Sunday, December 23, 2012

A Post Stolen From Dearest Emily Over At Emily's Chronicles (http://eklobb.blogspot.com/)

Hello everyone! July here again and I'm so glad that I've gotten four entries for the "contest" we were having. If you missed that, click HERE to read about it. 

So I'm sure you're all wondering about the title but wonder no more! I was browsing Emily's blog (http://eklobb.blogspot.com/) and I stumbled across this adorable piece of Christmas cheer! I asked Emily if I could snatch her post and stick it on this blog (with all credit going to her of course) and she said yes, so here it is! But she did have one condition: a spike in her followers! So go and follow her, also if you could tell her that July sent you, that would be great :) 
Anyway, thank you Emily of Emily's Chronicles! Is that enough advertising to help get you a follower boom? :D

You will need
~White card
~Four different patterned/textured papers
~A set of compasses or circular objects to draw around - you'll need one large, one medium and one small.
~Scissors
~Pretty things with which to decorate said patterned papers - as I was posting this I was limited to ribbon, lace and thread but if you're able you can use beads and sequins.
~Strong glue with which to stick down said pretty things - I used UHU but you may need PVA or a hot glue gun depending on what you're using. Adhesive pads also work well in some cases.
~Sellotape
~Black filigree paper - if you don't have this then you'll need black paper and a hole punch
~A glue stick
~A black fineliner pen
~A ruler

Instructions

1. Take your patterned papers and cut out four circles, one large, one medium and two small.
2. Start decorating! With ribbon/thread, squeeze a thin line of glue where you're placing it and stick it down...
...then tape it at the back. 
You get the idea...
...don't you?
Unnecessary pictures...
...tralala ^_^
See! You now have some pretty circle - or baubles, as we can now call them! I only decorated three because I wanted to leave the pretty patterned one.
3. Now cut a strip of black filigree paper - if you have none then just cut a normal strip with a scalloped edge and punch some holes in it.
4. Now comes the bit where you require ninja-like skills and precision.  Lay your strip of paper and your baubles on the piece of card and make small pencil marks at the top of each bauble and at the bottom of the strip of paper directly above the top of the bauble...if that makes sense. Draw on strings and hanger-thingies in black fineliner pen. 
5. Then...stick everything on! Pretty, riiight?!?!
6. At the bottom, in an amazingly brilliant font, write Merry Christmas.
TA-DAAAAA!!!! Is it not lovely? :D :D
Oh, and if you're super-cool like me, you can draw a puppy in a Christmas hat inside the card.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Need Your Help!

Hey Creative Cliquers! I, being July that is, need you to send me your favorite Christmas recipes to post on this blog! I'll pick one or two to actually make and review.....
I really need your help and I think this could be fun but the only way it will work is if you send me an email.
My email is julya.emmance@gmail.com and I'll be checking my inbox regularly for your favorite recipe.
I'm not going to set a date limit now, but ASAP please!
~July

Monday, December 3, 2012

Snowflake Cookies

Well hello there fine readers and fellow crafters! So tonight, since its now December, I thought I'd start posting Christmas recipes! 
~July
*Enjoy the cookies and please note that the recipe is from tasteofhome.com

Ingredients

  • 2 cups butter, softened
  • 1-1/4 cups Imperial sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups cake flour
  • 2 tablespoons edible glitter

Directions

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour and mix well. Divide in half. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 4-in. snowflake-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  • Bake at 300° for 8-10 minutes or until firm. Repeat with remaining dough. Chill and reroll scraps if desired.
  • In a small resealable plastic bag, combine edible glitter and remaining sugar. Seal bag; crush mixture to break glitter into smaller pieces. Sprinkle over warm cookies. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely