Map Project

This is a really easy and cute map project. All you need is:

One 8x10 or 11x13 frame
Scrapbooking paper
Letter stickers
Map of a state of your choice (could also use a country)
Exacto knife or scissors
tape

Cut the scrapbooking paper to the size you want, depending on how you want it to look inside the frame. Then cut out the state from the map. I printed one from online and used the exacto knife to cut it out, since it allowed me to really get into all the little curves of the state border. Choose where you want to put the heart and use a pencil to draw a light outline. Then use the exacto knife to carefully cut it out. Add some tape (I used double-sided since it's awesome) to the back of the map, then place it on the scrapbooking paper. I put my in center, because I like the way it look better. Then use the stickers around/above/below the map. Put the whole piece inside the frame and voila! Complete!

Pizza Rolls Recipe

This is a really fun, little different take on home-made pizza. Most definitely yummy!

Ingredients:
1 tube refrigerated rolled pizza dough (like Pillsbury's Classic Pizza Crust)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp italian seasoning
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 c parmesan cheese
pizza sauce, for dipping
normal pizza toppings, incl cheese if desired (ex. pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, ham & pineapple, etc)

1) Open the tube of pizza dough, lay it out on your prep area and cut it in half horizontally. This is one half in the picture below.

2) Separating the two halves, roll each out into a larger rectangle, taking care not too roll it too thin. You want it to be about 1/4 inch thick (though if you like lots of dough you could leave it thicker).

3) Cut each half into 12 pieces (it will be less if you choose to leave the dough thicker).

4) Put some of your chosen toppings on each square (again, don't add the sauce, as it's for dipping later). Be careful not to add too much to each square, since you'll need to be able to close them up later.

5) At this time, turn the oven on to preheat at the temperature from the pizza dough tube (usually it's 400). Next, to make the squares into rolls, pull opposite corners together, overlapping a bit and making sure they stick together.

6) Pull the other two ends up and into the middle, pinching the dough together were it gaps open. This doesn't need to be perfect. There were several of these where it seemed to work better to wrap these two pieces around the ends, in opposite directions. Whatever works to keep the dough mostly consistent and all the toppings enclosed.

7) Finish rolling up all the squares. Once you're done, use Pam or a little bit of oil to coat the inside of a glass baking dish (can also use a pie dish, etc). Place all the rolls in the dish, seam side down.

8) Next, mix the italian seasoning, garlic powder and olive oil in a bowl, then using a basting brush, spread it over the rolls, evenly coating them.

10) Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top of the rolls (I used more than a 1/2 c because I love love love parmesan cheese).

11) Put into oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes. These sometimes bake quick so watch them! I usually start checking mine at about the 10 minute mark, then add a minute or two extra at a time until they're done. They should be nice and golden brown. The last few minutes of cooking, heat the pizza sauce (either in the microwave or on the stove). Then serve together and enjoy!

Chalkboard From a Picture Frame

I've found that inspiration can really come from anywhere. A magazine article, a picture, something someone says, even sometimes just color. I've also found that some of my best projects come from taking something that's worn down, something you were planning on throwing away or selling, and turning it into a new piece, that has function or whimsy or fun or whatever you want. So in the vein of turning something I was going to toss, into something I could actually use, I started on the project below. Fun, simple and fairly quick. Enjoy!

I started with this:

It used to be a cute frame. I loved that it was a bit different and that it had a frosted look. However, as you can see, it started peeling off, which clearly didn't make it very pretty anymore. Since I still like the overall idea of it, I decided I'd repurpose it. It was two separate panes of glass, so instead of messing around with the frosted pane, I just used the second, plain piece. To prep, I laid down a few plastic bags on the floor near a couple of open windows (for ventilation), then used rubbing alcohol to clean the glass.

Next, I spray painted an even layer of chalkboard paint over the pane. After leaving it about 20 minutes, I did a second layer, then left if for another few hours. 

After a few hours, I moved the pane to a table and left it overnight to let it completely dry. Then put it back into the stand and voila! Finished!