Happy Handmade Wednesday!

How fun!  Thanks for sharing part of your day with me!  Hope you've got your fuzzy pink slippers on and have made yourself a cup of cocoa.  Cozy in, and let's make something together.

 

Are these fun, or what??!!  Kissing Balls!!  I know!!  Sort of a funky and modern take on a traditional holiday decoration.  I'm going to show you how to do it...and here's my secret...you know all of those skinny little strips you get after you've rotary cut stacks of fabrics for quilt blocks?  These are the leftovers!  The step-by-step project is on the left sidebar, under "Toot-toot-tutorials". 

Since I work during the day, and I made my samples up at night earlier this week, I took my Kissing Balls to the gallery where I work, so I could photograph them in the daylight.  This is our window there...we get such great light that I might have to schedule more photo shoots for the gallery.  Even on a rainy day, the shots turned out well.

 
I don't know about you, but the holidays rev up my sweet tooth into a high-pitched warble!  What is it about this time of year that makes me say, "oh, just one more...it's the holidays, after all." And before I know it, another chin is sneaking it's way in.  Egads.

Well, these Egg Nog Sugar Cookies are a Gilley Family Favorite.  I promised you a recipe for Handmade Wednesday, and this is the one.  Super easy to whip up, super tasty going down. 

Egg Nog Sugar Cookies

Makes 4 dozen (which is never enough, btw)

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Mix butter, salt, lemon zest, nutmeg, sugar, eggs, and milk together with electric mixer.  Add dry ingredients and mix thouroughly.  Drop by teaspoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.

While cookies are cooling, mix together:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1-2 tablespoons milk

Beat until fluffy.  When cookies are cool, frost with buttercream frosting and sprinkle with festive holiday cookie sprinkles.  Pop one in your mouth...you know, to make sure they're okay for everyone else to eat.  If uncertain, try a few more until you're satisfied.  Have a glass of milk.

 
I've uploaded all of my new products to my Etsy shop.  You'll find not only my original paintings, but fine art prints in two sizes, my Think Good Thoughts cards, boxed notecards, and Art Under Glass pendants.  Anything purchased from my Etsy shop today is guaranteed to arrive at your doorstep in time for Christmas.  You have my word.  Oh, and something new for me: gift certificates.  Not sure what to buy?  A gift certificate is the perfect gift...let them select their favorite artwork from my shop.  Easy peasy.

 
And, to give those gift certificates the right send off, I think I'll give one of them away.  That's right, some lucky winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to my Etsy shop.  Stay tuned, I'm going to tell you how you can win.

 
(Please use your best Oprah voice here)  I'm also going to give away a box of notecards!  Yes!!  You will be championing the art of the handwritten note.  No texting.  No emailing.  Actual pen to the paper, baby! 

 
But that's not all!  One more of you will each win a mini-print of one of my paintings!  I know!!

So, how do you win all these fabulous prizes?  All you need to do is this:  leave a comment here today, and tell us one of your favorite Christmas memories, or share a holiday anecdote, or tell us your favorite part of Handmade Wednesday and why you're here.  Tomorrow I will randomly select the winners.  And, it will be so much fun to read everyone's comments today!  I know, right?  I like to think of us all in one big room, eating Egg Nog Sugar Cookies and crafting little Kissing Balls, while listening to Andy Williams belt out "Happy Holidays".  Happy, happy, holiday bliss.

 
Thanks so much for taking time out of your crazy holiday schedule to be here today.  Can't think of a nicer way to spend a few minutes.  Hope you'll find a little time to whip up some cookies and catch someone under the kissing ball.  The merriest of merry and the happiest of happy to you!  xo

Comments

[Jeanne]

Woo-hoo! I'm the first one to leave a comment. "The early bird catches the worm" - isn't that how the saying goes? I hope it's true because your giveaway goodies are awesome Tammy!
xo
jeanne

[Cindy In Carolina]

I came over to look at your work. The colors make my brain smile, they are just "Happy" and of course I LOVE hearts. Note cards. Aren't they wonderful. OK, I haven't even been over to your shop yet!

[Cindy (Junque Art)]

Love love love all your HAPPY art!!! My favorite part of Handmade Wednesday is ALL of your wonderful art and of course those yummy looking cookies you made! YUM!

[bonnierose]

I LOVE LOVE your art shop... love your talent! so so happy I found you... my fave part of handmade Wednesday is all the colorful art i see when i go into your shop.. LOVE IT ALL.. crossing my fingers I'm one of the lucky winners.. xo love fr fargo, bonnierose xo

[Linda Owen]

So funny, dear one....I ordered gift cards and a print, and then I see that you are giving away one of each to a very lucky holiday shopper! Love your shop and will visit often...also...we decided as a family this year to give handmade gifts...sooooo, back to the sewing machine! I will come to Portland soon and do a quilt with you, ok?

[Sakiko Otsu]

Hello from Japan,
Thank you for e-mailwith news letter.
I'm always enjoying your blog.
Everything is so cute and love to try cookies.
I'm wondering whether your friend could pass
our group's quilts to Haiti people,what happened to them.
If you have a chance , please let me know.
Thanks and happy holidays.

My Etsy:http://www.etsy.com/shop/4you2bKawaii

[Wanda Contreras]

Your creations makes me smile and If I win will make smile anyone that I send one of your cards. My favorite Christmas memories are from we were growing up in Puerto Rico and we had "Parrandas" in the middle of the night."Parrandas" are caroling in spanish but they visit your house by surprise and while you are sleeping. They wake you up and you have to offer them food and drinks and then they keep going to another house. You usually go with them and party until dawn. Love the holidays in Puerto Rico.

best regards,
Wanda

[Tammy]

Hi Sakiko! I tried to email you, but it kept bouncing back, so I hope you'll come back to my blog and read these comments. :) Thanks again so, so much for donating the beautiful quilts for Quilt Haiti. If you'll click here:

http://tammygilleystudios.typepad.com/tammy_gilley_studios/quilt-haiti/

You can see photos of some of the lovely Haitian people who received quilts. Thanks again for sending quilts all the way from Japan! Quilt Haiti was my favorite project of 2010 because of people like you. xo

[Judi R]

I love your upbeat blog and gorgeous creations! Thanks for the chance to win. Hugs, Judi