Merry Xmas 2012

I always make some gifts for Christmas. This year it was tough, because I was selling and sewing right up to the last minute. I did make some really cute sachets, out of old denim with white machine embroidery. I didn't even get a chance to take pictures of those, but trust me, they were adorable.

For the most part, though, I was sick to death of sewing, so I tried my hand at crocheting. I knew I could crochet the scarf, like the Minecraft scarf that the Dink is wearing, but I didn't know that I could make amigurumi. My first ever is the Yoda on the right. As that went so smoothly, I thought I might attempt a Slenderman for the teen. I found one that I liked and based my pattern on that. I had no pattern to work from. He turned out pretty cool. Even has creepy curly tendrils coming out of his back.

The picture below shows the teen and Slenderman, enjoying a cup of cocoa. Dink and Luna enjoyed Christmas a LOT, even Santa Fuzzy did. That hat was bought by someone for the puppy whose head is bigger than mine now. Well a LOT bigger than Fuzzy's. Hope you enjoyed your holidays, family, and learning new things :)

Artfire Collection - Christmases Long Long Ago

Christmases Long Long Ago

  Curated By: PoppysGardenG...

ArtFire.com

Craft Supplies

Sharing Time - Holiday Gifts 2011 Part 4

Getting so close to the Holidays and I am looking all over for gifts and decorations to make for friends and family. Did you get your gift from me yet? I think it's in the mail.

I do wish I found this one earlier for you, but if you run out now you might have time to make it. This is the cutest ever "Book Bag". A little handbag recycled from a vintage book binding.

And you can't fool me. I know some of you have not finished decorating yet. Here is a Fabric Yo-Yo Tree.

And Better Homes and Gardens has some cute Decorations for you.

Back to gift ideas, how about a quick easy Monogram Mug? Fill it with a bag of Cocoa.

Here's another easy one. Lemony Kitchen Hand Scrub. I think I want this one for me.

I love this Etched Trifle Bowl, and I have etching paste. Why didn't I think of that?

Oh and a handmade Wooden Wax Seal I have all I need for this too. I better get busy!

Polymer Gift Tags. They would make such cute jewelry charms too.

OK enough for today. I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday with Many More Joyous Days to come.

What's Cooking? - Almond Puff

This recipe is my favorite treat for the Holidays. My mom found it in a huge box of recipes she bought. It had recipe cards that you purchased by a set a month. So much easier to buy a book.

This recipe was worth the cost of the whole set and I really can't remember making anything else out of those recipe cards.

It looks harder than it is and it is really worth the effort. Don't be afraid, just jump right in and you will be pleasantly surprised at what you can accomplish. We've tweaked the recipe a bit over the years to add a bit more yummy almond.

ALMOND PUFF

BOTTOM LAYER
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cold water

TOP LAYER
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
3 eggs

GLAZE
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

1/2 cup sliced almonds


1. In a medium bowl, cut the 1/2 cup of butter into the 1 cup of flour
until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the cold water one
tablespoon at a time. Using your hands or a fork, stir until the dough can
form a ball. Divide dough in half. Roll or press each half into a 12x3 inch
rectangle. Place them 3 inches apart onto an unprepared cookie sheet.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3. In a saucepan, bring the 1/2 cup of butter, and 1 cup of water to a
rolling boil. Lower heat and stir in the flour immediately with a wooden
spoon. Continue to stir vigorously until the dough forms a tight ball.
Remove from heat. Stir in eggs one at a time, then stir in the almond
extract. Spread equally onto both rectangles. Bake for 10 minutes
before lowering the oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees
C). Continue to cook for 15 to 20 more minutes. The top should be
crispy and brown.
4. To make the glaze, beat the confectioners' sugar together with the
melted butter and almond extract until smooth. Spread over the almond puff
when cool, and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Cut into strips and serve.

Life on Mars - Babies and Holidays

Another Hectic week. Luna is still settling in and I've forgotten how to handle a babe. Well it has been 8 years since Poppy had her last. So this week I grabbed Luna from Poppy to help her out and sat right down in a plate of leftover Riggie Sauce. Had to hand her back to change my clothes.

Tried to put up some Christmas decorations. Had such a horrible winter last year that most of the lights were ice damaged. It happened so suddenly that there was nothing we could do about it. Heavy Snow melting from roof froze. Our Penguins were one big block of ice, but I was able to save them - until sometime this fall.

The Penguins were under the porch in plastic bags. I looked and looked, but only one bag. I swear there were two. Maybe I was wrong. Nope only 2 penguins holding the letters O and Y. No J penguin. Looks like Poppy's FIL thought one of the bags was garbage and threw it out with the recycling. Not too angry, just kind of sad, I set out the two penguins and was resolved to have a Hanukkah display, spelling Oy! instead of Joy.

Then I had a brilliant Idea. We had Candy Cane path lights. I took one and hung it upside down in front of the O and Y Penguins. And this is what it looks like.

Not the Greatest Picture. But you get the idea. I didn't feel like setting up the manual settings, so I shot on auto. What's that saying? Desperation  FrankZappa Necessity is the Mother of Invention?

No one will dampen my Christmas Spirit I say! Can't wait to see what Thanksgiving has in store for us.

Sharing Time - DIY Flame Sculpted Poppy

This is my first experiment with Hosting a PDF. Because the economy is not so great, I thought it would be nice to offer a free PDF for you to get a leg up on Holiday gifts. I will also be hosting another tutorial soon by Maiden Jane an Etsy seller and blogger at MaidenJane.blogspot.com

Flame Sculpted Poppy Tutorial

Just click on the image or the link above to take you to the FREE printable PDF tutorial. The site is a teeny bit spammy, because it is free. But there are few sites out there that aren't. I'm referring to Facebook in particular.

You can use this to make jewelry like the one pictured, or use your imagination. You must use the eco felt, because that is made out of plastic that can be formed. Don't use any other material, or hold the flame too long on the felt, or you will have a hot flaming mess.

If you feel brave enough to try it, you can make some pretty wonderful gifts for your loved ones. And remember, the pattern is copyrighted, so it's just for you and your friends and family, not to resell.