EMILY's Cranberry Salad

EMILY's Cranberry Salad
 (Judy Brown original family member submitter)

1 large raspberry jello
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 small can crushed pineapple - drained

1 can whole cranberry sauce
1/2 cup water
1 cup nuts
Mix together (Jello and boiling water first until dissolved)refrigerate until firm

Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
8 oz sour cream
mix and spread on top of jello mixture when set.

Christmas Craft Day Lesson Learned

Christmas Craft Day Lesson Learned and Details

It was so fun! I had a bunch of friends over and we crafted like crazy elves. First on the list "Christmas Cookie Jars".

Lesson 1: I assumed too much. I assumed we would have time to create labels (I didn't finish them), I assumed a quart jar is a quart jar, and I assumed it would be easy.  Nope to all. The Kerr Jars did not hold the ingredients so a couple of gals have a ready bag of mix for cookies at the next exchange:).  I created labels the next day and mailed them all to my peeps. It was a bit challenging to figure out how to do it well. We decided (by we I mean my smart friends I was not part of the solution). to set it up in stations with measuring cups in front of every layered item.  We did a lot of pressing and forcing the layers tight to get it all in. The inspiration site (Bakerella.com) warned it would be like that but the Kerr Jars just didn't allow the ingredients.

Making labels the next day. 

They look fantastic

I made a bunch:)

Next time

• print instructions and labels in advance  with a station for adhesive to apply
• Use individual measuring tools for every ingredient
• Use a canning funnel 
• Prep the space in advance of the gathering so your buds can get right to work
• Walmart sells smooth quart jars by the case for $6.00 best price I found, and ready for craft fabulous. The .50 jar made the total cost of materials very low.

Lesson 2: Pearls and leather are not made for each other. The Pearl holes are way too small.  So I purchased 2 separate pearl reamers and after more time than sense still toooo small. So I pulled out the dremel, used a bit that matched the diameter of the leather and filled a small bowl with water.
It works like this:
       step 1: wrap the pearl where it pinches in pliers with makeup sponge cut to fit to protect it
       step 2: Start the dremel and get comfortable with the weight and gyration and slowly bring the bit to the  
                  current peal hole and start a slow and gentle drilling. (If I pushed too hard when I finished the
                  hole the dremel would drop forward and scratch the top of the pearl with the top of the bit holder          
                  thingy.
        step 3: often pull back and dip the bit ONLY in the water to coll down the tip. The pearls smell bad and
                   get hot. So it is important to coll the bit often to avoid a black burn on the inside of the pearl.
        step 4: don't touch pearl after drilling, they are HOT.
        Note: I read Pearl dust is toxic so wear eye protection and something for you mouth.

The leather and pearl jewelry turned out so pretty but I forgot to take pictures. Good excuse to make more.

Lesson 3: Scarfs and ear warmer are easiest with lots of material and the best ear warmers turned out to be the ones we used the purchased black band and embellished. The favorite pattern for the scarfs was the circle ruffle one.

hard to photograph with the cell phone:)

Lots of flowers and ruffles added for my nieces. The gray is pretty similar to the inspiration piece here:   http://www.craftstylish.com/item/41268/how-to-make-a-cozy-spiral-scarf Hands down the best tutorial for how to do this!

Making the pattern with wrapping paper and a pizza pan. Improvise!

Added Stuff for Craft day

Added Stuff for Craft day

Drink Jar Recipes from: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/classic-cocoa-10000001011198/

So cute! I will have all the tags precut for ease:)

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup powdered milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips

1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

Preparation

Layer sugar, cocoa powder, powdered milk, salt, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.

Ingredients

1 cup powdered milk

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup granulated sugar $

1/2 teaspoon salt $

1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips $

1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy

Preparation

Layer powdered milk, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, chocolate chips, and peppermint candy.

Note: This mix will fill a 1-quart jar (12 servings), but if your containers are different sizes, just keep the ratio of ingredients constant. On the back of the tag, write: "Mix contents in a large bowl. For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water. Store remaining mix in airtight container."

Also I grabbed some cute resin flowers from Pickyourplum.com
I will have a few options if you want to make a few jewelry pieces. .79cents for the flower. SCORE!

DIY Popcorn Gift Set

Popcorn Gift Set
Simple and sweet, salty or savory...

This gift arrangement is based on a small box designed to serve popcorn from. inside the box we can add:

• microwave popcorn bag
• custom seasoning
• DVD
• Movie Gift Card
• Jump Drive with home videos

The idea occurred to me when I purchased an expensive sea salt and vinegar popcorn flavor seasoning at the store.

Seasoning Recipes:

Salt and Lime
1/2 cup salt
4 - 6 packets true lime


Chocolate Lovers
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Cheddar Bacon
1/2 cup Powdered Cheddar Flavor
1 Tablespoon Bacon flavor

White Cheddar
1/2 cup Powdered White Cheddar flavor

Ranch
2 tablespoons White Cheddar Flavor
3 tablespoons Powedered Ranch Dressing Mix

Waffle Iron Possibilities

The waffle Iron (My best weapon)

I can’t help but notice all the waffle iron like products available now.  You can get one for cupcakes or donuts, or convert to Panini.  All told it would be a lot of money and storage space to house the many varieties. But the display in Macy’s got me thinking, and then googling and the ideas started flowing.

Idea number 1:

It all started with a blog detailing a “cupcake waffle” http://the-wilson-world.blogspot.com/2011/07/cupcake-waffles.html

Splendid! Cake mix and simple scream “Try this Jenny”. So I did. It was awesome and I told my friends on facebook.

Idea number 2:

Then I got to thinkin… Yep it hurt! Muffin mix is a lot like cake mix and dirt cheap. So I tried strawberry and it worked so well I told my friends on facebook. My friends K & M (yep initials, for the record this how we refer to each other in text messages) hit the idea and made a number of flavors. It is tested and certified for success.

Idea number 3:

Yesterday I got a text from my bud H and her hubby and boys took it to the next level.  Imagine a drum roll because this deserves it.   Grands Cinnamon Rolls in the can. Genius, Brilliant, wonderful.  Her boys added syrup or glaze to the finished masterpiece and they looked so delicious.

I will update this Waffle  Iron idea list with all tested and wonderful creations.

Burnout shirt mishap and refashion to the rescue

Burnout shirt mishap and refashion to the rescue

I created a bunch of burnout shirts for a local gymnastics team support crew. I ordered Bella Burnout shirts and applied a rhinestone design (I created with the Silhouette) and some iron on logo stencils.

How the mishaps? Before I got my act together I tried to use Martha Stewart everything paints instead of the glitter vinyl stencil.  That did not work. In fact I used her silver foil, glitter transfer sheets and adhesive as well and none worked for me.

Long story short a few shirts had problems.  Enter the refashion.

1. I used the reverse applique technique detailed at Sweet Verbena.   



Mostly gone errors:)

2. Simple oval to remove stuck together paint from the right top of the shirt.  
3. I clipped the hem off a bad shirt and applied a 2 layer ruffle and added flowers made from the standard stacked circles and cross sewing on the machine. Using some circles cut from the rhinestone letters incorporates my pink color scheme I am using on the sugar skull. Bingo no more ugly mess.    
4. I found a beautiful sugar skull image online at some point. I wish I could credit the designer but I clipped it for a tattoo idea and didn’t capture the artist name.  I loaded it in my silhouette cut line tool and went about meticulously creating an iron-on and weeding out the relief.  



Bad photo I will try again with some help

5.   Ironed onto the bottom side and my refashion took 30 minutes and now I have a fun shirt.

Christmas Craft Day Lineup

I am having a Christmas Craft Day. I have planned out a bunch of gift ideas and invited all my friends.  The goal is quickly and inexpensively while having fun make lots of gifts affordable and quick. Each of these ideas are based on things I have seen or have patterns for. I made printable labels, tally cards, and signs to make it easy.  The SilhouetteSD will be working overtime for this day.

Pick your gifts or propose new ones and then…

1. I will purchase, organize and prepare everything for that gift assembly on gift day.  I assume everyone will help each other with each series of gifts if people need a hand. On Christmas craft day **BAM** it is all ready and the group will bust out the presents they wanted in no time flat. 
2. Let’s leverage our coupons and sales.  If we can agree on supplies and fabric etc. we can buy it with the best bang for our buck. I may enlist some help hitting the stores:)
3. Propose changes or offer other gift ideas.  These are just mine, what did you need/want to make this year?
4. Set the date. I propose 2:00pm till done on November 26^{th (I am guessing about 4 hours)}.

5.       Bring a laundry basket or 2 on craft day to house and carry this serious haul.

6.  Invite anyone else you want. If it gets big I can arrange to use our church. Otherwise I will host it at my house in Littleton.  I will provide lots of snacks and drinks to keep our energy up.

I created some tags, cards, labels etc. You can use them or create new ones. A link to the pdf I made for each is in the boxes below.

Gift Idea Line-Up
Note Click on the title to advance to the proposed supplies and cost breakdowns.

Lemonade Stand in-a-box Click to link to gift idea contents and supplies. Total cost of gift $7.00 (depending on how many ingredients). Lemonade Stand box kit for kids: Idea is to package them in a clear top bakery box with ribbon and label. Click here to download the .pdf with labels, tally sheet, strategies, sign, etc. Ice tray $1.99 Wash cloth $ .39 Whisk $.99 Lemonade stand sign: On plastic vinyl with black letters 17x12. Rolled up with a yellow ribbon. Drink Mix any brand Cups (25) 6 oz. size Labels, lemon images, etc. Copyright of Mixedupcraftingblog	Cookie Jars (I will have labels and fabric unless you want a special idea) M&M Christmas Gingerbread Sugar Hot drinks The list goes on $3.50 each unless I get a good deal on jars:) Bakerella.com idea Done with a Christmas or snowy theme FYI: gingerbread Jar recipe we can add a cookie cutter Note from my bud Stacey for Jar success: Lessons learned about cookie jar craft... A funnel helps a lot, also when making jars having a cake pan catch all the crumbs makes for easy & fast clean up.
Christmas Card Holder $5.99 at Ikea and $1.50 for sign filled with hand-made thank you cards. The sign for above is optional it can fit with the thank you card design we use. Merry Sign NOEL sign	Cabinet Measuring Spoons Ikea and the dollar store have supplies.  $5.00 I plan to make a set for myselfJ Inspired by http://www.curbly.com/craftmel/posts/11130-cupboard-organization-hanging-measurers
Cinch and Ruffle Cinch bags $3.00 Inspired by: LittleBirdieSecretsblog  as a copy of a ThirtyOne bag. Note: I will cut any iron on design desired with my silhouette so don’t assume it has to be ruffled or with a skull. These are just the designs I am doing.	Hats, Scarf, and Ear-Warmers scarf $2.00, earwarmer $2.00 Flannel and felt are very inexpensive and I will also use a coupon. Inspired by a bunch of places: momtastic.com, instructables.com, prudentbaby.com, fleecefun.com Note: The options are endless for this series I will have templates, ideas, etc. printed for this station so you can go crazy or stick to a plan. If you want special designs cut for iron on get them to me in time to have)
Leather and Pearl Jewelry Inspired by: LoveMaegan.com Real freshwater pearls and leather and supplies $2.00  with real bleached fresh water pearls and leather cord. I created a sample to be sure it all worked nicely. Card to attach for gift giving  Based on the steps Maegan outlined this is very fast and super beautiful. I made some cards to hang them on for gift giving