Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and you know what that means! Holiday season will soon be in high gear.
This year, my husband and I are putting in a real effort to make and buy as many handmade gifts as possible. Judging from all of the handmade holiday action on the web, it seems that we’re not alone.
The ladies at Sew Mama Sew are running a fantastic series on their blog- Handmade Holidays, 30 days of gifts to sew.
Each day features links to projects (all available for free at various blogs and craft sites) with a different theme. I haven’t started actually *making* anything yet, but I have found the perfect gift for almost everyone on my list through this series. Thanks gals!
Buy Handmade: Take the handmade pledge!
From their website: “The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left people all dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. The connection between producer and consumer has been lost. Buying handmade helps them reconnect. We created the pledge as a call to action for consumers to be conscious of how they spend their money this holiday season. We want people, whenever possible, to support independent creators and shop outside the big boxes.”
At first, I thought that it would be difficult to go all handmade with two little boys in the house who have visions of toy trains and yu-gi-oh cards dancing in their heads. But as we’ve gone over their lists, we’ve found that nearly everything (with the exception of the aforementioned yu-gi-oh cards) can be handmade with a little creativity and effort!
So, I think, since I didn’t see any Chris Cringle on the pledge list, we’ll ask him to bring the yu-gi-oh cards, and the rest will be handmade from mom and dad. Our boys may not appreciate it much now, but I think they will some day.
Ever want to create your own yarns? I have had the urge, but my husband is already threatening divorce over my current yarn stash. That fact to the side, I still wonder how I’d fare at the process and occasionally look for resources for giving it a go. I recently stumbled on this fascinating video and have to share! From the website:
Abby Franquemont demonstrates the very basics of spinning (including getting started) with a low whorl drop spindle you can make cheaply from hardware store materials
I promised today during the Craft Congress reception that I would share the recipe for Cuban Coffee. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a complete coffee addict and have sampled coffee from all over; Cuban coffee is hands-down my favorite.
Rather than rehashing information that is already available, I’ll share a great site I found online that includes all the instructions you’ll need (including the brands of coffee to look for).
http://www.tasteofcuba.com/cafecubano.html
The only difference in their method and the method I was taught is when you add the sugar. I was told that the proper way to do it is to wait until there is about an inch of coffee in the carafe, turn off the machine and add the sugar into the coffee. Then you put the carafe back on and turn the machine back on.
Fall is a great time to try out some new pumpkin recipes.
There’s nothing like the smell of fresh baked pumpkin bread or
cookies in the kitchen! You have to give this pumpkin cornbread
a try.
Cranberry Pumpkin Bread
2 eggs, beaten slightly
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup chopped cranberries
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine eggs, sugar, vegetable oil,
and pumpkin, mixing well. Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice,
baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center
of the batter and add the pumpkin. Stir in cranberries. Spoon
batter into 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour.
Pumpkin Cupcakes
3/4 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup canned pumpkin
Cooking Instructions:
Combine butter and sugar, beat in eggs 1 at a time, sift in dry
ingredients and mix well. Stir in pumpkin. Pour into greased
cupcake pans. Bake 15 minutes at 375 degrees.
Pumpkin Cornbread
1 cup pureed pumpkin
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups corn meal
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, separated
Cooking Instructions:
Heat milk, butter, and sugar in saucepan to melt butter. Put
pumpkin in a bowl and add milk mixture. Add corn meal, 1/2 cup at
a time, and stir to blend. Add salt and egg yolks and stir in. In
another bowl, beat egg whites and fold in batter. Grease an 8
inch square pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.
Pumpkin Cookies
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup cooked pumpkin
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecan nuts
Cooking Instructions:
Mix oil, sugar, egg, and pumpkin together and add remaining
ingredients. Drop by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10
to 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What’s for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For more recipes, organizing tips, home decorating, crafts, holiday hints, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com.
Well, maybe not without ALL guilt, but without the majority of it! Rumor has it that these fat free delights are also only 4 carbs per cupcake, which is pretty sweet. I can’t verify the information, but I can tell you that the kids love them, even without adding frosting - or sugar!
What am I talking about? Raspberry Cupcakes. Yup, you heard me right! I learned this one from my mom (thought I’m not sure who SHE learned it from, you know how these things go. Here’s what you need:
* 1 Box of Angel Food Cake Mix
* 10 Ounces of Raspberry Diet Rite Soda
* A mixing bowl
* Cupcake Papers
* Cupcake Pans
For this go-round (making these for my youngest son’s Pre-K class) I opted for little star shaped mini pans instead of full cupcake pans, which only shows how creative you can be. Ready to bake? Great!
Instructions:
Mix Angel Food Cake Mix and Raspberry Diet Rite Soda in a mixing bowl with a wisk until there are no lumps and the color is even.
Turn into cupcake pan (which is lined with cupcake papers, right?) filling each cup 3/4 of the way to the top.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until they smell done.
That’s it! A simple, sweet recipe that registers almost zero on the guilt scale and that your kids won’t be able to get enough of. Life is good!
Every season has it’s perks, and one of fall’s most admirable traits is found in one word: PUMPKIN. The carving of pumpkins is a tradition, and many enjoy raosting the seeds. I am here to tell you that there’s a new tradition on the block and it comes in the form of “Yummy Pumpkin Dip”.Not only is it simple, quick, and quite inexpensive - it’s DELICIOUS! I took a serving to school this week and shared it with at least ten people and not one of them withheld their “mmm”s and “oh my”s and “can you give me the recipe for this?”.
Almost anything would taste good with this dip, I don’t hesitate to say it would make a dog biscuit taste great. I tested it with many “dippers”, including pita chips, cinnamon sticks, and wheat thins- but apples took the prize. I am anxious to try more fruit dippers - grapes, oranges, pineapple, bananas.
At Easy Kid’s Recipes there are multitudes of recipes for the kids and for you.
Yummy Pumpkin Dip
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 large 30-ounce can of pumpkin
4 cups powdered sugar (note: i did not need anywhere near this much)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons gingerWhip together and serve in hollowed out small pumpkin. Serve on a plate covered with black licorice “worms” or any Halloweenish candy such as candy corn. On the side place ginger snaps for dipping.
Here’s the deal:
[1] Print this recipe
[2] Drop everything
[3] Go to the grocery
[4] Make more copies of the recipe (see #5)
[5] Invite friends over
Fall is in the air! Fill your kitchen with the aroma of fresh baked apples. Here are some easy autumn apple recipes that your family is sure to enjoy.
Apple Crisp
4 c. sliced apples
1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. soft margarine or butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. flour
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place sliced apples in greased pan. Blend remaining ingredients until mix is crumbly. Spread over apples. Bake 30-35 min. (or until apples are tender) and topping is golden brown. Serve warm with cream, ice cream, or cool whip. Rhubarb, peaches, huckleberries, etc. may be used instead of apples.
Applemallow Bake
6 c. (6 medium) peeled and thinly sliced apples
3 c. miniature marshmallows
1/4 c. cinnamon candies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In ungreased 9×5 inch loaf pan or 1 qt. baking dish, mix apples, cinnamon candies, and 2 c. marshmallows. Top with remaining 1 c. marshmallows. Bake, uncovered, for 45-50 min. until apples are tender. Serve hot.
Apple Cake
4 c. fresh apples (diced)
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped nuts
2 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 c. sugar
2 well-beaten eggs
2 tsp. baking soda
Mix apples and sugar thoroughly. Add vegetable oil, nuts, eggs and vanilla. Mix and add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Bake in greased 9×13 pan for 1 hr. or until shrinks from edges of pan. Serve plain, iced, or with cool whip.
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What’s for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For more recipes, organizing tips, home decorating, crafts, holiday hints, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com.
There is nothing as special or personal as a homemade Mother’s Day card. Surprise your friends and family with your handmade creations. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Materials:
Four blank greeting cards (available at craft stores), scrapbooking paper with floral pattern, coordinating solid piece of scrapbooking paper, creme or white colored cardstock (whichever matches other papers best), paper cutter, scissors, glue stick, computer, printer, sewing machine.
Card #1:
For this card you will need a floral piece of scrapbooking paper, a coordinating piece of solid colored scrapbooking paper, and a piece of white or creme colored cardstock. Cut a piece of the solid colored paper to fit the front of the greeting card and glue it in place. Cut an approximately 2-inch strip of the floral paper and glue on lefthand side of card as a border. Use your sewing machine to stitch* along the righthand side of the floral border and around the outside edge of the card. Cut a large square out of creme colored or white card stock and glue to the center of the card. Type “Happy Mother’s Day” on your computer and print out on white or creme colored cardstock. Cut out the phrase (narrow strip) and glue to the bottom of the square in the center of the card. Choose a flower from the floral paper and trim to fit in the center of the square on the front of the card. Glue in place.
* Stitching tips: If you have never used your sewing machine to make cards, it is easy! Just sew on the paper like you would on fabric. You might want to reserve a needle just for paper so you don’t dull the needle for your fabric projects. There are two ways you can include stitching in your card making projects. You can either stitch directly on the card, or you can stitch on a separate piece of paper and then glue that piece to the card (then the stitching won’t show through the card).
Card #2:
This Mother’s Day card is quick and easy. Cut a piece of the solid colored scrapbooking paper to fit three-quarters of the front of the card. Carefully tear along the righthand edge of the paper and glue the paper in place. Next cut a piece of floral paper to fit half of the front of the card. Carefully tear along the righthand edge of the paper and glue on top of the solid colored piece of paper. Type “Happy Mother’s Day” on your computer and print it on white or cream colored paper. Mat the cut-out phrase first on a piece of the solid colored paper, then glue to front of card. Stitch around the outside of the card if you wish, but it isn’t necessary.
Card #3:
This card will open horizontally. Cut three approximately 3-inch strips of paper to fit width of card: two floral and one solid colored. Tear bottom edges of each piece. Beginning at top of card overlap the three pieces with floral paper first and glue in place. Cut a large square from the cream or white colored paper and glue it in the center of the card. Cut a slightly smaller square of solid colored paper and glue in center of cream colored piece. Type “Happy Mother’s Day” on your computer. Print on cream or white colored paper, trim, and glue in the center of solid colored square. Stitch around the edge of the card, if you wish.
Card #4:
This card will open horizontally. Tear a rectangle from the solid colored paper and glue near top of card. Type “Happy Mother’s Day” on your computer and print on white or creme colored paper. Trim and glue to center of solid colored paper. Tear another piece of solid colored paper (larger than first) to glue across the bottom of the card. Cut a rectangle from floral paper and glue to center of bottom piece of solid colored paper. If you wish you can accent edges of floral rectangle with coordinating eyelets.
Notes: The terms “card stock” and “paper” are used interchangably here, but it is up to you which kind of paper you use, depending on the look you are trying to achieve - A sewing machine isn’t necessary for this project, it is just a nice added touch - You don’t have to use your computer for this project, you can handwrite the words if you wish.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, visit http://www.crafty-moms.com.
April Fool’s Day is the perfect day to have fun with the meals you serve. Surprise your family on April 1st with these fun meal ideas.
Fake Hot Dogs And French Fries
Your kids will love fake hot dogs and French fries for lunch this April fools day. Peel a banana and spread peanut butter all over it to give it the appearance of a hot dog. Serve it in a hot dog bun with some strawberry preserve drizzled over the hotdog to make it look like ketchup.
For the fries, peel some apples and cut them into sticks resembling fresh fries. Roll them in a cinnamon and sugar mixture and bake them for 8 to 10 minutes in a preheated 400 F oven. Serve with a side of strawberry preserve as fake ketchup. What a fun lunch.
Fool everyone in the family with these fun dinner and desert ideas. They won’t believe you are actually serving cake for dinner and spaghetti for dessert.
Cherry Cake Or Meatloaf?
Your Family will be in for a big surprise with this meatloaf cake. Prepare your favorite meatloaf and bake it in two 9-inch cake pans. Reduce the cooking time from what you would usually cook it since the meatloaf cake is thinner.
While the meatloaf cakes are baking, prepare some creamy mashed potatoes. Spread a layer of mashed potatoes on one of the cakes and top it with the second one. Use the remaining mashed potatoes to “frost” your cake. Cut a few cherry tomatoes in half and use them to decorate the top.
Serve Spaghetti As Desert
Since your serving cake for dinner, it only makes sense to eat spaghetti for dessert. Put a slice of pound cake on a plate. Spoon some softened ice cream in a pastry bag with a thin round tip. Pipe the ice cream over the pound cake in a swirly motion to resemble spaghetti noodles. Freeze for about 15-20 minutes to allow the ice cream to harden back up. Top with strawberry jam as tomato sauce and a few coconut flakes to resemble Parmesan cheese.
Don’t Forget The Drinks
Meals like these deserve a fun twist on a beverage as well. Prepare some lemon Jello and pour it into glasses. Add a straw and let it set. It will look just like a glass of lemonade. You can even decorate the glass with a slice of lemon.
Have fun with these creative April Fool’s recipes this April 1st. They are sure to make your family smile. Enjoy!
About the Author: Want more family friendly recipes and crafts ideas? Visit http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/info for a sample weekly menu plan your entire family will love and http://www.kinderinfo.com for tons of kids craft and activity ideas. Source: www.isnare.com
With candle making, there are hardly any limits. You can replicate lots of things with your creativity. Here are some delicious ‘Muffins’ that look very, very inviting. I cannot recall the number of times I have used them to play pranks on ‘unsuspecting targets’…lol.
Complete with chopped crayon bits for nuts and decorations, many people will mistake them for edible, freshly-baked, icing-topped muffins coming from your kitchen!
Materials Needed:
Candle Making Supplies (Wax, Dyes, Boiler, Wicks etc.)
Paper Muffin Cups (2-3 for one candle)
Whisk
Old Crayons (chopped into small pieces)
Directions:
1.Place 2-3 paper cups into each other for strength. Now, place them into individual muffin molds or a muffin tray for a string base. Grease them lightly if you wish, but it is not necessary.
2. Melt Wax, mix a dark or earthy colored dye for the muffin base. I used brown, but you can experiment. They are not real muffins after all!
3. Pour melted wax into the prepared ‘molds’. Allow to cool and set. You can use a wick at this point. I have not used one because I made these ‘muffins’ just as a show-piece.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the ‘frosting’. Melt wax and dye it a soft, creamy color. I used a pale, earthy brown again, but pinks, creams, blues, greens, yellows, peaches etc. look great for the icing. Be creative with your color combinations.
5. Cool the melted wax till you see a thin skin forming on it. Whip it with a whisk till it gets frothy. Quickly, spoon the froth over the muffin. If the wax solidifies before you are able to spoon enough froth, repeat the melting, cooling and whipping process.
6. While the frosting is still warm, sprinkle pieces of old crayons.
About the Author:
Lata Tokhi is the Founder and Editor of Dot Com Women, a premier women’s website and fast-growing online community, and Celebrating Christmas, a resource for celebrating Christmas in style. Visit her websites for lots of homemaking and business ideas, free downloads, free Ezines and message boards for women to network and share.
