12 Days of Christmas Giveaways: Day 8

Day 8

We're starting to near the end already.  I can't believe how quickly it's gone!

Mystigail Adornments is giving today's winner these festive holiday earrings.  Today's winner should receive them in plenty of time to enjoy them all season long!

Do you have a little someone in your life that would love the sweetest little quiet book you have ever seen? Or what about a fun playmat?  Lindy J Designs is offering today's winner their choice of any 3 patterns from her shop to make your choice of quiet books and/or playmats.  I have purchased patterns from Lindy J Designs in the past, and I LOVE them!

And last, but not least, today's winner will also receive an 8x10 print of their own choice from Kim Bradica Designs.  *Please note that this print will come as a PDF file for you to print at a print shop of your choosing.

Kim has lots of fun holiday and family friendly prints to choose from!

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaways: Day 3

Welcome back to Day 3 of our Giveaway!

Up first today, we have Little Buttercup Baby, giving away a
$25.00 gift card good towards anything in her shop.
As you can tell from the photo, you will be choosing from some pretty cute items!

We also have Mason Jar Mixes giving away any one jar of cookie mix.  The winner gets to choose the flavor.  Let me tell you; I have tried these mixes and they are delicious!!  So.  If you entered to win one of these over the summer but didn't win; here's your chance to try again!

Last up today, we have this adorable apron from SoDak Homestyles.  If you have the self discipline to give it away, it would make a fantastic Christmas gift!  

Have you figured out how easy this is yet?

Follow the Rafflecopter prompts and good luck!
Be sure to stop back by tomorrow, and if you haven't already, check out Days 1 & 2!

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaways: Day 2

Day 2!!
Let's get right to it, shall we?

Up first today, we have a $25.00 gift certificate to use at Little Bits by Lisa.
You will find some adorable girls clothing there!

We also have one of these fabulous pea pod necklaces from The Curious Cupcake.  

It will be totally personalized for you; you can pick the number of peas (2-6) 

for your pod as well as the colors of the peas themselves.  

It will come to you on the ball chain as shown - ready for gift giving!

 And finally today, our winner will also receive this Happy New Year Banner by Scrap Happy Designs.  The winner will be able to choose the sign in silver (as shown) or gold.

Alright, guys!  Follow the Rafflecopter prompts to get as many (or as few) entries as you'd like!  And if you missed yesterdays set of giveaways, be sure to check it out! (Click HERE for Day 1)

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Valentine's Day Banner

Word to the wise:

Don't ever think out loud in front of your 4 year old.

Especially if it's about something that sounds kinda fun and exciting; 

let's say maybe something about a possible party?

I made the mistake the other day of saying,

"Wouldn't it be fun if we had a little Valentine's Day Party?"

And now my son is obsessed.

So now, I guess we are definitely having a Valentine's Day party.

Which means I need to get crackin' on the decorations now, otherwise they'll never get done!

 So today, I made a Valentine's Day Banner for our mantel.

(I'll be adding to the mantel a little bit at a time over the next month, and will share as I go)

 Everything I needed, I already had at home.  Sheet music, cardstock, paint and twine or hemp.

Luckily, my sheet music was already yellowed and aged, seeing as it is probably 30+ years old.

 I cut 7 pieces that were approximately 5" wide and 4" long.

I simply made a heart template out of paper, and centered it on top of my sheet music.

And then carefully painted it in 

(very carefully; you don't want to bleed out the sides of your template)

So then, I had all these cute little squares.

I then quickly glued them on cardstock and distressed the edges with black ink.

And, voila!  A quick, simple addition for my mantel.

And a closer look:

(I know the hearts don't show up very well in the photos, 

but I promise that they do look better in person!)

There you go!  

Super fast (less than an hour), super easy (basic cut & paste) and super cheap (free!!).  

Can't beat that!

White Chocolate Walnut Fudge

I do not love white chocolate.  It's okay, and I'll nibble on it occasionally, but it's really not my favorite.  But, my husband loves it and requested that I make some white chocolate fudge this year.  So, I just used the trusty old Fantasy Fudge recipe on the back of the Marshmallow Creme jar and changed out the semi-sweet chocolate for the white chocolate.  It turned out GREAT.  I love this fudge!!  And I totally did not expect to.

So, in case you don't have a jar of Marshmallow Creme handy, here is the recipe for their fantasy fudge (with my changes to it):

White Chocolate Walnut Fudge

3 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter
5 oz. evaporated milk (1 small can)
12 squares of white chocolate (that's 2 full boxes), chopped
1 jar marshmallow creme
1 c. coarsely chopped walnuts (I would actually add probably another 1/2 c.)

Line a 9" pan with foil.  Bring sugar, butter and milk to a boil, stirring constantly.  Boil until it reaches a temperature of 234 F*.  Remove from heat.

Add chocolate and marshmallow creme, stir until melted.  Add walnuts.  Pour into pan and cool.

*The actual recipe says to boil for 4 minutes OR until it reaches 234 degrees.  Do NOT boil it a full 4 minutes!!  Be sure to use a candy thermometer to make sure your fudge turns out soft and creamy.

Holiday Baking: Double Chocolate Treasures

I love holiday baking.

Probably too much.

One of my favorite cookies to make each holiday season are these Double Chocolate Treasures.

They are delicious!!

Double Chocolate Treasures

2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 c. oatmeal
1 1/2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. powdered sugar

Melt 1 cup chocolate chips; stir until smooth and let cool slightly.

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.  Blend in eggs, vanilla and melted chocolate chips.  Add all dry ingredients (except for powdered sugar).  Stir in remaining chocolate chips.

Roll into 1" balls, and roll in powdered sugar.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.
Makes 2 1/2 dozen.

Enjoy these, and in a couple of days I'll have another delicious holiday recipe for you! In the meantime, what are your favorite holiday treats??