DIY Olaf treats

    Darcy and I made these snacks for the kids in her kindergarten class in celebration of her birthday.

3 large marshmallows (body & head)

2 mini marshmallows (legs)

2 pretzel sticks (arms)

3 mini chipits (buttons)

2 white chocolate chipits (eyes)

1 orange candy (nose)

Ziplock bag and label.

"Do you wanna build a snowman" treats:

Mini chipits: $2.88

White chocolate chipits (already had)

Ziplocks: $1.99

Pretzels $1.67

Marshmallows: $5.00

Orange candies $1.00

TOTAL: $12.67 + tax and I had lots left over, except for the big marshmallows

How to really love a child

Just a little reminder we may all need once in a while

DIY Olaf costume

After wanting to be a lightning bolt for Halloween since July,  the Frozen bug bit Darcy and she wanted to be Anna or Elsa. Since tbis chnage happened a bit late, there was NOTHING Frozen left anywhere in our town, except a size 3 Olaf (the snowman) costume.

So, I made her an Olaf costume!

I used this pattern

https://blog.fabric.com/2014/08/do_you_wanna_build_a_snowman.html?cm_mmc=Email-_-08.27.2014-SillySnowman-_-SALES-_-SillySnowmanBanner&cm_em=&spMailingID=10824526&spUserID=MzU1MTg5NDU4MDgS1&spJobID=324298965&spReportId=MzI0Mjk4OTY1S0

It was supposed to take about 2 hours, but the little brown sticks on top of the hat took FOREVER to turn right-side-out. It cost under $10 for white fleece and a zipper. I already had scraps to use for the other colors, thread and an elastic. 

DIY Frozen Birthday Party

I looked all over town for Frozen themed decorations or at least winter/ice/snow themed things, but found nothing. I found lots of neat printable things in Pinterest, but without a laptop, couldn't print them out. So...I made the decorations!

For the banners I used scrapbook paper and construction paper (that I already had) to cut out the triangles. I already had the pretty silver letters and string, too. I went into the basement and dug out whatever winter/blue decorations I could find easily. (Our basement has 5' ceilings and is more what I would call a root cellar than a basement, plus we have not finished re-wiring the lighting, so I don't enjoy spending much time down there!)

 

My sock snowmen, which I made last year, were perfect! 

 

For the water bottles I just wrote on white labels and put them on over the eater bottle labels. I looked up pictures of Olaf on the internet and drew him with the words "melted snow". I was going to write "melted Olaf" and have a little sign saying, "Some people are worth melting for," near the bottles, but I thought it might upset the children to think of Olaf melting!

Plain blue tablecloth from Dollarama. I also used 2 packages of blue napkins with white polka dots, which Darcy looked like "snow and ice." All for $1 each!

Sven's Snacks (reindeer snacks): cheese and crackers

Olaf's arms (snowman arms): pretzel sticks

Anna's frozen heart: strawberries dipped in white chocolate

I used whole strawberries. I melted white chocolate chipits in a double boiler (I actually used a metal mixing bowl over a pot of boiling water). I added some vegetable oil to make the chocolate smoother and more "dippable". Refridgerated overnight to harden chocolate.

Kristoff's Ice: Jello cubes

http://bubblynaturecreations.com/2013/12/disney-frozen-jello-ice-cubes.html

Olaf's Noses (snowman noses): baby carrots

Ice Candy (rock candy). http://www.pamspartyandpracticaltips.com/2014/01/elsas-ice-candy_17.html

Kevin and I made the rock candy...it took an hour!

I did it without a candy thermometer, using the cold water test, but it would have been so much easier and less messy with one.

A word to the wise if you make it, especially for children, you will have sticky hand prints all over everything!

 

Snow Paint:

 

http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/11/shivery-snow-paint-recipe.html

It was easy and fun to make and use.  If you decide to do this, make sure you use a big enough container to allow room for the shaving cream to expand. 

I also made glitter slime, but I didn't have the exact quantities, so I had to wing it a bit. It still turned out pretty cool, but it took a while for the "slime" to form and it wasn't set until after the guests left.

http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2014/05/disney-frozen-glitter-slime-recipe.html

Luckily for me, our local DQ closes for the winter the last day of September, which means big sales on ice cream cakes! I got this one, already decorated white and blue for half price. i just added the writing.

Budget

Decorations:

Paper, string, letters - already had them

White streamers - -1$

Napkins - 1$

Cups (blue) - 1$

Paper plates (match napkins) - 2$

Table cloth - 1$

Balloons - 3$

Labels - already had them

TOTAL: ~$10 with taxes

Food

Carrots: $2.99

Sour cream: $2.78

Dip mix: $1.49

Water bottles: $3.00

Jello: $1.98

Chips: $5.00

Crispy minis: $1

Crackers: $2.00

Shark candies: $2.00

juice: $0.69 x 2

Sprite: $1.67

Gelatin: $3.29

Sugar (had)

Icing (for writing on cake): $2.16

Cheese: $3.96

DQ ice cream cake (half price): $13.00

TOTAL: ~$48.00

Crafts:

Glue: $2.97

Shaving cream: $1.77

Peppermint extract: $3.19

Glitter (had)

Borax (had)

Construction paper (had)

TOTAL: ~$10.00

The loot bags came to about $20 for 10 bags. 

So...the whole party was less than $100!

 

My 39th birthday

Sick...so sick...not what I had planned for today, but this did help me feel better for a little while:

 

It started with a sore throat the week before the Christmas holiday. The weekend the holidays started I was getting better, but Christmas Eve it came back even worse than before. Today my throat is raw from the constant coughing, my head hurts from the sinus pressure. My ear is starting to hurt, too.

 

My mom came and picked up my munchkin for a sleepover. Kevin and I abandoned our plans to go see a movie in favor of just watching movies on TV and sleeping on the couch off and on. It was definitely what I needed, but I was still sick right up about the 5th of January. I got better just in time to go back to work!

S'mores squares

Lunchbox Smores Bars
1/2 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 cup flour 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

In a large bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar, flour, and graham cracker crumbs. Press evenly into a 9 x 9 square baking dish that has been coated with non stick spray. Sprinkle chocolate chips and marshmallows evenly over top. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until the marshmallows are toasted brown. Cool completely before slicing and serving (TIP: spray a non serrated knife with nonstick spray before slicing). 
http://www.mostlyhomemademom.com/2014/07/lunchbox-smores-bars.html?m=1

Zipper pouches

The idea came from the May 2014 Country Living.

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/diy-fashion-3#slide-2

 

Felted sweater bags

I made felted sweater bags as gifts this year. Pure wool works the best, but I also used some wool blends, they are stretchier.

Some sweaters were my moms cast-offs, some I got at a swap, some I bought second-hand. 

I followed these instructions for the most part:

http://totallygreencrafts.com/2012/12/felted-handmade-bag-from-recycled-sweater/

Making the sweater itself was fairly easy and quick. Unlike the above link, I turned in the edges of the handles and sewed them down. It makes a nicer, sturdier finish.

Competed:

Charla

Here are some flowers and leaves.

To make the flowers I used many sources. The flowers took FOREVER. I suppose I could have hot glued the flowers to secure them before sewing them onto the bags, but I didn't. I hand sewed each one.

http://megandandymade.blogspot.ca/2011/06/happy-hair-clips-part-3.html

http://ohsocrafty.blogspot.ca/2009/09/felted-wool-flowers.html

http://blog.dlshdesign.com/2009/03/felt-flowers-brooches-bouteniers.html

http://blogi.szafa.pl/tickledpinky/post/16047-przerobki-ubran-diy-inspiracje-czesc-1

More elaborate flower. Rough circle shape cut into a spiral and then wound up.

Strip rolled up, much slimpler, different look. Nice as buds.

Same idea, only the strip is folded in half lengthwise first and sometimes twisted as it is wound up. 

Another more elaborate flower.

more finished products:

Chrissy

Marina

Darcy

Carol

Marjorie, with matching hats for her and Darcy. 

Available, small purse. 15$

Available, medium purse. 20$

DIY Christmas gift wreath

I used this tutorial:

http://www.danamadeit.com/2012/12/tutorial-gift-box-wreath.html

I also used Google and Pinterest to look for images of gift box wreathes for inspiration.

I collected small boxes for about a month. Some had the right length and width, but were too tall. So I cut them in half. I used the card stock from old Christmas cards to replace the open end and taped it in place. Then I carefully wrapped each box. Some boxes where pretty on their own, so I just embellished them.  My daughter helped me lay them out on the wreath and she suggested some pretty embellishments like the holly leaves. Once we were sure of the placement we took a picture and then carefully removed them. I used hot glue and some mod podge to glue everything in place. Done!

DIY pom-pom rug

Finished product for my Goddaughter!

I bought non-slip carpet backing at a local discount store that was 20" x 32".

I bought yarn, lots and lots of yarn. Pictured below is NOT enough to complete a rug of that size. 

For the blue and white rug above, I used 1 white remnant, 1x100g ball, plus about 1/3-1/2 of the white one above; what you see is what I have left. I used 2 blue remnants, unravelled a child-sized blue sweater (recycling!) plus 1x100g ball and 2x198g balls of blue. Just to give you an idea of how much you would need. I did make my pom-poms pretty dense, they could have been smaller, but I'm not sure if that would mean you'd need more pom-poms overall. 

The green and white will be for my daughter. I'll post a picture when I'm done. 

I basically followed these directions:

http://www.socreativethings.com/how-to-make-pompom-rugs/

Wrap the yarn around your fingers many times, no fixed number. The more turns the denser, fuller the pom-pom. Use 2, 3, 4 fingers to adjust the size or a carboard template the size you want. Slide it off, cut the yarn, then cut a longish piece of yarn to tie around the middle. I wrapped around once, tied one knot, the. Wrapped to opposite side and tied a very tight double knot. Leave the strings.

Use scissors or snips like those below to cut all the loops. These snips are also great for rag quilts!

Make sure not to cut the two long strigs.

Now use those snips to trim the pom-pom to a nice round shape. This is messy!! Do it somewhere where either the bits fall onto a table and can easily be brushed off into a dust pan, or a floor that can easily be swept. I worked in the living room so I could watch TV while I snipped, but the bits stick to the couch!!

Trimmed, ready to be tied onto the non-slip backing.

Repeat making the pompoms over and over. I used approx. 150 pom-poms in the blue and white rug. i reccommend making them all before tying them on. I also recommend deciding on a pattern first and trying to without tying to make sure you have enough. I luckily did a random pattern, but ran out with about 2 rows to go. I still had lots fo white yarn, but did not want blue and white everywhere and then 2 rows of solid white! That was when I needed to unravel a too-small sweater to bet the extra yarn. i also had to untie a few pom-poms elsewhere in the rug in different shades and replace them with the blue from the sweater to even put the overall pattern. BTW it took 3 of us about 2 hours to unravel a size 5-ish sweater!!! 

Since I worked on this an hour here, 2 hours there, I don't know exactly how long it took, but I know I worked on it over the course of 6-7 weeks, guessing about 5-7 hours/week, so 30-50 hours. Be prepared, you cannot do this in one day.

So I layed out my pattern row by row, then tied them on. Don't cut off all the excess string right away, in case, like me, you decided to move things around later. Once I was 100% done tying them on, I put a drop of hot glue on each knot then cut off the excess. Once dry I flipped it over to the good side and and checked for spots where the rug either didn't lay right or there was a little gap and glued the pom-poms together, down at the base where it would not show. Have lots of glue sticks on hand!!

Good luck!

Bookclub Christmas Party 2014

Good company, delectable food and fun games...oh and a few books :-)

Jingle bells game:

In this challenge, the Christmas tradition of shaking presents to figure out what's inside was turned into a game. you must arrange 7 gift boxes filled with different quantities of jingle bells in ascending order from 5 bells to 35 bells. (Photo bottom, right above)

Name that tune quiz:

http://www.partygamesnow.com/christmas-song-quiz/

Christmas trivia quiz:

http://lilluna.com/free-christmas-trivia-game/

Christmas Ball game

I modified this game:

http://shauna-naner.blogspot.ca/2013/01/candy-ball-game.html

I wrapped candy canes and other small gifts in layers of wrapping paper and box tape. The participant tried to unwrap a layer while the person left is trying to roll doubles. As soon as doubles are rolled the ball moves the left and the next person rolls. You get to keep whatever you unwrap.

Christmas Artist:

http://sheilasdotsanddaisies.blogspot.ca/2013/11/christmas-party-games.html

I used plain paper plates as the canvas. (Scroll down the webpage to Christmas Artist)

Blindfolded make a Christmas Tree game:

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/12/3-fun-game-ideas-to-liven-up-your-holiday-parties.html

More ideas here:

http://zachandcallie.blogspot.ca/2011/12/minute-to-win-it-christmas-party-part-1.html

Christmas cookies

 

 

chocolate chip cookies

1/2 C shortening

1/2 C firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 C white sugar

(Or 3/4 C brown sugar and omit white sugar)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 C all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 C chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 F

Cream together shortening and sugar(s). Beat in egg and vanilla.

In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually blend into creamed mixture.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop from a small spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes.

Makes about 2 dozen.

 

 

Snowy Chocolate Cookies

 

Basic chocolate cookie dough

Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/basic_chocolate_cookie_dough.php

• Prep time10 minutes
• Total time10 minutes
• Portion size1 batch dough

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, softened
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla
• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) cocoa powder, sifted
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) baking powder
• Pinch salt

Preparation

In bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture until combined.

Bake according to directions for the following recipe

• Prep time20 minutes
• Total time45 minutes
• Portion sizeabout 24 cookies

Then follow these directions:

Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/snowy_chocolate_cookies.php

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (60 mL) icing sugar
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) granulated sugar
• 1 batch Basic Chocolate Cookie Dough

 Preparation

Set aside 1 tbsp of the icing sugar for dusting over finished cookies. Place remaining icing sugar and granulated sugar in separate shallow dishes. Roll dough by 1 tbsp into balls; roll each in granulated sugar to coat, shaking off excess.

Transfer to icing sugar; roll to coat, shaking off excess. Place, 1-1/2 inches (4 cm) apart, on parchment paper–lined rimless baking sheets, pressing to flatten until edges crack and cookies are about 1/2 inch (1 cm) thick.

Bake, 1 sheet at a time, in 350 F (180 C) oven until no longer shiny, about 10 minutes. Let cool on pans on racks for 5 minutes. Transfer to racks; let cool completely. Dust with reserved icing sugar. 

Make ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container and store for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 weeks.

cal 74	pro 1g	total fat 4g	sat. fat 3g
carb 9g	dietary fibre 1g	sugar 4g	chol 18mg
sodium 31mg	potassium 37mg

Sugar cookies

I used the basic sugar cookie recipe from Canadian Living

Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/basic_sugar_cookie_dough.php

• Prep time15 minutes
• Total time1-1/2 hours
• Portion size1 batch dough

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (175 mL) butter, softened
• 1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
• 2-1/2 cups (625 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking powder
• Pinch salt

Preparation

In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture, in 2 additions, just until combined.

Divide dough in half; press into discs. Wrap each in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 1 hour. 

Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Let dough stand at room temperature until soft enough to roll out, about 15 minutes.

Between waxed paper or on a lightly floured surface roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. 

I just used whatever Christmas cookie cutters Darcy wanted to use. 

Bake 1 sheet at a time in 375 F oven until edges ans bottoms are light golden, 12-14 minutes. Let cool on wire racks for 1 minute. transfer to racks; let cool completely. 

I used the same icing as in the shortbread recipe below. I put icing into multiple small bowls and used food coloring to make desired colors.

Shortbread cookies

Basic shortbread recipe from Canadian Living:

Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/basic_shortbread_cookie_dough.php

Then follow directions for shortbread snowflakes; I used hearts and houses.

Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/shortbread_snowflakes.php

• Prep time15 minutes
• Total time45 minuted
• Portion size1 batch dough

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 mL) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (175 mL) icing sugar
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla
• 2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
• Preparation

In stand mixer using paddle attachment, or in bowl using  wooden spoon, beat together butter, icing sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy; stir in flour just until combined.

Divide dough in half; press into discs. Wrap each in plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm but still soft enough to roll out, about 30 minutes.

Prepare according to directions for shortbread snowflakes:

• Prep time50 minutes
• Total time1-1/2 hours
• Portion sizeabout 32 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 batch Basic Shortbread Cookie Dough
• 2 cups (500 mL) icing sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) milk
• blue paste food colouring
• coarse sugar
• Preparation

Between waxed or parchment paper, roll out dough to 1/4-inch (5 mm) thickness. Using 3-inch (8 cm) snowflake-shaped cookie cutter, cut out shapes, rerolling and cutting scraps. Place, 2 inches (5 cm) apart, on parchment paper–lined rimless baking sheets; refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.

Bake on top and bottom racks in 325 F (160 C) oven, rotating and switching pans halfway through, until edges are light golden, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely on pans on racks.

Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container and freeze for up to 2 weeks.

Meanwhile, in bowl, whisk icing sugar with milk until smooth; tint with blue food colouring to desired shade. Holding each cookie by edge, press top onto surface of glaze to coat, letting excess drip back into bowl. Let dry on racks for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Let stand until set, about 25 minutes.

Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container and store for up to 3 days.

Tip from The Test Kitchen: Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper under the rack before glazing the cookies. It catches any stray drips and makes cleanup a snap.

cal 105	pro 1g	total fat 6g	sat. fat 4g
carb 13g	dietary fibre 0	sugar 7g	chol 15mg
sodium 41mg	potassium 11mg