Christmas Cards

I decided to use the same Christmas card display as last year...

because I LOVE it.  

Simple embroidery hoops with fabric, string, and twine. 

Hunt and Cut - 2011

My FAVORITE Montana tradition is cutting down a Christmas tree

(my California trees were usually purchased at Target).

We call this wonderful day

"Hunt and Cut"

and this year I made a special treat for the event....

Candy melt pretzel trees on coconut cupcakes!

Here's how to do it...

Gather all supplies- pretzel sticks, Candy Melts, a small zip-lock, and cupcakes.  

1. Prepare the Candy Melts according to the directions and place it in a small zip-lock bag.
Then, cut the tip off the corner of the bag (better to start with a small snip and make it bigger if needed).

2. Make a small strip of candy melts on wax paper (a little over half the length of the pretzel).

3. Place a pretzel rod on top of the candy melt strip. 

4. Starting at the top of the pretzel lightly squeeze the bag and create "branches".

5. Cross over the pretzel to the other side and....

6. Create "branches" on the other side.

7. Let the trees dry.

8. Place tree in a cupcake (I made coconut cupcakes to look like snow) and TA-DA!!

A forest of trees!

These would also be fun to decorate with sprinkles and other colors of Candy Melts.
I kept them all natural... just like the tree I chopped!

Sugared Cranberries

These SUGARED CRANBERRIES have become one of my FAVORITE holiday treats. 

They are tart, sweet and fun to eat.

Yes, FUN to eat! They make a POP in your mouth when you bite them. 

I found the recipe on myrecipies.com, but have modified it little. 

Sugared Cranberries 

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar (I use 3 cups)
• 2 cups water (I use 3 cups)
• 2 cups fresh cranberries (I use 1 bag, 12 ounces, I think)
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar (I've used superfine ((pictured)) or regular sugar)

1. Combine granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring mixture until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer; remove from heat. (Do not boil or the cranberries may pop when added.) Stir in cranberries; pour mixture into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
2. Drain cranberries in a colander over a bowl, reserving steeping liquid, if desired. Place superfine sugar in a shallow dish. Add the cranberries, rolling to coat with sugar. Spread sugared cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature 1 hour or until dry.
3. Note: The steeping liquid clings to the berries and helps the sugar adhere. Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.

Enjoy! 

The Table of Christmas Past

My friends Jessica, Elisha and Abby came over

Christmas morning for a fun Brunch (breakfast for lunch). 

I LOVE hosting parties. 

I LOVE decorating. 

I LOVE setting pretty tables. 

I thank my mom for all of the above.  

So here's what the Christmas table looked like...

The first the pictures were taken by Abby. 

Jars filled with Epson salt and a candle were my fave. 

Pine-cones and yarn-poms were scattered in the middle. 

I layered a white tablecloth with burlap and a plaid flannel. 

The girls had a yummy candy cane and chocolate heart on their plate
and their initial made from Chocolate. 

The one popcorn and berry garland strand. 

Christmas table. 

So there you have it!
The Craft of Christmas Past
The Decor of Christmas Past
and finally
The Table of Christmas Past. 


Better late than never... RIGHT!???!!

The Decor of Christmas Past

My Christmas decor was very simple this year. 

I used the scraps of fabric from 

the Christmas card holders to decorate throughout the house. 

Fabric scraps on the tree. 

They are kind of hard to see,
but they are there! 

Fabric scrap garland that was placed in my living room. 

Fabric scraps placed in a jar with berry twigs. 

I had high hopes of making popcorn and berry garlands for my tree, 

but I ended up only making one strand. HA! 

So, I strung that garland over the kitchen table. 

I filled jars with the leftover popcorn and berries

and placed them in the kitchen and living room. 

It was a simple Christmas.

Also, I'm pretty sure my neighbors think I'm crazy 

after this little photo-shoot in the shared backyard. 

Oh well! 

The Craft of Christmas Past

Yes, I know... 

Christmas was SO last month and

in blog-land that means Christmas was SO 2 months ago, 

BUT

I still wanted to blog about my Christmas crafts and decor!

My theme this year was some fabrics that I found; 

mostly reds and greens with touches of burlap and flannel. 

I had the idea to put the fabric in embroidery hoops 

I purchased from the thrift store,  

add rows of twine, yarn or rope and 

use mini clothes pins to hold my Christmas cards. 

Here's the finished project....

My FAVE!!!

So cute and tiny. 

They were hung on the door and staircase banister,

placed throughout the house

and hung outside by the front door.

These 2 had the Christmas Eve invite from my church, Fresh Life Church.

Bonus artsy picture. 

The Decor & Table of Christmas Past will be up soon. 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Treats

The holidays are full of yummy treats and 

I always love an excuse to bake. 

Here are the treats I made this Christmas and Christmas Eve. 

Sweet Sugared Cranberries are my new FAVE. 

I saw a post about them over at The City Cradle.

Chocolate and Carmel Dipped Marshmallows 

by One Charming Party (AMAZING blog)

Peppermint Oreo Cupcakes from The Cupcake Doctor. 

Candy Cane Hearts from Glorious Treats

Leftover mallows dipped in chocolate and then dipped in sprinkles and candy canes.  

Peppermint White Chocolate Popcorn... Oh. My. Yummy. Goodness. 

Well, now my mouth is watering. 

I hope you all had a very 

Merry Christmas!!!