Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday

Happy 4th of July! 

Ok, a few days early but hope everyone has a great week!

Time to party--thanks to Karren for allowing me to co-host this week's Wordless Wednesday! 

We Welcome You To The 4th Of July Wordless Wednesday where this week we are featuring Independence Day entries from this months parties, hope you enjoy!!

 
Oh My Heartsie Girl and bloggy friends Welcomes you to The Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday, and we take the opportunity to introduce you to meet new friends, as they are highlighted in our post each week. Something new, you can be sure!! Our Wordless Wednesday is One Party Seen on (9) Beautiful Blogs❢❢❢ What do you have to share, a recipe, review, diy craft, gardening hints, travel, beauty ideas, jewelry you make, a card you have made, we want to see it all!

And if you Missed Last Weeks Party You Can Still Check Out All Those That Linked up along with out Co-Hosts and their wonderful Blogs!!! :❢:❢ You Can See All The Entries Here :❢:❢

♥Karren-Host //Oh My Heartsie Girl // Swim, Sun Fun Giveaway //We would love it if you entered to win in this Multiple Prize Page Giveaway Ends 7/9 Twitter | Bloglovin | Google+ | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram ♥Co-Host Ashleigh // Simply Wright // ReUse BIRCHBOX Boxes // If you have a stockpile going of leftover boxes that are taking up space, I will share with you how to repurpose them with ideas for covering. Facebook | Google + | Pinterest | Instagram | Bloglovin ♥Co-Host Christine // Cherishing A Sweet Life // Lemon Creme Brulee Tart /// I wanted to share with you my Lemon Cream Brulee Tart that is made with a no-cook filling on a shortbread crust, so simple and less time. Twitter | Bloglovin | Google+ | Facebook | Pinterest

♥Co-Host Fredda // Coupon Diva // How To Rack Up On Free Gift Cards // Rack up on free gift cards and use them to buy things you don’t want to spend your money on so you don’t break your budget. Twitter | Pinterest | Facebook

♥Co-Host Glenda Cates // Mommies Point of Review /Bahama Beach Waterpark makes a lazy "Sunday Family Fun"!! // Charlie, David and I would love to show you some of the fun things we have done this Summer. Including visiting Bahama Beach Water Park in Dallas, Texas. Twitter | Bloglovin | Facebook | Pinterest |Instagram

♥Co-Host Susan B Mead // Susan B Mead //The Hooker & the Homeless // The hooker and the homeless hang out on Harry Hines Blvd. It’s not normally in my path, yet recently I was compelled to travel Harry Hines. It’s definitely gotten better over the years, but… I always make sure it’s daylight My doors are locked My purse is out of sight I know EXACTLY where to exit Safe. No way, I didn’t feel safe traveling Harry Hines. Until that day God showed up... Twitter | Facebook♥Co-Host Donna Wirthlin // Two Chicks And A Mom // Patriotic Candle Holders // Patriotic wooden candle holders--fun to make, festive and a great addition to your holiday decor. Instructions and supply list included at our blog site! Twitter | Bloglovin | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

♥Co-Host Shellie Bowdoin // The FABulous Journey // Seaside, Florida In A Fabulous Hi-Lo Maxi Dress // I have visited beaches all over the world in my travels, but Seaside, Florida definitely ranks as one my favorites. For my day in the sun I chose this fabulous hi-lo maxi dress. Twitter | Bloglovin | Google+ | Facebook | Pinterest |Instagram

♥Co-Host Evija Roberts // From Evija with Love //How to paint and cover set of chairs – MAKEOVER //I thought this would be an easy and straightforward project and didn't expect to run into difficulties..didn't quite go as smooth as I wanted!Twitter | Bloglovin |Google+ | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

What Is Your Favorite Feature This Week?

Nautical July 4th Table Vignette | Lovely Living Things

DIY Patriotic Wreaths |The Jenny Evolution

4th Activities- Crafts-Games-Activities | Grandparents Plus

The Gilbert Burger at Our Mini Family

Red White and Blue Tarts | Summer Scrapes“White Chocolate Cherry Vanilla Cheesecake”? The Baking Chocolatess

A Few Rules And Etiquette For The Party Are Simple ~ Please follow the Host and Co-Hosts on at least 1 of their Social Media ~ NO adult content please (They will be deleted —-of course) And please ♥::: Leave a Link.....Leave a Comment….Please ::::♥ ~ When You Comment We Do The Same, Thank you :) ~ Help Grow Our WW We Would Love It If You Grab Our banner for your side bar, just copy and paste, or link back in your WW post would be great.

♥ If You Would Like To Co-Host Our Wordless Wednesday, please signup now and reserve your place in The August Wordless Wednesday!! Read All The Details and⇒ Enter Your Information Here ⇐ ❢❢❢

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Patriotic Candle Holders

One of my very favorite holidays is the 4th of July.  I love the 4th of July!  Maybe it is the spirit of our Founding Fathers, the red, white, and blue colors, the flag itself, fireworks, America...I really don't know but I have looked forward to this holiday since I can remember.  

Of course, I decorate our home in patriotic decor, inside and out,  beginning in May.  May has Memorial Day, June has Flag Day, and July has.....well, you know.

Some years ago, at a craft class at my church we made these cute wooden candle holders.  My youngest daughter, Ali is 15 and I know it was before she ever came along.  I made a set for our family and a few more to give as gifts.  They were a big hit!

 

This is a photo of my "old" ones from many years ago.  If you would like to make a pair (or even one) here are the instructions and supplies: 

4 x 4 wood post, UNTREATED

* have the wood cut into one 12" piece and one 9" piece

Drill a hole in the top of each piece of wood (mine measure 7/8" and are 1 to 2 inches deep--this should fit most candles)

Base or sealer for wood (can buy at craft stores--mine is Country Colors Simply Wonderful Water Base and Varnish)

Acrylic paints in patriotic colors

Red, white and blue garland or tinsel to place with candles

Wooden stars in various sizes (I bought my new ones at Michael's--Lara's Crafts brand in 1" and 1.5" sizes.

Reflections brand adhesive glitter stars, also at Michael's

After cutting and sanding wood, apply seal and allow to dry about 30 minutes or per instructions.

You don't have to paint them in the design that I did so use your imagination.  I painted the entire block white and then allowed to dry (I did two coats).  If you do want to paint three different colored areas, I marked the 9" block off with painters tape or masking tape.  I measured 1.5" from the top and placed the edge of the tape at the mark.  I did the same on the bottom.

I then added red and blue to my project:

Again I allowed the colors to dry in between coats--I added three coats total of each color.  Make sure your tape is pushed down firmly or the colors will seep underneath.

After the paint was dry, I added another coat of the above-mentioned sealer/varnish.  It added a bit of a glossy look.  Let that dry for 10--15 minutes and then you can decorate with painted wooden stars, glitter stars, even ribbon.  I used hot glue gun to add the stars or a wood glue would be fine.  Add the tinsel (twirl around your finger or a pencil)  and then place that and a candle in the hole that was drilled on top.  

That is the new one made today in the middle, with the older ones on either side.  It really is a fun craft and hope that you will give it a try.

Finished two more candle holders on the 3rd.  Giving those as gifts.  The one on the right I simply glued fabric ribbon around and added the painted wooden stars and press-on glitter stars.  Pretty easy!

Happy 4th of July!

Don't forget to check out this week's blog hops:

http://www.clairejustineoxox.com/search/label/Creative%20Mondays

http://inthenewhouse.com/category/inspiration-thursday/

http://saving4six.com/2015/07/welcome-to-think-tank-thursday-72-2.html

http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/

http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://www.madefrompinterest.net/best-recipes-diy-projects-link-party-103/

Lovin' the Red, White, and Blue (Sugar Cookies)

I love the 4th of July!  I love the parades, I love the fireworks, the sparklers, the family get-togethers, and our country!  We usually spend our 4th in Utah but not planning on that this year.  This will be the first 4th in years that we have been home.  Not sure what our plans are but we definitely will watch the city's fireworks that night.

My home is decorated in and out for the red, white, and blue holidays from May through July--Memorial Day, Flag Day, and the 4th of July all get a lot of attention around our house.  We also enjoy making treats to match our patriotic flare.  Today, Ali Rose and I made sugar cookies and cookies on a stick.  I actually hadn't made cookie pops before, believe it or not.  I bought Wilton Cookie Sticks at Walmart--figured I couldn't go wrong with Wilton.  I also purchased Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix--I have a great sugar cookie recipe but I know this mix is great. **We are not compensated for the previously mentioned products**

Ali and I made the cookie mix per the directions on package, adjusting for the high altitude here in Northern Nevada.  We rolled the dough out a bit thick so we had a good base for the cookie stick, which we inserted so the end was right about in the middle of the cookie.  Of course, we used a star-shaped cookie cutter and a heart-shaped one.  We do LOVE the USA!

We baked the cookies longer then the 5 to 7 minutes on the package since they were thicker.  I do believe that we baked them at 375 degrees for 9 minutes so they would be done completely.  I did check them after the first 5 minutes though because I am obsessive that way, lol.

I made sure to let the cookies cool a bit on the baking sheet once removed from the oven.  After 10 minutes or so, I carefully used a spatula to place them on a cooling rack.  While they finished cooling, Ali (she was still there--I hadn't mentioned her for a bit) and I made the best bakery-style sugar cookie icing.  I discovered this recipe on

  

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sugar-Cookie-Icing/

a few years ago--delicious!  I have had so any compliments on it. The recipe is as follows:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons milk

2 teaspoons light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Mix together well.  The recipe says to add more corn syrup if the icing is too thick but honestly that hasn't worked for me so I just add in a tiny bit of milk till I get the consistency that I want.  I make the main recipe and if I want different colors put some in individual bowls and add food coloring to my likeness.

Sprinkles are an added touch--Ali was the main "sprinkler" today.

We didn't make all cookie pops, some were just cookies.  They taste the same!

We also used a wooden skewer to mix some different icing colors in for effect.  Our decorating job isn't professional--we just had fun and enjoyed our efforts.

 

The icing does appear pretty glossy and if you love bakery sugar cookies (from an actual bakery) then this icing is  for you!  We hope that you will give it a try.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

Visit another great blog party:
http://whatscookinglove.com/2015/06/showcase-your-talent-thursday-170/

Devil's Food & Strawberry Marble Bundt Cake (with fast fudge frosting!)

Father's Day was just the other day as we all know and I know that my father-in-law definitely has a sweet tooth.  So for his gift I made him a Devil's Food and Strawberry Marble Bundt Cake with fast fudge frosting.  Marble cakes are just as simple as a regular cake if you've ever made one.  It's really just adding 1/3 of another cake mix. 

What you will need:
For the cake:
Two types of cake mix (I used Devil's Food and strawberry)
Things required to make the cake (Eggs, oil, water, etc.)

For the frosting:
Box of powdered sugar
6 Tablespoons Unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Cup Butter
3 Tablespoons Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla

Preheat the oven to what is directed on the cake boxes and grease your bundt pan (or whatever pan you may be using). Mix both the cake mixes separately as instructed.  Choose the main cake mix you want and pour that into the cake pan.  Then take the other cake mix and pour about 1/3 of it in the pan.  Take a butter knife and mix it through the cake.  If it you feel you need to add more of the cake mix to get more marble go ahead- just make sure you don't use too much!  Bake as directed and let cool.
While cake is cooling make the delicious and fast fudge frosting!  You will melt one cup of butter in a pot.  When butter is nearly completely melted add 3 tablespoons of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder and stir. Slowly add in the box of powdered sugar and stir until ingredients are mixed well.  Pour on the cake!  I always save a little for myself. ;)
Your end result should look something like this:

I also took the rest of the strawberry and made a mini strawberry cake for my brother-in-law and added fudge frosting to that as well.  Didn't do the best job icing it but its still taste just as good!

A nice simple cake that will take you no longer than hour.  Enjoy!

Find our post on a great blog hop, lots of other ideas and recipes!

http://katherinescorner.com/2015/06/24/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-195/