organization

I really, really, really do try to get organized.  Sometimes I succeed, many times I don't.  One thing I always do is take my old calendar down and before I throw it out I go month to month and write down important dates, birthdays and events.  This is the calendar that I use to write my sub dates, notes and show info so I buy a cheap one, because after 12 months there's no saving the pictures from this one.  If I find one that has photos I would like to save and frame, I buy and extra copy when they go on sale after New Years.
Happy organizing.

new fabrics

new pillows ect

Salted Oreo Truffles

By request from my family here is the truffle recipe you all went crazy over during Christmas.

1 pkg Oreo not double stuff
1 8oz cream cheese softened
12-16oz chocolate chips your choice white, semi sweet, milk
Coarse salt
Put the Oreo in a zip top bag and beat the stuffing out of them or put in a the food processor until they are fine crumbs.  Mix in cream cheese, the best way to do this is with your hands.  Form into 1" balls set on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and chill 1 hour.  Melt you chocolate with 1T of shortening.  Did each ball into chocolate to cover.  I used a bamboo skewer to dip and a fork to lift onto the paper.  Sprinkle with salt.  Chill, stand back for the stampede.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

May you have the most wonderful Christmas of your life.  We celebrated early with the kids and grand kids, over the weekend.  As usual there was lots of food, plenty of laughter and a big old mess at the end of the day.  I was a little under the weather so my kids and AH jumped right in and helped with everything.  We watched the Wizard of Oz(more on this later) We  had a contest on who had the best stocking substitute, Nathan won with his Christmas boxers sewn at the bottom.  We plowed through most of a ham, turkey, rolls, veggies and more cookies and goodies than anyone should consume in a 24 hour period.  The big hit of the day were the quillows(a blanket that folds into a pillow) made by my Mom for the grand kids.  The grand kids were most surprised by tickets to see Wicked at the Fox theater in St Louis.  That's why the Wizard of Oz.  I can't wait to see the play it is supposed to be awesome.   A perfect Christmas in  all the important ways, family, food and fun.  It doesn't get better than that.

one more ornament

I have hundreds if not thousands of ornaments, many are handmade by my kids, friends, other crafters or myself.  Every year I have to add a few new ornies.  This one is super easy.
Twist off the metal part of 8 clothes pins.  Glue them flat sides together in pairs, put a cord or string in one toward the pointed end.  Glue the pairs onto a small circle of card stock at the N, S, E, and W positions.  Glue the other 4 pair at the spots between the first four.  I white washed mine at this point but the natural looks fine, then glitter if you want.  Let everything dry then add a small Christmas scrap and a banner.  I used a glue gun but you could make this with little kids using regular glue and letting it dry between steps.

Quick and easy Christmas gifts

I apologize that this is going to be a very looonnngg post.  It will be linked to our next VCB television appearance and they wanted pictures and instructions for everything we are going to show.  I love to give non-traditional gifts to everyone on my list.  My grand kids are  at the age where gift cards are their preferred present but sometimes I even like to shake that up.  Gifts from your heart are always the best.
I don't know about you but the older I get the less things I need or want even though I'm known in my family as the queen of stuff..  With that in mind we have tried to come up with gifts that aren't just things to set on the shelf.

1  I always need several small gifts for teachers, secret Santa or coworkers.  Of course I look to VCB first.  This year we have a beautiful combo of our luxury body wash and a shower puff in a pretty bag with a bow and gift tag $10.00.  All you need to do is sign and deliver.

2  Another great buy, as a stocking stuffer, hostess gift or small thank you is our organza bag filled with our 1oz body butter and lip balm. For only $4.00 you can order them for every lady on your list

3  Another great buy is our decorative bag with 4oz. body butter and lip balm  $5.00 each

4. Add a gift certificate to a Christmas card for your favorite lady Women love to be pampered.  Give a gift certificate to their favorite beauty salon.  Our favorite salon is BLISS ON SIXTH, 516 6TH STREET, CHARLESTON, IL  217-345-0305Pamper them with a facial @$27.00 or a manicure @$18.00.  You can call and do everything over the phone.Check the salon out on face book.  

5  Let Vintage Cottage Beauty build the perfect gift basket or bag for you.  You pick out the products and we do everything else. We can deliver the gift to you or ship them direct to where they need to be. We are only a phone call or an email away.  Check out our mistletoes foot care basket  @ $10.00  Another great idea for a special lady from young to adult is a luxury basket with a 4oz body butter, 8oz sugar scrub and solid lotion for $20.00.

6  Everyone needs note cards and these Garden Cards for the Cure benefit breast cancer research.  Finding gifts that give twice are a wonderful gift for that someone on your list that has everything.  The cards are beautiful enough to be framed.  You can find them at gardencardsforthecure.com

7 Cone trees  You see these every where this year.  They are usually high priced but you can make a forest for just pennies.
You need poster board, heavy tape, paper or fabric to cover and bling to decorate
Cut a strip of poster board 2" wide and the length of your board.  Measure and make small holes at the lengths you want your trees to be clear up to 28"  Poke a hole at each measurement in the center of the strip and using a push pin at one end and poke the tip of the pencil at the hole for the size tree you want.  Hold tight but do not bend your compass and draw a quarter circle for each tree you want.  On the biggest trees you will have some poster left over at the side, just leave it.  Cut very carefully along your arc this will be the base of your tree. Now if you are really smart you will make a paper pattern of these to use again and to use for your covering.  You can choose wall paper, book pages, sheet music, tissue, napkins, decoupage or medium weight fabric. Roll into a cone shape and tape.  This takes a little work the first time but gets really easy after a couple.  Cover you cone then decorate however you would like.
This would be a great gift for someone who doesn't want to go to the trouble to set up a tree.  It would also be a great center[piece for friends or family.
Depending on what you use to cover your trees your cost is $1.00-$10.00 per tree.  These will store well wrapped in tissue and then in a box or bag.



the secret lifts for the trees glass, vase and candlestick


8 Coupon book  As I mentioned above time and things to make life simpler are so important for parents, friends and the elderly.  Make them a coupon book.  Check out Kodak.com for their printable book or make your own.  Mount each coupon on card stock, hook them together with binder rings and tie with a pretty ribbon.  Some services you could offer are free babysitting for new parents, home cooked meals for friends and family and my personal favorite; a promise of time working in the garden in the spring.  Also include plenty of free hug and kiss coupons too.  Make sure your recipient redeems the coupons and you need to follow through.

9  Ddecoupaged plate  If you love to cook like I do go ahead and make goodies, make something unusual and try to present it in a fun way.  You need clear glass plates mine came from the dollar store, pretty tissue paper or napkins and Mod Podge.  Clean your plate and remove the label.  Brush a coat of Mod Podge on the back of the plate and press the paper face down on the plate.  Brush on  a layer of Mod Podge and let the plate dry.  Don't worry about the wrinkles and if you tear the paper just patch it with another piece.  Let dry, trim off the overhanging part and add 2-3 more coats of Mod Podge.  When everything is dry use a nail file to light sand around the edges of the plate to finish.  Layer on your goodies, wrap in plastic and add a bow.  Your recipient will have a beautiful keepsake for the next Christmas or encourage them to re gift it to someone on their list.  If you do this with less seasonal papers it can be hung on the wall all year round.  Of course you can wipe off the face of the plate but do not put it in water.  Your cost about $2.00 for the plate, paper and Mod Podge, plus whatever you put on it.

4  More food, hey it's Christmas.  Find a pretty container at a thrift store or rummage sale(I look for this kind of thing all year)  Add these delicious butter mints, wrap and give.
Butter mints:
4 1/2C powdered sugar
1 stick butter softened
2T milk
2tsp peppermint extract
food color if wanted
few drops of water if necessary
Mix everything together until it forms a ball.  Add water a couple of drops at a time until a smooth ball forms.  Break into 3 pieces and roll into a long snake, cut into 1/2-3/4' pieces.  Let dry on cookie sheets at least 24 hours then seal in air tight containers.  These freeze great, a nice bonus when you are on goodies overload.  Put in your pretty dish wrap and give.  My cost $3.50, $2.00 for the dish and $1.50 for the mints and I really didn't use the whole batch.

11 Give an experience  This can be adapted to any age give tickets for a game, play, trip, massage, facial.  Print up an invitation and put it in a pretty frame.  It will give them something to open and they can use the frame later.

12  Ornament  Use clear glass balls and decorate with paint or glitter.  Pour in 2-3 shades of paint and swirl to cover drain and let dry.  For glitter balls dilute glue with water 50/50 swirl to cover glass then pour in glitter and shake to cover.  Tie a pretty bow and if your really feeling festive add a little gift tied to the bow.  Diamonds would work.
Cost $2.00 or less plus the cost of your extra tie on.

13 Snowman hat centerpiece  You need a round tray from the dollar store and a large food or coffee can.  Glue together with the top open (I always use E600)then spray with black paint.  Let dry then decorate the brim of the hat with greens, ribbon, berries or snowflakes.  You can add greens and pine cones, cookies, a candle or a pretty plant.

14  Planted bulbs  People love to watch things grow, especially if they grow very quickly.  Buy paper whites  in the fall.  Pot up in a pretty container with gravel.  Give with the instructions to add water and watch them take off.  Cost $5.00 or less depending on the pot you use of course find your pots at thrift stores or rummage sales.

15 Scarf
I thrifted this fabric for $3.00 dollars but keep an eye on remnant bins and sales.  You will need 2 1/2yds light weight fabric, at least 44" wide.  If you want fringe on the ends pull a couple of threads to see if it will fringe easily.  Fold the fabric in half length wise and cut in two vertically.  You will now have two pieces 90" long and 22-28" wide. Fold right sides together and pin along the side and the ends if you aren't doing fringe.  Sew together, be sure to leave a few inches open for turning, turn, press and hand stitch opening.  If you are going to fringe start and stop your sewing about 1 1/2" from each end.  Stitch, turn press.  Use a pin to help pull the threads loose one at a time to form fringe.  For the fringe it is important to have your ends very straight before sewing. Cost $1.50 for fabric.  Even if you spend $5.00-$6.00 dollars per yard for fabric you will get two scarves, one to give, one for you.

16  Give your heart  We once had an elderly neighbor who loved Christmas but with no family around to help her get out all the boxes and lights, she had decided to forget Christmas decorating when she moved next door to us.  That year on Thanksgiving weekend our family showed up at her door with a fresh greenery swag and completely decked her halls. The weekend after Christmas we returned again to take everything down and put it away until the next year.  My sons were three when we started this tradition and we continued every year until she could no longer live in her home. My boys were in their early twenties by them.  We talk about her often and how much fun we had, all it cost us was time.  I know it meant the world to her.  She would call her family as soon as we showed up and made sure she took tons of pictures.  After she passed away everyone of her children and grandchildren made a point of telling us how much she enjoyed having us make Christmas for her.  She was an important part of our lives for many years and although she would argue, I know we got much more out of the experience than she did.  What can you do for someone alone?

I hope we have given  some ideas for your Christmas gifts.  Buy local if you can, think out side the box and know that thoughtfulness beats spending tons of money any day.  If you don't think so ask one of your kids to name three things Santa brought them last year, or better still ask an adult.  If you have questions on about anything in this post please don't hesitate to contact us.  vintagecottagebeauty.com, facebook/vintage cottage beauty or email us at tete1951@gmail.com or kcartwright@consolidated.net.  


HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS  Be sure to tell your family and friends how much they mean to you.  Remember the true reason for the season and know that the best things in life are not things.

outdoor decor

My sis painted this years ago, the stars are from DT and the swag is a faux garland with fresh greens wired into it all attached to a piece of picket fence.

I don't usually get a lot of decorating done outdoors.  AH hates to do it, so it has to be things I can do on my own without heavy lifting or ladders involved.  This is the corner between the garage, sun room and back door.  The day I did this it was almost 70.  I'll take every winter day like that I can get.

how to make a swag

Making a large swag of greens, berries, cones  and ribbon is really easier than making a wreath.  You need  greener, I used cedar, boxwood and arborvitae.  Arrange the branches in your hand with the longest in the back and shorter toward the front.  I usually start with the first layer, wire that then build an X shape from there.  Keep adding greens and embellishments wiring each tightly.  Finish with a full bow.  Make sure to form a loop with your wire on the back for hanging.  This one was a little top heavy so I added and extra tie of wire toward the top.  This one took about 15 minutes and is about 12' wide and 36" long.

pretty balls

Beautiful tree ornaments are a snap with the clear glass balls available today.  Pull off the top cap and pour in 2-3 shades of paint or clear glue and glitter.  Swirl around to cover all the inside, drain and let dry.  Tie a pretty bow for the top, and maybe add a small gift of say, diamonds to the bow and you have perfect gift.  My family did a whole set of these for my parents last year.  Even the little guy made a gorgeous ball for them.

butter mints

WARNING: DO NOT TRY TO MAKE TWO BATCHES OF THESE AT A TIME YOUR KITCHEN WILL LOOK DUSTED WITH SNOW!!!
Absolutely addictive.

1/2C butter softened
4 1/2C powdered sugar
2T milk
1-2tsp peppermint extract
Food coloring optional
Water as needed

Mix the sugar, butter, milk, extract and coloring until it forms a ball.  i found I had to add 1-2tsp of water get it to the ball stage.  Add a couple of drops at a time.
Divide the dough into 3-4 pieces and roll into long 1/2" ropes.  Cut into small pieces.  I did this on wax paper just to contain the mess.
Lay on trays for at least 24 hours to dry and store in air tight containers.

snowman hat centerpiece

A very happy birthday to my wonderful Mother.  I am so proud and thankful to have you in my life!!!

A different twist on a centerpiece it could also be used to deliver homemade goodies or to hold a beautiful plant.
1 round tray form the $ store
1 lg can you could use a 1# coffee can or I got mine from the cafeteria lady where I work
Glue I used E6000
black spray paint
Christmas ribbon and decorations
Find the center of the tray, mark with a pencil and center the can on the tray, open side up and glue down, let dry overnight
Spray paint your hat including about 2-3" down the inside
Add a ribbon, bow, berries, flowers, whatever you like
Line with tissue and add goodies, add floral foam and make a beautiful arrangement of greens from your garden, or just go buy a plant and pop inside.  If you use what you have, the cost on this is very minimal depending on what you fill it with.

pizza soup

We were having friends over to play dominos over the weekend so I decided to try a new soup.  I found three different recipes, combined them together and this is what I came up with.

2# italian sausage remove casings if it comes that way
2T olive oil
1 onion and green pepper chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
1 can 15oz diced tomatoes
1 can 8oz tomato sauce
8oz mushrooms sliced or I used 2 small cans juice and all
2 15oz cans beef broth or 2 cans water 3-4tsp beef bouillon
2tsp oregano and basil or to taste
1/2# ditalini or any small pasta
Salt and pepper to taste
You can really add any kind of meat or vegetables to this soup, how about canalini beans, pepperoni or zucchini?
Brown the sausage in oil and drain
Add everything else except pasta and simmer until tender about 30 minutes, add pasta the last 15 minutes
Serve with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes

pasta fagioli

I made this for the entire family while celebrating over Thanksgiving.  A big bowl of soup and a roll or two made a complete meal.  I think it tastes better than Olive Garden.

1# ground round
1C diced carrots, celery and onion
3-4 cloves garlic minced
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
12oz V8 juice
1 can red kidney beans and great northern beans
2tsp salt, oregano, and basil
1/2 tsp thyme and pepper
1/2# ditalini pasta cooked to aldente and drained
Brown the meat, drain off the grease
Dump in everything else and simmer until vegetables are tender, about an hour.  Add pasta and simmer about 10 more minutes.  If it is too thick you could add beef stock or water.  Serve with grated Parmesan and whatever kind of bread you like.
Note to my family: I doubled this for us

candle ring

Warning:  If you are going to burn the candle, you need to have some kind of container to hold the candle away from the greens.  If you spray this with water every couple of days it should last for 2-3 weeks.  As pieces dry out pull them from the ring and stick in fresh evergreen cuttings.
1 hurricane candle holder I salvaged mine from the local school before it was torn down.
2 pieces of 18ga wire, tape together.  Measure the size of your hurricane container and make sure the candle ring will fit easily over it
Paddle wire
6-8" pieces of greenery  Cut way more than you think you will need, I had a garbage sack pretty full to make this and a wreath..  I used boxwood and arborvitae, that's what I have in my yard.  Any kind of evergreens will work.
Pine cones, balls and berries.  Use what you like.
Have a big pile of greens cut and close by.  Leave a 6" tail and start wrapping small groups of the greens onto the wire.  Add berry picks, wired balls and pine cones as you go along or stick them in later.
Continue wrapping on bundles of greens overlapping the previous bunch you added.  When you get back to where you started make sure the ends of the last bunch are hidden by you first bunch.  Wrap the tie wire around the tail and twist tightly.  Hide the wires on the back of the ring.  Tuck in you embellishments if you didn't add them before.  Check that all the tie wire is hidden adding additional greens if necessary.
I put mine on a charger just so it wouldn't drip on the table.

Family Fun

Since last Saturday, we have spent  days celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with family.  First we had the holiday with our kids, grand kids and in laws.  We went to son Ronnie's for a huge meal.  He and Sara did all the cooking and clean up.  I didn't have to cook a thing.  Even when you love cooking that's nice sometimes.  We spent the rest of the week end with the kids which was great.  I did teach grandson Chase how to use the bed as a trampoline, probably not the best idea, but he loved it.  The first part of the week was spent getting some gifts finished up and making goodies to take to my parents house.  Thanksgiving day we spent traveling.  The nonstop eating began on Thursday evening and lasted through Saturday night.  Healthy diet was not part of the menu.  We got to see my brother Rick and meet his new lady friend.  I'm sure Christine thought we were all nuts, especially when my sis and I took her thrift store and curbside shopping.  She fit right in, so she must be a little crazy herself.  Saturday was an early birthday celebration of Mom's and niece Hollie's birthdays and another eat-a-thon.  My mother proved once again that I get my control freak nature straight from her when she could hardly stand to be out of the kitchen while we made dinner.
I am so blessed to have the weird and wacky family that I do.

break time

I'm taking a break for the week to decorate the house for Christmas and spend time with family for the holiday.  Give thanks to all the wonderful people, privileges and freedoms you have in your life.

Generosity

At a recent craft show we were set up next to a lady named Jan, a fabulous photographer who gives the profits of what she sells to breast cancer research.  She has lost a daughter to this ugly disease as well as being a survivor herself.  She is an inspiration to everyone who's life she touches.  As we chatted during the slow times of the show I told her about all the junking and thrifting I love to do and what I make with my finds.  The next show we did she was set up also and brought me two big bags full of the most beautiful linens, table clothes, doilies, pillowcases, each thing was more spectacular than the next. I spread the items on my table and took a few picks.  More importantly I've made a new friend.  I've heard it said that people come into your life at the right time to teach you and help you grow.  I love that idea and hope I can be an inspiration and show such kindness and generostity to someone else.