Scenes from the "Baking of Christmas Cheer"

 

Act I :

"Christmas Pretzels"

 

 

 

something salty + something sweet = something simply delicious!

Preheat oven to 350

place pretzel squares on baking sheet, top with unwrapped chocolate kiss,

bake 1-2 minutes (until kiss begins to melt), remove from oven,

top with m&m pushed gently down in the center of chocolate kiss, 

chill in refrigerator until set.

 

Act II :

"Dreamy Chocolate Cookies"

 

soooooo incredibly yummy!!! Truly dreamy!!

21/4 cup all purpose flour                       1 cup brown sugar

               1/2 cup cocoa                                3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking soda                                    1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt                                   2 large eggs

1 cup margarine softened                     2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

-combine flour, cocoa, baking soda & salt in small bowl.

-beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar & vanilla extract in large mixing bowl until creamy.

-beat in eggs for about 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

-gradually beat in flour mixture

-stir in chocolate chips, & drop by rounded Tbsp. onto ungreased cookie sheet

-bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until cookies "puff"

 

Act III :

"Wrapping It Up"

and now off to deliver a bit of  "Christmas Cheer"!

 Happy Monday!

love & blessings,

Jill

Oh Christmas tree {plates}...

 

a new addition to our family room Christmas mantel...

 

beginning with two old plates that just seemed to need a little "extra something"...

 

and after receiving a simple dose of  "extra something"...

 

became the Oh Christmas tree plates!...

(well, the Jingle Belling- Oh Christmas tree- Oh what fun it is to remake your old plates- plates!)

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Many Blessings,

Jill

Little bits of happy...

 

* new fall bangle created with some of my favorite fabrics

* a leaf found by Princess #2 and declared to look just like,

"a beautiful butterfly"!

 * a stack of inspiration

* found photo from Princess #1's Spring Break trip that simply makes my heart smile!

Wishing you a weekend filled with little bits of happy!

Many Blessings!

Jill

handing your heart to mom...

 

precious hand prints,

forming the shape of a heart!

A little project I created for Princess #2's class...

a gift for Mother's Day!

 

so sweet and simple, I thought I would share...

I used a canvas panel, paints, a strip of natural linen material & not shown- acrylic sealer

 

1. paint entire canvas background color, I chose a Spa Blue

2. I created a "frame" by rubbing a brown antiquing medium around the edges

3. to soften the brown edges, I then dry-brushed a bit of Oyster White around the edges

4. I then poured the Barn Red paint on a paper plate, dipped each child's hands in

and placed them gently on the canvas to form the shape of the heart

 (after the hand prints dried, I did spray the entire canvas with an acrylic sealer)

 

5. I used a strip of natural linen, cut to desired length,

hot-glued to the back of the canvas,

   then tied in a bow, (leaving a little room to use for hanging)

6. or to place on a stand...and enjoy!

 

Truly a treasure...

  created from precious little hands!

 

 and now I'm off to add the bows to the rest of the classes "hearts"...

so on Sunday they will be able to "hand their hearts to Mom!"

Have a happy day!

love & blessings!

Jill

Happy {handmade} Easter!

 

{a scrappy egg created with precious little hands by Princess #2}

 

{gifts with love for our teachers}

 

{simple glittered eggs created to become a part of our Easter table}

 

{mini banner made from studio scraps sharing our reason for celebrating}

 

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope

 

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."

1 Peter 1:3

 Happy Easter!

love & blessings!

Jill

coffee talk...

 

 a simple little set of coffee mugs I created for a few gifts...

(and a set for us to keep as well!)

 

beginning with solid colored mugs,

and using a porcelain paint pen (following the directions found on the pen)

 

I painted words chosen from some of my favorite scriptures,

with simple illustrations...

 

for the gifts:

I printed out the words, followed by the scripture that I had used for inspiration,

and enclosed it with the set of  mugs...

 

just in case you would like to create a set (or two!)  for someone (or yourself!)

I'd love to share my list with you! 

  just click the picture and print! 

  

and now I'm off to enjoy my "coffee talk" for today...

I think I'll choose "shine"- with an extra muffin too!

Have a wonderful weekend!

love & blessings!

Jill

the "Birthday Bouquet"...

created for Princess #1's "thoughtful gift"...

(you can read more about our "thoughtful gift" tradition here and here)

using this tutorial as basic inspiration...

I did make a few changes,

I stitched a tube-like piece of fabric to create finished edges,

 as well as, a more "full" flower...

I added a few pieces of chenille ribbon to the stems too...

and then created another and another and another...

13 flowers in all!

One flower to celebrate each precious year!

I placed them in a french flower bucket,

tied with vintage velvet ric-rac and three pom-poms I made-

all with love,

for our now *teenage* Princess #1!

How is it time only seems to go faster?-

and children become almost 'grown' in the blink of an eye!

Have a happy day!

Many Blessings!

Jill

"a pocket full of notes"

one of the little gifts created this year...

simple felt pockets,

stitched up the sides using embroidery floss,

a pretty covered button sewn on,

and a slit cut in the top flap for the button...

little notepads were then created...

I chose to cute the 81/2 X 11 paper into eighths,

then gluing together with a cardboard back...

making a perfect "pocket size" notepad,

then tucked into their felt pockets...

with a Christmas greeting...

and given to some of our sweet friends (and precious teachers)!

"a pocket full of notes"-

a perfect little notepad to tuck inside a purse-or a pocket!

Happy Monday!

Many Blessings!

Jill

In the bag!

my book bag...

because 99.9% of my current "season" of life is spent on-the-go!

(with a lot of waiting in between the "going")

and a good book always makes for good company...

currently in my bag you'll find-

for the home...

(really love that couch!)

for the upcoming holidays...

for creative inspiration...

and for the soul...

(a very appropriate title for this "season" of life!

an insightful read, filled with wonderful wisdom and encouragement!)

As for the bag...

I simply purchased a pre-made tote (found at Jo-Anne's Fabric Store),

and embellished with a removable raw silk flower pin I created...

so now I can just grab my bag of books and go (and wait)!

Are there any other books you might recommend to fill my bag?

I'd love to know some of your current favorites!

Have a wonderful day!

Many Blessings!

Jill