Have you ever wondered why people hang stockings up by the fireplace on Christmas Eve for Father Christmas (or Santa Claus) to fill with small gifts and goodies? Children all over the world have St Nicholas to thank for this custom, although those who celebrate his feast day receive their treats on December 6th (St […] Read more…
This and That
The 12 Days of Christmas: Meaning Behind the Christmas Carol
It might seem strange, but the true Christmas season really starts on Christmas Day (not in July or early October). What are the 12 days of Christmas? The 12 days of Christmas is the span of time between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It technically begins […] Read more…
How to Make a Painted Wood Sign
We see these signs everywhere we go. But why not make it exactly how you want and even save a little bit of money? To begin, decide how large you would like your sign to be. Remember, really large signs need some serious hanging hardware, so be mindful when selecting a size. Without buying a […] Read more…
How to Make Grungy Candles
Supplies: Mod Podge – matte finish Instant coffee grounds Spices – cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, coffee grounds Disposable aluminum pan This process will work on any size candle, whether is it a pillar or taper. To make the Mod Podge mixture: Combine equal parts Mod Podge and water; then add instant coffee until you get the […] Read more…
Scented Pine Cones
The best part of this project is that most of the items you already have on hand. It is a great project to involve kids with. Plus you can save a lot of money. Directions: 1. First, washed them off in the sink to clean them well. 2. Lay them out on a foil-lined pan […] Read more…
Homemade Baby Wipes
This idea was sparked when I visited my sister-in-law this past weekend. I can’t believe I have been in the dark all these years. Probably because my sons are in their twenties and I probably don’t need baby wipes. But with my crafts, these are going to be invaluable since I use wipes to constantly […] Read more…
Vinegar Paint Tricks
.These tips are wonderful on how to use vinegar when painting. I have posted an excerpt from “Ask Anna”. I know when you think “paint projects” that you don’t normally think “vinegar”. Well I’m going to give you a few tips that might make you think otherwise. #1 Removing Paint from glass To remove paint […] Read more…
All I Want For Christmas Is…
What is your #1 Christmas gift? As I get older, what I want and need are vastly different. I use to say how difficult it was to buy gifts for grandparents or even parents. I couldn’t understand what the difficulty was. I could think of lots of items I could put on my list. Now […] Read more…
How Many Sets Do You Have?
It is always interesting to learn how many sets of house keys, car keys, etc the average household possesses. I would love to know for the simple reason, how big of a key holder do I build (see picture). In our household, we each have a key ring for each car and one extra car […] Read more…
Are Whoopie Pies A Snack Or A Dessert?
It appears that the State of Maine is focusing on what we should have for the state dessert/snack. I bake a number of confections and have been curious on what is the attraction for this dessert? I personally have sampled a number of them, and find them dry, crumbly and the filling very “greasy” and […] Read more…