It's almost New Years!

'Tis the season when holidays just keep coming! Here are a few cute ideas for New Year's, then off to Valentines, sigh ;o)

These are adorable! Just use a mini circle cookie to cut out at the top then decorate it like a clock! I am sure these were meant for another purpose (it shows 4 o'clock!) but I think you could write "Happy New Year" or "2010" or whatever you like on them.  Source

These have a little more homemade look - I like how they alternated the year and the clocks.  Source

These are my favorite clock inspired treats I have found. I wonder if you could use an oreo with one side cut off to do the clock and use an edible pen? hmmm... might just have to try it! Source

More Snowmen, of course!

To continue my now not-so-secret obsession, here are More Snowmen!!, the edible kind...


These have to be one of my FAV snowmen I have ever come across.  Too much on my plate to try these this year, but next year, I'm all on it! They are made from big heaps of meringue &  finished off with fondant or marzipan. Of course it seems doable, but it's one of those things that could be a total disaster lol.  Links for the best pic and recipe I have found for these (Martha has it on her site, but a lot of the comments say the recipe was posted wrong): Pic source   Recipe

This scrumptious guy is from Martha.  He is rolled in coconut and the top of his hat is a toasted marshmallow.  I am thinking you could use the coconut marshmallow here if you don't have a kitchen torch and make his brim using one side of an oreo... just some thoughts to make things easier!

 This trio is from one of my favorite cooking stores Sur La Table.  These would be easy to whip up still in time for Christmas and wow everyone! I think I will try them without the sticks, I think they are unnecessary, really.

Winter Cupakes & Cookies

Every year I "adopt" a local teacher and ask for a list of items he/she needs for the classroom and be santa! We also make the class either Winter Cupcakes or Cookies. Here are some ideas from my library...

How could you eat this little guy? He makes me smile every time I pull up this file! This little penguin is mostly just chocolate covered marshmallows! Don't be overwhelmed to try, Ourbestbites gives you step-by-step instructions! (I love them!) Tutorial & recipe

These little guys are almost just as hard to eat! I really, really (REALLY!!!) want to start trying my hand at iced cookies - I vow after I return from our Christmas trip I am going to see if I can pick this up as another hobby! A tutorial can be found at one of my fav iced cookie blog (step-by-step instructions people! I love it!)  http://www.adozeneggs.com/wordpress/

These polar bear cupcakes are super cute and super duper easy to make! Messy, but fun! They are two cupcakes frosted, rolled in coconut and put on their sides.  Add some candy and ta-da! And what makes it even easier!?! FamilyFun has a video tutorial! Source

This last one is a simple frosting pile decorated to look like a Christmas tree.  I am going to try this today, but I am going to put a sawed off end of a pointed ice cream cone underneath as a form to see how it turns out.  I'll post pics if it isn't a disaster lol! Source

Reindeer!

I just finished a crafting project that required all Santa's Reindeer, so I thought I would follow up with a post all about Reindeer goodies!

This cute favor box was made by: brenda62052.blogspot.com.  I think I will try one a little more "awake" heehee, but he is adorable non-the-less! If you have a Cricut, they have the cake box in the boxes, bags and tags cartridge. If not, I know they are starting to sell the cake slice boxes at the craft stores.

This is such a cute idea to give to all the kiddies that still believe in Santa.  It's just cereal or oats or whatever you have with a topper that says "Reindeer Food" with a poem on the back.  How fun!!! Idea and poem can be found at theidearoom.blogspot.com

Aren't you in love with him!?!?  This most adorable reindeer topper could be made and place on a gift, food packaging, card or anything you can think of! It may be hard to let him go, though! Source

Peppermint Candy Canes YUM!

There is no other candy that makes me think Christmas like Peppermint Candy Canes.  Takes you back to sneaking one off the Christmas tree when no one was looking! Here are some Peppermint Candy Cane inspired ideas, enjoy!

 Candy Cane staw cookies, yum! These would be fantastic in any color for any event! You could even sneak some chocolate filling in as an added bonus.  From our craft queen - Martha Stewart

  If you are feeling crunched for time or just want to give something different than cookies - these chocolate dipped candy canes would be a welcomed gift, I am sure! Source & directions: Country Living

How amazing would you tablescape look if each of your cups had one of these cookie cutouts hanging on to it?!? You could really do these for any event throughout the year, but here is the winter example.  You can purchase the cookie cutters but if you have mini cutters hanging around, it would be simple to recreate this without spending another dollar (we all can use a savings!)  Source & product


These peppermint nougats would make a beautiful gift wrapped up in  pretty, festive packing!  We are always looking for office gifts!  Source & recipe: Country Living

This last idea, though not edible, it looks good enough to eat! What a great gift idea for all your girlfriends this year! Lord knows we all struggle with keeping our skin moisturized during the winter!  Source & recipe: The Natural Beauty

Santa!

Ugh! A 2 weeks of sinus infection and finals in my Master's program - finally ready to join back in for the rush of Christmas! Below are some Santa (or at least parts of Santa lol) ideas I hope you enjoy...

Bakerella does it again! These cupcakes are sure to make anyone smile!

This Santa suit bag would be a fantastic favor bag or alternative to a stocking.  Even if you don't have many crafting tools you could still pull this one off! Source: brenda62052.blogspot.com

 This is an even easier crafting project - a Santa suit candy bar (or anything that shape) cover.  What a quick way to make a simple offering look festive with just a few simple steps! Source:  amuseartstamps.com

Winter cake pops!

I have been dying to get into making cake pops since I didn't have time at Halloween... here are some adorable Winter Cake Pops (even a donut pop!) that might inspire you to do the same!

These reindeer guys are from on of my fav blogs - bakerella.com, she is so dang creative! Grab some candy and waffle pretzels and you are half way there! 

If you are hurt for time (or skills!) you can't escape these reindeer donut holes.  Hello!?!? How stinkin cute? They look almost like the ones above - with WAY less work - and who doesn't like an excuse to sneak a donut in among all the christmas cookies?  I think I shall make a dozen for our Christmas brunch! btw... even the eyes are easy... they are white chocolate chips turned backwards!  Source: duhlicious.com

These cake pops will take a bit more skills... and steady hand! But would look beautiful on any holiday dessert buffet.  If you can't fit them in your baking schedule, you can purchase them from beaucoup.com

Here's another simple one... use a peppermint candy stick instead of a lollipop stick and instant fabulous-ness! Roll the cake ball around in crushed peppermint while the chocolate is still drying and instant party favorite!  Source:  cleverpartiesblog.com

Can't help it... more snowmen!

Ok, last snowman post (at least for a few days ;o)  These snowmen aren't edible this time, but just as cute!

If you look closely, this little guy is actually a collection of magnets! Here is it shown on a fridge (hopefully yours is magnetic, my stainless steel one isn't!)  Source:  colonialcandle.com

This little guy stole my heart... I am trying to break into stamping and with my cricut to make quick cards, this should be a simple one to try! I found out the "globes" are actually clear stickers you can buy that lay over your design to make it look like a globe, how clever! I hate when I miss a source, I believe this is from amuseartstamps.com but please correct me if I am wrong :o(

This handsome fellow would be a fun card or even just a great decorations on a christmas buffet or on a mantel.

More snowmen!

Though it's warmer today, a winter cold is setting into my throat and chest, ugh! But one of the best parts of winter, I think, is snowmen! I can't get enough, so I am sure you will see them on the blog as often as I can find ones to share.  Here are a few edible ones, though not donuts like yesterday (YUM!), still just as cute and sweet! 

These adorable snowmen and snowflakes are just piped on white fudge covered oreos! These are posted by the decorated cookie - for those that haven't been over to that site, GOOOOOO! She's amazing and give step-by-step instructions which are fantastic.  Takes all the anxiety over starting up something so beautiful!

This one cracks me up every time I see it (a lot of you have put this out on your blogs too!).  Super easy as well, but what a wow factor! Again by decorated cookie

Ok, this one has more than just snowmen, but no less fantastic! I found this on a Spanish website (colorparty.blogspot.com), so I hope I give the right credit because I can't read much Spanish ;o)  Though I love the snowman here, I have to say I am loving the reindeer and Santa the best! Oh how much fondant I will need to make this year!

Brrr... Winter

The weather sure turned fast this week and it's feeling like Winter already!  I guess it helps all the Christmas lights and trees look like they fit in ;o)  Here are a few Winter themed treats that are on my to do list!

These are by far my favorite snowman cucakes - tons of color and fun! Not sure I will be this ambitious this year (working on my thesis for my Master's), but maybe next year! Super cute from Bakerella.com

Familyfun.go.com posted these fantastically easy snowmen (much more my speed this month! lol).  Made from donut holes and mini donuts all of us can whip these up! These are surely going to be on my Christmas brunch menu (plus it gives me an excuse to have donuts ;o)

Save some mini donuts to create these snowmen faces! ... now off to find more reasons to have donuts around ;o)  Source:  creativeholidaygiftideas.blogspot.com