DIY Cupcake Tin Advent

There are lots of awesome advent calendars out there...but they can cost a fortune. Last year, I started making my own. In this season of life, I like to keep it simple.
Last year, I started using the cupcake tin idea. I am sure this idea came from Pinterst. It was quite an undertaking because I had to cut out all of the circles and numbers...thankfully I saved all the covers and was able to assemble quickly this year. If you have more than one child, just get some more cupcake tins!

What you need:
Mini cupcake tin
24 pieces of miniature candies or small toys
Holiday paper
1-24 Stickers or cutouts from Cricut
24 Circles 2 inch circles (use Cricut or hole punch) 
24 Circles 2 1/2 inch circles (use Cricut or hole punch)
Glue or adhesive
Glue dots

Directions:
Cut out the numbers 1-24 (to save time you can buy stickers).
Cut out the circles. Place the numbers on each of the smaller circles and layer on top of a larger circle.
Place a piece of chocolate or small toy in each of the circles. Place a glue dot on the top and bottom the assembled circle and stick to cover the opening.

As you can see by the finished product, gluing the small numbers made a bit of a mess....so stickers would definitely be a cleaner, quicker option.

 

After-Christmas sales

It's hard to beat the after Christmas sales.

I rose early this morning (after a long night riding along with Nate in the police cruiser) to head to Bed Bath & Beyond. My sister picked her wedding reception centerpiece from there and I was hoping to find them all 50 percent off. It was with the Christmas stuff before Christmas, so my fingers were crossed.

When I got there, nada. So, I picked up 4 rolls of 100-sq.ft wrapping paper for $1.50 each. I stocked up for the next few years. I asked about the centerpieces. They moved them back to the home decor and they weren't on sale! Thank goodness for 20 percent coupons. I picked up two and paid separately for them so I could use both 20-percent-off coupons. The gal at the register said you can use one coupon per item, no need to ring it up separately (even though the coupon said 1 per visit). Sweet.

I headed to Michaels and stocked up on $25 worth of stuff I probably didn't need, but will probably be thankful that I bought come next Christmas. I stopped at A.C. Moore to try to find the blank red and green cards I use for my recycled cards, but no dice.

I stopped at the Bread Outlet (Fridays are BOGO in December) but they were closed. I have one more Friday to stock up.

My after-Christmas shopping is complete. Oh, until I head to Cracker Barrel tomorrow for cheap ornaments.
But I swear, then I am done.

I decked the stairs

I had the pile of greens spread out on my kitchen floor. As you can see, my cats had a lot of fun playing in it. I think they even ate some.

I found the motivation on Wednesday night to finally decorate the banister on the staircase like I planned to.

I have to tell you that I am not a patient person when it comes to decorating. If I can take shortcuts, I do, as long as it looks OK. When I have a vision, I want it to appear immediately. I know, I am working on this.
I don't really have a process of how I did this. My thought was to join the branches together with flower wire and then weave it up the staircase. That didn't really work out so hot. I ended up sort of attaching a few, then I got bored. So, I took the little thin string over the banister and just laid it there. I attached it to the banister with flower wire. I then fattened it up by just sticking random branches into the bare spots. Most of them stayed. I just used a little flower wire of they didn't. Anyway, the ribbon is what really helped tie it all together, pun totally intended.

I cut a piece of gold gross-grain ribbon and tied it so there was just the flat front showing. I did this on every three spaces. Then, I tied the perfect bow (a future post will show this) using the gold and a little organza green for a holiday touch. I used a straight pin to attach it to each of the ribbons. I don't think it turned out too bad!

Saving on holiday gift cards

This year I am so not creative about giving gifts. I put effort forth on a few and then resorted to gift cards. You can't go wrong.

But, instead of running around to each individual store (because you have to at least put in enough thought to get them a card at a store they like or shop at), you can buy them at the grocery store. And thanks to Jen, who pointed out that you save gas rewards points at Giant by doing it. I bought a $25 gift card to Applebees at Wal-mart for $24.75. Not sure why the 25 cent discount. I will, however, be buying the rest of them at Giant, so I can rack up the gas rewards points.

If you visit their Website they even have a list of stores they carry.

Happy gift card shopping!

Charlie Brown's wreath

I am always trying to save money. Sure, I could go out and buy a fancy wreath for my front door, but that could cost a lot of money. Maybe $20 or more. So, I do what I always do. I make my own. All it took was some greens, flower wire, holly and a ribbon.

Step one: Get the greens. When we picked out our Christmas tree, we asked for the branches he trimmed off the bottom to take home. He generously offered us more. Of course, we'll take them! They probably throw the excess away, so go ahead and ask for some.

Step two: Shape the wreath. This was the hard part. I took two sturdy branches that naturally bent in toward each other and just started fastening it together with flower wire, like a twisty. I just kept adding branches where they needed to go until it looked sort of filled out. Well, actually I got tired and that is why it looks so thin. Use pruners to trim the branches that won't cooperate.

Step three: Add accents. I chose holly leaves and berries, because, well, its free. I have a whole huge tree in my front yard. (You are more than welcome to it anytime. Nate would like it if it were gone, so maybe many years of wreaths will whittle it away and save us chopping it down.) I just stuck it in there and hoped it would stay, but you could use flower wire and hot glue to secure anything. You can use pine cones, ribbons, poinsettias or anything else you find in the Christmas aisle. Then you add a bow. I have to tell you there was some frustrations for me making a bow, but I read a craft book and now know how to make the perfect one. See me if you need some help!

Recycled Christmas Cards

I save every card I've ever been given. I save them in shoe boxes. A few years ago, I decided to try to do something with them. So, I make recycled Christmas cards (I plan to do it for birthdays, etc, but I have yet to remember to do it on a regular basis.)

Last year after Christmas I bought red and green cards, envelopes and card stock at the craft store for a greatly reduced price. I stored them in my craft closet. I dug out all my old Christmas cards. I reread them before I use them, so it bring back great memories.

Then, I get to work. I separate the front of the card from the part that was written in. Sometimes, I save the little message or small photos for gift tags. I usually cut out an accent color to add some color. I attach that to the card, then the photo to that and voila, you have a new, homemade card. I use mono adhesive. Why? Because that is what my mom (the art, craft, stamper queen) told me to use. You can buy it at the craft store.

All the cards look different. Each is colorful. And I can create my own message, since I am a writer and all.

You can also use the cards to decorate plain gift bags. Using card stock and cards, make a creative display on the bag. Dress it up with matching ribbon, bows and jingle bells.

My other tip to save money is to shop after the holidays for the next year's Christmas cards. You can get huge boxes of cards for a few dollars. They don't rot. In fact, they store quite nicely with your Christmas supplies.

Cheers, to creating great holiday cards!

Cooking for a small crowd

Over the weekend, Kelly, my best friend, and I got together to whip together some casseroles. She has a small family and I just have a husband, so we decided it was a good idea to share the expenses, work and rewards. We made two casseroles and split them in half. The idea is to freeze them and when life is busy, pop them in the oven for a quick meal.

After preparing them, we covered them with plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. We taped an index card to the top with the instructions for heating. It's a great way to share food expenses. We also made boiled chicken pot pie and pumpkin roll.

Here is my (well, Libby's recipe modified just a tad) recipe for Pumpkin Roll:

Cake

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup pure pumpkin
  
• Filling
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover a 15-by-10-inch jelly-roll pan (I use the Pampered Chef stone) line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan.

Bake for 13 to 15 minutes (14 minutes, plus 3 more works for me) or until top of cake springs back when touched. If it isn't done, your finger will come out with cake on it.

Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together. If you want a short and fat roll, start from the narrow end. If you want a longer skinnier roll that is good for parties with a lot of food, start at the wide end. Cool on wire rack.

Meanwhile, for the filling, beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired. I freeze it for up to one month during busy holiday season.