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November 30, 2012

Let's end the week with some sweet ideas.

These Christmas candy crafts are easy to make
and fun for little ones who want to help.
















Guess what's under this Christmas tree -
an ice cream waffle cone on a cookie!





 Hershey's Kisses, a little pink felt and a pair
of googly eyes - boom! a Christmas mouse!






Sugar cookies with pretzel ears are salty and sweet.





Arrange 5 peppermints on a slightly greased aluminum pan;
bake at 250 degrees until they just barely begin to melt; remove
from oven and add your own candy decorations.






Who doesn't love Rice Krispy treats?!






Honey Graham bears, mini-Snickers, and tiny candy
canes were used to create these bears in sleds.












Nutter Butter cookies, pretzels, red M&Ms and chocolate
chip morsels make delicious no-bake treats.






How about a candy kabob?!






Construction paper, stove pipe cleaners and a glue stick are all you need
to make these candy bar wrappers for neighbors and co-workers.





A chocolate covered marshmallow reindeer
with tiny pretzel antlers - precious!






To make these snowmen, barely dampen the marshmallows,
roll them in super fine sugar, stick them together with toothpicks,
add candy eyes and a Rolo hat.   


No matter which sweet treats you make, the
most important ingredient is laughter!

November 29, 2012

How many times have you seen clever holiday craft ideas the week before
Christmas and were just too busy to make them?  You probably thought,
"Maybe next year."

Guess what?  It's next year!   


Love, love, love these simple woodland Santas.  




Save big buck$ by making your own
Santa hat and candy cane topiary.






Not too long ago I found an XXL shirt with green buttons
for $1 at my favorite thrift shop.  SO much cheaper than buying
buttons at the craft store and the shirt makes a great paint smock.






If you don't have an empty frame this big,
use a smaller frame or even a mirror.








Make your own charming Mason jar snow globes.







Put those wine corks you've been
saving all year to good craft use:
Large initials make a thoughtful personal gift.




Even though it's only mid-week, organize the supplies
you'll need for the children to make a few of these darling
Christmas craft ideas this weekend:



Ornaments such as this one remind me
that glue guns make great gifts, too.




How cute is this painted Styrofoam cup tree?
If you're not proficient at painting circles,
just use round stickers.






Repurpose spools into clever ornaments.






Thinking ahead to teacher gifts?  The children
will enjoy making these easy candy cane mice.





Keep your little ones' hands busy this season
with popsicle sticks, buttons, felt and glue.

One of the best sources for inexpensive craft supplies is your
local Dollar Tree.  Don't overlook notions at
garage and yard sales, either.  Get busy!

November 27, 2012

Today's repurposing post involves a trip to the wood shed . . . . . 




Birch tree limbs are ideal for make
furniture and lamp stands.





Got a knife?  Whittle your own plant stakes.





Building supply and hardware stores sell shims for as little as a
quarter each.  They make wonderful supplies for art projects.





Brunch at Saks
Create your own woodlands base for a rustic centerpiece.
Snip dead shrubbery branches, glue to a glass or plastic
container, fill with stones and a candle or moss and a plant.  





One of the most ingenious repurposing (and
awesome Christmas gift) ideas is Sprout:




Sprout is a pencil with a seed inside!  When it's too short
to use, it can be planted to grow herbs and flowers:


This particular pencil will grow up to be a radish. Other seed
pencil varieties include basil, cilantro, dill, green pepper,
morning glory, marigold, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme,
and tomato.  Now, that's a pencil worth chewing on.








Never, ever, ever, ever throw away an
old window or cabinet frame.  Never!




Aren't these shadow box end tables amazing?
And look what cute chalk boards they make, too:




Reclaimed wood is one of the most plentiful
and economical materials for repurposing:
Chic Cham
How darling is this primitive bedside table?



79 ideas
This charming rustic bench was built
using reclaimed barn wood.  



The Social Home
Wood scraps can be used to make handy
household product carriers and organizers.


desde my ventana
Left in its natural state, reclaimed wood adds a
charming touch to the most sophisticated kitchen.


The next time you drive by a pile of discarded wood, consider asking
the owner if they mind if you help yourself to a few pieces.
Then get out your hammer and nails and get creative!

November 26, 2012

Many of you might not know that I have a physical aversion to shopping malls.
Maybe it's the crowds, the noise, the new-ness of it all - I literally cannot spend
more than 10 minutes in a mall department store before my palms start sweating
and I'm glancing around, looking for the nearest exit.

But, put me in an antique shop, a thrift store, or a flea market and I can stroll
and shop all day long.  While I can hardly imagine a lovelier gift than a vintage
broach or an antique hat pin, not everyone appreciates the antiquated and
previously cherished.  

For those unfortunates who want 'normal' holiday gifts (ha!), we have another alternative to the dreaded mall experience - cyber shopping.  Today is Cyber
Monday and, yes, online bargains are waiting to be scooped up.

There are two darling young ladies on my shopping list to whom I give a Best
Seller each year.  This morning I visited Amazon and ordered their gifts.
Not only were the books drastically reduced, the shipping was free.  BAM!

In addition to the conventional name brand sites, consider shopping sources
such as eBay and etsy.  Vendors will negotiate, combine items for one low
shipping cost, and even reduce the price if you make a reasonable offer.

'Tis the season to be jolly and tight-fisted, what do you have to lose?


November 22, 2012

 
 
 
From my family to yours, have a joyful Thanksgiving.

November 21, 2012

Why is there a well-recognized and celebrated Christmas Eve but not
a Thanksgiving Eve?  It's never too early to start giving thanks, is it?