Quilling

I have never done any quilling although I have a small kit that I do plan to use (maybe this year?). Who knew it could look like this? My favorite is the wreath. Lovely.

Last Minute Christmas Gift

This year several sites mentioned surprise balls. They are balls of crepe paper that the recipient unwinds to find small gifts hidden inside. I decided to try them with my family.
Shortly after I made my mom's, I found the item I had meant to put in the middle. So, I unwrapped hers to start over and even though it wasn't for me it was so fun to see the goodies fall out. The next day I was telling one of the women I work with about it when it occurred to me that I should make some for my co-workers. We weren't having a gift exchange this year, but I wanted to do something.
The plan was to just put small candies in it since this was now very last minute, but I ended up making a bracelet (sorry, no picture) for one person and some small felt pins for some others.

One co-worker had already asked me for a snowman pin and another loves ladybugs, so those were easy to come up with. These were so fun and easy to do that I know I will be making more.
Not everyone got a pin but they all got a surprise ball and they were all delighted as they began unwrapping them and saw the little treats falling out.
The hardest part of this is finding the little things that work, but as you wind the ball you see where to add the next thing and it all comes out pretty round at the end.

First Matchbox Swap

I have seen a lot of swaps for matchboxes decorated and filled with an assortment of, well, anything that will fit in one. The most popular size is 32 but there are also swaps for size 250. It took me a while to figure out that the number refers to the number of matches that would fit in the box.
It turns out you don't have to actually buy a box of matches and use them or throw them out. You can just make your own matchbox. So I finally signed up for a swap and made a box (size 32) out of an old Christmas card.It is filled with lots of things including a book thong and earrings. I was surprised how much I could fit in such a small box. It was fun to do and I will definitely do it again.
For this swap, we were also supposed to include an edible treat. My partner did not mention anything she likes to eat so I just added a few peppermints to the package to meet the requirements of the swap. She did, however, mention that she likes Dotee dolls very much. So this is what she is getting as her real treat.

Hope she likes her package.

This Is A Job For Chocolate

Sunday I drove my daughter to my mom's house where she lives while she goes to college. I spent the night so that I could take my mom to the hospital for an out-patient procedure that ended up taking a wee bit longer than expected.
It was supposed to take half an hour (the nurse's estimate) to an hour (my mom's estimate). After two and a half hours a nurse came out to talk to me in case I might (might?) be worried. It seems that their first plan of action had not gone well and they had switched to something else. She wasn't sure how much longer the new procedure would take.
I don't know either, but the two procedures together took a little over four hours.
The doctor said that he thought my mom would end up spending the night in the hospital because of the pain, but she wanted to go home. I don't think she would have been in less pain at the hospital and this way she got to sleep in her own bed, and eat the food she likes.
Needless to say, this situation called for chocolate. This is the recipe my mom gave me to try for her while she was mending.

Fudge Buttons
12 oz. chocolate kisses, unwrapped
1 7.5 oz jar marshmallow fluff
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 5 oz. can evaporated milk
4 tablespoons butter
Pecan halves

In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat the sugar, milk and butter to boiling.
Reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, put kisses and marshmallow fluff in large, heat-proof bowl.
Pour hot sugar mixture over the kisses and marshmallow fluff. Stir until kisses are melted and everything is blended.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper and push a pecan half into the top before it cools. Allow to cool thoroughly.
These can be stored in an air-tight container for up to one week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

I never understand the "can be stored . . . for up to one week" stuff. Is this in case chocolate-hating aliens want to make some to have ready for their human visitors? Why would they still be there a week later? I don't get it.