There are tonnes of things you can cook in your waffle iron that don’t have to be waffles! If your waffle iron is dusty and forgotten, put it to good use by trying out these cool recipes! From bacon, to eggs, to cheeseburgers, almost anything goes in a waffle iron! Try out these fun ways you can put your waffle iron to work and it’ll never gather dust again!

1. Bacon

Who doesn’t love bacon?! Just throw the bacon onto the iron and the grease from the bacon will grease the iron. The waffle iron will make the bacon nice and crispy, just the way we all love it!

2. Brownies

If you’re living in a tiny apartment or dorm room and don’t have an oven, don’t fear! You can bake tasty brownies right in your waffle iron! Take a look at the super easy tutorial here.

3. Cheeseburgers

Make some waffle-shaped hamburger buns right in your waffle iron! This’ll be a big hit with the kids! Recipe here.

4. Pizza

We just couldn’t leave this one out! The key to making a great waffle iron pizza is cooking the dough in the iron first until it’s almost completely cooked. Pack on the toppings and leave the iron open and wait until the cheese melts. This recipe uses an oven to melt the cheese, but you can also use the mentioned method to melt it.

5. Doughnuts

Make breakfast easy by making your very own homemade doughnuts! You can also freeze the doughnuts so you’ll always have some on hand! Tutorial here.

6. Omelettes

Making omelettes in a waffle maker is great for those without a stove. Simply mix up your favorite recipe and pour it into the waffle iron. The result is a super tasty, light, and fluffy omelette! Recipe here.

7. French Toast

Another breakfast favorite, this waffle iron French toast is a piece of cake to put together – even on busy weekday mornings! Get the recipe here.

8. Hashbrowns

Making hashbrowns has never been easier! Whip up a batch of tasty hasbrowns for the kids in only 3 steps! Tutorial here.

9. Grilled Cheese

Also great for dorm room cooking, this waffle iron grilled cheese sandwich can be made in a snap! Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, it’ll quickly become a family favorite! Video tutorial here.

10. Macaroni and Cheese

You didn’t think it was possible, did you? If you’re stuck without an oven, making mac and cheese is no problem if you’ve got your trusty waffle iron around! Tutorial here.

Photos: Craftsy, Betty Crocker, The Gracious Pantry, Eat Cake for Dinner, Tablespoon, Eat Your Books, Will it Waffle, Listotic, Buzzfeed, One Good Thing by Jillee, Fifteen Spatulas.

If you’re looking for just the right thing to fill up your porch, living room, kid’s room, or basement, make this hammock! This hammock can really add a bit of fun to any space, and the kids will love it! It’s simple to put together and you don’t need to have pro building skills to make it! Take a look at the tutorial below and let’s get started!

Supply List:

1) 1 1/4″ x 3′ oak dowel (oak is a hard wood and is great for supporting heavy weights)

2) 3/8″ x 16′ braided polypropylene

3) 2 yards of plain canvas

4) 80mm stainless steel spring snap link (holds up to 220 lbs)

5) 3/16″ stainless steel quick link (holds up to 660 lbs)

6) black fabric paint

7) paint brush

8) drill and 3/8″ drill bit

9) sewing machine

10) iron and ironing board

11) shears

12) ruler

13) lighter

Step #1:

Fold the 2 yards of canvas in half. Lay the canvas flat with the fold on the left side. Measure 7″ in from the top right edge and make a mark. Using a ruler, draw a line from the top mark to the bottom right corner. Cut through both pieces and open your canvas.

Step #2:

Fold the top edge down 1/2″ and iron the edge until it’s flat. Fold it again 1/2″ and iron. Pin the bottom of the fold and stitch. Repeat this process with the long bottom edge.

Step #3:

Turn your canvas 90 degrees to the left, making sure that the longest edge is on the right side. You need to create pockets for the rope to slide through. Fold each corner 1 1/2″ in and iron until flat. Fold the top edge (that isn’t hemmed) in 1/2″ and iron.

Step #4:

Fold the canvas again 1 1/2″ and iron until flat.

Step #5:

Stitch 2 lines along the bottom folded edge. Make sure you reinforce your beginning and ending using back stitches. Repeat the same process with the other side.

Step #6:

Mark at 2″ and 4″ in from both ends of the dowel and drill through. Sand any rough edges and stain if needed.

Step #7:

Place the canvas on a protected surface and paint on your design on one side of the canvas. Allow it to dry, and paint the design onto the other side if you like.

Step #8:

Tie a knot at one end of the 16′ rope. Leave about a 3″ tail at the end. Use the lighter to melt the end to prevent fraying. Thread the rope through the outer hole of the dowel and up from the widest corner on the one side of your canvas to the narrow corner of the canvas. Tie another knot 3′ from the first knot. Thread it into the dowel. Continue threading it down into the hole, 4″ from the other edge. Measure about 3′ from the loose end and tie a knot. Thread the rope down through the other pocket and back through the last hole. Finish by tying another knot with a 3″ tail.

Step #9:

Find the center of the piece of rope that’s above the dowel and tie a knot. Make sure there is about 8″-10″ of room above the knot. Attach the spring link and then the quick link. Hang it onto a hook that you previously screwed into a ceiling beam. Make sure it is secure.

Step #10:

If needed, you can add a cushion to your hammock for extra comfort.

Photos: A Beautiful Mess.

Everyone loves a beautifully wrapped gift! Sometimes the way the gift is wrapped provides more excitement than the actual gift itself! If you’re not sure how to wrap a present, or just need to brush up on your gift-wrapping skills, this tutorial is for you!

Before you get started on wrapping your present, you’re going to need a few essential items. Scotch tape, a sharp pair of scissors, sturdy wrapping paper, ribbon, and a gift box are items that everyone needs when they’re wrapping their gifts. Sturdy wrapping paper is a must because the flimsy kind rips too easily, and your nicely wrapped presents can start looking scruffy fast. Gift boxes are another must-have item. A nicely wrapped box looks much better than a gift that’s oddly-shaped. It also makes it easier to wrap.

Step #1:

Start by measuring the paper to the correct size for your present. Lay the box down onto the paper and pull the paper up a little, more than halfway up on the end of the box. A simple way to measure is to lay down the box and roll it around on all four sides across the width of the paper. Always leave an overhang, at least 3/4″ -1 1/2″.

Step #2:

Once you’ve measured your paper and your gift, it’s time to cut the wrapping paper. Cut the wrapping paper all the way across the roll. If you’re scissors are sharp, you should be able to hold the scissors partway open and run them across the paper to get a clean line.

Step #3:

Trim off the ends. The ends will be folded in, but you don’t want them to be too long.

Step #4:

Place the package, top side down, so that the seam is on the bottom. Makes sure the box is centered and bring one side of the paper up.

Step #5:

Secure the paper with a piece of Scotch tape in the center.

Step #6:

Take the other side of the paper and fold the edge down. Crease it well. If you cut the paper unevenly, folding down the edge will fix it.

Step #7:

Fold the side of the paper to the center of the box and pull so that it’s taut.

Step #8:

Secure with tape.

Step #9:

Now it’s time to fold the ends. Make sure you hold the seam towards yourself and fold both ends toward the center. The top and bottom flaps will become triangular.

Step #10:

Fold and crease the flap ends so that they will lie flat and leave a clean edge.

Step #11:

Repeat the same process on the other side and secure with tape.

Step #12:

Decorate your gift with a ribbon and make a bow. Now stand back and admire your gorgeous gift! Good luck!

Photos: Design Mom.