I know many of us are pinching pennies this season. I wanted to let you know about an amazing sale going on that will allow you to do just that but still give your family the gift of heritage. Here is our cyber Monday special. Let me know if anything interests you.
Heritage Makers Cyber Monday SALE!
During our Sale you can order your Calendar credits, Swatch Book credits, and Recipe Book credits at ALL TIME LOWS! (see below for details).
did you find me through another blog? Dont forget to tell me when you order. ALL orders today will get a FREE family fold. $5 value your choice between 3, 5, and 7 fold. these make wonderful holiday gifts for grandparents.
Ever thought of starting your own Heritage Makers Business? From now until Monday at Noon, receive over $100 worth of publishing credits free when you sign up with a Business Kit!
click here for Custom Calendars
Celebrate your memories all year round with your own keepsake calendar. Choose from the popular
11x8.5 calendar ~ ONLY $19.95
11X16 calendar ~ONLY $25.95
ADD ON BONUS
For a limited time you can add 3 months
of premier membership for $44.95
(that’s $14.95 a month or 40% off)
click here for ***Recipe/Spiral Bound Books
Only $74.95 (5 pack)
Wire-bound books make fantastic gifts! We're thinking family cookbooks, planners for the new year, notebooks, journals, and more!
That's $14.95/each! At this price, you can buy one for grandma, Uncle Ted, your crazy cousin in Wisconsin, your favorite neighbor, and even keep one for yourself! CLICK HERE for the details!
***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL. Call before 1pm on Monday
click here You'd Better "Swatch Out!"
Swatch Book (5 pack) ~ ONLY $49.95
That’s $9.95 each or half price.
These sturdy little Swatch Books are great to toss into a purse, briefcase, backpack - even a back pocket!
Gift ideas...
~ A Brag Book chock full of your latest family photos
~ A set of favorite recipes
~ A book of inspirational quotes and photos
~ Check out our Template Gallery for 40 more ideas!
$100 worth of Free Credits
Start your Heritage Makers Business during Cyber Monday and receive over
$100 in Free credits
CLICK HERE to learn more about becoming an HM Personal Publishing Consultant!
NEED HELP?
The "big guy" might be a tad busy right now, but I am here to help you!
If you want to get your projects started and completed quickly, simply CLICK HERE to download a Getting Started Tutorial.
You Still Have Time!
You still have plenty of time to get your Heritage Makers projects completed and back by the Holidays!
Shipping Deadlines:
Storybooks:
December 2 (Ground and Priority)
December 7 (Two-day)
December 10 (Next day)
All Other products:
December 11 (Ground and Priority)
December 14 (Direct Ship Cards/Two-day)
December 16 (Next day)
Contact Me!
Contact me on Cyber Monday before 8pm to order your credits!
***if ordering the early bird recipe book call me before noon.
To start your own Heritage Makers business simply visit my website @ http://www.digitlalstorybooks.com/
and click on "Sign Up" to become a Heritage Makers Consultant!
for more ideas and a list of other products visit my website http://www.digitalstorybooks.com/
Happy storybooking.
Melissa
603-493-2431
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesdays Tips & Tricks - Hand tinting?
For my reader who use Heritage Makers Studio for thier digital storybooking heres an easy way to create a fun effect. Photo Tinting.
To have the whole photo look hand tinted: turn the photo black and white. Then lock in place. Copy and paste in place (now you have 2 layers of the same photo). Turn the top layer back to color (no filter). Now fade it by adjusting the transparency to desired effect.
If you want to color just a portion like I did to the topleft photo in the page above. you have to crop the top layer photo to show only the portion you want colored. When you fade it the line between the color and black and white photos kind of fades away too.
Depending on the shape/size of the area you want to have colored you may have to do some creative cropping. For allies I cropped around her whole body and then rounded until it was an oval. Then I added more layers using paste in place and made these top layers black and white again but cropped so it was only a small bit of grass here, part of the stone wall.
To break it down by layer
I had a bottom photo black and white.
Then a colored oval of just her but transparent probably about 80% or more Then black and white cropped of just stones More cropped of B&W grass More cropped of B&W background
Basically the top layers I was trying to cut around her feet or arms so that the back ground stayed as much black and white as possible. But because of the photo being in color you need to trick the eye by glueing the black and white pieces back on top like a collage. This photo though looks like it was before all my tweaking.
Let me know if you try this technique and let me know how it comes out for you. Post links to photos of your work with these techniques.
~Melissa
To have the whole photo look hand tinted: turn the photo black and white. Then lock in place. Copy and paste in place (now you have 2 layers of the same photo). Turn the top layer back to color (no filter). Now fade it by adjusting the transparency to desired effect.
If you want to color just a portion like I did to the topleft photo in the page above. you have to crop the top layer photo to show only the portion you want colored. When you fade it the line between the color and black and white photos kind of fades away too.
Depending on the shape/size of the area you want to have colored you may have to do some creative cropping. For allies I cropped around her whole body and then rounded until it was an oval. Then I added more layers using paste in place and made these top layers black and white again but cropped so it was only a small bit of grass here, part of the stone wall.
To break it down by layer
I had a bottom photo black and white.
Then a colored oval of just her but transparent probably about 80% or more Then black and white cropped of just stones More cropped of B&W grass More cropped of B&W background
Basically the top layers I was trying to cut around her feet or arms so that the back ground stayed as much black and white as possible. But because of the photo being in color you need to trick the eye by glueing the black and white pieces back on top like a collage. This photo though looks like it was before all my tweaking.
Let me know if you try this technique and let me know how it comes out for you. Post links to photos of your work with these techniques.
~Melissa
Christmas traditions with Children
Growing up I had many holiday traditions that I plan to continue with my children and some new ones we've added. Here are 5 to get you started...
1.)Have some kind of countdown or advent calendar. I find it helps with the excitement.
Young children dont really understand the concept of time. SO this helps them to see how long it will be. You can include a small treat each day to help remind them to be good until christmas. Last year we got a cute my little pony one. Instead of getting chocolate everyday she gat a small toy. It was a more then I usually spend ($14) but better then candy and she still plays with all the ponies!!! it was like an extra christmas gift. This year I found a pattern to make a countdown at home, and each day she will see different photos of our family. Check it out in my gifts under $25 post.
2.)Decorate the tree together.
We've decided that there will be an adult tree and a kids tree in the basement play area. Make sure to get your children involved. I know it may sound cliche' but kids love stringing popcorn, cranberries, foil candy wrappers, beads whatever you can find. Make an afternoon of it with Hot cocoa. ***I like to put a candy cane "stirrer" in mine. My daughter gets so excited when do this.
I also will use this as an opportunity to remind them what the holiday is about. I have a christmas nail ornament that has a story about Jesus included in the package. I gave it to my Nana and when she passed it was one of the things I was able to get back. Now every christmas I sit with my daughter and read her the story. I named her after my nana so I have let her hang the nail every year on the tree.
3.) Make Homemade wreaths. check out my post here to see how.
My daughter loves to collect the greens for this. and it usually turns into a 2 day event for her. she'll be 4 this year and her attention span is short. We collect the greens one day and the next make a door swag. or let them make thier own. a quick project is to take a foam wreath (at any craft store) and just glue things to it... Kids love candy and it will make a cute wreath. buy a few bags of star mints and just start glueing. Another inexpensive option is to use a paper plate as the wreath form. Keep the things light though.
4.) Make Cookies or a ginger bread house. check here for a favorite oreo truffles.
We do these 2 as one activity. why not make a big mess all at once? Baking is magical to kids. at least my daughter. She loves to see how putting multiple things together can make something else entirely. She even plays "cooking" all the time bringing me her fake food. it is usually playing cards as bread with stickers, paper, and some other secret ingredients that she wants me to eat... I love the pride she shows when we go to a party and she can tell people that she and mommy made the cookies.
5.) Home made or handcrafted gifts
I have been making homemade ornament since i was 5... now we do it together. if you arent crafty check out your local craft store. they make kits for easy ornaments. everything is all contained and you could even wrap it up and let your child open it like an early christmas gift.
Check back here as i will be posting several of my favorite ones in the next few weeks in a "Home for the Holidays Coutdown" series. Each day I will post a different idea of something you can make at home. Use them yourself or give them as gifts.
Thanks twittermoms and Nickolodeon for getting me thinking about this post. Id love to hear your favorite holiday activities; post a comment here.
Watch Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure Dec. 6 on Nickelodeon Favorite Holiday Activities with Kids
1.)Have some kind of countdown or advent calendar. I find it helps with the excitement.
Young children dont really understand the concept of time. SO this helps them to see how long it will be. You can include a small treat each day to help remind them to be good until christmas. Last year we got a cute my little pony one. Instead of getting chocolate everyday she gat a small toy. It was a more then I usually spend ($14) but better then candy and she still plays with all the ponies!!! it was like an extra christmas gift. This year I found a pattern to make a countdown at home, and each day she will see different photos of our family. Check it out in my gifts under $25 post.
2.)Decorate the tree together.
We've decided that there will be an adult tree and a kids tree in the basement play area. Make sure to get your children involved. I know it may sound cliche' but kids love stringing popcorn, cranberries, foil candy wrappers, beads whatever you can find. Make an afternoon of it with Hot cocoa. ***I like to put a candy cane "stirrer" in mine. My daughter gets so excited when do this.
I also will use this as an opportunity to remind them what the holiday is about. I have a christmas nail ornament that has a story about Jesus included in the package. I gave it to my Nana and when she passed it was one of the things I was able to get back. Now every christmas I sit with my daughter and read her the story. I named her after my nana so I have let her hang the nail every year on the tree.
3.) Make Homemade wreaths. check out my post here to see how.
My daughter loves to collect the greens for this. and it usually turns into a 2 day event for her. she'll be 4 this year and her attention span is short. We collect the greens one day and the next make a door swag. or let them make thier own. a quick project is to take a foam wreath (at any craft store) and just glue things to it... Kids love candy and it will make a cute wreath. buy a few bags of star mints and just start glueing. Another inexpensive option is to use a paper plate as the wreath form. Keep the things light though.
4.) Make Cookies or a ginger bread house. check here for a favorite oreo truffles.
We do these 2 as one activity. why not make a big mess all at once? Baking is magical to kids. at least my daughter. She loves to see how putting multiple things together can make something else entirely. She even plays "cooking" all the time bringing me her fake food. it is usually playing cards as bread with stickers, paper, and some other secret ingredients that she wants me to eat... I love the pride she shows when we go to a party and she can tell people that she and mommy made the cookies.
5.) Home made or handcrafted gifts
I have been making homemade ornament since i was 5... now we do it together. if you arent crafty check out your local craft store. they make kits for easy ornaments. everything is all contained and you could even wrap it up and let your child open it like an early christmas gift.
Check back here as i will be posting several of my favorite ones in the next few weeks in a "Home for the Holidays Coutdown" series. Each day I will post a different idea of something you can make at home. Use them yourself or give them as gifts.
Thanks twittermoms and Nickolodeon for getting me thinking about this post. Id love to hear your favorite holiday activities; post a comment here.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday Dinner- Easy MICROWAVE lasagna
I missed sending this out yesterday. It was mostly written but I got busy and just couldnt get back to it. Sorry its coming out late.
Heres a favorite of mine from when I was a Tupperware consultant. and yes you read in right MICROWAVE lasgna. I never knew how easy lasagna was until I started making it in the microwave. I hope it becomes a favorite of yours too.
Ingredients:
1 box of NO BAKE lasagna noodles. (these exist I promise. I buy Barilla but theres probably others out there)
1 small container of cottage cheese (I use low fat)
1 bag of shredded cheese
and any chopped veges you want in it, onions, pepers, broccoli, spinach ect... (i like to use left overs)
1 lbs of ground meat: beef, turkey, chicken (I have been using turkey and chicken a lot lately)
1 jar of favorite pasta sauce
1 microwave container I use a med deep Rock n serve from Tupperware. if you need one let me know and I can help you find a rep. or I may have extras left in my basement form when I sold it.
Directions:
1. First brown the ground beef and drain excess fat
2. In your microwave dish add enough sauce to just cover the bottom then layer noodles over it. You may have to cut/trim noodles to fit depending on the size of your container.
3. Now add a spoon ful of cottage cheese and a handfull of shredded cheese then add another layer of noodles.
4. Next cover noodles with a small spoonful of sauce and then some of the ground beef and some veges. and cover with noodles.
5. Continue with layering cheese noddles sauce and beef/veges until your container is full. The amount of each will vary depending on your container.
6. I always finish the top with a layer of noodles lightly covered with sauce and sprinkled with cheese. My husband likes the top a bit crunchy
Cook on high in the microwave for 20-30 mintues (depends on microwave wattage) you may want to cover the top for most of that time to prevent sauce from spattering.
***If you have used a microwave AND oven safe container you may put it in the oven at 350 for the last 5 minutes to brown the top. I have an old tupperware called overworks that does this. I wish they still made it as I coo in it ALL the time.
Serve with a light salad and you've got a great healthy meal. Let me know how it comes out for you.
Melissa
Heres a favorite of mine from when I was a Tupperware consultant. and yes you read in right MICROWAVE lasgna. I never knew how easy lasagna was until I started making it in the microwave. I hope it becomes a favorite of yours too.
Ingredients:
1 box of NO BAKE lasagna noodles. (these exist I promise. I buy Barilla but theres probably others out there)
1 small container of cottage cheese (I use low fat)
1 bag of shredded cheese
and any chopped veges you want in it, onions, pepers, broccoli, spinach ect... (i like to use left overs)
1 lbs of ground meat: beef, turkey, chicken (I have been using turkey and chicken a lot lately)
1 jar of favorite pasta sauce
1 microwave container I use a med deep Rock n serve from Tupperware. if you need one let me know and I can help you find a rep. or I may have extras left in my basement form when I sold it.
Directions:
1. First brown the ground beef and drain excess fat
2. In your microwave dish add enough sauce to just cover the bottom then layer noodles over it. You may have to cut/trim noodles to fit depending on the size of your container.
3. Now add a spoon ful of cottage cheese and a handfull of shredded cheese then add another layer of noodles.
4. Next cover noodles with a small spoonful of sauce and then some of the ground beef and some veges. and cover with noodles.
5. Continue with layering cheese noddles sauce and beef/veges until your container is full. The amount of each will vary depending on your container.
6. I always finish the top with a layer of noodles lightly covered with sauce and sprinkled with cheese. My husband likes the top a bit crunchy
Cook on high in the microwave for 20-30 mintues (depends on microwave wattage) you may want to cover the top for most of that time to prevent sauce from spattering.
***If you have used a microwave AND oven safe container you may put it in the oven at 350 for the last 5 minutes to brown the top. I have an old tupperware called overworks that does this. I wish they still made it as I coo in it ALL the time.
Serve with a light salad and you've got a great healthy meal. Let me know how it comes out for you.
Melissa
Mondays Make & Take
My friends are always asking me "How did you do that?" check back every Monday as I share how to do some of my favorite crafts and projects.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday Dinner
Check back here to find favorite easy recipes of mine or new recipes I might be trying.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
contest FREE LENOX GLASSES
Thanks to Lenox and twittermoms drinks of the season. see my post here for gluwien.
In am recieving a FREE set of four O2xygen wine glasses - (click here to view). The best part is they are also giving me a second set to give away FREE to one of my readers...
Heres how you can win.
First to enter you must subscribe to my blog and then write a comment here saying you subscribed. mandatory first entry.
Bonus entries
become a facebook fan and add a comment here saying you became a fan
follow me on twitter and add a comment here
visit my website http://www.digitalstorybooks.com/ and set up a FREE client account, comment here what your favorite product is, already a client just comment here
share my contest and link on your website, blog, facebook and/or twitter 1 entry for each, add comment for each one here with the link to your post
Comment on any other article in my blog (cant be a contest) and put the link to your comment here.
Refer me to friends and when they enter you get an extra entry, make sure to tell them to make a "referred by..." entry. 1 extra entry per referral (no limit on referrals). if this entry wins i will provide a gift for your friend from my business.
Any qeustions must be addressesed before contest closes december 7th.
Thanks Twitter Moms and Lenox for this opportunity.
In am recieving a FREE set of four O2xygen wine glasses - (click here to view). The best part is they are also giving me a second set to give away FREE to one of my readers...
Heres how you can win.
First to enter you must subscribe to my blog and then write a comment here saying you subscribed. mandatory first entry.
Bonus entries
become a facebook fan and add a comment here saying you became a fan
follow me on twitter and add a comment here
visit my website http://www.digitalstorybooks.com/ and set up a FREE client account, comment here what your favorite product is, already a client just comment here
share my contest and link on your website, blog, facebook and/or twitter 1 entry for each, add comment for each one here with the link to your post
Comment on any other article in my blog (cant be a contest) and put the link to your comment here.
Refer me to friends and when they enter you get an extra entry, make sure to tell them to make a "referred by..." entry. 1 extra entry per referral (no limit on referrals). if this entry wins i will provide a gift for your friend from my business.
Any qeustions must be addressesed before contest closes december 7th.
Thanks Twitter Moms and Lenox for this opportunity.
contest WIN a FREE 20 x 20 Canvas poster credit
I love our canvas posters. they come gallerey wrapped so you dont need a frame unless you want. i have done several now and they are always gorgeous. it amazes me how clear the pictures come out i would expect them to be slightly pixelated due to the canvas texture but they just aren't. i get lots of comments on them.
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heres one i have in my livingroom. this is the preview from my online studio. the red border is the part wrapped around the sides. you can wrap the design around or stop at the red so the sides of the canvas come out white. how great to design it anyway you want and not have to do only one full bleed photo.
heres a way to win one free in a new size 20x20 squeare!!!
visit my website http://www.digitalstorybooks.com/ and set up a free client account.
Then enter to win a FREE Heritage Makes 20 x 20 canvas credit just by becoming a fan of Heritage Makers. By becoming a fan between now and November 29, 2009, you automatically enter the drawing to receive this great addition to your home décor. On Cyber Monday (November 30), we'll post the winner on our fan page. Don't miss this chance.
Become a fan today by following this link http://bit.ly/4mwI9e
make sure to leave a comment and tell them who your consultant is "Melissa Bruere"
now that you have a client account why not upload some pictures and start creating a one of a kind poster. that way if you win you'll have it all ready to order for a holiday gift...
good luck. melissa
-F.jpg)
heres a way to win one free in a new size 20x20 squeare!!!
visit my website http://www.digitalstorybooks.com/ and set up a free client account.
Then enter to win a FREE Heritage Makes 20 x 20 canvas credit just by becoming a fan of Heritage Makers. By becoming a fan between now and November 29, 2009, you automatically enter the drawing to receive this great addition to your home décor. On Cyber Monday (November 30), we'll post the winner on our fan page. Don't miss this chance.
Become a fan today by following this link http://bit.ly/4mwI9e
make sure to leave a comment and tell them who your consultant is "Melissa Bruere"
now that you have a client account why not upload some pictures and start creating a one of a kind poster. that way if you win you'll have it all ready to order for a holiday gift...
good luck. melissa
Friday, November 20, 2009
From the Heart - Custom Photo Gifts Under $25
My mom taught me that making Gifts from the heart was like giving a piece of yourself with it. It was a very personal gift from the heart... Unique, one of a kind and seemed to touch the hearts of everyone.
About 8 years ago I started making crafts with peoples home photos and fell in love with it.
I recently heard someone say how impersonal they though photo gifts/cards were... and I can see what they mean. At most retailers you plop your photos in something created by a person you've never met. Make one and send to everybody you know. That is definately not the value my Mother was trying to instill in me about gifts from the heart...
Gifts from the Heart should be Personal, Unique, and Special. Thats why I love Heritage Makers. Easy, Fun photo gifts, BUT each one can be personalized as much or as little as you want. Not something you can do at any photo gift retailer. Even the cards can be personalized for EVERY person you send it to. I make sure to write something special just to them, have thier name printed in it, change photos around. Something to make sure they know I really spent time thinking about them specifically. Every card becomes one of a kind even if I've started with a template.
Here are some great gifts from the heart for under $25.
Some even involve getting glue on your hands! :) I love the wood blocks and the clock comes out amazing! My next project... That countdown clock. What a great idea! Click on each page to see full screen.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
AMAZING Greeting Card Special
I have never seen prices this low!!!
Now is the time to get your greeting cards. With prices this low, you have no reason not to. http://hm.myvoffice.com/pdf/en/HolidayHits_cardsflyer.pdf
Check out the template gallery with so many gorgeous new templates you can get your holiday cards done in minutes. Get these done now.
and dont forget about direct shipping!!! Import your address list and when you are done designing your cards you can just check off who to send them too and Heritage Makers will do the rest. One less thing to stress about this holiday season.
Prepay for these now (at huge savings), create them in minutes this weekend and then after thanksgiving is over you can just go in to your account and send them. This year cards can be the first ones in everyones home and you'll save yourself so much time and stress.
I love this time saver. :) Melissa
Now is the time to get your greeting cards. With prices this low, you have no reason not to. http://hm.myvoffice.com/pdf/en/HolidayHits_cardsflyer.pdf
Check out the template gallery with so many gorgeous new templates you can get your holiday cards done in minutes. Get these done now.
and dont forget about direct shipping!!! Import your address list and when you are done designing your cards you can just check off who to send them too and Heritage Makers will do the rest. One less thing to stress about this holiday season.
Prepay for these now (at huge savings), create them in minutes this weekend and then after thanksgiving is over you can just go in to your account and send them. This year cards can be the first ones in everyones home and you'll save yourself so much time and stress.
I love this time saver. :) Melissa
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
10 Projects in 10 Minutes or Less
Homemade gifts Arent just for Kids anymore... Today I want to show you how you can be creative too and create things people will love to recieve as a gift...
These are fun photo gifts you can make with the help of Heritage Makers. There is a whole article on thier blog "10 projects in under 10 minutes" but I just want to highlight my favorites for you and several were also in my post about gifts under $25
Heres my favorites this year...
6-photo Bracelet Time = 5 minutes
Take your loved with you everywhere you go with a stylish 6-photo bracelet. Time from start to finish? 5 minutes! The 6-photo bracelet makes a fabulous holiday gift.
This is by far my favorite. I get compliments on mine every time I wear it.
Set of Holiday Tiles Time = 1 minute
Holiday tiles are such a fun and simple gift and inexpensive too. Go to the Heritage Makers template gallery, search for 12×12 pages, and you’ll find an abundance of fabulous designs. You can use a whole page as one large 12x12 tile or find one of the deisgns that has multiple smaller tiles on it. There are some with 6x6 tile and 4x4 tiles. Simply load one of the “tile” templates into Studio, save, and print. or design your own. It’s that easy.
Once your page comes in the mail trim it to fit your tiles. It will depend on the project you made as to which size to trim. Go to the local hardware store and pick out your tiles (they can be as cheap as 20cents). Watch for clearance ones to save big. After you trim your scrapbook page, mod podge in place, and you’re done. If you want, you can even tie a ribbon around the tiles for a fun gift. Give one tile or a set of 4!
To see a preview of the tiles, go here.
Greeting Cards Time = 5 minutes
Personal cards mean so much. We all know people in our lives we'd like to give a bit more personal card to. Some people you want to send funny cards, some religious, others just need to know they are thought of this time of year. And since we print singles it means you can make each one special and unique or choose to make them all the same. Thats your choice to make not ours. AND with our template gallery you can do them quickly with just a few clicks. No kidding, you can make your greeting cards this year in only 5 minutes! Send a beautiful, customized greeting card AND let Heritage Makers ship it for you. Simply select “direct ship” and we’ll take care of the rest.
Want to see a beautiful card made with a FREE Basic account? Click here.
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Gallery-wrapped Canvas Time = 4 minutes
Create a gorgeous gallery-wrapped canvas. Canvases, in three different sizes, look great on every wall on your home.
Dont forget about the contest to win yours free.
This beautiful 20×20 canvas was made with a FREE Basic account? See it here.
Deck of Playing Cards Time = 10 minutes
When you use Studio, a fun family game can be made in just 10 minutes! You’ll spend a lot of time with your family from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day…why not make that time fun with a unique game! Try Go Fish, “Scum,” or a unique family trivia game.
Here’s a fun “Go Fish” game for a child. Check it out here.
Clock Time = 4 minutes
This project is a simple twist on the traditional 12×12 scrap page. All you need is an inexpensive clock from Walmart or target and this darling template. This is really cute and one of my absolute favs. Where can you get a custom clock for under $10?
See the clock here.
HOME DECOR BLOCKS
Also in this photo you see custom wood blocks. This uses the 12x12 page again. Print your design and then cut apart. Get a 2x4 or other size wood from your local hardware store and cut down to size (depending on the project you are making.) You just use mod podge to glue the prints to the blocks. Create your own word decor blocks for any holiday. These make great gifts and you can customize to fit anyones decor. ***You can take photos of fabrics and use those as background for a perfect match. also check out construction sites often they will give you the scrap wood for free.
To see more fabulous templates, check out the Heritage Makers template gallery.
Now you’ve got all of your Heritage Makers gifts under control…without sacrificing your time! Take a few minutes to browse the Heritage Makers template gallery to find fantastic gifts for all of your holidays
I hope this has given you some unique ideas for the holidays. Personal can be inexpensive but doesnt have to mean CHEAP gifts.
Let me know what you create. Melissa
These are fun photo gifts you can make with the help of Heritage Makers. There is a whole article on thier blog "10 projects in under 10 minutes" but I just want to highlight my favorites for you and several were also in my post about gifts under $25
Heres my favorites this year...
6-photo Bracelet Time = 5 minutes
Take your loved with you everywhere you go with a stylish 6-photo bracelet. Time from start to finish? 5 minutes! The 6-photo bracelet makes a fabulous holiday gift.This is by far my favorite. I get compliments on mine every time I wear it.
Set of Holiday Tiles Time = 1 minute
Holiday tiles are such a fun and simple gift and inexpensive too. Go to the Heritage Makers template gallery, search for 12×12 pages, and you’ll find an abundance of fabulous designs. You can use a whole page as one large 12x12 tile or find one of the deisgns that has multiple smaller tiles on it. There are some with 6x6 tile and 4x4 tiles. Simply load one of the “tile” templates into Studio, save, and print. or design your own. It’s that easy.
Once your page comes in the mail trim it to fit your tiles. It will depend on the project you made as to which size to trim. Go to the local hardware store and pick out your tiles (they can be as cheap as 20cents). Watch for clearance ones to save big. After you trim your scrapbook page, mod podge in place, and you’re done. If you want, you can even tie a ribbon around the tiles for a fun gift. Give one tile or a set of 4!
To see a preview of the tiles, go here.
Greeting Cards Time = 5 minutes
Personal cards mean so much. We all know people in our lives we'd like to give a bit more personal card to. Some people you want to send funny cards, some religious, others just need to know they are thought of this time of year. And since we print singles it means you can make each one special and unique or choose to make them all the same. Thats your choice to make not ours. AND with our template gallery you can do them quickly with just a few clicks. No kidding, you can make your greeting cards this year in only 5 minutes! Send a beautiful, customized greeting card AND let Heritage Makers ship it for you. Simply select “direct ship” and we’ll take care of the rest.
Want to see a beautiful card made with a FREE Basic account? Click here.
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Create a gorgeous gallery-wrapped canvas. Canvases, in three different sizes, look great on every wall on your home.
Dont forget about the contest to win yours free.
This beautiful 20×20 canvas was made with a FREE Basic account? See it here.
Deck of Playing Cards Time = 10 minutes
When you use Studio, a fun family game can be made in just 10 minutes! You’ll spend a lot of time with your family from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day…why not make that time fun with a unique game! Try Go Fish, “Scum,” or a unique family trivia game.
Here’s a fun “Go Fish” game for a child. Check it out here.
Clock Time = 4 minutes
See the clock here.
HOME DECOR BLOCKS
Also in this photo you see custom wood blocks. This uses the 12x12 page again. Print your design and then cut apart. Get a 2x4 or other size wood from your local hardware store and cut down to size (depending on the project you are making.) You just use mod podge to glue the prints to the blocks. Create your own word decor blocks for any holiday. These make great gifts and you can customize to fit anyones decor. ***You can take photos of fabrics and use those as background for a perfect match. also check out construction sites often they will give you the scrap wood for free.
To see more fabulous templates, check out the Heritage Makers template gallery.
Now you’ve got all of your Heritage Makers gifts under control…without sacrificing your time! Take a few minutes to browse the Heritage Makers template gallery to find fantastic gifts for all of your holidays
I hope this has given you some unique ideas for the holidays. Personal can be inexpensive but doesnt have to mean CHEAP gifts.
Let me know what you create. Melissa
Win a FREE 20x24 Canvas
Enter to win a FREE Heritage Makes 20 x 20 canvas credit just by becoming a fan of Heritage Makers. By becoming a fan between now and November 29, 2009, you automatically enter the drawing to receive this great addition to your home décor. On Cyber Monday (November 30), They’ll post the winner on the fan page. Don’t miss this chance. Become a fan today by following this link http://bit.ly/4mwI9e
Thsi would make a great holiday gift. make sure to visit my website http://www.digitalstorybooks.com/ to get your project started now. That way if you are selected you'll be all ready to publish before they even announce the winner.
Celebrate lifes little moments, melissa
Thsi would make a great holiday gift. make sure to visit my website http://www.digitalstorybooks.com/ to get your project started now. That way if you are selected you'll be all ready to publish before they even announce the winner.
Celebrate lifes little moments, melissa
WOW its Wednesday
Each Wednesday I hope to bring you something that inspired me this week. Check back each week for stories of inspiration, amazing ideas, and things that just wow me.
WOW Today I want to highlight Heritage Makers. For those who dont know I love my what I do. I thank God everyday for finding such an amazing company and for my first WOW Wednesday I feel the need to highlight the amazing opportunity that has given so many women the opportunity to stay at home, have thier own business, and to help improve the world by helping others celebrate the heroe in thier lives.
Thank you Jennifer Knight and Hallie Redd for traveling a long way to MA 3 years ago to promote this amazing company and THANK YOU to Wendy McGee for helping to pave the way for everyone.
If you need extra income for the holidays, need to be inspired, want to be a part of something amazing helping to change the world, or just want to have fun... Check out this Business. You wont regret it.
:) Melissa
WOW Today I want to highlight Heritage Makers. For those who dont know I love my what I do. I thank God everyday for finding such an amazing company and for my first WOW Wednesday I feel the need to highlight the amazing opportunity that has given so many women the opportunity to stay at home, have thier own business, and to help improve the world by helping others celebrate the heroe in thier lives.
Thank you Jennifer Knight and Hallie Redd for traveling a long way to MA 3 years ago to promote this amazing company and THANK YOU to Wendy McGee for helping to pave the way for everyone.
If you need extra income for the holidays, need to be inspired, want to be a part of something amazing helping to change the world, or just want to have fun... Check out this Business. You wont regret it.
:) Melissa
Tuesdays Tips & Tricks - RED EYE Quick Fix
I am going to start a new thread called Tuesday Tips & Tricks. I hope you will check back each week to see what new tip or trick I have to share.
RED EYE- quick Fix
Todays tip is a real quickie. We all have photos with red eye. Even with cameras that have built in red eye removal somehow I still end up with red eyes in some photos. Mostly because my daughter has blue eyes and that always makes it worse.
Is you are a client of mine and use Heritage Makers Studio through my website http://www.digitalstorybooks.com/
you will love this quick fix. Have you ever uploaded your photos only to find one of them has red eyes? I have. and often I am just too lazy to go fix it and then upload again. You know you've been there too. Once i am in looking at all the 40,000 pieces of art I want to play. I dont want to stop and fix a photo. SO what to do?
I turn the photo filter to Black and White. In most cases once the photo is black and white you cant tell if the eyes are red or not. Instant fix and even gives your pages some nastalgia flare and makes you look like a pro designer. Try this in your next project and tell me you dont love the look...
Have a problem you need help with send it to me as a suggestion for tips and tricks. If I post yours I will send you a gift.
Celebrating lifes moments... :) Melissa
RED EYE- quick Fix
Todays tip is a real quickie. We all have photos with red eye. Even with cameras that have built in red eye removal somehow I still end up with red eyes in some photos. Mostly because my daughter has blue eyes and that always makes it worse.
Is you are a client of mine and use Heritage Makers Studio through my website http://www.digitalstorybooks.com/
you will love this quick fix. Have you ever uploaded your photos only to find one of them has red eyes? I have. and often I am just too lazy to go fix it and then upload again. You know you've been there too. Once i am in looking at all the 40,000 pieces of art I want to play. I dont want to stop and fix a photo. SO what to do?
I turn the photo filter to Black and White. In most cases once the photo is black and white you cant tell if the eyes are red or not. Instant fix and even gives your pages some nastalgia flare and makes you look like a pro designer. Try this in your next project and tell me you dont love the look...
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Have a problem you need help with send it to me as a suggestion for tips and tricks. If I post yours I will send you a gift.
Celebrating lifes moments... :) Melissa
Friday, November 13, 2009
From the Heart - Hand made Door Swag
Growing up in a very small town in NH I remember my mom taking us into the woods behind our home and collecting clippings of greenery, berries, pine cones, ect... anything we thought would make a nice wreath. We'd take everything back and bend some coat hangers, wrap some wire around things and in no time we'd have a wreath.
It sounds really simple and it is. You just have to have patience.
Making your own wreaths and swags are not only fun but can save you money. Mostly I use things I have already and free stuff found in nature. If you do have to buy stuff its usually inexpensive and pennies compared to the expense of buying a premade wreath.
Over the years I have started adapting things a bit and now I use my glue gun to add the accents. Its just faster then wire. Sometimes I even add some "snow" using white paint or the snow paste found in the craft stores. Depends on my mood.
Heres a simple door swag.
Clip a few branchs from a pine tree or a holly bush. Find ones that have several small branches forking off so you dont have to wire as many together to get a nice full look. These should be about 18 inches long but its all in your preference of how big you want your swag. you want them to have a tear drop shape. Full at the top but long and pointy at the bottom
you'll also need:
green floral wire- found at any craft store
glue gun & glue sticks
holiday ribbon a wide ribbon 3" and an accent ribbon about 5/8"
any other accents: pine cones, berries, nuts, cinnimon sticks, etc...the photo i used some prickly ball things i found on the ground. dont know what they're called but they looked great!
First strip the end of the branches bare and create a short handle about 4"-6". Then lay 2 or 3 branches on top of each other overlapping and fan out the bottoms a bit. Wrap with wire to hold together. You may want to go between a few branches as well for stability. You can adjust it a bit once wired together to create a shape you like.
Now your going to add your accents using the glue gun. Lay the swag on a table and just start placing your stuff on top to see what you like before you glue anything. I like tucking mine into and under the branches so they peek out and look like theyve grown that way. one thing to keep in mind is that odd numbers look better. you cant really see but i have 5 of those prickly balls, 3 cin stcks and 9 pieces of ribbon tucked in. *** for the ribbons i cut small strips about 5" and fold in half and glue just the ends together to make a loop. then glue those into the swag.
once you like what you see glue everything down. you may find when you pick up the swag into a hanging position that things shift. Use the glue gun to tack branches out of the way of your accents or add in small clippings to fill in bare areas. Let the glue gun be your friend and manipulate things where you want them to be.
Add a big Bow at the top using your wide ribbon (or you can buy a bow). and then using about 10" of floral wire create a loop on the back for a hanger by folding in half and poking the ends through the branches from the front to the back and twisting to secure. Add glitter or fake snow as desired and then hang up or give as a gift.
Thats it. You've now accomplished making your own swag. Just remember real branches shed so this is a great one for outside the house. Unless you dont mind sweeping up the needles everyday.
To save more money I recycle my ribbons from year to year. At the end of the season I pull the glued ribbons off and tuck any accents I can reuse into a ziplock bag. Put this in with my Holiday decorations and next year I can use them again.
Send me pictures of the wreaths and swags you make this holiday.
Melissa
It sounds really simple and it is. You just have to have patience.
Making your own wreaths and swags are not only fun but can save you money. Mostly I use things I have already and free stuff found in nature. If you do have to buy stuff its usually inexpensive and pennies compared to the expense of buying a premade wreath.
Over the years I have started adapting things a bit and now I use my glue gun to add the accents. Its just faster then wire. Sometimes I even add some "snow" using white paint or the snow paste found in the craft stores. Depends on my mood.
Heres a simple door swag.
Clip a few branchs from a pine tree or a holly bush. Find ones that have several small branches forking off so you dont have to wire as many together to get a nice full look. These should be about 18 inches long but its all in your preference of how big you want your swag. you want them to have a tear drop shape. Full at the top but long and pointy at the bottom
you'll also need:
green floral wire- found at any craft store
glue gun & glue sticks
holiday ribbon a wide ribbon 3" and an accent ribbon about 5/8"
any other accents: pine cones, berries, nuts, cinnimon sticks, etc...the photo i used some prickly ball things i found on the ground. dont know what they're called but they looked great!
First strip the end of the branches bare and create a short handle about 4"-6". Then lay 2 or 3 branches on top of each other overlapping and fan out the bottoms a bit. Wrap with wire to hold together. You may want to go between a few branches as well for stability. You can adjust it a bit once wired together to create a shape you like.
Now your going to add your accents using the glue gun. Lay the swag on a table and just start placing your stuff on top to see what you like before you glue anything. I like tucking mine into and under the branches so they peek out and look like theyve grown that way. one thing to keep in mind is that odd numbers look better. you cant really see but i have 5 of those prickly balls, 3 cin stcks and 9 pieces of ribbon tucked in. *** for the ribbons i cut small strips about 5" and fold in half and glue just the ends together to make a loop. then glue those into the swag.
once you like what you see glue everything down. you may find when you pick up the swag into a hanging position that things shift. Use the glue gun to tack branches out of the way of your accents or add in small clippings to fill in bare areas. Let the glue gun be your friend and manipulate things where you want them to be.
Add a big Bow at the top using your wide ribbon (or you can buy a bow). and then using about 10" of floral wire create a loop on the back for a hanger by folding in half and poking the ends through the branches from the front to the back and twisting to secure. Add glitter or fake snow as desired and then hang up or give as a gift.
Thats it. You've now accomplished making your own swag. Just remember real branches shed so this is a great one for outside the house. Unless you dont mind sweeping up the needles everyday.
To save more money I recycle my ribbons from year to year. At the end of the season I pull the glued ribbons off and tuck any accents I can reuse into a ziplock bag. Put this in with my Holiday decorations and next year I can use them again.
Send me pictures of the wreaths and swags you make this holiday.
Melissa
From the Heart handcrafted gifts a personal touch.
Ever since I was about 5 I have been making handcrafted gifts for my family and friends. It has become one of my favorite traditions at Christmas. Growing up my extended family even helped by finding ideas of things I could make. I've made lots of different ornaments, gift baskets, photo books, greeting cards, jewelry, centerpieces, wreaths, cookies, candies... You name it. Ive probably done it. and now I am going to share it with you.
From now until Christmas check back every Friday for my weekly post about Great Holiday gifts you can make or customize. Which I am going to call "From the Heart".
I hope you get inspired to make something for your loved ones this holiday season. From the heart.
Melissa
From now until Christmas check back every Friday for my weekly post about Great Holiday gifts you can make or customize. Which I am going to call "From the Heart".
I hope you get inspired to make something for your loved ones this holiday season. From the heart.
Melissa
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Donate toys for pennies!!!
Most of my posts lately seem to be about saving money... I keep finding great deals. I will post some homemade how to's soon. but heres the latest steal of the week.
In the newest email from toys r us there is an awesome holiday deal on hasbro toys good until the 14th
When you spend $25 you get a $10 gift card. Some of the Hasbro games are on sale for $3.99 AND give a $2 rebate back. Its hard to tell from their website which games this includes but the photo has some favorites like candy land, chutes and ladders, Hi ho cheerio, memory, don’t break the ice, and ants in my pants. When you buy 7 it comes out to $0.56 a game after the rebates and gift card whiah you can use toward something later. Think of it like a refund. you can only get the rebate once per game and request only one check per household. So all games have to be different to maximize your savings. There are some games with a higher rebate but they aren’t shown in the sale ad so check in the store for their price to see if they work out the same.
Heres the rebate form. But I believe you can pick it up in stores too.
I own most of these games already but it would make great gifts for friends with small children, or to stock up for future birthday presents.
I usually buy a few things to donate to toys for tots and this deal looks great for this. Imagine you could donate 7 games for under $4. you can only get the rebates once otherwise I’d be buying it several times to donate tons this year.
In this economy I imagine less people donating and MORE children needing gifts. Could be a hard year. I am going to see if I can get lots of people to run in for this and donate tons of gifts.
Hope this helps with your holiday shopping.
Melissa
still dont get it see comments where I show a break down (the math...) Also I found a coupon and it makes it free. see comments for that info.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Free makeup at walgreens
i was at walgreens picking up something else when the cosmetic clerk grabbed me and told me of an unadvertised speial.
Almay makeup is ringing up as buy 1 get 1 free instead of buy 1 get 1 half price. she then told me that the foundation ($10) was giving 10register rewards. that means when you buy 2 you get your money back (towards a later purchase). so basically its free or tax only. how amazing.
i bought the foundation and eye makeup remover as my free (i needed some) and got my $10 reward. i plan to go back again tonight and do it a second time. just remember if you use the rewards towards the same item you wont get another one.
i plan to go buy some gillete stuff use the rewards towards that and then buy the almay on a seperate order so i get another 10 rewards.
for complete details on how walgreens rewards work or other savings check out www.frugalrimama.com her site explains things very easily and its one of the sites i refer to often.
Almay makeup is ringing up as buy 1 get 1 free instead of buy 1 get 1 half price. she then told me that the foundation ($10) was giving 10register rewards. that means when you buy 2 you get your money back (towards a later purchase). so basically its free or tax only. how amazing.
i bought the foundation and eye makeup remover as my free (i needed some) and got my $10 reward. i plan to go back again tonight and do it a second time. just remember if you use the rewards towards the same item you wont get another one.
i plan to go buy some gillete stuff use the rewards towards that and then buy the almay on a seperate order so i get another 10 rewards.
for complete details on how walgreens rewards work or other savings check out www.frugalrimama.com her site explains things very easily and its one of the sites i refer to often.
Holiday Entertaining tips
The holidays can be stressful for a lot of people. I recommend First plan ahead and ask for help. We still get together as a large extended family 25 or so people. Everyone brings a dish to share. This helps take a lot of pressure off everyone. Then just relax, and have fun creating new memories.
We've been doing it for so long that most people have a signiture dish they bring. I typically bring the green bean casserole with frenchs onions and then some desserts. Heres my favorites.
I like to make things that look difficult, fancy, and are delicious. I even recycle snacks. How do you recycle a snack. A few years ago I found a recipe i believe from Kraft magazine for Oreo truffles. Its the easiest thing to make and everyone always asks for the recipe.
Oreo Truffles
1 bag of oreo cookies (I have used store brand too)
1 package of cream cheese (I use the low fat version and have been told it tastes better)
Melting chocolate or chocolate chips (I use wilton melting chocolate. it melts so evenly)
Sprinkles or garnish
Peppermint extract (my secret ingredient)
Crush oreos in a food processor. Mix in cream cheese. I do this all in my food processor. Scoop out mixture into small balls. I like about 1/2 TBS size. They are the perfect size bite and you get tons out of the batter. put in freezer for at least an hour. I usually leave overnight.
Take balls out of freezer. Melt chocolate in microwave following directions on package. Dip truffles in melted chocolate and sprinkle with garnish.
I like mine minty like a girl scout cookie. If you like that too add a few drops of peppermint extract to the melted chocolate before dipping. Get creative for the garnishes I have chopped up left over peppermints, used crushed cookies, chopped nuts, drizzles white chocolate over the tops. Just make sure you do it when the chocolate is still wet so the garnish sticks...
Another recycled treat...
Not quite homemade Designer Cookies
take inexpensive butter cookies and dip them in chocolate, garnish and then serve or package in decorative containers for gifts. For a designer look I like to mix up the way they are dipped and use several different garnishes. Its easier then you think.
Try these ideas
Dont dip the whole cookie instead hold it like you would if you were dipping it in a cup of tea. Dip only half of the cookie in chocolate. Dip some in white chocolate.
Drizzle the chocolate in stripes over the top (i like this on the pretzel shaped ones).
Garnish with chopped peppermints, nuts, sprinkles, I use whatever I can find in the pantry.
Dip some in chocolate and then drizzle the white over the top
do some the opposite way, white chocolate with dark on top
Find fun containers at the dollar store. I like to put mine in mini muffin wrappers. You can find those in the grocery store or at a craft/cake decorators supply store. Wilton melting chocolate is in craft stores/cake decorating supply stores
I hope you enjoy these fun tips. I will share more as the weeks go on.
Remember you dont have to be martha to make your friends think you are.
Melissa :)
www.FrugalRImama.com and Scott Common sense community are having a $100 visa card giveaway and it inspired me to share this tip. Go on over and see how you can win...
We've been doing it for so long that most people have a signiture dish they bring. I typically bring the green bean casserole with frenchs onions and then some desserts. Heres my favorites.
I like to make things that look difficult, fancy, and are delicious. I even recycle snacks. How do you recycle a snack. A few years ago I found a recipe i believe from Kraft magazine for Oreo truffles. Its the easiest thing to make and everyone always asks for the recipe.
Oreo Truffles
1 bag of oreo cookies (I have used store brand too)
1 package of cream cheese (I use the low fat version and have been told it tastes better)
Melting chocolate or chocolate chips (I use wilton melting chocolate. it melts so evenly)
Sprinkles or garnish
Peppermint extract (my secret ingredient)
Crush oreos in a food processor. Mix in cream cheese. I do this all in my food processor. Scoop out mixture into small balls. I like about 1/2 TBS size. They are the perfect size bite and you get tons out of the batter. put in freezer for at least an hour. I usually leave overnight.
Take balls out of freezer. Melt chocolate in microwave following directions on package. Dip truffles in melted chocolate and sprinkle with garnish.
I like mine minty like a girl scout cookie. If you like that too add a few drops of peppermint extract to the melted chocolate before dipping. Get creative for the garnishes I have chopped up left over peppermints, used crushed cookies, chopped nuts, drizzles white chocolate over the tops. Just make sure you do it when the chocolate is still wet so the garnish sticks...
Another recycled treat...
Not quite homemade Designer Cookies
take inexpensive butter cookies and dip them in chocolate, garnish and then serve or package in decorative containers for gifts. For a designer look I like to mix up the way they are dipped and use several different garnishes. Its easier then you think.
Try these ideas
Dont dip the whole cookie instead hold it like you would if you were dipping it in a cup of tea. Dip only half of the cookie in chocolate. Dip some in white chocolate.
Drizzle the chocolate in stripes over the top (i like this on the pretzel shaped ones).
Garnish with chopped peppermints, nuts, sprinkles, I use whatever I can find in the pantry.
Dip some in chocolate and then drizzle the white over the top
do some the opposite way, white chocolate with dark on top
Find fun containers at the dollar store. I like to put mine in mini muffin wrappers. You can find those in the grocery store or at a craft/cake decorators supply store. Wilton melting chocolate is in craft stores/cake decorating supply stores
I hope you enjoy these fun tips. I will share more as the weeks go on.
Remember you dont have to be martha to make your friends think you are.
Melissa :)
www.FrugalRImama.com and Scott Common sense community are having a $100 visa card giveaway and it inspired me to share this tip. Go on over and see how you can win...
Frugal Holiday Gifts
Looking for inexpensive gifts this holiday season. Check out this website. Right now you can enter for a chance to win a free cookie basket. They look super delicious and also very decorative. Reminds me of the gift baskets I make. If you dont have the time or energy why not pick up one. Check out the other ideas for frugal gifts by clicking below.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Memories of Gluwein....
The holidays are fast aproaching and as the weather turns cold fond memories come flooding back of when I was in Germany for the Christmas season. I was 18 and traveling with Up With people... I have always had a strange fascination with Germany, its language, its history, its culture. Sometimes I wonder about reincarnation...
It was beautiful there with the open air markets, the craftsmanship of all the items being sold was just amazing. Its hard to find such passion as the sellers had for thier craft. Being a crafter I can apreciate all the hard work they put into each piece.
It was cold though... And I dont like the cold. BUT there was a silver lining or rather a red one...
GLUWEIN.
Absolutely amazing. warm spiced red wine. (I am not normally a red wine drinker). But walking through those markets with a warm glass of spiced wine was a wonderful experience. And I do mean glass. A real glass and it was FULL, with a long cinimon stick leaning on the edge of the glass. The smell of cinimon and cloves wofting out of the cup. Maybe the experience was as much about the smell you carried with you as you strolled along. Cinimmon and cloves are just so commonly associated with the holidays.
I have yet to try to make it myself. My sister once bought me spice bags to make it and wow that was great. they were like a tea bag you just dropped in the pot of hot wine. SO now when I come acrossed those packettes at craft fairs I pick them up.
I did find this recipe online and plan to try to make it myself this year... I wonder if my sister is up for this...Rina what do you say?
If youd like to try to catch a glimpse of this German tradition try this recipe or if you have a favorite family one send it to me.
Anyway. I hope you enjoy. Heres to a happy holiday season. Cheers.
Melissa
Hot Mulled Wine (Glühwein, "glow wine")
Ingredients (serves 2-3 persons)
•1 bottle of dry red wine (750 ml)
•one lemon
•2 sticks of cinnamon
•3 cloves
•3 tablespoons of sugar
•some cardamom (or ginger)
Directions
Heat the red wine in a pot (don't boil). Cut the lemon into slices and add to the wine. Then add the cinnamon, cloves, sugar and a little cardamom (to taste). Heat everything for about 5 minutes - do not boil - and let stand for about an hour. Before serving, reheat and strain. Serve in prewarmed glasses or mugs.
Lenox & TwitterMoms Drinks of the SeasonMore Drinks of the Season Recipes
It was beautiful there with the open air markets, the craftsmanship of all the items being sold was just amazing. Its hard to find such passion as the sellers had for thier craft. Being a crafter I can apreciate all the hard work they put into each piece.
It was cold though... And I dont like the cold. BUT there was a silver lining or rather a red one...
GLUWEIN.
Absolutely amazing. warm spiced red wine. (I am not normally a red wine drinker). But walking through those markets with a warm glass of spiced wine was a wonderful experience. And I do mean glass. A real glass and it was FULL, with a long cinimon stick leaning on the edge of the glass. The smell of cinimon and cloves wofting out of the cup. Maybe the experience was as much about the smell you carried with you as you strolled along. Cinimmon and cloves are just so commonly associated with the holidays.
I have yet to try to make it myself. My sister once bought me spice bags to make it and wow that was great. they were like a tea bag you just dropped in the pot of hot wine. SO now when I come acrossed those packettes at craft fairs I pick them up.
I did find this recipe online and plan to try to make it myself this year... I wonder if my sister is up for this...Rina what do you say?
If youd like to try to catch a glimpse of this German tradition try this recipe or if you have a favorite family one send it to me.
Anyway. I hope you enjoy. Heres to a happy holiday season. Cheers.
Melissa
Hot Mulled Wine (Glühwein, "glow wine")
Ingredients (serves 2-3 persons)
•1 bottle of dry red wine (750 ml)
•one lemon
•2 sticks of cinnamon
•3 cloves
•3 tablespoons of sugar
•some cardamom (or ginger)
Directions
Heat the red wine in a pot (don't boil). Cut the lemon into slices and add to the wine. Then add the cinnamon, cloves, sugar and a little cardamom (to taste). Heat everything for about 5 minutes - do not boil - and let stand for about an hour. Before serving, reheat and strain. Serve in prewarmed glasses or mugs.
Lenox & TwitterMoms Drinks of the SeasonMore Drinks of the Season Recipes
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