Neighbor Gift: Cinnamon Popcorn and a Movie

This year I have neighbors! Ok, I've had neighbors in the past, but I've never felt super friendly with them. Now that we own our home, I figured we needed to get friendlier with the people around us. I decided to make cinnamon kettle corn and give this DVD

It's a short movie about the nativity of Christ. The perfect gift for Christmas, in my opinion. You can order your own here: Joy to the World DVD

Cinnamon Kettle Corn recipe adapted from Something Swanky

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat, covered.

Put in two kernels. When they pop, the oil is ready

Once hot, stir in the sugar, cinnamon and popcorn.  I use a spoon to help really coat the kernels.

Cover, and shake the pot constantly to keep the sugar from burning.

Once the popping has slowed to once every 2 to 3 seconds, remove the pot from the heat and continue to shake for a few minutes until the popping has stopped. Pour into a large bowl, and allow to cool, stirring occasionally to break up large clumps.

This year I tried making kettle corn in my Stir Crazy popper. AND IT WORKS and doesn't ruin my Stir Crazy! It's so fast and easy. Never going back to stove top. 

Cinnamon Kettle Corn recipe for Stir Crazy:

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels

Put all ingredients in the Stir Crazy. Place the lid on top and turn it on. Once the popping has slowed to once every 2 to 3 seconds, turn off Stir Crazy and flip over (so the bowl lid is right side up) and take the heat element off**. Allow the popcorn to cool and enjoy.

**Don't leave the heat element on top while it cools, like I did. It melted the side of the bowl/lid a little. 

St. Nicholas Day: A Family Tradition

One of my favorite Christmas traditions growing up was St. Nicholas Day. Although we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes known as "Mormons" my mom instituted we celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. St. Nicholas Day is commonly celebrated in European countries. It is thought that Santa Claus bringing gifts is based off St. Nicholas Day. Read more here.

 We set our shoes out on the fireplace hearth on the 5th of December. In the morning they would be filled with a small surprise, like hair things, candy or a small toy. It was a simple tradition but one we looked forward to. As a teenager, I liked to set out my most daring shoe for St. Nicholas. When we went to college, St. Nicholas still found us, via US Mail! His handwriting was strangely similar to my mom's ;)

I plan on carrying on this tradition with my family as well. Just another magical way to make December memorable!

In my husband's basketball sneaker: The Beach Boys's Sounds of Summer.(affiliate link)

In my bootie : Welch's Fruit Snacks, (affiliate link) because I love fruit snacks

In my daughter's boot: We Belong Together by Joyce Wan. (affiliate link) I LOVED this book when we got it from the library and I'm so happy we own it now! It's got really cute illustrations and I think it's perfect for a parent-child relationship or for siblings.

Wrapped and Done by December One RESULTS!

If you'll remember, it was my goal to be done with all my Christmas preparations by December first. This included my Christmas cards, gifts and decorations. Here's how I faired

Cards: Done! My sister-in-law took our pictures, I got that great Groupon and then addressed and sent them on Friday the 28th.

Decorations: Done! I like what I did this year, but miss most of my ornaments. A one year-old baby and breakable ornaments just don't mix. It's nice to have enough room for everything. Here's my nativity:

Gifts: All my gifts to my extended family and in-laws have been shipped! I left my husband and daughter's gift shopping until last week because I wanted to make people who lived far away a priority as to get their gifts shipped. This was good and bad. Good because that got done, bad because I didn't factor in that I'd be ordering gifts online and would need to allow for time to wrap those gifts. So I have 2 gifts coming that I haven't yet received which need to be wrapped. I still feel like I was successful because I won't be stressing about the gifts and I actually enjoy wrapping gifts.

So I think I did really well!! How did you you?

Advent Calendars!

I love a good advent calendar and now's the time to make them! There are so many fun and beautiful ideas out there. We have shared a few of ours in the past.

Musical Advent Calendar Garland is so easy you can make it in an afternoon AND the commitment is pretty low. Can you sing a song a day? Then you can do it!

Jordan's Felt Advent Calendar reminds me of the advent calendar we had growing up. Oh the fights we had over whose day it was to hang up the ornament.

Countdown to Christmas is almost an advent, so it should be included =)

Are you counting down the days yet?

Hashtag alert and Progress Report: Wrapped and Done by Dec 1

Hey everyone, how is your holiday prep going? It's still my goal to be Wrapped and Done by December 1! We've been posting some on Instagram but we want to see what YOU are working on for your holiday prep! Please post using the hashtag #HolidayPrepYall so we can see what you're up to! Plus we will feature you on Instagram!

 Now, here's some of what I've been doing:

Ordering my Christmas cards! I just bought this Groupon to Staples, 100 cards for $19--that's the best deal I've seen ANYWHERE by FAR! But it's EVEN BETTER, knocked down to $8 for 100 because it's been shared with enough friends. There's also a deal for 50 cards Get the deal too before Sunday! Here's one I liked:

(Thanks Brooke, for sending me the link!)

Painting--making my own gift tags!

Wrapping

Bing-ing (Searching using Bing to earn rewards. I've earned $25 for Christmas presents so far. Read more here)

Ibotta-ing (Rebate app, I've earned $18.25 so far )

Shopkicking (App to scan products in store, I've earned $15 to Target so far)

Ordering: presents from Amazon using my Bing Rewards! Win!

(no picture because I can't ruin the surprise!)

Getting our pictures taken, here's my favorite face I made:

Things that still need to be done: Christmas cards addressed, holiday baking, holiday decorating (I refuse to do it until after Thanksgiving, but the day after is just fine), ordering, wrapping and sending more gifts.

So let's see YOUR photos!! Use the hashtag #HolidayPrepYall and we will re-gram it on Instagram!

Coupon to Christmas: How I'm Earning Money for Christmas Gifts This Year PT 1

Not a sponsored post BUT if you sign up for any of these programs I get a referral bonus, just like if you referred your friends yourself. I'm not doing this to earn money (although that'd be great) but to spread knowledge. 



So I've already started on my Christmas prep (remember when I posted about being Wrapped and Done by December One?). I have been using apps and sites to coupon and earn money which I will use to purchase gifts for Christmas. I have only been doing it for a few months, but I hope to cover a lot of gifts this year using my earnings. Here's what I'm doing:

1. Ibotta. Ibotta is a rebate app for grocery stores, alcohol stores, health and beauty stores, apparel stores, electronic stores, restaurants, special occasions, pet stores, home improvement stores, babies and kids stores and movie theaters. That covers a lot! I mostly use it for groceries. They have weekly rebates for milk, bread and eggs as well as major brand items. Easy to use and you get $5 for each person you successfully refer. I've made $15.75 so far. My referral link (disclosure: signing up through this link earns me $5!)

2. Shopkick. Shopkick is a rewards app for both going to a store (like Target) and then scanning items you find there (but don't have to buy). The kicks you earn you can use for all kinds of rewards like gift cards to Target, Starbucks, Macy's, Old Navy, Itunes, American Eagle, gas stations OR big items like Coach handbags, iPads, Tiffany jewelry, Kitchen Aid mixers or Beats by Dre. You get kicks for going into stores you probably already frequent: Target, Best Buy, JC Penney, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Kohl's and a lot more. Easy to use. So far, I've earned a $10 gift card to Target. My referral link (disclosure: you signing up through this link gets me up to 500 kicks, it matches what kicks YOU get in the first month)

3. Bing Rewards. Searching and earning rewards: so easy! You earn credits for searching on your phone (up to 10 credits per day) and PC (up to 15 credits per day). You can search for anything, and aren't you already searching for stuff anyways? So far I've earned $15 in Amazon gift cards. My referral link (disclosure: I get 500 credits for people I refer who reach "silver status" or earn 200 credits)

How are you earning money for Christmas? I'd love to get some more ideas!

Look out for Brooke's post telling us how she's earning money for Christmas!

Wrapped and Done by December One! Early Holiday Prep

No one wants to hear there are only 165 days until Christmas, right? Last year I decided I wanted to be prepped and done by December first in 2014. As in, decorated, cards sent, presents wrapped done. That way I could focus more on Christmas and serving others. I also wanted to simplify.

So I've already started. I know, your kids haven't even gone back to school and the super early Halloween decor is out at Hobby Lobby but hear me out! Don't you want a holiday where you are focused on what matters? Do you want to spread out the cost of the holiday expenses? Do you have two hours a week to start your preparations? I think you do!

So how do you get started? First make a list of the big projects you complete before Christmas. Here are some ideas: Gifts, Cards, Decorating, Baking, Scheduling, Traveling, Entertaining

Then break down the project like I did for cards:

Cards-this always takes a long time for me

1. Schedule a photo shoot with your favorite photographer. (Do it now! The fall the busiest time for photographers and slots full up. This is something you want to do early! Or, look over the year and select a family portrait to send with your card.)

2. Make a list of who you want to send Christmas cards to. Or look over your list from last year. Optional: pear down the list. 

3. Gather addresses/Verify addresses you already have. 

4. Purchase/make cards. If you make cards, start with PLENTY of time in advance!

5. Purchase stamps. (They are already available and easily ordered online and sent to your house!)

6. Stuff, address and stamp cards. I suggest doing this while watching your favorite movie or show.

7. Drop them in the mail at the end of November.

Then assign tasks due dates, breaking them down into smaller pieces, like this:

August 25: Make appointment with photographer
August: 30: List of addresses updated and completed
September 5: Purchase stamps
September 10: Photo shoot!
September 20: Order stamps
September 30: Select Prints, order cards.
October 10: Address cards.
October 15: Keep addressing cards (It takes me a long time!)
October 20: Stamp cards---you're done!
November 30: Drop cards in the mail!

I'm excited to try to read this goal! I'll be talking about other tips and ideas to make your holiday season simpler in upcoming posts!

Merry Christmas!

Printing on Iron On Transfer Paper

Hello Wayward Crafters!
I have been staying busy making quilts and being a nana. I have enjoyed reading the blog and plan to contribute from time to time.
This week we had 2 snow days. Snow days in our home usually makes our hearts turn to crafting. In the great blizzard of 2000, all the girls collaborated on what is known as snow day quilt, a snuggly quilt that has kept us warm for many years.
This week I decided to make my own version of an applique quilt that Jaime and I worked on when I visited her recently. It is from Quilters Newsletter August and September.

What I want to share is how I used my inkjet printer to print all the patterns. I realize that you can purchase iron-on printer paper, but it is a little more expensive than what you can buy (usually on sale!) from the bolt. (Get the paper-backed transfer webbing. It is #805 by Pellon.)

Here's how to do it. First, use a program such as Photoshop to move the images from the pattern to a 8 1/2 by 11 canvas size. Flip the images as needed. I always use the bucket tool to fill the images with white so it takes less ink.

Then, cut your iron-on transfer paper to 8 1/2 by 11". It is 17" wide, so you can get 2 8 1/2" pieces across.
The paper is too thin to go through my printer, so I used a piece of glossy photo paper as a backing. I lightly touched my iron across the top edge of the paper so that it was lightly adhered to the glossy side. I also smoothed down the paper, and ironed the bottom corners.

Then, print!

The webbing will pop right off the glossy photo paper, which you can use over and over. Roughly cut out the shapes and adhere them to the back of the fabric you selected.

That's it! It took me half a day to print and about that long to cut out the shapes. I ironed everything on the quilt blocks this morning.

I followed the pattern pretty closely. I added one more poinsettia in the top left block and made them all red instead of having green leaves. Jaime was more wayward and created a couple original blocks. I think it turned out to be very cute. I will tack all the edges with a zigzag stitch using invisible thread. The borders are made of crazy Christmas sweaters! That's next.

This is the template for the sweaters. The sky is the limit on how you make them.

Christmas Parade of Homes 2013: Day 5

Here we are the on the last day of our Christmas parade of homes! Hasn't it been great?! Today is my house and I have a surprise at the end for you!

 In our kitchen we have cozy ornaments on all of the knobs. 

 The banner says "Happy Holidays, y'all!"

Dining room table. 

 See? I told you mine was on my piano!

PB always lays the people down and says they are going "night-night"

A new addition this year. I LOVE these :)

 The garland and wreath are both lit in the evening. Do you see our little stocking for the cat? We also have two play nativities for PB. Do you see what the one in the middle is missing? Try baby Jesus. We're on the hunt for where PB has him hidden. 

I decided to sprig my tree this year. Do you sprig?

This is my favorite ornament. This was my first Christmas ornament. 

Here is the surprise I have for you!!!! 

It's pictures from where I learned to do Christmas decorating! From my parents and grandparents!

My parents house:

 This is a new nativity given to my dad by his congregation (he is the bishop). It is made of BONE!

 This nativity for as long as I can remember has had four wise men. PB saw it and said "MONSTER!" A fan of Yoda she is not. 

 Hey that's me on my parent's tree!

This is a piece by Liz Lemon Swindle. I love her artwork! 

 My grandparent's house

 Village part one. Note the detail of the fallen snow, the real gravel roads, the street lights (which were not on but do turn on), the ice skating rink, and the trees. 

 Village part two

Village part three: that is a rive flowing through the village.

 These are my favorite ornaments on her tree. We may have played with them a little too much as kids. They were fragile and we were not careful!

 Angels. 

 This is a whole cabinet full of santas. I wish you could see the huge number of santas my grandparents have in their home. These pictures are only a small taste of what they have! 

I hope you have enjoyed this parade of homes! I sure have enjoyed taking this pictures and sharing them with you! 

What was your favorite part?