Homemade Silly Putty

I've done gak before and silly putty once before but I'm bringing it out again as a gift this year. My boss has a radio show every Saturday, while I work on Saturday's I listen to the show to see what is going on. A few weeks back they were talking about their son loving silly putty. I thought that would be the perfect gift for him, and not the store bought kind the homemade kind!  PBS Kids had the most popular link for the recipe so I'll give them credit. I wish I had some newspaper on hand to show it better but I was out and had to ship this out before the next batch of mail came in. I made 3 colors and didn't get good pictures of making the blue so you see below the making of the pink and the blue final (just having a little fun with you .. lol).

Materials Needed:

1 Cup Elmer's Glue-All multipurpose glue

Food coloring

1 Cup Sta-Flo concentrated liquid starch

Directions:

Mix the glue with the food coloring until the color is even throughout.

Pour the liquid starch into the colored glue mixture.

Stir and let it sit for five minutes.

Pull the putty out of the mixing bowl and set it on a paper towel. Knead the putty in your hands for five to ten minutes.

ALEXIS NOTES: I ended up using regular's Glue (which I've read on several blogs you shouldn't, it worked but I think the All Multipurpose is probably better). I had the Sta-Flo on hand from another project, I've also read you must use this brand.

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Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Sock Cupcake Gift Idea

I wanted to make a fun gift and found this on my google search. I found these Sock Cupcakes on a Mother's Day Pin it was just a photo so no one to link to and thank for the idea. This is simple gift but so cute!

What you need:

Fuzzy Sock (Currently Old Navy has them 60% off!)

Nail Polish (I love OPI)

Cupcake wrapper (I used Wilton fancy, that is thicker)

Take your fuzzy sock (one), fold in half. Put your polish at one end and then roll. You should have the first part start a little high and then rolling evenly at the end. You want it to look like frosting peaking above a cake (see picture below). Place into a wrapper, I found using normal cupcake wrappers don't work. I find using the Wilton fancy ones are best, these ones had a extra layer so they were thicker.  And you're done, you can put into a clear bag and tie with a ribbon if you would like!

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Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Peppermint Body Scrub .. Gift Idea

I wanted to make something nice for the girls that work our front desk, they help me out a lot since I work virtual. I love body scrubs, they are easy to make and people can put in their showers and use. I found several ideas for Peppermint Body Scrub all the same recipe but I'll list the on I found first on Nurse Loves Farmer.

Ingredients
4 cups white sugar
1 cup coconut oil, melted
Red food coloring
Peppermint essential oil or peppermint extract
3 glass jars (330 ml)
Instructions

Pour sugar into medium sized bowl.
Melt coconut oil in microwave if yours is not liquefied and mix with sugar (you can use more or less depending on consistency you want).
Add a few drops of your peppermint oil or 1 tbsp peppermint extract, depending on how strong you want it to smell.
Divide your sugar mixture into two equal sized portions.
Mix in a few drops of red food coloring to one portion and leave the other white.
Add your sugars to the jar in layers.
Using the heel of your hand on the bottom of the jar, you can compact each layer down so it can fit more of the scrub in.
Alternate between your pink and white layers.

Alexis Notes:  I try not to use food coloring in things that go on the body so I skipped that part. Also Coconut oil would be the best since it become a clear liquid when heated. I ONLY had Olive Oil on hand (which is great for skin) so I used that instead. The only bad part is it tints the sugar green due to olives are green .. lol. Mine didn't have the layers since it was one color. I used a pure cane sugar since it has a grainy texture that is perfect for scrubs. I also bought a 3 pack of jars at Target for $3, they were red and perfect.

For the print out from In between Laundry for Merry-Mint printable. I use a word doc to print the words Peppermint Body Scrub onto the back of my printable so they could know what they received.

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Holiday Popcorn aka Christmas Crack (And Teacher Gift)

It's that time of the year and it's time for teacher gifts. I wanted to make a nice teacher gift for Caden's teacher. I love making popcorn gifts they are easy to make and to put holiday cups and of course add a gift card for coffee!

I made this Holiday Popcorn (aka Christmas Crack) that I found on Mommy of a Monster that worked perfect for what I wanted to do. I packed into some Santa bags I picked up at Walmart and then put into a Santa holiday mug I found at the Dollar Tree. I added a gift card for Starbucks and tied it on with a ribbon. Tada easy and awesome Christmas Git for a Teacher, friend or neighbor.

Here is the full gift I made. I also handed out bags of the holiday popcorn to all of Cole's 6 teachers. And a special mug with a bag of popcorn for Cole's teacher from last year, we miss her so much!!

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Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Tis the Season ... Homemade Butterfingers

Another easy and yummy recipe that can be whipped up and given as a gift.  Who doesn't LOVE homemade candy!  I found some cute Christmas themed bins that I found at the Dollar Tree and packed it up and gave it to the family my women's group adopted for Christmas.

I hit up Winco bulk section for all that I needed.  I've seen this recipe on many sites but I'll give credit to the site I pinned it from, Plain Chicken.

Ingredients:

1 lb. candy corn
16oz jar peanut butter (I used Peter Pan Honey Roasted peanut butter)
16oz pkg. chocolate candy coating

Directions:

Melt candy corn in microwave on high 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking in 15-second intervals til melted, stirring after each interval. Stir in peanut butter. Spread mixture in an 8x8 pan lined with parchment. Cool completely. Cut into squares. Dip in melted chocolate candy coating. Lay on waxed paper to set.

ALEXIS NOTES: I went to the bulk section and picked up candy corn (thanks to the little scale thingy I was able to get the right amount .. I doubled the recipe).  For the chocolate I used chocolate melts these are my favorite and are cheaper then chocolate chips in a bag (16oz equals 2 cups).  I used a silicone mold that I have that made the perfect bars.  I also experimented and used a snowman and gingerbread man silicone mold.  Have fun with it!

Are you already for Christmas?

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Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Tis the Season ... Eggnog and Gingerbread Man Popcorn

Looking for a quick and easy recipe that can double as a gift?  As you know I love to give personal gifts and this one was one I whipped up this up for my women's group ladies.  Popcorn gifts are one of the simplest I have made.  I always do my recipe for Blow Your Mind Microwave Popcorn instead of bag popcorn.  It's easy and it doesn't have all the extras.  I found the perfect flavored Candy Melts at Walmart, also saw them at Micheal's

What You Need:

Popcorn Kernels

- Microwave

- Glass Bowl / Plate (see link for instructions)

Candy Melts - Eggnog Flavor

Pop your popcorn set aside.  Melt your Candy Melts in the microwave, remember it does burn so do it in 30 second increments.  Once melted add to your popcorn and stir it until all the popcorn is coated.  Let it dry on some parchment paper.  Break up and box it up!

Next on the list was a Gingerbread Popcorn.

What You Need:

Popcorn Kernels

- Microwave

- Glass Bowl / Plate (see link for instructions)

Candy Melts - Gingerbread

Gingerbread Men

Pop your popcorn, then break up gingerbread men add to the popcorn and set aside.  Melt your Candy Melts in the microwave, remember it does burn so do it in 30 second increments.  Once melted add to your popcorn and stir it until all the popcorn is coated.  Let it dry on some parchment paper.  Break up and box it up!

I found cute little boxes at the Dollar Tree that I added the finished popcorn and delivered it!

Are you already for Christmas?

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Tis the Season ... Mistle "Toes" (DYI Christmas Gifts 2 Ways)

Looking for a simple gift that is very cute?  I made this gift two different ways, I gave one to each of the boys teachers then I made a set to go to my boss and her daughter.  I just loved the cute little tags.  I just knew they all would love them!

The first set I made and put in a box that I shipped to my bosses, just a little something special that I knew would bring a smile to them.  This one I found on Ivy In the Bay, she has a FREE Printable that was super cute also!

What You Need:

Nail Polish

Lotion

Plastic Bag

Card Stock

Printer

Stapler

Print your label on card stock, cut out.  Add your nail polish and lotion to your bag and attach with the label, staple to close.

I later found this one that I made for the boy's teachers, I wish I would have found this and made it for the box I sent to my bosses.  This one has a little more to it and was also super cute.  This one I found on Our Best Bites, she also has a FREE printable that was cute and simple to cut out and attach.  Now I added a few things to the bag, you can add or not add these items :).

What You Need:

Nail Polish

Fuzzy Socks

Lotion

Nail Polish Remover (I added this)

Nail Kit (I added this)

Card Stock

Printer

Stapler

Place all items in your clear plastic, print out your label on white card stock.  Take a stapler and attach the label on your bag.  Give to someone to make them smile!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Holiday Cheer .... Lump of Coal Gift (Oreo Popcorn)

I am back from Boston!  It was a wonderful work-cation as I love to call it.  Yes I'm working full time but I'm also spending time with my bosses and their kids who are like family to me.  I left on Black Friday and returned late this past Thursday.  It's around a 6 hour flight and 3 hour time difference.  I'm still a little jet lagged and a lot of work to continue so bare with me as I adjust back to real life here at home.

We had a party to go to on Saturday, I worked that am and got done checked my FB Events and it said 2pm so I thought I was fine.  Ran around picking up last minute things to make the gifts for the funny gag type gifts.  Well along came 2pm thinking I would be an hour late I text my friend to find out the party time had been changed to 11am and they were just finishing up.  So I halted took the food I made and headed up to her house.  It worked perfect we missed the party but we were able to play and Santa riding a sleigh pulled by firetrucks stopped by her apartment complex so it wasn't that bad of a day.  I'm left with a few gifts that my friends will be getting son.

The first one I made was a Lump of Coal, I found the idea of Christmas Coal Popcorn on Free Fun Christmas.

I hit up the dollar tree and found a fun stocking that looked like a Santa Suit.  I couldn't find the Santa Bottom like in their picture but I think the stocking was real cute!

What you Need:

Santa Stocking

Clear Bag

Ribbon

Coal Popcorn (see recipe)

Ingredients
2 bags microwave popcorn, popped
1 (6 oz.) box candy canes, crushed
1 pack Oreo® cookies, crushed
1 1/2 packs Almond Bark

1 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract or a few drops of peppermint oil

Directions
1. Melt the white chocolate almond bark according to the directions on the package. Add the 
peppermint extract or oil to the almond bark and pour over popcorn.
2. Pour the popcorn in a very large bowl. Mix in crushed candy canes, Oreo® cookies and 
half of the melted almond bark over the popcorn and stir. Repeat using the remaining 
almond bark.
3. Pour popcorn on waxed paper and allow to harden. Once the popcorn has hardened, 

break into pieces and enjoy!

ALEXIS NOTES: I used my Blow Your Mind Microwave Popcorn instead of Microwave popcorn bags.  I think it's easier and tastier :). I also skipped the peppermint extract just let the candy canes do the flavoring. 

After you make and bag the popcorn (I put mine in a clear bag and tied with a bow, I Goggled Coal Gift Tags and printed and added it to the bags).  I then put the bags of Coal into the Santa Stocking.  I added some stuffing into the bottom to make the stocking to prop the popcorn up.

Hope you are all have an amazing weekend!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Last Minute Christmas Goodies

I'm putting my Friday Christmas movie post on Saturday this week so I can show some treats I made for the boys class and one of the teachers.   Here a few fun things to make that didn't take me until midnight to make ... hehe.

First I needed cupcakes that I signed up for Cole's class.  I of course can't just go pick up a batch at the store because I'm nutty like that.  I found these Ruldoph Cupcakes  (I found a picture only on Cupcakes take the cake, that I took and ran with) and just had to make them.  Now since there wasn't a recipe I had to kind of figure it out myself which really wasn't hard.  

To make these cute guys I first I needed a cupcake to make vanilla cupcake.  I found a recipe on Heidi's Recipe that was simple it used a vanilla cake box base and added vanilla pudding.  I thought it was perfect!

Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

1 package (18.25 ounces) plain yellow or vanilla cake mix
1 package (3.4 ounces) vanilla instant pudding mix
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 dozen cupcake liners

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place 2 dozen paper liners in cupcake pan.
3. Place cake mix, pudding mix, milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are incorporated, 30 seconds.  Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula.  Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes longer, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.  
4. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until muffins are slightly browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the center of one cupcake comes out clean.
6. Cool cupcakes on a wire rack in pan for 15 minutes.  Remove from pan and sit on wire rack until completely cooled.  Frost.

Then to decorate the cupcake this is where I let my imagine go and just made it.  

Need:

Cupcakes

Chocolate Frosting (homemade or store bought)

Wilton Eyes (or you can use white and black gel)

Red Candy 

Vanilla Wafer

Pretzels

I was in a rush so I used store bought chocolate frosting (plus it stays up better since the cupcakes will sit out for a few hours before lunch). Then I added a little frosting to the back of a vanilla wafer.  Attach the wafer to the cupcake.  Break pretzels to look like antlers add on the opposite side of the wafer.  Add the eyes (you can buy at Walmart) or use white gel and add a dot of black (I rather pay a few dollars and they are cute). Then add a little frosting to the red candy and attach to the middle of the wafer for your nose.  Done, I told you easy!

Then on to the cookies for Caden's class, I saw these Reindeer Cookies on pintrest that of course was just a picture so I can't give credit (please forgive me).  

Need:

Nutter Butters

Bag of Chocolate

Pretzels

Wilton Eyes

Red Candy

Melt a bag of chocolate chips (or Wilton Melts), I put in the microwave for 2 minutes.  Be careful so don't burn like I did last year!  Dip the nutter butter in the melted chocolate, once fully coated add to a pan that has wax paper laid on it.  Add the eyes and then the nose.  I broke the pretzels to make the antlers.  Make sure to do this all while the chocolate is wet so everything sticks to it.

Then for the kids I wanted to make treat bags that were fun but also cheap :).  I found these Reindeer Noses on Read Write Sing Blog.  It was just a picture but easy enough to figure out what I needed.

Need:

Malt Balls (Whoppers)

Red Candy (M&M)

Plastic Bag

Red Ribbon

Card

Hole Punch

Add ONE red candy to the bag.  Then add a handful or two of the whoppers.  I put in about 15 whoppers for each bag.  I went on my computer and made a cute little design and then printed on card stock.  Cut them and then added a hole with a hole punch.  I had some red ribbon that I then attached the card and tied the bag with.  Done!  Oh yes simple and I'm sure it will be a hit!

And last on my list is something for Caden's teacher.  I'm giving caramel corn to Cole's teacher but Caden's teacher is on a Gluten Free Diet and I didn't want to give something she won't eat so I found this idea for Scent-sational Teacher Gift.  Another one that didn't come with a link just a picture on Pinterest.  Sorry to whoever had this idea I can't give you credit.

Need:

Candle

Gift Bag

Ribbon

Card / Printer

Put the candle in the gift bag (I used a snowflake one but you can use a clear one).  I printed out the card on card stock and attached with a ribbon.  You can make it smaller which I wish I did but I already cut and didn't want to waste another piece of card stock :).

There you go some fun things you can make up before Christmas next week if you needed an idea :).  The Christmas Movie post will post early tomorrow morning if you need some movie ideas!  Have a VERY Merry Christmas!

Alton Brown's Peanut Butter Fudge

Well a few days ago I showed a peanut butter fudge I made, then a card came in the mail with a very nice gift card from one of Rick's cousins and Rick suggested I make something ... hmmm now I think about that statement I so got played again he gets to reap the rewards and I have to make the treats ... hmmm ok deal with that later .. lol!  So I wanted to make the peanut butter fudge again but then I came across this recipe from Alton Brown that was almost similar but the way to make it in the microwave had an extra step putting saran wrap on it.  I thought well why not try it, it actually came out a little smoother.  I didn't taste (due to the diet) but my tester tried and said they really liked it.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan
• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pound powdered sugar

Directions

Combine the butter and peanut butter in a 4-quart microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 2 minutes on high. Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. (Use caution when removing this mixture from the microwave, it will be very hot.) Add the vanilla and powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. The mixture will become hard to stir and lose its sheen. Spread into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Fold the excess parchment paper so it covers the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool, about 2 hours. Cut into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Alexis Note ** I used my silicone pan that made it easy to have them in bricks that I cut into squares. **

I hope you enjoy another easy recipe you can throw together for any party this weekend.

And find these cute bins at the Dollar Tree

Makes it fun to give out!

Girlie Gift Ideas

I have two fun gifts to make that are on the girl side it can be for a teen or for us ahh hmmm or us wiser in years moms or ladies.  These are simple and inexpensive gifts to make!  I made one for the Christmas Exchange and one for my bosses teen daughter.

I some how have deleted the before picture with everything I put into this Pamper Me Jar (found on Practically Living) so forgive me for it. 

What you need:

Fuzzy Socks

Bubble Bath

Lotion

Chocolate (I picked a two different kinds)

A large Mouth Mason Jar

Paper & Ink Printer (to make the label)

Next on my list was a gift I made for my bosses teen daughter but heck I say any mom or lady would like this!  It was simple to make and you can bases on their favorite color.  I found this idea on Life in Thrifty Lane.

What you need:

Nail Polish Remover

Nail Polish

Emery Board(s)

Toe Separators (for painting)

Nail Scrubber

Bubble Gum or Candy

Clear Bag (or for the holiday)

I hope you enjoy and maybe brighten up someone days with one of these gifts.