A Fall Wreath Version 2012

Howdy, Howdy!

You know how sometimes you are blog hopping/stalking/spending-all-your-free-time-at-night-looking-at-crafts-on-the-internet-and-you-wonder-why-your-house-didn't-magically-clean-itself and you stumble across something that you want to make right away?  Well, that happened with me the other day while on Pinterest.  It is such a simple idea and it was super easy, although a little time consuming.  But still, this is easily a make-while-you're-watching-a-movie kind of project.  Now, because I wasn't in blog mode while working on this I didn't take step by step pictures.  So, I'll give credit where I saw it and link back to Becoming Martha's website so you can see her tutorial.  I would like to add a little more information though.

1.  She doesn't ever say how much burlap she actually used.  I think I added more 'bubble's to my wreath than she did and ended up using exactly 2 yards.

2.  Don't take the time to perfectly measure your burlap.  It will NOT be worth it in the end since the burlap frays, and the bubbles are not supposed to be perfect or the wreath would get boring.  I really just eyeballed my cuts and some of them were more like 4 x 6 and it doesn't matter at all.

3.  I used an 18 inch straw wreath from Hobby Lobby.  I liked the $4.99 price tag much better than the $11.99 price for the styrofoam she used.  I didn't even bother taking the plastic wrapping off so the straw would not get all over.

4.  I obviously used a different letter and paper than she did.  This is why I love crafting.....one idea leads to so many different versions!

I took this pictures at night so they're not the best but you can get the idea of what it looks like on my door.  I am thinking about maybe doing this for a craft club in the next week or two.  If you live in the Utah County area and would be interested in attending leave me a comment.  The cost will be $25.00.  If I can get a few people signed up at this late notice I will get a date planned!

P.S. Let's just ignore the 9 month gap since my last post, shall we?  Let's just say, it's not for a lack of projects.  But mostly, I have been working on some personal issues and since I don't blog to make money, it kind of took a back seat.

Craft Club!

October's get together was reset to Tuesday, October 26th.  We were few in numbers this month (probably my fault for not getting the announcement early enough) but still a lot of fun.  Here are how my little cuties turned out.

Given my late notice last month I wanted to avoid the same for our next get together.  I don't have all of the details worked out yet but I am so excited for these absolutely beautiful wreaths.  It will be held on December 4, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.  I anticipate the cost will be between $20 and $25.  Also, I won't necessarily have the same colors available as shown here.  Remember, all money will be due to me by November 20th and I will email everyone the rest of the details within the next week or so.  If you have any questions either leave a post or send an email to mapleandvine@hotmail.com.

Hope you can join us!

Snikerdoodles & Scarecrows

I only make Snickerdoodle's in the fall.  I'm usually a chocolate chip cookie type of gal but the cinnamon seems to fit perfectly this time of year.  I think another reason I don't make them very often is that they are a little more labor intensive.  If you need a good recipe then give this one a try.  I've never had any problems with how these turn out.

Cream together:

1/2 c. softened butter

1/2 c. shortening (I had butter flavored in the pantry and it turned out fine)

1-1/2 c. sugar

4 eggs

Then add:

2-3/4 c. flour

2 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt (I just give it a good guess)

This is a very soft dough so I put it in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes.

After the dough has chilled take a medium sized cookie scoop, or if you don't have one, about a heaping tablespoon sized amount of dough roll it in your favorite blend of cinnamon sugar (I go heavy on the cinnamon) and bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  This recipe makes about 36 cookies.

I love they way the make the house smell and the girls were excited to come home to a whole bowl full of them!

We also made our first ever scarecrow today.  I wish we could carve the head but I didn't want it to rot before Halloween.  I also let the girls draw the face.  I'm thinking it needs a hat of some kind but for our first attempt of making one I think it turned out pretty well!  Now, just gotta jump in the shower to get straw out from where straw doesn't belong.  Man that stuff is not fun to work with!