Freebies: Kool-Aid Play Dough Kit Printable- Christmas Goody Bags

 Yesterday I shared with you the Goody Bags I made for Big Sister's school Christmas Party.  Today I am sharing the printable I made to go with it.  I removed her name from the printable.  You can either leave it blank or add your child's name.  For the complete Kool-Aid Play Dough recipe, click here.

PlayDough Kit Printable

Homemade Christmas: Goody Bags- Kool-Aid Play Dough Kits

As part of my Homemade Christmas series, I wanted to make the Goody Bags for Big Sister's classmates a kit for something they could make at home.  Big Sister has loved making her own Play Dough for years.  At first, I was intimidated by it, but when Prince Charming banned the real thing because of its awful stench, I had to come up with something else.

The Kool-Aid ones are non-toxic, edible, and smell great.  They last in an airtight container up to 3 months, and you have all kinds of color options!

I will share the printable I created for the Goody Bags tomorrow, but for today, here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup salt
1 Pkg unsweetened Kool-Aid
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 tbs oil

Directions:
1.  Mix flour, salt, and Kool-Aid until blended.
2.  Add oil and boiling water, mix with spoon until cool enough to knead.
3.  Knead by hand until color is blended.
4.  Store in air tight bag or container in the refrigerator.

Menu Plan Monday #6: 12/12-12/18

I am finally getting around to creating a recipe binder.  I have 20+ Cookbooks, hundreds of pages from magazines, and too many internet bookmarks.  My goal is to try at least three new recipes each week and put the best into the binder with a picture of the completed dish (Prince Charming hates cookbooks without pictures).  Throughout the week I will post any recipes that made the cut and link them up here.  If you haven't seen my Recipe Journal Printable- I print it on the backs of all of my recipes to track changes and guinea pigs!

Sambar (Indian Vegetable Soup)

Breakfasts and Lunches are always pretty much the same.  For breakfast we rely on Pancakes, Eggs, Muffins, Cold Cereal, and Cinnamon Rolls.  Lunches are Salads, Sandwiches, and Leftovers.  We also own a bakery/deli, so we eat lunch there several days a week.


Monday:  Indian Cabbage and Peas
Tuesday: Sausage Jambalaya with Creamed Red Beans
Wednesday: Shrimp Curry
Thursday: Spinach Dal
Friday: Spaghetti
Saturday:  Freebie- We usually eat out on Saturdays
Sunday: Sambar (Indian Vegetable Soup)

AND.... Best of all- we are making a variety of cookies for a Big Sister's Christmas Party using my Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!  I just double the recipe, then divide the dough between 4 bowls and put 1 cup of chips into each bowl- Mini M & M's, Chocolate Chips, White Chocolate Chips, and Butterscotch Chips!  YUM!

Check out more great Menu Plans at http://orgjunkie.com

Tutorial: Laminated Cotton Tissue Holders

 I make these for Big Sister's teachers each year.  I use laminated cotton since it is easy to wipe off- you know germs and such.   This year I am using a favorite Michael Miller fabric- Dick and Jane!

Step 1:  Trim to 5 1/2" x 8".

Step 2:  Fold over twice and iron each 5" end (be sure to use a scrap piece of cloth).

Step 3:  Sew hems.

Step 4:  Fold each end into the center serge or zig zag edges.

Step 5:  Sew sides 1/4" from the ends to strengthen stitching (see contrasting brown thread in picture).

Step 6: Turn each side right side out, pushing corners out firmly

Step 7:  Fill and Give!

I also sell these in my etsy shop- Lila's Bowtique

Freebie: Christmas Card Log

I shared with you yesterday one of the ways I design my Christmas Cards as part of my Homemade Christmas series.  I really enjoy taking the time to make my own cards.  It's not really cheaper, but I love knowing how much the cards are appreciated by its' recipients!

I have been using a Christmas Binder for the last 7 years.  Prior to that I kept this info on the back side of index cards in my address box.  I got rid of the old address box and keep addresses in my Christmas Binder.  This log makes it easy to see who you sent cards to, and who you've received cards from.  When you receive a card from a new friend, just add them to the bottom of the list!

Christmas Card Log

Enjoy!

Homemade Christmas: Greeting Cards

Please excuse the quality of the pictures.  It has been raining here for the last four days, and I just couldn't get good natural light!

I love making my own greeting cards, and have collected quite a few supplies over the years.  Most of the supplies are your basic scrapbooking supplies, with a few extras for making cards.

Supplies:
-Blank Cards- you can also use plain card stock, but I like for my cards to be white inside.  I usually by a box of different colors at Hobby Lobby- they come with envelopes, so it's super easy.  Don't forget to use a 40% off coupon.
-Coordinating Paper- 2 pieces
-White Paint Marker
-Printed Party Circles or other graphics
-2" Scallop Punch
-1.75" Circle Punch
-Coordinating Ribbon- 3/8" Wide
-Stamp Set

Step 1:  Make your Circle Embellishment

Step 2: Cut and Stamp Your Papers

3.  Add Ribbon and Put Together

A few of my greeting card sets are listed in my Etsy shop. 

Christmas Time: Handmade Gifts

 
So this year, like most I am we are making most of our gifts.  It's not much different from most years, but this year I am trying to do it with a zero budget- making gifts from items I already have on hand.  Last year I made Christmas in a Basket (to be opened Christmas Eve).  It included a couple of Christmas themed mugs, chocolate covered spoons, hot chocolate, and Christmas CD.  I've also given a spa basket to my friends with all things homemade- a rice pack, a sugar scrub, a candle, and a soap. 

But this year, I am going to try to make gifts from things I already have in my craft room.  Now for those of you that have seen my Craft Room Organization Posts, you will know that my craft room is pretty well stocked, but this is still a bit of a challenge.  I will be posting the items as I make them along with tutorials on how you can make it too, so check back often and see what I have been up to!