Matching Mickey Shirts

I was flipping through some family vacation photos from last year and I was gushing over how cute my boys are when they are dressed alike! 

Then I realized that I started my blog after I had created these matching Mickey Mouse shirts for our trip to Disney.  And I do have to share because they were incredibly easy to make. 

1. Buy a solid color t-shirt (or as many as you need).

2. Buy t-shirt paint in colors of your choice (I went with red and black - traditional Mickey colors).  Make sure you get opaque colors because the irridecent doesn't show as nicely.

3. Use one cupcake liner and two mini-cupcake liners to make your Mickey Mouse template.  Place your template on your first shirt.

4. Squeeze your base color t-shirt paint in a thin line all the way around the template.  Remove the template and use a dry flat paint brush (mine was about 1/2 an inch wide) to fan the paint outward.

5. Once the first color is dry, repeat with additional accent colors.

It is incredibly difficult for me to find matching shirts in all 3 of my boys' sizes - making t-shirts is always an easy and inexpensive way for me to get those cute pics!

Birthday Bot Cake

Here is another sneak peak into the big BroBot Birthday party planning!

The boys and I recently had a big discussion as to what their birthday cake should look like for their Robot Party.  Here is what my oldest thought it should be:

I, of course, had other ideas.  Notice the feet, the present eyes, and the candles on his shoulders? I especially like the extra long arms.  Although the creativity is off the charts, the cake couldn't practically be made this way and expected to stay upright.  Not to mention, it looked a tiny bit scary in my opinion.  So we did a little debating and ended up compromising on this:

You'll have to check back at the end of September to see what it actually ends up looking like!

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies!

I am completely in love with cupcake cookies!  I haven't made these for years, and I really can't remember why.  These will definitely be going to school with my boys on their birthdays this year. 

I recently re-discovered these delicious bits of yumminess when I was searching for a birthday treat that could withstand the heat of summer.  Cupcakes tend to melt on me.  My first batch was Funfetti Cupcake Cookies.  Those went over so well, that I grabbed another box of cake mix from the pantry to make Strawberry Shortcake Cookies!

Aren't they cute!  They hold their shape while they bake - I may try shapes with the next batch.

And what cake would be complete without icing???

And without further ado, here is the recipe:
1 box of your favorite cake mix - any flavor, any brand
2 cups of softened butter
2 3/4 cups of flour
mix until completely blended, scoop onto baking sheet, bake 10-12minutes at 350 degrees 
Warning: one box of cake mix will make about 6 dozen cookies (and you will eat about half of them before they are done cooling)!

Summer Reading

Did you know I have a small obession with books? And did you know that it is a trait I have passed onto my children?

That is one of the main reasons I started selling Usborne Books... my boys (all three) are in love with the books!  It is amazing how much they read now that they have found books that spark interest inside of them. 

Go ahead and check out all the fantastic books on my Usborne Books & More website - there is even a pdf version of the newest catalog!

Are you interested in what I do at Usborne Books & More ...or just curious and want to be nosy? Listen to this 30 minute recorded call that explains it all - NO ONE (not even I) will ever know you listened, so go ahead and be nosy :)

Call: 712-432-6190
Access Code: 66317#
Recording Number: 77#

Featured....

Today is the day!  I am the July Featured Member at Scrapbook Challenges!!! 
Head on over to their blog to read a little bit about me and see some of my favorite layouts : )

and remember... I will get to post a challenge on their boards later this month!

July Featured Member

I am sooooo pleased to announce that I have been chosen as Scrapbook Challenges July Featured Member!!!

I love this online scrapbooking group! There are tons of great sketches and challenges to inspire me and get my craft in gear  ; ) 

As the Featured Member I also get to give a challenge of my own this month... check back later to find out what it is!

Flag Waiving

I finally uploaded pictures from my phone of my "first official act" as a resident of Findlay, Ohio.  Findlay celebrated its Bicentennial early in June.  There was a parade with floats and marching bands.  And there were flags waiving all over the place.  Did you know that Findlay, Ohio is Flag City USA?

Here is the digital scrapbook layout I created from my phone pics - my son even took the one with me in it!

I used Sketch 301 from Scrapbook Challenges as a starting point - those ladies are full of fantastic ideas.  With all the holiday activities going on in the States this week, I'm sure you all have your own red-white-and-blue photos to comemorate.  I'd love for you to post a link to your creations!