01.01.70

We know, we know. There's barely enough time to address the holiday gift list, much less break for some do-it-yourself merriment. Why not escape the seasonal grind with a twofer that crosses a holiday chore off your to-do list? There's an opportunity to conquer a little bit of everything from the piecrust to the dining room table centerpiece as well as sweet hostess gifts, spa-inspired stocking stuffers and plenty more.

There's really no foolproof way to evade chocolate this time of year, so we might as well succumb to this sweet vice. In WorkshopSF's DIY Desserts Workshop, learn to whip up chocolate truffles and assorted chocolate-dipped goodies. Baking instructor Emily Guzzardi of Batch (batchbaking.com) will fill hungry minds with chocolate fundamentals. Finally, accessorize your box o' truffles with toppings such as coconut, chopped nuts and cocoa powder. Bring along other chocolate-worthy edibles to dip into the chocolate cauldron for your own twist on holiday treats. Hours: 8-10 p.m. Tues. Cost: $44.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

by Lyssa Zwolanek

First, make your rectangular box. This can be ANY size, so no, I am not including measurements. The only special part of your box needs to be a half-inch flap on all four sides of the top. I did this on the handy-dandy Simply Scored tool (just $29.95 and a must-have!). Snip down to the score lines and fold towards the insides, as shown above.

Rectangular does seem to work better than a square. Something about the drag on the lid, I guess.

Then, cut two lids, exactly the same size, for the top surface of your box. The contents of this blog are © Independent Demonstrator Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek and are not endorsed by Stampin' Up. As such, no photo, pattern, tutorial or wording, whether whole or partial, may be copied, sold, or used as your own for ANY reason other than personal enjoyment, without express permission. Email me and you will most likely receive my blessing, though! zwolaneks@att.

Source: Photo Tutorial: secret sliding lid box - Song of My Heart Stampers

by Renae

His name was Russell. My third grade crush. He had spiked blond hair and I thought he was the cutest boy in the whole class. I would always put his thumb down for the game Heads up Seven up , and he always knew it was me who had done it. After our class Valentine exchange that year when we were lined up to leave for the day, I gave him a very special Valentine, an Iowa Hawkeyes watch! He accepted it and that was that. I was sure he understood how at that moment, with the gift of the watch, just how much I liked him. I will never forget the excitement of my third grade Valentine exchange. It was so important that certain people received the simple cards, and others got ones with lots of hearts drawn on for extra emphasis! And who could forget Nathan’s mom with her cookie sheet of homemade sugar cookies with each student’s name frosted on one of them. It was not a holiday at school without one of those cookies!

Source: Benzie: A fanfare of felt.: Felt like a tutorial: Be Mine, Valentine