Patriotic Recipe: American Blessings Mix

Submitted by Cynthia Ewer on
American Blessings Mix

It's a sure-fire hit for patriotic celebrations like Memorial Day or the 4th of July: American Blessings Mix.

This easy recipe creates a simple snack mix favor to remind us of our nation's blessings.

Bagged in favor-sized gift bags and decorated with a patriotic poem, American Blessings Mix brings a festive touch to July 4th celebrations.

Follow the recipe below, and get packaging and assembly how-tos with our Blessings Mix Tutorial.    Read More >>

Dreamsicle Cookies In A Jar

Submitted by Cynthia Ewer on
Dreamsicle Cookies in a Jar

A favorite hot-weather sweet sparks a great gift in a jar: Orange Dreamsicle Cookies!

Taking the name--and flavors--of a cool summer treat, Orange Dreamsicle Cookies are punched up with vanilla baking chips and a burst of citrus.

Layered and decorated with a pretty gift tag, Orange Dreamsicle Cookies In A Jar are perfect "just-because" gift or gift basket item.

We make it easy with a free printable gift tags.

Beat the Heat: Make A Cool Tie!

Submitted by Cynthia Ewer on
Make a Cool Tie

Beat summer's heat with this sew-simple craft project: a cool tie!

This bright cotton neckerchief has a summer secret: a filling of water-absorbing polymer granules from the garden center.

Soaked in water, the cool tie's polymer granules absorb more than 200% their weight in water. Tied around the neck or worn as a headband, a cool tie provides all-day cool relief through evaporation.

A cool tie is simple to sew, requiring only a straight-stitch sewing machine. It makes a great gift for gardeners! Printable Cool Tie gift tags adds a splashy note to your hot-weather gift.    Read More >>

Mother's Day Craft: Make a French Memory Board

Submitted by Cynthia Ewer on
Make a French memory board

It's pretty place for photos, cards and mementos: a French memory board!

If you can sew a button and wield a stapler, you can make it.

Begin with a stretched artist's canvas, add batting, cover with cotton fabric, then criss-cross with ribbons.

Novelty buttons secure ribbons to the memo board's canvas and add a bright touch.

Light, pretty and oh, so easy!    Read More >>

Leprechaun Poop: St. Patricks Day Gag Gift

Submitted by Cynthia Ewer on
Leprechaun Poop Gift Tag

Faith and begorrah! What's the greenest gag gift for St.Patrick's Day? Leprechaun Poop!

Inexpensive and easy to make, Leprechaun Poop is a great gift for workplace friends, neighbors or youth groups.

To make Leprechaun Poop, place a handful of Lucky Charms brand cereal, green jelly beans or candy mints in a small zipper food storage bag.

Seal the bag and add a printable gift tag or add a hand-written tag using the poem below.    Read More >>

Make A Jiffy Pop® Popcorn Topper for Valentine's Day

Submitted by Cynthia Ewer on
Valentine's Day Popcorn Topper Template

Who needs flowers or chocolates when there's ... popcorn?

Create a Valentine of a different kind with our Valentine's Day Jiffy Pop® Popcorn Topper.

Based on the fun-to-make kid's treat, our popping-good Valentine features a free printable label template to create this gift in a jiffy! It's as simple as print, cut, give.

New to Popcorn Toppers? Learn how to create these easy craft gifts with this photo tutorial:

How To Make Jiffy Pop® Popcorn Toppers    Read More >>

Get Organized for the New Year: Post-Christmas Clean-Up!

Submitted by Cynthia Ewer on

Ready to start the New Year from a clean and clutter-free home? Try these post-Christmas clean-up tips from sister site, Organized Home.

These simple, do-it-now strategies can reduce clutter and conquer Christmas chaos. We like this one:

Sort Before You Stow

Once the New Year arrives, most families take down holiday decorations and store them for the following year--but too often, there's a sense of "sling it in there and worry about it later" when it comes to putting away Christmas ornaments, holiday linens and outdoor lighting.

This year, pay it forward: sort and declutter holiday decorations, linens and specialty cooking items as you store them. Cut the non-working, the tattered, and the tired from the herd as you put away holiday decorations. Has-been decor items can be recycled or donated; stained linens can be repurposed as cleaning cloths.

Streamline holiday decorating next year: sort before you stow!

Post-Christmas Clean-Up    Read More >>

Candy Cane Reindeer

Submitted by Cynthia Ewer on
Candy Cane Reindeer

He's sweet, sassy, and easy enough for children to make: a Candy Cane Reindeer!

Our little Candy Cane Reindeer makes a great craft project for school, scouts, church groups or Secret Santa gifts.

Using candy canes, chenille stems and google eyes from the craft store, Candy Cane Reindeer make great stocking stuffers--or add them to holiday gift wrap for a sweet touch!    Read More >>

Rhonda's Cranberry Bread

Submitted by Cynthia Ewer on
cranberry bread recipe

Tangy cranberries spark up this buttery Cranberry Nut Bread recipe, from Christmas Notebook blogger, Rhonda Coulter.

With the sparkling flavors of cranberries, walnuts and orange, these moist loaves freeze well and can be made in quantity.

Add them to your holiday gift baskets for a welcome taste of Christmas! Paired with Chocolate Coffee Spoons, this recipe makes a perfect, personal Christmas gift.

Make and freeze these quick breads up to 8 weeks before Christmas for holiday giving.

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