Birds Nest Necklace

Hello :)

i know i am pretty late on those tutorials for some easy / cheap christmas gifts, things got a little hectic and i was a little (lot) lazy about posting, but this one isnt really winter specific (at all) so it is still pretty relevant! It is super fun and easy to make and you'll get some compliments on them, promise.

Birds Nest Necklace (source)

Supplies:
beads / pearls
24 gauge wire (you can use 20g if you like, but i want with all 24)
Chain
Lobster Clasps
Jump Rings
Pliers
Scissors / Something to cut the wire (i bought an all in one plier at Michaels, super helpful and cheap)

Step 1:
Select the beads you want, i used three pearls, thought it most resembled a birds nest feel, but i've seen a lot of different tutorials out there mixing it up! so try any combination you like. Then arrange them any way you think looks best

Step 2: just wrap the wire around the beads until you get a nice solid "nest" look, just fin-angle the wire until you get what you like.

 Step 3:
Before you cut off the excess wire, take the end and wrap it around in the space between each bead (i only did this at the top where i was going to hang the clasp, however if you want a nice secure nest you can do it in between each bead for three loops, also looks really good. After you have done this either a) leave a little circle in the loop so you can put the chair through, or b) attach a jump ring to the wrapped wire (this is what i did)

1-loop

3-loops

Step 4:

Cut the necklace chain to the length you want and attach a jump ring and clasp to one end and a jump ring on the other side for the clasp to attach to (for some chain length i decided it was too short, so i just added 5-7 jump rings on the opposite side of the clasp, the people could make them longer if desired) 

Step 5:

wear / wrap that shiz

your cat will really love the project.

Christmas Cookies #2

My bad, little delayed on the next batch of cookies! i have been making all my gifts this year so that has taken up most of my time, unfortuately ive only documented a couple of them in the process but ill be taking pictures of all the completed gifts and then posting a link to them all (just a quick last minute diy list) now, onto the cookies!

Cookie Number 2 - Magic Bars

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup butter / marg (melted)
1 1/2 Cups Graham Crackers
1 (14 Ounce) can condensed milk
2 Cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cup coconut (can use pretty much any amount)
1 Cup Nuts (optional, i didn't use them in this recipe)

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350F coat a 13x9 (or whatever you have you can split up the recipe into two pans) with non-stick cooking spray (or butter)

Step 2:
Combine the melted butter and graham crackers then press mixture into bottom of your pan(s) Pour the condensed milk evenly over the mixture. Then layer the chocolate chips and coconut (and nuts and whatever else you decide)

Step 3:
Bake for 25 Minutes and let cool, i noticed it took quite some time for the condensed milk and everything to cool, so have some patience, then cut into bars or whatever shapes you want and enjoy, they are super rich and amazing and were the first ones to go at the house, nomnom

Christmas Cookies #1

The other day i went to my aunt's house and we had a little bit of a pre-christmas christmas cookie bake off. My intention was to freeze them all and keep them for our upcoming christmas party, but that didn't happen, they are all gone... there are three recipes, i have broken them down individually, it turns out i didnt take an abundance of photos, but i can promise you they are all super delicious and ill be making more for their intended purpose in the coming weeks!

Cookie Number 1 - Crack Bars (call em whatever you like)
These are super sweet so brace yourselves.

Ingredients:
Brown Sugar - 1 Cup
Butter - 1 Cup
Chocolate Chips - 2 Cups
Soda Crackers (salted tops) - for one tray its about 2 sleeves, depending

(you just need equal parts of butter and sugar you can essentially use as much as you want)

Step 1: put the butter in a sauce pan and let it melt, then add in equal parts brown sugar

Step 2: Lay out the crackers on a baking sheet with wax/parchment paper (believe me, if you dont use something it is NOT going to be a fun time also don't use tin foil that will be stuck to the bottom of these forever. Once the brown sugar and butter have melted pour over crackers. Be careful here, the crackers will want to float and move all over the place, try and keep them down

Step 3: Place in the over on high broil for about 10 minutes, keep your eyes on them, once the sugar starts to bubble, it is time to bring them out. Immediately after you take them out, pour the chocolate chips over them, spread them out as evenly as possible. Return to oven for 3 minutes or until chocolate is melted.

Step 4: Remove from oven and spread out chocolate chips with a spactula, then place in the freezer until solid (2-4 hours) but keep them in there as long as possible. Once they are frozen take them out and cut them up easypeasy!

i will be posting the other two recipes tomorrow :)