Holiday Treat Cookies

With the potential for RK Treat-lovers to stop by during the Christmas holiday, I decided to cut some cookie shapes...using a tailor-made RK Treat recipe.

The first task was for locating a cookie cutter. I bought a 3 pack because it came with my desired Ginger Bread Man shape plus it was the most economical of those I found at the store. It also came with Pine Tree and Snowflake shapes. I assembled ingredients and kitchen tools.

I decided to reduce the standard batch into thirds. This would produce a thinner treat and thus a dough which the cutters would penetrate. I also decided to add various sprinkle toppings prior to cutting with shapes.

The first batch flopped. It set up in the bowl like concrete before I even stirred in all the RK's. The second batch wasn't any better. It boiled out of the bowl and created a huge mess in the microwave oven. I mixed the treats, spread them in the pan, added the topping, and even cut tree shapes. However the treats were so hard and brittle they resembled dead pine trees.

At that point I realized the marshmallow cook times were too long. I reduced them and started the third batch. The snowflakes turned out lovely. However the shapes were too intricate to allow rapid construction. Also the amount of scrap material was excessive. Originally I thought I would be able to use marshmallow fluff to join half-shapes together.Not likely.

With the learning curve adequately encountered and overcome, I prepared my final batch. Some precautions included:

• Coat cutter edges with no-stick spray
• Modify cutter layout plan
• Enlist help to place buttons on figures

 

Communication Barriers

Words are elements of language.

Written words are elements of language.

Vocabulary is an element of language.

Pictures are elements of communication.

Sometimes we have all the words, languages, and pictures but not the communication.

A large vocabulary is not any better than the lowest level of understanding.

Did you get the point? Let's be clear.

Indestructable Santa Ties

 PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Devise a suitable template of the craft you want to make. Perhaps draw a grid sketch to capture the image you wish to represent.
2. Collect and assemble materials: In this case 28 white beads, 15 red beads, and 2 black beads plus cord would do nicely for the head (although 5 off-white beads could be substituted for the hair).
3. Fabricate work piece.

PROGRESS REPORT #1

Fortunately I can admit my purpose for creating such a monstrosity was so I might participate in an "Ugliest Christmas Sweater" contest this year. The Santa pattern is very cute and probably was made for a completely different intention.

I went shopping and bought a string of garland containing beads in the primary colors I needed. The garland pattern had three full sets recurring in a 13" cycle. Each set contained gold (2 large, 2 medium, 8 small), red (1 large, 2 medium), and clear (2 medium) beads. I determined this would provide a sufficient piece count. I unstrung the strand and sorted out the beads. Then I arranged the beads in the desired pattern and used straightened paper clips to hold the beads. I used a large needle and nylon string to thread the beads.

 

 

After line-stringing the entire collection I doubled back with the segregating strand.

 

PROGRESS REPORT #2

How does it all end? The vast majority of the garland beads will be used to create a magnificent tie! Again the beads are prestaged in patterns with paper clips. The smallest gold beads (shown in dish) might be the answer to filling in the tapers caused by Santa's cap and beard.

PROGRESS REPORT #3

My goal is to get as green as possible with this tie. That means reduce, reuse, and recycle. I want to use as many of the beads as I can and not throw away, break or lose very many.

Some design choices:

• Since the large gold beads had the biggest holes and the variable bead sizes create a 3-D effect, I put the neck string through the third row of beads. This will allow the nylon cord to pass through more easily. 
• Because many ties are pointed at the tip, the Santa image will be positioned there instead of in the middle.

PROGRESS REPORT #4

The small gold beads will be added throughout the tie to give a knobby texture as well as provide intermediate vertical stitching. The excess beads will be strung and added as tassels at the bottom.

PROJECT COMPLETION 

Design changes:

• The small gold beads break easily (when the threaded needle is passed through).
• A Fu Manchu was added to he Santa face for its desired effect.

This was a rewarding project. Although most of the details are under the sweater, they are just clamoring to be revealed. Can you imagine why?

DESIGN IMPROVEMENT: NON-METALLIC CLASP

I poked a hole through a plastic pen cap and threaded one end of the neck cord through it. With the other end I added a loop. Now the tie is ready to wear on any occasion.

FINISHING TOUCHES

It is easier to conduct a repair before it is needed. What is the most likely way this tie would break? I decided to double up the cord. I laced a 2nd string (actually 4 segmented areas) to create the fail-safe. The ends were triple knotted, singed with flame (nylon cord was used), and then pulled into the beads.

THE ENDING

If I am not able to destroy something, why isn't it okay to call it indestructable?