Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale!

Everything in both shops is now

10% off & ships for FREE!

(ends Tuesday morning..11/30/10)

Go have a look :)

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Thanksgiving Crafty Countdown...DAY 6

This one isn't really crafty...but today I spent the day baking with my daughter & my son...it was a lot of fun :)

Here is one thing we made...and they helped every step of the way..

Double Braided Bread

3 Tb. Sugar

1 pkg. yeast (2 1/4 tsp.)

1 tsp. salt

3 Tb. Butter

6 cups flour

2 cups water

1. Mix sugar, yeast, salt, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix well.

2. Heat water & butter until warm, add to the flour mixture & beat until smooth. (I mixed mine by hand).

3. Add the remaining flour.  When it becomes to thick to stir, turn out onto a clean, floured surface & knead until smooth & no longer sticky.

4. Allow to rise, covered in a greased bowl until doubled.

5. Punch dough down, allow to rest on a floured surface for 10 minutes.  Divide dough into half (I always make one half a little bigger), then each half into thirds.  Roll into long ropes and braid three together.  Repeat with the remaining dough.

6. Spread the larger braid out a little, so it is wider & longer, then stack the small braid on top.  Allow to raise for another 30 minutes to 1 hour.

7. Bake at 350 until bread is browned and sounds hollow when tapped.  Remove from oven and slather with butter :)

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Crafty Countdown...DAY 5

'Frosted' Candle Holders...with a leaf motif

Clear contact paper gives these an etched look, but after the holidays are over (and a new one has begun) you can just peel it off and add a new one (snowflakes, maybe?)

You need:

clear contact paper

glass candle holder

scissors

craft knife

1. Trace or draw a leaf onto the paper side of the contact paper. Cut out.

2. Using the craft knife cut a slit to start cutting out the stem, I found it was easier to finish the job with the scissors.

3. CAREFULLY peel off the paper backing.  This can be a little tricky, just pull slowly & make sure not to tear any corners.

4. Stick to the outside of your candle holder, adjusting as needed & making sure there are no air bubbles.  I used a filled candle, just because that's what I had on hand, it would look great on a clear glass votive or candle holder--be sure to use one with straight sides to avoid lots of bubbles & creases.

**The look is subtle...it would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table, where you are close to the candles :)**

Thanksgiving Crafty Countdown..Days 2,3,4...

So...time got away from me this weekend...between the craft fair, errands & everything else that had to be done--seeing Harry Potter was one of them :) I just didn't have time to blog.  So on Sunday afternoon the kids sat down & had some crafting time.  These crafts are all supper easy (and I think you can make all three for under $10)

"Stained Glass" Leaves

I remember doing this when I was in the first grade...only we put dry leaves in with the crayons and made colored paper frames.  It's amazingly easy & a good use for extra, worn out crayons that you might have...

You need:

wax paper

crayons (paper peeled back)

pencil sharpener

yarn or tape (opt.)

iron

scissors

hole punch

1. Fold a piece of waxed paper in half.

2. sharpen crayons over waxed paper.  Collect a good amount of shavings---use lots of different colors--on one side of the creased wax paper.

3. Sandwich crayon shavings in wax paper.  Run a warm iron over it quickly...it only takes a second, you will see the crayons melt instantly--the kids think this is so cool :) If you happen to get a little wax on your iron, quickly wipe it off onto a old towel.

4. Trace or draw leaves onto the cooled wax paper (it cools almost instantly).

5. Cut out leaves.

6. Punch holes, tie onto yarn & hang in front of a window. Or tape to a window so that they are lit up from the sunlight.

Indian Beads

 I know you could just string plastic beads from the store...but I think this adds a little more fun (plus you get hundreds of beads for about $1.00)

You need:

ditalini pasta (short tubes)

food coloring (liquid or gel)

yarn or string

1. separate pasta in to resealable plastic bags (one for each color you want to make.  Add a few drops of food coloring and shake until all the pasta is colored.

2. Pour pasta onto a glass plate or container and let it dry for a few minutes (so your fingers don't get stained).

3. String one pasta bead onto the yarn and tie a knot around it.

4. Wrap the opposite end with a thin piece of tape, this will keep it from un-raveling & will be easier to thread through the pasta.

5.  String as many beads as you like to make necklaces, bracelets, rings, napkin rings--or anything else you can think up :)

Leaf Napkin Ties

This is a fun craft for the older kids.  One set took my 8 year old only 5-10 minutes, start to finish.  Make sure they know to be careful with the needle.

You need:

felt, assorted colors

yarn or embroidery floss

large needle

fabric scissors

1. Cut two leaves out of felt.

2. Thread one end of yarn through the needle, knot the other end. Starting at the tip of one leaf, stitch a running stitch (basic in and out) down the center to the end of the stem.

3.  Keeping enough length of yarn between the leaves to tie around your napkins, stitch the second leaf onto the same yarn, this time starting at the stem and ending at the tip of the leaf.

4. Tie around your napkin.

Have fun crafting!

Thanksgiving Crafty Countdown...DAY 1

With only one week until Thanksgiving I thought I would countdown the days with fun activities for you & your family to do together (and mine too)

...here's the first--super easy, cute and inexpensive:

Cone Cornucopia Place Markers

You need:

a microwave

sugar cones

filler (I used caramel candy corn, trail mix works great too)

1/2 x 5 1/2 inch strips of paper

pen or colored pencil

1. Set one cone at a time on a microwaveable plate so it is standing straight up. Microwave from 10-20 seconds (mine took 20 seconds, but I have a low-watt oven)...use the first as a test.  You want the cone to start to get soft toward the tip---don't go too long, it will start to burn.

2.  Bend the tip of the cone toward the open end to form a "cornucopia".  Be careful--it will be a little hot, hold it so that it cools down & holds it's shape.

3. Write the name on the center of the strip of paper. If desired cut a V out of each end of the paper, so it resembles ribbon.  Wrap one end of the paper around a pencil, just two times, unroll.  Repeat with the opposite end, wrapping it around the opposite direction.  Unroll.

4. Fill your cornucopias & place on a plate with a napkin...or where ever you would like :) Drape the 'ribbon' paper a top the cornucopia...easy enough :) & your done.

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And The Winner Is....

Thanks everyone who entered---and for all the sweet compliments--they really mean a lot to me :)

So, I've numbered all the entries in order (21 in total)

and thanks to random.org our winner is:



Elizabeth!!

e-mail me at anticipationcards{at}yahoo{dot}com with your address & which set you would like :) Congrats!

giveaway!!!!---NOW CLOSED!!

Are you getting ready for Christmas yet? I am....well not in the lets put the decorations out type of way, more in a 'I like to be prepared' way...I am just a 'little bit' of an over-achiever & I like to make ornaments every year...

or every-other-year. Soon I will be posting pictures of what I am working on for this year's tree---and some tutorials :). 

And so, since I'm already basking in the Christmas spirit...I thought it would be fun to have a Christmas Ornament giveaway....featuring my ornaments from See Anna Sew .  

The lucky winner will get to choose a set of 6 (you can mix & match if you like)

Here's how to get up to FOUR entries...

(please leave a comment for each)

1. leave a comment--which ornaments do you like best?

2. Follow this blog...or my other blog Faith & Air Dumplings (if you already do, let me know)

3. follow me on facebook & link back here in your status

4. follow me on twitter & tweet about this giveaway

You have until Wednesday, November 17 @ noon...& I will have them shipped to you just in time for holiday decorating :)

Thanks for entering!

Gratitude Jar

Here is a quick, easy, inexpensive & meaningful way to add to your Thanksgiving decor...

"I am Grateful" jar

here is what you need:

A large clear glass jar with smooth sides (use what ever shape or style you like)

clear contact paper

printer, paper & a good font :)

scissors

1. Print out the letters for "I am grateful" with extra spaces in between in fall colors--you choose :). Use a large font size, around 90 for 'I am' & 150 or so for 'grateful" I used the font 'Matiz'...try fontsquirrel.com or acidfonts.com for great free fonts.

2. Cut out letters. Cut a strip of clear contact paper wide enough to fit your letters (mine has 'I am' above 'grateful & measures 3 inches).

3. Remove the backing from the contact paper, working right side down and backwards (or you will end up with a mirror image), stick cut out letters, color side down onto the sticky side of the contact paper.

4. Stick contact paper to jar, wrapping around the width.  You will end up with a 'frosty' stripe with the letters.

5.Place your jar, with a small pad of paper & pencils, somewhere where your family & guests can write down & add what they are thankful for....great to keep up all year round--so we can always remember to count our blessings :)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

CLEARANCE SALE...

All halloween items left in my shop are

clearanced for 30% off right now...

great items at a really great price :)

find them at: Anticipation Cards