Pumpkin’s Buck – Wall Plaque

Tags

buck hunting, Christmas present, decoupage, gift giving, home decor, hunter's widow, hunting, hunting widow, Mod Podge, postaday2011, wall plaque, wood plaque, wooden plaque

Homemade Christmas
On the first day of Buck hunting season, Pumpkin and Hubster both got their bucks… I guess I’m not a hunter’s widow this year. It was Pumpkin’s first buck ever, and he got it with his first shot! A week and a half later, his picture and caption appeared in the newspaper in the “buck bragging” section. Hubster is having the antlers mounted, but I don’t like things like that displayed in the house. I wanted to preserve this occasion for him for years to come, so I used the article to customize a wall plaque for him.

I carefully cut out the article and placed it on the wooden plaque. I marked the area where the article would lay. Then stained the small wood plaque. I carefully cut a square of scrap booking paper and used Mod Podge to glue it to the plaque. Using Mod Podge I attached and sealed the article on top of the square. I glazed the visible scrapbook paper and article to protect them. I added a green picture mat around the article by gluing it to the plague, carefully centering it. At the bottom of the plaque, I painted ‘2010’ in a cream color. At the top I painted ‘”Pumpkin’s” 1st Buck’.

Pumpkin's Buck Brag Plaque

 

I blurred parts of the picture to maintain our privacy.

Pumpkin’s wall plaque was wrapped and waiting for him under the Christmas tree, he told me it was his favorite present this year out of everything he “ever got from anyone ever”. He loved it so much he made me a love coupon for a 10 minute massage that I’m allowed to cash in as much as I’d like to in the next year… he said I could even use it on my feet. Now, that’s love! ❤

Advertisement

Flirty Fleece Ear Warmers Tutorial

Tags

Christmas gift, Christmas present, ear warmer, fleece, gift, gift giving, kid's gifts, present, present giving, stocking stuffer, tutorial, Xmas gift, Xmas present

There was a lot of interest after I posted the Flirty Fleece Ear Warmers. I received messages, emails and comments asking for a tutorial. Mind you I’ve still been sick, so it took a while. The doctor called me today, five days after I’ve been on antibiotics and said they needed to put me on something stronger…. no wonder I haven’t been improving. Now I hope I got this posted in time for you to make some before Christmas.

Step 1 – Cut fleece into about a 22″ x 4″ rectangle, larger heads will require a longer length of fleece, kids head, a shorter length. Lay rectangle horizontally.

Step 1 – Cut Fleece

Step 2 – Pin bottom ends up and top ends down, so sides measure about 2″.

Step 2 – Pin Sides

Step 3 – On top and bottom, fold just the edges down, tapering from middle toward ends. Stitch edges and trim excess, using matching or contrasting thread.

Step 3 – Taper & Stitch Top and Bottom Edges

Step 4 – Stitch ends in and add velcro dots. Adding one to the wrong side of one end, and adding one to the right side of opposite end.

Step 4 – Stitch End & Add Velcro Dot

Step 5 – Using a cookie cutter to trace or freehand flowers on fleece and felt in multiple sizes and cut out shapes.

Step 5 – Cut & Trace Flowers

Step 6 – Layer flowers and add a button or bead in center on top. Stitch flowers carefully to headband. I like to position mine about three inches from the middle of the band.

Step 6 – Embellish with Flowers & Button

Flirty Fleece Ear Warmers

Tags

Christmas gift, Christmas present, ear warmer, fleece, gift, gift giving, kid's gifts, present, present giving, stocking stuffer, Xmas gift, Xmas present

After a long winter, cold weather can become unbearable… why not start the winter off right? Warm can be fashionable… In the past 10 years I’ve graduated from wearing crocheted ear warmers with matching scarves to wanted something cuter to match my pashminas. One of my girlfriends purchased a similar fleece ear warmer, and I couldn’t justify dropping $20 on one that I didn’t even completely love. Being crafty is sometimes a blessing to the purse.   These fleece ear warmers are quick and easy to make and (when your sewing machine isn’t broken one week before Christmas) are completely personalized. This makes a great gift for a kids, teens and adults alike. Give them as a stocking stuffer or use them as the bow on a gift wrapped present.

I used fleece for the ear warmer, but the flower is a mix of fleece and felt in complementary colors. I used a coordinating button to tie it all together. If you’re not into flowers, try ribbons, box, buttons, sequins, anything to jazz up a plain ear warmer. Since fleece isn’t too stretchy I tapered the ends in and used a hidden velcro dot to close my ear warmer, but you could also sew a button-hole and use a button to secure it. Get the full tutorial here.

Flirty Fleece Ear Warmer

Be kind to me, I’ve been sick for 5 days with minimal rest and it shows. It was the best picture I could get of the ear warmers without any natural light…

Indoor Succulent Garden – Gift for the Non-Green Thumb

Tags

centerpiece, chicks & hens, chicks and hens, Christmas gift, Christmas present, garden, gardening, gift, gift giving, gift idea, hostess gift, house warming gift, perennial gardening, perennials, present giving, succulent garden, succulents, Xmas gift, Xmas present

An indoor succulent garden is the perfect gift for the non-green thumb, they can even forget to water it for a while. Succulents are forgiving, adaptive plants, that vary in color and texture. This indoor garden can be a great Christmas present, house-warming gift, or centerpiece for the party’s hostess.

Before we moved, I pulled tiny three chicks out of my garden. They sat in a cup on the window sill at our interim place for two months, until I rediscovered them today and planted them.

 

Materials:
Glass dish (I used a leftover centerpiece bowl from our wedding), garden soil, succulents to transplant, river rocks (or marbles, or  gem rocks)

Directions:
Clean glass dish and pour a layer of dirt on the bottom. Depending on the type of succulent you use, remove any dried leaves and extra roots. With the chicken & hens, I trimmed the root to 1″ long. Arrange the succulents in the soil. Remember they will fill out as they grow. Carefully arrange rocks around the plants, covering the soil. Drizzle or spray plants and rocks to dampen the soil, keep damp for the next 7 days.

Succulent Suggestions:
Chicks & hens, snake plant, jade, sedums, living stone, cacti

What is your favorite succulent?

Merry Christmas To Me – New Chandelier Earrings

Tags

chandelier earrings, Christmas cheer, Christmas gift, Christmas present, Christmas tradition, craft, crafting, earrings, frugal, gift giving, handmade earrings, homemade earrings, jewelry, jewelry crafts, jewelry making, present, shabby chic, stock stuffers., Xmas gift, Xmas present

10 more days until Christmas, that means only 9 more shopping days! Admit it, most people spend money on themselves while the are holiday shopping, whether it’s an item on sale that you need or a promotional discounted second item you keep for yourself. If most of us cannot resist the temptation, it must be human nature for a little bit of immediate gratification to be wrapped up with our generosity. Making gifts for others is no exception, I still have to make something for myself now and then…

Earrings are my weakness; chunky chandeliers hanging from my ears. I have a plethora of earring findings and beads on hand at all times, but I had found the base for these on clearance a few months back. With all the layers of bulky sweaters and thick scarves it is a little hard to feel glamorous, but it’s time for my ears to sing. I used the same beads for the wine glass charms I made recently; the assortment of colors blended together, challenging me to incorporate colors not normally in my clothing palette. These earrings surprisingly coordinate with purples, browns, creams, grays, yellows, browns and pinks, since the beads shimmer and reflect different colors.

Chic Chandeliers

Since the bases were on clearance and the beads and other findings were left over from other projects, these cost me about $3 a pair, not too shabby for a chic new accessory.

 

Whether making these for yourself or someone else, these chandelier earrings make a great stocking stuffer… even if you don’t wait to wear them.

Did you purchase anything for yourself while holiday shopping? If so, what did you get and are you going to wait to use it?..

Twelfth Day of Christmas – Espresso Jar Candle

Tags

12 Days of Christmas, 12th day of Christmas, beverage, candle, candle making, Christmas cheer, Christmas decor, Christmas gift, Christmas party, Christmas present, Christmas tradition, coffee, door prizes, espresso, gift, gift giving, gift in a jar, handmade, holiday craft, holiday party, home decor, homemade, hostess gift, hot beverages, house warming, house warming gift, jar candle, jar craft, party favors, present, scented candle, twelfth day of Christmas, twelve days of Christmas

On the twelfth day of Christmas Young Wifey shared with me her Espresso Jar Candle, Gingerbread Man Ornaments, Fleece Blankets, Bottle Cap Magnets, Fleece Sphere Ornament, Button Wreath Ornament, Christmas Mouse Cat Toy, Melted Frosty Ornament, Crocheted Fan Bookmarks, Crocheted Snowflake Ornaments, Wine Glass Charms and Glass Globe Ornaments…

Today’s post is very late, due to an earlier science experiment that went wrong and resulted in a few small burns on my hand… Ouch!.. The first brand of wax dye I tried was not very good and caused the wax to bubble and splatter out of the pot, which caused me to spill the candle fragrance on the counter. I’ve made dozens of candles before and I felt like a clueless newbie. I’ll be contacting the wax dye company tomorrow.

It took a while for me to start the second batch, this time I only added fragrance. I also had gloves on this time. Also, I didn’t wait for the wax to set before photographing… once the jar cools, I’ll clean up the outside where I spilled some wax. I’ll update with a better photo once the candle is cleaned up and I have some natural light to photograph.

Espresso Jar Candle

 

These Espresso Jar Candles are so cute and easy to make. These candles make a great Christmas present, housewarming present, hostess gift, party favors of door prizes! Coffee lovers beware! Do not attempt to drink this!

How To:
Use clear drying craft glue to attach coffee beans to the inside of the jar, in a pattern you like. I covered the bottom of the sides with coffee beans and glued a few randomly up the sides. Center candle wick in middle of jar, and glue base down. Allow all glue to dry completely (it took three hours for all traces of my glue to disappear). Cut wax into small pieces and heat over medium heat until all melted. Keep still until candle is set. Tie a piece of holiday ribbon around the neck of the jar and attach a gift tag.

Approx. Cost
Airtight glass jar = $1, large block of wax = $7.50, small bag of whole coffee beans = $1, package of candle wicks = $1, craft glue = $1 a bottle, bottle of candle fragrance = $1, bottle of wax dye = $1    Such a cute gift for about $3.25 a candle

This post wraps up 2010’s 12 Days of Christmas countdown, I hope you saw a few ideas that you can use, or inspired you to create something else! Happy Holiday season everyone!!!

2009′s Christmas Countdown – On the twelfth day of Christmas Young Wifey shared with me, her chocolate Christmas fudge, chocolate bonbons, coconut clusters, cranberry almond bark, chocolate amaretto cherries, pecan turtles, raspberry chocolate truffles, gingerbread fudge, peppermint bark, dark chocolate peanut butter balls, cracked glass candy, and her peanut butter fudge recipe…

Eleventh Day of Christmas – Gingerbread Man Ornament

Tags

11th day of Christmas, 12 Days of Christmas, Christmas, Christmas cheer, Christmas craft, Christmas Ornament, Christmas present, Christmas tree, craft, easy craft, eleventh day of Christmas, embroidery, funny ornament, gingerbread man, handmade, handmade gift, handmade ornament, happy holidays, holiday craft, holiday ornament, holiday season, holiday spirit, holiday tradition, homemade, homemade gift, homemade ornament, kid craft, party favor, present, simple craft, twelve days of Christmas, whimsical ornament, Xmas present

On the eleventh day of Christmas Young Wifey shared with me her Gingerbread Man Ornaments, Fleece Blankets, Bottle Cap Magnets, Fleece Sphere Ornament, Button Wreath Ornament, Christmas Mouse Cat Toy, Melted Frosty Ornament, Crocheted Fan Bookmarks, Crocheted Snowflake Ornaments, Wine Glass Charms and Glass Globe Ornaments…

This morning’s post is a little late… 12 hours too late. I thought this would be a cute whimsical ornament to add to our Christmas tree, a half eaten gingerbread man. Pumpkin designed one and started to put it together then gave up, I designed and assembled the other before helping him finish his. Most of the materials we have left over from other crafts. I didn’t have red button, so we painted them. I only spent 50¢ additional for the two squares of felt.

Gingerbread Man Ornaments

 

How To:
Using a large gingerbread cookie cutter, trace the shape twice on tan or brown felt. Decide where you want him “bitten” and draw teeth marks. Cut out gingerbread men. Cut out eyes from felt or fleece and arrange on face, place red button where you want the mouth. If you’re happy with the layout, glue eyes and mouth on face. Using black embroidery thread, stitch eyebrows above the eyes. Use white shimmery embroidery thread to stitch buttons to chest, making “peppermints”. Glue ribbon to inside of back piece. Place two sides together and stitch around the gingerbread man to create “frosting”, skipping where there are bite marks. Stuff the gingerbread man with fiber fill. Use hot glue gun to close gingerbread man at the bite marks. Sit back and admire your gingerbread man… and try not to eat.

Whimsical Gingerbread Ornament

 

Approx. Cost:
Felt square = 25¢ , spool of ribbon = $1, fiber fill = $, bag of glue sticks = $2, package of buttons = $1, small package of embroidery thread = 25¢    Each ornament costs about 40¢

Gingerbread Man Ornament

 

Can you guess who made which gingerbread man?

2009′s Christmas Countdown – On the twelfth day of Christmas Young Wifey shared with me, her chocolate Christmas fudge, chocolate bonbons, coconut clusters, cranberry almond bark, chocolate amaretto cherries, pecan turtles, raspberry chocolate truffles, gingerbread fudge, peppermint bark, dark chocolate peanut butter balls, cracked glass candy, and her peanut butter fudge recipe…