How cute are these felt fortune cookies for Valentine's Day?! What a unique way to show someone you love them. Fill them with candies or love messages.
For a more romantic gift you could use them as you would a love "coupon book". Have your significant other open a couple after dinner and unlock things like "Good for one kiss" or "Redeem for a romantic dinner", etc. Sweet!
Get the how to here.
It is supposed to snow today here in Alabama! That means the whole state shuts down. And that means children are out of school. Before the snow arrives you might be looking for ways to entertain the young ones. Here are a few to help you out.
Crafts are always a fun way to pass the time. This snowman craft won't melt away when the other snow does.
Cut a puddle shape from white felt and use tacky glue to attach a white pom-pom to the top.
With black puffy paint, add eyes, a mouth, and buttons. Glue on a craft foam nose and twig arms.
Wrap a felt scarf around Melty's neck and glue it in place.
Treats are another way to get creative and entertain the kids. There are several cute snowman recipes on the web. Here is one of my faves.
BEAT pudding mixes and milk with whisk 2 min. Let stand 5 min. Stir in 1 cup cookie crumbs.
SPOON remaining cookie crumbs into 10 (6- to 7-oz.) paper or plastic cups; cover with pudding mixture.
DROP spoonfuls of **COOL WHIP onto desserts to resemble snowmen. Decorate with gels for the eyes, noses and scarves.
**Instead of cool whip, you could also use marshmallows**
You can't have a snow day without everyone's favorite winter beverage: hot chocolate! Here is a delicious twist on the original.
In a large saucepan combine sugar, cocoa powder, and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add candies; cook and stir until melted. Stir in milk. Heat through. Pour into mugs; top with whipped cream and additional caramel candies. Makes 6 servings.
Hope you are keeping warm wherever you are!
These cookie trees would make a great addition to your holiday dessert tables! Just make your favorite sugar cookie recipe and stack on cake plates. Make varying sizes to create the tree look.
Get Martha's cookie recipe here.
I stumbled upon these little cuties in my latest issue of All You and just had to share. These would make great holiday party favors or even place card holders. BONUS-the kids will love helping you make these!
1. Dip a marshmallow in melted caramel; place on a gingersnap. Put sprinkles over excess caramel. Halve a marshmallow for head and attach with royal icing. Insert pretzels in body.
2. Flatten a spice drop; attach another to form hat. Cut scarves and bow ties from fruit leather; tuck under head. Dye royal icing and pipe eyes, nose and buttons. Attach pink Decors for cheeks.
My friend is celebrating her birthday next week with a peppermint themed party. This is a theme that I could go crazy with! Peppermints are inexpensive, readily available and so festive. They are great to use this time of year for birthdays, showers and Christmas parties. Here is a collection of easy decorating ideas with peppermints I've collected to inspire you.
(click titles for instructions)
Peppermint Disk Vase
Here is an easy way to transform a regular terra cotta pot into a pilgrim's hat for a festive Thanksgiving centerpiece! So cute.
Materials:
Oak tag
8"-wide terra-cotta pot
Scissors or craft knife
Mini glue gun
Terra-cotta spray (we used American Accents)
28" x 2" brown velvet ribbon or fabric
Metallic gold paper
Instructions:
Cut approximately 15"-diam circle from oak tag using a compass or bowl for guide.
Turn terra-cotta pot upside down, center on oak tag circle and trace.
Cut out inner circle 1⁄2" smaller in diameter than pot opening.
Make small slits about every 1⁄2" around the inner circle.
Cut a line between inner and outer circles. Overlap and glue back together to form beveled hat brim.
Fold down inner circle slits and glue to inside of pot.
Paint pot and brim with terra-cotta spray. Let dry.
Glue ribbon or fabric band around pot.
Cut buckle shape from gold paper backed with oak tag and glue to hat band
(photo and how-to from womansday.com)
I love the look of this citrus fruit centerpiece with the addition of the shiny ornaments. It's perfect for the holiday season! BONUS-it's easy and inexpensive too.
What you need:
• Metal tiered tray
• Florist foam, soaked
• Lemons
• Limes
• Clementines
• Blood oranges
• Sphagnum moss
• Florist pins
Use one third of the florist foam on the top tier and the remaining on the bottom one. Cover the florist foam with moss, secure with florist pins. Pierce the fruit with the picks and then secure them to the foam. The day of your gathering, slice a couple of pieces of fruit for the display.
This would also be pretty in a glass bowl or on a cake stand if you don't want to work with the florist foam.
(photo from myhomeideas.com)
How cute is this Turkey Napkin?! It is made out of a squash and cloves for eyes!
What a great conversation starter for Turkey Day!
Get the how-to for the napkin fan here.
I have been seeing a lot of people using dried beans and lentils in their fall decorations and I love it. The natural look is simple and comforting. You can either go all natural or just add a few things here and there in your decorating. Here is gorgeous example of incorporating natural elements in a tablescape.
Get the how-to here!
For more natural tablescaping inspiration check out Chris from Celebrations at Home post here.
Here is another idea for decorating your fall tables. Take a break from pumpkins and think about using pears. Pears add a simple warmth to any setting. The addition of wheat in this centerpiece really evokes feelings of fall. This centerpiece would also be perfect for a Thanksgiving table. BONUS-it's EASY to make!
Get the how-to here.
