Here's another pretty quick and easy last-minute gift idea for all you procrastinators. We love the idea of a matching apron and oven mitt for the chef in your life. We made these up without a pattern, but we've included a list of free apron patterns below for those of you who aren't quite as confident in your sewing skills as our Stacy.


We don't have a full tutorial for these cute things, but here's a quick synopsis for those of you who are "sew" savvy:

You need about a yard of fabric for each apron. Cut two four-inch wide strips the length of the fabric. Sew them together to make one long tie. Then, using the remaining fabric as the body of the apron, hem three of the sides, leaving the top edge raw. Gather or pleat this side and sew it to the apron tie, right sides together. Fold the apron tie over, iron the fold, and sew it closed. Embellish by making a ruffle out of strips of fabric with the sides serged (or overcast stitched). I love this little ruffle look. You can also use ric rac or ribbon. So many possibilities. The tie is long enough to wrap around the back and tie in the front in a cute bow.

So, if that was all gibberish to you, here are links to over 50 free apron patterns. An apron and matching oven mitt has got to fit the bill of someone on your list. And there are still 7 days left to craft--you can do it!

http://tipnut.com/56-free-apron-patterns-you-can-make/
http://lululollylegs.blogspot.com/2007/07/lined-apron-tutorial.html
http://morganmoore.typepad.com/one_more_moore/2007/02/valentine_tree__1.html

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It's crunch time! Only 8 days until Christmas, and you're still looking for a great gift for your sister, friend, babysitter, child's teacher, or all of the above. Here's a quick and easy answer. Scarves are not only functional, but super stylish. If you don't have time (or inclination) to knit or crochet one, cut one instead. Seriously--it's that easy. Find a rayon/cotton knit or jersey knit--something that is soft and has a little stretch. Mine came in 60" width, so I could get four single-layer scarves out of one 2-yard piece. I folded it a couple of times length-wise so it would fit my cutting mat, then used my quilting ruler and rotary cutter to cut it in four equal pieces. The raw edges curl slightly, which gives it a finished look. WOW--I just made four fabulous gifts in about 3 minutes--no sewing required!



For a little thicker version, cut your 2-yard length of knit fabric in half lengthwise. Then take each piece, fold it in half lengthwise, and sew it in a big rectangle, leaving a small opening to turn inside-out. You can quickly hand sew the opening closed. I then got my scarf wet and twisted it, securing it with rubber bands and leaving it twisted until it dried. This just gives it a wrinkled texture, which relaxes the jersey knit fabric nicely (and covers up your not-so-straight sewing!).


We took this project one step further and embroidered a simple bird to give it some more interest. C'est tres chic!


Check back for more quick and easy gift ideas coming up this week--because we know we can't be the only procrastinators out there!

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For those of you who are major procrastinators like me, this post is for you. I really need new stockings. I made mine about 9 years ago, before I had kids, and they are just not kid stockings! I've been so inspired by the felt stockings I've seen in the Crate & Barrel and Company Store catalogs (see above!). They really would not be hard to make, especially if you're using felt. That means no lining required! Plus you can hand stitch whatever you like on them.

I may still be looking for time to make new stockings for my kids, but Stacy found it. Check out these darling stockings--such cute, fresh fabric! They're all lined with soft flannel, too. She found the pattern in this cute book, New Noel by Linda Lum DeBono. Don't you love all the applique and ruffles? She did it on her machine, so it really wasn't that time consuming, but it adds a lot.








Okay I lied. I did find time to make one stocking. This mini felt stocking is from a pattern in my imagination (really, it's not hard to draw a stocking--you can do it!). I cut two pieces from red felt for the sock, two pieces from white felt for the top, then a toe and heel from the white. I traced a few circles of paper I punched with my circle punch on green felt, then stitched them all on with embroidery floss before sewing the two sock pieces right sides together. This is the perfect size to stuff with a small present or gift card!

Or, make a few and use them as silverware holders!


Santa won't be here for another 12 days, so you really do have time to make new stockings! And if you do it, will you make a few for me, too?

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I'm not a huge marshmallow fan, but I find it hard not to stuff my face with this homemade peppermint variety. Seriously, so yummy. And really, not hard to make! You don't even need a candy thermometer (any recipe that requires a candy thermometer does not get made in my house). As promised, here's our favorite peppermint marshmallow recipe, a perfect companion to the hot chocolate mix for your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

Peppermint Marshmallow Recipe

1/3 c. cornstarch
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 1/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. light corn syrup
1/2 c. crushed peppermint candy canes (about 6)
1/8 tsp. salt

*Tip: to crush your candy canes, break them up in large pieces, then seal them in a Zip Loc bag. Put your bag on a sturdy cutting board and use a hammer to smash them into a powder. The finer the powder, the better.

1. Into a small bowl, sift together powdered sugar and cornstarch. Line a 9x13" pan with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Sift 2 Tbsp. of the powdered sugar mixture into pan and tilt to coat all sides. Leave excess in pan.

3. Place 2/3 c. water in a large bowl and sprinkle with gelatin. Let soften 5 minutes.

4. In medium, heavy-bottom saucepan, heat sugar, corn syrup, candy cane, and salt over medium heat until completely dissolved (about 7 minutes).

5. Pour into bowl with gelatin mixture and beat on high speed with electric mixer until light and fluffy (10-15 minutes).

6. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Smooth top and dush with powdered sugar mixture. Let sit at room temperature for 2 hours.

7. Lift from pan with foil. With a small, wet cookie cutter, cut shapes and dip sides in sugar mixture. Cut up remaining marshmallows into small, irregular pieces (these are the ones I let my kids and husband eat!). Or, using a wet knife, cut into 6 large squares and dip sides into powdered sugar mixture. Then cut each of those squares into 9 pieces and dip in sugar mixture.

8. Store at room temp, loosely covered.
Put three in a cello bag, tie with a ribbon, and gift them along with a jar of hot chocolate mix. These are perfect with regular, dark chocolate, or chocolate mint hot cocoa. I love the way my star cookie cutter makes them just the right size to fill up my mug! But I find it hard to make them last long enough for more than one cup of cocoa. I can't stop eating them straight out of the bowl!
P.S. Thanks to my dearest Checketts for this recipe--you changed my life when you gave me a bowl of these so many years ago! Miss you!

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Do you have Ben Franklin crafts where you live? I believe they're independently operated, so one could be totally different from the next, but we love the one near us in Monroe, WA. Great selection and great project ideas. We picked up a flyer for these seasonal word blocks and put them together, just in time for "winter." The best part? You get sixteen different decor options out of one project! Sixteen! That's out-of-control cool.

We started with seven pre-cut blocks from Ben Franklin (you can probably find these at most craft/hobby stores, or cut your own). We sanded and painted them, then cut vinyl letters to place on each side of each block. If you don't have access to a vinyl cutter, you could stencil them on with paint or use chipboard letters. You could also try decoupaging (Mod Podge) patterned paper onto the blocks instead of painting them. Get creative!

Are you curious to know which sixteen seasonal words some genius came up with using these seven blocks? Check this out:

Harvest
Welcome
Faith
Family
Spooky
Friends
Winter
Freedom
Blessed
Snow
Home
Hope
Monster
Mother
Dream
Easter

Are you convinced you have to make these? Good. These are the letters you'll need to place on each block:

Block One: H Y E D
Block Two: A C R S
Block Three: R P E T
Block Four: V N L O
Block Five: E O M D
Block Six: S M K I
Block Seven: T F B W

Not enough room in your life (or living room) for 16 seasonal decor options? These would make a great gift!

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The Three Birdies went bird watching this weekend to bring you a bird ornament roundup. You know, so you can complete your totally cute, handmade ornament collection with all that free time you have before Christmas. And because we really, really love birds. Really.

We loved this little birdie pattern since we found this last summer. Originally made for a cool mobile, they're making their debut on our site as Christmas tree ornaments! Check out Spool Sewing for this and other great free patterns.



Tricia Rennea Art and Illustrations is offering a free pattern for another stuffed bird ornament. You could even string them together for little birdie garland! Check out the Maddie Bird Pattern, and don't forget to post a pic in our Flickr pool if you end up making these!

Lil' Fish Studios made these darling felted bird ornaments, but they may have been from last Christmas, because I don't see them in her Etsy shop. Darn! You might just have to make your own. But check out here blog--she makes amazing stuff. Think little felted acorns. Adorable!

Sunshine's Creations has a tutorial for fun Christmas and winter embroidered felt ornaments. We love these!

And Martha revives that old childhood tradition--the cinnamon applesauce ornament. They smell delicious, but don't be tempted--they're not edible! We love the "upgrade" she gave them by using colorful glitter and beads. Way cuter than the ones I made in preschool.

Whether your tree is decorated or not, there's still time to make a few little birdies to hang around for the holidays!

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This simple hot cocoa mix is another great neighbor/co-worker gift that you can put together super fast. It's also our weekly recipe, so don't forget to make some for yourself!

We used these mini "quilted" jars, mostly because they're just so little and cute, and because for one person, it provides several cups of cocoa. (One jar holds one cup of mix.) If you wanted to make some for a couple or family, try using a pint or quart jar. Just add more mix!

Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

10 cups dry milk powder
4 3/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Store in a jar or airtight container. Yields 15 cups (enough for 15 of the small jars pictured here). To make the cocoa, stir 3 heaping Tablespoons into 3/4 c. hot water or milk. I always advise topping it off with whipped cream as well, but that's just me (and my sweet tooth).

Cheater version: Buy the bulk size Swiss Miss hot cocoa mix at Costco or WalMart and add 3 teaspoons of flavored non-dairy creamer per serving to make a gourmet flavor (see below) . Try the Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate mix plus a few teaspoons of Ghiradelli Sweetened Cocoa for a dark chocolate flavor. Go ahead--cut corners. It'll be our little secret.
If you really want to make an impression, why not make gourmet hot chocolate flavors? Or add layers of sweet treats for a cool presentation. Here are a few more ideas for truly gourmet hot cocoa:

*Substitute the non-dairy creamer with a flavored non-dairy creamer, like hazelnut, amaretto, vanilla, or cinnamon for gourmet flavors.

*Peppermint cocoa can be made by crushing candy canes and mixing them with the cocoa mix in your food processor (this makes the pieces even smaller so they blend well with the cocoa). Add a layer of crushed candy canes in the middle or on top of your mix to show off the flavor in the jar!

*Add a few teaspoons of instant coffee crystals per serving for mocha cocoa.

*Layer fun dry toppings with the cocoa mix in your jar. Try mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, red and green jimmies (sprinkles), or crushed candy canes.

*Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave and dip the head of a plastic spoon in it. When it dries, wrap the chocolate-covered head in a plastic or cello bag and tie with a ribbon. Attach it to your jar of hot chocolate to be used with the first cup. The chocolate will melt when they stir, adding a little extra creaminess!

Now for the jar. All supplies are Stampin' Up! We traced the inside of the ring lid on the back of patterned paper, cut it out, and glued it to the top of the lid. Then we layered a strip of coordinating patterned paper on a piece of card stock and wrapped it around the jar, securing it with adhesive. We stamped tag stamp, layered it on card stock, and adhered it to the front. Then we tied a matching ribbon around the top and tied on a little tag with the instructions for mixing the cocoa (see above). Another classic idea is to put a square of Christmas fabric between the lid and the ring for an old-fashioned look.

To add a little to this little gift, check out this electric milk frother we found at IKEA for $2.00! Just pour a small amount of hot milk in a glass and blend until thick and frothy. Pour on top of your cocoa for a coffee house feel--that's a lot fewer calories than whipped cream!

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Bubbling quietly on the stove, this homemade holiday potpourri is a simple combination of citrus and spice that fills the house with the scent of Christmas. It's one of my favorite things to have brewing this time of year. I love to give it as a neighbor gift because it feels like a treat, but it doesn't add to the waistline. And it's so easy to make!
Ingredients:
*1 whole apple
*1 whole lemon
*1 whole orange
*3 whole cinnamon sticks
*6 whole cloves
*6 whole allspice berries
*2" piece fresh ginger root (optional)

I bought a bottle of whole cloves and a bottle of whole allspice (found in the spice section at the grocery store) and just sprinkled some of each with the other ingredients (i.e. I didn't count out six of each). I placed all the ingredients on a square of cellophane wrap, pulled the corners up together, and tied it up with a ribbon. Then I added a sprig of fresh greenery (which I cut from my yard), and a stem of fake berries. Then I added a tag I printed with the instructions and stamped with a few holly berries.

Instructions to include with your potpourri:

Holiday Potpourri
1. Cut fruit into 1/2-inch thick slices.
2. Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan and cover with water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer uncovered, adding water throughout the day as needed.

I use the same potpourri several days in a row (until it loses its scent), turning off the stove at night and starting it up again in the morning. You can also add apple cider to the ingredients rather than water, and it makes a cozy hot cider. Enjoy!

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