Adventures in Babysitting

So last night I went to babysit for a neighbor and their friend. I had 4 kids ages 3,5,6, and 10), 3 girls and 1 boy. Now, as any good babysitter knows, you bring fun things for the little Monkey's to do. In my case it's usually some sort of craft or cooking/baking project. Usually we make craft projects that the families love and keep and not so much the paper and glue stuff.

However today we did use some paper (scrapbooking paper) and glue Mod Podge). We also used large Chip Board Letters (You can also use wooden ones that are easy to find). Everything needed for this project can be found at any craft store. I just happened to go to Hobby Lobby.

What you will need:
~Scrapbooking paper
~Stickers
~Sand Paper
~Foam Brushes

~Large Chipboard (or Wooden) letters

~Mod Podge
~Tin Foil or Wax Paper

*Ok first things first, line your workspace with the foil or wax paper (to prevent Mod Podge from slipping where you don't want it)

*Put your Chipboard letter down on the Foil.
*Start ripping your scrapbook paper and play around with the layout to see how you want it to look on your letter.
~~(Do not cut/rip it to fit. You want the pieces to hang off the letter and over lap... you'll see why in a bit).
*After you have a pattern lift all our pieces off and smother one section of your letter with the Mod Podge. Don't be afraid to put a lot on and place your first piece of scrapbooking paper down and press firmly.
*Repeat this process over and over until your entire letter is covered.
*Next brake out the stickers and add some if you wish.
*Take more Mod Podge and place a nice even layer over the paper and stickers. (Cover even the parts of the paper that are hanging over the edges) Don't worry it dries clear.
~~At this point your your letter wont look like it's suppose to since your paper pieces are majorly hanging over the edge (just like it's suppose to).
*Wait until the Mod Podge dries. If you get the glossy Mod Podge (It's cheaper than the matte) it will be shiny.
*When it's dry you are going to take you piece of sand paper and sand the edges of your letter. The sand paper acts almost like scissors and will rub off the scrapbook paper.

*That's it. Well that's all we did. You can get some ink pads and then go back and ink the edges or do whatever you want. The possibilities are endless. Just have fun and create.

Here is our finished products from last night (minus mine).

Christmas Gifts for the Kids in My Life

So because I had A TON of kids (10 that I can remember off the top of my head) to give to this Christmas I decided it would be more fun, and cheaper to make gifts. This year's go to kid gift was what I call a Snuggle Monster. I even made them for my hubby's co-workers. They drew names but I wanted to make sure everyone got a little something from us. I wasn't sure how they would be received but I have to say, kids and adults alike really like them! YAY, SUCCESS, happy dance!

Here is one I just made for my father-in-law's co-worker to give to her grandson!


Want to see more Snuggle Monster goodness? Check out my Staceybug Creations Facebook Page (my acutal website is down):
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150434898656705.359127.127505016704&type=3

The Christmas Rush is Through

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday. We had a nice relaxing day of food and gifts. My brother-in-law was flow in from California to spend some time with us!

Christmas at Casa de Rapp with our pups Pudge (yellow lab) and Sam.

Missing Disneyland

Missing the Happiest Place on Earth.


Photo from pinterest

Giveaway

Keep your eyes open for a giveaway after the new year! I can't wait to share it with you!

FFFFFFFFFFFF

So last night I was making Greek Butter Cookies and I kept hearing "fffffffff". I couldn't figure out what it was. Everyone was asleep except Brendon who was upstairs playing a video game and I knew that wasn't it. I'm looking all around and finally I figure out that it IS coming from upstairs. I look up and see this:

Do you see what I see?


Let me zoom in a little closers. Can you see it now?


Ok if you are thinking I am crazy, and don't see anything, don't feel bad because I looked at that exact spot 5 times before I realized that the sound is coming from the little black circle which is actually a nose belonging to this little guy:


SILLY PUDGE

Gingerbread Cheesecake Bites

Gingerbread Cheesecake Bites
Source: Pinterest


1 30 oz package Pillsbury Gingerbread Cookie Dough (refrigerated section) * I couldn't find it so I used the Betty Crocker mix)
4 oz cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Cinnamon (optional)

*Set oven to 350
*Place paper liners in mini muffin pan.
*Roll 2 teaspoons of Gingerbread Dough into balls and place them into a mini muffin pan .
*Make a well or indentation in each ball to fill the cookies. I used my knuckle.

* Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla to create the cream cheese filling.
*Place filling into a piping bag **I used a ziplock bag and snipped an corner off.

*Fill each with a teaspoon or so of cheesecake mixture.**Do not over fill the dough, when the cookie bakes it will rise.

*Bake at 350 degrees for 9 minutes, or until the cookie part comes out with a nearly clean toothpick, they will continue to bake a bit when the pan is out of the oven cooling down.

**option: I sprinkled cinnamon over the tops just as they came out of the oven. YUM!




There ya go! They are really good! Enjoy!

What's on Deck

Today we're making a Sweet Pepper Cheese Ball and Gingerbread Cheesecake Bites.

YUM! Recipe and photos of the Gingerbread Cheesecake Bites to come soon!

Giveaway for a KILLER Camera bag!

Ok so you all know that I got a GREAT NIKON SLR Camera for my birthday. Ever since then I've been learning all types of photo tips and tricks. Well one thing I found is I am nervous to take my camera out and about with out lugging the MASSIVE case that it came with, with me. It only has room for my camera base and 2 lenses. Where is my wallet, keys, phone, chapstick, etc. suppose to go. There is no way I'm about to bring my camera bag AND a handbag. I maybe be crazy but I'm not nuts.

So there is this line of camera bags that are SUPER CUTE and super, and holds more than your camera. They are called Jo Totes. Check them out! They have all types of styles and colors. This one is on my Christmas Wish List.

It's Betsy-Chocolate (but I also LOVE the Besty- Mustard too). I just figured the brown bag would go with more. Isn't it cute. It can fit not only my camera goodies but all of the other goodies I need for a day out.




Anyway, over at A Bowl Full of Lemons is giving one of Jo Totes bags away. SCORE! So head over if you want to enter.... but be warned, I want it too!

Ricotta Cheese Cookies

This much-loved cookie recipe is quick, easy, delicious, and pretty. You can't go wrong! I found this on Pinterest ! I love that website.

Makes about 100 if you scoop them small.


For the cookies:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
1 (15 ounce) container of ricotta cheese
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 cups all-purpose flour

For the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
milk (Didn't give an exact amount so just add and mix slowly)
sprinkles


*Preheat oven to 350 F.
*Mix all of the cookie ingredients well until the dough sticks together into a big ball. It will be sticky.

*Drop by teaspoon fulls on an ungreased cookie sheet.

*Bake 10 minutes (*I found that it took quite a bit longer 15-20 min.) or until the bottoms turn golden brown.
Let cool for 1 minute and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
*Remember they are suppose to be moist so don't freak out if it's soft in the center.

*In a small saucepan slowly stir milk into the powdered sugar until it creates a glaze thin enough to be spread over the cookies. Stir over low heat then spread over cooled cookies. *I didn't heat the milk. I just dumped it in after I pulled it out of the fridge*
*Quickly top with sprinkles.

Tis the Season

TO BAKE! I've got 4 cookie recipes I'll be sharing with you over the course of the next couple of weeks!

First up will be Ricotta Cheese Cookies! YUM! Stay tuned!

Zero Scale

Ok my friends, so even though the Holidays are among us, and along with that comes all of the yummy food! With that it can be hard to watch our weight and when we do, some of us can get so stuck on the number on the scale and not on the fact that we are shedding inches and gaining muscle mass (which can be why the numbers on the scale aren't going down and may even go up a bit).

So, I got a chance to review, for free, a scale that makes stepping on the scale fun and motivating. It's called The Zero Scale. This scale has not just helped me not worry about how many pounds I weigh, but motivate me to make smarted choices when it comes to food and exercise. It's super easy to set up. Here's what makes this scale different and AWESOME. You step on the scale and it weighs you (but doesn't let you know your weight (you can find out if you wish). Then each time you step on the scale after that, it tells you how many pounds you've lost or gained since your last weigh in, and how many pounds you've lost total since you were first weighed.

I've been using this scale for a few weeks now and I've lost 8 lbs. and I'm excited to keep going.

Here are some awesome details about this scale you need to know about!

*This scale can have up to 4 different users and a guest mode.
* It has a 1.3" LCD display
*Measures in pounds and kilograms
*Measures up to 397lbs./180kg
*12.5"/12/5" platform
*There is a 10 year warranty.

Check out The Zero Scale here!

The great people at Zero Scale are offering you 15% off your first purchase on their site. Simply enter the code "zero" to received your 15% off!