The Christmas Craft and Gift Summary:
As I finally finish the many handmade gifts (which is taking a considerable amount of time) I am going to post the ready to give version.

Office Cocoa and Peppermint Schnapps:
$3.00 a piece
I couldn't figure out how to tie the tiny Schnapps to the tiny cocoa so I folded down a plain brown lunch sack and added some ribbon to hold the little items.  I made some of the cocoa for my kids and if you follow the instructions it makes a very rich drink.  Next year I will modify the instructions to allow for a less dark choc version.  This is a perfect mix for adults and will be super yummy with some peppermint schnapps.

Bracelet and Ring for a Girlfriend:
Twice I have jumped onto Pickyourplum.com and gotten a fun set of resin flowers for an inexpensive price. I paired a couple of them with a cute bracelet from Joanne fabrics new line of Plaid resin flowers and findings.  I love how simple and pretty and it looks.

Bracelet and Ring
Flowers: $.25  (from my favorite set a combined sizes and styles)
Bracelet: $2.49 (half price on sale)
Total: $2.74
The funny part about making jewelry for friends is how much I don't want to give it away after I finish. So the cost of not keeping it for myself should be factored in the overall value:)

Keeping this one for myself:
I found a cool flower sugar skull style image on pintrest. I copied it, shrunk it down and printed it on photo paper after making a black and white image.   Using my circle punch I cut it out and started the process of carefully layering crystal effects like a resin cover.  I had to dab it on to start the process and keep the paper and image from soaking in moisture and smearing.  After it was well coated on both sides I used the crystal effects to press it into the finding (a cool silver flower from Hobby Lobby) and started layering the goo until I had the start of a dome.  At some point in that series I dropped 2 of the resin flowers into the goo on the side and sat them on the lip of the flower inset.

I LOVE the look so now I am keepin this one for myself.
Flower: $2.00 (half price, I only buy with a coupon or sale)
Resin Flowers: $.25

Anthropologie DIY Knock Off

Anthropologie silk scarf necklace knock-off

The original

My knock off

 

How I did it (drawn out below after description):

Ribbon is half off at Hobby Lobby in Colorado.  Score I purchased a few (I had the leather lace and chain). All told the investment was $7.00 and I made 2 necklaces! Christmas present score!!

1.   I chopped random lengths of the ribbon and tied them into one very long chain. I have each tied point a bit long so you can see they are tied. I tied the leather lace into this as well. I did not add the chain until last.
2.   I used a lighter to melt a finish on all the ribbon so it does not fray.
3. I created a long loop of measuring 40 inches. 
4.   Create a small extra loop that extends beyond the bundle. Hold in place and...
5. Sew down the loops for security
6. Add the chain (I tied it into a sewn down piece) 
7. Wrap the ends cover all the mess and and tie or glue the wrap end
8. Sew a button onto the end without the loop. 

 Now fasten and wear!

 

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.