November 2008 - Posts
Go All Out! It’s Thanksgiving!
It’s almost Thanksgiving. You’ve spent weeks thinking about what to serve for that special Thanksgiving dinner, shopping for those ‘family recipe’ ingredients (along with one more frozen turkey), and worrying about the weather. Take off that last bit of stress and use this elegant and easy party outline to plan your dinner décor. Follow the steps below to set a beautiful and classic Thanksgiving scene using pumpkins and earthy colors. Nothing tells your family you care like a well planned holiday gathering…. except maybe a warm bowl of turkey soup…
Checklist
- Lifetime Banquet tables
- Lifetime chairs
- A selection of Heirloom Tomatoes and tomatoes of all shapes and sizes
- Chocolate or maroon velvet tablecloth
- Fairytale pumpkins (the gray-ish white ones that have a wonderful shape)
- Baby white pumpkins (one for each setting)
- Lots and lots of cream colored candles
- Cream or Maroon colored napkins
- 2” wide chocolate velvet or orange ribbon (about 2’ per guest)
- Thanksgiving Pilgrims Blessing Mix (one for each setting). Cellophane bag, Bugles, candy corn, pretzels, dried fruit and nuts.
- Prayer of thanks printed on small square of parchment paper. See free download.
- Square or round cardboard cake bases
- Lots of fall leaves
- Spray adhesive
Steps
- Push together three long tables to make one big square table.
- Cover the tables with brown velvet fabric, taping or sewing edges together to form a very large square that will cover to the floor.
- Cover folding chairs with a cream-colored fabric and tie in the back with a few pumpkin ribbon.
- Set candles, white pumpkins, and filled chargers along the center of the table. Be sure to put the pumpkins in places that create interest, taller pumpkins next to smaller ones, wide pumpkins beside skinny ones, etc.
- Make Pilgrim's Blessing Mix Bags & Tags: Fill the cellophane bags with a few Bugles, candy corn, pretzels, dried fruit and nuts. Print the downloadable Pilgrim's Blessing Mix tag and attach to the bag with a ribbon.
- Make Placemats: Use a small table as a work surface to make the placemats: One at a time, spray the square or round cardboard cake bases with fixative glue, and cover with Fall leaves. Place silver chargers at the top of each placemat. The earthy placemats and the silver chargers make a beautiful setting for your table.
- Cut slits at the top of the white baby pumpkins, and use them as place card holders. The pumpkin place card holders are adorable, and will surely get noticed! You can also attach a pumpkin leaf with the guests’ name.
- Set the table with white china or earth tones.
- If you have any leaves or pumpkins left, sprinkle them along the table’s center. This will add to the detail surrounding your beautiful cooked turkey centerpiece.
- Cook the food! Put a spin on traditional sliced turkey, it’s sure to be a hit. Here’s a new one for your Thanksgiving feast, or a great recipe for after Thanksgiving: Deb’s Best Ever Turkey Soup.
Tips
- Have fun at the Pumpkin Patch! Take the kids along to pick out wonderfully shaped white pumpkins. If you make it into a challenging game, they will have a great time scouting out pumpkins with interesting shapes.
- A great source for cream colored candles of all sizes is Candles The Williamsburg Candle Co. (1-800-367-9722 www.wsac.com.) They burn longer and they don’t drip.
- Use extra tables as a buffet to serve your Thanksgiving dinner.
- Match the décor on the dinner with the table décor, using Fairytale pumpkins, fall leaves, pumpkin colored roses or mums.
Recipe: Deb’s Best Ever Turkey Soup
- Turkey Carcass
- Water
- 2 bay leaves
- sea salt
- freshly ground pepper
- 1 tsp. Marjoram
- 1 T. fresh thyme leaves
- 1 T. chopped fresh sage
- 3 T. butter
- 3 T. flour
- ½ cup uncooked rice
- 2/3 cup diced celery
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 T. chopped fresh parsley
- Turkey meat, diced
- Turkey dressing
- Turkey gravy
- 3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
- Place the turkey carcass in a large soup kettle and cover with water. Stir in the bay leaves, salt, pepper, marjoram, thyme and sage. Bring the water to a boil and simmer for 3-4 hours, adding more water to keep the turkey bones covered.
- Strain the stock and reserve.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a kettle, stir in the flour until smooth. Add the turkey stock (you should have 3-4 quarts.) Add the rice, celery, onion and parsley. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add any leftover turkey meat, dressing and gravy.
- In a skillet melt the remaining butter and sauté the mushrooms until brown. Add to the soup and let the whole thing simmer for another hour or so.
Pumpkin Cake
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups pumpkin puree or cooked mashed pumpkin
- Cream Cheese Frosting (below)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- Combine sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Add dry ingredients and beat until well blended. Stir in pumpkin puree.
- Pour batter into two greased and floured 9-inch round layer cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes (or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean). Turn out onto racks to cool. Frost pumpkin cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. If desired, sprinkle with pecans.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 pound confectioner's sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Combine ingredients in mixing bowl. Beat until creamy. Makes enough to frost a 2-layer cake.
Free Downloads
Show your teachers your sincere appreciation
Rather than giving your child's teacher flowers or candles at the end of the school year, why not make a mini album so the teacher can remember the highlights of the year? Try out this envelope album. It provides plenty of room for photos, and the pockets are great for storing messages from each of the children. I'd recommend asking your child to be in charge of collecting photos, notes and memorabilia from all of the students in the class. When he or she helps out with the project, it really becomes a gift from them. In fact, other students may be interested in helping out as well. Designate age-appropriate tasks to them so the album will truly represent everyone!
Checklist
- Lifetime Table
- Lifetime Chair
- Stationery envelopes measuring 4 3/8" x 5 3/4"
- Two pieces of chipboard cut to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
- Double-sided tape or other adhesive
- Patterned paper and embellishments
- Photos, notes and memorabilia
Steps
- Slide each piece of chipboard into an envelope and tuck in the flap to cover the chipboard.
- Adhere one chipboard-stuffed envelope to the plain side of another envelope to create a sturdy cover. (The pocket of the exposed envelope should be on the inside of the book cover and should open to the right.)
- Stuff the flap of the exposed envelope inside itself.
- Construct the pages of the book with pockets on the left and blank pages on the right. To do this, pick up another envelope and fold back at the crease. Then slide the flap of this new envelope into the exposed pocket of the inside cover. (This should give you a pocket on the left and a plain page on the right.)
- Continue folding back the flaps of each envelope and sliding them into the previous envelope until you reach the last page.
- After folding back the last pocket, tape the remaining chipboard-stuffed page directly on top of the exposed pocket to create a back cover.
- Close the envelope and hold it carefully with the cover facing the ceiling. Carefully pull open the spine and place tape between each flap and the previous envelope to hold in place.
- Decorate the envelope book with patterned paper, stickers, die cuts and other embellishments.
- Fill pockets and plain pages with photos, journaling and memorabilia.
Thank You Mrs. Larsen Album by Shaunte Wadley. Supplies: stationery envelopes; patterned paper by Chatterbox and Karen Foster Design; stickers and charms by Karen Foster Design; ribbon by Fibers by the Yard and Scrapworks; labeler by Dymo; eyelets by Creative Imaginations; bottle caps.
Put those scraps to good use!
Your scrapbooking crafts tend to leave you surrounded by lots of small scraps of paper and material. Before you toss those scraps in the trash, take a look at these great tips for putting those small pieces to work as photo backdrops, cards, bookmarkers, or gift tags. Gather them up in a resealable bag and store them with your craft supplies to be used in your next great creation.
Checklist
Lifetime folding table
Lifetime folding chair
Scraps of paper, felt, or material
Various embellishments
Create A Backdrop for Photos
Look for squares, strips and irregular pieces that can be collaged together to create an interesting backdrop for your photos. By inking or tearing the edges of many dissimilar patterned papers, you can create one harmonious design, just as Katie Harkins did for her Courtyard Kitty layout. To give your page continuity, consider choosing scraps that share a common characteristic, such as a color, pattern or theme.Use a die-cut machine, decorative punches, scissors or a craft knife to cut embellishments out of scrap cardstock or patterned paper. Collect papers with small prints-they work well for title letters or small die cuts.
Create Bookmarkers, Cards, & Tags
Take a look at how Vicky Randall uses small flower, leaf and circle punches to create a lovely garden on the front of the first layout which can be used for a bookmarker or a card.Vicky's Mini Flower Card w/Envelope is less than 1" x 1" and works perfectly as a decorative gift tag. Embellish using decorative punches, buttons, brads, charms or fibers--anything you have in your box of leftover bits.
Courtyard Kitty by Katie Harkins. Supplies: cardstock by Bazzill Basics; patterned paper by Basic Grey and K&Company; vellum by Paper Reflections; letter stickers by Basic Grey; brads by Making Memories; paw button by Dress It Up; ink by Ranger; pen by American Crafts. Mini Flower Card and Envelope by Vicky Randall. Supplies: cardstock by Prism; flower punch; button. Flower Tag and Envelope by Vicky Randall. Supplies: cardstock by Prism; flower punch; button. Flower Card by Vicki Randall. Supplies: cardstock by Prism; flower, leaf and circle punches; button.
Give him a “hand” with this heart-warming card
Does the day before Father's Day usually drive you to a frantic phone call to your mom? Try making something special this year right at home. Why fight the crowds of last-minute shoppers and go for the usual store bought gift, when you could make something memorable and special, right at home? Thank your dad for all his love, service and sacrifice with a unique, homemade card. And if you've already bought something, you can turn any ordinary gift into something extraordinary by acompanying it with a home-made card. All you need is some cardstock, patterned paper, embellishments, and a photo!
Checklist
Show them how special they are—create a tribute album!
A tribute album usually has a more focused theme than a family scrapook; it often highlights a single person or event. Tribute albums make great gifts or personal mementos. As you make your tribute album, keep in mind that there is no wrong way to go about it, so be prepared to have some fun with it! Your tribute album can be as exciting, chic, calm, or flashy as the person you make it for.
Checklist
Steps
The first thing you must do is decide what to focus on. Here are a few approaches that work well:
- Document the person’s life history. Be brief and focus on important events such as his or her birth and wedding, as well as other important milestones or achievements.
- Choose a poem that describes the person’s personality and use one line of the poem on each page.
- Focus on a specific event or time period in the person’s life. For example, use photos of the person’s military service, a wedding or a goal that the person has achieved.
- Describe how much you love and appreciate your relationship with the person, as Shannon Montez does in her Sisters Album.
- Next, decide what size album you’d like to make. I’d recommend you use a smaller album. This will prevent the project from becoming overwhelming or too time consuming. Look for albums in these smaller sizes: 4” x 6”, 6” x 6” or 8” x 8”.
- Pick a color scheme for the entire album so that the book will look unified.
- Decide how many pages you will include in the album, then pick your photos and supplies. This will prevent you from trying to include too many photos or purchasing more supplies than you need.
Tips
- Consider using an album kit. There are many album kits on the market that include an album, cardstock, patterned paper and all the embellishment you need to complete your project.
- Big and chunky embellishments like buttons and ribbon may be in order for this project. Try using glue dots to keep them safely fastened to your album’s pages. Try using heavy-duty glue, like super glue, to adhere embellishments to the front cover.
Sisters Album by Shannon Montez Supplies: album, cardstock, rub-on letters, nailheads, conchos and patterned papers by Scrapworks; letter stickers by Creative Imaginations; paint by Delta Technical Coatings; ink by Tsukineko; ribbon; transparency; computer font
Make a mini album in under 3 hours
Get caught up on your scrapbooking by simplifying the process. Rather than trying to create full-size scrapbook pages, try making a mini album. I was able to give all the details of my youngest son's first three months of life in the mini album featured here, and it only took about two hours to make. To make your own 4" x 6" mini album, follow the simple steps below.
Checklist
- Lifetime table
- Lifetime chair
- Small photo album for 4" x 6" photos
- 4"x 6" photos
- 4"x 6" cardstock
- Journaling pen
- Desired embellishments: Ribbons, stickers, brads, etc.
- Small metal frame
Steps
- Choose a project: Mini albums are a great way to store several photos that have a common theme. Consider focusing on a specific holiday, vacation or person.
- Select your photos: Decide how many pictures you will include in your mini album. Then look through your photos for those that best represent your subject. Slide one 4"x 6" picture into each photo sleeve.
- Write about each photo: Print or hand write your journaling about each photo on a 4"x 6" piece of cardstock. Describe the event and your feelings about it. You may also want to include a brief caption explaining who is in the photo and when it was taken.
- Add simple embellishments: Use ribbon, brads, stickers or other small embellishments to add the finishing touches to your journaling pages. Slip your journaling pages into the photo sleeves across from the pictures they describe.
- Decorate the cover and make a title page: For the cover, use a metal frame around a photo and tie it with ribbon. Create a simple title page on a 4" x 6" piece of cardstock and slip it into the first sleeve.
- Voila! You've completed an entire album in just a few hours. This album is cute enough to display in your family room and show off to family and friends.
Baby Album by Angie Randall. Supplies: 4" x 6" album by Kolo; cardstock; premade embellishments by Jolee's Botique; frame by Pebbles, Inc.; Garamond computer font; ribbon.
Turn ordinary CD's into adorable tree-hangings
Give a little bit of yourself to your family and friends this holiday season. Instead of purchasing expensive gifts in shops or boutiques, consider giving homemade gifts that celebrate the warmth and joy of being home for the holidays. Try making a holiday decoration like the CD ornament described below, or if you're sending out holiday greeting cards, add a personal touch by making the cards from scratch. People really appreciate the extra effort!
Checklist
Make a CD Ornament
- Make a front and back to cover a CD. Use the CD as a template to trace shape onto patterned paper and photo. Cut each item to the appropriate size.
- Decorate the front and back before adhering them to the CD. This is especially important if you use embellishments such as fibers, brads or eyelets.
- Use a permanent adhesive to adhere the front and back to the CD. Place ribbon loop between the patterned paper and CD before adhering to achieve a clean finish.
- If desired, finish edges of CD with colored hot glue, puffy paint, ribbon, fabric, tape or other material to leave a clean line.
2003 Ornament by Janna Wilson. Supplies: cd; cardstock; ribbon, metal and epoxy accents by Making Memories; buttons by Doodlebug Design; gold leafing pen; ribbon.
Send a little extra warmth this Holiday Season.
Nothing beats the sweet sentiments you find in a homemade Christmas card. With just a few sheets of cardstock, some embellishments and a special message, you can add warmth to anyone’s Christmas this year.
Checklist
- Lifetime table
- Lifetime folding chair
- Cardstock (various colors)
- Patterned paper
- Printed holiday greetings (see Free Download)
- Printed Calendar
- Red pen
- Glue stick
- Ribbon or string
Steps
- Cut card out of cardstock, to whatever shape you want, and fold in half.
- Cut out patterned paper and mount on card for background.
- Print out downloadable card title (below) on cardstock, or type and print your own, cut out and add to card.
- Use colorful patterned paper to create a background, or frame your greeting.
- Mount calendar on patterned paper and add to card.
- Create accent using metal-rimmed tag, ribbon and die cuts. Add to card.
Free Downloads
Merry Christmas Card by Wendy Inman. Supplies: cardstock by Prism; patterned paper by Junkitz and Karen Foster Design; metal-rimmed tag by Making Memories; acrylic snowflake; ribbon by Offray; circle punch by McGill; Century Gothic font.