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Tried & True Cinnamon Dough

I have used this recipe many times.  It works a lot better than the apple sauce recipe.  I STILL have ornaments that I made several years ago, and they STILL look GREAT!  This recipe does not crumble, but does make a big mess when you roll it out!  I use my counter top and it is much easier to clean up afterwards.  Have Fun!

Cinnamon Dough
1 Cup Ground Cinnamon (Can get jars cheap at Michaels Craft Stores)
4 Tablespoons White Glue
3/4 to 1 Cup Water (Adjust as needed)

Stir together cinnamon, white glue and 3/4 Cup water.  Adjust water as needed to make dough as thick as real cookie dough.  Refrigerate dough for 2 hours.  When ready to roll out, sprinkle dry cinnamon on the work surface. Roll the dough out on the cinnamon.  Use you hands to knead the dough until it is smooth.  You will need lots of dry cinnamon on your hands and rolling pin. Roll the dough to 1/4" thickness.  NO thicker, or it will take FOREVER to dry. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.  Poke holes in ornaments for hanging and decoration.  I poke two holes side by side for the center of raffia bow ornaments.

Two Ways to Dry the Ornaments:
Air Drying - Lay the shapes on waxed paper at room temperature and turn them over twice a day for four days. The edges will curl as they dry, so that's why you turn them over.

Oven Drying - Bake the ornaments on a non-stick cookie sheet in a warm oven.  Be sure to turn the ornaments over periodically as they will curl.

I made little basket tie-ons out of my ornaments.  I put a little bit of raffia with them and they were too cute.  I also made ornaments for my Christmas tree that I take to shows.  They don't break!  I make a thick bow out of raffia, and then I take the smallest star shaped ornament, or a tiny gingerbread man, and tie it to the center of the raffia bow with another piece of raffia.  They are very popular with my group!  Have fun!....Teri from Tulsa

Cinnamon ornaments
Just mix up equal amounts of cinnamon and applesauce.  1/2 cup of each makes 10 med size (2-3 inch) ornaments.  Mix together.  It should be VERY thick similar to pie dough.  Place muslin square on flat surface  (I went to WalMart bought a 1/4" round stick (in hardware, about 2-3 ft long) and cut it in half.)  Place the 2 sticks parallel to each other, and place the mix in between.  Rest the rolling pin on the sticks and you are guaranteed 1/4 thick ornaments!  Bake for one hour at 150 turning often till dry.  Decorate any way you want!!!  P.S. Don't forget to stick a hole in them (use a
straw).

Cinnamon Ornaments in cookie Molds
I put the molds to the test with cinnamon ornaments. 

-First make templates of the molds.  Use card stock and make a rubbing of the mold, imprinted side facing you.  Cut the template out, a bit smaller than the outline, and then check to make sure it fits in the molds.
-Take equal parts cinnamon and applesauce.  Mix it well, kneading until smooth.  Then roll it out between two sheets of waxed paper to 1/4 in.   Remove the top sheet of waxed paper and *this is the key point* sprinkle the top of the dough with more cinnamon. 
-Then put the templates on the dough and cut out with a tooth pick or small knife.  Remove the rest of the dough and cut the waxed paper so they are all separated. 
-Then put the dough into the molds and press.  They should come right out because of the cinnamon dusted on the dough.  Be sure to make a hole in the head.
-Then I baked them in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes on a cookie sheet.  You can leave the waxed paper on and remove it as soon as they come out of the oven.
-Then tie ribbon to the ornament and attach them to a recipe card with the directions on it.

You could do this at a home show.  Just have some of the dough cut out in shapes ahead of time to save a step.  You can demonstrate all the steps and then have the guests press their own ornament.  Then let them cook while you do your show.  You will have something really wonderful to send home with everyone!

PAPER COOKIE MOLD IDEA

In a cookie mold try this:  

Use Charmin toilet paper (20 sheets each), mix 1/2 glue & 1/2 water & use a stencil brush.  Lay 2 sheets of the paper over the mold at a time, and dip stencil brush in the glue mixture and pat the paper into the mold.  Do this 10 times for a total of 20 sheets of paper, turn the mold over and let them dry.  You can spray with glitter or paint, and add a ribbon to each one & put in individual baggies.  This is a simple & very inexpensive gift.

SMALL BASKET SHAPED SOAPS

I just made about 100 small basket shaped soaps for around $10.00.  I used the plastic candy molds from Dresden, bought the soap at a craft store in a huge brick, melted, colored and scented the soap , then poured in the mold.  Let it sit for about 30 minutes and pop out of the mold.  I bought small skinny plastic bags to put them in and tied with a ribbon.  Tied my business card onto it as well.  I had never done this before and was surprised how easy it was.  It would have been even easier if I had more than one plastic mold!!

DECORATED CANDLE

For a gift for a holiday hostess -- how about a gingerbread scented candle?   You can find nice inexpensive ones, andif you "flair it" with some holiday ribbon and an attached card with Nippert (bnclipart@aol.com) clipart it will make a great, economical presentation.

 

SCARECROW STEW

 This is the season
 for pumpkins and gourds,
 Cornstalks, mums, and
 candy corn galore.

 So here's a little "Scarecrow Stew"
 Complete with a stirring stick.
 Add hot water and sip it slow.
 It's sure to do the trick!

Package will contain ~ Mulled Cider Mix, Cinnamon Stick and some  Candy Corn tied with a raffia bow.

 

SNOWMAN SOUP

Put the following "ingredients" in a plastic bag:
1 package hot chocolate mix
3 Hershey's kisses
15 or so marshmallows
1 candy cane

Attach a tag with the following poem:

Was told that you've been good this year,
Always glad to hear it.
With freezing weather drawing near,
You'll need to warm the spirit.
So here's a little "Snowman Soup"
Complete with a stirring stick.
Add hot water and sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick.

 

 

Here is another poem you could use instead of the one above:

 

Snowman Soup

When the weather outside is frightful,
  Snowman Soup can be delightful.
May it warm your spirit and your soul.
  Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

When you feel a chill or 'burrrrrr',
  Use the peppermint stick to stir.
Add hot water and sip it slow.
  Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.                                                  

                  

Snowman soup packaging idea:  I love the snowman soup idea... have packaged mine a little different and thought I would share the idea.  It is easy and looks real cute!

Go to a fast food place and buy french fries, in the open top cardboard boxes.  That will be your pattern.  Take the box apart at the seams by pulling apart the glued overlapped pieces so it lays flat.  Trace this shape onto card stock.  (Card stock is available in small packages at Target, WalMart, etc. where the computer paper is.  Larger  quantities available at office supply stores.  It is heavier than regular paper, but not as stiff as poster board)  

 

Pre-fold on the same lines the original box is folded on. I used a snowman rubber stamp and stamped the image on the front of the box, in dark blue.  On the sides I stamped snowflakes in light blue, and on the back I stamped my Consultant return address stamp.  You could use a holiday sticker on the front if you like.  Using a glue stick, overlap the tabs on the box and glue it back together so it looks like that fry box again. 

I cut a piece of tissue paper about 10" square (white) and stamped the snowflakes on it in light blue, then put it into the box.  You could use a colored tissue to add more color.  I took a red marker and drug the side of the marker tip across the top edge of the box just to add a little more color.

I printed the poem up on the computer, and cut it out.... put the cocoa packet in the box first, then add the poem in front of that.  I put the candy accessories in a regular fold top baggie, but tied it close to the contents with curling ribbon, and cut off the excess baggie.  Nestle that  in front of the poem and add the peppermint stick.  Looks real cute!  Makes a nice presentation.

SNOWMAN KISSES

Take a small snack-size ziploc bag with a handful of mini-marshmallows.  Attach the following poem:

Snowman Kisses

Snowflakes from Heaven as white as can be!
Can build a Snowman for all to see!
He's cute and cuddly and full of good wishes!
And wants to give you a bunch of his kisses!

This makes a great inexpensive prize or a gift for everyone to take home at an Open House.

GINGERBREAD COOKIES IN A JAR
Submitted by:  Staci

Gingerbread Cookie Mix layered in a one quart canning jar. Great Christmas gift. Place a circle of gingerbread fabric between lid and ring and tie a gingerbread man cookie cutter onto jar with ribbon!  
  
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
  
Directions
1   Mix 2 cups of the flour with the baking soda and baking powder. Mix the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour with the spices. In a one-quart, wide-mouth canning jar layer the ingredients starting with the flour baking powder mixture then the brown sugar and finally the flour and spice mixture.
 
2   Attach a card to the jar with the following directions: 
            Gingerbread Cookies
                1. Empty contents of jar into a large mixing bowl. Blend together well.
                2. Add 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine, 3/4 cup molasses and 1 slightly beaten egg.   Mix until completely blended. Dough will be very stiff so you may need to use your hands. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

3.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

 4. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Place cookies on a lightly greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Decorate as desired.  Makes 18 cookies
  

 

"POOPS" ... ???

Package these cleverly and attach the little poem.

 

 

Easter Poop - use raisins

 

Here comes Peter Cottontail

Hoppin' down the bunny trail

Hippity hoppity Easter is on its way!

But Peter couldn't wait so long

He left you a bag of bunny dung

Hope this helps you have a hoppy day!!

 

 

St. Pat's Day - Leprechaun Poop - use green tic tac mints

 

It's time for the wearin' of the green

And the smallest people you've ever seen.

The luck of the Irish they carry along

And a pot of god if you can hold them long.

but if you let them go to soon

Leprechaun poop will be your do!

 

 

4th of July - Firecracker Poop - use red licorice or red tic tac mints

 

It's the birthday of the red, white & blue

And I have a special gift for you!

With a flash and a bang

And smoke that goes poof!

Here is your bag of firecracker poop!

 

 

Pumpkin Poop  - use candy corn or the little pumpkins

GREAT PUMPKIN POOP
I started to carve a pumpkin
With a carving knife and scoop,
But the pumpkin got so scared,
He took a little poop!
It looked so cute and funny--
Just like a candy treat,
So I'm sharing it with you now
Because you are so sweet!

 

 

Christmas/Snowman Poop - use mini marshmallows, popcorn or white tic tacs

 

I hear you have been naughty,

So listen, here's the scoop ...

I'm running short on coal this year,

So you get some "snowman poop".

 

 

 

Christmas/Reindeer Poop - use chocolate covered raisins

 

I woke up with such a scare when I heard Santa cal...

"Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!"

I ran to the lawn, and in the snow white drifts,

those nasty reindeer had left "little gifts".

I got an old shovel and started to scoop

Neat little piles of Reindeer Poop.

But to throw them away seemed such a waste,

So I saved them, thinking you might like a taste!

As I finished my task, which took quite a while,

Old Santa passed by and he sheepishly smiled,

And I heard him exclaim as he rose in the sky

"Well, they're not potty trained, but at least they can fly!"

  

 

MAKING PERSONALIZED NOTE PADS

First, I used Print Shop (which is MY software of choice...it is sooo super user-friendly).....but, you could use another software that allows you to make postcards....or you could just use any program place them on four areas of the page yourself.  The postcard feature just makes it faster and easier!  OK, after you've selected "postcards" (four to a page), then all you need to do is add your clip art and whatever personalization you want to do!  You only do this on one card and the program will print you 4 exact cards per page!!!  I put a cute clip art on the bottom of the page, with "name, address, etc" at the top and then added a line graphic under all of that to separate it from the rest of the page.  

Then just print them out (I used economy printing even...to save on ink...they look great!).  I printed out 10 sheets (regular paper) for each notepad, which when cut actually gives you 40 sheets for your notepad, which makes it a decent size.  

Then cut each sheet in half both ways (5.5" one way and 4.25" the other way).  If you don't own a paper cutter, it's worth the investment ...only $35-$45.00.  I use mine ALL THE TIME!!!  

Ok, then you stack your notepads together ....oh wait, I did find some cardboard to cut the same size, to put at the back of each one.  If you're doing more than one notepad at a time, this is easier to find where to cut them apart too!  I used the cardboard that is found at the back of your "supply order" package, or your "sample order"....don't throw those away anymore!!!!!  

Now, stack them all up...all going the same way...tap them on the table so that the tops are all even and set something heavy on top of them!  I used my AA pitcher...haha...just whatever is handy....maybe a can of veggies....anything!!!  

Then brush this "padding compound" on it from the middle to the outside (there's easy directions on the back of the container).  I found it easier to let the tops of the pads hang over the edge of the table a bit...then I could get down to the last one without painting my table (although it won't hurt it and will scrape right up).  Let it dry good...and then cut apart with a sharp knife!!!  TOO COOL!!!!!  And, the clean up is simple...the brush just washes right out in water!  

Oh, I just used one of the brushes I'd bought for my basket dusting brush!  Now it is my "padder brush"..haha!  This stuff looks like Elmer's Glue and is sooooo easy to use!!!  Why didn't I discover it before?????  I also made a long "list pad", with lines all the way down and then clip art at the bottom!!!  Cindy Galbraith

Another word on making pads ... Padding compound Lexmark (the printer company) puts out a How-to page for doing your own notepads :o)  http://www.lexmark.com/home/how_to/notepad.html

 

 

Grapevine Coil Ideas from Jacquie in TX shared by Teri from Tulsa

Soak an uncurled grapevine wreath in the tub for a couple of days. It really works great once it has softened.

It looks really nice framing a door entrance either inside or outdoors.  I use a staple gun to attach around the door frame.  Outdoors you can weave lights around it and change the decoration for the seasons.  Winter-white lights and gold fruit, Spring-birds nests, flowers and eggs, summer-little flags, raffia and patriotic wooden ornaments and Fall-raffia, Indian corn and pumpkins.  Indoors I think it would look great around a kitchen door with dried flowers, raffia and some of  smaller baskets attached with floral wire around it.

 

COOKIE CUTTERS & FUDGE

I am making fudge and putting the fudge inside metal cookie cutters, when set I will run a ribbon around the outside of the cutter and place in small plastic bags to use as a "Thank you for stopping in" gift for Open House.          Lana in Pa

 

 

SCENT-UOUS COOKIE MOLD GIVE AWAYS

#1)  You can easily use scented wax tarts (such as Yankee Candles have) and melt them in your microwave -- short time only so they don't catch fire, or put in a pyrex measuring cup on the heating element of your coffee maker to melt.  Two tarts, any scent, will work great in ONE cookie mold.  When the wax starts to set up, place in the freezer to finish.  When you do this, the wax molds pop right out.  Heat the tip of an ice pick or sharp object and put a small hole in the top for threading ribbon, jute, etc. for hanging.  They are so cute and smell yummy.  Go to your local floral supply (or florist) and ask for corsage bags, use these to hold the finished product.  Staple a pretty ribbon on it and there you go!

SMELLY JELLY

 

To not confuse anyone as this looks like real jelly someone - put in silk flowers and other things to float in the jelly.

 

Smelly Jelly
2 c. water
4 envelopes of Knox gelatin
2 T. vodka or 2 T. salt (to prevent molding)
fragrance oil, several drops of strong oil
or you may use 2 c. liquid potpourri instead of the oil and 2 cups of water.

Bring 1 cup of liquid to a boil.  Stir in Knox until dissolved.  Add remaining liquid and vodka or salt.  Pour into Jelly jars. (jelly jars may be purchased at WalMart and they are very reasonable)  Place a small doily, netting on the top and tie with raffia or a thin ribbon.  One recipe makes 2 jelly jars.  I used food coloring in mine. 


This saying may to placed on a tag or a label.

Here is a little something, that's cute by far.
It's a liquid when poured into a jar.
It's not to be eaten.
It's not for your belly.
It's to freshen your room.
It's called "Smelly Jelly".

Here is a website that I found online.  They have a ton of scents and are very reasonable.  I have not ordered from them yet, but I plan to.  You may choose scents for different holidays.    http://www.incenseoils.com/standards.html

 

BOO BREW

1 hot chocolate package

A handful of marshmallows

1 cinnamon stick

 

Place items in a baggie and tie with orange and black raffia or curling ribbon.  Attach "boo brew" poem to baggie with ribbon.  Put inside mug for a fun fall gift.

 

Poem:

After a hard night of booing

A good ghost mummy

Always starts a pot brewing

That's good for the tummy

 

Add the special concoction

to the ghost drops in a cup.

Fill with boiling hot water

and use the broomstick to stir up

 

It's better from the cauldron

But, this is the quick brew

And on a nippy autumn night

It will quickly warm up you!

STIR STICKS

CANDY CANE:  Take small candy canes and dip the straight end into chocolate. Then hang them on a cup or mug.

When you add the hot chocolate or coffee, you can hook the cane with the chocolate inside and have a stirring stick. 

MARSHMALLOW SNOWMEN: Put cute marshmallow snowmen on a stick and dip in white chocolate then decorate.  Could even make little hats for them out of a miniature marshmallow covered with candy coating.  Great for stirring hot chocolate or coffee.