A Yummy Bugaboo Gift Giving Idea!

Happy Bugaboo Gift Giving Friday!

This is the time of the year when I make a CRAZY amount of homemade chocolates. So, today, I thought I'd share with you my cute little Mint Chocolate Covered Pretzel bucket. Complete with a super cute Bugaboo Stamps Kitchen Gingers Tag.

 Close Up of the tag 

I'll give you a little crash course on makin' these yummy homemade chocolate covered pretzels - might save you lots of $$ in Christmas gifts when your family and friends get a tastin' of these. My Mother in Law and Brother in Law BOTH have said the only thing they want for Christmas is my homemade chocolates. :)

Here are the items you'll need to get started

1 Bag of Small Pretzel Twists

1 pound bag of Dark Mint Chocolate Wafers (you can get this at Hobby Lobby or JoAnn)

Festive Cupcake Sprinkles

1 pair of tongs, Microwave safe bowl, Wax paper, Cookie sheet & Air-Tight storage container

I use this fabulous Wilton Chocolate melting pot which is super fantastic. Years ago, we used a plug-in skillet filled with water to keep the chocolate warm. Ah, times are a changin'! =)

Each 1 pound bag of chocolate will make about half a large back of pretzels. So if you want to use the whole bag of pretzels, you'll want to get 2 pounds of chocolate.

Melt chocolate according to package directions.

Once melted, place a managable amount of pretzels in chocolate (I usually do 5 at a time so they don't get soggy). Cover pretzels in chocolate and then tap off excess holding pretzels with tongs. Place wet pretzel on wax paper covered cookie sheet. Continue until all pretzels are out of the bowl.

Sprinkle with festive sprinkles, repeat process until you run out of chocolate or pretzels.

If the chocolate starts to harden, feel free to stick back into microwave and warm. If you have a double boiler or chocolate warmer, you can also use these methods to keep your chocolate warm.

Let chocolates dry/harden for a bit. Store in air-tight container until ready to use.

It takes a little time, but I just love making these - there's just something about homemade chocolates!!

Next up - Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries and Chocolate Covered Peppermint Marshmallows

Here's to happy Holidays spent with friends and family.

Hugs & Happy Days!

 

12 Days of Christmas at Shelly's Images

So, have you been celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with the designers at Shelly's Images this week?

Well, let me give you a little taste of what we've been doing....

Yesterday I hosted my annual Holiday Bunch and Sweets Swap and to celebrate day 10 in the 12 days of Christmas, I thought I'd share this adorable gift tag that I whipped up using the Candy Cane Freebie (from Day 7.

It was a perfect fit for this holiday cookie tin.

 And if the super sweet tag wasn't enough, I thought I'd share a photo and recipe of just a few of the cookies that will fill a few of these adorable tins for friends, family and neighbors!

Can you say YUMMO???

Shall I share the recipe with you?  Well, of course!  =)

Taste of Home is one of my go to places for recipes - a new dinner recipe, fun recipe for a brunch with friends and  of course, even this sweets recipe!

Almond Joy Cookies

1/3 cup butter, softened

3 oz. cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

2 tsp. almond extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

5 cups flaked coconut, divided (you can omit if you don’t like coconut)

48 milk chocolate kisses

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy.  

Beat in egg yolk and almond extract.  

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.  

Stir in 3 cups coconut.  

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

Roll into 1-inch balls and roll in remaining coconut (or roll in sugar if you omitted coconut).  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.  

Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.  Sprinkle with coarse sugar.  

Cool on pan for 2-3 minutes or until chocolate is softened.  

Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

For the Candy Cane Cookies, I just omitted the Coconut and replaced the Chocolate Kiss with a Candy Cane kiss.

Super Simple and WAY TOO YUMMY!

Head on over to the Shelly's Images blog and do a little celebratin' with us - we certainly are celebrating the holiday and would love to have you join us!

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

It's Oldie But Goodie Day

WOW, can you believe 10 Days till Christmas???

Are you ready yet???

Well, if you need a little break today from the holidays, here's a little OBG card to make you smile.

I just LOVE the Flower Vases from Bugaboo and thought I'd see how they worked for a sympathy card we needed.  Wow, talk about versitile!!

I'm so pleased with how this worked out.
It might even be a nice simple design for thank you or thinking of you cards too!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Flower Vases - Daisy Vase"

Paper - Kraft & DCWV Prints

Coloring - Copics E31 E33 Y21 BG10 BG11 G20 W1

Tools - EK Success Punch

Extra STUFF - Dew Drops Ink, Fiskars "With Sympathy" Stamp for sentiment & Dimensionals

Be sure to visit The Bug Blog and see what Oldies the rest of the team dusted off.

Don't forget, this Oldie and all the others you see can all be purchased at The Bugaboo Stamps Store.

On and before I forget - HAVE YOU FINISHED YOUR 12 days of Christmas Challenges at The Bug Blog????  You've got till tomorrow to get your entries in and be one of our winners!!  =)

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

This has been entered into the following challenges - 

Delightful Challenges - 1E, SIO - Anything Goes (last challenge of 2011)

Samuel Taylor's Challenge - M, C3 - (December) Anything Goes

Cooking It Up With Katie - 1E - # 86 anything goes (til January)

Bugaboo NEW RELEASE!

If you've been following the Bugaboo Stamps/Catch The Bug 12 Days of Christmas Celebration, you've seen some SUPER CUTE 12 days of Christmas Images.

My favorite??  The 7 Swans a Swimming. . . .or maybe the 3 French Hens, no, wait, maybe the 10 Lords a Leapin', maybe.....well, I'm not sure I can really pick a favorite because they're all too freakin' cute!!

      

Guess what??  On this 13th Day of Christmas, Bugaboo Stamps is giving you the chance to get this ADORABLE 12 Days of Christmas set!!  ALL 12 Images AND titles in both Jpegs and Png files!

Dash on over to The Bugaboo Stamps Store and add this fabulous set to you collection!!  Don't forget, Jodie's got her 50% off Christmas Sale goin' on right now too - all the better reason to pick up this set! =)

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

Santa was Here!

The Design Team at Shelly's Images had a Secret Santa Sock swap and what fun and exciting Santa Packages we received.

I'm excited to say, my Santa Sock Swapper was my Design Sista' Stephanie!

THANK YOU Stephanie for a really awesome package and some FABULOUS socks!!!  I've already worn the red fuzzy ones (they were in the wash at the time of this photo).

Thank you Santa Stephanie!

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

On The Twelfth Day of Christmas

My True Love Gave to me....

11 Pipers Piping, 10 Lords a Leaping, 

9 Ladies Dancing, 8 Maids a Milking, 7 Swans a Swimming, 

6 Geese a Laying,

5 Golden Rings!

4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Today's 12th Day of Christmas Challenge -
Use a Christmas Song for Inspiration -  
Be sure to tell us what song it is!  =)

And if I wasn't spending the 12 day of Christmas recovering from our FABULOUS Cookie Exchange, I would have made a super cute card made with the JOY digi from the Bugaboo Christmas Word Collection. 

Don't forget, you've got until midnight on December 16 to join us and be eligible for the 12 days of Christmas Prizes!!!  We can't wait to see what you create!! =)

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

PS - Don't forget, Jodie has a 50% off Christmas sale going on right now - so, STOCK UP (plus, tomorrow there's an AWESOME SET that you're not gonna wanna miss!)

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas....

My True Love Gave to me....

 10 Lords a Leaping, 9 Ladies Dancing,

8 Maids a Milking, 7 Swans a Swimming, 6 Geese a Laying,

5 Golden Rings!

4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Today's 11th Day of Christmas Challenge - Get out that Plaid and let's use it!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "AKV Nativity - SHEEP"

Paper - Doodlebug Design, Coredinations & Bazzill

Coloring - Copics C9 100 C0 C1 R24

Tools - EK Success Punch

Extra STUFF - Dimensionals, Bakers Twine, Doodling, Custom BLING, Plastic Glitter Snowflake Ornament

I've wanted to use this sentiment FOREVER =)  Guess I can check it off my crafty bucket list now!  =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

This card has been entered into the following challenges -

Catch The Bug 12 Days of Christmas Day 11

On the Tenth Day of Christmas....

My True Love Gave to me....

9 Ladies Dancing,

8 Maids a Milking, 7 Swans a Swimming, 6 Geese a Laying,

5 Golden Rings!

4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Today's 10th Day of Christmas Challenge at The Bug Blog is  - Lords A Leaping - Let's make a Masculine Project

Here's mine - and I have to say, even though it has a scantaly clad woman on the front, this is DEFINITELY a Man Card - I can't say I'd want a card with a Scantaly Clad Woman on the front - KWIM?

Image - Bugaboo Stamps  "JJ Christmas - Wrapped Up"

Paper - Recollections Christmas Stack, Bazzill, Coredinations & Kraft

Coloring - Copics E21 E50 E23 E25 E27 E29 G94 G99 R59 R89 W1

Extra STUFF - Custom Colored Bling, Stickles, Doodling & Dimensionals

Day 10 - just a few more days left - but you have until December 16 to complete all the challenge and be a winner!!! =)  Come on over to The Bug Blog and join the fun - You DESERVE a crafty break!!!

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

This 1/2 wrapped Christmas Gift has been entered into the following challenges -

Catch The Bug - 12 days of Christmas Challenge Day 10 - Masculine

On the Ninth Day of Christmas....

My True Love Gave to me....

8 Maids a Milking, 7 Swans a Swimming, 

6 Geese a Laying,

5 Golden Rings!

4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Today's 9th Day of Christmas Challenge - Ladies Dancing - so let's make something that is Feminine & Girly!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Fancy SB Collection - Fancy SB Christmas"

Paper - Bazzill, Kraft & Miscellaneous Print

Coloring - Copics G94 G99 R81 R83 R85 R29 R46 Y38 W3

Extra STUFF - Ribbon from my stash, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Studio G Sentiment, Dimensionals & Stickles

Visit The Bug Blog and see the ribbon and bling the rest of the design team used for this Feminine 12 Days of Christmas Challenge.

Hugs & Happy Days!

On the Eighth Day of Christmas....

My True Love Gave to me....

7 Swans a Swimming, 6 Geese a Laying,

5 Golden Rings!

4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Today's 8th Day of Christmas Challenge at The Bug Blog is  - Maids a Milking?
How about some Milk & Cookies!

I did a lot of image combining & merging & cropping for this one and what fun I had!!!
GOSH I LOVE DIGIS!!!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Bobblehead Christmas - Gingerbread" AND "Digi Papers - Frosty" for the background AND "Make It Snappy - Wide Blank"

Paper - 12 Days of Christmas Paper Stack, Bazzill & Kraft

Coloring - Copics E31 E33 E35 G06 G07 R00 R24 R27 R29

Tools - EK Success Punch, Die Cut Machine (Square Boxes & Snowflakes) & Cuttlebug

Extra STUFF - Stickles, Candi, Dimensionals and BLING

So, we're already to Day Eight - have you had a chance to play along with us yet??
If not, I think after all the hard work you've put in already this December, getting ready for the holidays, you DESERVE a time out!!! =)
Hugs & Happy Holidays!

This creation has been entered into the following challenges -

Catch The Bug - 12 Days of Christmas Day 8 Milk & Cookies

Scrap- Friendzy - Scrap Your Stash Challenge #2 - Paper

Magical Mondays - 2W, mystical/fantasy image - (2nd week) Sketch* (ends 11th Dec)

On the Seventh Day of Christmas....

My True Love Gave to me....

6 Geese a Laying,

5 Golden Rings!

4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Today's 7th Day of Christmas Challenge - Use this Photo as your inspiration!  Pick out any one little thing and CREATE!!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Old World Santa 1"

Paper - Miscellaneous Paper, Bazzill & Coredinations

Coloring - Copics G94 G99 R27 R39 R000 E50

Tools - Liquid Applique, Heat Gun & EK Success Punch

Extra STUFF - Custom Colored Ribbon from my stash, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Studio G Sentiment, Doodling, Stickles & Dimensionals

So, how does today's Photo Inspire you??  Visit The Bug Blog and see how it inspired the rest of the Design Team!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

This cute Santa has been entered into the following challenges -

Create Me Pink Challenges - 2W - #5 Christmas Colours (Red, green, silver and/or gold)

Creative Card Crew - 2W -  Tis The Season

Paper Take Weekly - Anything Goes

Sassy Cheryl's -3E- SIO #93 Santa

Try It On Tuesday  It's All About The Big Guy

Tuesday Throwdown - #77 Celebrate The Season

12 Days of Christmas at Shelly's Images

Visit Shelly's Images today and celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with us!

Today is COOKIE SWAP Day!

Bring your cookie Recipes and swap with the rest of us!! =)

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

On the Sixth Day of Christmas....

My True Love Gave to me....

5 Golden Rings!

4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Today's 6th Day of Christmas Challenge - Make it Funny you Silly Goose!  Make a Humorous Card!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "JJ Xmas Cheer - Tis The Season"

Paper - Bazzill, Coredinations & Miscellaneous paper from my stash

Coloring - Copics  100 G94 G99 R000 R37 R38 Y17 Y19 E50 E31 E33 E35

Tools - EK Success Punch

Extra STUFF - Stickles, Doodling, Dimensionals and some BIG BLING! =)

The inside of the card says "If YOU were related to my family!"  I think this might be going to my favorite cuz for Christmas! =)

So, what kind of humor do you have for us today?  Head on over to The Bug Blog and show us what you got by playing along!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

This Tipsy Chic has been entered into the following challenges -

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes PLUS Glitter

2 Sisters - #68 Punches and/or Dies

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle -  Make a Holiday Card

Guess How Many!?

Today is Day 5 of the 12 days of Christmas at Shelly's Images and today we're giving you a chance to GUESS HOW MANY!!

Be the correct guesser and you're the winner!!!

Hop your way on over to Day 5 of Shelly's Images 12 days of Christmas and GUESS by leaving your guess in the comment section!!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

My True Love Gave to me....

4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Today's 5th Day of Christmas Challenge - USE GOLD on your Christmas project!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Bells"

Paper - Recollections and Bazzill

Coloring - Copics YR24 Y26 R89

Tools - MS Scallop Punch

Extra STUFF - Burgandy Stickles, Computer Generated Sentiment, Smooch, Dimensionals & BLING

Be sure to visit The Bug Blog and see what Golden beauties the team created!
We hope you'll join us and play along! =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

This glittery gold card has been entered into the following challenges - 

Catch The Bug - 12 Days of Christmas - Day #5 GOLD

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes PLUS Glitter

Crafty Boots - 2W, SIO - (2nd week) Anything Goes (+Blog Hop) (both ends 11th Dec)

House of Gilli - 2W, SIO - (1st week) Red and Gold

Make My Monday - C6 - Seasonal. Add Some Glitter

Ooh La La Creations - 2W, SIO - (2nd week) Lots of Sparkle (ends 11th Dec)

On The Fourth Day of Christmas....

My True Love Gave to me....

3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Today's 4th Day of Christmas Challenge - Use a Bird on your Christmas project

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - Winter Birds Collection "Winter Birds - Scarf"

Paper - Bazzill, Coredinations, Kraft & Doodlebug Designs

Coloring - Copics R37 R39 G14 G17 B91 B93 B95 YR 04 YR07 E23 E25 W1

Tools - EK Success Punch, Cuttlebug, Nesties, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (Dots & Snowflakes)

Extra STUFF - Stazon Jet Black Ink, Studio G Sentiment, BLING, Dimensionals, Diamond Stickles, White Gel Pen & Doodling

Check out The Bug Blog today and see what fun "Bird" themed projects the rest of the team created for this 4th day of Christmas - - - only 20 more Shopping Days till Christmas!!!
YIKES! =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

This Cold Bird card has been entered into the following challenges - 

The Bug Blog - 4th Day of Christmas "BIRD" challenge

On the Third Day of Christmas...

My True Love Gave to me....

2 Turtle Doves & a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Today's 3rd Day of Christmas Challenge is all about the Animals, a Hen is an Animal - so whip up a project that includes an ANIMAL!

Here's the cute little Polar Bear from the Bugaboo Stamps collection!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Polar Bear"

Papers - Cosmo Cricket & Kraft 

Coloring - Copics R00 C0 Y15 Y17 BG72 BG75

Tools - Cuttlebug & Nesties

Extra STUFF - Color Box White Ink, Studio G Sentiment & Snowflake Stamps, Googley Eyes, Dimensionals & Bling

Visit The Bug Blog and see what kind of zoo the rest of the team put together with all their animals and then JOIN US!!!  You can't win if you don't PLAY ALONG!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

This snuggly polar bear has been entered into the following challenges - 

The Bug Blog - 3rd Day of Christmas Challenge - ANIMAL

 Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge - 2W, 1E, SIO, must use a digi – Week 2, Winter Wonderland

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - must be Christmas – no more challenges this year

Clearly Inspired - 2W, 1E, SIO – Week 1, Christmas

Delicious Doodles – 2W, 1E, SIO – Week 2, Hairy Legs

  Fairy Tale - 2W, 2E – Week 2, Christmas

 Poodles Parlour - 2W, 1E, SIO – Week 2, Christmas

Raise The Bar – Christmas – runs thoroughout December