| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LaceMistress |
Posted - Aug 20 2011 : 03:43:25 AM
Before my grandmother died when I was 9, I spent many a Christmas helping her make ornaments for the tree, and I still have four of the ribbon scrap pinecones she and I made together. This week I found a gorgeous book of thread ornament patterns at JoAnne Fabrics and I am itching to get started.....I have my size 9 and 12 crochet hooks polished, about six balls of white crochet cotton, and am ready to go! I have so many plans for ornament sets......Pictures may or may not be posted later in the season, closer to December. :)
Does anyone else here go nuts with ornament making during the holidays?
Too much thread, so little time! |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 12 2011 : 06:49:20 AM
Ann, your son sounds like my granddaughter. She's the same age and into all the weird stuff too. And my 10 year old GD is into crocheting but I can only get her to do the chain. She took home a whole skien of yarn the last time she was here. Wanted to do the whole thing in a chain. I am going to try to get her to make the crocheted garland lights someone posted in the sewing section. And I can't wait to see your Dds blanket she's making for her dad. Smart kid.
I just learned to knit hats. I have made 3 already, all the same pattern. Already bored with it. So I will learn to make the floppier hat next. I am also making earrings.
Y'all are all so creative and smart.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| smiley |
Posted - Dec 10 2011 : 07:24:18 AM
Ann the kids here are into the hat craze also. My 16 bought a monkey one! |
| GratefulGreens |
Posted - Dec 10 2011 : 05:19:12 AM
I've always tried to make as many Christmas gifts as possible - not only is money tight, but, I just feel handmade gifts mean so much more. I'm currently working on 3 embroidered book marks of my kids art-work, some more embroidery art to hang of the kids' handprints and names w/ the year, a doll w/ a wardrobe for my daughter, another doll wardrobe for my niece, a Kindle sleeve for my mother, and lots of mixes in jars.
Miss Mandi, #3643 |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Dec 09 2011 : 06:27:50 AM
My son is into all these crazy characters these days. The almost-13-year-old actually bought himself a Cookie Monster winter hat! So for Christmas I am making him a Nyan Cat scarf based on one I saw online, and also an Angry Birds hat. Also trying to come up with something really cool for my daughter, age 14 almost 15.
Speaking of Princess, every year she makes Christmas presents for the important folks in her life. And not just stuff you'd expect a kid to make either. Two years ago, she made all the men in her life a Knifty Knitter hat. Last year, they all got crocheted scarves to match. This year, my hubby will be receiving an "I" blanket made from blue and orange granny sqaures. Per his request, it will be 5' x 7'. He is 6' tall, and always has trouble getting blankets that will cover his feet. When she's done, I'll try to post photos on my blog so everyone can see them. I'd do it here, but Photobucket doesn't like me anymore.
Merry Christmas, All!
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
and follow me on Facebook (Suburban Prairie Homemaker) and Twitter (@sphomemaker)
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| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Dec 09 2011 : 06:13:46 AM
I've painted bent spoons before too. I just have to dig it out to photograph it. I have soooo many.
They kids just baked the flour/salt dough ornaments and painted them. I think my dd has photos on her blog: http://teenfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
P.S. there are more photos on my blog (just the ones I could dig out of the box, but like I said there are many, many many).
Farmgirl #800
http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
From my hands: http://pioneerpatchworkhomespun.blogspot.com/
From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
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| coaloha |
Posted - Dec 08 2011 : 08:45:29 AM
When my children were very young we made and painted flour-dough gingerbread boy ornaments. I still have them and I treasure them...such a sweet reminder of that time when our family was young. I have a new tree this year and I want to craft some ornaments using family photographs. Has anyone else done this? I am looking for ideas. For my friend's gifts I am going to include altered spoons, each crafted to match the recipient's decor. I love Christmas, and some of my best memories are homemade ones.
Pam Barnes-Palty
Phoenix, AZ
Farmgirl #1075
Happy member of the Southwest Henhouse
Be distracted by joy |
| TeresaJ25 |
Posted - Dec 06 2011 : 3:55:33 PM
Kristina... LOVE your ornaments! I have added your blog to my favorites and I will be back to re-create some of those ornaments! Yo-Yo tree---amazing!
~Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #1348
Little Henhouse on the Island
Children...
Love them
Nurture them
Teach them well
and Believe in them...
For they are our future |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Dec 06 2011 : 09:47:42 AM
I have posted a bunch of photos of my handmade ornaments on my "Pioneer Woman At Heart blog (below). Just click through older posts for more photos.
Farmgirl #800
http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
From my hands: http://pioneerpatchworkhomespun.blogspot.com/
From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
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| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Nov 26 2011 : 07:39:58 AM
I have a jewish christian friend who I am making a book tree with...remember back in the 1950's thur 1970's when you would take books & fold the pages?...anyway instead of traditional christmas orniments done in felt & paper..I am making a star of David out of sterling silver for the top & doing shadow faces for the girls & boys of the family, plus the animals...so that even though its a tree it will not be so much about Christmas per-say but about the family.....which reminds me I need to go get green spray paint...lol.....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
| Beverly Gill |
Posted - Nov 19 2011 : 09:01:28 AM
super easy ornament to make--- the expense is wirth it.
clear glass ornaments
food colorring, fine glitter
squirt the inside of bulb with food coloring---twirl it either solid or to your liking.......sprinkle in glitter....shake......easy,fun....get creative-----I've done 2 tones and solids.
Beverly Gill
There's no place like home |
| Starbright |
Posted - Oct 30 2011 : 7:07:48 PM
Yep, me too. I am making as much Christmas as time will allow [what with working 2 jobs] But, on a quiet night I will sneak my sewing maching up at work and sew! I love it! I am making jackets,gowns/pj's, place mats,jars of 'instant soup' or 'instant brownies/cakes/hot cocoa', baskets of goodies to eat [homemade pretzels & dip, jam and bread, etc.], baskets or just jars of herbal salts, oils, and sprays,knitted dish cloths...whew~! Some are started already. I plan to make a list next weekend when it is quiet up here [and Halloween costumes are finished, ha!] and see where I am on my makings. Fun, fun! :D Now, add to that list the Spicy nuts and Orange butter [with a small loaf of pound cake?] Thanks, farm girls!
Starbright |
| pinokeeo |
Posted - Oct 28 2011 : 08:05:02 AM
Oooo. This sounds yummy. Thanks, Annika.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I cannot master those things that I have not tried.
check out my artfire: http://www.artfire.com/users/PiNOKEEOs |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 28 2011 : 07:26:37 AM
Penny and Crystal, I'm an army brat as well, and have all of these pictures in my memory of my childhood in various cities! Germany is lovely at Christmas time! Have a happy German Christmas and safe journey back to the states!
Anyway, here is a quick recipe that is delish throughout the holidays to make for family and friends. Because it has real butter in it, you need to keep if refrigerated.
Here is a recipe for Spicy Orange Butter, it makes a nice gift and is just yummy!
3/4 Cup of softened butter
1/3 C Powdered sugar
3 T Light Rum
Grated rind of a small Orange
1 t of orange juice
1/4 t ground ginger
1/4 t cinnamon
1/8 t grated nutmeg
Mix together until blended, put into jars and refrigerate until needed
* This doesn't make much, so if I'm giving it as gifts, I make it in batches.
Hugs
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| Acelady02 |
Posted - Oct 27 2011 : 11:09:24 PM
Oh Crystal, Germany, wow, I have always wanted to go back there. I am an army brat and was born in Germany(Heidelburg)...I sure would love to go back and see some of the places I have a vague memory of...Have a same trip back to the states.
Annika, thanks for the recipe from me too...lol
(((((Hugs All)))))Penny
Farmgirl Sister #3343
God gives Miracles to those who Believe, Courage to those with Faith, Hope to those who Dream, Love to those who Accept, & Forgiveness to those who Ask... |
| smiley |
Posted - Oct 27 2011 : 7:10:19 PM
Annika we did the cinnamon ornaments last year. They smell wonderful! |
| buffypuff |
Posted - Oct 10 2011 : 2:12:28 PM
Annika and pinokeeo...thanx for the recipes. I have some of my favorite recipes on my word program. I think I am going to make another folder labeled Christmas gifts. Your ideas are really helpful. Since my daughter and family moved to Tampa and will not be able to make it home this year, I decided to take several of the ornaments that were on the tree when the kids were small, & start sending them to my kids for their own tree. I know it will bring back memories for them.
Buffypuff/ Claudia ~ Farmgirl Sister #870 @}~~
"God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." DL Moody
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| pinokeeo |
Posted - Oct 10 2011 : 07:51:24 AM
For just glazed walnuts, here's a simple recipe.
Ingredients
2 cups walnut halves
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup water
Directions
1.Lightly grease a baking sheet. In a 1 quart glass measure, combine walnut halves, sugar, and water. Cook in microwave oven on high setting for 8 to 8 1/2 minutes, or until sugar has caramelized. Stir several times during cooking. Pour out onto prepared baking sheet, and separate into pieces. Let cool completely. store in an airtight container.
For something a little spicier, I like this one.
Ingredients
1 egg white
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 pound walnut halves
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2.In a large bowl, beat egg white until foamy. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and vanilla. Add nuts, and stir to coat. Spread evenly onto prepared pan.
3.Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until well toasted and golden brown. Remove from oven, and cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I cannot master those things that I have not tried.
check out my artfire: http://www.artfire.com/users/PiNOKEEOs |
| Crystal Koelzer |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 11:24:38 PM
This is our last year in Germany so we are going to do a Christmas Market Christmas. We want to get everyone one last thing German before we move stateside in the spring. Next year though we are making all our gifts. I have already started planning! |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 20 2011 : 09:55:03 AM
I have been googling, the above recipe looks like it may be something close, but I have no idea, I've never made them before. lol But, thought it sounded like a good idea. I am not sure about Aldi's either, I love them though but until this last year I have lived far away from their stores, so I am not so familiar with what they sell as I used to be. also I went to the nut house close to me's website last night and they are also selling chex puppie chow.....hmmm easy to make and I have all the ingredients at home already! So I may make it too!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Sep 20 2011 : 08:13:39 AM
I love glazed nuts too!!! I haven't found a recipe that comes close to the kind they sell at the mall during the fall/Christmas season. That is a fabulous idea! Doesn't Aldi get nuts in bulk when it gets closer to Christmas time? I thought I saw they had some last year for a great price. Guess I will have to wait and see but the big problem is finding a recipe. Got any tips Heather?
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 20 2011 : 12:13:55 AM
I just went to the Fair last week and reminded of how much I love the glazed nuts, so I have another male/any one gift!
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,196,149161-240193,00.html
I am going to go to the warehouse store and hope to find large bags of nuts for a good rate. The only thing about this idea is it will have to be for sure for out of town visitors, as we have a nut store here with awesome nuts, that most people LOVE already! lol Expensive, but such good quality!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Annika |
Posted - Sep 19 2011 : 7:28:02 PM
These ornaments have been such a hit as instant gifts, package tie-ons, and ornaments, that I had to share! You can pick up containers of cheap, not very good for cooking cinnamon at dollar stores and the apple sauce just has to be pure apples, no sugar. Also, they have to be kept dry.
Apple-sauce & Cinnamon Ornaments
3/4 cup applesauce
1 bottle (4.12) ground cinnamon
Mix applesauce with cinnamon to form a stiff dough. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Make hole in top of ornament with skewer or straw. Carefully lay ornaments on rack to dry. Let dry 1-2 days or until dry, turning occasionally. Hang with ribbon, raffia or twine. Makes 12-15 ornaments.
Smiles!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| njaw09 |
Posted - Sep 19 2011 : 5:57:59 PM
Now that I am no longer working. I told myself this year I am not buying any mass produce Christmas gifts for anyone...including myself.
I am hoping to sew some coasters, trivets, place-mats, napkins, banners, clothing and etc. I have a long to-do list and need to tackle it soon.
blog: http://nj-nyc-3inna.blogspot.com/ |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 17 2011 : 11:26:06 PM
With the way the economy is going and just for the sake of being a farm girl, I like home made gifts as well. I need to get some gifts together VERY soon.
Any way in just doing some googling, I found some things I will FOR sure be making. For the fragrances I wanted, I did some more googling for more essential oil combos. I want to make a ginger bread essential oil scent I found for sure!
Here's the two sites I found. I will be making the all natural room freshener jellies for women, and the foot powder for men. I may make some bath salts for a few women too. But most the women I know take showers. lol So will have to figure out who will get those.
http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2010/03/17/homemade-essential-oil-air-fresheners/
http://www.aromathyme.com/recipes.html
I have a lot of people coming into town to see the new baby when he arrives, and would like to give them something to take home. I will buy small canning jars to put this stuff in, and probably tie a piece of twine with paper on it explaining the scent and ingredients.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Sep 17 2011 : 7:35:18 PM
I love handmade Christmases (and gifts). Knowing that love and care (and time) went into everything makes it even more special.
Our family and friends usually get:
~Home-Roasted Coffee
~Homemade canned goods (jams, jellies, chutneys, etc.)
~Homemade Marshmallows :) I have been making these for almost 15 years. I started after we were married and I found out that my husband loved marshmallows :)
This year my husband is making soap. We will be giving that as well.
I do want to try making some things from felted wool sweaters I picked up at the Thrift Store. I was thinking coffee cup cozies (using the sleeves), fingerless gloves (also using the sleeves), handwarmers filled with rice and maybe tea cozies.
Oh and I am going to try a Pear Honey recipe too Donna! This one has coconut in it :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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