{craft night & recipe swap}

This past Friday, we had yet another awesome monthly craft night. The past few months, I had a lot of requests from those who have attended past craft nights to have a recipe swap and possibly also crafts that focused on recipes as well. So, this month, I decided to offer recipe magnet boards and a lunch box recipe box for our crafts. I used this fun patterned paper that I am sure you have seen me use over and over and over again, simply because I LOVE it and also thought that it would look great in just about any kitchen with any decorating style. The flowers I used were a serious find. Flowers are usually so pricey…..sometimes 99 cents to $1.99 a stem (at least the kind I like to use). However, on a complete whim, I decided to look down the silk flowers aisle at Walmart a few weeks ago, even though I had been down that aisle before and thought most of the flowers looked a little cheap-y. I was thrilled to find these fab red flowers in bunches of 7 for only $3.00. They were the perfect color red and with a jumbo silver button in the center, were the PERFECT embellishment for the recipe boxes. Happy day! The word “Recipes” is just black vinyl lettering that I rubbed onto the green/white polka dot strip before adhering it to the box. And the vinyl touch are the fun ribbons, torn fabrics and tulle on the handle. When I designed the box, I didn’t have any of these at home and was excited to find some left over from a super cute lunch box class that my friend Kim taught at a crop I hosted a few years back. So those left over ribbons, fabrics, etc. are on this sample and then I went and picked out fabrics and ribbons for the actual craft night. I am in love with the black and white fabrics. I stood there for over a half an hour trying to choose between all of the beautiful patterns. I love the combination of ribbons, fabric and tulle. Thanks to Kim for that awesome idea that I adopted for this month’s project. Love it! (P.S. Remember to click on pictures to see them in their true form. Typepad is still having issues with my pictures looking slightly deformed. LOL!)

Originally, I had planned on having decorated dividers inside of the recipe box. However, wanting to keep the price down for everyone, I decided to simplify the dividers a little bit. I simply cut 5 4.25 x 6.25 pieces of white cardstock and printed out 5 labels on red, baby blue and green Bazzill cardstock and then adhered them to the top of the dividers, making sure to slightly stagger them so that you can see all of the tabs when they are stacked. They are super simple, but still look really cute with the box. Because I knew there were varied levels of experience as far as scrapbooking and paper crafting go, I wanted to make the design pretty simple so that all would be able to create it easily without getting frustrated. I was a little worried that it would be too simple, but when I completed the box, I was really happy with how cute my simple design turned out. The gals needed very little instruction and they really enjoyed having a fun design that didn’t take much time to create. YAY! Just about everyone that came to craft night ended up making at LEAST one lunch box recipe box and at least one recipe block magnet board. And there were a few that planned ahead for Christmas and made a bunch of them for Christmas gifts. Can you believe that Christmas is less than 6 months away? I LOVE CHRISTMAS! WOOHOOO! Overall, the crafts were so much fun and I never get tired of seeing how happy gals are after completing crafts themselves. It’s such a fun thing to be able to learn new things for yourself and for gifts. It’s great to be able to tell people that you made something all by yourself. They did a great job and both projects turned out so cute!!

As for our meal this month, I decided to have each person bring their signature dish to share. Prior to the craft night, I asked that everyone submit their recipes to me for two reasons….first, to make sure we didn’t end up with all desserts or all main dishes, etc. and second, so that I could compile all of the recipes into a little recipe booklet for everyone in attendance. The little booklet turned out really nice and all of the ladies were so excited to be able to have copies of all of the recipes to take home. in addition to the recipe booklets, I also purchased a variety of giveaways that all focused around the food/cooking theme....a cake save, mixing bowls, various sizes of measuring cups, cutting board, recipe cards, a decorative plaque and a completed recipe magnet board. The giveaways are definitely a fun little *extra* to our craft nights! We had such a fun combination of food…salads, soups, pancakes, dips, etc…and every single dish was DIVINE!!! And it just wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t share all of the recipes with you!!! YAY!!! I will start by sharing the 3 recipes the I brought for craft night. The first is an absolutely DELISH punch. Instead of bringing pop, etc. like we usually do, I thought it would be fun to have a special beverage to be able to share the recipe for as well, since it WAS a recipe swap. The punch was heavenly…we chugged it all night long. By the end of the evening, we were all a little silly and started questioning what was in the punch. LOL! I give ya my word though,that it was only sugar. Ha ha! Here it is…. (check out the orange slices...are you impressed? LOL! They took me forever...but are kind of a fun floating garnish!)

CITRUS GROVE PUNCH

3 C. sugar
2 C. water
6 C. orange juice, chilled
6 C. grapefruit juice, chilled
1 ½ C. limeaid, chilled (I added a little more, to taste)
1 liter ginger ale, chilled

In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil; cook for 5 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until cool.  Combine juices and sugar mixture; mix well. Just before serving, stir in ginger ale. Serve over ice.

In addition to the punch, I decided to try out two NEW recipes. Most of my recipes are all CHOCOLATE ones and Chas wanted me to try a few new ones that didn't have chocolate. BOTH turned out absolutely DELISH. However, the craft night was probably not the best night to try them out. A group of women is NOT the best demographic for non-chocolate desserts. LOL! So, needless to say, despite the fact that they were tasty, there was a LOT left over. LOL! Chas was definitely excited when I brought them home though. ;-) Here are both of the two new recipes that I tried out.....

CHEWY PECAN PIE BARS

1/4 C. butter, melted
2 C. packed brown sugar
2/3 C. all purpose flour
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
¼ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
2 C. chopped pecans
Powdered sugar

Pour butter into a 9x13 baking pan and set aside.  Combine brown sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl; mix well. Stir in pecans and spread over butter in pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately dust with powdered sugar. Cool before cutting.

 

BLOND TOFFEE BROWNIES

½ C. butter, softened
1 C. sugar
½ C. packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 ½ C. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
1 C. English Toffee Bits (or Heath Bar Toffee Bits – found by chocolate chips)

Cream butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt and add to creamed mixture gradually. Stir in toffee bits. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

And now for the other delicious recipes that we were able to try out at the craft night. A huge thank you to everyone for sharing such AWESOME AWESOME recipes. EVERYTHING was delicious!!! (I tried to get pictures of everything, but I missed a few of the dishes that arrived later, since I was busy getting everyone started on their crafts.

SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP

1 can artichoke hearts
1 pkg. fresh spinach
1/2 c green chilies
1 c mayonnaise
1 c sour cream
2 cup mozzarella shredded cheese
Parmesan cheese to taste (your preference)
 
Rinse well the artichoke hearts and cut into small pieces.  Wash and cook spinach; drain well! Cook artichokes, spinach, and green chilies for 10 min. on medium heat (do not add any liquid).  Keep stirring to avoid burning.  Add mayo, sour cream, and both cheeses, stirring constantly to blend.  Keep stirring until dip boils.  Simmer for 15 to 20 min.; stir as needed.

RANCH CHEESE DIP

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 Tbsp. Hidden Valley dry ranch powder
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 cup grated cheese
 
Mix first 4 ingredients well. Add cheese and mix until blended. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes if possible. Serve with your favorite crackers.

FRUIT DIP

1 7oz can marshmallow creme
1 8oz cream cheese
 
Mix together marshmallow creme and cream cheese in  bowl until smooth. Enjoy.

JODI'S COTTAGE CHEESE PANCAKES
(These are HEAVENLY...like crepes that melt in your mouth!!)

1 cup cottage cheese (large curd)
4 eggs
1/2 cup flour
6 Tbsp melted butter

Whip cottage cheese, eggs, flour and melted butter in a blender.  This should be a thick batter.  Test a small amount of batter on grill. Add a small amount of flour if it needs thickening.  Make the pancakes about four inches in diameter. 

Cook pancakes until golden, then flip and cook for an additional minute. Do not overcook. These pancakes are moist and should spring back to the touch.
 
Enjoy with your favorite syrup, butter and powdered sugar!

CORN CHOWDER

1stick butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 can cream of potato soup
1  14oz. can of chicken broth
8 oz. pkg of cream cheese
4 can white & yellow corn
1 pint of half & half
1 bunch of green onions
3 tsp. creole seasoning
 
Melt butter in pan add chopped green onions and saute. Add broth & soups to onions and cook on medium heat & stir until smooth. Add corn & heat until warm. Add half & half & chunks of cream cheese. Stir until cream cheese is melted then add creole seasoning.  Then Enjoy!

I wasn't able to eat a ton of all of the other dishes, partly because I think I had 4 bowls of that corn chowder. It was HEAVENLY! She also brought these incredible wheat rolls to go along with it. She just took wheat Rhodes rolls, rolled them in butter and cinnamon sugar, let them rise and then baked as directed. It was like dipping a cinnamon roll in soup. HELLO! It was DIVINE!!!

 

PARMESAN ROLLS
(Jewels made these at my request...they are SOOOO yummy!!)

Frozen Rhodes Rolls
Butter
Fresh Parmesan Cheese

Roll frozen Rhodes Rolls in melted butter and then in fresh Parmesan cheese then rise and bake as directed on package.

 

SPINACH & HONEY ROASTED PEANUT SALAD

1 large bag Spinach
1 cup sliced Strawberries
1/2- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese
1/2-1 cup Honey roasted peanuts

I just throw it together with a poppy seed dressing and enjoy.

ENGLISH PEA SALAD
(I wasn't able to try this one, simply because I was already so full by the time it arrived, but everyone who tried it said that it was yummy)

2 cans of small English peas
1/2 onion chopped
l large pickle chopped
1-2 hard boiled eggs chopped
3 stems chopped celery
1 can sliced water chestnuts
1/2 bell pepper chopped
Salad dressing

Mix all of the ingredients above.  Add Miracle Whip Salad Dressing to taste, chill, and serve on lettuce leaf or just plain. Great for picnics, cookouts, etc.

 

CABBAGE SALAD

1-2 bags of cabbage (I like to get the mixed cabbage- with carrots,etc.)
2 cups chopped chicken - cooked
2 chopped green onion
2 T sesame seeds
2 T. toasted slivered almonds
2 pks chopped ramen chicken noodles- Hard
 
Seasoning= dressing
1/2 cups oil
1/2 cups rice vinegar
2 T. sugar
2 packages flavor packet from noodles
 
Mix and dress salad 10 or so minutes before serving.

 

SUNBURST LEMON BARS

Base:
2 c. all purpose flour
½ c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter or margarine, softened
Filling:
4 eggs
2 c. granulated sugar
¼ c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ c. lemon juice (for more intense lemon taste, use fresh squeezed lemon juice)
Glaze:
1 c. powdered sugar
2 to 3 Tbsp. lemon juice

Heat oven to 350. In large bowl with electric mixer, beat base ingredients on low speed until crumbly. Press mixture evenly in bottom of ungreased 9x13 in pan. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown.
Meanwhile, in large bowl with wire whisk, lightly beat eggs. Beat in remaining filling ingredients except lemon juice until well blended. Beat in ¼ c. lemon juice.
Remove partially baked base from oven. Pour filling evenly over warm base.
Return to oven; bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until top is light golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
In small bowl, mix 1 c. powdered sugar and enough lemon juice for desired spreading consistency until smooth. Spread glaze over cooled bars. Cut into bars.

 

WARM NUTTY CARAMEL BROWNIES

1 t. vegetable oil
1 pkg. (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1 pkg. (18-21 oz) brownie mix (plus ingredients to make cake-like brownies)
3/4 c. packed brown sugar, divided
1 c. salted mixed nuts, divided
5 rolls of Rolos (40 pieces total), divided

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheet. Chop 1-1/2 c. chocolate chips. Combine brownie mix, water, oil, eggs, adn 1/4 c. brown sugar. Fold in chopped chocolate. Pour batter into cookie sheet & spread evenly.

2. Chop nuts or use pre-chopped mix. Combine half of the nuts and remaining 1/2 c. brown sugar; sprinkle evenly over brownie batter. Bake 20-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

3. Meanwhile, cut 16 Rolos into quarters. Place remaining 1/2 c. chocolate chips in microwaveable bowl & microwave on high 1 minute or until melted, stirring after each 20-second interval. Spoon melted chocolate into resealable plastic bag; set aside.

4. Remove cookie sheet from oven. Immediately press remaining 24 Rolos evenly into brownie in four rows of six caramels each. Sprinkle quartered Rolos and remaining nuts over brownies. Trim corner of chocolate-filled bag; drizzle chocolate evenly over brownies.  Serve warm. Serve with ice cream, if desired.

Overall, the craft night this month was a complete success. We had a great turnout, some new faces and new friends, a few visitors, fun crafts and great food!!!! HAPPY HAPPY DAY! Already looking forward to next month!

P.S. Typepad stopped letting me change font colors on the recipes halfway through my entry. No idea why. I don't ask anymore. Typepad constantly has issues. Anyway...gotta run to swimming lessons and then will come back and fix up the details on this entry...colors, etc. EDITED LATER TO ADD...came back to fix the colors and it still won't let me editthe text. *sigh* Seriously. Oh well. Make today a GREAT one!

Comments

[Michelle S.]

Yum! now I am hungry. I must try several of those recipes.

[Tracy]

You are soooo FUN!!! Wish I could attend your craft nights!! Love that you do this!!!

[Ellen Patton]

Thanks for sharing all the recipes!

[Amy Horlacher]

I am sitting here with my mouth watering! LOL. Next time you do a craft night let me know! I would love to come.

[Misty]

I'm ready for a craft night...Sure wish I lived closer...Hmmm..Maybe you could have something for your out of town BLOGGERS to meet you in person and have a FAB craft night...

[Tausha]

ok-i want to be your friend! Really-I do! Can I be your friend? You do such fun things! Where did you get the recipe tins? I am looking for some for a project for me to do and I need about 5.
The recipes look delish! I am cutting and pasting-hope that you don't care! :)
You are one talened chick! you do a lot of fun things for a lot of people. I know that these people love you. Keep up the good work! I have a ribbon outlet if you want to know it. It's in salt lake and I will be happy to share the info!

[aubri]

Oh how fun. I am loving the cute tin. I want to make one. Our ward doesn't do crafts, so this post makes me very envious, lol! Wait, this is your own craft night, right? Not sponsored by church, so maybe I should stop feeling sorry for myself and plan my own craft night for friends. Thanks for being such an inspiration!

[Christal]

wow recipes can't wait for your cookbook I'm so excited!! All these recipes look so yummy!! Love the crafts you all did makes me wish I lived in the neighbourhood you guys have so much fun!! Cute pictures too you look gorgeous as usaul love all the bright fun colors!! well have a great day ttys

[Becca Barnes]

Okay seriously...how do I get in on the fun craft night? You are so talented and I love that you share with all of us. Thanks so much!!

[Nikki Peck]

The projects and prizes look awesome, as do all the fabulous dishes!! Yumminess!!! Thanks for sharing them!!

[Betsy]

Yayy!! Thank you sooo much for sharing all these yummy recipes! I'm on a recipe trying kick right now, so this gives me alot more to work with!! :)

[jill harkness]

oh my word! that looks amazing!! i stared at those pictures forever, just drooling and wishing i had been there! i love your recipie container! so cute. i will absolutely be checking back on this post when i need to make ANYTHING! thanks for putting in the time to post them all!

[Jana]

man, I wish I could come to craft night!

[Libby]

Okay, as if the Lemon bars weren't enough of a motivation, the craft projects are simply TOO cute! Want them!!! As many others are asking, how do I get in on the craft night? Is it church related or an open social event? Thanks for the ideas (as always) and the YUMMY recipes.

[Marcy]

Fun, i think I gained 5lbs just looking at all that yummy food.

[Julie Pack]

Thanks so much for all those recipes! I've stolen a few from you on here before and can't wait to try these ones!

Julie :)

[Lynn C.]

I am on High Heaven! I LOVE recipes and I hit "pay day" today with your post!!! Thanks SO much! These all look so good and I can't wait to try them. Can't wait for that recipe book of yours coming out soon.

[alison]

We're contemplating doing something similar to your recipe board for Super Saturday--so i have a question--how did you cut the metal?

[Katie]

I randomly came across your blog, and I absolutely love it. It is so inspirational and fun. Thanks for all of your great posts =)