Christmas Memories CONTEST!

Remember your childhood and all the fun you had. This tree is about those great memories we have of christmas past and present. Homespun & handmade ornaments, crocheted snowflakes, snowmen,santas,sleds,stockings,candles,glass ball ornaments,a fun rocking horse,and the color red and green.

Join us as we share our very own christmas memories and traditions. We would love to hear about yours. Stop by the store no later than December 24th and drop off a a short story on your most favorite memory or Tradtions and you could win a $20.00 gift certificate.

Emma has shared her favorite Sugar Cookie recipe so that you can make your own Christmas Memories, while gathered around in the kitchen.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

1 1/8 C Shortening (half butter)
1 1/2 C Sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp lemon flavoring
3 3/4 C flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Cream together the shortening/butter, sugar, eggs and lemon flavoring. Blend flour, baking powder and salt; stir in shortening mixture. Chill dough at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 400 Degrees. Roll the dough 1/8" thick on a floured board. Cut with "cookie cutters". Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 6-8 minutes.

Makes 5 to 6 dozen
(modified from Betty Crocker, 1961, by Emma Gebo)

Frost and decorate as desired by using easy creamy icing.
2 tbsp soft butter
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp salt
1 tsp lemon flavoring
2-3 C powdered sugar
2 tbsp water or milk

In a small bowl, use a spoon to mix the butter, salt, flavoring, and part of the powdered sugar until creamy. Add more powdered sugar and the liquid as needed to create an easy to use icing for your cooking. Tint small portions of the frosting as desired for decorating your cookies.

F A M I L Y

We have 3 different wood FAMILY signs in black to choose from. We have a wood wall hanging word, a wood shelf sitter, or a wall hanging wood word with 3 picture frames.

Great family gift or buy on for yourself to embellish your family wall.

Glass Block Banks

Our Glass block makes the perfect bank. They come with a wide opening on one side of the block. Turn the opening to the top and you can put all your left over change/money in it from the day. This is a GREAT way to save for something special.

Add a fun vinyl saying such as "Fun Money", "I hope they call me on a Mission" and your finished.

Designer Christmas Cards

70 pre-folded premium quality textured card stock with 14 different printed christmas designs. These cards are blank on the inside and come with red and white envelopes. Personalize these cards with paper, embellishments, stickers, photos, markers, paint, glitter, or onaments to make your own special cards.

Get started now

Beaded Ornaments

Beaded ornaments from Nicole Crafts. We have 19 different kits to choose from. Candy canes, angels, snowman, snowflakes, stars, holly, reindeers, and icicles. They come with beads, wires and complete instructions.

-Vanessa

Snowball Fight in a can

NO SNOW or TOO COLD to go outside? We have the perfect solution for a boring day. Its the SNOWBALL FIGHT IN A CAN!

Take 1 quart clear bucket and decorate it with the Vinyl words: snowball fight in a can. Just add the fun.
Put a container of the big SOFT snowball or small SOFT snowballs. Close the container.
This makes a great gift or just a fun thing to have on hand for any boring day.

Pet Finger Blankee

This Pet blankee is child safe when you use a PET with sewn in eyes. Do not use button eyes if the child is under 3.

Materials:
*One "pet", Preferable washable
*one 18" to 24" square of fleece or minkee fabric
*Rotary cutter, Cutting mat, acrylic ruler, thread, Sharp shears
*Coordinating thread
*Blanket Binding, if desired

Instructions:

1. Select a fabric that coordinates with the "pet" you have chosen.

2. Square the piece of fabric using a rotary cutter, cutting mat and acrylic ruler.

3. Fold the square of fabric so that you can identify the exact center OR MEASURE!

4. Cut a circle smaller than the diameter of the "PET" - Generally 1 1/2" to 1 3/4 Circle

5. If the fabric is woven and ravels, Stitch the edges so they will no longer ravel. If not, Move to step 6.

6. Stitch all around the circle approx 1/8" from the cut edge.

7. Insert the pet into the circle making sure that the head is on the right side of the fabric.

8. Bring all the fabric over the pets head and pin the fabric in to place around the pets abdomen.

9. Thread a Needle with the Coordinating thread. Tie a knot. Hand stitch the blanket to the pet. If ou use a back stitch, it will be more secure or stitch around it twice.

10. Finish the outer edge of the blanket by hemming, binding with blanket binding or other decorative stitching if necessary. If you are using fleece, no finishing is required.

11. ENJOY the pet finger blankee yourself or give it as a gift.

-LINDA

Holiday Glassware

BE CREATIVE with your serving pieces for the holidays. We have GLASS in different shapes and sizes. Choose from plates, bowls, stemware, & apothecaries with lids. Put out your nuts, candy, dips, cheeses, appetizers, crackers, and other goodies. Stop by and get those pieces that you are short on. Also, Check out this delicious recipe below!

"David's Dilled Havarti Spread"

1 Cup shredded dilled Havarti cheese (see note)
1/4 Cup minced green onions
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1/3- 1/2 Cup mayonnaise

Assorted crackers, baguette slices or Crostini

Makes about 1 1/2 Cup spread.

Combine all of the ingredients and spoon into a bowl. Surround the bowl with crackers or baguette slices, or Crostini. Keep the spread refrigerated when not served.

*NOTE* Because grating Harvarti is sort of like grating Jell-o, the trick is to make sure this semi-soft cheese is thoroughly chilled first! ENJOY!

-Emma

(adapted from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics, edited by the Moosewood Collective)

Christmas Card Holder

Materials:

12 X 12 canvas
12 x 16 canvas
Red Creamcoat
12 x 12 printed paper
6 different 1/2 yard length
ribbon
Clear gel glue
Vinyl saying and snowflake

Directions:*Paint 12 x 12 canvas red. You may need to apply 3-4 coats.

*Cut large parakeet colored snowflake in half. Set aside one medium green snowflake and one small parakeet snowflake.

*Start applying the vinyl snowflakes and red dots to the 12 x 16" Canvas. Cut ribbon in to 18" length

*On the 12 x 16" canvas measure 2-3 inches down from top of canvas and staple end of ribbon into back of canvas. Continue to go down 2-3 inches on canvas and staple 5 different colored ribbons.

*Save one strip of ribbon for the 12 X 12" canvas

*Cut a strip of printed paper that measures 12 X 4, using the clear gel glue adhere to bottome part of 12 X 12 painted canvas

* Run the saved ribbon across the top of paper and tack to the backside of canvas.

* Apply the saved green and parakeet snowflake to the top of the paper on the 12 x 12 canvas.

Hang in your home to display your christmas cards.

Easy as 1-2-3 Table Decor

Need an “Easy as 1-2-3”… table décor for your Thanksgiving table?

1. Select a charger plate to place 3 rustic candles on.
2. Pour fall filler on the plate around the candles
3. Select 2 Harvest Bounty Statuettes and place on either side or behind the candlescape.



Now your table is ready to go for Thanksgiving.

This is a Super Easy décor idea for that busy day of family and friends

New Punches

Come and check out our cute new punches. We have Snowflakes, butterfly, crowns, dump trucks, trains. We also have 2 new border punches: Stars and Trains.

-Beth

Christmas Earring Kits

Come into our BEAD SHOP and check out our new Christmas Earring Kits from DaBeads.
We have 3 designs to choose from. Pick out an ANGEL, SNOWMAN or CHRISTMAS TREE.
These are fun and easy to do. Make & wear them everyday to celebrate the season.


Supplies needed:
* 1 kit of your choice
* 1 round nose pliers
* Wire cutters



If you are having problems, you can stop by and we can help you construct them.

Gingerbread box

Check out this super CUTE Gingerbread box.

Materials:
- Paper Mache' hat box
- 2 buttons for eyes
- Snow writer
- 3/8 yard ribbon
- Red & white foam sheet
- Black marker pen
- fast grab tacky glue.

Instructions:
1. Using the snow writer, go around the front top edge of box so that it looks like rick rack. (zig zag)

2. For Cheeks: Cut 2 1 1/2- 2" white circles and glue to top of cheeks, then cut 2 red hearts(smaller that the circle) and glue on top of the circle.

3. Glue buttons on for eyes

4. Use pen to draw moutn and stitches around cheek.

5. Tie ribbon into bow, trim edges and glue to lid.

Fill your box with a fun gift from your kitchen or whatever else you wish to give. If you have any questions, feel free to stop by and ask questions.

Homespun Apron

Need a quick and easy gift for the gourmet chef in your life?
Make them a Homespun Apron!

Materials Needed

Homespun Dishtowel
3 yards of 1” gross grain ribbon for ties
1/3 yard or fat quarter for top and pocket
Matching thread
Optional: 1 yard rickrack
Sewing Machine

Instructions

Fold towel in half lengthwise to determine center
Open towel, then fold top corners to the back side. The top of your apron should measure 9 ½ “ and the angles sides should measure 13”
To make the lower pocket, cut a piece of fabric 6 ½ “ X 20 ½ “ (or width of towel plus 1”) Fold bottom edge over ¼ “ then again ¼ “. Press. Top stitch top edge. Add rickrack to top edge if desired.
Fold short edges and remaining long edge over ½ “. Press. Stitch pocket unit to bottom of towel stitching 1/8” from folded edge. Divide into 3 equal sections and stitch to make pockets.
To make decorative top, cut a piece of fabric 4 ½” X 16” (or width of towel top plus 1”) Cut short ends to match angle leaving ½ “ inseam allowance. Fold all edges over ½ “. Press. Stitch this unit to the top of your towel keeping your stitching line 1/8” away from the folded edge. Add rickrack if desired.
Attach neck strap and ties.


If having problems, come in and talk to our experts. We are always happy to help you.

-Renee

Dipped Marshmellow Pops

Materials:

8" Sucker Sticks
Large Marshmellows
Chocolate melts
Sprinkles or Chopped nuts, shredded Coconut, ect.

Instructions:

Prepare the chocolate melting by using one of these following methods

MICROWAVE: Melt chocolate in a microwave safe dish at 40% power for 1 minute. Stir throughly. Continue to microwave and stir at 30 second intervals until smooth.

DOUBLE BROILER: Fill lower pan with water to below level of top pan and set into position on lower pan. Stir constantly, without beat until smooth and completly melted.

DELUXE CHOCOLATE MELTER: pour 1/2 of your candy melts into pot and start melting stirring Occasionally, adding the rest of bad as they melt. It will hold one full bag of melted melts.

SLOW COOKER: This method is for LARGE quantities (3-5lbs) Place 12-14 oz bag of chocolate into slow cooker and set on low. Never use a higher setting. Stir occasionally. When finished melting (about 20 min) add another bag of chocolate. Repeat until you have as much candy as you need.


Place marshmallow on end of sucker stick
Dip whole marshmallow into chocolate and let chocolate drip back into pan.
Dip covered marshmallow into sprinkles.
Place pop onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

Ribbon Memory Board

Materials Needed:

16" X 20" canvas board
Fat Quarter (18 X 22) or 2/4 yd fabric
6 yards 3/8" wide ribbon to criss cross board
5/8 yard each of 6 or 7 assorted 1/4" wide to 3/8" wide ribbons for memo board
Decorative Brads
Staple Guns
Optional Batting sheet for puffy look and glue to add embellishments to top of brads


Instructions:

1.Cut fabric 3" larger than the canvas board
2. Lay top of canvas board face down over the WRONG side of the fabric.
3. Bring fabric over the sides and secure in place using a staple gun. Fold the corners as though wrapping a box.
4. Follow the instructions below depending on which board you are making.
5. Finish by punching a little hold in the canvas and inserting brads at the intersections of the ribbons for the criss cross board or different areas on the ribbon on the memo board. Dab a little glue top of the brad to add embellishments.

Criss Cross Board:

Ribbon is applied in a basket-weave pattern. Cut the ribbon after attaching it to the board. start at one corner and work across to the opposite corner. Space the ribbon equally apart (approx 5 1/2"). Secure to backside of the canvas board using staple gun. Repeat the same procedure with the other corner.

Memo Board:

Ribbon is applied horizontally spacing 2 to 3" apart. Start at one side alternating the different widths of ribbon. Layer one ribbon on top of another.

Rustic Candle Holder

With holiday entertaining soon upon us, we offer the perfect seasonal trimmings for your home to help you create warmth and traditions for all your family gatherings. For a quick and easy arrangement, take any swag and intertwine into a shapely votive holder. Add small votive cups and LED lights or candle samplers!

Scrapbook clock

Need a Cute idea for christmas? Take a look at this cute scrapbook clock. Follow this 3 easy steps to make this CUTE gift.

Step 1- Pry off the clear cover and remove the clock hands.

Step 2- Decorate the clock face as you desire.

Step 3- Re-assemble the Clock.

Wildfire beading thread

Wildfire beading thread from Beadalon has a smooth, thermally bonded coating, to create a superior stringing product that can not be pierced with a needle. Super Strong, waterproof, and zero-stretch, this cord will not fray at the end which makes it easy to thread through a needle. This knottable, supple cord is also great for multi-strand seed bead designs.
We carry 0.15(.006") 50 yards in black and .20(.008)50 yards in black.

Family Ornament FUN

Looking for a fun family or group activity? Come in and choose from our collection of ready to assemble kits, or gather the parts & pieces you need to design and create your very own family holiday ornaments.

Family Ornament Fun
$1.00 - 1.99

Beads, felt, wood, foam,ceramics, bells, paint & much more!

Purchase $5 in Nicole Craft product and receive the Holiday Craft Issue FREE!

Vanna's Choice Yarn by Lion Brand

Vanna's Choice is a silky-soft premium yarn that comes in lots of colors! This is one our FAVORITE yarns to crochet and knit with. Come in and feel the difference! Our value price is now 2 for $5.00 MRSP $3.49 ea.

You can go to www.lionbrand.com to find FREE crochet and knitting patterns.

Are you a crochet or knitting enthusiast OR would you like to learn how or maybe better your skills? Join us every first and third thursday at 6pm for our Yarn Yoga group. Come and join the fun and make new friends. Hope to see you there.

-Renee and Linda

Friendship Bread

It's the season for sharing our friendship. This is recipe is for friendship bread that is meant to be shared. Start your starter and in 10 days you will have some great bread to share. If you didn't get to taste our bread at open house, come and see us the day after thanksgiving and we will have friendship bread for you to taste. We made ours with pumpkin which is perfect for the season.

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 c. warm milk (110 degrees)

Making the starter:

Day 1:

Soften active dry yeast with 1/4 cup warm water for 10 minutes.
Stir with a wooden spoon. In a non-metal bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix, slowly adding 1 cup warm milk and the softened yeast. Cover loosely with clean cloth and leave at room temperature until bubbly. When mixture has lots of bubbles, put into a quart sized zip top bag.


Days 2, 3, and 4:
Mash the bag. Do this once each day.

Day 5:

stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk; re close bag


Days 6, 7, 8, 9:

open bag and release air. Mash the bag. Do this once each day.

Day 10:
Follow these instructions

1- pour entire contents of the bag into a NON METALLIC bowl. Add 1 1/2 C flour, 1 1/2 C Sugar, and 1 1/2 C milk.

2- Measure out 4 SEPARATE batters of 1 Cup each into 4 1 gallon zip lock bags. Keep a starter for yourself & give the others to friends with a copy of this recipe.

Baking Instructions:

1-Preheat oven to 325 Degrees
2- To the remaining batter in bowl ADD:

3 Eggs
1/2 C milk
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 C oil and 1/2 cup Pumpkin or Applesauce
1 C Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1/2 tsp Baking soda
2 Cups Flour

3- Grease 2 large loaf pans (or you can use small individual loaf pans or even muffin pans) Mix 1/2 C sugar with 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon in an additional bowl. Dust the pans with HALF the mixture.
4- Pour the batter in to your pans. Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture on top.

5- Bake 1 hour for big loaf pans or apx 30 mins for the individual pans or muffin pans. Cool bread until bread loosens for the edges of the pan. ENJOY THE DELICIOUS BREAD!

Open House

JOIN US TODAY FROM 8 AM TO 9 PM FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE! If you get the newspaper, check our ad for you 40% off 1 orginal priced item. Also, come in and shop our ONE day sale. We will have a drawing for a 100.00 shopping spree, fun demos, treats, make and takes and lots of fun! Stop on in and check out our AWESOME deals!

Special Collectibles

Come in and see our great collection of Nativity decor. We have very special collectible sets by Demdaco, Mama Says, and Jim Shore . All of these make wonderful gifts, and would be great for your own home decor.

-Jackie

Cute Photo Box

Need a cute gift idea for a grandparent/ parent, friend, sister, a teacher, ect. Check out this cute unpainted photo box with a lid. You can paint it any color and add any kind of embellishments to fit their style. The top comes off so you can actaully store pencils, pens, paper clips and anything else you cant think of.

Everyday Value price is $4.99 Each, On sale starting November 7 for $3.33

-Emma

Cute "TURKEY" craft idea

Check out this cute spoon turkey by Nicole Crafts. Come in to our store and purchase $5.00 worth of Nicole crafts product and receive the magazine for Free. Here are the instructions for this cute spoon.

Click here for pattern.

1 PAINT SPOON LIGHT BROWN. LET DRY. COVER WITH DECOUPAGE MEDIUM. LET DRY.
2 USING PATTERNS, CUT SHAPES FROM FOAM.
3 EMBELLISH FEATHERS WITH NICOLE DIMENSIONAL PAINT. LET DRY. GLUE FEATHERS TO ONE SIDE OF BODY SHAPE. GLUE SPOON TO OTHER SIDE. SEE PHOTO.
4 GLUE ON EYES, WATTLE, BEAK AND WINGS. EMBELLISH WINGS WITH BROWN DIMENSIONAL PAINT. LET DRY.

Also, Check out their website www.nicolecrafts.com for more cute crafting ideas.
-Kim

Cookie Cutters with a recipe

Come and check out our selection of Cookie cutters. We have your "everyday", Thanksgiving and Christmas Cutters. Use our Cookie Cutters with this delicious sugar cookie recipe below:


Christmas Sugar Cookies

1 1/8 C Shortening (half butter)
1 1/2 C Sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp lemon flavoring
3 3/4 C flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Cream together the shortening/butter, sugar, eggs and lemon flavoring. Blend flour, baking powder and salt; stir in shortening mixture. Chill dough at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 400 Degrees. Roll the dough 1/8" thick on a floured board. Cut with "cookie cutters". Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 6-8 minutes.

Makes 5 to 6 dozen
(modified from Betty Crocker, 1961, by Emma Gebo)

Frost and decorate as desired by using easy creamy icing.
2 tbsp soft butter
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp salt
1 tsp lemon flavoring
2-3 C powdered sugar
2 tbsp water or milk

In a small bowl, use a spoon to mix the butter, salt, flavoring, and part of the powdered sugar until creamy. Add more powdered sugar and the liquid as needed to create an easy to use icing for your cooking. Tint small portions of the frosting as desired for decorating your cookies.

-Emma

Snowman Card

Check out this idea for a cute Christmas card.

Use one half of a 8 1/2 x 11" piece of card stock in a dark color.
Use Bo Bunny rub one for the background.
Remove the blue protective covering from both sides of the acrylic sheet and using the snowman die cut and cut out the snowman.
Out of a six inch sheet you can get a snowman and two or three snowflakes.
Cut off snowman's arms.
Use Staz- on cotton ink, pat the edges with the ink. Let it dry for a few minutes.
Use the 3/16 hole punch and punch the eyes, and centers of the snowflakes.
The one snowflake over laps the snowman.
Attach all pieces with a white glitter brad.
You can also use a tiny glue dot at the edge of the snowman to help him in place.
BETH