Tag: kids

DIY Easter Bunny Treat Bags

Trenda

“Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoppin’ down the bunny trail and I am happily preparing for our little bunny’s that are coming to dye dozens of eggs and … all “us bunny’s” here at Cottage Green are anticipating our Family Easter Egg Treasure Hunt, complete with prizes and a trophy! (:  We have been out of town for the last 2 1/2 weeks so this week is going to be especially busy and “filled” with Easter preparations!

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These “Big-earred Bunny Bags are so cute and take just a few minutes to make!  They are reinforced paper sacks and hold lots of Easter goodies, dyed eggs, jelly beans, cupcakes, Peeps, Chicks, and sugary treats!  I bought my treat bags, pink and white gingham ribbon, tissue paper, felt hearts, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes at Michael’s.  (Tip: I used my glue gun instead of Elmer’s Glue-All to make my assembly time faster!) Plus, I also used a pair of scissors and a ruler.

Supplies needed:

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    To begin … adhere a pink felt heart in the center of each bag, for the bunny’s nose.  Position and glue 2 googly eyes above each nose.  Then, pull out two strands of shredded color paper.  Fold both shredded tissue strands in half to make 4 whiskers for each side of the bunny’s nose.  Place the 4 whiskers on one side of the heart, where they touch the “heart nose” and glue in place.  Repeat process, and glue 4 more whiskers on the other side of the heart nose.  Trim whiskers to desired length.

whiskers.pngSimple Bow instructions:

  1. Measure and cut a 12″ length of ribbon.  Glue ends together to form a loop.
  2. Gather ribbon together in the middle of the circled loop.
  3. Hold tightly with fingers and secure with a pipe cleaner and twist.
  4. Trim the two ends of the pipe cleaner near the “twist” with scissors or wire cutters for a neat presentation.
  5. Cut another length of ribbon, approximately 2″ in length.
  6. Fold ribbon in thirds, lengthwise and glue edges together.  
  7. Wrap this short length of ribbon around the pipe cleaner.  Glue it on the underneath side of your bow, making sure it covers all of the pipe cleaner. 
  8. Glue bow to the top of your Bunny Treat Bag. (Since I have both little boy and little girl “bunny’s” … I made some of my Bunny Treat Bags without hair bows!)

 

instructions.pngTo complete my Bunny Treat Bags I “stuffed” each bag with bunny ears made from gift wrap tissue paper.  I  cut one sheet of white tissue paper in half and formed a “bunny ear” by grasping the 1/2 sheet of tissue paper in the center.  Then, while holding the center portion of the paper in one hand, I ran my other hand up over the tissue, while grasping it lightly to make loose folds.  Then, I stuffed my “ear” into the treat bag so that the pointy ends of the tissue were sticking out to resemble a long ear.  I repeated the entire process for the 2nd bunny ear, using the other 1/2 of the tissue paper.  To form the pink “interior ears” I  used my pink or my gingham gift tissue.  Again, I cut each piece of gift tissue in half, “fluffed” my tissue and inserted into the bag, in front of the white outer ears.  Use your imagination, they do look like Easter bunny ears!(;

gift bag.png Last touch … I “stuck” one more felt heart on the back of my Bunny Treat Bag (I used the same color heart as I used for the bunny’s nose) and placed it near the bottom of the treat bag. Then I glued a little pom pom on the heart to make a fuzzy little bunny tail! (:

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Get ready for more fun and festive ideas coming this week ’cause … “hippity, hoppity Easter’s on it’s way!” (;

Today was another glorious Sunday at our church with Richard and I having the added joy of singing with our choir and presenting our Easter cantata Hope Alive In Me by Travis Cottrell.  I love every aspect of Easter!  The bunnies, the baskets, the eggs … the Cross, the Tomb, and the resurrection of Jesus … The “Hope Alive in Me!”  It’s not all about the bunny, Easter is about The Lamb.” ❤ 

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Thank you for spending some time with me today!

From my cottage to yours  ~  Trenda

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Halloween DIY Treat Bags and Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps …….. by Trenda from Cottage Green on the Lake

Part 2 of “A Halloween of Memory Past” (Click on Part 1 of … A Halloween of Memory Past from previous post “Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath” by Trenda)

PicCollage[439].pngHalloween of Memory Past by Trenda ~ cont’d from previous post “DIY Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath”

As we walked up the sidewalk, I would size up each house, trying to determine if first … anyone was home and would answer the door and second … what kind of treat would be handed out.  My experiences had already taught me that behind the door of an unwelcoming house, there always seemed to be a stale bit of peanut butter taffy wrapped in orange or black paper.  Whereas, the brightly lit homes with welcoming porch lights and cheer-y doorbells seemed to house people who would fane surprise that there were spooks at their door and would generously grab into their bowl of treats and distribute a handful of goodies!  …………………………… by Trenda

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Recalling my memories of Halloween’s Past, I love making special treats and stuffing little treat bags for each of the masquerader’s coming to 0ur home!  Look at these cute little Halloween bags.  They were so easy and fun … to make and fill!  My treat bags are filled with a little trac of Knock-knock jokes, vampire teeth (complete with a packet of red watermelon-flavored goo, to squish out like blood!) Halloween candies, and Jack-o-Lantern rings.  I also made some bigger sized bags for our own precious goblins (a cheerleader and a vampire!) and concocted these extra-special treats … Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps and Harvest Moon Pies

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I bought the larger sized handled Kraft bags at Hobby Lobby, 5 for $1.99 and the smaller ones at Michael’s, 6 for $2.99.  I stamped each bag with black ink from my “Pigment” black ink pad and used 2 cute stamps I “found” on sale at Hobby Lobby!   To dress up my little bag, but wanting to keep it, simple … I tied a piece of raffia into a bow on each handle.  I love the “scarecrow-look” of this rustic little bag with the straw bow!

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Now, for some fun and easy treats to make and put into each treat bag!  These darling little Ghost Peeps are dressed for Halloween with a “coat” of candy (;  and are adorned with bright polka dots, sprinkles, nonpareils’ and a fun assortment of Halloween pumpkins, bats, and mini ghosts. 

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Pictured below are all the supplies needed to make the Ghost Peep Pops.  Tip: I melted my candy melts in tea cups so I wouldn’t have to use so many melts, but would have enough “candy depth”  to coat the bottom of each ghost.

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Then I inserted a Halloween straw (I bought mine from Home Goods) into the bottom of each ghost and propped the chocolate coated Ghost Pops up, while the candy hardened.  Tip:  I found that my toaster made a perfect drying rack! (:  I made sure my toaster was unplugged and then inserted each Ghost Peep Pop into the toaster slots.  The candy hardened up perfectly, without having any side flattened.

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After the candy hardened, I wrapped each ghost in a cellophane candy bag and tied it with a brightly colored polka dot ribbon.

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From my cottage to yours  ~  Trenda

 

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today!  I’d love to hear from you and I am truly delighted, reading what you have to say.  Please leave any questions you may have or comments, below.  Don’t be dismayed when your comment doesn’t “appear” right away.  Word Press checks everything I send or receive for SPAM and all have to be approved, before posting.

Halloween DIY Treat Bags and Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps …….. by Trenda from Cottage Green on the Lake

Part 2 of “A Halloween of Memory Past” (Click on Part 1 of … A Halloween of Memory Past from previous post “Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath” by Trenda)

PicCollage[439].pngHalloween of Memory Past by Trenda ~ cont’d from previous post “DIY Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath”

As we walked up the sidewalk, I would size up each house, trying to determine if first … anyone was home and would answer the door and second … what kind of treat would be handed out.  My experiences had already taught me that behind the door of an unwelcoming house, there always seemed to be a stale bit of peanut butter taffy wrapped in orange or black paper.  Whereas, the brightly lit homes with welcoming porch lights and cheer-y doorbells seemed to house people who would fane surprise that there were spooks at their door and would generously grab into their bowl of treats and distribute a handful of goodies!  …………………………… by Trenda

PicCollage[437].png

Recalling my memories of Halloween’s Past, I love making special treats and stuffing little treat bags for each of the masquerader’s coming to 0ur home!  Look at these cute little Halloween bags.  They were so easy and fun … to make and fill!  My treat bags are filled with a little trac of Knock-knock jokes, vampire teeth (complete with a packet of red watermelon-flavored goo, to squish out like blood!) Halloween candies, and Jack-o-Lantern rings.  I also made some bigger sized bags for our own precious goblins (a cheerleader and a vampire!) and concocted these extra-special treats … Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps and Harvest Moon Pies

PicCollage[484].png

I bought the larger sized handled Kraft bags at Hobby Lobby, 5 for $1.99 and the smaller ones at Michael’s, 6 for $2.99.  I stamped each bag with black ink from my “Pigment” black ink pad and used 2 cute stamps I “found” on sale at Hobby Lobby!   To dress up my little bag, but wanting to keep it, simple … I tied a piece of raffia into a bow on each handle.  I love the “scarecrow-look” of this rustic little bag with the straw bow!

PicCollage[486].png

Now, for some fun and easy treats to make and put into each treat bag!  These darling little Ghost Peeps are dressed for Halloween with a “coat” of candy (;  and are adorned with bright polka dots, sprinkles, nonpareils’ and a fun assortment of Halloween pumpkins, bats, and mini ghosts. 

PicCollage[481].png

Pictured below are all the supplies needed to make the Ghost Peep Pops.  Tip: I melted my candy melts in tea cups so I wouldn’t have to use so many melts, but would have enough “candy depth”  to coat the bottom of each ghost.

PicCollage[490].png

Then I inserted a Halloween straw (I bought mine from Home Goods) into the bottom of each ghost and propped the chocolate coated Ghost Pops up, while the candy hardened.  Tip:  I found that my toaster made a perfect drying rack! (:  I made sure my toaster was unplugged and then inserted each Ghost Peep Pop into the toaster slots.  The candy hardened up perfectly, without having any side flattened.

PicCollage[491].png

After the candy hardened, I wrapped each ghost in a cellophane candy bag and tied it with a brightly colored polka dot ribbon.

PicCollage[495].png

piccollage500

PicCollage[502].png

From my cottage to yours  ~  Trenda

 

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today!  I’d love to hear from you and I am truly delighted, reading what you have to say.  Please leave any questions you may have or comments, below.  Don’t be dismayed when your comment doesn’t “appear” right away.  Word Press checks everything I send or receive for SPAM and all have to be approved, before posting.

“Fall” … in love & Harvest Moon Pies by Trenda from Cottage Green on the Lake

“Fall” … in love with the autumn season, colored leaves, cooler days and all things cozy.  Here in Texas, September is just the prelude of the overture to come, but change is in the air; hayfields are filled with freshly baled hay, the little winter coots have returned and last night a gorgeous “harvest moon” rose slowly over the lake. <!–more–>

Now, I think you are going to “Fall” … in love with these darling treats … Harvest Moon Pies.   This idea is from a past addition of Southern Living Magazine and I was delighted to find that these desserts were easy to assemble and  almost too cute to eat!  I know we’re going to need more Moon Pies for Halloween  … to decorate with all things spooky!

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These decorated Moon Pies are a fun addition to any holiday and are a wonderful project for you and your children to enjoy doing together.  Have fun decorating each Moon Pie differently and you’ll finally have a use (if you’re like me!) for all those adorable holiday sprinkles, that seem to amass in your cabinets! (:piccollage1085342.png

I used a wire Maple leaf basket I had tucked away in my “4 the seasons” closet – my sweet hubby built for me!  I put a block of florist foam in the bottom of the basket to anchor and display my Harvest Moon Pies and covered the foam with some shredded black and orange paper I had.  Then, I wrapped each of my decorated Harvest Moon Pies in a cellophane favor bag. (I bought my cellophane bags from Hobby Lobby, they were located on the candy-making aisle along with the Wilton Candy Melts and “lollipop” sticks) and added autumn-colored ribbons around each handle.

I love the novelty of this charming and creative centerpiece, but I also love that they can be given as party favors, since I individually wrapped each of my Harvest Moon Pies!

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HARVEST MOON PIES/ LEVEL: EASY/  YIELD: 1 DOZEN

INGREDIENTS AND ITEMS NEEDED:

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INGREDIENTS & ITEMS NEEDED:

  • 12 lollipop sticks
  • 2 packages Chocolate Flavor Moon Pies (6 to each small package)
  • 1 package vanilla candy melts – orange colored (I used Wilton’s Candy Melts)
  • 1 zip-type plastic bag or cake decorator bag  
  • scissors
  • wax paper
  • assorted sugar cake decorations (I used Wilton’s leaf shaped decorations)
  • assorted seasonal sprinkles
  • ribbon in autumn colors
  • Decorator Icing

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Insert 1 lollipop stick, 2 to 3 inches into marshmallow center of Moon Pie
  2. Microwave candy melts in a glass bowl at Medium (50 percent power) 1 minute or until melted, stirring once. (read detailed instructions on the back of candy bag) Spoon into your plastic bag or cake decorator bag, push air out and seal.
  3.  Snip a small hole in 1 corner of the bag; pipe melted candy around where the lollipop stick meets the Moon Pie to hold it securely in place.  Lay flat on wax paper and let stand until firm.  *SEE NOTE BELOW
  4. Pipe a fun border of melted candy around the edges of the Moon Pie or pipe squiggles across the top; then add sprinkles, cake sugar or attach candy decorations (ie: candy corn, pumpkins, etc.) using melted candies or frosting

*Be sure and help your little ones insert the candy stick into their Harvest Moon Pie and pipe melted candy around lollipop stick for them. 

I hope you “Fall” … in love with these Harvest Moon Pies  and enjoy making and eating them, as much as we did! (:

There are so many thing to love about Fall!

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“Fall … in love with all things pumpkin!

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“Fall … in love with harvest moons and breezy nights

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“Fall” … in love with hay bales gleaming.

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 “Fall” … in love with yellow leaves, lying on the grass.

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“Fall” … in love with children playing … laughing, giggling.

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“Fall” … in love with FALL!

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From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda 

Farewell to Summer by Trenda @ CottageGreenontheLake.com   

Summer’s leaving; it’s bags are already packed, as September, the long awaited guest, arrives!  “So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye!”  We had a wonderful time while you were here!

Days of poting and puttering …


Red, White and Blue …


 Squirt guns and Swimming …


Boating …


And Fun!!!


So long, Summer!  We’re going to miss you!

From my cottage to your’s  ~  Trenda

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