Saturday, July 13, 2013

Home-made Touch

Thank you for stopping by, and visiting my little piece, here in blog-land.  I just love sharing things that I have made.  And well, mostly they are paper crafts.  And almost everything has some machine sewing.  I don't know what it is about machine sewing on paper crafts, but I find the whole look, warm, cozy, and just plain crafty {smile}.
I play bunco with a super great group of ladies once a month.  This month, it was my turn to host.  So, as hostess, you provide dinner, and prizes.  Ok, I know that you have guessed it, home-made is what I made {smile} and Christmas was my theme (Christmas in July).  My theme color was red.
Today, I am sharing a few photos of the of my set-up, not the prizes.  Stay tuned, as those will be posted through out the next few weeks.
One of the 'gifts' that went into their gift bags, was a bag of Holiday Cinnamon Candied Almonds.  I know that you have seen, and smelled these little gems during your holiday shopping.  So, I made a few batches, and then packaged them in these adorable paper bags.  

bags purchased thru Amuse Studios

I folded a doily over the top, machine sewn them closed.  Added a banner piece that was hand-stamped in real red classic ink and fussy cut.  I created a oval tag with a word document and hand-punched them out, and matted the label onto a scallop oval piece that was created with a hand-held punch.

I used my white table linens for the table covers, and set each Bunco table with plates, napkins, plastic-wear, and red solo cups.  To give the tables a bit of a more class-y look, I printed a 'menu' for each place setting.  I thought that it would be a nice touch.


and here is a close-up of the printed menu strips



The only item on the menu that was not made in my kitchen, was the Rotisserie chickens.  It is more economical to purchase rotisserie chicken already prepared at our local grocery store, then purchasing whole chickens.  So, I purchased them already roasted.  It was a wonderful time saver, and it helped keep the heat down in the kitchen.  (On these hot days, the less time your oven is on, the more comfortable your home, and electric bill.)  
The 'corn pudding' is a scallop corn dish that I found in Martha Stewart Living magazine.  The recipe calls for Hatch Green Chili.  Everyone from New Mexico knows Hatch Chili.  It is the best!  Martha says to use can chili.  We all use fresh, fire-roasted green chili.  
The cranberry relish, is a Christmas Cranberry relish that I make every year, and sell at my craft fairs.  It is made with fresh whole cranberries, and cooked down to make a wonderfully smooth relish.  I also add some orange zest and a little bourbon.  To help 'stretch' this little treat, I always add a can of Ocean Spray cranberry sauce.  Ocean Spray does a fabulous job making and canning a great cranberry recipe, so why try to re-invent the wheel.
The dinner rolls were made the old fashion way, with yeast, and you let them rise.  I didn't bake mine in muffin tins, like I typically do.  My muffin tins were being utilized for the dessert.  So, I made 18 rolls in a 9" x 13" pan.  Creating 'pull-a-part' dinner rolls.  I always brush melted butter over the tops as soon as they emerge from the oven and add a tiny sprinkle of Kosher salt to their tops.
The 'cookie-brownie bites' is a creation I got from my daughter.  It is in the shape of a cupcake, but it is heaven.  In each well of a muffin tin, you place a teaspoon of your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough.  Flatten the ball.  Add 1/2 Reeses peanut butter cup in the center.  Fill each well of the muffin tin 2/3 full with your favorite brownie mix.  Bake according to the directions of the brownie mix.  And viola!  I suggest that when you bite into your first one, that you do so in private.  These little treasures will cause you to make moaning sounds, because they are so delicious!

Thank you for stopping by.  I will be sharing a few of the gifts that I made in each post, soon.  And if nothing else, it will inspire you to start on creating your holiday gift making ideas.  Take care, and do come back soon.


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