The Santas are finally finished and on the tree!

Well, I wasn't sure these would be done in time, but I got bored today while I waited for someone to come by that never did.  While waiting, I went ahead and finished the santas and hung them on the tree.  I took some liberty with the project instructions and I added dimensional paint for the beard and used black ribbon to attach the legs.  But, I have to say they turned out quite well.  I like the way they look on my tree. 

I may be starting my own Christmas tradition.  Last year, I made the snowflake ornaments that are up on the tree.  This year I made the Santas.  Wonder what I will make next year?

Here's some pictures of the santas:

 

 

I'm ready for Christmas------------to be over!

Cover of Peace on Earth (Holiday Greeting Cards)

Today is the 23rd and Christmas is almost here. I am avoiding going out like the plague because the traffic here in Austin is simply crazy! I figure that if I am not ready for Christmas now, I don't think I will ever be ready.

The one thing I know I am ready for is for all this holiday madness to be over. I am enjoying my tree, and I am enjoying visiting with my family; but that's about it. I am still working on my Santa tree ornaments and maybe they will be done in time for Christmas, but if not there is always next year!

I just wanted to take a minute to write briefly here because I know that the next two days will go by in a blur of activity for me and for almost everyone else. There's dinner to prepare, trees to finish decorating, presents to finish wrapping (or buying maybe?), and a million other little things to do to get ready for the big day.

I just want to say:

         MERRY CHRISTMAS 
                       AND 
HAPPY HOLIDAY TO YOU ALL!

May the New Year bring us Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All Men
(and Women and Dogs and Cats and Other pets!)

aunt jane's nut roll

With Christmas closing in, there's really not much time to do anything extravagant, but there is always time and sincere appreciation for home-baked goodies.  This recipe is easy, makes 4 loaves, is easy to freeze, and tastes delicious.  Just the thing when you remember that you forgot to get that present for your Aunt and Uncle and they will be arriving soon!  Even if you are not a baker, you can gather the dry ingredients into a decorative tin and print the recipe on cardstock and give it to your favorite teacher.  Great last minute gift!
Enjoy!

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If you need a rich & tasty baked good to offer a hostess or to have on-hand for your own snuggly winter moments, this one is a surefire winner! For years and years, my mother-in-law has baked her heart out each and every Christmas, making enough pizzelles, almond crescents, apricot dandies, date & nut bread, Hungarian nut roll, cut-out cookies and biscotti to share with her immediate family and her 3 siblings. It's a generous handmade tradition from handed-down recipes (like Aunt Jane's nut roll) that my husband carries on for our family. He knows nut roll sends me to the moon, and he always makes sure we have a lot of it around!
I had hoped to post this recipe download on Friday, before those along the east coast had gone out to buy their "bread & milk" and were hunkered down for the weekend awaiting the snowstorm of the decade...thinking there might be some baking going on! But hey, maybe you have 7 C of walnuts waiting around your house for the perfect recipe, then you can just whip this out at your leisure!
* download pdf recipe cards here, print onto cardstock and trim *
Includes: 1 recipe card with Aunt Jane's Nut Roll and 1 blank recipe card for you to add your own recipe.

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What's wonderful about this recipe is that it makes A LOT - you'll get 4 nut rolls out of this recipe without duplicating your efforts like you might if you have to double or triple a batch of cookies. It freezes really, really well, too - just wrap it well!

December 19, 2009 in cooking, making | crafting, tutorials | Permalink

For the original post and for more quick gifts and recipes>>CLICK HERE

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Found an interesting Non-Christmas You Tube video to share

Have you seen this video?  It's fantastic.  No wonder the guy got Hollywood's attention.  This is an amazing filmmaker.  I hope we see more of his work very soon. 

Watch it and let me know if you agree. 

 Here's an idea for some last minute gifts to give to teachers and other service people you interact with regularly.  Gifts don't need to be costly and the best gifts are those that you put some time into.  This article below shows you an easy craft to make that will be very appreciated by any recipient. 
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By Gayla Trail

HERBAL BATH TEA

What You Need:

# Cotton muslin or pre-made resealable tea bags (large size).
# Ribbon or string
# An assortment of herbs and essential oils (optional)
# Optional -- rolled oats, epsom salts, sea salt.
# Cellophane bags, cellophane roll, other packaging.

This is such a simple but satisfying gift to make. I have been making them for years and always receive compliments and requests. I often give three of them in conjunction with other bath/spa products (also homemade), or give one or two with other gifts. I make lots because everyone likes them and I can fire off a large batch in one night. As an additional savings use herbs grown in your garden. I use my own home-grown sage, basil, rosemary, mint, calendula and lavender (flowers and leaves).

To make the bags you will first require some cotton muslin. Other cotton fabrics can be used but I prefer this kind the most because it is dirt cheap ($2.00 and change for a yard or cheaper if you buy scraps from the ends bin), unbleached, and has an open weave while remaining sturdy and rigid. In the past I have purchased ribbon (I'll explain its use later), but this year I found some nice seam binding tape in earth tones for a very good price (29 cents a yard). If you don't want to sew you can purchase special large-sized, sealable tea bags made especially for this purpose. They are relatively cheap to buy and can be sealed with an iron. However, I guarantee you that even the most inexperienced sewer can make this. Keep in mind that it is going to be used a few times and thrown out. Precision is not necessary. No one will be grading you on your ability to achieve a perfect square because the bag will be wet and soggy before the recipient has a chance to inspect the merchandise.

1. Start by cutting the fabric into squares. Any size is fine but I usually cut mine into 6" squares because that is the thickness of my ruler and it's faster.

2. Cut a 12" length of ribbon or string. Butcher cord or just about any strong string you have on hand can be used. This will be used to hang the bag over the faucet so it must be strong enough to bear the weight of a bag of wet bag of herbs.

3. Lay out a piece of fabric. Lay the string/ribbon on top in a u-shape with the U formed inside the square. The object is to sew the ribbon inside the bag so that when you turn the bag inside out, you can hold the ribbon like a handle. Place the other piece of fabric on top and secure with a few pins.

4. Sew around the square, being sure to leave a small opening to pour the herbs through. Turn your bag inside out through the hole, push out the corner and iron flat.

5. To fill the bag, take a piece of scrap paper and form a cone with it. Insert this into the hole and use it as a funnel through which to pour your herb mix.

6. Sew the seam shut with matching thread.

7. Herb bags can be packaged in cellophane to retain freshness and the potency of the smell longer. Or you can give as is. Be sure to include the ingredients and instructions for use (Hang over faucet when filling tub. Hang to dry and reuse up to 3 times) with each one.


Herbal MixesHerb Mix Recipes:

Every year my recipes are different but they are always based on what I think are the three things people want out of a bath; to heal, to revitalize or to relax. As a result I mix my herbs accordingly. I always add a few extra ingredients aside from herbs to each bag. I add rolled oats (coarsely ground in the blender first) for moisturizing and soothing, epsom salts for muscle relaxation and celtic sea salt (as opposed to table salt) for its healing properties. Powdered milk or citrus peel can also be added. I have listed this year's recipes below and a listing of other potential ingredients at the side.

Please Note: When using herbs be sure your recipient doesn't have an allergy. Chamomile for instance is a common allergen to those with ragweed sensitivities. Also note that some herbs should not be given to pregnant women. Although you will not be drinking this 'tea', your skin is a semi-permeable membrane and anything that comes into contact with the skin will have an effect.

Soothing: Calendula petals, eucalyptus leaves, lemon balm, rolled oats, espsom salts, celtic sea salt.

Relaxing: Rose petals, lavender leaves, white sage, rolled oats, epsom salts, celtic sea salt.

Stimulating: Mint leaves, lemon grass, rolled oats, epsom salts, celtic sea salts, a dash of lemon grass and mint essential oils.


You can go here for the original article and see if you can find other things to make!

Here's a video for another quick Christmas Card!

There's not much time left until Christmas, but there is still time to make a few special Christmas cards for your "special" friends.  Watch this video and then try it out!

Ribbon Tree Holiday Cards

here's another quick idea for some last minute, hand-made Christmas cards.  I might leave out the quilling if I was going to be mailing them, otherwise, these are really beautiful and quite easy.  Even the kids could have a go at making these cards!

If you do try them, let me know how it goes and what you think, won't you?


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By Ann Martin
Are you planning to make cards to send this holiday season, but running out of time? Or perhaps you've been toying with the idea of giving paper quilling a try, but have hesitated because you think it must be too complicated? Worry not ... these retro ribbon trees go together quite quickly. The 3D quilled scrolls add a bit of extra dimension, but if really pressed for time, you could omit them and still have a pretty card.

Materials:

Cardstock: green, ivory, white, and glossy red
Velvet paper, dark green
Ribbon, 14" long, metallic, 3/8" wide
Printer and tree template
Quilling paper, white, 1/8" or use computer paper and cut 1/8" strips with a paper cutter
Quilling tool, slotted
Paper cutter with scoring blade
Double stick tape or glue stick for mounting layers
Glue, clear drying, suitable for paper
Plastic lid
Ruler
Scissors
Tweezers


Download and print the tree template.

Directions for the Red Card:

Step 1: Prepare a green card blank by cutting cardstock to make a 5½"×8½" rectangle. Score and fold the 8½" length at the midpoint to make a card that measures 4¼"×5½".
Step 2: Cut a 3"×5" rectangle of glossy red cardstock. Center and glue it on the card.

Step 3: Print out the tree template. Adjust the size to make a tree that measures 2¼"×4¼". Cut out the tree, trace around it on white cardstock, and cut out.
Glue strips of ribbon diagonally across the tree, allowing a little extra at each end. It's easiest (and you'll get the cleanest cut) if you wait until the glue has fully dried before trimming. Then turn the tree over and trim the excess ribbon. Glue the tree on the card, allowing room below it for the quilled stand.


Step 4: Insert one end of a 4" quilling strip into the slot of a quilling tool. Turn the tool with one hand and guide the paper with the other to make a rolled coil. Stop rolling at the halfway point and slip the coil off the tool.

Repeat with the other end of strip, rolling it toward the midpoint to form a C. Make 2.
Step 5: Glue a 1" strip of quilling paper on top of another 1" strip, creating a double thickness.
Step 6: Make a glue palette by spreading a thin puddle of glue in a plastic lid. Pick up a C coil with tweezers, touch its underside to the glue, and place it on the card. Repeat with the second C scroll, turning it over so it faces the opposite direction. Glue the 1" strip at the bottom of the 2 C scrolls as the base.

Directions for the Green Card:

The ivory/green card is nearly identical to the green/red one, except for using a 3¾"×5" rectangle of dark green velvet paper on an ivory card and a slightly larger tree template (2½"×4¾").

The quilling gives just the suggestion of a tree stand. Make an asymmetric C scroll by rolling one end slightly past the midpoint of a 4" strip, so that one coiled end is larger than the other. Make 2.
Mailing Tip: Is it possible to send a quilled card through the mail without the quilling getting crushed? Yes! Cut a square of bubble wrap and place it over the quilling before sliding the card into a regular envelope or use a bubble wrap mailer. You might also want to include a piece of cardboard behind the card to prevent bending. And if you're really daring, considering how busy the post office is at this time of year, take the cards there and ask to have them hand cancelled.
About the Author:

Ann Martin of all things paper is a quilling enthusiast who loves introducing the craft to others. She teaches, designs projects for books and magazines, and is especially hooked on making paper filigree jewelry.