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!

Gift Idea Easy Enough for Kids to Make

Since my Brownie troop is working on their sewing try-it and the holidays are approaching, I thought I would have them make something warm and cozy to keep or give as a gift. Fleece scarves! And luckily, many of the local fabric stores have been having sales on fleece...just watch for the ads.

Supplies:

2 colors of fleece, 2 yards each (this was enough to make about 11 scarves)

thread

sharp scissors

sewing machine

Cut the fleece in 6 inch strips, the full width of the fabric. Pair and layer one of each color, and sew a single line down the center of each pair. It's already starting to look cozy!

After reviewing scissor safety with the kids have them make cuts on both sides of the scarf, ALMOST to the center line of stitching. Remind them not to snip THROUGH the stitching. My group cut little strips about the width of one or two of their fingers and they looked great.

It takes just a bit of time (about 30 minutes if you're singing and telling jokes during the process) and patience, but they loved the results (and got very creative with different ways to wear them!).

10 girls + 20 busy hands=10 great scarves and a happy leader!

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