DIY Microwave Heat Pack

If you’re looking for an easy sewing project for holiday or any gift giving occasion, this Microwave HEAT PACK instructions and labels is the perfect solution.

It’s made with cotton and flannel fabric and filled with rice which can withstand repeated heating in the microwave.  There’s sewn in ties to keep the Pack nicely folded for easy storage, and labels that can be printed on card stock and tied onto the Pack or printed on iron on transfer paper and ironed on (as pictured).

It’s a great way to use up your scrap fabric.  You could also make a larger one and use it as a heated lap cover for the cold winter months.  This would be perfect for older seniors.

I have a rice pack I made over 10 years ago!  I store mine in the freezer.  My husband uses it to cool down in the summer, and we microwave it when we need it heated.

 

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DIY Holiday Scented Air Fresheners

A couple of years back I gave away four sets of these 1 ounce bottles of air fresheners.   With the holidays fast approaching I thought I would share the recipes for these wonderful smelling room sprays so you can make some for yourself to enjoy or give as gifts.   The recipe makes 1 ounce, but you can easily adjust the Oils to make more.

I am also including the labels I used which can be printed on paper and taped on or printed on a 8 ½” X 11” label sheet.

Pomander Air Freshener Recipe

The aroma is sweet and warming like orange and clove pomanders.   It’s perfect for fall and Thanksgiving.

20 drops Orange Essential Oil

4 drops Clove Essential Oil

2 drops Pine Essential Oil

1 drop peach/orange coloring

Place the Essential Oils and coloring into a spray bottle and fill with distilled water. Turn the bottle several times to mix. Turn the bottle several times before using.

Candy Cane Air Freshener Recipe

This smells just like candy canes, nice and pepperminty!   It’s uplifting and rejuvenating…perfect for getting through all the holiday shopping, baking and decorating.

18 drops Peppermint Essential Oils

4 drops Wintergreen Essential Oils

3 drops Rosemary Essential Oils

1 drop red food coloring

Place the Essential Oils and coloring into a spray bottle and fill with distilled water.  Turn the bottle several times to mix. Turn the bottle several times before using.

Oh, Christmas Tree Air Freshener Recipe

Smells like freshly cut pine trees!   Spray the room before decorating the Christmas Tree or any time during the Christmas season.

23 drops Pine Needle Essential Oil

2 drops Clove Essential Oil

1 drop green food coloring

Place the Essential Oils and coloring into a spray bottle and fill with distilled water. Turn the bottle several times to mix. Turn the bottle several times before using.

Here’s the HOLIDAY AIR FRESHENER paper labels (pdf), that also includes my Sweet Dreams label…here’s the recipe:

DIY Sweet Dreams Air Freshener Recipe

This is perfect when you need to relax after a hectic day of shopping or when you need to fall asleep.  Spray it on your pillows and bedding.  You can also spray into a tissue and inhale deeply.

18 drops Lavender Essential Oil

  2 drops Clove Essential Oil

  3 drops Patchouli Essential Oil

  1 drop purple or any color of food coloring

Place the Essential Oils and coloring into a spray bottle and fill with distilled water.  Turn the bottle several times to mix. Turn the bottle several times before using.

Happy Holidays!

Gift Giving Christmas Ideas

If you’re still in need of some easy homemade gifts to make for Christmas, here’s some suggestions.

Homemade Christmas Scent Potpourri

I love this idea of filling a jar with fresh citrus slices and spices! The recipient simply adds the contents into a pan and simmers it on the stove. Mmm, bet it smells marvelous! It’s on my to do list. Here’s the link: http://twofrugalgals.com/2013/12/11/diy-christmas-scent-potpourri/

Bird Seed Wreath

I made this for my mom last year. It was easy and fun to make. Here’s the link: http://www.themotherhuddle.com/tutorial-bird-seed-wreath

Homemade Pop Tarts

How cute are these! What child wouldn’t want to pop these in the toaster. It’s on my list of things I want to try for the grandkids. Here’s the link: http://familysays.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/homemade-pop-tarts/

Homemade Kahlua

I made and gifted this recipe last year. It’s really easy to make and tastes great! Here’s the link: http://www.homemadegiftguru.com/homemade-kahlua.html

Homemade Coffee and Almond Caramel Corn

A perfect companion to the Homemade Kahlua. Here’s the link: http://www.homemadegiftguru.com/caramel-popcorn-recipe.html

Last year I made the Coffee and Almond Caramel Corn for my kids using my puffed caramel corn recipe and it turned out great! I just added a little coffee extract to the recipe and added chocolate covered coffee beans and almonds after it cooled…yummy!  https://pegsgottado.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/carmel-corn/

Sweet and Spicy Nut and Pretzel Mix

For those who likes things on the spicy side, this snack mix does the trick! Here’s the link: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/sweet-spicy-nut-pretzel-mix-50400000125444/

Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Bites

Here’s another treat the kids will love. They’re quick and easy to make from pre-packaged Rice Krispie Bars. Here’s the link:

https://pegsgottado.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/my-chocolate-covered-rice-krispie-bites/

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Here’s a healthier alternative for the kids. Here’s the link:

https://pegsgottado.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/peanut-butter-granola-bars/

Homemade Soups, Breads, Casseroles and more

Homemade food items make great Christmas gifts.  My husband and I make large batches of our “specialty” recipes like hamburgers, chili, buffalo chicken chili, pizza soup, barley soup, baked ziti, lasagna, bagels, etc.  We label and freeze them in plastic and foil containers to give to employees and family as gifts.  What’s also nice about this is that our freezer get stocked up too! 

Melted Crayon Shapes

My daughter made these heart shaped crayons for Valentines with her kids. They would make a nice Christmas gift too using old muffin tins or cookie cutters wrapped with foil. Here’s the link: https://pegsgottado.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/valentines-day-heart-shaped-crayons/

Felt Snowman

Any child would love to have one of these cute snowmen that they can put out every Christmas. They’re quick and easy to make. Here’s the link:

https://pegsgottado.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/my-felt-snowman-friends/

Kids Seatbelt Pillows

These kids seatbelt pillows are really popular now. They’re great to have for those long trips and can be made from their favorite cartoon character fabric. They’re easy and inexpensive to make. Here’s the link:

https://pegsgottado.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/my-seatbelt-pillows-for-kids/

Hope these ideas help!

My Paper Christmas Wreaths

My theme for Christmas this year is going to be “presents”, and this Christmas wreath made from double sided wrapping paper fits the theme perfectly!  I wish I could take credit for the design, but I can’t.  I found it at ribbonsandglue and just knew I had to make one.  

Here’s how I made my wrapping paper wreath:

Materials:

Double sided wrapping paper (3 – 4 rolls, or however many designs you want)

Double stick tape

Glue gun

Cardboard (for a 12” circle)

Christmas bulbs

Cut the wrapping paper into 6” wide strips.

From the strips of wrapping paper, you’ll need to cut 16 – 6” X 6” pieces and 16 – 4” X 6” pieces.  Depending upon how tight you make the cone bottoms, you may need more.  I made my bottoms open about a 1/2” rather than pointed.

Make cones from each piece.  I added a piece of double stick tape on a corner, rolled it into a cone, removed the backing and sealed it.  You can also use a hot glue gun, but I found this to be a lot easier.

Cut a 12” cardboard circle.  I used one of the cake boards I had left from making my mini cupcake stand project. Draw a 6” circle in the center.   Arrange the 6” cones along the marked line and secure it to the cardboard with double stick tape or hot glue.

Arrange and then tape or glue the 4” cones in between the 6” cones.

Hot glue a variety of Christmas bulbs in the center as desired.  You can get a canister of varied sized ornaments at Walmart at a reasonable price.

Determine where to apply a hanger, then punch a hole in the cardboard and add a wire hanger.  That’s it!  Now I can’t wait to hang it on my mantle for the holidays.   

Here’s one I made from some embossed wallpaper I had.  To give it the shimmer, I wiped the cones with  gold paint.  I filled the center with glittery poinsettias I cut from an unused centerpiece.

Here’s a close up showing the painted and unpainted cones.

Here’s my wrapping paper wreath over my mantle…so blessed to have all these stockings to fill!

Here’s the wallpaper wreath Christmas display.

These paper wreaths are really FUN to make.  They make wonderful gifts too.

Here’s another wrapping paper one I made to give to my daughter to hang in her new home for Christmas.

I’m also making one for my Mother for a Christmas gift using scrapbook paper in colors to go with her decor. And instead of adding bulbs in the center I’m adding a multi-layered sign that says “MOM”. 

A Great Christmas and Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and a Happy New Year!   Well, our Christmas Eve party turned out really nice.

My cupcake stands worked really well. To give them some height I taped them to inverted mixing bowls.

 My grandsons surprised me with these plates they decorated.  They were just what I needed to display the extra cupcakes.

Caden enjoyed the cupcakes…or should I say the icing. Kids, they always go for the icing first!  

The giant candy decorations I filled with treats and trinkets were a success.   It was fun watching the kids tear them open…wish I took pictures.

 Santa made an appearance at the party too.    He’s a friend of the family who visits several houses every Christmas Eve. What do you think of his suit?   I made it for him a few years ago…that was a challenge but as you can see, it was well worth it. 

Last minute Christmas decoration

 My husband, Lou, said we needed “something” on the wall above our sofa to complete our family room decorations.   I loved the Christmas card my daughter sent with the kids all dressed up for the holidays, so I asked her for the originals.   I found the ones I liked best and had this 16 X 20 poster made online at Wallmart.com.   I was able to pick it up at our local store that very day too!   My daughter staged and took these pictures herself in their home…didn’t she do a great job!   LOVE THEM.

My kids gave me an iPad for Christmas!   I made the mistake of downloading this Bingo Bash game.   It’s so addictive, I can’t stop playing it!! :)   My daughters and I have been playing Words With Friends (it’s like Scrabble) that’s a lot of fun too.   Our kids also gave my husband and I a Wii and some games.   For New Years Eve my husband and I stayed in and played Wii games…we’re getting really good at bowling!   It was so much fun and we didn’t have a hangover the next morning. 

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Now I have to take down all the decorations…ugh!!!!