Something New #1.....1/1-1/7

In an attempt to get out of many ruts I seem to have fallen into in my life (same 10 dinners, layouts that look the same, same style of clothes, same stores, etc) I have decided to try something new each week and record it here on my blog! I hope that documenting it here will keep me doing it and by the end of 2010 I can look back at the 52 things I tried!


Chex Muddy Buddies:
This is from the back of a box of Rice Chex. We had some friends coming over to watch the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day and I needed a quick little snack! This fit the bill and I had all the ingredients on hand! I loved it! It feels a bit holidayish to me so it probably won't be something I make a lot but I look forward to it next Christmas! :)

9 Cups Corn, Rice, or Wheat Chex (or a mix...I used rice and corn)
1 Cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips (I used milk chocolate)
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
1/4 Cup Butter
1 tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar

1. Measure cereal into large bol and set aside.
2. In microwavable bowl, microwave chips, peanut butter and butter on hig for 1 minute, stir. Microwave another 30 seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon ziploc bag. (I can't find these so I just used 2 1-gallon bags and split the mix!)
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag and shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight conteainer in refrigerator.

Top Ten Layouts of 2009!

This was a challenge over at CocoaDaisy...to blog your top ten layouts of last year! Thought it'd be fun to go back through and see what I accomplished! I think my favorites are this first one...just because of the story (and I love those monsters!) and the Splash one...it was my first time using Glimmer Mist and the layering on it, while not a lot is a lot for me! It was kind of a fun experimental layout that has helped my style evolve a bit!
What one is your favorite?

After Christmas and Ringing in the New Year Sale at Scrapdango!

Scrapdango has an awesome sale going on! In celebration of the New Year, Scrapdango is offering a whopping 30% off your entire order on anything carried in the Scrapdango Store. Credit card orders only (no paypal) for the sale and the sale price will be adjusted before your order is processed. Minimum order is $25.00 after the sale price adjustment. Quantities in stock not guaranteed. This sale will run through January 7th! Hop on over and take advantage of the sale!

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your friends and families! God Bless you!

Semi-Homemade Lollipops and Treat Bag Toppers

This is a little tutorial that I did for Scrapdango's 12 Days of Christmas with a Twist! If you join in and make it be sure to post it here to get your name entered in a drawing for one of Scrapdango's kits!

Today's project is a 2 part one! The first part is in the kitchen! We're going to make lollipops out of Jolly Ranchers! There is no twist for this first part!

Supplies for Lollipops:
*Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
*Lollipop Sticks
*Little Treat Bags
*Baker's Twine or Ribbon
*Parchment Paper

1) Preheat oven to 250.
2) Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
3) Choose 3 Jolly Ranchers and place them next to each other on the parchment paper. This will become your lollipop! If you are making more than one, be sure to leave plenty of room between each lollipop...they will spread!
4) Put in the oven for about 8-10 minutes...until melted! Be sure to keep checking them! It takes a while to start melting but once they start, they go pretty quickly!5) Once completely melted, take out of oven and IMMEDIATELY roll the lollipop stick into candy. Roll the stick so the part in the lollipop is completely coated. They do harden fairly quickly so don't dilly-dally! ;)6) Let Cool
7) Place the cooled lollipops into the treat bags.
8) Tie with ribbon or baker's twine.9) Put aside and make treat bag topper below! :)

Here's part 2...the treat bag toppers! There IS a twist for this part...Use only black and white and one other color! :)

Supplies:
*Cardstock
*Border Punch
*Letter Stickers or Thickers
*Button and Thread
*Stickles
*Baggie
*Staples

1) Cut your cardstock piece 6 1/2" x the width of your baggie + 1/4" (my baggie was 6 1/2 wide so I cut it 6 3/4)
2) Fold in half the 6 1/2" way
3) Use your border punch on the front edge.
4) Trim of the back so it is just a bit shorter than the punched front.
5) Spell out Happy Holidays with you letters...but leave off the "O"
6) Thread button and adhere it in place of the "O"
7) Use an exclamation point from your letter stickers to make a your button into a lollipop!
8) Decorate your stickers with stickles.
9) Staple your topper onto the baggie****Here is one really important tip: Make sure your lollipops fit into your baggie before making your topper! Not that I know from experience or anything! :rolleyes: My lollipops were too tall for my sandwich sized baggie but of course I had already made my topper for that size baggie! So, I simply cut about an inch off of the stick! :D You could also just move the stick farther up in the lollipop when you are making them!

And one more idea...if you are just giving one to someone, just put their first initial on the bag! Gives it an easy personal touch!

I hope you guys get a chance to try these...they are so simple and fun and yummy! :D

We have a winner!

I have had a blast reading the comments that I got during the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day! And visiting all the blogs during the giveaway! I hope you all had fun too! So without further ado, the winner is Breanna S! Breanna, I sent you an email requesting your address!

If you did not win, but want one of the wallets...you can find them here in my etsy store! Leave a message when you check out that you found me through the giveaway day, and I'll include a free pair of clips or a free pony tail holder from my inventory with the purchase of a hair candy wallet...just tell me your preference between clips or hair ponytail holder! This offer is good through the end of the year!

It's Giveaway Day!

If you are here for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day...Welcome! If not, it is your lucky day! I am giving away a Hair Clip Wallet and 2 pairs of my Hair Candy Clips! (seen below!)

*All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.
*For an extra entry, visit my store, Pens and Needles and then come back here and tell me what you like best in the comments! Easy Peasy! I would love any feedback you give me as I just started the store! :)
*And I'll give you another extra entry in the drawing if you become a follower of my blog!
And as a special deal for Giveaway Day, if you buy a Hair Clip Wallet, I'll throw in a pair of Hair Candy Clips or Hair Candy for free! Just mention that you found me on giveaway day and if you want clips or the ponytail holder! (I'll pick them from my inventory!) These make AWESOME stocking stuffers for all the little girls in your life!
You have until Midnight EST on Sunday December 6th to enter to win! I'll announce the winner here on the 7th! So check back then or if your email or blog is linked in your comment, I'll give you a shout!