Snowman Soup!

Hi, friends! :)  It's getting down to the last few days before Christmas, and if you're a teacher or a parent or a friend looking for a fun little gift to give a large group of people, I have an idea for you!  It was all inspired by THIS SET from Deedee's Digis.  This is what this gift includes...

This image and the poem that go along with it explain the contents of this little treat bag.  The bags were found at the Dollar Tree, so this gift really doesn't cost too much for a large group of people!  And the tags were pretty easy to make, too.  This project took me about 3 hours to complete--but I made lots of these.  I laminated them so they could be used as "ornaments", but you don't have to do this and it would take less time. :)

Here's a quick peek at what it looks like all packaged up.  Weren't these fun snowman bags a great find?!  They are just perfect!

Thank you so much for stopping by to take a peek at my creation!  I hope you've been inspired to create something fun today and to use your talents to make gifts for your loved ones!  I also hope you join in the fun challenges I am entering--see the list below my signature!  HUGS and happy stamping!

Linking up to these fabulous challenges~

Crafting for All Seasons: Anything Christmas BUT a Card

Decorate to Celebrate: Anything Christmas

DoubleClick Skittles: Happy Holidays!

Little Red Wagon: Anything Christmas Themed

The Male Room: Christmas

Take a PEEP!

Well, I don't normally show all the fun stuff I make to give away for holidays, but this project was SO EASY AND SO FUN (and cheap affordable) that I just had to share!  Because if you want to, you can TOTALLY knock one of these out before Sunday!  This time I did have some help--my sister is here visiting and so she came over to make these with me.  It really cuts down on the amount of time if you have a helper!  Okay, so come take a peek--or should I say PEEP?!!!

Here's the WHOLE project~

A closer look at the different colors~

And a close up of the tag~

For these fabulous challenges~

Paper Sweeties: Sweet Treats

DL.ART: Easter

Tag Along: Easter Tags

Decorate to Celebrate: Easter or Birthday

Little Red Wagon: Easter Parade

For the tags, I've used stamps by Paper Sweeties (sentiment) and Inspired By Stamping (egg), black ink by Memento, twine from my stash, and all other supplies were from Stampin' Up!  Each egg color corresponds to the color of Peep on the stick. :)

To make these, you just gotta get some Peeps ($1.10 per package--the rabbit shaped ones work best...but our store only had green chicks), some lollipop sticks (I used Wilton 6" sticks, $1.98 for a package of 35), some plastic baggies (just the fold over kind--you can grab a package of these for about $1-$2), some twine (I used some I got for $3 a roll via a discount site and barely used any), and then whatever you want to make your tags!  Put a Peep on a stick, wrap with a baggie (we cut ours down a bit), tie with twine and the tag.  That's it!  I think this whole project cost me about $8 and it only took us about 2 hours to make about 60 of them.  Not even kidding!  And there will be some happy little kids, I think! ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek at my project!

Great Impressions: Valentine Treat Holder

Hi, everyone!  I hope you had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS yesterday!  AND I hope you get to play with your holiday goodies today! ;)  I am--I've got some Valentine stamps from Great Impressions that I've used to make a darling treat holder!  And if you hop over to the GI blog, I've got a video tutorial for you on how to make it!

Here's the holder~

Details~

Inside of treat holder.

Products used: J110 Flower Bouquet, E779 Would You.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'm excited to let you all know that I've been asked to stay on another 6 months with Great Impressions so you'll get more video tutorials from me! ;)  Hop over to the GI blog for a list of supplies you'll need for the next tutorial!  HUGS and happy stamping! :)

Treasure Chest

Hi, friends!  Hope you all had a lovely weekend!  Mine went far too quickly. ;)  Anyway, as Father's Day is coming up this weekend, I thought it prudent to actually make my dad his gift.  I decided on this a while back and the end result turned out perfectly!  My dad LOVES Hershey's nuggets so I thought it would be fun to make him a treasure chest and fill it with them...and so I did!

Here's the treasure chest~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

Simon Says Stamp & Show: The Button Challenge

Sugar Creek Hollow: Father's Day

A Little Bit Crafty: Something Sweet

The Crafter's Cafe: Fathers/For a Male

Craft Your Passion: Father's Day/Masculine

I used a bunch of buttons, rhinestones, and pearls from my stash, a stamp by Inkadinkado, a dry embossing folder by Darice, gold glitter paper by DCWV, and all other supplies are by Stampin' Up!.

Thanks so much for stopping by to look at my creation!  I hope that you've been inspired to create something today and that you'll join in the fun with these fabulous challenges!  HUGS and happy stamping friends! :)

Fun Valentine Treats

I have just a few more Valentine treats to share with you today and then I will probably be done with this holiday until next year.  Well, after tomorrow, that is.  Tomorrow is actually the day that my DH and I celebrate--it's more frugal cheaper that way. ;)  I've made some fun treats to take to friends and I thought some of you might like to use these ideas next year!

First up: Vintage Kisses Holder~

For these fabulous challenges~

In the Pink: Pink Valentines

Moving Along With the Times: Love is in the Air

Creative Belli: Valentine/Hearts

This and two others just like it are going to some very special friends for a little treat to let them know how much they're loved.  I've used up some paper that has been in my scrap drawer begging to be used for about 2 years, stamped heart by Stampin' Up!, a little tiny heart rhinestone by Studio G, eyelets from my stash, some gold tissue paper from Hallmark, and a gold pipe cleaner.  OH, the tube is....wait for it...a TOILET PAPER ROLL!!!  That's right!  I used a toilet paper roll!  A DT teamie made one of these and I just had to try it out!

Second up: Mustache Kisses Holder~

For these fabulous challenges~

Cute Card Thursday: Eye for Detail

(Googly eyes are my detail--get it?!

Okay, maybe that's stupid...)

Sarah Hurley Challenge: Anything BUT a Card!

Divas by Design: Love & Romance

This one is for my DH--think he'll like it?  I hope it makes him smile!  The paper is by DCVW, the heart stamp is by Stampin' Up!, the mustache is by Hero Arts, googly eyes and eyelets from my stash, some red tissue paper from the Dollar Tree, and a silver pipe cleaner.  And, yes, a tp roll!

Third fun project: Kisses Rings~

These were SO easy and fun to make!  I'm not entering them into any challenges, and I don't even know who I'm going to give them to, but if you'd like to make them yourself, follow these easy steps:

1. Take a pipe cleaner and cut it in half.
2. make an x with the two halves and twist in the middle to hold them together.
3. Place the Kiss flat side down in the middle of the x.
4. Twist the pipe cleaners around the point of the Kiss and make a circular shape at the bottom!

See, easy peasy!  There are tons of picture/video tutorials out there on how to make them.  I'm sure if you Google these, they'll all pop up!

Anyway, there you have it!  Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Stamping, friends!  HUGS to you all and thanks for stopping by!  See you soon!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just a quick post to wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day!  If you feel like you're not loved today--you're wrong!!!  YOU ARE LOVED!!!  And the best way to feel loved is to share YOUR love with other people!  You'd be amazed how loved and how much love you feel for others when you serve them.  It doesn't have to be a gift, it would be something as simple as a hello or a smile!  Start small, then work your way up!!!  God's love will then fill your entire being!  Now, for some crafty & YUMMY sharing...

Here's a little treat I created for my co-workers~

Isn't that fun?!  Heart shaped jelly beans!  All different cherry flavors!  The glitter paper I used is by Recollections and all other supplies used are by Stampin' Up!.

The love of MY life~

What my darling husband made me~

He's so amazing to me!  I'll never forget how upset I was when we were first married and he didn't bring me flowers (still doesn't) and/or candy or any of those other romantic things husbands are "supposed" to do.  You want to know what I discovered within the first few months of marriage?  He shows his love for me by serving me.  And he was much happier than I was about our relationship.  So, I now appreciate his service--that is true love--and I try to reciprocate...so I guess I'd better get offline and go make his Valentine's gift! (It's food again...Neapolitan cake balls to be exact...maybe I'll blog about them later...)

Anyway, don't ever forget that you are loved!  If you don't believe me, email me and I will send you proof!  If you know you're loved, pay it forward in an act of service today, friends!!!  HUGS and happy stamping!!! :)

Pinterest Weekend Picks

I like the idea that I've seen a few blogs I follow do...Wow. That sentence was horrific! What I meant to say was that I love Pinterest and so when I see others' picks from Pinterest, I love it! So, I am gonna try to start something new each Friday evening/night.

I am going to post my top five Pinterest picks, one of each from the following categories: Crafts, Home Decor, Photography, Food and

OTHER.

Which can be anything.

Even another pick from a previous category.

Because this is MY blog.

And I get to do what I WANT.

;P

So, without anymore petulance, here are my top picks from tonight with links to their original websites!

Crafts~

14 Creative Ways to say "Thanks!"

Home Decor~

Kitchen Art Ideas

Photography~

Non-traditional Family Photo

Food~

Red Velvet Strawberry Shortcake

OTHER (Kid's Food Ideas)~

Edible Acorns!

Hope you enjoy these links--I hope you have a happy weekend! Happy pinning! :)

Freedom Goodies!

Hello, all! Here is my latest culinary craft! ;) I'm not a very good cook or baker, but Oreo truffles, YES. I CAN make those!

Here's the recipe :

1. Combine 1 pkg. Oreo's (any flavor) and 1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese. Blend together to create a paste.
2. Refrigerate filling for about 1hr.
3. Make into balls and dip in chocolate.

UM, YEAH. That easy and OH SO GOOD!!!!!

Here are the details on my flag:
1. The red truffles are the NEW berry smoothie (or whatever) Oreo's
2. The white truffles are original Oreo's
3. The blue truffles are fudge filled Oreo's (the stars are made from white chips)
4. NOT PICTURED: green dipped MINT Oreo truffles (my fav, so I HAD to make some)

I hope you take the time to make something yummy for your Independence Day celebration! Happy baking!

Yummy New Year Snacks!

Okay, nobody commented on my last post, so I'm movin' on! I've found myself becoming more domestic this break...mainly because I have the time to. I love quick and easy snacks and since it's almost New Years, I thought I would share some quick and easy snacks that are sure to please hungry guests! I hope you try them and like them! Sorry no pics, but we already ate the evidence... :) Happy crafting!


Yummy Crackers
12-14 oz. oyster crackers
2 t. garlic powder
3 t. ranch powder
1/3 c. oil

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix gently until all crackers are covered. Spread onto foil lined pan. Let set for at least an hour, stirring every so often. Enjoy!

Homemade Cocoa
1 c. sugar
2/3 c. cocoa powder
1/4 t. salt
3 c. water
9 c. milk (can use powdered milk)
1 can evaporated milk
2 t. vanilla

Mix sugar, salt and cocoa in saucepan. Add water. Boil for 2 min. stirring constantly. Place all ingredients in crock pot. Heat on LOW 4-5 hours or HIGH 2-3 hours.

Snowballs
Vanilla ice cream
Coconut
Hot Fudge

Let ice cream soften just a bit. Form into balls. Roll in coconut. Place in freezer until ready to serve. Serve topped with hot fudge. Mix it up: use different ice cream flavors!

Quick Caramel Corn
12 c. popped popcorn
6 T. margarine or butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
6 large marshmallows (approx. 2 c. marshmallow--can use small ones or creme)

Combine margarine and brown sugar in microwave safe dish. Microwave on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, stirring once or twice. Add marshmallow and stir until melted. Pour over popped corn and toss to evenly coat. Shape into balls or spread onto waxed paper until cool and dry. Peanuts can be added also. This recipe doesn't get hard and stick to your teeth!!!

My FIRST EVER Holiday Meal at MY HOUSE!!!

My dining room wall--we don't have a fireplace, so this shelf is our "stocking shelf". :D

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

So, we live near both sets of parents. Which is awesome. Because you get lots of free food. BUT I never get to have a big holiday meal at our house. :( Until now!!! This year my family went on vacation for Christmas and so I got to invite the in laws and some close friends that really could be called family to dinner on Christmas Eve! Of course, I had to make sure my table was festive. This is what I came up with:

Full view of the tables

Single Place Setting

Place Cards--there were 9 of us, so I rotated the patterns. :)

Centerpiece--the flash made the colors weird...but this is the centerpiece I use every year from November through January...it may need a face lift for next year.

And here's the menu:
*King Food
Green Salad with croutons and dressing
Rolls
Pumpernickel bread
*Baked Apple Pudding
*Oreo Truffles
*Molasses Cookies
*Puppy Chow

I also had oranges on the menu, but totally spaced them. Oops! Here's the question, which starred recipes do you want? Because I don't want to post all of them, but I will post some of them! Comment and tell me your top 3 starred foods and I'll post 3 total recipes as soon as anyone comments...happy cooking and decorating and Happy Holidays!