Faux Marshmallows / Summer Picnic Campfire Vignette

Hi Friends!

Just about everyone loves s'more on a summer night

am I right ?

I know I'm silly with the faux food sometimes!

This was a fun one-

You only need a some air dry clay and a skewer or stick.

I had brown clay but I will be painting my marshmallows.

Take a pinch of clay. Roll between your hands

 and flatten the ends

 to make your shape.

If you want your marshmallows to look realistic, roll them smooth.

use white clay or paint them white. 

Pushed them onto the stick to create a hole.

Then removed them so they could completely dry

before painting.

You can leave them on the stick to dry if you are using white clay.

I painted them white let them dry and then glued

them on a rustic stick.

I wanted my marshmallows to be a nice golden brown....

even though I like to eat mine burnt all the way around!!!!

I mixed a few colors-

They look real so I'm a happy camper!

This plaid picnic tin was a thrift store find.

I use it to store all my patriotic decorations.

It gave me chance to share some of my red white and blue

thermos collection.

Just put the sticks inside a thermos and tin-

The faux 'Sparkler Boxes' are here

Let's party S' MORE !

Happy 4TH of July-

xo Lisa S

DIY Water Marbled Buttons

 

Hello Friend!

To make these beautiful Hand Painted

Water Marbled Buttons-

You just need a few things you probably already have on hand!

First find your old button jars or ask Grandma!

You will need some buttons-

I thought the bigger the better!

You will need an assortment of nail polish.

Any color you prefer.

I don't paint my nails ever, these are just for crafts.

The cheaper the better.

Dollar Tree has polish for $1.25

( If you are using old polish, you can revive it with a few drops of

polish remover in the bottle and shake well.)

Some bamboo skewers

I poked holes in a box to allow my buttons to dry.

A small glass jar or bowl, filled with lukewarm water.

Before you get started, loosen the lids on the polish so you can work quickly.

Add a few drops of the nail polish- 2 or 3 colors.

Use a toothpick to quickly

swirl the colors together-

Submerge your button, swirl and pick up the color.

Stir around the rim to pick up the left over color

Remove the film, wipe off on a paper towel

 before you add more color for the next button.

Stand your skewer up to dry.

Keep going it's so fun!

9

Don't forget to tighten the lids again!

I thought the sticks even looked pretty!

After an hour the buttons were dry.

I was so glad because I hate to wait !

They have interesting texture.

I liked the flat buttons best.

I didn't like this one so I just dipped it again.

This one also got a second dip.....much better.

This one was my favorite

and this was the back side.

I dipped both sides- then you can pick which side is best.

I picked this side for the front.

These are so easy to make!

Make a bowl full!

They would be perfect closures for Junk Journals, charms or used in jewelry making.

These beautiful button cards on marbled paper were made

by Dragana @ www.saacibo.com

She is a wonderfully talented designer who shared this

download for personal use.

Visit her website if you would like the button card.

I printed mine on cardstock and rounded the edges.

I used an awl to mark the holes and attacked the buttons to the card

with string.

The bow on the front didn't look good-

so I tied it in the back.

I like them on the card for now-

I'm not working on any journals but I can save them

for another time.

They fit nicely in a Pyrex dish-

In my craft room ready to be used or given as gifts!

Easy clean-up !

Aren't they pretty ?

Next time I'll try some small buttons and make some earrings.

Thank you for visiting!!!!!

xo Lisa S

Lemon Balm Tea

Hi friends,

I have been busy working in the garden.

 Summer will be here soon

and I need to do some 

clean up and Larkspur seed collecting today.

One of my favorite plants is Lemon Balm

 it needs to be cut back today before it blooms.

I love to grow LEMON BALM.

The scent is amazing.

If you enjoy the fresh scent of Lemons 

this plant is a must for your garden.

It grows very well in my area- it fact I hear some say 

it can take over. It is part of the mint family. 

The plant does not spread with runners it spreads by seed.

To keep your Lemon Balm neat and tidy 

trim the plant when you see it flowering.

It can be cut way back !

If you have a small space, it can be kept in a pot on a patio.

It does repel most insects.

My chickens loved to eat it!

...but most of all it makes great tea-

It's easy

Trim about 2 cups of fresh leaves.

Wash well, I like to use a salad spinner.

Fill jar with Lemon Balm leaves

I had to boil water in a kettle and then cover leaves to steep.

I used about 4 cups of water to cover the leaves

Just a few minutes-

 This makes just enough for you and a friend-

Soothing and delicious served warm

...but I recommend you make more.

I let the rest cool and transferred to a pitcher.

Store in the fridge.

You may decide to add more filtered water.

The tea is naturally sweet to us, but if you like a sweeter tea

add a bit of honey, agave or stevia.

Refreshing over ice !

You can dry the leaves too-

I prefer the taste of the fresh leaves.

What are some of the benefits of Lemon Balm Tea ?

The tea can improve sleep quality, and aid in digestion.

In can help with relieving anxiety and stress.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Always check with a healthcare professional

 if you have any concerns about trying something new.

What a treat for summer!

xo Lisa S