Custom Printed Jars

This is an amazing craft and would make a wonderful gift. Kristine from The Painted Hive has done an awesome job with her tutorial and even provides a free printable --- make sure this one gets onto your wish list!

Find the direct link to the craft {here}

Bird's Nest Charm

These are easy to make and completely adorable --- perfect for mom or grandma :)

Supplies:
Thin jewlers wire
Small beads (birthstone colors??)

Directions:
1. Thread your first bead onto the wire leaving a 2 inch tail.
2. Add any additional beads.
3. Wrap the wire several times around the beads to create a "nest" appearance.
4. Secrure the beads by wraping it around the outside to hold the nest in place. Clip wire and tuck in loose end.
5. Use the 2 inch tail to create a loop at the top of your nest, then clip and hide the end.
6. Wear it on a neacklace, bracelet or keychain.

Casserole Carrier - Two Ways

We had a crazy day today, so my original project never got done. (Have you been there?!) Here are the links for two different versions of a casserole carriers - depending on your budget and time for sewing. Both are equally functional and equally adorable.

The first is the faster and cheaper version --- two placemats sewn together with belting used for the handles.

The second takes considerably more time to make but is in my opinion a little more appealing because it is fitted to your dish and fold over on four sides to enclose. (This one is on my to-do list)

Monogrammed Magnet Board

A perfect place for recipes, notes or pictures!!

Supplies:
Baking sheet
Scrapbook paper
Modge Podge
Acrylic Paint
Ribbon
Circle magnets
Clear flat-bottomed glass stones
(Cricut)

Directions:
1. Paint the baking sheet and allow to dry completely.
2. Trim coordinating scrapbook papers to fit on the top of the baking sheet. Glue the paper to the baking sheet with a layer of Modge Podge.
3. Cut initials and embellishments out using your Cricut. And glue onto the baking sheet.
4. Apply a top coat of Modge Podge.
5. With a hammer and nail, make two holes at the top of the cookie sheet and string through a piece of ribbon to hang.
6. To make coordinating magnets, cut 1 inch circles from scrapbook paper and glue to the flat side of clear stones print facing against the stone using Modge Podge then unto the magnet with hot glue. Hold done firmly for 30 seconds to a minute to ensure hold.

Fool's Toffee

This fast and easy toffee is always a hit - one batch makes enough for 6-10 gift tins. :) I purchased tins and holiday liners from the dollar store plus the ingredients for 10 small gifts for less than $20.

 

Ingredients:
1 box Saltines
3 cups butter
3 cups packed brown sugar
3 bags semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 bags chopped nuts

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a jelly roll pan with tin foil. Place a single layer of crackers on the pan. Meanwhile, boil sugar and butter stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes.

Pour hot caramel over crackers and spread evenly. Bake crackers for 5 minutes. After removing from the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips over hot crackers immediately.

Once they have started to melt, spread evenly over crackers and top with nuts. Allow to cool for at least 12 hours for chocolate to set. Once chocolate is firm break into pieces and place into tins.

Fingerprint Nativity Cards

These adorable Christmas cards are sure to bring a smile to your loved ones this year! Grab your kiddos and let's get started!!!

Supplies:
8.5x11 white card stock
Ink pads
Fine tip markers

Directions:
1. Cut the card stock pages in half to yield 5.5x8.5 sheets. Fold each of these in half to create your cards.

2. Place a fingerprint for baby Jesus in the center of the page and one for Mary and Joseph on either side. Tilting them slightly towards the manger to give the appearance of bowing. Place three fingerprints to one side of the manger that will become the three wise men, and two on the other side that will become shepherds. Finally, place a fingerprint at the top to make an angel.

3. Draw a open house surrounding Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, a manger beneath baby Jesus and a star above the house.

4. To draw the details on the characters... draw small arcs for closed eyes, crowns on the wise men, and shepherds croaks for the shepherds. Draw wings and a halo on the angel and a small o mouth for a singing mouth.

5. To draw the head coverings for Mary, Joseph & the shepherds - start by drawing a curve from the forehead to the back of the head. Next draw the back of the covering beginning your line at the forehead where you started the curve and following the outline of the head down the 'back'. Finally, draw the front of the covering from the ear-line of the covering downward meeting at the bottom if the back line in one continuous line. (See illustration above) They don't have to look perfect - the imperfections are part of the charm.

6. Finish your cards with a greeting and fingerprint family signature inside!! :)

These go quickly once you have done a few. Line up a bunch of cards side by side and finish one step at a time. Or set up an assembly line with each person assigned a specific element if the cards. Put on some Christmas music and enjoy a special time with your kids creating the adorable JOY offerings.

PS - Just as a heads up....your fingers will probably be stained for a day or two after ;) 

Freezer Meals: White Chicken Chili

Prep Time: 1 hour or less if you have precooked chicken

Ingredients:
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1 small onion, diced
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups green chili
2 cans great white northern beans, rinsed and drained

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and freeze in a ziplock bag.

To Prepare: Defrost overnight, cook in crockpot 4-6 hours on high, or all day on low. Serve topped with cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and tortilla chips.

More Ideas for Soups from the Freezer:
Black Bean Soup
Minestrone
Chicken Noodle Soup
Taco Soup
Baked Potato Soup
Squash Bisque

Freezer Meals: Baked Macaroni

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
16 oz uncooked macaroni
16 oz sour cream
16 oz cottage cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
2 cups sliced hot dogs or cocktail wieners (optional)

Directions:
Purée sour cream, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese and milk. Combine with macaroni and hot dogs. Freeze until ready to cook.

To prepare: Defrost overnight. Bake for 1-1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees F. Or in the crockpot for 3-4 hours on low.

More Ideas for Pasta:
Lasagna
Baked Pasta
Manicotti
Stuffed Shells
Minestrone
Pesto

Freezer Meals: Chicken Divine

Prep Time: 1 hour or less if you have cooked chicken on hand

Ingredients:
2 cups chicken, shredded
2 cups broccoli, lightly cooked and chopped
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 cup mayo
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup dried bread crumbs

Directions:
Mix together cream of chicken soup and mayo. Layer ingredients in a freezer safe baking dish as follows: (from bottom) chopped broccoli, shredded chicken, cream mixture, shredded cheese, bread crumbs. Cover with aluminum foul and freeze for up to 2 months.

To use, defrost overnight then bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes. Serve over rice.

More Freezer Meal Ideas for Chicken:
White Chicken Chili
Chicken Pot Pie
Taco/Burrito Filling
Enchiladas
BBQ Chicken Sandwich Filling
White Chicken Lasagna
Marinated Chicken Breasts

Freezer Meals: Meatballs

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 cup dry stuffing mix
2/3 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup diced onion
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and moisture rung out well!

Directions:
Crumble spinach into the beef mixture and combine ingredients well. Using a melon baller make small 1 inch meatballs. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet or other non-stick baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool to room temperature. Freeze in a single layer on a cookie lined with parchment, then store frozen in a ziplock bag for 1-2 months.

To reheat bake frozen meatballs for 30 minutes or in the crockpot with sauce of your choice at least 3-4 hours.

More Beef Freezer Meal Ideas:
Pot Roast*
Shepherds Pie*
Taco Filling
Enchiladas
Burritos
Meatloaf
Sloppy Joes
Chili
Lasagna

*Raw potatoes do not freeze well, make sure they are cooked for several minutes before freezing. Milk should be added to mashed potatoes after thawing to avoid runny potatoes.

Wall Calendar

These are a fun way to stay organized and keep your week visa blue for your whole family. You can find multi-pane frames at Walmart or even thrift stores sometimes. Simply cut scrapbook paper to fit the frames and write the days if the week in each. Use the 8th frame for a to-do list or simply write "coming up this week". You can use a cricut or pre-cut letters for the days of the week as well. A dry or wet erase marker works beautifully on the glass of the frame for your schedule. If you have a big family try using different color markers for each person in the family. :)

Pizza Night Friday

 Every Friday the boys and I hit up Redbox for a rental to go with our weekly pizza. Here is my recipe for Homemade Pizza Dough and for a yummy non-traditional pizza! The dough makes enough for two pies - perfect for one "grown up" pizza like this one as well as a kids' version. ;)

Smoked Sausage Alfredo White Pizza
1 lb smoked sausage diced
1 small jar Alfredo sauce
2 cups shredded cheese
1 batch Homemade Pizza Crust

Roll out 2 pizza crusts on floured pans. Bake for 10 minutes at 400. Top lightly with Alfredo sauce, cheese and sausage. Bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Homemade Pizza Dough
1 1/2 cup warm water
1/4 cup olive oil
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cups yellow corn meal
1 tsp salt
2 1/4 tsp yeast

Make dough using the bread machine on pizza dough cycle (55 minutes). Makes 2 large pizza crusts.

Homemade Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener

Time:
15-20 minutes prep
24 hour cooling time for the detergent

Liquid Detergent:
1/2 bar Fels-laundry soap
1/2 cup Borax
3/4 cup Washing Soda (not baking soda)
3 empty gallon milk jugs
Funnel (or top half of a soda bottle)

-Using a cheese grater, shred the Fels-Naptha. Save 1/2 for your next batch. In a large stock pot melt the remaining 1/2 bar of shredded soap with 3 cups water over medium high heat. Add the Borax and Washing Soda, stirring until well mixed. Put 2 cups into each of 3 clean gallon jugs. Add HOT water to 2/3 to 3/4 full. Shake. Remove lids and let sit for 24 hours to thicken. Contents may seperate, shake before each use.
-TO USE IN LAUNDRY: Use 1/8-1/4 cup per load. Good for HE washers and front loaders as well.

Fabric softener:
1 cup Suave Conditioner
2 cups white vinegar
1-2 empty container(s)

Combine conditioner and Vinegar with 3 cups HOT water. Shake well.
-TO USE IN LAUNDRY: Use 2-3 Tbsp per load diluted with water where you would normally place the fabric softener.
-NOTE: Use 1/2-1 cup straight white vinegar for towels to help with mildew smell and to help maintain absorbency.