Tuesday 19 November 2013

Christmas Baking

I know it is a bit early to start my Christmas baking, but thought I would share photos of the decorated tins I will packing full of shortbread cookies for my Mum. The tins are from Dollarama...my fave Dollar Store! They bring them out in different colours at various times during the year.
You can also use one quart pain tins (purchased empty and new from your local paint store)...but they are about twice the price and then still need spray painted outside!!! For very hungry friends and families you could use the brand new, one gallon tins from your local paint store.

The first tin is very easy. It is just a red paint can with white foam snowflakes from the same Dollar Store stuck randomly all over it. There are various sizes of snowflakes, so it does not end up looking too even. I saved one large snowflake for the lid, and then tied a variety of Christmas coloured ribbon to the wire handle.
The second is a little fancier looking but I can assure you it is nearly as easy! The script "Merry Christmas" is a scrapbook page topper from the Dollar Store. It has been mounted on a strip of green cardstock and then matted with a strip of striped paper. I then glued it to the tin with red glue lines and then stuck a chipboard Santa to the lid. The wire handle has once again been tied with some snippets of ribbon.
Here is a view of the word Merry...you will have to take my word that the whole thing spells Merry Christmas as it is impossible to get the whole word in the photos. lol
This project is proof of the power of saving snippets of all sorts. I make tins like this at Halloween, Easter, etc. My appropriate  ribbon snippets collected during the year, are saved in tins like this. Easter colours into a pastel tin along with any "orphaned" embellies or stickers , Christmas colours into a green, red or blue one! Leftover snowflakes, etc are thrown in them too...When I have a need to make up a new tin, I have the "ingredients" ready. Luckily, this size of tin fits on top of the tall cupboards in my scrapbook room.

I will try to remember to post a picture just before I mail it...when they are both full of yummy shortbread cookies. I make whipped shortbread and also a sliced version. The sliced are rolled like a refrigerator cookie, set in the fridge to firm for an hour or so and then sliced and pricked with a fork. They were a recipe from my English Grandma and it would not be Christmas without them! They are the same ingredients as a traditional shortbread and have the same texture.

Did you notice my photos are crisper again? I finally got out to a camera shop and had it corrected and cleaned. There was a smear of something dirtying my lens in the center. They would not take any payment and so I wondered about afterwards, checking out their camera and printers. The newer version of my camera now has a wifi version.  I think I know what I will want when this one finally packs it in! They also had the Selphy photo printer...they are very popular with crafters who do December Daily or Project Life as you can print direct from your phone or your camera...I will have to check and see if they work with Windows 8 as well.

Off to go retake some of the really out of focus photos on my posts in the past couple of weeks, and then reload them to my blog!!! It is such a good feeling to have the camera problem resolved. Now if I could just learn to take good photos...lol

I am entering the Merry Christmas tin into the following challenges:
1. Pixies Crafty Workshop - must use snippets...the striped DP and the green card were snippets.
2. Ribbon Carousel Challenge -  Holidays and Celebrations, must use spooled item
3. Craft my Life All Crafts Challenge - Anything but a card
4. Allsorts Challenge - Make a Gift
5. Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge - Gift Packaging and Ribbon

28 comments:

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

Your pails are fab Maureen very festive and what a lovely idea to fill them with shortbread! Susan x

Karen Petitt said...

Those tins with the lids are gorgeous Mo. I've not seen anything like them over here. Your shortbread tales are making me feel hungry so I think it's time to make a cuppa and have a biscuit/cookie or two! I love home made shortbread - it beats any shop bought any day! xx

Sharon said...

Such a lovely idea. Love your tins and so beautifully decorated.
Have a lovey week.
Hugs Sharon x

Mrs A. said...

I really like your second tin even though there are no biscuits in it. (I checked!).
Know what you mean about cameras. My digital camera is 10 yrs old now and when we went into the camera shop for a replacement battery they ordered the wrong one which didn't fit and said they were unable to get the correct size for me as the camera was so old. I was down to only getting one photo before it needed recharging. I eventually tracked the correct battery on the web and it arrived last week. The doc installed for me and then had to reset all the controls up again but it is working fine now and the photos are a lot clearer too. Hugs Mrs a.

Carol L said...

Your paint tins are adorable and so clever! Shortbread cookies are one of my favorites - would you consider sharing that yummy-sounding recipe? :)

Sue said...

Oh I love these! and shortbread is one of my favourite biscuits lol I still have my grandmas recipe for shortbread and the caramel shortbread one written in ink:) I use Paul's ipad to take my photo's for my blog because my old digital camera has given up LOL lots of huggles Sue xxxxxx

Tracy said...

I have a few of these tins on the top of my shelves in my craft room as well.
Need to get some baking done ;)
Great tins, love the embellishments you added to them.
Glad you got your camera back :)

MaryH said...

You are one busy crafty lady. These tins are just adorable, and I admire your baking all these holiday goodies. It's been so long since I did such, I doubt I know how any more (nor do I miss it. Just miss eating the goodies!). Your Dollar store evidently has lots better craft supplies than the one near me. We also have Dollar Tree, but you have to be a regular visitor to get the good stuff. I hear about it, but by the time I run to get it, it's all gone. These are the sweetest things that you've made, and will be even more special when you fill them with delicious, homemade yummies. Good work on your camera. Wish I could think having somebody clean mine, would get me better photos. Alas, I think the camera problem at MY house, is the Operator!! Hugs & TFS

Pia S said...

What a great idea for a gift! You've decorated these tins so beautifully for Christmas.

Greta said...

What a wonderful way to package your homemade cookies--these are so cheery!

Christine Harrop said...

What a great idea Maureen. These look fabulous. I have just got containers to do something similar with. Hope they turn out as well as yours! Hugs Christine xx

Sarn said...

A most EXCELLENT use of snippets here Mo. Really lovely.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Bonnie said...

What a lovely way to use snippets and to package cookies at holiday time!

Pat said...

What a great idea for scraps but even better with shortbread inside - yum yum! Thank you for your lovely comments.

Mary Jo said...

Those are such cute tins!

Darnell said...

Thank you so much for this brilliant idea, Maureen! These are adorable. I'm all over this!! Hugs, Darnell

Hettie said...

Love Love Love this tin Mo! We cannot get good pails like this over here. There are some clear ones available but they are expensive before they are decorated and filled.
Would love that recipe if I may? Love shortbread! Family recipes are the best.
Hugs
xx

Peanut said...

Fabulous idea, Maureen...without or without biscuits! Not too early for Christmas baking. I baked my fruitcake way back in October. Now he's securely wrapped up and hibernating. Of course he gets a weekly prod of rum to get him in the mood by Christmas. A tin like yours would be perfect for him (instead of the linen cupboard...gasp!)
hugs, Asha - Sunny Summer Crafts

cm said...

Maureen, your sweet comment on my file folder cards brought me here to thank you (THANK YOU so much!), and WOW x WOW! Talk about discovering delightful treats: first,your lovely decorated, soon-to-be-filled-with-delicious-home-made-cookies pails, accompanied by your wonderfully engaging post...and then I went for a wander and oh my...so much 'pretty' here, in every way! What an inspiring, warm place to visit! If it's alright with you, I'd like to visit often! You've certainly brightened this cold, snowy Alberta day!!
c

cotnob said...

These are fabulous, I love all of the ribbons and embellishments on the handles.
Pauline
x

Wishcraft said...

They look fab hun, and what a great idea :o) Hugs, Lisa x

MagsB said...

What fabulous festive pails - and a wonderful idea for a Christmas present! My mum also made sliced shortbread biscuits, just as you describe them - I must have a go this year, they are so yummy!

love Mags B x

MaryH said...

Hi Mo, thanks for your very sweet comments on all the hop cards. I'm trying to get round to a few visitors, before we leave in the early am (DH just said 6am...Ugh! I don't like early!). Got the bags packed, but still some last minute things to pack (my copics, laptop, and address some T'giving cards for mailing that I haven't gotten done yet.). He just told me "Don't stay up all night". Hmmmm...Happy Thanksgiving if you observe the day in your area, and will try to browse round while I'm away. Hugs & TFS

Jules said...

Hi Mo

What a fantastic and different way to use up snippets.

A brilliant project and I love all those bright and beautiful ribbons tied on the handle.

Hope you are having a good weekend.

Love Jules xx

Jenny L said...

Hi Maureen,
Now my mouth is watering with the description of your shortbread cookies.
The recipients are going to be so thrilled with such lovely tins filled with homemade cookies inside. Great idea and wonderful decoration of them.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Bonnie Garby said...

What a lovely gift tin! This is a great way to package baked goods. Thanks so much for participating in our Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge.

Erika said...

Love your tins Mo. A great Christmas gift.
I've been eyeing up new camera's too. It doesn't take long for a new improved version to hit the shops.
Take care and happy crafting.
Hugs Erika.

Sandi McLean said...

What a fab idea! Hope you had a lovely holiday and will come back to blog land soon:) I have been MIA for quite awhile and trying to reconnect. Hugs,