The Moxie Fox

Hello everyone!
It's been a while since I've posted on here! I apologize, today's post isn't a tutorial- but I wanted to tell you all about my new crafting obsession- BOWS. Now I know it's nothing new, everyone loves a good bow, but I've made so many hair bows lately that I decided to open up an Etsy Shop! You can find it here: www.etsy.com/shop/TheMoxieFox
Right now it's packed full of holiday bows as well as some jewelry and hair ties! So check it out if you have some spare time and I PROMISE I'll be posting some good DIY tutorials soon! Happy Holidays!!

Here are some of the bows available in my shop:

Christmas Peppermint Tie Dye Cupcakes

Your favorite Tie Dye Cupcake with a holiday twist!

Ingredients:

-Your favorite vanilla cake mix (white cake works too.. but it's a little to light & airy of a cake to handle the dye well... the texture came out a little off where there was no difference when using vanilla cake mix)

-Whatever other ingredients your cake mix calls for.. in my case eggs, water, and vegetable oil 

-Red & Green Food Coloring (I prefer Wilton's brand)
-Optional Red and Green sprinkles or edible flakes
-Candy Canes
-Pillsbury Vanilla Mint frosting

Step One: 

-Make the cake batter according the the directions on the box. 

-When the batter is completely blended and smooth, separate into two bowls o

-Slowly add dye to bowls. Remember, a little bit usually goes a long way so blend completely before deciding if more dye is needed. Also keep in mind that no one wants to bite into a bubble of dye so blend completely... and then blend even more.

Step Two:

-Line your tin with cupcake liners. 

-Layer spoonfuls of the red and green batter in each liner. The smaller the spoonfuls (and the more layers) -the more of a tie dye effect you'll get. 

-Fill liners 3/4 of the way (or whatever the recipe calls for)

-DO NOT try to swirl or mix the different colored batter! This will only make it turn a muddy greyish/ brown. LAYERING ONLY!!

Here you can see the layering progression: the bottom liner only has one layer with the top having four.

All Done!

-Step Three:

-Bake for as long as the recipe on the box calls for!

-Remember you added an ingredient (the dye) so a little extra baking time may be needed! Just be careful and keep an eye on your cupcakes!


Step Four:

-Decorate!

-After your cupcakes have cooled, ice them! I dirty- iced these cupcakes with a knife and canned vanilla mint frosting (beware: it is very minty). To top off the cupcakes I used edible red and green sparkle-flakes and crushed candy canes. I found the gingerbread man cupcake wrappers at Joann Fabrics.

Aren't they the sweetest? 

DIY Holiday Bunting Flags

Who doesn't love a good bunting flag? They can be used for any occasion- baby shower, birthday, wedding, and in this case- Christmas!

Supplies:
-Large (12x12) Double-sided scrapbook paper (trust me, it's a lot easier to use)
-Ribbon
-Paper Glue or Rubber Cement
-Stapler & Staples
-Dimensional dot stickers
-Ruler
-Scissors (Regular, and scalloped)
-Scrap Paper (to make pattern)
-Optional stickers/ letters/ decorations

Step One:
-Make your pattern!
-The first triangle should be 5" across the base and meet at a point 6" from the center (2.5") of the base. The picture is much easier to understand:

-Then you need the larger triangle which has a base of 5.5" and extends 6.25" from the center of the base .

-Cut the triangles out and align them so that the bases are touching and the smaller triangle is centered to the bigger triangle. Tape together. (Note: if you are not using double sided paper, keep the triangles separate and use one for each pattern)

Step Two:

-Create your flags!

-Trace the pattern onto the double-sided paper and cut it out!

-Now fold where the triangles meet (the points should not touch, you want to create a border)

-Repeat this step until you have as many flags as you want for your banner- my "ho ho ho" banner needed 12 flags. 

Step Three:

-Figure out the order you would like the flags to go in.

-Take your ribbon and place it between the two sides of the flag (underneath the fold)

(Note: if you used one-sided paper try putting tape between the two triangles at the base to mimic a fold)

-Staple the flag to the ribbon (I used one staple in each corner)

-Continue to staple all of the flags in a row along the ribbon, do not allow for any space between the flags but also be careful not to overlap them. 

-Once flags are stapled, glue the smaller triangle to the larger so that it doesn't flap up. 

Step Four: 

-Decorate your flags. 

-For the "ho ho ho" flags I used scalloped scissors to make a bordering circle, then a normal smooth circle, and then I hand-drew the letters (you can use sticker letters if you like). I layered them using dimensional sticker dots. 

-I used designs from the left over paper to fill in the extra flags 

When you're all finished- hang your banner! They look great over a mantlepiece!

DIY Recycled Mini Candles

I can't tell you how many times I've thrown away a jar candle that still had a ton of wax in it. Once the wick is gone there's really nothing you can do with it and it just seems like such a waste! This year for Christmas I decided to repurpose some of my old holiday candles- but these would make a lovely little present any time of the year!

Supplies:
-Waxed candle wicks with a base (try any craft store)
-Glass baby food jars or glass shot glasses (no plastic!!) - I especially love the baby food jars because I think they look like miniature Yankee Candles.
-Old candles you want to recycle (preferably with scents that will smell nice together)
-Hot glue gun & glue (optional)
-A double boiler/ Oven & pot/ Electric kettle and bowl.. a way to melt the wax
-Decorations (stickers, buttons, ribbon etc)

Step One:
-Make sure your candle holder is CLEAN.. really important especially if you used baby food jars. Goo-Gone does the trick for removing the label.
-Using either a hot glue gone or a little melted wax, secure the bottom of the wick to the bottom of the jar. (I just used a dab of wax)

Step Two:
-Melt the wax you wish to recycle -pretty much any way you want to double boil it. I used my electric kettle to boil up some water, poured it in a bowl, and then placed the candle in the bowl. The candle will float, but still be careful not to get any of the water in the wax. It melted very quickly and evenly.  Just be careful- when glass become too hot it shatters!!

Step Three:
-Using an oven-mitt to handle the candle (the glass will be SUPER hot)- pour the wax into the baby food jars/ shot glasses... be careful not to pour wax on top of the wick! Fill to desired height.

Step Four:
-Wait for previous layer to dry
-Repeat with as many candles as you like, making a striped motif of wonderful colors and scents!
-Make sure to leave room at the top (you don't want an overflowing jar) and trim the wick before lighting!

Step Five:
-Decorate! Remember baby food jars have lids too :)