LAST MINUTE NOISEMAKERS

Make a noisemaker for New Year's or Birthday party with stuff you likely already have on hand.

This was made 15 years ago by my then 3 year old son at Science Central, a local science museum on New Year's eve, but it can easily be made at home from youngsters on up with the following:

•  2 Plastic cups
• Clear Packing Tape
• Dried peas, bean, rice, aquarium gravel, leftover jingle bells or any other small object.
• Markers, stickers or anything else to embellish the cup.

1. Decorate the cup with marker or stickers keeping in mind one is going to be stacked upside down on the other one.
2. Fill the bottom inch or so of the bottom of the cup with the dried peas, bean, rice, aquarium gravel, leftover jingle bells or any other small objects.
3. Stack the other cup upside down on top of the bottom cup then secure at the center with packing tape.

Shake to make noise.

Hope that everyone has a happy and safe New Year!
Decorate

SNOWFLAKE PRESENT EMBELLISHMENT

A fun embellishment for a Christmas or winter birthday gift.

As I tried going "green" and not purchasing any new wrapping paper,  I used mailing envelopes and old magazines to wrap presents and to embellish some of them I cut out snowflakes and attached them to the "wrapped" presents and the names written in marker and attached to the present with tape or a glue stick.

Above is a white mailing envelope embellished with a tan mailing envelope with the bubble side out

This present was wrapped in a magazine page, as is the snowflake that turned out sort of a honeycomb/rib cage effect. 

You could use any snowflake design you would like, but sometimes it is more fun to fold up the paper, make cuts and see what you create. 


Happy crafting!

FOX MULDER SNOWFLAKE

I made this for a former co-worker that is a huge X-Files fan.

I know at first glance it looks more like a creature that you see on the X-Files, but it actually David Duchovny's (the actor that portrayed Fox Mulder) profile.

Items used:

• Template from http://www.hollywoodsnowflakes.com/pages/patterns/pattern_duchovny.htm
• Printer
• Scissors
• Glitter glue (optional)

Print off template and cut out square where indicated on the template and then fold template in half (where crease is in the photo).

 Fold paper in half and then on the diagonal (shaded area on template) on one side and do the same on the other side - it will look sort of like an accordion when you are done.

Fold up so you just see the printed template area on the top.

 

Cut out around the shaded area.  Decorate with glitter glue if desired.  I went around the edges and down the center to try to emphasize the profile.

Frog Snowflake

I realize Christmas is over but I am just now getting caught up on blogging and posting it might be useful or inspire someone else next Christmas.

My son's step-grandmother collects all things frog, so when I found the template at Secret Agent Jospehine he decided to make one for her.

It was super-simple and took about five minutes including coloring.

Items used:
-  Paper
-  Printer
-  Scissors
-  Markers (green & black)

For the template to print off, click here.

Fold paper into quarters and then so the frog side is on the fold then cut out around the frog.


My son then colored the frogs with a green marker, but you could use any color or leave plain.

The original project used googly eyes, but he decided to draw in they eyes because were sent this in the mail with a photo card.

Harry Potter Logo Snowflake

This is my first attempt at trying to craft a logo snowflake and it was to be for a friend that is a Harry Potter fan.  Although I used plain copy paper, I believe the result would turn out better if heavier paper or card stock is used.

 Supplies:
-   Plain copy paper, scrapbook paper or card stock
-   Scissors
-   X-Acto Knife
-   Pen or pencil
-   Tape 
-   Thread or string (optional)
-  Glitter glue (optional)

Fold the paper into quarters and draw out the logo. If you are going to add glitter glue, I would recommend adding before cutting out.

Cut around the lettering and outside edges.  I was able to use scissors up to the point shown.  To cut out the center at the top, I folded slightly and cut with scissors and then stuck in one blade and cut around the inside.  I only had to use the X-Acto knife for the small details.

To hang, cut pieces of thread and tape to the top edges and then to entry way or ceiling or can tape on the wall.

YODA SNOW FLAKE

This was made using a sheet of paper, scissors and an X-Acto knife and a free downloadable/printable diagram from Anthony Herrera Designs.   There are several other Star War snow flake designs, so if  are Star Wars fan it is worth taking a look at.

It took about 15 minutes to do as the smaller areas take time as you only go through a few layers at a time, but it was easy and fun to make.   I was worried that some of the choppy areas would make it look bad, but I think it gives it more character.

For the diagram and instructions, click here.

I am linking this up to Meijo's Joy.   

Key Lime Fudge

This is for Mom's Crazy Cooking Challenge where each month she picks a theme (this month it is fudge) and the mission is to seek out a recipe of a fellow blogger's recipe them make and post what you make on the 7th of that month.

I wanted to try something a little different than the standard fudges I have made in the past and chose Key Lime Fudge from blogger Shugary Sweets and the only variation that I made was to use Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal instead of graham crackers, used non-stick coating spray on the pan and I didn't press them in the fudge as I didn't want them to get soggy.

It was super simple and we loved how it turned out...it had a lime taste without being overpowering, sort of like a fresh breeze of summer of a chilly day.

Recipe

• 2 - 11oz bags white chocolate morsels 
• 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk 
• 5 key limes
• 1/2 cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal or Graham Crackers
• Non-stick coating spray

Wash the limes, roll lightly on a table to help get the juice loose (optional), zest the limes on a zester or grater (I used a grater), cut in half and juice the limes.

On low heat (I heated mine on the 1 1/2 mark on my stove) melt the sweetened condensed milk and both packages of the white chocolate chips until smooth - it took 18 minutes on my stove.

Once smooth, turn off heat and add the lime juice and the lime zest; mix thoroughly.

Spray a pan - I used a 9x12, but if you wanted thicker pieces you could use a smaller pan or a larger pan (or more than one) if you wanted to have thinner pieces.  Pour the fudge into the pan.

 

Crush up 1/2 cup or more of Cinnamon Toast Crunch or graham cracker topping (leftovers are fun to use as an ice cream topping).

 Sprinkle topping on the fudge and let set until cool (I cooled my off in the refrigerator) and then cut into squares to serve.

Please check out everyone else's fudge creations at the linkys below and a special thanks to Tina a Mom's Crazy Cooking Challenge for hosting and organizing this event, which is no small feat with the number of participants.

Next month's challenge is soup - if you are interesting in participating and do not already do so, click here for more information.

Happy Holidays and God Bless :)

Mom's Crazy Cooking Challenge