Sweet Treat Gift

Look what my wonderful, talented, sweet sister made for my birthday! Ooooh, she knows how I love chocolate.

My reaction?

1. Ooooohhhhhh, yum!

2. Did you MAKE this?

3. You are Soooooo good.

4. I love you!

So, yes, I pretty much immediately knew that I would have to slowly disassemble it to figure out how it was made (and of course share that info with you). I took photos as I took it apart, and here they are in reverse to show how to make one.

Begin with one large and one small styrofoam circle. Cover them in a color of tissue paper that coordinates with your ribbon (that way if it peaks through, it still matches!).

My sister cut a circle of cardboard to cover the bottom of the larger, tissue-covered circle. This may not be absolutely necessary, but it sure looks neater.

Attach the chocolates around the outer edge with pieces of two-face tape. After they are in place, wrap a rubber band around to hold them in place. This will be covered up by the ribbon later.

Place a few candies around the top, leaving the center uncovered.

Stick a few toothpicks in the middle to help attach the top circle.


Put a few toothpicks in the bottom of the "top", smaller circle, and press onto the base.




Surround the top layer with yummy squares in the same way the bottom layer was done...and top with a few more.






Leave a tiny spot open in the middle, and push a toothpick in there, too.





Wrap a layer (or two!) of ribbon around the base, and attach with two-face tape or glue dots.

Repeat your ribbon-wrapping magic on the top layer, too.

Tie a small piece of floral wire to the bottom of a ribbon bow. Attach the bow by wrapping the wire around the toothpick.

VOILA!

Now, if I can think of someone who deserves one (and don't we ALL?) for Valentine's Day,  I might just attempt a pink and red version. Let me know if you try it!

Heat Up Valentine's Day with a Quick Gift!

I guess I just can’t leave well enough alone. Valentine’s Day is just a couple of days way, but something in me needed to make a couple more “tokens” of affection/appreciation.

It’s been so cold and damp here that I immediately thought of the soothing relief of hot packs. Simple enough!

There are many “how to’s” across the internet about how to make microwavable styles with either rice or dried beans. One thing I have learned is that the legumes (because of their larger size) tend to hold the heat longer.

If you decide to whip a few up for yourself, be sure to use only all cotton fabrics and threads (since microwaves and polyester don’t play well together.

I made small packs, for a sore neck or shoulder, beginning by cutting 20” x 5” strips of muslin. Fold in half, bringing the two short ends together. Sew along the long sides, so that the piece is connected on three sides, and open at the top (short end).

Fold in thirds lengthwise, and sew along the two folds (which results in three “tubes” open at the end).

Roll an index card into a funnel to direct the slippery little beans into the tubes. Don’t fill all the way, since the pack will be more comfortable when flexible.

After the tubes are full, fold the opening end over twice, an stitch down securely. There! now you have the heat pack itself finished. Easy, huh?

But we have to make it a bit prettier, don't we? Next comes a little slipcover that can be removed for washing. You can even choose material with motifs that reflect the personality of the person who will be receiving this cozy gift. The one above made out of pink Girl Scout try-it material is for my Brownie daughter.

The cover fabrics should also be cut in a strip, just a bit larger than the muslin. I cut mine 21" x 6". Then, even with the seam allowances, it will still have plenty of room to slip over the pack.

First, fold the two short ends of the strip over twice and stitch to make hems. Then, with right sides of the fabric (design side facing design side) together, offset the ends and stitch up the sides. Think of an eyeglass case with a fold-over flap. Overlap the ends on one side of your case, and finish stitching the sides together.

Turn case right-side-out, and slide your hot pack inside. (See the lil' guy peeking out?) Fold the last flap closed, and you're ready for gifting.

Remember to attach a tag letting the person know that the hot pack can be heated in the microwave for about one minute, and that the cover is removable for washing.

I think I'll test one out right now....aaaaaaahhhhhh!

Have a cozy Valentines Day.

Valentine Treat - Cute & Quick

I've been seeing this project posted all over the internet the last few weeks, and just had to try it for myself. Luckily, the first time I saw the post was just after Christmas, so I was able to scoop up a couple of boxes of mini candy canes on clearance at Target. And I love that they are "fruit flavored" (yes, I tried them...they really are), just in case anyone is still burned out on peppermint from the holidays.

Lay out pairs of candy canes to form heart shapes on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Position them far enough apart to leave room to place the lollipop sticks after cooking.

Place the sheet in a 300 degree oven for about 5 minutes. The canes will be just pliable enough to pinch together at the top and around a stick at the bottom. I protected my fingers with a small piece of parchment since...no surprise...the candy is very hot!

After wrapping them in small cellophane bags, I used some small foam hearts my daughter had left over from making valentines for tags.

The entire process of making the lollipops, wrapping and labeling them only took me about an hour and a half. Boy-howdy do I love fun projects that are quick, too!

If I were making them for my girlfriends, I would dress them up with ribbon or rhinestones on the bags. To display them on a dessert bar, you could cover a block of foam, and stick the lollipops in (like a little candy garden). So many fun options.

If you try it, let me know how they turn out, and how you "dressed" them!

Posting Time for Classroom Valentines

It's time again for kids to decorate boxes (shoe, oatmeal, cereal, etc.) and bags use for collecting their classroom Valentines cards and treats. Some schools have specific guidelines or just let the kids create them in class. This year, my daughter's second grade class was asked to bring in a decorated shoebox. Because she is very into electronics at the moment, she wanted hers to look like an ipod. Here's what it turned out to be:

Just for fun, I found some other ideas across the internet.

Family Fun came up with a giggle-inducing monster made from a tissue box. Open wide! http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/chews-a-card-824819/

Boys or girls would love to have their name on this adorable puppy. The pattern can be found at DLTK. http://www.dltkholidays.com/valentines/mdogbox.htm

Since bear hugs are a good thing to share for Valentine's, you might consider this happy little bear from Making Friends.

http://www.makingfriends.com/winter/bear_valentine_holder.htm

But my absolute favorite (so far) this year is the hardy pirate ship by My Party Bug. Can't you just imagine your little swashbuckler beaming with pride when carrying this into the classroom? http://www.mypartybug.com/blog/?cat=6

Whatever design they choose (even if it's stickers on a bag) Valentine's is a great chance for kids to show their friends they care. Have fun, and Happy Heart Day!

My Fuzzy Valentine

Here is the finished product from the pom pom craziness. I have to admit I rather like it.

It was difficult to stop running my fingers across the soft fringe. It reminds me of the (shudder) shag carpets in the 1960’s when I was little.

It was a fun, quick project, and…yes…there is Valentine-colored fuzz all over the sofa and carpet. My vacuum cleaner may not be too happy with me tomorrow!

A "Heart Felt" Project for the Brownies

SCREECHING halt! Today is Brownie meeting day. so other projects go on the back burner!

The girls are going to make Valentine cards to deliver to the local nursing home next month. It’s their favorite project every year, and we always have lots of pretty hand drawn cards and smiles to share.

We’re also going to make felt Valentine lapel pins for the mothers (or to keep for themselves). I precut cardboard hearts for the backing, to which they’ll tape safety pins, using the "negative" from the cut outs to trace hearts onto felt. On the front, they will glue a red felt heart cut with pinking shears. Then I provide them with beads, sequins and glue and let their imaginations fly. They always come up with things I would never think to do. It’s a joy to watch!

Note to Self: Next time I won't show them my sample pin, since they all liked it so much it was copied. The finished products all turned out cute and slightly unique, and the girls enjoyed the project.