Handmade Gifts

Yes, even boys like to create handmade gifts......I think it is using the sewing machine that makes it so fun!

age 7

age13

Ta- Dah! Gifts for the ladies!

salt dough ornaments

                   This is not your grandma's salt dough style!

 Stamps, paint or pen,

these were so much fun to decorate

        

 My creative and crafty teen assistant & friend Elisabeth, was able to make the dough and decorate with ease.

Salt dough recipe

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup salt

1 cup water

Use a large flat bottom bowl & combine dry ingredients.

Mix in water a little at a time.

Knead 7-10 minutes until dough has a smooth firm consistency.

Too dry- add water/ Too wet -add flour

(To prevent drying, place unused dough in plastic bag)

Roll out dough to 1/4" thickness,use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.

(before you dry them, make sure you use a toothpick to make a hole for the ornament string!)

2 ways to dry:

1- air drying- slow but easier. place cutouts on a screen to allow back & front dry out equally well. Takes approximately 48 hours.

2- baking- 300 degrees for several hours. I found I had to turn mine over to allow them to dry properly.

* tips- If a cutout puffs up, poke with a toothpick to release the air & reduce the oven temperature 50-75 degrees.

*Baking time is determined by the thickness of the cutout.

Do Not Eat!

Handmade Halloween Treats

Chocolate Syrup

for guests to take home 

Chocolate Covered Rice Treats

Chocolate Covered Jumbo Marshmallows



YUMMY! Very Sweet!

Americana Celebration

My take on Americana to celebrate another July 4th at the beach with good friends. I fell in love with Martha Stewart's paper eagle decoration and decided it deserved something  longer lasting than paper to display its whimsy. A fabric banner would do nicely and it can be used year after year. Mine has been made for my friend and her family who invited us to the beach. Each 4th spent at the beach has been embroidered on a star.You may notice I have left plenty of empty stars for future embroidering!

I  too made a cozy throw from a Moda tablecloth and chenille tape. I loved it as a tablecloth ,but love it even more as a throw. I have thoughts of snuggling up after a shower and a day of fun in the sun.

I hope you had a safe and fun 4th!