Day 24: Ornament Wreath

Wow!!! I love how this turned out. Its so shiny and blingy I love it so much :) This is definitely an eye stopper. 

Let me tell you this wreath takes alot of time and ornaments, like a couple hundred!!

Supplies:

• Ornaments (ALOT) - all sizes
• Styrofoam wreath - any size
• glue gun/glue (ALOT)
• ribbon

Check out the tutorial I found HERE on how to make this stunning wreath.

Merry Christmas Eve to you all! Hoping you all have a chance to spend time with family and friends. I am at home with my family and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I love coming home :)

Enjoy! See you tomorrow :)

Day 23: Rolo Cookies

These are my all time favorite cookie. I love this time of year because my mom always makes these for me. Oh the best part is when the middle is still gooey and they just melt in your mouth. Yum :)

Rolo Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter/margarine

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup chopped pecans

28 rolo candies

1 tablespoon sugar

4 ounces almond bark/white chocolate

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup and level off. In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa and baking soda. Blend well. In a large bowl beat 1 cup sugar, brown sugar and margarine until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs, beat well. Add flour mixture. Stir in half the pecans. Shape 1 tablespoon dough around 1 rolo, covering completely. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 pecans and 1 tablespoon sugar. Press one side of cookie in sugar mixture. Place on cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes. Melt candy coating and drizzle over cookies.

Anyone traveling for the holidays travel safe and enjoy time with your family and friends.

Enjoy! See you tomorrow :)

Day 22: Flat Iron Cover

I already have a flat iron cover but definitely not as cute as this one :) I stumbled upon this one through a blog that I follow. Its so fast and easy and a great way to use up scrap fabric. Don't mind my Chi flat iron it gets ALOT of use. Best thing ever! And no I am not getting any perks for expressing my love for my Chi ;)

You can find out how to make your very own flat iron cover HERE!

Supplies:

• fabric (I used all scraps)
• Insul-Bright
• Cutting Mat/Ruler
• Rotary cutter
• Sewing machine/thread

So pretty!

Enjoy! See you tomorrow :)

Day 21: Pecan Rum Bars

These are melt in your mouth ooey gooey Delicious! I love making these for Christmas because they always turn out great and are so easy to make. Having people over for the holidays or going somewhere, whip up these treats and I promise everyone will enjoy!

Pecan Rum Bars

Ingredients

Crust
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling
2 eggs
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 tablespoon rum or 1 teaspoon rum extract (bring out the booze)
2 cups pecan halves

Icing (optional-I never put the icing on and they turn out so gooey anyways)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
2 teaspoons rum or 1/2 teaspoon rum extract plus 2 teaspoons water

Directions

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 9x13'' pan with shortening or cooking spray (do not use dark pan)
In medium bowl, beat 1 cup butter and 1 cup brown sugar with electric mixer on low speed  until creamy. Stir in flour. Press evenly in pan.
Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are golden brown and center springs back when touched lightly.
Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix all filling ingredients except pecans. Stir in pecans. Pour over crust, spreading pecans evenly.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until filling is set. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
In small bowl, mixing icing ingredients (add additional rum or water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, if icing is too thick to drizzle). Drizzle icing over bars. Cut and Enjoy!

See you tomorrow :)

Day 20: Hair Accessories...bobby pins and headbands

Aren't these just adorable! These would be great gifts for your girlfriends, daughters, nieces, granddaughters, ect. Also great stocking stuffers or for any occasion. I just love all the DIY ideas out there. I have really been pushing on being very thrifty and trying to save a buck.

BRAIDED FLOWER HEADBANDS

Supplies:

• elastic headbands
• fabric (use up those scraps)
• felt
• glue gun/glue
• sewing machine/thread (optional)

I found this great step by step tutorial HERE

The only thing I did differently is I just used hot glue to hold my braids together instead of sewing it with a needle.


LACE FLORAL BOBBY PINS

These are so easy and simple to put together and can really dress up your look.

Supplies:

• lace
• bobby pins (I found mine at Hobby Lobby)
• buttons 
• glue gun/glue
• felt
• scissors

Start out by cutting a circle with your felt. I cut mine slightly larger than quarter size. Add glue to the outer end of your felt and continue in a circle until you end up in the middle. At this point you could leave your flower with just the lace or you can add a button for some embellishment. Once you have completed the top done, glue your bobby pin to the back of your flower. 

VINTAGE BOBBY PINS

I love love these! Check out the tutorial to make these VINTAGE BOBBY PINS and to make your own Yo-Yos check it out HERE.

Enjoy! See you tomorrow :)

Day 19: Stockings

The stockings are hung and ready for Christmas!

I found this Christmas Stocking TUTORIAL on Pinterest and I love how it turned out. This one I made for Matt. The fabric is so much fun, I actually made an apron out of it as well for myself :)

Supplies:

• printable stocking pattern (found here)
• fabric
• batting (optional)
• sewing machine/thread
• scissors/rotary cutter/cutting mat

I did change a few things from the tutorial. I added fabric for inside and also added some batting to give it some extra thickness, plus it makes it a little more durable to hold presents. (If you decided to add the extra layers just remember to layer the outside fabrics right sides together, then your batting and your inside fabric should be facing right side up). The stocking was fairly easy to put together. The cuff was a little more difficult than I thought. But that may just be me.

I have mine and Stella's yet to make. Have fun making yours!

Enjoy! See you tomorrow :)

Day 18: Paperback Christmas Trees

Can you believe it there is only 1WEEK left until Christmas. I am excited and not so much at the same time. It always goes way too fast to enjoy. But I can't wait to share time with the people I love :)

I stumbled upon this great Paperback Christmas Tree project on Pinterest. These are so quick and easy to make.

Here is the TUTORIAL for step by step instructions. And it seriously will only take you maybe a half hour at the most and that's stretching it out there.

Supplies:

• paperback book
• exacto knife (optional: I carefully just tore mine off)
• Scissors (optional)
• glue gun/glue
• mod podge
• glitter (optional)

Enjoy! See you tomorrow :)