Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Wall Tree


Live in a small apartment and don’t have room for a real Christmas tree? 
 Create your own modern style tree using lights and decorations tacked to any wall space.

So Cute Christmas cookies


Cute Snoopy Cookies and other great ideas
Cookie Cutter



Sugar Cookies 
6 cups all-purpose flour 
3 teaspoons baking powder  
1 teaspoon salt  
2 cups unsalted butter  
2 cups granulated sugar  
2 large eggs  
2 teaspoon vanilla extract  


Cream sugar and butter until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl and add to butter mixture. Mix well. Put a handful of the freshly made dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll to desired thickness. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Put the rolled dough, including the parchment paper, on a cookie sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes or longer. Your dough will be chilled and ready to cut and bake with now wait and no added flour! Repeat with scraps after cutting cookies. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 -10 minutes. Let cool.


Source: Fancys Flours

Royal Icing
3 tablespoons Meringue Powder
4 cups confectioners' sugar sifted 
6 tablespoons warm water
Beat all ingredients until icing forms a peak (7-10 minutes at low speed with a heavy-duty mixer, 10-12 minutes at high speed with a hand-held mixer). 


. 

Wall of cookies

At my house we have a tradition of decorating the tree with edibles
Now these are some of the most wonderful gingerbread cookies I have seen in a long time. 
Also would make part of a great cookie wall Christmas tree
You frame strings and ribbons along a wall in shape of a Christmas Tree .
Then tie cris cross strings and ribbons back and forth through frame.
Then hang your cookies and watch the fun.
Grandmama used to wrap each cookie in a colored cellophane  bag.
Merry Christmas


Gingerbread Recipe:
1 1/2 Cup Shortening
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 1/2 Cup Dark Molasses
(cream together)
12 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
4 Teaspoons Ground Ginger
4 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt
(sift and combine)
Chill dough one hour.
Prepare Royal  Icing Recipe (below)

Royal Icing Recipe:
6 Egg Whites - Room Temperature
1 1/2 Cream of Tartar
2 Lb Confectioners Sugar, Sifted
(combine in mixing bowl and mix on high 7-10min)
Store icing at room temperature in covered container.

As you pipe your lines, sprinkle sanding sugar over the wet icing.  I use a different paper plate under the cookie for each sprinkle color so I can funnel the excess sugar back into the container.
Have fun with the designs and try something new with each cookie.  Most of the cookies shown are outlined, but try filling in an entire cookie.  It will absolutely sparkle!  Store icing at room temperature in covered container.   
Let the cookies set overnight.  While still fragile, the icing will be hard and the sugar and candy pearls will be firmly set to the cookie.
If you are unsure about piping Royal Icing, these cookies are a great starting point.  The sanding sugar is very forgiving over unsteady lines.  

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Christmas Card recycle


Christmas Card Recycle Garland

A few weeks ago I mentioned in a post that I was going to do some projects with the Christmas Cards I’ve saved through the years. I first started with making a garland and its coming along nicely.
I used a simple circle punch and went through the cards, strategically punching circles from the cards to get phrases, art elements, graphics and even the signatures and handwriting from my friends and loved ones to make it extra special. From the many photos I had I punched out faces so I could keep those little treasures in time. I used a 1.5″ punch here but you could probably even use different sizes and string a pattern of sizes on the jute. I folded each circle in half and then glued them together back to back. I used 5 circles in each ornament, and strung it to the jute by closing up the final two sides around the jute – just tucking the string down to the center of where the circles meet and then sealing closed.
Christmas Card Recycle Garland | Freshly Hatched Studio
I’ve got plenty of cards so I will have more than enough stock to choose from and will have a garland of memories to string on the tree this year.
http://www.freshlyhatchedstudio.com/diy-projects/christmas-card-recycle-garland/

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Ribbon Tutorial


Change the colors and add a hair clip .
Post on a package.
Put a pin on the backside
String together on a ribbon.
Make a ribbon necklace.
No matter what you make of it this is a great simple and easy to follow tutorial
Found HERE
inspirationaltechniquesandtutorials.blogspot

Check out all her other great tutorials

Get ready for next year

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Christmas Clay Decorations Toy Soldier

These are very cute and found all over during the holidays in Arizona.
I do not know who created them but True Value hardware and every one has a copy of these darling door decorations.
The little ones are cute but the large ones about 6 feet tall are spectacular.
They used 16 inch pots to create them.
Some were even decorated with real buttons and thrift found hats.Painted eyes
The plans are created to James Carey and Morris Carey

Your Checklist of materials
5 five-inch flower pots
3 cans of spray paint (red, black and blue)
Blue painters tape
Masking paper
2 wood tongue depressors (Alternative: Paint stir sticks)
Masonry adhesive, hot glue gun or Velcro connections
Gold ribbon
Sticky-back felt
Regular felt
Brass ring
Gold-colored plastic “cabochons” (or regular buttons)
Gold-colored beads and gold sequin (Alternative: Gold-colored braid or rope)
Plastic eyes
Pipe cleaner (black or red)
Red-colored yarn tassel
 
Instructions
Creating a Toy Soldier from Clay Pots

by James Carey and Morris Carey

Add to your holiday decor with a handmade 18-inch tall “toy soldier” made from flower pots, spray paint, a few pieces of felt, ribbon and a few odds and ends.
This fun decoration is a great family project and adds a festive touch every year, especially if there are youngsters around to share the experience.
You will need five 5-inch flower pots and three cans of spray paint - red, black and blue. The rest is, in large part, up to you.
Our toy soldier can easily be converted to an angel, Santa, an elf or whatever else suits your fancy.
First, the clay pots should be spray painted. Two pots are painted blue, one black, one red and one is left unpainted.
Next, add a black stripe to the rim of the unpainted pot and to one of the blue pots. Use blue painters tape and masking paper to prevent paint from getting onto any surface other than the rim. Two wood tongue depressors should be spray painted red andset aside for use later. If tongue depressors aren't available, trimmed paint stir sticks will do the trick.
Permanent assembly can be achieved by using a masonry adhesive or a hot glue gun. However, if storage is a consideration, use Velcro connections instead. This will allow partial disassembly and the placing of some of the pots inside one another.
Assembly begins by placing the blue pot with the black rim, rim-side down, on the work surface. Next, connect the bases of the two blue pots, making sure to align them. You've now created black shoes and blue trousers. Next, attach the rim of the red pot to the rim of the blue pot. Then, connect the base of the unpainted pot to the base of the red pot. Finally, add the black pot to the top, rim down.
The next step is to add red stripes to the trousers, a white stripe and a black collar to the shirt, a black belt where the trousers and shirt meet, and a gold hatband to the hat.
We used gold ribbon for the hat band, sticky-back felt for the trouser and shirt stripes and regular felt for the collar and belt.
A simple brass ring was used for a belt buckle and, although regular buttons can be used, we used a package of gold-colored plastic "cabochons." The absence of a stitching protrusion on the back made them easy to attach with a hot glue gun.
Twenty or so small, gold-colored beads strung together with a gold sequin at each end can be used for the hat decoration.
Gold-colored braid or rope is an alternative.
The arms are made from the tongue depressors (paint sticks) that were painted red earlier in the project.
Now, it's time to add white gloves. Each consists of a pair of opposing pieces made from sticky-back felt. Red cuffs can be
added in the same manner. A sequin is used at each cuff for a button. And a short piece of gold ribbon is wrapped around the
top of the arm to simulate an epaulet. Now attach the arms to the body. The face can be painted. In our case, because we're not
artistic, we used plastic eyes and a felt mouth. A short piece of black or red pipe cleaner rolled into a ball can be used for the nose.
Finally, a store-bought red-colored yarn tassel should be added to the top of the hat. Or you can purchase the yarn and make your own tassel.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Snowman Soup

Snowman Soup Craft


1 package hot chocolate mix
3 Hershey Kisses
10 mini-marshmallows
1 candy cane

Place ingredients in a ziplock bag, mug, or jar and attatch a label.
You can print it onto a avery sticker sheet, or punch a hole in the
corner and tie it on with some pretty ribbon. The possibilites are endless! :)
-------------------------------------------------
Warm the hearts of good little boys and girls with a packet of Snowman Soup!

Easy enough for children to make, Snowman Soup is perfect for stocking stuffers, office gifts, Secret Santa presents or 12 Days of Christmas gifts.

Snowman Soup Recipe:
Printable Snowman Soup Bag Topper Assemble in a gift bag, gift mug or small zipper food storage bag:

•1 individual packet hot chocolate mix
•2-3 chocolate kiss candies
•10-15 mini-marshmallows
•small candy cane

Attach free printable Snowman Soup Gift Tag or Snowman Soup Bag Topper and share a warming gift!

Or, hand-write this poem and attach to gift:

Snowman Soup

Was told you've been real good this year.
Always glad to hear it!
With freezing weather drawing near,
You'll need to warm the spirit.

--------------------------------------------------


Snowman Soup

"Was told you've been real good this year.
Always glad to hear it! With freezing weather drawing near,
you'll need to warm the spirit. So, here's a little Snowman Soup,
complete with stirring stick. Add hot water and sip it slow, it's sure to do the trick"

Add a message on the back of the card for directions:
Mix 3 heaping tablespoons with hot water and enjoy !
If you use enough for 2 then add a message noting there is enough for 2 mugs of soup to enjoy or share with a friend.
This was an easy and inexpensive treat for craft shows, small gifts, etc. Hope you enjoy !!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Snowman Soup for Gifts
Snowman Soup Recipe I
I have seen several varieties of Snowman soup on the internet.
I buy my mugs at the dollar store ($1 each). Wash them well.
I got approximately. 12 gifts out of this recipe.
4 cups powdered coffee creamer
1 cup cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
12 oz milk chocolate chips
6 oz semisweet chocolate chips
2 Tbsp.. vanilla powder (optional)
Miniature marshmallows

Candy canes (wrapped) or cinnamon sticks.
Mix all ingredients well. Place 3 heaping tablespoons per
serving in a small plastic bag (I used enough for 2 servings)
and close with a twist tie. Place candy cane or cinnamon stick in mug.
Place plastic bag in bottom of mug then place a paper cupcake liner on top of bag.
Fill with approx. 15 mini marshmallows. Place filled mug into a small plastic
bag or wrap with plastic wrap and tie at top (I found a mug fits well into a Glad
sandwich bag if you line the handle up with the corner side).
Decorate with curly ribbon, etc. Attach following on a card:


Snowman Soup
"Was told you've been real good this year.
Always glad to hear it! With freezing weather drawing near,
you'll need to warm the spirit. So, here's a little Snowman Soup,

complete with stirring stick. Add hot water and sip it slow, it's sure to do the trick"
Add a message on the back of the card for directions:
Mix 3 heaping tablespoons with hot water and enjoy !
If you use enough for 2 then add a message noting there
is enough for 2 mugs of soup to enjoy or share with a friend.
This was an easy and inexpensive treat for craft shows, small gifts, etc. Hope you enjoy !!
By Hvnlyhills from Peebles, OH

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Snowman Soup II

This comes from somewhere, it was sent to me. If its yours, let me know and I'll put your name in here!

1 package Hot Chocolate Mix
3 Hershey Kisses or Hugs
10 miniature marshmallows
1 Peppermint Candy Cane

Place all of the above into a new mug, then cover or wrap with cellophane, decorate and attach the following poem...

"Was told you've been real good this year, Always glad to hear it
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the Spirit


So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with a stirring stick
Add hot water, sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick!"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygxvN3nex2M

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Saturday, June 12, 2010

Christmas in June

Well it's not Christmas but these little fairy  ornaments are so cute I thought I would share.
These were sent to me years ago.
Materials needed:


Aleene's® Platinum BondTM Glass & Bead Slick Surfaces Adhesive
Miscellaneous
Acrylic paint: pink, red and black
Bead, large round red
Brush, small
Chenille stem
Christmas ball ornament, 1” and 3”
Cup or bowl, shallow
Micro beads, silver
Needle and thread
Plastic bead, large green flower shape
Seed beads
Silk flower, large white daisy
Silk ivy, small


Instructions
For best results, please read all instructions before beginning project. Refer to photo for color and design placement.
1. Remove hangers from ornaments.
2. Paint a circle of pink acrylic paint on the small ball and let dry. Mix a small amount of red into the pink to make cheek color and add to face.
3. Add a red mouth and black eyes.
4. Pour micro beads into shallow cup.
5. Squeeze a small dot of adhesive onto large ball and dip into micro beads. As the beads adhere to the glue, press with finger to flatten and re-dip to fill in. Repeat this process one dot at a time, covering the bottom half of the ball with dots. Let dry.
6. Add a hanger with the chenille stem by making a loop and gluing across top and around neck of ornament. Glue in place and let dry.
7. Pull apart the daisy and discard any plastic parts. Use two layers of the largest daisy petals and cut a hole large enough to fit over the neck of the ornament. Glue into place. Let dry. Glue ivy leaves under petals.
8. Use the small petals from the center of the flower to make hair, turning one upside down on top of head, and then two right side up. Hold in place until glue is set. Add green flower bead and red round bead to the center of the top petals. Let dry.
9. Glue head in place and let dry.
10. String seed beads onto thread about 1-1/2” and wrap around neck and glue in place.
 
This year I think I will try the chiffon flowers to make a more delicate look.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Not Chirstmas Already ?

Now I know we are a few months away from the Christmas holiday .
But these are such  lovely things to look at.
A detailed picture tutorial with a few others is found  HERE
Wonderful paper photos and ideas