It's the last week before winter break, and I'm in the kitchen baking dozens of Rosemary-Pine Nut Cookies for the teachers at Adam's school. Our favorite holiday cookie, it is most coveted by my sister-in-law Stacey who will be up visiting with her family on Sunday so I'll make her a special plate. I found the recipe in a Martha Stewart Living several years ago and it's become tradition for us. To make them yourself, follow the recipe below...
Read MoreWe have a few bird lovers in our family and they're in for a special treat this Christmas...
These birdseed ornaments are so easy to make, putting to use left over egg cartons and plastic Easter eggs. Simply dissolve 4oz of gelatin with one cup of water over low heat. Stir in 6 cups of birdseed until completely coated. Scoop into egg molds, close, and put in an egg carton in the refrigerator for an hour. Allow to set for 3 days. Pop out of the mold, and tie with jute twine. I spray painted egg cartons gold and wrapped with more twine for packaging. They are so lovely hanging in a winter tree, and draw songbirds to your garden!
Read MoreI made a version of this wreath last year with red and white straws, and I loved it so much that it stayed up well past Christmas. Using dark gray and white or Kikkerland's new beautiful birch print straws make the look more neutral and sophisticated. To make this, all you need is a flat craft ring (this one is 10"), a box of 144 straws and hot glue. Begin by gluing down straws at the 12-3-6-9 position and subdivide until full filled. Clip 2" on an angle from every other straw to create texture.
Read MoreI just want to look at their little faces right now. Being a parent puts you in a very vulnerable position... your heart is on the line. You have to send them out into the world. Sometimes you're in a hurry and you forget to say I love you. My husband is a Principal which always makes days like today especially hard to swallow. Going into this weekend I have a million little projects to complete, and parties to attend, but I'll be thinking about those parents and siblings, and the families of those teachers and administrators. It's heavy.
Read MoreEvery year I like to give all of the kids in our extended family a new ornament. Being that they are all boys, and boys sometimes need a little sentimentality provided for them, the idea is that when they grow up, their parents will hand 'em over, and they will put them on their own tree with their families, and have a sweet memory of cousins and Christmas. This year I'm doing woodland critters, because all of the boys are nuts for animals. Here's a tutorial for making a felt fox. The concept is very simple, and easy to make if you have basic sewing skills, which I do. To make a fox cut out, think of a heart, with the rounded tops cut down the middle. Materials include: craft felt, stuffing and tacky glue. Trace the shape onto a piece of paper, cut out two pieces of felt for front and back. Cut out and glue down the features (I added the eyes and nose after I sewed down). Face the outsides in and sew all around leaving a space open at the top of the head. Stuff and hand stitch close. Sew a hanging loop at the top and you're all set!
Read MoreMake + Haus is the new name and online home for the blog Poppy Haus. Established in 2011, the blog archive now contains hundreds of original design projects and whole food recipes, many featured on the likes of Apartment Therapy, Martha Stewart, Design*Sponge, Curbly, and Epicurious.
