Sarchix Finds

I have been trying to think of something my youngest (age 4) can do for his class in pre-school for Valentine’s Day.  When I saw this over at Chica and Jo (an amazing crafting site) I knew I had found it. They include both the recipe and the template for the bag!

Jo posts her take on V-day Kettel corn for the kiddies and it really seems simple.  It took a bit to track down  a place that sells a “wirlly pop” in the area since I really don’t want to have to wait for delivery (Target sells it online only) but alas, I did have to resort to mail order.  I can still remember the days of my parents making popcorn in my Mom’s old stainless steel pot and then the air popper.  The idea of going back to the stove top to make popcorn is refreshing and brings me back to childhood while taking the Microwave out of the equasion.  At least its better than movie theater popcorn, right?

Chica and Jo – Valentine Popcorn Treat

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I love paint.  When it’s paint that does something, like say… turn a surface into a chalkboard, the Sarchix “cool” factor goes up even more.  Almost as much as paper and stationary, but that’s for another obsession post.

I first want to say that the folks over at Cut out and Keep totally ROCK!  They have projects and pics that could keep me busy for days with the talented members there.  I highly recommend signing up there (don’t worry, its fabulously free to do so – and they have a monthly web mag to feast on too!!!!  <3 you guys at Cut out and Keep).

That being said, have you ever needed a gift for someone but had no idea what to give.  If they entertain friends/family or value their wood furniture, this is the project for them.  Shrimp Salad Circus has posted a tutorial on how to make coasters that are also chalk boards.  Forget the wine charms.  Give everyone a coaster and have a cup of chalk and you not only keep friends from mixing up their drinks but protect your furniture too!

All you really need is some cork coasters, chalkboard paint and some accent acrylic paint to make it fun.  Oh yeah, and some real chalk.  I’m thinking hostess gifts, Christmas Prezzies, all with this brilliant idea!
Thank you Shrimp Salad Circus and Cut Out and Keep!

Cut Out and Keep + Shrimp Salad Circus – Cork Chalkboard Coasters

COAK/Shrimp Salad Circus – Chalkboard Coasters

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Holiday Gift giving can be a challenge especially for the big dilemma of what to get the teachers.  For the most part, it hasn’t been too difficult for me because most of my children’s teachers have been women.  This year, my daughter has a guy teacher (who is awesome) so I find it difficult to find something for him without it being too frilly or girly.  And I can’t repeat anything since my older son has already had him too.

I love this idea of repurposing soda bottles and their holder into a cute gift.  This would work for either male or female teachers, it just depends on the paper and ribbon used.  I found this at Nap Time Journal and it really seems easy to complete.

She uses cream soda bottles since they are clear and you can see the goodies inside them and it is very important to clean the bottles very well.  Nap Time Journal also reuses the bottle caps to cap it.  I may not do that because 1) I always mangle the bottle caps when I open them and 2) I happen to have a bottle capper just “lying around” and hundreds of unused bottle caps.

Such a fun idea!

Nap Time Journal - Soda Bottle Treats

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Ok, maybe the dollar store.  This post over at craftstylish.com is totally amazing and will change my wintery world. It’s a  total “why didn’t I think of that first” kind of craft.

We have several of those heating pads you put in the microwave and we use them often during the winter.  The idea of putting a small, felt bean bag (or rice bag) into a glove is pure genius!!!!  I don’t live where it gets crazy cold during the winter (that’s my brother in Montana and my cousin is Alaska) but its still darn cold when starting the car.

I’m going to make a few of these for my daughter, sons, mother, husband and myself and anyone else I can think of.  This would have been a rockin’ Christmas gift!  Oh well, at least I have a friend that has a birthday in two weeks!

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How do you bring a bottle of wine to a party when you don’t have one of those handy gift bags?  If you have a few sheets of tissue paper laying around then Martha Stewart and her talented team have the soloution.

It’s two whole steps and takes less time than it does to wrap a shirt box.  After wrapping the bottle up and making the cute pompom on top, you can decorate it with stickers or stamps if you have plain paper or choose some really pretty tissue as the outer layer.

Marth Stewart – Bottle Wrap

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