• Welcome!

    So glad you dropped by! There is always something brewing here at the painted apron, cooking, painting, party planning, gift making, organizing, tablescaping...I hope you will spend a few minutes here and find some inspiration for your next creation.

Party Panache, Ritz Cracker Sandwiches

I have seen lots of recipes for Ritz Cracker Sandwiches floating around Pinterest and I wanted to give them a try They are delightful bites, and lighter than little sandwiches on buns like sliders You can make them in many different ways I used ham, salami, pepperoni and Manchego cheese with a butter Dijon sauce … Continue reading

Fearless Friday, Birthday Dishes

This week has gotten away from me, with watching the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, and Valentine’s Day… Valentine’s Day is my son’s birthday and we had quite a celebration which involved the delivery of a new truck! So being in the birthday mood right now, I am re-sharing cute birthday things that anyone can paint … Continue reading

Throwback Thursday, Pear, Bacon & Bleu Flatbread

This flatbread is topped with one of my favorite combos, bacon, bleu cheese & fresh pears Sweet, salty, cheesey! The flatbread also gets a big flavor boost from caramelized onions and roasted garlic The first step is to form the crust by stretching the pizza dough into a rectangle on a sheet pan, drizzle it … Continue reading

Bunny Hat Wreath

It’s time for the February edition of the Monthly Creative Craft Hop A big thank you to Sara of Birdz of a Feather for being our hostess! Welcome readers, friends and visitors from Decorate and More with Tip Didn’t you love her cute soap dish! I’ve been dreaming of Spring and today I’m sharing a … Continue reading

Home Decor, Spring Flower Vignettes

I’ve been thinking Spring this week and putting away my winter decor I’ve rounded up some Spring Flower Vignettes to inspire your decorating and mine too Chase the winter blues away with pink tulips and a touch of red for Valentine’s Day Pink Kisses When you begin to see daffodils, you know Spring is not far … Continue reading

Fearless Friday, Spring Fever

There is a lot of Spring Fever going around and I seem to have caught a case~ I rounded up a few Spring favorites to inspire your Spring painting and decor! When you see daffodils you know Spring is arriving! See the tutorial for this daffodil Spring Fever here You can’t help thinking about bunnies … Continue reading

Recipe Box, Mardi Gras King Cake

Fat Tuesday is the traditional name for the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of LentΒ in Christian churches It falls on February 13th this year Fat Tuesday is more commonly known as Mardi Gras, which is simply Fat Tuesday in French It is a day of feasting and partying King Cake is part of … Continue reading

Take-out Tuesday, Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

We have been in a Mexican mood around here lately, so here’s another Tex-Mex version of enchiladas I love to watch my son, “the Chef” get creative with our meals The other day he said “I’m going to make enchiladas with that leftover rotisserie chicken we have in the refrigerator” {his rotisserie chicken is swoonworthy} … Continue reading

Sunday Supper, Meatball Sub Casserole

There’s something wonderful about biting into a saucy Italian meatball submarine sandwich, but meatball sandwiches are pretty messy~ Instead of having marinara dripping down your chin or on your clothes, turn a meatball sandwich into a casserole! This casserole has all the elements of a meatball sandwich and eliminates the mess It is basically a … Continue reading

Fearless Friday, Valentine Hearts & Flowers

Nothing is more special than receiving a hand painted card or gift I’ve gathered some ideas to inspire you to make your own, with no artistic skills are required! Hearts are pretty basic, 2 strokes and they’re done! You can also make a heart with a series of long and short horizontal strokes Hearts don’t … Continue reading