Fun Food Facts A-Z is a little different this week! When trying to think of food that started with the letter D all I could think of was donuts, duck and dragon fruit. While all those foods are great, none of them inspired me to want to write a post.

So what to do..........Decoupage starts with the letter D! Oh but, it is not a food :( Well if you are like me then you know when inspiration strikes you have to go with it! So for this week Fun Food Facts A-Z has been temporally changed to, Fun Craft Facts A-Z! I will share some fun tips, instructions and some decoupage projects that will make you want to try it yourself this weekend!

1. So what does decoupage mean?

•  The technique of decorating a surface with cutouts, as of paper.
•  A creation produced by this technique.                  

                    ( Definition from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/decorating)    

2. Don't have a surplus of pretty card stock paper lying around?!?!?!?! You can use almost anything to decoupage! Try cutting pictures out of magazines, old books, old cards, wrapping paper or dried flowers! You can even print out a free image from Google!

3. It can get very messy! Protect the surface you are working on and keep a damp cloth nearby!

4. If you are going to print a photo to decoupage, DON'T use an inkjet printer. The ink will smudge when you apply your glue. :(

5. When using white glue try adding equal parts water and glue. It will help the glue spread easier and more evenly.

6.  I love modge podge! The best thing about using modge podge for your decoupage projects, is that it comes in different finishes! Oh and I've recently been seeing small bottles of modge podge in my local dollar stores!

7. Decoupaging can be the easiest way to upcycle something! You can use almost any medium you can think of! My last decoupage upcycle project was my, canvas makeover! It turned out so well for trying decoupage for the first time.

8. Patients are the key to decoupaging. Allowing each coat to dry completely before starting the next, results in better looking projects.

9. How to decoupage:

•  Decide what your medium is going to be. It can be anything; wood, furniture, glass, canvas, etc.
• Grab up all your supplies; glue or modge podge, your cutouts or photos, your medium paint brush, something to smooth on your cutouts (I like to use Popsicle sticks) and a damp cloth.
• Before you start gluing place your cutouts where you want them to go. Measure or sketch your idea out on the medium. Make sure everything lines up just they way you want it. It does not work well if you try to peel something off!
• Coat your medium and back of cutouts. Place there where you want them and smooth down your cutouts.
• Once all the cutouts are in place, coat the whole project. Allow to completely dry.
• Coat again until desired look, allowing it to dry between coats.

10. These decoupage project below are amazing! Which one is your favorite? They are all my favorite!!

        

1. DIY Fabric Covered Spoons|Alice & Lois

2 DIY Decoupage Dr. Seuss Read Sign for Children's Book Nook|Money Saving Sisters

3. Spring Mason Jars|Dwelling Happiness

4. Styrofoam Apples Decoupage with Fabric for Rosh Ha Shanna|Creative Jewish Mother

5. $5 Thrifty French Paper Decoupage Table Makeover|Artsy Chicks Rule

Do you have any awesome decoupage projects? If so I wanna hear about them!

Did you miss letters A-C? Don't worry I got ya covered.....just click below!

Fun Food Facts A-Z| A is for.....Artichoke

Fun Food Facts A-Z| B is for....Broccoli 

Fun Food Facts A-Z| C is for ....Cantaloupe

Fun Food Facts A-Z | C is for Cantaloupe + Recipe

Welcome to another Fun Food Facts A-Z! This week's letter is C! C is for...Cantaloupe! 

I have to admit I don't really like cantaloupe.  The only way that I do like cantaloupe is cantaloupe ice cream! My Grammy would make it every summer! Cantaloupe ice cream has a refreshing taste that is perfect for summer. With summer on my brain I can't stop thinking about all the summer food's I love. I will have to give my Grammy's cantaloupe ice cream recipe a try this summer! Be sure to pin the recipe so that you too can make this awesome ice cream! Now on to the fun facts!




Fun Food Facts:

• Cantaloupe was first grown in the Nile River Valley of Egypt.
• In the US sometimes Cantaloupe can be called muskmelon.
• Cantaloupe peaks in the summer.
• Cantaloupe does not ripen after you cut it off the vine.
• Store Cantaloupe at room temperature for no more then four days.
• Cantaloupes are related to cucumbers.
• Cantaloupes are packed with vitamins A & C.
• When shopping for Cantaloupe it is best to choice the one with the sweetest smell.

Next week's letter is D....what fun food starting with D would you like to learn about?

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups small diced Cantaloupe

2 1/4 cups Milk

1/2 cup Sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

Pinch of Salt

Direction:

1. Dice Cantaloupe and keep the juices.
2. Mix milk, sugar, vanilla and salt, until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Now add your cantaloupe with the juices to your milk and sugar mixture.
4. Put the mixture in the Fridge for 1 hour.
5. Pour your chilled mixture into a 2 qt. ice cream makers and let mix for 15 minutes.

Fun Food Facts A-Z | B is for...Broccoli

 I love to learn! I especially love learning about food. Last week I was exploring around the internet and learned some pretty cool things about artichokes and decided to share in a blog post. (Missed that post don't worry just click here!) Since I love learning and blogging I am going to combine the two each week. Fun Food Facts A-Z will highlight a fruit or vegetable each week. You will learn new fun facts and maybe even a recipe. 
Welcome to Fun Food Facts A-Z!
This week's letter: B..... is for Broccoli

Fun Facts:

• Broccoli as been eaten since the 6th century.
• The average American eats 4 lbs of Broccoli a year.
• Broccoli means "branch" or "arm".
• California produces 90% of the US Broccoli.
• Thomas Jefferson loved Broccoli! He used seeds from Italy to plant in Monticello. 
• Broccoli is high in vitamin A and Fiber.
• Fresh Broccoli will have dark green heads. 
• Try to stay away from stalks that bend or feel rubbery.

My family and I eat broccoli all the time! I always have it in my crisper or on my grocery list. Here is a quick and easy recipe that everyone will love.

Ingredients:

3 medium size Broccoli heads

1 tbsp of chopped Garlic

1 teaspoon of Lemon Pepper

2 tbsp Olive Oil

Dash of Salt

Direction:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Rinse the broccoli and cut into florets.
3. Add your broccoli and all the ingredients to a plastic bag and give it a few good shakes.
4. On a lined baking pan spread out the broccoli and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the broccoli is crisp.

Fun Facts about Artichokes

• Artichokes date back to 7 AD
• Italy is the largest producer of Artichokes.
• Artichokes are actually a flower bud.
• In 1948 Marilyn Monroe was crowned Castroville's artichoke queen.
• If you squeeze a fresh artichoke it will squeak.
• Artichokes should never be cooked in an aluminium pan. They will turn the pan grey.
• Artichokes can be made into an herbal tea. Artichoke herbal tea is popular in Vietnam. 

Have you ever cooked with a fresh artichoke?  Know any tips or tricks?

Oh and I need a little bit of your help, if you please.....Stop on over to Always Savory Facebook and like the page!