Crafts Unleashed

Everyone wants to wish the momma-to-be and her baby all the best! And some folks like to wish for a boy or a girl. Either way, these white-chocolate-covered pretzel rods make a fun and sweet party favor or party snack everyone will drool over!

You’ll need:

• MM9830 Make-n-Molds Candy Melter
• White Chocolate Candy Melts (available at your grocery store or onConsumerCrafts.com September thru March)
• Pretzel Rods
• Pink or Blue Sanding sugar (optional)
  
• 1405-031 Baby Pretzel Rod treat bags
• 1638-33 Silver Twist Ties
  

And if you’d like to keep with our theme, you can make the optional tags:

• GX-VCRMS-12 Vintage Collection Retro Mod Core’Dinations cardstock (my favorite!)
• PV29-0222 Cricut New Arrival Cartridge
• PV29-0300 Cricut Expression electronic die cutting machine
• AMT62181 Mono Aqua Liquid Glue
• RITIM19527 Vintage Photo Distress ink pad

Making the candied pretzel rods is easy! Just set your Candy Melter to “melt” mode, pour in your White Chocolate Candy Melts, and let them melt thoroughly, stirring occasionally.

Place a pretzel rod in the melting pot, and, using a spoon, ladle the melted candy over 2/3rds of the rod. Coat evenly, then tap off the extra  gently.

Lay the candied rod on a piece of wax paper, and sprinkle with sanding sugar or edible sprinkles as desired. Just make sure you add your sprinkles before the candy starts to cool and set up.

When they are completely cool and firm to the touch, slide them into the little baby feet baggies. Make sure you put the design of the baggie on the bottom, so you can see your pretty handmade nummies! Secure with the silver twist ties.

Now, if you’ve been following along on the other Baby Week posts and saw Lisa’s Centerpiece Candle or my Baby Card, you know we’ve been using the Cricut and the New Arrivals cartridge to make some cute, vintage-y items. If you want to carry it through to your party favors, just cut a rattle image after selecting the “circle” function button. (I set mine at 1 1/2 inches.) Then cut a “charm” with the Shadow function button depressed (also at 1 1/2 inches) and layer using some liquid glue.  They are so stinkin’ cute!

So here are some ways you can use them at your shower:

• If you don’t know the gender  of the baby, make both pink and blue. Then have the attendees choose what color they are “wishing” for, like a straw poll!
• If you DO know the gender, pass a basket with the treats around and, as each participant takes one, have them make a special “wish” for the Mommy, baby, or family. Like, “I wish you an easy delivery,” or “I wish the baby has blue eyes.”
  
• If it’s a seated event, use these as place cards and put the guests’ name on the back of the charm. Leave the treat on the plate so they can find their place to sit.
• Leave them in a pretty basket as “thank you” favors!
• Or make a dozen and bring them to the new family with your “warm wishes” when they get back from the hospital. (This goes over BIG if there are big brothers and sisters around, too! )
  

Any way you choose to use them, they will be a tasty and fun treat for all!

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