Upcoming Events on a Couple of Fab Blogs!

Tuesday Tute- 8 is Great Cookie Bouquet

Since I am the primary president now, I have a new outlet for my creativity to go. We just had our "Great To Be Eight" fireside the other night. We invited all the children in our ward who will be turning 8 this year, and their families to come and learn a little bit about the Faith in God program, cub scouts, activity days and a tour of the baptismal font, etc.

We wanted to decorate the refreshment table in a fun way, yet keeping it subtle and simple. So I decided to make a colorful cookie bouquet with 8-shaped sugar cookies, frosted in the primary colors.

I looked online for an 8-shape cookie cutter; but even when the price may be a dollar or less, the shipping/handling cost makes it not worth it, not to mention the chance that it may not get here in time to use. So I came up with an idea to make my own 8-shape cutter.

Here's how I made my "Great to be 8" cookie bouquet...

Supplies:
-Chilled Sugar Cookie Dough (I used this soft sugar cookie recipe.)
-A strong plastic cup
-Scissors
-A small lid (like off a glue stick)
-Wooden Skewers
-Frosting and Sprinkles, etc.
-Vase and floral foam (to stick the skewers into)

How to cut an 8-shape:
1. Cut the bottom off a plastic cup. (I used a short 9oz cup.)
2. Cut about a 1 1/2 inch opening down there.

3. Roll out the dough on a floured surface about 1/4 inch thick.
4. Cut one side at a time, meeting in the middle. (It's really not very complicated and goes pretty fast!)

5. Cut the 2 holes with a small lid.

6. Carefully move to pan or stone with a spatula.

7. Bake until slightly golden (about 8-9 minutes at 350).

How to make cookie into a "flower":
8. Take out of oven and let sit for about 2-3 minutes before inserting skewers.
9. Move to cooling rack and carefully insert skewers, pointed side in, twisting gently to push through middle of cookie. (Cookie and skewer will adhere together really well as it cools.)

10. Let cool completely before frosting!


Making the bouquet:
11. Frost cookies with butter-cream frosting, and decorate as desired. Set aside and let frosting harden.
12. Prepare vase with floral foam. (If your vase it clear, you will need something to hide the foam. I stuffed some red ribbon in mine because I couldn't find my cool marble-rocks. Worked well!)
13. Carefully stick skewers into the floral foam and arrange as desired.
14. Tie ribbon/bow around the vase, and you've got a beautiful, tasty centerpiece!!


Some other notes:
-I tried Fondant icing to see if it would be easier than regular frosting. It's nice because you can roll out and cut it to match the cookie perfect. But there were two big reasons I didn't end up using it. 1) Sprinkles won't stick to it. 2) It tastes AWFUL!! I even tried mixing almond flavoring into it and it did not help.
-Would I do this project again? Absolutely! It really wasn't hard, and turned out really cute. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it- in more ways than one!

My Town Monday- Chronic Tacos

We have a new Mexican restaraunt here in my town! It's called Chronic Tacos. Mexican food is mine and my husband's fave, so we thought we would go try it out the other night. I am here to report that Chronic Tacos is going on our list of favorites! It's like the "Subway" of Mexican restaraunts. Everything is made fresh every day, and it tastes amazing! And their prices are very reasonable!

The guys working there were really cool and personable. It was a pleasant experience. We will definately eat there again! I guess Chronic Tacos was founded in Southern California. They are all over CA, and there's one in AZ. We are lucky to have one here! Go try out Chronic Tacos if you haven't already. It's located on the SE corner of Eagle/Franklin. When you get there, tell them Angela sent you and get a $1 off coupon!

Modbe in My Town!

I just received some exciting news from MODBE. They are traveling and bringing their Warehouse OUTLET to different locations and they will be coming to Meridian on Saturday, Jan. 24th!! Here's the information! Please spread the word because if they have a terrific turnout, they may do this more in the future!! I would also suggest getting there early for the best deals and best selection!
-Ann Christensen

Modbe $5 LIVE Clearance Sale!
Modbe is sending a truck load of merchandise in various and random sizes for a live clearance sale.

Items will be priced to sell at under $25

Most items will be priced at $5.

Twin Falls Sale - Friday, January 23rd 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shiloh Inn 1586 Blue Lakes Blvd. (Turn south off the 1-86 Twin Falls Exit, Left side of the road by Perkins)
Boise Area - Saturday, January 24th 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Country Inn and Suites 3355 E. Pine Ave. (off Eagle Rd. and Pine Ave. near the Meridian Crossroads Shopping Center)

Go here to see all upcoming sales.

Another Blog Award? How fun!

I don't even know what to say! Thank you Stef over at It's All in My Head. I am actually one of her stalkers as well. You have to stop over at Stef's blog and see her fabulous projects- SO creative!! I'm in love with her latest Valentine ideas. So cute! She's an amazing paper crafter as well (something that I do NOT do, because I cannot keep up with it). You have to go see her darling Valentine mailboxes!

Okay I nominate... I just can't single out any of you! Every blog on my sidebar are ones that I stalk whenever I get a chance. These women are super talented and inspiring! I love you ALL!! And I know there are others that I haven't even found yet- so please step forward and turn yourself (or them) in. I can "feel the love"!! XOXO

The Crafty Friendship Blog Award- for ME!

Wow! I feel SO honored!! Thank you so much Brenda over at Deck the Halls for this Crafty Friendship Blog Award! I will wear it proudly on my left sidebar! If you haven't been over to Deck the Halls, you better go check it out. Brenda is super creative and crafty. She inspires me with lots of fab ideas. Girl's got talent! I'm so glad to have met her through blogging. She's a kindred! You HAVE to go see what she did to her little girl's bedroom!

Now it's time for me to nominate 7 other crafty bloggers who inspire me...
Oh, it's too hard!! There are too many of you! And I don't even have the time to decide on just 7 right now. (These first few weeks of my new calling have been extra busy for me!)

So to make it easy for myself this time, I am nominating all those who's links are on my right sidebar. You are all so inspiring to me, whether you're on my links list or not. By the way, if you have a blog that needs to be on that list please let me know so I can pay you a visit! (Email link is on right sidebar.)

So if you are on my links list, please copy/paste the award and consider yourself nominated by the Creative Homemaker! You are my favorite blogs to visit! XOXO

New Family Movie

There is a new movie coming out on January 23rd, called Inkheart, with Brendan Frazer (who I think is pretty hot). It's rated PG (which makes me happy) and looks like it's going to be a good one! The movie is based on the book, Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke. It's a fantasy one, so I know my kids will especially love it. Check out the trailer below and don't forget to watch for Inkheart on the 23rd! Click HERE for more details.

My Town- Parenting Class

Just a reminder that Parenting Class in my town starts this Tuesday and Thursday. Click HERE for all the details. Have a fantastic week!

It's a Party and We are All Invited!! Yay!

(click on image below to be able to read it better)

Tara, thank you for leaving me a comment on my last post with the link to TheObsessiveShopper.net. I checked it out and was just in time for their launch party/giveaway!! Yippee!

This site is amazing, and there are 4 fabulous ladies that are experts at saving money, building and using your food storage. They have teamed together to bring us so much info and help walk us through our family preparedness, step by step. What a wonderful recource! I want to give each of them a hug!! Thank you ladies!!

These are the linky buttons to their sites, but don't be overwhelmed... I think this first one is the one that ties them all together. I just had to share them all because they are so cute! Go check it out, and join the fun!

Happy 2009!

Hello my fabulous friends!! Happy New Year!! I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays. I sure did, and am ready to start a new year.

Do you have some new year's goals set for 2009? I sure do!
Here are my top 3 personal goals for this year, in order of importance:

1. Be organized, on time, and more balanced at home
2. Loose 4 dress sizes
3. Learn and master the art of "couponing"

Some big changes have recently occurred in my life in the last week that will make me have to work extra hard at managing my time more effectively...
I have been called as the new PRIMARY PRESIDENT in my ward. Yeah, BIG! (If you are not a member of my church and have no idea what I'm talking about, go here. :))

So to sum it all up in a nutshell, I have some important personal goals to work on this year, full-time mommy/wife duties at home, and now primary! I think this means that something will have to go, so I can focus on what's most important in my life. :(

This blog is a hobby, an outlet, and something I love to share. But I must never put it before anything I have mentioned above. I am going to try and keep it up the best I can, but it's going to be a bit more sporadic and not a priority at this time. {sniffle, sniffle} I can't run faster than I have strength. Please keep visiting. I will post whenever I can. If you send me ideas, links and FYI's I would love to share them here too. That would actually help me keep my blog alive.

I am completely honored and excited to serve the Lord in primary with His children. If you have some great primary ideas to share, please email me (link on right sidebar)! Thank you for your loyalty and support! I will keep you all "posted". XOXO