Friday, March 4, 2011

EGG CARTON FLOWERS, GROWING EASTER GRASS IN EGG CARTON BASKETS,SWEET POTATO BURRITOS & MARCH GIVEAWAY!


MARCH GIVEAWAY!

I have started a Monthly Giveaway. I will be drawing names from
followers that comment. The drawings will be on the 1st of each month!

The March Monthly Giveaway is this adorable Mouse Pin Keep

Each time you comment on a new post gives you another chance to win the Mouse Pin Keep


EGG CARTON FLOWERS

More snow is coming next week. I want it to fill like spring, at least in the house, so my great-granddaughter and I made Egg Carton Flowers. We had a great time and she was so proud of her flowers!

Supplies for Egg Carton Flowers:

egg carton
craft paint & brushes
green & yellow chenille stems
small yellow pom poms or pony beads
shaped green chenille stems
toilet paper roll
Tacky Glue

INSTRUCTIONS:

I cut the carton apart and my great granddaughter began painting.

We put a small hole in the bottom and stuck a green chenille stem through and then attached a folded yellow chenille stem by bending the green one over, then added a plastic pony bead to the top of the yellow pipe cleaners. On some you can hot glue a medium sized pom pom to the inside of the flower.

Make leaves by using the shaped green chenille.
Attach the leaves by bending them around the stem. Add a dab of Tacky glue to the underside of the flower to keep the green chenille stem in place.

Paint a toilet paper roll to make a vase. A 1 3/4" circle punch makes a perfect bottom for the toilet paper roll--just Tacky glue it on. Fill the 'vase' with rocks to keep it steady.

Viola’ Spring Flowers. We had such a lovely afternoon making the Egg Carton Flowers!
Adapted from Skip to my Lou


GROWING EASTER GRASS IN EGG CARTON BASKETS

To get ready for Easter, we’re recycling egg cartons into fun little baskets. Grass seed grows pretty fast, but I am starting early, in hopes to enjoy it a little before Easter is over. This is such a fun project for small children. Some of my great grandchildren will be here tomorrow to make this!

Supplies for Growing Easter Grass:

egg carton cups
paper strips – 1/4 inch wide 7-8 inches long
stapler/glue dots
clear plastic wrap
dirt – potting soil works great
grass seed – any kind available in the garden section of the store. Mine is Kentucky Blue grass and is what we use for our outside grass to fill in holes.
markers or color pencils to decorate

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut apart your egg cartons into singles and trim the edges. Use the markers to decorate the egg cup. Decorate the paper strips then attached them with glue dots. But if you want to make sure they stay secure, staple them on. Add a layer of plastic wrap to the bottom before adding the dirt, just to keep the egg carton from stealing all the soil’s water.
Next, fill the cups with dirt and add a layer of grass seed. Top them off with just a little bit more dirt. Then water them good, you will need to keep them moist. Put them on a cookie sheet lined with foil and place them in a sunny location.

SWEET POTATO BURRITOS

Shake up taco night with these nicely spiced burritos

INGREDIENTS:

2 sweet potatoes (11/2 lb. or so total)
3/4 tsp. ground cummin
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. granulated garlic powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper (optional)
2 TB. lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
1 15-oz. can black beans drained & rinsed
1 cup corn kernels drained
1/4-1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
6 whole wheat tortillas

Optional Fillings:

1/2 Cup chopped olives
1 Cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 Cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 Cup shredded sharp cheddar or Chihuahua cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400°. Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork, place on a baking sheet and bake for 40-60 minutes, depending on the size of the sweet potatoes. Or, if you're in a hurry, microwave the sweet potatoes for about 15 minutes.

Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and let cool. Reduce oven heat to 350°. Scoop the insides out of the potatoes into a bowl and mash with the spices and lime juice. Stir in the beans and corn. Add salt to taste if using. Spoon the mixture in the tortillas along with any optional fillings you desire. Roll up and bake for 10 minutes until heated through.
Recipe from Emily Sommer.


9 comments:

BumbleBeeLane said...

Loving the easy projects to do with my neices when they visit.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Jessica said...

Thanks for the reminder about Easter grass. Each year I forget about it or don't see people posting about it until it's too close to Easter.

Unknown said...

Your egg carton flowers brought back memories. The little grass baskets are too cute! Love the recipe!

JeanM said...

My kids brought home lots of those flowers and planters over the years.
Love the mouse!!!

jennifer768 said...

Cute projects ! The burritos look so delicious . Thanks for all the wonderful recipes you are always sharing . Love ,love the mouse pin keep. Hugs,Jen

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

our granddaughter is coming for an overnight tomorrow. these projects are an awesome plan. thank you so very much.
★Linda★

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

What an adorable mouse! Your projects you did with your niece brought back memories ~ I remember making those when I was a little girl. Thanks it brought a smile to my face.
Prim Blessings! Robin

jderouin55 said...

The burritos sound delicious

Kim Brooks said...

Oh, that burito sounds yummy! I love sweet potatoes! :)