12 Crafts of Christmas part 12 - Gift Idea - Lemon Sugar Scrub!!

Well, today is Christmas craft #12!

I hope you've found some things that have interested you.

Today's craft is one of my favorites!

Lemon Sugar Scrub!

Things you'll  need:

Cute little jars or whatever you want to store your scrub in

Printed tags

Ribbon

Granulated sugar

Oil (which ever kind you prefer)

Lemon Juice

Lemon rind grated

Vitamin E oil

First step is to start mixing together your ingredients.

{Now these measurements are approximate cuz I added an extra sprinkling of this and that along the way - also these measurements fill approximately 3-4 small jars}

3 C sugar

1 C oil

1/4 C lemon juice

rind of 2+ lemons 

1-2 t. vitamin e oil

 Mix it all together and add more oil or sugar depending on how thick you like it.

I got a whole bunch of little jars from the craft store for that work perfectly for the sugar scrub!

 Now fill up your jars then tie on your cute little tags.

If you like my tags, feel free to borrow them!

 Now you're done!  

If you have some tiny spoons they take the cuteness up a few notches, but if not, no worries.

I think everyone would love some yummy smelling sugar scrub!

And when I was done making this, my hands were so soft!  I am, of course, going to keep some of this for myself! :)

Well, thanks for stopping by and having a look!

Happy Christmas Crafting!

12 Crafts of Christmas part 11 - Neighbor gifts in a jar

For today's craft we've got great gifts for your neighbors and mine!

Brownie mixes in a jar!

These are perfect for a few reasons, one they are easy, and two if you're like me and don't want tons of baked goodies around the house, these are the neighbor gifts for you!

 As you can see I made two different kinds.

The first I used my basic brownie recipe and measured out each ingredient.

Then I layered them in the jar.  

Chocolate chips, brown sugar, white sugar, cocoa, then the rest of the dry ingredients.

 Next step is to cut your fabric and secure it over the lid with a rubber band, then tie a decorative ribbon over the top.

 I finished it up with this cute tiny spatula. {good luck finding one. . .I've had this one for years and couldn't find any more. . . if you know where I can get more, let me know!}

 Option B is for you if you want to spend even less time!

I layered chocolate chips, walnuts {marshmallows optional} and then poured on half of a boxed brownie mix on top of that!  Easy, and one box fills up two jars!!  Woo Hoo!

 Now decorate your jar!

And of course, don't forget to add a tax letting your recipient know what to add and how long to bake.

We just printed them on labels and stuck them to the back of a cute gift tag!

It took me longer to type this post than it did to make these two jars!  :)

These gifts are especially great because your recipient can make them whenever. . . Maybe right away, or maybe in a month or two when they want a sweet treat!  Also they store great so you can have an extra jar or two on hand just in case someone unexpectedly stops by your place with treats.

Hope this gives you an extra idea to either use or to file away!

Happy Christmas crafting and treat making!

12 Crafts of Christmas part 10 - Gift packaging & wrapping

So once you've made your fun treats and all your wonderful handmade gifts, the wrapping begins!

I've got a few great ideas for packaging treats to give away

as well as a super cute and easy pillow box template to make packaging easy and cheap!

Now for my treat packaging I reused two different containers rather than throwing them away.

The first is the plastic container that your Crystal Light {or any knock off brand} comes in.

 Once you peal off the label its as easy as covering it with some cute paper and adding a cute ribbon and tag!

Look how perfect it is for stacking cookies! 

 Next thing I used was an old peanut container.  I covered it with paper just like the juice tub but this time I filled it with my yummy peppermint candy!

These were super quick and easy, but the best part is that they are free, and its a great way to recycle.

{You're welcome Earth - I try to do my part}

Ok on to the next. . .

You need something to wrap all that jewelry you've been making.  Or maybe a little something to jazz up those gift cards you're giving.

How about a pillow box?

 This little box is perfect for a necklace/earring set!

Now, here is s fab little template for you!

All you do is print this baby onto any piece of card stock that you want. 

Then you cut on the solid lines and score on the dotted lines, and fold.

A little glue on the flap and your box is ready to use!

Now that it is officially Christmas time, its time to break out the scissors and tape and start wrapping!

12 Crafts of Christmas - Part 9 - Chocolate Candy Cane Yumm!

Is anyone familiar with those unbelievably delicious Ghiradelli limited time only chocolate peppermint candies that they sell only during Christmas time?

I. Love. Them.

Seriously, one bag just doesn't do it for me.

This year I tried making my own, and let me tell you, I won't be buying them any more. . . I'll be making them!

Super yummy and who whoulda known they are so easy to make!

Ingredients:

 Milk chocolate bark

White chocolate bark

1 package of candy canes

parchment paper

jelly roll pan

First start with your chocolate.

Melt the whole package of milk chocolate and pour it into a parchment lined jelly roll pan.

Stick it in the fridge to harden.

While its hardening put your candy canes into the food processor and grind them up!

Grind it til its about the same consistency as sand, some bigger chunks and some fine dust.

 Once the chocolate in the fridge has hardened melt your white chocolate.

Once it is all melted stir in your crushed candy canes.

Now pour it over the milk chocolate in the pan and spread it all out evenly.

Do this pretty quickly or the chocolate underneath will start to melt and the two will mix together.  {you can see a spot or two on mine where this started happening}

Now put the whole thing in the fridge and let it harden.

The last step is to break it all up into pieces.  I tried cutting it into a bunch of neat squares, but it just didn't happen.  No biggy.

Now make sure you put it in two containers, one to share with your family, and one to hide in your sock drawer.  {just kidding - or am I?}

12 Crafts of Christmas - Part 8 - Gift Idea - Flower Pearl Necklace

I think handmade jewelry makes a fab gift!

For a fraction of the cost you can replicate almost any jewelry you see!

I'm gonna show you how to make this necklace!

I've gotten lots of compliments on this necklace and a few requests for a tute so, here it is!

Supplies needed:

Beads - I used pearls in 2 sizes {glass pearls obviously} 

and maybe a few other beads for some variety.

Jump Rings

Eye pins

Thick elastic

Gorilla glue

Flower embellishment

Needle nose pliers (or jewelry pliers)

Wire cutters 

Ok, now lets get started!

Step1 - Put one of the larger pearls on an eye pin

Step 2 - cut the eye pin about 1/2 inch above the bead

Step 3 - bend the eye pin around the tip of the pliers

Step 4 - finish bending until you have a closed loop

Repeat this about 20 times or so.

Step 5 - Attach all the bead/eye pin thingys you just made together with your jump rings

This is what you should have once all your bead are attached.  A cute little chain of beads.

Now lets get working on the flower.

I used a fabric flower that was attached to a bobby pin. . .Perfect!  I only had to tweek it a bit and voila!

If you can find a bobby pin flower, it would be super easy - so look at the dollar store - thats where I got mine.

Step 6 - Remove the bobby pin

Step 7 - Put a jump ring through the hole where the bobby pin used to be

Step 8 - Create a second loop on the eye pin like you did in step 3/4

Step 9 - Put a jump ring on both sides of the eye pin.  

One one side you will attach the beads you strung together and on the other you will tie your elastic (step 11)

Step 10 - String a whole slew of your smaller beads onto your elastic.  Easy.

Step 11 - Now tie the elastic onto the jump rings on both sides. . . add a few knots and a drop of gorilla glue.

{Gorilla glue is my little trick when working with elastic.  One drop is all you need.}

If your bead has a large enough hole you can slip the know into the bead so its not so apparent. 

Once your glue is dry, your necklace is ready to wear!

There are quite a few steps but I think the end result is worth it.

Too much work for you??
Try an easier necklace like this one.

Now go and make some homemade gifts and Happy Christmas Crafting!

12 Crafts of Christmas part 7 - Christmas Countdown Blocks

Christmas is getting close!  How many days do we have left???  I don't know, let me go count it up on the calender.  No, wait. . . Let me check my new Days til Christmas countdown blocks!

{Ok, there is not 10 days left, but you get the idea.}

I love being reminded that Christmas is getting closer, don't you?!

Wanna make one? 

What you'll need;

two square blocks - you can get these from the craft store.

a piece of wood for the base - I used a 2x4 cut a little longer than the two blocks put together

paint

Christmas paper (scrapbook or wrapping paper would work)

numbers to put on the blocks I used stickers but vinyl would work too.

"Days 'til Christmas" printout for the base or vinyl or marker

glue or mod podge

First step, paint all the wooden pieces.

next cut your paper the size of your blocks, or maybe slightly smaller.  You'll need to cover all six sides.

Glue or mod podge them on and let them dry.

For my base I just printed out "Days 'til Christmas" on regular computer paper and mod podged it right on the base.  But you could use vinyl or even a marker and just write it on.

Now its time to stick on the numbers.  On the first block you are going to put numbers 0,1,2,3,4,5 and on the second block you are going to put 0,1,2,6,7,8 (note: your 6 will also double as your 9 so make sure it looks like a 9 when turned upside down!)

Now its time to display them. . . almost.  Your new blocks will count down from 32 days til Christmas all the way down to 0!

What a perfect way to keep track of how many days left, without all the mess and bulk of other methods like the good ol' paper chains!

Happy Christmas Crafting!

12 Crafts of Christmas part 6 - Christmas Decor - 2 Christmas Wreaths

We all love a craft that doesn't cost too much {especially around the holidays}!
I've got two fun Christmas-y wreaths that are both super easy and super inexpensive! 

This festive ornament wreath,

 and this super fun card holding wreath!

First for our pretty and shiny ornament wreath here is what you need:
A pre-made wreath, or some garland made into a wreath
Ornaments in a few different sizes
Hot glue gun
Sparkly J-O-Y

First things first, the sparkly J-O-Y letters I made myself.  I just used wooden letters from the craft store, some glue and glitter - easy peasy!

So I glued the letters on to the wreath first where I wanted them, then I just started placing the ornaments where I wanted them.  I took off the top metal piece and glued the top of the ornament onto the wreath so it doesn't show.  

Seriously easy!  It took me a half hour and cost me $4.50!

Oooh Yeah!

Now onto the card holding wreath.  

Only three ingredients needed:

A wooden embroidery hoop

mini wooden paperclips

woodglue

And this project really is as easy as gluing the paperclips onto the embroidery hoop!

Make sure you alternate where the paperclip opens as shown in the picture below.

Every other one opens to the inside and every other one opens to the outside.

 Let your glue dry for a while so your paperclips don't pop off and there you have your fun card holding wreath!

I like this one cuz its different from what you normally see in the way of Christmas card displays. 

Again this one only cost me a couple bucks as well.

My kind of projects. . . cheap and done in a snap!

Happy Christmas Crafting from me to you!