Thursday, December 02, 2010

You Can't Catch Me, I'm the Gingerbread Man


I never need an excuse to get crafty. I never need an excuse to eat cookies. When I get the opportunity to do both simultaneously, a happy girl am I. Archway Cookies is hosting a little photo challenge with my hero Babette of BakeSpace fame, so I had to throw my name in the hat. I scored a bulging box of holiday cookies from Archway with the instructions to create something that would capture the holidays and snap a photo. No baking required. Most of the cookies were too soft to use for any real crafting, since I wanted to make something that would last. No sense creating something I'll just have to toss! Luckily they were all good enough to eat, especially the Candy Cane flavor (which was gone in a day. Actually, hours.). The Gingerbread Men were the only cookies I thought might hold up, so this garland was born.

As a bonus, BakeSpace and Archway are offering an ultimate gift box of cookies for one lucky voter. The poll is up, and all you need to do is leave a comment to vote and be entered in the cookie drawing. I'm #12 and, as always, I appreciate your support! Click here to vote!

Want to make you own garland? Here's how:

Gingerbread Man Garland

What you'll need:
One bag of Archway Gingerbread Men 
Spray Shellac or Lacquer
Mod Podge, Sparkle
E6000 craft adhesive aka the best stuff ever
1/2 inch Eye Pins
Baker's Twine
Red and Clear Crystal Beads

What you'll do:
Step 1: Sort through your bag of cookies and set all of the whole gingerbread men aside. Stuff the broken ones in your mouth.

Step 2: Using a pastry brush, brush all of the crumbs from all sides and edges of the cookies.

Step 3: Lay the brushed cookies out on a non stick, disposable surface outside or in a well ventilated area, like your garage. I used a slick poster board, but parchment or wax paper would work. Make sure you read the instructions and drying times on the can before you start! Spray well with a coat of shellac or laquer (or if you're like me, have your husband do it. Those fume aren't good for baby!) Once dry, flip and spray the backs. Repeat to give cookies three coats of shellac.


Step 4: Move your little project inside where it's warm. Using a foam brush, brush each cookie with a coat of Sparkle Mod Podge. Yes, it looks white, but don't fret. It will dry clear and shimmery. Allow to dry completely.

Step 5: Carefully slide an eye pin straight down into the top of each cookie. Right into the little man's noggin. Be gentle! Even though you've sealed them, they can still break! Remove the eye pin, dip into E6000, and slide back into the hole. Wipe any excess glue and allow to dry overnight.



Step 6: Measure out your desired length of baker's twine. Make a knot a few inches from one end and string on beads and a cookie in your desired pattern. Make another knot next to the last bead. I used three fingers to measure the spaces between cookies and tied another knot before continuing to string. Repeat until you run out of cookies or twine.




Don't know what to do with any leftover cookies? Make earrings for your Tacky Christmas Sweater Party, use them as pendants for cute kids, or tie them to gifts to spice up your wrapping. I think they would be adorable on boxes wrapped in brown kraft paper and tied with baker's twine!


*Note: I received this box of holiday cookies from Archway for free, under no commitment to review them. All of the comments and opinions shared here are my own.

11 comments:

Rhondi said...

This is so cute on your tree. I can't help but to think of Shrek everytime I see gingerbread men.

Angie - Big Bears Wife said...

cute!! I think if you tie some to gifts that would be extra cute!!!

DanielleisNesting said...

I love the gingerbread garland!

Unknown said...

I love these!

Thank you so much for posting and hopping.

T♥

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

You never quite know what kind of blogs you're going to find on a blog-hop but I wish you could have seen my smile when I found yours!!

I LOVE your ginger-bread garland. How cool is that?

I think I might feel a bit tempted to eat one or two!!....or, if I'm honest, the whole lot!

Following you right back, missy!

Sarahx

Unknown said...

you make me laugh out loud--i love a project where i can simultaneously make something adorable and stuff cookies in my mouth. this is a great idea...i never thought to use store bought cookies for garland..but what a time saver!
thanks for the giggle this morning...what a great way to start the weekend!
christy

The Pilot's Wife said...

Happy Hop Along Friday from Anna, The Pilot's Wife at http://www.pilotwife.blogspot.com/
Happy to be following you now!

Dawn Lopez said...

How super adorable, love it!
I am stopping by from the weekend blog hop, I am a new follower! Hope you will visit us too at Just Married with Coupons
We also have a Saturday Blog hop, I would love if you joined us =)
Saturday Stalk Blog Hop

Michelle said...

What a darling idea...I just love it!

Holly Lefevre said...

Your gingerbread men are so cute. What a great idea for a garland...they look super sweet!

Amanda said...

Just dropping by to let you know that I linked to this post in a round up today from the Home & Garden channel at Craft Gossip. :) This will appear in the main Craft Gossip RSS feed, on the main home page and can be found directly here
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/9-garland-ideas-for-the-holidays/

If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here!
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/