Unforgetable Pancakes

These are the coolest pancakes you'll ever see!  They are perfect for jazzing up a special breakfast or just to put a smile on someone's face.  I recommend practicing before you show off your new talent.  Not because you can't do it but so that you'll be more confident because you KNOW you CAN.  With confidence comes creativity because you'll be relaxed enough to let the magic flow! 

I promise they are easy to do.  Just follow my directions with the following supplies: non-stick pan, cooking spray, pancake batter (add a teaspoon of vanilla to make them yummy), wisk, spatula, and child's medicine dropper (a turkey baster may be better, I just don't have one).  You'll also see later that I added a large spoon to help scoop the batter.

Helpful tip: Let the wisk hold the medicine dropper so it doesn't fall in.  Of course you could always just get a plate or paper towel to set it on as well.

FYI: For some reason several of the pictures I uploaded flipped themselves 180 degrees or just sideways.  They are on MY NAUGHTY LIST!



Pancake: Christmas Style!

Christmas Tree:

1) Use the dropper to begin with a star, dot ornaments, and tree trunk. 

2) Fill in with batter.  If you use wiggly lines it will create more of a branch/needle texture.

3) Merry Christmas to all and to all a hearty breakfast!

Holly:

1) Begin by dropping the centers of the holly leaves, then berries, and finally outline the leaves.  (Think about letters "M" and "W" stretched out for the outlines of the leaves.)

 

2) Fill in the leaves carefully.  If you go outside the lines and freak out then just make a regular circle pancake.  When you flip it over it will have beautiful holly inside of it!

3) Ohhh...this makes me think that I should have tried mistletoe too!

Pancake: Flower

1) I know it looks abstract but it will be worth it in the end:  Use the dropper to create lines for the center of the petals, dots for the center, and a few leaves. 

2) Outline the center and flower petals.

3) Fill in the petals.

3) See, I told you it was going to be worth it!!

Pancake: Special Someone's Name

1) Use dropper to write you loved one's name BACKWARDS.  Why backwards?  Because you're going to flip it over.  What you put down first becomes the front and when it is in the pan it is upside-down.  Just trust me.  If you do it wrong, you'll figure out what happened.  You could also add dots or hearts at this stage.

2) Cover with batter.

3) Flip, cook, and pat yourself on the back- YOU DID IT!!

Pancake: Valentine's Day

Or, as my husband says, "Every day is Valentine's Day".  It gets him off the hook (kinda) from falling into the hype, commercialism, and HIGH prices of gifts of February 14th.

Heart #1:

1) Start out by making a simple heart outline.

2) Fill the heart in.

3) Add "lace" wiggles around the edge.

3) Awww..true love.  (Why the heck did all the others turn right side up but this one flipped over?  Ahhhhhh!  Great, now look at the ones below- Deep, cleansing breaths as I deal with technology!)

Special Message: A cute way to propose, no??

1) Write your special message.  Keep in mind unless what you have to write is symmetrical (same on both sides) you'll need to write it BACKWARDS.  Why?  Because you flip it over and it makes it correct.  Don't worry, you'll figure it out if you do it wrong but I think you'll be fine!

2) Cover so the letters/words are connected.

3) Awww....thanks I love you too!  I'd just love you more if you wouldn't keep flipping my photos around!!

Heart #2

1) Use the dropper to create and inner and outer heart with squiggles inbetween.

2) Fill in the empty spaces.

3) So pretty (but still upside down- at least when you do it you can just turn the plate!)

Pancake: Halloween Pumpkin

1) Use the dropper to make the pumpkin's eyes, nose, mouth, and stem.

2) Fill in the pumpkin shape.

3) SPOOOOOK-TACULAR!



Pancake: Tiara/Crown

3) Use the dropper to make jems, jewels, and hearts.

2) Fill in the cracks with batter.

3) Flip, cook, and enjoy!



Pancake: Elmo

1) Use the dropper to begin with Elmo's eyes and mouth because they are the darkest.

2) Add the nose and eyes.

3) When you pour the batter over shake your and a bit so it makes a wiggly/furry look.



Pancake: Butterfly

1) Use the dropper to make a head, thorax, abdomen, and wing designs.

2) Draw wing outlines.

3) Fill in the wings.



4) Flip, cook, and enjoy!

This was actually the first one I made today so I think the pan was still a little cool.

Oh well, live and learn, right?

Pancake: Ladybug

 1) Create the ladybug's head, wing division, and spots.

 2) Fill in the wings.

3) You can add a whipped cream leaf, if you'd like!



Pancake: Smiley Face

First of all, I have NO idea why these photos flipped over.  They are fine in the folder I have them saved in.  *sigh* 

1) Use the dropper to make eyes and a mouth.

 2) Pour a circle over the eyes and mouth.  Flip as usual!

3) Say "Syrup!"

"Squishy" Marble Magnets

Grab some great friends, equally great wine bottle selection, the supplies listed below, and get started on the first "Art for Grown Ups" project!

 Supplies you'll need:

~ Scissors strong enough to cut magnet tape

~ CLEAR craft glue

~ Magnet tape (Can be purchased in a roll.  However, you'll want to cut it into 10" strips and place on your refrigerator (or other magnetic surface) for a few days so it can flatten out.)
~ Squishy marbles are flat on ONE side.  (I just call them "squishy" because they look like they were squished and one side became flat.)  These are usually in the floral department of an art supply store.
~ Old magazines, calendars, wrapping paper, or cards.

"Squishy marbles MAGNIFY what is underneath them."

When your supplies are collected follow the steps below:

1) Place a small dot of glue on the flat side of the squishy marble.

2) Press the squishy marble onto the section of magazine you'd like.

3) Flip the marble/magazine over so the water can evaporate out of the glue.

4) Cut the magnet tape up into pieces that are slightly longer than your squishy marbles.

5) When the magazine is dry cut the squishy marbles apart.

6) Cut around each squishy marble. 

Touch the edge of the scissors to the glass and cut, it will lead you around.

7) Magnet assembly line: Get you marbles and magnet pieces ready!

8) Peel the paper off of the sticky magnet.

9) PRESS the magnet and marble together.

10) Extra magnet will be visible- it is a good thing, don't worry!

11) Snip the visible magent corners off with scissors.

12) Take all of your magnetic corners and throw them away or think of a smart way to recycle them (and let me know).

13) Arrange on any magnetic surface!  My hubby and I used to have a heart like this when we were first married, before the kids.  I took it off because I was afraid if I slammed the freezer I'd have lots of choking hazards all over the place!  Someday soon I hope the squishy marble magnet heart will reappear!!