Thursday, December 31, 2009

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!!!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

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.

Friday, December 18, 2009

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.

Friday, December 11, 2009

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.