Supercool Snowflake Tutorial!

My Aunt Jane taught 2nd grade in Claremont, CA and passed down the secret for these awesome snowflakes! I used to do them every year in my classroom. One New Year's Eve I did a whole snowflake theme and made about 50 of them out of shimmery blue wrapping paper, with white on the back. I hung them from every ceiling in my house. (Sometimes I still find a piece of double stick tape on the ceiling.) Once you start, you won't be able to stop! Enjoy!

For each snowflake you will need six squares of paper, scissors, adhesive (tape/gluestick/whatever), and a stapler.

I began with an 8 1/2 inch x 8 1/2 inch Square of paper for a 16 inch snowflake (you can use any size square).

Fold it in half, diagonally (corners together) to make a triangle. Then do it again.

Mark each triangle as shown (well, really after the first you can do it without lines, but if you want kids to help the lines are a good idea.) DO NOT cut all the way through! Stop cutting about a half inch from the edge.

You will cut strips about one inch apart, going from the side with only one fold toward the side with two folds, parallel to the side with four pieces of paper. (Huh? Yeah, better go by the above image.)

Open it up and you will have a diamond with four triangles on each side.

Put glue/adhesive/tape on every other point. Where the x is. You will be rolling two up, and then the alternate two down.

See. Two up.

Then turn it over, and do two the opposite direction...

Thus, ending up with this cool thing. You will need six of these to make one snowflake.

Staple three together at the point and then at the place where they touch together (where the stapler is in this pic.) Then staple two of these together.

These can be hung by a nylon thread and look absolutely stunning!

Big B answered a date for Winter Formal last year, by hanging these all over her entry. The smaller snowflakes had the letters Y,E, S, cut into their patterns. Tricky!

Happy Snowflake making!

Come back and send me links to your beautiful creations! We've used these to decorate the stage for Christmas programs, the cultural hall for RS Christmas dinner, and hung them from the eaves! Beautiful!

White Chili - From Leanne at Flylady.net

White Chili - great way to use up some of that leftover Turkey :)


2 pounds chicken breasts, no skin, no bone, cut into pieces (Yes, go ahead and substitute Turkey here!)
2 onions, chopped
2 1/2 cups chicken broth, canned or homemade
1 (7 oz.) can green chiles, chopped
1 (16 oz.) jar salsa verde (green salsa)
1 teaspoon each: cumin and garlic powder
1 teaspoon oregano
3 cups white beans, cooked (use canned or make yourself)
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped--optional
1 pound low-fat jack cheese, grated

In a large saucepan, heat a small amount of oil and saute the onion. When the onion is translucent, add chicken. Cook for a couple ofminutes, max. Don't let it stick and don't add a ton of oil to keepit cooking either. Add everything else, except the cilantro and cheese. If you want, after sauteeing the chicken and onion together, you could finish the recipe in a crock pot. If you do, cook on high for about 3 hours or so, if you want it to cook all day, put it on low. You just need to get it nice and hot. If you are doing this on the stove top, simmerfor about 20 minutes. Serve in nice big bowls, sprinkle with cilantro if you like, and some grated cheese. We like cornbread and a big salad too!

Serves 8 Per serving: 254 Calories; 4g Total Fat; 34g Protein; 20g Carbohydrate; 69mg Cholesterol; 304mg Sodium

Love, Leanne

(*note from SupercoolHotmama - Yeah, Leanne, Kelly, and even Marla herself email me daily. They just can't get enough of me. Shhhh, don't tell them, but sometimes I even have to delete some of them without responding.)

Another great way to use up some of that turkey is by making Chicken/Turkey Enchiladas! YUM! (Didn't know I have a Recipe blog? Yep. I'm Chock full o' Secrets. Just scroll down a bit - but you could actually substitute Turkey in any of those fabulous Chicken recipes!)


Happy Thanksgiving All! Sure Love Ya!

Letter to Stephenie ***SPOILER ALERT***

Stephenie, Stephenie! What have they done to your fabulous book? The meadow scene was supposed to be so beautiful and romantic, so how come they decided to turn it into a scene from a horror flik? Why did they have some chick from Famous Sams do all the hair instead of paying the big bucks to a pro?

I feel almost guilty saying that I'm not sure I loved it. I wanted to love it. I received it with open arms. I went willing to overlook a low budget and bad hair. (We all knew that was coming). But, why, oh why, did they screw up the mood of my beloved meadow scene?

No, it didn't dazzle us. I liked it. But not for itself, mainly for what I wanted it to be. I will buy it and watch it, for love of the book. But, sadly, it didn't live up to my hopes and dreams. But, what in life ever does? Oh well.

I'm still praying for a sequel. With a bigger budget, and hoping that they let you write the next screen play, so they will stick to the book more faithfully.

Still a fan,

Supercool Mom

You don't have to purchase advance tickets for

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Want some fun and lots of comments? Check out some other Open Letters at SITS cool linky Friday.

My Favorite Things Package Arrived!

I arrived home from taking my package to the post office only to find that my new BFF Steph is WAY MORE on the ball than I am! My fabulous box of goodies already arrived! Here are the wrapped treasures that I pulled out of my UPS box:

and the exciting contents! Cookies! Chocolate! Brownies! Books! Burt's Bee's Balm! Lovely nail polish that will perfectly match my favorite Lipstick! Supercute Earrings! and An Awesome Pepperminty-Smelling Heat some Beans, Relax, and Be nice To Yourself Pillow! Oh yeah!

Please note the sneaky hand wanting to share my bounteous score! (I gave 2 cookies away, but hid the candy. I'm not even going to make the brownies until everyone in the house is asleep. Heeheehee!)

I had to laugh because (without giving any surprises away) we think alot alike! So many similar items flying back and forth from here to UT! Steph, I'm pretty darn sure that you will love your treats! Because I absolutely L-O-V-E mine! Great minds think alike! (But I will spill one surprise - Sorry about the playdoh Steph. It is NOT one of my favorite things, but I thought it might save you from having to share your chocolate. Send them outside to play with it.)

I have to give an enthusiastic shout-out to one of my fave people in the world, Mamarazzi! Thanks so much for hosting Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap! You are brilliant! - We've exchanged fun treats through the mail and so have our girls. It's such a fun way to spread the LOVE! It's even more fun to plan and give, than it is to receive! (Ok, that's a lie. But, it's almost as good ;D, LOL!





Thanks again Stephnie! (BTW, go check out her fun blog. She has four of the most adorable daughters, sweet puppies, a great family, and a link to a super cute tutorial from her sis for a Sock Monkey! - Yes, Steph - I went all the way back to your sock monster :) and beyond.) Thanks again! Got your note too!

The Wooshi Finger Hold - Reenactment for your viewing pleasure

Subtitles...
B: You're just a big, fat, Panda!
P: No, I'm THE big, fat Panda!
B: Not the Wooshi finger hold! Shi Fu didn't teach you that.
P: Nope. I figured it out...Skidoosh.

And The Bonus Introduction - Enough Talk, Let's Fight!




Subtitles...
B: I see you like to chew. How would you like to chew...on my fist?
Narrator: The Warrior said nothinng, for his mouth was full. Then he swallowed. And then he spoke.
P: Enough talk. Let's fight.
Shakablooie!

I just phoned Santa

He's in Colorado visiting family. We chatted. He's going to try to make it to our family Christmas party. Let me know if you want me to put in a good word for you.

Yeah, it's not what you know, it's who you know.

Boutique Today!!

I LOVE a Parade!

I love a parade,

the tramping of feet,

I love every beat I hear of a drum.

I love a parade,

when I hear a band I just want to stand and cheer as they come.

That rat-a tat-tat,

the blare of a horn.

That rat-a tat-tat, a bright uniform;

The sight of a drill will give me a thrill,

I thrill at the skill of everything military.

I love a parade, a handful of vets, A line of cadets or any brigade,

For I love a parade.

76 Trombones led the big parade at

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Stolen Moments

I've taken a couple of hours to paint in the past two days. What a refreshing change! I'm just not cut out to do the same thing over and over. Working the assembly line makes me crazy. I stole most of these designs from my favorite Etsy Artist at Happy Day Studio. The Madonna and bells are from another awesome artist LindsayKristine. So much fun! Watch for some watercolor Christmas cards on my craft blog sometime in the upcoming week.

Evil Plot

Whispers in the hallway -

Little Man to Tiny Girl, who is holding Oreo's in both hands, "Hey, let's tickle Mommy! You get her wif your cookies and I will get her wif my skin!"

It's been decided.

And so, we prepare for the changes that are sure to come. . .

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." - My new mantra.

Did you VOTE yet?

God

Bless

America!

Please

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke

Halloween Pics and Boutique Weekend Update

Pirate K and his friend - a truly scary girl.
Thank you Aunt Maria for this darling Candy Corn Dress or this girly would have been wearing who-knows-what.

My wedding dress on the Princess. She's 10. Yeah, I was that skinny.

We were absolutely rolling laughing 'til the tears were running down our cheeks at this Sumo outfit. I think we laughed too much, because he chickened out on this one and opted for a more macho outfit of his BDU's (Camoflage Uniform from JROTC). He looks even more gargantuan next to Tiny Girl.

And the only one I actually had time to sew for this year - Luke Skywalker.

This weekend, besides the Halloween fun, I had another boutique. I stayed up until 3 am finishing Luke Skywalker's Jedi costume on Thursday, then the next night, I stayed up ALL night sewing and painting my display stands. I made some gorgeous new bags, painted a lemonade set, and made some more earrings! My sister Maria and I spent a fun morning visiting with shoppers who didn't spend and a couple who did. I sold some earrings and bags, and she sold some beads. Plus, we had a great time together and gave out lots of cards - hopefully that will generate some more business.

One of the best parts of the weekend, was that I received some GOOD MAIL completely out of the blue! My sweet friend Missy sent me these darling handmade tags for my boutique items! I completely LOVE them! They were perfect and so thoughtful. She hand stamped and chalked each of them, then hung them on the gold chords too! Missy, you made me so happy! AND notice how well the picture goes with my displays...