Patriotic Wreath for Memorial Day / July 4th!

I make a lot of wreaths, so of course I wanted to make one for the summer patriotic holidays!

Wrap the base foam wreath with your choice of ribbon

Finish wrapping (use glue gun) and then the geo mesh is next

Use floral pins to secure geo mesh

Finish geo mesh pinning and begin to add spray. Use floral pins and pipe cleaners to secure the spray

Next wrap garland around geo mesh bubbles and use floral pins to secure them

Finish wrapping and securing the garland

Next create your bow using wired ribbon and a pipe cleaner (YouTube has videos that can show you how to, it's easy)

Attach your bow with the pipe cleaner and voila! A patriotic wreath! 

St. Patrick's Day Wreath

To make my St. Patrick's Day wreath, I took the same steps as when I made my Thanksgiving wreath.  See the pictures below for how it all came together!

Easy Set-up for Department 56 Christmas Village

I collect Department 56 Christmas Village pieces and it can be a challenge to figure out to display them.  I purchased a flower stand from the Christmas Tree Shop for a reasonable price to set up my display.

I added a blanket of snow to make the background.  If you want to you can cut holes in it and put the cords through to the back to plug it in.  I personally, did not cut holes.  I put the cords to the side behind the pieces to plug them in.

Finally add your Department 56 pieces and you have an easy Christmas village set-up!

Christmas Wreath

To make my Christmas wreath, I took the same steps as when I made my Halloween wreath. I used the same type of wooden pieces and wired ribbon. I did attach a bell to the wreath with a pipe cleaner that went through the bows center loop in order to attach it at the same time. Additionally the geo mesh I used was 21inches wide and I purchased it at Cracker Barrel. Please note, I chose not to use the garland as it would not attach nicely. See the pictures below for how it all came together!

Geo Mesh Fall / Thanksgiving Wreath

I wanted to make a wreath that could be used through Thanksgiving, here is what I came up with using these materials.

 I wrapped a 16 inch foam wreath with about 25 ft of glittered brown wire ribbon using a glue gun.

 I then added gold geo mesh using florist pins.  The geo mesh I used is about 12 inches wide. I used about 12 inches of material per "bubble" and spaced my pinning of the "bubble" about 3 inches a part.

Next I added leaf garland by wrapping it around the geo mesh bubbles. I used florist pins to secure the garland.

 Finally the bow I made myself via a YouTube tutorial. I used the leaf garland again while creating my bow and attached it with pipe cleaners.

Here is the finished wreath!

Cindy's Tailgate Taco Dip

This is my version of taco dip. I bring it to every concert and football tailgate as well as family parties. It serves plenty of people and its very simple to make.

Here's what you will need:

- 9 x 13 baking dish ( I usually go with a disposable baking dish since its easier to clean up after a tailgate)
- 16 oz of cream cheese (about 2 bricks)
- 22 oz of salsa (chunky salsa is a good choice for this recipe, it gives the dip more texture)
- 1.25 lbs of ground beef
- 2 cups of a shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 packet of taco seasoning

Begin by spreading all of the cream cheese evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. As the cream cheese becomes room temperature it becomes easier to spread. When you finish spreading the cream cheese move the baking dish into your refrigerator.

Next cook your ground beef until it is well done (about 4-5 minutes).  Use a wooden spoon to separate the ground beef into small pieces as you are cooking it.

When your ground beef is cooked move it to a separate dish with paper towels on it to drain the fat.

Look at all of that drained fat!

Next put the meat back into the pan and add 2/3 cups of water and taco seasoning.  Mix this evenly into the ground beef.

When your ground beef is evenly seasoned it is time to add it to the baking dish.

Spread the ground beef evenly over the cream cheese.

Next add your salsa over the ground beef.

Spread the salsa evenly.

Now sprinkle your shredded cheese evenly over the salsa.

Now you are ready to put this in the oven.  Set the temperature for 375 degrees. Bake until cheese melts (about 4-5 minutes).  If you are not ready to serve this dish you may want to refrigerate the dip until you are ready to serve and bake it for about 10-12 minutes (or until dip is reheated and cheese melts).

There you have it "Tailgate Taco Dip"! Be sure to use the scoop nacho chips for this one!

Geo Mesh Halloween Wreath

I wrapped a 16 inch foam wreath with about 12 yards of purple ribbon using a glue gun. I then added geo mesh using florist pins.  I used about 12 inches of material per "bubble" and spaced my pinning of the "bubble" about 3 inches a part.

Next I added wood Halloween pieces I got from michaels with my glue gun. The bow I made myself via a YouTube tutorial and attached it with pipe cleaners.

Finally I used a thin green ribbon that I tied to the pipe cleaner and tied 2 small Halloween bulbs to the ends. Voila! My homemade Halloween wreath!