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:

This recipe featured on:

Christmas Place Cards

  

  Well, today is the day. I've been working very hard on Christmas crafts all month to get ready for today's craft fair. Of the things I've been preparing, one of them is Christmas place cards. 

  Place cards are a great thing to have on hand for your formal Christmas dinner. They're also great for buffets so you can label each dish.

Here is a set that I made a couple Christmases ago for my mom. She had started a bird theme with her Christmas decor & wanted some place cards to co-ordinate at the Christmas table. 

Sadly, they took quite awhile to make - lots of tiny pieces. I would have loved to make more of those for the craft fair, but just didn't have the time. Maybe next year.

Here are some simple ones I created for the craft fair.

I added a little bling to the gifts as well as to the snowflakes below...

'Cuz everyone loves a little bling, right? 

I'll be sure & let you know how things went today. 

I hope you're having fun getting ready for the holidays. :)

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!

Christmas Tags Using The Cricut

  What a weekend! I was busy in my craft room almost the whole time getting things finished up for this week's craft fair. I think I got everything ready that I wanted to - or at least a little bit of everything. This will kind of be a testing ground for me to see what quantities I will need in the future, providing I decide to participate again. I'm sure it will be great & I will want to do it again!

  Here's one of the goodies I created...

Christmas Gift Tags

I used my Cricut for these babies & was able to make a lot relatively quickly.

1. Cut out tags from cardstock 

(I used the Birthday Bash cartridge)

2. Cut a square for a background from patterned paper or sheet music 

(I used George & Basic Shapes cartridge)

3. Cut embellishment of your choice from cardstock

(Holly is from Winter Wonderland cartridge & Star is from George & Basic Shapes)

4. Fancy up your embellishment with some glitter 

(I used Stickles).  Let Dry! :)

5. Tie a length of twine or ribbon to your tag

6. You're done!

Make a large batch of them to go with your Christmas decor & use them in your Christmas wrapping this season.

 I hope you stay tuned for a lot more Christmas wrapping ideas, crafts, cards, & recipes all the way up until Christmas!

~~~~~

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!

This project was featured on:

How To Make Tissue Paper Flowers

Have you ever been in a card store, buying wrapping paper for a gift? You may grab a bow that goes with the gift wrap & be struck by how expensive those things are! Did you know you can make something similar out of tissue paper for just pennies? 

Yup.

Here's how...

1. Start with one sheet of tissue paper. 

2. Fold it to approximately the size you want your flower. 

3. Cut a flower shape out of the folded tissue paper.

4 & 5. You can even layer different colours together.

6. To add an adhesive square to the back, simply cut a square from an adhesive backed foam sheet or paper.

7. Staple it, adhesive side OUT, to the flower.

8. Flip over. Starting with the top layer or two of tissue, gently pinch the paper together to create petals. Keep going until most of the layers are pinched or until you get a look that you like.

9. Peel off protective sheet from the adhesive & stick to your gift. 

So easy!

Make them as large or small as you want too! 

Here, I made an extra large one for this gift bag.

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!

This project was featured on:

November Photo Challenge

After doing last month's photo challenge & enjoying it so much, I went on the search for a challenge for November.

But... I couldn't find one that I really liked, so I made one of my own!

I'll be using Instagram for my photos if you'd like to follow along (Search the name StephRichy on Instagram). You can leave me a comment with your Instagram name & we can do this challenge together! 

I'll also be posting my daily photo on my Facebook page. Come on over!

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! :)

Let's rock this November!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

October Wrap-Up

  What a whirl wind this month has been! At the beginning of the month, I joined a photo-a-day challenge with some friends. It was so fun! I used my phone camera & I edited with instagram (follow me at stephrichy 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:

1. Fall
2. Leaves
3. Bubbles
4. Stairs
5. Mirror
6. Straw
7. Water
8. Peek-a-boo
9. Something Purple
10. A Light In The Dark
11. Laughter
12. Candy
13. #13
14. Hallway
15. Pumpkins
16. Something Black
17. A Stranger
18. Stars
19. Doorway
20. Signs
21. I Ate This
22. I Am Here
23. Shoot From The Hip
24. Decorations
25. Makeup
26. Moon
27. Scar
28. Something That Scares Me
29. Panic
30. Broken
31. Spooky

I really enjoyed getting creative & brushing off some of my old photography skills. 

On to November (which I'll be posting about later today)!

Enjoy your day!

Happy Birthday Card {Cake & Party Included}

  What a busy month this has been! My son has started playing basketball which means practices twice a week as well as a game every Saturday. We've had snow for the last week now which adds some extra travel & prep time every time we need to leave the house. I'm also prepping for a craft show next week. October has been busy, but good!

I'm using the very last of my "For The Record" collection from Echo Park. Only bits & pieces left now.

Products used:

• Cardstock - Michaels
• Patterned Paper & stickers - Echo Park
• Brown marker
• Ink - Stampin' Up!
• Embroidery Floss

Thanks for reading, friends!

Enjoy your day!