Gift Tags: Day 9

It’s that time of year again where I will share 12 days of decor ideas, favorite recipes (usually sweet), simple traditions and fun things to do.

Day 9: 
Gift Tags

I have a confession…I love paper.  Not only paper but embellishments as well.  I have never been one to scrapbook but I do love to make cards and gifts when I get a chance.  The only thing is that I can’t seem to part with the small leftover scraps of paper.  I decided to turn some of them into gift tags this year.

The Finished Product:

Supplies Needed:
Cardstock
Decorative Paper
Wire or Ribbon (for attaching)
Paper Cutter
Scissors
Adhesive
Hole Punch
Embellishments

To Make:
I cut my cardstock down to about 2 inches by 4 inches.  For tag #1 I layered a wood textured paper on top of my cardstock and then topped it with snowflakes I punched out of decorative paper.  I used small adhesive foam squares to pop up the snowflakes and finished it off with a few decorative sparkles and a crinkle wire for attaching.

For tag #2 I cut down metallic copper cardstock to a 2 inch by 4 inch measurement.  Then I banded the cardstock with two different decorative papers.  I cut out a holiday themed definition from a decorative paper and used adhesive foam squares to pop it off the tag.  Green crinkle wire is the finishing touch for this tag.

It is simple to create beautiful gift tags out of left over scraps.  Happy Crafting!

Honey Almond Twist: Day 8

It’s that time of year again where I will share 12 days of decor ideas, favorite recipes (usually sweet), simple traditions and fun things to do.

Day 8:
Honey Almond Twist

This recipe comes from The Pillsbury Family Christmas Cookbook.  It is one of my mom’s favorite holiday treats.  Perfect for breakfast or as a snack with an afternoon cup of coffee.

The Finished Product:

The Recipe:

Bread
6 to 7 cups bread flour*
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 packages active dry yeast
1 cup water
1 cup milk
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 egg

Filling
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons margarine or butter, softened

Glaze
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1/2 cup slivered almonds

Grease 2 cookie sheets.  Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.  In large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, salt, yeast; blend well.  In small saucepan, heat water, milk and 1/2 cup margarine until very warm (120 to 130° F).  Add warm liquid and egg to flour mixture.  Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed.  By hand, stir in an additional 3 cups flour until dough pulls away from sides of bowl.  On floured surface, knead in remaining 1 to 2 cups flour until dough is smooth and elastic with blisters under the surface, about 10 minutes.

Place dough in greased bowl; cover loosely with plastic wrap and cloth towel.  Let rise in warm place (80 to 85° F) until light and doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Punch down dough several times to remove all air bubbles.  Allow dough to rest on counter covered with inverted bowl for 15 minutes.  In small bowl, combine 1/3 cup sugar and cinnamon; set aside.  Divide dough into 3 equal pieces.  On lightly floured surface, roll each piece of dough to 25 x 6 inch rectangle.  Spread each with 1 tablespoon margarine or butter.  Sprinkle with sugar-cinnamon mixture.  Starting with longer side, roll up tightly; pinch edges to seal.  Twist each roll, stretching slightly.  Form pretzel shape; tuck ends under to seal.  Place on greased cookie sheets.  Cover; let rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Heat oven to 350° F.  Uncover dough.  Bake at 350° F. for 20 to 30 minutes or until deep golden brown.  Immediately remove from cookie sheets; place on wire racks.  In small saucepan, combine all glaze ingredients.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Spoon hot glaze over warm breads, completely covering tops and sides.
Makes 3 (16 slice) coffee cakes.

Tips:
*All purpose or unbleached flour can be substituted for bread flour.  Decrease kneading time to 5 minutes, omit resting period and decrease each rise time 15 minutes.

I always make a little extra glaze so the bread is well covered.

I also always place the cooling racks on top of foil, wax paper or parchment paper to catch all the excess glaze.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt: Day 7

It’s that time of year again where I will share 12 days of decor ideas, favorite recipes (usually sweet), simple traditions and fun things to do.

Day 7: 
Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Today’s post falls into the tradition & fun category.  Every year I do something special with my nieces (I do have a nephew now but he is not old enough to come along yet).  The past few years have been craft type activities but this year I decided to mix it up a bit.  So, in the next week or so I will grab my nieces for a little adventure while my brother and sister-in-law shop, wrap & relax.

The Activity:
This year we are going on a scavenger hunt all over our city!  I am finalizing some plans still but it will include all the landmarks.  At each destination they will be given crazy clues that will require photos, video, singing and most likely a little dancing!  They will solve the clues and tell me where to drive.  There will be holiday snacks and drinks and probably a little shopping for their parents.  I’ve included a list of potential supplies needed as well as the first clue I made for them.

Possible Supplies Needed:
Paper & Pen
Camera
Video Camera
Snacks (fruit, shortbread, etc…)
Holiday Drinks (we will visit the local coffee shop)
Coats, Hats, Gloves

The First Clue:

I love this tradition and am looking forward to our adventure.  To check out Day 7 from last year click here!

Glass Gem Snowman Ornament: Day 6

It’s that time of year again where I will share 12 days of decor ideas, favorite recipes (usually sweet), simple traditions and fun things to do.

Day 6:
 Glass Gem Snowman Ornament

I saw this adorable snowman ornament at my local craft store and had to make it.  It was so easy to make that I decided I must share it as part of our 12 Days series.

The Finished Product:

Supplies Needed:
2 sizes of Glass Gems
Small Black Top Hats
Diamond Dust
Thin Ribbon
Black Paint Pen
Glue

To Make:
Using glue (I used hot glue) adhere the smaller of the gem to the top of the larger gem just off centered.  Applying a generous amount of glue allows the glue to squish out from under the small gem giving you adhesive for the diamond dust.  Add a little diamond dust to the seam where the gems meet.  Apply glue to the bottom of the top hat and secure the top hat to the small gem.  I put a thin ribbon of glue around the top hat and added a small amount of diamond dust to that as well.  Next, tie a knot in your ribbon and glue the knot to the top of the top hat and finish with a bit of diamond dust.  The finishing touch is to add the eyes and buttons using the paint pen.  Once the glue dries the ornament is ready.

I found the best way to apply the diamond dust was to dip the ornament into a shallow dish of diamond dust.  It was less mess this way.

To check out Day 6 from last year click here.  All supplies available at local craft stores or through Jen’s Blossoms.  Contact info@jensblossoms.com for pricing.

Snowman Jar Luminaries: Day 5

It’s that time of year again where I will share 12 days of decor ideas, favorite recipes (usually sweet), simple traditions and fun things to do.

Day 5:
Snowman Jar Luminary

The Finished Product:

Supplies Needed:
Clean Jars (mason jars, baby food jars, etc…)
Acrylic Paint (white, black & orange)
Paint Brushes
Black and Red Felt
Candle (tea light or LED)
Scissors and Glue

To Make:
Begin by cutting out the rim of the hat.  Trace the top of the jar on the black felt.  Cut out the inside of the traced circle (see photo below).  Then cut a larger circle to create a donut shape from the felt.  Set this aside for later.

Next paint the outside of the jar with white acrylic paint.  When the white paint has dried use the black paint to paint the eyes, mouth and top rim of the jar.  A carrot nose is then painted with the orange paint.  While the jar is drying cut the red felt into strips and fringe the ends.

Finally, once the jar is completely dry, use a dab of glue to secure the red felt scarf to the base of the back of the jar.  Bring the ends around and tie the scarf.  The black felt donut should slip easily over the top of the jar to create the rim of the snowman’s hat.  Add a candle and enjoy!

To check out Day 5 from last year click here.  All supplies available at local craft or fabric stores.  Try using different sizes of jars to create snowmen of all sizes.

Metallic Manzanita Tree: Day 4

It’s that time of year again where I will share 12 days of decor ideas, favorite recipes (usually sweet), simple traditions and fun things to do.

Day 4:
Metallic Manzanita Tree

The Finished Product:

Supplies Needed:
Manzanita Branch (ours are about 22″ long)
Silver Spray Paint and Glitter Spray (we like Design Master)
Silver Container
Floral Foam or Styrofoam to fit container
Small Ornament

To Make:
Spray manzanita branch with silver spray paint and let dry (do this outside or in a garage).  Once dry lightly spray the branch with silver glitter spray and let that dry.  The glitter adds a slight shimmer but is not super noticeable.  Fit foam into the container then insert the manzanita branch into the foam.  Try not to wiggle it around too much and don’t take it in and out or your foam will break down and you will need a new piece.  Once the branch is in the foam, secure it with a little hot glue and then add silver ornaments to cover the foam.  Secure ornaments with a bit of glue also.  Now it’s time to decorate!

I love the look of the small glittered ornaments on the manzanita tree but any miniature ornament would work great.  The tree would also look amazing in another metallic color…gold, bronze and champagne are some other options.

To check out Day 4 of last year click here.  All the supplies are available at local craft stores, florists or from Jen’s Blossoms (info@jensblossoms.com).

Chocolate Peppermint Dipped Shortbread: Day 3

It’s that time of year again where I will share 12 days of decor ideas, favorite recipes (usually sweet), simple traditions and fun things to do.

Day 3:
Chocolate Peppermint Dipped Shortbread

I have made shortbread for many years.  A few years back I was loving everything chocolate peppermint so I decided to dip my shortbread in chocolate and crushed candy canes.  A new favorite among my family and friends was born.  My shortbread recipe comes from the Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Cookies Magazine.

The Finished Product:

Supplies Needed:
Flour
Sugar
Butter
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Pieces
Candy Canes
Mixing Bowl, Pastry Blender, Cookie Sheet, Rolling Pin & Wax Paper

The Recipe:
1 1/4 Cup Flour
3 Tablespoons Sugar
1/2 Cup Butter

Combine flour and sugar in a medium mixing bowl.  Cut in butter till mixture resembles fine crumbs and starts to cling.  Form the mixture into a ball and knead till smooth.  The mixture may appear dry but forming the ball and kneading it with your hands will soften the butter slightly so the dough becomes smooth.  Roll or pat the dough into a rectangle on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Before baking, use a sharp knife and cut the rectangle into approximately 16 pieces.  This keeps the shortbread from breaking when you cut it after baking.  Bake in a 325 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or till bottom just starts to brown and the center is set.  Cut the rectangle again while warm.  Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack.

Once the shortbread has cooled, crush the candy canes and place them in a shallow dish.  Melt the chocolate according to package directions.  Carefully dip the shortbread into the melted chocolate and then immediately into the crushed candy canes.  Place on wax paper until chocolate hardens.  I alternate between dipping only one end and dipping the entire bottom of the shortbread.

I love to package these treats for my friends, family and neighbors!

To check out Day 3 of last year click here.  We have clear bags and decorative ribbon available for purchase at Jen’s Blossoms.  Contact us at info@jensblossoms.com for colors, sizes and prices.

Potted Lemon Cypress Tree: Day 2

It’s that time of year again where I will share 12 days of decor ideas, favorite recipes (usually sweet), simple traditions and fun things to do.

Day 2:
Potted Lemon Cypress Tree

The Finished Product:

Supplies Needed:
Lemon Cypress Tree
4″ Galvanized Pot with liner
Decorative Wire

To Make:
Secure the end of the decorative wire to the inside of the galvanized pot between the liner and pot.  Wrap wire randomly around the outside of the galvanized pot and secure the end to the inside between the liner and pot.  Be sure to wrap your wire tightly so it doesn’t slip.  Plant the lemon cypress tree in the galvanized pot.

I love the bright green color of the lemon cypress tree and it is a bonus that it has a lemon fragrance.  This will be the perfect addition to my mantle or dining room table.

To check out Day 2 of last year click here.  We have galvanized pots and decorative wires available for purchase at Jen’s Blossoms.  Contact us at info@jensblossoms.com for prices.

Vine Wrapped Candle Holder: Day 1

It’s that time of year again where I will share 12 days of decor ideas,
favorite recipes (usually sweet), simple traditions and fun things to do.

Day 1
Vine Wrapped Candle Holders

The Finished Product:

Supplies Needed:
Glass Candle Holder (ours measures 4″ high by 3.25″ diameter)
Vine Wrap
Thin Ribbon
Adhesive (hot glue, u-glue, etc.)
Candle (tea light, floating or LED)

To Make:
Cut the vine wrap to fit around the candle holder and secure it with a few spots of hot glue or other adhesive.  Wrap the ribbon around the center of the vine wrap tying a knot or bow to secure it, the knot or bow will be on the opposite side of the adhesive.  Insert your candle and enjoy the simple elegance of this candle holder.

I tried both a tea light and the floating candle.  My favorite…the floating candle.  It just glows and is the candle used in the finished product photo!

To check out Day 1 of last year click here.  If you would like to purchase the supply kit to make this candle holder please contact us at info@jensblossoms.com for prices.

A Pink, Orange & Light Green Bouquet: Real Wedding

Event Location:
Hood Canal Vista Pavilion
Port Gamble, WA

The Flowers:
Light Green Hydrangea, Pink Hydrangea, Orange Spray Roses, Fuchsia Roses, Green Cymbidium Orchids, Pink and Mango Mini Calla Lilies and Yellow Freesia.

The Photographer:
Fike Fotography
Fike Fotography provided the images below. Thank you Cindy for the fantastic photos.  Be sure to check out Fike Fotography’s blog post for more photos!