January seems like such a long month, and sometimes it’s nice to just give a friend, a loved one a little *just because* gift.  As Norine shows us, sometimes the simplest wrapping can be just perfect.  Using her Tim Holtz sizzix die, Norine creates the perfect pillow box gift holder.

Quoting Norine ~~ “Tim Holtz Alterations embossing folder, Elle’s Studio Winter Pennants (pennants available at Liitd), Zing white embossing powder. “

I absolutely love the look of this gift package, thanks for the great idea Norine.  You have also reminded me to not overlook my Sizzix dies when packaging.

Isn’t this card Norine made the cutest ever - the snowman is absolutely adorable and I love these treat cups from Stampin’ Up.  I have some, just gotta remember to use them.

Quoting Norine ~~ “Stampin Up treat cups, Little Yellow Bicycle Twig line, snowman digi image from Polka Doodles.”

Love these things you have made Norine, things which can be used all winter long.

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I want to share a recipe that my friend Wanda has told us about.
Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal  (click photo for recipe)

Wanda says to not use quick oats - just steel cut oatmeal - which I have been told can be found at Superstore.

Happy Wednesday!

Posted under Christmas, Creative Team Inspiration, Holidays, Recipes

It seems that cupcakes are the *in* thing, and I have to say ….. they make a great gift for any occasion.  Decorating the box that you give them in can be lots of fun, and as Norine shows us, it looks fabulous too.  I am excited that we are now carrying the single kraft with window cupcake boxes (with insert) and the white one dozen cucpcake boxes (with insert) in the store.

Isn’t this just the cutest ever?

Norine, I can see you decorated the sides of the box too, it looks fabulous.

Norine, this box is just the cutest ever, and I just love how you decorated it.  One could say that your cupcakes look like some fabulous edible snowballs just waiting to be tasted.  Thank you for sharing you creativity with us, I can’t wait to try one of these boxes myself.

Yummy!  And here is Norine’s recipe for these cupcakes.

Coconut Snowball Cupcakes
1 pkg white cake mix
1 C water
3/4 C Cream of Coconut (in the cocktail/drinks aisle at the grocery store.)
3 egg whites

Combine in large bowl, beat on low for 30 seconds, and on medium for 2 mins. Bake according to the pkg directions for cupcakes.

Frosting
1 pkg cream cheese
1 tbsp sugar (or to taste)
2 (or more) blocks white chocolate (melted in microwave)
1 C whip cream (whipped, with 1 tsp almond extract added)
1/4 C Cream of Coconut

Cream the cream cheese in a bowl with electric mixer. Add sugar, melted chocolate and cream of coconut and beat till smooth. Beat whip cream (with extract added) till stiff. Fold into cream cheese mixture and frost cupcakes. Sprinkle coconut and white crystal cake topping on top of cupcakes and watch them disappear!

Posted under Christmas, Creative Team Inspiration, Holidays, Recipes

Norine has created two beautiful gift holders from this one sheet of paper, My Mind’s Eye Adore.  These gift holders are absolutely perfect for any occasion.

Quoting Norine ~~ ” This paper line makes it so easy to make a decorative box or card with hardly any additional embellishment. The flower and 2 leaves are all that’s added here and it looks complete! One sheet of paper was used to create both this box and the Maya Road tin GC holder.”

Quoting Norine ~~ “In the making… I wanted to cover up the Maya Road, but this shows that it’s a MR tin.”

Quoting Norine ~~ “Lost and Found Two line from My Mind’s Eye. Maya Road tin, misc assorted flowers, 7Gypsies leaf, burlap leave cut from fabric, Liitd scrunched seam binding.”

I don’t know about you, but right after Christmas I seem to be in the mood to create, and seeing ideas like this inspires me to get in my scraproom and get busy.  Norine, thank you for sharing these ideas with us, they are absolutely stunning, and I am positive the recipients will be thrilled to receive them.

Posted under Christmas, Creative Team Inspiration, Holidays