Pinterest Review: Candy Gift Basket

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I participated in the Secret Santa exchange at work.  I had the only guy out of the group and his "likes" were pretty minimal.  I saw an idea on Pinterest and wanted to replicate it as best I could without breaking the bank.


I didn't go quite as overboard as this photo:

Have you seen how expensive candy bars are? 
What happened to candy bars being 60 cents?


Here is the link to the "how to" on making a candy boquet.  Here is my Real Deal review on how to make a candy gift basket bouquet.


Remember...this is just my two cents.  Take it for what it's worth.


PRO

• The blogger uses different types of "baskets"--actual baskets, a round cooler, etc. 
• The blogger shows different kinds of baskets she made, some very full with candy, others with just a few different pieces.  It is nice to see baskets that are minimal and really full!
• Greal listing of supplies and step by step photos.

CON

• The blogger used a hot glue gun to secure the candy to the dowel rods.  While I have one, hot glue is just messy.  I used packing tape on mine and it worked just as well. 
• She mentioned using dowel rods of different sizes, or trimming the ones you have with a cutter.  If you don't have a cutter, you might want to look at smaller rods that you can actually break apart yourself.  Ghetto?  Sure.  But no one will see that piece when you tuck it into the foam.

Overall, the tutorial was pretty easy to follow, based on the photos.  I appreciated the variations and ideas for other uses of this basket.  

Here is how mine turned out:

First, off, I forgot to pick up the floral foam.  So, I used a box from a 4-pack of wine that I use for cooking.  It's a party right?  ha!

I then stuffed it full of newspaper so that the dowel rods fit snug and didn't wobble all over the place.  I also used a little packing tape, too.  Worked like a charm.

See?

I purchased 1/8 inch rods.  They're very thin and break easily--which is good because I didn't have a cutters.  I was able to get 5 rods for less than $2.  I then taped the candy to the rods.  I left most of the rod exposed.  I liked how it gave it "height".  I painted the rods with some white craft paint.  I filled the bucket with crinkle paper and wala!  Gift basket!

I am happy to report that it seemed like he liked it!

Then again, this also came with a pan of Special K bars, so....

Santa's Direct Line....

On Christmas Eve, before dinner, the nephews got a call from Santa while he was on a layover in Norway.


Super Z (the youngest) was a bit star struck.
Mr. P (the oldest) looked like he was trying to solve a mystery...who is this guy...is he REALLY Santa?  Oh, if he only knew....


Here's the video that the Big Guy took of the event.  The sound is a little off, but it's touching none the less.





Here's hoping that Santa made it to your house on time and that his conversation with the nephews didn't cause any delay.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Family Secrets....

As a child growing up, I loved going to visit Santa.  I don't think we own a "bad Santa picture" where I'm crying and freaked out to be on his lap. But I loved the magic of Santa....from circling photos in the annual toy catalogs, to making lists, visiting him at the local mall or department store, making cookies for him to enjoy, and even leaving out carrots for the reindeer.  My mom still has a letter written by Santa, which was left for me when I was a child. 

When I started dating the Big Guy, I remember my first Christmas with his family.  His mom collects Santa items.  Ornaments....figurines....you name it.  I always thought, "she collects Santa's like I collect snowmen".  I never really thought much of it.

But imagine to my surprise when I found out that the Big Guy's aunt is actually Mrs. Claus.  Which means that the Claus's--aka Mr & Mrs Kris Kringle--are the Big Guy's aunt and uncle.
Seriously.
I can't make this up.

No wonder my mother-in-law collects Santa's!

My nephews are now getting to the age where they are wondering if there really is a Santa. 

Source: ironaccents.com via Tona on Pinterest

My mother-in-law does this.  Which makes complete sense, since she's related to Santa and all.



When the Big Guy's uncle heard this, he knew he had to act fast...but with the delivery of toys around the world coming up on Saturday, his schedule is tight.  So on Saturday at 5:00 p.m., Santa himself will be connecting to my in-laws computer for a Skype chat with the nephews.  He's going to be using his laptop on board the sleigh to check in with the boys.

Oh yes.
It's true.
Santa is pretty fancy.

I'll be sure to take a video of it and post it for you to see along with photos.

I better be on my best behavior.

Nothing is worse than coal in your stocking--even as an adult.

Pinterest Review: Gift Card Box...

I have my secret Santa exchange at work today!  The person I picked out of the hat was the only guy who signed up to do the exchange.  He's a young kid, who put the following on his "likes" list:  

• Food that isn't good for me (read:  junk food)
• Movies
• TV

Well.

That narrows it down.

So, for the last 2 weeks, I've left him different junk foods in his box with little notes.  But when it came to the final "big" gift, I decided to do a little gift basket with treats and 2 gift cards (Best Buy and iTunes).  But rather than throw all kinds candy in a basket and cards in an envelope, I decided to do something a little different.  I'll showcase the gift basket later this week and how I put it together.

I wanted gift card boxes and found this idea on Pinterest.  

Here are my gift card boxes.

Cute, huh?

Guess what they are made from:

YES!  Laughing Cow cheese boxes!

I found the idea here.  You'll find a tutorial there, too.  Here's my Real Deal review....

Pro:

• Creative use of the boxes.  Fun to recycle them!
• Can be easily created for the celebration (Christmas, Birthday's etc)
• Great way to use up paper scraps from scrapbooking and card making.
• The blog post tutorial was easy to follow.
• Very easy to make.  Total time was 20 minutes.

Con:

• If you don't own a circle cutter with a 4 inch diameter, (I don't), you have to find something that you can trace--just as the directions state.  Keep in mind there is a rim on the lid if the box--which is not discussed on the tutorial, so tracing the box itself will give you a circle of paper that is too big.  I used a jar I found in my pantry.
• The original poster had a paper-slicer which they used to cut the thin strips that are wrapped around the outside.  If you don't have a paper slicer/paper cutter, you want to cut them at 3/8ths of an inch using a ruler and a scissors.
• The box is just large enough to hold the actual gift card.  So unless the card has a dollar amount on the back, you'll need to let the gift recipient know how much is on the card.

Overall, I think this was spot on and easy to do.  

And if you're like me, you've raided your fridge for the Laughing Cow boxes and tossed the cheese wedges into a baggie.

See?

Where I test Pinterest Projects....

Ya'll know I love Pinterest.  Recently I commented on someones blog regarding projects I loved on pinterest.  I also added the one I was really disappointed in (more on that in below).  She replied back via e-mail, "I agree!  Why is that still being pinned?  So disappointing!"

The thing is, 98% of the stuff pinned on pinterest come from little ol' blogs like mine and yours.  We discuss what we created and show all the steps on how to create something.  But often what is lacking are the "real deal" information.  I mean, what blogger isn't going to say that the project was "so easy!"  Why would you encourage someone to do a project that is a nightmare?

But honestly.  That "so easy" statement isn't always true.

For example.  This pin has been floating around pinterest for quite some time. 

I have no doubt that the strawberries that this person made turned out fine.  But when I made them and followed the directions?  I got strawberry mush. Brown....mushy....disgusting....strawberries.  Nothing chewy like this picture suggests.

Had I known that, I wouldn't have wasted $5 on strawberries and a few hours of my time.

So, here's the skinny on how this will work:

*I will review the "popular" pins on pinterest--ones I see floating around week after week. 
*On my pinterest page, I am posting comments on all of my pins that I try.  Not all are food related (thank God...my waistline can't take it!)
*See something you want me to test?  Leave a comment with the link and I'll give it a go (yes....I'll open comments!)
* I won't be sticking to a schedule, I'll just post them as they happen. 

Got an idea or see something you want me to test?  Pass it along! 
It's winter in Minnesota, people.  I got nothing better to do.
(except let out the dog.)
(I'm always letting out the dog.)

Attempt #80 at a New Post...

I've tried talking about so many things for a new post.  Including:

*Making Bacon/Whiskey/Marshmallow/Caramel bark:  it took every pot & cookie sheet in my house to make.  Result?  All I tasted was chocolate.  That's not a bad thing, mind you, but that was a lot of work for a so-so dessert.  I sent it with the Big Guy and his team inhaled it.

*My run-in with a jerk at Target over my use of coupons for toothpaste and q-tips, but in turn my bill was still $115:  Yes.  It was.  I had 4 items for myself...the rest were items for 2 teenagers off the Salvation Army Angel Tree.  So, yes, Mr. Jerkface, my bill WAS $115 and yes, I DID use 2 coupons totalling a dollar.  But you know what?  The rest of my bill was put towards 2 girls who wouldn't have a Christmas otherwise.  And it was worth EVERY FREAKING PENNY.

*My observation at the grocery store:  a woman used a grocery gift card to try and buy lotto tickets.  That wasn't the worst part.  Worst part:  the card was provided to her as an act of charity from the Salvation Army.  *sigh*

*Making Samoa Bark (you know...Samoa's...the girl scout cookie?):  Not as labor intensive as the other bark.  But all I taste is the damn chocolate! 

*My yearly physical with a new doctor tomorrow:  Yep.  Let's hope that this doctor isn't like my old doctor.  I seriously think my previous doctor worked in a NASCAR pit crew...because her physical exams were 10 minutes or less.  I don't need to be there all day.  It's just hard for me to talk to you about my questions when you're zipping around and you're halfway out the door before you ask, "any questions?"

*My Secret Santa exchange at work:  I have the one and only guy who signed up for secret Santa.  His wish list said, "I like food that I shouldn't have, movies and books."  Alrighty then.  He's gotten candy for the last two weeks.  I predict I'll be sent his dental bill from his next check up.  I'm trying to come up with good ideas for a gift but I'm stumped.

Yep.  Those are the posts I've stared, edited, deleted, restarted, left half finished, or just haven't hit publish. 
Aren't you lucky that I shared?

Have a great week!

Our Holiday Card (Blog Edition)...

I love Shutterfly.
Love. Love. Love them.


I have more photo books than a normal person should have.
I created our "Save the Date" cards for our wedding using their photo cards.
I've created holiday cards for years using their service.


So, to make our cards for 2011, it was a no brainer.  Normally I write a holiday letter AND send some sort of photo.  This year, I got creative and combined the two....


(to see a full size version of this card and read our Top 10 List, click on the photo and you will go to the Shutterfly site.  Click "view project" and you'll see the full image and be able to read the text)

Classic Initials Christmas Card

Turn your favorite family photos into Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

How cute are they?!?
When I ordered these, I thought they would be traditional photo material.  They were actually sent on very heavy "card" paper and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out.  They went into the mail today and I know our family and friends will love them!


Obviously, for our family and friends I used my husband's name, not "the Big Guy".  Though that would have been fun to see who noticed....because I guarantee you, someone wouldn't.




By embedding this project into my blog I will receive a $10 gift certificate (which will not go to waste in my house!).  The big wigs at Shutterfly did not contact me to do this....I found it on their website!  You can do it, too, by embedding a project to your blog or website.  Contact Shutterfly for details.