FREE GIVEAWAY...12x12 Italian Stone w/Vinyl Lettering

It's FREE GIVEAWAY time again!!!! We had a
BLAST last time, so... let's do it again...

I LOVE the saying on this Italian Stone...
Having someone to love is Family,
Having someplace to go is Home,
Having both is a Blessing.

(Great idea to accent your home decor
or gifts for Christmas, Birthday,Anniversary,
House Warming or Party Host.)

This Giveaway is in honor of
Thanksgiving- the holiday that often gets
lost between Halloween & Christmas.
Hopefully, it be a time for Reflection &
Gratitude of Families & Country..

*Please note: This Giveaway is open to residents
in the 48 Contiguous United States (due to S/H cost)

*******How to Enter *******
There are 3 ways to enter with MANY
(up to 15) chances to win:

1) 2 chances to win...
"POST" on your blog about the Giveaway &
the 12x12 Italian Stone w/Vinyl Lettering...
Leave me a Comment with a link..
***(Link will be verified)***


2) 3 extra chances to win...
Become a "FOLLOWER" on my blog..
Go to the sidebar where it says
"FOLLOWERS" & click on the word
"FOLLOW" continue with the
PROMPTS...That's all there is to it...

(If you're already a Follower &
are interested in the Giveaway,
you'll receive 3 chances.)

Exclusively for Followers!!
Can you keep a secret???
The next Free Giveaway
is for "FOLLOWERS ONLY"
so...HURRY and become a
Follower TODAY!

3) 10 more chances to win... Of your family & friends, who do you think would like to join us & "share the magic" at Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique?
For EACH contact (Name, Address, & Zip Code) you email me (@santasgiftshoppe@gmail.com)
you'll receive 1 more chance per contact-limit 10.

*And those of you who don't live locally, but would like to share this with family & friends, send me their Email Address to receive 1 more chance per contact - limit 10.

**Remember: Please leave contact information (email,address, etc.) if you are the Winner...

***This Giveaway will Close @ 12 midnight on Nov. 7, 2009...

***The WINNER will be announced on Nov. 10, 2009) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAILS WITHIN 24 hrs. of this date to determine if you are a winner. If you are the winner, email me your Name & Address to receive your gift.... GOOD LUCK.....

Halloween Crafts/Recipes @ Santa's Gift Shoppe Year Round

Here are some craft ideas/recipes to get us
Crafters inspired for this fun holiday.
My Mom's "HOOT OWL COOKIE RECIPE"
below is something you/your kids will have
to try...My kids loved them when they were
little & now that they are adults..they make
them.

The photo (above) is of Halloween decorations
for a party @ my wonderful friends Christine's
house. She had graciously invited some women
from Relief Society (from our church) over
for a Special Halloween Party...She is
so creative & really out does herself. (To bad
for me she lives far away...in another state)

Here is the table with decorations & some of
the Goodies. There are my mom's "Hoot-Owl"
Cookies (from when I was a kid) , Witch Finger
Bread sticks, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip
Cookies, Also (not shown are Bony Bread-
sticks) RECIPES ARE SHOWN BELOW:

Close-up of my mom's "Hoot-Owl Cookies"

RECIPE
1 pkg. chocolate chips (6oz.)
1 sm. can of whole cashews (or buy in bulk
just what you need about 24+extra since they
can be pricey)
2 1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:
Preheat oven @ 350F. Mix butter, br. sugar,
egg & vanilla in bowl. Mix flour, baking soda/
powder & salt in another bowl. Add dry
ingredients to wet ingredients. Remove 2/3
of dough. Melt 1/2 c. chocolate chips (& few
drops of oil..canola) in microwave in 30 sec.
increments. Add melted chocolate to remaining
dough & mix well. Divide white dough in half.
Roll into rectangle (abt. 9"x4") Roll 1/2 of
chocolate dough into a long rope abt. 9" long &
place on top of rectangle. Roll white dough a-
round chocolate dough. Pinch ends so choco-
late dough is hidden. Repeat with remaining
white/chocolate dough. Wrap in foil. Refri-
gerate overnight. Slice rolled dough in 1/4"
pieces. For each "Owl" place two slices to-
gether, pinch outer edges for ears. Add one
chocolate chip for each eye & cashew for beak.
Bake 9-11 min. (depending on oven)

"Witch Finger Breadsticks" (picture above)
RECIPE
1 pkg. thawed Bridgford "dinner rolls"
1/4 c. melted butter
parmesan cheese
garlic salt
egg yolks
food coloring
sm. paintbrush

Directions:
Roll each roll into a finger-sized rope. Using
knife, cut one end of rope in "V" shape for
finger nail & cut lines for "knuckles." Lay
flat on cookie sheet & pinch on either side
of knuckle. Brush with melted butter (not
fingernail) Sprinkle with parmesan cheese
& garlic salt..avoiding nail. Create "nail polish"
by combining egg yolk with food coloring.
Paint "nail." Bake @ 350F. for 10-15 min.


This is a picture of "Bony Bread Sticks." found
at BHG website. Make sure you make these
different size bones.

RECIPE
1 pkg. refrigerated (Pillbury type) bread
sticks
For Sweet: cinnamon/sugar
For Savory: garlic salt/parmesan cheese
Directions:
Unroll bread sticks. Knot each end of
breadstick & bake. Serve warm. You could
also include a "dip" tinted with red for a
dramatic effect. Or, sprinkle with a savory or
sweet seasoning.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (Above)
RECIPE
1 box of spice cake mix
1 reg. size can of pumpkin (or 1/2 lg. size)
1 bag chocolate chips (6oz.)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine all
ingredients together. Using cookie scoop
or spoon drop dough on to greased cookie
sheet. Bake 10 min. (depending on oven)
Cool & enjoy!

These are "blood-shot eyesballs" from "Martha".
She does Halloween like no other!! I've heard
her say it's one of her favorite Holidays. I have

Materials needed:
2 plastic softball size balls (for 1 pair)
1 old pair of beige nylons (or knee-hi nylons)
blue tissue paper (or whatever color you want
for the iris)
black construction paper (for pupil)
1 piece white paper (for highlights)
scissors, hole punch, glue, red marker

Directions:
Cut out large iris circle from colored tissue
paper. Glue one on each of the balls. (You
may want to add two layers of tissue so it's
not transparent) Cut smaller circle from
black paper. Glue on top of iris. Punch 2
holes from white paper (for highlights)
Glue in place. Draw wiggly "blood-shot" lines
on white all stemming from iris. Place each
ball in the foot of each nylon. Cut if needed &
tie @ top of nylons together to prevent eyes
from falling out. Drape on porch or wherever.

BOO!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
BE SAFE!!!

The "JOY" of Vinyl Lettering...

I LOVE Vinyl Lettering...I thought I'd show
you some different ways in which I have used
it...for Santa's Gift Shoppe...this year

On WOOD Blocks...you can do phrases, kids names,

any SENTIMENT you'd like to express...or what

you'd like the World to know when they enter

your Home....

What is IMPORTANT to YOU...Like these

blocks...saying "FAMILY", "Home" or

"I Believe"...(one of my favorites...)

One of Santa's Favorites..."Send in the elves!"

This was done as an experiment and I LOVE IT!!
This wonderful saying about KINDNESS...is done

on a beautiful piece of marble with Burgundy

streaks.... as is the Sister's saying below...

I love them both.. These are truly great gifts for just about any

time....or for anyone...Male or Female

Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries...

What a Unique & Special Gift Idea......

********SPECIAL HALLOWEEN ALERT******

COMING SOON...SOME Ideas, & Recipes for

HALLOWEEN....including my moms

"HOOT-OWL"Cookie Recipe (that she made

every year for us kids) with Chocolate chips

for eyes & a cashew for the nose..they are

really cute..)

So Check Back to see photos & get the recipe

to make for your own kids. They'll love them..

How "Interchangables"..can SAVE YOU MONEY

How in this economy.....can I stretch my
money, & at the same time have my daughter
wear the cutest Bows, Flowers & Headbands
that can be very PRICEY online or in the mall???
My mouth dropped open when I found some headbands
w/Flowers online for $10-$16.00....Wow...and it said
SOLD under one of the photos for $16.00.....I could not
believe it....
I will not be charging high prices....I have
always liked finding a good deal on things and I
believe you would too. I will have very good prices
for you @ Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique....
We are all in this together...Why not help each
other out and get through this a little easier....

One way is to buy what I call "Interchangeables"..
That is......to buy maybe a white headband with a
Pink & white Flower....... then instead of buying
another whole set for Christmas (just get a RED
Flower or a polka-dot Cutie-Pie Bow & use
the same color headband.....MIX & MATCH...
That's why I call them "Interchangeables" ..It's
like stretching your wardrobe.....

The Cutie-Pie Mother/Daughter Apron Set
w/Bow was so popular in the GIVEAWAY.......
I thought you might like to see some of the other
COLORS we will be using for Aprons, Bows, &
Flower Headbands at this years Santa's Gift
Shoppe Boutique (Fri. Dec. 4th & Sat. Dec. 5th)


This is the matching material (soon to be aprons)
that go with the Bows (if you want matching bows that is)

Does anyone have a "Bewitched nose" that I could
borrow to have these done with a "twitch of a nose".....
Wouldn't that come in handy along about now......
PLEASE SEND IN THOSE ELVES!!!

The Cutie-Pie Brown/Aqua & Brown/Pink

Polka-Dots are really popular.....

So are the Bright PINK & GREEN Polka-Dots

Then you have the Headbands with "Interchangeable"

Flowers.....

Or put a Polka-Dot Cutie-Pie Bow on the

Headband and give it a whole different look....

We Have a WINNER!!!!!

THE "WINNER" OF OUR 1ST

SANTA'S GIFT SHOPPE & IDEAS

"GIVEAWAY"........IS......

MICHELLE of CALIFORNIA

CONGRATULATIONS...MICHELLE!!!

She will be receiving shortly this "CUTIE-PIE"

Mother/Daughter Apron Set & Bow

I want to Thank all of you who participated

and especially those of you who became

FOLLOWERS...keep checking back....

There is going to be a surprise......

JUST FOR YOU........

"Thank You" for sharing your "Christmas Memories" on our 1st GIVEAWAY

This is what we gave away....... A "Cutie-Pie"

3 piece Mother/Daughter apron set w/Bow....

We will post the WINNER on Monday Oct. 12, 2009.

We had sooooo much FUN, we are going to do it

again in November....next month.....so keep

checking back to see when.....I've already decided

to GIVEAWAY a 12x12 Italian Stone w/Vinyl

Lettering on it.....

*********( *This particular GIVEAWAY

will be open to USA residents ONLY)********

I WISH to extend a HEARTFELT "Thank You"

to ALL who shared their "Favorite Christmas

Memory" with us....They were all wonderful to

read and inspiring in many cases...(some new

traditions to put into our Christmas' in the

future.)

Thought I would show you one of my "helpers."

She was a BIG help as you can see....

This is our cat "ELLIE"... She is a fun,

investigative, & "makes me laugh" kind

of Kitty....We adore her...She really likes to

get "Up Close & Personal"... I think the

PINK attracted her attention....or maybe

it was all those polka-dots...

A SPECIAL Thanks goes out to my Friend

"Sharlene" and her precious daughter "ELLA"

for being such GREAT Models for the aprons...

Free Giveaway is Finally Here....Check it out...

Well, the time has FINALLY ARRIVED.....
for our 1st Giveaway.....I love giving away
stuff...anytime....but especially around
the holidays.....and since it's the 3rd month
anniversary of me actually getting started
on this blog... what better way to celebrate
than to give this away....

What's going to be given away???? This 3-piece
MOTHER & DAUGHTER "Cutie-Pie Polka-Dot
Apron Set"that includes Mom's apron, Child's
apron (size should fit a 2-6 yr. old) Plus Bow

This would make a great gift for yourself &
daughter, or stretch your gifts to make it 3
individual presents.....

This is my friend Sharlene with her adorable

daughter, Ella. They are the greatest for helping

me out by modelling the apron set for you since my

little girls are adults now....... (Sorry....Sharlene

the focus isn't the best) but you can get an idea of

how cute it is on her & Ella.

*******This is how to enter to WIN******

There are 3 ways to enter......

1) LEAVE A COMMENT.... (it's on the

bottom of todays post)....about one of your

favorite "CHRISTMAS MEMORIES".......

that gives you 1 chance.

2) If you want an extra 3 chances to win...

Post about the GIVEAWAY ON YOUR BLOG..

& leave me another comment WITH A LINK.

***(The Link will be verified)***

3) And if you want 3 more chances to win....

then become a "FOLLOWER" on my blog &

increase your chances even more....

Just go to the sidebar where it says

"FOLLOWERS" & click on the word

"FOLLOW" and continue with the

PROMPTS...........That's all there is to it.....

If you are already a FOLLOWER let

me know if you are interested in the

giveaway & I will put your name in

for 3 chances as well.

*******

******* Be sure and leave a way in which I can

contact you, & mail you the apron-set (if you are

THE WINNER..(email, etc.)

******* This Giveaway is open to everyone.....

******* The Giveaway will CLOSE @ 12 midnight

on Oct. 10th, 2009....GOOD LUCK....& Thank you

for participating....

*********The WINNER will be announced on

Oct. 12, 2009.....

Below are "Vintage" photographs of some

of my "Christmas Memories" of years past..

Christmas & the holidays have always held

a Special meaning for me since I was little.

Maybe it's because my parents played Mr. &

Mrs. Santa Claus at our elementary school, or

each of us kids had an individual tree in our

rooms (as well as the Big Tree) It was always

(& still is) a magical, wonderous time, with

sugarplum fairies, wonderul music, scents,

favorite Christmas movies, and most

important of all the celebration of the

Saviors birth.

Maybe some of these "Vintage Photographs"

below will bring back some fond memories of

an easier, less hectic time for you.....

This photo reminds me of "Miracle on 34th Street"

Does it you???? I love both the "Old" version and

the "Revised" one as well..........

Are you REMEMBERING when ?????.........

I'm here with my sister.....I think I was a

little "unsure" of Santa at the time....

Our Family went to Santa's Village up in the San

Bernadino Mountains.... a number of times...we

got to see the reindeers, Mrs. Claus' kitchen

with the jams (maybe that's where I started thinking

about making alot of different kinds of jam??) elves,

Giant Lollipops, Gingerbread houses, etc.

I'm pretty sure Santa's Village isn't even there

anymore...Too bad for our kids.....

This is sorta like Cinderella...The Pumpkin Coach...

only this one is driven by an elf.....with kids in it...

This was the Gingerbread House up at Santa's

Village......

& this was showing you how to get to where the

Reindeer Barn, Wee Puppet Theatre, & the

Mill Wheel Toy Shoppe was.....

Hope you enjoyed the memories....now let's

TRY & Win THIS GIVEAWAY........Good Luck!!