FREE GIVEAWAY...Gold Charger w/ Vinyl Lettering

Followers....This free giveaway is just for YOU! It is a way for Santa's Gift Shoppe to say, "THANK YOU".....This Gold Charger w/vinyl lettering is the Giveaway Prize....

(without stand)

These are very popular this season and would be a great Christmas, Hostess, or House-warming gift... If you haven't become a follower of this blog & would like to be eligible for this free giveaway, become a follower TODAY....It's easy...

*****Go to the sidebar where it says "FOLLOWERS" click on the word "Follow"....continue with the prompts....That's it....

HOW TO ENTER:

1) 3 chances to win....

Become a "Follower" of this blog (Santa's Gift Shoppe)

****"Already a "Follower?" = 3 chances to win if you Leave a comment on my blog... to let me know you're interested in the giveaway)

2) 2 chances to win...

Post about the "Gold Charger w/ Vinyl Lettering" Free Giveaway...on your blog

or Facebook page. Leave a comment on my blog with a link to verify post/link.
2 more chances....Do the Post above AND (add the PICTURE) of the gold charger...

3) 2 more chances to win... (each different referral)

Tell your friends and family! Each referral who visits this blog (via your posted blog link) about the giveaway, (based on the Feed-jit results) will give you 2 more chances.

*****If the referral becomes a new "Follower"
= 2 more chances to win for the

new follower & 5 more chances for YOU!

Wait...THERE'S MORE...
More fun giveaways for "Followers" @ Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique, Dec. 4th/5th... Tell us you're a blog follower so we can meet & thank you in person.

PLUS...receive 3 EXTRA chances for 6 free giveaways during the boutique,

PLUS a FREE SURPRISE GIFT!!!

~LOTS of chances to WIN!!!! Hurry, as this giveaway will CLOSE at MIDNIGHT on WEDNESDAY, December 2rd.

****Please Note: This Giveaway is for the 48 Contagious States due to (s/h costs)

~The winner will be announced AFTER the boutique, so check the blog & email me @: santasgiftshoppe@gmail.com

with your Name/address, if you are the winner, to receive your gift!

Good luck and we look forward to seeing you at the boutique...NEXT WEEK!!!!!!

Giving Back and One-Stroke Painting Preview

I like baskets...they organize, hold pretty things, and are nice to give something special to someone in. During this Thanksgiving time, #2 on our Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique Countdown, we want to give some special things to YOU, our guests! The above basket holds handpainted, One-Stroke (R) ornaments FREE (one per guest) at our boutique on Friday, December 4th (10am-7pm), Saturday December 5th (10am-4pm)

while supplies last.......

This lovely envelope pillow would make a unique gift to give someone special. More ways Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique is giving back includes a portion of the proceeds being donated to the National Breast Cancer Organization. We all likely know someone who has been affected by this, and we want to help in finding a cure. YOU can help, too!
These handmade One-Stroke (R), all-occasion cards are a sample of the variety you will see @ the Boutique.... Our guests also will be greeted in Mrs. Claus' kitchen with complimentary warm, homemade wassail and a variety of tasty cookies.
As you wander through the various rooms of Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique, you'll see unique gifts like this delicate, One-Stroke (R) ornament...Find gifts for everyone on your list available at budget-friendly prices. Check out our "Bargain Basement" for even more savings to YOU.
Good things come in threes like these lovely hand-painted bookmarks which can be added as a gift topper or paired with someone's favorite book. You'll also find FREE tip sheets with helpful ideas for entertaining, decorating, and making the holiday season more relaxing and enjoyable for YOU.
Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique is all about YOU! So, join us NEXT WEEK, Friday, December 4th, and Saturday, December 5th for a magical Christmas experience! Take a break with your friends, neighbors, or co-workers from the hustle and bustle of the season to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells reminiscent of a simpler time.

We also will be having a Big Giveaway at the Boutique....You know I love Giveaways...We will be drawing 6 names during the 2 days we are open for wonderful gifts as a Thank You for joining with us in the celebration...

Our Boutique is YOUR one-stop shopping destination saving you time and money where the "Difference is in the Details"... and where we still believe in Santa Claus!

P.S..... HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

Vinyl Lettering on Plates & Glass Cubes

I LOVE these!!! I especially like the
way the Vinyl Lettering looks on these
plates..The gold & the red are so classic..

I love the sayings as well.

(In the photo below) it shows the

Nativity & Wise Men still seek him..

& what it looks like with little white lights

behind the cubes..

The photo following that..shows it

without lights...a different type of

atmosphere.

Below are some of the 1/2 glass cubes with specific

words on them...This is the year of POLKA-DOTS..

Fun loving bright colors with Polka-Dots....

I LOVE them!!!! They are fun to do....I have

Cutie-Pie Aprons for little girls/Adults...&

Cutie-Pie Bows...& now Polka-Dot ribbons w/

Glass Cubes... These Polka-Dots are contagious!

I could totally see moms getting them for young

women...for birthdays, graduation, Christmas.

They are a great gift for any occasion...or just

for yourself... a daughter-in-law,sister,aunt,

grandmother...the ideas are endless!!!

For the FAMILY...That is one of the Main Themes

for this Boutique..These would look great in a

FAMILY ROOM, Living Room, Study...really

any room in the house...

Come check these out along with a wide

assortment of other Home decor items @

Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique...Dec.4th & 5th.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

REMEMBER WHEN...??? This is a photo of
Christmas Past..around 1961. Barbies,
Shoe Skates, Record Players..some things
remembered...

We always had a Charlie Brown type-
Christmas Tree...Even though you could see
through it's branches (& cost under $3) it was
BEAUTIFUL to me... because of the FAMILY
SPIRIT of LOVE that surrounded it...

Another "Christmas" Memory...Cousins

in N.Y...Dollies: Tiny Tears, Betsy Wetsy...

Below is a Family tradition...Mom's Annual

Cookie Bake for us & the neighborhood kids..

She taught us how to bake cookies (from scratch)

& have the kids decorate their cans...fill them up

with their treasures they made to take home to

share with their families..

And last is the original type "Christmas Village"

(from the 60's/70's) Do you remember those??

with little plastic houses w/lights in it???

It looks a lot different than our Grand "Christmas

Villages" we have now...A simpler time/a simpler village..

These are but a few memories I have of Christmas'
Past..but THE MOST MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS

for me was when I was in another country far away for

(1 1/2 yrs) I was going to marry someone..but decided

against it & had a FEELING I needed to be "HOME

for Christmas" (no matter what) in 1976.

I'm glad I listened to that feeling..because that

was my "Last Christmas" with my Dad...He died

a few months later..unexpectedly @ age 56.

It was the "UN TANGIBLE" precious gift of

"Love & Time" I got to spend with my Dad &

Family...I remember most & Grateful for!!!

***People ask why do you want to have a Christmas

Boutique?? Rearrange your house...all that

time, work, & trouble...

My answer is to UPLIFT & SHARE with the

community...the Christmas Spirit, the wonder

& enchantment of the Season..Things I have been

blessed by my family & growing up with..ideas to

bring families closer together.... free gifts, tips....

Seeing people smile & be happy even with hard

economic times...there's a lot to Love & Share...

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE

CHRISTMAS GIFT??? (tangible or intangible)

Please leave a comment...We would all love

to hear.....Thanks for visiting!!!!!!

Christmas Boutique...Designer Christmas Trees

Here are some Designer-type Christmas
Trees...They are one of my very Favorite
things to make. I like them because I do
Mini - 5' & just load them up with rich
ribbons, ornaments, flowers, berries....
all sorts of fun stuff.

This one is an Alpine Tree
(which stands 4' Tall w/white
mini-lights) Flowers are Burgundy,
with gold accents.

I tried to get a close-up so you could see
the detail that I love to put in the Trees..
I don't know if you can see it very well, but
the ribbon is a rich Tapestry type
(Burgundy w/Gold print on it)
It's one of my all-time Favorite
Ribbons..

This one is a 2' Alpine Tree with

Gold & Off White accents w/white mini

lights) Close-up Below

This 2' Alpine has Red Ribbon,

Gold accents w/colored mini

lights...

This Alpine Designer Tree stands

3' tall..has a rich Tapestry Burgundy

Ribbon, gold bulbs w/white mini lights.

Since this was a tall tree I took it

in 2 shots for the full effect. Below is a close-

up of the bottom of the tree...

And last is a 2' Burlap Base Tree

(Bushier than Alpines) This is Red,

White, w/Gold Wire Mesh ribbon..

without lights..

Winner of the Free Giveaway is...

Hi everyone...This is the stone that was the Giveaway!!

Thanks to all of you who entered. It was a big success

because of you and great to get to know you through

your "emails" etc. I even found some long lost friends

& made many new ones!!

The WINNER is....DIANE from UTAH

Congratulations to Diane for winning &

becoming one of our newest "Followers."

****GIVEAWAY ALERT...For Followers Only****

There will be a FREE GIVEAWAY in your

honor sooner than you think...I love the

Followers that have come to our blog &

appreciate you & the interest you have

shown for "Santa's Gift Shoppe & Ideas."

Please keep checking back to be informed

of when it is going to happen so you won't

be left out...

Anyone who wants to become a Follower...

between now & then...It's easier than you

think!

Go to the sidebar (where it says FOLLOWERS)

click on the word "Follow"... Continue with

the Prompts... That's it...

~~You are now a "Follower" of the blog & will

be able to enter the next Giveaway...& the

surprises that come with being a Follower...

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...