Monday 24 October 2016

Slouchy hat, infinity scarf + handwarmer kit

I  FINALLY finished my infinity scarf, handwarmer & slouchy hat kit.  Had to wait for buttons from China! couldn't find any around here .  Had a hard time taking my pics with my phone.



Update:  Gave these to Kasandra for Christmas 2016, an extra Christmas gift.

Monday 25 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 25 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 25

CIJ day 25 / jour 25

Merry Christmas in July!!!  Only 6 more months until Christmas J

Have a cup of hot cocoa and work on your Christmas tradition list.





Thank you all for joining me in CIJ 2016. 

Sunday 24 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 24 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 24

CIJ day 24 / jour 24

Angel wings.

There is no tutorial but it can be easily drawn freehand and made into a Chrismtas ornament for the tree. You could even add a name-tage if you have a special angel in your family.




Saturday 23 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 23 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 23

CIJ day 23 / jour 23
Cranberry – orange muffins


NGREDIENTS
·         2 cups Flour
·         ¾ cup Light Brown Sugar
·         2 tsp Baking Powder
·         2 Eggs
·         ¾ cup Orange Juice
·         1 Tbsp Orange Zest
·         cup Vegetable Oil
·         1 cup chopped Fresh Cranberries (or 1 cup dried, if you can't find fresh cranberries)
INSTRUCTIONS
1.    Preheat oven to 375.
2.    Line muffin pan with paper liners (if you want to skip the liners, you can - just spray the muffin tins with non-stick spray)
3.    Mix together flour, brown sugar and baking powder. Set aside.
4.    Beat together eggs. orange juice, zest and oil.
5.    Add wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until moistened.
6.    Fold in cranberries.
7.    Spoon into prepared muffin pan.
8.    Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

9.    Cool on a wire rack.

Friday 22 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 22 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 22

CIJ day 22 / jour 22

Friday night at the movies.  It’s a Wonderful Life



A movie with James Stuart about an angel that helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.


It’s a 1946 movie in black and white but it’s got a lovely Christmas spirit.

Thursday 21 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 21 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 21


CIJ day 21 / jour 21

Large reusable Christmas gift bag.



This one is great but I don’t have the tutorial.  However you could use one of the tutorials on here to make it http://so-sew-easy.com/fabric-gift-bags/

A tutorial can also be found here

Wednesday 20 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 20 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 20

CIJ day 20 / jour 20

Gifts for men.  

They are so hard to buy for!  I know mine is as is also my son.

Slim wallet
Wi-fi speaker
Wireless headphones (oh WE love that he wears those! Haha)
Cool cufflinks – these can be found really cheap on AllieExpress and added to the stockings
Tools!
A telescope ($$)
Sports cap (as if they didn’t already own tons of these!)
Smart home wall controller ($$) – this would be awesome
Perfume – I like Aqua de Gio de Armani
Portable phone charger… hummmm I think I’ll look up this one for my son
Faux book safe
Go pro camera
Turntable – I know dh would like that
A drone
Hammock
Hot-dog toaster
DVD – James Bond collection
Breakfast maker machine (bought that last year and the boys use it!)

Go see that link, really great ideas on there.  I usually buy a sweater, a dvd or a  GC for tools.

Tuesday 19 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 19 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 19

CIJ day 19 / jour 19

A healthier Christmas dessert today.

Dark chocolate sea-salt almonds



Ingredients:

·         6 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet high quality chocolate
·         1 and 1/2 cups Diamond of California whole almonds (raw and unsalted)
·         sea salt
·         turbinado sugar (or any coarse/raw sugar)
 Directions:
1.      Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
2.      Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or (carefully!) use the microwave. For the microwave, place the chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Melt in 30 second increments, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can temper the chocolate. If tempering, do not store finished nuts in the refrigerator.
3.      Stir the almonds into the chocolate, making sure to coat each one. Using a dipping tool or a fork, lift the almonds out of the chocolate one by one or only a couple at a time (you don't want them all sticking together!), gently tap the tool/fork against the side of the bowl to release excess chocolate, and place onto prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining almonds.
4.      Sprinkle almonds with a little sea salt and turbinado sugar, then allow chocolate to completely set. I placed the baking sheet in the refrigerator to speed it up!
5.      Store chocolate covered almonds in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Additional Notes:

For extra flavor, try toasting the almonds first! Simply spread them out onto a large baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes at 300°F (149°C). Allow to slightly cool before coating with chocolate.


Enjoy!

Monday 18 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 18 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 18

CIJ day 18 / jour 18
Champagne Jello Cups



I’m thinking this would be great on New-Year’s Eve

Ingredients:
1ST CHAMPAGNE LAYER
1 & 1/2 cups champagne
1/2 cup boiling water
1 gelatin packet

CREAMY LAYER
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
1 gelatin packet

2ND CHAMPAGNE LAYER
1 & 1/2 cups champagne
1/2 cup boiling water
1 gelatin packet

FOR THE RIM
gold sprinkles
corn syrup

Directions:
Gently pour the champagne into a mixing bowl.
Measure out 1/2 cup of boiling water in a separate bowl then add 1 gelatin packet to the water, gently stirring.
Once combined, pour the water/gelatin mixture into the champagne and gently stir.
Divide the champagne jello into glasses. If you want the jello to set at an angle, place the glasses in a muffin or mini muffin pan at an angle to set in the refrigerator.
Once the champagne jello has set, begin to prepare the creamy layer.
In a mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and 1 cup of boiling water. Stir to combine.
In a separate bowl, combine the 1/2 cup cold water and 1 gelatin packet. Stir to mix. Allow the gelatin mixture to set for 2-3 minutes.
Pour the gelatin mixture into the sweetened condensed milk mixture and stir to combine.
Divide the creamy layer into the glasses. If you want the jello to set at an angle, place the glasses in a muffin or mini muffin pan at an angle to set in the refrigerator.
Repeat the instructions for the champagne layer to add the final layer to the cups.
Use a small amount of corn syrup and your finger, a small metal spatula or a small new paint brush to dab a little bit of corn syrup all around the rim of the glass.
Then turn the glass upside down into a shallow bowl of sprinkles, moving it around until the rim is covered.
Serve the jello or refrigerate until ready to serve.


Sunday 17 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 17 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 17

CIJ day 17 / jour 17
Party looks


I’m not one to do my nails but I like these:




    



This look is really Christmassy



Classic


Shoes… weird  ones and nice ones












Saturday 16 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 16 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 16

CIJ day 16 / jour 16

Decorations Wishlist

A lighted tree skirt!
More red / white themed throws and pillows
A Christmas comforter!
Christmas shower curtain
More candles
A Santa frame
A Christmas dollhouse (one can always wish!)



I’ve got lots of decorations I like, pinned here: https://fr.pinterest.com/LucieElf/christmas-decor/

Friday 15 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 15 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 15

CIJ day 15/ jour 15

Another Friday at the movies for CIJ!

I was thinking of a Charlie Brown Christmas.  It is one dvd I do not have yet but have watched it on tv.

You can buy it on Amazon at : https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Remastered-Deluxe/dp/B001CO42J8

Here's the synopsis: Christmastime is here. Happiness and cheer. And for Peanuts fans everywhere, it just wouldn't be Christmas without this classic holiday delight. Christmas lights may be twinkling red and green, but Charlie Brown has the Yuletide blues. To get in the holiday spirit, he takes Lucy's advice and directs the Christmas play. And what's a Christmas play without a Christmas tree? But everyone makes fun of the short, spindly nevergreen Charlie Brown brings back – until the real meaning of Christmas works its magic once again.


I know I love the Charlie Brown tree!

Thursday 14 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 14 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 14

CIJ day 14 / jour 14
Christmas magazines

I love to have Christmas magazines!  In fact I receive some magazines but only keep the Christmas ones (the others I donate after looking at them).

The one I receive every year is Coup de Pouce.  When I receive it it gets me in the Holiday Spirit instantly!

I also have a few Martha Stewarts that I bought at the thrift store.  So Martha Stewart is also a good choice




There are also a few others

         





What Christmas magazines do you look at during the Holidays?

Wednesday 13 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 13 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 13

CIJ day 13 / jour 13
Skor’s bar recipe

I have made this a few times and it’s a hit every time!  And so easy to do.  Can be frozen.  I cut it up in small squares as it is very sweet.

YIELD24-36 pieces

1package skor toffee pieces
1box Ritz cracker (orignal flavour)
1can condensed milk

DIRECTIONS
Crush the Ritz Crackers.
Mix with the other two ingredients.
Pour mixture into a buttered 9x9 pan.
Press firmly.
Bake at 300 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Let cool and slice while still warm.


Tuesday 12 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 12 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 12

CIJ day 12 / jour 12

Secret Santa

My son did this when he was in primary school. 

Wikipedia says:  members of a group or community are randomly assigned a person to whom they anonymously give a gift….. okay…. So that’s the way we do our sister/brother exchange then.

But that’s not exactly how they did it at my son’s school.  They had to buy a gift or gifts to a person (anonymously) and give them over a period of time.  Let’s say they had 10 days.. they could either give just 1 gift or more and give them during that period of  time.  My son received a burned Christmas dvd one day, a candy cane another day and one other trinket.  They were really small items they could buy or preferably make.  I like this secret santa variation much better!

Ideas for 10 days of secret santa:

Grinch poop
Reindeer food
Snowman soup
Candy cane
Candy bar with Christmas wrapper
Burned Christmas dvd
Nail polish
















Donut seeds

















Soda bottle
















Flashlight
















Lottery ticket
….


Have fun!

Monday 11 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 11 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 11

CIJ day 11 / jour 11

Christmas coloring books

There are now LOTS of different coloring books for adults – it’s the Zen thing to do these days.  Here are a few Christmas themed coloring books… would be nice to do this with the Christmas tree lights on and some soft Christmas music in the background.

Here are the top 13 Christmas coloring books for adults. (Source: http://coloringbookaddict.com/top-10-christmas-coloring-books-adults/ )

I’ll just post a few of them but you can see them all in the link above.  Don’t forget to get nice colored pencils!





You could also frame some of your drawings for the Holiday Season and why not use them to wrap gifts?  Or use Kraft paper and draw on that before wrapping your gifts.

Sunday 10 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 10 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 10

CIJ day 10 / jour 10
Twelve days of Christmas

I have never done this but have seen this go by… especially on Pinterest!

According to Wikipedia:
It is a festive Christian season to celebrate the nativity of Jesus. In most Western Church traditions Christmas Day is the First Day of Christmas and the Twelve Days are 25 December – 5 January. 

When I was younger, I know that for us January 6 was the Kings day (Ephiphany) and ended the Christmas season.  We don’t celebrate it here anymore. There was a cake with a pea in it and the one who got it was King or Queen for the night.  AND we did not take down Christmas decorations until January 6th.

Lots more facts here http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/12daysofchristmas.shtml  Every one of those 12 days celebrate a Saint.

Song about the 12 days of Christmas:
What is the religious symbolism of the 12 days of Christmas?
Here is one rendition on what the religious symbolism is for the Twelve Days of Christmas:
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
Nowadays, mostly people give small gifts the 12 days leading to Christmas.  Usually, it is Christian-based gifts or gifts that refer to the song.

Here’s some RAK ideas


Some small gift ideas for the 12 days of Christmas can also be found here

Saturday 9 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 9 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 9

Christmas sweaters
Here are a few pictures of Christmas Sweaters.  They are not all ugly!  I would love this – in fact I WILL have one!



Now this one is ugly! 

I would also want a vest like the mom in Christmas with the Kranks – a diy project to add to my list!


Friday 8 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 8 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 8

CIJ day 8 / jour 8
Friday night at the movies – Fred Claus

Santa’s bitter older brother is forced to move to the North Pole (Vince Vaughn).  A nice Christmas movie.

The only thing lacking is a ‘cute’ Santa.  I find the Santa is not the best-looking but Santa’s brother is hot! J

Thursday 7 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 7 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 7

CIJ day 1 / jour 1
Every year I send out some Christmas cards.  Some are for family and some are for my MHH friends.  I mail around 20.
I always say I’ll make my own cards, but I’ve never done it yet.

For my MHH friends I always add a little something to the card (something thin because mailing costs are prohibitive!)

Here’s what I did in previous years :
*        2010 : Recipe
*        2011 : Christmas coupons (Tags)
*        2012 : Grow your own tree
*        2013 : Tea with poem (in a ribbon pocket attached to the card)
*        2014 : Felt holly leaves
*        2015 : ugly christmas sweater (felt ornament)

More ideas for small things to add to Christmas cards :

Christmas printables
*        Christmas paper dolls
*        Bookmarks
*        Subway art
*        Game
*        Tags

Picture

Quote / poem

Felt ornament

Crochet ornament

Recipe



Wednesday 6 July 2016

Christmas in July 2016 day 6 / Noël en juillet 2016 jour 6

CIJ day 6 / jour 6
Self-Christmas presents

Why not make a list of things I’d like for Christmas.  I usually make one and buy some of my own presents.. that way I get what I want J

*        A sweater ( I ALWAYS want and need new sweaters! Haha)
*        Body cream
*        Dark chocolate with hot pepper
*        Pedicure
*        Anything that comes from Renaud/Bray store http://www.renaud-bray.com/accueil.aspx
*        A 12 X 16 portfolio to store my drawings
*        Tea
*        Salt lamp
*        DVD series – Roots
*        Pook mittens, hat and scarf 
*        Hunger games dvd
*        Simply tai-chi dvd
*        Woodless colored pencils
*        Paintbrush case
*        MP3 blue-tooth
*        Blue-tooth speaker

I’m sure I’ll think of more ideas until then.   What would you like to receive for Christmas?