MMSC32 Christmas Indulgence

This last week has flown by and we are into single digits on the coundown to Christmas.....it is time for some more inspiration from the Midnight Madness Sketch ChalIenge - I   thought we could all use some humour and where do we go for that - The Emerson Gals of course!!  I have made a card and a Treats Holder...

as this week our design team chose to feature a "Baking" theme with our sketch this week. Lots of people bake for the Holidays and share their yummy goodies with family and friends. We wanted to share with you a way to present those homemade gifts. This is a tradition in many a households that sure has been made easier with today's premade cookie doughs found in your grocer's dairy case. But, there is nothing like the smell and taste of made from scratch cookies. They fill your home with the fragrance of spices and chocolate. They can be crisp, buttery, rolled, glazed, sprinkled, frosted, decorated, filled with jelly, coconut or nuts and even fried. So, with that in mind, be sure to check each of the Design Team's blogs because we have shared with you some of our favorite cookie recipes for the Holiday Season...my recipe is below my project - be warned...you can lose weight these baies - but only if you don't EAT THEM!!  They will definitely give you a new look for summer - but it may not be the one you are hoping for!! LOL!

I am sure you have been waiting for the sketch so I won't keep you waiting any longer...here is it:

Our Gold Star Winner Winner this week is:

#73 Jessica G

Our Remarkables this week are:

#37 Mrs. Plum

#64 Vickie (basement stamper)

If you would like to be considered for this award, please make sure your card link is posted to Mr. Linky by Sunday of each week.

Thank you to our Monthly Sponsor:

Frantic Stamper Inc.

and our weekly Sponsor:

Simon Says Stamps

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This image appealed to me greatly - how true it is, especially as it drawns closer to Christmas - there is no denying - Christmas can hurt your wallet...so I have tried to make a few more gifts....I have chalked the image and cut it out with a circle cutter, sponging around the edges.  The pieces were cut to size along with two strip of scalloped border have been sponged and added as well.

I used half gems for the top three embellishments - these gal's just scream out for 'bling!' Flowers have been sponged and used below the image....I thought you might like to see a close up - our gal actually has glitter eyeshadow which is a bit hard to see here.

For the Treats Holder I have used the Sketch and changed the image - another Emerson - this one is so suited to this challenge and the recipe I wanted to share with you - I could not resist it!  I am a bit partial to these gals.

I used a chinese takeway giftbox that I purchased from a Bargain Store and 'dressed it up!'  I love to find a quick and easier way...LOL!  I used tulle for that gorgeous bow and on the inside - you guessed it - are the YUMBLIEST Chocolate Chip cookies E-V-A...and I am going to give you my recipe - you can scroll down to find it...here is a close up of the image on the box...how gorgeous and how funny - well not that funny coz it is so true for me...ahhh!  Since I started card making the only real exercise I seem to get is lifting those cookies....LOL!!

The next step is deciding which of my friends is going to be getting these....

Now for the recipe...

CHOC OATY COOKIES

            250gm butter - chopped                             1/4 cup Sultanas

            3/4 cup Brown Sugar                                  1/2 cup Chopped or nuts

            1/2 cup Castor Sugar                                  1 tspn Vanilla Extract

            1 3/4 cups SR Flour                                    1 cup One Minute Oats

            1 cup dark Choc Chips

- Preheat to moderate - 350 degrees  (180C)

- Lightly grease and line baking trays

- Cream butter with sugar s together in a LARGE bowl until light and fluffy

- Add  remaining ingredients - mix well!

- Chill mixture for 30 minutes or until firm to touch

- Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls, place on prepared trays about 4cm apart to allow for spreading

- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown - cool on trays

- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week (yeah right - have never had the opportunity to try! LOL)

- Suitable to freeze!!

MY HINT:  These cookies do not last long - they are devoured -so make a double batch.  I usually roll the extra mix into 'sausages', wrap them in cling wrap and freeze them - bring it out when you need something in a hurry - home baking without any pressure!!  Infact when I am organised I have quite a few rolls on them in the freezer - this year - NOTHING!!  Sigh!!!

This card is also for The Pink Elephant Challenge where the theme is Winter and/or Christmas.

Also Our Creative Corner where it is all about Holidays.

Thank you for stopping by and for your fabulous comments that you leave me - they always make me smile and inspire me so much!!  Enjoy the build up to Christmas and make sure you take the time to leave the pressure behind you and see in through your 'children's eyes' (no matter what age they are) it is always such a different perspective than the one we get into without realising it!  We are heading off to the beach over night tomorrow - to have some family time and 'make moments.' It is always a good time for us as a family to focus on why we celebrate Christmas!  It is a special time - we celebrate the fact that 'Love came down at Christmas' - what a day!!  God bless you all!