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December 26, 2008

Homemade Book Safe



While researching the internet for homemade gift ideas I came across this really cool book safe. I decided to make one for my Uncle this year. I used a really big book on mathematical theory that I found at a used book store. When my Uncle first opened the book and lookd at the cover, he glanced up at me with a bewildered look on his face, it was the same look I had imagined it would be, but when he opened it up he just couldn't believe his eyes. He said this was the most thoughtful and creative gift he had ever gotten. He LOVED it!

If you have someone on your shopping list that is hard to buy for, you may want to consider making them a book safe.

This gift is time consuming to make, it is truly a labor of love, but the expression on your loved ones face when they open it up will be worth all of your efforts.

Materials Needed:

a book
modge podge glue
paint brush
exacto knife or dremmil tool
fabric
colored paper
family pictures
wax paper



Step 1:

Buy a used book. You probably want to get a deep book. The book I used was 3 inches deep from cover to cover. Yours doesn't have to be that deep but it should be a least 2 inches.

Gather your materials.

Modge Podge can be purchased at any arts and crafts stores. Get the glossy kind.





Step 2:

Open up your book and mark where you want to cut your pages at. You may want to leave some pages in the front to cover up the safe. I choose not to leave any pages in the front of mine.
You will want to leave a 1 inch border between the cut hole and outside edge of the pages. Use a ruler and measure in 1 inch and make your lines where you will be cutting on. Use an exacto knife to cut through your pages. You will not want to cut through to the very bottom of the book. Leave some pages at the bottom. This can be very time consuming especially if you have a very deep book. I cut mine over a weeks time, cutting a little every day. If using an exacto knife is too difficult for you, you can also use a dremil tool.

Once you have your hole cut out it will look something like this:



Step 3:



Now you will want to glue your pages together. Take out your modge podge and paint brush. Make sure your pages are all lined up properly and then begin to paint all around the outside edge of the pages as well as inside of the hole. Put on a medium coat. take a piece of wax paper and place between the cover and where your hole is and close the book. Place something heavy on the top and allow to dry for about 30 minutes. You can then reapply more coats, 2-3, allowing dry time between each coat. Once all of your coats are finished allow book to dry for 24 hours before going on to step 4.


Step 4:

Now you are going to decorate your book. I am sure there are probably many ways to decorate your pages, but this is the way that I did it.

I picked out three different colors of paper that I liked and cut them into differet shapes. I gave each shape a flat edge so that it would line up with the edge of the book right. I then glued the pieces to the book around the hole, overlapping each piece. I used a regular glue stick. After I finished, I trimmed up the inner edge.



Step 5:

When all of your pieces of paper have been glued down and trimmed up you will want to put a protective coat of modge podge over your work. Using thin coats, apply about 3-4 coats allowing 20 minutes to dry between coats. Don't forget to use your wax paper when you close the book.

Step 6:

Now you can line the hole you cut out with fabric. I used fleece. Glue the fabric in with hot glue or fabric glue. It is a little tricky getting the fabric in there good. Once in there you can trim up the top edges. When finished, you can apply one more coat of modge podge to stick down any tiny pieces of fabric that might be sticking up.

Step 7:

Now if you want to you can decorate the back of the front cover. I decorated mine because I didn't leave any loose pages in the front of the book. You may not want to do so.

Gather a family picture, magazine picture, stickers, really whatever you want and make a collage on the inside cover. I put a piece of colored paper down before I began my collage. Glue everything down with a glue stick or regular glue. When finished, apply 3-4 coats of modge podge allowing dry time between coats.

This is what my finished product looked like:

If you make one of these, please leave me a comment and a link to pictures of your book safe. I would love to see it!


December 15, 2008

Homemade Hot Chocolate

This hot chocolate is great for homemade gifts. We use it in our Holiday Sweets Gift Tin.


Ingredients:

2 cups dry milk powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup powdered non dairy creamer
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips



Directions:

Mix all ingredients into a mixing bowl then store in an airtight container.

Use 3-4 heaping tablespoons added to boiling water and stir well. If you use milk instead of water it will be even better, but it is not necessary.

If you are giving this as a gift you can spoon out individual portions into ziplock bags, then cut the zipper part off and tie it closed with a ribbon (see above picture).


Don't forget to include a gift tag with directions for making the cocoa


December 14, 2008

Holiday Sweets Gift Tin


Here is our gift tin loaded with our homemade chocolate Peppermint spoons, homemade hot chocolate, marshmallows, and homemade peanut butter cookies. I included directions for making the hot chocolate. I individually wrapped each serving of hot chocolate in zip lock bags and tied with a ribbon. We gave this gift tin to our new neighbors.


December 12, 2008

Homemade Chocolate Peppermint Spoons



Ingredients:

2 bags Hershey's milk chocolate morsels
20 Candy Canes (or peppermint candies)
Plastic Spoons
Wax paper




Directions:

Crush your peppermint into a bowl. We used candy canes, and I cut them with scissors into small chips.

Place chocolate chips in a pot and melt them over low heat stirring constantly.

Take a plastic spoon and dip it into the chocolate until it's covered good. You can use a little or a lot of chocolate, it's up to you. Then roll the spoon around in the peppermint until desired coverage.

Lay on wax paper until it firms a bit. Then move to the fridge overnight. The next day you can wrap in cellophane and tie with a ribbon
.

These are absolutely to die for when dipped in hot chocolate!

Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies in the World

I will be posting a photo soon


Ingredients:


1-cup peanut butter (either smooth or creamy)
1-cup sugar
1 egg



Directions:


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients and stir until completely blended. Scoop spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and use a fork to gently flatten the top down and make little criss crosses.

Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes.

Cool and Enjoy!

Makes 12 absolutely delicious cookies.

December 3, 2008

Chocolate Peppermint Spoons


We made these yummy chocolate spoons last night. It was easy. Just melt some chocolate chips in a pot. Crush some peppermint into a bowl. We used candy canes, and I cut them with scissors into small chips. Take a plastic spoon and dip it into the chocolate until it's covered good. Then roll it around in the peppermint. Lay on wax paper until it firms a bit. Then move to the fridge overnight. The next day you can wrap in foil and tie with a ribbon.

We are making homemade hot chocolate mix and giving it as a gift with one of these spoons.

The kids and I had ours just a minute ago. Hot chocolate with marshmallows, and you dip the spoon in the hot chocolate....to die for!

When we get these wrapped and in our gift baskets I will post pictures.