IIIIIIT'S CHRRRRISTMASTIIIIME!!

My parents have this silly singing wreath mom hangs every year, and before it sings, it shouts that out. It's just not Christmas without that thing that has surprised more than one of us at one point or another.   Even though we may roll our eyes at it. ;-)

Sorry for the blogging hiatus.  It's been suuuuper busy around here the last week or so.  Partly because it was my birthday.  Yaay, I love birthdays! :)  The other reason was events, projects, and preparations for Christmas took much of my time. :)

Soooo...here's something I forgot about sharing, even though people asked me about it!  Mmmmmm....yum! 

One evening, my 5yr old daughter and I dipped & sprinkled countless pretzel rods (big ones) and strawberry marshmallows (she wanted to use the "pink" ones).  Now that my daughters are a little older, I feel like they should help me when they can, especially when the gift is from them.  Granted, it's not always the....ahem....EASY route. ;-)  But, it teaches them responsibility, and giving of themselves.  Oh, and it teaches me patience. ;-)

Wanna see the next step?  OK.

That was my late-night project..((sigh))
Oh, you want to see how I packaged them?  OK.

Four packages for Sunday School Teachers....and actually...we made some for her bus driver, but I totally spaced when the last day of school came!  I remembered as she was boarding the bus...but I didn't think anyone on the bus would think kindly of me saying "Wait!  Let me run back to my house, package something up, and bring it back!"  Nope.  Maybe I'll remember next year. ;-)

Well, that's all for now.  If you made it all the way to the end of this post....BRAVO!!!  And thank you. :)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up except "other")
Stamps: Christmas Punch, Serene Snowflakes
Ink: Real Red
Cardstock: Very Vanilla
Accessories: Scallop oval, Oval, 1/16" and 1/8" circle punches, Med. & small cello bags
Other: Pretzel rods, Marshmallows, Cappucino packets, Red curling ribbon, White lunch bags, Wilton candy melts

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Christmas Treats, Final Post

Well, it's the last day of my series on handmade gift ideas.
Thank you to all who have been stopping by! :)  It makes my day to see the hits and read the comments, and I sincerely hope you've gleaned something from what I've shared here! :)

I really wanted to include this idea, because it points us back to the beginning.  Back to where it all started, and WHY we celebrate Christmas. Read on. :)

Day 12
A Christmas M&M Love Story

What's that?  You can't read what it says?  You wonder what M&M's has to do with Christmas, other than the pretty colors?
Well, I'd be honored to share that with you.

Christmas M&Ms

As you hold these candies
In your hand,
And turn them,
You will see.

The M becomes a W,
An E, and then a 3.

They tell the Christmas story,
It's one I'm sure you know.
It took place in a stable.
A long, long, time ago.

The E is for the East,
Where the star shone so bright.

The M is for the Manger,
Where Baby Jesus slept that night.

The 3 is for the Wise men,
Bearing gifts, they say they came.

W is for Worship,
Hallelujah, Praise His Name.

So as you eat these candies,
Or share them with a friend.
Remember the meaning of Christmas,
It's a Love story that never ends.

I will be back to continue my normal (non-series) posting, but wanted to take the time now to say:

May you all have a blessed Christmas...and remember the REAL Reason for the Season!

Thank you for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Christmas Treats, Part XI

Hubby just took the kids shopping for my B'day/C'mas gifts.
Ahhhhh....silence.  Goodness, I love my kids dearly.
But a little time alone is just....well....treasured. ;-)
It's been a super-crazy-busy week, and I'm grateful for the break.

Here's the next idea for you...
Day 11
Homemade Bath Salts

I apologize for the pic...it distorted the color of the tissue on top...just a fraction.  IRL, it looks more white! lol

ANYWAYS....
I've been wanting to try out the idea of homemade bath salts for some time now.  So....today I finally did (sans kiddos standing right at my elbow, asking me what I'm doing). ;0)

I wish I could give you a recipe, but as my mom would say (and things turn out fantastic), "I just kind of threw it together!" 

Ingredients:
Epsom Salts, Sweet Almond Essential Oil, Peppermint extract, Red food coloring

I've researched...and there are many different recipes out there. Some say add a drop or two of glycerin.  Some say to add baking soda, and yet others: oatmeal! :)

Almond oil is supposed to be one of the best oils out there...however, I wish I had known that it doesn't smell "almondy". ;0)

The only scents I had were rum, almond, butter, and mint - ha ha ha!!  The almond was waaaay too "almondy", and I didn't think rum or butter would be quite what somone would want to smell like after a luxurious bath, so I chose Mint. ;-)

I added some red food coloring (which I read is A-ok).....
Think of all the possibilities!!!  There are more essential oils that you could try....Lavender, Grapefruit, etc...add color or leave it white....

EDITED TO ADD:  Forgot to mention!!  I *knew* I was keeping all those baby food jars for a reason! lol!  (the size used here is the smaller size - 1st foods?)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up!):
In addition to "recipe" items listed above
Stamps: Christmas Punch
Cardstock: Whisper White
Ink: Riding Hood Red (retired)
Accessories: Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon (retired), Scallop oval punch

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Christmas Treats, Part X

Well, here we are at Day 10 already.
I can't believe I'm almost finished with this series!

I've made more stuff, and I've got more ideas brewing...
Now, I'm just trying to decide WHICH ones to show my last three days in the series!

Ahhh, the dilemna.  It's a good dilemna, let me tell you! lol.

Day 10
Decorated Candle

I made a BUNCH of these one year...and only have one left! :)
It smells really yummy...and what I love is that you really could give a gift like this, year round.  Just change the DSP, embellishments, and image accordingly! :)

1. Purchase candle at $ store
2. Cover with strip of DSP (retired SU one - "Dashing")
3. Decorate as desired
4. Give to a lucky recipient! :)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Merry & Bright (retired)
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Dashing DSP
Accessories: Red gingham ribbon, Scallop & circle punches, SU markers, dimensionals, sticky strip
Other: $ candle

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Christmas Treats, Part IX

Hello again...it's Day 9 of my handmade gift series.
I can go three more to make it an even dozen, right?  We'll see. ;-)

This is a sweet and sparkly gift that can keep on giving!
That is...if your recipient has a Christmas Tree. :)

Day 9
Reinker Ornament

There really are soooo many possibilities with this. 

It's as simple as a clear ornament.
Stampin' Up reinker (Perfect Plum on LH one, Almost Amethyst on RH one)
...and SU's Dazzling Diamonds GLITTER! :)

Change colors (SU has 54 to choose from!), change up your bows/cording, add a rub-on, oh the possibilities are endless! :)

EDITED TO ADD:  Hoping to do a tutorial soon, as requested.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Christmas Treats, Part VIII

Wow, seriously...is it FRIDAY already?  Yikes.  This week has been crazy busy, even though there's really not much posted on the calendar! lol  Anyone else ever have weeks like that? ;-)

Here's a neat 'lil gift idea for you...
I've actually given a set of these as gifts, a few times!

Day 8
Tres Chic Tile Coaster

So, you could make four of these coasters and wrap with a bow - that's a great gift!  Or, you could choose to add a little more, like I did here:

Coffee-time Gift

I added a couple of black mugs, black plate (for cookies, of course!), and a bit o' Starbucks coffee! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print
Stamps: Tres Chic BG - Stampin' Up
Ink: Stazon Black - Stampin' Up
Other: Tumbled Tile, Clear spray paint

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day!
Crystal

Christmas Treats, Part VII

Hello, and welcome to Day 7 of my handmade gift ideas! :)
I've got another gift card holder for you today...after that, I'll change avenues again. :)

Day 7
Simple Unisex Gift Card Holder













Okay seriously, this one is SUUUUPER simple, AND you can get four out of one sheet of cardstock!

This was the Make & Take at a recent workshop...the hostess loves this Designer Paper (To The Nines) -- and so do I! :)

Again, I gave options...so here's a photo of a birthday example! :)  Look closely and you'll see some bling on the frosting! :)













Want an inside view of this suuuper-easy holder?  OK! :)
IT's super-easy too!













How 'bout the how-to?  OK! :)

Instructions
4.25" x 5.5" pc. cardstock (chocolate chip)
2.5" x 4" pc. designer paper (To The Nines DSP)
-Score cardstock base in half (@2 3/4")
-Attach DSP to front, then decorate as desired
-Inside: to hold your gift card in place, cut a pc. off the roll of glue dots that includes 2 dots...leave the strip of paper on until you want to add your gift card.  When that time comes, just peel off the strip and attach gift card to glue dots - VOILA! :)

Stop by tomorrow for another idea - that is NOT a gift card holder. ;-)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up!)
In addition to everything else noted above...
Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Delightful Decorations, Bitty Birthday
Cardstock: Whisper White, Sage Shadow
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow
Accessories: Scallop & circle punches, Dazzling diamonds, 2way glue pen, Dimensionals, Glue dots

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal