Cranapple Christmas

Prim Pies

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:43:00 +0000

These little pies are so cute and decorative--easy to make also. They look great on a kitchen counter or in a cabinet. I'm sure there are all kinds of ways to do them, but this is how I did mine.

I hunted yard sales for old tin pie plates. I found several that were nice and rusty. You can use an old one and distress yourself w/paint and stain.

You need:
muslin
batting
stuffing
coffee and cinnamon mix for grunging
Thread
Needle

place a double layer of muslin on your table. Place the pie tin inverted on top.
trace a very light line around the rim of the plate. About two inches from the line make another slightly wavy line around the perimeter. This waviness makes it look like pie crust. Cut out. Place the muslin on top of the batting and cut out. Turn both pieces of muslin right sides together and stack on top of batting. Sew about a 1/2" seam around the edges. Slit ONE layer of the muslin and turn right side out. You will have the batting on the inside now. You can loosing stitch the slit if you would like ( I dont' bother) Hand stitch a "running stitch about 1/2" from the edge. This makes it look like the crust edge. Make up your coffee grunge mix and paint/grunge the muslin "crust". I bake mine right side up in the oven at 200*. Watch closely for burning. Grunge again if you would like. I like mine really dark and cinnamon-y LOL.

Take your pie plate and either fill with a TON of stuffing--you want it piled high enough to look like the plate is filled with pie. Place the pie crust on top of the plate and glue edges to the plate. Before you glue all the way around adjust stuffing and add more to get the look you like. I sprinkle mica or glass glitter on top to look like sugar and glue cherries or whatever I like to the top. I like to spray them with fragrance oil also. Then they can smell like the real thing!

That's it....Easy Peasy.

If you don't know how to make up the grunge mix let me know in a comment, and I will describe that for you also :)

New items just in!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:38:00 +0000

I have been having some fun this week. I made a couple items and have a few more in the works. Check these out....

The Carrot Cake is $9.95..it's just a big ol' meltie, but looks great on a plate with a holiday tag.

The Jingle Bell tarts are lightly coated in cinnamon and come 12 to a bag, $6.95

My cinnabun candles sell out fast! 12.95 includes a cute little plate and some potpourri. Nice size, looks like the real thing!

Raggedy Ann and Andy are dressed up in red and black toile. About 12" tall $39.95 for the pair.

My Disaster of Craft Room...

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:45:00 +0000

These are the BEFORE pics.

I have been pushing and shoving my way thru my craft room for months....year?? I don't know, but I got a wild hare yesterday and decided to clean it up. I have been in a creative stalemate for about a year...I know this is why! LOL! I couldn't find anything. I have duplicates of just about EVERYTHING! How many pair of scissors does one person need? I found a place for all my fabric--I found a whole BOLT of muslin that I didn't know I had! Now that I have everything in a box or drawer, I need to organize by like items. That will be a task for another day. It took me nine hours yesterday and six hours today to get it into a workable space. I need shelves and more storage...any ideas? Here are the AFTERS.

Happy Fall Y'all...

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:01:00 +0000

I love fall. It's my favorite time of year. Next comes winter. The decorating ideas are endless! I have been looking over back issues of all my decorating magazines. I keep all of them! Then I go thru and tear out all the things I like and keep them in a notebook. It's fun to flip thru and see how my taste has changed over the years. I remember when I was in high school my mom was big into what was called Early American. Not until a short time ago did I realize that Early American is a form of Primitive! Prim has been in my blood since day 1. I love the old wood tones, baskets, furniture, and antique accessories. I have spool candleholders, old windows, an old cupboard from the 1800's, and an old hoosier probably from the 30's. I have attached a pic here for you of my Hoosier all decked out for Fall. This Hoosier is a focal point in my Kitchen/Sitting area. Every season brings a new look. Tell me about some things you do in your house this time of year...

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:28:00 +0000

Check out this wonderful online magazine!

click here

Witch hat

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:24:00 +0000

I promised instructions on how I made my hat. It was easy and I think anyone can do it.
You will need:
muslin--about one yard
black paint
thread
Stiffy
a compass or dinner plate to make circle
cinnamon and spices for grungying
old coffee from this morning
fall picks, sunflowerk, raffia, etc

The first thing I did was make my circle on the muslin. My circle is about 15". You can use a compass, a large dinner plate, how about the cardboard insert from the pizza you had last night! Be creative, and make the circle the size YOU want it. Then I cut out a triangle on the fold. Mine is about 15" tall and about 7" wide at the base. Sew down the open side of the triangle...LIGHTLY stuff it. You want the stuffing loose so you can shape it later with Stiffy. Another option is to stuff it as you please and don't scrunch it up--leave it straight and tall.. After I sewed the seam I pressed it as well as I could and turned up 1/4" on the base side. I then pinned the triangle to the brim, adjusting so it is even all around and positioned in the middle. I then sewed it all around. I suppose you could also use your glue gun--why not? Here's how it will look...

The next step is the fun part. Mix a bit of black paint, coffee, and maybe some vanilla...paint onto hat. Cover ALL of it, especially the edge of the brim. Set it on a cookie sheet w/wax paper. Dry in your oven (set at 235ish) It's okay if it gets scrunched up while drying...adds to character. When dry, paint on a coffee, cinnamon, vanilla mixture. This will "grungy" the hat, I also sprinkle cinnamon directly on the hat. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Follow your instincts. I always think I'm not doing it right, but it ALWAYS turns out great. Dry in oven. When dry paint w/Stiffy, scrunch up and down...however you like it...it helps to pin the hat until dry...you can air dry or dry in oven. I did not Stiffy the underside of my hat..you can if you want. Be liberal w/the Stiffy stuff. :) When done it's time to add the picks, flowers, etc. Arrange to your liking, Glue w/glue gun. That's all I did. Now you try yours :)

New projects

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:56:00 +0000

It's been awhile since I've posted. I've missed collaborating with all you bloggers. Here are a few projects I've done over the last week. I used a Tennessee Ridge Primitives pattern for the pumpkin, a pattern by Dee (forget her name and website), the kitty is mine and so is the witch's hat...not sure where I got the pattern for the little dress. I will post free instructions on the hat later. It's an easy project anyone can do.

Only 24 days to Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 02:58:00 +0000

I love fall! It is my favorite time of year. I love the smells, the colors, the clothes! All of it! We are FINALLY feeling like fall here. Can you believe it....we actually had a TORNADO here in Northern AZ! Up here in the mountains! Kinda freaky.

I have a LOT of pics to post of things I made for my shop booth. I will try to get them on tomorrow.

I have missed all my blogging friends. I've been gone WAY too long.

Another wonderful giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:09:00 +0000

Check this out! It is really a nice giveaway. Good luck...I hope you win! LOL!
Visit Firecracker Kid for details.

Spring is Coming!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:23:00 +0000

I made this little bunny girl for Denise (NeeNee)Bailey's bunny challenge. She posted a free pattern w/ no directions, and told us to get on it! This is my interpretation of her pattern. What do you think?

I don't know about you....

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:21:00 +0000

but I am SO ready for a New Year. This last one pretty much sucked...all of it, the WHOLE year.

I wish all my blog friends and family a wonderful new year. 2010 is a blank book, and it's up to us to write the best story we can. Cheers! Let's countdown!

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:17:00 +0000

I'm wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! The New Year will be bright and shiny!

Teddy Bears for Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:01:00 +0000

I made these teddy bears for my daughter's bank. She's giving them to her employees for Christmas. They are wax dipped, and smell SO GOOD! The little scroll in their lap is a NAUGHTY AND NICE list w/ names of her co-workers.

Christmas Potpourri

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:38:00 +0000

Bag of Cinnamon scented potpourri 2.99. Wonderfully scented wax dipped gingers, stars, hearts, and trees-- bag of 6 pieces--2.99.

Santa's Letters

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:33:00 +0000

Aren't these sweet? Great gift idea for friends. Personalize the letter with your kids, friends, or family names. These are also dipped in scented wax (snickerdoodle). Place on a plate in your foyer...looks like a stack of mail, or nestle in your tree branches. Set of 6 for $20

I make these using an Aunt Manny's Creations pattern.

Primitive Soap

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:32:00 +0000

Made from Goat's milk, I've also added brown sugar, olive oil, molasses, and oatmeal raisin cookie scent. $3 per bar.

Pomanders

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:30:00 +0000

I love these at the holidays. I make new ones each year, and leave them in my bowl all year round. Great w/pinecones, candles, or potpourri. $25 for set of 6

Rustic Can Candles

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Rustic Cans filled with scented soy wax, topped w/silver candle lid. Bit of homespun and seasonal tag. Scents: Cinnabun, Santa's Pipe, Carrot Cake, Yellow Cake, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pumpkin Spice, Snickerdoodle, Sugar Cookie. Soup Can size$8.95 ea.

Craft Show pics

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:48:00 +0000

Had a great time at the show...made a little Christmas money :)

Craft Show Pics

Woohoo!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:28:00 +0000

Craft Show tomorrow! I made some great stuff this year. I'll post pics tommorrow so you can see. You've already seen my cinnabuns, but I made jar candles, snow men, melties, some can candles (I've made these for YEARS!) some ornies and some tags. Can't wait for tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:40:00 +0000

It's that time of year again....

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:29:00 +0000

The Holidays are upon us. Halloween is TOMORROW! For me, that is the official start of the "Holidays". I love to put this on...makes my house smell so good.
Great for the Fall Season thru the New Year. Thought you might like to try this.

1 pkg. of pickling spice
1 pkg. of whole cloves
1 pkg. of stick cinnamon
1 jar of apple juice
Put in crock-pot. Fill to top with water. Bring to boil, put on simmer.

Here's a different version:

Peels of 2 oranges
3 cinnamon sticks
12 whole cloves
2 1/2 cups of water
Combine in a saucepan. (I use my crock pot or an old teapot I place on my woodstove--have to watch it though) Simmer, add water as needed.

One more recipe!

3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons of ground cloves
1 tablespoon of anise seed
1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon of ground ginger
1 quart of water
Mix together. Add water. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally, then simmer on low. Make up some cute brown bags and add a bow...cute gifts.

Hacker ....

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:19:00 +0000

had a couple people ask about what the hacker did. (S)He just posted a really nasty website that took over my site. So when someone searched for Cranapple Christmas, they got his little nasty gram. He posted "Death to all" kind of crapola. Very Terroristic and kinda scary. They didn't mess up my site, just knocked off the web for awhile. We're all good now.

new cinnabuns...

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Lookee here at what I made! LOL!! Smells so yummy, and they look pretty real too!
Nice and big! 8.95 ea.

You will NEVER believe this.....

noreply@blogger.com (Shari Kraft) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:53:00 +0000

my Cranapple Christmas site was hacked this week. By some Middle Eastern person ranting and raving about the Jews in Israel and the genocide in Gaza. I just think there has GOT to be a better way for him to get his message across than hijacking my little Christmas Craft site! LOL!!! This has happened twice to me in the last two years. Any of you have any hacking stories?