Visions of Sugarplums Day Four

Wow - here we are at Day Four of Visions of Sugarplums.  So glad you came by today!  This is a long post, you might need a coffee or a tea or donuts...

Who won yesterday's prizes?

$20 gift certificate from My Time Made Easy:  Miriam
1 set of choice from Digital Paper:  Laurart
1 set of choice from Moonlighting by Mary:  Karons
1 set of choice from Paper Sweeties:  Sue D

Congratulations to the winners (email me lhairston@cox.net and we'll get your prizes to you) and a big thank you to Lauren, Janet,  Debbie, and Mary for being so wonderful!

Three of you have already been lucky enough to win a giveaway from Debbie at Paper Sweeties - lucky you!   Debbie has made a fabulous idea come true - the sweetest stamp images with clothes that work just like paper dolls! 

Here I've used Abigail and her oh, so sweet bunny and gown from Some Bunny Loves You.  I added some abstract looking poinsettias to create her Night Before Christmas gownie tail.  Now that I have Abigail I can put her in different costumes that Debbie continues to design.  Fun, huh?  I created a tag using a wish list image from Digital Paper and added an origami tree.

Our first Thursday giveaway is one set of choice from Paper Sweeties!  This is actually the fourth set we've given away - thank you, Debbie!

I love these origami trees - when I taught, I did a lot of origami with my kids.  You would be amazed at what first graders can do!   The coolest thing was that it was often the kids that struggled with other things that were helping all the other kids and were the hero for the day!

They are really easy to make:  you need 4 graduated squares (ie:  3", 2.5", 2", 1.5"). 
Fold each square in half - open and fold in half the other direction. 
Fold each square diagonally into a triangle - open and fold the other direction.
Now you have all the scores you need. 
I looked for a video - couldn't find one - so here are a couple of pictures of the only tricky part:

Fold in half into a rectangle - don't hold it tightly closed - push in end.

Use scores to create a pointed end.

Do the same with the other side.

Flatten the triangle and fold the top layer into the middle.  There you go!

I love old doorknobs  - they are great for lots of things.  Like placecard holders at Thanksgiving.  Here's a project I've started.  I left the bottle brush tree undecorated - haven't decided what direction I'm going yet.  Suggestions?

Now for the best poppy seed bread recipe in the world - I'm not kidding!  If you're going to make homemade bread for gifts, this is a winner!  If not, how about a part of Christmas breakfast?  I have given this recipe out like crazy over the years - it's that good!   Now don't laugh - I've never rewritten this - I have no idea who Dell Watson is - it's messy, etc...

How about some ideas on wrapping up this best poppy seed bread for gift giving?

This is just a couple of doilies, a wooden ornament, twine and ribbon.  Easy!

This is just a vintage ornament - pretty and easy!

Or how about a reindeer bag?  The bread fits in perfectly! 

I whipped up a drawstring bag and dolled up a felt reindeer from Micheals - it's so cute!

More giveaways:
1 set of choice from Moonlighting by Mary
Christmas Creation from Mitra - see her blog for details
Lisa Minckler's giveaway keeps growing, just like mine.

What I am adding to my giveaway:

You get a finished drawstring bag, just like the one above and a reindeer ready to embellish.  Also a couple of wooden ornaments (similar but not exactly like the one on the first bread picture).   These will be added to all the things from the first three days! 

 Again, how to win giveaways is easy - just comment.  Every comment is an entry - so comment on all participating blogs!  Here's who has Christmas goodies today:

Lisa - http://minkimpressions.blogspot.com/

Debbie - http://debssimpletreasures.blogspot.com/

Mitra - http://mitralee.blogspot.com/

Lauren H. - http://www.thepastonaplate.com/

Bonnie - http://artfuldigits.blogspot.com/

Linda - http://myhappyplace-linda.blogspot.com/

 

Have fun and come back tomorrow for the last day of Visions of Sugarplums!