Christmas Card Holder DIY Project

Now for a fun DIY project, I've made a Christmas Holly Wreath Card Holder before that was fun. Well it's no where to be found so off to make a new one. And of course I can't make the same one I made last year so on the Google search I went and found this one. I took a twist and made one.

What you need:

Tomato Plant Cage (Either in Red or Green) - Found at Lowe's $7.99

Christmas Plate - Found at Dollar Tree $1

Christmas Lights White - Found at Dollar Tree $1

Clips (binder clips) - Found at Dollar Tree Festive Clothing Pins $1 each package 4 used

Santa Hat - Found at Dollar Tree $1

Hot Glue Gun

I had my husband cut off the bottom of the plant cage I only needed 3 rings and it had 4 and was too tall. He also cut the top for me so it wasn't so far from the Santa hat to the cards. On the pointy ends, I pulled them together and topped with the Santa hat, this also makes all sharp edges covered up. I strung the lights through the rings, the lights I found at the Dollar tree was only 5 feet which sounded like a lot until I tried to put on. Next time I would buy two or a larger string of lights. The festive clothing pins I found where attached to twine so I took them off the twine and my youngest then attached to the top two rings. I found small clothing pins that had Christmas Tree's and Snow flakes so we alternated between the two on each row. The bottom ring I took my hot glue gun and put a ring of glue and then quickly since the glue was drying quick I attached the plate. I found if I didn't have my husband take that bottom ring off the plate would have been too small. The third ring was just right, I then took the glue gun and used it almost like a seal and went around the ring to make sure all together. And you're done, took me only about 20 min to make at the most and easy to attach the cards that have come in so far.

 

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Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Lollipop's

Here is a cute and quick idea you can whip up for the kids stockings or neighbors.  I made these for Caden's classmates.  I only had about 20 red lollipops so a few reindeer's had brown noses ... lol darn grab bags of lollipops you can't count on the correct # of red. I found this idea with a FREE template on Bris Bane Kids.

What You Need:

Card Stock - Green (4 per sheet)

Red Lollipop's

Glue (I used Hot Glue Gun to attach)

Scissors

Printer

Print the template on card stock (this makes it easier to cut and hold up when gluing). Cut out your reindeer's and cut out the center for the nose.  This is the time consuming part, I had 26 to make let's just say I sat up in bed for a long time cutting and catching up on my DVR of Christmas shows :). Take a little glue to attach to your lollipop.  I love my glue gun so I used that just be careful and don't burn yourself. Let them dry and bam you're done!  If you would really like you could add a little ribbon but I was already to long into this gift.

Merry Christmas Eve :)!

Thanks for Stopping by!

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

Basic 7 Layer Bars with an Extra Ingredient!

I love to make treats for my friends as part of a Christmas gift.  I was listening to Spirit 105.3 a radio station here for Christmas music and heard the host talk about these bars she makes every year that are a hit!  I went on a google search and found the recipe for Basic Seven Layers Bars on Chow.  Easy recipe now I added White chocolate chips because they are my favorite and doubled the recipe!

Basic Seven  Eight Layer Bars

Ingredients

• 8 whole graham crackers (about 4 ounces), broken in half
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into 4 pieces
• 1 1/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut (about 4 ounces)
• 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or any combination (about 6 ounces)
• 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts, such as pecans or almonds
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. Place the graham crackers in a resealable plastic bag, press out the air, and seal, leaving about 1 inch unsealed. Using a rolling pin, roll over the crackers until they are fine, uniform crumbs (you should have about 1 cup of crumbs). Alternatively, you can place the crackers in a food processor fitted with a blade attachment and process for about 1 minute.
3. Place the butter in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and place in the oven until the butter has melted, about 10 minutes.
4. Remove the dish from the oven and tilt it so the butter evenly coats the bottom. Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the butter, then sprinkle the coconut over the crumbs. Sprinkle the chocolate, peanut butter, white chocolate, or butterscotch chips over the coconut, then sprinkle the nuts over the chips. Evenly drizzle the condensed milk over all of the layers.
5. Bake until golden brown around the edges and springy to the touch, about 20 to 30 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely. Cut into 24 squares and serve.

ALEXIS NOTES: I used Chocolate Chips, Butterscotch Chips and White Chips making 8 ingredients used.

I must say these were a HUGE hit my own girlfriend was so funny I gave her treats at church then when I went to an evening service to give my other friend her gift my first friend tried to snag the box of these .. lol.  Even my friends husband and daughter told me how good they are and to make sure to give them the recipe.

Merry Christmas! I promise these will be a yearly treat!

Thanks for Stopping by!

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

Santa Cookies (Nutter Butter)

Wow it's almost Christmas so it's time for Classroom treats!! Here are the cute Santa's I made for Caden's class.  I found these super cute Santa's on Phaedra's Adventures.  These are actually pretty easy to make, takes a little big of time but so cute!  Here is a step by step tutorial.

What you Need:

Nutter Butters

Wilton Red Melts

Wilton White Melts

Shredded Coconut

Mini Chocolate Chips

Red Hots

Parchment Paper

Piping Bag

I melt my chocolate melts in the microwave for 1 min 30 seconds.  BE CAREFUL not to burn! I melt my melts in my pampered chef glass bowls they are amazing for this.  Take a Nutter Butter and dip in Red for the top of the hat. Place on parchment paper to harden.  I use a plastic piping bag melt the white melts in the microwave.  I added the fir on the red hat and a dot for the end of the hat.  Let this harden, then to the bottom of the cookie.  I melted the white melts in my other pampered chef glass bowl and dipped the bottom of the cookie in the white for the beard.  BEFORE it dries add some coconut for the fuz of a beard.  I then pipped a little white to hold the eyes and the nose.  For the eyes you use mini chocolate chips and a red hot for a nose.  I picked up some plastic bags from the dollar tree for Caden to share with each classmate.

Thanks for Stopping by!

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

Merry Christmas Eve

Click here to view this video

This is a funny 7 Second Video of me and my co-worker Teri at our last event.  We had a Flip Book station.  To make the book you made a 7 second video of funny faces, the camera then took like 50 photos that then was made it a flip book that made the photos come to life when you flipped through the book!!

Merry Christmas All!

God Bless you all and I pray you all have an amazing day!

Tis the Season ... Reindeer Hot Cocoa & Snowman Soup

Can you believe it's almost Christmas?  The boys last day before the break is Friday so I am trying to get a jump on the gifts for his classmates.  I found 2 really simple gifts to make.

I found These super cute Reindeer Hot Cocoa idea on pinterest, but the ones I clicked linked to a picture not a post so I'm sorry for not giving credit to who created this idea.

Need:

Plastic Cone Bags (Found 100 on Amazon for $13)

Hot Cocoa Mix (bought mine in bulk section at Winco)

Mini Marshmallows

Brown Pipe Cleaners (Cut mine in half)

Googly Eyes

Red Pom Pom

Glue

Fill your cone bag with hot cocoa (I found about 1 cup was the right amount) top with a handful of mini marshmallows.  Tie the top of the bag (I used tap to secure it shut).  Cut the pipe cleaner in half twist around the top of bag, use your fingers to form the antlers.  Glue on the googly eyes and the red pom pom for the nose.  Let it sit so the glue is dry before handing out.

Last on my list was Snowman Soup, there are several post out there but I went with the one I found on Funky Polkadot Giraffe that had a really cute free printable you could use, she also linked to a printable that was super cute that had an old fashion Christmas feel but I was running low on ink and didn't want to print 25 of them.

Need:

1 packet of cocoa
mini-marshmallows
mini candy canes
Hersey Kisses

Printable Label

Clear Bag

Add all to the clear bag, staple the label to close the bag up.

ALEXIS NOTES: I found Cocoa that had the marshmallows already in it so I skipped putting it in the bag.  I copied her printable she made and pasted into a word doc where I shrunk it down so I could print 8 per page, I'm all about the saving of money.  I used white card stock paper.

Are you doing any classroom gifts?

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

Holiday Cheer ... Mini Sausage Wreath

Next on the my list to make for the party was some party food.  I saw this idea for a Mini Sausage Wreath on Free N Fun (this is a great site for many cool ideas).   This was one of the simplest things I've made, Caden actually did all the rolling of the mini pigs in a blanket and helped make the ring to look like a wreath.  He loved it and I loved the help.  The only hard part was making a pepper shaped into a ribbon.  My ribbon wasn't beautiful but it gave the right look so people at least knew what it was .. lol.

Ingredients

Mini Sausages

Refrigerated Crescent Dough Rolls

Red Bell Pepper

Diced Rosemary

1/3 cup Butter

1/2 cup BBQ Sauce

1/2 cup Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to the temperature specified on the package of Refrigerated Crescent Dough Rolls. Drain the liquid off of the mini sausages.
2. Unroll the crescent dough and separate at the perforations to create 4 rectangles. Press together the remaining perforation in each rectangle. With a knife or pizza cutter, cut each rectangle lengthwise into 8 strips making a total of 32 strips.
3. Wrap one strip of dough around each mini sausage. Lay out the crescent-wrapped sausages with their sides touching on an ungreased cookie sheet in a circle forming a wreath shape.
4. Bake for 11-15 minutes or until golden brown. Melt 1/3 cup of butter and brush the butter on top of the crescent-wrapped sausages. Sprinkle the rosemary on top of the butter.
5. Cut a red bell pepper into a bow shape for garnish. Combine the BBQ sauce and cranberry sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until heated through. Serve with wreath for dipping.

ALEXIS NOTES: I skipped the rosemary.  The sauce I must admit was not for me, and most of the kids skipped it too.  It looked so pretty when it was done, I was very pleased with mine and Caden's creation!

Hope you are all have a great day!

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. 

It was a Merry Christmas

It was an amazing holiday and celebration for with the family. My blessings started a few days early then the day.  As many of you know my husband's car engine died and we had been trying to figure out what to do.  My amazing bosses told me to tow it to a shop to have it looked out and find out how much we would need to get it up and running.  Sadly the extent that it needed was a lot and really not worth it.  So my bosses went over and beyond and surprised me with a new car!  They blessed me so much I can't even say in words how much they are special and answered my prayers.  I am so excited to show off my new 2009 Jetta Wagon.  It even has leather and heated seats, being the cheap girl I am my car didn't have any bells and whistles (Ricks' did but not mine).  It is so nice to have 2 reliable cars and things are really started to turn around here!  We have one more announcement to make but I want to wait a few more days just to let it happen so I can make sure it is what is to be.

We had a fabulous Christmas, this year has been a rough one financial so I was buying little things here and there to make sure we had gifts come Christmas.  I saved and got some great deals on Black Friday also.  Rick and I just kept it low key for this year and enjoyed the kids opening gifts.  One of Rick's cousins sent a Gift Card for the movies and we took the whole family Christmas Day to a movie, it was great to have the card that paid for the whole experience.  What a Great day!  Hope you all had a blessed day and enjoyed your family!

Christmas Eve we saw my parents who gave the boys gifts.

Rick stayed up ALL night and built the lego's Planes & Trucks.

Santa Cookies & our Christmas Eve PJ's.

The boys enjoyed opening gifts!

Mom & Dad and the Mess to clean up!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Yet another round of Christmas Movies

As you all know now I have a slight obsession with Christmas Movies, I love them they always make me see the good in people and put cheer in my heart.  I'm trying to show case some brand new and some I haven't seen before and haven't posted about in past years.  My favorite channels are Hallmark, Lifetime and GMC.  You can catch one almost any time of the day and thankfully most run a few times :).  So set your DVR's and here we go!

Baby's First Christmas | Hallmark Channel - This was a cute movie about a baby of course to be born on Christmas.  There is a contest, a scrooge type and of course to throw in the sides at times loss of jobs and loosing of a house.  And of course the miracle of people who reach out and help all.  I really liked this one and not one I've seen before.

The Merry In-Laws - Lifetime - Talk about tink me pink, almost like a Cheer's reunion!  Ok for you who don't know do you live under a rock .. lol.  Cheer's was one of my favorite shows you just had to love Norm and well Diane always drove me nuts but hey it was super cute to see them together.  A fun movie about the rational thinkers who don't believe oh yes a fun movie!

Christmas With Holly - Hallmark - Oh this movie will make you a little teary but it will touch your heart.  To have amazing family that would step in and care for your child if God Forbid something happens to you.  A very touching story!

The Real St. Nick - Lifetime - This will make you laugh and you will fall in love with St. Nick who some may think is a nut but you will come to find out there is a deeper story there!

Christmas Town – gmc -What happens when we just need to have a little faith and believe.  What a cute story of a busy single mom who may need just a little bit of Christmas cheer.  Her father moves to a town all about Christmas.  Very cute movie, with a reminder to sometimes slow down.

The Secret Of Giving - watchgmctv.com – gmc  - Now I'm not a big fan of westerns or movies anything like it. BUT I do like Reba and I think her voice is very beautiful so I just had to watch this movie.  It had some shoot them up and bad guys but it always had a love and Christmas spirit that touched the heart.

The Perfect Holiday - Lifetime - This is a twist on the ones we've seen before with a Christmas Angel that is maybe pulling some strings to bring those together.  A fun movie, maybe not one I would want to watch again but it had a good meaning behind it.

Hope you all have a wonderful Weekend and maybe find a movie to watch with the family.

More Christmas Movies to Enjoy!

It's that time of the week again a list of the Christmas movies I watched over the week and had to share with you my friends.  Remember the best channels to check out this time of year are Lifetime, Hallmark and my NEW favorite GMC.

 

Will You Merry Me? - myLifetime.com - This was so cute and a great way to see the merging of two different cultures for the holiday.  Plus it had two of my favorite actresses playing the moms.  It's so true we may fight but we are family :).

Come Dance with Me | Hallmark Channel - We have seen a version of this movie before but you will love the Holiday twist to it.  Plus I just love Andrew McCarthy (so love my 80's movies).  Money may bring you things but happiness may be lead to you in a different direction.

Kid Who Loved Christmas - gmc TV -Talk about an all Star cast you have Sammy Davis Jr., Vanessa Williams even there for a short period.  A great story about an orphan being adopted by a man who just lost his wife and the trials and tribulations he goes threw to get him.  And even a Christmas miracle.

Holly's Holiday - Lifetime - A girl learns that maybe Mr. Perfect isn't so perfect and what we may need is right in front of us.  A super cute movie.

Help for the Holidays | Hallmark Channel - Can a elf restore Christmas to a family that has lost the spirit?  What a cute movie and you get to see Eva La Rue (since they cancelled my CSI Miami with out a finally it was nice to see her again).  And even a touch of romance.

All About Christmas Eve - myLifetime.com - What a moment can do, it really can change the way your life can go.  A great movie of two paths that could be and finding oneself. 

Christmas Song | Hallmark Channel - Almost in a Glee style fashion is this Christmas movie lot's of singing and some love stories of course.  Very cute movie!

The Christmas Secret - Hallmark Channel - What a  cute movie about a man who wants to prove reindeer fly.  Along the way he finds out the true meaning of Christmas and the love of family.

I hope you enjoy them and may find one or more you would like to enjoy!!

Another week of Christmas Movies ...

I have more Christmas Movies that I have to share with you all!  I hope you find one you may want to watch or one you never heard about!

Love at the Christmas Table (Lifetime) - This was an ok movie, Usually you know me I love all Christmas movies but this one kind of dragged on in parts.  About a boy and a girl that come together every Christmas.  If your a The Wonder Years Fan you'll love this has the actress that played Winnie Cooper.  If you have spare time and want a holiday movie it could be your answer :).

Hitched for the Holiday's (Hallmark) - I'm a sucker for Joey Lawrence and he was cute in this movie.  We've seen this theme before but it was a cute movie about not being lonely at the holidays plus the pressure of family and with someone for the holidays.

The Heart of Christmas - gmc TV - I'm so loving this new channel I found if you can get it I suggest you do!  It made me cry and really shows you the true meaning of faith.  It was nice to see this mom who blogged about her sick child that touched so many lives.  This is a true story. It may be hard for some to watch, but I truly found it to be a movie that was moving and heartfelt.  My heart goes out to families with sick children and my prayers are always with them.  If you can give to St. Jude's Hospital, they help so many!

 

A Bride for Christmas | Hallmark Channel - This was a cute movie with a theme we have seen before with a bet about a girl.  But it all turns out to be the right move all.  Very cute movie!

Christmas with a Capital C gmc TV  - This is a GREAT movie about the true meaning of Christmas! The movie is from a great Christian song from the same title.  On my NEW favorite station GMC, check it out if you have not yet!! What we make it and how we treat others.  I like a moment in their where the pastor talks about statues being like idols instead of what they are meant to be.  It was heartfelt and a real tear jerk-er   Just remember you may not always know what is going on with others around you!

Miracle of the Cards | gmc TV - This True story brought me to tears about a little boy with a brain tumor I think I even remember this chain letter to send letters for him to break the Guinness world record.  What a great story of faith and the motivation of a mother to bring strength to her son!

Finding Mrs. Claus - Lifetime -  This was a funny take on Mrs. Claus feels a little left out she hits Las Vegas to help a little girl find a husband for her mom.  It has some cute moments and a story I haven't seen before.  It won't make you cry but it will make you laugh.

Christmas Snow | gmc – uplifting ... - Now this is a tear Jerk-er towards the end.  The scrooge Chief gets a special guest who turns out to be a special angel sent to her to make things right in her life.  Great life lessons and making the best of life and learning the meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Box |  gmc TV - A movie that leads a family that is being torn apart by putting business before family.  Moving in with a elderly woman that teaches them that they need to be more about family.  Along the way she teaches the all business day to slow down and the true meaning of Christmas.  Yes you may cry a little at this one.

Jingle and Bell's Christmas Star | Hallmark Channel - And one last one for the kids!  If you have been seeing the Hallmark ads for their book with Jingle who barks during the book you will know this little guy Jingle.  The boys really enjoyed this one.  I'm not much one for animated animals all the time but this sure was cute!

Hope you find a movie you may not have seen yet and snuggle up and enjoy it!  Have some hot chocolate for me (still on my diet and can't have it) and maybe a few yummy treats!  Have a great weekend!!