Mel's Colorful Creations

Homemade Vanilla Extract

2012-03-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

I can't take all the credit for making homemade Vanilla Extract! My sister in law made it and I thought it was pretty awesome! It's super easy to make and much better quality than store bought "Imitation" Vanilla. You need 2 ingredients...Vanilla Beans and Vodka. I used about 8 oz. of Vodka and 5 Vanilla beans for this batch. I got the beans this time from a seller on Etsy. I cut the beans in half and split them down the middle. (I don't mind the "seeds" floating in the vodka!) Just store it in your cupboard and you have "Real" Vanilla Extract in about 6 weeks. I find that the longer it sits (like 3 months) the better it is! When it's gone, you can top it with more vodka and make another batch. It gives my cake icing the most true vanilla taste and makes the best French Toast EVER! ....and just so you know, most store bought vanilla extract contains alcohol, so why not make your own :-)

You can see, after about 24 hrs. it's already starting to take on an "Amber" color!

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies!

2012-02-27T08:28:00.002-08:00

I know so many people who are going "Gluten Free" these days. I saw a recipe for GF Peanut Butter cookies recently, and I thought NO WAY! Flourless cookies, how could they possibly be good. The recipe was easy enough, so I figured..."What the heck" and gave it a try. WOW!! These cookies are truly delicious, easy, completely flourless and the recipe only contains 5 basic ingredients! I must say, I was shocked! I will make these again for sure!

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

1 C. Creamy Peanut Butter
1 C. Sugar
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
1 Egg
1 tsp. Baking Powder

Just combine ingedients in a med. bowl and stir by hand. Roll into small balls and roll lightly in sugar. Bake at 325 for 8-10 min. Enjoy!

Ultimate Diaper Bag Giveaway!!

2012-01-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

I recently had a request (from a past customer on Etsy) to make a custom Diaper Bag. She emailed me a tutorial. I read through it and honestly didn't think I could do it. This bag definitely required some decent sewing skills! Because I wasn't sure how it would turn out, I suggested that I would make a sample bag using fabric that I had on hand (from family members who "used" to sew). This way, it wouldn't be a big deal if I messed it up! Well...I didn't mess it up! It actually turned out great!

I emptied out the contents of my current diaper bag to show you how much this bag holds. It has a main section and 5 pockets on the inside and 3 pockets on the outside (the side pocket is to hold a bottle, sippy cup or will hold a standard size water bottle. This is a decent size and comfortable bag! I love all the pockets for organization and I especially love the tie strap!

This giveaway is my way of saying a big "Thank You" to all who have supported me in my business! It means so much :-)

To be entered in the giveaway....

"Like" my FB business page "Mel's Colorful Creations" (any new "Likers" will automatically be entered!!)
Tag me in a post on your page and tell everyone of the many benefits of Babywearing!
Leave me a comment on FB or my Blog telling me that you did so :-)

Contest ends on Sat. Jan 28th at 9 AM...my son, Hayden will draw the winning name!!

Cake Pops!!

2012-01-05T06:12:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Cake Pops!! They do take a little practice but they are perfect for that "bite" of something sweet after a meal. My kids LOVE them!!

Mei Tai

2011-12-14T06:35:00.000-08:00

I Love this style of carrier! My daughter and I have graduated from a Ring Sling to this type of carrier because she is starting to get kind of heavy! She weighs about 32 lbs. and I could still wear her in a ring sling, but this carrier is simply more comfy! There a few things that I absolutely love about this style of carrier. It folds sooo small (like the size of a large wallet) and you could seriously fit this into just about any bag easily. You can carry in 3 main positions....front, back or hip carry and you can tie the ties in a variety of ways, depending on your comfort level and the age of the baby. I love that this is a "natural" type of carrier. It's just plain 'ol fabric!! They can be made reversible! Lots of mama's like to have a pattern on one side and a solid color on the other, which makes this type of carrier great for "Dad", too! (I don't think my hubby wants to carry our daughter in a carrier with roses on the front!!) A Mei Tai will carry a newborn (in "frog" position) up to a 40-45 lb. toddler! I will definitely be focusing on making many more of these for my Etsy shop during the winter months!

10 Reasons why I LOVE and Promote Babywearing!

2011-08-07T05:37:00.001-07:00

First of all, I want people to know that babywearing isn't just for little babies. People are shocked to learn that I still wear my 22lb. toddler and that you can wear a baby (in most slings) up to about 35 lbs!!

10 Reasons that I LOVE Babywearing are.....

It's convenient....no stroller or "baby bucket" needed!
Babywearing promotes physical developement! While being worn, baby is aware of the parents breathing, heartbeat and movements.
Babies who are worn are less fussy and just simply cry less!
It's healthy for YOU! Take a brisk walk with your baby in a sling and consider it to be "weightlifting"!
Toddlers appreciate the security of a sling and will have less "meltdowns" in over-stimulating situations.
Babywearing helps you and your baby to communicate with each other!
Slings also help to bond other caregivers, dads or grandparents!
Slings are a safe place for a child to be...rather than running loose in a crowded public place.
Ring Slings are economical and cost much less than strollers or most front pack carriers (although I love the Ergo style carriers) or any baby carrier for that matter :-)
Babywearing is FUN! Who doesn't want to cuddle with a sweet baby or have a precious conversation with their toddler!

It's offical....I'm addicted to Paisley!

2011-07-31T20:27:00.000-07:00

I find that when I'm buying fabric for slings (or anything, for that matter), I always go for the Paisley fabric! I can't get enough of this lovely pattern!