how to put together a gift basket

We do a lot of gift baskets for VCB.  The container and contents will vary but the main construction stays the same.

You will need a container to hold your gifts, shredded paper to fill the basket.  I usually crumple tissue to fill the bottom and top with the shreds.  You will also need a plastic bag to put the basket in as well as a bow and a tag.  All of these products came from the dollar store.

Basket stuffed and ready for gifts.

Tissue on top for a pop of color.  The basket and tissue were almost the same color, I don't know why they look so different

Filled with goodies.  You want the package to look full and lush not skimpy.  Prop the items up instead of laying them flat.  The buyer for this basket was coming right over so I threw it in the bag, added a bow and tag.  In the process I forgot to take the last picture.

tub tea

Tub tea is a new product VCB is offering for the holiday season.  A skin soothing mix of oats, dry milk, lavender, Epsom salts and sea salt, you pop a tea bag full into your warm tub water and soak away.  I found heat sealed tea bags, added 3T of the mix, sealed the bags then added an instruction tag on a string.  A single bag tucked into a card would make a lovely thinking of you gesture.  We will also offer several packed into a bag for instant gift giving.

how to make a tussy mussy

A tussy mussy is a small hand held bouquet of flowers that were given as gifts during Victorian times. Ladies would carry them to sniff when the nasty odors of no indoor plumbing and not so regular bathing became too much. When the tussy mussy was given as a gift the flowers usually each had a different meaning.  We went to a wedding last week and my grand daughter wanted to give the bride a gift so this is what we came up with.  If a nine year old can do it with little help so can you.  What a charming present for a sick friend or elderly neighbor.  There are many resources on line that can list flowers and their meanings if you want to include that with your gift.

You will need:
flowers, leaves and herbs that will dry well and smell great
rubber band
cutters
satin ribbon 1/2-3/4" wide
Starting  with your central flower held in your hand then add more flowers or herbs around it.  When the group is about 5-6" around fasten with the rubber band.  Trim the stems to 4"  Wrap the stems with ribbon to within 1" of bottom and tie off, a drop of hot glue will hold everything in place if you are worried about it coming apart.  Add a bow from the same ribbon if you like.
Stand the bouquet in a coffee cup with a small amount of water until you are ready to give it.  If you like add a card with the meaning of each flower and instructions to hang upside down to dry.  It will last for years when dry.

the beautiful artist and designer, all I did was show her which flowers would work best and wrapped the stems, she did the rest.

gift

My next door neighbor Irma is finally back from her visit to Brazil.  She hasn't lived in America too long and still looks at every thing with new eyes.  To her the most common place things are beautiful and wonderful.  She makes me stop and really look at what I usually take for granted  She was kind enough to bring us back a box of Brazilian chocolates.  I'm always surprised when I taste sweets from other countries.  I don't think any place uses as much sugar as America.
Irma also brought back a bottle of a Brazilian liquor that is their equivalent of tequila, I tasted a tiny bit and it felt like liquid fire.  I'll have to have her show me what to do with it.
I love presents that make you feel like the giver really took the time to think about you personally.

cranberry goodness

I try to find a couple of different things to make for the holidays each year.  When I saw this cranberry liqueur I though of a few friends that would love it.  It can be sipped straight, mixed with orange juice and champagne for a mimosas, and  poured over pound cake, fruit or ice cream.
Here's what you need:
3 bags fresh cranberries
3C sugar
3C water
zest of 1 orange
Mix all together and cook on med until the berries are soft, remove from heat and let cool
Pour into a glass gallon jar and cover with 8C of vodka, cover.  You can divide this into smaller jars if you need to, leave out part of the vodka if you don't have enough room in the jar.  Be sure to use glass not plastic.  Let it sit for 4-5 days shaking 1-2 times a day.  When the liqueur is done, strain through a fine mesh strainer or a regular strainer with a coffee filter added.  Add in the extra vodka if you didn't have room for it before.  Decant into 1 liter bottles.  I used these cute bottles I found on clearance but you could also use wine bottles.  Keep well chilled.  I don't know how long this will keep, it has enough alcohol in it that it should be fine, but just in case you might want to use it quickly.  if your'e giving it away add a cute tag with serving suggestions.

how I spent my Saturday

Last Saturday AH had to work, so I decided to stay home and try to get a few Christmas goodies started.  By 8:00 I had the critters fed, dog out, clothes on, bed made sudoku's done, paper read, kitchen and living room picked up.  I stated with cheater cakes, which are mixes I added extra goodies to.  This time it was chocolate pound cake, almond apricot pound cake and pumpkin bread, 12 loaves total. After I finished those and cleaned up after myself, no small feat, I stated boiling cans of condensed milk 4 hours to make turtles.  As those started I made 14 pounds of fudge.  Yeah, 14 pounds.  We won't eat it all, we give it away to friends, family, neighbors and AH's workers.  The pumpkin bread will be wrapped in a tea towel with a jar of homemade apple butter.  The rest of the breads and candy will go on goodie trays.  Plenty more to make, but this did make a big dent.  Next family ornaments, a wreath for the back door, table arrangements and swags.  Whew an elf's work is never done.  To me this is the best part of Christmas, being able to give to those I love, that and the fudge, I do love fudge!!!

shower time

As I wrote last week our family is expecting a new little one.  For the shower I made favors of goats milk soap.  I placed the mini bars in plastic bags and added a header thanking everyone for attending from the proud mama and daddy.  A plastic teddy bear pic from the dollar store added a cute touch.  The guest seemed pleased and I think they will love the gentle moisturizing soap.

Sweater pillows

I've been picking up sweaters this fall to make into pumpkins, snowmen and pillows.  I've made several to give to friends.Just lay your sweater flat and cut off the main body front and back as large as you want the pillow to be.  Include buttons, zippers and pockets for more interest.  Pin and stitch around the sides, leaving an opening for the pillow form, turn and stuff.  You can cut your sweater down to a standard form size, 14'-24" or leave it whatever size it comes to and make your own pillow form by sewing muslin into a bag, stuff and stitch closed.  You can add vintage buttons, belts or fabric flowers for fun.  Shirts and tees also make fun pillows.

soap leaves

I made these soap leaves for a recent show.  They are easy and if you don't go crazy, pretty quick.  I did 250 leaves in about 90 minutes.
You will need:
individual fabric leaves.  I bought mine from Dollar Tree 50 for $1
Clear glycerin soap base  Hobby Lobby with 40% coupon
Scented  oil of your choice  You can buy scented oils at craft and health food stores
The soap comes in cubes I used 8 to dip all 250 leaves melting half at a time.

Melt the soap over a double boiler or in the micro wave in a heat proof cup. Add scent. Dip the leaves pick up with tweezers, allow to drip off the excess, place on wax paper lined cookie sheets to dry.  Note that the red leaves tended to fade, coloring the soap, so if that bothers you do them last.  You might have to melt the soap again for a few seconds if it gets too thick to dip. If there is soap around the edges after they are dry just pull or cut it off.   l let them sit over night them packaged them 20 to a bag for $4.00  You can put them in a pretty bowl in your bathroom for guest to use.  You might want to add a little card that says: wash, rinse, toss so they know they are disposable. I think they would be beautiful as part of a tablescape or in chunky potpourri.  The leaves would also make a quick hostess gift or party favor.  For Christmas I think I'll do rose petals and holly leaves.

secret stash box

If I don't hide candy when I bring it home from the store, AH will snarf it down within 48 hours.  To make the treats last I come up with some pretty clever ways to hide the stash.  This candy box use to be one of those places, but he's on to me now.
Apple gourds can be found in most places that grow pumpkins and gourds as well as on line.  If it isn't dried you'll have to dry it until next year.  Scrub up the gourd and remove all the dead skin.  let dry.  Mark a line about 2-3" down from the top and cut off the lid.  AH used the table saw to cut this one but you could use a band saw, coping saw or hand saw.  Empty the contents and wipe out the dust.  Save the seeds if you want to plant your own gourds next year.  Pour in paint and brush around to cover.  Give the outside 2-3 coats of paint and spray with clear sealer. You could also add a name or phrase before sealing   Line up the top and bottom of your apple and make a mark with pencil where you want your hinge to be.  Cut a small about 11/2"X1" piece of leather, vinyl or heavy fabric and glue one side to the top and one to the bottom on the inside of the gourd..  I did this one side at a time and let it dry before attaching the strip to the other side.  I used E6000 and held the vinyl in place with duct tape until dry.  Fill with goodies and enjoy.  I've given several of these to teacher friends of mine and they love them on their desks for treats, prizes, pencils or general storage.