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As I said yesterday, the team at JustRite Stampers is having a blog hop!

This one is SURE to get the creative wheels turning! The focus is on last minute gift ideas. I think this hop will be helpful for ANY time of year. I know I’m often in a scramble for last minute ideas myself.

With the economy where it is I know we are ALL looking for inexpensive ways to acknowledge those around us. When you give anything handmade, I truly believe it speaks to the heart of the receiver. They know you took the TIME to make them something special. Even the smallest gifts can seem that much MORE special. I feel like this is my life long SPEECH! LOL! It’s truly what I live by and WHY I make all the gift packaging that I do. Simply put-dressing up something inexpensive makes it seem like it cost way more and more importantly….. is always given from the heart, and the bottom line is, that matters!

This year for the extra people I want to thank, I am giving my favorite recipe, all bottled up, and dressed for the winter season.

Snow(man) on the go

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How cute is he?

Made from a simple frapuccino bottle.  Just wash in dishwasher, and let dry completely!

Now if you have MANY people on your list buying and drinking that much Starbucks can be PRICEY so check out

—> THIS PLACE <—for a ton of various EMPTY bottles you can purchase! Can you say WOW!

Then alter your design from there. THIS ONE is pretty perfect.

Decorate your bottle , then add your mix.

This is my FAVORITE home made Hot Cocoa Recipe! You can make up several batches in no time!

I found it on the Food Network. Keep in mind the better quality ingredients often make tastier cocoas D (add it to a coffee and YUM!)

 Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup powdered milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate 
  • Marshmallows

Directions

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Take the bittersweet chocolate and roughly chop it up to give a chunky but consistent size. Mix well with a wooden spoon and then store in a dry airtight container.

This is where YOU need to keep track of how much mix YOU put into each container, so you can print your instructions for the receiver. I like to print mine on a adhesive label sheet, then punch out and stick onto bottom of Snowman Jar.

To make the hot chocolate:

Add 1 cup of water per 1/2 cup of hot cocoa mix.

Heat in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring with a whisk.

Heat until hot, but do not boil, about 6 to 7 minutes.

Serve with marshmallows. (already in your jar :D)

As you can see-my mix is layered in the bottom of my jar. I then topped with marshmallows (and as you can see this makes him LOOK like a snowman!)

You can also make a Snow girl….or SANTA!

Now details…..

The hat

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The lid-I punched a circle from blue cardstock. I then layered a scalloped circle piece, with dimensionals for POP.

I used the snowflake image from Merry Little Christmas Borders & Centers Round 1-5/8”. Stamped it in blue ink. (every snowman needs SNOWFLAKES!) I then layered on a silver piece of snowflake table confetti, then added a blinged out button. Gotta have BLING somewhere, even if its a Snow MAN.

The hat rim was created using velvet white ribbon from May Arts, that I used my Copic markers to COLOR!

Just under the lid, I added some tinsel ribbon for that extra WOW!

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His cute lil face…

Easy peasy!

Two buttons for the eyes (adhered with CLEAR glue dots). An orange piece of Bella Dots for the nose. Then I used a Vitrea Glass Paint Pen in black to dot on my “coal” mouth.

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Now the outfit!

I took some felt and free-hand cut a “vest”. It is secured with double sided tape too, so it doesn’t move/shift.

Bling center brads became my “buttons”. Some ribbon for the scarf. I had some felt snowflake ribbon, so I cut a piece for the snowflake there.

Now look at his “hand”. That is a binder clip, inserted into the felt. I used the coffee cup image (and stamped the “latte” sentiment) from  Just A Little Caffeine Borders & Centers Set 2″ . Just stamped, colored and cut out.  Isn’t that cute, Its attached with a clear glue dot as well. I loved that idea. The cup from  Something Sweet Borders & Centers Round 2-3/8”   would have worked too.

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Now isn’t he just delicious?!

If you are eyeing the tree in the background…..you can see THAT project HERE!

I also made a Wreath ornament—->HERE!

Now it is time to move on for MORE last minute gift ideas!

JustRite Blog
Angela Barkhouse
Barb Schram
Becca Feeken
Debbie Olson
Heidi Blankenship
Kathy Jones
Kellie Fortin
Lauren Meader <—-You are here.
Lisa Somerville
Michele Kovack
Michelle Wooderson
Sharon Harnist
Sharon Johnson
Terre Fry

Thanks for stopping by, and letting me share!! I hope you enjoyed this project :DHappy Holidays