Fun Tip for Little Cookie Bakers

When I was growing up my mom always made sugar cookies with us for every holiday. Christmas cookies were always my favorite though because we got to paint the cookies. Now that I have kids of my own, we carry on a lot of the same traditions. This year my children got to paint their sugar cookies, and they had so much fun I thought I'd share the idea with you! All you have to do is mix an egg yolk (just the yoke) with some food coloring and viola! Cookie paint! Then after the kids cut out all the cookies they painted them and added sprinkles before we baked them. The "paint" gives a pretty glossy look to the cookies (like an egg wash would to bread etc) and don't worry, it doesn't add any flavor. :)

Here are a few pic of my little chefs with their cookies. They each made 2 dozen and proudly displayed them for a photo.

See the cute aprons they are wearing? My mom made 4 coordinating Christmas aprons for my children and I to use for cookie baking this year! (She is such a talented lady! THANKS MOM!) They look so darn cute in them, especially my little guy, who was napping during cookie baking. My mom is going to be opening an etsy shop in the new year, so I'll let you all know when you can get some of her cute aprons (the retro ones are to die for!) for yourselves.

Merry Christmas and happy baking everyone!

Christmas Goodie Tin Idea

Hi everyone! Sorry I've gone missing the last few days, it has been so cold here (highs of 8 degrees lows of -30 degrees with the windchill) and I've been hunkered in with my sick children. I must say though, despite the bitter cold, it looks so beautiful outside. Winter blue skies, a blanket of snow covering everything, Christmas wreathes and lights everywhere.... it really is wonderful. (as long as I don't actually have to go outside :))

Anyway... I'm back to share another fun Christmas idea today. My local scrapbook store had a cookie exchange last weekend and I thought I'd share the cute little altered tin I made to store my cookies in.

The tin is just a brand new empty paint can that you can get at your local hardware store, Home Depot, etc.


Then I just covered it with paper (use small circle punch to make the "hole" for the handle) on the sides and top. I added the cute little vintage deer image, some chipboard, a doily, buttons, and tinsel.


Then I tied ribbons, more tinsel, and hung plastic mini Christmas balls from the handle. I think it turned out really cute!


Paint cans are pretty cheap, and they make great containers to give gifts in too. Then it's like giving a double gift because they can reuse the beautiful container every year! (this would be great for any season/holiday, not just Christmas)

I'll be back to show you some cute little signs I made for the Christmas swap and few other goodies between now and Christmas.

I'm still adding new stuff to my etsy shop daily, so be sure to swing on over to Pink Owl Paperie and give it a look see.

Simple, Quick, and Affordable Christmas Tags

I thought I'd share the tags I'm using on my gifts this year. I love to make tags using all my scrapbook goodies. This year I needed a little something simpler, but I still wanted a handmade look. Solution: I just whipped up a few designs on the computer, printed them on white card stock, and cut them out. I added a little red and white baker's twine and viola! Quick and cheap homemade tags!



I thought they looked really cute on my packages, and if you want you can coordinate the colors etc to match your wrapping papers! Speaking of wrapping paper, I have to admit I am terribly addicted to the stuff. I guess since it's pretty paper it goes hand in hand with my scrapbook addiction. Ever since I can remember I have been in love with pretty packages. I love to see them tied up with trims and beautiful ribbons. Every year I buy new paper. My hubby shakes his head and says, "you don't need any more wrapping paper!" and he's right, I know but I can't help myself. I figure as addictions go mine are pretty harmless though right? I'd love to hear all your clever ideas for wrapping presents. Leave a comment here to share the creativity with us!

Today's Christmas Idea: Yummy Homemade Marshmallows

Here is a recipe card for some yummy homemade marshmallows. They are actually really easy and taste SOOOO much better than those store bought ones. I like to add a bit of peppermint extract to the mix and swirl in a few drop of red food coloring as I pour them into the pan. They are great in hot coco this way! I have tried several marshmallow recipes, and this one is definitely the best. Try dipping them in chocolate after you've cut them up, super yummy too!



Just click on the recipe to make it larger, I was having some trouble getting it to save as a larger file.

I would love to hear some of your yummy holiday recipes, leave a comment and share some of your favorite goodies here!

I've got some more new goodies for the shop, so be on the lookout! I am going to continue the free gift wrapping too, so just put "wrap it please" in the notes to seller.

Christmas Inspiration

So today's Christmas inspiration is all about decorating deals. I had to share these little vintage look-a-like bargains I got recently. The first comes from Target's dollar section. I got these fabulous sparkly gold bottle brush trees for $2.50! What a steal! They are pretty big too, I think they are around 7-8" tall. I love bottle brush trees. I have a collection of actual vintage ones that sit with my vintage Christmas village that my Grandma gave me. (I'll share that another day, you can actually find a lot of the houses on etsy. You may want to start your own collection.

Lovely aren't they?

The next deal I found came from Lowes. I know, of all places. :) I found these sparkly trees for $6.50 in the Christmas section. They were 50% off! I love the color, they are a mix of gold and silver glitter, so they remind me of the way silver glass glitter looks once it has tarnished with age. (The photo doesn't really do them justice, sorry!) The little snowman is also a favorite of mine. My Mother-In-Law and I share a love of old things, so she always sends me the most wonderful vintage/vintage replica decorations every year. I always look forward to seeing her latest finds.


So if you like these goodies, head on down to your local store before they are gone! Oh, and Target also has the most wonderful replicas of vintage mercury glass decorations. They are beautiful! I can't wait until they go on sale! :) If you have any wonderful holiday deals you'd like to pass along leave a comment here to share!

Using red and white to decorate.... and a thank you!

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who participated in the Christmas sale and shop events! I am wrapping and packing up all the goodies today and then they will be in the mail! I'll let everyone know when I've shipped theirs.

I thought I'd also share a little photo of my friend Joy's new home. I had to laugh because I obviously had not had enough coffee yet when I set her there. It wasn't until I took the photo that I realized the glittery little sign above her head says, "Joy".




I have an open shelved china cabinet in my dining room and I just love decorating it for the holidays. It was built from 2 antique cupboards and is painted off white and a pale taupe. I filled it with all my white dishes and crystal. At Christmas I hang the red glittery signs, drape the top with greenery, and fill the bowls and pedestals with red and pearl Christmas ball ornaments. I love the look of the simple red and white.

I'd love to hear about your favorite place to decorate in your house or what colors you like to use. Leave a comment after this post to share your decorating ideas!

Today's Christmas Idea: A Yummy Treat

These have become one of my families favorite Christmas treats and they are so simple to make! The kids have a ton of fun dipping and drizzling them in chocolate after they've cooled. They are so yummy I wonder why we only make during the Christmas season. (just click on the recipe to make it bigger if you can't read it)

I'd love to hear some of your favorite holiday recipes! Leave me a comment/link about your yummy treats and I'll add them all to the blog so we all can share some new ideas!

Have a wonderful day, and be sure to check out my etsy shop - today is the last day of my Christmas sale! (see previous posts for sale details)

Today's Christmas Idea: Count Down to Christmas

I got the most wonderful idea off of Nicole Samuels blog and I just had to share it with you all. (she said she heard the idea from someone else too, but I can't remember who :)) It's a wonderful way to count down to Christmas with your children. First you need to get/buy 25 children's Christmas books. Then you wrap them all up and each day your children get to open one book, that way every night you read a Christmas story together before bed. What a great way to count down the days till Christmas! Then after Christmas you just pack up the books for the next year. My darling cousin-in-law knew I was planning on doing this and she went out and got me about 2 dozen used Christmas book! What a sweetheart, and what a good way to get a bunch of books with out spending a ton of money! Thanks so much Jessie! Man kids books can be so pricey these days.

I also wanted to share another fun idea for an advent calendar. I made a "mini album" out of paper lunch bags (I folded them in half, stacked em up, and stitched down the center to bind em). I decorated each page of the book and stamped 2 #'s on each page as well. (1-25 for the days of Christmas) Then I made 13 large tags that would fit into the "pockets" that were made from the open ends of the bags (I decorated the tags and put ribbons on the end so they would pull out easily). Then I typed up a list of fun things to do each day until Christmas. I mounted an idea on each tag (front and back) and put them randomly in the book. Now everyday we pull out a tag and do what the card says. I put all kinds of things on the cards from wrapping presents and baking cookies, to buying gifts for the needy, helping a neighbor, and or going out for coco. I'll give you a little tip: be reasonable while your planning your daily "events", I learned making a lot of simple but fun plans works the best. Each day a new family member gets to pull out a tag and my kids love it, especially because there are a few tags that let the "puller" get to decide the "plan" for the day.

There are so many great ways to countdown until Christmas, I'd love to hear about your traditions too! Leave a post here and share what traditions you have during this holiday season!

Be sure to check out my etsy shop because I've been putting a ton of new goodies in there and I am having a Christmas Sale! (see previous posts for details)

Also be sure to leave a comment on today's giveaway so you can be entered to win!