X is for Xray

Ok, this is really a stretch but what can you do with an Xray. Fortunately, we have a couple that lend themselves to a crafty use.

On May 1, 2014, my child broke his leg warming up for a league game. It was a long recovery as he was sidelined for about 5 months. Some physical therapy was required but he was back playing in October.

Back on the mound, pitching. 

We laugh at some idioms but in this case the phrase "tough break" comes to mind. For him, it is a play on words but we now use it when he complains about something. It really means that it is a bit of bad luck. 

I have the Xrays from the first set the doctor took after it was set. They decided not to do surgery to see if the chip would mold itself back to the bone. 

So, next Christmas, the boy will be getting a piece of new wall art. Since this is make ahead, I can't show it on the wall but can share the picture. He never reads my stuff so I know it's safe to post. This will be a subtle (or maybe not so subtle) reminder to play it safe and not complain about the small stuff. 

S is for Shrinky Dinks

I needed two gifts for Christmas in a hurry and I was looking for ideas. While I was rumaging through my craft stash, I found the Shrinky Dink paper that I had put away. Terrific idea I thought. So I found letters online and cut them out. I colored pretty flowers on the corners and took them into the kitchen. I pulled out the toaster over and turned it on. After it had warmed up, I put my pretty letters in and watched as they curled into tiny balls that would not straighten out.

Rats! I was running out of time. I decided that I would do 3x5 rectangles to see how they would do. I found two saying for the teen girls and copied them onto the paper. Rushing back to the kitchen, I preheated the toaster oven again and started the process. This was a little better. One did not quite straighten out but it was good enough for a gift. The other one was a lot better.

I had punched holes in them and was pleased the key rings actually fit. The girls loved them.

This is not the first time I have written about this craft. I have a Shrinky Dink page where there is a lot more information. I also found out how to use materials in your home to make your own shrinky paper. What a surprise, I found it on Pinterest.

Candy gifts from the microwave - Peanut Brittle, Fudge, and Chocolate Almond Clusters

It was with complete joy that I found three candy recipes on (where else?) Pinterest. The best part...they take minutes in the microwave.

I am not going to reinvent the wheel so I am posting the websites here. I am also using their photos because I can't keep these candies in the house long enough to photograph them. These three candies are going into pretty tins for my friends and family.

Creme de la Crumb - Chocolate Almond Clusters

3 lovely ingredients - Almond Bark, Almonds, Coarse Sea Salt - total microwave time 2 minutes, 30 seconds.

Allrecipes - Fudge

Again 3 lovely ingredients - Chocolate Chips, Butter, Condensed Milk, (can add walnuts or other nuts which I do) - total microwave time 3 minutes.

And my most favorite of all - Drum roll please...

Budget 101 - Peanut Brittle

Six ingredients: Sugar, Light Corn Syrup, Raw Peanuts, Butter, Vanilla, and Baking Soda - total microwave time 11 minutes.

I make one of these at least once a week. We share them and the boy fills up baggies to share with his friends at school. So yummy!

First post, let's start with a Christmas gift with wooden spools

If you don't live on Pinterest, you should. It is my go-to place for everything I want to make or want to save. I have found the most amazing ideas for gifts and food. I also save all my genealogy information there and tons of other stuff.

I have a thing for wooden spools. I buy them from eBay and then store them until I find ideas for their use. I am a bit stingy and hate to give them away but when I find a gift that I know someone will like, then it's all OK.

I found this idea on Pinterest (surprise). I am scanning thousands of family photos from the 1800's to now, trying to get them all cataloged for posterity. Right now, I am doing the Rhea family. Lots of the photos are going to my cousin so this idea appealed to me.

Some burlap, ribbon, accent flowers, buttons, and string make these wooden spools into photo holders. Just push a paper clip into the hole on top and add pictures. Nothing fancy but a unique way to share photos with my cousin Patty.

My aunt, holding Patty, Sharon in the middle and my dad holding me.