Beautiful gift boxes

Beautiful gift boxes

Christmas nail art idea

Christmas nail art idea

 The BEST Soft & Chewy Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft, chewy and perfectly tender Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies will be a hit with your family! Tart, bright cranberries and smooth, sweet white chocolate make for the ultimate irresistible flavor combination.

These Cranberry White Chip Cookies produce such soft and chewy cookies that are totally foolproof! Perfect for the holidays, or anytime! 

One thing I would like to carry with me at all times would be these cookies. Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies, to be exact. These are one of my favorite cookie flavor combinations ever. There’s something just so magical and irresistible about the combination of bright, tart cranberries with sweet, smooth white chocolate.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract (I like to use Madagascar Bourbon)
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Pinch salt
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter, brown sugar & white sugar with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and egg to combine. Lastly, beat in the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and pinch of salt until a soft dough has formed. Stir in the cranberries and white chips by hand.

Refrigerate the cookie dough for AT LEAST 1 HOUR. You can chill it overnight if you'd like, but one hour chill time is mandatory to prevent cookies from spreading and to create that light, soft and chewy texture.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with silicone liners or mist lightly with cooking spray. Remove chilled dough from fridge and roll into Tablespoon-sized balls. Place onto the cookie sheets about 1-2" apart from one another.

Bake for approx. 8-10 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking time to ensure an even cook. Cookies may appear slightly undone, but do not over-bake them! They will continue to set up more as they cool. Allow cookies to set on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes or so before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. If you'd like to make them prettier, garnish cookies with additional white chips on top of still-warm cookies before serving.

Beaded Christmas Santa Claus Earring Pattern

Seed Beaded Christmas Santa Claus Earring Pattern

Hi! I have a new Christmas brick stitch earring pattern for you! It is a Santa Claus pattern.  Here is the pattern that I came up with. They are a really nice size too! This pattern uses brick stitch (obviously my favorite stitch!) and fringe. It is mostly single brick stitch, with the brim of Santa's hat being the only row of two drop brick stitch. The beard is composed of looped fringe.
I chose a deep red shade for my Santa's hat, but you can use a more traditional red color (or really any color that you wish). My Santa is composed of 6 different bead colors. You will also need a needle and beading thread (I used Toho One G and a size 13 needle).
Here is the pattern. Click on the picture to enlarge:

Santa Claus Earring Pattern ( Download)

Start in the center with 10 rows of two beads in each row using the ladder stitch. Next, work your way up, using the pattern in brick stitch, to the tip of the hat, finishing the hat with a six bead loop to hang your earring finding. Then, work your thread to the bottom of the earring, flip and finish the bottom half of his face. Once you are finished with Santa's face...it is time for his beard. I worked my thread up to the first ladder stitch row, then added fringe around the bottom half of the earring and back up to the other side. Add earring finding...done!

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
• 1 package Hot Cocoa Mix (about 3 Tablespoons)
• 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• ⅓ cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• ⅓ cups White Chocolate Chips
• 12 ounces, fluid Can Evaporated Milk, Divided
• 4-½ cups Ice
• Whipped Cream, To Taste
• Mini Marshmallows, To Taste

Preparation:

Combine sugar, cocoa mix, and butter in the top of a double boiler that is set over gently boiling water. Stir often until melted and a smooth paste forms. Add semi-sweet & white chocolate chips; stir. When chips begin to melt, slowly stir in 1/2 cup of evaporated milk. Stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

Combine the chocolate base mixture, the remaining evaporated milk and ice in a blender (you can do this in batches) and cover. Blend until smooth. Pour into frosty glasses. Top each with whipped cream. Sprinkle with additional chopped chocolate chips & mini marshmallows, if desired.

DIY Bracelet

Crochet Snowflake Patterns.

Crochet Snowflake Patterns

CHRISTMAS: Crochet Snowflake Patterns. Winter, the season of my birth. I didn't used to like snow, but now I'm wishing for a white Christmas.

Crochet Snowflake Patterns

HELP

Flower crochet

Flower crochet 

Crochet flowers free pattern

Cute Flower

DIY Penguin Christmas Ornaments

DIY Penguin Christmas Ornaments

Contrary to popular belief, people appreciate the most those gifts that were handmade, instead of stuff purchase from a store. They suggest the fact that the one who awards them found the recipient so important that he or she decided to take a hands-on approach. Time is the most valuable thing a person could spend, so these heartfelt gifts are usually more valuable than expensive ones. The same applies to Christmas ornaments and the fact is that even something as unassuming as a plastic bottle can serve as a starting point in the creative process.

Enjoy!

Pillow Gift Box

Pillow Gift Box

You Will Need:

• Paper towel
• Scissors
• Decorative ribbon or cord
• Coloured paper
• Glue

YOUR TOILET PAPER ROLLS WOULD LOOK LIKE THIS:

Christmas tree decorations

Christmas tree decorations

You Will Need:

• Scissors
• Glue
• Paint
• Paper roll
• Graphite pencil
• Ruler
• Felt
• Pearl

Christmas tree decorations

Help: Felt flower

Enjoy!

HOMEMADE CARAMELS

HOMEMADE CARAMELS

So let’s talk caramels!  Homemade, perfectly soft and chewy caramels are my weakness!

My family usually reserves them for our special treat at Christmas time.
And the best part about them….you probably already have all of the ingredients in your pantry! 

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup of butter (2 sticks)
2. 4 cups sugar
3. 2 cups light karo syrup
4. 2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
5. 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

Generously butter a jelly roll pan (or a 9x13'' pan if you prefer thicker caramels).
Add 2 sticks butter, sugar, and karo syrup to a large heavy-bottom saucepan over medium heat. Stir over medium heat until mixture begins to boil, about 5-10 minutes.

Gradually add the evaporated milk, pouring it in slowly so that the mixture maintains a constant boil.

Stir the mixture regularly, scraping the sides until it reaches a firm ball stage (about 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer). This part takes patience--it could take about an hour to get to the firm ball stage--but it's sooo worth it! (Also, I don't always trust or rely on a candy thermometer either--I like to test it the old fashioned way. Drop a spoonful of hot caramel sauce into a cup of ice water and mold it with your fingers into a ball. When ready it will feel firm and pliable, but still slightly sticky.) Once you reach 240 degrees F / the firm ball stage, remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.

Pour caramels into a buttered pan. Refrigerate until ready cooled and hardened. (Best if you refrigerate them overnight, or for several hours. They will be easy to cut and wrap) The caramel will seem hard in the fridge after they're set, but they should be soft at room temperature. Cut caramel into small pieces and, if desired, wrap like a tootsie roll in wax paper.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This is a classic banana bread – moist and full of chocolate chips! This recipe is one of my family's favorites that I make on a sometimes weekly basis.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 bananas, mashed (1 cup mashed banana)
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Preparation

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F .
2. Grease and flour a 8 1/2-inch x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan (or use baking spray, such as Baker's Joy brand).
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix in the oil, bananas and eggs. Stir in the chocolate chips (do not overmix!) and pour into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 60-80 minutes. Cool the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out and cool completely, right side up.

Decoration

Decoration

Ingredients:

• Felt
• scissors
• thread, needle
• graphite pencil
• template

Template:

Enjoy

Felt Santa

Felt Santa

Ingredients:

• Felt (white, red)
• Scissors
• Needle, Thread
• Template

Template:

Template

Autumn Leaf Garland

                                                       Autumn Leaf Garland 

Leaves Pattern : 

Leaves Pattern

2.) Print the file, then cut out the leaves.

3.) Trace Leaf shapes onto felt. I chose felt in 4 different colors. I used a white pencil to trace the leaves onto the dark felt colors.

4.) Cut leaf shapes out of your felt.

5.) Using and embroidery floss, stitch the leaf veins onto each leaf. I used a gold colored floss which I thought was a little thick, so I pulled 3 strands out of the floss to make it easier to stitch. You can save time by using a gold glitter glue or fabric paint to make the leaf veins instead.

6.) Decide how you want to place your leaves.

7) Stitch leaves to a rick rack or ribbon.

8) Hang your new Thanksgiving garland and enjoy!

Toilet Paper Roll Wall Flower

Toilet Paper Roll Wall Flower

Here  are the things you may need:

• Toilet Paper Rolls
• Glue
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil

Step 1:

Collect as many toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls you can get your grubby little hands on.

Step 2: 

Flatten the rolls so you can cut them into 1-inch circles (petals). There is no need to measure exactly! I cut the roll in half and then cut each half in half again, until I reached my desired size.

Step 3:

Continue to cut rolls until you have reached your desired amount. It’s ok if they are not all cut perfectly even. The different sized rolls and different length cuts will add dimension to your piece.

Step 4:

Start building your flower with a basic 5-point star formation. (You don’t have to start from this point you can make whatever shape you like.)

 Step 5:

 Start glueing the petals together. I used a hot glue gun, but you could use any type of glue you prefer.

http://loveoffamilyandhome.net

Enjoy!

Eggnog Cookies

Eggnog Cookies

INGREDIENTS

Eggnog Cookies

• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• ½ cup eggnog
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2¼ cups flour
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Eggnog Frosting
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 4 to 5 Tablespoons eggnog
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease cookie sheet and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugars until fluffy.
4. Add egg yolks, eggnog and vanilla, continue beating until creamy.
5. Add flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Beat on medium until well combined.
6. Roll into one inch balls and place two inches apart on cookie sheet.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Eggnog Frosting

1. Cream butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat until combined. Add eggnog, nutmeg and cinnamon. Beat for 3 minutes until smooth. Frost cooled cookies and sprinkle nutmeg over the frosting in desired.

Recipe type: Cookies, Dessert

Serves: 32-36

These cookies. As in, CRAZY GOOD! :)

Felt Bird

Felt Bird

You Will Need:

• Felt sheets in your choice of colours
• Buttons
• Needle and cotton thread
• Hot glue
• Ribbon
• Cord
• Scissors
•  template

Template:

1.Using the template, cut out two bird shapes from a piece of felt. Cut out a contrasting colour ‘wing’ and stick to one of the bird pieces.

2.Thread a piece of cord onto a flower button and tie a bow.

3.Stitch the flower button to the wing and a star button ‘eye’ on the birds’ head.

4.Cut a small length of ribbon, fold in half and stitch to the back of the bird to make the ‘legs’.

5.Then stick the two bird pieces together.

 Finish:

Enjoy!

Easy Nail Art Designs

Leopard print Tutorial

Easy Nail Art Designs

DIY Felt Morning Flower

Vintage Pearl Baby Hat

Vintage Pearl Baby Hat - Free Crochet Pattern

What You'll Need

• 4.50mm Crochet Hook
• DK Yarn {8ply} - Drops Muskat, Light Pink
• Scissors
• Tapestry/Wool Needle
• 
  

Size Available 

• Newborn, 0 - 3 Months Old
• Head Circumference 13.5 inches, 34cm. Hat Height 5.25 inches, 13cm
• 
  

Gauge

• 5 Stitches & 3 Rows in Half Double Crochet  = 1 Inches

Hat

Rnd 1- Taking your 4.50mm crochet hook and DK yarn, start of by making a Slip Knot, then crochet 2 Chains. Crochet 8 Half Double Crochets into the first chain you made. Do not slip stitch into the first stitch of this round. You should have 8 half double crochets now.

Rnd 2- Start crocheting in the first stitch from the previous round. Crochet 2 Half Double Crochets into the first stitch. Crochet 2 Half Double Crochets into every stitch all around. Do not slip stitch into the first stitch of this round. You should have 16 half double crochets now.

Rnd 3- Start crocheting in the first stitch from the previous round. Crochet 2 Half Double Crochets into the first stitch. *Crochet 1 Half Double Crochet. Then crochet 2 Half Double Crochets in the next stitch. Repeat from the * all around. Do not slip stitch into the first stitch of this round. You should have 24 half double crochets now.

Rnd 4- Start crocheting in the first stitch from the previous round. Crochet 2 Half Double Crochets into the first stitch. *Crochet 1 Half Double Crochet into the next 2 stitches. Then crochet 2 Half Double Crochets in the next stitch. Repeat from the * all around. Do not slip stitch into the first stitch of this round. You should have 32 half double crochets now.

Rnd 5- Start crocheting in the first stitch from the previous round. Crochet 2 Half Double Crochets into the first stitch. *Crochet 1 Half Double Crochet into the next 3 stitches. Then crochet 2 Half Double Crochets in the next stitch. Repeat from the * all around. Do not slip stitch into the first stitch of this round. You should have 40 half double crochets now.

Rnd 6- Start crocheting in the first stitch from the previous round. Crochet 2 Half Double Crochets into the first stitch. *Crochet 1 Half Double Crochet into the next 4 stitches. Then crochet 2 Half Double Crochets in the next stitch. Repeat from the * all around. Slip Stitch into the first stitch. You should have 48 half double crochets now.  

Rnd 7- Chain 1, crochet 1 Single Crochet in the same stitch. *Skip 2 stitches, crochet 5 DoubleCrochets in the next stitch. Skip 2 stitches, crochet 1 Single Crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from the * 6 times. Skip 2 stitches, crochet 5 Double Crochets in the next stitch. Skip 2stitches. Slip Stitch into the first single crochet of this round.

Rnd 8- Chain 2, crochet 3 Double Crochets in the same stitch. *Skip 2 stitches, crochet 1 SingleCrochet in the next stitch. Skip 2 stitches, crochet 5 Double Crochets in the next stitch. Repeat from the * 6 times. Skip 2 stitches, crochet 1 Single Crochet in the next stitch. Skip 2 stitches,crochet 2 Double Crochets in the first stitch of this round {Note: The stitch containing the chain 2 and 3 double crochets}. Slip Stitch in the first double crochet of this round.

Rnd 9 - 14- Repeat rounds 7 - 8.

Fasten off, and weave in loose ends.

Finishing Off

Once you've completed crocheting your hat, take a sewing needle and some thread and sew the pearls onto the hat. Make sure to space them out evenly. {Note: Depending on the effect your going for, you can either sew more or less pearls onto the hat}

Cute Fabric Giraffes

ready to go! :)