Christmas Burlap Wreath!

I realize I have done a ton of wreath posts, but I can't help my love of burlap! Ha! I had some supplies left over that were lying around driving me crazy(nesting?). So I sat down and made one last wreath. I LOVE it! It was done in about an hour, and to my benefit, I managed no glue gun burns this time! You may be thinking, Christmas? Yes, Christmas. Its just around the corner. I believe only 7 Saturdays left. Yikes! And I have a baby arriving sometime in between there. Better get on the rest of it! So here it is, my fun and easy burlap Christmas wreath. The kind that will last thru more than one year and doesn't die or crumble. Did I mention its under $20 to make?

Here is the link to my original tutorial/post for this type of bubble burlap wreath: http://pinterestandthepauper.blogspot.com/2013/08/yes-another-burlap-wreath-and-again.html


The difference is only the embellishments. I used a burgundy burlap($5 at Joann's) for the bow and roses,  and got some pine cones, a Merry Christmas sign, and berries from Hobby Lobby($1.50 each).  I must add that while I was there they were having a huge 50% off sale on all Christmas, ribbon, and floral items this week. Get into your local Hobby Lobby and check it out!(No, they aren't my sponsor. Ha!)

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Holiday season! This will most likely be my last post until the new year. A baby is arriving any time! Maternity leave if you will.  I thank all of you who have stopped by my blog this year! It has been so much fun! I appreciate all your comments and feedback. You're awesome!

Have a Happy Holiday!  And as always, Happy Pinning!

-Amanda from Pinterest and the Pauper

End of summer blues...so lets eat cupcakes! :)

Quick update to Homemade chocolate cupcakes with Nutella Buttercream Frosting! I made these for a second time and they were even better! Get in the kitchen and make these now! Perfect Fall Cupcakes!

 Original Post:

I can feel it...the cool breeze in the evenings. The shorter days and the longer shadows. The smell that comes with Fall. The end of summer is here! Only a few weeks left and the calendar makes it official. So with the last days of summer upon us and the first day of school quickly approaching, what do we do? Bake cupcakes and craft of course!

The best part of any day(ok, my day) always involves chocolate. Being pregnant has made me love it x3! I mentioned before my daughter is on a cupcake kick, so we decided to try a new recipe. Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes with Nutella Buttercream Frosting. These cupcakes were divine! A very serious MUST DO!  My husband said they were the best batch of cupcakes we have ever made, and there was not one left. The cupcakes were just perfectly moist and sweet, and the frosting was creamy and smooth. Together they were a perfectly matched pair! Some might say chocolate with chocolate is too rich, but the Nutella makes all the difference in the world. And I just LOVE Nutella! I gave this recipe out to several friends already and I am tempted to go make a batch right now so I can lick the beaters!  I'm telling you to bust out your mixer and get baking!

Here's the recipe! 

Ingredients:

• Chocolate Cupcakes
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 and 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Creamy Nutella Frosting
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup Nutella
• 3-4 Tablespoons heavy cream*
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• salt to taste
• decorative candies (optional)

How to:

Instructions

1. Make the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Line 14 muffin cups with liners.
2. Over high heat, bowl the water in a small saucepan. Pour the unsweetened cocoa powder into a medium sized bowl and mix with boiling water until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature by placing in the refrigerator as you prepare the other ingredients.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, using an electric hand or stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla extract. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat only until just combined. In a steady stream, add the cooled cocoa mixture and stir until smooth.
5. Fill each muffin tin 3/4 of the way full with batter. Bake for 16-19 minutes, keeping an eye on them to avoid even the slightest burning (which will lend dry cupcakes). My cupcakes took 17 minutes and a toothpick inserted in the middle came out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool before frosting.
6. Make the frosting: Beat softened butter on medium speed with an electric or stand mixer. Beat for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy. You want a very creamy base before adding anything else. See my extensive notes about this in the post above. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and continue to beat on medium speed. The mixture will be fairly thick. Add the Nutella and continue to beat on medium speed. Add 3 Tablespoons of heavy cream and the vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, add more heavy cream (1 Tablespoon measurements at a time). If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar (1/4 cup measurements at a time). Taste the frosting and add salt to cut the sweetness. I added about 1/4 teaspoon of salt to mine.
7. Frost cooled cupcakes with frosting and decorate with candies as desired.

Notes

*Replacing the heavy cream in the frosting with milk or half-and-half will result in a less creamy consistency.

Recipe source: cupcakes by Joy of Cooking, Frosting bysallysbakingaddiction.com

The Original Pin:

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/03/14/chocolate-cupcakes-with-creamy-nutella-frosting/

She also has a recipe for Peanut Butter cupcakes with the Nutella buttercream frosting! Visit her wonderful blog for more delicious baking recipes! Its an adorable blog!

Bonus post!

I know, I know. Another wreath? I had a ton of burlap left over and one of my friends left me a few pieces from a party she held. So, I decided to make one last wreath and send it to my sister. Aren't I nice? Ha! Hope she appreciates my efforts!

This wreath was the cheapest and easiest to do, but it was more to do with the fact that I had everything on hand already and didn't have to buy a thing. It is the exact same HOW TO as my very first chevron wreath tutorial. I just used the regular brown burlap around the straw wreath, and the yellow chevron burlap that my friend gave me became the flowers and bow. Seriously easy!

Here's the link to my tutorial: http://pinterestandthepauper.blogspot.com/2013/08/diy-burlap-wreath-for-under-20.html

Happy end of summer and happy pinning!

Yes, another Burlap Wreath! And again, under $20!

What can I say? I'm on a roll! I have been merrily making burlap wreaths for about a week now. I am covered in burlap lint and have several glue gun burns, but I am excited to send out my wreaths and to grace my front door with this one! Burlap Wreath #2!

It's not quite Fall yet, but I feel the cool air and shorter days beginning to grace us. So for a simple and shabby look at my front door, I experimented with combining the idea of the burlap bubble wreath and the burlap rose wreath.

My Pins of Inspiration!

http://www.babblingsandmore.com/2011/09/burlap-wreath-giveaway.html

http://somekindoflovelyride.com/2012/05/05/super-easy-burlap-wreath/

Both blogs have some seriously cute ideas! Visit their sites for more!

Supplies:

1) a wire wreath ($2.99 at Hobby Lobby)

2) Burlap ribbon about 4 inches wide. ($4.99 a roll at Hobby Lobby and I used 2 and 1/2. I also got them 50% off)

3) Glue gun and plenty of glue sticks

4) scissors

5) burlap in different colors such as orange, brown, and cream.( I had left over from my previous wreath and burlap is about $3 a yard and you'd need less than half a yard. I also got the orange burlap from Hobby Lobby but in the ribbon form.)

6) Pearl pins(walmart for 2.77, but I had plenty left from previous wreath)

7) Floral wire

How to bubble:

1) Unroll one of the burlap ribbons and on one end, weave some floral wire in between the fibers. Secure this end to the wire wreath. I started on the outside.

2) Now pull the ribbon over and under, back and forth, between the wires. Push up to keep it tight.

3) Just keep going until you r ribbon ends and then secure this end with more floral wire. 

4) repeat 1 thru 3 until the entire wire wreath is covered in burlap bubbles.

You can visit   http://somekindoflovelyride.com/2012/05/05/super-easy-burlap-wreath/    for more specific photos and directions. 

For the flowers:

1) Visit this tutorial: http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/burlap-roses-tutorial . She explains it better than I ever could!

2) Hot glue flowers to wreath and pin the middle with the pearl pins.

For the Bow:

1) Take a piece of the orange burlap and fold ends under, meeting in the middle.

2) Take some twine and wrap int around the center. Hot glue gun in place.

3) Cutting two more orange pieces, hot glue gun underneath and cut the "V" ends.

4) Hot glue the bow to the wreath or secure with floral wire.

Ta Da!

This wreath took me an hour total. about 30 minutes to do the bubble part, and another 30 for the roses and bow. Super easy!

                                                       

Now onto my last wreath! Happy Pinning!

                               

DIY Burlap Wreath! For Under $20!

I LOVE Burlap! Almost as much as I love Chevron prints, and that's saying something. Combine the two? Heaven on Earth!!! Ha! What can I say? Its really too much fun! Burlap can be so diverse, and when dressed up, made to be country or shabby chic. Add some lace or pearls and ta da! BUT it comes with a warning...ITS A MESS! Ha! A lesson I quickly learned. This however, does not detract from my love of it, or from the list of craft ideas I want to try!

My first attempt with burlap was this wreath and I absolutely love how it turned out! Even more so, I LOVE the price tag! Less than $20 to make myself instead of spending upwards of $40 on Etsy or in a craft store. It also did not take that much time or effort. Maybe two hours and a few glue gun burns.(Glue guns aren't my friends. ha!) I could not wait to hang it up! It rests proudly on my living room wall! Here's the How To....

Supplies:
1) Your choice of wire edged burlap, 1) patterned and one not.(I got my Chevron print and regular at Hobby Lobby at 40% off. Was $6 for 15ft. Generally sold in the ribbon section.)
2) Brown and cream regular burlap sold by the yard.You will only need half a yard of each at the most.(Walmart sells it for $2.98 a yard and Hobby Lobby for just over $3. So for half a yard of each $3 total!)
3) Your choice of twine. (I had some left over form a different craft.)
4) Pearl pins. (2.77 at Walmart)
5) Straw form wreath. (I got mine from Hobby Lobby for $3.99. You could also use foam or anything like it. The cheaper the better!)
6) Hot glue gun and plenty of glue sticks!
7) Scissors

How To:
1) Plug in hot glue gun and heat up.
2) Cut your cream and brown burlap by the yard into strips of varying lengths and widths.
3) With your wire edged patterned burlap, hot glue gun one end to the wreath. Then start tightly wrapping it around the straw wreath form. (A small side note, I left the plastic wrap it came with on. The straw is poky!)
4) When you have covered the full wreath, hot glue the other end down. Securing it in place.
5) Make your burlap flowers in different sizes and colors. Here is a great tutorial that explains it better than me! http://www.katiesrosecottageblog.com/2012/01/burlap-rose-tutorial.html
6) Pin the flowers in the middle with the Pearl pins and secure in your desired pattern onto the wreath.
7) For a little added dimension, add some twine flowers as well. I just looped the twine to look like a daisy and hot glued the middle.
8) To make the bow, use the plain wire edged burlap and wrap twine in its middle. I recommend the wire edged because it holds its form, but the regular burlap would work too.
9) I used a small strip of the same burlap to hang it with. I hot glued the bow to this piece.
10) Hang on your door or in your house!

Me and a friend of mine had a wreath making day and I am working on finishing the other. Will post some photos of that one soon!

My pins of inspirations! I kinda combined the two!

http://pinterest.com/pin/56787645274625920/

http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191510853546/

My Chevron burlap wreath was inexpensive and fun to do! I recommend it to all! On a scale of easy being 1 and difficult 10, its a 2!

Happy Pinning!