DIY Ombré Caramel Apples

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year!  And, with fall comes apple season!  What is more fall than caramel apples?

I was recently asked by Orson Gygi to come with a recipe for their tasty Peter's Caramel, so I decided go with the ombré trend!  So, ombré caramel apples it was!

You only need a few ingredients!

Be sure to check out the full tutorial, pictures, and instructions over on my post for Hellobee.

{all photos by Caroline Armelle Drake}

DIY fringe chandelier ...

You may have remembered the fun fringey chandeliers I made for Thomas' first fox inspired birthday party.

I am now just getting around to getting a tutorial together for how to make them!

They are really fun to make, and really add to your party table.  You could do so many different color combinations too!

All you need is:

Crepe Paper
Wooden Embroidery Hoops
Fishing Wire
Tape
Scissors

For the full tutorial, and step by step instructions, be sure to head on over to my post on Hellobee!

{all photos by Caroline Armelle Drake}

strawberry basil jam ...

I have been wanting to make strawberry basil jam for a while, ever since I was gifted a jar at a holiday social over at Alice Lane Home.  My basil is growing like crazy now, so I thought I would use some of it up before the first frost hits and it all dies.

The combination of strawberries and basil is really a mouth pleaser.  Such a unique taste, and perfect on your morning toast, or over some goat cheese with crackers!

The recipe is simple, basically off the box of pectin, but you just add some minced basil!  

{Strawberry Basil Jam}

adapted from the MCP brand strawberry jam recipe

Ingredients

5 3/4 cups mashed strawberries, that is about 6 pints (12 cups) fully ripe strawberries, washed with stems removed

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped small

8 1/2 cups sugar* (in a separate bowl)

1/2 tsp butter

1 box MCP brand pectin (2 oz box)

Directions

BRING water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.

STEM and crush strawberries thoroughly, one layer at a time with a potato masher (you want to keep it chunky, do not puree!). Measure exactly 5-3/4 cups prepared mashed strawberries into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. Stir in lemon juice, and minced basil.

STIR pectin into prepared fruit in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn’t stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 4 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.

LADLE immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min*. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.) Let cool, and sit at room temperature for 24 hours.  Store unopened jars in a cool dry place for up to a year.

Enjoy!

*Tips:
Do not try to reduce the amount of sugar for this recipe.  You have to have the exact amounts of each ingredient, or the jam will not set up.
At altitudes above 1,000 feet, increase processing time as indicated: 1,001 to 3,000 feet-increase processing time by 5 min.; 3,001 to 6,000 feet-increase processing time by 10 min.; 6,001 to 8,000 feet-increase processing time by 15 min.; 8,001 to 10,000 feet-increase processing time by 20 min.

{Photo by Caroline Armelle Drake}

stenciled mini first aid kits ...

I recently made these fun mini first aid kits to keep in my purse.  I kept finding myself being out and about, and one of my kids gets an ouchie and they need a bandaid, and of course I don't have one on hand.

I bought these darling cotton muslin bags, and knew they would be the perfect size to be able to tote around in my bag.

I cut out the simple red cross design using freezer paper for my stencil, then added a few coats of fabric paint.  In no time, I had a well designed mini first aid kit to keep in my bag at all times.

I filled it with a few essentials for when you are on the go!

Be sure to check out the full tutorial with step by step instructions over on my post for hellobee!

{all photos by Caroline Armelle Drake}

olympic games art download ...

my children have really gotten into the olympic games this year.   they have been watching them everyday with their daddy asking all sorts of questions about team usa, and cheering when we get a gold medal.

we worked on some fun olympic art this week, and i thought i would share with you a free download so your children can make some too.

i created an olympic flag template to fill in with their favorite medium with blue, yellow, black, green and red.

i also made a team usa flag download.

for the full tutorial, and free download templates, head on over to my post for hellobee today!

my little ezra hung them proudly in his room to show his support for the games!

hope you are enjoying watching the games too!  happy 2012 olympics!

{all photos by caroline armelle drake}

diy: party tassel garland ...

my sweet norah's third birthday was earlier this month, and i had the best time putting together a fun party for her! (more on that soon!)

i found myself scrambling last minute for a fun backdrop for the table, and i was able to come up with some fun tassels made out of gift tissue paper.

it was fairly easy to make, and i was able to add it to the party table in under an hour.

you only need a few supplies, and about an hour of your time!

head on over to see the full step by step tutorial over on my post for hellobee.  click here.

i can't wait to share with you more on norah's 3rd birthday party soon!

{all photos by me, caroline armelle drake}

diy: magnetic chalkboard trays

Summer is finally here!  And, for many of us, that means lots of road trips in the car, and extra time to entertain the little ones.

I made some chalkboard trays to help keep my kiddos entertained this summer, and keep them fresh on their letters!

They are so easy to make!  You only need a few supplies.

The chalkboard tray is perfect for your children to doodle their letters, or use it as a tray to hold their toys as they play in the car.

It is perfect that it is magnetic too!  They can use it to play with their favorite magnets!

For the full tutorial on how to make magnetic chalkboard trays, check out my post over on Hellobee today!  Click here.

{all photos by caroline armelle drake}

gourmet tin foil dinners ...

we went camping recently, and we made some pretty killer tin foil dinners.

just because your camping, it doesn't mean you shouldn't have good food!  tin foil dinners are nice because they can be prepared in advance, and while you are camping you can just throw them in the fire and dinner is ready to go in no time.

making tin foil dinners is simple, and you can "gourmet them up" pretty easy by adding a few little extras like amazing veggies, seasoned meat, and some amazing herbed butter.

i am sharing my step-by-step instructions, and recipe for gourmet tin foil dinners over on my post for zupas today.  be sure to check it out here!

{all photos by me, caroline armelle drake}

DIY: father's day freezer paper stencil t-shirts ...

father's day is coming up just around the corner, and i have a fun DIY father's day gift idea to share with you today!

my children love to get involved and help make gifts for people they love.  so, for father's day, we thought it would be fun to make their daddy some fun freezer paper stencil t-shirts!  he likes to wear t-shirts when he's home from work relaxing with the family, so we knew he would get a lot of use out of them.

i've been making freezer paper stencils for years, (see here, and here.) it isn't hard to do at all, and making stencils out of freezer paper is easy, and works really well!

we decided on a few designs, and we got to work.

i made sure to recruit my cute little helpers to help paint the t-shirts.

they were very proud to show their daddy what they made for him!

we made a camper, because they like to go camping with their dad.

and, of course, "super daddy" since he's a real hero in their eyes!

i am sharing the full tutorial and my step by step instructions along with the details and downloads for all the graphics i used over on my post for hellobee today!

be sure to check it out here, and make the father in your life something personal, and special!

{all photos by caroline armelle drake}

diy: duct tape bag

i am in love with all of the fun duct tape colors and patterns that you can find these days!

i made this fun handbag for my little norah to carry around her treasures, and she just loves it!

duct tape is so much fun to play with!  and, there are so many things you can create!

you only need a few supplies to make this darling bag!

be sure to check out my full step by step pictures along with instructions over on the hellobee blog today!

it doesn't take long to create a new little bag!  i'm even thinking of doing a bigger version for my summer swim bag, wouldn't that be awesome?!

have fun creating!

{all photos by me, caroline armelle drake}

how to: make homemade bubble solution and blowers ...

the weather is finally warming up, and i have a feeling we will be spending all of our time outdoors from now on!

my children love to blow bubbles, so we pulled out some items we already had in our house, and we made our own homemade bubble solution, along with some bubble blowers and wands!

it is so easy to make, and you can be blowing bubbles in no time!

you can check out the full tutorial on how to make homemade bubble solution, as well as homemade wands and blowers over on my post for the hellobee blog today.  click, here.

now, get out there, and blow some bubbles!

{all photos by me, caroline armelle drake}

DIY: custom printed paper bags ...

did you know that you can design and print your own custom paper bags with your own printer?

it is so nice to be able to customize some party favors with any wording you would like!  really, the options are endless!

i am sharing the full tutorial over on hellobee today!  click here to check it out!

{all photos by me, caroline armelle drake}

*i am a DIY contributor to the hellobee blog, a wonderful blog full of parenting tips, and DIY's.  be sure to check it out!

fox inspired party favors ...

i  am excited to share with you my last little details of thomas' fox inspired party today!
i love to throw together fun goodie bags for parties!

i put together these fox inspired goodie bags for thomas' little cousins that attended the party!

i love to use the party colors as inspiration while i am out shopping for the favors.  it is fun to buy goodies and toys that go with the theme and colors!

the party favors included: (sources included)
goodie favor bags- zurchers party store (you can also print your own bags!  see the DIY tutorial, here)
green party blower- zurchers party store
black and white japanese masking tape- etsy
a fox sticker- found at the down peach tree lane etsy shop
rock candy sucker- zurchers party store
fox plastic toy- by safari ltd.  michaels craft
vending machine capsule filled with jelly bellies-  wholesale vending products
dylan's candy bar-  jc penny
brown and white chocolate candies- ikea
green gumball- zurchers party store
orange kazoo- zurchers party store

the little fox toy was hard to find.  there aren't many little fox related toys out there.  but, i am glad i came across this little guy!

and, did you know that you can print your own custom paper bags?
well, i figured out how!  it can take a little trial and error.. but, how fun is it to customize your paper bags?

click here to check it out!

see more of the fox inspired birthday party, here. (the party, inspiration, and invitations!)

{all photos by me, caroline armelle drake}