Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #69 visit with friends...

Good for you Crissy...birthday months are always fun aren't they..both my boys are coming up.. Dec8th Jeff will be 39, Dec. 14th Kyle will be 13 (oh oh teen years fun begins) and Jan1 Greg will be 40..where did the years go?

Ruby, not to worry about the cake, Suzanne and I are going to Costco, don't know if we'll have time to eat so I've just had a slice and just maybe I'll be hungry this aft.

Good Afternoon everyone!

Wow, how WONDERFUL to see Liz, Dawn and Laura post.

Liz, You know me, was doing the happy dance, while hearing your News!
So happy things are so much better, and you can put this behind ya's.

Betty, had so much fun yesterday, i was exhausted and went to bed Early! LOL.

Pass some of that delicious Applesauce cake my way please...What are yo playing with today?

I am actually busy!! Woohoo, they gave me some cards to enter, lol...trying to keep me busy...A good thing, day is flying by!

Lunch is now over...LOL, got another brain storm for my Santa/snaowman scene!! geesh, talk aboput making up for past gifts! See if i can add this lasted idea fairly quick.

Ok so will mak a decent post later, got to get back to the cards.
have a good afternoon everyone.

Judy you always make me laugh with your 'joy de vie'

Not really working on anything..did bring 4 robes/sleeves in that I did sew for Suzanne and gathered them..now I sit idle so make for long afternoon..

Knew you were working away on your own, ideas gathering in that head of yours..lol..because you were so quiet, thought just maybe you had packed up your crafts and gave up...but no not you, look at those santa's...was Steve at home?

LOL Betty, Everyone was home!! They all came a looked shook there heads too.
Especially Jacob, Wanna know why?
ROFLOL, Podge was on the table!!! You can't tell in those pictures, but painted the podge to bottom of robe and sprinkled the snow to bottom of robe, so looks like he was walking in snow, LOL can't have a snowman scene without snow, right!
Will b adding snow glittler like you suggested too.

...heheh, Second Santa was done Quickly, was all the other tiny pieces that took all my time. Tonight will finish the Green set and work on my idea. Thought maybe I will give it to her as soon as it's done because last week was Susans b-day, 60!
...Oh and Julia made a snowman too! now she needs to decorate him.

Was funny, because Steve was showing off the first Santa to his Buddy!

will try and be back and forth this afternoon to keep you company!

Lunch was yummy! The homemade cake that Terri made was wonderful too! Now I'm all tired, feel like I ate turkey instead of catfish. Does catfish have tryptophan? lol

I can just see Steve..he'll be saying I'm bad company!!! lol..
Yes I'd be given Susan the santa as soon as it's done, nothing nicer to get to set it out all through December instead of waiting Christmas day..

Greg dropped in yesterday afternoon so I showed him the 7 piece bedding set..he walked all around the house looking for a green as is the bedroom painted and couldn't come up with a color...I asked if he thought it would match, said he hadn't a clue..then I asked if a queen was ok..said my bed is bigger than your, not as big as Jeff's so guess it's a queen..really helpful these children of mine are...

Judy Roger used to do the same, not say much about anything I did but then when company was in he'd be bringing them throughout the house to look at it all...

Don't know Crissy, I'm not a fish eating person, it takes my all to even have fish and chips..must be halibut (think that's what it's called) as it's the least fishy tasting...saying this I must add that I LOVE 'crappies' when done and battered they are just like chicken but better...

I used to get a kick out of my girlfriend, she'd call and say 'want to come over for a crappy dinner' know I'd be there in a flash

Nobody shared their favorite 'tortierre' recipe so think I'll head on over to Bazaar Recipe's and see if I can locate a similar recipe to that of my grandma and Rogers....

Halibut is good, Mahi Mahi is better. Catfish isn't my favorite fish, but if it's all that's available I'll eat it. They had butterflied breaded shrimp on the menu but I've had shrimp 2 days in a row plus I didn't want all that batter, and chicken just wasn't happening lol! Flounder is a good clean fish too.

I'm here working on my Green Sleeves...finish these then will have to pop next door to mums and make a few card and cut the base for this Santa.......I'm hoping the molds I ordered will show up today....
I had found a place in Northern California that sells the hair....I had ordered some before you posted the site where you get yours......I hope I have the correct one. What I ordered you can get in different quantities....it was $4.50 for 15 inches, $9.99 for 36 inches or $96.00 per pound......I took the 36 inch......we shall see in a few days...!

I am concerned about the faces.....online it is difficult to really tell what the clear plastic molds look like. Also ordered a mold to make Laura's DH some fudgemonkeys for Christmas!

Back to stitching......

Trisha, wasn't quite sure why you said you'd have to use now what was is, plastercine or something for the faces...is the mold you ordered clear plastic..can you post the link for me so I can see...

Forgot to add...if it's is clear plastic I can give you the recipe for the mixture to make them in the mold...link please

RUBY, calling RUBY...girls just had a piece of the cake..loved it - even asked for the recipe.....

This was the best face mold I have been able to find so far.....(hope this works)

https://www.candymoldcentral.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=6241

Oh, yes please I would love to have the recipe......wasn't looking forward to having to go searching.....
Haven't had a chance to make the applesauce cake yet but it sound yummy!

Trisha, site won't let me access it...I also typed in what I thought would lead me there but no...

I have the recipe at home, will post it tonight..I don't follow it because I've done so many I know approx. what's needed...not difficult, just white glue of plaster of paris...the quantity mixture I'll post..

If you google Candy Mold Central the mold I have coming is the face mold (3 faces) on page 19 in the Christmas section, on the right hand side of the page.....

If I ever get my Kitchenaid mixer I want I might make Christmas candy! I can't get to the website but it might be the computer here at work stopping it, or a slow connection. I'll try again when I get home.

Found it, was looking around at another site, must go check and post the santa's I found..maybe much the same..

Is this similar..must look at my mold..again it's over 20 years old so not sure there is a company name on it, not that I remember and if there was I should remember, used it enough..

Will take a closeup for you..could pour you some?

That looks like the one I'm getting.....it has shipped so should be here today or tomorrow (famous last words, we are talking about USPS). Will be able to decide then if it will work for Santa's or if I will just (oh no) have to eat a lot of chocolate? I have gone through 1000's of candy molds and have not found one like yours...........

I would still like to know what postal worker is making Victorian Santa's...lol...???

LOL .. new kit coming..

I believe every other kit that was sent arrived safely..how long since your last kit arrived??? know I was sending all the envelopes out together..maybe one is taking a few days longer??? Anyway, you'll be fine and if you want, I can send you some faces and you'll just have to paint them (think you said you wanted to do that anyway)

trisha, think we been on the same websites all day even looked on ebay, then i remembered in ceramics years ago we made a mold from a ceramic egg i wonder if we could fabricate something simmilar? with the santa heads hmmmmworth investigating i have a ceramic shop two block from the house will have to bring one in and see.

betty whatcha think about that? can we make a mold from them?

You know girls, can appreciate you needing your own mold BUT wouldn't it just be as simple for me to send you ones that work..you can paint them yourselves...doesn't take long to pour...

Just got in, off to see if my molds (have 2 and no I'm not sharring except for actual santa faces) have a name on them....

Thought we'd be in for a rough ride home, snowing near Barrie but then cleared up..awfully cold though..even had my mitts on..

Some of you have great recipe's...there's only me who could look in the family cookbook and find the following recipe:

St. Nocholas Face Recipe

1 tsp. white glue
4 oz. of water
13 tablespoons of plaster of paris

-mix glue and water

-add plaster of paris - mix well

Pour into mold...

I gently tap the mold so that the bubbles rise to the top..

Let dry 8 hrs and top out..

Let dry at least another 8 hrs. before painting as the moisture stays within the clay...

Roger and I spent our younger years on snowmobiles...back then it was the norm for the guys to have a hyde bag with a drink..

Here was his Bailey's Irish Cream recipe:

8 oz. of rye
1 can eaglebrand milk
3 eggs
3 tbls. chocolate syrop
1/2 tsp. cocoanut extract

Brings back memories..

Better close this recipe book, his hand written notes..who knows what recipe's I may find..

That sounds delish!
Betty, I'd like to have about 4 of the big heads! I already have 2 cut out, and I'm getting more fabric from BJ!I Sweetie will get me some nails and I think I can get the dowells from Lowe's, they're about a block from me! Then all I have to do is figure out how to fasten the wire on, (WM has that) and get the rounds! Woopee!!

Thanks Betty, my first kit arrived November 5th.............

I would like to have some more faces, a few of each size if possible, let me know how much and I will get a check out to you right away.

The mold I have is just a very tiny bit larger than yours, this will give me three different sizes.....hmmm, we could make the three wise men?????

Good idea, Trisha! You know how to dress them!

Running late here this morning...will respond when I get to the office at nine...

Talk later

Meant to say also, why not all of us share our most treasured recipe..might help us plan either Thanksgiving or Christmas..Ruby your cake was a success..haven't tried to dump cake but will..you've got my Santa Face recipe..yep that's the best I can do...

Looking forward to more ..might get to liking this cooking thing..lol

Running upstairs..

morning all,

boy thease santa's sure keeping me buried in work!lol

thease are the ones i found on ebay i got two set of 4 if there the right size then one is going to chicago shhhhhhh....

betty, you will be happy to know the doctor ripped me a new behind on smoking with hormone therapy, so we decided feb will be a good month to quit (wink)

Just got into work..3 hrs. to travel in..400 Hwy. dead stopped, got off, travelled side roads, dead stopped..keep saying it's because of the weather..hey, it's as clear as a well..theymay have had a flurry or 2 but that's it..can't understand it...

Because we left early we called Paul and the girls to let them know that perhaps they should also take alternate routes..so, they are still on the road, Paul called, said he might be another 1/2 - 1 hr. before he gets in..

Poor clients who had 8:30 appt. were sitting in the hallway waiting for our arrival..they had heard the problems so were making themselves comfy..how many days did I say I have left...off Friday for Santa workshop so that leave 7....hurrah...


Liz, love the photo of your mold..nice to hear the Doctor is on the job...yep..Feb. and that's when you quit..well perhaps you can slow down a bit though can't you???

Trisha, let me know how the recipe works and also love to see your santa painted..you know from those I sent, there was hardly anything but flesh showing, sooo you don't have to paint the entire piece if you don't want to..poured a few more last night and again this morning..only the larger santa's..nearing an end..making sure Friday I've enough for all the girls...

Believe it or not, I'm ahead of the game this year..usually doing workshops and Christmas shopping the first 2 weeks of December...this year I'll be finished everything by then...oh I'll just be a lady of leisure...ooops not until I get all the cards done...

Speaking of cards...Janice, how are you making out? any to show me...can't wait..

I really need to put this on WORSE since my weekend was a total disaster. Betty, I have a new appreciation for you and all of the ladies who made such wonderful Sants's. As you saw I put together my "trial" using a velour instead of velvet. Happy with it but it still needs touchs. Went out and bought good velvet, fun for trim, belt, accessory's and put it together yesterday. I HATE IT! the velvet was no where near as easy to work with as the velour; stiff and bulky. The sleeves almost hit the bottom, but the skirt is short. Since I used fur trim on the sleeves I can't gather them and they make the whole Santa look too bulky. The gal cut the velvet short so I thought I would do a stocking cap (long with a bell on the end) but I have yet to figure out how to cover the back of his head where the styro ball shows. It is sitting on my dining room table and I am about the throw it out. Almost sent it to one you all who did so well and say "Keep it, it's yours".
Then I tried the cards and the first two were a disaster. Throw both of those away. I did buy some beautiful wrapping paper and I am going to try to cut some of it in strips and try that on the ornament and bell.
I have just about decided that there are crafts I can do and those I can't.
I wont give up entirely, though. You are all such good examples.

Janice...to start with...DON'T give UP!!!!

Now you say you did 2 cards and you don't like them..tell me why? what is it you don't like..perhaps there is just a little something that has been missed...is it the bulk?

Liz, glad you found out what’s wrong, but sorry there was something wrong to begin with.

Betty, I’ll be 30 in Jan., I feel the same I still feel like I’m 25… but then I’m already getting grey hairs, though it will take awhile for them to actually show up. DH just turned 33, he has the most wonderful graying hair, has “young” color is copper and his grey is silver, it’s like his hair is made of thin metal threads.

I’d love some applesauce cake.

Judy, I was so hosed yesterday, but when I went to go to bed I realized I’d put the comforter in the washer so I had to wait for it to dry.

Crissy, I’m not sure I could get tired of shrimp. I think I like catfish, I don’t get it often, but it seems it was one of the fish I liked; I’m not fond of fish in general, but love shrimp, lobster, crawdads, clams, scallops, crab and salmon is pretty good; I know there are others, but I can’t think of them right now. Salmon is great when mixed with herb cream cheese and put on bagels. I detest sea cucumbers.

We eat a lot of chicken, way more than beef or pork; though I eat more of that than I did as a kid. I love roasts a lot, pork roast, roast beef, roasted chicken, roasted turkey, roasted lamb. But except for the rare meal we use chicken or shrimp for most of our other meals.

No, it was the color combinations. On the snowman I used red, blue & white but they didn't blend the way yours did. You could just see the seperate colors. That one also has a large area (6 A, B, C) that I didn't quite know how to fill and well as the head. I think I would have used silver foil if Ihad liked the rest of it enough to continue.
When cutting the paper for this, how wide do you cut it? I have a paper cutter and am going to try that. The papers are foil christmas (but in black, white, gold designs so I'm going to try that on the ornament template.

Janice, I learned by trial and error! Don't try to gather very thick or stiff fabric! On some crafts I would hand pleat ( kinda small pleats) instead of gathering. Glue it if you can't sew it! DON'T GIVE UP!! You can do it! Don't be like my grandmother, she tried to male yeast bread, failed the first attempt, and never tried again! She was an excellent cook, too!

Audrey, yes that's what I do, you learn so much from trial and error..I just get where I say 'you'll not beat me' and I usually get it done and appreciate it's finished product..

Janice because you will be folding the paper in 1/2 to do your strips, it must be just a tad wider when folded than the numbers you are filling in??? am I making sense.... and yes, I usually have a sheet of gold and one of silver to fill in the main larger areas....