Handmade Holidays: Rosette Jewelry

Yesterday we made fabric rosettes. Totally simple. Totally cute. Today, we're going to turn them into jewelry to give as holiday gifts!

We left off yesterday with some almost done rosettes. Now we'll finish them off depending on what we're using them for.

First, the bracelet:

Handmade Holidays: Fabric Rosettes

I'm back with another crafty holiday idea for you. This my favorite craft project I've made so far--they're so cute! I've seen these fabric rosettes all over the web, but never realized just how easy they were to make. (Not as easy as the tshirt scarf, but still pretty simple). And the possibilities for them are endless! Make jewelry with them. Attach them to an apron or a tote bag. Make pins out of them to dress up a sweater. So much you can do with something so simple! This is my favorite way to use them so far.

Perfect for the fashionista in your life, or to wear to those holiday parties coming up! And they're so easy to create.

I think this is my first real attempt at a full on step-by-step tutorial. So I apologize if the pictures are a little blurry or things don't make total sense. I never realized how hard it was to stop every 30 seconds and take a bunch of pictures! If you need any clarification on anything, leave me a comment or drop me a line and I'll try to help out! Also, pay no attention to the huge fingers, chipped nails, cat hair, and hot glue strings floating around in these pictures..

Triple Chocolate Biscotti

Thanksgiving’s over and we’re officially into prime Holiday season. I don’t know about you, but this time of year is B-U-S-Y for me. For those of you who have never had the “privilege” of working retail during the holidays, let me tell you… You literally run for 8 hours a day. No joke. It’s like being on a treadmill all day long, only stopping for a half an hour to eat your lunch. It’s an intense workout! By the time I get home, I’m exhausted. The last thing I want to do is bake dozens of cookies. Well, that’s not true. I do want to bake dozens of cookies. I just don’t have the energy.

I know it’s not just retail employees that feel this way during the season though. We’re all tired and stressed and feel like there’re just not enough hours in the day. That’s why Biscotti cookies are perfect for this time of year. They’re easy to make and keep for quite awhile, so you can make them whenever you have time, and not have to worry about them going stale right away! And nothing’s more perfect than Triple Chocolate Biscotti.

Made with cocoa powder, bursting with chocolate chips, and dipped in melted chocolate, it’s a chocolate lovers dream come true! Dipped in coffee, they’re perfection. But the best thing about them? You can make them in advance. Since they’re already extra crunchy cookies, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Talk about a time saver! There are tons of ideas you can do with these cookies:

• They’re perfect for mailing in cookie packages. They’re sturdy and dry so you don’t have to worry about them too much if they take a prolonged trip through the postal service.
• Package them up in treat bags and give them as a gift with a nice mug and a package of coffee or some homemade hot chocolate for a neighbor, coworker, or teacher.
• They freeze beautifully—Bake them up, then pop them in the freezer once they’ve cooled. Take them out of the freezer a few hours before serving to allow them to come to room temperature. They’d make a perfect snack for that after-dinner coffee. (Or just to snack on by yourself through the holidays.)

So save yourself some stress this holiday season and do some of your baking in advance! But just be warned—if you’re anything like me, the prebaked dough will make you giggle uncontrollably.

Doesn't that just look appetizing..

Handmade Holidays: Tshirt Scarf

I'm obsessed with crafting again. I blame Pinterest. I spend forever scrolling through the DIY & Craft section, looking for ideas of things to make. Most are things that are either a bit beyond my crafting skill level, or things that I'll never need. Ever. But every once in awhile an idea jumps out at me that says, "Hey! Even I could do that!" This is one of those. I swear, even if you're not the slightest bit crafty, you can do this one. It takes about 5 minutes and you probably already have the materials hanging out in the back of your closet! So why not wrap up a gift of handmade love this holiday season?

Scarves are totally in right now, and with winter quickly upon us, they're not just fashionable, but a necessary accessory. And this one couldn't be easier to make! Literally about 3 steps, and you're good to go.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

There’s nothing like a wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of hot chocolate on cold winter days, each sip spreading warmth through your entire body. Wrapping up in a blanket on the couch with a mug and a good book? Heaven. So why not share a little bit of happiness with those around you this holiday season?

Making your own hot chocolate mix is incredibly simple; throw all the ingredients in a bowl and stir! With most of the ingredients probably already in your pantry, in the long run making your own will save you money—one batch makes 16 servings! Plus, knowing that you’re drinking something completely homemade just makes it extra special. Top it with some homemade peppermint marshmallows and you’ve got yourself the perfect winter drink.

The marshmallows are a bit more involved, but well worth it. I’ve been eating handfuls of marshmallows by themselves! Floating on top of my cup of cocoa, they’re the perfect cool bite in my warm drink. Not a peppermint fan? Substitute the peppermint extract for the scraped seeds of 1 vanilla bean, and you’ve got the perfect vanilla bean marshmallows.

Now that you’ve got the mix and the marshmallows, it’s time to share! Fill a small treat bag, disposable piping bag, or Ziploc bag with 1/3 cup of cocoa mix, top with a handful of marshmallows and tie with a pretty ribbon. Put your single serving cocoa package in a nice mug or tumbler, and you’ve got a great gift for a neighbor, boss, or teacher! Or fill a jar with cocoa and marshmallows for more than a single serving!

And don’t forget the gift tag to go with it! I made these cute printable tags just for you! Print out on cardstock, punch a hole and tie it up with festive ribbon!

Click here for downloadable and printable pdf file. (Tags will print 3-inches by 5-inches)

How do you warm up during the cold winter days?

Lemon Vanilla Bean Shortbreads

We’re getting dangerously close to the holiday season. Thanksgiving is just a week and a half away, and then it’s time to dive right into the rest of the winter holidays! It’s prime gift giving season, which means Santa needs to start making his list and checking it twice, very soon. Sure you’ve got ideas for the major players in your life, but what about the little people too? The neighbor who always rakes your leaves or shovels your driveway? The mailman who delivers, rain or shine? A teacher? A boss? The friends and family who live far away, or the ones you’ll visit close to home? It’s the season to say thanks and show how much you care. And what better way to express those feelings than something homemade. That’s why this year, for my annual holiday post series, I’m sharing ideas for Handmade Holidays! From food to crafts, there’s something for everyone, near and far!

First up, a little something to pack in those cookie care packages to ship to family and friends around the country.

Shortbreads are perfect for the holiday cookie package. Crisp and sandy, they can handle a few days in transit without losing their delicious buttery flavor. While, honestly, I’ve never been the biggest fan of shortbread (I like my cookies soft and chewy), I have to say I’ve eaten a shameful amount of these. And I’m well on my way to being a shortbread convert too (along with apple pie and baked fruit. This is apparently the year of changing my mind about food!) Flecked with vanilla bean seeds and kissed with just a hint of lemon, they’re the perfect bite-sized treat. If I can tear myself away from nibbling them as is, I might even dip the rest in chocolate for an even more irresistible treat.

What kind of cookies will you be sending in your care packages this year? And what tips do you have for getting them there in one piece?