Making Cards for Mother's Day

Check out http://www.celebrations.com/article/handmade-mothers-day-cards-from-the-kids for my Mother's Day cards assignment.  There are three cards that were super fun to make and could be used for any occasion.  I had two very special helpers on this one!

This is the "Pinky Wreath" Card.

And this is the little pinky finger that was used to make that cute card!

A bouquet of daisies...just for you.

  Snippin' daisies...

And how's this for a cute purse?

 Designed by Miss Brennah herself!

The diningroom looked like a craft-disaster!  We had ribbon, glue, paper, paint, and itty bitty scraps of paper all over the place.  And who cares?  We had a super-fun afternoon together! 

A Purse Full of Chocolate

We made little party favor purses last night at the Ladies Night at church. They're just big enough for one Hershey's Nugget. 

I've been asked for the dimensions. Here you go...
1.  Cut a strip of paper 5 7/8 by 1 3/4 inches. Score the paper on the long side at 1 3/4, 2 3/4, 4 1/2 and 4 3/4 inches.
For the flap, cut paper 1 3/4 by 1 3/8 inches.  Score at 1 1/8.
Round the corners.

2.  Glue the flap and circle on and poke a hole through.

3.  Turn to the inside and add ribbon handle and candy.

4.  Poke a hole through all layers.

5.  Secure with a decorative brad.

Here's the side view:

27 Days Until Spring

Signs of Spring in California...
The almond trees look like popcorn trees -- full of fluffy white blossoms.
There are some new babies following their mamas around in the pastures and fields.
The stores are showing off the 2011 Spring fashions. 
And the grandkids are already talking about the first day of swimming!

First Assignment for Celebrations.com

http://www.celebrations.com/article/easy-graduation-party-recipes

Annual Valentines Party

Valentine Goodies

What is the saying?  "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?"
Well, when good friends give you lemons... make Lemon Cookies! 

Lemon Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1egg

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Topping

2 cups powdered sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

In large bowl, beat butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, oil and lemon peel until well blended. On low speed, beat in flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt until well blended.

Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours for easier handling.

Heat oven to 325°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. Dip bottom of small glass into 3 tablespoons sugar; press on cookies to make about 2 inches in diameter. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges begin to set and cookies are light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix 2 cups powdered sugar and enough lemon juice until smooth and spreadable. Spread frosting on cookies.

Jazz them up!  Sometimes I put pistachios, walnuts or sliced almonds on top.  If you're making them for your Valentine, put a drip of red frosting on after you've frosted them with the lemon icing, and then just pull a toothpick right through the middle of that red drip.  It will turn into a sweet little heart!

Wow!  Lots of goodies on this blog:

http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/02/sweets-for-saturday-4.html

 

And...the Wisteria Wreath makes another appearance...



I needed something on my table to surround the heart shaped bowl of chocolates.
(Lucky wreath!)