Bottle Cap Magnets

A Simple & Cool Addition to Kitchen or Office Décor

 Materials:

¥   Superglue

¥   Beer or Soda Bottle Caps

¥   Soda Can Tabs

¥   Round Magnets

Instructions:

1.         Clean and thoroughly dry bottle caps.

2.         Once dry, use a knife to score (scratch) the inside of the cap.

3.         Place a good sized dot of Superglue in the inside of the cap and place one or two can tabs on top.

4.         One the magnet, place a good sized dot of glue and press firmly to the can tabs and bottle cap.

5.         Let dry for 24 hours, periodically firmly pressing magnet down.

B & C’s Beer & Cheese Soup

The first time I had the beer and cheese soup special at Earth Bread and Brewery, I was in love. Beer, cheese and bacon- Can it get any better than that? Then to my excitement, a week later, there it was on the menu at Appalachian Brewing Company. Both soups were different in taste, texture and ingredients, but equally delicious. After thoroughly analyzing Appalachian’s soup, I decided I had to learn how to make it. I reviewed a lot of recipes online, read the comments and suggestions, enlisted my good friend Brittany to help and here is what we came up with.

Picture the soup with bacon on top. Delicious! 

Ingredients:

¥   ½ Cup Onions, Finely Chopped

¥   1 Cup Bell Peppers, Finely Chopped

¥   1 Cup Mushrooms

¥   ¾ Cup Butter

¥   ½ Cup All-Purpose Four

¥   5 Cups Broth of Choice

¥   2 Cans Cheese Soup

¥   1 Bottle Beer

¥   8 oz Sharp Cheddar

¥   2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese

¥   Bacon

Directions:

1.         In pan, Sauté Vegetables

2.         Mix flour into vegetables

3.         Add vegetables to medium-large pot and add broth

4.         Bring to a boil

5.         Reduce heat of broth and vegetables to a simmer

6.         Add beer, cheese soup and cheddar cheese

7.         Simmer for 15-20 minutes

8.         Garnish with crumbled bacon

Recommended Beers:

¥   Appalachian Water Gap Wheat

¥   Victory Head Waters Pale Ale
¥   Yards Pale Ale

Additions & Substitutions:

¥   Potato

¥   Celery

¥   Carrots

¥   Other favorite cheeses

Storage: Freezes well

Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:

¥    2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour*

¥    1 Cup Quick Oats

¥    ½ (or more) Peanut Butter

¥    1 ¼ Cups Hot Water

Directions:

¥    Preheat oven to 350 degrees

¥    Mix dry ingredients together

¥    Mix in peanut butter and hot water

¥    Add more flour of dough is too sticky

¥    Knead dough well

¥    Roll out 1/4” thickness

¥    Cut with cookie cutter

¥    Optional egg wash- Brush biscuits with one whisked egg

¥    Bake on slightly greased cookie sheet for 40 minutes

¥    Turn off and leave in oven over night

*If you suspect or know your dog has a wheat allergy, use a wheat-free substitute.

Boxed Beer Brownies/ Cake

My signature dessert is as simple as replacing the water with beer in a boxed brownie or cake recipes. Simple and delicious.

Ingredients:

Boxed Brownies or Cake of Choice

Eggs

Oil

Beer of Choice

 

 

Directions:

Follow the directions on the box, but use a little less oil and a little more of chosen beer. The amount of beer depends on the amount of water called for in box directions. For example, if the recipe calls for ¼ cup of water, use ¼ cup of beer instead.  

Originally, I used Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale, which is still my favorite. It creates a textured brownie with a subtle spicy, pumpkin taste.

Recommended Combinations:

Fudge or Milk Chocolate Brownies

¥    Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale

¥    Brew Works Rude Elf

¥    Troegs Mad Elf
¥    Wells Banana Bread

Vanilla or Spiced Cake

¥    Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale

¥    Brew Works Rude Elf

¥    Troegs Mad Elf

¥    Wells Banana Bread

Dark Chocolate Brownies or Cake

¥    Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss

¥    Lindemans Framboise

¥    Lancaster Strawberry Wheat

¥    Manayunk Schuylkill Punch

 

Personalized Tile Coasters

Creating tile coasters is one of my favorite projects. It began with finally doing something with my beer label collection and evolved into using any cool pictures I had saved. I always cut and save pictures and quotes from magazines, calendars, advertisements, etc. and creating these tiles has been a wonderful and functional way to use these collections. They also make wonderful gifts. I made the beer label coasters for my hard-to-buy-for guy friends and used them in wine and craft beer raffle baskets for friends’ charity events.

I research many techniques online and here is what works best for me. Let me know how it works for you.

Materials:

Mod Podge or DIY Mod Podge

Acrylic Sealer *

Tiles**

Sponge Paint Brush

Scissors

Glue Stick

Photos or Pictures of Choice

Felt

Hot Glue Gun

* Sealers and tiles at Lowes or local hardware stores are significantly less expensive then at crafts stores. If shopping at craft stores, don’t forget your coupons.  

**Explore the tile section at Lowes or local hardware store and get what you like

Instructions:

I am a firm believer in art as a personal expression; therefore my instructions are not measurements and specifics but an inspiration for your creativity. If more exact directions are desired, see links at the end. 

1. Choose tile and clean with rubbing alcohol or vinegar. Let dry.
2. Choose picture, quote, photo, or label and cut to desired size and position on tile.  There doesn’t have to be an exact boarder, it really depends on the picture and how you would like it to look. You can also mix and match quotes and pictures, create a mosaic look, use glitter, etc.  
3. Use glue stick or very thin layer of Mod Podge (or DIY Mog Podge) to secure picture in place. Smooth out and let dry completely.  Too much glue will cause picture to bubble. If this happens, continue to smooth out or pierce bubble with a small pin and smooth out.
4. Once dry, brush a thin layer of Mod Podge over entire tile in one direction. Let dry at least 15 minutes but the longer the better. Repeat for 3 coats. Let dry completely between coats.
5. Spray 2-3 coats with acrylic sealer according to the sealer’s directions. This will create a waterproof seal.   
6. Secure felt to bottom. Cut felt slightly smaller then tile. Glue to back of tile using hot glue gun. This will prevent the coaster from sliding or scratching surfaces.
7. Enjoy!

Tips & Notes:

1. Photographs- Use Mod Podge for photos, the DIY version may contain material that will deteriorate photo over time.
2. Be patient. The longer the drying time between all coats the better.
3. Hot Glue- Act quickly. Glue and press felt on one side at a time otherwise, the glue will dry before the felt can adhere to it.
4. Glue Stick- Especially when gluing thinner paper to the tile initially, I find that it is easiest to work with a glue stick to prevent creasing and bubbling. Let it dry completely before applying the top layer of Mod Podge.
5. More Than a Coaster- These tiles do not have to be just coasters. They can be hung as wall art, made into a counter top, back splash, etc., candle holders, plant stands, glue them together to make one large coaster, add ribbon for wall art or signs, etc. The possibilities are endless. Check back for tutorials on these project extensions.
6. Imperfection is perfection. Love your art. :0)

Thank you Style Me Pretty for your tutorial that allowed me to put my own creativity into this project and share my art with others.

Coming Soon: Arts & Crafts Tutorials

Another blessing of The Hope Express along with Saint Valentine’s Day and a few recent charity events, was the opportunity to immerse myself in my art.  Thank you to everyone who posts tutorials. Your generosity in sharing your art helped me to add my own creativity to your directions and create beautiful works of art for the wonderful people in my life.  Because of this, I would like to share tutorials of my work for those who love to create and offer some items for sale for those who simply love a finished product. Check back as do my best to post tutorials, pictures and sale items. Here are a few pictures of what’s to come. Thank you for your support of my art and this Blog.  

Reversible Cape



 

Picture/Photo Bottle Cap Magnets



Beer Cap Magnets



Beer Lable/Picture/Photo Tile Coasters

Personal Message Magnets

Fabric Coasters

Tile Coasters

Upcycled Bottles

Repurposed T-Shirts (Bags & New Shirts)



The Hope Express- A Life Changing Display of Strength and Unconditional Love

The HOPE Express

Thank you seems so small for generosity that was so great.

Thank you runners for your inspiration- because of you my dreams are many and my heart is full again.

Thank you fellow moralers for your love and humor- because of you I laughed more then I ever thought I could again.

Thank you Four Diamonds families for your strength- I am now strong.

Thank you donors for your support- I know money is tight in all households, but you opened your heart to the kids and your wallets to me anyway. Because of your generosity, you are part of the $72, 000 Hope Express was able to contribute to the record-breaking $10.6 million THON raised FOR THE KIDS! Thank you!

All of you did it For the Kids and it is For the Kids that we will continue.

For the Glory (The Paterno Way). For the Run. For the Kids. We are… Penn State.

     

About The HOPE Express

"The Hope Express is a 135-mile run that was created with the intention of bridging the gap between the families on the 7th floor at the Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA and the Dancers at the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (aka THON). THON is a year round fundraising event benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund, Conquering Childhood Cancer. Over the past 34 years, the students of THON have raised more than $41 million and have helped thousands of children and families fight pediatric cancer.

The Hope Express will begin with a celebration for the families on Marathon Avenue, and will end at the Bryce Jordan Center to help kick off THON weekend.

The run will be completed by two teams of runners over a 24 hour period. This team will consist of THON alumni and Four Diamond families (past and present). Just as THON dancers participate in the no-sitting, no-sleeping, two day dance marathon held every February, enduring hours of fatigue, pain and delirium, the Hope Express runners will have to endure the cold, harsh, winter weather of a very cold night in February. Anyone involved in either activity understands that what they are going to endure does not compare to the harsh reality of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. Everyone involved knows that they are playing a small albeit essential role in one of Penn State’s greatest and most unifying traditions." - www.thehopeexpress.org



For more information on The HOPE Express, The Four Diamonds Fund, or the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (aka THON) visit these links.

THON- thon.org

The HOPE Express- thehopeexpress.org

The Four Diamonds Fund- pennstatehershey.org/web/fourdiamonds/home

Video: What is Hope Express?