Sep 15

 

 

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Cookie Mix in a Jar

 

 

Gourmet style

 

oatmeal, chocolate and nuts yummmm

 

1 cup all-purpose flour

 

1/2 tsp. baking powder

 

1/2 tsp. baking soda

 

1-1/4 c rolled oats

 

1 (5.5 ounce) milk chocolate bar

 

1/2 c white sugar

 

1/2 c brown sugar

 

1/2 c chopped nuts, walnuts, pecans (optional)

 

1/2 c chocolate chips

 

Layer as follows and pack each layer solid:

 

List of 5 items

 

. Whisk together flour, baking powder and baking soda

 

. Combine oatmeal and grated chocolate bar

 

. White sugar, then brown sugar

 

. Chopped nuts

 

. Top with chocolate chips to the top.

 

list end

 

Cut a circle of fabric large enough to cover the jar top, and hang over the edges halfway down. Secured with a rubber band and tie with ribbon or jute.

 

Attach a recipe card with these instructions:

 

Cookies Especially for You ~

 

Preheat oven 375º Set aside chocolate chips and nuts. Spoon brown and white sugar into mixing bowl. Cream together with 1/2 cup butter or margarine. Add

 

1 egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, mix well. Add the oatmeal and flour mixture into bowl, mix thoroughly. Mix in the chocolate chips and nuts. Roll into 1

 

inch balls and place on lightly greased cookie sheet two inches apart. Bake 8-10 minutes.

 

Yield: 3 dozen
 

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COOKIE EXCHANGE

 

If you love baking this time of year, a fun get-together idea
is a cookie exchange. Everyone bakes dozens of the same cookie
and everyone who participates takes home a gigantic assortment
of homemade cookies.

 

Make sure that your guests understand that the cookies they'll
bring must be homemade and easily transportable, as the cookies
will most likely be combined with a lot of other cookies and
will need to hold their form well.

 

Just invite a group of your favorite cookie-loving friends
over and ask them each to bring a big batch of cookies
(estimate 1 dozen multiplied by the total number of guests),
a stack of recipe cards for the cookies they'll bring
and containers to take cookies home with them.

 

After a period of chatting and snacking, the cookie exchange
can commence with all of the cookies organized buffet-style on
a table and with everyone gathered around, merrily swapping
cookies into their containers.

 

 

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Oh Come All Ye Faithful

 

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him Born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;

Glory to God, Glory in the highest;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be
all glory given;
Son of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.

 

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http://www.sculpey.com/projects/holy-family-stable

 

 

Getting Started

Preheat oven to 275 °F. Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay. Condition all clay by kneading until it's soft and smooth or running it through the Clay Conditioning Machine for several passes on the widest setting. Fold the clay in half after each pass and insert the fold side into the rollers first.

Step 1

Mix 1" ball of Chocolate and Ultra light together by rolling each ball into a snake and then twisting the snakes together. Roll and twist several times until you get a wood grain look. Roll through Clay Conditioning Machine at thickest setting (#1), cut the following pieces: two 3" by 1" (one side and long roof), 2 ½' by 1 short side), 2" by 1" (roof short side), 2" by 3" (base). Three brackets 1" long by 3/16" wide.

Step 2

Mix equal amount of Yellow and Ultra light clay into a 3/8" ball. Roll out at thickest setting and punch out a star. Place stable pieces and star on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet.

Manger

Make a ¾" ball of Chocolate mixture and form into a 1" long by 5/8" wide rectangle for the manger. Mix ½" ball of Yellow and 5/8" ball of Ultra Light clay to make the straw for the manger. Extrude mixture thru the 12 hole disc of the extruder. Pull ½" sections off. Place pieces on top of the manger. Cover all edges of the manger.

Baby Jesus

Body is a 3/8" ball of Ultra Light clay rolled into a ½" long oval. Head is a 5/16" ball of Beige, press on top of body. Wrap a 1/16" by 3 inch Gold snake around the body, forming an "X" on top. Punch out a 7/16" circle of Gold clay rolled out at #3 setting (Medium) for halo and press on the back of his head. Press the Baby Jesus in the manger.

Lambs

Two white lambs and one black lamb. Legs are made from a snake 1/8" thick by 3" long, cut into ¼" segments of Black clay. Take 4 segments and press together to form legs. Roll two 3/8" balls (Body), two ¼"balls (head), two 3/32" balls (tail) four 1/8" balls (ears) of Ultra light Clay. This will make two lambs. Press the 3/8" ball on top of the legs. Add head on one end of body, and roll the 3/32" ball into a ¼" teardrop for tail. Press onto opposite end of the body. Add a 1/8" ball of Black shaped into a cone for a muzzle. With needle tool dot in eyes above muzzle. Flatten two 1/8" balls into teardrops for ears. Press on each side of the head. Mix a ½" ball of Black and 3/8" ball of Ultra Light to make the black sheep in the same way.

Mary

Mary is approximately 2" tall. Mix 7/8" balls of Blue and Ultra Light clay together. Make a 7/8" ball out of the mixture for the body. Shape into a 1" cone. Make sleeves by roll part of the mixture into two ¼" thick by 1 ¼" long snakes. Flatten one end to measure ½" wide . Hands are made from two Beige balls 5/16 and two 11/64 balls, (thumb), flatten the 5/16" balls in to 3/8" long teardrops. Roll the 11/64" balls into ¼" ovals. Press the oval on the side of the teardrops. Press hands on the wide ends of the sleeves. From Ultra Light Clay rolled out at #3 setting on Clay Conditioning Machine cut two 2" by ¼" strips. Wrap each strip around the hands and sleeves. Press sleeves on each side of the body, bring hands together praying. Head is a ¾" ball of Beige clay. Press on top of body. Press two E beads for the eyes. Add lines to outside of eyes. Draw a smile and dot each corner with needle tool. Apply pink chalk to dots. Add a 1/8" ball of Beige for nose. Extrude 3" of Chocolate mixture out of the 1/8" hole disc. Cut into 1" pieces and bend into teardrops for Mary's hair. Place just above the eyes. If you have any leftover Blue Mixture, mix enough Ultra Light clay to make a light blue (3/4" Ball). Roll out at #4 setting on Clay Conditioning Machine. Cut a 4" by 1 1/8" piece of light blue. Roll a 4" long by 1/8" thick snake, lay snake along one edge of the light blue piece. With acrylic rod, flatten snake. Drape the light blue piece over Mary's head. Press down the back and fold in each side to the back.

Joseph

Joseph body is an equal mixture of Elephant Grey and Ultra light clay (7/8" balls). Shape into a 1 ¼" cone. Extrude two 3" pieces of Chocolate mixture out of the 1/8" hole disc, twist together to make a rope and put around the body. Create the sleeves by rolling part of the mixture into two ¼" thick by 1 ¼" long snakes. Flatten one end to measure ½" wide. Hands are made from two beige balls 5/16 and two 11/64 balls, (thumb), flatten the 5/16" balls in to 3/8" long teardrops. Roll the 11/64" balls into ¼" ovals. Press the oval on the side of the teardrops. Press hands on the wide ends of the sleeves. Mix equal amounts of Moss and Ultra Light clay (¾" balls). Roll mixture at #3 setting on Clay Conditioning Machine cut two 2" by ¼" strips. Wrap each strip around the hands and sleeve. Press sleeves on each side of the body. Head is a ¾" ball of Beige clay. Press on top of body. Press two E beads for the eyes. Add lines to outside of eyes. Roll out Chocolate mixture at #3 setting of Clay Conditioning Machine; texture the clay by drawing lines with Needle Tool. Cut out a one mini heart (beard) and two 3/8" teardrops (mustache). Press beard on to the head, just below the eyes. Add teardrops on top of the beard. Make a 1/8" ball of Beige, shape into a teardrop. Press between the eyes and over the mustache. See finished project for placement. Head dress is made in the same matter as Mary's using Moss clay and Chocolate for stripe. Extrude two 3" pieces of Chocolate mixture out of the 1/8" hole disc, twist together to make a rope and wrap around the head. Cane is made with the craft wire twisted together and one end bent over. If you do not have two colors of wire just use one color and twist together. Place cane to one side of Joseph and bring hands to the front.

Step 1 Stable

Work on a baking sheet when assembling the stable. Roll out Chocolate clay mixture at thickest setting, cut three 1" by ¾" pieces. This will be your mortar to put you stable together with. Lay the base down, stand the long side and short side pieces along the 2" side of base. Lay the short roof piece on top of the long side piece, and the long roof piece on top of the short side piece, this piece will be on top of the short roof piece. Push up the roof pieces until the peak measures 3 ½" from the bottom of the side pieces.

Step 2 Stable

With pieces of unbaked Chocolate clay press into corners meet. Apply Translucent Liquid Sculpey where unbaked clay touches the baked pieces. Apply Translucent Liquid Sculpey to the back of brace pieces. Place the brace pieces over each corner and peak. ApplyTranslucent Liquid Sculpey to the back of Star and place on peak. Leave base in the middle and lying flat while the stable bakes.

Step 1 Assembly

Place figures on baking sheet. Bake all items for 45 minutes at 275 degrees.

Step 2 Assembly

Glue the stable sides to the base using glue. There will be a 1" in the front and back of the stable. Hold for approx 5 minutes for glue to set up.

Step 3 Assembly

You can glue pieces in the stable or leave them free. Glue with Crafters Pick glue.

 

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Things to do at Christmas time, Make a winter scarf.

Knit, crochet or sew a scarf. With cold weather, keeping warm would outside is important.

 

No pattern is needed to make a scarf. 

 

 

 

 

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http://www.freecraftz.com/yesteryear1.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Billie C.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A_Melting_Pot/

Sept 14

Hello, How are you doing? Are you getting ready for Christmas yet?  I have been looking around my camper and trying to decide where I'm going to put our little tree this year.  If I can find a local Hobby Lobby, I want to pick up a few small ornaments for my tree and to hang from the hooks I have around the edges of the living room windows.

 

I am thinking of picking up some Pointsetta garland to put on them this year.

 

Ah, the second "recipe" today is both a recipe and a craft.

 

 

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Christmas Wreaths

 

1/2 c. butter
1 (10 oz.) bag marshmallows
2 t. vanilla
4 t. green food coloring
4 c. corn flakes
1/4 cup small cinnamon candies

 

Microwave butter and marshmallows on high until melted (1-3 minutes depending your microwave). Stir once at halfway point. Stir until smooth. Add vanilla and green food coloring. Put corn flakes in a large bowl then pour butter mixture over them. Stir thoroughly and quickly. Grease hands with cooking spray or butter. Shape 1/2 c. of corn flakes on wax paper to form a cookie sized wreath. Sprinkle with the red candies. Continue on working quickly until all of the corn flake mixture is made into cookies.

 

 

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Cookie Advent Calendar

 

A fun way for children to count down the days until Christmas is with
a cookie Advent Calendar. A cookie for each of the first 24 days of
December is attached to a long ribbon. The top of the ribbon holds an
extra special cookie to be eaten on Christmas day.

 

 

 

You'll need:

 

1 1/2 yards of red grosgrain ribbon - at least 2 inches wide.

 

7 yards of red 1/8 inch satin ribbon

 

3 1/2 yards of green 1/8 inch satin ribbon

 

3 1/2 yards of white 1/8 inch satin ribbon red thread small holiday
gift card

 

Construction:

 

1. fold the top of the grosgrain ribbon under 1/2 inch and then 1
inchmore. Fold the bottom of ribbon under 1/2 inch and then another
1/2 inch. Stitch ends in place.

 

2. Cut a 23 inch length from each of the red and green satin ribbons.
Run ribbons through hem at top of grosgrain ribbon. Tie in a bow, and
use to hand calendar.

 

3. To make tie for large cookie, cut a 13 inch length from each of
the red and white satin ribbons. Place ribbons together and fold n
half tofind center. Hand sew to the center of grosgrain ribbon 3
inches from top of calendar.

 

4. For smaller cookie ties, cut remaining satin ribbon into 9
inchlengths. use 2 ribbons of contrasting colors for each cookie
tie.Measure 9 inches from top of calendar and sew the center of the
first small cookie tie 1/2 inch from the edge of the wide ribbon. Sew
second cookie tie alongside first tie, 1/2 inch from the edge of the
opposite side of wide ribbon. Measure 3 inches below the first row of
cookie ties, and sew on two more cookie ties, alternating ribbon
colors.Repeat until you have 12 rows with 2 cookie ties on each row.

 

5. Wrap 24 (2 inch) cookies and 1 (5 inch) cookie in plastic wrap.
Tie the large cookie to the cookie tie at the top of the calendar.
Tie small cookies onto the calendar using the ribbons sewed in place.
Trim ribbons after tying bows. If cookies are numbered with icing,
start with cookie marked 1 at the bottom.

 

6. Sew the center of one ribbon to the top left corner of the
calendar. Punch a hole in a holiday card, insert ribbon, and tie to
the calendar. Use for writing a message.

 

Variations:

 

*you can use burlap and yarn instead of ribbons

 

*you can make all of the cookies gingerbread people with the number
on their tummies

 

*vary the colors of ribbon according to your household decorations --

 

*make one for each of your children and hang them on their bedroom
doors...or make for college students to take back to their dorm rooms
after thanksgiving

 

* * * * *

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

 

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
With news of joy foretold,

"Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
Love's banner all unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
Over all the weary world.

Above its sad and lowly plains
Old echoes plaintive ring,
And ever over its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the Angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;

And man at war with man hears not
The love-song which they bring;
O! hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the Angels sing.

O ye, beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;

Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,

When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

 

 

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Recycled-Toilet-Roll-Advent-Calendar/

 

My family loves to make advent calendars each year. But rather than encouraging the gluttony with chocolate (that comes later with all the Christmas eating), we fill our calendar with activities and events that bring our family together and help us share the Christmas spirit with each other, our friends and community. We include lots of fun activities that we always say we "should" do but never get around to during the year. Adapt for your own family or situation.

Some of the things we include are:

* Have fish and chips at the beach
* Give each other a massage
* Cook dinner for mummy
* Watch a Christmas Movie
* Call friends in other cities

with many more suggestions on my website.

This year I've gone with a recycled toilet roll version. We collect all sorts of bits and pieces to recycle, and now that we're past the pre-school and playgroup years, we have fewer venues to donate our toilet rolls. Here's my quick (took me about 2 hours in total) guide to knocking up a recycled (and recyclable) advent calendar.

And please, just use this as a spark to get you going as the variations are only limited by what you have available.

 

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Things to do at Christmas time, buy extra gloves or Mittens, share with a Charity. Send to family members who forget gloves or give them to your local school to pass along to a child in need this winter.

 

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Lots of shopping at this site

 

http://www.christmastraditions.com/

 

 

 

 

 

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Billie C.

Sept 13

 

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Christmas Wreath Candy
Ingredients:

 

1/3 cup butter or margarine
20 Marshmallows
Green food coloring
2 ¼ cups cornflakes
Prepare this candy just before you plan to use it, as it hardens quickly. In microwave or top of double boiler, melt butter and marshmallows. Add food coloring as desired. Remove from heat. Add cornflakes and stir until well coated.

 

 

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Classic Christmas Cranberry Punch

 

2 cups cranberry juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice
1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced
4 cups ginger ale, chilled

 

In a large glass container, combine ingredients and chill thoroughly.

 

Just before serving, slowly stir in the ginger ale. Pour into a punch bowl or large jug and add ice cubes.

 

For a less sweet punch, substitute seltzer or club soda for the ginger ale.

 

 

 

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God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior
was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan's power
when we were gone astray.

Refrain
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessed Babe was born,
And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn;
The which His mother Mary did nothing take in scorn.

Refrain
From God our heavenly Father a blessed angel came;
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name.

Refrain
"Fear not, then," said the angel, "Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's power and might."

Refrain
The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethl'em straightaway this blessed Babe to find.

Refrain
But when to Bethlehem they came where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray.

Refrain
Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface.

Refrain
God bless the ruler of this house, and send him long to reign,
And many a merry Christmas may live to see again;
Among your friends and kindred that live both far and near--

That God send you a happy new year, happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.

* * * * *

http://www.kidspot.co.nz/article+2871+111+Wall-advent-calendar.htm

 

Wall advent calendar

By Belinda Graham |

 

If you prefer to count down the 24 days to Christmas in a slightly more original way, steer clear of the chocolate advents in the supermarkets this year and make your own.

With a couple of hours, a few crafty supplies and a little creativity, you'll have a unique count-down calendar that doubles as a Chrissy decoration. And it's totally up to you what little gift you put inside (although, to be honest, you're quite space-limited!).

These ones were stuck to the wall in a Christmas tree shape with enough room in-between each box to slide open the 'drawer' to find a surprise tiny tree ornament inside. You could fill with little notes or wishes, jokes, lollies, choccies, small gifts or coins.

You'll need

• 24 papier mache boxes (come in packs of six from Spotlight), small gift boxes or mini cereal boxes
• Scrapbooking paper
• Ribbons
• Rub-ons - from Kmart or craft stores like Spotlight
• Buttons
• A white gel pen
• Other crafty supplies - glitter, cutters, confetti, cut-outs. You're limited by your imagination.

Step one

Work out a pattern on the floor - the boxes in this formation were mixed up between vertical and horizontal for interest and more flexibility in the decorations on the front.

Step two

Now get decorating! Vary using rub-ons and your own handwriting to date the boxes and use a similar colourway on all boxes in a range of different materials for a cohesive look.

Step three

Once done, fill the boxes and stick to the wall with 3M removable tape or blutac and enjoy the nightly countdown ritual!

Browse Kidspot Christmas crafts

 

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Things to do at Christmas time. Address Christmas Cards.

 

 

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http://crafts.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Make_Advent_Calendar_Craft

 

More Advent Calendars to make.

 

 

 

 

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Billie C.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A_Melting_Pot/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Sept 9

Good Morning. Nothing like a change in weather to wake you up and remind you how short the year can be.  I heard on the news last night that the Eastern Tennessee area may have a frost before the end of this month. That's about 4 to 6 weeks early.  Like Spring and Summer, it looks like Winter just may be early this year.

* * * * *

 

 

Christmas Truffles

 

Ingredients:
7 oz. dark chocolate (good quality)
1/3 cup thickened cream
1 tablespoon of orange liqueur (or try rum)
3 oz. unsalted macadamia nuts (or almonds or hazelnuts)
Coatings: dark cocoa / shredded coconut / chocolate sprinkles

 

Put the chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl (or double sauce pan) and place over a saucepan of simmering water (make sure bowl does not touch the water). Stir until the chocolate melts. Remove the bowl and stir in the liqueur and nuts. Cover and place in the fridge for a couple of hours or until firm enough to roll into balls. Line a tray with non stick paper, roll teaspoons of mixture into balls and place on tray. Put in freezer for about 30 minutes then roll the balls quickly to smooth the surface and roll in desired coating. Makes 36.They will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for a week.

 

 

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CHRISTMAS VANILLA BUTTER ROLLOUTS

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt

 

What to Do
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate until easy to handle, about 30 minutes.

 

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with floured 2 1/2-inch cookie cutters. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350°F until edges are lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes. Cool for 1 minute before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate as desired.

 

Makes: about 7 dozen cookies

 

 

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Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart Prepare Him room
And Saints and angels sing
And Saints and angels sing
And Saints and Saints and angels sing

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let Saints their songs employ
While fields and floods rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, Repeat, the sounding joy

Joy to the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders and wonders of His love

No more will sin and sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He'll come and make the blessings flow
Far as the curse was found,
Far as the curse was found,
Far as, far as the curse was found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And gives to nations proof
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love;
And wonders of His love;
And wonders, wonders of His love.

Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High,
While Israel spreads abroad
Like stars that glitter in the sky,
And ever worship God,
And ever worship God,
And ever, and ever worship God.

 

 

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http://www.crafts-beautiful.com/index.php/project/engrave_glass_christmas_decorations_with_dremel/

 

Engrave Glass Christmas Decorations with Dremel

Impress your neighbours and light up your living room with a pretty snowflake Christmas window!

 

You will need...

Dremel Hobby 7700 with the Diamond Wheel Point 7103
Dremel Gluegun 930 and clear glue 7mm
Glass discs
Mirror discs of varied sizes
Glass droppers / icicles
Selection of narrow organza and satin ribbon in black, gold and silver
Variety of gold, silver and black beads and rondelles
Flexible beading needle
Snowflake templates - Click here to download

Show your street just how much you love Christmas with a beautiful Christmas window that's just as gorgeous seen from the outside of your house, as inside your living room. Taking this season's trend colours of silver, gold, black and white, create a snowflake and icicle window dressing that will be the talk of the town. It's simple to do but definitely has the 'WOW' factor! Just collect together the materials below and see just how easy it is to create something stunning!

Christmas Snowflake Decoration

1. Download our snowflake templates and re-size as required, or draw your own designs to suit the different-sized discs. To engrave a glass disc, place over the template and secure it with a little low-tack tape. Using the Dremel Hobby 7700 fitted with the 7103 diamond wheel point, trace over the snowflake motif to engrave onto the glass disc.

2. Having outlined the shape, remove the disc from the template and lay on dark paper so that the engraving shows up clearly. Correct any shaky or thin lines by working over them again, smoothing and thickening them as necessary. When finished, brush away any dust and buff the disc with a soft lint-free cloth.

3. Using a fine permanent marker, draw snowflakes onto the mirror discs using the downloaded templates as a guide. Engrave the snowflakes onto the mirror discs using the Dremel Hobby 7700 fitted with the 7103 diamond wheel point. Buff the engraved mirrors as before.

4. Use your Dremel Hobby 7700 with 7103 Diamond wheel point to engrave spirals and stripes onto your selected glass dropper decorations.

5. Loop fine ribbon through the hole of a glass disc or glass dropper, then thread on a few beads, sandwiched between rondelles (these are a specific type of bead). Use the Dremel Gluegun 930 and clear glue to stick the engraved mirror discs back-to-back above the beads, sandwiching the ends of the ribbon in between.

6. To finish, thread on a rondelle and another bead then knot the ends to complete your hanging ornament.

Promotion

For more great projects from Dremel, visit:http://www.dremeleurope.com/specials/book-of-inspiration/gb/en/index.html

 

 

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Things to do at Christmas time, Color a Christmas coloring page

 

You can find many at this site,  http://coloring-page.net/christmas.html

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http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/recipes/index.htm

 

Nothing makes a festival more than a sumptuous feast. TheHolidaySpot knows it well and tosses at you an assortment of splendid Christmas recipes to add more spice to your Christmas celebrations. Put these easy, stepwise foodmaking instructions to good use and cook up fabulous dishes for yourself and your loved ones at home this December. The recipes include directions to make snacks, desserts and other festive foods prepared during Christmas! If you love making these Christmas recipes, click here and share them with whoever you like. Wish you a zestful Christmas celebration!

 

 

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Billie C.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheCreativeSisters/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TerisCraftsNewsletter/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Sept 11

 

 

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Christmas Punch

 

2 cups water

 

1 cup sugar

 

4 cups cranberry juice

 

4 cinnamon sticks

 

12 cloves

 

2 cups orange juice

 

1-1/2 cups lemon juice

 

2 cups pineapple juice

 

1 quart ginger ale

 

Boil water and sugar. Add cranberry juice and spices. Cook 5 minutes and strain. Cool. Add other juices and ginger ale and chill

 

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Christmas Red and Green Salad

 

Ingredients:

 

1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

 

1 (15 ounce) can peas, drained

 

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

 

1/2 cup minced red onion

 

1/2 cup chopped celery

 

1/2 cup sliced radishes

 

1 cup creamy salad dressing

 

2 tablespoons milk

 

Directions:

 

1. Combine the corn, peas, beans, onions, celery and radish.

 

2. Whisk together the salad dressing and milk or cream. Pour over
salad, toss and refrigerate overnight. Enjoy.

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The Little Drummer Boy

Christmas Carol

Come they told me, Pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, Pa rum pum pum pum


Our finest gifts we bring, Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the king, Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum


So to honor Him Pa rum pum pum pum
When we come


Little baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum


Shall I play for you
Pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum


Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum


The He smiled at me, Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

 

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http://www.angiesrealm.com/christmas/crafts/

Clay Christmas Ornaments

1 cup cornstarch
2 cups baking soda
1 1/2 cups of water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift together the cornstarch and baking soda; gradually add the water.

Grease baking sheet with butter or margarine, or shortening.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles smooth mashed potatoes.

Turn out on to a counter and knead until smooth.

Cut out designs using holiday-themed cookie cutters.

Using a pencil, pokes a hole in the top of each ornament.

Place in the oven for about 5 minutes to harden the clay.

Remove from oven. If desired, spray polyurethane on the ornaments to make them last longer. Set aside for 24 hours.

Paint the ornaments as desired.

Leave the ornaments for another 24 hours or until dried completely.

Tie a colored ribbon through the hole in the ornament and hang on the Christmas tree (can also use a metal ornament hanger).

These christmas crafts will last forever, write the year you made them on the back of the ornament for sentimental purposes.

 

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Things to do at Christmas time, Make a Christmas Window Decoration.

 

 

 

 

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http://www.riversongs.com/christmas/harp.html

 

 

 

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Billie C.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

Sept 10

 

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Christmas Pie

 

 

 

1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked

 

1/4 cup water

 

1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin

 

1/2 cup white sugar

 

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

 

1 1/2 cups milk

 

3 egg whites

 

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

 

1/2 cup white sugar

 

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

 

1 cup shredded coconut

 

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

 

Directions:

 

1. Pour cold water into a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin on top of water
and allow to soak 5 minutes.

 

2. In a medium saucepan, mix together 1/2 cup sugar, flour, and milk.
Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils, stirring constantly.
Boil and stir 5 minutes. Cool slightly. Stir in gelatin mixture and allow to
cool completely.

 

3. In a large glass or metal bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Add
cream of tartar. Continue to beat while gradually adding 1/2 cup sugar,
until stiff peaks form. Fold in whipped topping, coconut, and almond
extract.

 

4. Pour cooled milk mixture into pastry shell. Top with meringue
mixture. Refrigerate pie for at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy.

 

 

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Christmas Plum Pudding

 

1 cup whole wheat flour
2 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs
4 ounces shredded suet
3 eggs, beaten
1 small carrot, grated
1 apple - peeled, cored and shredded
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped blanched almonds
2 ounces preserved stem ginger in syrup, chopped
1/8 cup ground almonds
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3/8 cup halved candied cherries
1/3 cup raisins
3/8 cup dried currants
3/8 cup golden raisins
4 ounces candied mixed fruit peel, chopped
4 plums, pitted and chopped
1 lemon, juiced and zested
1 1/2 teaspoons mixed spice
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup ale

 

Directions

 

In a large bowl, combine flour, bread crumbs, suet, eggs, carrot, apple, brown sugar, chopped blanched almonds, stem ginger, ground almonds, cherries, raisins, currants, golden raisins, mixed peel, plums, lemon juice and zest, mixed spice, baking powder and ale. Let each family member take a turn stirring and make a wish. If you have used more dry fruit than fresh, add a little extra ale to make the mixture less stiff.
Grease 2 large or 4 small pudding basins. Fill with pudding mixture about 7/8 full. Cover tightly with greased waxed paper, then foil; secure with string. Stand pudding on a trivet in a large pot of boiling water that reaches halfway up the sides of the pudding basin. Steam puddings over medium-low heat in boiling water 10 hours for large puddings, 5 hours for small puddings, topping off water regularly until quite firm and set.
If not serving immediately, let cool completely, then replace covers with fresh waxed paper and foil and store in a cool, dry place, basting from time to time with rum or brandy, for up to 3 months. To serve, reheat by steaming 2 to 3 hours.

 

Taste Of Home Country Cooking Collection 1996

 

 

 

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Do You Hear What I Hear

 

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
"Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite,
With a tail as big as a kite."

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
"Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea,
With a voice as big as the sea."

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
"Do you know what I know?
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Do you know what I know?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold--
Let us bring him silver and gold,
Let us bring him silver and gold."

Said the king to the people everywhere,
"Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light."

 

 

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http://christiancrafters.com/craft_clay_nativity.html

 

 

The Clay Nativity is a simple and easy-to-make craft for a broad age range.

You will need: 3 mini clay pots (2"), 3 large wooden beads, straw or moss, a gold ring of ribbon or a circle of gold chenille stem, strips of fabric, and tacky glue.

Turn two pots upside down and glue a bead on top of each one, (representing Mary and Joseph). Place one of the fabric strips over Mary's head, the other around Joseph's shoulders. Place straw into the third pot, (represents the manger). Place the third bead (represents Jesus' head) into the straw, then place the gold ribbon or chenille stem around the head for Jesus' crown.

 

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Things to do at  Christmas time, Pick up extra canned goods for the food bank. A can of any thing you enjoy is sure to also be enjoyed by a family struggling to make ends meet.

 

 

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http://www.allthingschristmas.com/

 

All things Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Billie C.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

Sept 8

 

 

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Christmas Holiday Spiced Chocolate Eggnog

 

4 cups Eggnog
2 cups Milk
1/3 cup Chocolate Syrup
1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
1/8 tsp Ground Allspice
Whipped Cream

 

In a large saucepan combine eggnog, milk, chocolate syrup, nutmeg and allspice. Heat through. Pour into mugs.

 

If desired, top each serving with whipped cream.

 

 

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Christmas Peanut Butter Balls

 

· 2 sticks melted butter
· 1 c. Chopped nuts
· 1 tsp. Vanilla
· 1/2 c. Peanut butter
· 1 box confectioners' sugar
· 1/2 box graham cracker crumbs
· 1/2 block paraffin wax
· 1 pkg. Butterscotch or chocolate chips
Mix first 6 ingredients in a bowl. Shape into 2-inch balls. Melt wax and chocolate or butterscotch chips in a double boiler. Dip the balls into the mixture and place on waxed paper to harden.

 

 

 

* * * * *

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
With news of joy foretold,

"Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
Love's banner all unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
Over all the weary world.

Above its sad and lowly plains
Old echoes plaintive ring,
And ever over its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the Angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;

And man at war with man hears not
The love-song which they bring;
O! hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the Angels sing.

O ye, beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;

Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,

When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

 

 

 

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http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Pine-Cone-Reindeer.html

 

Pine Cone Reindeer

What would Christmas be without your very own Pine Cone Reindeer! This is a really easy craft to make and it looks even better when the reindeer are pulling a Candy Cane Sleigh!

Ages: 6 and up

Here's what you'll need...

• Small or medium sized pine cone
• 4 brown pipe cleaners
• Google eyes (you could also use small white paper circles)
• Red or pink pom pom (you could also used a crumpled up piece of construction paper)

Here's how you make it...

1.

First you need to make the reindeer's legs. Wrap the ends of a brown pipe cleaner around each other to make a circle.

2. With the joint in the center, bend and squish the circle so that it's flat. Basically you are just doubling up the pipe cleaner. Repeat steps 1 & 2 twice to make the other set of reindeer legs and antlers. You should have 3 strips of "double" pipe cleaners with the joint in the middle.

3. The reindeer's body is the pine cone placed sideways. The smallest end of the pine cone is the face. Wrap one pipe cleaner around the front end of the pine cone and another pipe cleaner around the back end of the pipe cleaner. Make sure you put the pipe cleaner joint in the pine cone (that way there's no pokey ends sticking out). Bend the ends to make the feet.

4. To make the antlers wrap your last pipe cleaner around the front of the pine cone, sticking up from the top. Twist it like a twist tie at the top of the pine cone. Spread the antlers apart a bit.

5. Cut small lengths of pipe cleaner about 1" long. Fold them in half.

6. Glue the small pieces of pipe cleaner on the antlers.

7. Glue on your eyes and nose and your reindeer is complete!

This craft works really well with our Candy Cane Sleigh craft, and it will make your reindeer happy!

 

 

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Things to do at Christmas Time. Give a gift to Charity. Food bins start to appear in the stores now. Toy bins, as well.  Angel trees will be up soon. Help spread the cheer of the season with a small gift, from your heart.  Remember, with the food bins, it doesn't have to be food. Limited income families have to use cash for non-food items like toilet paper, paper towels, foil, and more.

 

 

 

 

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http://www.copycatcrafts.com/recycled-christmas-reindeer-anthropologie-craft/

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Billie C.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheCreativeSisters/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TerisCraftsNewsletter/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/