Chocolate & Candy Cane Pretzel Crisps: Day 11

Chocolate & Candy Cane Pretzel Crisps

It’s all about chocolate & candy canes today!  My absolute favorite pretzels are Pretzel Crisps.  I know the company sells dipped ones but I wanted to experiment with
making my own.  So here we go!

The Supplies

Pretzel Crisps
Candy Cane Flavored Candy Melts
Dark Cocoa Candy Melts
Crushed Candy Canes
(parchment paper also comes in handy)

The Steps

Begin by separating out the whole pretzels from the broken pieces.  Set the broken pieces aside, we’ll use those later.  I decided to start with the dark chocolate.  Melt the candy melts according to their package directions.  I used tongs to dip each side of the pretzel into the chocolate.  Let the excess chocolate drip off.  Then lay them on parchment paper and sprinkle the tops with crushed candy canes.

After dipping the entire pretzel when I used the dark chocolate I decided to go a little lighter when dipping the candy cane pretzels.  Melt the candy cane melts according to the package directions.  Dip one side of the pretzels into the candy cane melts and then  dip it into crushed candy canes.  Lay them out on parchment to fully set.

Now, let’s use up the last of our candy cane melts and the broken pretzel crisps!

Lay out the broken pretzel crisps on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Pour candy cane melts over the pretzel pieces and top with crushed candy canes.  Once candy had hardened break it into pieces and serve or package as a gift!

Super easy & super yummy!
I am always looking for ways to reuse the branches I trim from my Christmas tree and our Day 11 from a few years back is always a good idea!  Taper Candle Centerpiece

Have a great week!  Happy Holidays!!!

Reindeer Moss Wreath: Day 10

Reindeer Moss Wreath

The Supplies

Wreath Form
Preserved Reindeer Moss (I chose Chartreuse, it comes in a variety of colors)
Ribbon
hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks

The Steps

Hot glue moss to wreath form!  Pretty simple right?!?  Here is what I found worked.  For the smaller pieces it was easy to put a little glue on the moss and then stick it to the wreath form.  On the sides and with the larger pieces of moss I found it was easier to apply the glue right on the wreath form, attach part of the moss and then go in with more glue if needed to secure the piece better.

I made a bow from a natural linen ribbon as well as a glittered ribbon.  Instead of using wire to hold the loops together I used a piece of ribbon.  To attach the bow, separate the moss and use a big dollop of hot glue.  I also glued a piece of looped wire to the back of my wreath for hanging but a piece of ribbon would also work well.

Looking back through the years I made another wreath the first year of our 12 Days Series. It was a pine cone wreath.  I also still adore our “Baby It’s Cold Outside” Hot Cocoa Kit from a few years ago!

Happy Holidays!

Gilded Ornaments: Day 9

Gilded Ornaments

The Supplies

Martha Stewart Copper Gilding Sheets
Martha Stewart Gilding Adhesive
2 Paint Brushes (1 to apply adhesive, 1 soft brush to brush off gilding)
Stiff Bristled Brush to use with gilding sheets
Glass Ball Ornaments

The Steps

• Remove tops from ornaments.
• Using the gilding adhesive, paint design on the ornaments.  Allow adhesive to air dry until surface feels tacky.

• Remove gilding sheet from package.
• Wrap gilding sheet around the ornament and use the stiff bristled brush to transfer the gilding to the ornament.  You may need to reposition the sheet or use a second sheet to make sure all your design is covered.
• Allow to dry for 1-2 hours and then, using the soft bristled brush, brush away the remnants of gilding that are not adhered to the ornament.
• Attach an ornament hook or decorative ribbon to hang

Tips & Tricks

• Use a small amount of gilding adhesive on your brush.  It is thin and may run if too much is used.
• Gilding adhesive dries clear.

Be sure to check out the post on Day 9 a few years ago: Metallic Words on Canvas!

Happy Holidays!

Shimmering Sticks Candle Holder: Day 8

Shimmering Sticks Candle Holder

The Supplies

Sticks (about 3.5-5 inches long)
Glass Vase (mine is a 5 inch cylinder)
Metallic Spray Paint (I used Rust-Oleum Metallic Paint & Primer in One; Aged Copper)
Martha Stewart Glitter Paint in Copper
Fine Gold Glitter
Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks

The Steps

I began by gluing 4 sticks together making sure they extended past the base of my cylinder.  Next, I glued a base layer of sticks forming a series of teepee shapes around the cylinder.  After the base layer I kept layering the sticks around the vase making sure to keep it even all the way around.  There really is no right or wrong way to do this part as long as the sticks are secure and you are happy with the design!

When I was happy with the shape of my design I sprayed it with a coat of the Rust-Oleum Metallic Paint.  While the paint was still wet I dusted the piece with gold glitter.  My last step was to dab on a little of the glitter paint in the spots where the gold glitter missed.  This step isn’t necessary but I like the outcome!

I would love to see your finished designs!  Share them below in the comments.

Also, be sure to check out this Day 8 from a few years ago!
Honey Almond Twist

Happy Holidays!

Snowman Votive Trio: Day 7

Snowman Votive Trio

How adorable is this trio of customizable snowman votive holders.  They are available for purchase in our online store, Cute!

I couldn’t decide on just one Day 7 from an earlier post to share so I am going to share 2 of them.  I love Gilded Holiday Trays that we made last year and I look forward to bringing them out to use them this year.  And the Scavenger Hunt I did for my nieces a few years back has continued to be a popular idea.  I ended up turning the video clips from our scavenger hunt into a gift for my brother and sister-in-law.

Hope you are having a fabulous week!  Happy Holidays!

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Stir Stick: Day 6

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Stir Stick

We are continuing with my love of peppermint and chocolate today with a quick DIY idea. Just a few ingredients and you’ve got a great gift add-on or festive element for a hot cocoa or coffee bar at a holiday party.

The Supplies

Dark Candy Chocolate Melts (I used Wilton)
Crushed Candy Canes
Mini Cupcake Liners (aren’t the striped ones cute!)
Thin Popsicle Sticks (I found these next to the regular sized ones at my local craft store)

The Steps

• Separate and set out mini cupcake liners
• Melt chocolate according to package directions.  Once smooth add crushed candy canes and stir.
• Place a Ziploc bag in a short tumbler, fold the top over the rim and spoon in melted chocolate/candy cane mixture.
• Remove Ziploc from glass and push chocolate mixture to one corner.

• Snip off the corner of the Ziploc bag and pipe the chocolate mixture into each mini cupcake liner.
• Using the end of a popsicle stick, smooth out the chocolate mixture.
• Once mixture is smooth sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top of chocolate and insert a thin popsicle stick.

These can be displayed on a tray for party guests to mix into their coffee and cocoa or they are cute packaged in a clear bag with a little ribbon!

Last years Day 6 is still one of my favorites!  I created a Fresh Bay Leaf Wreath for my front door!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead & a happy holiday season!

Peppermint Bark Surprise Cookies: Day 5

Peppermint Bark Surprise Cookies

December is my excuse to go a little crazy with peppermint.  Especially chocolate and peppermint together.  I love the Dove Peppermint Bark chocolates and have wanted to use them in baking for a few years now.  So, without further ado, here they are!
Dove Peppermint Bark Surprise Cookies

The Supplies

Basic Cookie Recipe (I used this recipe from Hershey’s) minus the sprinkles and candy Dove Peppermint Bark Chocolates
Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
Crushed Candy Canes

The Steps

Prepare cookie dough according to recipe.
Unwrap Dove Chocolates and set aside.

Roll cookie dough into 1 inch balls.  Flatten the ball in the palm of your hand.  Place chocolate on dough and then wrap the dough around the chocolate.  Place on parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until cookies are set.  After baking, transfer cookies to baking sheets.

Melt chocolate chips and drizzle the cookies with chocolate.  Sprinkle cookies with crushed candy canes before the chocolate sets.  Allow chocolate to set up and then enjoy!

Be sure to check out this post from a few years back on Day 5.
Snowman Jar Luminaries

Have a fabulous weekend!  We are back on Monday with Day 6!

Dotted Kraft Table Runner: Day 4

Dotted Kraft Table Runner

I am using a vintage solid oak executive desk as my dining room table.  A few years back I refinished the desk and now it is a deep rich color.  It is too pretty to cover up with a tablecloth so I decided to make a runner.  Yes, it will likely only last through 1 party or dinner but it is so festive.  Polka dots in mixed metals and scripted words describing the season…add a few cut greens, candles, and pine cones and the table is complete.

The Supplies

Pictured Above: sharpies, various metallic colored paints (I used Martha Stewart), and round sponge paint daubers.
Not Pictured Above: roll of kraft paper (I used one that is 24 inches wide), scissors, newspaper, festive words printed to desired size, ball point pen.

The Steps

• Cut kraft paper to size.  My table is 5 feet long.  I cut a length of 8 feet to give an over hang on each side of about 1.5 feet.
• Gently fold paper in half, length wise, being careful to not crease the paper.
• Holding the paper loosely, make a diagonal cut beginning at the open end and angling up towards the fold.  This gives a fishtail finish to the end of the runner.

• Layer the newspaper (1-2 layers thick) on top of the kraft paper and then layer the festive printed words on top of the newspaper.
• Using a ballpoint pen (yes the top photo shows a pencil…I tried that first and it didn’t work so I switched to pen) firmly trace the outline of the festive words.  The ink from the newspaper will transfer to the kraft paper.
• I outlined and then colored in the newspaper outlines with black sharpie.

Here is what the runner looks like with the festive words finished!

• To finish it off, use the metallic paint and round sponge daubers to create dots.  I focused my dots on the ends of the runner as well as along the outside edges leaving the center free of dots.  Some of my dots overlapped.  If you choose to do this make sure to allow the paint to dry between colors.

A Few Tips

• If you are not working on a crafting table or other table you are not worried about ruining, be sure to use paper under the runner when tracing and coloring with sharpies.  I reused the newspaper from tracing and slipped it under the kraft paper when coloring.
• The dots are a great way to get kids involved in helping with this project!!!

I looked back at Day 4 of the first year I did this series and found this post on dressing up your outdoor pots for the holidays.  Yes, I still do this and am actually planning on dressing up my front porch planters today!

Happy Holidays!

Aggie’s Candles: Day 3

Aggie’s Candles

We were at market this past October and found the most amazing candles!!!  I have seriously been searching for a candle to offer in our online store for a while now and this is it.  Here are a few things we love about these candles:

• The all natural soy waxes come from renewable, USA-grown crops guaranteed to be free of pesticides, herbicides or any genetically modified material.
• They have pure cotton wicks.
• They use Phthalate-free Oils.
• Aggie’s is family owned and located in the Pacific Northwest!
• The scent is not “in your face” but more of a gently fragrance that wafts through the room/house.  Trust me, I have burned them for over a month now and they make your room/house smell divine!

We decided to start with a few holiday inspired fragrances (Nanny’s Cinnamon Buns & Apple Cider) as well as my current fragrance obsession…Lavender.  The lavender truly smells like fresh lavender.

Aggie’s candles are available in our new online store: Cute

They are also available for Puget Sound locals by contacting Jen’s Blossoms.

Don’t forget to check out one of our favorite (& most pinned) Day 3 post from a few years ago.  Chocolate Peppermint Dipped Shortbread.

Cranberry Smoked Almond Bark: Day 2

Cranberry Smoked Almond Bark

I am always looking for a quick and yummy candy to make during the holidays.  This Cranberry Smoked Almond Bark is definitely quick and yummy not to mention a great mix of sweet and salty!

The Ingredients

White Candy Coating
Dried Cranberries (chopped)
Smoked Almonds (chopped)
Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (optional)

The Steps

1. Rough chop cranberries and smoked almonds.
2. Melt white candy coating according to package directions.
3. Stir in cranberries and smoked almonds (reserve a few almonds for sprinkling on top).  I like my candy loaded with add-ins so I will usually add until I reach my desired consistency.
4. Spread mixture out on parchment.
5. Sprinkle reserved almonds over top of candy.  I also chopped some semi sweet chocolate chips and sprinkled them over the top as well (optional).
6. Allow candy to set up.  When set, break into pieces.

Looking back over the years of our 12 Days posts one of my favorite Day 2 posts is this White Chocolate Popcorn!  Yum!

Wishing you joy, peace & love this holiday season!