Valentine Wreath

I had one of those moments the other day, you know those moments were you see something, you fall in love with it and you MUST have it!

It happened the other night when I was perusing through the semi finalists for the next season of So You Think You're Crafty . And there was the cutest idea! This is Linda's from Craftaholics Anonymous cute craft for the auditions at SYTYC. I knew I had to have it!

But seeing how the post Christmas funds are a little short right now, I had to compromise and use only what I had on hand. Which was this



I got the red glitter sprays at a post Christmas sale for 75% off making them only 69 cents each. I had originally intended to use my other post Christmas find, the large red sparkle daisy's, but the finished product did not need it.

This is what I came up with


I love it!! Not quite the same as Linda's original, but I gave it a Valentine twist and finally was able to take down the Christmas wreath that I still had up.




Doesn't it look so cute on my door?!?

I started looking for a wire hanger to use as the "frame" for the heart. But Mr Toadly Crafty does all the laundry (I know, aren't I lucky!!)he is a bit fanatical about laundry and does not "believe" in wire hangers. So no such luck. I probably could have begged one off of my mom, Rosy Cheeks but I woke up at 7am on Saturday and was set to get this done, and I don't think she would have appreciated the call at 7 am asking her to bring me a hanger.

So I improvised some more and twisted a few pieces into this


heart frame.


Then I weaved the red glittery frames through the wire.


I liked the look of leaving a bit of the wire exposed.


Then I used one of the beautiful frames that my dad built for me and laid the heart on it.


I loved how it looked here. But to give a bit more of a wreath look, I decided to add the grapevine. I did not have a wreath and I couldn't go buy one, so I improvised again and used a section of a grapevine garland I had to make a wreath. I love the texture it adds to it.

Then used ribbon to hang to the door and ta da! A Valentine's day wreath!

I still want to make Linda's adorable heart piece, but until I can purchase the pieces I need, this will fill the "HAVE to HAVE" it need!

Snowy day fun!

This is a cute and easy craft I have had in my "archives" for awhile. I made this fun tic tac toe game for a swap I was in. My kiddos loved it!

I started with one of those inexpensive chipboard boxes from the craft store. They usually run about $2. Then I covered it with cute paper, this time in an orange, brown and blue color scheme, securing it to the box with Modge Podge. I used paper strips to make the grid pattern on the lid.

I made the magnets just like all the other glass pebble magnets. I made five 0's and five X's. Then used hot glue to attach a magnet to each pebble and to each spot on the board. And ta da a new "toy" for a boring, inside, cold day!

I love the fact that it is self contained, that the playing pieces can be stored inside the box when not in use!

Weekly Menu

Monday - Pork Chops, funeral Potatoes and blueberry muffins - (Lil G's Pick)
Tuesday - Tacos, Rice and Beans (Missy MayMay's pick)
Wednesday - Chicken Noodle Soup and rolls - (Big G's Pick)
Thursday - Roasted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Corn - (Mr Toadly Crafty's Pick)
Friday - Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole - (My Pick)

This weeks question - What is the most unusual protein you have cooked with?

Mine is probably ham hocks, the meaty part of a pigs leg. I have used it in a Brazilian soup recipe that the family loves on a cold winters night.

Back in craftin action...

So I have been crafting up a storm here!

We had our monthly craft group on Saturday at my sister in laws house (Thanks Lyndsy, for hosting!) I had fallen in love with this idea on the adorable Shanty 2 Chic blog. I was unable to find everything that Whitney used, so I filled in with a few ideas of my own...

Here is my take on them


This project cost me about $12 for the three of them. But I did not have to buy the roof flashing, my brother had that in his archives. And my hubby works at Lowe's, so he gets a (small) discount. But it should not cost more than $14 to do all three of these.

I knew that I wanted all three to have a different finial on top. So I didn't want to buy three of the same thing.
For this one

I purchased a banister post at Lowe's. That was the most expensive thing it was $3.50.

This one

I found the finial in the same place, by the banister pieces. It was $2.50. It has thread with a screw piece so it did not have to be glued. The post is a dowel that I got at Micheal's it was $2.50 and I had my brother cut it into a 11" piece a 10" piece and I had a left over piece about 12" long. So I could have just used the dowel for all three if I had not bought a full banister piece.

I am not sure what this piece


is suppose to be used for. I found it at Micheal's by the dowel section. Unlike the banister piece it was not pre set with a screw. So I used E600 glue and some hot glue to attach it to the top of my dowel.

For the base

I used a piece of moulding that I found at Lowe's with all the decorative moulding. (There are some really cool pieces in the decorative moulding section, it is totally giving me some ideas!) These were around $1.20 each.

For the flat piece


on the front I used a blank wooden plaque that I found at Walmart. These were 98 cents each! (Yea I know I was giddy too!)

I attached all the pieces with the E600 and hot glue, including the roof flashing. To make the base and dowel attachment sturdier,I had Mr Toadly Crafty put a screw threw the bottom up into the banister/dowel piece. After they were all glued together I painted them black. Whitney did some really cute white ones washed with brown here that she is using for a recipe holder. I love the colors on this one too. I am in plans to make one like this for my kitchen with a twist fun twist and one for my desk at work.

For the last step I made some simple glass magnets and used them to hold my picture on the front

(isn't my sweet Missy MayMay adorable!?)

Rosie's Rockin' Kula Pig Sandwiches

This recipe is my mom, Rosy Cheeks It is super easy and feeds a crowd! When I make it I either freeze some, use it for another meal or serve left overs for lunch the next day.


1 5 lbs or so pork roast - doesn't need to be fancy, a butt or picnic roast works great!
2 to 4 cloves of garlic, crushed.
1 can of pepsi - this can be Coke if you choose that as your poison. Even Mtn Dew or Dr Pepper work great, just needs to be caffeinated and NOT diet!

Place pork roast in crock pot. Crush garlic on top and pour in soda. (If it is missing a sip or two, (wink, wink) it will be fine!) Place lid on crock pot. Set on low and cook for 8 to 10 hours.

Drain off all but about 1/4 C of liquid. Shred roast with forks and put back in crock pot. Mix in reserved liquid. For serving you will need:
Kona Coast Island Teriyaki sauce - we have tried alot through the years and this is the BEST!
Hamburger buns
Lettuce
Pineapple rings.

Place a good size scoop of pork on bun. Top with a drizzle of Teriyaki sauce, lettuce leaf and pineapple ring.

This is also really good for use in burritos, haystacks, rice bowls, etc.

Hope you enjoy!!

Weekly Menu

Monday - Daddy Cooks! Steaks, Baked potatoes and green beans (My pick, I have to work late and he is off, only seems fair)
Tuesday - Lemon chicken, Rice and steamed broccoli (Mr Toadly Crafty's pick)
Wednesday - Rosie's Kula Pig Sandwiches, potato chips, Root Beer floats (Little G's pick)
Thursday - Mini Meat loaf, mashed potatoes and corn (Big G's pick)
Friday - Chicken & Pasta, Garlic Bread (Missy MayMay's pick)

This weeks theme: What are your quick cooking tips? I love using my crock pot, like for Wednesday's recipe. Throw it in before work and when I get home dinner is ready! And since Wednesday nights are chaos at our house...love the crock pot!

"Toad"ly neglected?!?

Okay so before I have to rename my blog "Toad"ly neglected let me give you the reason why...


these three and after seeing there cute faces can you blame me!?! With these three out of school the last two weeks and the craziness of the holidays about us I feel pretty bad! But I am back and should have some fun new ideas to post here in the next few days! So thanks for your patience with this busy, working, exhausted crafting mama!