turning over a new leaf

Writing is not a chore. Even though I love to write and create images in my mind, I still have many things to learn. Do not write forcefully, expecting it to be perfect. Instead write with emotion and sensitivity. The imperfection of your creation will just add to its beauty; people will be able to relate to it.

Well, I have been making writing a chore—something I dread doing because I ‘have’ to do it ‘for my blog’. Foolish Laurel! I have been neglecting my Loyal Friend---it’s sorta been sitting these last two years, waiting for me to do something extraordinary with it.  I’ve made the decision to remedy that, or Landsflicka won’t live much longer.

So I got this amazing book at Barnes and Noble last night called “Blogging for Bliss” by Tara Frey. Her lovely ideas and suggestions have given me inspiration to turn over a new leaf on Landsflicka. No longer am I going to write half-heartedly on a once-a-month basis. No. Instead I am going use it like my battered journal: give it the attention it needs for revival, and fill it up with little pieces from my life.

               I must confess that I was tempted to start over with a new blog, but with much thought I concluded that perseverance must prevail! I shall remain loyal and keep carving out my little space on the internet. Everyone is welcome to read over the musings of my soul. Please share your thoughts and tell me what you would like to see.

Homemade Christmas {hot chocolate}

     Though this recipe is already on the world wide web, I just had to share it with you! It makes so much hot chocolate mix that I am going to have to give some away for Christmas. Once again my mason jars will come in handy for that:)


HOT CHOCOLATE:

(Makes 15 cups of mix or 45 servings. I know! That's a lot!)

10 cups dry milk powder
4 3/4 sifted confectioners sugar
1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer (there are different flavors)

and don't forget some small marshmallows, and peppermint sticks:)

Chocolate was discovered in the 16th century when Spanish explorer Cortez brought it to Spain from the Aztecs Indians. The Spanish made it a hot sweetened beverage and guarded their precious drink carefully---  It wasn't until a century later when it began to spread across Europe. That's when chocolate houses started up in England and became extremely popular. Thank you Cortez! :)

Homemade Christmas {ornaments}

Here is your ordinary Christmas bulb--  boring, plain, and unappealing.

 

And here is your new Christmas bulb! -- beautiful, old fashioned-y, and delightful in every way:)

 

NOTE: modge podge is all I used (and a book that I didn't feel bad tearing up. Books make up the majority of our wall insulation, but I couldn't find a single one to tear up. I had to buy a romance that looked badly written:) Anyhoo, modge podge is likely to get all over everything when you use it. I spent several minutes peeling layer after layer of it off my hand when I was done.

 

Christmas bulbs (at Wal-Mart) x4 -- $2.99

Paperback novel -- 25 cents at the thrift store

 

Another pretty Christmas ornament is this button bulb that my sister Clara made. All that is needed is a styrofoam ball, buttons that you'll never use otherwise, and hundreds of sewing pins.

 

We taped a layer of tissue paper underneath the buttons to avoid any foam showing. Also you might want to put the hook in first before you start pinning buttons on (unlike like us. lesson learned.) Then you'll have a ornament that is as cute as a button! haha-- get it?

 

 

Homemade Christmas {wrapping paper}

 Crafts are beautiful. Admittedly most of my ideas are stolen from other people (Pinterest, craft shows, and blogs are chock full of wonderful DIY projects) but the splendor of crafting is that each and every project is going to be unique. This blog series isn't telling you anything, it is showing you one way of doing things. There's no right or wrong way, so cut loose and let your own creativity flow!

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 Making your own wrapping paper is a simple way of personalizing your gifts not to mention that it's completely free! (That is if you've invested in stamps and ink:)



 

 

All you need is a roll of butcher paper/freezer paper (both of which are ridiculously cheap) or better yet, the sides of a paper grocery bag. Just cut out the bottom and use the inside.

 

 

The rest is self explanatory! Clara and I had so much fun coming up with different patterns. She created the spider, alphabet, and Blue Jay themes.

 

 

 

 

These will certainly add some rusticity to your Christmas tree this year! Also vintage Christmas postcards are extremely easy to find in antique stores this time of year. They will add a nice touch to your home made wrapping paper:)

Homemade Christmas {center pieces}

     My inspiration for this bottle is from here-- a blog I discovered thanks to Pinterest. Instead of twine I used macramé which required a huge amount of hot glue. It was worth it:) You can use these bottles for practically anything:) vases, center pieces, decorative wine bottles or to play the 'jug' like Briscoe Darling in Andy Griffith.....

 

Bottle: free (this one was in our woodshed, but you can use wine bottles or coke bottles)

Twine: 3-5 dollars at Hobby Lobby.

Macramé: roughly 10 dollars at most craft stores.

Net price: 15 dollars for enough supplies to make several vases.

 

 

Buttons, burlap flowers, twine braids, or ribbons are simple ways of embellishing your final product. I am still discovering the millions of ways twine and macramé are useful, so you might see some more blog posts about them:) 

 

Mason jar candles-- a common craft project, but one with so many possibilities! I've seen them on Pinterest made with book pages, music sheets, and/or paint.

 

The two I decorated are especially easy to make. A lace doily, some cut up newspaper, a little ric rac and TA DA! My next mason jar experiment is to modge podge fabric onto a couple and see how those come out.