Friday, December 17, 2010

Granola Gift Jars

If you've been visiting my blog for a while, you know that I make granola every year to pass out to neighbors and friends. Each year I like to package it a little differently, and this year I decided to use some of the Deck the Halls Designer Fabric to jazz up my gift jars.

I cut the fabric with my Big Shot and Scallop Circle die. The scallop makes a pretty little ruffle around the ring once it is secured around the mouth of the jar. These are regular-mouth pint size jars. I would not recommend using the wide-mouth jars with this project, as it would be too large to fit with the Scallop Circle.

Here's a picture of each of the different fabrics on the jars:

The granola recipe I use is my sister-in-law's and it is very tasty (and easy). If you want to make some of your own, here's the recipe:
Granola
3 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup shredded coconut (this really adds a nice sweet flavor)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup veg. oil
1/4 cup honey
1 to 2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4-1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 small package sliced almonds and/or pecans
-------
3/4 - 1 cup wheat germ
raisins, craisins, dried apples...your choice
Mix all ingredients listed above the line. Spray a large baking sheet
with Pam. I use a 10x15 jelly roll pan. Bake at 275 for 15 minutes.
Stir. Bake for another 15 minutes. Stir. Bake for another 10 minutes
or until golden brown. Cool completely. Stir in wheat germ. You can also add raisins, craisins, dried apples, etc after it has cooled. Make it different
every time!

This will be my last post for the year. I'll be taking a holiday break until mid-January or so and then I'll be back with lots to share. I hope you have a blessed holiday and best wishes for 2011!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

A Note of Thanks from the Greeting Card Kids

I have another wintery thank-you card to share today. This is one more card from this month's stamp-a-stack, and one of my favorites. That little girl is just so sweet!

I case'd this card from my upline, Karla Anders. Her original card used the Merry Crittermas set from the Holiday Mini, but since I didn't have that set, I swapped it out for the Greeting Card Kids. Do you see the little pearl buttons on her coat? I also added Smooch Moonlight ink to the trim on her little coat, to add a little sparkle.

Stop by tomorrow for one more post before a holiday break - see you then!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Thank You Kindly
Paper: Bashful Blue, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Riding Hood Red marker, Bashful Blue marker, Garden Green markers, Sahara Sand marker, Daffodil Delight marker, Big Shot, Snowflake #2 die, Basic Pearls, Smooch Moonlight ink

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Hello baby!

Hey there! I know it's been a few days - has the holiday madness caught up with you yet? I've been crossing things off my to-do list left and right, yet my list keeps growing by the minute. I had a chance to stamp for a wee bit yesterday and I put this sweet little baby card together for a friend who just had a little girl.
I was inspired by Fall-to-Layout #118. I made a few variations on my final card, but the overall layout is pretty similar.

Well, I'm off to check my list! Have a great day!

Stamps: Fox & Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: So Saffron, Whisper White, Peach Parfait, Pawsitively Prints II
Ink: So Saffron, Early Espresso
Accessories: 1 3/4" Circle punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Peach Parfait stitched-poly ribbon, Neutrals Designer Buttons

Friday, December 10, 2010

More Pink Snowflakes

There's just something about seeing pink snowflakes that makes me smile! Does this card look familiar? It's a different take on another thank you card we made at my recent stamp-a-stack. I made this card using the Northern Frost Decorative Strip die, from the Holiday Mini.

I thought the little hearts in the snowflakes went really well with the sentiment. This is a fun (and fluffy) way to say "thanks" for a special gift.

Stamps: Heard from the Heart
Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive
Ink: Melon Mambo
Accessories: Big Shot, Northern Frost decorative strip die, Old Olive satin ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Christmas Joy Scrapbook Page

Here's a fun little scrapbook page I put together the other day. It's fairly simple, but I love the way it turned out.

I just adore that cheesy grin! :) See you tomorrow with some more thank you cards to share. 'Bye for now!

Stamps: Circle Circus, Welcome Christmas
Paper: Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Jolly Holiday dsp
Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Big Shot, Snowflake #2 die, Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons, Scallop Border punch, Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Northern Hearts Thanks

Here's another card from last weekend's stamp-a-stack. More snowflakes - what a surprise! :)

While this is a thank you card, you could easily swap out the sentiment for a whimsical Christmas card. For this card, I combined Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo and Old Olive. I kept the design clean and simple - always a good thing when trying to mass produce thank you cards, right? I'm off to get the kiddos up for school - have a great day!

Stamps: Northern Hearts, Heard from the Heart
Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Old Olive
Accessories: 1 1/4" circle punch, Old Olive satin ribbon, Basic Rhinestones

Monday, December 6, 2010

A Wintery Thank You

For the next couple of days I'll have some winter-themed thank you cards to share, all from this month's stamp-a-stack. Today's card uses the Serene Snowflakes set, which is simply lovely, and I put together a fun color combination: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake and Pear Pizzazz.

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Occasional Quotes
Paper: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz dsp
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Accessories: Cutter Kit, 2 1/2" circle punch, Pear Pizzazz stitched-poly ribbon

Here's a color variation on this card, using Blushing Bride in place of the Pear Pizzazz. It's hard to pick a favorite - I think them both! :)


I dressed this card up a bit with some Dazzling Diamonds glitter and a Basic Pearl. I really like the extra sparkle!

Stamps: All Holidays, Serene Snowflakes
Paper: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride dsp
Ink: Blushing Bride, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Accessories: Cutter Kit, 2 1/2" circle punch, Blushing Bride stitched-poly ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, Basic Pearls

Friday, December 3, 2010

Candy Cane Christmas Memo Board

I tried, I really tried! I just did not get a chance to post yesterday. You know how when it rains, it pours? Well, I have had a SUPER busy week and to top it all off my daughter had the stomach flu yesterday, starting at about 2am. I was so busy taking care of her, that I didn't get on to the computer. But, I'm back today with this fun holiday project.

I saw this adorable project on Julie Davison's blog - magnetic a memo board made from a 5x7 piece of metal flashing, available at home improvement stores. The flashing is pre-cut, so you don't need to mess around with cutting metal.

I used Sticky Strip to apply to the paper to the flashing, along with my Crop-a-Dile, a Jumbo Eyelet, and Real Red satin ribbon to create the hanger. I like the festive look of the Candy Cane Christmas dsp with the coordinating fabric magnet. A fun little gifty to give this holiday!

Paper: Real Red, Garden Green, Candy Cane Christmas Specialty dsp
Ink: none
Stamps: none
Accessories: Candy Cane Christmas designer fabric, Candy Cane big designer button, Crop-a-Dile, Jumbo Eyelet, Real Red satin ribbon

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Making Mini Gingerbread Houses

We have a little holiday tradition in our house that my kids really enjoy - making mini gingerbread houses. We pulled out the graham crackers and assorted candies last weekend and the kids went to work.

Jevin had a specific design in mind and he is always very serious about his work. We made these houses last year and had a really tough time getting the "walls" to stay up. I found a great tip on-line, which suggested using a milk or juice carton to hold the body of the house together. This worked like a charm!

Enavi's favorite part was definitely the icing! ;)

The finished product!


I'll be back tomorrow with some stamping to share. See you then!