Drizzled Chocolate Carmel Popcorn

Baked Carmel Popcorn

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

2 cubes butter

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp baking soda

6 quarts popped popcorn

1 cup peanuts or cashews (optional)

Boil sugar, butter, salt and syrup for 5 minutes. Add soda and remove from heat. Mix in nuts and stir into popcorn and bake on cookie sheet for 1 hour at 200 degrees stirring every 15 minutes. Continue to stir while cooling.

Chocolate Drizzle

Slowly heat about 1 cup chocolate chips in microwave on low heat and stir each time you check it until melted enough to drizzle all over popcorn. Be careful not to over heat, it burns easily. Drizzle and let cool. Mmmmm so good!!!

Happy New Year!!!

The Best Christmas Ever

If the snow won't come to us, then we'll just have to go to It. Christmas Eve we found snow to play in.

Before: Heave, Ho!!!

After: Oops!!!

Even though, I didn't get anything off MY Christmas List, (below)...it was a wonderful Christmas. It's all about the kids, and they kept saying all day "this is the best Christmas EVER", that was the only gift I needed.

My Christmas List

A new house...

a white kitchen (instead of a white Christmas)...

new Living Room furniture...

and new dining room furniture.

Is that too much to ask for? Okay maybe it is, but it's still fun to dream.

Santa Hat Tutorial

I've been wanting to do my first tutorial and since I've had a great response to my Santa hats I thought this would be a good one to do. They are easy to make, so you still have time to make one before Christmas. I hope I made the directions clear, if not let me know and I will correct them. Have fun!!!

These directions are for the large Santa hat, to make a smaller one adjust the size of your pattern. First make your pattern. The pattern is a triangle shape with the bottom rounded. My pattern measures 18 1/2" across the bottom from corner to corner. The sides measure 14 1/2" from tip to bottom corner. The top tip to the middle of bottom measures 14". Your pattern doesn't have to be perfect at the bottom, you can always trim later.

After cutting out your fabric, sprinkle cinnamon onto the fabric and rub in all around. This will make the white polka-dots off-white to match the off-white fur.

Now fold the fabric in half lengthwise, sew the edges together using 1/4" seam.

Snip the tip off, don't cut the stitches.

Turn right side out. Stuff the tip first with a small amount so it will bend for extra cuteness when the bell is attached. Stuff the rest of hat, not firmly, but enough to hold it's shape.

Modge podge over the entire hat, except about 1 inch from the bottom (this will be covered with the brim).

While the modge podge is drying cut out your off-white fur for the brim of the hat. The dimensions for the brim 19"x 5 1/2". Fold lengthwise and sew edges together using 1/4" seam.

Turn right side out. The easiest way to do this is using the end of a pencil. Catch the eraser on the end of the fabric and push through with the pencil.

Now put the seam in the middle and fold in half with the seams on the outside and the ends together. Sew ends together using 1/4" seam. Turn right side out to hide seam. Place fur brim around bottom of hat. Make sure the brim fits just right, if you need a snugger fit sew with wider seam, but you don't want the brim to smash the hat. If you need to add more stuffing, do now. You will need to cut out a circle of felt to cover the bottom. It should be a little smaller than the brim so you won't see it when the hat is standing. Glue the felt to the bottom of brim, also add extra dabs of glue to secure the brim to hat.

Last add the bell using a large needle and black floss and tie floss in knot to secure. I spray painted my bell black. Embellish with berries or greenery if you wish.

Another idea: Glitter your bell and use velvet fabric. Don't modge podge!!! Now make one of your own.

Amazing Bazaar Booth

We had a great time at the Elma Bazaar last weekend. As always Saturday morning was busy with the early bird shoppers. I must say there was this one booth that was AMAZING, Oh yeah, it was ours! It looked great and I can't take credit for it, Connie makes about 90% of the items and sets it all up. She does such a great job as you can see. All I had to do is give her my items and show up. Here are some pictures of the booth and some of the creative handmade things that were in it.

Sorry you missed it? Come next year and see what we are making for you!!!

Elma Bazaar This Weekend

I'm finally finished making things for the Elma Bazaar this Saturday and Sunday in Elma, Washington at the fairgrounds. If you live in the area, this is a great bazaar, one you don't want to miss. I will be there with my talented friend Connie who has invited me to participate with her. It's not an easy bazaar to become a vendor in because of the long waiting list, so I am grateful to her for letting me join her there. Here are some more things I've finished.

Mr. Snowman

Polka-dot Santa hat
(I painted the bell green on this one)

More Santa hats in different patterns and sizes

Toile Santa hats

Pear Ornaments

(I've seen these around and had to try them)

I used my favorite Christmas fabric

(Funky Christmas by Michael Miller)

I know I've already have posted aprons I've made, but I love trying different fabrics.
(These I used Sweet by Urban Chiks)

Some little boy ties. I wish I did more of these. It's harder to find things for boys at bazaars and even harder to find cute ties.

Plastic bag dispenser using Sweet by Urban Chiks

(Too cute to hide in a Pantry)

Another dispenser using Oh Cherry Oh by Me and My Sister.

That's all I have for now. I hope to post pictures of the booth after the bazaar.

Hope to see you there!!!

Beaded Watch Bracelets

Today I'm posting about these awesome watch bracelets my Mom makes. What you do is pick what type of watch face you want, then what type of bracelet band you like and hook them together and you have a very custom made watch. She's been very busy making all different kinds using different types of beads and colors. If you love them, and I know you do, you can email her and she will make you a custom made watch.

I've posted pictures of some of the bracelet bands she's made, check them out!

Email Stephanie for more information on pricing and to place an order: sjdesigns4you@gmail.com