Christmas Card Boxes

When the Christmas season starts winding down, and the Christmas card pile is over flowing I often have a hard time putting things away for the next season, and heaven forbid throw some of those cards away. I have a simple craft for you that will help you not feel so guilty about those cards.

I used to make these as a little girl so I know they are easy. First step is to separate the front and back of the card. Second with a pencil and ruler, draw a line an inch from both sides of the card on the front and the back. Then make a mark an inch and a half down the line on each side.Cut on the line till the mark, then fold the cards on the line.

Once that is done you will fold the cuts toward the center of the card. Pull up the larger flap around the cut flaps and fold it over. If needed put a piece of tape in the inside of the box.

These boxes can be used for boxing up little presents and storing little treasures. 

Chicken Gumbo

Last week when I was roasting a chicken I was thinking about recipes that I have not made for a while that I could use for the left overs of the roasted chicken. I thought of making gumbo, and it just so happened that I had a coupon for andouille sausage so that made it even better. We really enjoyed our pot full and it disappeared quickly. I thought you would enjoy the recipe too.

To start with you will need my recipe for stock. You can find it here. or you can use canned.

I used 4 cups stock, and the chicken that was left on the carcass.
1 bag of frozen Cajun mixed vegetables (onion, celery and green pepper)
 1 Tbsp of minced garlic
1 Tbsp of parsley flakes
2 Tsp of Salt
2 tsp of chili powder
1/2 tps of   thyme
1/2 tps of cayenne pepper (you can always add more if you like some heat)
1/4 tps of black pepper
paprika for taste
1 link of andouille sausage

It is as easy as throwing all the ingredients in a pot and letting it simmer for an hour till all the favors have melded together. Serve it over a big bowl of rice, and you've  got a great cold weather soup.

Always Pointing North Blanket

 A Free Crochet Pattern for a fast moving Motif and Blanket

Is anyone else starting to stress out about Christmas coming up soon? At some points I feel like I have it all put together, but at times I wonder if i am going to get all my projects done in time. I started working on Christmas presents in August.

The first one I got done is the one I will share with you. Hopefully this will be fun for my family because they will get to see it early but no one will know who is getting it.  Maybe they can have a raffle for it. Ha.

The things that I love about this free crochet pattern is that the motifs are only three rounds so I can sit down on the couch for a five minute break and get one done. Then it is a join as you go blanket, so you  can't lose any of your pieces, unless you lose the whole thing. I would not doubt that happening in my house with a toddler. I also like that you can make lots of different color patterns.

If you would like to see more color options click here.

Always Pointing North Blanket 

Yarn: Any 4ply acrylic yarn 

Hook: G/ 6

Gauge: Each motif is 4 inches by 4 inches

Free Crochet Pattern Download:

This is a free Crochet Pattern. Keep scrolling down to see this great free crochet pattern. This pattern is also available for a free download. download now  This is a download from My Ravelry Shop. Thank you for your Support and don't forget to add it to your Favorites. 

First Motif

Round 1:{Ch 5, make 2 tr in fourth ch from hook keeping the last loop on the hook of each tr, (yo and pull though 2 loops) twice}repeat {to } three more times, sl st into beginning ch .  4 tr clusters.

Round 2: Ch 4, {tr in next space between tr cluster of previous row, ch 4, tr3tog in same space, ch 4, tr in same space} repeat {to} twice, tr,  ch 4, 3togtr, ch 4, sl st into beginning ch 4.  4 3togtr

Round 3: Sl st into next st and sp, ch 1, {5 sc in ch 4 sp, ch 7, 5 sc in next ch 4 sp, ch 3}, repeat {to} three more times, sl st into beginning sc. Finish off.

Motif with 1 joining motif:

Round 1 and 2: Follow first motif directions

Round 3: Sl st into next st and sp, ch 1, 5 sc in ch 4 sp, ch 3, make a joining sl st connecting with the other motif’s ch 7, ch 3, 5 sc in next ch 4 space, ch 1 make a joining sl st connecting with the other motif’s ch 3, ch 1, {5 sc in ch 4 sp, ch 7, 5 sc in next ch 4 sp, ch 3}, repeat {to} two more times, sl st into beginning sc. Finish Off.

Motif with 2 joining motifs:

Round 1 and 2: Follow first motif directions.

Round 3:  : Sl st into next st and sp, ch 1, (5 sc in ch 4 sp, ch 3, make a joining sl st connecting with the other motif’s ch 7, ch 3, 5 sc in next ch 4 space, ch 1 make a joining sl st connecting with the other motif’s ch 3, ch 1) repeat (to) ,  (5 sc in ch 4 sp, ch 7, 5 sc in next ch 4 sp, ch), repeat (to), sl st into beginning sc. Finish Off.

Edging:

 Round 1: Starting in a corner square at the ch 7,make a beginning tr3tog, {ch 3, tr3tog, in ch 7 space} repeat three times, ch 3, (sc, ch3, sc) in next ch 3 space {(ch 3, tr3tog) 5 times in joining spaces , ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch 3 space} continue to repeat {to} till you come to a corner, in corner make (ch 3,  tr3tog) five times, then continue with the repeat, sl st into first st when you come to it.

Round 2:  Sl st into ch sp,{ (sc, ch 3, sc, in each ch 3 sp between tr3tog) 4 times, (tr, ch 2)  4 times, tr in the ch 3 sp of previous row} repeat {to} around, sl st in first st. Finish Off. Weave in all ends.

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