Handmade Christmas Gifts: Felt Puppets

My crafty daughter wanted to make her siblings something for Christmas this year. We came up with a cute, inexpensive idea that wasn't too difficult for her: felt puppets! We decided on the types of puppets to make by thinking of the interests of each person: her brother loves Curious George, so she made a Curious George puppet by looking at pictures of Curious George on the internet. Her sister loves dolls and dresses, so we came up with a cute girly puppet for her...

Photo copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

We traced around my hand to get the general puppet shape. My daughter hand-stitched around the puppet, and then cut out the details such as face, hair, hat, etc. We purchased wiggly eyes at the craft store, and glued everything on with fabric glue (regular school glue will not work!)

As you can see, they turned out so cute!

Photo copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Felt is so inexpensive, does not fray, and comes in many different colors and patterns. The craft possibilities are endless!

Do your children make Christmas gifts for each other? Share with us the crafty things they've come up with to give!


Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Desserts and Cooking and Yum...Oh My!

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to cook- it is my creative outlet! I ran across From Ida's Kitchen, a blog which expresses Ida's true passion for cooking and International Recipes. This blog has some inspiration for creations that a professional chef might make, with instructions that even a home cook can follow.

I was especially fond of Ida's posting on How To Cover Cake With Fondant. I've watched Ace of Cakes on Food Network, and have always wanted to go beyond regular frosting in decorating cakes, but have never ventured out to try. There are so many things you can do with fondant that you just can't do with regular icing! Maybe I just might try a fondant covered cake on our family's next birthday! (You're sure to see pictures of that if I get up the nerve!)

Ida says she's not a professional chef but loves to cook like one, and with the yummy pictures and recipes on her blog, I believe she is! I'm looking forward to seeing her post more International Recipes, as this is a whole new world of exciting new flavors to try! Check out her blog sometime soon!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

New Ice Cream Flavor...Want a Bite?!

Now, I know it's not the most healthy food in the world, but ice cream is one of my favorite desserts...it's my weakness! I enjoy ice cream any time of the year, be it sortching hot or freezing cold outside! Are you the type that likes to eat the same flavor every time, or do you like variety? I think one of the joys in life is trying out new flavors--the same old thing is boring to me! I was grocery shopping the other day and happened somehow find myself in the ice cream aisle perusing the latest flavors to hit the shelves. One in particular caught my eye, its limited edition flavor commemorates the holiday season that is almost here: Haagan-Daz Peppermint Bark Ice Cream. This cool and refreshing flavor has white chocolate ice cream with peppermint bark and peppermint candy pieces. Mmm...the peppermint candy pieces crunched like eating candy canes! With the chocolate peppermint bark pieces mixed in,the flavor combination was wonderful! My only complaint, as with most ice creams with mix-ins is that it didn't have enough chocolate and mint pieces! The white chocolate ice cream by itself doesn't hold its own, but all together, the flavors are delicious!

Have I given you a craving? Just talking about it makes me want to get another expensive pint...but then again, it's a tough call when there are so many other new flavors to be discovered!


Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me