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Candy Cane Soap

December 6, 2011 By Brandy 83 Comments

This candy cane soap smells as nice as it looks! Layers of pink and white glycerin soap come together with crushed candy canes for a cute and easy gift idea this holiday season.

6 candy cane soaps arranged on white surface

The kids and I made homemade glycerin soap over the summer and it was a lot of fun. I used some of our extra white glycerin blocks to create this soap to go with what I am putting together for Christmas gifts to the boys' teachers this year.

I guess I can't really say that I "made" soap. What I did was buy a bag of glycerin chunks at the craft store, melt them down, add color and a scent,Â then re-shape them into molds. But it still transformed them into something different and heavenly scented.

I'm no expert when it comes to soap. As you can see the lines aren't perfect. If I knew what I was doing, the lines would be solid. But I'm not sure how to do that and have the layers stay together when it is done. I was afraid if I let each layer dry before adding another thatÂ the layers would separateÂ when I went to slice the soap into bars.Â So I didn't let each layer set up before adding the next one. I just waited until it just started to set up then poured the next color. So there isÂ a mixture of stripes and swirls, but the soap is nice and solid. Perfect for a novice like me.

Right after I poured the last layer I sprinkled the top with a layer of crushed candy canes. I let it sit for an hour, then ran a knife along the edges of my mold (a small loaf pan) and the soap popped right out. I then sliced it into bars with a kitchen knife.

For those wondering about the candy canes: It is merely for decorative purposes and washed off the soap after the first couple of uses. You don't need it, but it looks pretty. It doesn't make your hands sticky either since you are already washing them. Kind of cancels it all out.

candy cane soap wrapped in parchment paper and tied with string

Each parchment package has 2 small bars of soap. It really does make your hands smell like candy canes!

If you would like to see how to melt, add scents and colors, and mold glycerin, see our post here. I used red soap coloring (food coloring would work too) and peppermint extract. About ⅛ tsp. for each white layer.

******

Oh how I love my readers! Here is a tip from Michelle on how to create perfect layers when making soap like this:

"Don't worry about your layers they are great! These look good enough to eat.I have played with melt and pour soap before, for distinctive layer just spray some alcohol on the first layer, let it harden, spray again then add your next layer.But again these look divine, so pretty and a great handmade gift."

Thanks Michelle!

If you enjoy making your own beauty products, you may enjoy this collection of homemade beauty gifts that I put together below!

Homemade Beauty Gift Ideas

Buttery Snack Cake with Broiled Coconut Frosting

December 4, 2011 By Brandy 1 Comment

A piece of this with a glass of milk......SOO good on a cold day!
Our family loves this recipe. Enjoy!

Buttery Snack Cake with Broiled Coconut Frosting

1 ¼ cups all-purpose or 1 ½ cups cake flour

1 cup sugar

⅓ cup butter or stick margarine, softened

¾ cup milk

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

1 large egg

Broiled Coconut Frosting

1 cup flaked coconut

⅓ cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup butter or stick margarine, softened

2 tablespoons half-and-half or milk

Heat oven to 350°. Grease bottom and sides of square pan, 8 X 8 X 2 or 9 X 9 X 2 inches, or round pan, 9 X 1 ½ inches, with shortening; lightly flour.

Beat all ingredients except Broiled Coconut Frosting with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.

Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Make Broiled Coconut Frosting.4. Set oven control to broil. Carefully spread frosting over hot cake. Broil with top of cake about 4 inches from heat about 2 minutes or until frosting is light brown. Watch carefully so frosting does not burn. Cool 15 minutes. Serve warm or cool.

Source: Betty Crocker's Big Red Cookbook

Scalloped Stocking Tutorial

December 1, 2011 By Brandy 12 Comments

If you've ever been intimidated by making stockings for you family, this is the pattern for you! I created 6 stockings for our family for $8. Made out of cotton and felt, you can whip up a scalloped stocking using our tutorial in no time!Â

If you're looking for fancier version of our matching family stockings check out our quilted stocking pattern.

matching striped stockings with felt cuff

So I got an idea....last week, and I am not one who can procrastinate. So once I had the idea it was just killing me not to finish it out!Â Now that Ruby is here it was time for nice matching stockings for the whole family. I decided to make my own because I wanted them be pretty, sturdy, and inexpensive.

For an added touch I sewed strips of fabric together to get the quilted look for front piece, but you can save time by using a solid piece of fabric. The front of each stocking is cotton fabric and the back is felt. Easy to sew with, and a natural stabilizer without adding batting or interfacing. These stockings are sturdy and ready to be filled with all sorts of goodies.

More Christmas Sewing Projects

Christmas Memory Quilt Winterberry Pinwheel Quilt 25 Christmas Sewing Projects

from Crazy Little Projects

Scalloped Stocking Tutorial

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Scalloped Stocking Tutorial

If you've ever been intimidated by making stockings for you family, this is the pattern for you! Made out of cotton and felt, you can whip up a scalloped stocking using our tutorial in no time!

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Author Brandy Nelson

Cost $2

Equipment

sewing machine
scissors
pins
pen or pencil

Ingredients

old stocking
paper newspaper or craft paper
felt
cotton fabric

Instructions

To create a pattern, I trace around an old stocking our onto craft or newspaper.
Draw a simple freehand drawing about 5" down across the stocking for a scallop pattern (you will use this later).
You will need 2 stocking pieces of felt cut out from your pattern, and 1 piece of fabric for a total of 3.
Cut out the scallop pattern and use it to cut 2 pieces of felt for each stocking. Yes, 2 pieces of scalloped trim for each stocking. One piece isn't thick enough, so you will stack them together. Sew the scallop piece along the bottom (scalloped) portion.
Go back to the scalloped pattern piece and cut out the top 2". This will be your pattern for the stocking trim.
Lay the scalloped felt piece flush with 1 felt stocking piece and the cotton piece.
Fold trim piece in half and press. Open it up and press each side in towards the center fold.
Press again.
Pin the trim across the top edge, creating a sandwich of fabric (bottom layer is felt, middle layer is cotton, and top layer is felt scallop piece) Stitch across.
Then add the 2nd piece of stocking felt on top, pinning around 3 sides and leaving the top open. Stitch around, clipping corners. Turn it right side out.
Using some remaining fabric or felt scraps, cut a 2.5"x8" strip and press and stitch in the same manner that you did for the stocking trim. Fold in half and machine stitch it into place, about 1" down from the top edge.

Notes

Note: to add lettering, hand stitch the names or add using puffy paint. I used puffy paint and freehanded the names the night before I sewed my stockings together.

Adding names to the stockings: I free handed these and had pretty good luck getting them all right in one shot. If you'd like to hand stitch, use a sewing pen or pencil to free hand the names, then embroider over the pencil sketch. This is what I did for our quilted family stockings.

Brown Paper Packages Advent Calendar Idea

November 23, 2011 By Brandy 10 Comments

Our brown paper packages advent is simple, inexpensive, and so fun! Wrap small gifts in brown paper and hang with string. You probably already have these supplies in your home! This post contains affiliate links.

small brown paper packages hanging on string

I had a lot of fun creating this fun advent/countdown for my kids! I wanted something simple, cute, and made using items that I already had. This brown paper packages advent fit the bill and the kids loved it! Inside each brown paper package is a piece of candy or nuts, and a small card with a seasonal activity printed on it.

Other Inexpensive Advent Calendar Ideas

Gingerbread Cookie Countdown Tissue Paper Countdown 20+ Advent Calendar Ideas Advent Gum Packs

Don't have time make your own advent? No worries. We've gone the store bought route the past. Here are some of our favorites!Â Â The LEGO one was an absolute hit. We actually still have it and have re-used it a few times. Just save the pieces and put them back year after year!

Brown Paper Packages Advent Calendar

Supplies:

brown paper bags or brown kraft paper
baker's twine
tape
clothespins
small toys, candy
sharpie pen
hole punch
small cards with seasonal activities printed on each one

Directions:

Cut squares of brown paper into desired sizes.
Wrap candy and toys in paper and tie baker's twine around each one, creating a bow/loop for hanging.
Cut a long string of baker's twine and attach to the wall.
Label each package using a tag, optional.
Hang each package using a clothespin.

Other notes:

I bought a bunch of Christmas candies in bulk as well as mixed nuts for the kids to crack. The Palmer chocolate candies in bulk are my favorite this time of year! Especially the mint patties. I also made some cards to go inside of a few of the packages. Fun things to do at home or around town this time of year.

Here are are a few ideas of seasonal activities to add to your brown paper packages!

Neighborhood Christmas Lights
Make Your Own Hot Cocoa Bar
Make Sugar Cookies
Go To the Library and Check out Christmas Books
Write Letters to Santa
Drop Off a Secret Santa Gift to a Neighbor
Deliver Holiday Treats to Friends
Decorate the Christmas Tree
Watch a Christmas Movie
Make Christmas Cards
Hang a New Ornament on the Tree
Make a Christmas Craft

Here is another inexpensive advent idea using books from Live Well Travel Often.

Santa Christmas Countdown: Trim Santa's Beard Each Day!

November 20, 2011 By Brandy 12 Comments

This darling Santa Christmas Countdown is the perfect activity for kids! Trim Santa's beard a little bit every day until Christmas Day!

Simple truly is best. If you like the simplicity of this Santa Christmas countdown you will love our paper plate snowman Christmas countdownÂ or footprint reindeer craft, too!

Today I am sharing a fun advent that my children made last week! It was so fun to make and SIMPLE! Christmas countdown and advents can get complicated and expensive. Not this one. Â Our Santa Christmas countdown is perfect for kids! The best part is that is is made out of paper. You can use copy paper or construction paper, it's up to you. If you don't have beige paper, you can color white paper with a flesh colored crayon!

More Simple Christmas Countdown Ideas

Tissue Paper Advent Calendar: A simple DIY advent calendar made from paper cups and tissue paper. Kids can break open the tissue each day to find the surprise inside!

Gingerbread Cookie Countdown: Count down the days to Christmas with a Christmas cookie advent! Cut one cookie off every day until Christmas Eve.

Gum Advent Packs: A fun advent for tweens and teens! Enjoy a piece every day until Christmas.

Paper Plate Snowman Christmas Countdown: This snowman Christmas countdown is made out of a paper plate! Countdown the days by turning the snowmanâ€™s nose. Simple for kids to make and so inexpensive. A great school craft idea to make after Thanksgiving break.

Santa Christmas Countdown

Supplies

card stock or construction paper

glue stick

scissors

pen

ruler or straight edge

How to assemble your Santa Christmas Countdown

Step 1: Cut out a beard from a piece of 8.5 x 11" cardstock. You can let the kids create their own shapes by drawing on the paper with a pencil if you'd like, but I found it easier (for my age group) to have everything cut ahead of time.

Step 2: Cut out whiskers, a pom pom for the hat, the hat trim and a trapezoid for Santa's head.

Step 3: Cut out a red triangle for the hat and a small circle for the nose.

Step 4: Cut a face out of peach/beige paper.

Step 5: Glue the pieces together using a glue stick.

Step 6: Add eyes using a black marker.

I let the kids assemble them by themselves. I love how different they turned out even though they had the same assembly pieces!

Step 6: Draw lines across Santa's beard and number them, one for each day until Christmas.

Step 7: Hand Santa on the refrigerator and trim a slice from his beard every day!

Here are some fun variation ideas! Use google eyes for the eyes or add a pom pom for the hat. You could also add some cotton ball trim to the brim of Santa's hat.

Note: if your child is too small to use scissors, or even understand the concept, they may have fun glueing a cotton ball to Santa's beard each day instead. My daughter was only 3 when we made these so she colored on Santa's beard instead.

Soft Soled Baby Shoes Pattern

November 16, 2011 By Brandy 22 Comments

This darling baby shoes pattern takes just minutes to master. With step by step photos and a printable pdf pattern you'll find yourself making a pair to match every outfit!

So soft and sweet and the perfect baby shower gift. I've made dozens and dozens of pairs using this baby shoes pattern both for my own babies and for gifts.

A friend of mine just had a baby so it seemed like the perfect time to update this post with some new photos! My babies are all out of the soft soled baby shoe stage, but that doesn't stop me from keeping this pattern in my collection!

These shoes are always a show stopper at baby showers. Make a matching flannel blanket and you have the perfect one of a kind gift. And don't be afraid to try different types of fabric! I've used flannel, cotton, corduroy and lightweight denim. You can also use vinyl!

Soft Soled Baby Shoes Pattern

I can't find the blog that the pattern came from anymore. It looks like the blog address is no longer around and there wasn't a redirect in place, but I still have the pdf that I saved years ago. You can access it here.

Two little feet, ten little toes,

Leave their impressions today.

Soon they will wear two little shoes,

And be running and jumping at play.

Two little feet, too little time,

Before they are walking to school,

Kicking a rock, or skipping a rope,

Wading a puddle or jumping a pool.

Two little feet, One little child,

Will soon go their own way,

But footprints in my mind recall,

They stood here yesterday.

Thrifted Hair Bow Holder

November 14, 2011 By Brandy 9 Comments

I don't usually have the best of luck at thrift shops. I am always envious of posts on other blogs about all of the fun finds that they picked up! But I have one that I scored over the weekend that I am pretty excited about so I thought I'd share. Here is my $3 Hair Bow Holder! As you can see below, the previous one I made clearly wasn't working anymore. I made it when Kaylee was just starting to wear little bows and it was great, but now with two little gals, we need more space.

I saw this frame at Goodwill and thought it would be perfect. I liked the detailing and the size was perfect.

I removed the backing and the print and there was another one underneath it! It was odd because it looked as though the backing had been professionally done. So how did the last supper print end up in there as well? This frame had an exciting life before it came to house.

I roughed up the edges with a wire brush so that my paint would stick better. Then applied 2 coats of white acrylic paint and a clear coat of spray paint.

I covered the backing with a couple of sheets of scrapbooking paper and then attached 2 ribbons down the front.

frame painted white with scrapbook paper backing

Then I added the girls' hair bows. When this fills up, I can easily take the back off and add one more ribbon, but this is PERFECT for now!

Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball: A Crowd Pleasing Appetizer

November 8, 2011 By Brandy 29 Comments

A darling thanksgiving turkey cheese ball that is sure to be a crowd pleaser this year! Serve with crackers and pretzels!

Here is a fun appetizer that I've made a few times and it has always been a hit, especially with the younger crowd!

IÂ used felt to create a turkey head.Â I used 2 pieces, sewed all the way around

with a small hole in the bottom, then slidÂ a skewer in the bottom to attach the turkey to the ball. You could make a head out of cardstock as well and glue a toothpick or skewer in between the layers of cardstock).

Then I added crackers and pretzels in it for the feathers and loaded up the platter with more crackers.

This makes a lot!

But since it is made from cream cheese, it will store for a while in the refrigerator.

Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball

adapted

3 packages of cream cheese

1 package of dry ranch mix

3 ½ c. shredded cheese, whatever you like

⅓ c. diced green onions

2 c. almonds (toasted)

Mash cream cheese in a bowl. Add next 3 ingredients. Form into a ball shape and roll in nuts. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 8 hours (to allow ranch to distribute evenly...otherwise it'll be too salty).

Serve with crackers.

Make sure to let the cheese ball chill for the 8 hours, then add the crackers right before serving. Do not refrigerate the crackers and the assembled turkey for 8 hours. The crackers will get soft.

Glow Stick Lanterns

October 31, 2011 By Brandy 29 Comments

Ever wonder what would happen if your poured glow stick into a jar of water? Wonder no more! It GLOWS! These glow stick lanterns are fun to make and will last at least a day!

DO NOT let children use the lanterns unsupervised. Do NOT let children open glow sticks.

DIY Glow Stick Lanterns

My kids were excited to have these in their rooms the other night when they went to bed. Simply fill a small jar with water and then cut open a full size glow stick and pour it in!Â Don't waste your time using the tiny bracelet ones. You'd need a bunch and it would be time consuming and messy to get the same brightness ofÂ 1 or 2 of the full size glow sticks. Break the stick first to activateÂ it and be careful while pouring out the contents. I used some kitchen shears to cut the top off of the glow stick was a bit tedious, but worked. Gently swish around the water (but do NOT shake) and you're set!

jar with water and glow stick liquid inside

This is NOT a kids activity, but my kids enjoyed seeing the end result. A clear plastic container (like a peanut butter container) would work too and not be breakable. Either way, kids shouldn't be carrying these around.

Will one lantern light up a room? No, but it does glow and looks very cool! These glow stick lanterns would look neat lining a driveway or walkway on Halloween! We always seem to end up with a bunch of glow sticks after going trick-or-treating, so we'll be making more of these!

I used a pint sized and a quart size and used 2 full sized sticks in the quart. The pint sized one seemed to be brighter than the quart sized jar. It glowed bright forÂ a day and the larger one lasted the night.Â Â I bet baby food jars would work GREAT. My advice would be to just make one at first and see how it goes before making a bunch for a party. It seems as though not all glow sticks are the same and I've received mixed results in the comments section. So you mayÂ need 2 sticks of some variety and only 1 in others.