Celebrating One Year Of Blogging!

This month My Creative Mommy is celebrating one year of blogging! What an exciting and creative journey it has been for me (and my two little helpers). The success of my blog has wildly exceeded my expectations, and I am looking forward to the next year!

Here are some interesting My Creative Mommy statistics from the last 12 months:

• Over 40 fun and creative step-by-step projects
• Over 10,000 pageviews
• Readers from over 100 different countries (I've stopped counting!)

The top 10 most viewed blog posts were:

1. Yes, You Can Make A Pop-Up Card
2. Bird Seed Treats
3. Making Barbie Doll Clothes
4. Happy Little Polymer Clay Buttons
5. Handbound Leather Wrapped Journal
6. Hand Rolled Beeswax Pillar Candle
7. Knitting A Hat On A Loom
8. Make Your Own Lip Balm
9. Autumn Leaves Picture Frame
10. Homemade Laundry Soap Saves You Money

• 114 Facebook fans
• 40 followers on Pinterest
• Selected as a member of the first ever Arnold Grummer Papermaking Design Team and wrote 13 blog posts for them, 3 of which landed in my top ten.

"How-to" blogging fits perfectly in my life as a stay-at-home mommy. My children are my highest calling and my greatest joy, and writing, crafting, cooking, baking and photography are all things I enjoy that can involve my little ones and work around our busy schedule. 

I have learned so much about blogging since I started a year ago, but the most important thing I've learned about blogging is this: A blog is only as good as the people who read it. Without you my blog would be lost in cyberspace. So give yourselves a big hug for me because I am ever so grateful for your continued encouragement and support. 

The next year promises a great line-up of new and exciting projects for you to try. And maybe some additional ways to get creative like kits shipped right to your door, and ebooks for instant download to your computer, as well as offering crafting classes for My Creative Mommy's local fans. 

I welcome your ideas and suggestions, and hope you'll get on board with me on facebook and pinterest for regular updates. The Internet is a big place, but we've carved out a little world-wide community of creative people - I challenge you to help us grow even more this year by sharing your favorite projects from my blog with everyone you know! 

Many Thanks & Blessings,

Jana : )

Plant-Based Power Muffins

It is no secret I'm a huge fan of plant-based foods. I've spent years learning as much as I could about the vegan lifestyle and the amazing health benefits of eating plant-strong foods. Eating high nutrient, minimally processed plant-based foods can have a dramatic impact on your total health.

When I was younger, my main resource for plant-based foods was Vegetarian Times. Now there is a whole crop of outstanding plant-based resources like T. Colin Campbell and The China Study, Dr. Joel Fuhrman and Eat to Live, Dr. Neal Barnard and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, his son Rip Esselstyn's Engine 2 Diet, and The feature film Forks Over Knives which examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods. There are many more, but they are a few of my faves.

I've wanted to whip up a great plant-based blog post for a while now, but with so many tasty recipes, it was hard to choose. But everybody loves muffins, and these muffins are exceptional. I first saw this wonderfully spicy and sweet recipe for Morning Glory Muffins in "Everything Vegan," by the folks at Vegetarian Times, and then I made a few changes. I have had morning glory muffins that are non-vegan, but these are way better and they're great for breakfast or an anytime snack. So here we go...

What you'll need to make 12 muffins: 
(I usually double this recipe because we can eat 12 muffins before they even cool, and they freeze well too.)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 8oz. can crushed pineapple in its own juice, drained, juice reserved
• 1/2 cup fresh carrot juice, or Bolthouse Farms organic 100% carrot juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup finely grated carrots
• 1/2 cup Ocean Spray Craisins
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking. 
Mix flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. 

Next, mix brown sugar, oil, 1/4 CUP reserved pineapple juice, carrot juice, and vanilla in a separate bowl (I thought the drops of vanilla suspended in the oil and juices looked cool!).

Grate the carrots as finely as you can. This is what mine look like. I guess you could get them finer, but I like to be able to see them a little in my muffins.

Mix the crushed pineapple, carrots, dried cranberries and pecans in a bowl. (Plant-based ingredients are gorgeous. They make photographing food a joy.).

Now, fold sugar mixture into flour mixture.

Stir crushed pineapple, carrots, dried cranberries, and pecans into the flour and sugar mixture. * Nifty plant-based tip...you can safely taste the batter!*

Scoop batter into prepared muffin tins. I filled them about 2/3 full. Then bake 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You can fill your muffin tins higher for bigger muffins, they'll just take longer to cook.

When done, remove from oven and let cool in pan 5 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

These muffins have a wonderful taste and texture. It is likely that no one will even know they don't contain animal products. They are an easy, and yummy way to introduce yourself and others to plant-based foods. So put on some tea, grab a muffin or two, relax and enjoy.

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There are about 196 countries on earth, and my goal is to take the whole world on a creative journey one project at a time. So I want to offer many thanks to all my readers in over 100 different countries so far. I hope this blog post finds each of you living in peace, happily creating all kinds of fun things.

Many Blessings,

Jana : )

Sponge Bomb Water Game!

The sponge bomb bucket toss water game is super fun, easy to play, and inexpensive to make. The supplies cost me under $6.00 and I used two old dishpans I had hanging around for the buckets. My kids enjoyed helping me make the sponge bombs, and we had an absolute blast playing the game. We were soaked within minutes and laughing the whole time! I bet sponge bombs rock in the bathtub too. I first saw the sponge bomb bucket toss game and tutorial online at Inner Child Fun, a great blog with all kinds of awesome ideas for kids. I knew right away my reader's would love them : )

The sponge bomb bucket toss water game would be a perfect project/game for summer camps.

Here's what you'll need to make two sponge bombs:

• 6 sponges in fun colors
• 2 rubber bands or hair bands
• scissor

To play the bucket toss game you'll need:

• 2 buckets or dishpans
• water

Cut each sponge lengthwise into three equal parts.

Then to make one sponge bomb, stack nine sponge slices in three layers of three slices. 

Line up your block of nine sponge slices as best you can and wrap your hairband around the middle. I had to wrap mine around twice.

Now fluff up your sponge bomb a bit to give it a nice shape. Don't wear yourself out doing this. It works great whether it looks perfect, or not. 

Now fill your buckets with water and place them however far apart works for your children. Have the kids dunk the sponge bombs in the water and get them all soppy wet. 

To play the sponge bomb bucket toss water game: 

Have each child kneel behind their bucket. If you made a bunch of sponge bombs you can see who can throw the most into the other one's bucket, or if you made two sponge bombs, you can see who can land their sponge bomb in the other bucket the most. My little one's had a great time just getting soaked by throwing the sponge bombs into each others bucket and of course, at each other (and me!).

Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyCreativeMommy and click the "Like" box to become a fan and receive regular updates!

Follow us on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/mycreativemommy

There are about 196 countries on earth, and my goal is to take the whole world on a creative journey one project at a time. So I want to offer many thanks to all my readers in over 100 different countries so far. I hope this blog post finds each of you living in peace, happily creating all kinds of fun things.

Many Blessings,

Jana : )

Microwave S'mores

So you have loads of graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows, but your campfire got rained out? No problem. Grab the kids and take to the kitchen. You can make those yummy S'mores in the microwave. 

Here's what you'll need:

• Graham cracker squares
• Hershey milk chocolate bars
• Marshmallows
• Microwave
• Microwave safe plate
• A grown up

Place one graham cracker square in the center of your microwave safe plate. Place three sections of your chocolate bar on top of your graham cracker square.

Now, place your marshmallow on top of the chocolate.

Put the plate, and your partially constructed S'more in the microwave and microwave on high 10-15 seconds. Microwaves vary, so you may find 12 seconds works for you : )
Carefully remove from microwave oven. Your chocolate will be a bit melty and your marshmallow will be puffy.

Now place the second graham cracker square on top and smush down a little.

So completely yummy!!!

Remember, hot marshmallows are similar to molten lava and can burn tender little mouths. Give them a minute to cool down before consuming! 
Always make S'mores with adult supervision : ) 
Enjoy!

Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyCreativeMommy and click the "Like" box to become a fan and receive regular updates!

Follow us on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/mycreativemommy

There are about 196 countries in the world, and my goal is to take the whole world on a creative journey one project at a time. So I want to offer many thanks to all my readers in over 100 different countries so far. I hope this blog post finds each of you living peacefully in safety. 

Many Blessings,

Jana : )

Make Your Own Seed Packets

Nothing brings out our inner gardener like springtime. And whether you're planting acres, or just putting a tomato in a bucket, it's all joy. Once you have consumed your glorious bounty, you can save the seeds for next year. And have I got the perfect place to put them : )

Making your own seed packets is a fun and easy project for kids and adults alike. Making your own seed packets with handmade paper is not only practical, but you can turn your seed packets into fabulous gifts. Stack four or five together, tie them with a pretty ribbon, raffia or baling twine, and you've got Mother's Day knocked out. If you're feeling ambitious, make up salad packs, or herb garden packs and sell them online as wedding favors. 

As luck would have it, Arnold Grummer's Paper Making Kits & Supplies is offering 20% off during the month of April and all you have to do is use this code at checkout "APRIL20."

Here's what you'll need to get started:

• Handmade Paper using either Arnold Grummer's PaperMill Complete Kit, or Arnold Grummer's PaperMill Pro Kit.
• Elmer's Glue Stick
• Scissor
• Pencil
• Embellishments like Arnold Grummer's Botanicals, stamps, ink, ribbons, stickers etc.

You will need a seed packet template, and there are lots of them online. Here's a link to the one I used, which worked great. http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/make-your-own-seed-packets.aspx

Here we go.
Print out your seed packet template, cut it out and place it on your paper.

Using a pencil, trace around the edges of the template, then remove the template from your paper.

Now carefully cut out the template following closely to the line you just traced.

On the wrong side of the paper, lightly copy the letters A, B, C, and D from the template to the corresponding flaps on your handmade paper.

Fold over the large "A" flap.

Then glue flap B down.

Then glue flap C down.

With that, your seed packet should look like this, with only flap D left unglued.

Before you fill your packet, write any seed or planting information you would like to include on the back. Embellish, fill with seeds, glue down flap D and your finished!

Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyCreativeMommy and click the "Like" box to become a fan and receive regular updates!

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There are about 196 countries in the world, and my goal is to take the whole world on a creative journey one project at a time. So I want to offer many thanks to all my readers in nearly 100 different countries so far. I hope this blog post finds each of you living peacefully in safety. 

Many Blessings,

Jana : )

Emergency Preparedness #1 - Chicken Rice Mix

I have been researching disaster planning, emergency preparedness, and food storage for a few years now. There's no denying we are seeing more extreme weather events and natural disasters, worldwide economic instability, rogue violence and half-baked governments. So the idea of hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst - especially since I have children, appeals to me. And  with food storage, if you never need it, just eat it! 
With that said, I thought it would be fun to post some projects from time to time in this increasingly popular category. I hope you enjoy them and find them useful for your family.

Today's project is Chicken Rice Mix. It is easy and inexpensive to make, and has a long shelf life. Here's what you'll need to make yours:

To make 12 batches:

• 12 cups uncooked basmati rice (6 pounds)
• 1 cup dry chicken bouillon granules
• 2/3 cup dried minced onions
• 4 teaspoons garlic powder
• 4 teaspoons of sugar
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 2 teaspoons of white pepper
• 6 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
• 2 tablespoons dried marjoram leaves
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano leaves
• Rigid, air-tight container

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly and store in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

To use:

Combine 1 1/3 cups of the chicken rice mix with 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of butter in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover pan, reduce heat to low, and cook 15 to 25 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed.

A few thoughts on this project...

I cooked this rice on a gas stove in 15 minutes. So keep an eye on it to avoid burning. You can adjust the spices and seasonings in this recipe to suit your family's taste. I think it is a bit salty, so I cut back the salt. Also, I store it in a cool, dry place instead of the freezer. After the wicked Derecho that stormed through our area last summer and knocked out our electric for almost a week, I put less faith in my freezer and do more canning and drying. You can cut this recipe in half, double it, triple it, whatever works best for your family and your available storage space. The chicken rice mix is a great emergency preparedness, disaster planning, food storage recipe because it stores well, tastes great, and only requires boiling water - which you can do easily inside or outside without utilities. You can add canned beans, meat, or veggies - fresh or dried, to up the caloric and nutritional value. 

*This recipe was adapted from one of my favorite cookbooks, The Everything Meals For A Month Cookbook by Linda Larson. 

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There are about 196 countries in the world, and my goal is to take the whole world on a creative journey one project at a time. So I want to offer many thanks to all my readers in 85 different countries so far... 

The United States, Israel, Canada, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Malaysia, Italy, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Sweden, Egypt, Columbia, the Netherlands, Spain, the Sudan, Turkey, Mexico, Moldova, Denmark, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the Czech Republic, the Ukraine, South Africa, India, Taiwan, Panama, Serbia, Latvia, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 

New Zealand, Japan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Chile, 

Romania, Hungary, Portugal, Indonesia, Guernsey, South Korea, Pakistan, Greece, 

Hong Kong, Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Ireland, Belgium, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Macedonia, 

Trinidad & Tobago, Peru, Ghana, Estonia, Dominica, Nepal, Norway, Slovakia, Croatia, Algeria, 

Finland, Mongolia, Myanmar [Burma], Lesotho, Qatar, Armenia, El Salvador, 

Mauritius, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Saint Lucia, Aruba, and Brunei!

Many Blessings,

Jana : )

Making Barbie Doll Clothes

I never gave much thought to Barbie doll clothes until my daughter started showing an interest in Barbie. Then I got real interested, real quick because I found Barbie's sense of fashion inappropriate for my little girl. I wanted her to play with a doll whose clothes looked great, but also reflected modesty and self respect. It was then that I knew I was going to have to learn to make my daughter's Barbie doll clothes.
Shortly after that revelation, the nice folks at Workman Publishing asked me if I'd like to review a book they thought would be a good fit for my blog. I happily agreed and soon received my copy of The Fashion Designer's Handbook & Fashion Kit!

This kit is geared toward young designers (but would be fun for anyone), it includes 33 projects, and just about everything you'll need to make them -  including an adorable little dress form. 

I chose three projects to work on: 

The E-Z T-Shirt

The Cozy Lounge Pants

The Backpack

I will feature the Cozy Lounge Pants for the step by step tutorial, but you'll get to see pictures of all three completed. I loved making these projects, and highly recommend this book for anyone interested in making their own Barbie doll clothes. It was fun and fairly easy to follow. If you had no sewing experience you might need someone to bounce a few questions off of, but for the most part, the instructions are pretty clear. There are some no-sew projects, but none of the projects require a sewing machine (though you could pump these doll clothes out like a factory if you did use a sewing machine). The kit includes some fabric, but you can recycle fabrics from old clothing, or head to a fabric store and pick out your own.

So here we go, you'll need:

• Pattern from book
• 2 six inch by 8 inch pieces of flannel, cotton, T-shirt, sweatshirt or velour fabric
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Needle, and pins
• Thread
• Fifteen inch piece of string or 1/8 ribbon for drawstring.

First I traced the pattern onto paper, then cut it out.

*Right side of fabric is the pretty side of fabric that will show when your project is completed. The wrong side of fabric is the unfinished side that will not show when your project is completed.*

Next I folded (and pressed) the fabric, right sides together and pinned the pattern to the fabric along the fold.

I carefully cut around the pattern, removed the pins and then repeated the process so I would have two identical pieces - one for each leg. Then I unfolded the fabric.

With right sides of the fabric together, I placed the two pieces one on top of the other.

Then I pinned the front and back crotch seams just like they were marked on the pattern.

*All hand stitching for this project is done using a straight stitch.*

Next I began sewing from the front crotch toward the waist leaving a 1/8 inch seam allowance on the edge. I sewed within a 1/4 inch of the top of the front waist, leaving room for the drawstring opening. I'll finish the whole drawstring thing at the end. And no giggling at my hand stitching - it may not be pretty, but it works : )

Keeping the right sides of the fabric still together, I re-positioned the pants so the crotch seams are right on top of each other. They look like pants now! Then I pinned the raw edges of each pant leg together.

Still using a 1/8 inch seam allowance, I started sewing from the bottom inside of one pant leg up and around the crotch and down the other pant leg. Sort of like an upside down "U."

Drawstring time. At the waist, I made the drawstring casing by folding down the top edge of the waist about 1/2 inch toward the wrong side of the fabric. I folded it down over the piece of drawstring, then I pinned it in place.

Then I sewed along the raw edge of the casing without sewing the drawstring itself! 

At last it was time to turn the pants right side out and try them on our doll! Very exciting. My daughter couldn't wait to dress her Barbie doll in the new clothes Mommy made for her. We even put them on Ken just for fun : )

Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyCreativeMommy and click the "Like" box to become a fan and receive regular updates!

Follow us on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/mycreativemommy

There are about 196 countries in the world, and my goal is to take the whole world on a creative journey one project at a time. So I want to offer many thanks to all my readers in 82 different countries so far... 

The United States, Israel, Canada, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Malaysia, Italy, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Sweden, Egypt, Columbia, the Netherlands, Spain, the Sudan, Turkey, Mexico, Moldova, Denmark, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the Czech Republic, the Ukraine, South Africa, India, Taiwan, Panama, Serbia, Latvia, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 

New Zealand, Japan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Chile, 

Romania, Hungary, Portugal, Indonesia, Guernsey, South Korea, Pakistan, Greece, 

Hong Kong, Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Ireland, Belgium, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Macedonia, 

Trinidad & Tobago, Peru, Ghana, Estonia, Dominica, Nepal, Norway, Slovakia, Croatia, Algeria, 

Finland, Mongolia, Myanmar [Burma], Lesotho, Qatar, Armenia, El Salvador, 

Mauritius, Georgia, and Azerbaijan!

Many Blessings,

Jana : )