Book Giveaway

 http://vanessies.blogspot.com/2010/12/book-give-away.html

Merry Christmas

 
Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

Memory Dolls

These two little guys are the last of my Christmas gift making. They are special because they are made in memory of my Grandpa who passed away January 2nd 2009.( I miss him so much) The dolls clothes are made from his shirts and pants. I made these dolls for two of my cousins. I've made 8 of these dolls so far and still have about 8 to go. It has taken me a while to get all these dolls made because it makes cry every time I think about my Grandpa. He was my rock and I feel very lost with out him. Anyway I am giving the dolls to my Grandma who will in turn give them to my cousins as a gift from her since she supplied the clothes.

What am I doing wrong?

I've been sharing several things lately but no one seems to like them I'm assuming because not one person has said so. Maybe I'm boring you if so speak up and say hey write something exciting.I know that I have a visitor or two. Please leave comments, so I know you liked your visit. Your comments let me know what to write about :) I don't know if you like my posts if you don't tell me . And it makes me so happy to read them, Thank you!!

Quick and easy gift bag tutorial

I made a few baked goods to give my friends for Christmas. I put them in clear cellophane bags but then I needed a bag to put all the goodies in. I goggled "Christmas treat bag containers" and several sites and ideas came up but there was nothing I really liked after viewing tons of links. Then an idea came to me. I can  make my own. But what could I use that was quick and easy? I wasn't really in the mood to sew and it would take more time than I had. So  I went on the hunt for supplies and I came across these brown lunch bags.Who doesn't have those bags lying around the kitchen? I knew I could figure out something to do with these bags and so here is what i cam up with.

                Quick and easy gift bag                                                
Items you will need: 

• brown lunch bags
• wrapping paper
• adhesive
• scissors
• decorated label
• ribbon (not shown) 
• hole punch (not shown) 

 To get started apply adhesive to front of bag

Place bag face down onto your wrapping paper.

Trim around bag but be careful not to cut your bag, you don't want your goodies falling out.(don't ask me how I know this)

once your bag is all trimmed, apply your pretty label

and fold the top of your bag to the back.

Next punch two holes in the top of the bag

Put your goodies in the bag,

 poke the ribbon through the holes and tie it shut.

 An inexpensive and easy to make gift bag. These bags make up in no time and you can make with your kids. You can use any kind of wrapping paper.

S' More Please

After seeing these handmade s' mores I just had to make one.

 I used some air dry clay for the marshmallow/snowman and polymer clay for the chocolate squares and graham cracker. He made up quickly but it does take sometime for the white to dry. I would have used polymer but I didn't have any white. I want to make s'more. Pun intended.

Last Minute Gift Ideas

A few of the ladies on my gift list will be getting these items for Christmas. I love that they are quick and easy to make up and you can be really creative with the packaging.

Here are the links if you want to make some for your family and friends.

Lotion Bars
Sugar Scrub Cubes
Lip Balm

Homemade Shower Gel
1 cup shampoo*
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 t. salt
12-15 drops essential or fragrance oil

In a bowl mix together shampoo and water, add salt and mix well. The salt helps the shampoo to gel. Add scent oil a few drops at a time. Pour into your container and enjoy.
*The recipe calls for unscented but I like to use a scented so I don't worry about adding the fragrance and it is hard to find unscented shampoo where I live.

I love making and giving home made gifts and to hear what homemade gifts your giving this year.

Sweet Treat Container

I turned this can(you can use any type of round or square container)

into this treat container

using some cotton twine and some decorative twill tape. You can use brown twine and ribbon if you prefer, but I like the look of the cotton twine so that is what I used.


Here's how I did it.
Cover your can with twine, using thin streams of hot glue to hold it in place. I only used hot glue at the beginning and end to hold my string in place because after removing the label the glue from the can held it in place but you may have to use a dap of glue once in awhile depending on your can , making sure to secure the beginning and end really well. Be careful not to  glob it down with too much glue. Pull the twine tightly, and wrap it well, and it will stay in place.
Using the glue gun, adhere twill tape or ribbon to the top and bottom rims of the can. Create your label, and mat on card stock and scrapbook paper. I have letter stencils I use but you could print it off on the computer, use vinyl lettering, foam stamps, or other method of lettering. Distress all edges, I have a distressing tool that I use then I ink around all four edges of the paper.
Punch holes in the sides of your label, and tie ribbon in a knot through the hole. Attach the label to the twine, using the small safety pins or hot glue. I used safety pins so the label could removed and the container can then be used for something else.

Now it's ready to be filled with goodies for your friends.

Christmas Crafting

I haven't been up to much as of late other than making Christmas goodies. For the last 3 years I've given  my brother's girl friend Liz a drink mix and mug for Christmas. This year I found a really cute Snowman mug

and I thought a coaster would go great with it.

Here is a better picture of the coaster.

Then I made a non-crocheted version of my snowman ornament.

I gave it to a friend who was in the hospital having surgery on her foot. I was thinking of making up a tutorial for it. I will work on it this weekend and hopefully get it posted next week.

Lotion Bars

I am giving these little lotion bars to my family and friends for Christmas this year so I thought I'd share them with you also.

1 3/4 oz shea butter
2 oz. beeswax
2 oz coconut oil
1 1/2 t essential oil
soap mold(I used an ice cube tray)


Melt shea butter and coconut oil in a double broiler. Add beeswax and melt.Stir and allow to slightly cool; add essential oil and mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into molds and allow to cool completely. Remove from mold and package as desired. Add a label and a tag and then embellish


.

Hot Cocoa Mocha Mix

Here is another great gift idea.
3 cup hot cocoa ( I used the one with mini marshmallows)
1/2 cup instant coffee
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup mini marshmallows-optional

Mix hot cocoa, instant coffee and cinnamon together.

If not giving as a gift store in an airtight container and use when desired.
To give mix and marshmallows as a gift, package mix and marshmallows in a nice container or little bag

with a cute little label.

Then make a nice little decorative tag with the instructions

Add 3 tablespoons mix to 2/3 cup of boiling water