DIY Monogram Drink Stirrers

December 17, 2014

I love to personalize our small little cocktail cart with monogrammed cocktail napkins and barware. The newest additon to the cart are my DIY Monogrammed Cocktail Stir Sticks which you got a glimpse of when you saw my mug wraps.

After seeing and wanting these monogrammed cocktail stick on Horchow but not wanting to pay $65.00 for them, I knew I this could be an easy DIY project.

After gathering all my supplies, it took me about 15 minutes to make 25 personalized stir sticks and all for less than $9.00 !

To make your own monogrammed stir sticks, here’s what you’ll need:

Plain Wood Drink Stir Sticks {this Etsy shop is currently on vaca but you can ask to be notified when they open back up}

Assorted Adhesive Letter Stickers {available from craft stores and always remember to check the sale section for these}

Mod Podge {to seal you stickers to the stick)

I love how easy these were to make and plan on making more to give as gifts!

Happy Crafting!

Holiday Cocktails

December 14, 2014

Hello there. I hope your weekend has been good and that you took a little time to savor the holiday season!

Thank you for all the wonderful comments and emails regarding my holiday table setting that I shared yesterday. In the spirit of celebrating, here are FOUR fabulous holiday cocktails to make for a party or to just enjoy as you wind down the weekend.

Cheers!

SAN PELLEGRINO BLOOD ORANGE MOJITO

Ingredients:

In a large bowl, combine blood orange wedges, mint leaves and a light sprinkle of sugar.

Muddle all the ingredients together until most of the juice is extracted and the mint leave are bruised.

Distribute muddled orange and mint leave between two glasses. Fill with ice.

Add rum, simple syrup and San Pellegrino Limonata. Stir and serve immediately.

Tip: For fancier ice cubes, freeze 1 part San Pellegrino Limonata and 1 part orange juice.

Drop one segmented wedge of blood orange in each mold. Allow freezing time before serving your cocktails.

GINGERBREAD MARTINI

Ingredients:

For the gingerbread syrup:

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 tbs. molasses

1 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

For the martini:

2 ounces vanilla vodka

1.5 ounces Kahlua

1.5 ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream

3 tbs. gingerbread syrup (or to taste)

2.5 ounces half and half (plus 2 tbs. for the rim)

gingerbread cookies for the main garnish

whipped cream for garnish

Directions:

For the syrup:

In a small saucepan, heat the water, brown sugar, molasses, ginger and cinnamon or medium head until the sugar dissolves (about 5 mins).

For the martini:

Crush about 2-3 small gingerbread cookies in a zip lock bag with a rolling-pin. Place the crumbs in a saucer and set aside.

Pour 2 tablespoons of half and half into a small saucer. Di the rims of the martini glasses into the half and half. Then dip into the gingerbread crumbs and set the glasses aside.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the vodka, Kahlua, Bailey’s Irish Cream, gingerbread syrup, and the half and half. Shake well and pour into martini glasses.

Place a dollop of whipped cream on top and then place a gingerbread cookie on top of the whipped cream and serve.

Tip: if you can’t find gingerbread cookies, you can also use gingersnap or Biscoff cookies.

SPICED HOLIDAY PUNCH

Ingredients:

6 cups of apple juice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

12 cloves

1 2-inch piece peeled fresh ginger

1 cinnamon stick

6 cups cranberry juice

Ginger ale or sparkling wine

Preparation:

Bring 6 cups apple juice, 1/4 tsp nutmeg

12 cloves, 1 (2-inch) piece of peeled fresh ginger

and 1 cinnamon stick to a simmer over medium heat.

Lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Strain, cool and chill.

In a larger pitcher combine with 6 cups cranberry juice.

Fill glasses partway with juice mixture and

top off with ginger ale or sparkling wine.

RASPBERRY BEER COCKTAIL

Ingredients:

3/4 cup fresh raspberries ( or 3/4 cup thawed frozen raspberries)

3 1/2 (12 oz) bottles of beer, chilled

1 (12 oz) container frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed

1/2 cup vodka

Preparation:

Using the back of a spoon, mash raspberries in a bowl; transfer to a pitcher.

Stir in remaining ingredients.

Serve over ice.

Christmas Around The Table

December 13, 2014

Winter, a lingering season

is a time to gather golden

moments, embark on a sentimental journey,

and enjoy every idle hour. –John Boswell

…

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ELEVEN Ways To Decorate With Leftover Cedar Branches

December 11, 2014

When ever I teach a holiday design workshop and talk about decorating with faux Christmas trees and garland, I always recommend mixing real cedar into your decor to give your home the scent of Christmas.

I also share the tip that if you go to any of the big box hardware stores and ask for the cedar clippingsfrom the Christmas Trees they sell, the stores will let you take it for FREE !

Whenever I share this tip, I’m always asked for other ways to incorporate cedar into Christmas decor so I decided to share a few of those ideas with you today on the blog.

1) Wire cedar sprigs to a monogram letter form for a unique door hanging

2) Use a cedar piece as a gift wrap embellishment

3) Add cedar to a flower arrangement to give a holiday feel

4) Bundle leftover cedar pieces together to make a chair swag

5) Add cedar sprigs to faux garland to add texture, highlights and a holiday scent

6) Use cedar sprigs as an hors d’ oeuvres pick

7) Embellish a chandelier with cedar branches

8) Use cedar pieces to accent the base of a candle holder or around decorative items on a tree

9) Fill an outdoor planter with cedar for a fall porch accent

10) Gather cedar pieces together and hand from the front door as a holiday wreath alternative

11) Make cedar candle rings for your tabletop candlesticks!

Oh what fun it is to decorate for free during the holidays!

Christmas Candy Tubes

December 10, 2014

Just popping in today with another easy and fun holiday craft.

I love putting candy in my family’s Christmas stockings. We won’t all be together this Christmas and since I’m having to ship gifts to my brother and his family, I decided instead of sending stockings I’d come up with another way to gift them their favorite candy treats.

A trip to the Container Store and Cracker Barrel and I was ready to make these fun Christmas Candy Tubes.

How To Make Candy Tubes:

Supplies: Small mailing tubes from Container Store / Decorative Scrapbook Paper / Double Sided Tape / Yarn / Candy & Snacks

How to: Cut your scrapbook paper to fit around your mailing tube and then attach the paper to the tube using double-sided tape.

Make yarn Pom Pom’s (two for each tube) using this method.

Punch a hole in the center of the plastic end caps for each tube. Insert the long ends of your pom-pom ties through the holes in the cap and tie to secure.

Insert your favorite candy!

These candy tubes are a fun gift idea that you can give to anyone and they’d make great party favors at your holiday party or Christmas dinner.

Happy Crafting!

linking to:

Christmas Decor–My Tartan Tree

December 9, 2014

Hello there! Today’s the day for the unveiling of my Christmas tree and I’m so glad you stopped by to check it out.

Every year I create a different theme for my tree, using items that I already own and adding a few new things. This year I decided to take my love for plaids and my favorite color red, and use it as the foundation for my theme.

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DIY Mug Wraps

December 8, 2014

Is there anything better than a steaming cup of hot chocolate with a swirl of whip cream and chocolate sprinkles during the cold weather months?

A cup of spiced tea comes close in my book but I prefer hot chocolate when I relaxing at the end of a long day.

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Personalize Your Holiday Decor–Buy or DIY

December 7, 2014

Happy Sunday! With only about 16 days before Christmas, I know this weekend was a big weekend for Christmas tree decorating. I’ve put the finishing touches on my tree and at the last minute I added a few monogrammed ornaments to the mix.

Monogrammed ornaments are a great way to personalize your holiday decor, whether it’s on the Christmas tree, your holiday table or as part of your holiday gift wrap.