12 Days of Home for the Holidays Welcomes Becky Olsen!

Welcome to Day One of the 4th Annual 12 Days of Home for the Holidays.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you about how you are enjoying and being inspired by our 12 Crafters.

I noticed Becky Olsen's crafty creations several years ago in Making Memories, Creating Keepsakes, Paper Crafts and many other publications.  She fast became one of my heroes of the scrapbooking community.  Welcome Becky!

Olsen Family Tradition:

During the holidays we love to make treats to share with our friends, family, neighbors and co-workers. The treats are always delish, and we have a wonderful time working in the kitchen as a family, but preparing a holiday worthy presentation is the part that is the most fun for me. Getting out my crafting supplies and putting together bags, boxes and cards is an exciting challenge. The look on the faces of our special people when we drop off the goodies is worth all the time and effort, and a reminder of the reason for the season.

A recipe that is easy to make with children and that most people love is “White Chocolate Peppermint Chex.”

Start by measuring about 6 cups of Rice Chex into a large bowl

Remove plastic wrapping from 3 medium sized candy canes and chop in a food processor until you have small crumbs.

Measure about 1 cup of white chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and heat for 45 seconds. Mix with spatula until all the chips are smooth and drizzles easily, you may want to heat for an additional 20 seconds and mix again to make it easier to pour.

Drizzle the chocolate onto the Chex and lightly toss until all the pieces are coated,

Sprinkle the chopped peppermint crumbs and mix lightly.

Cover a cookie sheet with waxed paper, spread the Chex out onto the sheet to cool and then place in treat bags and finish decorating as desired.

*When preparing foods for others, always use good food handling practices. Wash hands, surfaces and prep tools and containers thoroughly, and handle foods with clean gloves.

To make the cellophane bag topper and the small gift bags, I used the Ruby Rock-It “25 Days of Christmas” paper collection and die cuts and some garden twine. I liked this paper collection for these projects because it is a little lighter in weight, it is a lot more flexible when scoring and folding and doesn’t crack when being scored or folded. It has a nice body for supporting weight and the patterns on the paper are very versatile and cute.

A wonderful way to present smaller gifts, treats and gift cards is in a cute bitty bag! You can make up a bunch in a short time frame and have them on hand for those last minute gifts. They are cute tucked into the branches of a tree or on top of bigger box for a topper.

Instructions for the small gift bag:

1)      Score the paper at 4” and 8”, turn the paper and score at 5” and 7” 

2)      Fold along all the score lines

 3)      Place folded edges together to get diagonal fold and form shape of bag.

4)      Place double sided adhesive tape along inside of score lines and adhere in place along the center of the 4” fold to form the front and back of the bag

 

 5)      Place adhesive along sides of outside folded areas, remove protective covering from adhesive as you work to shape bag. 

 6)      Put gift or goodies into bag. 

7)      Punch holes on either side on top of bag 

8)      Loop twine through holes, attach tag, and tie either a bow or a knot. Decorate front with die cuts or other details. 

9)      Use different papers and shapes for unique looks for each individual. 

The time we spend together as a family cooking, crafting and delivering goodies are some of favorite memories every season. It is a tradition that I learned from my mom and is one that I hope my children share with their children.

Many wishes for happy Holiday crafting!

B-

Life As A Three legged Dog

Ruby Rock-It

Twitter: bekzilla

Instagram: sobexcellent

Facebook: Becky Olsen

Pinterest: Bekzilla

Well, I'm hungry for White Chocolate Peppermint Chex.  I think I'll have to have this for Santa instead of the traditional cookies or with...either way I can't wait to give it a shot.  Visit Becky's blogs that are full of real inspiration and more. 

GIVEAWAY

What an incredible giveaway from  Graphic 45, X-ACTO, Sizzix, and May Arts!  Leave a comment for Becky and I’ll put your name in the drawing. Leave a comment on each of the 12 day's posts to be entered for 12 opportunities to win this gorgeous prize package!  You can also go to X-ACTO's, Graphic 45's, Sizzix's, and May Art's Facebook page and “like,” leaving a comment you came from D’s Paper Studio and leave another comment on one of the blog posts letting me know to be entered again.  One blog reader's name will be drawn and announced on Monday, December 14th. On your Mark, Get Set, Go....! 

Included in the Giveaway: 

Graphic 45:  Nutcracker Sweet 12x12 paper pad; both sets of coordinating stickers; Ornate Metal Keys; Ornate Metal Key Holes; Flower Staples, Envelope Tag Staples

May Arts:  (as pictured) Red and Green Center Strip 25 yards; Jute 400 yards; Mini-Pom Poms 30 yards;  Velvet 50 yards; Cotton Strip 30 Yrds

X-ACTO: X-ACTO Designer Series 9’’ Fixed Blade; X-ACTO Designer Series Precision Scissors; X-ACTO Designer Series Corner Punch; X-ACTO Designer Series Gripster; X-ACTO Designer Series Shapes Templates; CraftBond Glue Spots; CraftBond Quick Dry Dual Tip Glue Pen; CraftBond All Purpose Glue Stick

Sizzix: The New Tim Holtz Texture Fades  They include: 658269 Holly Pattern; Wreath Set;  658273 Brush Poinsettias; Winter Berries Set;  658270 Textured Poinsettia Pattern Set; and 658272 Holly Branch; Pine Branch Set 

Have a Wonderful Crafty Holiday!