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Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Christmas Tree Ornament

 Christmas Tree Ornament with Cinnamon Sticks 

These are cute and smell great! I made these to hang on out tree this year. I love that they were super easy to make so the kids were able to make some too. 

All you need is cinnamon sticks, some cute ribbon, string and hot glue!




Supply List

Cinnamon Sticks

Ribbon (with wire works best, but is not necessary)

String or hooks for hanging

Hot glues gun and Glue

Drill with a small drill bit (optional)


Follow these few steps to make these cute ornaments!

1. To hang your ornament you will need a string or a hook connected to the cinnamon stick. I used a drill with a very small drill bit to put a hole through one end of the cinnamon stick. I then put the string through the hole to have a hanger. If you don't want to make a hole you could also tie a sting around the cinnamon stick and secure it with some hot glue. 

2. Tie some ribbon pieces on your cinnamon stick making them shorter to longer from top to bottom. If you are using wired ribbon they will stick out from the sides better. If you are not using wired ribbon you will be able to glue them to the cinnamon stick a little so they will stick out. 

3. Using the hot glue help secure the ribbons to the cinnamon stick if necessary. 

4. Now you are done and have a cute ornament to hang on your tree or even use as a gift! 

Happy Holidays!


Sunday, March 15, 2020

Hand Print Rainbow with a Pot of Gold




Hand Print Rainbow with a Pot of Gold




Materials:
Directions:
  1. Trace a little hand onto the construction paper and cut out one for each of the rainbow colors.(Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple)
  2. Cut out a pot in black paper, and cut out your gold in gold or yellow paper. 
  3. Glue together the hands in a rainbow shape.
  4. Glue on your gold and pot to the hands.
  5. Hang it up for a cute St. Patrick's Day decoration!

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

"Elsa's Ice" Rock Candy



Disney's Frozen II is coming out in theaters this week! Elsa's Ice Candy is perfect to make for a Disney's Frozen themed Party or just for fun. I made this for a fun treat for my kids and they loved in.



Ingredients:
  • 1-3/4 cups Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Light Corn Syrup
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • Food Coloring 
  • 1/2 tsp. Flavoring
  • Powdered Sugar for coating
*Other materials you will need include a sauce pan, baking sheet, and candy thermometer. 

Directions:
  1. Lightly spray a baking sheet or place a silicone baking mat on a baking sheet. 
  2. Add sugar, corn syrup, and water to a sauce pan. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly to dissolve sugar. Once it is boiling you can stop stirring. Let it keep boiling until it reaches 300℉ on your candy thermometer. 
  3. Once the temperature reaches 300℉ remove it from the heat. Working quickly, add the food coloring and flavor. I used strawberry flavor and a few drops of blue gel food coloring, so it ended up tasting like cotton candy. Stir quickly and pour onto your prepared baking sheet. Tip the sheet frpm side to side to help spread the candy and tap the sheet lightly to remove bubbles. 
  4. Allow the candy to cool and harden completely, about 30 minutes.
  5. Flip the baking sheet over to remove the candy. Use a hammer or something sturdy to break your candy into desired size pieces. 
  6. Coat your candy pieces in powdered sugar. This will stop it from being sticky. If you want cleaner or more clear looking pieces, use a lint free cloth to rub some of the powdered sugar off. 
  7. Keep in an air tight container. Enjoy!

Tips/variations:
*You can make your candy any color or flavor. This could be an easy treat to add to any themed party. I love to have red cinnamon candy during the holidays.  
*Be careful when breaking the candy, it will be a little sharp.




Monday, November 11, 2019

Snowman made with Birch Logs



This is so cute and rustic! 

Great way to add some winter decor to your home!



Materials:
  • Birch Logs, 1 large, 1 medium, 2 small, and 1 slice. 
  • 1 Wood dowel (1/4 inch)
  • Drill with a bit slightly bigger than your dowel
  • Wood Glue
  • Fabric for a scarf and bow ( I used Flannel)
  • Acrylic Paint
  • Craft Glue or Hot Glue
  • 2-3 Small Black Buttons
Directions:
  1. Get your logs cut and sand them if needed. If you find a small one with a branch piece sticking out you can use it for the nose. 
  2. Drill a hole half way through the center of your largest log. Drill a hole, in the center, all the way through the medium log, 1 small log, and the slice. Drill a hole half way through the last small log. 
  3. Now put the dowel through and stack your logs large, medium, small, slice, and small. Add wood glue in the drilled holes if you would like it to be sturdy. You may need to cut down your dowel to make it the right length. 
  4. Paint on a snowman face. I just did the the eyes because I had a branch piece for the nose and didn't want to add a mouth. If you do not have a branch sticking out just paint on a carrot nose. Make it the way you want!
  5. Use your fabric to make a scarf and a small bow for the hat.
  6. Glue on your bow for the hat and the buttons. 
  7. Now you are done and have a cute little snowman to decorate with or even give as a gift!

Sunday, November 10, 2019

DIY Wood Trees


These wood trees are so cute and easy to make. 

Perfect for some holiday decor!





Materials:
  • 1x2 furring strip boards
  • Saw
  • Small nails and hammer or a nail gun
  • Acrylic paint

Directions:
  1. Start with cutting your boards. These don't need to be any specific size, you can make them and small or large as you want. I start with the center tall board. My trees are about 18 inches tall.
  2. Next cut the branch pieces. The top one at 3 inches, and then add 1 inch to the next one each time going down (3in, 4in, 5in...). For the base I cut 4 boards, 5 inches long. 
  3. Now you can nail your tree together. Start by nailing the base piece on, like shown in the image below. Next add the branch pieces on the center tall board, hang the base over the end of your table space so the boards lay flat. Be careful!
  4. Now that you have your tree put together you can add some paint to the front side if you would like. Another option would be to stain the entire tree a dark brown or even leave it natural. 
  5. Now you can place your trees in your home or outside for some cute decor. I like to put mine on my upper cabinets in my kitchen. To add a little holiday cheer you could add some small lights or mini ornaments to your tree. If you decide you want to put your outside, it would be best to seal the wood and paint. 

Scarecrow and Snowman Double Sided Porch Decor

This Scarecrow and snowman reversible porch decor is so cute. Flip it to the scarecrow for the fall season and then to the snowman for the winter. What a fun project to make! 



Materials:

  • 1 1x10 Pine Board cut at an angle (height 40in)
  • 2 1x2 Pine Boards (length 13in)
  • Nails and Hammer or Air Nail Gun
  • Acrylic Paints
  • Clear Satin Spray Paint
  • Twine String
  • Buttons 
  • Greenery for Snowman Hat
  • Leaves and Flower for Scarecrow Hat
  • Hot Glue Gun & Glue

Directions:
  1. Cut Board and lightly sand if necessary. 
  2. Nail the small boards towards the top at an angle. If you cut the 1x10 at an angle, then measure from the top to your small board to make the angle is the same. 
  3. Paint one side white with a black hat for the snowman. Then paint the other side light brown with a dark brown hat for the scarecrow. Let the paint dry good before painting the other side. 
  4. Add the details! I painted a face and scarf on the snowman. I Added a shirt, overalls, and face to the scarecrow. 
  5. After you are done with all of the painting, you will want to do a clear coat over it all. I use clear satin spray paint to seal it for the outdoors. 
  6. Warm up your hot glue gun. I added the twine string with a bow, buttons on the overalls, and leaves and a flower to the hat on the scarecrow side. Add buttons to the belly and winter greenery to the hat on the snowman side. 
  7. Place inside or outside to decorate for the fall season and then flip it over for the winter season. This is also a great gift idea!


Friday, April 5, 2019

Bunny Craft With Cotton Balls



Fluffy Bunnies!



Materials:
  • Colored Card Stock Paper
  • Cotton Balls
  • Googly Eyes
  • Glue Stick
  • Liquid Glue
  • Scissors

Directions:
  1. Draw your bunny shape and cut it out. Use the extra scraps to cut out a nose and whiskers.
  2. Pull apart some cotton balls and use the glue stick to glue on the cotton. Glue some only around the edge of the ears to show some color inside them.
  3. Glue on the eyes, nose, and whiskers using the liquid glue.
  4. Let the glue dry and then hang up your craft!


Hop! Hop! Hop!

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Watercolor Snow Painting

When it's to cold to go out and play in the snow you bring it in! My kids loved painting the snow!


Materials:
  • Watercolor paints
  • Brush
  • Waterproof container or plate
  • Water in a dish
  • Snow

Directions:
  1. Set up paints and water.
  2. Put snow on a plate or in a dish. 
  3. The kids will have to get their brush and paints wet to start painting.
  4. Have fun!

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Special K Bars


A Delicious Classic Bar for any occasion!




Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1 cup Corn Syrup
  • 1 cup Peanut Butter
  • 6 cups Kellogs Special K Cereal
  • 1 cup Milk Chocolate Chips
  • 1 cup Butterscotch Chips

Directions:
  1. In a pot on the stove at medium heat, stir the sugar and corn syrup constantly until boiling. 
  2. Remove from heat and stir in Peanut butter. 
  3. Put cereal in a large bowl. Pour the sugar over the cereal and mix well. 
  4. Pour into a lined cake pan and press flat.
  5. Melt together both chips on low heat in a small pan. Stir constantly so it does not burn. Pour over the bars and smooth out with a knife. 
  6. Put in the fridge to cool. Once cooled, cut into bars. 
  7. Enjoy!

Tips/Variations:
  • Add festive sprinkles to the top of the chocolate before cooling for special occasions. 
  • If you melt the chips in the microwave be sure to stir every 20 to 30 seconds. It will burn quickly. 




Mint Chip Cookies


These Taste Just Like Mint Chip Ice Cream!




Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Butter, Softened
  • 1 1/2 cups Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Mint Extract (not peppermint)
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Green Food Coloring
  • 3 Cups Flour
  • 2 tsp. Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp. Baking Soda
  • 2 tsp. Cream of Tarter
  • 1/4 tsp. Salt
  • 1 Cup Andes Cream de Menthe Baking Chips
  • 1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips


Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350℉
  2. Cream Butter and sugar until fluffy. 
  3. Add eggs, 5-10 drops of food coloring, and mint extract. Mix well for about 2 mins. Add more food coloring if needed, the color will lighten when dry ingredients are added. 
  4. In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients. Sift into wet ingredients a little at a time. Mix until combined. 
  5. Add the mint and chocolate chips and stir until incorporated. 
  6. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicon mats. Drop cookies using a cookie scoop or about 1 1/2 table spoon size balls. 
  7. Bake for 8-10 mins. Watch for them to start cracking and then remove from oven. Let cool on baking sheet for a few minutes to set. Transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling. 
  8. Enjoy within 4-5 days! Yum!

Tips/Variations:
  • You can put these in the freezer once baked and cooled to save for a special occasion. These are best if frozen in an air tight container for up to a month. 
  • These are great any time of the year but great for Christmas or St. Patrick's Day because they are green. 
  • Make these into an ice cream sandwich with one scoop of vanilla ice cream between for a cool treat. Or break into pieces over a bowl of ice cream.

Banana Bread



 This always turns out moist and delicious! It never lasts long in our house!


Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup Butter, Softened
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 3 Ripe Bananas, mashed
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 1/4 cups Flour

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350℉
  2. Cream together butter and sugar. 
  3. Add beaten eggs and mashed bananas, mix well. 
  4. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add slowly to the wet ingredients until combined. 
  5. Pour into a greased and lightly floured loaf pan.
  6. Bake for 45-55 minutes.
  7. Let cool and Enjoy! I like to cut a slice out while it is still warm and spread some butter on it. 

Tips/ Variations:
  • Make banana bread muffins instead! Grease and flour a muffin tin and bake for about 20 minutes. Do not use muffin liners, it will stick. 
  • Keep in an air tight container on the counter for 4-5 days.


Monday, December 3, 2018

Blue Mason Jar Potpourri Decor


Blue Mason Jar Decor

Materials: 
  • Blue Mason Jar
  • Potpourri
  • Twine String
  • Printed vintage Photo

Directions:
  1. Fill the jar with potpourri.
  2. Tie the twine around the top of the jar with the vintage photo attsched.
  3. Use as decor in your home or give as a gift. Great as a teacher or coworker gift. 

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Unicorn Ice Cream Cone Cakes





Unicorn Cone Cakes


Ingredients:
  • 24 Ice Cream Cones
  • 1 box of Cake Mix and Ingredients Listed on Box
  • 2 Tubs of White or Vanilla Frosting
  • Food Coloring Gel
  • Frosting Piping Bag and Large Star Tip
  • Mini Marshmallows
  • Pink Sugar Sprinkles
  • Starburst Unicorn Horns
Directions:
  1. Preheat over and prepare the cake mix according to the box. 
  2. Place the cones in muffin pans. Use foil if needed to keep the cones from tipping over, or just have a steady hand when moving the pans. 
  3. Fill each cone leaving at least 1/2 inch of space from the top of the cone. This will give the cake batter space to rise. I learned this the hard way. 
  4. Bake the cake for about 12-15 minutes Keep an eye on the cake and check it to see if it is baked through. It could take more or less time depending on the mix you have. 
  5. Move cone cakes to a cooling rack. 
  6. Prepare your frosting. Separate the white frosting into 3rds, keeping one 3rd white. Using food coloring turn one 3rd pink and the other purple. Using the gel color will keep the frostings consistency, if you use liquid it could make the frosting runny. 
  7. Make sure your tip is in the piping bag. Scoop the frosting into the bag switching colors with each scoop. Do not stir the colors together. As you squeeze the frosting out of the bag it will swirl together. 
  8. Top each of your cone cakes with frosting once they are cooled.
  9. Prepare your Unicorn Horns (click the link for the directions).
  10. Make the ear with the mini marshmallows. Cut one marshmallow in half diagonally along the side with a clean scissors. Dip the sticky parts in sugar sprinkles. 
  11. Place the horn in the center of the frosted cones and then the ears on each side of the horn. 
  12. Use a cake pan with a sheet of colored tissue paper laid in it to hold the cones. 
  13. Enjoy!



Starburst Unicorn Horn Cupcake Decoration


Starburst Unicorn Horn 



Materials:
  • Starburst Candies (1 will make 2 horns) 
  • Knife

Directions:
  1. Unwrap a few starbursts and cut them in half. 
  2. Take one half and start to squish, pull, and twist it into a snake like shape. Have each end be thinner and the center be thick. Do this again with another color. 
  3. Take your 2 stretched colors and twist them together. 
  4. Cut your twisted starbursts in half and then you have 2 horns. 
  5. Use these to decorate cupcakes or other sweet treats!
Notes: I used the Starburst FavReds to get all the pink colors!  Click here for the Cone Cake Recipe!


Monday, September 17, 2018

Spicy Shrimp & Tortellini Soup


This Soup is Another Family Favorite!



This is a very spicy soup. If you are not a fan of spicy food check out my variations below.

Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • 2 Celery Sticks, Chopped
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, Smashed & Peeled
  • 2 large Shallots, Chopped
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 lb Chorizo (Spicy Pork Sausage)
  • 2 Cups Dry-White Wine (Pinot Grigio)
  • 1 6oz Can Tomato Paste
  • 6 cups Chicken Broth
  • 2 Dry Bay Leaves
  • 1 pack Three Cheese Tortellini (not dry)
  • 1 Pound Peeled & Deveined Shrimp (uncooked)
  • 1 15oz can of Cannellini Beans (White Kidney Beans), Rinsed & Drained
  • 1 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves, 
  • 1 Tbs Chopped Fresh Thyme or 1 tsp dry Thyme
  • Crusty Bread

Directions:
  1. In a large stock pot heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the Celery, Garlic, Shallots, Salt, & Pepper. Cook until vegetables are slightly softened, 4-5 mins. 
  2. Add the Chorizo. Break into pieces with a wood sppon and cook until brown, 4-5 mins. 
  3. Add the Wine and scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. 
  4. Stir in Tomato Paste, Chicken Broth, and Bay Leaves. Cover, bring to a simmer, and cook at a Medium-low heat for 5 mins. 
  5. Bring back to a boil, uncover, add the Pasta, Shrimp, Beans, Basil, and Thyme. Cook until the shrimp and pasta are cooked through, 4 mins. Shrimp will turn pink once cooked. 
  6. Remove Bay Leaves and discard. 
  7. Serve with a crusty bread. I love toasted french bread with a little butter and garlic salt. 

Tips:
  • If you are not a fan of Spicy food try a mild sausage or any other favorite ground meat.
  • Make sure you get the fresh 3 cheese tortellini usually found near the produce in a cooler. 





Sunday, September 16, 2018

Halloween Pumpkin Bucket Light


This is such a fun and cute way to decorate for Halloween! Simple, Easy and Cheap!




Get a plastic pumpkin bucket at your local store or the dollar store. They are usually around $1. Remove the handles from the bucket.

Depending on the type of light fixture you have you will have to figure out how to attach it. I removed the glass part of my fixture and just slid the bucket on. The screws that were sticking out for the glass attachment are holding on the bucket for me. Another way to attach the bucket would be to cut it and wrap it around your fixture. 

If you are worried about the bulb being too hot, use LED bulbs!


Monday, August 13, 2018

Hand Print Frame

These were a fun and easy craft to make for Mother's Day. I made these for myself and for my sister. They would be great for a gift for many occasions. 


Materials:

Directions:
  1. Get the Frame
  2. Paint one hand, then make the hand print on the frame. 
  3. Make sure it drys before putting it together. 
  4. Place it on a shelve or use as a great gift for a mom, grandma, or family member. 

Monday, June 18, 2018

Pickle Roll ups



Perfect pinwheel snack or hors d'oeuvre for a party. 

Everyone will love them!




Ingredients:
  • Flour tortilla
  • Cream Cheese
  • Deli Meat (Ham, Corned Beef, Roast Beef)
  • Pickle Planks

Directions:
  1. Lay a tortilla on a cutting board. 
  2. Warm the cream cheese slightly to make it easier to spread. Spread a layer on the tortilla and be careful not to rip the tortilla. 
  3. Add a layer of deli meat. I used roast beef, most people like ham the most but the corned beef or roast beef gives it a good flavor. 
  4. Dry the pickle planks on some paper towel. You don't want them dripping wet because it will make the tortilla soggy. 
  5. Roll the tortilla tight along with the pickle planks. 
  6. Slice and place on a platter to serve. Make more until your platter is full because they will all be gone. Enjoy!

Note: Do not make these the night before serving. They are better fresh!


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