picturize'! Everyone got the cookies, but no one really got the high tech valentines, except for texting of course. So, I just did a random number generator and got number 12!

Studio 5: Hardware Store Valentines

It's back to the hardware store and more Man Cards, but this time for Valentine's Day. If you missed my first segment from June 2010, you can watch and read it all here.

You're the Best Catch Gift & Tag

Here's a sweet treat for the fisherman! And even if he doesn't fish he'll love the sentiment and the goodies.

Print out tag & jar topper. Mat with cardstock. Adhere jar topped to jar top. Attach tag to jar with wire, Mirror Hanger and brad.

Attach fly hook and bobber to jar.

To create the mesh jar wrap, fold Aluminum tape over edges of Vent screening.  Wrap and adhere around Jar (I got this one at Target).















Unchain my Heart Card

Here's a great mechanic or biker card. I love using Galvanized Step Flashing. It's like a ready made, free standing card for men. It's study enough to handle tools and in this case, the chain.

Cut a foot of chainlink at the hardware store.

Print out sentiment and heart. Trim heart and mat with white cardstock. Attach to one end of chain with wire.

Mat sentiment with Red cardstock and adhere to Right hand side of metal card.

 Galvanized Step Flashing

Be Mine Valentine XOXO Card

Here's another card using Step Flashing. This time it's laid on it's side.

Print out sentiment on white cardstock. Trim and mat on red cardstock.

Arrange nails (1 1/2") and Flat Washers (3/4") on card and mark holes with pencils. Remove nails and washers and use a ruler to make sure the holes line up.

Tap a nail in each mark with hammer to create hole. Adhere nails and washer to front of card with mini glue dots then thread thin wire through holes to secure nails and washers.

Love Beyond Measure Gift & Tags

Every man needs an extra tape measure. Here's a handy key-chain sized tape just perfect to attach a little card and tags to.

Just print, mat and thread onto the key ring.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Grip on my Heart gift and Card

Attaching little tools to a card is pretty floppy unless you use a tie-plate.

These come with handy holes to attach items, like this small wrench.

Punch 3 small hearts and layer them together with small foam squares. Cut 2 small parts of a pop-up glue dot and place on either side of heart. Place in center of wrench opening. Print sentiment, mat with blue and adhere to tie-place. Attach wrench with some wire or elastic.

Main Squeeze gift tag card

Here's a colorful and funny way to express your affection! Use a large tiling spong and 'squeeze' it in the middle with a masculine tie.

Print Sentiment and tag. Mat Tag with orange carrstock and attach a brad to make it easy to pull out.

I die-cut this ticket from the Cricut and Fabulous Finds cartridge, but you can easily create one with a trimmer and a 1" hole punch. Create pocket by adhering two pieces together on the sides and bottom.

Handy & Handsome Card

This is one my husband's favorite quotes...whenever he says it I always say "lucky me, I got both".

I used another tie-plate here to I could thread some wire through the holes to secure the screwdriver (actually it's a 7-in-1 tool). You could also come up with some funny sentiment about 'multi-tasking' for this same tool.

Next time you're in the hardware store, spend some time and meander the aisles, you'll be surprised by how many great treasures there are for man-projects. All my finds are generally very inexpensive and make unique gifts and cards for your 'man' that you just can't buy at Hallmark.

Have fun!

Don’t forget! You can download either the PDF for ready to print format or the Jpeg to create most of these projects quickly and easily.

Christmas Cheer at the Neals

I want to thank everyone who came to my home last week for a little Christmas Cheer; I was truly touched that you would take the time, the miles AND frustration of finding my place to come.


{Audrey, Cindy & Becky entertaining each other!}

It was so great to see everyone there in a non-classroom setting. The best part for me, was to see how quickly you all connected, despite never having met before. Nobody has the generous heart like a card-maker!





 



{Some of my South Jordan Gals: Judy, Charm and Julie and that's Cari Lyn from West Jordan regaling them all!}

D

Dana (Centerville) brough her daughters and the cutest grandsons EVER.  Their cuteness only partially matched by Dana's handmade hats!

Everyone got to meet my cat, Booger.  Even though he looks oblivious deep down inside he was thrilled with the company.

Some of you (towards the end) got to meet my chickens too!  Thanks for seeming even slightly interested!

Some of my American Fork 'local' gals, Cheryl, Becky and Kim!

{Janis and her friend, Kathy from Sandy}

Because some of you have requested recipes, here is a few:

Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
1 Chocolate cake mix

1 small (3.9 oz. ) pkg. instant chocolate pudding
½ cup sugar
3/4 cup veg. oil
¾ cup water
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine 1st 3 ingredients, stir with a wire whisk to remove large lumps. Add next 3 ingredients and mix until smooth. Stir in chips. Pour into well greased (I like to use the spray with the flour added) bundt pan. Bake at 350 for about 1 hour or until cake is baked through. Cool 10 minutes in pan, remove onto wire rack, cool completely and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Mini Brownie Cheesecake bites
This is hard because I didn't really use a recipe, I just made it up. 
Mix up a brownie mix.  Pour a mini cupcake pan about 2/3rd full with brownie mix.
Mix 2 8 oz. pkg of soft cream cheese, 2 eggs and 1 cup sugar.  Fill the rest of the pan with this mixture, over the brownie mixture.  bake for approx. 20 minutes or until cheese cake on top is set.  It won't be brown though.
The trick it seems is to really grease the cupcake pan.  I made them again a few days ago and had a bear of time getting them out properly.
The best part is decorated the top of these little sweeties with a whirl of piped whipped cream.  For the party I put on a fresh raspberry, but the other night I did chopped candy cane and added mint extract to the brownie mix.  It was also good.

Stuffed Mushrooms
This is pretty funny; I put these glorious little bites into the over around 6:40pm.  The doorbell rang a few minutes later and I completely forgot about them until about an hour later.  Little burnt yucky bundles, but some of my guests (who are either very kind or don't have taste buds) liked them.  LOL  They really great though, when cooked properly.  Again, didn't use a recipe, so this is general.

30 - 40 mushroom caps (I used Cremini, but white button works)
1/2 cup onions, chopped
4 cloved garlic
4 Tbsp Butter
1/2 bread crumbs
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 cup crab
1/2 cup parmesan or pecorino cheese, grated or shredded

Clean off mushroom with paper towel or a mushroom brush.  Pull the stems out and set aside. Place mushroom caps on cooking sheet.  Make filling.

Saute onions, chopped mushroom stems in butter for approx 5 minutes until they are soft.  Add garlic and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.  Add rest of ingredients and mix carefully and cook until heated through.  Fill mushroom caps until they are mounded.  Cook at 375 for 20 minutes approx, or until tops are bubbly and golden.  I also shredded some additional cheese on top.  ENJOY!

Studio 5: Christmas Crackers

When my daughter saw my Christmas Cracker segment all ready to go, she exclaimed "Are we having these for Christmas? It's just like Harry Potter!" Keep in mind, my daughter is 19! BIG Harry Potter fan.

Cristmas Crackers are a very traditional English tradition and even though I am not English, I love the idea. It's interactive, playful, decorative and just one more surprise for Christmas...just when you thought it was over!

You can purchase pre-made Christmas crackers, but making them yourself is inexpensive, customized and can be a fun family activity.



What starts as a beautiful table favor ends with an ‘explosive' pop and surprises for your dinner guests. To open crackers, grab each end of the cracker snap and pull apart quickly. Be sure to hold the cracker down and away from your face or anyone elses. You can also do this with two people, especially for younger children.


Fillers traditionally include a paper tissue crown and yes, you must wear the hat to get the most out of your cracker pulling experience! Something written out is usually included, like a joke, quote or personal message. Small candy or chocolate and a little gift is also added to the mix. Just be sure it fits into the tube!


You can also embellish the cracker ties with ribbon and christmas décor, like berries, holly, tags etc…


Purchasing the do-it-yourself cracker supplies makes is very easy and the tubes are strong and large. I would order 2 rollers, tubes and enough cracker strips to last a few years.  The tubes and rollers can be re-used of course. Toilet paper roll instructions are included as well, but the rolls will be smaller and not quite as sturdy.  You can buy these supplies at

www.oldenglishcrackers.com

Step 1: Cut a piece of wrapping paper 12” x 6”. Place adhesive along one end. Lay on table. Fill tube with goodies. Connect tube to cracker rollers. Lay Cracker snap next to rollers, wrap and adhere. Keep it still so goodies don’t move.

Step 2: Carefully pull crackers rollers away from tube. Start to pinch the wrapping paper in between the rollers and tube. Continue to move rollers away until you can pinch the wrapping paper together.

Step 3: Tie ribbon around ends.

Step 4: Pull cracker rollers out. Optional: Add extra embellishment to ribbon.

How to make your own crackers from Toilet Paper Rolls

These aren’t as large or as study as the rolls you can buy, but they work in a pinch.

You’ll need 3 toilet paper rolls to create your own cracker rollers and then one toilet paper roll for each tube.

Cracker rollers enable a smooth, perfect end cap.