Paper Snowflakes

I went lazy today, sorry.  I wanted to make some paper snowflakes for my presents.  I used Martha Stewart's directions on how to fold the paper.  Then as directed I got creative with what I cut out.  When I was finished I added some glitter to jazz them up, and hide the fold makes a bit.  

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

scissors 

origami paper

glitter glue

pencil

This is how I cut my snowflakes.   I kept them in the same spots when I flattened them out.  I ironed them to make them perfectly flat, for my next step.  

          

                         

This is how they look with the glitter.

Christmas Stocking

We have a new family member this year, little Annabel (my niece) was born November first.  Thus we need a stocking for her!  Instead of going the easy route (and buying one), I decided to make her a stocking.  I've never tried this before so I learned a lot along the way, but the end result is lovely.  

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 2 different types of fabric (about 2 ft. square)
• Batting (about 2 ft. square)
• White faux fur material ( about 2 ft. long, 4 in. length)
• Ribbon (4 in)
• Scissors
• Marker
• Needle & thread
• Straight pins

Directions:

      Fold your fabric in half, and use an old stocking as a template.  Place the heel of the stocking against the fold in the fabric, and begin tracing.  After tracing the stocking cut out both pieces of fabric.  Now flatten out one of the pieces you've just cut out and use it to trace out the batting.  Once you've cut out the batting, you can cut the white fur for the top cuff, and the ribbon for hanging the stocking. 

     Now you'll want to layer all your pieces together.  First you'll start with the fur trim, fur facing down, then the ribbon folded in half in the center.  Then the fabric for the interior of the stocking with the front facing down.  Then the batting, and then the outside fabric facing up.  You'll want to pin the whole stocking together now.  Make sure at this point that you've layered everything correctly, remembering that you will be turning it right side out after sewing.  

      Now you can start sewing, begin going across the top with the stocking open flat.  Once you've finished the top you will fold the stocking in half and re-pin it together.  Now sew the whole stocking together, making sure to go thru all the layers as you go.  Once you are done turn it right side out.  

      Congratulations, you just made your first Christmas stocking!

Check back tomorrow, we'll be adding a little more glitz to this stocking.  Until then, happy DIYing!

A simple Christmas tree

Lately I've been rather lazy on the DIY front, especially in the card making department (usually that's my specialty).  Thus, this year my cards are rather simple.  Though I'm of the opinion that you can never go wrong with a handmade card.  How could anyone be disappointed in all the energy and love you've put into crafting such a personalized greeting?

What you'll need:

•  Scrapbook paper (with a pattern, at least 5 in. X 10 in.)
•  Scrap card stock (at least 5 inches square)
•  Scissors 
•  Pencil
•  Gold or silver glitter glue (I used the band Stickles, works well and great applicator)
• "Merry Christmas" Sticker

Directions:

Draw a Christmas tree on a scrap piece of card stock.  This will be your template, so it doesn't matter what the paper looks like, but it does help if it's on the thicker side (makes it easier to trace).  After you're happy with the way your tree looks, cut it out. Now it's time to pick out your scrapbook paper.  Keep in mind the pattern will be the front of the card, the inside should be a solid color.  You'll want to pick a pattern that will look good as a Christmas tree.  Stripes in holiday colors work well!  Fold your scrapbook paper in half, with pattern side in; plain side out.  

With the folded side on the left, place the tree on the paper.  Keep the bottom left side of the template touching the fold.  Trace the template tree onto your scrapbook paper with the pencil.  Now you can start cutting out the card.  You'll want to start with the right side.  This side is the open side, so you can cut through both sheets of paper.  Once you reach the top of the tree and start going down the left side, you'll cut through both layers of paper for the top half of the tree.  For the bottom three tree arms you'll want to keep the fold in tack.  You may need to extend the arms more, and make them a bit thicker on this side.  Having the arms thicker on this side is really important, if they aren't thick enough you're card will tear down the middle.  When you finish cutting the tree out, you can flip the fold so the pattern side is now on the outside.  

At this point you're just adding decorations to your tree card.  I happened to have some "Merry Christmas" stickers I got on sale last year, so I used those on the front middle of my card.  Then I 'put the trim' on with the gold glitter glue.  I made a dotted zig-zag line down the tree, moving from right to left starting at the top.   Be sure to let the glitter glue dry complete before you try to write anything on the inside.  

First Post ....

     I have been planning/thinking about setting up a blog for a long time now.  Though I kept finding reasons to put it off.  "I'll start one when work slows down .... when we're done planning our wedding ... when we settle into a new house ..."  The list just goes on and on.  Today I decided there is no reason to put this off any longer!  I'm not getting any younger, and my life isn't going to be less hectic anytime soon.  So here it goes!

     I'm attending a cookie party/exchange tonight, and I need to bring a batch of cookies and an appetizer.  I knew right away I was going to make my ol' Potato Chip Munchies.  I haven't made them in ages, and it's the first recipe I ever made completely on my own without any adult supervision (age 10).  They are super easy and super taste!  

     Since I'm making two things for the party, I wanted both treats to be easy, inexpensive, and something everyone would love.  The appetizer I found on pinterest.  It's called Pepperoni Pizza Roll Ups.  It looks like it will be a cinch to make.  Plus, how can you go wrong with pepperoni and melty cheese?  

     Here are the recipes, I'll post photos after I make them.  I still need to buy the ingredients :)

Potato Chip Munchies

1 cup butter or margarine (2 sticks)

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup crushed potato chips (5 cups uncrushed)

   sugar

   Directions:

• Turn oven to 350 degrees (F).  In a large mixer bowl beat butter or margarine with electric mixer on medium speed till softened (about 30 seconds).  Add the 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla and beat till fluffy.
• With mixer on low speed gradually add flour and potato chips, beating till well mixed.  Drop by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Flatten the dough with a fork that has been dipped in sugar.
• Bake in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes or till golden.  With a pancake turner lift cookies onto a cooling rack to cool.  Makes about 36 cookies.  

Pepperoni Pizza Roll Ups

Crescent Rolls 

Pepperoni

String Cheese

Ranch/Marinara Sauce

     Directions:

• Separate the crescent rolls into triangles
• Place 4-5 pepperonis on each triangle and top with half a sting cheese
• Bake according to directions on crescent roll package
• Serve with a side of ranch and/or marinara sauce.  You can make as many or as few of these as you like!

TIP:  I had to throw in my own twist to the recipe.  I made a little coating for the roll ups before I popped them in the oven.  I used about a tablespoon of butter, melted in the microwave for 20 seconds.  Then I mixed in some crushed red peppers, Jane's Krazy mixed up salt, and Lawry's roasted garlic and bell peper.  It gave the roll up a bit of a bite, and it was definitely a nice addition.

Hope ya'll enjoyed!  Happy DIYing!