Merry Mice

Whether used as gift tags or just given as sweet presents all by themselves, these candy Christmas mice are sure to cause a stir.

Materials

• Red and green felt
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pom-poms

• Candy canes
• Googly eyes
• Tape

X

Instructions

1. Cut a 6-inch-long teardrop-shaped body from red felt. Near the center, cut 2 parallel slits that are 1 inch long and 1/2 inch apart.

2. For a pair of ears, cut a 5-inch-long rounded bow-tie shape from green felt. This will be used to make the ears.

3. To put the mouse together, fit the ears through the slits in the body. Glue on googly eyes and a pom-pom nose.

4. Finally, add a curly tail by slipping a candy cane beneath the mouse and tucking the straight end between the body and the ears to hold it in place.

Foam Wonderland

This is a great idea I like hope you will too.
No matter how low the mercury falls, it never gets too cold to play in this snowy enchanted forest. Made from thin sheets of foam rubber (ask for Foamies at your local craft or art supply store) or poster board, the pieces are a cinch to assemble and virtually unbreakable, unlike many tabletop figurines.

ROUND UP SOME ANIMALS

Once your child has decided which creatures he'd like to populate his forest, help him sketch the parts of each figure on the foam or poster board. Begin by outlining the animal's torso with only its head and tail attached. Next, draw two pairs of legs (and a set of antlers, if appropriate) separate from the rest of the body. Cut out the individual pieces with scissors and then snip narrow notches in the top of each set of legs and the bottom of the torso, as shown. Fit the pieces together so the animal will stand on its own. Use the same method to attach the antlers. Add eyes (or stripes on a raccoon's or skunk's tail) with colored markers or paints.

BUILD A SNOWMAN

Cut out two matching foam snowmen. Notch one cutout from the head to the middle of its belly and the other from the bottom to the middle of its belly. Fit both pieces together. Now cut out a notched top hat and carrot nose, and attach them to the snowman. For a scarf, cut out a wavy ribbon shape with one curved end. Cut off the curved end about 1 inch from the edge, then notch the cut edge on both pieces of the scarf and fit them onto the snowman's neck. Draw on coal eyes and a mouth.

FIND A CONSTELLATION

To make stars and a moon come out in your forest, start with pairs of matching shapes. Notch one cutout from the center of a point and the matching star from between two points. Then fit the pieces together. (For a moon, use notched circles.) Thread fishing line through the tops and hang them above the scene.

PLANT TREES

It wouldn't be a forest without pines. Again, start with like shapes. Notch one from the top to the center and the other from the bottom to the center. Then fit the two together.

LET IT SNOW

Now your child can set up his forest on a sheet of cardboard covered with drifts of faux snow.

How to Make a Pumpkin That Holds Treats

Arch-host explains how to make a simple Halloween treat holder using tissue paper, a chenille stem, and candy. A super classroom treat idea!

• Age Guideline: 5 Years and Up
• Time Required: 10 minutes (Does not include drying time)

The above age and time guidelines are estimates. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your circumstances.

Materials Needed:

• Orange Tissue Paper
• Green Chenille Stem
• Candies or Other Treats
• Ruler
• Scissors

Instructions:
Cut two 6-inch squares out of the tissue paper. Lay them on top of each other on your work surface. Place a few pieces of candy in the center of the square and gather the tissue paper loosly around the candy. You want to tissue paper around the candy to look rounded, like a pumpkin. Wrap the center of the chenille stem around the top - gathered part - of the pumpkin to hold the pumpkin closed and to form the stem. Wrap the ends of the chenille stem around a pencil or similar tool to make it look like a spiraled vine!

Six-inches is a good size you use for just a couple of small candies, if you are using more or larger candies experiment with different sizes of tissue paper squares.

Bring Nature into a Room

Whether you live in a bustling city or in the sticks, adding natural elements into your dwelling is a great escape. It can be done in many ways, for anyone's style. With little or no budgets this can be achieved with a bit of creativity and a few supplies.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plants
• Photography
• Fountain
• Paint
• Stencils
• Strong Arms

1. Step 1
   
   Ahhh... fresh and crisp.

   Freshen your room. I recommend reading through my article, "How to Freshen Up a Room On A Budget". If you feel your room already meets these standards then you are already a few steps ahead! Think clean, open, and inviting. When you walk in your space should make you want to breathe a little longer and deeper. Think blissful.

2. Step 2
   
   Really, I am easier than cleaning your dishes.

   Bring in the nature. Literally, looking at plants to put into your home. For a first time gardener, this could be a little intimidating but fear not! There are many plants that just need a little water and a bit of sun, such as many cacti. I also recommend the snake plant, money tree, and areca palm for their ability to literally pull toxins from the air. If you feel you can master a bit more tricky plants such as ferns, or seasonal flowers feel free to do so. Let them reflect your tastes just as a pet would. If you live within a small space, plants on window sills will help, especially if you have animals. If you can not add plants, that is okay because the next few steps will still be helpful.

3. Step 3
   
   Like blue? The ocean beckons for your wall.

   Find green photography. This should ideally be of a plant-like nature, but it may also be scenic. Anything that focuses on the earth, and not a social system or it's inhabitants. This piece can even be the focal point of a room, and help guide your decor further. If it is an ocean picture, maybe the room could have a nice blue hued wall as a backdrop. Do not worry about prices either. Find a simple large frame (no edges will seem more open) at a crafts store, and a print from a magazine, or a poster without words.

4. Step 4
   
   Find local free resources, like wood.

   Decorate. If you are on a really tight budget, you can still become inspired by this step. With the previous steps completed this is where your theme can guide you. You should have your room cleaned, fresh, and focused with natural accents. Finding throw pillows, interesting rocks, special planters, or rugs will tip off your room to pull all of the elements together. Be creative, and just keep the tags on a product if they are new so you can return things if they do not capture your attention.

How to Clean Jewelry Easily, and Cheap

1. Step 1

   Cleaning jewelry can be easy and cheap. You just need a few things.
   
   - Tooth paste, any will work.
   - Soft Tooth Brush(an old one, or unused just be sure there is no dirt, or anything that will scratch your jewelry.
   -A soft towel.
   
   You should have all of your items together before starting, and be beside a sink.
   
   Get all of your jewelry that you want to clean no more than 4-5 pieces at a time. Place in a small bowel, or cup. Fill it with water.

2. Step 2

   Take one piece of jewelry out. Put a small amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush. Brush thoroughly. Pay close attention to the small crevices of the jewelry. Keep brushing until all areas are cleaned well. Place back in cup. Repeat with other pieces.

3. Step 3

   After all pieces have been brushed thoroughly, rinse each piece under the faucet. If there is still any dullness, repeat the above steps. You do not have to place back into cup.

Candied-Hazelnut Cupcakes

Made with ground almonds and hazelnuts and covered with dark chocolate frosting, these cupcakes are worth serving on their own, without any other embellishments. Add a sleek touch to a significant celebration, such as an engagement party, by topping the cupcakes with striking caramel-dipped hazelnut spikes.

Dark chocolate frosting is shown, but caramel buttercream is another option (and would complement the toppers).

Ingredients

Makes 16

• 1/2 cup whole unblanched almonds, toasted
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and skinned
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cake flour (not self-rising), sifted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed dark-brown sugar
• 3/4 cup milk
• 4 large egg whites
• Dark Chocolate Frosting
• Caramel-Dipped Hazelnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. In a food processor, pulse together almonds and hazelnuts until finely ground (do not overprocess, or the nuts will turn into a paste). Into a mixing bowl, sift together both flours, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in the ground nuts.
2. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and both sugars until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of milk, and beating well after each.
3. In another mixing bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. In two additions, gently fold the egg whites into the batter.
4. Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored up to 3 days at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.
5. Using an offset spatula, spread frosting over each cupcake. Cupcakes can be refrigerated up to 3 days in airtight containers; bring to room temperature and top with caramel-dipped hazelnuts just before serving.

Buy "Martha Stewart's Cupcakes"

Scrapbooker's Tips for Perfect Holiday Photos

Great scrapbook pages start with great photos. The holidays present many challenges to taking those great photos - lighting, large gathers of people, lots of distractions. As we gather with family and friends to share in the joy of the season, Ron Nichols, author of Picture-Taking for Moms and Dads, and How to Take Great Pet Pictures, encourages families to make the most of the occasion by capturing some of that joy in photographs. Here are a few ways Ron suggests to turn average holiday photos into “visual treasures.”

1. Chronicle your children’s holiday school projects on film. Thanksgiving and Christmas art projects made by the hands of our children are among the greatest gifts a parent will ever receive. Take the time to photograph your child with the project (use natural light if you can). It’s a great way to always remember that special gift.
2. Add some holiday cheer with your pets. Pets are such an important part of our families, so why not feature them in your holiday photos, especially if they’re donned in holiday attire!
3. While the entire family’s together, take a family portrait. It can sometimes be difficult to get the entire family together, so when you do, be sure to take the time to make a group photo. It’s likely to be a cherished keepsake.
4. Have your camera ready. Christmas morning is an exciting time for everyone. Parents are likely to be rousted from their sleep fairly early. Be certain you have your camera loaded with fresh batteries and in a readily-accessible place, so you can capture the excitement.
5. Get close. It’s the number one rule for better photos any time of year, and the same is true during the holidays. So whether your photographing spontaneous moments, or you’re taking the time to shoot a portrait, closer is almost always better.
6. Give yourself the gift of making great photos all year long. Children will be grown and gone before you know it, so take the time to make beautiful pictures, whether it’s a holiday, a birthday or just a play day.

How to Create Natural Dyes for Wool

Color your raw wool in natural dyes made from herbs, flowers, berries, roots, leaves and bark that you collect yourself.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baskets
• Gardening Gloves
• Raw Wool
• Stoves
• Water
• Chef's Knives
• Chef's Knives
• Cooking Pots
• Cutting Boards
• Kitchen Scales
• Oven Mitts
• Stirring Spoons
• Strainers
• Oven Mitts
• Water
• Baskets
• Oven mitts
• Strainers

Gathering Materials

1. Step 1

   Gather fresh herb materials while at their peak. Dried herbs can be used, but will result in less brilliant colors.

2. Step 2

   Gather flowers for dyeing when they are coming into bloom.

3. Step 3

   Gather berries when they are ripe.

4. Step 4

   Harvest roots in the fall.

5. Step 5

   Collect leaves and bark in the spring.

Flowers, Fruits or Leaves

6. Step 1

   Chop leaves and fruits; separate flower petals.

7. Step 2

   Use 8 quarts of flowers, fruits or leaves to dye 1 pound of wool yarn.

8. Step 3

   Place in 4 to 4½ gallons of water.

9. Step 4

   Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

10. Step 5

    Strain.

Roots, Nut Hulls and Bark

11. Step 1

    Chop roots; break up nut hulls and bark.

12. Step 2

    Use 1 pound of nut hulls, wood and bark per 1 pound of wool yarn.

13. Step 3

    Use ½ pound of roots per 1 pound of wool.

14. Step 4

    Soak nut hulls, wood and bark overnight in 2 gallons of water.

15. Step 5

    Strain and save the liquid.

16. Step 6

    Place roots in another 2 gallons of water.

17. Step 7

    Simmer for an hour.

18. Step 8

    Strain, and then add the saved liquid from Step 15.

Quilting Projects

Free quilting projects and quilt block patterns for rag quilts, baby quilts, artistic quilts, wall hangings and beginner quilts.
www.sewing.org

How to Safely Clean Diamond Ring

1. Find an old pot (the smaller the better).
2. Fill the pot with Mr. Clean (enough to submerge the ring).^[1]
3. Heat up the pot on a stove top until boil and remove from heat right away. Do not inhale the vapour.
4. Let the solution stand for a minute before dropping your diamond ring.
5. Let the ring sit in the solution for a minute. Remove the ring with tweezer or a tong and wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel. Brush with toothbrush to remove tough dirt and tough to reach area.
6. Wash the ring with water and dry.
7. Also, you should make a Sparkling Diamond Potion with water and ammonia, and leave it overnight. Search the Internet for "Sparkling Diamond Potion"

How to Take Care of Your Jewelry

1. Avoid contact with acidic and alkaline substances. Specifically, avoid getting perfume and hair spray on your pearl jewelry if you can. Perfume, hair spray, some lotions and makeup contain chemicals that can dull the luster of your pearls. Put on your pearl jewelry after applying these substances, not beforehand.
2. Don't wear your pearls constantly. It's best to take off your pearl jewelry before doing any strenuous work that may make you sweat or get the pearls dirty, such as housework. In addition, take off your pearls before swimming or taking a shower.
3. Perform regular maintenance. Check your pearl jewelry regularly to make sure there are no loose pearls. Pearls can be cleaned using water and a soft cloth, or soaps formulated to be very gentle, such as baby shampoo. If you wear a pearl necklace frequently, you should have it restrung at least once a year. Make sure your jeweler sets a knot between each pearl in the string, to prevent the pearls from rubbing against each other and abrading their surfaces.
4. Don't use toothpaste to wash pearls. Toothpaste contains rigid particles that can damage the surface of your pearls. The best cleaning substance for pearls is a very gentle soap, such as baby shampoo.

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Clay Pot Witch Cauldron

Stash the candy for your Halloween visitors in a clay pot or terra cotta witch's cauldron.
Supplies:
Clay Pot of Choice
Black Patio Paint
White Patio Paint
Paintbrush

Here's an extra easy project for Halloween! All you need is a clay pot similar to the one shown in photo. They are available at most garden and home improvement centres.

Prepare your clay pot. Paint the pot black inside and out. Allow the paint to dry completely.

With white paint, write the words "witch cauldron" on the front of the pot and draw a couple of ghosts. Refer to the photo for pattern. Add 2 dots in the centre of the letter "0" for a little extra fun.

Variation:

To really spook your Halloween visitors, add some dry ice and you'll have a realistic little puff of smoke that will seem to come from whatever potion your witch is brewing.

Tips: Do not paint the inside of the container, or use a container of dry ice placed inside the pot (craft paint and dry ice don't mix well). Also add a screen on top of the pot if you do use dry ice, just for a little extra protection from small children that may be a little too curious.