Easter Decals

These are very beautiful... Easter glass blocks... You can have Happy Easter
 or a Name made to put on the block. (You can get the blocks at Lowe's or Home Depot.

For more info on ordering visit our santasgiftshoppe Esty Store. Here is our store link:
Etsy
santasgiftshoppe

Here is a link to the item featured:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/69226885/vinyl-decal-easter-glass-not-included?

Easter Tubs with Name/Dots Decals

Can be used for Easter & then a catch all for toys later...or for a Newborn with all the newborn goodies in it.

Other uses could include for a College Dorm..Apartment.. Kid's room..endless ideas!!

Most of all it's just Fun Vinyl Decals which personalize anything!!!

St. Patrick's Day Special Oreo Treat

Great idea for Teachers, neighbors, family, or sweetheart.

Well, I have a Delicious "TO DIE FOR"
St. Patrick's Day TREAT..."CHOC/MINT
OREO SUCKERS" (TUTORIAL BELOW)
(See Photos BELOW)



Supplies Needed:
Oreo Mint Cookies
Parchment/wax paper
White & Green Candy Melts
Lollipop/Sucker Sticks/bags
Curling Ribbon/or Twists


Directions:
1) Lay out some Wax Paper on counter top.
Take Oreos & separate them (See Photo
BELOW)

2) At 30 sec. increments..microwave Candy Melts.

3) Take a Lollipop Stick & dip into

melted candy (will look like a Q-tip) &

place in middle of Oreo. Press down

softly into green frosting)

(SEE PHOTOS BELOW)

4) Place top of Oreo on top ofstick & press gently..Let harden

(about 5-10 min) See Photo BELOW

5) Dip hardened Suckers into melted

coating (making sure all sides & edges

are coated) See Photo BELOW

6) Decorate however you choose. I

used green sprinkles, Green Candy Melts,

White nonpareils (See BELOW)

7) Decorated & protected by plastic bags

these delicious "Choc/Mint Cookie Suckers"

are ready for gift giving...Friends, Neighbors,

Co-workers are going to ask you for the RECIPE!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE!!!

Peanut Butter/Chocolate Reeses Cookies

This is a LOADED CHOCOLATE /PEANUT
BUTTER CUP COOKIE....Loaded with Reese's
Pieces, Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups,
Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter & a Chocolate
dough...Wow that's chocolaty.......

These would be great for a special occasion.
I found these on a number of blogs, pretty much
the same recipe, This one was adapted from
Kitchen Cafe ....(I didn't put the 1 cup of peanut
butter chips that was in the original recipe & you
may want to do that)....

Ingredients:

1 Cup Butter, (softened)
3/4 C. Peanut Butter (creamy or crunchy)
(I used crunchy)
3/4 C. Sugar
3/4 C. packed Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 1/3 C. Flour
1/3 C. Cocoa Powder (I think I would use not
as much..... maybe 1/4 -1/2 Cup)..you decide
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 Cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 Bag Reese's Pieces

~Note: Cut the Peanut Butter Cups in half
(gently) and put in refrigerator or freezer
til ready to use. Original Recipe said to
freeze first.......(but 1 blogger stated she had
problems cutting them after they were
frozen)....we don't want problems like that...

Preheat Oven to 350F.

In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together
softened butter, peanut butter, white sugar, &
brown sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a
time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa,
& baking soda; stir into the creamed mixture.
Mix in chocolate chips, & Reese's Pieces (hand
stir them in so the shells of the Reese's Pieces don't
get broken).

I used a Cookie Scoop to have each cookie round &
look more uniformed. I also used a Slipat Cookie
sheet liner...(they are the BEST non-stick liners!!!)
These are 2 of my Favorite Kitchen Items......Push one Peanut Butter Cup half into the center of
each ball of dough. Bake for 8 to 10 min. (My oven
they were done at 9 min. (You don't want them to
fall apart so make sure you let them cool completely
before lifting them off the cookie sheet).....ENJOY!!!!!

Valentine's Day Dessert/FAST & EASY

Here is a FAST & EASY Dessert for the ones you
love... It's just a Chocolate brownie cut out with a
heart shaped cookie cutter...topped with a scoop
of vanilla ice cream, Chocolate sauce dipping
down the sides..& a Chocolate heart place on top!!!
It looks harder than it is..I promise...

RECIPE
1 box of Brownie mix (any kind)
ingredients for brownies (eggs, oil, & water usually)
vanilla ice cream

For Chocolate Hearts on Top:
1 bag chocolate melts (from Walmart or Michael's)

For Chocolate Sauce:
3/4 c. heavy cream
2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:
1) Make brownies as directed on back of pkg.
(cool & set aside)

2) To make Chocolate Hearts
Take 1/2 a bag of chocolate melts and microwave
for 1 min. on 50% power...then continue at 30 sec.
intervals at 50% power stirring after each one
(until smooth & shiny)

(Line a baking sheet with wax paper for the hearts
to be placed on & to dry)

Take melted chocolate & put into baggie (that
is not pleated) or small Ziplock bag with spoon.
Grab & twist bag tightly at top so chocolate doesn't
come out & cut a tiny bit off the corner so you have
a small hole that you "write" a heart on the prepared
baking sheet. Make as many hearts as the baggie will
hold or that you need. Let cool (I put them in the
refrigerator to speed up the process.) Set them aside

For Chocolate Sauce:
Melt chocolate chips in microwave @ 50% power
for 1 min & then 30 sec. intervals until melted
(Stirring after each interval) stir in cream slowly
to blend & is smooth & shiny

Putting it all together:
1) Cut brownies with heart shaped cookie cutter
2) With ice cream scoop put 1 scoop of vanilla ice
cream on top of brownie
3) Make sure the Chocolate sauce is warm & with
teaspoon drip some sauce on top of ice cream.
4) Place a Chocolate Heart on top of ice cream &
Chocolate sauce....Happy Valentine's Day.

Super Bowl Party Potato Skins

Whether it's  Football Party time or Anytime
is a great time for these appetizers..Potato Skins
filled with whatever you love (cheese, bacon, chives,
sour cream) These are from Daisy brand sour cream
recipes. These are super easy to make.

RECIPE
6 sm. baking potatoes
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 tsp. grill steak seasoning/or seasoned salt
4 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
2 c. shredded cheese (I used Mexican 4 cheese)
4 strips bacon, cooked, crumbled
3/4 c. sour cream
2 tsp. snipped fresh chives (optional)

Directions:
Lightly grease outside of potatoes, cut a small slit
in top & Bake @ 425F. for 45 min. or until soft.
Let stand until cool enough to handle,
about 15 min.

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise & scoop out
cooked potato, leaving a thin layer of potato
interior. (Save cooked potato for mashed potatoes
or hash browns.) SEE (2) PHOTOS BELOW:

Brush outside and inside of skins with melted

butter. Sprinkle inside with steak seasoning &

Parmesan cheese. AS SEEN BELOW:

Place on lightly greased baking sheet (I love

& used Silpat Liners from France) Bake

8 min. or until crisp & bubbly. Fill with

your favorite cheeses & bacon. Bake 3 min.

or until cheese is melted. Top each with a

dollop of sour cream & sprinkle with chives.

(optional..I don't like chives so this is the

end result) SEE BELOW:

Christmas Glass Decals

Christmas is only 40 days away...Families together..
wonderful memories...Great Dinners together. These
Vinyl decals are so fun, fast & easy to put on inexpensive
glasses as a wonderful gift & memento from a great time
together. You'll be amazed at how fun & easy they are to
put on a glass. For more info on our Etsy santasgiftshoppe
or to order before our store closes..CLICK HERE

This one is a bit different than the Name/Initial
Christmas glass decal. It's a set of Merry Christmas'
These would look so beautiful on a Christmas Table.
For more info on our santasgiftshoppe store & this
item CLICK HERE. ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS...

Thanksgiving Dinner Glasses

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. Here is an idea for your Thanksgiving table. To have personalized glasses for each member of your family (or guests) You can purchase Personalized Vinyl Decal Sticker Names for each (Glasses not included)

You have the fun of putting the sticker decals on the glasses as well as the compliments when asked who did these?

These can be found in our santasgiftshoppe ESTY store...CLICK  HERE

Be sure and order EARLY for Thanksgiving & Christmas Gifts.

santasgiftshoppe will be open until Nov. 22nd (THANKSGIVING) then we WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL Jan. 7th. 2013 (so we can enjoy the holidays with our family & loved ones, too.)

It's that time again!! Hoot-Owl Cookie time!!!
Start a new tradition...I did this with my girls when they were little just as my mother did with me when I was little...It's a great bonding experience as well as a fun Treat for School parties, etc.

 Recipe Below:
 HOOT OWL COOKIES(Look at their different Personalities)

FYI: This Classic recipe was a Pillsbury
Bake-Off winner for Natalie R. Riggin
of Olympia, Washington in 1956!!!

I just learned that this year!!

My mom never told me where she got it...
It was just a FUN Cookie tradition
we did each year!!

RECIPE
1 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
2 1/4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
80 semisweet choc. chips (1/3 c.), 40 cashews
Directions
1) In a large bowl, beat brown sugar & butter for about
1-2 min. scrapping bowl occasionally, until light & fluffy.
Beat in vanilla & egg. On low speed, beat in flour, baking
powder & salt until dough forms. In a small bowl, place
1 cup of the dough stir in melted chocolate & baking soda
until well blended.

2) On a 12x8-inch sheet of plastic wrap, press half of the
light dough to form a 10x4-inch strip. Shape half the
chocolate dough into a roll 10-inches long; place on strip
of light dough. Mold sides of light dough around chocolate
dough; wrap in plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining dough.
Refrigerate 1 hour for easier handling.

3) Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut each roll into 40
(1/4 inch) slices; place 2 slices, touching each other, on
ungreased cookie sheets to resemble owl faces. Pinch
corner of each slice to form ears. Place chocolate chip in
the center of each slice for eyes; press whole cashews
between slices for beak.

Helpful Hint: To buy only the cashews you need
you can buy them at Winco in bulk & save money
not buy a whole can..(but they are soo good!!)

4) Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light
golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie
sheet to cool....ENJOY!!!

Halloween Treat/Monster Eyes in Hot Chocolate

I think I have told you..Halloween isn't just for kids!!
I have alot of fun myself during all these holidays til the
end of the year especially..Making lots of great Family
Memories/Traditions that never end..That's the
Best Part...the family memories..

Well....the above photo is my attempt to make
"Monster Eyes" which I found @ The Farm Girl
website..great blog...check it out!

Supplies to make Monster Eyes:
2 Big Marshmallows
2 Black Jelly Beans
2 Lollipop Sticks

Directions:
Take a lollipop stick end & stick it in the jelly bean
then stick it through the Big Marshmallow & put it
in the hot chocolate...Have a laugh!! The weight of
the lollipop stick helps it to not fall over so much but
it will fall over a little..depending on which way you
put the jelly beans you can give them different
personalities sorta like "Mr. Potato Head"
Has anybody seen his "angry eyes"? I love Toy Story!!!

Faces of Halloween

 Here are some different fun faces and Monograms
 we have in our Esty Store.They have been a lot of fun.
They are Vinyl Decals...different sizes/prices..
Come check them out!

CLICK HERE   http://www.etsy.com/shop/santasgiftshoppe

                                            

Hope you have a Safe & Fun Halloween!!!

Halloween Personalized Candy Buckets

Halloween is just around the corner & a number of my
customers are purchasing these bucket Vinyl Decals for
their kids Halloween buckets for their candy. It's cute, fun
& affordable.

You buy the bucket & tell us what name/font  &
color you would like & we will do the rest. You have
the fun of putting it together with your child. Transferring
Vinyl decals to any smooth surface takes only a few minutes.

Instructions included.

Available now in our Etsy Store..Here is the link to this item:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/90329744/personalized-vinyl-name-decal-plus-dots

Here is another link to a Boys Bucket:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/90329308/halloween-personalized-vinyl-name-decal

Have fun browsing.......

Homemade Ice Cream Drumsticks...Fast/Easy Dessert

It's 110 degrees in Central Calif. this week & I have a great way to cool off...with these Homemade Drumstick Ice Cream Cones. They are as good as store bought if not better (you can put more ice cream in the cone & nuts on top!) The Simple/Fast & Easy Recipe is below. Have Fun!!!

I found these on the Internet (cannot remember where though) I made these a few days ago with rave reviews from my husband & the family & my husband has been asking for them almost daily since. Here are the How to's:

***Ingredients needed:
Ice Cream Cones
Vanilla Ice Cream (we used reduced Vanilla Ice Cream & could not tell the difference)
Hot Fudge Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping
Planters Peanuts (lightly salted)

***Before you begin chop up peanuts, place in bowl...set aside.
Pour some Magic Shell into a small bowl to dip ice cream cone in... set aside.
Scoop ice cream in the cone making a rounded mound at the top.
Dip ice cream cone in Magic Shell & twist all around covering all the ice cream.
(at this point it will be a little drippy so I had a fan going close by & it helped it set enough to put the nuts on top (do not just dip cone into nuts) & place in the freezer for about 15 min.

***The hardest part was to find something that I could stand it up in the freezer with.
I came up with a plastic food container & put a plastic tall glass in it and put the cones around it for support.This was so they would not fall over before they were frozen.

***It worked out well & tasted delicious.A GREAT FAST DESSERT anytime...Try it! You'll love them!

New Items for BACK TO SCHOOL

It's that time of year again..BACK TO SCHOOL for the kids. So I thought I would show you
our NEWEST Back To School Items going into out ETSY store this week. ABOVE are Backpack ID's.Great for not mixing your kids backpack up with everyone else. You can put your cild's name on it or Initial & on the back it has the Name/Address/Phone/Email for any lost backpacks to get back to you.

                                          I.D. Insert included in Backpack Tag item.

Notebooks have changed a little since I went to school. They are a lot more colorful & fun now...Like this one with a Name & assorted vinyl dots.

I love these Pencil Boxes. They are so bright & practical.They can even be make-up boxes or filled with your kids favorite things. You can put your child's name on them with their favorite color of dots.

Hope you got some ideas for Back to school for your child. If you would like to visit our ETSY stoe HERE IS THE LINK: santasgiftshoppe

Have fun getting ready to Back To School.

Back to School Teacher Gifts..New items at santasgiftshoppe Etsy store

Aren't these FUN??? These are a popular new Key Chain idea. This is a 3" Acrylic circle with Vinyl dots & names on them, plus bow... A  great item or teacher gift & extremely helpful when wanting to find your keys in a hurry.

They would make GREAT gifts for your child's new teacher this yr.  Start out the new year right.

You can have the teacher's name put on them or initial with polka dots..or even Tiger Stripes (Below)

These will be available on Fri. Aug. 3rd when we re-open from Summer vacation. See you then!

Here is the link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/santasgiftshoppe