BearCake Creations: December 2011

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Paper Flowers

These beautiful paper flowers are versatile in both color and size. The top left has been crafted out of an old book. The other two are made from regular colored paper. While these flowers take some time, I think they are worth it. I will tell you how to make the flower as well as the center piece.

While I've decided to post prices to the best of my ability, this project was completely free. It's basically just glue and paper so I imagine it's free for you too! Enjoy this incredible inexpensive flower! It can be used in so many ways!

Materials:

Paper - crepe, sheet music, an old book - really any paper that is thin AKA not cardstock!
Tacky Glue - or any glue that drys clear
Pencil or Pen
Scissors
Patience lots of Patience

Directions for Flower:

Image 1

Image 2

The first step of the flower is to decide what size your flower should be. Trace circles on a piece of paper and cut those out - see Image 1. To create these circles I have traced an old tea light candle, buttons, or anything that is a circle and the size you want.

Helpful Tip: Take several pieces and fold the paper in half. This will cut your work by a ton!
I like to separate out the circles with pencil trace. I also keep the separated by size. See Image 2.


Image 3: Stage 1

Each flower is made out of one size circles. The second step is to begin building your flower. I do this in three stages.
Stage One: Take SIX circles. Using five circles, create a flower shape. Take the last circle and glue it in the middle. Glue each piece to one another. Helpful Tip: I like to use the circles with pencil marks or errors for this stage. I face the pencil marks down so they cannot be seen. See Image 3.

Image 4: Fold the circles

Image 5: Glue the Fold

Stage Two: Take FIVE circles and put a slight fold in the middle. Glue the fold on both sides and repeat this for the remaining four circles. In this stage, the "petals" should have a subtle depth. See Image 4.

Image 6

Helpful Tip: Make sure the fold is the same size helping the flower stay symmetrical.

Glue the circles to your flower in a desired pattern. See Image 6.
Helpful Tip: I prefer to alternate with the circles already attached.
Also, be sure to leave a large center; I use the stage one circles as an outline for stage two.

Image 7

Stage Three: Take THREE circles and put a more prominent fold. The "petals" in this stage should have more depth than the previous stage. Glue the fold on both sides. Once dry, glue these three circles inside the last layer of petals. See Image 7

Helpful Tip: Leave room in the middle for the center piece.

Directions for Flower Center:
This is a more simple process than creating the flower itself. It is a five step process.

Step One: Take a thick strip of paper and fold it in half.

Step Two: Cut along the open side.

Step Three: Roll into a circle.

Step Four: Glue the end to seal.

Step Five: Peel down the strips to create a full look

Simply attach to your flower and enjoy!

Tired of this flower and don't want to make the center? Add a button!!

Bearcake Creations is a great blog if you are interested in fine foods, creative DIY projects, and photography tutorials. Explore the site using the labels on the right. Be sure to leave a comment or "follow" and you will absolutely brighten my day!!!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Heart Crayon Art

This piece is perfect to go in your daughter's room. It is also a great project to do with your children or while babysitting. It's easy to make and has so many options.
I learned that the more narrow the hairdryer is, the better your art comes out. This piece was done with a very wide-mouthed hairdryer. This was done with a wide-mouthed hair dryer; which is why it's not quite what I envisioned.

Materials:

Canvas - I used 12x12 - Around $7
LARGE Box of Crayons - Around $5 at Walmart
Tacky Glue or Hot Glue Gun - FREE - Use whatever you have
Hair Dryer or Embossing Gun - Come on...you have one!

Directions:
Pull out the colors you want to use, I used various shades of pink and red. Peel the crayons and break them in half. Using tacky glue, attach the crayons in a heart pattern and let dry for about half an hour or longer.

Helpful Tips:
I peeled the crayons but you can just break them and attach them with the paper.
Keep flat while waiting for the glue to dry or else the crayons will slowly move.

Once completely dry, get ready for about a 20-30 minute project without moving. Get comfortable and turn on the television.

Angle your picture however you want the melting to flow - weather it is an angle to the left or right or straight down or up the canvas. Take your hairdryer and evenly pan over each crayon. Once you loose hope that it will not melt, you are nearly there!! It takes about 5-6 minutes to actually begin dripping and then it is a quick process.

Helpful Tips:
I focused on one or two crayons and this caused the dripping to be less controlled. Be sure to move your hairdryer evenly over the crayons and you will have more control over the dripping.
The crayons will splash and drip off the canvas, do this project over paper or an old broken down box to protect your floors.

Don't feel like making your own? I get it! That's why you can buy these in my etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89268410/heart-crayon-art

Modern Art

No need to spend too much money on the decor in your house because you can just make it yourself! This project is so simple and fun to do.
For this project I just used paint and masking tape I already had at the house - making it a very inexpensive project.

Materials:

Canvas - I used 16x20 - Around $7 each
Masking Tape - maybe $2
Spray Paint or Paint - About $5 Depending on what you use
Paintbrush - If using regular paint - under $1

Directions:

This project is extremely easy to do. Simply begin by taping your canvas in your desired pattern - or rather lack thereof. Either spray paint or use regular paint on the canvas. Let dry to the recommendations on your paint container. Apply a second layer and let dry. Once it has completely dried, carefully peel the tape off and viola! You're done.

Helpful Tips:
I used regular paint that I had laying around the house and old masking tape, but the tape bubbled up and therefore the paint leaked under; which ruined the painting. I am going to buy spray paint and new masking tape before I try this again.

Don't feel like making your own? I get it! That's why you can buy these on my etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89241092/modern-art

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Scrapbook Paper Glass Magnets

No need to save the tacky pizza company magnets anymore! It's easy and fun to make your own plus you can match it exactly to your style and decor.

Materials:

Flat Glass Beads - the ones used in fish tanks or center pieces - At Micheal's about $6 a bag
Scrapbook Paper - $0.50 each page
Magnets - $3-5 based on what you buy
Mod Podge - About $5 for this bottle
Scissors

Directions:

Place your glass bead on the scrapbook paper, the opposite side you will use as to not let pen marks show. Trace the glass bead so that it is slightly smaller than your actual bead. Cut out the circles of paper.

Helpful Tips:

I bought my flat glass beads at the Dollar Tree. While they were super cheap, they were not good quality - filled with black specks and chipped. I will be buying them from a craft store or perhaps even Walmart next time.

I prefer the larger glass beads to the smaller ones, but it's completely your choice!

Put mod podge on the desired side of scrapbook paper and attach it to the flatter side of the glass bead. Let dry for about 25 minutes or so.

Use mod podge to glue a magnet to the bag of each. I used a self-adhesive roll of magnets that I simply cut and attached. This was a great time saver.

Helpful Tip:

Don't cheap out on magnets like I did. My first attempt with the project will barely hold the glass bead up better yet anything else. Hobby Lobby magnets have a scale of strength on the label!

Enjoy your new

Wonderful Magnets!

Photograph Tile Coasters

Make your own design or photograph coasters for next to nothing. They are quick and easy to make and completely worth the while.

Materials:

4x4in Tiles - At Home Depot $0.14

Pictures or scrapbook paper cut to 4x4inches - $0.50 each page
Mod Podge - $5.00
UV Resistant Clear Acrylic Coating - I forget but maybe it was around $10-14. If you know, leave a comment for me and I will update. Thank you!!
Cork or Felt - $5
Foam Brush - under $1

Directions:

Once you have cut your pictures or scrapbook paper to 4x4 inches, use the foam brush to add mod podge to the back of the picture and the face of the tile. Let dry for about a half hour or so.

I made the W using my cricut; but you could stencil and cut those out. The W here is roughly 2x2.

Helpful Tip:

Be careful to not let the mod podge bubble in the middle.

Be weary of the edges; while they are drying, they will try to pop up. Just push them back down and they should dry flat.

Place the tiles over newspaper and spray with adhesive spray. Let dry for about half an hour and repeat several times. This coating will protect from water and condensation of your cups. They are coasters after all.

Helful Tip:

Do this part outside because of the fumes from the spray.

Buy the UV Protection Spray if using pictures to help from fading.

Once you feel there are enough layers of sealer, cut the cork and either glue using mod podge or simply attach if it is self-adhesive cork. The cork will keep your tabletops safe. You could also use felt.

Helpful Tip:

Buy self-adhesive cork. It's amazing for this project

Cut it to slightly smaller than the tile and don't bother with perfection since it's just the bottom.

Don't feel like making your own? I get it! That's why you can buy these on my etsy store:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/89199894/photograph-tile-coasters-set-of-four

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches

Six for around TEN DOLLARS!

Firehouse Subs has nothing on this cheap and easy recipe for homemade Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches. And make it in ONE DISH for convenience. I got this recipe from Good Deal with Dave Lieberman.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more as needed
4 medium red onions, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
Salt and pepper
2 pounds top round, semi-frozen
1/2-pound fontina cheese, cut into small cubes
4-6 sub rolls

Directions

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a nonstick skillet over high heat. Saute the onion slices until wilted and just starting to take on some color, stirring all the while, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle onions with salt while cooking.

Slice the top round into very thin slices. Partially freezing the meat enables you to slice it very thinly.

Remove the onions from the skillet. Salt and pepper the steak slices and then saute them in the same skillet, in batches until cooked through, about 45 seconds per side. Repeat process for the remaining steak slices, replenishing oil as needed.

Meanwhile, melt the cheese cubes in a microwave-safe bowl on low power for a couple minutes or until completely melted.

Cut each roll down the middle lengthwise. Fill each roll with a good helping of steak slices and top with the melted cheese and sauteed onions.

Helpful Tips:

We sauteed green peppers and added them - it's really the only way to make this!

I used a block of swiss cheese that I cubed and melted in the microwave. It is easier to find and cheaper. Don't worry if it separates a ton, just mix it together as best you can and use a butter knife to spread the cheese.

You could also just slice the cheese and microwave the bun with the cheese.

It will be easier to saute the onions in a large soup pot; then you can saute the peppers in a saute pan at the same time.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dave-lieberman/philly-cheesesteaks-with-melted-fontina-and-sauteed-red-onions-recipe/index.html

BLTA - Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado

Rethink the BLT and you will not be let down! I got this recipe from Roger Mooking (who I LOVE). Replace mayo with avocado for a healthier creamy ingredient.

Ingredients

HERB OIL:

1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon fresh thyme

1 clove garlic, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

AVOCADO BLT:

12 slices bacon
8 slices bread
Herb Oil
2 avocados, halved, pitted and sliced into wedges

2 ripe tomatoes
1 red leaf lettuce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

For the herb oil: Put the rosemary, thyme, 2 tablespoons oil, and garlic in a mortar and pestle. Grind until the herbs form a paste consistency. Put in a bowl, add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, season with salt and pepper, stir to incorporate and set aside.

Helpful tips:

Use a food processor instead of a mortar and pestle. I like to make a huge batch of the herb oil (it lasts forever) and spead it on bread with cheese or as a dip. Note: The processor will add air causing the oil to have a white hue; this in no way alters the flavors.

If using a mortar and pestle, add kosher salt in the beginning as abrasive resistance to grind more easily.

For the avocado BLT:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and put a cooling rack on top.

Put the bacon on the cooling rack and cook in the oven until crisp, approximately 20 minutes, remove and set aside to cool.

Put the bread slices on a tray, brush with herb oil and put in the oven until lightly toasted.

To assemble: Put the avocado slices on the bread, smash with a fork, season with salt and pepper.

Put 3 slices tomato over the smashed avocado and season with salt and pepper, follow with 4 slices bacon and finish with lettuce. Top with the remaining bread and cut in half.

Helpful tips:

I like crispy bacon and cook it for usually 35 minutes.

Don't buy special lettuce, I've use spring mix and romaine because it was just what I had. It doesn't change how incredible this is!!

Don't over toast the bread or you'll have a crumbly mess.

ENJOY!!!

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/roger-mooking/avocado-blt-frites-with-malt-vinegar-dipping-sauce-and-avocado-pudding-recipe/index.html