Creating Me

Cherry Pretzel Dessert

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Cherry Pretzel Dessert is a great for Summertime – or anytime! 🙂 It’s a quick and easy recipe to make. There are different variations on how to make this yummy dessert – you can see how I made mine below.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Cherry Pretzel Dessert

2-1/2 cups crushed pretzels
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
8 ounce container whipped topping, thawed
21 ounce can cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine crushed pretzels, vanilla, dark brown sugar, and flour in a medium bowl and stir until combined. Add melted butter to the mixture and stir until well combined. Reserve 1/2 cup of mixture to use for the topping.

Spread the mixture in a 9×13 baking dish (or two 8×8 inch pans). Press into an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Beat cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until combined. Fold in whipped topping and mix until combined.

Spread mixture over cooled crust. Spread cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer. Sprinkle reserved pretzel mixture over the top.

Cover and refrigerate 4 hours before serving. Can chill overnight.

Note: You can also use light brown sugar to make the crust. I prefer dark brown sugar because I like the richer taste that it gives.

Not a fan of cherries? You can use any flavor of pie filling! Blueberry would be so yummy and apple in the Fall would be amazing. You can also double the pie filling if you want a thicker layer of fruit on the top.

What flavor Pretzel Dessert will you make? 😋

Anita

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Easy Crochet Patriotic Coasters

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

I didn’t get this pattern ready in time for Memorial Day, but you have plenty of time to stitch up some of these Crochet Patriotic Coasters for the 4th of July BBQ! 🇺🇸 They are made with cotton yarn so they will absorb the condensation from your drinks and help to keep your table dry. 🙂

This is a great project for beginners. They work up quickly and they are a great stash buster, too! You can find the quick and easy pattern below.

I used I Love This Cotton Yarn in Red, White, and Royalty with an H/5mm crochet hook to stitch up my coasters.

Here’s the pattern…

Easy Crochet Patriotic Coasters

I Love This Cotton Yarn – I used Red, White, and Royalty

H/5mm crochet hook

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Double Crochet – dc

Chain 17 with Red.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook. dc in next stitch. *sc in next stitch, dc in next stitch*Repeat from * to * across row, ending with a dc. ch 1 and turn. (16 stitches)

Row 2: sc in first stitch, dc in next stitch. *sc in next stitch, dc in next stitch* Repeat from * to * across row, ending with a dc. ch 1 and turn. (16 stitches)

Rows 3-5: Repeat Row 2 for each row.

Change to White.

Rows 6-10: Repeat Row 2 for each row.

Change to Royalty.

Rows 11-15: Repeat Row 2 for each row.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Here’s a free PDF if you’d like to print the pattern for later.

Easy Crochet Patriotic Coasters

These coasters would be great worked up in Summer bright colors, neural tones, or even just a solid color. A set of these would make a great hostess gift! 🎁

Don’t forget to pin this to your crochet Pinterest board! 😉

Anita

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Friends Are Like Flowers (Handmade Card)

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

This stamp set has been in my collection for a while and I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve inked it up! What was I thinking?!?!? 🤦🏼‍♀️

The name of the set is Friends Are Like Flowers and it’s from Unity stamp Company. It is such a fun stamp to color and makes the perfect focal point for your card.

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. You can see the colors I used in the photo below. Using the Scallops & Arches Nesting Dies from Unity Stamp Company, I die cut around the image.

I die cut a piece of pink card stock with the Scallops & Rectangles Nesting dies, also from Unity, and attached it to a white card. The stamped flower piece is attached to the card with foam tape.

My “Happy Birthday” sentiment is stamped with pink ink on white card stock, die cut with the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies from Unity and then attached to the top of the arched piece. My happy birthday stamp is an older one that is discontinued – use your favorite stamp from your collection.

These are the Copic colors that I used on my card….

This is such a great stamp and layout to use for so many different occasions…Birthday, Thinking of You, Thank You, or Sympathy. You can color it up in so many different ways. Why did I wait so long to create with this stamp??? I will definitely be using it again!

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping, Uncategorized | Tagged Cards, Stamping | 2 Comments

Winter Cheer – May 2024 Christmas Card

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

My Christmas card for May is simple to make and has a vintage feel. The layout is inspired by the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Sketch Challenge 45.

The deer image and sentiment are from the Winter Cheer and Deer stamp set from Unity Stamp Company. The background stamp is also from Unity and it’s called Frosted Fauna.

I stamped the deer image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink several times on white card stock using my Misti tool to get a good crisp image. Then I trimmed the card stock to the shape on the sketch challenge. I stamped the background with Memento Rich Cocoa ink on white card stock and trimmed the piece down to a length of 4 inches.

Using a blender brush, I applied Memento Rich Cocoa to both pieces. I attached the background piece to a card made from kraft card stock and attached the deer on top.

The sentiment is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and die cut with the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies from Unity Stamp Company. I applied Memento Rich Cocoa ink to the piece and attached it to the card with foam tape.

This a simple card to create – and no coloring so it works up quickly! 😉 I made several of these to add to my stash for later this year. 🎄

You can find my other Christmas card creations so far this year in these posts – January, February, March, and April.

Happy card making!

Anita

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Christmas, Stamping | 7 Comments

Crochet Towel Holder Ring

Posted on May 24, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have a quick and easy crochet pattern to share with you today. Not only is it an easy project, it’s also practical! 🙂 It’s a great way to keep your kitchen towel close at hand but still out of the way.

My Crochet Towel Holder Ring can be stitched up in any color to match any kitchen. Unfortunately, the yarn I used is discontinued – I had it in my stash. You may have some in your stash, too. But if not, I’ve listed a couple of substitute yarns in the pattern below.

I used an I/5.5mm crochet hook to stitch up my towel holder ring. I found my 4 inch wood rings here at Amazon. The pattern is below along with a link to a free PDF if you’d like to easily print it.

Crochet Towel Holder Ring

Worsted Weight (4) yarn – I used Yarn Bee Studio 72 in Ivory

Note: This yarn is discontinued. It is a a 4 weight yarn that is on the thicker side and is an Acetate/Acrylic blend. Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek or Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn would be good substitutes.

I/5.5mm crochet hook

4 inch wood ring

1 inch button

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Double Crochet – dc

Note: chains at the beginning of each row do not count as a stitch.

Make a slip knot and put it on your hook. Attach the yarn to the ring by making a slip stitch around the ring. This does not count as a stitch.

Row 1: sc 12 around ring. ch1. Turn. (12 stitches) Push stitches close together.

Rows 2-6: sc in each stitch across. ch 1. Turn. ch 2 at the end of Row 6. (12 stitches)

Rows 7-9: dc in each stitch across. ch 2. Turn. ch 1 at the end of Row 9. (12 stitches)

Rows 10-14: sc in each stitch across. ch 1. Turn. ch 2 at the end of Row 14. (12 stitches)

Rows 15-17: dc in each stitch across. ch 2. Turn. (12 stitches)

Row 18: dc 2 together. dc in next 8 stitches. dc last 2 stitches together. ch 2. Turn. (10 stitches)

Row 19: dc 2 together. dc in next 6 stitches. dc last 2 stitches together. ch 2. Turn. (8 stitches)

Row 20: dc 2 together. dc in next 4 stitches. dc last 2 stitches together (6 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew on button.

Wrap the Crochet Towel Holder Ring around the handle of your oven or dishwasher and button it between the stitches of Row 20. It may be a little tight, but the stitches will stretch to fit around the button.

Here’s the link to the free PDF…

Crochet Towel Holder Ring

The Crochet Towel Holder Ring makes a great gift! It would be fun to make in Fall or Christmas colors and add a seasonal towel to go with it. What color will you make yours?

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Crochet, Gifts | 2 Comments

Grateful (Handmade Card)

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

If I had to pick a favorite stamp set from Unity Stamp Company, this one would definitely be in the running. The name of the set is Simply Blessed. It includes the beautiful flower stamp along with several sentiments. It is a wonderful set for making cards for so many different occasions.

I stamped the flower stamp slightly off the edge of white card stock using Memento Rich Cocoa Ink. Then I stamped the sentiment, slightly overlapping onto the jar of the flower stamp. I used my Misti Stamping Tool to stamp both images a couple of times to get crisp, darker images. I colored the flower image using Copic markers in colors BG0000, G40, RV00.

Using the Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies from Unity Stamp Company, I die cut around the stamped image and layered it to a piece of light pink card stock die cut with the same die set. The piece is attached to a white card.

I love the soft colors of this card. This image can be colored in so many ways. You can see how I colored it up to look like cotton in this post.

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Stamping | Leave a comment

Mini Patriotic Star Shadow Box

Posted on May 21, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

This is a fun little project that the kids will love making with you! And it will add a little patriotic touch to your Summer decor. 🇺🇸

I found this little unfinished wood shadow box at Michaels. It measures 5 by 5 by inches and was just 99 cents! You’ll also need a 4-inch wood star cutout, some patriotic scrapbook paper, navy blue acrylic paint, matte Mod Podge, and various ribbons for the bow.

I decided to trim off the twine hanger at the top of my shadow box because I wasn’t going to use it. But of course you can leave it on if you want to.

I painted the shadow box with 2 coats of navy blue paint. I didn’t worry about painting the inside back of the box because I covered it with scrapbook paper. I trimmed a piece of star scrapbook paper to fit inside the shadow box and used matte Mod Podge to glue it to the box. Once it was dry, I applied a thin coat of Mod Podge over the entire box to give it a little sheen.

I traced the star cutout on the back of another patriotic patterned paper and cut it out. I painted the edges of the star with navy blue paint and then used Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the star. Once it was dry, I applied a thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of the star. I attached the star to the box using a double layer of foam tape.

Using various ribbons, I made a bow the Re-fabbed way and glued it to the top left corner with E6000 clear adhesive.

This little shadow box is the perfect size to tuck anywhere. Make several and group them with other patriotic decor for a great centerpiece on your 4th of July picnic table. 🇺🇸

Anita

Posted in Decor, Summer | Tagged Decor, Summer | Leave a comment

Crochet Cotton Flower Face Scrubbies

Posted on May 17, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Crochet cotton face scrubbies are a great item to add to a spa basket. Or tie up a few with a pretty ribbon and add a favorite face wash for a great gift . They are super quick and easy to stitch up and are great for using up scrap yarn.

I used I Love This Cotton Yarn with an H/5mm crochet hook to stitch up my face scrubbies. The yarn comes in so many fun, bright colors for making your flower scrubbies. The pattern is below along with a link to a free PDF if you’d like to easily print it.

Crochet Cotton Flower Face Scrubbies

I Love This Cotton Yarn

Size H/5mm hook

Face scrubby measures about 4 inches in diameter.

Stitches used (US terms)

Chain – ch

Slip stitch – ss

Single crochet – sc

Half double crochet – hdc

Double crochet – dc

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 1. 12 hdc in ring. Join with ss to 1st hdc. Pull magic ring closed. (12 stitches)

Round 2: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to 1st sc. (24 stitches)

Round 3: Ch 1. Work 2 hdc in same stitch as ss. hdc in next 2 stitches. *2 hdc in next stitch, 1 hdc in next 2 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join with ss to 1st hdc. (32 stitches)

Round 4: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in same stitch as ss and each stitch around. Join with ss to 1st hdc. (32 stitches)

Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Work 4 dc in same stitch as ss. Skip 1 stitch, ss in next stitch. *Skip 1 stitch, 5 dc in next st. Skip 1 stitch, ss in next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Skip last stitch. Join with ss to top of beginning ch 3. (8 Petals)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Here’s the link to the free PDF…

Crochet Cotton Flower Face Scrubbies

Fun Fact: These Crochet Cotton Flower Face Scrubbies are also great to use as coasters on your Summer table! 🙂

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Gifts, Summer | Tagged Crochet, Gifts, Summer | 1 Comment

Happy Birthday Balloons (Handmade Card)

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Making cards for the men in our lives can sometimes be difficult. Flowers and cute little animals just don’t seem to work very well! 🙃 But I have a birthday card to share with you that will be great for all the guys and it’s super easy to make.

I used the Birthday Balloons Stencil and Die Combo from Taylored Expressions to make my card. Using Blender Brushes, I stenciled 3 balloons onto a piece of white card stock and drew the balloon strings with a fine point black marker.

Then I embossed the piece using a birthday embossing folder similar to this. I trimmed the piece down and layered it to turquoise card stock and attached it to a white card.

And that’s it! Told you it was super easy! 😉

Of course you can make this card in any color combo to make it the perfect card for anyone. What colors will you choose? 😊

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping, Uncategorized | Tagged Cards, Stamping | Leave a comment

Mini Beaded Pallet Flag

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Do you have any of these mini pallets from Dollar Tree in your craft stash? They are so fun to make into little decorations for the different holidays. This Mini Beaded Pallet Flag is super easy to make – the kids might enjoy making them with you! 🇺🇸

You’ll need a mini pallet from Dollar Tree, 1-inch split wooden balls (I found mine here), 1-inch wood stars (like these), and acrylic paints in red, white, and blue. This is a great set of paints if you need to replenish your craft room. 🙂

I forgot to take a picture, but first I used painter’s tape to tape off the area that would be painted blue. Then I painted the slats of the mini pallet with white and red paint. I used 2-3 coats to get the coverage I wanted. I also painted 8 split wooden balls in both white and red, along with 4 stars in white. Once the paint was dry, I taped off the white and red slats and painted the 2 blue slats like in the picture below.

Using E6000 clear adhesive, I glued on the split wood balls and stars. This Mini Beaded Pallet Flag is the perfect size for your tiered tray or to tuck onto your mantel.