A Little Box Of Christmas & A Merry Christmas To You

I wanted to leave you with some Christmas Spirit so grab your warm cup of tea, hot coco or coffee and take a minute to view these wonderful vintage images, ephemera in this three book set of holiday goodness. Lyrics to some of your favorite Christmas songs and all the delights to make your Christmas bright~
There is even tutorials for paper craft, marsh mellow snowmen, snow globes and just all round holiday fun!
There are stories and songs to share with the little ones~ So with Christmas on its way I wish you all things bright and  beautiful. Blessings for a wonderful holiday season & a Happy New Year! 

                                              Images drawn by Theresa Huse 2010
Blogging Break Message~
*I will be back to blogging in January after Sammie's holiday break and traveling for the holidays to be with family. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my blogging friends, warming my year with your visits and comments! I look forward to more crafty goodness and sharing in the New Year~ All my best, Theresa

Open publication - Free publishing - More vintage

Click on image to enlarge and view book!

Holiday Cookbook

Dear Friends, I came across this publication Make Mine Pink Holiday Cookbook which has some sandwiches, breads, goodies and a Grinch cocktail. I like finding recipes like these somethings that I can put on the table or have ready to share when days are busy preparing for Christmas. What will you be making for the holidays? or Will you be traveling?

Open publication - Free publishing - More cookies

just click to enlarge

Cookie Swaps & Christmas Cookie Recipes

Christmas cookie basics, swap tips and recipes!  Its like having a one stop shop! This is just what we needed for all our baking inspiration needs. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! What is your favorite Christmas Cookie to bake? or For swaps?

Open publication - Free publishing - More recipes

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town "Book Discount"

Santa Claus is coming to Town with a discount for you! Well you know how I participated in the Chronicle Books Contest on my other blog well I didn't win but, Chronicle Books sent me this great discount to share with my readers! So for all you Santa s out there you might want to add a little jingle into your step with some extra cash in your pocket with this little savings! Don't forget to use the code HAULIDAYS at the checkout! Well more from Santa later~ Hope you have a wonderful day!
Do you have all your stocking stuffers yet? I sure don't! This Santa better get hopping!

Christmas Cookie Recipes "The Chocolates"

This week I am going to do a round up of my favorite cookie recipes. With school going on break in a week it is a tradition in our house to put on our aprons, warm up the oven and bake the day away. Nothing says Christmas is right around the corner more than the wonderful smells of fresh baked cookies! Then when unexpected company drops in how easy is it to offer a treat with a cup of milk, coffee or tea~

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies * corrected / adjusted version as posted on bakersroyal.com

Yields 3 dozen cookies

• 1 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons spooned and leveled bleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 2 3/4 cups sugar, divide
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tablespoons of peppermint extract
• 1 cup sugar

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, beat together well the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Melt the chocolate in the microwave on 50 percent power for 1 minute, stir, and microwave for 15 seconds more and stir; set aside.
2. In a mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together 2 1/2 cups of the sugar, the oil, butter and corn syrup to blend. Beat in the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla and peppermint extract. Then on low, beat in the melted chocolate. Add the flour mixture and beat in on low speed. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
3. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line bakesheet with parchment. Take out about one-quarter of the dough at a time to shape. Roll the dough into 2 inch balls. Pour the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar into one bowl and the confectioners’ sugar in another bowl. Roll each cookie dough ball lightly in granulated sugar first, then very heavily in confectioners’ sugar. (By rolling in plain sugar first, the confectioners’ sugar does not soak in so much and stays on the surface better).
4. Arrange cookies 2 inches apart on the foil. For crisp cookies, bake 12 to 14 minutes. For a chewier cookie, bake 10-12 minutes. Bake one sheet at a time.

Adapted from Shirley Corriher

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies~This is a melt in your mouth almost brownie like cookie sure to please any chocolate lover!
Yields 40
Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups (11.5-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 350º F.

COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chunks. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until cookies are puffed and centers are set but still soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Original Chocolate Chip Cookie 
Yields 60 
Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

PAN COOKIE VARIATION: Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars.

SLICE AND BAKE COOKIE VARIATION:
PREPARE dough as above. Divide in half; wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Shape each half into 15-inch log; wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.* Preheat oven to 375° F. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

* May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 8 weeks.

FOR HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING (5,200 feet): Increase flour to 2 1/2 cups. Add 2 teaspoons water with flour and reduce both granulated sugar and brown sugar to 2/3 cup each. Bake drop cookies for 8 to 10 minutes and pan cookie for 17 to 19 minutes.

 Don't forget to drop by again this week for more favorites! What is your favorite cookie recipe? Will you be baking for the holidays?

Christmas Link Round Up "Gift Tags & Tutorials"

I am sure this is finding you rushing around & getting ready for the holidays! I can't believe Christmas is in twelve days!! That final countdown has arrived today I did a small round up of gift tags you can print yourself & tutorial for gift toppers or ornaments. I hope this helps you with some of your last minute details! I would love to know if you are ready or not? Are you planning on baking cookies this year? I sure am! & I will share a couple of my favorite recipes next week!

So here is Santa with the goodies list~

Print ready gift tags & felt tutorial~ 

Gift Tags via Going Home To Roost

Gift Tags via Creature Comforts designed by Camilla Engman  (kids would love these)

Felt Ginger Cookie Ornaments via Creature Comforts (great for package toppers too!) 

Faux Sugar Cookie Ornaments via Creature Comforts

Gift Tags designed by Georgianna Lane  (  This Link Expires12/31! but, these are my favorite & from one of my favorite blogs to visit! )

Easy Sewing , Fortune Cookie Ornaments & Sewing Inspiration

Hello Friends, I honestly can say I am getting slowly & surely back into the swing of sewing. Yes, they may be little projects but I am loving them none the less. Sometimes there is nothing better than quick & easy! These perfect ornaments I came across while surfing the web. Here is a link to a free tutorial for some fortune cookie ornaments! Now I put a little twist and added some handwritten fortunes inside the cookies!  Here are some examples of some of the ones I am working on above~

Now for my next projects I am so inspired by Alicia Paulson & am over the moon for some of her projects that I have seen. Honestly I am putting this on my Christmas List! Even if I didn't have a little girl there is plenty of projects and tips for making memories~ Check out her book Stitched In Time  
There is even a preview where you can flip through and see some of her sewing tips & designs.
This is sure to please beginner as well as seasoned sewers!
What is topping your wish list these days? I would love to know~

Giveaway! HAUL-IDAYS with Chronicle Books Giveaway! Want to Win?

Here is a contest/giveaway I want to win & maybe you have a chance too!! Chronicle Books is having a drawing where one lucky blogger wins books they have selected with a value total of $500. The great part is if selected one lucky reader of the blog wins too!! So check out this list I made of heavenly books and all you have to do is comment, jot down your name & make sure I have a way to contact you in case we win!! xx fingers crossed for us! Don't delay comment now as the contest ends soon!! ( $499.05) Official Rules & Info
Without further a due my book list in random order is * I think I saved the best for last!:



























o

Contemplating

Karlee Dawn

Contemplating you say. Yes, after being under the weather with the achy, chills, fever & major headaches since Thanksgiving that is just what I am doing! This is how it all began: I had managed to get all the shopping & cooking done, serve the dinner, eat a little with the family and then I went to lay down to get rid of a headache for I thought for 15 minutes when ca-pow! Two hours slipped by & then when I awoke the tree was up with lights on it and the decorating began. I ended up watching and finishing details just last night. This is actually the first day I can say I actually feel better, but not 100%. Now I am contemplating where to get caught up first. Of course the laundry is up there on the list & telling my blogging friends I haven't gone away. So my posts are sparse this week but I hope you understand. I feel like I have been in the land of the lost & one thing is for sure I don't want to go back!! I will count my blessings today as what ever I had has seemed to have passed and cross my fingers no one else will get sick. If I had a magic wand I would rid the land of illness and suffering~ but, since I don't I just wish you good health this season & hope this finds you well.
Have you managed to stay well and creative this past week?

Sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot. ~Danish Proverb sometimes attributed to William C. Hazlitt

Blogging Break

Yes I am taking a little blogging break of a week, a time to spend with family & unplug. I'll be cooking, playing games, watching movies and enjoying family & although we won't all be together we will be with one another in spirit. May your week be filled with blessings~

Cleaning & Organization Craftrooms Inspiration

Honestly where does the time go? I have been crafting, journaling and painting meanwhile my house has been collecting dust bunnies, getting disorganized and just in plain need of assistance. If I had a magic wand I would wave it today to make my space look all tidy like these craft spaces. Our spare bedroom is the guest room / craft room so with Thanksgiving just around the corner this is where you'll find me cleaning~


Moline



almost bunnies


MayaLee Photography


Petis Details



yvestown


yvestown

Swoon~
What about you? Are you having company this year? Am I finding you cleaning & organizing too?

Handmade Projects

How many of you craft and sew handmade projects just at this time of year? Just for gift giving?
or Are you the ultimate crafter who enjoys creating things all year long including gifts?
Well here is a little round up of hand made / home made gift giving tutorials & links to the ladies who created the images in the photos.~
A little of this & that but all handmade projects to suit a budget~

Homemade Bath Salts

Re purpose a Sweater into a Purse

Pine Cone Fire Starter Gift Basket

Home made Vanilla Extract


made by agah

Thanks to the ladies who inspired my post today~
Made by Agah has a cute little etsy shop full of felt goodness and loveliness for gift giving~
Hann-Herz also has a shop on de.dawanda.
So be inspired to create or run off to shop. All I know is I am going to be on the creating end!
What about you? Creating or Shopping? Do tell~

Sweet Sunday Crafty Links

I created a little round up post for you of some very pretty, creative and free printable s and tutorials. I am out of town so this is just a quick post of some of the ones I really enjoyed out there on the web~ I hope you enjoy them and if you have any links to things you have created, is crafty and would like us to visit and possibly feature leave your link and info. in the comment section. We are always looking for new inspiration along with seasonal tutorials and such~
Wishing you a sweet Sunday filled with crafty inspiration! What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year?

Here goes:

Thanksgiving printable s *lots of things for decor, graditude to tabletop Tatertots and Jello.

Free printable s for the cutest place cards afancifultwist.typepad

Tee shirt (gobble, gobble) *so cute! tutorial The Cottage Home

Thanksgiving Garland Simply Modern Mom

Thanksgiving Finger puppet Tutorial (felt) Frog Prince Paperie

Non-Thanksgiving~

A tutorial for a felt business card holder Everything Etsy

Re- Purpose With Wool Sweaters

the long thread
the long thread

Here’s a quick tutorial for a felted sweater stocking.This makes a 12″ long stocking, but you could increase or decrease the pattern to suit your needs. Print the template here.

1. First, you’ll need 100% wool sweaters, washed and dried.
2. I cut my sweaters into 1 1/2″ strips (the width of my yard stick). I used about 15 strips in all. I sewed them with a straight stitch right sides together until I had a somewhat rectangular striped piece.
3. I then cut the pattern front from this piece, adding 1/2″ around the outside for the seam allowance. I cut the back from a solid color (with a band at the top). Be sure to cut the front and back in mirror image. I then inserted a quick loop and sewed it all together.

the long thread
the long thread creative commons

I am just dying to make some of these for around my house this holiday season!
This and the tutorial above is all thanks to Ellen Lucket Baker and here is what she had to say;
So get some wool sweaters, wash and dry them, cut 15 circles according to the template, string them together and hang them or add them to your miniature winter village. I’m hoping to make one of those this year, but we’ll see. You know, because everyone needs a miniature winter village, right? Template for the tree ornaments




Refashionso
Who couldn't use a little decor pick me up? Could you see using a sweater with a seasonal color and some special buttons to dress up your holiday decor?

every little thing
What little one wouldn't love one of these cute little critters to hug at bedtime while waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve?






TheDYIDish
And of course who doesn't need a two minute gift to make for the holidays? And with a how to get your sweater ready for any of these inspiring ideas that I am sure you are warming up to make! So don't throw out those old sweaters re purpose them & get new life out of them~
Have you used wool in any of your crafty projects? Have you tried to re purpose a sweater before? What was your favorite wool project? I sure would like to know~