Getting back on track

Took down most of the decorations which was kind of sad. It's quiet with the family gone :( , but the house is clean and Lydia is back on her routine (almost).  Glad I don't have to go back to school but always feel bad for the kids.  Poor Lydia looked so sleepy when I woke her this morning. I am happily but sleepily wrapping up pre-Christmas orders and then back to creating some fun new things.

With getting back to normal that means eating normal again. No more sugar, no more bad carbs....I so want a bagel! I want CARBS!

 We had a great holiday!!

....maybe a tiny Christmas cookie.

~Happy Monday hugs ~

Felice Anno Nuovo! Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  It's been nice taking some much needed time off and just enjoy the holidays with my family and friends.  I'll be back to regular blogging next week and am thinking about a Valentine's Day update.  We are having a party tomorrow evening so I'm sending my wishes early.

Does anyone have any New Year's Resolutions? I'm working on a very small list. Small because I don't want to break too many resolutions! On the top and one of the most important ones will be to organize and de-clutter my house!  I'll be doing a little at a time not to be overwhelmed.....baby steps.

May the year 2011 bring you all joy, peace and good health.  Thank you for visiting my little blog and leaving your sweet comments throughout the year.  It is such a delight!  Looking forward to next year.

Happy New Year hugs,
Jenn :)

Icicle Tutorial

I never get to do a tutorial!! 

Seems like everything I do everyone already knows how to.  When I received quite a few questions on how to make these I thought I would post it here for you all. 

This is how I make my icicles.  There is still time for you to make some too!!

Supplies 
~Cotton Batting ~ must be cotton not polyester...just doesn't work well.
~Thicker Gauge Wire
~Glue
~Instant coffee or walnut stain
~water
~mica or anything for sparkle

Instructions

• Cut the batting into strips about 1 1/2" wide as long as you want your icicle to be.  I cut mine about 9" long but if you are putting them on a small tree you probably would cut them 4 -5" long. The length depends on the size of tree you are going to put these on.

• Next cut the wire about 3" longer than your fabric strips. Make a hook on each with the extra 3 inches.

• Mix the glue and water together to make a thin runny mixture.  Add a little instant coffee or walnut stain.  Don't make it too dark because they will darken a little as they dry.

• Place a large sheet of foil on an old cookie sheet.

• Dip the fabric strips into the grubby mix making sure to coat it well and then squeeze out the excess.

• Starting about 1/2" below your hook, wrap the fabric around the wire.  I wrap it around once and then go back and tighten it so that it is snug on the wire.   

•  Lay them on the foil as you go not letting them touch.  

• When you have as many as you want, (cover and save your leftover glue mixture, you'll need this later) either air dry them or place them in a warm 170 degrees oven until dry.  I turn them once or twice while drying.

• When dry, bring out your excess glue mixture.  Using a brush, I use a foam brush, lightly dip in glue and run up one side and down the other of the icicle and then sprinkle with mica.  Let dry and you are done.

To make 50 of these it takes about 2 1/2 hours with drying time in the oven.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas week!

Warm winter hugs ~ Jenn xo

icicles, wassail and the christmas suit

Lots of icicles being made today....hopefully only inside not out.  We are too close now not to have a White Christmas!

Then I need to clean my house. It's almost like living in a gingerbread house, everything is coated with spices.  Speaking of which,  I found this lovely recipe for wassail that I need to try.  It's from The Pleated Poppy.  There is TEA in this Wassail!  I think I'm gonna love it.


Pleated Poppy Wassail

4 cups tea – she used earl grey tea, but says any plain tea would be fine, and brews it in her coffee maker.  I'll probably make it on the stove.

4 cups apple juice

4 cups cranberry juice

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup sugar

a handful of cloves

a few cinnamon sticks

Pour all this into a big pot on the stove and leave it on low all day long.  Makes 13 cups.

Lastly, what I'm watching today.... another favorite Christmas special.  What's your favorite to watch this season?  I'd love to know, maybe I haven't seen it.  I LOVE Christmas movies!


This is the Christmas episode of Keeping Up Appearances.  It's a wonderful British comedy about the queen of snobs, Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet by her).  She's obsessed by perfection, image, etiquette and breeding and drives her family and friends crazy with her quest to climb the social ladder.  Enjoy!

Happy Weekend ~ Jenn xo