Skiing Buddies

These cute penguins were made out of fruit cups (any brand) usually they come in (4-pack) that were inverted. The top cup was one glued to the bottom and the bodies were painted white and black to look like penguins. Then I painted on colorful scarves and sewed little caps from Christmas socks and the skis were made from pieces of cardboard that were drawn into a oval shape, painted and glitter was used for a shimmer effect. I really enjoyed making these "skiing buddies" as I call them.

Christmas tree from recycled material

It seems that I am posting either my crafts or recipes, but it's what we all here for, correct. I had a chance to do some crafts using recycled material and if I can say myself, I did a pretty darn good considering. I never wanted to use this phrase...but in all purposes what it is, toilet paper rolls. That right, I made Christmas trees out of strips of toilet paper or paper towel rolls. After I flattened the rolls, I marked 1/2 inch increments with the pencil to the end of the roll, then cut the strips. Then I sprayed all the strips with green paint (do this part outside) and let them dry. I went row by row and attached each strip to a cardboard cone that I made myself. Each row took about 8 strips and took 10 rows from bottom to the top... so there were 80. Depending on the size of the dimension of the tree. Then I went around with plain (Elmer's) glue and sprinkled faux snow randomly and then put white glitter on some branches. I made a circular base from cardboard and hot glued to the bottom and sprinkled more faux snow to it.

Angel wreath in white and silver

I love angels and collect them whenever I can. I have miniature angels that I used for this stunning wreath. I wrapped some elegant white and silver ribbon on a styrofoam form and glued miniature angels on top. I draped a long strand of pearly beads in variegated colors weaved in and out the ribbon. This wreath I am especially proud of because I love the combination of silver and white. I just can't decide where to put this lovely wreath.

Holly and Ivy Wreath

In between browsing for recipes that don't take half of a day to prepare, I still do crafts and this is a busy time for me.   I just love doing crafts and time sure does fly when you get involved with something and the ideas flow on some days, on other days they don't.   I have finished a few wreaths that I started last week and and some miscellaneous crafts. 


For this wreath, I wrapped red shimmery ribbon all around a styrofoam form and glued wire edged holly and ivy organza ribbon all around on top of the red ribbon.  I attached four shiny bells to add extra color.

Chocolate Toffee Cracker Crunch

If you love chocolate toffee candy I promise you this will be your favorite sweet from now on. To think its made from crackers.

Chocolate Toffee Cracker Crunch

I bought assorted crackers at the store and the ingredients I would buy for toffee. Here is my recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of brown sugar
Semi-sweet chocolate bar (I used a huge bar at the counter).
Chopped walnuts
Foil
Cooking spray
Assorted crackers (they come in a box)

Pre-heat the oven to 350 deg. Melt the stick of butter till it melted and throw it the brown sugar till it boils and the liquid get thick and separates from the sides of the pan.

In the meantime melt your chocolate bar in the microwave first about 40 secs. Stir it really good. If it’s not melted, put it back for about 40 more secs. Stir it again and it should be smooth.

Line your crackers on a foil line cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Have your cokie sheet ready and near the oven. Pour the liquid over the crackers really good and put it in the oven for 15 mins. Take it out. Dont worry, it will be bubbly at first…..that’s ok.

Drizzle the chocolate over the toffee covered crackers, and cover with chopped walnuts or whatever toppings you want. Cool the crackers in the fridge. The chocolate will set in on the toffee and the cracker will stay crispy.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

I love browsing for simple desserts, especially truffles that are rather to make and I found a cookie dough truffle. I don't know anybody that doesnt love cookie dough when baking cookies. The best part there is NO raw eggs in these truffles but you don't have to worry.  Believe me, this recipe will be added to my list for Christmas recipes I will be making.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

Ingredients:

1/2 cup salted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3 Tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips, chopped (the idea is to get them to be about 1/2 - 1/3 their original size)
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped

Optional Topping:
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip together butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and salt until pale and fluffy about 3 - 4 minutes. Stir in cream and vanilla extract. Add in flour and mix just until combine (dough will seem dry at first but it will come together). Mix in chopped chocolate chips. Scoop dough out 1 equal tablespoon at a time and roll into balls.

Place on parchment or wax paper. If drizzling with chocolate, place 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave safe container and microwave on 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Pour melted chocolate into a small ziploc bag, seal bag and cut a very small tip off the corner of the bag. Drizzle chocolate over tops of truffles.

Place truffles in freezer for several minutes until chocolate sets and hardens (mine only took about 3 minutes), then enjoy! For more firm cookie dough bites, chill 1 hour in refrigerator. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.  

Whimsical Wreaths, Large and small

I made these adorable wreaths out of plastic bags, cut into 4" strips that I tied onto wire forms. One is a 9" circle and the other one is 12". I added some whimsical ornaments to each. After putting all the plastic strips on, I draped silver cording and made a bow on the top for the large wreath. The additional ornaments are my handmade ornaments that I painted myself and strung them in random places on the wreath. For the small wreath I draped green curling ribbon for the bow.