Online editor & blogger, cooking & baking fanatic, craft expert, food blogger, and mom of 4+4 :) amandascookin.com/ www.craftsbyamanda.com/
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Articles by Amanda Formaro
Cardboard Tube Chicks
These adorable cardboard tube chicks are an easy kid’s craft tutorial for spring or Easter. All you need is a cardboard tube, paint, and pipe cleaners. This is a fun craft for Easter and for spring as well.
Paper Bag Scarecrow
Turn an ordinary lunch bag and a few simple supplies into this adorable paper bag scarecrow! Our scarecrow has a solid handle, making it great for make-believe play time. It’s likely that you have all or most of the craft supplies on hand already to make your own paper bag scarecrow. If not, you should be able to find them all at the dollar store, making this both a fun and frugal craft.
Coffee Can Scarecrow
Recycle your empty coffee cans into adorable fall decor! I’ll show you how to make my coffee can scarecrow, worthy of a place on your mantel or front porch. Because, recycling! I’ve always loved turning items into something new and fun. You might even have most of the items on hand. Aside from buying the little hat, most crafters will be able to scrounge up buttons, felt, twine, and raffia to make this coffee can scarecrow.
Paper Plate Ladybugs
Kids will love making these adorable paper plate ladybugs this spring and summer using colorful paint, paper plates, felt, and googly eyes. This paper plate ladybug craft is perfect as a summer camp activity or as a classroom project. You could also easily work it into a homeschool lesson on insects or simply have fun on a rainy day indoors. There’s no doubt that we love paper plate crafts for kids around here.
Hydrangea Wreath
Leave the plastic wrapping on the wreath if it has one. This will keep any stray pieces of straw from shedding off. Cut a piece of floral wire 36 inches long. Fold the wire in half. Fold the wire around the wreath, joining the two ends together and twisting all the way to the end. Bend the end of the twisted wire into a loop and twist together at the bottom to close the loop and secure. This will be your hanger. Use a skewer to poke holes into the outside of the wreath.
25 Green Food Ideas: Treats for Kids and Adults
On St. Patrick’s Day, it’s always fun to partake in festive green food and drinks. Kids love it, as do grown-ups! So we didn’t want to leave the adults out and only share fun food for kids! In this collection of green goodies, you will find some tasty kid foods and drinks. And you’ll also find some more sophisticated edibles for the grown-ups.
3-Minute DIY Nursery Night Lights
Are you ready to make a DIY night light? While we are making this DIY night light for our little one’s nursery, you can use this DIY night light in any room. Kids of all ages, and even adults will love this cute and easy-to-make DIY night light. Personally, I have night lights in almost every room to help my family get around at night. And a DIY night light is must for a nursery whether you forget something or need to check on your little one in the middle of the night.
30 Halloween Luminaries to Light Up the Night
Halloween luminaries are great to light up the Halloween night! Make them cute, make them creepy, all of them are perfect for a spooky craft! I absolutely love Halloween, and making Halloween lanterns and luminaries is something I try to do every year. You can certainly make lanterns any time of year. These are so unique and some of my favorite Halloween décor.
Collections for Kids: Containing, Storing & Displaying
Do your kids love to collect things? Containing your kids collections can be a real challenge, and if you don’t keep them organized, they can make a big mess! After all, there are so many things to collect and they come in all shapes and sizes. We have the best ideas that are family-tested to collect, contain, store and display kids collections! All my family members collect something which is probably why my kids like to collect things.
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots and Candied Pecans
Cut the ends off the Brussels sprouts. Cut sprouts in half lengthwise. Place halved sprouts into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle in the all purpose seasoning and toss to coat. HINT: If you use our seasoning blend, you will only use some of the seasoning on the sprouts. Save the rest for another recipe, like our Air Fryer Acorn Squash! Add seasoned sprouts to the air fryer basket and cook at 370 F for 5 minutes.
25 Frankenstein Crafts & Food Ideas for Kids
These cute Frankenstein craft ideas and super adorable Frankenstein foods for kids are perfect for the Halloween season. Is there a more classic monster than Frankenstein? Kids of all ages can have fun with the green Frankenstein monster crafts and food ideas. So this year, let’s get crafting and cooking Frankie style.
French Martini
A classic French martini is sophisticated and posh with a gorgeous combination of black raspberry liqueur, vodka, and pineapple juice. A French martini stands out in the crowd with its sweet and fruity notes, the exact opposite of a dirty martini. It’s almost like candy with a dash of liqueur, in the best way imaginable. Definitely the kind of sipper that effuses both classy and romantic vibes.
Mexican Inspired Sangria
Sweet and fruity Mexican inspired sangria goes down incredibly smooth with the help of red moscato, brandy, triple sec, and orange juice that add fresh citrus flair. This refreshing Mexican inspired sangria is a perfect side for steak fajitas on date night! I didn’t really want to fuss with adding extra sugar like most sangria recipes call for, so instead I chose to use Red Moscato, a dessert wine that is already sweet.
Spooky Eyeball Bracelet Cuffs Craft for Halloween
Let’s make Halloween bracelets! These Halloween bracelets are fun, spooky, and great for kids of all ages, both younger kids and older kids. This budget-friendly Halloween bracelets craft requires a few crafting supplies and can be made at home or in the classroom. Today we have a scary cute bracelet craft for kids to celebrate Halloween made out of toilet paper rolls. These DIY Halloween cuffs are covered with spooky eyeballs and are fun to wear.
Air Fryer Acorn Squash
If easily removed, pop the stem off the acorn squash so you don’t have to cut through it. If it won’t pop off, you can slice off that end of the squash. Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp. Slice off each end of the squash, then cut the remaining squash into 3/4-inch pieces. Brush the flesh of the acorn squash with olive oil. Turn over and brush the other side as well. Season both sides of the oiled squash with all purpose seasoning.
Nigella's Chocolate Fudge Cake
Nigella’s chocolate fudge cake is a two-tiered chocolate cake with silky fudge frosting. It’s truly the best chocolate cake ever! Look no further for the absolute best chocolate cake recipe. Nigella’s chocolate fudge cake is decadent, moist, and iced to the heavens with rich chocolate fudge frosting. Each bite is filled with blissful chocolatey goodness and tender cake.
Scrabble Tile Craft ~ Acronym Magnets
Looking for some scrabble tile crafts? Well look no further, this craft project is the perfect way to use old scrabble games. Whether you have them in the closet or picked it up at thrift stores, you can turn the wood tiles from the board games into fun projects and the best part is they make a great gift. Do you have old Scrabble game boards you aren’t using anymore? Don’t throw it away or sell it in a garage sale. There are plenty of way to use all the old scrabble tiles, including the game board.
Apple Cider Doughnuts
In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Set aside. Using an electric mixer on medium speed (with the paddle attachment, if using a standing mixer) beat the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and continue to beat until the eggs are completely incorporated. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
Malibu Sunset
Coconut rum, pineapple juice, and grenadine are layered together in this beachy Malibu sunset cocktail. Staggering layers of fruity flavors combine to create this pretty sipper and it couldn’t be easier to make. Sweet, fruity, and tropical flavors are layered into this Malibu sunset cocktail with contrasting colors mimicking the gorgeous hues as the sun dips below the horizon. It radiates warm fuzzy feelings of a summer vacation in a glass, plus it goes down easy too.
Colorful Autumn Leaves Craft from Crumpled Tissue Paper
Let’s make tissue paper leaves by crumpling, crinkling and balling autumn colored tissue paper to create both texture and color. Kids of all ages will enjoy this traditional autumn tissue paper craft that works great in the classroom or at home. These tissue paper leaves are the perfect way to celebrate fall.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter or spray 12 cupcake cavities in a regular-size pan or fit with paper cups. Place the pan on a baking sheet. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Set aside. Working with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter at medium speed until soft. Add both the sugars and continue to beat until light and smooth.
Apple Bookmark Craft with Printable Template
This very easy apple bookmark craft is perfect for back to school, a homemade gift for a teacher or as part of an apple learning unit for fall. With a few simple supplies and our free printable apple template, kids can make a functioning apple bookmark at home or in the classroom. Looking for a great back to school craft or even a fun fall craft? This apple bookmark is easy to make. Related: More crafts and activities for the letter A There are so many great uses for this apple craft.
20 Easy Fresh Apple Recipes We Love
It’s apple orchard time, which means I am always looking for things to do with apples. Fresh apple recipes are some of my favorite recipes all year long whether it is a fresh apple dessert, breakfast, snack or savory dish we love all the fresh apple recipes! Have the kids don their aprons and pick an apple recipe below.
White Chocolate Ice Cream
This rich and creamy white chocolate ice cream is what dreams are made of. Smooth scoops, easy enough prep, and only 6 ingredients make this recipe a winner! Why this recipe works This white chocolate ice cream recipe involves the use of an ice cream mixer to create dreamy, creamy scoops of white chocolate bliss which is a nice switch up from your classic everyday chocolate ice cream.
Malibu Sunrise
This sweet and fruity Malibu sunrise cocktail is a fun pick-me-up with refreshing orange juice, coconut rum, and grenadine that mix together to create a warm hue reminiscent of the sunrise. Why this recipe works The perfect brunch cocktail has arrived on the scene dressed in its best sunrise-esque outfit. A blend of tropical coconut rum, sweet grenadine, and puckering orange juice bring life to this Malibu sunrise creating the vision of a rising sun.
Cake Mix Brownies
Cake mix brownies come together with only 5 ingredients and a quick stir of a spoon. They’re just another great way to put those cake mixes sitting in the cupboard to good use! Why this recipe works While we’ll always love a good ole classic fudge brownie, sometimes scooping and measuring flour, cocoa powder, and sugar is the last thing you want to do when you’re craving a brownie in the moment. Enter, cake mix brownies.
25 Wooden Clothespin Crafts, Activities & Ideas
These clothes pin crafts are so much fun and a great idea to use up some crafting supplies. Most of these clothes pin kids’ crafts are easy peasy, so older kids and little kids will both love each little project. There is a perfect craft for everyone full of their favorite colors, bright colors, a dab of glue, and of course each one will use clothespins.
Paper Plate Crafts: Make A Cute Doggy
This paper plate dog crafts are perfect for children of all ages. Especially smaller kids like preschoolers and kindergarteners. Young children like toddlers can probably do this, but may need some assistance from an adult. This simple craft is great for all dog lovers and is so much fun to do. Paper Plate Crafts: Puppy Dog Kids love to make paper plate crafts because there are just so many possibilities! Today we are going to turn one into a cute puppy dog.
Jamaican Mule
Recipes | Beverages | Cocktails | Jamaican Mule This Jamaican mule highlights Jamaica's "funky" bold-flavored rum with a splash of lime juice and carbonated ginger beer to pull in some sweetness. Cook Time 0 minutes mins Total Time 3 minutes mins Float away to blissful paradise with a sip or two of Jamaican mule. This tropical mule takes only 3 ingredients – Jamaican rum, ginger beer, and lime juice creating funky fun flavors throughout.
Paloma
A classic paloma recipe is one everyone should have in their back pocket. Tequila, grapefruit soda, and freshly squeezed lime juice come together in this citrusy carbonated cocktail. Why this recipe works A paloma cocktail is similar to a margarita which is also crafted upon a tequila and fresh lime juice base. However, a paloma is elevated with grapefruit soda adding a touch of bitter-sweetness to each sip.
25 Wild & Fun Animal Crafts Your Kids Will Love
Let’s make animal crafts today! We have picked out our favorite animal crafts for kids of all ages including animal paper crafts, animal art projects or animal food crafts. All these fun animal craft ideas make entertaining and educational animal activities for kids. These animal crafts are great for home or in the classroom. Fun Animal Crafts For Kids Making animal crafts can be as fun as a trip to the zoo. Celebrate your favorite zoo animals with animal activities and art.
Buttery Nipple Shot
Recipes | Beverages | Cocktails | Buttery Nipple Shot This buttery nipple shot combines butterscotch Schnapps and Baileys Irish cream to create a fun layered shot that goes down incredibly smooth. Cook Time 0 minutes mins Total Time 5 minutes mins Notes of vanilla, butter, and caramel from the Schnapps meet smooth and creamy Irish whiskey in this buttery nipple shot.
American Flag Brownies
Recipes | Desserts | Cookies, Brownies, & Bars | American Flag Brownies Make these super easy American Flag Brownies for Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. A simple patriotic desserts with lots of wow factor! Cook Time 25 minutes mins Total Time 35 minutes mins These American Flag Brownies are easy to make, especially if you choose to use a box mix. You can make brownies from scratch if you prefer, either way works! This is a great dessert for your Memorial Day or 4th of July barbecue.
Mini Shortcake Cups
Recipes | Desserts | Trifles & Parfaits | Mini Shortcake Cups Mini Shortcake Cups are perfect for Memorial Day, 4th of July or just any time. These adorable little fruit and cake cups are just the right size. Total Time 10 minutes mins It’s likely that someone will correct me for using the term “shortcake” in this recipe name. Strawberry shortcake is traditionally made with a sweet cake or biscuit, so technically these cute little cups are not shortcakes.
13 Ways to Recycle Old Magazines Into New Crafts
If you have ever wondered what to do with old magazines, these easy crafts with old magazines are a great way to use old magazines in different ways. These old magazines arts and crafts are fun for kids of all ages and adults too. Each of these magazine recycling projects not only teach kids to make the cutest things, but allows them to see how awesome recycling is! Use these magazine crafts at home or in the classroom.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Recipes | Side Dish | Grain Sides | Instant Pot Mac and Cheese This Instant Pot mac and cheese is easy to make and it's super creamy and delicious! Cook Time 5 mins Total Time 20 mins Creamy, delicious Instant Pot mac and cheese. If you’re wondering how to make macaroni and cheese in your Instant Pot, I’m going to show you how to do it with just 5 minutes of cooking time. This Instant Pot mac and cheese is easy to make and it’s super creamy and delicious! We love macaroni and cheese around here.
Easy Homemade Candy Bars
Recipes | Desserts | Candy | Easy Homemade Candy Bars The combination of chocolate, peanut butter and graham crackers makes a delicious homemade candy bar. I don’t know about you, but I love graham crackers slathered in peanut butter. They make a really great snack and satisfy a sweet craving quickly. I also love those chocolate dipped graham crackers you get at Starbucks. So when a friend of mine mentioned combining all that wonderfulness into these homemade candy bars I was sold.
How to Make Craft Stick Crows
This popsicle stick crow craft is so awesome! Paint, feathers, googly eyes, and cute outfits it doesn’t get much better than this! Kids of all ages will love making these cute little birds. The best part is, once big or little kids make this fun bird craft, they can play with them as crow puppets. Win-win! Popsicle Stick Crow Craft for Kids This craft stick bird craft won’t break the budget and can help kids work on fine motor skills through cutting and painting.
Easy Mosaic Art: Make a Rainbow Craft from a Paper Plate
Today we are making a paper plate rainbow craft with a simple mosaic technique. Making a paper mosaic is a fun rainbow craft for kids of all ages including younger kids (when you do a little prep work). This easy mosaic art technique uses paper mosaic tiles and could have a million uses in the classroom and at home and the resulting rainbow art is really cool. Paper Mosaic Rainbow Craft for Kids Rainbow crafts are one of my favorite things to make.
How to Make a Recycled Robot
Want to know how make a robot? We got you! Kids of all ages like toddlers, preschoolers, and even kindergarten kids will love making this robot. Whether you’re at home or in the classroom learning how to make a robot is easy and budget-friendly when you use recycled materials. How To Make A Robot Anyone that knows me know that I am all about making recycled crafts. I save all my toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, empty cans, yogurt containers, plastic lids, snack boxes, and the list goes on.
Garlic Chicken Recipe - Amanda's Cookin' - Chicken & Poultry
Recipes | Dinners | Chicken & Poultry | Garlic Chicken This garlic chicken will be the newest addition to your weekly recipe rotation! It's easy enough to cook in less than 30 minutes and is always a crowd pleaser! Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 30 mins Share Tweet Yummly This garlic chicken will be the newest addition to your weekly recipe rotation! It’s easy enough to cook in less than 30 minutes and is always a crowd pleaser.
Crockpot Chicken: slow cooker sticky chicken, our favorite!
Recipes | Dinners | Chicken & Poultry | Crockpot Sticky Chicken This crockpot chicken recipe is our family's favorite. We make good use of our slow cooker with this spice rubbed sticky chicken at least once a month. Cook Time 6 hrs Total Time 14 hrs 15 mins This crockpot sticky chicken is one of our all time favorites and it was one of the first recipes I posted on this blog back in 2008! Back then my kids were in grade school and middle school.
Make a Cute & Easy Snowman Craft from Foam Cups
This easy snowman craft is great for kids of all ages, even preschool and Kindergarten using styrofoam cups. Kids will have so much fun making a cute styrofoam cup snowman craft all bundled up for winter with a few simple supplies. Making this adorable snowman craft is a great idea at home or in the classroom. Easy Styrofoam Cup Snowman Craft for Kids I love making all kinds of snowman crafts.
Wreath Projects - Crafts by Amanda
I'm going to show you how to make these adorable ... Go To project
3-Ingredient Cherry Cupcakes
You like shortcuts, don’t you? If you read this blog at all, you know that I love to bake from scratch. Sometimes though, there just isn’t time and you need to be able to whip something together pretty quickly. That’s when boxed cake mixes come in really handy. I usually keep one of each flavor (chocolate, white, yellow) in my pantry for such “emergencies”. I also happen to be a cherry fanatic. I love everything cherry.
Shrimp Etouffee
Recipes | Dinners | Fish & Seafood | Shrimp Etouffee Today we're smothering plump shrimp with a thickened gravy-like sauce with the addition of tomatoes, bay leaves, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and plenty of Cajun seasoning to make this southern shrimp etouffee as flavorful as it is.
25 Pretty Tulip Arts & Crafts for Kids
Tulip crafts are fun for kids of all ages because they are simple in shape with bright cheerful colors. We have collected our favorite tulip crafts and tulip art projects that work well at home or in the classroom. What is your favorite way to make a tulip? EASY Tulip Arts & Crafts for Kids Tulips are one of my favorite flowers! I feel like they’re a little underrated compared to other flowers like daisies, roses and sunflowers.
Faux Cable Infinity Scarf Knit Pattern
Craft Tutorials | Adult Crafts | Needlework | Faux Cable Infinity Scarf Pattern This relatively simple knitting pattern makes a big impact, and don’t let the cable fool you. This is a faux cable pattern, that is done without the intimidating cable needle but still looks amazing.
Shrimp Ceviche
Recipes | Appetizers | Dips & Spreads | Shrimp Ceviche Juicy shrimp tossed with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, serrano peppers, avocado, and cilantro makes the most refreshing seafood party appetizer! Cook Time 5 mins Total Time 20 mins Shrimp ceviche is a flavorful rainbow of citrus-cured shrimp swimming with an array of fresh diced fruits and vegetables.
25 Awesome Rubber Band Charms You Can Make
Loom band charms are the coolest thing! You can make so many rubber band charms to add to your rubber band bracelets. Kids of all ages will love making these loom band charms. Whether you’re a big kid or younger kids you can make the sweetest charms. This is the perfect loom craft whether you’re at home or in the classroom. 25 Rubber Band Charms Unless you’ve been hibernating in a cave for the last three years, you’ve heard all about the rubber band bracelet craze.
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