Jacque Made: a place to share my creative side.

I like to give special photo ornaments to friends at Christmastime. I'll usually text them and ask them to send me a few of their favorite photos from the year and then I have them printed. I use mod podge and chipboard, which you can buy at a craft store or online. Then, I usually also buy stickers to put the year on the ornament.   First I line up the photo onto the chipboard and punch holes where I'd like to put the ribbon on it for hanging. Then, I use a foam paint brush and put a layer of mod podge onto the chipboard, and then glue the photo down onto it. Then, I add another layer of the mod podge onto the top of the photo. This seals the photo and protects, it too. I try to use smooth strokes, so the mod podge dries nicely.   Once that is dried, I add the number stickers and then another layer of mod podge over the stickers to seal them down. I add the ribbon once they have completely dried. It's best to leave them out to dry them overnight if possible...

I always like to give my friends and neighbors a little gift for the holidays. This year, I went to pinterest for ideas, and I was so excited when I found this idea there! I liked that I wasn't giving sweets, as we all eat way too many over the holidays, and I also liked that it was fairly easy to put together.  Here's what's in each bag:  (You could also put these items in a cute mason jar too. I wanted to spend as little money as possible, so I opted for bags.) 1/3 cup fresh cranberries 1 orange 4 cinnamon sticks 1 Tbsp. cloves 1/8 tsp. nutmeg There is a printable tag  online similar to this one my sis designed for me. I, of course, like hers more.  Tie up your bag with cute twine, attach your tag, and deliver away! Your neighbors and friends will love this gift.

I have to say this is one of my very favorite things to eat: chips and salsa. It is my dear friend, Betsy's recipe. She made it for my family a few years back for a Christmas neighbor gift, and I had to ask for the recipe, because it was that good. (Not to mention it was completely refreshing to have a non sweet goodie gift for the holidays. I didn't feel like I was gaining a ton of weight by eating this. And you won't either!) I made it for our neighbors, and I thought it turned out so cute with the red/green chips and cute polka dot ribbon... and it doesn't hurt that the salsa itself is red and green! Betsy's Salsa Ingredients : 1 lg. can of crushed tomatoes 1 bunch green onions, chopped 1/2 bunch cilantro 1 small can diced green chilies garlic salt, to taste Directions : Blend all ingredients except garlic salt in a blender or food processor. Add garlic salt to taste. (Don't be shy with the garlic salt.) Serve with your favorite...

My son's school did a theme each day of the week for Teacher Appreciation... (flower day, note day, treat day, etc.) I spaced it and remembered last night that we hadn't done anything yet! ACK! So, to Pinterest I went and found this cute pin . Lucky me it came with a printable tag that says "ORANGE you glad it's almost summer?" I thought it was perfect. (And being OCD about gifts matching, this made me very happy.) Here's what's inside : Peach Nectarine Sparkling Ice drink - these are so yummy Lindt Intense Orange dark chocolate bar - one of my faves Dreamsicle candle from Walmart Country Chic lotion from Bath & Body Works Sweet Tangerines hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works Orange Tic Tacs and Tropical Trident gum Lots of orange-y goodness. Makes my mouth water. The silver bin I found at Walmart in the aisle with the vases and silk flowers. And the cute chevron orange ribbon is from Hobby Lobby. Cohen's te...