November Wrap-Up

Can you believe November is over already? What has happened to this year?

At the beginning of the month I came up with a photo-a-day challenge for November.

 I used my phone camera & I edited with instagram (You're welcome to follow me if you'd like) to make things easy. If you've been following me on Facebook, you've likely already seen some of them.

  Here's this month's photo-a-day recap:

I would love for you to join me for December's challenge! It's full of Christmasy goodness. :) 

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Here's to a great December!

December Photo Challenge

Monthly photo challenges are a lot of fun & they sure make me think about ideas & objects in a creative way.

This month since Christmas is coming, I made my list centred around all things Christmasy. Enjoy!

Follow me on Instagram to see my daily photo. Let me know if you're taking the challenge - I'd love to see your photos too! I'll be using the hashtag #SBphotochallenge. Please join me & we can share our photos with one another!

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Here's to a great December!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

Christmas Crafts & Recipes Of The Past...

Now that American Thanksgiving is over, I know a lot of you are looking for Christmas ideas & recipes to get started on. I know I'm always keeping my eyes peeled for new ideas! 

Since many of you have followed along since last December (Thank you!), today I'm doing a run-down of my favourite crafts, recipes, & projects from last Christmas.

Let's start with some fun crafts...

Christmas Banner

I still need to make one of these babies for myself! I made a few last year & sold them all. Must. Keep. One. :)

Spool Christmas Trees

These little trees were so fun to discover as I pulled them out again this year. They're a fun part of our decor.

Spool Tree Ornaments

Possibly my favourite Christmas craft ever! I have these arranged on a wreath this year with some twinkle lights.

Let Heaven & nature sing...

Light Bulb Snowmen (with photo tutorial!)

Our kids get such a kick out of these snowmen every year. 

They love that they have one that is personalized & belongs to each one of us.

Glittered Pinecones

These sparkly cones are filling a metal lantern in my front entryway this year.

Now on to recipes...

Classic Sugar Cookies (No rolling or cutting needed!)

Merry Berry Cheese Bars (Cranberry Cheesecake Bars)

Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge (Fast!)

Almost Instant Buckeyes (Another fast one!)

Egg Nog Tarts

Cards, tags, & gift card holders...

Gift Tags

Use your Cricut or Silhouette to cut out some cute shapes, attach string & create your own gift tags!

Gift Card Holders

Make your own simple gift card holder for those hard to buy for people.

Christmas Cards

Create a few custom made Christmas cards for your friends & family with these ideas.

Those are just my favourites! I hope you found some inspiration here.

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

Fast & Easy Stamped Snowflake Card

Do you make your own Christmas cards? Some years I do, & others I don't. I haven't for the past few years, but this year I made some for the craft fairs I've been doing.

Here's a super fast & easy card that is also beautiful!

I picked up these snowflake stamps in the dollar bins at Michaels a few weeks ago. A couple of inks, some bling, & a sentiment & wham bam - done! Just be sure to give time for the white ink, the liquid pearls, & the stickles to dry. :)

Products used: 

Cardstock: Bazill Basics

Snowflake Stamps: Michaels

Ink: Stampin' Up! (Not Quite Navy) & Color Box (White)

Sentiment Stamp: My Mind's Eye

Liquid Pearls

Silver Stickles

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

Cinnamon Mocha Mix

Raise your hand if you like to make homemade Christmas gifts for friends, neighbours, teachers, & co-workers.

Now, raise your hand if you don't have a ton of time to spend on said gifts.

I hear ya.

This Cinnamon Mocha Mix is so easy to put together, you'll have your gifts done in a flash! Oh, and it's delicious too! Try some before you package it up. And try to remember to share. :)

It's really cute packaged in small jars or in a ziplock bag inside a decorated paper bag. Just be sure to include the serving instructions. Two cups of mix is a good gift-giving size.

Cinnamon Mocha Mix

makes about 14 cups

2 cups dry coffee creamer

2 cups dry chocolate mix - the kind used to make chocolate milk. I used was Nesquik.

2 cups confectioner's sugar

6 cups non fat dry milk powder

1/2 cup cocoa

1/4 cup instant coffee granules

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in airtight container or divide into smaller portions for gifts. Be sure to include the serving instructions if you're giving it away. :)

To Serve: Pour 6 ounces hot water over 2 1/2 heaping tablespoons mocha mix; stir & serve. 

If you're looking for more food gift ideas, also check out the recipe for Cajun-Spiced Snack Mix that I've made for years!

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

50 Stocking Stuffers For Teenage Girls

Happy Monday, friends!

Thank you all for the overwhelming response to my 50 Stocking Stuffers For Teenage Boys post last week!
I'm so  happy to be able to help you out in your Christmas shopping!

I'm going to start off this week with another stocking stuffer list - this time it's for teen girls.

I find girls so much easier to shop for - perhaps it's because I am one? ;)
Even if you have some ideas for the teen girls in your life, maybe this list will give you a few you hadn't thought of.

1. Magazine
2. Journal
3. Pen
4. Makeup
5. Makeup brushes
6. Nail polish
7. Nail files or other manicure supplies
8. Bubble bath
9. Shower gel
10. Lotion
11. Book
12. Jewelry – earrings, bracelet, necklace, etc.
13. Earbuds
14. iTunes card
15. Sunglasses
16. Wallet
17. Compact mirror
18. Headband or other hair accessories
19. Tights or socks
20. Phone case
21. Locker mirror or other locker accessories
22. Knit hat
23. Mittens or gloves
24. Scarf
25. DVD
26. CD
27. Perfume or body spray
28. USB flash drive
29. Watch
30. Card game
31. Picture frame
32. Hobby/craft supplies
33. Coin purse
34. Key chain
35. Belt
36. Cosmetics bag
37. Chocolate, candy, or gum
38. Christmas tree ornament
39. T-shirt
40. Lip balm
41. Scented candle
42. Concert tickets
43. Movie tickets
44. Coffee card (Starbucks, anyone?)
45. Deep conditioner for hair
46. Calendar
47. Hot chocolate packets
48. Mug
49. Moisturizing hand sanitizer
50. Stationary
    
     If you have any more ideas, please feel free to leave comments so we can all help one another out!
    
    

    Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

    or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

    And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

    
    

    
    

    Enjoy your day!

    
    

    

    
    

    Check out the great parties I link up to!

An UNtraditional Christmas Card

In decorating & getting ready for Christmas, do you gravitate more towards the traditional red & green colour scheme or do you like to shake it up a bit & try something new every year or every few years? 

This year, in my Christmas card making, I decided to "shake it up a little" & try something completely UNtraditional! 

Bright, summery colours used in a Christmasy way was my starting point. And I love how these cards turned out!

Products used:

Cardstock - Michaels, Stampin' Up!, & American Crafts
Stamps - Stampin' Up! (ornament hanger) & My Mind's Eye (sentiment)
Circle Punch - Stampin' Up!
Glitter - Stickles

So, go ahead - I dare you! :) 

Try some untraditional colours this year & see if you don't just love the result!

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

Double Banana Bread

Am I the only one who ends up with loads of rotten bananas in my freezer every few months? You wanna know what my go-to recipe is when that happens? This is it!

It's so full of banana flavour, I'm sure you'll love it too!

Double Banana Bread

makes 1 loaf or 4 mini loaves

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 1/3 cup mashed, overripe bananas (7-8 bananas)

Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray 9x5 loaf pan with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, combine flour, soda, & salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, cream together butter & sugar. Stir in eggs & mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 60-65 minutes (less for mini loaves - about 35 minutes), until a toothpick inserted into centre of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Come on & make some - you know you want to! ;)

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

50 Stocking Stuffers For Teenage Boys

  

  I like to get my Christmas shopping done early. Do you too? Last month, I was trying to think of stocking stuffers for my teenage nephew & niece. I looked for a little help from Google, but other than a couple small lists, there really wasn't much help. After taking what little help I found, remembering back to my teenage days, & just making some lists over a couple of days, I came up with 50 stocking stuffer ideas for both teenage guys & teenage girls. I hope these are of help to you.

  If you have any more ideas, please feel free to leave comments so we can all help one another out! 

  This week, we'll start with the ideas for teen boys.

1. Magazine
2. Book
3. Small Nerf gun
4. flashlight
5. Small Tools
6. Shaving cream
7. Razors
8. Earbuds
9. Socks
10. Sunglasses
11. Tie
12. iTunes card
13. T-shirt
14. Cologne or body spray
15. Wallet
16. Men's hair products – shampoo, hair gel, paste, etc.
17. Phone case
18. Gloves
19. DVD
20. CD
21. USB flash drive
22. Watch
23. Card game or playing cards
24. Key chain
25. Belt
26. Chocolate, candy, or gum
27. Lip balm
28. Concert tickets
29. Movie tickets
30. Coffee card (Starbucks, anyone?)
31. Calendar
32. Hot chocolate packets
33. Mug
34. Guitar picks or strings for a guitar player, drum sticks for a drummer
35. Small sports things – golf balls, tees, tennis balls, ski goggles, etc.
36. Favourite sports team gear
37. Tickets to the game
38. Cap or knit hat
39. Small alarm clock
40. Video game
41. Christmas tree ornament
42. Body wash
43. Room freshener - or perhaps this is more for mom? ;)
44. Pen
45. A small package of their favourite snack
46. Woopie cushion or other practical joke
47. Magic tricks
48. Pocket knife
49. Sports poster
50. Car accessories, if they own a car
    
    
    Don't forget to check out my 50 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Teenage Girls!
    
    
    

    Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

    or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

    And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

    
    

    
    

    Enjoy your day!

    
    

    

    
    

    Check out the great parties I link up to!

           

Chocolate Chip Candy Cookies

  

  Do you still have Halloween candy kickin' around? Ya, we do too. :) This week, with permission from our kids, I harvested all the boxes of Smarties (similar to original M&M's for you Americans) they had & made cookies with them. Our kids were pretty excited to help out & be able to contribute one of the yummy ingredients! 

  I promise you'll like these chewy, gooey, chocolatey cookies!

Chocolate Chip Candy Cookies

makes 2 dozen

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup Smarties or M&M's

Preheat oven to 350º F.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter & sugars until fluffy & light in color. Add egg & vanilla & blend in.

Mix in dry ingredients & chocolate chips. Slowly stir in candies. 

Using a tablespoon, drop dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until just lightly browned. 

Let cool, on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Pour yourself a glass of milk & enjoy a couple. :)

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

As well as The Weekend Potluck

and at:

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