I know you don't want to hear this but.....

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but I'm going to say it anyway -

It's time to start thinking about Christmas. 

I know.  I know.  But it's already October.

If you're making gifts, it's time to get busy.  And it's still early enough that you can buy one gift a pay and not toss this Christmas on the credit card.  We've paid cash for our Christmas for the past nine years.  It's a great feeling.  Trust me!

Here's some of the DIY gifts I'm planning on this year:

For the boys and my little nieces and nephews:


Super Hero capes



 

Hot Cocoa Mix

  

Reindeer Donuts

For my teenage nieces:

Headbands

Ruffle scarf - in blue & gold for school colors.

Manicure sets

 

 

For my mom:

I have some great fabric in brown & green for this, plus a matching warming rice bag.

 

She also wants a picture of all the grandkids in "whatever they want to wear".  Her words exactly.  I tried to remind her that this is asking for trouble.  I have no doubt that despite it being October we'll have at least a couple in super hero costumes, at least one in shorts and I would not be surprised at all to have my niece in her cheerleading uniform.  We'll see how this turns out.  I'm going to take the picture myself and then split the costs of developing and framing with my brother. 

I have to say, I'm most excited about my mother in laws present, but since she's the only one who actually reads my blog, it will have to remain a secret.  I'll take a picture of it for you to show after Christmas - if it turns out right.

I also have my homemade vanilla that has turned out great!  Ronnie & I are also thinking about making some pints of apple pie moonshine with the alcohol we have left over from the vanilla for gifts this year.  There is nothing better with some honey as a hot toddy when you're feeling bad. 

There's still plenty of time to get started on any crafts you want to make for Christmas!  It's a great way to bulk up your gift for very little money.  Most of these projects will be done in the evenings while we're watching TV or just hanging out.  If I feel really productive, I could knock out most of these in one afternoon. 

If you want to make any of these projects, you can find the original links by checking out my Pinterest boards here and here.

So, are you making anything this year?

Christmas in April?

Why yes, it is Spring and I am starting on my Christmas gifts.

But only because it will take six months to make these gifts.

What am I making?  Homemade Vanilla Extract!  And it's easy.

Here's what you'll need:

One bottle of 80 proof vodka
Vanilla beans

I ordered our beans from Amazon - they had the best price.  Ronnie was in charge of going to the ABC store.  We took the recommendation of the man working there for the best choice for our project.  It wasn't the cheapest and it wasn't the most expensive - it was right in the middle. 

Here's what you'll need to do.

For each 1.5 cups of vodka, you'll need 2 vanilla beans.

We poured 3 cups of vodka into a quart jar. 

We then sliced the beans down the middle and scrape the bean. 

 

We added the inside to the jar, then cut the scraped bean into 2 inch pieces and added that to the jar.

 



Next, just shake.

Label the jar with both the start and end date.

That's it.  Now the jars will sit in my cool, dark pantry for six months.  I give them a shake daily for the first month, then once a week for two months, then monthly of whenever you think about it. 

In six months, I'll strain it and have nice real vanilla extract.  For a fraction of the cost!

I'm planning on giving it as gifts in jelly jars for Christmas. 

I'll let you know how it works out...... in six months.

Christmas projects for 2012.

Why would I list what I'm making on my blog?

Won't my family know what I'm making?

Short answer:  No.  With the exception of my mother in law, Marion, no one else reads my blog.  I could offer to give each of them $100 if they read this today and know without a doubt that my money is safe.  It's OK.  They're just not big blog readers. 

The good news is that I can show you what I've started making for Christmas gifts this year. 

I was cleaning out my hope chest (which my mom used to call my hopeless chest when I was single), and I came upon a good bit of fabric that I've bought sometime over the past several years.  Most of it I remember from being pregnant with John.  I had this grand idea of making blankets while I was on bed rest in the hospital.  Turns out, I used the time to watch daytime television, read magazines and drink sweet tea the nurses brought in to me.  Way to use my time wisely, right?

Anyway, here's a few of the ideas I have for Christmas this year.  And yes, most of them are from Pinterest.


No sew fleece blanket edging from Nebraska Views

 

 with matching hand warmers from helping little hands

 

 

A couple of money trees from then she made.

 

 

A rag quilt for my mom - with the help of my friend Tracy E.

 

 

Ten dates for $20 from The Dating Divas

 

 

For Ronnie:  The game of love, also from The Dating Divas

 

 

And several scarves from Red Heart Yarn.

 

I'm also hoping to have time to make some goodies out of the beeswax I have leftover from our honey extraction earlier this month.  Maybe some lip gloss or lotions.  I'm not sure.  

 

 

One last thing: 

 



 

How stinkin' cute is that?

 

There's no directions with the pin, but it's pretty straight forward.  Little donuts, M&M's and pretzels.  I'm going to try to make a few for each of the nieces & nephews for Christmas morning. 

 

Are you making anything this year?

Pintervention Week 4

I love things that are easy and economical. 

This weeks Pintervention fits that description perfectly.

Recycle old candles into fresh candle tarts!

I have a couple of candle tart warmers that plug into the wall.  They use very little electricity, no flame and they disperse the scent through out the house.  I have one in the bathroom and another in my bedroom. 

And yes, while tarts are still a cheaper alternative to buying whole candles, why not use what you have?  Right? 

Right.

Here's what I did:

Take one candle that's down to where you can't burn it anymore.  I choose this great pineapple mango that my friend Cessna gave me for my birthday last year.  It smells fantastic.

Melt it.  I used a candle warmer, but you could also very carefully melt it on the stove in a pot of water.  Very.  Carefully.

Once it's melted, simply pour it into an ice cube tray.  Then, pop it into the freezer until it's solid.  Be careful.  It is hot.

Once they're solid, just pop them out.  They're ready to go.  

Loved this one!

Pintervention: Week 1

Obsession.  Addiction.  Oh my, such strong words.

Let's call it an "issue".  Yes.  I may have a Pinterst "issue".  I've come to this conclusion based on the following items:
        1.  I now have 850 some pins.
        2.  Pinterest has become part of my morning routine. 
                    Ronnie to work.  Coffee & devotions.  Email.  FB.  Pinterest.
        3.  I now set a 15 minute timer when I get on Pinterest to limit myself.
        4.  I reference "pins" in normal conversation. 

On the flip side, I have to give credit to Pinterest for so many great ideas. 
         English Muffins, plug in refills, foaming hand soap, laundry & dishwasher detergent.  I've also found the best recipe for pancakes that's now a favorite. 

I've decided that I'm going to start a weekly update of what I've done from Pinterest.

Here's today's:

DIY Cash Envelopes from todaysnest.com.

This was actually a great project.  I just downloaded the template and printed it out on pretty scrapbook paper that I already had.  Next, cut them out and secure them with glue or tape (I used both).  Easy peasy.

Here's my version:

Sorry for the picture quality.  My battery on my D90 is dead.  I had to use my IPod.  I think you can still get the gist of it.  I love them.  They are tucked away in the side of my planner pocket.  As I use the cash, I put the receipt in the envelope until I have time to jot it down. 

And really, they're just too cute.  So much better than plain old envelopes.

Dave Ramsey would be so proud.