12 Days of Christmas: A Journal Jar with a Pretty Lid

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. We are doing our last family Christmas tomorrow, so technically I can still post my last few "DIYs of Christmas." This final post counts as two DIYs, because I'm going to show you how to make a pretty jar lid for all of your jar gifting needs (see pinterest for hours of inspiration) and then share one idea for what to put in your pretty jars!

12 Days of DIYs: White Chocolate Raspberry Thumbprints

All right, I have to include cookies in the 12 DIYs of Christmas because:

 1. I am a recipe blogger, after all

2. Cookies are an integral part of Christmas

3. Everyone loves food

If you are saying that Cookies don't count as a "DIY" then I say "bah humbug" to you! And I'll point you back to reason #3 for including these little delights in my Christmas series. 

These thumbprints are so delicious. The cookie is sugary and soft, the jam adds a mouth watering depth of flavor and the chocolate drizzle is the icing on top..literally.

The 12 DIYs of Christmas: Paper Snowflake Ornament

Hello, everyone.

We are quickly approaching Christmas and I still have a few more Christmas DIY's to share. If you don't have time to make these this year just pin the photo and come back before Christmas next year! 

This is (another) ornament. It is easy to make and really doesn't take much time at all. Trust me, it looks harder to make than it actually is.

The 12 DIYs of Christmas: Whiteboard Sign

I'm sure we have all had enough sewing DIYs by now. What can I say, it is one of my favorite things to do!

This DIY anyone can do. Really. All you need is some white board markers and a picture frame. That is it!

If you want to decorate your picture frame go check out this post for some inspiration.

The 12 DIYs of Christmas: Fabric Basket

Today I have another sewing DIY for Christmas. 

We are definitely in crunch time now. Trying to get everything set and ready before Santa comes in 5 days (What?! Only 5 days left?). 

This project only took me about 20 minutes total to whip up. I was planning on making a fabric mitten basket, but mine turned out too small for mittens. If you want to make a bigger basket to hold mittens just increase the size of the fabric I used here. You know what the basket is perfect for? Fabric scraps. I'm using mine to hold the fabric I set out for December's block of the month. There are tons of uses for it...it is a basket after all.

The 12 DIYs of Christmas: Photo Pillow

These pillows are my absolute favorite. They are the perfect gift for everyone in your life. I got one of Alec and I when I graduated high school, I made them for Alec's sister when she had her first born, I sell them on etsy and now I have one to give to my Grandma for Christmas.

If you would like to purchase a custom photo pillow instead of make one, just click here.

If you would like to see how to make one, keep reading!

The 12 DIYs of Christmas: Upcycled Bottle Cap Magnets

Today I am excited to share these adorable upcycled bottle cap magnets. This DIY is so simple and practical, two of my favorite things. I am a list person. I like to have everything on a list and many of these lists go on my fridge. I am also almost out of magnets for my fridge. After this DIY today, my fridge is now covered in holiday cheer...and magnets! 

The 12 DIYs of Christmas: Crochet Ornament Garland

Hello, everyone.

This adorable crochet ornament garland is another quick and easy Christmas DIY, except this post is a guest post! Elizabeth from Undeniably, Me created this great DIY and is here to share with us.

She is even doing her own Christmas countdown: 25 days of Giveaways.  I highly recommend visiting her blog after reading this post!

The 12 DIYs of Christmas: Christmas Hoop Art

Hello, everyone. I hope you are enjoying the pre-Christmas season half as much as I am.

I feel like one of Santa's elves rushing around trying to finish making gifts in time for Christmas! 

Only 9 days left. We can do this!

This embroidery hoop art is so simple to make. It actually only took me about 10-15 minutes to embroider the word "JOY" and do a red border. I did this at a Thanksgiving family party, too. That part is a secret, though. This is a great thing to do while watching a family movie or TV, as well.

Do not be afraid of trying embroidery because it is SO easy. I am a beginner for sure. 

If I can do it, you can do it.

Christmas Hoop Art

The 12 DIYs of Christmas: Reusable Hand Warmers

On the second DIY of Christmas we have reusable hand warmers!

These things are amazing.

I use them almost every time I have to go outside in the freezing cold.

I pop them in the microwave for a minute while I put my shoes on and they are ready when I leave.

Stick them in your pockets or right inside mittens.

Perfect for: scraping off your car, driving with a cold steering wheel, children who are playing in the snow, stocking stuffers...the list goes on and on.

These are for sale in my Etsy shop in many different colors If you would like to purchase some already made.

Here is how you make them yourself:

The 12 DIYs of Christmas: No-Sew Fabric Ornament

I have created this little series titled "The 12 DIYs with Christmas" to share a few easy projects with everyone. Some DIYs are crochet, some involve sewing and others only involve scissors, paper and glue. So, there is going to be something for everyone. I hope you are as excited as I am about these DIYs and would love to see what you are making this Holiday Season. 

The first DIY of this series is this lovely (no-sew) Fabric Ornament. I learned how to make these at the quilt guild I attend and just loved them. They are so easy and work up quickly.

Finals Week..

I've been M.I.A. for a week now studying.

I just wanted to share a little humor for all of those who are going through this torture with me or would like a glimpse of what it is like.

Finals week: As told by Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis

Recipe Writers: Christmas Cookie Link Up!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Thank you to everyone who linked up with November's Recipe Writers. We had lots of wonderful recipes to choose from.

20% off entire store!

Here is the link to my store

share the post below for a chance to win a FREE set of reusable hand warmers.

Post by Sew Much 2 Say.

November Wrap Up

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Is it just me or did November fly by? I think this every month, though.

Now that Thanksgiving is over I'm off to celebrate Christmas (although it is no secret that I've been celebrating Christmas since far before Thanksgiving day and calling it "the Holidays").

Here is a little summary of what happened on Sew Much 2 Say this month:

Recipes:

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Cornish Game Hen

Pumpkin Maple Coffee Cake Cupcakes

Sewing:

Ghost Quilt Block

Reversible Fall Table Runner

I also changed my blog logo to Sew Much 2 Say and now have an official website!

I'm excited for these changes around here and hope you are, too.

I also started Recipe Writers monthly link up..more on that tomorrow!

What did you accomplish this month?

Cornish Game Hen

I live with my boyfriend. It is just the two of us. We can't eat a whole turkey.

What a better way to practice cooking a bird than making a cornish game hen?

I might be crazy.

It seemed like a great idea at the time, though.

Plus this little bird was pretty cute and looked mighty tasty when he came out of the oven.

And I got girlfriend points when Alec came home to a fully roasted bird and a mini Thanksgiving feast.

Did I mention this is my first time ever cooking a whole bird?

First I washed the bird and patted him dry with paper towels. 

Then I massaged the bird with oil and a mix of spices.

I think I used garlic powder, black pepper, oregano, basil and a little bit of salt.

Then I popped him into my oven and baked him at 350 for about 40 minutes. I turned him a few times and even flipped him upside down to get the breast nice and crispy.

I sauteed some vegetables while I waited.

When Alec got home we "carved" the bird, and stuffed our bellies full with chicken, stuffing and vegetables.

It was a proud moment in my homemaking history. The little things make me so happy.

What was a proud moment in your dinner-making history?

Don't forget to link up your Holiday recipes this week with Thanksgiving Recipe Writers!

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Booktober Swap Review

Remember The Booktober Swap from last month?

Well, I was paired up with the lovely Melanie from La Explorer!

Reversible Fall Table Runner

I am excited to share this tutorial because it is so damn easy.

First of all, it is simply a large quilt block which makes a pretty centerpiece for your table.

Second of all, there a few tricks to making it so quickly that avoid sewing a bunch of little triangles. 

Third, it is reversible!

This center piece has Thanksgiving and general autumn fabric on one side and all Halloween fabric on the other.

Halloween is one of those holidays that I typically do not decorate for because It seems to come and go so quickly. By making this reversible, you can participate in Halloween decorations and easily flip to general fall fabrics on the other side, with no need for storing a Halloween table runner by itself.

Enough jabbering, here is how to do it:

Pumpkin Maple Coffee Cake Cupcakes

Happy Monday, everyone! 

Pumpkin, maple AND coffee cake? You probably all think I'm pushing it. Well, maybe I am.

I'm sure by now we are all sick of pumpkin recipes floating around on pinterest and blog land. Maybe you don't even like pumpkin to begin with. Maybe pumpkin is your favorite and you'll eat it any chance you get through the fall season. Who knows.

 To me, pumpkin is okay. I like pumpkin pie. I love pumpkin seeds.

If you are not a huge pie fan, I'm with you. The crust seems so dry to me and I'd rather have a brownie.

So, for all of you pumpkin lovers or pie haters, here is a little fall recipe to try this season.

I also encourage you to bake with your friends and family. I made these cupcakes with my brother's girlfriend and we had a great time baking together. 'Tis the season, right?

I started with a recipe (as usual) and I ended up changing the recipe and going by own rules (as usual). So here is what you will need for my version:

Pumpkin Maple Coffee Cake Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cups brown sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

pinch of salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 tsp. vinegar + 2/3 c. skim milk

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 Tbsp. low fat maple syrup

2 eggs

Coffee Cake Crumble:

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp+ maple syrup

Glaze:

powdered sugar

skim milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

-preheat oven to 350 degrees F-

Mix all of your cupcake ingredients until combined.

Then, scoop 1-2 Tablespoons of the batter into each cupcake liner.

Mix your crumble mixture and sprinkle it into each cup, using only 1/2 of the mixture.

Then, cover with remaining batter and top with another layer of crumble.

Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let your cupcakes cool while you make the glaze.

I just combine about 2 cups of powdered sugar with a splash of milk and vanilla and mix it until it is a glaze consistency. Keep adding milk a tiny bit at a time and mixing until it looks right.

Stick your glaze in a resealable bag and clip the corner to use as a piping bag ( If you don't have a piping bag, that is).

Finally, add your glaze and enjoy!

We should have waited a bit longer to glaze these because they were not cool enough, but we couldn't wait to try them!

Don't forget to link up your favorite Thanksgiving Recipes with Recipe Writers this month!