Sweet Paul Jingle, Sparkle & Twinkle Issue

The Jingle, Sparkle, & Twinkle Issue

presented by

Contents 13 What’s up Sweet Paul?

16 Let it snow 18 Edible gifts 30 Sprinkle-licious!

34 Homemade Christmas 46 Swedish buns 50 A good morning hug for the belly 60 Crafty first aid kit 64 A taste for history 66 New kids on the blocks 68 Norwegian meatballs 74 Recycled into toys 82 Photo wrapping paper & tags

PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

86 Kid approved food

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What's up Sweet Paul?

When I was a boy growing up in Norway there were two family activities that I looked forward to most: cooking and crafting.

I’m sure most kids would say family vacations, birthdays, or sporting events, but not me. I was definitely not a typical kid! I just adored spending time with my grandmother, my parents, and my great aunt, baking cakes and cookies, building furniture, and working on sewing projects.

I remember Saturday mornings when my grandmother would fill a big table with felt, paper, ribbons, beads, and every craft supply imaginable and we would make whatever our creative hearts desired! The sky was the limit! The cooking was just as fun, but I especially enjoyed the baking. The house would fill with all these amazing smells of cinnamon, ginger, clove, and saffron. We would wrap our baked goods up in small tissue paper-lined boxes with pretty ribbons and give them away as gifts to our neighbors.

Week after week, my family and I would undertake new adventures together. If I wanted to bake a cake, we’d bake a cake. If I wanted to sew curtains, we’d sew curtains. I really was quite lucky to have such a creative and supportive family. What fun we had!

I hope this special issue will give you and your family the some of the same inspiration and fun that I had as a boy with my very special family.

You can enjoy these recipes and projects year round—bake some cookies, make some recycled toys, let your creativity run wild! It’s all about having fun together.

Finally, I’d like to thank my friends at BAND-AID® Brand and NEOSPORIN® for making this issue possible. As you spend time with your family creating these projects, recipes, and memories, be sure to always have the proper first aid supplies on-hand, in case of mishaps.

XO PHOTOGRAPHY by Goor Studio

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Let it snow When I was a kid we always had very white Christmases. I can remember years where we had snow up to our kitchen window.

There was nothing I loved more than being inside with my Mormor, baking and cooking while the snow was falling hard.

I remember one year when it seemed like we would have a green Christmas.

(You have to remember that this was the early ‘70s and global warming were unspoken words.)

Normally, in late December, there was already tons of snow. But this year? Lots and lots of rain. I was really upset and asked my Mormor if there was anything we could do to make the snow come. She told me that she had to think about it and that she would get back to me.

The day before Christmas, she told me a secret. She had heard that if we baked coconut cookies it would snow the very next day. After baking them, we had to place some outside our door as an offering to the Snow God. So what were we waiting for? We spent the whole day baking amazing coconut cookies. When night came, we placed a few outside our door and went to bed. Of course my Mormor had seen the weather report and knew that it would snow that night, the smart woman.

I woke up to a white winter wonderland the next day, and was so happy that we had managed to make it snow. Mormor said that we should keep it a secret—and we did, until now.

Let It Snow Coconut Cookies Makes about 20

2 large egg whites 1 tablespoon sugar 2½ cups sweetened shredded coconut 1 teaspoon vanilla pinch of salt 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. 2. Beat egg whites and sugar until foamy.

3. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

4. On a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, place mounds created by 1½ tablespoons of the mixture 5. Bake until golden. This will take around 15–18 minutes.

6. Cool on a wire rack.

The day before Christmas, she told me a secret. She had heard that if we baked coconut cookies it would snow the very next day.

After baking them we had to place some outside our door as an offering to the Snow God

FOOD+STYLING by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

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FOOD+STYLING by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

e s l b ft i i d E g Sweet Paul gives you some of his best edible treats. They all make great gifts for family and friends!

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Rosemary & Honey Pecans These are amazing, and they make such a great gift

< Oat, Coconut, & Raisin Cookies

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< Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mores Dulce de Leche >

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Chocolate Bark It’s a lot of chocolate, but it’s a great gift for a family or a group of friends.

Makes 1 large bark

10 oz good quality chocolate, in pieces ½ cup peppermint candy, crushed ½ cup dried cranberries and orange peel ½ cup nut mix 1. Place the chocolate in a double boiler and melt it slowly without stirring.

2. Line a small sheet pan with baking paper and pour the chocolate onto it.

3. Sprinkle the broken candy on 1⁄3, the cranberry and orange peel on another 1⁄3, and the nut mix on the rest.

4. Let cool.

Give it away with a cute small hammer.

Raspberries with Chocolate These are so good and so cute. Make them the same day as you give them away.

2 oz white chocolate 2 oz dark chocolate fresh raspberries 1. Melt the chocolates in 2 separate double boilers.

2. While still warm, pour into piping bags.

3. Pipe either white or dark chocolate into each raspberry.

3. Seal well with lid.

4. Place in a large pot filled with hot water. The water should be over the lid of the jar.

5. Place in the oven and let stand for 8 hours.

Cool and enjoy.

Peppermint Cookies These are great chocolate cookies with just the right amount of peppermint.

Makes 30

2½ tablespoons salted butter ½ cup sugar 1 large egg ½ teaspoon peppermint extract ½ cup plain flour ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 ⁄3 cup semisweet chocolate, melted 10 peppermint candies, chopped 1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and creamy.

2. Add the egg and mix well.

3. Add peppermint extract, flour, cocoa, and baking powder, and mix well.

4. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before use.

5. Preheat oven to 350°F. 6. Roll out to 1⁄8 -inch thick on a floured surface.

Hot Chocolate Lollipop These make for a really cute gift. Just dip them into hot milk, stir, and you have wonderful hot chocolate with a marshmallow swirl.

Makes 4

7. Cut out 2-inch rounds using a cookie cutter and transfer to a parchment paper-covered baking tray.

4 oz dark chocolate 4 large marshmallows

10. Decorate with a little melted chocolate and some crushed peppermint candy.

1. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.

Store in an airtight container.

2. Put a wooden stick in each marshmallow and place in a small paper cup.

3. Pour the chocolate into the cup and let it harden.

Dulce de Leche Perfect for ice cream, coffee, or other recipes. Or you can eat it from the jar!

Make several cans at a time

1 jar of sweetened condensed milk 1. Preheat oven to 200°F. 2. Place the milk in a glass canning jar.

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8. Bake for 10 minutes.

9. Cool on a wire rack.

S’mores Such a cute way to give away s’mores! Put them all in a pretty box or in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon.

Makes 10

20 graham crackers 10 square pieces of chocolate 10 marshmallows ribbon Simply place the chocolate and marshmallow between 2 graham crackers and tie with a ribbon.

Raspberries with Chocolate These are so good and so cute

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< Chocolate Bark Hot Chocolate Lollipop >

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< Peppermint Cookies Star Sugar Cookies >

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Star Sugar Cookies Makes about 30

2¾ cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 cup butter, softened 1½ cups sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract chopped clear candy

Wrapping A fun way to wrap edible gifts: Put your gifts in cellophane bags and make a topper with card stock. Just glue it in place. I finished mine off with some branches of red berries

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.

4. Beat in egg and vanilla.

5. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.

6. Roll out the dough to a thin layer and cut out stars. Place onto un-greased cookie sheets.

7. Cut out the center of the cookies with a smaller star.

8. Fill each star with ¼ teaspoon of chopped candy.

9. Make a small hole in each cookie for a string.

10. Bake 8–10 minutes in the oven, or until golden.

11. Let stand on cookie sheet 2 minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

12. Thread with string.

Rosemary & Honey Pecans These are amazing, and they make such a great gift.

2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon Maldon salt ½ teaspoon ground pepper 2 cups pecans 3 rosemary stems 4 tablespoons honey

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Melt the butter in a pan and add salt and pepper.

Oat, Coconut, & Raisin Cookies Makes 8 large cookies

2 sticks butter, soft ¾ cup light brown sugar ¾ cup sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups rolled oats 1½ cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup shredded coconut 2 cups raisins 1. Preheat oven to 380°F. 2. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars until light and creamy.

3. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat it well into the mixture.

4. Add oats, flour, baking powder, coconut, and raisins, and mix until combined.

3. Place the nuts in a large bowl, add butter, rosemary, and honey, and mix well.

5. Place mounds of dough the size of 2 tablespoons on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Give them plenty of room, as they grow while baking.

4. Bake until golden.

6. Bake until golden, about 12–14 minutes.

Cool and enjoy.

Cool on a wire rack.

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Sprinkle-licious!

Make these small baked donuts with your kids.

They will especially love decorating them and you will love that they are not deep fried!

FOOD+STYLING by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

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Mini Donuts

Makes 24 mini donuts Donuts:

1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3 cups plain flour 1 cup buttermilk 3 eggs 1 tablespoon honey ½ cup butter, melted

Frosting:

confectioners’ sugar water sprinkles 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Grease a mini donut baking pan.

3. Mix all the dry donut ingredients together in a bowl.

4. Add buttermilk, eggs, honey, and butter, and mix well.

5. Spoon mixture into greased pan.

6. Bake until golden, about 5–6 minutes.

7. Let cool on a wire rack.

8. Beat confectioners’ sugar and a little water into a smooth frosting.

9. Dip the donuts into the frosting.

10. Dip the frosted donuts into the sprinkles.

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Homemade Christmas You don ’ t have to spend tons of money to make cute décor and ornaments for the holiday. You can make great stuff out of everyday items you have around the house!

CRAFTS by Paul Vitale+Paul Lowe | STYLING by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

Jingle Bell Wrapping

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Fuse Bead Ornament

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Twine Snowman

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Peanut Snowmen

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Stockings I love using old sweaters and turning them into crafts. Here I took 2 old kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sweaters and made them into stockings.

You will need:

old sweater fabric of your choice scissors sewing machine

brush string hot glue gun & hot glue 1. Brush the bulbs with glue and drizzle or dip in glitter.

2. Once dry, hot glue a piece of string to the end so that you can hang on the tree.

Light Bulb Snowmen These are really cute and they make great gifts!

You will need:

3. Sew both sides together, right side to right side.

large light bulbs white craft paint black marker orange paper hot glue gun & hot glue felt

4. Turn inside out.

1. Paint the bulb white.

5. Sew a small fabric loop to the stocking so you can hang it.

2. Once dry, use a marker and make arms, buttons, mouth, and eyes.

2. Cut out the stocking in both the sweater and a backing fabric. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smart to use the end of the sweater as the end of your stocking, as it will not fray.

Glitter Bulbs A really fun way to recycle. These make great ornaments.

3. Cut a carrot shape of orange paper and hot glue to the bulb.

4. Cut a felt strip as a scarf and fringe the edges. Hot glue in place.

You will need: Peanut Snowmen This is a great project for kids. These ornaments look especially awesome on a small tree.

Paper Ornaments

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whole peanuts white craft paint marker wool string hot glue gun & hot glue acorn tops 1. Paint the peanuts white.

1. Go online and find a stocking template you like. There are hundreds to choose from.

old light bulbs glitter, mine is from

tinseltrading.com craft glue

You will need:

2. Once dry, use a marker and make eyes and a mouth.

3. Hot glue an acorn top to the top of the peanut, and fasten a piece of wool string around the neck for a scarf.

Paper Ornaments I collect decorative paper all year as I know I will use them come Christmas.

You will need:

decorative papers scissors paper glue string 1. Use cookie cutters or online templates to create the shapes.

2. Cut them out in 2 sheets of paper, so you have pretty paper on both sides.

3. Using paper glue, glue the layers together with a string between them.

Glitter Bulbs

A really fun way to recycle. These make great ornaments

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Jingle Bell Wreath

This one takes a little time, but once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; re done you have an heirloom wreath for years. It can also be used as a musical instrument

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Dipped Ornaments

Wool Snowman

Glitter Houses

Stockings

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Glitter Critters

If I had a kid I would never leave their toys alone. I would constantly turn them into some craft project. These looks really cool on a table or a tree

Light Bulb Snowmen

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Snow Globe

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Glitter Critters If I had a kid I would never leave their toys alone. I would constantly turn them into some craft project. These looks really cool on a table or a tree.

and cover it first with glue and then glitter.

Glue it to the head.

7. Cut out a small star and hot glue it to a toothpick, glitter it, and glue to the snowman.

You will need:

1 straw old buttons thread spool 1. Start by making a round head out of the twine, then create 2 more balls for the body.

plastic animals craft glue brush glitter hot glue gun & hot glue string

Snow Globe I just love this winter wonderland diorama.

1. Paint the parts of the animal you want to add glitter to with craft glue.

Simply fill your container with salt, trees, and deer to create the winter scene of your dreams!

5. Hot glue the spool of thread to its head and tie the ribbon around his neck.

Jingle Bell Wrapping Such a great way to wrap anything. I use simple baker’s twine.

Fuse Bead Ornament I had almost forgotten about these from my childhood. They can be made into a bunch of cool shapes.

You will need:

You will need:

2. Drizzle with glitter.

3. Once dry, hot glue a piece of string to the back so that you can hang them on a tree.

Dipped Ornaments Super easy to make and they look really cool on the tree.

You will need:

white, glass, or plastic ornaments paint, I used regular interior paint 1. Pour the paint into a bowl.

2. Dip your ornaments and hang to dry.

Wool Snowman Isn’t he charming?

You will need:

2 felted balls ribbon, for a scarf orange paper silver paper black marker silver glitter craft glue silver ribbon toothpick hot glue gun & hot glue 1. Hot glue the 2 felted balls together.

2. Cut out a round base in white craft paper and glue the snowman to it.

3. Add the scarf.

4. Cut out eyes and a nose and hot glue them in place.

5. Use a marker to make pupils and a mouth.

6. Make a small cone from extra paper

You will need:

containers sea salt mini trees and deer

red gift wrap paper baker’s twine jingle bells, most craft stores will have them 1. Wrap your gift in red paper.

2. Use baker’s twine as ribbon and tie bells to the ends.

Jingle Bell Wreath This one takes a little time, but once you’re done you have an heirloom wreath for years. It can also be used as a musical instrument.

You will need:

2. Glue the 3 balls together using a hot glue gun.

3. Hot glue the buttons to the snowman.

4. Cut the straw in half and cut slits as fingers. Hot glue the straws to the snowman.

white fuse beads fuse bead board string iron and ironing board 1. Make a snowflake design with the beads on the board.

2. Cover the design with parchment paper and press gently with a medium hot iron.

3. Use the iron until all parts are glued to each other.

4. Remove from board and tie with a string.

metal wire wreath jingle bells, I used around 125 thin silver florist wire cutter

Glitter Houses A little diorama! Add some fake snow, small brush trees, and some deer. It will look awesome.

1. Fasten your wire to the wreath.

You will need:

2. Slide 2 bells on your wire and fasten to the wreath. Work yourself all the way around. Make sure the bells are tight next to each other.

3. Tie with a ribbon and hang.

Twine Snowman Made of everyday stuff from around the house.

You will need:

2 spools of kitchen twine hot glue gun & hot glue ribbon

card stock paper craft glue hot glue gun & hot glue glitter page from an old book 1. Find a house template online. There are loads to choose from.

2. Cut out the template in card stock and put together using a hot glue gun.

3. Cover the parts you want to glitter with craft glue and then drizzle with glitter.

4. Cut out windows and doors from a book page and glue to the house.

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Swedish buns FOOD+STYLING by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

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These buns are a really classic treat in Sweden and I’m sure you’re going to love to have them in your house too. The saffron gives them a subtle spiced flavor and a beautiful yellow color.

Since they aren’t too sweet, they are perfect for slathering with salted butter and your favorite jam!

They’re traditionally made by rolling bits of dough into long tubes and shaping them into hearts, spirals or S shapes.

When I was a boy, my grandmother and I would spend the day preparing the dough with a rolling pin and cutting out shapes with cookie cutters. When I make these buns now, I always do a few of both kinds for variety.

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As a child and now, whenever I’m busy in the kitchen, I always have the proper first aid supplies on-hand, in case of mishaps.

NEOSPORIN® + Pain Relief Ointment can help soothe pain from any minor burn and BAND-AID® Brand WaterBlock™ Clear Adhesive Bandages or BAND-AID® Brand First Aid Gauze Pads can lock in the ointment and cover any burns, cuts or nicks that may occur while prepping my ingredients. Being prepared allows you to quickly address the problem so you can get back to the important things…like what jam you’re going to spread on the freshly baked buns!

Makes 20

1 cup melted butter ½ teaspoon saffron 1 cup milk ¾ cup sugar 4 teaspoon dry active yeast 6½ cups all purpose flour 2 eggs 1 egg white, beaten sultanas (or golden raisins) 1. Stir the saffron into the butter, and let sit for 30 minutes.

2. Heat the milk and add the butter and sugar.

3. Pour into a baking bowl and when its finger warm you stir in the yeast.

4. Leave for 10 minutes.

5. Add flour and eggs and mix until smooth.

6. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.

7. Cut the dough into 20 pieces and roll each piece into a long sausage.

8. Roll from each side to the middle.

9. Place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.

10. Brush with egg white and decorate with sultanas.

11. Bake at 375°F until golden, about 15 minutes.

12. Cool on a wire rack.

Sweet Paul’s Tips: • You can make the dough the day before and store it in the refrigerator overnight.

• You can freeze the baked buns for up to 2 weeks; just allow them to thaw to room temperature a few hours before you want to eat them.

• If you prefer a sweeter bun you can make a simple glaze simple glaze with confectioner’s sugar, milk, and a little orange zest.

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Cheese Sticks

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A GOOD MORNING

FOR THE BELLY FOOD+STYLING by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

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Nest of Sun 52

Kids love these small nests.

THEY’RE REALLY EASY TO MAKE AND REALLY TASTY. YOU CAN SERVE THEM HOT OR COLD.

Nest of Sun Makes 8

butter, for greasing 1 sheet puff pastry 8 egg yolks salt, to taste 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 2. Grease a small muffin tin.

3. Cut the puff pastry into squares and place in a muffin tin.

4. Place an egg yolk in each cup and sprinkle with a little salt.

5. Bake until golden and set. This will take about 10–12 minutes.

2 tablespoons butter, melted ¼ cup milk 1 cup water 1¼ cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ¾ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ginger ¼ cup light brown sugar butter, for frying 1. In a large bowl mix eggs, maple syrup, butter, milk, and water.

2. Mix in flour, baking powder, spices, and sugar.

3. Heat the butter and make pancakes, 1½ tablespoons at a time.

Granola Cups This is a creative way to serve granola.

Kids love to get their own little cup filled with goodies.

Makes 8

4. Serve warm with maple syrup.

1 cup rolled oats 1 ⁄3 cup sweetened shredded coconut 3 tablespoons pine nuts 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons maple syrup 2 tablespoons melted butter+extra for greasing

4 brioche buns 4 tablespoons pesto 1 avocado, sliced watercress 4 fried eggs, I like mine sunny side up

Breakfast Burgers Okay, not really a burger… but almost.

Makes 4

For serving:

1. Cut the brioche in half and smear pesto on each side.

yogurt fresh berries

2. Layer with avocado, watercress, and egg.

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

3. Press the mixture into a greased muffin tin. The mixture should take the form of the muffin tin.

4. Bake until golden. This will take about 10 minutes.

5. Let cool, and remove with a sharp knife.

French Toast Men These are really cute, especially when served with fresh fruit.

Serves 4

8 slices of white bread 2 eggs, beaten sugar, for sprinkling butter, for frying

6. Fill with yogurt and berries.

1. Cut out gingerbread men in the bread using a cookie cutter.

Gingerbread Pancakes Not only do they taste good but the smell alone will put you in a cheery mood.

Serves 4

2. Dip them in egg and then sprinkle with a light layer of sugar.

2 eggs 2 tablespoons maple syrup

3. In a buttered pan, fry them until golden on both sides.

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Granola Cups

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Gingerbread Pancakes

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French Toast Men

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Breakfast Burgers

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Breakfast Pan Pizza

I love pizza in the mornings.

YOU CAN ADD WHATEVER YOU FANCY, BUT THE EGGS ARE A MUST. Makes 4 portion-sized pizzas

9. Press into 4 oiled pans.

Dough:

10. Add cheese and half the scallions.

1 cup water, lukewarm 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon dry yeast 2½ cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons olive oil

11. Bake for about 5 minutes, take them out, and crack an egg in the middle of each pizza.

Filling:

1 cup cheese, grated 3 scallions, sliced 4 eggs ½ cup crumbled bacon, cooked 12 cherry tomatoes, halved 1. In a bowl, mix water, honey, and yeast.

2. Leave it for 5 minutes so that the yeast starts to work.

12. Bake again, until the egg is set. This will take around 6–7 minutes.

13. Once done, add bacon, the rest of the scallions, and tomatoes.

Cheese Sticks These are amazing when served with eggs.

Makes 20 sticks

1 sheet puff pastry (I love to use Dafour) ½ cup cheese, grated 1. Preheat then oven to 375°F.

4. Add flour, salt, and oil.

2. Cut the puff pastry into half-inch strips.

5. Work the dough together.

3. Twist them gently and place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.

6. Cover with plastic and let it rise for 1 hour.

7. Preheat oven to 400°F. 8. Divide the dough into 4 pieces.

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4. Sprinkle with cheese.

5. Bake until golden. This will take about 10 minutes.

Breakfast Pan Pizza

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Sweet Paul's

Crafty First Aid K it CRAFTS+STYLING by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

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1. Place your 2 pieces of fabric on top of each other with the right sides facing each another.

2. Use pins to keep your fabric in place.

3. Sew the fabric together at a short end.

4. Fold the thin cotton fabric over so that you have a nice seam connecting your cotton and your canvas.

5. Pin your elastic in place, down the middle of the right side of your cotton fabric. Stitch your elastic to the cotton on both ends to secure.

6. Stitch down the elastic at 3 more points along the length of the elastic to make "compartments" for all your first aid products.

7. Once your elastic is secured, fold over your fabrics so that the right sides are facing out.

This DIY first aid kit is the best way to make sure you are prepared if anything goes amiss while working on your favorite craft projects!

and I always keep it handy wherever I’m crafting—both at home and on the road.

I keep it in my tool kit with hammers, hot glue guns, and other craft supplies, so it’s within reach whenever a problem arises.

I love to craft, I do it almost every day! I’ve been known to burn myself on my trusty old hot glue gun or cut myself with a craft knife from time to time. To help with the unexpected accidents that always come up while crafting, I created this roll-up first aid kit. It’s modeled on the roll-up knife holders that chefs use to transport their blades. My kit is really easy to make

1 16"x7" piece of canvas or heavy linen fabric 1 16"x7"piece of thin cotton fabric 1 7" thin elastic band thread sewing machine fabric scissors pinking shears 1 20" ribbon

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You will need:

8. Fold the end of the rectangle with the seam over onto itself to create a pocket.

Mine is 4" deep. Secure the edges of your pocket with pins.

9. Next, sew all the way around your kit, securing the 2 pieces of fabric together.

10. Remember to leave about a ½" of space between the edge of your rectangle and your stitching so that you can cut your edges in the next step.

11. Use a pair of pinking shears to cut all the raw edges and give a nice finished look to all sides of your kit.

12. Fill the compartments with your first aid products and roll up and tie with a ribbon.

You're now ready for any first aid issues that might arise!

Suggested first ai d complement to fi ll your k it: NEOSPORIN® + Pain Relief Cream—this is a MUST! We didn't have this in Norway and I have loved it since coming to the US! BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages—I always try to have various sizes and sometimes like to get the ones with fun designs on them!

BENGAY® —In case you lift something too heavy or find that you have sore muscles from being in a tense position.

Sweet Paul’s Ti ps: Pinking shears are a great tool to use for fabrics or paper. You can cut the edges of a fabric and they will not fray. Also, choose a thicker cotton canvas or linen for the outside layer and the inside layer can be a thinner cotton—mine is a pretty patterned Liberty fabric.

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A taste for history How my love for history made me discover the delightful cucumber sandwich

I read a lot when I was a kid. I loved books about historic people.

Madame Curie, Abraham Lincoln, Marie Antoinette… they all fascinated me. Being a history buff, I loved having two little old ladies to spend time with who talked constantly about the good old days. Sometimes I felt I was living in another time.

When I started school, other kids would show off their action figures and their pets for show-and-tell. I would bring in antiques. “This is a 19th century French porcelain plate from Limoges.”

Let’s put it this way—it wasn’t good for my street cred.

FOOD+STYLING+TEXT by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

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I would also read about the food historic people ate. Eventually I started a fixation about cucumber sandwiches. I must have picked it up in some book. But having afternoon tea and eating cucumber sandwiches? Oh, I thought life was good.

But since I hated tea, I had my sandwiches with a glass of milk.

Mormor’s cucumber sandwiches were amazing. She cut the cucumber leafthin and used a little mayo. Her secret ingredients were black pepper and chives.

She was an older woman and her taste buds were not like they once were, so she would put black pepper on everything.

Just like I do today.

Thanks Mormor.

Cucumber Sandwiches Serves 4

1 cucumber

½ loaf of white bread, sliced

½ cup mayo salt & pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons chives, minced 1. Cut the cucumber as thin as possible.

2. Take 2 slices of bread and add a thin layer of mayo on both slices.

3. Add a layer of cucumber slices to 1 of the sides, and add some salt, pepper, and chives.

4. Place the slices together and press gently.

5. Cut off the crust and cut the bread into 2 triangles.

Serve right away.

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New kids on the blocks Turn your kids and their friends into a very fun toy

CRAFT+STYLING by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

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Photo Blocks You will need:

wooden blocks (these are from littlesaplingtoys.com) photocopied images of kids (do a photoshoot where they stand against a white wall with their arms straight down) glue 1. Cut out the photos so that they fit onto 3 cubes.

2. Glue them on.

3. Let dry before playing.

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n a i g e w N or lls a b t Me a u

by Pa

l Low

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LING rable +ST Y d ra G FOOD lexan A y b PH Y OGR A PHOT

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w sk i

© Disney

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I got this recipe directly from the Royal Chef of Arendelle, I’m sure all fans of Disney’s FROZEN® will be very happy to help prepare these meatballs. It’s so much fun to mix the ingredients and roll them into balls. And of course, the best part is eating them all up!

Whenever I cook, bake, or craft with children, I’m always prepared for the unexpected with proper first aid supplies on-hand. In the case of this meatball recipe, the perfect idea is to have a box of BAND-AID® Brand FROZEN® Adhesive Bandages and a tube of NEOSPORIN® Ointment handy.

Serves 6 kids, or a family of 4

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 medium carrot, shredded ½ pound ground sirloin ½ pound ground pork 3 tablespoons milk salt and pepper, to taste 1. Heat the oil in a medium-size pan and fry onion, garlic and carrots until the onion is soft.

2. Transfer to a large bowl.

3. Add sirloin, pork, milk, salt, and pepper; mix well.

4. Using your hands, roll the mixture into 1½" balls.

5. Heat more oil in a large pan and add the meatballs; turning until brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.

6. Serve with mashed potatoes and cooked carrots.

Sweet Paul’s Tips: • When you use your hands to mix or prepare food it’s always important to wash your hands well both before and after.

• In Norway we eat meatballs with tyttebærsyltetøy or lingonberry jam. You can buy this jam at many grocery stores.

• You can freeze them too! Make a big batch of these meatballs, allow them to cool completely, package them in freezer bags, and freeze them for up to 1 month.

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We love recycling here at Sweet Paul. Everything can be turned into something fun

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CRAFTS by Paul Vitale+Paul Lowe | STYLING by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

Rocket

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Sock Horse You will need:

1 thick woolen sock 2 large buttons yarn or floss, in several colors batting 1 wooden rod, 3–4' long 1. Sew buttons on each side of the foot of the sock.

2. Embroider eyelashes near the buttons with yarn or floss.

3. Add the mane by sewing and tying pieces of yarn to the sock.

4. Add batting to the inside of the sock.

5. Place the stuffed sock on a rod, and fasten by wrapping yarn around the base until secure.

6. Make the horse’s nose by tying yarn around the foot of the sock. Leave a bit of extra yarn for the reigns!

Mr. Robot I have collected old toy robots for years. There is something so kind and safe about them.

You will need:

1 large tomato can, for torso 1 smaller tomato purée can, for head 4 small and long corn cans, for arms and legs 2 flat sardines cans, for feet Superglue spray paint, in beige 1 wooden bead paper crayons craft glue

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1. Wash the cans well and let them dry.

2. Use Superglue to glue the cans together in the shape of a body.

3. Spraypaint the cans beige.

4. Use Superglue to glue the wooden ball on top of the head.

5. Draw some stripes on the robot with a crayon.

6. Make eyes, mouth, and machine parts out of paper and glue to the robot.

7. Take overthe world.

Rocket You will need:

1 cardboard shipping tube cardboard 1 X-Acto knife glue spray paint colored craft paper white paper crayons 1. Cut the curved rocket legs out of cardboard. There should be 3 1 ⁄4-circle pieces.

2. Using an X-Acto knife, make slits on the bottom of the tube where the legs will fit in.

3. Glue the legs into place.

4. Spraypaint the whole rocket.

5. Make small cones from craft paper and glue them to the top of the rocket.

6. Using crayons, draw designs on white paper. Cut them out and glue them to the rocket.

7. Houston, we don’t have any problems.

The Band Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome The Sweet Pauls to the stage!

Guitar You will need:

1 box 1 X-Acto knife 1 tube (we used both a toilet paper roll and a paper towel roll) craft paint 1 hot glue gun rope 2 large elastic bands paper straws 1. Trace the circle of a bowl onto the biggest side of a box.

2. Cut out the circle using X-Acto knife.

3. Paint the box and the tube.

4. Glue the tube to the top of the box.

5. Place the elastics the long way around the guitar.

6. Cut a straw in half and place under the elastics on each side of the hole.

7. Get ready to rock out.

Sock Horse

I remember making these with my grandmother when I was a kid.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great way to reuse all those single socks lying around Bottom left: Play Pillow Bottom right: Dancing Family

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Mr. Robot

I have collected old toy robots for years.

There is something so kind and safe about them

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Pull 79 Toys

Microphone You will need:

1 paper towel roll, cut in half craft paint papier-mache ball (ours is from leesartshop.com) 1 hot glue gun piece of cord 1. Paint the ball and the tube.

2. Hot glue them together.

3. Hot glue the cord to the inside of the tube.

4. Sing as loud as you can!

Drum You will need:

1 hatbox (this one is from containerstore.com) 1 piece of white faux leather hot glue gun ribbon with pompoms cord buttons 2 12", thin wooden rods fabric scraps batting rope 1. Cut the leather so that it fits on top of the box. Hot glue in place.

2. Hot glue the pompom ribbon around the edge of the faux leather.

3. Hot glue the cord in an “x” pattern all around the drum and hot glue a button in the middle of each “x”.

4. Place some batting on the fabric scraps and roll them into a ball shape around the wooden rods.

5. Cut off any excess fabric and fasten the scraps with thin rope.

6. Drum solo, please.

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Pull Toys I asked nolinoli.com to make the base and wheels for me. You can always order a set from them.

You will need:

1 wooden board, about 4"x6" 4 wheels 2 small hooks rope old kid’s books (we copied the images and enlarged them on a copier—remember to also make the flip side!) cardboard 1 X-Acto knife glue Superglue 1. Assemble the board and wheels.

2. Screw in the hook to 1 end of the board and fasten the rope.

3. Glue your image to heavy cardboard and cut out using an X-Acto knife.

4. Cut out the other side of the image and glue onto the back of the cardboard.

5. Superglue the cardboard to the board.

Play Pillow Turn your old clothes into pillows that tell a story. There are hours of fun to be had here.

You will need:

fabric scraps needle & thread batting fabric glue 1. Cut out a flower, leaf, house, or a cloud in the fabric—remember to cut out 2 shapes to make 1 pillow.

2. Sew the 2 pieces together by hand or machine.

3. Fill pillow with batting and sew up.

4. Glue windows to the house, or the center circle to the flowers using fabric glue.

Dancing Family To get the images for these, have a little photoshoot where you photograph everyone with their arms and legs out.

You will need:

photocopies of people paper glue thin cardboard 1 X-Acto knife tacks 1 small hammer string 1. Cut apart the photocopies into the pieces you’ll need for each doll. Divide them up into the head and torso, 2 pieces per arm, and 2 pieces per leg.

2. Glue all pieces to cardboard and cut them out.

3. Put the dolls together with small tacks. Use a hammer on the back to bend the tacks.

4. Tie a thin string to each elbow, shoulder, knee, and hip.

5. Let the strings meet on the lower half of the torso and tie them into one piece of string. Let the string hang down.

6. Put on some cool music, pull the string, and have a dance party!

The Band

Ladies & gentlemen, please welcome The Sweet Pauls to the stage!

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CR

by Paul Lowe AF TS+STYLING

| PHOTOGRAPHY

by Alexandra Gr

ablewski

er p a P g n i p p Photo Wra & Tags

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I grew up in Norway and now I live thousands of miles away from my family. I cherish all of the old family photos that I have from my childhood.

When I was a boy I used to love to sit with my parents or grandmother and look through our family photo albums and ask them questions about the people in the photos.

One of my favorite crafts for gift giving is to make my own wrapping paper and gift tags. It’s such an easy addition and your gift recipient will love it. It’s like getting two gifts in one! With this project you can either make your paper at home with a scanner and home printer, or if you’d like you can bring the photos to your local copy center and have the folks there help you create your paper.

Whenever crafting, I like to be ready—just in case—there are unexpected bumps along the way. So I keep a first aid kit on-hand at all times. NEOSPORIN® + Pain Relief Ointment can help soothe pain from any minor cuts and BAND-AID® Brand WATERBLOCK™ Clear Adhesive Bandages can help cover and protect any nicks and cuts that may occur while working on a project, which helps me get back to making my gift heartfelt inside and out!

3. Print out as many pages as you like.

Remember, for a bigger box you may have to use more than 1 sheet of paper.

4. For the gift tags, print out a copy of a photo you like and affix it to your cardstock with tape or glue stick.

5. Next, cut out a rectangle tag the size you like best and cut off the top 2 corners at an angle so it looks like a gift tag.

6. Finally, with your hole punch, punch a hole in the center-top of your tag.

7. Wrap your presents, tie on beautiful ribbon, attach your tag, and give your memorable gift!

Sweet Paul’s Tips: • You can print your wrapping paper in both color and black & white for a nice variety.

• It’s fun to enlarge smaller photos so you can see details.

• You can also make greeting cards by pasting your paper onto cardstock.

You will need:

old photos glue stick or double sided tape a piece of 11"x17" paper to use as your base more paper to use for your printouts card-stock for tags a hole punch scissors ribbon transparent tape with which to wrap 1. Start by arranging your photos on your piece of paper and taping or gluing them down in an arrangement that looks nice to you.

2. Next, either scan your composition on your home scanner or bring them to your local copy center to make copies.

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Kid

approved food These are tried and true recipes that come from real families. All recipes have the seal of approval from kids FOOD+STYLING by Paul Lowe | PHOTOGRAPHY by Alexandra Grablewski

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ots

apr ic

chicken thighs

5 po tat oes

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Po ta

= Chic ken with Apricot 87

sau ce

onion

tomato

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Chicken with Apricot & Mashed Potatoes “I like sweets, and this dinner is like chicken with sweets on it.”—Fia, age 6 Serves 4

5. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the meat on the chicken falls off the bone.

carrot, and celery until onion goes clear and soft.

6. Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain out the water.

3. Add the tomato sauce and let simmer for a few minutes.

7. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.

Chicken:

8. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Place some sauce in the bottom of a muffin tin.

Serve chicken and mashed potatoes hot!

5. Layer lasagna, sauce, and cheese on top.

4 to 6 chicken thighs 1 cup dried apricots, cut in half 1 onion, chopped salt & pepper, to taste Potatoes:

3 tablespoons olive oil 5 large potatoes, peeled 3 tablespoons butter 1 ⁄2 cup warm milk 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Grease an ovenproof dish with olive oil.

3. Place chicken, apricots, and onion in greased dish.

4. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

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6. Bake for about 30 minutes.

Mini Lasagna Makes 6

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped 1 celery stalk, finely chopped 3 cups tomato sauce 10 lasagna sheets, cooked

½ mozzarella ball, sliced 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Heat the oil in a pan and sauté onion,

Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Mini Lasagna

“I’m getting my own little lasagna. It’s so cute—I really like cute things” —Eve, age 5

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Scrambled Tacos che ese

carrots

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sc ram

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+ + =

lettu ce

b le

Scramble Tacos “It’s like breakfast only it’s really dinner.

None of my friends have that ever!”

—Samantha, age 5 Serves 4

Fish Tortillas “ I love fish and this one has a really nice crust that I always eat first.”—Alexandra, age 7 Serves 4

3 eggs 1 ⁄3 cup cream 2 tablespoon chives, chopped salt & pepper, to taste 4 taco shells 1 carrot, peeled and cut into sticks 1 cup mild cheese, grated lettuce, shredded

1 lb cod, cut into 4 pieces 2½ cups corn flakes 1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper 4 tortillas, heated lettuce, shredded 1 carrot, peeled and cut into sticks sour cream

1. Mix eggs, cream, chives, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Make light and fluffy scrambled eggs.

7. Place fish in tortillas with lettuce, carrots, and sour cream.

2. Rinse the cod in cold water.

3. Crush the cornflakes, and add in salt and pepper.

3. Heat the taco shells in the oven for 2 minutes.

4. Fill shells with scrambled eggs, carrot, cheese, and lettuce.

4. Dip the wet fish in the mixture, making sure the fish picks up lots of cornflakes.

5. Place in an ovenproof dish.

sour c rea m

las

s rot r a c

T Fish

tuce let

il tort

6. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until fish flakes fall apart.

or till as

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spices

ry r cu

s pea k ic

ch

+ + +

Cauliflower & Chickpea Curry Serves 4

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

½ inch ginger, peeled and finely chopped 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon curry

½ teaspoon turmeric

½ teaspoon ground coriander 1 can chickpeas, drained 1 head cauliflower, cooked tender and cut into pieces 1 cup coconut milk 1. Heat the oil in a pan and sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until the onion goes clear and soft.

2. Add spices, chickpeas, cauliflower, and coconut milk.

3. Let curry simmer for 4 minutes.

Serve with rice.

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onut milk coc

caulifl r owe

y Curr Caulif lower & Chickpea

“I tested out curries with my kids. I want them to grow up loving spices and not just saying, ‘I don’t like...’”

—Eric, dad to Simon & Fred

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Pot Pie “This is a great dish for all the family, we all love it. And it’s so easy to make.”—Linda, mother to Ada Serves 4

5. Add thyme and peas and season with salt and pepper.

1. Mix ground beef, carrot, salt, and pepper.

6. Roll out the puff pastry in a bit of flour.

7. Fill 4 ramekins with the mixture and top with puff pastry.

2. Roll into walnut-sized meatballs.

2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed 3 small carrots, peeled and sliced 1 onion, finely chopped 4 cups cooked chicken, in pieces glug of olive oil 1 tablespoon+1 dash plain flour 1 cup stock

½ teaspoon thyme, fried

½ cup frozen peas salt & pepper, to taste 2 sheets of puff pastry, cut in half

8. Poke a few holes in the pastry.

3. Fry them in a little olive oil until golden-brown. They need about 3–4 minutes.

9. Bake until golden.

4. Mix with tomatoes, basil, and pasta.

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Sauté potatoes, carrots, onion, and chicken in a little olive oil until the chicken changes color.

3. Mix 1 tablespoon of flour into the pan.

4. Pour in stock and stir well. (If it seems too thick, simply add some more stock.)

Serve hot!

Meatballs with Tomato & Pasta “I love making meatballs with my kids. I let the kids roll them out. They feel good knowing they had a part in making the dinner.”­—Laura, mom to Anna & Thomas Serves 4 1 lb ground beef 1 carrot, chopped

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper 25 cherry tomatoes, cut in half fresh basil, chopped pasta, freshly cooked glug of olive oil

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+ pea s

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Meatballs with T om a to &

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