Blueberry Hill Giveaway: Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

After a weekend of horrible computer issues, I am SO happy to finally be able to select and announce a winner! Thanks to the Random number generator, for selecting the lucky winner! Congratulations, Addison K.A.T. and thank you so much for entering!

Jenn, thanks so much for providing us with such a spectacular giveaway! Your creations are amazing, and I LOVE my "Sam" hat! Thanks again.

Goo goo for this baby hat and a fun little giveaway!

Have you ever received something in the mail that was so delicious and adorable that you were just giddy with excitement? It happened to me earlier this week when I received this absolutely sweet little sock monkey hat from The Blueberry Hill. I squealed with delight and then immediately gushed to all my friends about how wonderful this shop was and how this little cupcake of a hat was SO going to the hospital with me in a few months to photograph my sweet little baby in! It's absolutely the cutest little hat I have ever had my hands on. The hat is super duper soft and was obviously made with the greatest of care. Jenn from The Blueberry Hill has some major skills when it comes to handcrafting a beautiful, durable, and charming little gift. I have pulled it out three times this week just to rest on my baby bump imagining what my sweetie pie will look like in it. I can't wait!

I am totally partial to sock monkeys for a number of reasons, but I absolutely can not get enough of Jenn's site. There are so many sweet little treasures to choose from in a variety of themes, colors, and sizes. I will be purchasing the "Sam" Brown Bear hat next for my little one and have my eye on the "Taylor" Brown beanie for my little girl. Jenn even has the most delightful assortment of children's fedoras. Is there anything cuter than a tiny mite in a fedora!?

The prices are so nice, but to be even nicer, Jenn is offering 20% off her entire site from now until December 31st. Use coupon code GLUESTICK at checkout to get your discount.

If that isn't enough already, she is giving away the "Max" Knit Sock Monkey hat to one of my lucky readers! Bonus! All you have to do is go to her site, check it out, and come back to my blog and leave a comment on this post about what your favorite item is. The giveaway ends next Thursday and the lucky winner will be announced on Christmas Eve!

Jenn will send the lucky winner the prize, but in order for me to get her info to you, you must have your email address available so that we can contact you.

Good luck to all and happy shopping! Don't miss out on the coupon!

Snowman Baggie Tags- Holiday Freebie

These were a hit on snack bags filled with red & green holiday M&Ms for my daughter's ballet class. Fill them up with whatever you like for an inexpensive and adorable treat.

Get the free printable here.

Whoopie for Cookie Exchanges!

Last night, I attended a super fun and yummy cookie exchange. It's a pregnant girl's dream, though I lusted over the beautiful candy cane martinis and thought, "If only". Not being able to drink didn't hold me back by any means. It only allowed me to enjoy the many delicious treats that were literally served up on silver platters. Oh my goodness, I hope some of the other girls share their treat recipes today as well!

My Gingerbread Whoopie Pies seemed to go over pretty well. There were none left, so that's always a good sign. I also served Chocolate Earthquake cookies that are not only tasty, they're pretty and easy peasy too.

I read the cutest bit about how Whoopie Pies got their names. It's said that children would get so excited to get these yummy treats that they would exclaim, "Whoopie!" in excitement. Adorable and I totally believe it! They are just that good.

Here is just one of the many, many sites providing more info on the Whoopie Pie.

And without further ado, here are the goods. Enjoy and happy eating!

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies:
(recipe adapted from McCormick's recipe)

Makes 30 mini cookies (These are not your normal size whoopie pies. The dough would only make about 12-15 normal size sandwiches, so double up if you want larger ones.)

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Refrigerate Time: 4 hours

Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes per batch (I baked them for exactly 8 minutes for each batch and they came out chewy. This is the goal, so don't over bake them. They should feel like moist little cupcakes right out of the over)

Ingredients
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

(1/4 cup granulated sugar-for rolling balls only. Not to be added to cookie dough)

Cream center:
1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
4 ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (The recipe calls for lemon extract, but that is a lot of flavor going on with the gingerbread and peppermint, so I adjusted to vanilla instead)
Note: No matter what I did, the consistency of the cream center would just not hold up. I feel like the marshmallow cream kept me from being successful with it. I tried two attempts to make it and each time, the texture was gooey and runny; not what you want for such a delicious cookie. I ended up nixing the whole thing and opting for a can of cream cheese frosting at the last minute which was exactly the consistency I needed.
Next time, I will leave the cream out and try just an ordinary cream cheese frosting recipe with butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream cheese.

"Dressing"
1 cup crushed Andes cream peppermint candies

Directions
1. Cream wet ingredients. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed.
2. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1/2 to 1-inch balls (remember there is not enough dough in one batch to make the larger cookies).
4. Roll in granulated sugar to coat.
5. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
6. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.
7. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
8. For the Cream center (see note above before making this), mix marshmallow cream, butter, cream cheese and vanilla extract in medium bowl until well blended.
9. To assemble whoopie pies, place about 1 tablespoon filling on the flat side of 1 cookie. Top with a second cookie, pressing gently to spread the filling. Repeat with remaining cookies.
10. Roll edge of cookies in crushed peppermint candy.

Store whoopie pies between layers of wax paper in airtight container in refrigerator up to 5 days.

Chocolate Earthquake cookies:
(recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com)

Makes approximately 24 cookies
Prep Time: 1o minutes
Refrigerate Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes per batch

Ingredients:
1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup shortening
1 tablespoon water

(3/4 cup confectioners' sugar-for rolling balls only. Not to be added to cookie dough)

Directions
1. Cream wet ingredients. Gradually beat in cake mix on low speed until well mixed.
2. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 375°F.
4. Shape dough into 1-inch balls, roll in powdered sugar.
5. Roll in powdered sugar to coat.
6. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
7. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.
8. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Reindeer ornament craft

I woke up in the middle of the night and thought about this ornament. I don't know why it occurred to me in the middle of the night, but luckily, I had all the goodies to whip these cuties up with the kids today.

Here's what you need:

popsicle (craft) sticks

brown pipe (chenille sticks) cleaners

red poms

hot glue gun

no sew glue

brown felt

buttons

brown ribbon

magnets (for second version)
brown card stock (for second version)

We did two versions. The first was the felt reindeer ornament. These is way easy for your four year old. She can do it with simple instructions. The two year old is going to need a teeny guidance.

Step 1: Lay popsicle sticks out in a triangle on the felt to get an idea of how big to cut your felt. Use the first triangle you cut as your guide to cut the other triangles out until you have enough for each kid.

Step 2: Give the kiddos their supplies. To assemble 1 felt ornament, they will need:

1 brown felt triangle

3 popsicle sticks

2 button eyes

1 red pom nose

1 brown pipe cleaner

no sew glue

Step 3: Glue each popsicle stick to the edge of each side of the triangle with no sew glue. The sticks will need to lay directly on felt to stick well.

Step 4: Glue red pom nose on one of the triangle's corners.

Step 5: Glue button eyes on felt.

Step 6: Bend brown pipe cleaner in half and shape antlers however you choose.

Step 7: Once the reindeer is dry, flip it over and hot glue (mom) the antlers to the back.

Step 8: Loop ribbon and hot glue to the back.

Step 9: Don't forget to write your kid's name and year on the back! I just used a sharpie and wrote it on a scrap of white card stock and hot glued to the back when I did the ribbon and antlers.

Version 2

Everything is exactly the same except replace brown card stock for the brown felt. Instead of a ribbon hanger, hot glue a magnet to the back.

Reindeer hands -Kids' Craft

~December 7, 2010~

The pictures don't do these near the justice. They are SO cute and the paper is sparkly and gorgeous. However, I have 5 minutes to get this post out, so they will just have to do.

I have always done this craft with my kids in some fashion or form since they were born. I try to mix it up every year and do it differently while still showing the progress of how big their little hands and feet get each year.


Sometimes, I do paint. Sometimes I trace their hands and cut out fabric and sew a reindeer together with their outlines. When we were kids, my mom made my grandmother a sweat shirt with all the kids hands and feet painted on in reindeer fashion. Another year, she did the same for her except traced and sewed on fabric instead of painting. The sewing is absolutely less messy, but by no means quicker.


This year, I wanted to do paint. It's quick, to the point, and I can decorate with the print any way I like.

Materials needed:

white card stock
decorative card stock
decorative ribbon
glue dots
craft paint (brown, red, black)
craft paint sponge
wipes (have these handy from the beginning or you may be sorry)


Directions:

1. Using paint sponge, spread brown paint on one of the kid's feet and press (toes up) on to white card stock.


2. Wipe paint off immediately. I learned the hard way the first time I did this with my infant daughter. There is absolutely no time to go and get the wipes once the paint is on. Trust me. Keep them next to your kid from the get go.

3. Hands are next. One at a time and repeat step 2.


4. Set aside to dry.


5. Once prints are dry, use your finger to paint on a red nose and two black eyes (googley eyes can be substituted and are way cute. I have no idea where I hid them this year). Let dry.


6. You can be done or move on to mounting the print like I did.

To mount:


I decided to mount the dried prints on a 12x12 sheet of glittered card stock scrapbooking paper from one of my many paper packs. To keep this project cute, but still short and sweet, I used glue dots for everything. After mounting the print, I used glue dots to attach a ribbon outline to the print and give it a three-dimensional border. Next, I punched holes in the top corners and ran a string of wide ribbon through each hole securing the back with glue dots. Last, I took another piece of ribbon and tied a big Texas size bow on the top right hand side, directly on the hanging ribbon.


Easy peasy and it only took minutes. They are hanging on our show board in the kitchen where the kids' projects are displayed.

Fun and Funky Christmas tent cards

Anyone throwing a hot cookie exchange party this year? Have you thought about cookie labels? Perhaps the fun and funky Christmas tent cards will fit in to your theme.

These are inspired by a vintage invitation I created for a client yesterday. I love these colors together and thought they would be fun as cookie exchange cards, place cards, gift tags, or whatever you can come up with!

All you do is print the file, cut the cards out and fold them in half. Even the back of the tent card is designed. The file is blank and comes with four to a sheet. Print as many as you want and enjoy!

Get your *freebie here.

*These are for personal use only.

Dear Santa,

Several weeks ago (probably before Halloween), the sales papers and booklets started flying in advertising every toy under the sun. My sweet hubby gave each of the kids a different color crayon and told them to take turns with the Target toy booklet (my brother carried around the JC Penney winter catalog for the entire month of Dec when he was little) circling what they want Santa to bring them. He reminded them that just because they circled an item did not mean they were getting everything they circled. He explained that this was just to get an idea of what they want so we can narrow it down in a letter to Santa.

Today we are all sick. We have been sick for a week now, and the best way to get over those icky feelings in to shop! Not really, but we are going to go back through the Target toy booklet and write our letters to Santa.

Every year, I write a letter to Santa and every year he writes one back. He leaves it either on the Christmas tree or next to the plate of half eaten cookies and carrot sticks (for the reindeer, of course!). I always design something different for the letter to him. This year, it's *free for OMG readers. You can download it here. Enjoy!

*For personal use only.

OMG Designed some to & from labels and wanted to share!

I don't know why I buy these every year. I am totally capable of creating these for literally pennies. This year, I decided to do it and so glad I have these handy! I am ready to start wrapping the goodies that Amazon delivered this week!

Enjoy a sheet of 30 labels featuring 13 different designs! These were created using Avery printable labels, template 5160.

You can get your *freebie here.

*These are for personal use only as are all of OMG's free designs. Please do not sell, copy, or redistribute in any way.

Happy Holidays! Snowman Door Sign

When I was little, I lived where we used to get snow. It wasn't the best snow. It was more like snow, then immediate frozen ice. However, on occasion, we would get a really nice snow perfect enough to build a snowman. This was one of my favorite things to do as a little girl with my Granddaddy. I have the best memories making these white men and dressing them up with our old clothes, Granddad's hats, and even an old corn cob pipe my uncle brought back from some trip.

I created this door hanger as an homage to Dear, Granddaddy. This snowman is pretty close to what we used to make; button eyes, carrot nose, tree branch arms wearing mittens, a funny hat, and the corn cob pipe. I left the pipe off since I am sharing this with other families. I don't want to introduce a pipe and what it's used for to my own kiddos though I realize we will probably catch Frosty the Snowman this year and will be asked then.

Go get your free one here!

Shoes off, please

I am fanatical about having a shoe-free home. I'm also a bit of a germaphobe, so there you go. I have two toddlers and a baby on the way and the thought of any of them crawling around on a floor covered in germs from places I am not allowed to clean, repulses me. Anytime someone dares to wear shoes in my house, all I can think of is, "What public bathrooms have those shoes walked across?" or worse!

Being so adamant about shoes off in my house also leaves me with a bit of a challenge. I want people to feel welcome in my home and hate policing my policy. I feel like a meanie asking people to take off their kicks, but at the same time, I want my floors safe for the kids. I just don't have time to bleach down every surface after a guest leaves, so I came up with a fun way to get the message across loud and clear without feeling like the shoe police.

Mind you, this idea came to me yesterday while I was, in fact, bleaching down the floors.

Attention fellow shoe police people:
The sign is free and available for your personal use here