GMT Thursday-Fall Crafts

 I'm headed to GMT on Thursday.  I haven't been blogging in a hot minute, but I have still been crafting!  I've started posting over on TikTok at fromglittertogumdrops-slowly but surely.  I haven't updated my blog to that social media resource! I'm playing around with what I feel most comfortable doing, for me it's always been a matter of doing it until it's not fun.  

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromglittertogumdrops/video/7548228142817627405?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7507864663876355615

 2 of the 3 tutorials from the show are already up there, the third I made without videoing because of time.  

Book Club Ornament

 

I'm a part of several book clubs, but I made a commitment to one of my friend's book clubs, or rather, to myself.  I decided I was going to read every single book this year.  We have a rule-it's for fun, there is not shame, if you don't read the book, still come.  So, I have, and I do, but this year, I decided to personally challenge myself.  

Last year, I saw this super cute ideas for making an ornament with tiny replicas of all the books you read throughout the year, and I decided to adapt this to the 12 from our book clubs, so I made each girl one of these ornaments I'm going to gift them at our Christmas get together (and book exchange).  

I bought a package of plastic, empty ornaments, and I printed off little books using thumbnail size prints.  I'm going to post the whole process on youtube.  I also added the year with some vinyl and a little book charm to the top.  

I don't think I'll commit to that next year b/c there was one that was so not up my alley, but it was a fun year regardless, and it will encourage me to pick up more of them, in between all my 'regular' reading.  

Succulent Pumpkins

Recently, someone at work had one of these succulent pumpkins delivered and I thought it was so cute, but I had NOT idea how easy it was to make these!  I immediately started to research and bought the supplies.

I got two small pumpkins for less than $2 each at Trader Joe's.  I found some moss at the Dollar Tree, and I ordered 10 succulent cuttings off of Amazon.  

The key to picking a pumpkin, is picking one with a flat top.  And then, you add hot glue and press down the moss.  

Next, I added hot glue to the bottom of the succulents and pressed them into the moss.  This small pumpkin took about ten little succulent cuttings.  

I pulled off some of the bottom leaves of some of the succulent varieties.  After you get it arranged, you can spritz it with some water about once a week.  I've read that the succulents can take root, but regardless, these should last awhile b/c succulents are pretty forgiving.  When I'm ready to move from fall to Christmas decor, I'll probably try to slice off the top of the pumpkin where these lives and place it in a flowerpot and see what happens.

Homemade Vanilla

I'm about to head out on my annual girl's retreat in October.  We decided to do a 'favorite things' exchange (I do this in the summer with a group of crafting friends I've been retreating with for over a decade and we love it).  My favorite thing is probably something sweet.  I was planning on getting a favorite cupcake or cookie, but I brought cookies last year from an Austin bakery I love, so I decided to bring something sweet related-an ingredient.  

These would also make awesome gifts for Christmas.  It's not super 'cheap' to make, but it is fun.  I found a pack of 9 bottles on Amazon that even came with tags (I didn't use) and a funnel (I did).  I bought 8 oz bottles, but in doing that, they do use a lot of Vodka, which upped the price.  

I also bought some vanilla beans on Amazon.  I read the reviews really carefully to find some that were not already split (apparently some people split them and take out the 'good stuff' and then sell the rest of the bean, which impacts your vanilla).  This company also had good reviews when it came to returns (if the seal breaks while shipping, they can mold).  I split my whole beans down the middle, but left about an inch together at the end b/c you just want it to infuse your alcohol and not have too many pieces floating around.  You can strain your vanilla after a few months, but....I'll leave that to the girls that get these.    

I then did some alcohol research and I learned not to use a bottom shelf Vodka, and not to use one infused with flavors.  Tito's was one that was recommended, so I went with that.  1 liter fills 4-5 bottles, depending on how full you make them.  

I put two beans (split in two) in the bottles, poured vodka over it, and sealed the bottles.  I also made some little tags for the front and I'm going to add an instruction tag.  I read these can be used within 8 weeks, but are best after 8 months.  It also says you can continuously refill your vanilla bottles, using the same beans for years.  I guess I'll let you know this time next year!  

The vodka is already amber (a few hours later), and I'm planning to shake them up every few days until I gift them away.  I probably spent almost $10 a bottle, but the bigger bulk you buy, the cheaper your vanilla will be.  

DIY Croutons

I recently was unable to find my favorite croutons.  When I've looked up recipes in the past it seems like it takes a long time to bake a crouton, so I've never tried...until now.  I finally found a simple recipe and I've already made it twice.  I'm posting it here for future me b/c present me is digging these croutons!

Step 1-Melt 1 T spoon of butter with 1 1/2 T olive oil and 3 gloves of crushed garlic.  Heat it on low heat for about ten minutes just until the garlic is starting to soften and brown slightly.  You are just infushing the oil with the garlic flavor.  

Turn the heat off, and then lay some thinly sliced piece of baguette to the ban and coat one side.  There is enough oil for about 16 slices.  I sliced my bread about 1/3 inch thick.  

I then flipped the bread over so the second side was covered.  

I put my slices on a foil lined pan and backed them at 350 for about 15 minutes.  They go from looking uncooked to crispy really quickly, so start eyeing the bread at 15 minutes and check it frequently if it's not quite done.  

Serve with salad.  

Travel Journal

     I've kept a journal when I traveled for years. It's been great to go back and read about the day to day vacations I only remember as vacation blobs (beautiful blobs, but....just a generic summary and not the day to day details).  It's also been a great way to remember the things I wanted to remember before returning.  In the last few years I've added some 'scrapbooking' to my journal, as opposed to keeping a full album for the trip separately.  Now I might do a few pages in a larger book I'm keeping with chronological life moments, but I don't have as many full albums anymore because....time.  

     I've also slowly been teaching myself the most efficient way TO scrapbook on the go.  I know I used a two page spread each day.  I have a few walk throughs on youtube on past journals, but this last trip (Hello, Oahu), I took a few photos of what my set up looks like.  

I now travel with a pouch with my glue, a few paper scraps, some enamel drops, a mini stapler and little strips of washi, but I try to do most of my decorating beforehand.  

I attaching a few things to each page I think I might like to use when I decorate the page.  In this case, I made a little pocket using half an envelope beyond the house.  I put in some litlte squares I used for extra space for journaling, and a place to put my photos.  I also make little date tags in advance with my label maker.  This way I could use more than two pages, so I don't put the date on the pages until I get to that day.  

I use a canon ivy, which really prints great little photos AND you can buy your paper with a sticky back.  

I'm on my fourth travel journal now, and they sure do take up a lot less space.  I'm sure I'll go back to the 'big books' someday, or on really different vacations, but for now, I'm loving the travel journal life!

Muddy Buddy Truffles

 

Every year for at least 15 years I've hosted a cookie RECIPE exchange at my work.  I've talked about it in the past, but the gist is that you bring two cookies and a recipe attached for each person.  We've had 25 people and 10 people.  You never know how wants to bake, and what they want to bake.  I always find a few new recipes this way regardless of the number, and this year was no exception, including the one I brought.  

These muddy buddy truffles taste exactly like you would expect them too.  The crunch of the chex and the pb, powdered sugar, and chocolate give them the delicious taste of a muddy buddy, but I thought they were easier to make (I can never shake my muddy buddies evenly).

The original recipe says they make 12, but I got more like 18 out of a batch.  It also said to wait for the chocolate to dry before rolling them in powdered sugar (double rolling), but mine got a little too hard b/c the powdered sugar didn't fully stick.  I think I'll try to roll when it's ALMOST dry next time, but that didn't impact the taste, it was just powdery!  

Corn Salad

 

I've been meaning to post this for awhile, but I just (re) found the recipe.  My mom had this at a potluck last spring and she told me we absolutely had to try it.  I made it for the 4th of July and it was a huge hit.  The pickiest people I know I call family and they all at it and liked it.  

This will be making all the summer get togethers from here on out!  

Ingredients:  2 15 oz cans of whole kernel corn (drained), 2 c. grated cheddar cheese, 1 c. mayo, 1 c. green pepper (chopped), 1/2 c. red onion (chopped), 1 10 1/2 oz bag of Frito corn chips (crushed)

Instructions:  Mix and chill.   Stir in corn chips just before serving.  

*The original recipe called for chili cheese corn chips, I just used what I had on hand.  

*If you won't be eating the whole salad in one sitting, divide it in half and only add half the chips.  It does not taste as good when the chips have been in it overnight b/c they don't have the right texture, so just reserve them and mix the second half together with the chips when you are dishing it out as left overs.  

Fall Trail Mix

You can eat this trail mix at any time....and I do, but it feels right for the fall and it's so simple to put together!

My friend Susan shared this with me years ago and it will always be "Susan's mix."  It's the perfect mix of sweet with just a tiny hint of spicy (which you can leave out if you want, but most people don't even know that.  

Without further ado, or unnecessary words:  

Ingredients:  6 c. plain chex, 1 c. pecans, 1 c. pretzels (I always add a few more pecans and pretzels), 1 1/2 stick melted butter, 3/4 c. brown sugar, 1 scant tsp Cayenne pepper

Instructions:  Melt butter and stir in brown sugar and cayenne pepper.  

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.  Pour the butter mix over the dry mix and toss until the pieces are coated.  

Lay out on a large sheet pan and bake at 350 for 8 minutes.  Pull it out and stir.  Back another 8 minutes.  Cool and bag.  This should last at least a week if stored right, but....it's so delicious it won't last that long!  

 

Puff Pastry Sausage Appetizers

 Last year for the super bowl I didn't host a party.  I barely watched the super bowl, but I did indeed still make an appetizer dinner like I was doing all of the above.  One thing I tried out were these 'pigs in a blanket' gone fancy via Martha Stewards Instagram.  

I cut my down b/c I didn't need a million, so here's my trimmed down version of some fancy dogs in some tasty blankets.  

Ingredients:  1 puff pastry, 4 sausages (I used Costco's Teton Polish sausage), 1 egg, spicy mustard, everything but the bagel seasoning (you could also just do poppy seeds or sea salt)

Instructions:  

1.  Heat over to 400 degrees.  

2.  Cut puff pastry into 4 equal pieces.  

3.  Spread spicy mustard on half the puff pastry.  Lay sausage down over spicy mustard.  

4.  Beat an egg and brush some on the second half of the puff pastry.  Roll the hotdog (seam side down).  Cut into 4 pieces at an angle.  

5.  Once you have all 4 hot dogs cut, brush the top of each with the remaining egg and sprinkle with seasoning.  

6.  Bake for about 30 minutes (until golden brown).  

7.  Serve with Spicy mustard.  

DIY Balloon Columns

I recently helped host a party for a friend of mine that retired from teaching.  She's really into politics, so we had fun with a patriotic theme (campaign buttons, shirts, and headbands).  One thing I wanted to try out was balloon columns.  It was MUCH easier than I thought.  I'll definitely be doing it again, and I'll go with a video next time, but here are some pictures and lessons I took along the way.  

First, I have a balloon blower.  I got this on Amazon.  It blows up two balloons at a time (I only have talent enough to do one), BUT it's a life safer.  It comes with different nozzle sizes and plugs in.  

I also found a kit on Amazon for less than 15 dollars that came with 100 balloons of different sizes, mylar balloons, string, glue dots, and these strips you can put the balloons into to create an arch.  It ALSO came with this tying divice, which saved my fingers from hurting!  

The other thing I purchased was balloon columns (two), again it was 15 dollars, and reusable.  They have door arches and circles, but I have seen the arches fall over before, and I decided this would be the least stressful way to make displays.  The column came with a bunch of different pieces you can attach.  I wanted a random sampling of balloons (nothing uniform).  I used these little round balloon holders that slip onto the poles.  

When you have four balloons, you slip them into the slots.  

And you slip the circle onto the balloon poles.  

I just kept stacking until I had it as full as I wanted.  The day of the party I went and inserted smaller balloons I had blown up into the gaps using the glue dots.  

One lesson learned, I don't know if I blew them up too big, but randomly during the night I heard balloons popping.  It wasn't a huge deal b/c I had set aside a bunch in case this happened.  BUT I also dropped the columns going to my car.  It was 100 degrees and all the balloons that hit the sidewalk popped.  Whoops.  I would assemble this on sight next time, not fill them QUITE as full, or transport them in trash bags and not fully assembled.  Live and learn.  

I put the mylar balloons at the top and filled the based and random spots with baby balloons.  I lost quite a few of my confetti balloons along the way, but it still was fun.  The plan was to put them outside the doors, but it was just too hot, so I put them in two random places in the house.  

Road Trip Birthday Party

 

Last week, a group of us gals wanted to celebrate our friend Sande's 50th bday.  She said she wanted to take a day trip down to Magnolia (2 hours).  Even though we planned to eat lunch in Waco and try out the Magnolia bakery, I wanted to personalize it and make it feel like a party, so I planned a tailgate breakfast.  

I posted all the details about each of these in a previous post, but each girl got a box of breakfast and a personalized cookie.  

I also bought some popcorn for a road snack (it doesn't hurt that Sande's husband owns the shop) and I provided personalized shopping totes for each girl.

I brought an ice cooler and personalized some tumblers for each girl to have in the car as well.  

I think all the necessities for a successful girl trip down 35.  

Girl Trip Party Ideas

I've been tossing a few of the details from my friend's 50th Girl Trip online.  We took a day away and headed two hours up the road to Waco.  Even though it was a day trip, I still wanted to make it special and personalized.  

Sande told me almost a year ago this is what she wanted to do, so I've been collected gold and black totes from Hobby Lobby and Amazon and I personalized one for each girl.  

I also made tumblers with "Hello 50" on one side and our names on the back.  

I'll pull all the details together in my next post.  :)

Breakfast To Go Party Idea

This past week, I went with a group of girls on a day trip to celebrate my friend Sande's birthday.  Even though most of our day was going to be spent out of town visiting shops and restaurants, I wanted to do something party-ish to celebrate her birthday and make it feel more like a party.  So...I made a tailgate breakfast box for each gal who came along.  

I found these gabled boxes at Hobby Lobby in the party aisle and I added each girl's name with my vinyl and my Cricut.  

Each box included silverware, a bagel (in a pink bag, also from Hobby Lobby), a little container of fruit (I bought these little domed container on Amazon) and a cookie.  One of our planned stops was a cupcake shop, but I wanted some sort of personalized dessert.  

Typically, a cookie wouldn't be most people's idea of dessert, BUT I figured with the box idea, people could nibble along the road (we had a two hour trip ahead of us).