Valentine's Day Handmade Gift Round Up

It's always good to have your ducks in a row when it comes to handmade holiday gifts.
If your like me you'll need the extra month to get some of these super great handmade Valentine's Day gift ideas done in time!

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This cute little wrapped paper chocolate bar from Stinkin' Cute Stuff would make an excellent Valentine's gift for anyone.  

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I love this idea from Alpha Mom! You could could do these up as a surprise for your little ones or have them help and send them off you Grandma. What a fun way to use up all of that scrap paper!

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These are just too adorable! I think I might wear one;)

The Purl Bee provides a wonderful tutorial on how to make some of these Rose Barrettes!

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Who wouldn't love this yummy jar of cookies! Found this idea over at Squidoo.

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Catching Fire Flies offers a bunch of really affordable and fun ways for the whole family to share on Valentine's Day.

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Catching Fire Flies also has a very easy tutorial on how to make this sweet recycled firefly! This one is too good to not share;)

I love that these little treat boxes feature special art work! These would make very thoughtful classroom treats to share! Check out inchmark for more great ideas!

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This is one of the cutest ideas yet!!! Stitch Craft gives an amazing tutorial on how to make these little tissue holders. What a great time of year for a gift like this!

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Moda Bake Shop gives full measurements and directions on how to sew one of these Valentine's Penny Pockets! These would be cute holding your silverware for a romantic dinner!

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Cake Journal does it again!

My mouth is watering looking a this cute paper cone filled with sugar cookies!

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This crocheted edging on About.com would make a very sweet trim on the bottom hem of a pair of jeans or a cotton dress!

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Sew Mama Sew has a really easy tutorial on how to make one of these sewn valentines for someone special in your life!

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Happy Crafting!!

DIY Break & Bake Cookie Dough Tutorial

I love making cookies with Kamille, but I always seem to be throwing away most of a batch of uneaten cookies.  So, I decided to try making my own break and bake style cookies so that I could have the convenience of refrigerated cookie dough, but have all natural ingredients.

I started with my favorite cookie recipe.  I usually just use the recipe off of the nestle morsels (then I substitute whole wheat flour and flax seed meal for the white flour).  Plus, I like to make without eggs, so I substitute milk for the eggs.  It makes a chewy, delicious cookie.

Once I finished making my batter, I refrigerated it for 2 hours, until the dough was really stiff.

   

Next, I lined a small pan - I think that it is about 5"x5" with wax paper. 

Then I filled the pan about 1" deep with cookie dough.  I pressed it flat. 

Next, I cut it into sections, cutting about 1/2 way through the dough.

Finally, I wrapped the wax paper around the cookie dough, lifted the whole package out of the pan, and sealed it into an airtight gallon Ziploc freezer bag. 

You can keep cookies in the freezer for up to 3 months (the store bought kind last longer in the freezer and fridge because they are full of preservatives).  The dough will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.

To use, you take them out of the freezer and let them defrost before baking.