Make-Ahead Holiday Gift: Melt-and-Pour Soap

Melt and Pour Soap
   August 21, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

You've seen them everywhere from crafts fairs to bath boutiques: pretty handmade gift soaps. Clear and colorful or rich with natural additives for beautiful skin, they're a welcome holiday gift.

Best of all, they're easy to make using melt-and-pour soap. Heated in the microwave, clear or opaque glycerin soap base is combined with colorants and fragrances, then poured into molds to harden. When cool, soaps pop right out of the molds, ready to use.

Follow the soap-making tips and soap starter projects linked below to help you master this squeaky-clean craft.

Make It Now, Give It Later: Confetti Bean Soup

Confetti Bean Soup
   August 15, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

Looking for a make-ahead holiday gift? Try this gift-in-a-jar treat: Confetti Bean Soup! Savory Italian herbs spark this hearty, easy soup. Paired with Texas Cornbread Mix, this duo is just the thing for cold winter weekends!

Better, it's a good keeper, so make this gift-in-a-jar ahead for holiday giving. Unlike cookie jar gifts, Confetti Bean Soup won't go stale in storage.

Makes 12 gift jars at a cost approximately $2 per jar.

Make a Jiffy Pop® Popcorn Topper for 4th of July

Popcorn Topper
   June 29, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

Looking for popping-good fun for America's birthday celebration? Make a Fourth of July Jiffy Pop® Popcorn Topper!

Add our free printable template to a package of Jiffy Pop® brand pop-in-pan popcorn for an inexpensive "popcorn topper" craft gift.

Share with family, friends or coworkers to bring a patriotic "pop" to Independence Day gatherings.

   Read More >>

Patriotic Recipe: American Blessings Mix

American Blessings Mix
   June 26, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

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

Dreamsicle Cookies in a Jar
   June 24, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

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!

Make a Cool Tie
   June 4, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

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

Make a French memory board
   May 2, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

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

Leprechaun Poop Gift Tag
   February 20, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

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

Valentine's Day Popcorn Topper Template
   February 2, 2019 by Cynthia Ewer

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 >>

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