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.

Teacher Appreciation Gift ... You're Awesome to the Core!

Onto our next Teacher gift, another one that would be perfect any time of year even the end of the year gift.  I found a great post on Shaken Together for Fruit Filled Teacher's Gifts.  I used the Awesome to the Core one.

The PTF suggested fresh fruit for one of the days and this worked perfect.  So simple but so awesome!

What you need:

Apple

Cupcake Liner

Clear Bag

Ribbon

Card Stock

Wash your apple (I know it seems to be a no brainer but just in case).  Dry off apple, put the apple in a cupcake liner.  I used one that was a shiny silver to give it a little pop.  Put in a clear Bag, I find mine at the Dollar Tree 25 pack for $1.  They are the best I've come across so far.  I had some left over apple ribbon from a gift I made for a teacher last year.  I wanted to jazz up the printable a little so I took her idea and added on.  I did a Google Search for Clipart Apples and copied it into word document.  Added the wording and printed onto a 5x7 cardstock paper I had on hand.  I punched a hole with my hole punch and added to the ribbon on the bag.

Take less than 5 minutes to make but so cute!

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

Unique Gift Time ... House Warming Gift

A while back a friend from high school got married and bought a new house.  I wanted to do something fun as usual not the normal gift card or a bottle of wine.  So I went on my favorite google search and found a housewarming bucket on Hoosier Party Girl. Simple enough to do, most items can be picked up at the Dollar Tree or Grocery Outlet (a bargain Market here in town).

What You Need:

• Spic & Span Spray
• Spic & Span Liquid
• Palmolive Dishwasher Detergent
• Brillo Pads
• Magic Erasers
• Matches
• Rubber Gloves
• Air freshener
• Light Bulbs
• Furniture Polish Wipes
• Pledge
• Trash Bags
• Duct Tape
• Scented Jar Candle
• Fly Swatters
• Extension Cord
• Level
• Nails (I put a picture hanging kit)
• Measuring Tape
• Furniture Pads
• Lighter
• Champagne – a new house is something to be celebrated!
• Glasses for Champagne!
• Bucket

Happy New Year!

Thanks for Stopping by!

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

Unique Gift Time ... Slumber Party Kit (Girl Birthday Gift)

The 2nd gift I made fort the 2nd birthday party (It was a party for a brother and sister).  The brother got the Fort Kit.  For her I knew her mom was going to be a slumber party with her cousins.  So I thought why not make up a basket for her slumber party.  

It was a simple one to make but very cute and a hit with the girls!

What You Need:

Large Popcorn Bin

Popcorn

Popcorn Bags

Glow Sticks

Cookie Mix

Cupcake Mix

Nail Polish

Nail Decals

Nail Polishing Kit

Lip Gloss

Makeup

Snacks / Candy

Put it all together in the bin, print a cute label and your done.  SIDE note make sure you write slumber party correct.  I was in such a hurry I forgot the m and added to b's LOL.

Happy New Year!

Thanks for Stopping by!

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

Unique Gift Time ... Fort Kit (Boy Birthday Gift)

This past weekend we had 2 parties to go to, I wanted to make something fun and not just the normal store bought gift. I googled boy gifts dyi and came across a few sites with Fort Kits (I'll link to one I found on The Painted Home, ton of them on the net and I'm sure I'm not linking to the person who created it but I've had enough nasty grams so I'm linking what I found lol), simple enough to make.  I then printed a tag to attach to the bag that I found on a cool tag on All for the Boys that I printed on card stock and attached with ribbon.

This was a simple but such a cool gift, was a huge hit (well at least with the mom's around who saw it, I bet the kids later will be thinking it was cool).

Materials:

- 2 twin top-sheets

- Rope

- Clothespins/Clips

- Suction Cups

- Flashlight

- Glow-sticks

- Notebook

- Batteries to put in Flashlight

- Treats (Beef Jerky & Cookies etc)

- Bag to put everything in! 

ALEXIS NOTES: I bought one sheet ($7.99 at Fred Meyers), the rest of the items I found at the Dollar Tree.  Gift cost around $20.00.  Put all items in the bag (I found a laundry bag it was perfect).  I tied it with a ribbon and added my printable tag I found and ready to gift!

Happy New Year!

Thanks for Stopping by!

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. 

Pumpkin Pie Popcorn

Next on my pumpkin list is Pumpkin Pie Popcorn, I found several recipes but went with the one I found on Family Bites.  It was a simple recipe, the only hard part is the putting in the oven and checking and stirring every 20 minutes.

OK this is what I learned READ the recipe I accidentally went with 350°F instead of 250°F on my first batch.  I also found a tin disposable pan was easier to do the stirring instead of cookie sheet.  My first batch was a little darker then I would like.  It was still tasty but not perfect!

LOL I just noticed the glow from y computer fan made this looks crazy :).

Pumpkin Pie Popcorn (adapted from Orangette)

• 10 cups air popped popcorn, salted
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup light corn syurp
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Coat a large mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray, and dump the popcorn into the bowl, taking care to pick out and discard any unpopped kernels.

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, salt, and 2 tablespoons of water.

Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Continue to simmer, whisking often, and bring to a boil.  Allow the mixture to boil for about 2 minutes, whisking occasionally. Immediately remove the pan from the heat, and whisk in the baking soda and pumpkin pie spice.

Quickly pour the hot caramel over the popcorn. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the caramel into the popcorn, taking care to distribute it as evenly as you can. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 1 hour, stirring and turning the popcorn with a spatula every 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, and place on a cooling rack for 20 minutes. Gently break up the popcorn, and serve.

I made extra so I could take some to Boston for my co workers and bosses.  One of my co-worker has been asking for treats so I thought I'd bring some when I go this week. Let's hope they travel well.

Hope you are all have an amazing week!

Thanks for Stopping by!

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

Any Thanksgiving Plans?