Chickaniddy Ribbon Binding Album!

Good day to all! Cassandra's back to share with you a DIY Christmas album! Hope this gives you some inspiration to create a handmade gift for your loved ones or use it to document your holiday! 

Here's the final product:

Supplies:Jolly good Collection: Patterned Papers: Caroling (jg14os03), Christmas Eve ( jg14os01), Deck The Halls (jg14os06), Happy New Year ( jg14os12), Holiday (jg14os08), Sweater Weather (jg14os04), Sugar Cookies (jg14os02), Making Spirits Bright (jg14os07), Illustration Stickers (jg14eb01), Die Cut Tags (jg14eb04)

Here's the step-by-step instructions!

1. Gather your supplies! I cut the patterned papers into 12x6" and combined 3 patterned papers into one set and folded them into halves. This formed one signature as illustrated in the first photo. Create as many signatures as you deem fit. Then choose a patterned paper you like as the front cover and cut them into 6x6". Then I gathered the embellishments and set them aside. For this ribbon binding tutorial, use a needle with a wide hole so it's easier to thread the ribbon through.

2. I used my ruler to measure and punched hole with my crop-a-dile! As for the front cover, I wanted it to be firm so I used a cardboard  and glued the front and back patterned paper to it. I scored the front cover slightly so that it's easy to open and it won't be too stiff.

3. Then I thread about 24" of ribbon through my needle.

4. I started out first by threading through the second signature as shown in the photo so as to hide my knot. Remember to leave about 4" so that it's easier to tie a knot at the end.

5. Thread it through in the same direction as shown and criss-cross it at the end and back up again to join with the start of the ribbon. At the end, thread it back to the second hole to find your thread and secure it by tying a dead knot. 

6. You are almost done! Now decorate your front cover!:D You can work with almost any size but I like 6x6" so I won't waste too many papers!

Thanks so much for dropping by! Hope you have enjoyed this simple tutorial! Upload your work on our FB page and hashtag chickaniddycrafts on Instagram so we can view your work too! May you have a blessed Christmas!:D

Chickaniddy Christmas Peek-a-boo tutorial + recipe!

Good day to all! It's Cassandra here back with some fun! Have you seen/bought Chickaniddy's Christmas collection - Jolly Good?! The collection is so sweet and cute and perfect to share a peek-a-boo gift box tutorial and a baking recipe for Christmas! It's never too early to start preparing for thanksgiving and Christmas ya!:D

Interested to know how to create this? It's really easy and you don't even need a cutting machine for it!

Here are the supplies needed for the peek-a-boo gift box:

Supplies: Jolly Good – Caroling(jg14os03), Happy New Year (jg14os12), Holly Jolly (jg14os05), Making Spirits Bright (jg14os07), Die Cut Tags (jg14eb04), Illustration Stickers (jg14eb01)

1. This is the measurement for a 5x5" gift box. I made it to be 5x5" so that it's easier to change the scale according to your needs. These are the actual cuts needed since the largest paper size is only 12". Illustrations are drawn using a black pen for clearer view but use a pencil instead so that it's easy to remove those lines.

2. Cut it out and fold along the lines. If you are interested to create the see through effect, use a pen knife to cut the square out and stick a transparency over it.

3.Glue the areas marked in green and hole punch the small square tab.

4.Decorate the box and string a ribbon through the small square tabs, glue them to the sides and it's done!:D You have just created a gift box in 10 minutes! It's now time to bake the cookies!

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies Recipe:

Makes 24 cookies

Dry ingredients:

• 1 cup all purpose flour  
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup dark cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Wet ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup chopped walnut

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 degree celsius)
2. In a big bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together with a whisk.
3. In your electric mixer, add the softened butter and sugar and mix it on medium speed for about 1 minute or until it is well mixed together.
4. Then reduce to low speed and add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix it for about one minute till it's light and fluffy!
5. Thereafter, add in the dry ingredients (except the chips and walnut) and mix it for about one minute until it is well mixed.
6. Then add in the chips and walnuts (I like to bake/toast the walnut first to bring out the flavor)
7. Transfer them to a well greased tray with a spoon and add them into the pre-heated oven for about 8-10 minutes! 

EASY PEASY! And let it cool on a rack and have your whole house smelling of chocolate walnut!! 

Either eat them fresh with warm milk or place them in air tight containers and add them in the nice gift boxes that you have created  for your loved ones nearing Christmas! What a sweet gift to receive!:D

I like to wrap them in plastic bags before placing them in the gift box as it might be quite oily overtime. And tell your friends not to throw away your gift box after eating the cookies!:P Cut the top part off and add a tea candle and it instantly transform into a candle holder!:D Another Christmas piece for the table! 

Thanks so much for dropping by and hope you try this gift box tutorial and chocolate walnut recipe! I would love to see your creations! Hashtag chickaniddycrafts on Instagram k! I will be on the lookout!:D It's never too early to prepare Christmas gifts! Till my next update, take care and God Bless!:D