{"id":935,"date":"2007-12-17T21:58:09","date_gmt":"2007-12-18T02:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/catchingfireflies.com\/blog\/?p=935"},"modified":"2007-12-17T21:58:09","modified_gmt":"2007-12-18T02:58:09","slug":"homemade-gifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.catchingfirefliesgifts.com\/blog\/2007\/12\/homemade-gifts\/","title":{"rendered":"homemade gifts for gram & gramps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Making handmade gifts for my aunts, uncles and grandparents was always a tradition I looked forward to as a child. Who knew I’d eventually make a living<\/a> doing just that?  God is good! Here are a few fun crafts that I think would make lovely presents from your kiddos…<\/p>\n

\"225_01264_cinorn\"<\/p>\n

Cinnamon Ornaments<\/a><\/p>\n

3\/4 cup applesauce
1 cup 2 tablespoons <\/p>\n

Supplies needed:<\/strong>
cookie cutters
drinking straw
colorful ribbon<\/p>\n

1.  Preheat oven to 200\u00b0F.  <\/p>\n

2.  Mix applesauce and cinnamon with hands in small bowl until a smooth ball of dough is formed.  Using about 1\/4 of the dough at a time, roll dough to 1\/4-inch to 1\/3-inch thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap.  Peel off top sheet of plastic wrap; cut dough into desired shapes with cookie cutters.  Make a hole in top of ornament with drinking straw.  Place ornaments on baking sheet.<\/p>\n

3.  Bake for 2 1\/2 hours.  Cool ornaments on wire rack..  (Or, to dry ornaments at room temperature, carefully place them on wire rack. Let stand 1 to 2 days or until thoroughly dry, turning occasionally.)<\/p>\n

4.  Insert ribbon through holes and tie to hang.  May be decorated with opaque paint markers found in arts and crafts stores, if desired.<\/p>\n

\"Sun20catcher205\"<\/p>\n

Nature Suncatcher<\/a><\/p>\n

This outdoor sun catcher is an easy craft that is absolutely beautiful and quite unique. The next cold day you hear your children complain they are bored, bundle them up and send them outside on a quest. <\/p>\n

Ask them to collect pine branches, greenery, holly berries or anything else with a bit of color. Now select a dish that can be placed in the freezer with water in it. Try pie plates, bread pans or cake pans. You can even make more than one, each with a different shape.<\/p>\n

Fill your container with one to two inches of water. Have your children arrange the items in the water. You can also use sliced orange or lemon rounds, as well as cranberries for striking color.<\/p>\n

Cut some yarn, string or rope for a handle, placing each end in the water. If you use yarn, use at least three to four strands \u2013 this ice sun catcher is heavy!<\/p>\n

Finally, place your creation in the freezer and try to forget it for several hours. Once your ice is completely frozen, run some water over the outside of the container to free the ice from the mold.<\/p>\n

Hang your ice sun catcher from a nearby tree. If you made several, you will have a remarkable winter wonderland just outside your door! For a little extra fun, sneak one in to a neighboring backyard. Imagine the delight of your neighbors as they discover this beautiful piece of natural art hanging outside the kitchen window!<\/p>\n

\"Snowmanpin\" Snowman Pin<\/a><\/p>\n

peanut in it’s shell
small bowl
hot glue
white tempera paint
paintbrush
scissors
black marker
black and orange felt
colored yarn
small safety pin<\/p>\n

Paint the peanut white and let dry. Use the black marker to make the eyes and buttons.  Cut a hat from the black felt. Cut a carrot nose from the orange felt. Glue the pieces onto the peanut snowman. Cut a 6 inch piece of red yarn. Tie the yarn around the peanut snowman to make a scarf. Secure the scarf with glue. Trim the ends. Slip the back of a safety pin through the yarn scarf at the back of the snowman. <\/p>\n