cooking up something sweet

I definitely got my love for cooking things from my mom.  As you may have noticed, most all the recipes I share are from her.  She has so many cookbooks with recipe cards spilling out.  We have tried in years past to make her a book to keep the recipes in, so that she won't loose the recipe cards or the print outs.  However, it never fails that the book winds up being slam packed with recipes in no real organized manner.  This Christmas I decided to make her something a little different.  I took all of the recipes she uses at Christmastime and compiled them into one cookbook.

I used one of my favorite sites, Shutterfly!  I made what they call a photo book.  Usually one would fill these with pictures and maybe short captions to share.  I have made photo books for numerous occasions (remember my wedding guest books?).

I first got the recipes I wanted to use.  I had my sister scan the recipes and email them to me.  It doesn't really matter what way you get the recipes, because when you are done you will have the recipe online.

I created a photo book at www.Shutterfly.com and made one of the pages in each spread (two pages facing each other) text only.  They have an option with one title and two columns specially for recipe books which I used.  I then added in pictures of my sisters and I as well as family pictures.  You could easily put pictures of the foods in the cookbook but, I knew family pictures would mean more to my mom.

On Shutterfly you get to choose the backgrounds of the pages.  I chose to do one page in the spread green and the other red.  They have so many cute backgrounds, it was so hard to choose.  They have them for ALL occasions from babies to birthdays to holidays, they have everything covered.

My mom loved the recipe book.  I know, I know she just has one more cookbook on the overflowing shelf.  Though, hopefully one day we will be able to turn the loose recipe cards and print outs into printed cookbooks.  Hey, it's a start!

chocolatey cheer packaged up

Now that you know how to make a tasty and quite simple treat, I'm going to share with you how I package them up for gifts.

The past couple of years Wal-Mart has sold Christmas storage containers for a reasonable price.  I got a set of 3 small containers for $3...that's only a buck a piece!  They also have larger containers which I use with the smaller ones to stack and make a tree of treats when I am giving larger amounts of larger sized treats!

I used some freezer paper I had left over (because it has a shiny side) and lined the inside of the container.  I filled up the containers with the yummy treats (pretzels and some brownies I made) the put the lid on.  I had some jute lying around that I bought a loooong time ago, I don't even remember what for.  Jute is that brown string stuff that you see tied around packages wrapped with brown paper.  I just tied it around the container and attached a little tag.  The tag was a left over scrap of scrapbook paper cut into a 2 inch by 2 inch square, left over from my baby block decoupage project.  I simple cut a whole in it and threaded it onto the jute, tied a sweet little bow and there you have it!

One cute, tasty, inexpensive, thoughtful Christmas gift!

icing fit for a king

You  know those Christmas cookies that are always on the front of magazines.  They're so yummy looking with their shiny icing and intricate details.  Like the ones to the left there, that I DID NOT make...I found them on Google Image Search!
Well, I decided to try my hand at this yummy treat.  I had a specific cookie to make, and I will share that with you tomorrow.  Now, I want to share with you the recipe for making the icing.
I googled different recipes and found that the icing i wanted was the kind of icing I was wanting to make was royal icing.  This icing hardens, so that cookies can be stacked and it just looks so pretty
Here is the recipe I wound up using.  I must warn...give this one a test run.  I am so thankful that I did a test run, especially because I was piping the icing.
I got my recipe here, but wound up halving it...it makes a TON!

1 egg white
1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
This recipe also called for lemon juice, which I wound up not using...it still tasted yummy.

Just mix the sifted sugar into the egg whites a little at a time.  Beat with the mixer and ice!  I was making cookies for my sisters bridal shower, so I tinted the icing to her wedding colors.  I used Wilton Brand food coloring because of the specific colors I wanted.  However, you could easily tint the icing to more standard colors using common food coloring.  Just be careful, the more food coloring you use, the more watered down the icing will be.

There you have it, a simple mixture for icing that looks like you spent ALL day and then some on it.  Try getting creative, add sugar and sprinkles, layer the icing and colors.  Create something delicious (and save one for me!).

cheer in a stitch

Being that this is the first year I am in my own place for Christmas, I needed a stocking.  I, of course had one at my parents house but, I wasn't going to be able to get it before Christmas.  I decided that I would make stockings for my husband and I.  I was somewhat nervous and put it off for a while.  However, I finally did it and I am quite pleased with the outcome.

First I folded my selected main fabric (black) in half and drew a stocking on the back.  I then cut out the stocking shape with the fabric still folded in half.  I did this so that I would have both the front and the back of my stocking.  I then cut a strip of contrasting fabric (orange) a little longer than double the length of the top of my stocking.  My super specific (complete sarcasm) measurements were taken by laying the two pieces for my stocking back to back and marking the length on the back of my contrasting fabric.

Then I hemmed the contrasting fabric on the bottom by folding a small portion backwards and sewing it with a simple stitch.  After the trim was hemmed I folded it in half hamburger style...not longways.  When folding the fabric I ironed down the fold, it made it much easier to sew.

Next I stacked the folded contrasting fabric between the two stockings in the main fabric.  Make sure that the patterned sides of the fabric are facing each other.  You want to sew the stockings inside out so that when turned right side out you will not see the stitching.

I then stitched straight down the heel side of the stacked stocking.  I opened up the stocking so that it was no longer stacked.  I turned the unfolded stocking over so that the non patterned side was facing up.  I made a hem at the top of the stocking just like I had done with the bottom of the contrasting fabric.

I then folded the stocking back as it was and finished sewing around the edges.  Now, be sure NOT to sew the top of the stocking...or you will have a closed up, inside out stocking!  Once you have all sides except for the top sewn up, turn the stocking right side out.

 

There you have it.  One stocking made in less than half an hour.  The cost you may wonder...about $4!  I only bought a 1/2 yard of the main fabric and a 1/4 yard of the contrasting fabric.  However, I could have gotten away with 1/3 yard of the main fabric.  Once you have your stocking made you may want to personalize your stockings.  I painted the name on this stocking using a freezer paper stencil.  I LOVE this technique!  From start to finish, first cut to hanging on the wall...it took me about 45 minutes!

wee little tree

I needed some Christmas decorations but didn't have tons of money to do so.  I had bought some Styrofoam cones from the Dollar Tree a little while back for $1 each.  I was planning on using them for a project that I never really got to...so, I thought I should probably try and use them for my Christmas decorations.  I had the leaves left over from the red berry bush thing I bought to use on my wreath.  I was planning on throwing the leaves away, I only wanted the berry clusters.  To be completely honest, I hadn't cleaned up my mess and the leaves were still on the stem laying on the floor (just ask my husband, I tend to leave things...well, everywhere!)  I took the leaves and cut them apart (each one had three leaves attached) with normal kitchen scissors.  Then, I just hot glued the leaves to the cones one at a time, trying to keep them in somewhat of a pattern.

I used some brown ribbon I had left over and wrapped it around my tree, hot gluing along the way.  I added some red ribbon, wrapping it around the same way.  I also put some little stray berries that fell off the bush for some added pizazz!  I tried this as well reversing the order I glued on the ribbon and leaves.  I made one where I put the ribbon on first then glues the leaves around the ribbon.  I used less leaved doing it the second way.
Well, there you have it.  Wee little Christmas trees for decorating with.  I must admit, after I first made  these little guys I wasn't too impressed at all.  Though, after a while they kind of grew on me...now, I do love their unique little quality!  I hope you enjoy these little trees as much as I do!

filled up with cheer

You may remember my 'finishings of fall' post in which I showed you the three vases (each $1 from Dollar Tree) filled with leaves.  Well, I want to share with you my Christmas version of this same idea.  I picked up some small ornaments (12 for $1 at Dollar Tree, and I had some left over).  I got red and silvery/white ones.
I used my FREE Christmas tree clippings and cut off small branches, just the right size to fit into the vase.  I then just filled up the vases with the ornaments.
I mean, come on...this took MAYBE five minutes.  Any one can do this and, for only five bucks?!  No excuses!  I left the display basically the same.  I used my word thingy and the family pictures.  However, I did find a cute little snowman and snow woman couple that was given to me a few years back.  I stuck the sweet couple in the mix and there you have it!  Oh yeah, and the runner is left over from Thanksgiving.  It acted as heat shield for all the yummy foods placed upon it!

stained glass you can eat

I found the recipe for these cookies online and wanted to badly to try them.  It was SO super easy and fun too!  This recipe is absolutely one that you could do with children.  First you'll need sugar cookies.  I used a packet of sugar cookie mix, but you could easily use a homemade dough or frozen.  I mixed up my dough and then let it chill before rolling it out.  You can cut the cookies out in any shape.  I forgot to pick up some, so we used small bowls to make circles.  We then rolled out the dough and cut out circles in the dough.  We placed them on a cookie sheet.  We then used gel icing to decorate the cookies with.  It is important that you use gel icing, because it melts into the dough.  You then just make the cookies as normal.  Though, when you take the cookies out it will have a colored design on it!  How fun!  We decided to call our cookies ornaments because they were round.  Though, if you had a Christmas tree cutter you could decorate the tree or any shape really!

center of attention (part 2)

So I raved about my new centerpiece yesterday...well, I had a few ideas on what you could do with the centerpiece.  I wanted to show you some of the alternatives.  For this one, I used two candlestick holders.  I got them from Dollar Tree for a buck a piece!  I started the same way as I did with my original idea by placing my FREE Christmas Tree clippings on the platter.  This time I put the two candlesticks on the platter and surrounded them with my three glittery present ornaments ($1 each as Wal Mart) and left over ornaments (12 for $1 at Dollar Tree).  I filled in with the larger ornaments I picked up at A.C. Moore for less than a buck!  I once again placed my little red berries around the ornaments for some added oomph!  I picked up the cinnamon scented candle sticks from Wal Mart for .50 each.  What a deal, this great looking centerpiece all for about five bucks!

center of attention

I must admit, I love a great centerpiece.  However, my husband and I only have a small pub style table that we rarely eat at.  Though, it's Christmastime so anything goes!  I started off with one of the glass vases I had left over from my wedding candy buffet (all found at thrift stores).   I put some of my FREE Christmas tree clippings inside the vase and added some of the left over ornaments(12 for $1 at Dollar Tree) from my other projects and also added some larger red glitter ornaments I picked up from A.C. Moore for less than a dollar for a pack of 5!
I decided to use a platter I had for the base.  It is a platter that I got a few years back, it matches my dishes...nothing super fancy.  I put some of my beloved Christmas tree clippings down on the platter and placed the now filled vase in the center.  I then used three of the large red sparkly ornaments to put in from of the vase and used green sparkly present ornaments (each only $1 at Wal Mart) to put on each side of the vase.  I threw in a few little berry thingies I had left over and filled in any gaps with smaller Christmas tree branches.  OH, I'm in love with this centerpiece!  I'm even more in love with the minuscule price tag!

a 'crate' idea gets better

So, I told you about my shelving made from crates.  Well, I had a coupon for half off one item at A.C. Moore and snagged another crate for only $5!  I haven't had time yet to seal it, so it is not the same color as the other crates.  Though, I don't mind, I love them!
Even more than I love my shelves, I love decorating them.  I just wanted to share with you my Christmas decorations on my crate shelves.
I didn't change much of what I had, just took the leaves away and used some Christmas tree clippings.  I even found those berry things in the vase up top in Christmas colors to replace my fall ones at A.C. Moore.  They were about .40 each!  I think they are meant to be floral picks...you know, to spruce up floral arrangements.
Then, I used the vase filler I picked up for $3 at Wal Mart after Halloween.  Remember, I put some leaves in it fall it up a bit.  I took out the leaves and used Christmas tree clippings that I got for FREE!  I purposely got the vase filler pack that had pine cones, red fruit and red berries so that I could reuse it at Christmas time.  I took a larger Christmas tree branch (FREE) and put it in the unfinished crate (sigh) I'm in love.  I had to move some of the books around so that this new crate felt just as much a part of my shelving solution as the rest.  I finished off the shelving with some snowflake ornaments (10 for $1 at Dollar Tree), some small ornaments I had left over from my other decorating projects (12 for $1 at Dollar Tree) and the rest of the left over red berry stuff I used on my wreath ($3 for the whole spray at A.C. Moore).  I must say, I love how this turned out and it took me maybe a total of 10 minutes...even better!
The last thing I added to my shelves were some little Christmas trees I made (I will give you a tutorial later).  they weren't my favorite when I first finished them but, they are growing on me.  OH, and I can't forget my precious little sparkly green present ornament that I am in love with (and not just because it was a buck at Wal Mart!).
There you have it...my shelving gone from fall to winter in one fell swoop!  What are your decorating ideas for Christmastime?

add some merry, make it bright

So, now you have your fresh cut, possibly free (if not then amazingly inexpensive) wreath ready to display with pride.  However, as beautiful as this little dandy is...I just had to add some sparkle and shine.  I chose to use my 'Merry Christmas' ornament (seen here) I picked up at Wal-Mart for $1 along with a set of red ornaments from Wal-Mart for only $1 as well.  I used the floral wire I used when making the wreath to attach the ornaments.
I simply threaded it trough the hanger on the ornament and secured it by twisting the wire.  That left me with a wire to wrap around the branch to attach the ornament.  Remember, you want the metal hanger part of the ornament to be hidden by the branches.  I was at A.C. Moore and picked up some filler floral stuff made up of red berries.  They were 70% off the weekend after Thanksgiving.  May I say "SCORE!!"  I also had some silver bells (Frank Sinatra is singing in my head right now) left over from the package of ornaments we bought last year.  I didn't quite like then on the Christmas tree this year.  The 'Merry Christmas' ornament I hung from the top so that it would dangle in the middle.  I must say, I like this wreath better than any of those out of control, over priced, half the size and a quarter of the 'awesomeness' ones I've seen in the stores.
All in all, it took me less than half an hour to make this wreath, from start to finish and only costs about $5!

all the trimmings (pt. 4)

If the door hanger I shared yesterday wasn't quite your style, I have just the thing for you.  Even if you loved the door hanger...I still have something to share with you!  Remember the inspiration I shared with you, the wreath my sister-in-law made with a wire coat hanger and twist ties?  If not, refresh yourself here.  Well, I went to go make my own and realized that I just got rid of all the wire hangers we had when I rearranged and cleaned out our closet
So, I improvised!  I simply laid out the branches in a straight line and used the wire to connect the branches.  Make sure the branches are all going the same way, they will lay much better.  With the wire being green, I could use a good bit and no one can see it.  Score!
Once I had connected the branches I took the two ends and connected them with the wire.  Voile!  There I had my traditional Christmas wreath.  My favorite part of this project is that it was completely free to me!  Tomorrow, I will share with you how I jazzed this baby up.

Click here for the beginning
Click here for my inspiration
Click Here for a modern version of  a Christmas door hanger

all the trimmings (pt. 3)

The first craft I chose to make was SO incredibly simple.  I wanted to make something a little out of the ordinary.  Something that would really catch your eye!
To do this, I chose three branches I had in my pile of trimmings.  If you like the fullness of the picture, I would use the same amount.  However, if you would like something a little more full you can either use more branches or choose bigger branches.
I then used my handy little secret...floral wire.  I got a whole spool of it from Wal-Mart for $2 and I use it for so many different floral projects.  It is simply wire that easily bends and is coated with green plastic...to blend.  I barely even used any for these crafts.  One spool has lasted me for quite some time.
Connect two of the branches using the floral wire.  Wrap the ends of the stems, going between the two to ensure they stay together.  Once you have the two secured, add the third.  This is the time to determine the shape you want.  If you want the branches to feather out more, wrap the stems at an angle.  If you are using just the three branches then you are ready to jazz it up a bit.  Or, if you want the super lush look, keep attaching the branches by wiring the stems together.

To hang, I simply wrapped some ribbon around the stems (double duty...covers the wire).  I then tied a nice little bow and used the ends of the bow to make the hanger.  I just tied a knot in the ends of the 'bow tails'.  It worked out quite nicely.  You may want to add some hot glue, just to make sure your creation will make it through the season.  I picked up the 'Merry Christmas' ornament from Wal-mart for a buck!  It's all shiny and glittery and pretty and stuff!  You could easily hang this pretty little thang as it is, with no ornament but, I wanted some sparkle and shine!
Let's recap here on the price...branches: FREE, ribbon: FREE (it came off a box of vase filler), wire: FREE (to me, $2 for those who need to pick it up) ornament: $1.  Total: $1-$3!  Come on, you have to admit that's pretty awesome.
If this door hanger just isn't quite your style, just wait.  I have more ideas coming your way for my free clippings!

all the trimmings (pt. 2)

So, my sister-in-law made this AWESOME wreath and I wanted to share it with you.  She used a wire coat hanger, free Christmas tree clippings and twist ties!
Form the coat hanger into a circle.  Lay your branches out onto the hanger and move them around and adjust them until they are just as you want them.  Once you have your perfect wreath in place, twist tie the branches onto the hanger.  She told me that it was easier to have them all laid out then attach them rather than attaching them one at a time.

Now, I used the clippings I got to make some decorations and I am going to share them with you...just be patient grasshoppa'!  I just wanted to share with you my inspiration.

Click here for part 1 

all the trimmings (pt. 1)

So I told you about our Christmas tree...which, we are LOVING!  Well, while I was waiting for the fine employees of Home Depot to wrap up our tree I rummaged through the pile of tree branches.  I made sure to ask first though, I didn't want to steal anything (even if it was on accident)!  I kind of...sort of...totally went crazy.  I grabbed a ton of branches because I knew I could use these babies in quite a few ways.  Not to mention the absolutely intoxicating smell they bring to our apartment.  (Just in time too, our wallflowers are running out!)
If you are more of the artificial tree type, don't fret...just run up to your nearest Christmas tree lot and ask for some branches.  Most lots are more than willing to give you as many as possible.  These uses for the branches are endless.  Use them as table decoration for your Christmas parties, as a vase filler, make your own door hanger or wreath (yeah, I'm going to show you how) or just lay them around the house for the magnificent smell!  I must warn you, your hands will be a bit sticky after handling the tree branches.  Do you use tree branches in your home for decoration?  Where do you put them?

Click here for part 2

oh christmas tree...

Just so you know, I looked up the lyrics to the song 'Oh Christmas Tree!' when I thought of the name for this post...and sung it to my husband.  He wasn't impressed!
Any whooo...I just wanted to share with you our Christmas tree.  It's our first Christmas tree in our apartment and our first Christmas married...we're excited!  My mother-in-law even bought us a cute little ornament that says 'Our First Christmas'.  How stinkin' cute.
We got up early on Black Friday and waited outside Best Buy.  We got a few good deals, walked around the mall and then headed home.  We napped for a while then headed off to Home Depot.  My husband got his tree there last year and we loved it.  This year was no different!  We wound up getting the first tree we looked at, brought it home and set it up.  My husband bought a set of green, red and silver ornaments last year on Black Friday so, we used those.  However, I needed to add my touch!  I got some purple ornaments from Wal-Mart (24 for $5! Holler!).  I must say, I love our tree!  We have a few special ornaments (starbucks cups) but most of ours are standard, decorative ones.  I can't wait to get ornaments with meaning behind them.  How about you?  Do you decorate with special ornaments or do you stick to a color theme?  When do you put your tree up?  Are you an artificial or a fresh cut?

P.S. I also took some branches...be on the lookout for my crafts using those little dandies!

holiday cheer the easy way

Those who know me best know that I have quite an addiction to a certain photo project site.  Shutterfly.  I've used Shutterfly for oodles of projects from Mother's Day to my own wedding.  Well, now that Christmastime is upon us, I plan on using them for my Christmas Cards as well.  I wanted to use a picture from my wedding especially to send to those who were unable to attend our wedding.  I was a little worried as to how a wedding picture would fit into a Christmas card...but, Shutterfly totally came to my rescue!  When browsing through their Christmas photo cards I found the perfect one for us!

 It's title is 'No mistletoe necessary', and reads 'Christmas Kisses...and best wishes'.  How absolutely perfect, our wedding picture looks great on the card. (the picture on the card shown to the left is not us!  We're young, but not that young!)  Not to mention we can put more pictures on the inside of the card.  Anywhere from one extra picture inside all the way up to 9!  What?!  They thought of everything!
Shutterfly also does address labels with a photo on them.  I used these for the address labels on our wedding thank you cards.  I absolutely loved being able to send a sneak peak picture from our wedding to all those who sent us gifts and couldn't make it.  Even those who did attend the wedding commented on how much they loved the address labels!  Score!
My absolute favorite thing about Shutterfly is that they are CONSTANTLY sending me offers, discount and coupons.  I honestly don't think that I have bought anything from there when I haven't used a discount of some kind.  I think my addiction is totally justified by the awesome-ness of the site alone!
If you're a blogger, I have an AWESOME deal for you.  You can get 50 free Christmas cards just for blogging about it!  Now that is an ultimate score!  Just go here to find out more about it.