Cuts by Laser - Beautiful Designs by Young Entrepreneurs #HolidayGift

Cuts by Laser

• Attractive Laser Cut Designs Include Ornaments, Puzzles, Boxes, and Much More
• Created by the Children of a Homeschool Family
• These Products are Currently Made From Baltic Birch Wood
• Reasonably Priced - Items begin at only $2 and Vary by Design
• Shop From the Facebook Page or Submit an Original Non Licensed Design of Your Own

When I was fairly new to homeschooling I had the extreme good fortune of a strong online community of seasoned veterans to help me navigate my way.  One of the mothers I met was Jennifer, and you can get to know her through her own blog A Glimpse of Our Life. 

If you stop by to visit, you will see that she is a great mother, a fantastic teacher, and you will probably pick up on the fact that she is a warm, caring person, too.  One of the things I love about how she is raising her children is that she encourages them to try a lot of things and as a result they are very creative.  

Earlier this year they learned how to make designs with a laser cutter, and they have really honed their skills!  Check out the photo collage below to see see a sample of some of their fantastic work.  Just look at the beautiful snowflakes, the keepsake box, the beautiful Nativity Scene and the ornament with the three wise men.

Don't you love these designs?  Some of the details on the pieces are remarkable!  The Facebook page has more photos, including puzzles and a post about how they fit the boxes together.

It is a little bit hard to tell, but this snowflake is painted with a silvery glittery glaze and when it is on the tree, light catches it causing glimmering and sparkles.  It measures about five inches across and sells for $6 (shipping included)


The little robot was a request from a boy named Tucker.  If you would like a Tucker's Robot these are $4 (add a dollar if you would like a name etched on)

Don't you love this ornament?  Look at the intricate work on the holly leaves!

In this last photo you can see some musical designs and two of a set of four coasters which have wildflower designs.

You can contact Jennifer by way of the facebook page linked above.  Feel free to inquire about any design ideas you might have.  Alternately, you can email her at   cutsbylaser@yahoo.com

Jennifer and her daughters also have a Lila Rose business which you can learn more about on her website or Facebook page.

If you are looking for something unique and special this holiday, please consider Cuts by Laser.  In addition to picking up some neat gifts you will be helping some young people with their education in art and entrepreneurial skills!

For the purpose of full disclosure, I was sent some of these designs for no charge in exchange for my honest review.  

We Wish You a Merry Christmas - And Our Elf on a Shelf

Merry Christmas!

I hope that everyone who celebrates is enjoying the day.

Do you have an Elf on the Shelf?  

I have had a lot of fun with ours this year, and would love to share some of the fun with you.

(I'm sorry - because of the music, it cannot be viewed on a phone.)  :*(

I wish you all the joys of the season, from our house, to yours.

Christmas Cookies, and an Easy Recipe for Fudge

Our Family loves Christmas, and we have a wonderful tradition of baking lots and lots of cookies.  We share them with friends, and we put out big platters after our Christmas Eve dinner.



Some are top secret recipes passed down from my Grandmother that I have sworn to uphold for life or longer.  (they didn't have blogs and Pinterest in her day, and everyone guarded good recipes to keep their bridge club impressed)  



 There are others that are so good and so easy that I have to share them with anyone who hasn't tried them yet.



The Gingerbread man cookie pan I used for these cookies is the best.  The kids love these huge cookies, and It's a lot easier on my arthritic hands when it comes time to doctorate them!

Look at the smaller tray of cookies, you'll see whoopie pies.  They are so easy,  and I added a little peppermint to the icing filling, and crushed some candy canes and rolled the icing edges through the pieces to garnish. 

The little round ones are Truffles.  They are also very easy to make!  Just crush a bag of double stuff Oreo cookies, and mix them together with a softened bar of cream cheese.let this mixture sit in the refrigerator for a few hours.  Line cookie sheets with waxed paper while melting a bag of chocolate chips with a stick of butter in a small sauce pan over low heat.  Roll the cookie mixture into balls and dip them into the melted chocolate.  Place them on the cookie sheets, then allow to chill in the fridge for an hour or longer.

Once they have cooled, I warm a small amount of green or red frosting, and drizzle it over the Truffles for garnish. 

If you like home made fudge, you'll love this recipe from Nestle Toll House!

Gather: 
1 1/2 cups of Granulated Sugar
2/3 cup of Carnation Evaporated Milk
2 Tablespoons of Butter
1/4 teaspoon of salt
2 cups of mini marshmallows
1 1/2 cups of Nestle Toll House Morsels
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
1/2 cups of Chopped Pecans or Walnuts (optional)
Garnish of choice 

Prepare an 8 inch square pan by lining it with foil
Combine the sugar, milk, butter and salt in a heavy saucepan and bring it to a boil.  Allow it to boil for five minutes while stirring continuously.  Then remove the mixture from the heat.

Add the remaining ingredients and stir until they have all melted. 

Quickly transfer the mixture to the pan, garnish, if desired, and place in the refrigerator to cool for at least two hours.

Remove from the pan by lifting the foil, remove the foil, and cut into pieces.

If you are adventurous, try different flavors of morsels and combinations of flavors.

Festive Holiday Wreath Bundt Cake

Festive Holiday Bundt Cake - Easy to Make, Great for Holiday Parties!

It is already the last Friday of the month again.  This was meant to be part of a monthly link up that shared holiday ideas, but that was cancelled.

I was prepared in advance however, and do have a holiday favorite idea to share.  This Christmas Holly Wreath Bundt Cake looks fantastic, and is so easy to make!  Every time I bring it to a Holiday party or get together, it makes a great impression.


To make your own, you will need:

• One Bundt Cake, Baked and Cooled.
• Green Icing,
• White Icing
• Red M&Ms
• Silk Holly Leaves
• A Round Cake Plate

1.  Once the cake is baked and cooled, prepare it for icing.  Brush off any crumbs, and place it upon some waxed paper.
2.  Warm the green icing so that it pours easily, but isn't runny.
3.  Evenly glaze the cake with green icing allowing it to run down the sides and the middle.
4.  Wait five minutes while the icing cools.
5.  Warm the white icing.
6.  Apply the white icing in a similar fashion, using just enough to create a snowy look.
7.  Before the white icing is set, add 3 groups of three red M&Ms to the top of the cake to serve as holly berries.
8.  Add the silk holly leaves where the M&Ms have been placed.

I have also added flaked coconut to the cake plate so it looks like it is sitting in snow.

Merry Christmas!

Easy to Make Keepsake Handprint Snowman Ornament

Isn't this an adorable ornament?  

That is my son's handprint!  

These are so easy to make, and they make a great keepsake. 

To make these ornaments, you will need:

• Clear, Ball Shaped Ornaments
• Acrylic Paints
• One Large and Several Small Paintbrushes
• A Sharpie Marker
• Your Choice of Decorative Pieces for Inside the Ball
• Your Child's Hand
• Newspaper or a Protective Table Cover
• Some Wipes or Wet Paper Towels
• A Medium Sized Cup
• A Hook or Ribbon to Hang the Ornament

1.  To begin, clear your work area and lay down newspaper of protective covering.
2.   Assemble paints and brushes.
3.   Remove ornament from packaging, and place it in the cup, using to the top of the cup as a stand.
4.  Using the large brush, paint your child's hand white, and be sure to cover from the heel of the palm to the fingertips.
5.  Pick up the ornament and have your child gently hold it, with his palm on the bottom, and fingers, slightly spread out, facing the top.
6.  Have him carefully open his hand, without smudging the paint.
7.  Using just your fingertips, gently place the ornament, top down, back onto your cup stand, while the child cleans the pain from his hand.
8.  Allow paint to dry.
9.  When the white paint has dried, allow your child to decorate the snowmen using paint and small brushes.
10. Place the ornament back into the cup stand, and allow the paint to dray again.
11. When the paint has dried, remove the top of ornament, and carefully add decorative items to the inside.  I used some bright red and green beads, a few small holly leaves, and some tinsel.
12. Replace the top, and add a hook or decorative ribbon.
13.  Using a Sharpie marker, add the child's name and date.


These make a great gift for grandparents, and are a nice keepsake for your own tree, too.  


Keep in mind, smaller hands may need to hold the ball slightly higher for the snowmen to show up nicely.


Merry Christmas to you!!  

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to You! 

From Myself, and the Villagers.  =)

Best Wishes For a Wonderful Day,

Holiday Bliss ~ December 31st

I have never been big on celebrating New Year's Eve.  While I was working as a nurse, I chose to work this night shift every year.   Then we had the boys.   To say I didn't have the energy for a New Year's Eve party is putting it mildly!   Also, as I mentioned yesterday, the 30th is my husband's birthday, and our anniversary.  After celebrating those occasions, Christmas celebrations, and all the rest we're pretty okay with staying in.   Some years I have even been sound asleep by midnight!

Since I slept most of the day away today, I will probably be awake to usher in the New Year, but it's a safe bet that it won't be very festive!

I wish you all a very happy, healthy 2011 filled with love and blessings.

Today is the last day of the Holiday Bliss meme at Garden of Learning.  Thanks, Brenda!  It was fun!

Holiday Bliss ~ December 30th

Today is my husband's birthday.  It is also our wedding anniversary.  Really!

Having a birthday right after Christmas isn't easy.  It often gets forgotten, so I like to do something special for my husband.  So, when he asked me to marry him I thought, that will definitely make for an exciting birthday!

What is pretty amazing is that we decided on Christmas Day to get married.  His birthday was 5 days later!  With help from my MIL and SIL, we managed to put together quite a nice ceremony and reception!    It was a wonderful day, and it has been a good life.

Today's Holiday Bliss is also Wedded Bliss.  :)

Visit Brenda at Garden of Learning for the Holiday Bliss meme.

Holiday Bliss ~ December 29th

Today one of my best friends, her husband, and her two boys came by and we spent the afternoon visiting, finishing off Christmas cookies, exchanging gifts, and having a nice time while the kids played.  It was nice.

Since the month is almost over, I'll also share our Christmas card wall.  This was taken about a week ago, so there are a few more now.   I love to give and get cards, although I know the practice is becoming old fashioned.   I still hand write notes and thank you cards, and I hope I will always send Christmas cards, too.

Holiday Bliss is Brenda's daily meme hosted at Garden of Learning.

Holiday Bliss ~ December 28th

Whew!  I needed a couple of days to recover from all of the holiday cheer, it seems.

Today, Holiday Bliss was two little boys bundled in snowsuits, playing in 2 and a half feet of snow.   We had quite a Blizzard on Sunday.

Now they are inside, watching a movie, having some popcorn and snuggling underneath the cozy quilts their Grandmother made for them.  Yep.  that's bliss.

For a few more days, Brenda is hosting this daily meme at her blog, Garden of Learning.

Holiday Bliss ~ December 25th

Merry Christmas!  I hope everyone has made some memories, shared some love, and spent some time reflecting on the true meaning of this day.

We had a very nice Christmas Eve at my mother's house.  My sister, one of my brothers, and their children were there, and we had a fun and festive evening.  The boys were so excited for Christmas they eventually asked to come home so that they could go to bed right away!  Once the sugarplums were dancing in their heads, my husband and I exchanged gifts.  Then, during the night, we had a visitor.

The boys were up early and found their stockings were filled, and there was no coal to be seen.

Mrs Puff did a good job guarding the gifts, and although she was tempted, she didn't have a single drop of Santa's milk.

We kept breakfast simple, finished the final readings for Advent, and enjoyed some presents.  Mass was at 12:30.

Today is also my mother's birthday. We will be getting together for dinner in an hour or so, and having another fun evening.

Share your Holiday Bliss with Brenda at Garden of Learning all month long.

Holiday Bliss ~ December 23

My husband came home a little bit early today, which was nice.  He wanted to get a haircut.  We all went with him so we could have dinner out, together, afterward.  The place he gets his hair cut is at the mall.  Well, that was quite an experience!  The shopping season is really coming down to the wire now, and there was an interesting mix of people walking past us while we waited.  I felt bad for the people who were stressed out, still trying to come up with gift ideas.

A friend shared this on facebook this morning, and I was thinking about it all day today:

Share your Holiday Bliss with Brenda at Garden of Learning.  The daily meme will last for the rest of December.

Holiday Bliss ~ December 21

If you need to make something in a hurry for a holiday party, this is one of my favorites.  Make a bundt cake, and when it's cool, drizzle green icing, then white (for snow) add some silk holly leaves from a dollar store garland, and some Red M&Ms and you'll have a gorgeous dessert.

Share your Holiday Bliss with Brenda at Garden of Learning all through December.

Holiday Bliss ~ December 20

For most people, Christmas is a time of anticipation.  Children have sugarplums dancing in their heads, and parents are busy with preparations.  Advent candles are burning down, and the numbers on the calendars are almost finished.  The prayer books are nearing their ends.

It is also almost time to figure out where the ugly carolers will turn up.  The ugly carolers are a fun family tradition.  I don't know where they came from, I was living out of state when they first arrived.  I know that they turn up like a bad penny every year at Christmas, in somebody's house.  One minute, all is well, then, we will turn around, and they have appeared!

Okay, now brace yourself for a moment, and I will share some photos.

See? I wasn't kidding! Poor things. They are a fright!

Share your Holiday Bliss with Brenda at Garden of Learning.  This daily meme will continue throughout December.  

Holiday Bliss ~ December 19

The boys have had varying opinions of Santa over the years.  Sometimes, they think he's a very nice guy, others they steer pretty clear.  One year they asked us not to let him in our house.   We left a note asking him to leave any gifts on the steps like the UPS man.

When they go to the mall to see him, they always start out wary.  They keep a good distance for a while, and talk until they feel a little bit more comfortable.  If they get the feeling that he's an okay guy, they'll get a little closer.

Here is how it went this year.   Not bad.  They sat down fairly close.  No eye contact, but good conversation.  It was a nice afternoon.

If you'd like to share a holiday memory, tradition, recipe, music, or anything to do with the season, go visit Brenda at Garden of Learning.  She'll be hosting this daily meme throughout December.

Holiday Bliss ~ December 18th

Each year, the boys and I make ornaments and decorations for the house and to give away to family as presents.  Here is what we've done this this year.

I love these.  They came out so nice!  they are white bells and crystal beads on silver tinsel pipe-cleaners.

We've also made these wreaths.

And we made these Jolly Santas.

Join the Holiday Bliss Daily Meme at Brenda's blog, Garden of Learning, all through December.