Christy Robbins

Save the Date: Crafts (and more) by mail....coming soon!

2026-07-21T22:44:02.560-05:00

August first, my best friend and I are launching a craft by mail club. Stay tuned for all the details, and stats. It's something I've thought about for awhile, and combined with Kelly's talents as a technical writing, my love of all things crafts...I can't wait to share the details!

In the meantime, you can find us on tiktok at MyrtleandJune.

Our website will be live on the first.

GMT Thursday-Fall Crafts

2025-09-09T18:31:00.005-05:00

I'm headed to GMT on Thursday. I haven't been blogging in a hot minute, but I have still been crafting! I've started posting over on TikTok at fromglittertogumdrops-slowly but surely. I haven't updated my blog to that social media resource! I'm playing around with what I feel most comfortable doing, for me it's always been a matter of doing it until it's not fun.

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromglittertogumdrops/video/7548228142817627405?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7507864663876355615

2 of the 3 tutorials from the show are already up there, the third I made without videoing because of time.

Book Club Ornament

2022-11-04T22:53:00.011-05:00

I'm a part of several book clubs, but I made a commitment to one of my friend's book clubs, or rather, to myself. I decided I was going to read every single book this year. We have a rule-it's for fun, there is not shame, if you don't read the book, still come. So, I have, and I do, but this year, I decided to personally challenge myself.

Last year, I saw this super cute ideas for making an ornament with tiny replicas of all the books you read throughout the year, and I decided to adapt this to the 12 from our book clubs, so I made each girl one of these ornaments I'm going to gift them at our Christmas get together (and book exchange).

I bought a package of plastic, empty ornaments, and I printed off little books using thumbnail size prints. I'm going to post the whole process on youtube. I also added the year with some vinyl and a little book charm to the top.

I don't think I'll commit to that next year b/c there was one that was so not up my alley, but it was a fun year regardless, and it will encourage me to pick up more of them, in between all my 'regular' reading.

Succulent Pumpkins

2022-10-07T22:26:00.000-05:00

Recently, someone at work had one of these succulent pumpkins delivered and I thought it was so cute, but I had NOT idea how easy it was to make these! I immediately started to research and bought the supplies.

I got two small pumpkins for less than $2 each at Trader Joe's. I found some moss at the Dollar Tree, and I ordered 10 succulent cuttings off of Amazon.

The key to picking a pumpkin, is picking one with a flat top. And then, you add hot glue and press down the moss.

Next, I added hot glue to the bottom of the succulents and pressed them into the moss. This small pumpkin took about ten little succulent cuttings.

I pulled off some of the bottom leaves of some of the succulent varieties. After you get it arranged, you can spritz it with some water about once a week. I've read that the succulents can take root, but regardless, these should last awhile b/c succulents are pretty forgiving. When I'm ready to move from fall to Christmas decor, I'll probably try to slice off the top of the pumpkin where these lives and place it in a flowerpot and see what happens.

Homemade Vanilla

2022-10-01T22:52:00.007-05:00

I'm about to head out on my annual girl's retreat in October. We decided to do a 'favorite things' exchange (I do this in the summer with a group of crafting friends I've been retreating with for over a decade and we love it). My favorite thing is probably something sweet. I was planning on getting a favorite cupcake or cookie, but I brought cookies last year from an Austin bakery I love, so I decided to bring something sweet related-an ingredient.

These would also make awesome gifts for Christmas. It's not super 'cheap' to make, but it is fun. I found a pack of 9 bottles on Amazon that even came with tags (I didn't use) and a funnel (I did). I bought 8 oz bottles, but in doing that, they do use a lot of Vodka, which upped the price.

I also bought some vanilla beans on Amazon. I read the reviews really carefully to find some that were not already split (apparently some people split them and take out the 'good stuff' and then sell the rest of the bean, which impacts your vanilla). This company also had good reviews when it came to returns (if the seal breaks while shipping, they can mold). I split my whole beans down the middle, but left about an inch together at the end b/c you just want it to infuse your alcohol and not have too many pieces floating around. You can strain your vanilla after a few months, but....I'll leave that to the girls that get these.

I then did some alcohol research and I learned not to use a bottom shelf Vodka, and not to use one infused with flavors. Tito's was one that was recommended, so I went with that. 1 liter fills 4-5 bottles, depending on how full you make them.

I put two beans (split in two) in the bottles, poured vodka over it, and sealed the bottles. I also made some little tags for the front and I'm going to add an instruction tag. I read these can be used within 8 weeks, but are best after 8 months. It also says you can continuously refill your vanilla bottles, using the same beans for years. I guess I'll let you know this time next year!

The vodka is already amber (a few hours later), and I'm planning to shake them up every few days until I gift them away. I probably spent almost $10 a bottle, but the bigger bulk you buy, the cheaper your vanilla will be.

DIY Croutons

2022-07-05T21:04:00.003-05:00

I recently was unable to find my favorite croutons. When I've looked up recipes in the past it seems like it takes a long time to bake a crouton, so I've never tried...until now. I finally found a simple recipe and I've already made it twice. I'm posting it here for future me b/c present me is digging these croutons!

Step 1-Melt 1 T spoon of butter with 1 1/2 T olive oil and 3 gloves of crushed garlic. Heat it on low heat for about ten minutes just until the garlic is starting to soften and brown slightly. You are just infushing the oil with the garlic flavor.

Turn the heat off, and then lay some thinly sliced piece of baguette to the ban and coat one side. There is enough oil for about 16 slices. I sliced my bread about 1/3 inch thick.

I then flipped the bread over so the second side was covered.

I put my slices on a foil lined pan and backed them at 350 for about 15 minutes. They go from looking uncooked to crispy really quickly, so start eyeing the bread at 15 minutes and check it frequently if it's not quite done.

Serve with salad.

Travel Journal

2022-06-26T22:57:00.002-05:00

I've kept a journal when I traveled for years. It's been great to go back and read about the day to day vacations I only remember as vacation blobs (beautiful blobs, but....just a generic summary and not the day to day details). It's also been a great way to remember the things I wanted to remember before returning. In the last few years I've added some 'scrapbooking' to my journal, as opposed to keeping a full album for the trip separately. Now I might do a few pages in a larger book I'm keeping with chronological life moments, but I don't have as many full albums anymore because....time.

I've also slowly been teaching myself the most efficient way TO scrapbook on the go. I know I used a two page spread each day. I have a few walk throughs on youtube on past journals, but this last trip (Hello, Oahu), I took a few photos of what my set up looks like.

I now travel with a pouch with my glue, a few paper scraps, some enamel drops, a mini stapler and little strips of washi, but I try to do most of my decorating beforehand.

I attaching a few things to each page I think I might like to use when I decorate the page. In this case, I made a little pocket using half an envelope beyond the house. I put in some litlte squares I used for extra space for journaling, and a place to put my photos. I also make little date tags in advance with my label maker. This way I could use more than two pages, so I don't put the date on the pages until I get to that day.

I use a canon ivy, which really prints great little photos AND you can buy your paper with a sticky back.

I'm on my fourth travel journal now, and they sure do take up a lot less space. I'm sure I'll go back to the 'big books' someday, or on really different vacations, but for now, I'm loving the travel journal life!

Muddy Buddy Truffles

2021-12-07T23:02:00.005-06:00

Every year for at least 15 years I've hosted a cookie RECIPE exchange at my work. I've talked about it in the past, but the gist is that you bring two cookies and a recipe attached for each person. We've had 25 people and 10 people. You never know how wants to bake, and what they want to bake. I always find a few new recipes this way regardless of the number, and this year was no exception, including the one I brought.

These muddy buddy truffles taste exactly like you would expect them too. The crunch of the chex and the pb, powdered sugar, and chocolate give them the delicious taste of a muddy buddy, but I thought they were easier to make (I can never shake my muddy buddies evenly).

The original recipe says they make 12, but I got more like 18 out of a batch. It also said to wait for the chocolate to dry before rolling them in powdered sugar (double rolling), but mine got a little too hard b/c the powdered sugar didn't fully stick. I think I'll try to roll when it's ALMOST dry next time, but that didn't impact the taste, it was just powdery!

Corn Salad

2021-09-18T23:36:00.006-05:00

I've been meaning to post this for awhile, but I just (re) found the recipe. My mom had this at a potluck last spring and she told me we absolutely had to try it. I made it for the 4th of July and it was a huge hit. The pickiest people I know I call family and they all at it and liked it.

This will be making all the summer get togethers from here on out!

Ingredients: 2 15 oz cans of whole kernel corn (drained), 2 c. grated cheddar cheese, 1 c. mayo, 1 c. green pepper (chopped), 1/2 c. red onion (chopped), 1 10 1/2 oz bag of Frito corn chips (crushed)

Instructions: Mix and chill. Stir in corn chips just before serving.

*The original recipe called for chili cheese corn chips, I just used what I had on hand.

*If you won't be eating the whole salad in one sitting, divide it in half and only add half the chips. It does not taste as good when the chips have been in it overnight b/c they don't have the right texture, so just reserve them and mix the second half together with the chips when you are dishing it out as left overs.

Fall Trail Mix

2021-09-07T19:19:00.003-05:00

You can eat this trail mix at any time....and I do, but it feels right for the fall and it's so simple to put together!

My friend Susan shared this with me years ago and it will always be "Susan's mix." It's the perfect mix of sweet with just a tiny hint of spicy (which you can leave out if you want, but most people don't even know that.

Without further ado, or unnecessary words:

Ingredients: 6 c. plain chex, 1 c. pecans, 1 c. pretzels (I always add a few more pecans and pretzels), 1 1/2 stick melted butter, 3/4 c. brown sugar, 1 scant tsp Cayenne pepper

Instructions: Melt butter and stir in brown sugar and cayenne pepper.

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Pour the butter mix over the dry mix and toss until the pieces are coated.

Lay out on a large sheet pan and bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Pull it out and stir. Back another 8 minutes. Cool and bag. This should last at least a week if stored right, but....it's so delicious it won't last that long!

Puff Pastry Sausage Appetizers

2021-09-06T19:26:00.011-05:00

Last year for the super bowl I didn't host a party. I barely watched the super bowl, but I did indeed still make an appetizer dinner like I was doing all of the above. One thing I tried out were these 'pigs in a blanket' gone fancy via Martha Stewards Instagram.

I cut my down b/c I didn't need a million, so here's my trimmed down version of some fancy dogs in some tasty blankets.

Ingredients: 1 puff pastry, 4 sausages (I used Costco's Teton Polish sausage), 1 egg, spicy mustard, everything but the bagel seasoning (you could also just do poppy seeds or sea salt)

Instructions:

1. Heat over to 400 degrees.

2. Cut puff pastry into 4 equal pieces.

3. Spread spicy mustard on half the puff pastry. Lay sausage down over spicy mustard.

4. Beat an egg and brush some on the second half of the puff pastry. Roll the hotdog (seam side down). Cut into 4 pieces at an angle.

5. Once you have all 4 hot dogs cut, brush the top of each with the remaining egg and sprinkle with seasoning.

6. Bake for about 30 minutes (until golden brown).

7. Serve with Spicy mustard.

DIY Balloon Columns

2021-08-27T21:42:00.004-05:00

I recently helped host a party for a friend of mine that retired from teaching. She's really into politics, so we had fun with a patriotic theme (campaign buttons, shirts, and headbands). One thing I wanted to try out was balloon columns. It was MUCH easier than I thought. I'll definitely be doing it again, and I'll go with a video next time, but here are some pictures and lessons I took along the way.

First, I have a balloon blower. I got this on Amazon. It blows up two balloons at a time (I only have talent enough to do one), BUT it's a life safer. It comes with different nozzle sizes and plugs in.

I also found a kit on Amazon for less than 15 dollars that came with 100 balloons of different sizes, mylar balloons, string, glue dots, and these strips you can put the balloons into to create an arch. It ALSO came with this tying divice, which saved my fingers from hurting!

The other thing I purchased was balloon columns (two), again it was 15 dollars, and reusable. They have door arches and circles, but I have seen the arches fall over before, and I decided this would be the least stressful way to make displays. The column came with a bunch of different pieces you can attach. I wanted a random sampling of balloons (nothing uniform). I used these little round balloon holders that slip onto the poles.

When you have four balloons, you slip them into the slots.

And you slip the circle onto the balloon poles.

I just kept stacking until I had it as full as I wanted. The day of the party I went and inserted smaller balloons I had blown up into the gaps using the glue dots.

One lesson learned, I don't know if I blew them up too big, but randomly during the night I heard balloons popping. It wasn't a huge deal b/c I had set aside a bunch in case this happened. BUT I also dropped the columns going to my car. It was 100 degrees and all the balloons that hit the sidewalk popped. Whoops. I would assemble this on sight next time, not fill them QUITE as full, or transport them in trash bags and not fully assembled. Live and learn.

I put the mylar balloons at the top and filled the based and random spots with baby balloons. I lost quite a few of my confetti balloons along the way, but it still was fun. The plan was to put them outside the doors, but it was just too hot, so I put them in two random places in the house.

Road Trip Birthday Party

2021-06-08T00:00:00.017-05:00

Last week, a group of us gals wanted to celebrate our friend Sande's 50th bday. She said she wanted to take a day trip down to Magnolia (2 hours). Even though we planned to eat lunch in Waco and try out the Magnolia bakery, I wanted to personalize it and make it feel like a party, so I planned a tailgate breakfast.

I posted all the details about each of these in a previous post, but each girl got a box of breakfast and a personalized cookie.

I also bought some popcorn for a road snack (it doesn't hurt that Sande's husband owns the shop) and I provided personalized shopping totes for each girl.

I brought an ice cooler and personalized some tumblers for each girl to have in the car as well.

I think all the necessities for a successful girl trip down 35.

Girl Trip Party Ideas

2021-06-07T00:00:00.009-05:00

I've been tossing a few of the details from my friend's 50th Girl Trip online. We took a day away and headed two hours up the road to Waco. Even though it was a day trip, I still wanted to make it special and personalized.

Sande told me almost a year ago this is what she wanted to do, so I've been collected gold and black totes from Hobby Lobby and Amazon and I personalized one for each girl.

I also made tumblers with "Hello 50" on one side and our names on the back.

I'll pull all the details together in my next post. :)

Breakfast To Go Party Idea

2021-06-04T00:00:00.023-05:00

This past week, I went with a group of girls on a day trip to celebrate my friend Sande's birthday. Even though most of our day was going to be spent out of town visiting shops and restaurants, I wanted to do something party-ish to celebrate her birthday and make it feel more like a party. So...I made a tailgate breakfast box for each gal who came along.

I found these gabled boxes at Hobby Lobby in the party aisle and I added each girl's name with my vinyl and my Cricut.

Each box included silverware, a bagel (in a pink bag, also from Hobby Lobby), a little container of fruit (I bought these little domed container on Amazon) and a cookie. One of our planned stops was a cupcake shop, but I wanted some sort of personalized dessert.

Typically, a cookie wouldn't be most people's idea of dessert, BUT I figured with the box idea, people could nibble along the road (we had a two hour trip ahead of us).

Easy Personalized Cookies

2021-06-03T00:00:00.035-05:00

This Tuesday, some friends and I took a day trip in honor of my pal Sande's birthday. One of our planned stops was Magnolia Bakery for their cupcakes, BUT I wanted to have some sort of fun treat that was personalized for her birthday, so I decided on cookies.

I love baking cookies, but the date for this event coincided with the end of the busiest year of my life as a teacher, so I found that you can purchase edible rice paper cookies online. You can order all sorts of shapes, but I went with some circles. It was really easy-I sent a picture and the message I wanted on the pictures.

I used my favorite cookie recipe and the rim of a cup to cut out circles the size I wanted (a little bit larger than the cookies, though this isn't necessary if you don't want to decorate the edges).

I cut out a circle using regular scissors and I left a little white around it since my icing was white. There is a clear paper on the back you peel off.

I put a glob of icing down and the picture adheres right to the cookie.

I put a ring of icing around the cookies and rolled them in sprinkles.

I let them dry and then bagged them up.

SMORE Bites

2021-06-01T19:04:00.029-05:00

Hello, summer! I actually made these LAST year, but....I got behind in life and I'm just now posting. There were so easy to put together and really delicious and a little bit LESS messy way to enjoy a smore.

Ingredients: 1 c. graham cracker crumbs, 4 T melted butter, 1/4 c. powered sugar, 12 marshmallows (cut in half), Reese's peanut butter cup or Hershey chocolate.

Instructions:

1. Heat over to 350.

2. Mix the crumbs, sugar, and butter. Spoon the into 24 mini muffin cups and press them to the bottom and sides like a small pie shell.

3. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove them and place a Reese's peanut butter cup or 2 piece of Hershey chocolate squares in the 'cup.' Cover with the 1/2 marshmallow (cut side down).

4. Place over on broil and put them back in for 1-2 minutes. Remove them as they start to brown.

5. I added a little melted chocolate to the top as well when they cooled.

6. Eat and repeat.

Snack Trays

2021-04-27T20:46:00.003-05:00

Last year, when we were in full quarantine mode, I found lots of links to things like 'snack trays of the day.' Basically, a portable charcuterie board. I found this tray on the net, I think it's rubbermaid? It even came with a removable bowl in the middle and a clear lid to store it all in. I started building a new mix each week so that I would have a place to when I was hungry....which hopefully wasn't a cookie. I figured if I had access to ready to eat healthy foods, I would grab it. Stay tuned b/c then life hit and I lost track of that, BUT I did save a picture of each one I put together at the time so I'd remember some combos when I was looking for something new. So, dear future me, here are some ideas for snack trays. You liked these combos.

Tray 1: Dark chocolate covered nuts, hummus, sweet peppers, tomatoes, strawberries and blueberries.

Tray 2: Pretzels, celery, grapes, mixed nuts, and spicy ranch dip (which is the fiesta ranch packet sold near the salad dressings mixed with sour cream).

Snack Tray 3: Looks like you still have some mixed nuts, apples, oranges (bagged and stored separate so everything doesn't smell like oranges), laughing cow cheese and Nut Thins

Snack Tray 4: Salama, jalapeno cheese, water crackers, ranch dip, celery, cucumber, tomatoes.

Composting

2021-04-09T22:53:00.002-05:00

Last year I joined the quarantine club and really got into gardening. I have tried for years to successfully grow a little garden. I finally found a spot in my yard that got the perfect amount of sun, BUT I left so often during the summer it never survived the drought that was my vacation. Last year, I rocked the garden. Sure, a squash bug moved in mid July and took out half my plants, but not all of them. This year I added an herb garden and since the (above) photo I've had to trim it down twice b/c they are exploding. All of this to say....I also took up compositing.

I bought a barrel compost bin that has two compartments. You fill one, then just start spinning it while you are filling the second side and by the time you fill side two, side one should be ready to roll. I've learned a lot about bugs, a pile that's too wet or too dry, and what can and can't go inside, but I harvested some great compost this spring for my new hobby. My dog and I visit the bin almost daily to throw in scraps, paper, hair, egg shells, and leaves.

All this too say, I never thought I'd like gardening so much, but I'm redoing my whole back yard and hope to have a total oasis in the next few years....at least compared to what it is now.

I miss traveling, but I've learned to love home even more and I'm learning so much just around my yard. I'm making the most of having more time at home, and my hobbies have looked a little different over the last year, but I'm definitely adding my personal touches, even in the garden.

Paint Your Own Easter Egg Cookies

2021-03-19T21:02:00.002-05:00

I have wanted to do these for several years. Finally, Easter is close enough to my spring break that I was able to take advantage of having a little bit more time in my schedule. I found the edible paint pallets on Etsy and chose the Easter colors. I found the plastic bristle paint brushes at Hobby Lobby, and I found all the ingredients for the cookies in my pantry. Ha! I didn't use the typical Royal Icing Recipe, but my favorite sugar cookie recipe. I added Karo Syrup to the recipe so it would harden.

I packaged each cookie up in a small cellophane bag b/c I was shipping them, or packaging multiple in the Easter bags I snagged a few years back at Hallmark (I told you I had been planning this for awhile). I also packaged the paint pallets in a smaller cellophane bag.

Some of the cookies I boxed up and mailed to some of my younger pals, and then I packaged up the ones I plan to pass out to friend's kiddos in the bunny bags and included the paint brush.

Pigs in a Blanket Casserole

2021-03-01T19:19:00.001-06:00

I've been eating pigs in a blanket my whole life...it's a comfort food no matter how old I get, so when I saw this casserole at plain chicken I had to give it a try. It really was good, even the next day and it's definitely staying in the pig rotation!

Ingredients: 8 count tube of crescent rolls + 4 count tube of crescent rolls, 14 oz pkg of little smokies, 1/4 c. Dijon mustard, 5 eggs, 1 1/2 c. milk, 2 c. cheddar cheese (shredded), salt & pepper to taste.

Instructions:

1. Heat over to 375 and spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cookie spray.

2. Unroll the crescent rolls and separate them into 12 triangles. Spread Dijon on each triangle and cut them into 3 pieces (now you will have 36 mini triangles).

3. Place one sausage on each triangle and roll the crescent roll around it. Place it in the pan.

4. Sprinkle cheese on top.

5. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour this mix over the cheese covered pigs.

6. Bake for about 40 minutes (until egg mix is set).

Homemade Stockings

2020-12-14T00:41:00.001-06:00

Headed (virtually) to GMT today to share some homemade stockings. I'll post the link later to FB later. These are super quick and easy, but I'm planning to share a few from my personal collection that I've put out every Christmas. I'm all about pretty Christmas decor, but I'll always choose a handmade stocking over a store bought stocking any day!

Dried Orange Ornaments

2020-12-01T21:37:00.003-06:00

Is it even 2020 if you aren't making dried oranges for Christmas? I don't know if I'm seeing these everywhere b/c I decided to do it, or if it really is just a popular craft this Christmas. I ordered a feather tree (a new "old" style b/c I've been looking for years for a REAL old one, but no luck). I decided I was going to do oranges, fake candles, and a popcorn garland, so....first up I used some oranges that were pretty soft to the touch thanks to good intentions and bad planning on my part a few weeks back.

I sliced my oranges to about 1/4 inch thickness and I lined a pan with parchment paper...just b/c I didn't want to have to work to get out the orange flavor.

I baked my oranges at 250 for about 2 hours. When they look pretty juiceless, and felt firmer to the touch I pulled them out. I didn't want them to get too brown.

I had picked up these large needles in the yarn section recently for another project and they were perfect.

I strung bakers twine through and tied off a loop for them to hang, but you could keep going if you wanted a garland instead.

Now...I'm just waiting for my faux feather tree to arrive.

Semi Homemade Apple Pie

2020-11-02T00:00:00.001-06:00

I made this pie for Thanksgiving last year and it was the perfect amount of sweet. I used a store bought pie dough, and then used about 5 medium red apples and 1 green apple. I peeled the apples and then thinly sliced them. I squeezed a little lemon juice over the apples, and then added 3/4 c. sugar. I added 3 T cornstarch, 1 heaping teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 t. nutmeg, 1/4 t. allspice, and 1/8 t. salt. You mix it all together, place it in the bottom dough. Top and crimp with dough two. Cut slits, and then brush it with an egg wash. I cooked it at 375 for about 50 minutes (until the crust was golden). And...serve with ice cream because...obviously.

Free Halloween Tag

2020-09-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

I made this last year to put on a drink I gave my secret sister, but....it was a secret all year, so I had to wait until this year to post! You should be able to hit the link here for a free printable. :)