Boxes Full of Goodness and Love

I needed a few gifts for teachers and friends and I had a little time to be creative. It felt so good to paint again. I have missed getting my creativity on.

Anyway, I thought I would share the process with you,

just in case you need a last minute gift idea.

I found these paper mache boxes at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. The large boxes were on sale for $1.50 each and the small ones only cost $1.00.

I had fun looking for some cute images to paint and I just used tracing paper to transfer the shapes onto the boxes.

Then I got out my tub of craft paints and painted to my heart's content while listening to Christmas carols.




After they dried I used a black Sharpie to outline the characters.
It just seems to make them pop a bit, don't you think?

I just love the big carrot noses.

Then I found a fabulous recipe in Gooseberry Patch's Jolly Holiday Cookbook.

It's called Comet's White Chocolate Crunch.

Start with 5 C of cheerios

Add 5 Cup of Chex Corn Cereal

10 oz mini pretzels

2 Cups of peanuts

Next add (my favorite part) 16 oz. of M & M's

we chose the Christmas blend for a little bit of festive goodness

Mix well.

Now, in a double boiler (I like to live dangerously so I just did this in a skillet)

melt 24 oz of white chocolate chips

with 3 T. of oil

When the chocolate has melted, pour over the cereal mixture.

Spread mixture evenly onto wax paper lined cookie sheets (I just lined my kitchen island and skipped the cookie sheet...it's just another thing to wash) and cool.

Yummy! Then I just used gallon sized ziplock bags and filled them up. I added a little tag with the name of the treat and a bright red bow. I think they turned out pretty cute and we can hardly wait to deliver them tomorrow at church.

Joyfully,

Kristi