{ Special Gift }

I made a special gift for my Daughter in Law Sarah for Christmas. I couldn't post it until now- didn't want to give away the surprise.

There usually is "one gift" at Christmas, which you just can't wait to give to someone. The anticipation was killing me =) This Christmas, this was the gift that I couldn't wait to give...

I made this wall print using Creative Memories Storybook software. But you could use any photo editing program. The wall print is 16x24. The photograph was taken by the wedding photographer, Karen Jennings. We have permission to print these photographs. I love how the photo of Christopher and Sarah is off center. This left a perfect place for the words to the song, they danced too for their bridal dance. The song is The Luckiest by Ben Folds. Down the left side I placed a black strip of "digital" paper. I added the title of the song. The words to the full song are in the center of the photograph. I love how you can still see the wedding guests in the background. The photo has a one inch white border around the edge. The photo was uploaded online to the Creative Memories website. It took less than a week to arrive. I purchased a black satin frame from K Mart. They were the only place that I could find this odd sized frame at a reasonable price.

I hope Sarah and Christopher will treasure this keepsake from their special day. The day was a fairy tale come true~

xo,
MaryAnn

Linked at:
Show and Tell Wednesday
Sew-Crafty Tuesday
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Home Sweet Home
Feathered Nest Friday
Friday's Unfolded
Friday Flair
Simply Link Party
Show and Tell Friday
Feature Yourself Friday
Transformation Thursday


..

{ Christmas with a cat(s) }

Looking through photos from this Chrismtas and old photos from Christmases past. I had to giggle at all the cat-antics that showed up over the years. There is something about paper and boxes, dangly ornaments and tree skirts that just bring out the craziness in cats. =) I hope you enjoy the photos of my furballs.

This year is Fiona's first Christmas. She had fun playing in the garland.

Fiona is a Princess in the house and she wanted the sparkly beads all to herself. Maybe she wants to wear them for Christmas.

Mikey IN the Christmas tree. He is the first of our cats to do that. He is so big the whole tree was shaking. I guess he wanted a tree fort.

Rusty in the tree box. Over the years all the cats have loved playing in the Christmas tree box. You just can't keep them out of it.

ohhhhh SHINY.... I wonder what it is..... tap..tap...tap..hmmmm it moves...

Tell me, what is it with cats and the tree skirt??? Notice where the tree skirt is, in relationship to the tree.. No matter how many times I fixed it. This is what I found. Sparky loved it.

See what I mean? (he looks too cute doesn't he?)Yes my cats are spoiled.

Happy Kitty, this photo says it all. Rusty and his present from Kitty Claus =)

Be nice boys. Sometimes they don't want to share.
Do kids always fight over toys on Chrismtas???

Guess Comet won in the end ~

Christmas Cat-tales from our home to yours..
Meowy Christmas
xo,
MaryAnn

{ Vintage Paper Angels }

Hidden in a box, wrapped in tissue paper I found these little beauties. They in my Mother in Law Ruth's Christmas boxes after she passed away. She must have loved them because they were carefully stored. She loved angels~

I love these little angels. So pretty, tiny and delicate.
Made out of bits of paper, foil, lace and a bit of mache.
I have no idea when they were made. 1940s maybe?

There is a set of five different angels, each one a bit different.
They all have a tiny instrument in their hands.
They must play in the heavenly choir. They are as light as an angel feather =)

I will cherish these on my tree and think of my Mother in Law Ruth.
I was blessed to have her in my life.

I love vintage ornaments on the tree. I love the ties with the past.

If anyone knows anything about them, I would love to hear it.
xo,
MaryAnn

{ Five Lil Stockings }

The stocking are hung
on the banister with care
in hopes that Kitty Claus
soon would be there~

One for Mikey, Misty, Rusty, Sparky and Fiona. All lined up in a row.

Meowy Christmas~
From Me and the furbabies
xo,
MaryAnn


Linked at:
Sunday Showcase
Funky Junk Interiors

{ Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes }

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Topping Beat: 8 oz. Cream Cheese, soft 1/3 C. Sugar Add: 1 Egg 1/8 Tsp. Salt Stir in one pack of Chocolate chips, 6 oz size. Batter: 3 C. Flour 2 C. Sugar ½ C. Cocoa 2 Tsp. Baking Soda 1 Tsp. Salt 2 C. Water 1 C. Oil 2 T. Vinegar 2 T. Vanilla Beat well. Using mini cupcake pans. Use paper liners. Fill papers 1/2 full of batter and 1/2 tsp. topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Makes 70-80 cupcakes. MY TIP: I use a 1 1/2 quart plastic pitcher for the batter. It makes filling up the small papers easier.

This cupcake is a family favorite!
Enjoy~
xo,
MaryAnn

{ Kitty Ornaments }

We have five cats... our furchildren. They rule our lives since our son got married. As thoughts turned toward Christmas we decided we needed a Christmas ornament for each of them. Finding one that would fit each of their personalities was impossible. My sweet Honey, came us with this adorable idea...

With him being a photographer, he takes hundreds and hundreds of photos. Many of them are of our kitties. He picked out some of his favorite photos keeping in mind how they would look as an ornament. In photoshop he added their name and birth year or the year that we adopted them.

Next he printed out the photos of the cats in a wallet size. He chose photos with a straight on shot of our kitties. Next he trimmed the photos around the shape of head, leaving some extra that will be cut off later.

The supervisor checking on our work. You can skip this step =) Our cat Mikey always has to snoop at everything we do.

What you need: Modge Podge, foam brush, wood and screw in eye hooks all available at the craft store. My hubby used thin oak left over from another project, but you can purchase thin balsa wood at the craft store.

Seal wood with a coat of Modge Podge on all sides. Let dry for several hours. If you are in a hurry, use a hair dyer to speed up the process.

Follow the directions on the bottle of Modge Podge for decoupage. Put several coats of Modge Podge over the top of photograph. Let dry completely between coats for best results.

Missed the last two steps, my honey was having so much fun he finished them when I wasn't home. The next step is to cut out the ornament following the head of the animal and making a nice finished neck around the date. He used a bandsaw, but you could use a dremel, scroll saw or small handsaw. Another idea is to use wooden blanks in the shape of a circle and follow the same steps for a easier ornament. We prefer them "cat shaped" Put more Modge Podge around the edges of the ornament after cutting it out to seal. Add a "eye" hook in the top where you would like to hang from. Misty and Mikey's ornament hanging to dry after the top coat of Modge Podge

This is Fiona's first Christmas. She will be 6 months old at Christmas time. Her ornament looks adorable hanging from her ear.

We made ornaments for all the furbabies we have now, and the beloved ones that are no longer with us, but have left paw prints on our hearts and will be loved forever.

Lastly, our beloved Sheltie Chessie. The only dog in the bunch. He was the most wonderful dog ever. I don't think we could ever have another one that was as wonderful as he was. He took a piece of my heart with him when he went to rainbow bridge~

I hope you enjoy these ornaments. They were made with love. The are so precious hanging on our tree. I would love to hear your thoughts about these ornament. I also hope you make some for your tree. TIP: they are cute for key chains too.

xo,
MaryAnn

Linked at:
Uncommon
Craft O maniac Monday
Newbie Party
Making the World Cuter
Craft Catwalk
Sunday Showcase
Wow Us Wednesday

{ Kiffles, it just isn't Christmas without these goodies }

A delcate pasty, light and fluffy. Slightly sweet. Popular with Easter European heritage. It just isn't Christmas without Kiffles in the house!

Kiffles

8 oz Cream Cheese, soft ½ lb. Butter, soft 2 C. flour Blend together and put in refrigerator for a couple hours. Nut filling: ½ lb. Walnuts, ground ½ C. Sugar a little milk to hold it together (1 T.) Other fillings that you can use: prune butter filling, apricot, raspberry Take out a small amount of dough and put the rest back in the refridgerator. Roll into quarter size balls. Roll out on powdered sugar. Fill with desired filling. Just nuts, or a fruit filling. Use a small amout of the fruit filling because it gets very hot and runs out. Our favorite is Lekvar (prune butter) Place on ungreased baking sheet, seam side down. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees or until the edges are brown. Dust with powdered sugar when they come out of the oven. Store in air tight container

Linked at:
Funky Junk Interiors
Tempt My Tummy
Real Food Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday

{ Tea and Memories }

I was blessed with a best friend~

When I was a little girl I met someone that would change my life forever~

A Best Friend

I met her on the very first day of school, I was 4 yrs old and she was 5. I was scared that first day, never being away from my Mom. I was upset that my Mom had to leave. Her Mom said to her "go be that little girl's friend". I'm very very thankfull that she listened to her mother. =)

We were friends, always together. We did fight at times but we always "made up" because we couldn't be apart for long. We were friends through all of our school years. Were in each others weddings. Had our children at the same time. Became Christians...(which I am forever thankful)

We knew each other so well. Always there to support the other through the good times and bad times. The first snow was a special day to call each other. Going back to school days when we would hope for snow and a day off from school.

I could never imagine my life without her. Until my world changed on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2004. She drowned in a boating accident. My whole world changed. I go on because I must, she would want it that way~ But the sun isn't a bright, the world not as much fun without her here with me.

When we were young, she went on a summer vacation with her family. She brought me back a gift. A pretty tea cup and saucer with Lily of the Vally. Her Mom knew I loved tea and suggested a tea cup. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I've cherished the tea cup my whole life.

I wish I could talk with her again, laugh with her. Hear her voice. I know one day I will see her again and what a glorious day that will be. She will always and forever be in my heart~

Today on the anniversary of her passing, I'm having a cup of tea and remembering always, my Best Friend Terri~

I was blesses to know the true meaning of friendship~
Love you "T"
Marf~

{ Last years Christmas Tree }

While pulling out the decorations for this year, I was thinking how my Christmas tree has changed over time. I'm posting a few photos of our tree from last year. Taken on Christmas Eve~

I love this photo, so romantic with just the lights from the tree. I left off some of my most precious glass ornaments with two young cats in the house I didn't want to take any chances.

Same photo, with a flash. You can see the decorations better. The angel on the top of the tree is one like we had on my childhood tree. The original one was damaged. Thankfully I found another one on Ebay =) My two sisters each bought one too! Just to have memories of "home".

So what is special on your tree?
MaryAnn

{ Family surrounds us at Christmastime }

At Christmastime, we can't help but think of Christmases past. Both sets of our parents are gone. To have them as part of our Christmas celebration now, we decided to make photo ornaments of them to hang on the tree.

I found the two matching frame ornaments at Michaels. I knew they would be prefect. So simple, my Honey just printed out small wallet size photos. Cut them to fit the frames, insert and they were done. The hardest part was picking out the photos!

Now they hang on our tree~

My Parents- taken on their 25th wedding anniversary

My husbands Parents- my favorite photo taken when they were dating

At Christmastime, my heart longs to have those I love all around me~

Christmas Blessings,
MaryAnn

{ Cookie Exchange - FREE recipe card }

(Sample shown smaller than actual size. Will print sharp and clear)

The next item to check off you list is recipe cards. Continuing along with the theme of the cookie exchange, I drew up this cute recipe card. You could use it to print for you own recipes that you share or if you have extra time, use it for all the recipes shared at the party. Recipe card can be used for other times also because it's not specifically Christmas

A little giftie for you~
Printable Gingergirl recipe card. Prints out two 4 x6 cards on a sheet of card stock. Enjoy!

Use link to download JPEG file. Do not reshare.
DOWNLOAD HERE
For personal use only. Mouse drawn graphics by MeMeAnn's. Do not claim design as your own or use in any way for sale.

Is it time for the party yet?
MaryAnn

Linked at:
Inspiration Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Potporri Friday
Wow Us Wednesday

{ Roll out Cookies }

Roll out Cookies

1 C. butter, soft 1 C. sugar 1 lg egg Cream together top three ingredients. Add: 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp baking powder 3 C. flour Beat after each addition DO NOT CHILL DOUGH. Divide the dough.Cover with plastic. Roll out dough on flour to 1/8" thickness. Roll out so the dough is slightly thinner than the cookie cutter. Before cutting, put flour on the dough and on the cookie cutter. Decorate with sprinkles. You can re-roll the dough. Bake on undreased cookie sheet on the top rack in the oven. 4-7 minutes until just slightly brown on edges. Store in air tight container

{ Cookie Exchange- The Invitation }

I decided to use a gingerbread man (actually girl) theme for my cookie exchange. Starting with the invitation:

Send out your invitations as early as possible. Follow up with a phone call or email if you haven't heard back from someone. You need the total number of guests that will be attending your party. You will need to provide this information to your guests before the party, so they know how many cookies to bring. =)

This invitation is 4x6 in size. Perfect for mailing. Comes two on a sheet for printing. JPEG file. Print out on smooth heavy cardstock for best results.

This invitation is for personal use only. Not for reposting or sale in any form.

To download this file please click: HERE

Graphics are all mouse drawn by me in PSP. From MeMeAnn's Country Graphics

Have you ever been invited to a cookie exchange? Do you have a favorite cookie you bake? What fun thing do you remember about the party?

Happy Baking,
MaryAnn

Cookie Exchange Series:
Cookie Exchange Check List