Sunday, November 30, 2008

Christmas Tree Pin

Here's a fast little project that's perfect for a stocking stuffer! All you need is some craft wire (I use any in the 20-something guage range), seed beads, E-beads, plastic star, metal tie tack (which you can buy in packages at any craft store), craft glue, and needle-nose craft pliers.


Using a 2-foot length of wire (approximate), bend a small, tight loop in one end - this is to wrap around the tie tack, which you'll do later. Referring to the pictures above, make a right-angle turn and slip one seed bead, one E-bead, and another seed beed on the wire. Make another right-angle turn in the opposite direction. Repeat the beads. Continue making turns, but make each "branch" longer than the preceding one, and add a couple more beads (starting and stopping with seed beads). Don't add too many beads to a row - you want them to slide back and forth to give the Christmas Tree Pin some motion. Add some narrowing turns without beads at the bottom for a "trunk." Slip a tie tack into the top loop and crimp with the pliers. If it's still loose, use some craft glue to anchor it. Glue a star onto the tie tack. I made envelopes out of scrapbooking paper (use a small pre-made envelope as a template), and cut cardstock to fit the envelope. Attach the pin to the cardstock and insert into the envelope for a cute presentation! My coworker, Janell, and I made tons of these last year. They are fun to make and to give!


Friday, November 28, 2008


Happy Thanksgiving Day! Today is my day to cook - my sons go to their wife's/GF's for Thanksgiving. Here's a recipe for a delicious cranberry sauce that I've been making for years. It will be wonderful for Christmas as well.

Cranberry-Pear Chutney
This ruby-colored chutney can be made up to 3 weeks ahead and stored in airtight jars in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. It also makes a great hostess gift when packed in small, decorative glass jars. Serve with turkey, pork, ham.
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 3-inch cinnamon sticks
1 12-ounce package fresh cranberries
2 cups peeled, chopped Bosc pear (about 3 medium)
1 cup peeled, chopped Granny Smith apple (about 1 medium)
3/4 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Combine first six ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop. Stir in pear, apple, raisins, onion and ginger; cook 20 minutes or until fruit is tender. Remove from heat; stir in juice. Cool to room temperature, and discard cinnamon. Cover and chill.
Yield: 4 ¾ cups (serving size: ¼ cup)

Monday, November 24, 2008

Sunday, November 23, 2008

My first real post!

Ok - I really want to thank Sherrie from Booming Aprons for putting my blog together. I asked her for some help and bada-bing, bada-bang! she had done all this! So I'm new at this and still have to figure everything out, but wanted to give Sherrie a Big Hug Thanks for getting me going. So....back to finishing my remaining 2008 swaps.....more later!

Friday, November 21, 2008

What is my interest in Aprons?

What is your interest in Aprons?
I wear them, I make them
What my favorite Apron looks like:
My favorite apron right now is the one I got in my very first Apron Swap, made by Leah G.!
It's green ginham, pink solid, and coordinating print. I wear it all the time!