Santa napkin holder

So here we are, the time is speeding by. Christmas is right around the corner, and we are frantically trying to get everything done.
STOP and take a breath. We need to enjoy this time of year. Instead of getting crazy, get happy!
Make a list, check it twice. Not to see who is naughty or nice, but to check that we are not forgetting anything. Then sleep peacefully and wake to another fun day of getting ready for the most fun time of the year!
I made these cute napkin holders that I told my guests that they were welcome to take home as gifts. Simple and easy and quick. You can make a ton and give away. My mom gave me the pattern and the supplies which I just found hidden amongs my other Christmas stuff this year as I was searching for something else. Thanks mom, we love you and miss you, but are carrying on many of your traditions for this time of year. xoxoxoox

Today project is:
Santa Napkin Holder
you will need:
white felt
pink felt
red pompons
green sequines
red napkins
tacky  glue

(Again, I'm very frustrated about my pictures getting tipped over.

ArG!)

Anyway, The strip across the top is 7 inches. and the bottom of the beard to the top of the strip is about 6 inches.

So make your own pattern, the beard is not an exact science. Then cut a hole for the eyes and nose.

You will glue the pink square behind the 'hole' for the eyes. Use Tacky Glue, it works best.

Then glue eyes and nose onto the front.

Then when dried, bring the flaps together in the back and staple it together.

Slip a red napkin into the back and VOILA you have a cute santa napkin holder.

 

tip of the day:

When you get Christmas cards, rip off the return address label from the envelope, that way you have a record of who sent you cards. You can then make sure those people get a card from you.

 

Happy Christmas preps....

:D

 

 

 

happy Thanksgiving

Well, it's that time again...
The year has zipped by, where were we?? So many things have happened this past year.
Life has brought us to the holidays, and are we ready? I am! (hee hee)
Sorry, not to gloat, but I've been stashing away gifts and looking forward to this time of year, for 11 months.

I love Christmas...everything about it (except snow and cold).
I love thinking about others, what they might like, I see things throughout the year, and buy goodies or better yet...make things (when I hear a hint about what my dear ones might like).
I love to looke forward to the look on their faces when they open a gift that is especially made for them.
And the funny thing is, I end up with more than I thought (sort of life's 'lay away').
But that's okay. Here it is Thanksgiving. So many activities surrounding the holidays, and so many crafts to try. Every magazine has tons of ideas, recipes and things to do.

Today's project is a simple one that focuses on the Thanksgiving table. A simple napkin holder. But creating an addition to the festivities is always fun. This picture is just plain cardboard. YOU have to find that special paper with special prints to accent your table.

LEAF NAPKIN HOLDER

Find double sided card stock, or use a gift box (you get from the dollar store) and glue decorative paper on the plain side.

Draw and cut out the  1/2 leaf shape onto each end of a long rectangle. Make sure you cut the two slits (on opposite sides) to connect the ends together. When you attach the ends, it will make a maple leaf. (right now, it looks like a spiky dachshund with two heads, ha ha)

This is a fun, quick and funtional craft that adds a handmade touch to the holiday dinner.
That way you are contributing to the day, even if you are not the chef!

IF you are traveling, be safe! Have fun and stop every once in a while, breathe and enjoy!!!!

tip of the day:
Soup is great this time of year. And most of the leftovers you have from dinner, can be combined into a great soup. V-8 is a great base for soup, add some chicken broth and throw in the veggies and turkey pieces.  Freeze it for future frosty days. (remember to leave 1/2" space in the container for freezing bloat.). We might not eat so much, knowing that our yummy leftovers will be enjoyed later.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
:D

Sweet Christmas

Hi Hi Hi!
or should I say...
HO HO HO,
It's almost Christmas, the merriest time of the year. Time to craft, create and give!

Today's project is good for a
1. last minute gift
2. a project for kids to do
3. a hostess gift
4. the best White Elephant gift ever

It is a:

CANDY TREE

You will need:
a bag of wrapped candy
straight pins (the ones with round heads are the easiest to work with)
a chocolate lollipop with Santa on it
a foam cone (from the dollar store, Michaels, Joann's or Hobby Lobby)
You can add ribbons or tinsel if you wish

Starting at the bottom, pin the top of each candy onto the cone. Work your way around, then up to the top.
Stick the sucker into the very top.

tip of the day:
If you run out of ribbon, or have some little scraps of wrapping paper you can cut these into long strips, gently curl them with scissors and make a bow out of them. Stack them and staple in the middle and add to your package. Cute!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL~ and to all a good night...
that's all for this week, have a great holiday!!!
Dee

Cookie Exchange

This past Thursday we had a cookie exchange with my neighbors.
It was a great success and great fun. Not only did we have an incredible selection of cookies to pick from and bring home, but we had made plenty to add to our local community Christmas Baskets.

Everyone made 5-6 dozen cookies. We tried to inform the bakers who was making what, so we would not duplicate too many. Even if you are not a baker, get one of those Pillsbury slice and bake packages. But if you have a special recipe, it's fun to copy it, and have those ready to hand out to the other bakers. Everyone loves a good recipe!

I set out all the cookies on my dining table. Then I assign who will be the 'fillers' and who will be the 'decorators'. I get the glue gun plugged into the kitchen counter outlet (away from the kids). This we use to attach the box top decorations.

I printed some cards on the computer, with a message on the inside. The children that were there helped color the blank fronts, in the living room, with crayons (on my coffee table, covered with a plastic tablecloth). That kept them busy (for a little while :), so we could sort and pack up the cookies. After the Christmas Baskets were taken care of (1 doz. for each elderly neighbor, and 2 doz. for every needy family) we then could pick OUR cookies to take home.

One of our friends scored some cake boxes to put the goodies in (donated from her friend). But in the past, we have used plastic containers with decorated lids, and these work as well.

We always try to add a festive touch. One crafty neighbor sprays gold paint on acorns that she has collected in the Fall, and we add these, with a glue gun and ribbon to the top of the boxes.

One year we wove beautiful gold ribbon around laundry baskets where the food and cookies were to be delivered by our local volunteer Fire Dept. You could also get some styrofoam 'take out' containers, and wrap the outside with colored celephane. Leave the ends long, tie ribbons close to the box, so it resembles a big piece of candy. What a treat that would be to receive.

Everyone brings their own ziploc bags, or containers to take THEIR share home. It's a lot of fun to get together and share recipes and be able to not only take goodies home with us, but to share with our neighbors who won't have such a bountiful Christmas. Do you have an elderly neighbor who needs some holiday love?
Some friends couldn't make the actual exchange, but brought their cookies a day or two early. We distribute those, and then fill up some ziploc bags for them. It's a good excuse to go 'a visitin' to deliver their goodies, or have them over another time, for a quiet cup of tea and to enjoy some sweets.

Why not have your own cookie exchange? Share a glass of Christmas cheer and spend some time with friends. Remember, it's all the experiences we have together that make our Christmas memories. Not the shopping, or running around in a frenzy being too busy to enjoy each other. So take a breath, call up some folks, and get the flour and sugar out!

That's all for this week.
Dee

Ribbons Galore



I made this snowflake 25 years ago. And I still use it.

 I love making new things from old stuff

 I finished decorating my house for Christmas. So of course that put me in the mood for wrapping all the gifts I have been buying and making and hiding all year. hee hee
I like using all the things in my ribbon box, or bits and pieces of this and that which I have saved up.
And I love to make special wrappings and bows and this is where today's project comes in...

Today's project is:
Lacy ribbon snowflakes

You will need:
lacy ribbon or velvet ribbon
Fabric Stiffener (buy it at Michaels or Joann's)
glue gun
scissors
wax paper
Optional: white pony beads or small decorations for the center of the piece (I used plastic holly)

You can also make this Poinsettia with the same pattern.
Instead of lacy cloth ribbon, I used velvet ribbon and added white pony beads.

The velvet ribbon is pretty thick and stiff already, you do NOT need to use the fabric stiffener on it.
In fact, it would mess up the soft velvet.
These can be bows on the packages, or ornaments or both!



First you will cut strips, about 5-6" long and taper the ends as the picture below shows. For larger snowflakes, make the lengths longer, but cut only 5 or 6. For smaller snowflakes, keep the length down to 4-5" and make more of them, perhaps 7 or 8.
If you are using the lace and wish to hang these up on the Christmas tree for decorations, you will need to stiffen the fabric. If you are using them for package toppers, you really don't need to do this step.

To stiffen fabric, you pour some Fabric Stiffener in a bowl (line it with foil, if you wish, for easy clean up)

Then take each strip and dip it, then run it through your fingers to get the excess off. Fold it so the ends meet at a point. Place on wax paper to dry (several hours, or overnight). The stiffener will hold the ends together til they dry. You will have to glue them afterward.

this is messy, so use a big piece of wax paper to catch drips

After the strips are dried, then you can place them, one at a time, and glue the ends. Then hot glue them next to each other, one at a time. When you use hot glue with lace, be careful not to get your fingers in the way. Use popsicle sticks to press edges together. You will form a snowflake or poinsettia when you place the last piece in place.  Poke a hole in the velvet ribbon to hang for an ornament. With the lacy snowflake, just put the thread through one of the holes.

Hot glue beads or embellishment in the center, if you wish.  I put these on my packages, and tell the recipients that after they open their gifts, they can use the "bows" for ornaments on their trees. They love it!
Remember reusing is better than throwing away.


tip of the day:
If you run out of boxes to wrap your gifts, remember that the Post Office has flat rate boxes that are free. They are usually in their lobby, and come in 4 sizes.

That's all for this week!
:D

Dish it up!

I love to make new things from old stuff!



Well, it looks like Santa's workshop at my house. Trying to get as many gifts finished early so I can enjoy the holidays instead of feeling rushed and crazed! Half the fun of Christmas for me, is designing gifts that will be special for each person. I love themes too, and try to have one for every person to keep a common thread running through their presents. Today's project can have a theme, or not. That is up to you, this one is for my friend who likes wine. And the nice thing about it is that it is functional as well as pretty.

Today's project is:

a Decoupage Plate

You will need:

a clear (smooth)  plate or bowl (this can be a recycled one from your own cupboard)

ModPodge (decoupage goop)

a paper napkin (you only need one, see if your friends have any fun designs left over from a party)

1" brush

First you need to separate the napkin from its second layer. Gently pry apart at the corner and pull the white underside off of the design side. Then you have to decide whether to cut apart the parts printed on the napkin or use it whole. If you have a cocktail napkin, you may have a bit of trouble covering the whole plate. So finding a napkin with a design that is suitable for cutting apart and rearranging onto the plate may work best.

Once you have the pieces cut out and arranged to your liking, take the ModPodge and spread it onto the UNDER side of the plate or bowl. Gently lay the pieces down with their 'good' side facing down and smooth gently with your fingers or paintbrush. Be careful not to pull too hard, for the napkin will rip. If the napkin gets a bit wrinkly, that's okay, it adds to that Old World antique look.



Then you will cover all the pieces, GENTLY  brushing on the ModPodge over the entire back surface.

When it is dry you can turn it over and rub the edges with your fingers to get off any excess decoupage paste.

shown with a white paper behind plate to better see design

I like to add a decorative edge with a gold pen (available at the hardware store). Also sprinkle a bit of baby powder and work it around a bit, then brush or blow it off. This helps keep the ModPodge from sticking to anything.  This of course, is HAND WASH.

tip of the day:

When you are grocery shopping (especially in the winter and your hands are dry) I find it almost impossible to open those plastic bags to put my vegetables in. So what I do is tap my fingers on a celery wrapper or carrot package that has been 'sprayed' with the overhead water. Then it's a snap to open the bags with my moistened fingers.

That's all for today!

:D

Light 'er up!

I love making new things from old stuff!

Thanksgiving is over, and now we all start thinking about Christmas. Well, those of us who love to make our gifts and decorations better get busy, if you haven't already.  Here's a project that anyone can do, even kids, if they are old enough to hit a nail with a hammer, and not their fingers.

For that 'country' Christmas feel, it's nice to use everyday items instead of buying expensive decorations. And you get the satisfaction of recycling and making something yourself. Like this one...

Project of the day:

Tin Can Luminaries

You will need:
~empty (clean) tin cans (any size will work)
~hammer
~large nail with a large head (easier to hit, and makes bigger holes)
~towel

This project needs a couple of days preparation. You will need to start collecting your empty tin cans (not aluminum pop cans), of course. I found some canned corn that comes in a can that has gold colored metal on the inside. This makes the candle really glow. The cans can be any size, large chili cans down to small tomato paste cans and everything in between.

Then when you have several empty cans and they are washed thoroughly, and the labels have been taken off...you need to fill them with water to about 1" from the top. Put these in your freezer overnight until frozen solid. It is a good idea to put several in the freezer at the same time. That way you can alternate the hammering part. I'll explain that later...

After the water has frozen in the can, take it out and lay it on a bunched up towel. You want to make a 'nest' for the can, so it does not roll away as you hammer. It can be slippery. Also the towel will absorb any melting water. Don't do this project on your lovely glass top coffee table, or your bouncy couch. A hard surface is best.

You can make a pattern or just random holes. Random is best, don't be too fussy.
Keep in mind that the candle's light will show through these nail holes. So you don't want to just dent the can, you want to puncture the metal, and punch into the ice.  Older kids (especially boys) love this project because they can hammer, hammer, hammer away. It would be nice to send them outside if the weather permits.

The ice inside will keep the can from caving in when you bang on it. But after a little while, you will find the ice starts to melt (on the larger cans), so put this can back in the freezer and take out another one, and start hammering again.  If you get tired, leave the cans in the freezer for another time.

You will keep making holes all around the can, starting at the top and working downward. Now keep in mind, if you plan on using real candles, don't puncture holes too close to the bottom of the can. You don't want any wax oozing out. But on the other hand, you don't want a row of holes around the top only, you will not be able to see the candlelight at the bottom very well. Especially if you are using tall cans.
When you are done, leave the cans in the sink or bathtub so the rest of the ice can melt.

You can line your walk with these luminaries, and since they are metal, you can use real candles if you wish.  You can also make a nice centerpiece for your table, but if you do, I would use battery powered fake candles. The Dollar store sells them, as well as most other places now. They won't heat up the can, the table surface, or leave wax anywhere.

tip of the day:
IF you have a  paper shredder at home, which more and more people do have, start saving all those little paper pieces. AND throw in some green and red papers (construction paper, magazine ads, etc.) for some festive colors.  You can use these in your Christmas gift wrapping. Even if the item is not fragile, it looks much more special when surrounded with 'frou-frou' papers.  You are renewing and reusing. These are also great if you have to mail gifts to those far away friends and family. Pack them in your shreddings~and keep recycling!

That's all for today!
Dee

Play your Cards right!

I love making new things from old stuff!

Greeting cards are one of my very favorite things to recycle. There are such beautiful designs, funny or cute or quirky, it's a shame to throw them away after the big day.

So start saving those Christmas cards and greeting cards that you receive. I will have loads of things to do with them.

This little gift box is perfect for gift cards, jewelry, cash, etc. Add a ribbon around it, some tissue paper inside, and you've got an already decorated box.

Today's project is:

Pillow gift box

you need:

~ a used greeting card (the larger, the better)

~ scissors

~ exacto knife

~double stick tape or Elmer's glue or Tacky glue

Step one is to make flaps on the 'open' edge of the card.

Keep it folded, crease a fold about 1/2" wide through both sides. Crease the fold with a popsicle stick, edge of scissors or your fingernail. Then open up the card and fold both flaps outward.

Next, you will cut the top and bottom of the card in an arc. Cut right off the edges, through the folded flaps.

Then open the card, design side facing up. You'll take the exacto knife, and gently score under the cut edges mirroring the arc. (not on the flaps)

See dotted lines in the picture below.

(These score lines aid in folding the top and bottom of the gift box closed.)

Now take the double sided tape and put on one of the flaps. Fold the flaps inward and close the card. Press up and down to seal securely.

OR glue one flap and close the box, and hold til dry. (You can use clothes pins or paper clips to keep it tightly together as it dries.)

Now you gently ease the curved tops and bottoms down to close the box. (See picture at the top of this blog) It puffs up a bit, therefore the name "pillow box".

It may seem a bit complicated at first, but if you do a bunch, you'll be cranking these out in no time. I always have some handy for special occasions (and to put my recycled aluminum can earrings in).

And remember, if you mess up, throw it away. It's not brain surgery, no one will die if you don't do it the right way. That's the beauty of recycling, you are giving something a second chance where most people wouldn't. So no guilt.

Keep trying and with every attempt you'll get better and better.

tip of the day:

I don't know about you, but I get WAY too many catalogs in the mail. Instead of throwing them away, here are a couple of ideas.

1. use them for a 'gluing station'. If you use a glue stick for your projects, go ahead and smear off the paper onto an open catalog page. If you have more to do, just turn the page and you'll have a fresh surface to get sticky.

2. If you have kids in the house, give them a 'treasure hunt' through the catalog.

ie. Give them a list to find, such as a 'blue' thing, a 'round' thing, a 'dog', etc. They can rip out the page when they find it until they collect all the treasures that you have selected. Then they get a treat.

I have loads more, but that's all for now.

Dee