Fabric and Mod Podge Storage Box

My sister and I both love finding items to re-purpose. At least a couple of times a week we text and send pictures of our new projects to each other. Recently, I discovered a medium sized cardboard hat box in my craft closet. I was so excited and knew right away the project for the box, I wanted to use it for the headphones and remote control in my vehicle. The kiddos love to watch movies when we're traveling but the space we usually store the headphones in is not convenient when we're actually on the road. So I covered the box with fabric and now we store it between the back seats. It was super simple and quick to do, my favorite kind of project! Your helpers can even help with this project!

Supplies:
Mod Podge
Sponge brush or any paint brush
Fabric
Cardboard box
Scissors

Directions:

• I started with the lid, laid it upside down on wrong side of the fabric.
• Cut the fabric 2 inches larger than the lid.
• Using a sponge paint brush, brush the Mod Podge over the wrong side of the fabric.
• Carefully lay the fabric over the top of the lid and start to smooth it over the lid with your fingers.
• Fold the edges over the sides of the lid and press them onto the inside of the lid.
• I put mine on a baking cooling rack to dry.
• Then measure around the outside of the box, then measure from the bottom of the box to the top of the box.
• Add one inch to both measurements, except the bottom. I didn't fold the material under the bottom because I wanted the box to be flat.
• Repeat the Mod Podge steps by brushing the Mod Podge over the wrong side of the fabric.
• Press the material around the outside of the box, then fold the extra material over the top of the box. I gathered my material a little around the top.
• I used cotton material so it was not very thick, which is perfect for this project.
• I also used bright colors. The Mod Podge will darken your fabric so keep this in mind before you choose it.
• Let the box dry thoroughly before you place the lid on it. I let mine dry overnight.

Have fun re-purposing with fabric and Mod Podge!

Love and peace,

~ Simply Tammi

Quick-n-Yummy Ravioli

 My favorite recipes for Monday nights are something quick. And after a drizzly, rainy day I made ravioli. I tried something new and used organic ravioli (it helps with the quick part) and it was delicious! I bought the Pasta Prima brand, there are several varieties, we like the organic spinach and cheese, found in the refrigerator section at our local grocery store. Of course, you can make it homemade if you have time and a good recipe!

Ingredients:

1-8 oz package ravioli

1 pound ground beef

1/2 shallot, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups diced tomatoes, fresh or 1-14 oz can diced tomatoes with juice

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Prepare ravioli according to package.

Cook ground beef, shallot and garlic over medium heat until browned.

Add salt and seasoning.

Let simmer for 5 minutes.

Add diced tomatoes and simmer 15-20 minutes.

Place ravioli on a large plate or individual servings, about 4 total.

Spoon sauce over ravioli and top with shredded cheese.

I served ours with warm Italian bread (olive oil, garlic and mozzarella cheese) and a lettuce salad. Yep - it was perfect!

Enjoy your quick and yummy meal!

Love and peace,

~ Simply Tammi

Shabby Chic Coffee Filter Wreath

My Simply Shabby DIY Wreath from Coffee Filters

Simply one of my favorite DIY projects under $5.00 is my adorable shabby wreath. I made 2 of them, one for our front door and one is above the fireplace mantel. This wreath is made from coffee filters! 

Supplies and Directions

straw craft wreath, I used a 12 inch wreath for this wreath (leave the plastic on the wreath)

1 package of small basket style coffee filters (1-4 cup size, about 200 coffee filters)

hot glue 

stapler

scissor

craft wire or floral wire

• Begin by measuring a piece of wire (about 16 inches) to wrap around the top of the wreath and shape a circle at the top for the hanger. Twist the wire so you have a small circle at the top and keep twisting the wire so your hanger will be secure.
• You will need 6 coffee filters for each flower, so plan on sitting for awhile, unless you have helpers. My granddaughters had a blast helping me with the flowers!
• To start making your flowers, take 3 coffee filters (leave them together so they look like 1 filter) press them flat with your fingers so it looks like you have 1 circle made of 3 filters. 
• Fold the circle in half, keep folding the halves in half (total of 3 times). It will look like a small cone.
• Hold the bottom of the cone and trim the top of the filters. Super easy, just trim the tops off the top in a half-circle shape. I cut 2 half circles but you can cut points or any design you like.
• Set this aside and do the same thing with the next 3 filters, except trim more off the top. I cut about an inch or a little more off the top. You want them smaller so they will look like the inside of a flower.
• Stack all of the filters together. You'll have the group of 3 of larger filters and the group of 3 of smaller filters in the middle, flatten them out with your fingers and staple once in the middle.

Staple the coffee filters together after trimming the tops

• To make the flower shape, start gathering the first filter (the one on the top) with your fingers. I bunch it together and scrunch them up toward the middle. Continue with each layer of coffee filters until all 6 of the coffee filters are bunched and scrunched! Spread them out a little and fluff them with your fingers.
• After you have made the flower. flatten the bottom a little by pressing the flower down on a flat surface, it'll make it easier to glue it to the wreath when all of the flowers are made.

Coffee filters make beautiful flowers

• I made 35 flowers for this wreath.
• After your flowers are made hot glue them to the wreath.
• I started with the flowers around the middle of the wreath first and worked my way to the outside of the wreath.

Hot glue the coffee filter flowers to a straw wreath

• If you have space between any of your flowers, place a dab of hot glue onto the petals of the surrounding flowers and hold it together. I feel I need to remind you that hot glue is hot!! I burn my finger every time I work on a hot glue project.
• I hung my wreath on my magnetic wreath holder on the front door. We have a glass storm door on the outside so the wreath doesn't get wet and it looks beautiful from the outside!

Enjoy your beautiful not too shabby wreath!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Blueberry Pancakes

Simply Homemade Blueberry Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce

I was so hungry for blueberry pancakes on Mother's Day, I decided to make my own Mother's Day brunch! My favorite blueberry pancake recipe is simple and delicious! For the finishing touch I like to use fresh blueberries to make my own blueberry syrup, our favorite recipe is here Simply Homemade Blueberry Syrup or Sauce. Don't forget a special treat at the end and top off your pancakes with a dollop of real whipped cream!

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

3 T organic cane sugar (or white sugar)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

Whisk these ingredients together in a medium bowl (I use a Pampered Chef batter bowl). Make a "well" in the middle of the ingredients so you can pour your liquid ingredients there. It's easier to mix that way.

Liquid ingredients:

2 eggs

1 c milk

1 c plain, Greek yogurt

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c melted butter
1 cup fresh, washed blueberries 

Whisk the liquid ingredients in a small bowl, then pour them into the "well" of the dry ingredients. Stir together with a wooden spoon. Be careful not to over-stir, you only need to stir the batter until the most of the lumps are gone. Add 1 cup fresh blueberries and fold into the batter. You can add more milk if the batter is too thick, add a small amount at a time until you get the consistency you like.

Heat an electric griddle to 325F. I use a 1/4 measuring cup to measure my batter and pour it onto the griddle. It only takes about 45 seconds before you have to flip them, they will have bubbles in the batter and look a little dry on the top. Then flip the pancakes until done, about a minute or so.
This recipe makes 12 large pancakes, if you have leftovers, you can freeze them.

Blueberry pancakes ready to flip!

Heat your syrup and pour over your yummy blueberry pancakes! Don't forget the dollop! Enjoy!

Love and peace,

~ Simply Tammi