True Friends

5 years ago I quit my job to stay home with son, then 9 months old. It wasn't my most favorite job, but I worked with the most wonderful people. I was sad to not see and talk to them on a daily basis. Life took over and I kinda lost touch. Every so often I'd get an email and more recently, facebook messages. We decided a lunch date was way past due. I wanted to bring them a little something because I had found this great quote and had made a tag, I just needed something to attach it to. After pondering and looking for a week an idea finally came to me the night before we were going to meet. When I'm having a bad day there is one thing that can usually make it better....a fabulous treat. I discovered these wonderful squares of joy last summer at our local Maverick. I even dream about these little lovelies. What better thing to share with your friends, then one of your most favorite things that bring you such happiness.

CTMH Products Used (listed with item # then name of item): X7119B Veranda Level 2 Paper Packet, X5642 Cocoa Cardstock, Z2114 Cocoa Ink Pad, Z1300 Just Blooms White Daisy Collection, Z1217 Metal Brads Assortment. If you'd like to order any of these items call, email, or click HERE to go shopping!

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Just in time for Valentines Day. I've had this recipe for awhile and wanted to try it. I don't know why, but I crave sugar cookie dough and cookies. Then I make them, eat too much and am sick. These turned out great! I didn't have butter flavored shortening, so I used regular but I suspect they'd be even better with the butter flavored. I got this recipe from another Close To My Heart consultant's website. Her name is Karen Pedersen and these are her cookies.

Karen's Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
makes about 4 doz. depending on size of cookie cutter

Cream together:
2 C. sugar
1 C. butter flavored shortening
2 C. sour cream

Add and beat:
1 eggs
1 tea. vanilla

Stir in:
4 1/2 C. flour
1 tea. soda
1 1/2 tea. salt

Roll out on a nicely floured counter. Knead in as much more flour as it feels it needs before you roll it out. Roll to about 1/4" thick and use cookie cutters of your choice. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until done.

Butter Cream Frosting (also Karen's)

1 stick butter, softened
4 C. powdered sugar
1 tea. vanilla
dash of salt
1/4 C. milk (or a bit more if needed)

Put all ingredients in mixing bowl and beat until smooth. You can add a few tablespoons of cocoa to make chocolate frosting, a drop of mint extract for mint frosting, or even just food coloring for color.

For Those You Love

Valentine's is coming. I've never really liked the holiday, but I have to admit I do have fun making cute cards and gifts for those I love. I wanted to give you a few ideas that are easy to make and will show your loved one how much you care.

Can: Open the bottom of any size can and empty the contents. SAVE THE LID! Clean and let air dry. Decorate and then fill with goodies. Use a magnet to hold the lid in place while you apply liquid glass, or hot glue to seal the can again (the new seal should be on the bottom).
Bagelope: Take any sized envelope (long ones work best). Seal the flap down. Cut about 3 inches down using decorative scissors. Decorate, fill with goodies, then slip the "lid" back on.
Goodies: Get a bag of Hersey's nuggets and a package of address labels. Take a sheet of labels and random stamp the whole sheet. You'll want it to be pretty crowded. Peel off the label and stick around the nugget candy. So easy and so cute! Treat boxes: If you would like detailed instruction on any of these please email me.
Note: Unfortunately the stamp sets I used are retired, BUT there are a ton of new cute ones to choose from. You can go here to check out our selection.

Hearts For Haiti

All our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and like so many of you, CTMH is eager to help. I'm excited to announce Close To My Heart’s February Constant Campaign, Hearts for Haiti—where you can get a great deal while doing great good for those affected by the devastation in Haiti.

From February 1-28, 2010, our 12” x 12” textured cardstock combo packs are buy one, get one FREE—and with every offer purchased, Close To My Heart will donate $2 US to Operation Smile’s Haiti relief efforts.

Choose from Basic, Spring Harmony, Summer Celebration, Autumn Harvest, or Winter Cozy. You can view and purchase these packs HERE or on pages 100-101 in the current idea book.

Workshop On The Go Group for February

This month we will be creating with the kit featuring the Caboodle paper packet. These fun colors and patterns would be perfect for Spring, Birthday, or even Easter! We will be getting together on Febururay 26th @ 7pm at my home to make all the projects suggested in the workshop guide, 2 layouts and 12 cards. Choose from the basic kit $29.95 (plus shipping and tax) or the Best Option to add more bling to your projects for only $11.90 more (plus shipping and tax). Everyone is welcome to join us! Bring a friend and receive a gift! Please order and prepay by Monday February 15th.
There is still room in the Workshop On The Go Group if you are interested in receiving free products just for crafting monthly! Here are the details:

Workshop On The Go Group Perks:
• Each member will receive $25 or more in free product. One person will be “hostess” in a month.
• New kit and techniques featured every month.
• Two NEW patterns every month. A scrapbook pattern & card pattern
• Full colored step by step instruction guide- Awesome if you are not able to attend, or need to finish at home.
• With a few extra pieces of cardstock that I will provide for FREE, you will complete 2 layouts & 12 cards. You’ll have a ton of extras to make even more at home!
• Discounted price of $29.95 for each kit with options to add more to step up and bling out your projects.
• Guests are always welcome! Bring a friend and receive a gift!

Ready to join? It’s simple! Email or call me.

Art and Soul ~ Valentine's Show - Giveaway Extended!

Have you ever seen an episode of Art & Soul? They are project videos on CTMH TV filled with ideas. The latest episode is called Lot's To Love. Go HERE to view it (you may have to click on the title to the left). Then come back and leave a comment telling me a project or product you want to try. On February 28th I'll choose one commenter who will win this special handmade lip balm card!

Healthified Spinach Dip

Need a more healthy choice for your Super Bowl party? This one is great! I've taken it to family events and there has been no leftovers. I have some avid Spinach Dip lovers in my family and even they said it tasted just as good as those in a resturant. This recipe was origanlly from www.eatbetteramerica.com. Great site if you are looking for more healthy recipes. I've served this with tortilla chips and reduced fat ritz crackers.

Healthified Spinach Dip
Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:45 min
makes:10 servings (1/4 cup each)

4 cups lightly packed fresh baby spinach leaves (4 oz)
1 package (8 oz) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened
1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese (1 oz)
1/4cup fat-free (skim) milk
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained, chopped
Baguette slices, if desired
Assorted raw vegetables, if desired

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 1-quart shallow glass baking dish or 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.
2. Place spinach in 2-quart microwavable casserole; add 1/4 cup water. Cover; microwave on High 2 minutes. Drain well, pressing spinach with paper towels to remove excess liquid. Chop spinach.
3. In large bowl, beat cream cheese with spoon until smooth. Beat in mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese, the milk, garlic and basil until well blended. Stir in spinach and artichokes. Spread evenly in baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining tablespoon cheese.
4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve with baguette slices or raw vegetables.
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Nutritional Information
1 Serving: Calories 120 (Calories from Fat 70); Total Fat 8g (Saturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 20mg; Sodium 280mg; Total Carbohydrate 6g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 1g); Protein 5g % Daily Value*: Vitamin A 30%; Vitamin C 6%; Calcium 8%; Iron 4% Exchanges: 0 Other Carbohydrate; 1 Vegetable; 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 1 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 1/2 MyPyramid Servings: 1/2 c Dairy, 1/2 c Vegetables *% Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.