Elfin Bites … the first of our Christmas cookies

October 3, 2026 – 2:48 pm

My Facebook Memories are starting to bring up the cookie preparation for our annual Christmas Open House. When we still hosted the open house, I would begin cookie b k ing the first of October. By the first weekend of December, the freezer brimmed with 25 or more kinds of cookes and candies. One of the first cookies I made for the open house were Elfin Bites.

Elfin Bites are tiny cookies, 1/2″ to 1″ in diameter. To make them, I use this recipe for Scotch Shortbread from “The Fannie Farmer Cookbook”, p. 561.

The recipe for Scotch Shortbread doesn’t contain the candy sprinkles shown in the pictures. I never made these as shortbread. I always made them as Elfin Bites, hence the pictured sprinkles. Following this recipe are the few changes I made for Elfin Bites. These cookies froze well.

  • 1/2 pound butter, room temperature (1 cup or two sticks; Do not substitute margarine as it contians more water than actual butter.)
  • 1/2 c. powdered sugar
  • 2 c. flour
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cream the butter, then gradually add the sugar, beating well.

Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder together and add to the first mixture, combining thoroughly.

Roll out the dough until it is 1/8″ 1/4″ thick, then cut into desired shapes.

Place the cookies on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, with space between the cookies. If the pieces are larger than a few inches across, prick each cookie with a fork.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until they turn lightly brown around the edges.

For Elfin Bites

Add 1 1/2 T. small, round, multi-colored candy sprinkles (nonpareils) to the dough and mix evenly.

Roll cookie dough 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick, then cut with a crimping wheel into ½” squares. Yes, one-half inch to one inch…just big enough for an elf to enjoy. Dip the crimping wheel into flour before each cut.

Do not prick the dough with a fork before baking. Place them on the tray so they don’t touch other cookies. This is the more tedious part of these cookies. They can be placed close together, but, if they are left together to bake, they can’t be taken apart afterward. The crimping wheel gives the cookies a decorative edge.

I double the above recipe, adding 3 T. sprinkes, and get about 10 dozen little Elfin Bites.

When we hosted a large Christmas open house, I intentionly made all the cookies small. That gave the guests the opportunity to try a few more varieties than they might otherwise. But these Elfin Bites were even smaller. The crisp buttery flavor of these tiny “elfin” cookies made them one of our guests’ favorite treats.

My little elves always loved helping in the kitchen and they especially loved Elfin Bites.

Bake these smaller cookies for 12-14 minutes. These are very cute piled onto a cookie tray with a variety of other cookies.

For a list of all the cookies and candies I used to make for our annual open house, please visit this link:

Open House Cookies and Candies

I hope your coming Christmas will be merry and bright! And full of delight!

~~Rhonda 🙂

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in Christmas, cookies | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

autumn. crisp days, cool nights, and beautiful color

September 26, 2026 – 1:32 pm

The base of this autumn putz house measures 6″ wide by 4″ deep, and the Putz is 5″ tall as measured from the bottom of the base to the top of the chimneys. Behind the house, a black cat watches the leaves swirl by in the autumn breeze.

A dark green, poster board fence encircles the yard. Puffs of smoke warm the house in case your autumn or Thanksgiving is chilly.

Three steps lead to the front door. The doors on my putz houses are always open so friends and family know they are welcome to stop by at any time.

I chose an upcycled greeting card as the base. It pictures a beautiful fall basket. The picture to the right shows the view from the top. I crafted the white and the yellow pumpkins. I purchased the two orange ones. Tiny leaf litter sprinkles the putz house and the yard.

I paint the pattern pieces before I assemble the putz house. Once the house is assembled and glued to the base, I begin the landscaping, which is my favorite part of the process. Rummaging through all my supplies, foliage drawers, and supply baskets is always fun. I enjoy searching for those items that are just right for a particular house.

To see this putz, as well as more of my putz houses and Christmas ornaments I have made from upcycled holiday cards, please visit my Etsy shop.

ChristmasNotebook.etsy.com

All proceeds from my Etsy shop benefit Kenya Mercy Ministries. Run by native Kenyans, KMM works with the urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the children and their families who live in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. Thank you for your purchase from my shop and the help it provides for the children of Kibera.

If you have questions my posted putz houses, or about creating your own putz houses, please ask. I am happy to share what I have learned about the art of putzing.

If you would like to create your own putz houses, check out my putz tutorials for more information. My blog is searchable, as well. You may find turorials that aren’t listed on the tutorial page.

Tutorials / Putz and Glitter Houses

~~Rhonda 🙂

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in autumn, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

July 4th putz comes with a beautiful fireworks display

September 16, 2026 – 10:45 am

I’ve been decluttering the craft room the past few months. As I did, I came across this putz house. The base was made, the house was constructed, but nothing else had been done. I finished it this week and listed it to my Etsy shop.

The festive house comes with its own fireworks. Plastic tubes mounted on the back make the fireworks easy to remove for storage. A small LED light string gives the house a kbeautiful glow. I recommend warm white lights. For several houses, or more, a longer light string may be used. Remote control lights work well for a putz village.

The house features a USA flad, a wreath over the door and a vine growing over the roof.

The wreath is decorated with red, foil stars.

The fence is made from corrugated cardboard.

To see this putz, as well as more of my putz houses and Christmas ornaments I have made from upcycled holiday cards, please visit my Etsy shop.

ChristmasNotebook.etsy.com

All proceeds from my Etsy shop benefit Kenya Mercy Ministries. Run by native Kenyans, KMM works with the urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the children and their families who live in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. Thank you for your purchase from my shop and the help it provides for the children of Kibera.

If you have questions my posted putz houses, or about creating your own putz houses, please ask. I am happy to share what I have learned about the art of putzing.

If you would like to create your own putz houses, check out my putz tutorials for more information. My blog is searchable, as well. You may find turorials that aren’t listed on the tutorial page.

Tutorials / Putz and Glitter Houses

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in summer putz house, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

beautiful Santa card base makes the putz extra special

September 9, 2026 – 10:31 am

This house, in ivory and dark teal, uses a beautiful Santa card as the base. One of my favorite cards, its rich design and gold foil accents makes it special.

Beads as ornaments trim the bottle brush trees, and each tree is topped with a red star. Faux snow and clear glitter accent the trees.

Someone has just shoveled the front walk. They’re ready for company. My putz houses always have the front door open so guests know they are welcome any time.

The traditional hole in the back allows the use of an LED light string. The golden light brings the house to life.

To see this putz, as well as more of my putz houses and Christmas ornaments I have made from upcycled holiday cards, please visit my Etsy shop.

ChristmasNotebook.etsy.com

All proceeds from my Etsy shop benefit Kenya Mercy Ministries. Run by native Kenyans, KMM works with the urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the children and their families who live in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. Thank you for your purchase from my shop and the help it provides for the children of Kibera.

If you have questions about my posted putz houses, or about creating your own putz houses, please ask. I am happy to share what I have learned about the art of putzing.

If you would like to create your own putz houses, check out my putz tutorials for more information. My blog is searchable, as well. You may find turorials that aren’t listed on the tutorial page.

Tutorials / Putz and Glitter Houses

~~Rhonda 🙂

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments (0)

special front door bumpout, a nod to Tudor Revival

July 27, 2026 – 6:00 pm

This Tudor Revival cottage is all set for Christmas. The base measures 6 1/2″ wide by 4 1/2″ deep. The Putz is 4 1/2″ tall as measured from the bottom of the base to the top of the chimney. I like to use upcycled greeting cards to make the bases for my putz houses. This card features a snowman and his woodland friends, with a country church in the background.

A puff of smoke is included with the house. It tucks into the chimney and easily removable if not needed.

Small red beads decorate the two larger bottle brush trees. In the front yard, a snowman waits to greet Christmas company. I made the wreath that hangs over the front door.

I make the picket fences for my putz houses from wooden coffee stir sticks.

To see this putz, as well as more of my putz houses and Christmas ornaments I have made from upcycled holiday cards, please visit my Etsy shop.

ChristmasNotebook.etsy.com

All proceeds from my Etsy shop benefit Kenya Mercy Ministries. Run by native Kenyans, KMM works with the urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the children and their families who live in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. Thank you for your purchase from my shop and the help it provides for the children of Kibera.

If you’re interested in making picket fences, see my tutorial: Making Picket Fences

If you have questions about about my posted putz houses, or about creating your own putz houses, please ask. I am happy to share what I have learned about the art of putzing.

If you would like to create your own putz houses, check out my putz tutorials for more information. My blog is searchable, as well. You may find turorials that aren’t listed on the tutorial page.

Tutorials / Putz and Glitter Houses

~~Rhonda 🙂

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in Putz Houses, winter putz | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

handmade picket fence and handmade wreath embellish this special putz

July 27, 2026 – 4:55 pm

I drew this pattern in 2024. The base measures 6″ wide by 4 1/2″ deep. The Putz is 5 1/2″ tall as measured from the bottom of the base to the top of the chimneys. I make the bases for all my Putz houses from upcycled greeting cards. This card features holly, candles and a Christmas plate with a picture of a country church on it.

I use coffee stir sticks to make the picket fence. Puffs of smoke tuck into the chimneys and are removable if not needed. 

Red, vintage mercury beads, faux snow and clear glitter decorate the bottle brush tree. A handmade wreath hangs over the front door. 

The entire scene is liberally dusted with clear glitter. Pictures do not show how beautifully this little glitter house sparkles in the light. The house sets at an angle on the base.

To see this putz, as well as more of my putz houses and Christmas ornaments I have made from upcycled holiday cards, please visit my Etsy shop.

ChristmasNotebook.etsy.com

All proceeds from my Etsy shop benefit Kenya Mercy Ministries. Run by native Kenyans, KMM works with the urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the children and their families who live in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!

If you’re interested in making picket fences, see my tutorial: Making Picket Fences

If you have questions about about my posted putz houses, or about creating your own putz houses, please ask. I am happy to share what I have learned about the art of putzing.

If you would like to create your own putz houses, check out my putz tutorials for more information. My blog is searchable, as well. You may find turorials that aren’t listed on the tutorial page.

Tutorials / Putz and Glitter Houses

~~Rhonda  🙂

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in Putz Houses, winter putz | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

an aqua fourth on the 250th birthday

July 14, 2026 – 3:28 pm

This putz celebrates the fourth with fireworks and, on the base, a burst of musical exuberance.

The fireworks are tinsel picks, fitted into clear plastic tubes on the back of the putz house. The picks are removable for storage.

I made the picket fence from coffee stir sticks.

The aqua blue in these photos are truer than some of the pictures. Red, white and blue flowers sprinkle the yard.

A summer breeze flutters the flag.

To see this putz, as well as more of my putz houses and Christmas ornaments I have made from upcycled holiday cards, please visit my Etsy shop.

ChristmasNotebook.etsy.com

All proceeds from my Etsy shop benefit Kenya Mercy Ministries. Run by native Kenyans, KMM works with the urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the children and their families who live in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!

If you’re interested in making picket fences, see my tutorial: Making Picket Fences

If you have questions about about my posted putz houses, or about creating your own putz houses, please ask. I am happy to share what I have learned about the art of putzing.

If you would like to create your own putz houses, check out my putz tutorials for more information. My blog is searchable, as well. You may find turorials that aren’t listed on the tutorial page.

Tutorials / Putz and Glitter Houses

~~Rhonda  🙂

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

250 years of independence in 2026

July 13, 2026 – 9:16 pm

This Independence Day barn is a reminder of the farm families of the United States who have worked for generations, providing food for our country and the world.

One of my favorite cards makes the base of this Fourth of July putz barn. I love this image of a young girl, running though the wheat field with the American flag flying behind her. It reminds me of my childhood. Both sets of grandparents lived 15-20 miles from my family. We saw one or the other, or both, almost every weekend. We spent many, many Sunday dinners at my mother’s parents’ home with uncles, aunts and cousins in attendance. In later years, we went to my father’s parents’ home on the Fourth and celebrated with fireworks.

I drew this pattern in February of this year. The flag hides another window in the haymow.

Clear plastic tubes glued to the back of the barn hold the fireworks. The fireworks can be removed for storage.

I made the post and board fence from craft matchsticks and slivered popsicle sticks. The barnyard features three haybales marked with U S A, the farmer, a horse and a favorite dog.

The peak of the barn roof holds the flag where it can catch the breeze.

The putz is 6 1/2″ wide by 4 1/4″ deep and is 4 1/4″ tall. With the fireworks, it is 7″ tall.

To see this putz, as well as more of my putz houses and Christmas ornaments I have made from upcycled holiday cards, please visit my Etsy shop.

ChristmasNotebook.etsy.com

All proceeds from my Etsy shop benefit Kenya Mercy Ministries. Run by native Kenyans, KMM works with the urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the children and their families who live in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!

If you’re interested in making wooden fences, see my tutorial: Make a Post and Board Fence

If you have questions about about my posted putz houses, or about creating your own putz houses, please ask. I am happy to share what I have learned about the art of putzing.

If you would like to create your own putz houses, check out my putz tutorials for more information. My blog is searchable, as well. You may find turorials that aren’t listed on the tutorial page.

Tutorials / Putz and Glitter Houses

~~Rhonda 🙂

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in summer putz house | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

celebrate USA’s 250th birthday with a putz fireworks display!

June 14, 2026 – 4:18 pm

I make putz houses in three sizes. ORIGINAL-size houses tend to be 5-6″ tall. An execption would be a church. The main body of the church fits the ORIGINAL size dimensions, but it will have an added height of two or three inches due to the steeple or bell tower. MINI putz houses are usually 3-4″ tall, and TINY MINI houses are under 3″ tall.

I wanted to use these small, 250th anniversary notecards for the Fourth to use as bases, but to fit the card, the house had to be small. Thus, a MINI. The putz base measures 3 1/2″ by 5 1/2″. The putz is 2 3/4″ tall, as measured from the bottom of the base to the top of the chimney. The fireworks add another 3″ to the height.

The fireworks fit into clear tubes on the back of the putz house. Each firework is easily removed for storage.

The USA flag waves proudly in the front yard. A handcrafted, wooden picket fence enclosed the yard.

Tiny sponge flock outlines the stepping stone sidewalk, creating a carpet of tiny flowers. Larger paper, velvet and acrylic flowers decorate the front yard.

From plain to Fourth of July ready! This MINI putz makes a great holiday centerpiece.

To see this putz, as well as more of my putz houses and Christmas ornaments I have made from upcycled holiday cards, please visit my Etsy shop.

ChristmasNotebook.etsy.com

All proceeds from my Etsy shop benefit Kenya Mercy Ministries. Run by native Kenyans, KMM works with the urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the children and their families who live in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!

If you’re interested in making picket fences, see my tutorial: Making Picket Fences

If you have questions about about my posted putz houses, or about creating your own putz houses, please ask. I am happy to share what I have learned about the art of putzing.

If you would like to create your own putz houses, check out my putz tutorials for more information. My blog is searchable, as well. You may find turorials that aren’t listed on the tutorial page.

Tutorials / Putz and Glitter Houses

~~Rhonda 🙂

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in summer putz house | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

easy way to add a stepping stone sidewalk

June 12, 2026 – 5:07 pm

I make putz houses in three sizes. ORIGINAL-size houses tend to be 5-6″ tall. MINI putz houses are usually 3-4″ tall and TINY MINI houses are under 3″ tall. I found small, 250th anniversary notecards for the Fourth. To fit the card, the house had to be small. As you can see, it juuussttt fit. If I had checked the fit before painting the house I could have left the little addition off of the right side, but it fits so it stays. This MINI-size putz house is ready for landscaping.

I wanted to make a stepping stone sidewalk, using painted bits of cardboard I found in my “sidewalks” supply drawer. There were three shades of brown. After cutting them in various sizes, I used a brown magic marker to color the cut sides of each piece. I glued them to the base, using hot glue. I started at both ends to meet in the middle. The final few “stones” were cut to fit the remaining space.

I used this very small, sponge flock in two shades of green, yellow and white. Using a glue dispenser with a fine tip, I outlined the stones, then sprinked flock over them. I pressed the flock gently into the glue, then gently shook the base over a glitter tray to catch the loose flock. In the righthand picture, you may notice I missed a spot betweet two stones. An easy fix. I haven’t tried this technique before, but I like the way it turned out. When viewed in person, it looks like tiny flowers blooming among the stones.

I will post pictures of the finished putz house later this weekend.

Check this post for other sidewalk ideas. Putz House Sidewalks

If you’re interested in making picket fences, see my tutorial here: Making Picket Fences

If you have questions about this technique, about my posted putz houses, or about creating your own putz houses, please ask. I am happy to share what I have learned about the art of putzing.

To see more of my putz houses, as well as Christmas ornaments I have made from upcycled holiday cards, please visit my Etsy shop.

ChristmasNotebook.etsy.com

All proceeds from my Etsy shop benefit Kenya Mercy Ministries. Run by native Kenyans, KMM works with the urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the children and their families who live in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!

Would you like to create your own putz houses? Check out my putz tutorials for more information. My blog is searchable, as well. You may find turorials that aren’t listed on the tutorial page.

Tutorials / Putz and Glitter Houses

~~Rhonda 🙂

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)