Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year in 2012!

Hugs...susan

How about a yummy cookie recipe?

I just made these delicious cookies and had to share the recipe with you. These are Cran-Pistachio cookies and the recipe is courtesy of Betty Crocker.



Look at these delicious cookies and, honestly, they could NOT be easier to make.

Cran-Pistachio Cookies
Source: Betty Crocker

1 pouch Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
1 box (4 serving size) pistachio instant pudding and pie filling mix
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 cup dry roasted salted pistachio nuts, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
optional - green food coloring (I didn't add any but if you wanted them extra green you could)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl stir cookie mix, pudding, and flour. Add melted butter and eggs and stir until incorporated.

Add pistachios and cranberries and mix well.

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. The only way you can ruin these cookies is to overbake them! If you bake them too long you will lose the soft texture and they won't be as green. They will not look done but take them out and let them sit on the pan for about 2 minutes. Trust me.

Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Enjoy....Susan

Glitter and Tinsel Ornament

Hello everyone! I'm a little late with this next tutorial, but for good reason. My son graduated from college Saturday! We are so proud of you Patrick! Our family started arriving Tuesday and we've been celebrating all week!



Now for today's Christmas fun..I found this beautiful ornament tutorial that Karen over at My Desert Cottage has created and generously shared. Isn't it a beauty? Her instructions are very well written and so easy to follow. Thank you Karen! I hope you will enjoy creating this beautiful ornament.



Cathy over at Hazleruthe's has generously shared some Santa paper doll puppets on her blog. If you get a chance, pop on over. These little Santa's are adorable and I LOVE Cathy's idea to include them in her Christmas cards this year.

Well, I'm signing off...we're watching The Polar Express tonight....

Blessings to you...Susan

All that Glitters Christmas Ornaments

A big Thank You to for the tutorial to make these wonderful Glitter Christmas ornaments. So creative and none of the mess you get from the ornaments. I can hardly wait to get started on mine...

Hugs...Susan

Candy Christmas Tree

Aren't these the cutest little trees? Just click on the photo to go to the tutorial on Hershey's site. I'm going to make three of these and use them as part of my centerpiece in the dining room....hope they last until Christmas day! hee hee

Hope you have fun with this quick and yummy project....Susan

Bleaching and Dyeing Bottle Brush Trees Tutorial

Hi everyone!!! Here is a really easy and fun project for the holidays generously created and shared with us by Terry Heinz of Artful Affirmations. I cannot wait to get started on my own little 'forest' of bottle brush trees!



Blessings to you...Susan

Christmas Stocking pattern

Aren't these cute Christmas stockings? Ms. Martha offers a free pattern to create your very own that you will find when you click on the photo. I love the traditional red and white, but can't you just see these in some other color combinations?

I hope you have fun with this one...hugs...Susan

How about some holiday tutorials?

Hi everyone! I love holiday crafts, don't you? Especially sharing them with friends and family, so I'm going to be posting a few of my favorites with you over the next couple of weeks.

First up? These sweet snowflakes. I love the simple and sweet arrangement of these handmade snowflakes. Here's an easy to follow tutorial from The Vintage Junkie . Wouldn't these be sweet with a little clear or antiqued silver glitter? Definitely something fun to do with the kiddos and grandkids!

Wishing you holiday blessings...Susan

In loving memory of the victims whose lives were taken on 9/11/01

Candy and Elsa are home!

Well, these two Halloween girls have been on quite a ride. They've been temporarily living at the offices of Stampington Magazines for the past several months getting ready for their 'close up'! I was honored to have my girls selected for this issue of Art Doll Quarterly. Stampington is a class outfit and they took great care of the girls while they were with them. I couldn't be happier. To take a closer look at the girls, click on their picture below: Blessings...Susan