Vegetable Wax Coated Gingerbread Men

I've always had an attraction to prim country art and actually have followed pattern makers for years without actually doing anything. I finally felt I was ready to order a pattern or 2 or 3 and really actually use the pattern. The pattern I used in the pictures are from Threadbare Primitives, a company I blogged about earlier. They turned out really, really nice and it's not that hard to make. It takes a lot of filling though!

I followed her instructions and grubbied it all up which is so fun, I really like the grubbied look crafts. Instead of sewing on the heart as shown in the pattern though, I coated the Gingerbread Men with pastry scented vegetable wax. To the wax I added ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to make it more gritty. It smells wonderful and should be perfect in a bowl with cinnamon sticks, dried oranges, and maybe some evergreen twigs. I topped it off with homespun as a scarf and tied a tag around the neck with raffia. The tag is also grubbied and says "You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!" in my handwriting.



I love really homemade looking handcrafts. I don't like when people want me to make it look factory made. Then it's not handcrafted is it? Crafting is just another way I help myself to...

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Make Your Own Soap and Have Fun!

I just SU'd upon this really cool site that has loads of tutorials on how to make different soap products. The tutorials range from beginner to expert and there's even a section for the children. She discusses fragrance oils including its history, how to find craft shows, pricing your soaps, really just about everything you need to know!

I plan to use a couple of her tutorials for projects for my children.

Have A Great Day!...and...

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Threadbare Primitives

I love the patterns from Threadbare Primitives and have purchased a couple myself. I'm currently working on some Gingerbread Men and Pumpkins for the craft fair I participate in at a local mall here on Maui. Check her stuff out! I don't want to post pics here because I don't know what the copyright laws are but it's worth it to click on over there. I'll post some pics of the items I made when I'm finished (hopefully today!).

Her patterns are very reasonably priced.

She also has finished products on eBay. When you visit her site you can click on her link to eBay.

If you don't hear the sound you can click on the video and it'll take you to YouTube. Something's wrong with my sound here but on YouTube it's ok.

This is a great candle making craft tutorial, an activity you can do with children. I love to do crafts with my children.

My First Try at Crafting Prim Annie Ornies

I absolutely love prim crafts and have wanted to make them for so long! I finally made my first 3 in the picture. I thought I'd stick with the same pattern and make it over and over just to get used to it. It's all hand sewn by me and the face is also drawn by me. I think I need a little more red rouge but that can be easily added.

This cute pattern can be used as a pin, a little gift ornament, or Christmas tree ornament.

If you'd like to try your hand at this I got the pattern free from:

PrimRaggs

She has a couple of other free patterns and a lot that are so nice for purchase. You have to visit her site and see her pictures of dolls made by customers.

Applesauce Cinnamon Ornaments

Now that the Holidays are fast approaching it’s time to get down to making crafts to give as gifts or to adorn your own home. Every Christmas my children and I have a tradition of making Applesauce Cinnamon Ornaments. It’s easy to make and fun to do, especially for the children. There are tons of recipes to be found on the internet. I’ll just share the one I use.

Ingredients:

1 c. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. applesauce
3/4c. glue
wax paper
rolling pin
assorted cookie cutters
a straw for holes
ribbon
optional materials:
paint
beads
lace
imagination is the limit

Mix the applesauce and glue thoroughly and set aside. Mix the spice ingredients thoroughly then add applesauce and glue mixture a little at a time. The consistency of the mixture should be like playdough. If it’s too wet add more spices, vice versa, if too dry add more applesauce. (This is the first year we’ve used glue and it’s great!)

Use the rolling pin to make 1/4in. thick dough. Make the shapes with cookie cutters or if you’re good at it make the shapes freehand. This year we’ve used the mini cookie cutters to use with potpourri mixtures.



Spread the wax paper on a level surface big enough to fit your ornaments. Use the straw to place a hole in the top of ornaments.

Place beads and buttons on Gingerbread Boy/Girl while still wet.


Let dry for 3-4 days turning it over once in a while. After the ornament is dried put the ribbon through the hole for hanging. After the ornaments are dried you can experiment with painting and gluing on beads, lace, or other accessories.

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