Easy Paper Plate Craft : Foot Ball Head

I think this would be a fun craft to help keep those smaller party goers busy on the big game day. They would also make cute décor pieces

 

2 Paper Plates
Crayons, Markers, or Paint
Cellophane Tape
Scissors

 Draw a face in the center of one paper plate. Color the top edge and sides whatever color you want the football helmet to be. Now, take the other paper plate and draw and cut out a football helmet face mask. Tape the face mask you cut out onto the bottom half of the paper plate you colored, and you have a football player in his helmet!

craft resource here

Layered Taco Dip

So I wanted to share one of my favorite football foods, just in case you were looking for something to make for Super Bowl this weekend. This dish will keep people coming back for more and more and more… and it’s so easy!

1 (1oz) package taco seasoning mix
1 (16oz) can refried beans
1 (8oz) package cream cheese (softened, I usually microwave it a few seconds, or leave it out to get soft)
1 (16oz) container of sour cream
1 (16oz) jar salsa
A few stalks of green onion diced
1large tomato chopped (Or I use cherry tomatoes halved, about a handful)
1 bag of “shreds” lettuce (this makes it easier) Or just shred a small head of lettuce
1 (6oz) can of sliced olives (optional, but looks great for coloring on the top)
1 (8oz) bag of shredded cheese (I like the 4 cheese mix)

1. In a bowl mix together the refried beans and the package of taco seasoning. Then spread in the bottom of a 9×13 dish
2. Mix the “softened” cream cheese and sour cream together. (Make sure you stir the sour cream by itself before you add it to the cream cheese. My girlfriend didn’t do this once, and I swear it changed the consistency.) Spread over the beans. I sometimes don’t use all of it, but if you wanna go BIG!!! Do it!
3. I refrigerate (to let the beans and seasoning set in). Then right before the party, I take it out and finish my layering.
4. Layer:
-a jar of salsa
-then tomatoes
-next green onions
-top with a bag of “shreds” lettuce
-cheese
-then hand place some sliced olives. (If you just throw them on it looks messy). I pick the pretty ones, and place them on top.
5. Now, add chips in a bowl and watch as EVERYONE asks you about this amazing dip! Its definitely a hit… and super EASY!


Note: I put it out with a serving spoon in the dip and small plates, because people like to scoop a bunch, grab some chips, and then go back to the game.


recipe source here

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Football Cake

Football Cake

 

 Pillsbury® Baking Spray with Flour
1 package Pillsbury® Moist Supreme® Devil's Food Premium Cake Mix
1 cup water...

1/2 cup Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
3 large eggs

FROSTING

1/4 teaspoon red food coloring
4 drops yellow food coloring
1 (16 oz.) can Pillsbury® Creamy Supreme® Milk Chocolate Flavored Frosting
1/4 cup Pillsbury® Creamy Supreme® Vanilla Flavored Frosting

Preparation Directions

HEAT oven to 350°F. Spray one 8-inch round and one 8-inch square pan with flour no-stick cooking spray. Prepare cake mix as directed on package, using water, oil and eggs. Divide batter evenly into prepared pans.
BAKE 31 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes. Remove cakes from pans. Place on wire racks. Cool 30 minutes or until completely cooled.
PLACE round cake in center of serving tray or foil-covered cardboard. Cut square cake in half diagonally making 2 triangles. Trim off rounded piece from cut edge of each triangle so triangles fit on sides of round cake to form football shape. (If necessary, trim corners of triangle slightly to create a smooth, rounded edge.)
ADD red and yellow food coloring to milk chocolate frosting. Blend well. Frost sides and top of cake. To create texture, lightly touch blade of serrated knife across top and sides of cake randomly.
PLACE vanilla frosting in small resealable plastic bag. Seal bag. Cut small hole off one corner of bag. Squeeze bag to pipe 2 wide stripes on football, using seams between cakes as a guide. Use remaining vanilla frosting to pipe line with laces on football.

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Friday favorites
Home Sweet Home

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

1 lb. of Lean Ground Beef...
28 oz spaghetti sauce
8 oz of Cream Cheese
1/4 cup of Sour Cream
1/2 lb. of Cottage Cheese
Whole Stick of Butter
1lb pasta such as elbow noodles or rotini
Bag of shredded cheese (I use pizza blend)
optional: sliced mushrooms, diced bell pepper, diced onion


 Preheat oven to 350. Boil the noodles. Mix together the cream cheese, sour cream and cottage cheese in a mixer to thoroughly mixed together. Set aside. If you have chosen to use the bell pepper or onion saute them for 3 minuted then toss in the hamburger meat. Brown hamburger meat in a skillet and drain. Add spaghetti sauce and mix together. Put a few slices of butter in bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish. Then layer half of the noodles in the bottom of the dish. Spread the cheese mixture over this layer. Then add the rest of the noodles on top of this with a few pats of butter.
Now pour the red sauce and meat on top and spread.
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and spread cheese on top and return to oven for another 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly

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redoux interiors

Valentine Sweetheart

Cardstock or heavy construction paper
Pen
Scissors
Single hole punch
2 8"pipe cleaners
Googly eyes
Glue
Markers
Lollipop

Cut two hearts. One apprximately 3" wide, the other 1 1/2" wide. Glue the bottom of the small heart to the top of the large heart. Use the hole punch to make holes in the upper sides and on either side of the bottom of the large heart. Fit one pipe cleaner through the two upper hole for arms. Fit the other pipe cleaner through the lower holes for legs. Wrap the end of one arm around the lollipop. Write a special message on the body. You could also make a smaller heart with a hole punched in it to hold a message in the other hand. Finish with facial features or other decorations

craft source here

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The Idea Room

Ground Hog Day Feb 2 Craft

Ground Hog Day February 2 is a major weather day in many ways. The weather man is none other than the ground hog day. Being prepared for this day is of major importance. Making this craft will have you and your child both in the moods to see how Mr. or Mrs. Groundhog detects the future of the next 6 weeks of weather.

 

 

 

Will he stay in the burrow?

 

 

 

 

Will he peek out and see the weather coming out to see his shadow or perhaps not seeing his shadow. Time will only tell.

To make this craft you will need:
Egg carton
Brown paint
Brown or black pom pom
Glue
Googly eyes (optional)

You need to portions of the egg carton cut out, one for the top, and one for the bottom. Let your child paint these brown. When the paint is dry, put some glue on the inside of one of the cups and glue a brown pom pom inside. If you have small pom poms you may want to smash several together to make him big enough to fill the cup bottom. You can add eyes to him if you would like. Using masking tape tape the top to the bottom or a brass brad connecting the two pieces would work as well.

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The Pin junkie
The Best of the Weekend

Chicken Salad Served on Croissant

Were you aware that January 30 is the perfect day to take notice of the croissant? While I am definitely not going to bake my own I would love to share a recipe of what I would serve on them.

2 1/2 c cubed cooked chicken breast

 2/3 c dried cherries

1/3 c chopped celery

1/3 c chopped tart apple

1/3 c chopped pecans, toasted

1/2 c mayonnaise

4 t buttermilk

1/2 t salt

1/8 t pepper

7 croissants split

 

                                

 

                                

In  a large bowl, combine the chicken, cherries, celery, apple and pecans. In another bowl, combine the mayonnaise, buttermilk, salt and pepper; add to chicken mixture and mix well. Spoon 1/2 cup chicken salad onto each croissant. Yield: 7 servings.

                                

 

                                

 

                                

 

                                                    

 

                                    

shared at thrifty thursday

Football Craft

2 paper plates
brown paint
scissors
hole punch
ribbon, yarn or string (I used brown, but white would work too)
Old newspaper
First let your child paint the BACKS of 2 paper plates (when put together they will look like a 3-D football). Let dry. I cut my plates in half and then cut an 1.5 inch from one half of the newly cut plate (you will need to do this for the back and front, so cut an inch and half from 2 of your pieces). This will give the plate a more oval shape. Next tape your half and your 1.5 inch shorter half together, set aside. Punch holes along the straight edges of your two remaining halves. I put my halves together to be sure that the holes would match, but the paper was too thick and it hurt my hand! So, make holes in one of the halves, line the other plate up and make pencil marks on your un-punched plate, and hole punch it. :) Your holes don't have to be perfect though, it will still work fine, but you do want the same number of holes on each half. Now, staple the halves to the whole plate you just taped together. Remember that you want it to look like a bowl shape in the middle, and you are going to fill it in.
Cut strips of newspaper (what I did), or be inventive with your filling and fill the inside of your ball until it has a good shape. Now, lace your holes with ribbon or yarn or whatever you have. You can let your child lace it as a lacing craft, or you can lace the football like you would a shoe (as I did) and let your child practice tying his or her shoes.

Biscuit Cinnamon Roll

 

 

2 Small Cans of Pillsbury biscuits

½ cup Pancake Syrup

3 Tablespoons Butter (Melted)

⅓ Cup Brown Sugar (Packed)

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Nuts (Optional)

Preheat oven to 375 Degrees

Combine melted butter and pancake syrup in a small bowl and set aside

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl and set aside

Spray a bunt pan with cooking spray

Pour half of your syrup mixture in the bottom of the pan

Sprinkle half of your sugar mixture in the bottom of the pan as well

Open your biscuits and put them in the pan, overlapping them as the picture shows

Pour the rest of your syrup mixture over top and sprinkle the rest of your sugar mixture

Bake for 20-25 minutes

recipe resource here

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sweet haute

Roasted Strawberry Parfaits

2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 cups plain greek yogurt

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 cup granola

mint for garnish, optional

 

Preheat oven to 425°F. In a medium bowl, combine strawberries and brown sugar. Pour the strawberries on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in the oven and roast for 12 to 15 minutes until the strawberries start to release their juices but are still firm. Carefully pour the roasted strawberries and their juice into a bowl and set aside until needed.

Mix yogurt and honey in a medium bowl and stir until combined.

In 8 ounce glasses or parfait cups, assemble the parfaits by adding a layer of yogurt to the bottom of the glass. Next add a few spoonfuls of the strawberries on top of the yogurt and then add a spoonful of granola on top of the strawberries. Repeat layers until the serving glasses are full. Top the parfaits with a spoonful of strawberries and a sprinkle of granola. Place a sprig of mint for garnish, optional.

By http://spoonful.com/

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weekend retreat

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Returning back to work was something I needed to do to make sure my family was well taken care of. That meant a lot of changes one of which was finding a short cut to make meals on days that I worked. The answer I found was to use the crockpot. The family has been loving the meals I cook and I have been enjoying the extra time

 

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons

1 onion, finely diced 2 (10 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces


Place the chicken, butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hours on High. About 30 minutes before serving, place the torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center

shared at
The Inspiration Exchange
 

Baked Mozzarella Bites

Everyone loves to party and have a bit of fun without having to worry about calories or diets. So this special little treat should help put the party on everyones face. Yummy and so good

 

 

1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
3 (1-ounce) sticks part-skim mozzarella string cheese
3 tablespoons egg substitute
Cooking spray
1/4 cup lower-sodium marinara sauce (such as McCutcheon's)

Preheat oven to 425°.

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup panko to pan, and cook for 2 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and place the panko in a shallow dish.
Cut mozzarella sticks into 1-inch pieces. Working with one piece at a time, dip cheese in egg substitute; dredge in panko. Place cheese on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 3 minutes or until the cheese is softened and thoroughly heated.
Pour the marinara sauce into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until thoroughly heated, stirring after 30 seconds. Serve with mozzarella pieces.
One serving is 3 mozzarella bites and 1 tablespoon sauce
Calories: 91 per serving this recipe makes 4 servings

recipe source here
shared at Wonderfully Creative Wednesday


 

Peanut Butter and Corn Chip No Bake Cookies

National Corn Chip is celebrated on January 29 each year. Never heard of it? Well, now you have. You may just want to celebrate this year the year you finally found out about corn chip day with this recipe that features cornchips and pleases your sweet tooth as well.

Peanut Butter and Corn Chip No Bake Cookies

1 package (9.75 to 10.5 ounces) corn chips
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter

Spread corn ships in a greased 15 in x 10 in by 1 in baking pan. 
In a saucepan over medium heat, bring corn syrup and sugar to a boil, stirring frequently to help dissolve the sugar. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in peanut butter until smooth. Pour over corn chips.
I thought a drizzle of melted semi-sweet chocolate chips would be a nice touch. However, it really wasn’t necessary.

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Wow Us Wednesday

Goals for This Week

Marriage / Mothering / Homemaking Goals
1. spend more one on one time with hubby good quality time
2. Birthday Party for my mom
3. Plan birthday party for daughter, son and grandson
4. celebrate brothers birthday with him

try to stay in a pleasant mood having returned to work and only with one day off this week may not be easy to do

Blog Goals
1. write at least 3 post a day
2. place a review/giveaway on blog this week
3. keep up with other review and giveaways

Make the Perfect Pancakes

PANCAKE TROUBLESHOOTING
The outside is too dark and the inside is raw:

• Burner is too high – Turn down & allow to cool to new temperature. Trying to cook them faster will only result in pancakes that are raw in the middle.
• Too much sugar – Start batter over & follow measurements carefully. More sugar in pancakes is not better.

Batter is too thick or too thin:

• Check to see if you measured carefully.
• Consider measuring out 8 ounces of flour in weight instead of measuring cups as it is better to measure flour by ounces rather than cups depending on the humidity in the air where you live.

Pancake sticking to pan:

• Make sure you didn’t add to much sugar.
• Make sure your pan doesn’t have scratches or worn spots on the non-stick surface.

Pancakes fall apart while cooking:

• Make sure your burner is preheated.
• Make sure that you measured the flour correctly. You might need a little bit more.
• Only use large eggs. Smaller ones will not serve your purpose properly. If you only have small eggs on hand, use three instead of two large ones.

Pancakes are too flat:

• Make sure you measured the milk correctly.
• Make sure your baking powder has not expired.

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Blueberry Pancake Day

Oh my just look at that stack of pancakes smothered with blueberry Oh so yummy and tomorrow January 28 national day for blueberry pancakes is an awesome day to serve these up to someone you love. This recipe comes from a place where its business depends on taking care of people and their taste buds.


BLUEBERRY SAUCE RECIPE:

• 18 ounces blueberries
• 1 cup sugar
• Juice from 1/2 a fresh lemon
• 1 cup cold water
• 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch

Place all ingredients in a medium-large saucepan. Stir together until cornstarch has dissolved. Heat on medium-high until sauce boils. Cook until it becomes thick then remove from heat. If needed, warm up again when pancakes are ready.
PANCAKE RECIPE:

• 1 cup milk or buttermilk (+2 tablespoons regular milk for thinner pancakes)
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fresh blueberries, flour-coated

Whisk pancake ingredients minus the blueberries together until well combined and smooth. Sprinkle blueberries with flour until coated & discard excess flour. Gently stir blueberries into pancake batter.
Place your very best non-stick pan on a burner and preheat to low. It will be tempting to pour the batter upon the pan before it is hot, but do not give in to the temptation. When the time is right, pour 1/3 cup of better into the pan to make about a four-inch pancake.
Wait until the bubbles that form all around the edges of the pancake begin to burst, then flip.

recipe source here

the scoop
Tuesday with A Twist
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Share Your Stuff Tuesday

Budget Trick: Birthday Cupcake Idea

How to Make them: mix up your favorite cake mix accordin to the directions, (storebought or homemade) and Fill each ice cream cone with about 2 Tbsp. of batter. The batter should come to the lower inner rim of the ice cream cones. Do not fill all the way to the top, or the ice cream cones will topple. Bake ice cream cone cupcakes 20-30 minutes. Check at 20 minutes. When a knife inserted in the center of the ice cream cone cupcakes comes out clean, they're done.

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Tweak It Tuesday

Hometown Boy Did Good

I actually claim 2 towns on the opposite ends of the state as my home. I lived in the central part of the state for the first part of my life, still have lots of family that live there. When I was in high school I moved to the southern part of the state and have lived here for many years. I love both areas of the state the green lush of the central part where I grew up near the farms and the southern part near the river and forest lovely part of the state as well.

Well, that being said I was happy to see a person who grew up here in the southern part of Illinois, Harrisburg to be exact. Has done good. Yes he really has and now we can be proud and say that we have a past citizen in this little town who had a part in a childrens album that was nominated for a grammy.

 

Rocky Alvey walked down the red carpet for Sunday night's Grammy Awards, after he and his team were nominated for Best Children's Album. Mighty Sky is the album name. Alvey says the lyrics from the album came from a poem he wrote in 1985. It was inspired by nights he spent under the stars of his childhood farm. The lyrics are all about science and astronomy. 

Unfortunately, he and group did not win tonight. The honor went to Jennifer Gasoi for "Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well."

Taco Bar

Another prepare before the game and let them fend for themselves is a taco bar. Yes that's right make it up set it up and let them serve themselves. Oh my so good

 

 

(This will make four servings)
1 lb. ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning (any variety)
water
any brand of corn-based chips like Fritos, Doritos, Tostitos, etc. (about 4-6 oz.)
whatever taco toppings you enjoy, like shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, etc.
Directions
Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Drain and return to skillet. Add taco seasoning and water (as directed on the seasoning packet, typically 1/2 or 2/3 cup.) Return to heat and bring to a boil. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens a bit.
Meanwhile, chop the tomatoes, shred the lettuce and cheese, and prepare whatever other toppings you’ll be serving.
Add an ounce or so of the chips to each of four bowls. Add a quarter of the meat to each. Top with whatever you like!

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Tip Me Tuesday

Treasure Hunt IN Meat Departmen

I believe one of my favorite places to visit in my local supermarket is the meat department I am always there to see what is on sale. When there are several choices it seems as good as Christmas but sometimes you have to really look and it seems as if we are on a treasure hunt. When visiting the other day I found a package of chicken tenderloins while not to big it is perfect for this recipe.

 

 

SWEET HAWAIIAN CROCK-POT CHICKEN--EASY AND YUMMMY!!

2lb. Chicken tenderloin chunks
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar...
1/3 cup soy sauce

Combine all together, cook on low in Crock-pot 6-8 hours...that's it! Done! Serve with brown rice and you have a complete, easy meal!!

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Made By You Monday

Angel Food Trifle Awesome Valentine Dessert

Whether serving your family or making something special for your very special valentine this yummy strawberry dessert would be an amazing dish to serve. So festive and red and don't forget yummy!!!!

 

 

 (1) angel food cake
24 oz. container frozen strawberries, sliced with sugar added, thawed
3 cups sugar fre...e vanilla pudding
16 oz. container of whipped cream, slightly less than the whole container
Fresh strawberries for garnish

Tear angel food cake into medium pieces. Begin layering cake, strawberries, pudding and whip cream in a large clear glass bowl. Continue irregular layers, filling the bowl. Top entire dessert with a solid layer of whip cream. Slice a few fresh strawberries for garnish Refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours before serving. To me it tastes like all the flavors of strawberry shortcake in one big yummy bite!

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Good Tip Tuesday

Beautiful Site : Eagles

Gods Creation; Eagle's are hanging out in their nest on this beautiful day#site seeing in the country

 

Organizational Tip : Storage

Saw this awesome idea on facebook. I love it and have to truly say I never thought of it. Extra room in the shower and bathroom is something that offers much reward. With 8 of us that live in this house and a few more that come and visit from time to time room becomes a precious commodity Those storage baskets become useful to hold the girls special bath products, toys, poofs and many other things.

what do you think???

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Kids In Kitchen : Chocolate Cupcakes

 2 cup(s) all-purpose flour       

1/3 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda

1/4 teaspoon(s) salt

1 cup(s) sugar

1 cup(s) mayonnaise

1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

1 cup(s) cold water

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
In a small bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat sugar, mayonnaise, and vanilla extract until combined. Beat in flour mixture in thirds, alternating with water, until blended. Beat 1 minute, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
Bake 22 to 24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in cupcakes comes out clean. Let cool in pan 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely. Top with frosting.

shared at Mix It Up Monday

7 up biscuits

7 UP BISCUITS

 4 cups Bisquick
1 cup sour cream
1 cup 7-up
1/2 cup melted butter


Mix Bisquick, sour cream and 7 up.  Dough will be very soft - don't worry
Knead and fold dough until coated with your baking mix.
Pat dough out and cut biscuits using a round biscuit / cookie cutter.
Melt butter in bottom of cookie sheet pan or 9x13 casserole dish.
Place biscuits on top of melted butter and bake @ 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until brown

shared at Much a do About Monday
frugal foodie mama

Use Vintage Suitcases for Storage That looks Great

Are you in ever search of storage pieces that look great? Somewhere to hide something you don't need every day but  still need to have? Well I have found a great idea, or at least in my idea it is. I am in love with the vintage look and why not use old suitcases that were meant to hold items as storage pieces. They have their own stories to tell bring about their own charm and oh yes have lots of room to hold those items that you need to place in storage.

 

Love this look of towering baggage Ready to store all that you need but stand proud with the look of  pride. Perhaps you are like me and have your mother, grandmother or other pieces of vintage luggage that you would love to display but never knew quite how. Now you have the idea and can get it done.

I absolutely love these bags with tags. They seem to have said yes we went and we came back. It would be so fun to share a bit of story on each for those who come to visit

Love this suitcase that is used to store all the things you may need. Left open as in an open desk plan or closed and stored with others it is always ready

What do you think??

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Craftomaniac
Trash To Treasure
Tuesday with a Twist