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Author	Topic: Christmas 2003
bird8382 Housemate	posted 12-11-2003 11:23 AM These stencils http://cosmo7.com/stencil/ are so cute. I think they would make great t-shirts, laundry bags, diaper bags, aprons, etc. I may make some. IP: Logged
BionicGirl Housemate	posted 12-11-2003 12:13 PM Ha! Those are hilarious. IP: Logged
bekkaboo Housesitter	posted 12-11-2003 12:41 PM Too funny! IP: Logged
jo Subletter	posted 12-11-2003 01:23 PM Emcarb, to help with not ruining the pictures, I brush on a coat or two of clear sealer, or even modpodge before I glue the magnet on. Then there is no bleedthru of wet glue to the picture quote: Originally posted by emcarb: When I first tried to do them, I ran into trouble, too. I found that the pictures were always ruined by the glue. IP: Logged
bionicchick1977 Subletter	posted 12-11-2003 09:57 PM quote: Originally posted by heather: I haven't done anything yet - no gifts or card making. I just haven't had the time. That being said, this weekend I am going to attempt to start making some of my holiday cards so I can get them in the mail before I go to Florida. One of my friends loves my record bowl so I'm heading to Goodwill to see if I can find a cheap (cool) record to make her a bowl. Otherwise, I'm going to hit up the record store across town. Hopefully they'll have some old 80s records (think B0n J0vi). WAIT...STOP THE PRESS!! What is a record bowl and how do you make it. Sounds awesome! IP: Logged
emcarb Housemate	posted 12-12-2003 06:29 AM This link to Get Crafty features instructions for making a record flowerpot. Same thing, though, I would think. IP: Logged
bionicchick1977 Subletter	posted 12-12-2003 08:01 AM quote: Originally posted by emcarb: This link to Get Crafty features instructions for making a record flowerpot. Same thing, though, I would think. OH MA GOD! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've had my mom's album collection for years (all of which have many sctratches and crayon mark from yours truly). I never knew what to DO with them. I'm making a cute bowl out of a scratched Abbey Road for a friend who's a Beatles fan! I love this idea! IP: Logged
bionicchick1977 Subletter	posted 12-12-2003 09:43 AM Wow...such fantastic ideas. Okay, so I made a record bowl out of abbey road for a friend. On accident, I left a 45 in the oven for too long and discovered that the little record had a cute ripple effect that would look pretty cool on a mobile. I know it sounds gawdy, but my Aunt's husband is a music fanatic, so I'm making him a music inspired mobile. Hope my aunt forgives me. I'm wondering if I can use old audio tapes to string together the records. Let's see...what else... I have two younger sisters (9 and 11) who are impossible to buy for. My step mother has raised them to be a tad superficial. I bought these cute shower caddies from the dollar store. I figured they could stash hair accessories in that. In the caddy, I'm stuffing several other dollar store items: nail stickers, personalized journals (I snagged the cute idea of taping library card pocket on the back and stuffing it with journal topics...you can get those little pockets at any teacher supply store for about 10 cents), curling irons (I found conair selling one for 5.99 at rite aid),Cat poop cookies (which I know they will find hysterical), and a fluffy scarf---like the ones that were pretty popular last year...I call mine my Elmo scarf (which may end up being rather expensive because that fluffy material is pricey). Any other ideas for pre teen girlies, pass them along! For my mom and dad, my brother and I are finally getting together for a photo. Neither of my parents have any good ones of us together as adults, so I'm excited that my annoying bro agreed to do it! I'm thinking of making a frame with small pictures of us as kids tgether all around the frame. For my stepmonster/bitch I'm going with that scandinavian tradition and painting an acorn silver, for a long lie....THEN putting together a macadamia nut cookie jar for her...considering putting some kind of diarhetic in it....nah. I love the idea of a party hat filled with tiny bottle of liquor for my girl friends. I also love the idea of a "winters night" basket...what a cute idea. If I had the money, I'd fill it with hot chocolate, Baily's Irish Cream, warm wool socks, a porn and a vibrator...and call it "a singles winter night thrill". Yesterday I walked around Big Lots for some ideas. They had the cutest stocking shaped as a women's thigh high boot, pointed heel and all. At the top, they had it decorated with boa feathers. Awesome idea for my friend who's addicted to shoes!! IP: Logged
quarkiegirl Housemate	posted 12-13-2003 09:51 AM not entirely my craft, but i'll share it anyway. the boy wanted to give a sketchbook and some pencils to his friend for secret santa, so i had the idea to make some stickers to put on the book so it wasn't just plain black. we had some of those large mailing labels from staples, so we made the template in word, stuck some pictures on them, printed them out and voila! cheap cute stickers! http://photos.yahoo.com/vintagemilitia IP: Logged
jazzberry Housemate	posted 12-13-2003 02:30 PM hmm...all I see is a couple of pictures of you and an empty photo album... IP: Logged
quarkiegirl Housemate	posted 12-13-2003 03:45 PM sorry, you should be able to see the pictures now IP: Logged
vdipippo Housemate	posted 12-14-2003 11:01 PM this year for christmas we (my mom and i) are going to be spending the holiday with her boyfriend and his family, who i've met but don't know well. i decided that i'd make them some big tins of cookies... and i can't decide on the container, which would you pick? the 32oz paint can or the 3lb regular round container? and which do you think would hold more? [This message has been edited by vdipippo (edited 12-14-2003).] IP: Logged
pollyhyper Housesitter	posted 12-15-2003 08:16 AM i like the paint can better, just because it's DIFFERENT. BTW, you can usually buy those cans (clean and new) at your local hardware store (Lowe's, HomeDepot) if you don't wanna pay shipping. Great idea!! IP: Logged
scottm Subletter	posted 12-15-2003 08:39 AM Will you send me the recipe for the snowflake marshmallows? My daughter teachers first grade and said someone told her that they can be made with the marshmallow creme that you can buy in the jar. Do you know this recipe? Thanks, Marilyn quote: Originally posted by emcarb: Get thee on the Shrinky Dink bandwagon (see the "projects your working on" thread and page 5 of this thread for more)! It's the perfect medium for those! [This message has been edited by emcarb (edited 11-17-2003).] IP: Logged
Nieci Housemate	posted 12-15-2003 08:55 AM I'm cooking my butt off trying to stock my boy's freezer with individual meals for Christmas. IP: Logged
natalie Housemate	posted 12-15-2003 10:09 AM quote: Originally posted by scottm: Will you send me the recipe for the snowflake marshmallows? My daughter teachers first grade and said someone told her that they can be made with the marshmallow creme that you can buy in the jar. Do you know this recipe? Thanks, Marilyn Don't know anything about making them with marshmallow creme, but here is Martha's recipe for marshmallow snowflakes. Haven't made them so I'm not vouching for the recipe, but Martha's are usually great. Good luck and welcome to Digs! Marshmallow Snowflakes Makes about 100 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (each 1 scant tablespoon) 1 1/2 cups sugar 2/3 cup light corn syrup 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Vegetable-oil cooking spray 1. Coat a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray; line with parchment paper. Spray parchment; set aside. Pour 1/3 cup cold water into the bowl of an electric mixer. Sprinkle with gelatin; let mixture soften, about 5 minutes. 2. Place sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan. Cover; bring to a boil. Remove lid; cook, swirling pan occasionally, until syrup reaches 238� (soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes. 3. With mixer on low speed, whisk gelatin mixture, and slowly pour the syrup in a steady stream down the side of the bowl (to avoid splattering). Gradually raise speed to high; beat until mixture is thick, white, and has almost tripled in volume, about 12 minutes. Add vanilla, and beat 30 seconds to combine. 4. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet; smooth with an offset spatula. Let stand at room temperature, uncovered, until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight. 5. Coat a 1- or 2-inch snowflake-shaped cookie cutter with cooking spray to prevent it from sticking. Cut out as many individual marshmallows as possible; coat cutter with more spray as needed. Use marshmallows immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week. Note: Float these snowflake-shaped marshmallows in cups of hot chocolate. IP: Logged
BionicGirl Housemate	posted 12-15-2003 10:54 AM We had a bunch of small portraits left over from all of our portrait packages (we've had portraits of Flynn done once a month since he was born; doing that through the first year). I didn't know what to do with them. I also had scraps of watercolor paper that had been painted with a wash leftover from other projects (like that accordian book on my Web page). So I tore the paper into bookmark sizes and ran the pictures through the sticker machine. I just stuck them on and added a ribbon at the top. They turned out really pretty; pictures at the bottom of this page. I am going to give those along with a gift certificate to a book store to our parents (and A is getting a couple too). [This message has been edited by BionicGirl (edited 12-15-2003).] IP: Logged
emcarb Housemate	posted 12-17-2003 07:55 AM Cute, BG! As a collector of bookmarks, and a future Xyron owner, I love this idea! Thanks! Regarding the marshmallow snowflakes... when I saw Martha's recipe in her magazine, I immediately wondered if you could do something similar with Marshmallow Creme (AKA "Fluffernutter" in my family.). The post above prompted me to do a little research on this and I found a "Marshmallow Fluff Yummy Book". Obviously, there isn't a recipe for snowflakes, but there is one for Merigue on page 15 that might work somehow (if you could cut it into a snowflake shape before it hardens completely, and another one for Fluff Fondant on page 24 that might work a little better. [This message has been edited by emcarb (edited 12-17-2003).] IP: Logged
emcarb Housemate	posted 12-17-2003 08:07 AM I attempted to make these A2 accordian thingies, but it was a complete bust! First of all, I never could find the perfect envelopes. None of the ones I found had that deep opening like the ones used to demonstrate. They all had a back flap that came up really high, and by the time you glued the next envelope in place, it was hard to get stuff in there. Then, I was going to use some red cord to tie the things, to match the embroidered appliques I bought to go on the fronts. Instead of following the directions, I decided to use little grommets to thread the cord through. I didn't think it through, though, and ended up grommetting too many layers in the back so one of the envelopes was unuseable. Eh... There were just a whole slew of problems with these things! In theory, it's a really cute idea, and I know that one of these would be useful for me (I'd put coupons in it, scraps of leftover bits of papers, photos, receipts, etc.), but I need to perfect the d@mn thing before I try to make it as a gift again! Sheesh! Also, FYI.... I made a whole bunch of marble magnets using the larger (half-dollarish size) marbles, and oil based paint pens. To this point, I'd just been using a fine tip paint brush, but these markers helped me out tremendously. I'd recommend them to anyone contemplating the marble magnets (although it sounds like most of you used the stick an image to the back method, rather than painting on the back)! [This message has been edited by emcarb (edited 12-17-2003).] IP: Logged
BionicGirl Housemate	posted 12-17-2003 09:29 AM quote: Originally posted by emcarb: I attempted to make these A2 accordian thingies, but it was a complete bust! First of all, I never could find the perfect envelopes. None of the ones I found had that deep opening like the ones used to demonstrate. Hmm, did you actually use envelopes from Paper Source, or form somewhere else? I was thinking of making some of thse too, but maybe not... IP: Logged
BionicGirl Housemate	posted 12-17-2003 09:32 AM quote: Originally posted by emcarb: "Marshmallow Fluff Yummy Book" The Never-Fail-Fudge recipe on that site is very, very similar to my fudge recipe, and it's so yummy! (Just finished snacking on some in fact.) IP: Logged
emcarb Housemate	posted 12-18-2003 11:48 AM BG, I used "other" envelopes, and they weren't even A2 size. The fact is, I wanted to make them in a hurry, and I didn't want to drive all the way to the one store I knew would have the selection I wanted. I ended up with a weird size, and they had more of a horizontal/rectangle shaped flap than the triangular shape. Thus, the back piece came up too high so it could meet the flap. Mine was a total bust, like a said, but I know that had I had the right envelopes, had I been more patient, and had I not tried to grommet anything, it would have been lovely. The next time I'm at the Sam Flax store, I'm gonna pick up some correct envelopes, or I'll just order them from Paper Source. Duh. IP: Logged
crowjoy Housemate	posted 12-19-2003 06:00 AM I used the idea of whoever posted that their mom always makes calendars with family pics from the ones she gets free! Mander busted us making it and loves it loves it! It is so cool and won't it be weird to see pictures of the girls as little tiny babies next year when they've all grown up into toddlers? IP: Logged
pollyhyper Housesitter	posted 12-19-2003 06:43 AM While we're on the subject of envelopes, here's instructions I found for a letter that becomes its own envelope. I always thought they were so cool, planning to make myself some after this holiday madness ends! IP: Logged
BionicGirl Housemate	posted 12-19-2003 06:55 AM quote: Originally posted by emcarb: BG, I used "other" envelopes, and they weren't even A2 size. The fact is, I wanted to make them in a hurry, and I didn't want to drive all the way to the one store I knew would have the selection I wanted. I ended up with a weird size, and they had more of a horizontal/rectangle shaped flap than the triangular shape. Thus, the back piece came up too high so it could meet the flap. Mine was a total bust, like a said, but I know that had I had the right envelopes, had I been more patient, and had I not tried to grommet anything, it would have been lovely. The next time I'm at the Sam Flax store, I'm gonna pick up some correct envelopes, or I'll just order them from Paper Source. Duh. I realized after I posted that that I had some A2 envelopes from Paper Source leftover from the photo cards I made, so I tested one them out (w/o actually glueing them together). They worked great. I already have gifts for my niece and cousins this year, but I'm already thinking towards next year (or maybe I'll do that for their birthdays)... I think some of those ennvelope accordian books customized to say, "So-and-so's stickers" along with a small Xyron sticker machine (the one shaped like the X), a refill cartrdge, and a sticker book would make a cute gift for little girls. Maybe I can glue the envelope accordian book inside the cover of the sticker book for sticker storage, hmmm... I would have been so into that. I still have all my sticker books from when I was a kid. IP: Logged
crowjoy Housemate	posted 12-19-2003 07:27 AM What age would you say is peak interest in stickers for little kids? IP: Logged
BionicGirl Housemate	posted 12-19-2003 07:34 AM Just basing it on myself, I'd say about 7-10, but I certainly liked them before and after too! It was at that point that I got really into the idea of having a sticker "collection." After that I was still into them, but wasn't sure if it was "cool," so I was more subdued about it, since you know being like everyone else is so damn important in adolescence. Before that I loved them but they just got stuck on any random thing, which I'm sure pleased my parents. (Oh stickers on furniture... the things we have to look forward to.) [This message has been edited by BionicGirl (edited 12-19-2003).] IP: Logged
emcarb Housemate	posted 12-19-2003 07:44 AM BG, that's a fantastic idea! I would have loved that, too. Hmm... I wish I had little kid to buy for. I don't really know any little kids. I mean, I have cousins, but I don't really know them at all. Eh... cj, I'm thinkin' 26 ain't too old for stickers, man! But, I asked my coworker who has a six year old, and she said her little girl is all about the stickers right now. I remember loving my sticker albums in, like, 3rd grade or so, too, though. BTW, when I was at Pearl Art searching for A2 envelopes, I explored that place up and down, and - I tell you what - sticker collecting has come a long way since my Lisa Frank lovin' days. You gotta see all the stuff they have now! [This message has been edited by emcarb (edited 12-19-2003).] IP: Logged
crowjoy Housemate	posted 12-20-2003 02:20 PM I just finished a painting of an evergreen on a huge canvas to sit on the mantle for the season. I'm pretty pleased with it and I'm even starting to feel like decorating. Our tree's been up for a week but all the ornaments are still sitting around in boxes. Off to run some garland now! IP: Logged
fairystar Housemate	posted 12-20-2003 06:38 PM I just finished a superhero cape for the 3-year old I babysit (I think I got the instructions off of a link a few pages back). It's made from red sweatshirt fleece (no hemming...I'm lazy) and has "Super L" spelled on the back in iron-on transfers. I think I might also make a matching belt and eye mask to match. It was perfect, just the other day (after I had started) he was running around the house (oops, I mean "flying") with a towel on his back saying, "I'm Super L!" He will absolutely love it. I also made marble magnets as stocking stuffers for friends, and some cinnamon-applesauce ornaments are drying as we speak. That's about the limit of my craftiness this Christmas. IP: Logged
chance00 Housemate	posted 12-21-2003 09:17 AM I finally finished all my projects for Christmas: * cigar box purses * marble magnets * stockings I'm so glad they're done - now I can relax and enjoy the holiday. IP: Logged
Heatherina Housemate	posted 12-21-2003 10:25 AM I made some record bowls the other day that came out fantastic (followed the directions linked to above.) I am not a crafty person, so when I saw that they'd come out soooo cool looking I had to show my mum right away. I was so hot damn excited about my masterpieces and their novelty, and when she saw them she just sort of gave me an indulgent smile and mentioned they'd made those "when she was young too." I felt Breana special. But I LOVE the record bowls! Makes me want to get crafty on something else...maybe some marble magnets! (A monster has been born...) IP: Logged
meggo Housemate	posted 12-21-2003 02:06 PM Oh dear. Here we are - just a few days before Christmas and it occurs to me that I don't have a present for one of my friends!! Help! I thought I would find a whole slew of low carb recipes for her and either put them in a nice blank book, or get myself to kinkos & have them bind it up nicely. But so far - I haven't found too many. Plus her dad just got her a super basic cookbook for Christmas.. She's moving in with her man in a matter of weeks and I just DON'T know what to get her... I can't spend a lot of time on it since I haven't finished my OTHER friends tea towels & now I have this icky cold... Ugh - So what do you get someone who is moving in with her man next month, likes moons, isn't the worlds best cook - in fact, rarely cooks at all but keeps saying she'd like to learn... Help??? IP: Logged
crowjoy Housemate	posted 12-21-2003 02:32 PM Meggo, I'm giving my former SIL/current babysitter menu planning. Now that she's "retired" she's supposed to be in charge of dinner and she hates thinking up stuff to make. So I've made up these little certificates for her and will provide her with a menu plan, with instructions and any weird food items she wouldn't have around. Since I've known her and her husbad for 15 years I know their tastes and what they're likely to have around. Would something like that work for your friend? Or maybe cooking lessons! Give her menu cards with the "lessons" you'll teach/help her cook? IP: Logged
Heatherina Housemate	posted 12-21-2003 04:19 PM If you want to find some low-carb recipes, that are all pretty basic, look at www.atkins.com. You have to sign up to access their recipe files, but it's free- and there are TONS (literally, hundreds) of great ones. I just signed up the other day and am hoping to find lots of time in the new year to experiment with their recipes. I think the cookbook is a really nice idea- and very thoughtful and considerate! IP: Logged
bekkaboo Housesitter	posted 12-22-2003 06:29 AM Oh god.....having my last-minute pre-christmas breakdown about now.....heart rate....quickening....i think i'm hyperventilating.... I started EARLY this year too!! How does this happen to me every Christmas???? IP: Logged
pollyhyper Housesitter	posted 12-22-2003 07:23 AM All I needed to do yesterday was sew together 20 heat wraps and bake 5 million cookies. Why did my sewing machine have to pick yesterday to break?!?! IP: Logged
pollyhyper Housesitter	posted 12-22-2003 07:26 AM Meggo, check out www.recipesource.com. Usually they have carb/calorie counts. IP: Logged
meggo Housemate	posted 12-22-2003 12:22 PM Update: I caved - I went to the bookstore & bought her a book. I had gone to a craft store & after having a coughing fit in the middle of the store I decided I was not well enough to make anything - let alone in a matter of days. So I got her some good easy low carb cookbook - one that had things in it that she might actually make (as opposed to say braised lamb shanks...) IP: Logged
jescat Housemate	posted 12-22-2003 12:40 PM I know you bought a book already, and this isn't a very crafty response, but just so you know the absolute greatest book for a beginning cook is "Help! My Apartment Has A Kitchen!" My SO and I hosted a Xmas dinner party the other night using their easy-easy recipes and our friends asked, "When did you guys turn gourmet?" But back on the actual crafty subject...I'm mostly making soaps, salt/sugar scrubs and bath bombs for everyone. A friend and I make our own soap from scratch with olive oil and lye, but we screwed up the last batch (not enough lye I think) and the molded soaps I made keep melting. So I just sent the b/f to the dollar store to buy soap dispensers so I can just mix them in there and give away as liquid soap. Worth a try. I'm also sublime stitching a shirt for a friend. Birds holding a banner. She's a huge Cure fan so I want to stitch "Robert Smith" into the banner. Too bad I keep cruising the internet instead of working on all these projects! IP: Logged

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