tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45336836957409431072024-03-13T02:45:28.183-06:00CopyCraftsDesigns by Jenn & John ThomasUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-34274092303228754242013-05-27T10:00:00.000-06:002013-05-27T10:00:00.734-06:00CRUNCHY GRANOLA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvK9B3NSNLCLhDdoBqCIbuZcsD6DD_n1UCm_ClfKMfcnsEAHqcViL28cuuDCX4-zHYQ8h1Rhcg4zKouZPpyc8WctY-dyEtNhE7ovrP25ljAwT2GEAV7eYI1bUCtg98Dh8274PAGqKfmZi/s1600/Granola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvK9B3NSNLCLhDdoBqCIbuZcsD6DD_n1UCm_ClfKMfcnsEAHqcViL28cuuDCX4-zHYQ8h1Rhcg4zKouZPpyc8WctY-dyEtNhE7ovrP25ljAwT2GEAV7eYI1bUCtg98Dh8274PAGqKfmZi/s320/Granola.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love being able to make things you would normally buy at the store. I don't make my own cheese or anything, but granola I can handle. I originally found this recipe in a Family Fun magazine, and have tweaked it to suit our tastes and what we keep around the house. Our favorite way to eat this is on top of yogurt, so we leave the dried fruit out, but you can have as much fun with this recipe as you like! Let me know how you like to make yours in the comments.<b> </b></div>
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<b>Crunchy Granola</b></div>
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4 cups rolled oats 1/3 cup vegetable oil</div>
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1 cup wheat germ 1/3 cup honey</div>
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1 cup chopped walnuts 1/3 cup water</div>
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1/4 cup brown sugar </div>
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1 teaspoon cinnamon 6 ounces dried fruit of choice (optional) </div>
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1/4 teaspoon salt</div>
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Heat oven to 325 degrees. Stir together dry ingredients in large mixing bowl. Make a well and add wet ingredients. Toss the mixture until the ingredients are well combined, then spread it evenly on a cookie sheet. Bake for 40 minutes, or until lightly brown, stirring every 10 minutes to keep from sticking. Allow to cool completely, then stir in dried fruit. Makes about 7 cups.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Approximate time to make*:<span><span style="font-size: small;"> 1 hour</span></span><br />Approximate cost for supplies*: $<span><span style="font-size: small;">6</span></span> per batch</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-46649371351041077902013-05-20T10:27:00.003-06:002013-05-22T14:44:36.375-06:00SOCCER PARTY - FREE PRINTABLES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vDOBSFq84xlaQOqcvspabiHSJyIBG359SFfkz0QRZsuONHG3mukPqT6Reont3bvy4A_M-ASaKaDJunMybQFooPZIHYyZwdkYmV5P6TMXKEc0EBnElmUNAfCC7wzeR_epTRNJ0lVsTOkI/s1600/Soccer+Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vDOBSFq84xlaQOqcvspabiHSJyIBG359SFfkz0QRZsuONHG3mukPqT6Reont3bvy4A_M-ASaKaDJunMybQFooPZIHYyZwdkYmV5P6TMXKEc0EBnElmUNAfCC7wzeR_epTRNJ0lVsTOkI/s400/Soccer+Party.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Somehow or other I got roped into being the Team Mom for my son's soccer team. Having never played sports myself, and this being my son's first experience, I had NO CLUE what I was doing. In the end, I think I did okay - at least no one complained (they might have just been grateful it wasn't them!). I was actually really excited to through the end-of-season party. Unfortunately, the party ended up being the same weekend as two other parties I was in charge of, so going all out was not really an option. But for less than $5 and 5 hours of work, I got a TON of compliments.<br />
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We had the party at a park so the kids could play, and everyone was instructed to bring their own picnic lunches. I had a display set up with cupcakes for everyone and the kids' trophies. Here's the breakdown of the display:<br />
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<b>Cupcakes</b> - I spent $2 on cupcake mixes, and $1 on the cupcake liners. I'm still trying to figure out the best <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1IsLJlfIjj8HCDaz35D5AGpEX6_nRuvgrXKBgNvjUCOuz5z2sEzmMq7FhOuAYtpxElWxAXYYIZAh834hT0eJPtnNLIWbGYwpnTwnarZ238fW8hwAgR4fYfeel8PidKldFPoiVF7ked0U/s1600/Soccer+Cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1IsLJlfIjj8HCDaz35D5AGpEX6_nRuvgrXKBgNvjUCOuz5z2sEzmMq7FhOuAYtpxElWxAXYYIZAh834hT0eJPtnNLIWbGYwpnTwnarZ238fW8hwAgR4fYfeel8PidKldFPoiVF7ked0U/s200/Soccer+Cupcakes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
way to use those cute liners. When I've tried baking directly in them, they have literally fallen off the cupcakes while still on the plate, which doesn't look very cute and kind of defeats the purpose. This time I baked in the regular liners, and then stuck the whole baked cupcake into the blue liner. This worked better, but still not perfect - if you know the secret to using these, please let me in on it! I also designed the cupcake toppers, which I printed onto cardstock, punched out with a 1 1/4" circle punch, and hot glued a toothpick to the backs.<br />
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<b>Displays</b> - I already had the glass cupcake stand from a previous party, but I knew that 40 cupcakes were not going to fit on there. So I found some kraft wrapping paper at the dollar store, and wrapped two boxes with it (they are pineapple boxes from Costco - which I have used so many times, they are the perfect size!).<br />
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<b>Banner</b> -The banner I designed as well, printed onto cardstock, and then sewed together on the sewing machine. If you don't sew, you can also glue the pieces onto ribbon (I like using hot glue, as it won't make the paper wavy like wet glue does). <br />
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<b>Ditched Ideas</b> - I have learned that whenever you plan a party, expect to ditch plan A, and plan B, and possibly plan C. It ended up being fairly breezy the day of our party, so there are a few ideas that didn't work for me, but may work for you. I bought a
royal blue tablecloth at the dollar store that I was going to use as a
table runner, but it kept blowing up and knocking over cupcakes. Also, I had planned on buying 4 balloons (2 blue, 2 orange) and weighting two of them down on each box, but again, the wind would have had them all over the place, and that idea had to go. <br />
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So, for any of you out there that find yourself in my position (of not having a clue how to throw a soccer party, or needing to put something together FAST), I am including a link for the FREE cupcake toppers and banner printables. If you have any great ideas for after-season sports parties, please post them in Comments!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Resources: <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/142588296/Soccer-Party-Free-Prin" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Soccer Cupc<span style="font-size: small;">ake Toppers and Banner - Free<span style="font-size: small;"> Printables</span></span></span></a><br />Skills required: <span style="font-size: small;">easy papercrafting</span><br />
Approximate time to craft*: <span style="font-size: small;">1 hour for a banner and 40 <span style="font-size: small;">cupcake toppers</span></span><br />
Approximate cost for supplies*: <span style="font-size: small;">$1</span><br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-13342658196280364582013-05-13T09:25:00.000-06:002013-05-13T09:25:55.608-06:00HANDMADE GIFT #17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTtu4Tcwu-yqeGgkvwNlEIndnhl8Ozfd2ZtZDHIDVy9XW_JLwkH-m8LTXd7T6SCX6Ku9TEHg4l40fbK-0dTYCs6OvC6hQlhvW3oLu9nB_SyrJ94SnaNf4Kprin4ajqiGUll8tCPjvZ-lf/s1600/Bibs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTtu4Tcwu-yqeGgkvwNlEIndnhl8Ozfd2ZtZDHIDVy9XW_JLwkH-m8LTXd7T6SCX6Ku9TEHg4l40fbK-0dTYCs6OvC6hQlhvW3oLu9nB_SyrJ94SnaNf4Kprin4ajqiGUll8tCPjvZ-lf/s320/Bibs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For occassions like weddings and baby showers, I tend to stock up on gifts so that I'm not always running out to the store. These bibs are the perfect baby gift to stock up with - they are quick to make, inexpensive, and great bibs (ties mean baby can't yank them off, extra large for coverage, and they are made of plastic so they wipe off nicely). They are made with a plastic shower curtain (found on clearance!), and honestly I lost count of how many bibs one shower curtain made - it was a lot! Once the bibs are all cut out of the shower curtain, you simply sew bias tape around the edges, leaving tails at the neck to create ties. That's it - you're done! <br />
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<span>Skills required: <span><span style="font-size: small;">easy sewing</span></span></span><br />
<span>Approximate time to craft*: <span><span style="font-size: small;">10 minutes </span></span></span><br />
<span>Approximate cost for supplies*: <span>$<span style="font-size: small;">3 <span style="font-size: small;">each </span></span></span><br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span></span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-54871783029368802432013-05-06T09:30:00.000-06:002013-05-06T09:31:23.501-06:00MICROWAVE CARAMEL POPCORN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC2HQFvN6QVFA2KUd11X-vDGflsuppMQQ4Qk_YEEKSAjJkpM7KlBI1hakXLRYlFvvN5a7YJbb_Fwcd2WgI8QYL-X4SsBsDIR4JlgEKE08maxNuP2m0sKwLi0jG3hFAafY0GwTb6UnCqFJ/s1600/Popcorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC2HQFvN6QVFA2KUd11X-vDGflsuppMQQ4Qk_YEEKSAjJkpM7KlBI1hakXLRYlFvvN5a7YJbb_Fwcd2WgI8QYL-X4SsBsDIR4JlgEKE08maxNuP2m0sKwLi0jG3hFAafY0GwTb6UnCqFJ/s320/Popcorn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love caramel popcorn. Rather, I should say I love<i> eating</i> caramel popcorn - making it, not so much. Boiling the sugar with the candy thermometer, and then having to bake and stir and bake and stir . . . such a pain. This recipe for microwave caramel popcorn lets you skip all the fuss and go straight to the fun part (which also makes it a very dangerous recipe - dieters beware!).<br />
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<b>Microwave Caramel Popcorn</b></div>
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20 cups popped corn (about 1 1/4 cups unpopped kernals)</div>
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1 c. brown sugar</div>
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1/2 c. butter</div>
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1/4 c. corn syrup</div>
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1/2 t. baking soda</div>
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1 t. vanilla</div>
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Put brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in a glass bowl and microwave 3 minutes on high. Meanwhile, put half of the popcorn in a clean paper grocery bag or large microwave safe bowl with lid. Keep the other half of the popcorn in a bowl ready to pour. Remove syrup from the microwave and stir in baking soda and vanilla well - it may separate but that's okay. Pour half the syrup over the popcorn in the bag or large bowl, add the rest of the popcorn and pour the remainder of the syrup over it. Close the bag (or put lid on the bowl) and give it a good shake - at least 80 times. Open bag or bowl back up and cook in microwave for 1 minute on high. Take out and shake 40 times. Put back in microwave for 30 seconds on high. Take out and shake a bit, then pout out onto clean counter. In less than one minute you'll have dry popcorn. </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate time to make*: <span style="font-size: small;">1<span style="font-size: small;">0</span> minutes</span><br />Approximate cost for supplies*: $<span style="font-size: small;">3</span> per batch</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-82433758319316016572013-04-29T11:08:00.000-06:002013-04-29T11:08:25.556-06:00THRIFT STORE MAKEOVER - VINTAGE TRUNK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmXYe33rJsCbsMOqMJY_hmn1BA5nDcpf7vL-j1CI9LGShlLN8u7Putoe_IuEXlchBSiJct_VpWzBKUzsKmwlBnyEDFBnduI1duLAh_x4aW2wwI2y_WVacEBUtb2hx6XLv2Ad_uuIJGq1L/s1600/Trunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmXYe33rJsCbsMOqMJY_hmn1BA5nDcpf7vL-j1CI9LGShlLN8u7Putoe_IuEXlchBSiJct_VpWzBKUzsKmwlBnyEDFBnduI1duLAh_x4aW2wwI2y_WVacEBUtb2hx6XLv2Ad_uuIJGq1L/s320/Trunk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUSeMoCR_YcJXv2mBruLL4659VgN4iAtIX1PQrKJN2k-KKtmk_4WNTsCqyfHlcEsYZPR4arWONxqeg08jZEHwwjXtnP0BSeRfGPaIat7jYZC57_l-MgQZhfMN1CmxANumPPrYL1HdLjdb/s1600/Original+trunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUSeMoCR_YcJXv2mBruLL4659VgN4iAtIX1PQrKJN2k-KKtmk_4WNTsCqyfHlcEsYZPR4arWONxqeg08jZEHwwjXtnP0BSeRfGPaIat7jYZC57_l-MgQZhfMN1CmxANumPPrYL1HdLjdb/s200/Original+trunk.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I first showed this cute little trunk to John at the thrift store, he looked at me like I had lost my mind. I don't really blame him. I mean, I enjoy the Twilight series as much as the next person - well, maybe not as much as <i>some </i>people (like the kind of person who <i>would</i> use this trunk, as is, to decorate their home). But I <u>love</u> vintage style trunks, and with a price tag of $3, I told John to have a little faith in me, and promised him he would like it in the end. I think I've fulfilled my promise.<br />
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I started by removing the hardware with a screwdriver. The leather strips I left on. Then I cut fabric to roughly the right size to cover a side and wrap over the top and bottom. I covered that side of the trunk with Modge Podge, and smoothed the fabric over it. Then I pushed the edges of the fabric under the leather strips with a flat head screwdriver. I repeated this on all sides, and then replaced the hardware. To cover the raw edges of the fabric on the inside and bottom, I glued in some black ribbon. <br />
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Cost breakdown: $3 for the trunk, $2 for the fabric (about 1/3 yard), and $1 for the ribbon, for a grand total of $6! <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span><br />
Approximate time to craft*: <span style="font-size: small;">3</span> hours</span></span><br />
</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Approximate cost for supplies*: $<span>6</span><br />
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span></span> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-5018515174572931332013-04-22T10:04:00.000-06:002013-04-22T10:04:00.239-06:00SEED STARTING PARTY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWK9qpbZH93rJhjegefs7gYY8hbmsO-JjMqpA4ZcU9701F_-93o9EU-dXn61NHxdUkkLfj8U6AVmOiagQ5W2GxvCnuQ-DOiPZzBbLkAP5xOcqqE6Wnt0S1fxMVlQljunxR5Omj8_io8vd/s1600/Seed+Party+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWK9qpbZH93rJhjegefs7gYY8hbmsO-JjMqpA4ZcU9701F_-93o9EU-dXn61NHxdUkkLfj8U6AVmOiagQ5W2GxvCnuQ-DOiPZzBbLkAP5xOcqqE6Wnt0S1fxMVlQljunxR5Omj8_io8vd/s320/Seed+Party+Poster.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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Last week I organized a Seed Starting Party for the women of my church - and we had so much fun! You could use this same idea for a fun girl's night. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT4t7FSGDhYMM6UTOcCWw38C5AjMHeWhgwuv4VnbkkoYleCSHeVANr5uap8KxhcHGNUr6BU72pHQZCmc-8Qr7JYKHmDmo90Xm3LRURhQS7ga-tp9YZdYLVGlJVm6-KOk1m3_-5Md-H6bd/s1600/Seed+Invites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT4t7FSGDhYMM6UTOcCWw38C5AjMHeWhgwuv4VnbkkoYleCSHeVANr5uap8KxhcHGNUr6BU72pHQZCmc-8Qr7JYKHmDmo90Xm3LRURhQS7ga-tp9YZdYLVGlJVm6-KOk1m3_-5Md-H6bd/s320/Seed+Invites.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seed packet invitations.</td></tr>
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I started by finding these beautiful vintage looking printable seed packets <a href="http://theopulentpoppy.blogspot.com/2013/03/seed-packets.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I used these (and a little help from Photoshop) to create the poster (above), and invitations. I think the invitations were my favorite detail. The seed packets print kind of small, so I enlarged them as big as I could while still fitting on one page. Then we assembled the seed packets (just cut, fold and glue), and inserted a page with the party details into the packet. If I had more budget, I would have printed the information on the back of the seed packet, and filled them with something like chocolate covered sunflower seeds. But they turned out cute nonetheless. We had some extra invitations, so I sewed those together across the top 1/4" to make a quick and cute banner.<br />
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We began the night by inviting several avid gardeners to talk about their gardens and answer any gardening questions people might have. I learned a ton - have you ever heard that you can use a bug zapper to get rid of those icky bugs that destroy your fruit trees instead of spraying them (I'm excited to try this, hopefully it will work!). They talked and answered questions for about 45 minutes, and then the real fun began! <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ57SV1sHbC0s3dG93mh6sExHkkQlbKOkiX-bM01pEjHd9CM_gCaglgKD34SIyGkLPzzCKbJdGNtFBA5yCsH8qquOLwHsZAHm97DvWom9SxYre0gdwn9NacfkxZuTJV_8yCCQ-X35ZGR8h/s1600/Seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ57SV1sHbC0s3dG93mh6sExHkkQlbKOkiX-bM01pEjHd9CM_gCaglgKD34SIyGkLPzzCKbJdGNtFBA5yCsH8qquOLwHsZAHm97DvWom9SxYre0gdwn9NacfkxZuTJV_8yCCQ-X35ZGR8h/s320/Seeds.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our seed starts.</td></tr>
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I found a tutorial for making newspaper pots <a href="http://www.ehow.com/video_1745_create-seed-starting.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I tested their method at home and found that using a half sheet of newspaper (instead of a whole sheet), and then taping the sides and bottom worked a lot better for me. The great thing about these little pots is that they are free (which was fabulous for our budget!), and if you take the tape off you can plant them directly in the ground. After a quick demonstration, everyone made their own pots and filled them with seed starting mix. It is important to use seed starting mix, and not potting soil or dirt. You will need about 2 cups (or half a quart) for each person to fill 4 pots. We provided plastic plates (from the dollar store) to use as trays to hold the pots. Everyone was asked to bring one packet of any type of seed to share, so once the pots were ready we planted whatever we liked. We provided popsicle sticks to label the pots with what type of seed was planted, but the pots are so short they didn't work very well. In the future I would just provide sharpies and have people write directly on the newspaper pots. Then we misted everything with squirt bottles, and cover the plate with plastic wrap. This took about 30 minutes for everyone to finish. We also sent everyone home with instructions on how to care for their seedlings and harden them off before planting.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca-eMk3CWTixqDl6Z1ZU2pYzKtgCjQt-muy_RUEFj3xTfK6i0J7n5Pzjy0xSOjnizXLQgKA2J80WJUL1YIcqU0_L7_ApQbKkf_WSu4Rb1dWJ1uipRjlFBipmGWRyV6GYdUdlO9m8c2TCQ/s1600/Brownies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca-eMk3CWTixqDl6Z1ZU2pYzKtgCjQt-muy_RUEFj3xTfK6i0J7n5Pzjy0xSOjnizXLQgKA2J80WJUL1YIcqU0_L7_ApQbKkf_WSu4Rb1dWJ1uipRjlFBipmGWRyV6GYdUdlO9m8c2TCQ/s320/Brownies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brownie bites.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now for the most important part - refreshments! I had seen these cute little brownie bites with sprigs of mint in them in a magazine and thought they would be perfect for a seed starting party! I asked a member of our comittee to take this on, and she went above and beyond! The brownies are bake in the little mini-muffin tins, and she used frosting to hold the mint on. Then she put them all on a bed of crushed up cookie crumbs and added the gummy worms for effect. So cute! <br />
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If you are planning on throwing your own seed starting party, here is link with lots of helpful information on the technicalities of <a href="http://www.rodale.com/seed-starting-party" target="_blank">starting seeds</a>. Let me know how your party goes!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-88354456693175553642013-04-15T09:54:00.000-06:002013-04-29T11:08:50.191-06:00LINEN PILLOWS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2811nIiJBtmXZbuoUhLpbwIHQPSg3jcS_o9GCcEd7zRTtVrJkUkaxUxrL8wlc6pkPdzY8ObWAuWx2d85S3t_JigRvWN0v2iRb5J7pFJQNPmbeQZ6oGYhT79lOJRi9b1gN-yUUoMhuz7Jl/s1600/Pillows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2811nIiJBtmXZbuoUhLpbwIHQPSg3jcS_o9GCcEd7zRTtVrJkUkaxUxrL8wlc6pkPdzY8ObWAuWx2d85S3t_JigRvWN0v2iRb5J7pFJQNPmbeQZ6oGYhT79lOJRi9b1gN-yUUoMhuz7Jl/s320/Pillows.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've been in need of some throw pillows for our couches for a VERY long time. I had three requirements for these pillows: 1. They had to be a bold color. I play it safe with color most of the time, so most of our house is very neutral. I feel like pillows are easily replaced, and therefore a safe place to put in color. 2. They could not be boring. I don't know why, but I just have this thing against a pillow with no pattern or motif or <i>something</i> to make it special. Just a personal preference I guess. 3. It had to have some brown in it. We bought these (rather expensive) leather couches when we first moved into our home. In the showroom they were the perfect shade of chocolate brown. Of course, the couches that showed up were more like a<b> dark</b> chocolate brown. If you don't know they're brown, they look black. The store was not very sympathetic - different dye lots, blah, blah, blah. In an attempt to help the eye see brown couches, and not black ones, I wanted to make sure the pillows had brown in them. <br />
<br />
So off to the fabric store I went, and I found these red and white linen fabrics that I loved. Then I was inspired by the hand painted linen towels on <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/05/hand-painted-linen-kitchen-towels-easy.html" target="_blank">jennysteffens.blogspot.com</a>. It's a great tutorial, and was the perfect solution for adding brown into the pillows. <br />
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Last week I shared with you my secret about frames. Well, here is my secret about pillows - I never buy new pillow forms. As with frames, thrift stores always have shelves full of pillows for $2-3 each. If you were to take all the pillow covers off of my pillows, you would have the world's ugliest collection of pillows! But unless you read this post, you'd never guess. Because I use old pillows, I line the pillow cover with quilt batting, which smooths out any little lumps or bumps. <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Resources: </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/05/hand-painted-linen-kitchen-towels-easy.html" target="_blank">jennysteffens.blogspot.com</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Skills required: <span style="font-size: small;">easy machine <span style="font-size: small;">s<span style="font-size: small;">ewing</span></span></span><br />
Approximate time to craft*: 2 hours each</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Approximate cost for supplies*: $<span style="font-size: small;">5 each</span><br />
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-33671169637314711392013-04-08T09:32:00.000-06:002013-04-29T11:08:50.189-06:00HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K2VDlUv1SnR1B_cpfToV301t-Pg3ZhgQCjKNHm4hbcoNZunxII3mx0xkEvN53k6pbUsbXHhYXgsv7d-NU8wFGC54LzIeB79h6JVvmuKmVcoTjoT0sQgvqQideFNeUFsUhRFqWIxMwb2n/s1600/Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K2VDlUv1SnR1B_cpfToV301t-Pg3ZhgQCjKNHm4hbcoNZunxII3mx0xkEvN53k6pbUsbXHhYXgsv7d-NU8wFGC54LzIeB79h6JVvmuKmVcoTjoT0sQgvqQideFNeUFsUhRFqWIxMwb2n/s320/Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes grandparents can be the hardest to find gifts for. They have already acquired so many "things," and frequently are trying to purge the stuff they have. We started using the idea of making a photo collage several years ago, and have used it a couple times since - after all, one thing ALL grandparents need is cute pictures of their grand-kids to show off! If you have access to a program like Adobe Photoshop, you can really make a custom collage. But almost every photo printing service (like Costco and Shutterfly) has options to create your own collage.<br />
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Along with pictures, we love to include a meaningful quote or saying. When my brother was serving a church mission in Canada, I made a collage for him with pictures of our little guy dressed up like a missionary and doing things like reading scriptures and praying, with the words "I want to be a missionary just like my Uncle Shane." It was his favorite gift that year, and I ended up printing out 3 more copies for other people who wanted them (including, of course, my parents). <br />
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I've given these with and without frames - but if you want to give it with a frame, I'll let you in on a little secret. I NEVER buy frames new. Ever. Go into any thrift store, anywhere, and you can find piles and piles of frames for super cheap. A quick sanding and a couple coats of paint and they look great!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Approximate time to put together*: </span><span><span style="font-size: small;">2-3 hou<span style="font-size: small;">rs </span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Approximate cost for supplies*: $5 for an 8x10 (including a thrift store frame)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-54198448537443692522013-04-01T14:18:00.000-06:002013-04-01T14:18:55.011-06:00PIXIE PLACE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDGDUfe7yUTlKcV6wCL-orsC2iOor4z2S10-B4YLdQm5iGs5TDczH3_cPGBHcRGtWPltpQWXUdvNC6CZhKAPC6liFBoTnIJuWpyiCP0T_a9RhgqjGErdqCfvyivMw6b5UwW1aeDCcEvJQ/s1600/Fairy+Tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDGDUfe7yUTlKcV6wCL-orsC2iOor4z2S10-B4YLdQm5iGs5TDczH3_cPGBHcRGtWPltpQWXUdvNC6CZhKAPC6liFBoTnIJuWpyiCP0T_a9RhgqjGErdqCfvyivMw6b5UwW1aeDCcEvJQ/s320/Fairy+Tent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Let your child escape to a world where flowers grow as big as their
head, where grass is big enough to look like a forest, and where their
best friends are fairies full of magic. The best part? This fantastic
world is as close as their living room, and sets up in seconds over a
standard card table. The front door flap makes it easy to get in and
out, and side windows let you peak in on their delightful adventures.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Resources: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/128119682/pixie-place-epattern-for-a-fairy-garden?ref=shop_home_feat" target="_blank">www.copycrafts.etsy.com</a><br />Skills required: intermediate machine sewing, easy embroidery</span><br />
<span>Approximate time to craft*: 25 hours<br />Approximate cost for supplies*: $40</span><br />
<span>*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span> </span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-40331406991431209622013-03-18T10:00:00.000-06:002013-05-13T09:26:46.196-06:00HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmnyglUEjX47GuLXYO96BEl8jnSJ8pL5Zu9-719Du8ZF4Osl6U7p4FSsnnKm41mAgOIhWwUmsIlcaIvBW5oFmA41HhZagBSHUEHOrJ4wN2TkTPnMwsAWcJj3yuMa3-PGjFMWO-O7ZFcCo/s1600/Lunch+Bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmnyglUEjX47GuLXYO96BEl8jnSJ8pL5Zu9-719Du8ZF4Osl6U7p4FSsnnKm41mAgOIhWwUmsIlcaIvBW5oFmA41HhZagBSHUEHOrJ4wN2TkTPnMwsAWcJj3yuMa3-PGjFMWO-O7ZFcCo/s320/Lunch+Bag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you haven't noticed yet, we LOVE to give handmade gifts. We especially love giving gifts that are not only handmade, but are also useful. Which is why we LOVE these cute reusable fabric lunch bags. Plus, they're quick and easy to make. If you're feeling adventurous, you can make them without a pattern - it's just one big long rectangle (front, bottom, and back) and two small rectangles on the sides. If you're not feeling so adventurous, have no fear, there are tons of great patterns for these available. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58357814/classic-lunch-bag-sewing-pattern-pdf?" target="_blank">Emmamae</a> on Etsy sells a pattern for a bag identical to this one, and it includes two sizes. Great gift for working moms, dads, and kids in school!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Resources: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58357814/classic-lunch-bag-sewing-pattern-pdf?" target="_blank">Classic Lunch Bag pattern by Emmamae</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Skills Required<span style="font-size: small;">: <span style="font-size: small;">e</span>asy <span style="font-size: small;">s</span>ewing</span> <br />
Approximate time to put together*: 1 hour </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate cost for supplies*: $5</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-83919798563417370792013-03-12T15:14:00.002-06:002013-03-12T15:14:48.113-06:00CAMPFIRE CENTERPIECES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjvKmHRpTU5UJvqeti4QJxNVImfIWgy8ueTWTkyoZx-CLD6c7zPlqj8b1aWozlkZtUNBT-mQL7icHZX9pV0z6hHEDIj-vPZ7EsQIEq7GPV5dSmN8wfmRXMIBbLHLxCBJm4fIpjP7yX7SP/s1600/New+Centerpieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjvKmHRpTU5UJvqeti4QJxNVImfIWgy8ueTWTkyoZx-CLD6c7zPlqj8b1aWozlkZtUNBT-mQL7icHZX9pV0z6hHEDIj-vPZ7EsQIEq7GPV5dSmN8wfmRXMIBbLHLxCBJm4fIpjP7yX7SP/s400/New+Centerpieces.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As promised, here are the little campfire centerpieces I made for the <a href="http://copycrafts.blogspot.com/2013/03/blue-gold-camp-out.html" target="_blank">Blue & Gold Banquet</a> last month. I started by cutting "flames" out of red, yellow, and orange tissue paper. Even with 10 centerpieces to make, this hardly took any tissue paper, maybe a quarter of a sheet of each color. I then used Modge Podge to glue the flames to the glass votives. As you can imagine, this part is very messy - I had glue all over my hands, but thankfully the Modge Podge washes off hands, and it wipes of the glass if you make a little mistake as well. <br />
<br />
Next I painted the part of the pot that holds water (sorry, I don't know what it's called - the little dish piece that goes underneath the pot, help me out if you know what it's real name is). If you're buying these new, you probably don't need to paint them, but as I was reusing mine, and they were royal blue, I thought a little brown paint was in order. Then I glued the glass votive to the pot dish turned upside down, using craft glue. You could use hot glue, which will dry faster, but there is a chance they will break apart if they get bumped or dropped (which is how I took the old centerpieces apart in the first place). <br />
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Now comes the tricky part - the rock ring. I started by wadding up pieces of newspaper into little balls and taping them with masking tape so they kept their shape. The great thing about this is that you don't have to worry about making perfect shapes or sizes, because they're <i>rocks</i>. I made about 8 for each centerpiece, though some needed 9, depending on the size of the rocks and how closely I glued them together. Then I cut grey butcher paper into strips big enough to wrap around the rocks. I took each strip and crumpled/uncrumpled it several times to give it texture and make it easier to work with. Then I dipped each paper rock into glue, placed it in the center of the butcher paper strip, and wrapped the paper around it like a hot dog bun (sorry, this is one step I should have taken a picture of, but I was in a major hurry - hopefully you get it). Scrunch the paper around the sides of the paper rock, and then repeat with another paper rock close to the first one. You should get something that resembles Wilma Flinstone's necklace. I let these dry completely before moving on. <br />
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When the rocks were dry, I hot glued the bottom (which was originally the top) of the water dish to a piece of grey paper. Starting at one end of the rock necklace, I hot glued each rock, half on the paper, half on the dish, with the seam of the rocks facing down. Once those were on, I just cut 5-6 sticks into short pieces and hot glued those around the fire. Voila! Cute little campfire centerpieces that are perfectly safe to keep indoors. <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span></span><br />
<span></span><span>Approximate time to craft*: </span><span style="font-size: small;">30 minutes each</span><span></span><br />
<span>Approximate cost for supplies*: <span style="font-size: small;">$2 each (buy<span style="font-size: small;">ing new <span style="font-size: small;">supplies<span style="font-size: small;">)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span>*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-57806641668706533062013-03-04T10:51:00.004-07:002013-03-04T11:03:34.109-07:00BLUE & GOLD CAMP OUT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdjuLe9bTwuYMPqX5QXOTaJm9kgx3X1T4XBHNS33yxH9lHwCXOqhTPtu9E-G7lxvDPgCs_oWEEoYnWnzkIZWN9cpEiSr_MWuwfmSm2c4aHD3uGi35gHM47_FEo0d2ySFnt_rt21JP4RqV/s1600/Blue+and+Gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdjuLe9bTwuYMPqX5QXOTaJm9kgx3X1T4XBHNS33yxH9lHwCXOqhTPtu9E-G7lxvDPgCs_oWEEoYnWnzkIZWN9cpEiSr_MWuwfmSm2c4aHD3uGi35gHM47_FEo0d2ySFnt_rt21JP4RqV/s400/Blue+and+Gold.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last week I was in charge of decorations for our Cub Scout Blue &Gold Banquet. If you are unfamiliar with the Blue & Gold, this is a big dinner for all the boys (8-10 years old) and their families to celebrate the founding of Cub Scouts. Our Cub Scout Committee (currently comprised of 5 men and 2 women) started with good intentions to plan early, but planning meetings kept getting pushed off, so it was exactly one week before the Banquet that we did any planning at all. So with one week to go, I actually volunteered for this assignment.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_MUtPJXC-Bd2xV0lqI3qsop7p-7nNFjiGm1MicswLLmGW4hfGN88ACdl5CWVpnjBTR3nBb_fWSTZChhWVbcGCs1PF-cSQpjnfL5J4fv1q4_IqgU8ehRpz0XZqAeZXIYua1ZoZ163DCRQ/s1600/Old+Centerpieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_MUtPJXC-Bd2xV0lqI3qsop7p-7nNFjiGm1MicswLLmGW4hfGN88ACdl5CWVpnjBTR3nBb_fWSTZChhWVbcGCs1PF-cSQpjnfL5J4fv1q4_IqgU8ehRpz0XZqAeZXIYua1ZoZ163DCRQ/s320/Old+Centerpieces.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old centerpieces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Why would I do such a crazy thing? To fully understand this, we'll have to go back a year to the last Blue & Gold Banquet. It was one week before the Banquet, and we had finally gotten around to planning (do you sense a theme?). Decorations came up, and the Cub Master with a wave of his hand said they were "taken care of" and we moved on. As this came from a man, I should have asked more questions. When we came to set up for the <b>Blue </b>and<b> Gold</b> Banquet, out of the Scout closet came <b>black</b> tablecloths, and these little beauties were stuck in the middle of the table. The end.<br />
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Now I have no problem reusing old decorations. These could actually be really cute filled with candy (which I think they originally were), or taking off the lid and having balloons coming out the top. But by themselves? Add to this that we ran out of tables and<i> food,</i> and the only thing I could do was hope that everyone realized I was the only woman on the committee with six men, and blame it on the men.<br />
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So this year, with one week to go, I found myself compelled to volunteer for decorations in the hopes of making up for last year. I had a budget of $40, which sounds like a lot until you consider that I had to buy plates (we had none), and 9 round table cloths (regularly $3 each). Our theme was "Camping," and my favorite parts of camping are looking at the stars at night and sitting around the campfire, so that inspired a lot of the decorations. Here is what I did, and the breakdown of the budget (in case you ever find yourself with a week and $40 to decorate for a dinner for 72 people, in which case I will deeply sympathize with you):<br />
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<b>Blue Plastic Tablecloths</b> - This was the biggest expense. It would have been about $30, but as they say, "drastic times call for drastic measures." No, I didn't steal them. I went to a local craft store (Hobby Lobby) that has a daily 40% off coupon that you can print from home. I went twice a day for five days. Was it worth it? The final expense was $17.10 for 9 tablecloths, giving me some needed wiggle room. I also bought 2 dollar store rectangular tablecloths for the food tables. We had one white tablecloth in the closet, and I knew how sheer the dollar store tablecloths are, so I grabbed one more white one for the second table, and a blue one which I cut in half and used as table runners over both tables, adding another $2.12 to the total.<br />
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<b>Plates</b> - This was next biggest expense. The best deal I could find for yellow plates was $1.50 for 16 plates at Albertson's. Totaling $7.95.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkEaJpQgVP6StyZi_19z4Vyd5H2HBv7lATTjy6Q70D8w5Qt8fh_W7hMtjtWzabIIpc0oF6oqaHeJ-Q5_HzjoMh9IEfJLWdr0OSihOU8AUii3lvOP3pYXvSnISJu77T-3kHqSb9cnmP6GY/s1600/Silverware.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkEaJpQgVP6StyZi_19z4Vyd5H2HBv7lATTjy6Q70D8w5Qt8fh_W7hMtjtWzabIIpc0oF6oqaHeJ-Q5_HzjoMh9IEfJLWdr0OSihOU8AUii3lvOP3pYXvSnISJu77T-3kHqSb9cnmP6GY/s200/Silverware.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Cups and Silverware</b> - We had plain white cups, napkins, and silverware in the Scout closet. The silverware I decided to wrap up cute to make it easier to set out, and to give the tables a little something extra. We had a stack of yellow paper with a quiz they done several years ago at a Blue and Gold on one side. Deciding these would probably never be used again, I used a 1 1/4" circle punch to punch 72 yellow circles out of them. Then I punched the paw prints out of the middle of the circles with another punch. I punched 72 more circles out of 2 sheets of blue cardstock (which I had to buy). I glued the two circles together, and punched them both with a regular hole punch. Then I used some extra jute string from the star banners below to tie it all together. They turned out cute, and I saw a lot of kids running around wearing them as bracelets after dinner. Total cost was 74 cents for the paper.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKNv-39MWPXomvuBi0vsW7jYHuzpGXFK0WiD9CLzQLhUgc5gvJp9Nu44ph2oLV1CRudAgD-YSQMmfIm-g3OgscfPz_K7aXOevYzH2D7HlJNP3q1PlPk6JXHtmKU9FLEEkT462U2ynD2A-/s1600/New+Centerpieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKNv-39MWPXomvuBi0vsW7jYHuzpGXFK0WiD9CLzQLhUgc5gvJp9Nu44ph2oLV1CRudAgD-YSQMmfIm-g3OgscfPz_K7aXOevYzH2D7HlJNP3q1PlPk6JXHtmKU9FLEEkT462U2ynD2A-/s320/New+Centerpieces.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new centerpieces!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Centerpieces - </b>Remember those old centerpieces? Well they are no more! I disassembled those to create these cute little campfires. I'll explain in more detail how I made these next week (so stay tuned!). The tea lights we borrowed, so the only expense on these was 60 cents for grey butcher paper.<br />
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<b>Table Squares </b>- I fell in love with this cute black gingham fabric. I bought a yard and half to make 9 15" table squares (plus some extra which I used around the pots below). It was $4.99 a yard, and of course I used a 40% off coupon, so the total expense was $4.76. Rather than worrying about hemming 9 table squares, I just ripped the fabric to give the edges a frayed look, which worked with the "rustic" decor. To rip fabric, cut about 1" in where you want to make the rip, and then pull the two sides apart - sometimes you have to pull very hard, but it will rip straight. The edges tend to curl when they've been ripped, so I ironed them flat, and pulled out loose threads.<br />
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<b>Pine Cones</b> - These were free from an obliging school field nearby (I asked at the front office first). One thing I learned is that when pine cones are wet or damp they close up. So I brought home my bag of pine cones and washed them off (I figured I should make sure they were clean since they were going on tables with food), and even the ones that were open closed up. I left them laying out in a single layer for three full days, and about half of them had opened up. Luckily I had way more than I needed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6V8EuzVj2kxsIXPUzwjeuX2Lc9YqaDpQNYhSgm8gF1FG5-sH5c-t0e7PKq-KXb9-Ly_BxEFIbV1arlqbYo1dG-S2vw_YYIPktaVFATB4tns1unE9kXYE0wxnqCssnWzTD6c2lhUyqOc6/s1600/Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6V8EuzVj2kxsIXPUzwjeuX2Lc9YqaDpQNYhSgm8gF1FG5-sH5c-t0e7PKq-KXb9-Ly_BxEFIbV1arlqbYo1dG-S2vw_YYIPktaVFATB4tns1unE9kXYE0wxnqCssnWzTD6c2lhUyqOc6/s200/Banner.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Pack Poster </b>- I wanted to dress up the front area a little, so I made this poster with stars and our pack number "constellation." I used 3 yards of black butcher paper, costing $1.81. The letters I printed out on regular white paper (one letter per page), using a font that just outlined the letters so I could cut them out. Then I added about 35 stars (leftover from star banners below) to the letters and background to make our starry night.<br />
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<b>Star Banners</b> - I love hanging stuff across the ceiling - it gives an instant "wow" factor, for not much work. I went to a local scrapbooking store that let me use their die-cutting machine to cut 120 stars out of 10 sheets of golden yellow paper, costing $3.71. Then I cut jute string ($3.29 for 400 feet) into 5 pieces long enough to span the ceiling, which I had measured earlier. Then I hot glued the stars to the string at random intervals. Easy as that. We used a staple gun to attach it to the walls on both sides.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbs9jj5FtuZe8zX3MBGsRPNWqLzcdvFOY7KaGknjmgesp0NlqDnvXlM0UdcxTX67rQPOUFz6sWDW5TIs-2vVDHHZQX1aLFiD8JNa5I1wMTfqvOUOtR8ZfNX1pnfK8wqVfVqJO2JMXLJADl/s1600/Signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbs9jj5FtuZe8zX3MBGsRPNWqLzcdvFOY7KaGknjmgesp0NlqDnvXlM0UdcxTX67rQPOUFz6sWDW5TIs-2vVDHHZQX1aLFiD8JNa5I1wMTfqvOUOtR8ZfNX1pnfK8wqVfVqJO2JMXLJADl/s320/Signs.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<b>Signs</b> - After making the centerpieces, I still had the pots leftover from the old centerpieces. I was originally going to paint them, but as I washed the glass vases, I noticed how easily the paint came off. I had a hunch, so I put a pot in the sink, and I was right - they had used tempura paint which washed right off the pots, saving me a lot of time! It left the pots looking a little dirty, but that went with our theme, so I wasn't complaining. I tied some of the extra fabric from the table squares around the rim of the pot, and stuffed it with newspaper. The sticks are paint stirrers I picked up at a home improvement store (we buy paint there all the time, and never take paint stirrers for some reason, so I didn't feel too bad taking them). I painted them to cover up the lettering, and went over the top of the paint with stain. The signs I made in Photoshop, using a picture of an old sign I found online, and printed it out on white cardstock. I hot glued the sign to the stick, and then hot glued the stick in the pot. The finishing touch was some green spanish moss, which I had lying around from a previous project, hot glued to cover the newspaper. Total cost - free! I made six of these, one for the food table (pictured), one that said "Gone Campin" for the front, and 4 more to label the stations for after dinner. In retrospect, I probably didn't need to do those last four. It was very chaotic, and I don't they got noticed. The remaining four pots I also washed and tied fabric around, and then filled them with pine cones and set them on the food table, and at the front.<br />
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We also set up a couple small tents and borrowed the cute fake pine trees for the front. The lights were dimmed so it looked like night, and the flickering tea lights made the centerpieces come alive. As a last minute touch, our very tech-savvy Cub Master found some "night sounds" (crickets, owls, etc.) that we played to add to the atmosphere.<br />
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Our after dinner activities included making campfire neckerchief slides, telling scary stories, playing camping games, and making ice cream (the kind you shake in a bag). We had set up tents around the building for each station, but as I said before it was extremely chaotic, and I don't think they got used. <br />
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Was there more I would have done with more time and money. Sure - there always is! But overall I was really happy with how it came together and I think everyone felt like we had made an effort to make it a special event. As an added bonus, next time a Cub Master says, "decorations are taken care of," I'll sleep easier knowing there is actually something usable in the closet!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-60270980145372093002013-02-11T10:00:00.000-07:002013-02-11T10:00:07.592-07:00LEGO STAR WARS VALENTINE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy28Aot-FoO_rkD9uBLZnIgKoh_vyfhdLXzePlZoK9GYGUFKDqL7XyoM9aJrnW_6nWEaxn8tFU_nx4KPMlgn2Rw-MyDEbCUkIuzg2xeLrHjtHbFI9u9QPs6bW1kbUPBQUAbcyi8R4JpO4/s1600/Valentines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy28Aot-FoO_rkD9uBLZnIgKoh_vyfhdLXzePlZoK9GYGUFKDqL7XyoM9aJrnW_6nWEaxn8tFU_nx4KPMlgn2Rw-MyDEbCUkIuzg2xeLrHjtHbFI9u9QPs6bW1kbUPBQUAbcyi8R4JpO4/s320/Valentines.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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About a month ago I began to get really excited to make Valentine's with my son (if any of you are rolling your eyes, please keep in mind that he is my first, and he is in Kindergarten - I'll probably roll my eyes with you in a couple years). There are so many darling Valentine <span style="font-size: small;">possibilities</span>, and I honestly thought we would never be able to choose. Then came the bad news. Yes, they are doing Valentine's this year, but there is <i>no candy allowed</i>. Seriously, no candy. On Valentine's Day. Does anyone else find this <u><i>WRONG</i></u>? I mean, yes, the "responsible parent" side of me should be thrilled that he won't come home on a sugar high, but it seems like it takes away half the fun as well.<br />
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The good news is that this severely limited our choices of Valentines, and my little Star Wars fan was of course drawn to this one. I think they turned out super cute, so I've made my peace with the "no candy" thing (or at least I'm trying). The cards are a free printable from <a href="http://stitchcraftcreations.com/">stitchcraftcreations.com</a>, and can be printed with a colored or white background onto card stock. We got the glow-sticks from the dollar store (5 for a dollar). I used a single hole punch to punch holes just above and just below the light saber, and my son stuck the glow sticks through the holes. Here's my only caution: if you have a little guy (like mine) putting in the glow sticks, <i>buy extra</i>. He accidentally cracked several of them so they started to glow, which he thought was wonderful, but which meant we had to go buy more glow sticks. But we had fun, and we put 24 together in less than an hour, so even if you've left Valentine's till the last minute, these are still easily doable.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Resources:<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.stitchcraftcreations.com/2012/01/30/forceful-valentines/" target="_blank">Printable Lego Star Wars Valentine</a> by <span style="font-size: small;">st<span style="font-size: small;">itchcraft<span style="font-size: small;">creations.com</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">Skills required: <span style="font-size: small;">none</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">Approximate time to craft*: 1 hour for 24 Valentine's</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate cost for supplies*: $5 for 24 <span style="font-size: small;">Valentine's</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-35135862868668418252013-02-04T10:56:00.000-07:002013-02-04T13:04:43.758-07:00SIMPLY WOVEN QUILT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbKG5RHr6Sw9I971HS-H-XF8WPr7CeTIZHo_Fq4eRAuM9OpCFwGnXoYtXq_g26Qas0rxbSkoKLe9Q4LmwBfnfNfJ7xG09eySBhRlrAnkdjzdghR6py5-WbB1KJVMh-EysvlTCQ9gyOQ9L/s1600/Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbKG5RHr6Sw9I971HS-H-XF8WPr7CeTIZHo_Fq4eRAuM9OpCFwGnXoYtXq_g26Qas0rxbSkoKLe9Q4LmwBfnfNfJ7xG09eySBhRlrAnkdjzdghR6py5-WbB1KJVMh-EysvlTCQ9gyOQ9L/s320/Quilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As soon as I saw this quilt pattern, I knew I HAD to use it for my next scrap quilt. It is so fun, and a great change from the traditional square patterns (plus the tutorial by Jessica Kelly is FREE!). I love how cheerful my scrap quilt turned out, but I also think this quilt would be adorable in a child's bedroom - maybe in navys and greys for a boy, or in shades of turquoise for a girl. So many possibilities!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Resources:<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/10/simply-woven-quilt.html" target="_blank">Moda Bake Shope - Simply Woven Quilt Tutorial</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Skills required: inter<span style="font-size: small;">mediate quilting</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate time to craft*: <span style="font-size: small;">30 hours</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate cost for supplies*: $<span style="font-size: small;">15 (scrap quilt) - $100 (new fabric)</span><br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-6308086763769033762013-01-28T10:00:00.000-07:002013-01-28T13:25:17.163-07:00GOLDEN NUGGETS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRybThRoNf_Q-GGUhJMwGwgUXY_Kzhfld7q7h1UPRyt5oLVi0m9vkP7MTPBKaeAYyIVA30Lbutks7Zb7hINn7NOoRizMA5w5dv01soxbNE8HfxfTDZCZ4wNBFwEjxD7yK_Ne7WOk1NTMM/s1600/Crackers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRybThRoNf_Q-GGUhJMwGwgUXY_Kzhfld7q7h1UPRyt5oLVi0m9vkP7MTPBKaeAYyIVA30Lbutks7Zb7hINn7NOoRizMA5w5dv01soxbNE8HfxfTDZCZ4wNBFwEjxD7yK_Ne7WOk1NTMM/s320/Crackers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These little guys are possibly the best thing that EVER happened to soup. Period. At our house, clam chowder without these little crackers, affectionately dubbed "Golden Nuggets," is downright unacceptable. They are great in just about any soup, and quite frankly don't last long after the soup because they are so addicting to munch on by themselves. I'm not sure where the original recipe came from - we've been using it in our family for years, and I've made a few minor tweaks. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Golden Nuggets</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
1 package (1 oz) ranch salad dressing mix</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/2 t. dill weed</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/4 t. garlic powder</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/8 t. pepper</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3/4 c. vegetable oil</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 package (about 5 c.) plain oyster crackers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Whisk together all ingredients except crackers. Pour oil mixture over crackers and stir to coat. Pour onto ungreased baking sheet. Baked for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate time to make*: <span style="font-size: small;">5 min<span style="font-size: small;">utes plus baking and cooling</span></span><br />Approximate cost for supplies*: $5 per batch</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-62282592160440194012013-01-21T11:41:00.000-07:002013-01-21T11:45:44.267-07:00HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfjrsc4qWwggTAKCQxaZcyHr3F5dds6iPhrJuV1_CGVKCDr69wqRYacddf9kEGrZ9RNXbXyThuPq3iDlr-Fu8ES4yirPnj2IAQYarsQbKSUQGQmnIMSVVvm-G_gVxdjDxi5zbUujT7cnU/s1600/12+Dates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfjrsc4qWwggTAKCQxaZcyHr3F5dds6iPhrJuV1_CGVKCDr69wqRYacddf9kEGrZ9RNXbXyThuPq3iDlr-Fu8ES4yirPnj2IAQYarsQbKSUQGQmnIMSVVvm-G_gVxdjDxi5zbUujT7cnU/s320/12+Dates.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Okay, so I will freely admit that I am stretching the "handmade" gift title quite a bit with this one - but it was such a hit with the hubby (and men are SO hard to make gifts for), and this gift is all about the packaging which<b> </b><i>was</i> handmade, so . . . I'm counting it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I call this mountain of packages</span> "<b>12 Dates for Christmas</b>." The idea is to come up with 12 dates that you and your sweetie will enjoy, and purchase/make anything you will need for those dates (gift cards, etc.). For John's gift, I also created an invitation for each date to let him know what to look forward to. Then I wrapped up each "date" in a separate box and attached the invitation to the box. In one final card (which is the only thing he opened up on Christmas day), I explained what I had done, and how it would work, and gave him numbered clues for each date. Each week for the 12 weeks following Christmas he picks a date (using only the clues and numbers), opens the invitation the morning of our date, and then opens the gift when we are ready to go.<br />
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The great thing about this gift, is you can make it as expensive or inexpensive as you like. I tried to stay around $10 per date, and more than half of them are things to do at home after the little guy is asleep so we don't have to worry about a babysitter every week. You could easily use this same idea for an anniversary (one date a month to celebrate your "12 year and 3 month anniversary," etc.), or Valentine's Day (one date a day leading up to the big day). <br />
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Now, if you are thinking your main squeeze would love this, but don't have a clue how to come up with 12 date ideas, let me introduce you to the <a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/" target="_blank">Dating Divas</a>. This blog is <i>the ultimate</i> source for creatively dating your spouse. SO MANY great ideas! And most of them already have a printable invitation you can use - so easy! I had this idea back in September, and then a <a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/erika/all-i-want-for-christmas-is/" target="_blank">"12 Daytz of Christmas"</a> popped up on the Dating Divas in December - slightly different, and it might give you some more ideas. Happy dating!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Resources: <a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/" target="_blank">Dating Divas</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate time to put together*: 5 hours</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate cost for supplies*: varies<br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-87357360842812949902013-01-14T15:37:00.000-07:002013-02-01T10:58:17.576-07:00HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNidvA__pSK1Ccc-No25Yiv7LKg5Bj1Dw9EU61E1gr1e0m3bCEhof_tG10vzqc34rg3061hzTPAuvX3DoLVD1y3UR1IRg4O-eqip1Wei1pWbnJC75uQ72Kp47pUdM4UoEAHHZ8Lm5x2wFF/s1600/Orchard+Hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNidvA__pSK1Ccc-No25Yiv7LKg5Bj1Dw9EU61E1gr1e0m3bCEhof_tG10vzqc34rg3061hzTPAuvX3DoLVD1y3UR1IRg4O-eqip1Wei1pWbnJC75uQ72Kp47pUdM4UoEAHHZ8Lm5x2wFF/s320/Orchard+Hats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I have to say, the moment I saw these baby hats, I knew I had to find an excuse to make them. They are the kind of thing that gets most women gushing and using words like "adorable," "precious," and of course "CUTE!" It gets even better though. The author of this pattern (Lullaby Lamb) has a large selection of crochet <span style="font-size: small;">and knit </span>hat patterns that are - dare I say it - just as "adorable," "precious," and "CUTE!" My favorites include the fruit orchard hats (of course), a pumpkin hat, a sailor hat, and a granny cloche hat. Any of her hats would make an amazing gift for a baby shower, or a young child's birthday. This pattern, called the "Fruit Orchard Rolled Brim Hat" is knit in the round, and was clear and easy to follow.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Resources:<a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2012/11/portable-first-aid-kit-sewing-tutorial.html" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.youcanmakethis.com/products/author/MTAzOTI5MjUyMA==.htm?cxaaffrefcodea=1039456832" title="Download Today - Make Today!"> YouCanMakeThis.com - </a><a href="https://www.youcanmakethis.com/products/author/MTAzOTI5MjUyMA==.htm?cxaaffrefcodea=1039456832" target="_blank" title="Lullaby Lamb Patterns">Lullaby Lamb Patterns</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Skills required: <span style="font-size: small;">i</span>ntermediate knitting</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate time to craft*: <span style="font-size: small;">2 hours (newborn size)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate cost for supplies*: <span style="font-size: small;">$5</span><br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.youcanmakethis.com/products/author/MTAzOTI5MjUyMA==.htm?cxaaffrefcodea=1039456832" title="Download Today - Make Today!"></a><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-50886700698810742802012-12-18T10:34:00.000-07:002013-01-08T17:33:53.686-07:00HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW184wm_fF8TTUjkkIbuQUwEmO8jYLimpOAIUCfbI9CFzOVSk4qKvAWsDeYJ6SYub-UqlDtCEkC4_xvNgxepVV9Pt1LDo8yqQUgukxrjaw-2YUwMHOboz4IXhhyuj3XZE2Hy5sweWZb1c9/s1600/Emergency+Kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW184wm_fF8TTUjkkIbuQUwEmO8jYLimpOAIUCfbI9CFzOVSk4qKvAWsDeYJ6SYub-UqlDtCEkC4_xvNgxepVV9Pt1LDo8yqQUgukxrjaw-2YUwMHOboz4IXhhyuj3XZE2Hy5sweWZb1c9/s320/Emergency+Kit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fSHh4xQRb44y5NyYRlFk63xAqimRUWoFCfdjeL-wySHcTt_x1mPuiKqJ7IxDE6-cNX98Ac0pvW2t_mMq0KfYfJtnI0p0o0VBDSbpHhqJhfCt6asJbgtJehx-6GTZX3p1pPyZ5PF0hSOH/s1600/Emergency+Kit+Roll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fSHh4xQRb44y5NyYRlFk63xAqimRUWoFCfdjeL-wySHcTt_x1mPuiKqJ7IxDE6-cNX98Ac0pvW2t_mMq0KfYfJtnI0p0o0VBDSbpHhqJhfCt6asJbgtJehx-6GTZX3p1pPyZ5PF0hSOH/s200/Emergency+Kit+Roll.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kit rolls up into this cute little bundle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As my son so joyfully reminded us this morning - only 6 days left until Christmas! If you still have a couple hard to shop for people on your list, here is an easy and thoughtful idea: a portable emergency kit. The tutorial I found on Pinterest (thank you Pinterest!), and I've included a link to it below. It went together very quickly, and I had everything I needed right at home (huge bonus). This kit I made for my sister who is in college. I filled it with things that a cute college girl might find very useful: hand sanitizer, chap stick, lip gloss, Kleenex, band-aids, cash, lotion, gum, and chocolate (seriously, I probably should have just filled the whole thing with chocolate). You could adapt this idea for a mom with a new baby (fill it with baby essentials), or first aid essentials for just about anyone (great teacher idea too!). As you are picking what to fill it with, my only tip is to think FLAT. I originally had a whole pack of gum, and a bigger bottle of hand sanitizer, and I just couldn't get it to roll right. This idea seems so versatile and useful - let me know what other ideas you have for filling these babies up!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Resources:<a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2012/11/portable-first-aid-kit-sewing-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"> Posit<span style="font-size: small;">ively Splend<span style="font-size: small;">id <span style="font-size: small;">First-Aid Kit Roll Tutorial</span></span></span></span></a></span><br />
Skills required: easy sewing<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate time to craft*: <span style="font-size: small;">1 hour</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate cost for supplies*:<span style="font-size: small;"> $5-<span style="font-size: small;">$10</span></span><br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-35985561127720790232012-12-11T09:59:00.000-07:002012-12-18T10:42:23.444-07:00CHRISTMAS FELTIES - FREE EPATTERN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsRvAbGWPUkS91qYzgNIeic3O9i5EiROXpxHeea01mkSLJ03I4_F-RG49bGL8SfY2lRpXQx9VvGq1sl5dMpdTQLKlVgSRpcaW68xQwhVZ4WuDmJcUrLx0EEqKCjJkkHqPWWLna1Np3bC8/s400/3+Ornaments.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Every year I like to have my son make a few gifts to give away for Christmas. I like to think that it reminds him the holiday is not just about <b>getting</b> presents (whether this is successful is up for debate). So I am always on the lookout for cute little ornaments my son can make, but that I wouldn't mind hanging on my tree (I'm sorry, maybe I'm a snob, but construction paper doesn't really do it for me). This year I came up with this idea we could make together! I did the sewing, and he did the decorating (the ornaments pictured are actual ornaments he made - I think they turned out really cute, especially for a 5-year-old). They went together quickly, he had a blast, and they didn't cost anything - we just used stuff we already had. In fact, this is the perfect craft to use up those odds and ends from previous projects that you have no idea what to do with, but can't bear to throw away. Best of all, we're giving away the pattern and instructions for 8 ornament shapes for FREE. Just click on the link below! <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Resources: <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/116417431/Christmas-Felties-Free-ePattern" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Christmas Felties - Free ePattern</span></a><br />Skills required: easy sewing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate time to craft*: 2<span style="font-size: small;">0 min<span style="font-size: small;">utes for each ornament</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate cost for supplies*: <span style="font-size: small;">free</span><br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-56253198340146749242012-11-30T16:34:00.002-07:002012-12-11T10:03:24.190-07:002012 CHRISTMAS CARD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEtJQ8hq7NC16qABgW-R3SvvftQr8bHaJ5M7gseLYixnLJGnz3F-aE8kf_uEON-Z3QARY0ou6ur2Zk5zifrQhklv7gfH_1o-Gnb6Ejkz4OfW7tz9J_57x9EAUU00aVJkKNxvx1QtGnKIc/s1600/IMG_3964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEtJQ8hq7NC16qABgW-R3SvvftQr8bHaJ5M7gseLYixnLJGnz3F-aE8kf_uEON-Z3QARY0ou6ur2Zk5zifrQhklv7gfH_1o-Gnb6Ejkz4OfW7tz9J_57x9EAUU00aVJkKNxvx1QtGnKIc/s320/IMG_3964.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just finished making my <span style="font-size: small;">Christmas cards for <span style="font-size: small;">this year! I'm always excited to<span style="font-size: small;"> start them, and even more excited (and relieved) when they're done. <span style="font-size: small;">The best part i<span style="font-size: small;">s, they didn't c<span style="font-size: small;">ost a thing - <span style="font-size: small;">I just used up scraps and things I already had around the house. <span style="font-size: small;">Soon I'll post <span style="font-size: small;">what we put <span style="font-size: small;">on th<span style="font-size: small;">e <span style="font-size: small;">inside. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/114223440/e-i-e-i-o-epattern-for-a-toddlers-quiet" target="_blank"></a><br />
Skills required: eas<span style="font-size: small;">y papercrafting</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate time to craft*: 10 minutes each</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate cost for supplies*: <span style="font-size: small;">free</span><br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-5901482071771565092012-11-06T13:20:00.000-07:002012-11-06T13:24:07.949-07:00E-I-E-I-O<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnmJ8rY0I755r57dP-XxszSK5Elf1uDRBvy6gpREncw3I_4leTVeubViRpkZ4kPMVcK_ylsC-2Hcw9ueKWGZfjFUBM6ClgUkQ0fKQ1e31Sk42bRUKOqM5XJN5toxSSs8ZSod71Z3JpCny/s1600/Farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnmJ8rY0I755r57dP-XxszSK5Elf1uDRBvy6gpREncw3I_4leTVeubViRpkZ4kPMVcK_ylsC-2Hcw9ueKWGZfjFUBM6ClgUkQ0fKQ1e31Sk42bRUKOqM5XJN5toxSSs8ZSod71Z3JpCny/s320/Farm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You just have to love baby's first words. There is just something about that sound that might, possibly, if you really listen hard, be "mama." Among these first words are usually animals sounds - and this is the perfect quiet book to inspire baby's budding vocabulary. Pretty soon they'll be saying "woof," "baa," and something that might, possibly, if you really listen hard, be "you're the best mommy ever!"<br /><br />Resources<span style="font-size: small;">: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/114223440/e-i-e-i-o-epattern-for-a-toddlers-quiet" target="_blank">www.copycraf<span style="font-size: small;">ts.etsy.com</span></a></span><br />Skills required: intermediate machine sewing, easy embroidery<br />Approximate time to craft*: 20 hours<br />Approximate cost for supplies*: $15<br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-82683987428147587882012-10-15T10:58:00.000-06:002012-10-15T10:59:17.321-06:00GINGERBREAD MUMMY MEN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RbbAmK9oJB88jVnOW3daKW91cOeMDz_Top9lekmHR3YA4K7zQobYXXrnQaMS8Ij92KYpzVaoEV9cQ4Sp9mD2iPQDfp06dLNDYzWHUMwYolzP9ovSSf5JmR9jA_SZ8Z3AM5KmkCbWsP7e/s1600/Mummy+Cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RbbAmK9oJB88jVnOW3daKW91cOeMDz_Top9lekmHR3YA4K7zQobYXXrnQaMS8Ij92KYpzVaoEV9cQ4Sp9mD2iPQDfp06dLNDYzWHUMwYolzP9ovSSf5JmR9jA_SZ8Z3AM5KmkCbWsP7e/s320/Mummy+Cookie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here's a Halloween treat that is so easy to make, I made it completely on accident. Seriously. We were making gingerbread men - and yes, I know that it is weird to make Christmas cookies before Halloween, but not so weird in the mind of the 5 year old boy whose idea it was. So we made gingerbread men to keep the little guy happy, and I had some extra frosting in the fridge so we decided to decorate as well. We put the frosting in a decorator bag with a number 3 Wilton tip (snipping off the corner of a plastic bag would give you the same effect). After outlining 6 dozen little men in white icing, I still had too much icing left over. So I began to quickly (and I mean QUICKLY - at this point I wanted nothing more than to be DONE) squirt frosting all over the middle of some of the cookies I had already outlined. I did this three our four times, looked down, and there they were, these cute little mummy cookies! I added two chocolate sprinkle eyes, and voila! And while gingerbread is a traditional Christmas cookie, it has that spiciness that works perfectly for fall as well. I like them enough I might just have to make them (on purpose this time) for our next Halloween party. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Skills required: baking, easy cake decorating<br />Approximate time to make*: 2 hours</span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate cost for supplies*: $5<br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-467297378816187772012-10-08T10:42:00.001-06:002012-10-08T10:50:47.251-06:00CASTLEFORT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcggV3Sr95LEYze_bdE3_ghiLudA1F9piubzKfeotBqgGGDXdmAtNEe9YQeIJWN60zS1MeuvCfpUcJemWsU8oW5UFtueBSxVlRAgPR6ohUOs3eycTo1bTmSdEAttIXBKFOeuaWOpjO3Cgl/s1600/Castlefort+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcggV3Sr95LEYze_bdE3_ghiLudA1F9piubzKfeotBqgGGDXdmAtNEe9YQeIJWN60zS1MeuvCfpUcJemWsU8oW5UFtueBSxVlRAgPR6ohUOs3eycTo1bTmSdEAttIXBKFOeuaWOpjO3Cgl/s320/Castlefort+Cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What little prince or princess is complete without their very own castle? <br />
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With
a drawbridge to enter through on the front, windows on both sides to
peer out from, and a very friendly dragon in the
back, this fortress is perfect for the smallest of royalty. And when
“their highness” is done playing, this stronghold can be taken off the
card table, folded up and stored away until the next royal adventure!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Resources: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/62239855/castlefort-epattern-for-a-castle-card" target="_blank">www.copycrafts.etsy.com</a><br />Skills required: intermediate machine sewing, easy embroidery</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Approximate time to craft*: 25 hours<br />Approximate cost for supplies*: $40</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-30272589306417866732012-09-28T10:00:00.000-06:002012-10-01T09:48:09.473-06:00SALSA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqq6QeTLPx7zN-mEl2Hviua6cYtMdBuWxCePwng59wja94zzFFrF05kzLrBXih3mgKbqK7nH_7jJIzpe10L-RBhrtfChJKoEDQ6eAEEVEjkZdtDPdx3DQmcia_a5hmQKJT4xX9PXQLeDK/s1600/IMG_3590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqq6QeTLPx7zN-mEl2Hviua6cYtMdBuWxCePwng59wja94zzFFrF05kzLrBXih3mgKbqK7nH_7jJIzpe10L-RBhrtfChJKoEDQ6eAEEVEjkZdtDPdx3DQmcia_a5hmQKJT4xX9PXQLeDK/s320/IMG_3590.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's canning season, so we thought we'd share another of our favorite canning recipes: salsa! We first heard about this in a church class when the teacher was going on and on about how fabulous his wife's salsa was. What that had to do with the lesson, I don't remember, but I figured if a man is going on like about anything his wife makes, it must be worth trying. So I got the recipe from his wife, and it is definetely worth the effort! Because blanching and peeling the tomatoes takes the most time, I do those the night before, and then cook and process the salsa the next day.<br />
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<b>World's Best Salsa</b></div>
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22-24 medium to large tomatoes, blanched and peeled</div>
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3-5 medium to large onions, diced</div>
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6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced</div>
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6-10 jalapeno's, seeded and diced (leave the seeds for hotter salsa)</div>
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2 large bell peppers, diced</div>
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2 6 oz. cans tomato paste</div>
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1/4 c. sugar</div>
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1/4 c. salt</div>
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1 cup vinegar (5% acidity)</div>
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Combine and simmer for 40 minutes. Process 15-20 minutes in water bath canner. </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Resources: <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/copyc-20/detail/1607962810" target="_blank">Complete Guide to Home Canning and Preserving</a> (our go-to book for canning)<br />Skills required: water bath canning<br />Approximate time to make*: 3 hours start to finish
<br />Approximate cost for supplies*: ours worked out to be about 50 cents a pint<br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533683695740943107.post-82334218074366544242012-09-21T09:57:00.003-06:002012-09-21T10:16:35.549-06:00DILL PICKLES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4rwL3UsxblZrJcTi0xDPbebr49Pbl0eVoPiczNewceUw0rbH7Y6VfcYgnN-bCSGwebytjVMnjvlJffIxsiA-7EbqBlydcxrZQsDZQ6qtsK3MwnpC5H3jL6G8GqHES7EPbM4OTdpwIKyW/s1600/IMG_3588+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4rwL3UsxblZrJcTi0xDPbebr49Pbl0eVoPiczNewceUw0rbH7Y6VfcYgnN-bCSGwebytjVMnjvlJffIxsiA-7EbqBlydcxrZQsDZQ6qtsK3MwnpC5H3jL6G8GqHES7EPbM4OTdpwIKyW/s320/IMG_3588+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It all started when I had the thought, "Next year I should plant cucumbers and make dill pickles." Sounds innocent enough, right? We try to plant one new thing every year so that we can grow our garden and food storage gradually, and why not pickles?! My grandma always makes really yummy dill pickles, and frankly I was tired of store bought. That's when we come to mistakes #1 <i>and</i> #2 - I went to the garden store and bought <i>4 pickling cucumber plants</i>. So things seemed to be going great, and apparently cucumbers love our garden because they're growing like crazy. We're thinking - great! Cucumber salads, sandwiches, we can put cucumbers in everything once we get our pickles done. Little did we know, pickling cucumbers are not meant to be eaten raw. Ever. They are totally disgusting unless drowned in vinegar and salt. So, what do we do with the piles of unedible cucumbers? Not to be wasteful, we make more pickles. 14 quarts of dill pickles later, we still have them coming. So, when we make these again (which will not be for a couple years I think), we will plant maybe <i>2 regular cucumber plants</i>. I learned after the fact that's what my grandma uses anyway - oh well. On the positive side, if you are ever pregnant during a food shortage, you will know where to come to fill your pickle craving! So here's my grandma's recipe for dill pickles. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Grandma's Dill Pickles</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Wash cucumbers and soak in ice water for 1 hour. In the bottom of each quart jar, put 1 clove of garlic, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 t. alum, 1 large dill head <i>or</i> 1 1/2 t. dill seed. Pack quart jars with cucumbers - you can put them in whole, sliced, or speared, however you like them. Make a brine with 1 quart of vinegar, 3 quarts of water, and 1 cup of salt. This is enough for 6 quarts of whole dill pickles, slices and spears will take less. Bring the brine to a boil, and pour over pickles. Seal jars, and process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes. (Now comes the really hard part:) Wait 6 weeks before enjoying. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Resources: <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/copyc-20/detail/1607962810" target="_blank">Complete Guide to Home Canning and Preserving</a> (our go-to book for canning)<br />Skills required: water bath canning</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Approximate time to make*: 2 hours start to finish for a 7 quart batch
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Approximate cost for supplies*: </span><span style="font-size: small;">ours worked out to be about 50 cents a jar<br />*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.</span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0