How to make a favor box using toilet paper roll tutorial

I made for the kids for last Thanksgiving because is easy. I had all the supplies at home.

You will need:
- toilet paper roll;
- pattern paper; (it can be scrapbook paper, digital paper or gift wrap paper)
- tacky glue; ( I never use hot glue because it is dangerous around kids, messy and the smell makes me sick when I'm pregnant :)
- scissors;
- ribbon;
- hole punch;
- tags (opcional)

Cut and cover each toilet paper with  the pattern paper. I add a fabric ribbon right on top to where the patterned papers joined so it looks a little more profissional

I glued the ribbon on both sides inside using...

 Clothespin as my second pair of hands!

Glue one of the side - it will be the end of you box.

The other side - so on the top of you box - make a hole for the tag and ribbon.

Voila!  I wrapped some M&M on tissue paper and put inside of the toilet paper favor box and of course the kids wanted to have dessert before turkey:)

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St. Nicholas and Christmas Stocking cake pops!

Easy! The Bishop hat is made out fondant. Draw the cross on the mitra, eyebrowns, beard and mustache with chocolate waffler (use a toothpick and for the beard use a zipploc bag). The nose is sugar pearls and make the eyes and mouth with candy pen.

Have a blessed Christmas!

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Roses Cake pops for Therese - the little flower!

First, please forgive my pictures! They were taken with my phone :-) This was the bouquet I made for a Carmelite benefit dinner. It's made of cake pops! I'm sure you have heard about them; they are so delicious and so fun to make, and always a big hit.

So here is what you will need:

Cake pop recipe (you can find one anywhere - there are some tips though that I will write on the bottom of the post);

Mini-rose silicone mold- (mine is from ebay);

Candy melts;

Paramount crystal (if you use Wilton's candy melts);

Lollipop sticks;

Toothpick.

Make your cake pops according to the recipe you find the best, shape the balls like a tear drop, making sure the cake balls are smaller than the silicone mold otherwise the cake will break when you try to take out the mold. Chill them.

Melt you candy melts (I prefer double-boil but you can use a microwave). Fill the silicone mold up to 2/3 only (actually it may depend on the size of your cake balls). Put the round side of the cake balls inside of the mold making sure there is no candy dripping over the mold, which would make hard to get out. If some candy starts coming out on the sides just gently clean it off using a toothpick - do not press the side of the mold. 

After that, put them in a refrigerator to speed the process of drying. It does not take too long. It should come out really easily from the mold, use a toothpick to pull the mold up, gently, pushing it against the mold, not the cake.

Dip the bottom side of the rose into the melted candy - you may hold with your hands the rose side - stick the lollipop sticks inside of the cake pop, shake the excess of candy and put in the styrofoam to dry.

I made tags with famous quotes of St.Therese and turned into a bouquet using a vase from Ikea.

Here it is! Next time, I will add some edible leaves.

I really like it! And it could be made in red for St. Rita of Cascia or Our Lady!

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Here are some tips to make your cake pop making more fun!

- do not use oil for baking, if the recipe calls for oil replace it with butter (not margarine), the cake will be firmer,  not falling off the sticks when dipping and not having oil coming out trough the cake pops later either;

- make your own frosting! It does not take too long, it tastes better, it will no be too sweet and also will not fall off the sticks when dipping because of the butter;

- do not put too much frosting into the crumbled cake before kneading it thoroughly and molding it into balls - I have found that 3 to 4 tablespoons are more than enough. 

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Edible Religious decoration ideas for Christmas!

You will need a couple of delicious berries, white chocolate and toothpicks for the Berry Star!

 

Get the tutorial here

 

 

There is no tutorial for this Christmas Tree but I would use a styrofoam cone and attach the fruits with a toothpick. The kids would love to help with that!

The two nativity scenes above were made of candies, cookies and marshmallows!

 

 That's so adorable! Do you know you that you can make the figures out of fondant or marshmallow fondant and save them in an air-tight in a container up to one week?


 

 

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Cheap, easy and nice Stars for Christmas!

I'm sure you have all the material to do it now! 

You will need:
– 5 Paper Bags,
– Double-sided tape,
– String,
– Scissors,
– Hole Punch.

Check the tutorial

HERE

 

 

 

For this one you will need the template. Get direcions and template here



I made these last year at the CO-OP using scrapbook paper, glue and scissors.
It turned out beautifully!

Tutorial here

This is a German - Froebel Sterne.
Is it gorgeous?
Here


 

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How to make a candy/nut cup to match your party decoration

I have been planning  my son's second birthday and although the candy cups I have seen are affordable, I could not find any that would match the party colors. After googling around for a while I found some tutorial that did not turn out well. I have a lot of those 3oz plastic containers as leftovers so I made some modifications on other tutorials and here are the two ways I came up with:

1) Material need

- 3oz Plastic cup container; (party city or smart final)

- glue stick; (make sure it dries clear)

- scissors;

- decorative paper sizes- 4.5 inches square or 5 inches circle.

  

Cut the rim off of the 2 cups, and spread glue all around the paper - about 1 in down of the edge - Centered de paper in the plastic cup and insert the paper in the plastic cup pressing gently the paper against the cup's wall. Put another cup inside of the paper and press it in order to mold the paper cup. Let dry for 1 or 2 minutes and take the outside plastic cup. 

Below is another way.
You will need:
-1/3-cup measure cup;
- cup or bottle that fits perfectly in the measure cup; (I used my son's sip cup)
-foam cup;
-scissors;
-glue sticks that dries clear;
-decorative paper sizes- 4.5 inches square or 5 inches circle.

Spread glue around the paper - about 1 in. down the edge - Center the paper on top of the measure cup and push the bottle into the measure cup molding the paper into the cup. Let stand for 1 or 2 minutes, before take the bottle out. Meanwhile, mark the foam cup 1 inch from the bottom and cut it; you will have a little cup. Insert the little foam cup into the paper cup.

A close up look :)

I cut some with scalloped scissors - you cannot really see it in the picture - and used Sacred Heart patterned paper. (free to download at the bottom of the post) 

You can always add embellishment with ribbon or stickers. Those pictured above were made several days before and were still in good shape.You can stack them after the glue is complety dried and store them.

Download the sacred Heart circles - subscribe to our mailing list - it's free!

 

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How to make a paper rosette decoration

I made these from tissue paper that I had leftover from gifts but you can make it from any paper you would like it.

First, decide how large you want your rosette to be and get 3 papers of the same size. Next, fold each piece top to bottom accordion-style (use 1-inch intervals)

Secure the middle with yarn (I had it on hand but again you can use something else).

Cut each end into a U or V shape.

Next, use tube glue or double-sided tape to attach the 3 sheets.

You can use a ribbon to tie the center of the sheets together and do not forget to leave a enough ribbon ifyou want to string them from the roof.

Fan out the rosette-accordion shape out on both sides  and you have easy, simple and attractive decoration!

  

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How to make a crown for Mary

Catholics honor Mary at home, too, crowning the true "May Queen's" statue with flowers at their family altars, and leaving roses (especially red and/or white) at her feet, for the entire month of May. If you don't have a statue of Our Lady, you can place flowers around a picture of her. ^Source

Here is a easy and fun craft- crowns made with lace.

You will need:
lace 
fabric stiffener or modge podge
paint
wax paper

Get the full tutorial Here

Bring flow'rs of the fairest, Bring flow'rs of the rarest, From garden and woodland And hillside and vale; Our full hearts are swelling, Our glad voices telling The praise of the loveliest Rose of the vale. Chorus: O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May, O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May. Our voices ascending, In harmony blending, Oh! Thus may our hearts turn Dear Mother, to thee; Oh! Thus shall we prove thee How truly we love thee, How dark without Mary Life's journey would be. (Chorus)

O Virgin most tender, Our homage we render, Thy love and protection, Sweet Mother, to win; In danger defend us, In sorrow befriend us, And shield our hearts From contagion and sin. (Chorus) Of Mothers the dearest, Oh, wilt thou be nearest, When life with temptation Is darkly replete? Forsake us, O never! Our hearts be they ever As Pure as the lilies We lay at thy feet. (Chorus)

Picture from thisismeinspired

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How to make a butter lamb for Easter without mold

You will need:

2 sticks cold butter (1/2 pound)

1 tablespoon butter, softened
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 whole cloves
Fresh parsley sprigs and edible pansies (optional)

Directions:

Cut a third from the end of one stick of butter. Place larger piece on a serving dish for lamb's body. Spread some of the softened butter on cut side of smaller piece; position vertically on left side of larger piece for neck and head. Trim edges.

Cut a 1/4-in. slice from the second stick of butter; cut diagonally in half. Spread softened butter on cut edge of one triangle; secure to front of head/neck piece for nose. Set remaining triangle aside.

 

Cut a diagonal slice from each end of the second butter stick. Spread softened butter on cut long side; secure to back of head for ears.

 

Cut remaining butter and reserved triangle to fit into a garlic press. Squeeze butter through press in batches. Use toothpicks to curl pieces. Beginning at the top and working down, place curls on body. (If butter softens while assembling, place in refrigerator for 10 minutes or until firm.)

Insert cloves for eyes; add two dots of cinnamon on nose for nostrils. Refrigerate until serving. Garnish plate with parsley and pansies if desired.

Source:Tasteofhome

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How to make a picture magnet as party favor

This is so easy and people really like it. Take a picture of the child making sure there is nice background. Send the picture to the photo developer of your choice and get prints wallet size.

Get adhesive magnet sheet at craft store and cut and attach to each picture. Done! You have made a nice and unforgetable favor.

If you would like a  message or name on your picture like the sample above you could use a program like photoshop or Pixlr .

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Easy cake decoration with paper flowers

Today is the Feast of the Visitation! I suggest celebrating it in a meaningful way. Finish this tutorial and take a cake to somebody in need!

This easy decoration is perfect for those who like to give a cake an added touch decorative flare, but who are not good at baking the cakes themselves. And this is of course for anyone on a budget (like stay-at-home-moms :-) You can use this decoration for a wedding, birthday, showers and any Feast of Our Lady or Therese, Teresa, Rita, Rose and so on! 

You will need
• grocery store bakery cake (plain white frosting);
• 2″ scallop circle punch or our flower template;
• tape;
• toothpicks
• one piece of paper (your preference of color - it can be scrapbook paper or gift wrap)

If you are using the circle punch, create flowers from your paper using your 2″ scallop circle punch and skip to the next step. If you are using our flower template, print the template on the paper and cut out the flowers. You will find two different sizes: 2.25 and 2 inches.  You may add more dimension to the cake depending on the size you use. 

Put a toothpick through the center of your flower and slide up to the tip of the toothpick – leaving a little piece of the toothpick showing.

Fold the underside of the flower against the toothpick causing the petals of the flower to form upward. Then cut a small piece of tape and secure the underside of the flower where the paper and toothpick meet. {make sure to cover the paper and toothpick}  

Open up your flower to the point where the petals are pointed up at an angle like this.

Now for the fun part! Get your white cake and add the flowers.

This is a matter of preference. I have made a cascade from the top of the cake going down to one side.

Enjoy!

Link text

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Precious Feet soap as party favors

These cute soap are really easy {and fun} to make!

You will need:

Microwave container or double-boiled pan*
Cutting Board;
Fragrance Oil  (I used baby oil);
Soap-Safe Dye (I used green and yellow);
Large Knife;
Alcohol in Spray Bottle;  
Rubber Spatulas;
Cotton balls;
Baby Feet Mold ( I got the mold at Ebay)

* I have found that melting the soap in the microwave wastes too much soap.  If you do not have double-boiled pan you can melt the soap in a small pot within a pan filled with water ike this:

- Using the cotton balls, lightly coat the insides of the molds with baby oil; this will make it easier to remove the finished soaps from the molds.

- Cut the soap base into small chunks and place them into the pot until you've got the amount that your mold will hold.

         [NOTE - If you are making the feet with different colors (one color for the feet and one color for the base), you will first be melting a small amount of one color and filling the parts of the molds consisting of just the little feet. You will then have to wait for the soap within the feet parts of the molds to dry before melting the different-colored soap and adding it to the rest of each mold, thus forming the base of each piece of soap.]

 - After the small chunks of soap melt melted, completely add the fragrance oil to the melted soap base and gently stir. Add some color to your soap - Be sure you are using soap-safe dyes - Gently stir the melted soap to completely incorporate the fragrance and completely blend the color. Don't stir too hard or you'll get bubbles in the soap. If you do get air bubbles, a light spritz of rubbing alcohol from a spray bottle gets rid of them.

- Slowly pour the soap into the mold and wait for it to cool down completely. (If you are making soaps of two different colors, this is the point where you would first wait for the feet to dry as described in the "NOTE" above, and repeat the melting/pouring process with the second color.)   Try not to splash the soap or get too many bubbles. (If you do get bubbles in the soap molds, you may here still lightly spray the tops of the bars with rubbing alcohol.)

- You're done for now! Carefully move the mold to a safe place.

- The soap should be hard enough to unmold in a few hours. You can hurry this along by putting the mold in the refrigerator, but don't put it into the freezer.

It will take several hours on the counter or approximately an hour in the refrigerator for the soap to completely cool and harden.

I got these cute bags at Oriental Trading, wrapped a shoe box lid with tissue paper and made a tag saying:

 "Thanks for coming to my Baptism day,
On which original sin was washed away,
Marking my first steps to holiness..."

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