{happy new year 2008!}

{merry christmas from our family to yours!}

:: we had a blast in the oldest photo booth i've seen getting these pictures taken. we were laughing so hard.. the workers at kmart thought we were nuts, but i'll always have great memories when i see this card ::

:: merry christmas! ::

{neighbor gifts}

:: i finally got my neighbor gifts done, now i just need to actually get them all out ::

:: we did two different ones this year. i found these cute christmas night lights with santa clause and angels, and we gave them out with a tag that said: "may your holidays be merry and "bright!" get it, bright lights... ya not too creative, but they were still cute. ::

:: then since i ran out of the night lights i made this yummy peanut brittle recipe, along with the perfect fudge recipe and sent them off in little black boxes i picked up here, wrapped them in bakers twine + a tag that said merry christmas! ::

:: i don't really know where i got the fudge recipe.. it must have been at church sometime because i actually found the little recipe card in my scriptures of all places tucked in there for me to try one day... random i know.. but whoever nancy allen is.. i thank you for the perfect fudge recipe [as it's called] so here it is for you [typed exactly as i have it on my little card] ::

{perfect fudge}

from the kitchen of nancy allan [a work in progress]

in a large bowl:

break up: 2 large [7 oz] symphony bars

add: 12 oz package of milk chocolate chips

2 cups chopped nuts

10 oz bag of miniature marshmellows

in a heavy pan combine:

4 cups sugar

1 cube butter

1 can [12 oz] evaporated milk

cook on medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. continue to boil for 7 minutes, stirring constantly.

pour over contents of large bowl and stir until fudge is smooth. poor into a 9 x 13 inch pan that has been sprayed with a vegetable spray and let set up.

enjoy!

{the holiday table}

:: i'm in love with all the cute ideas for holiday tables from hostess with the mostest that i found via how about orange ::

:: this red and blue theme stuck with me since those are the holiday colors cheering up my house at the moment ::

:: check out more cute table spreads here ::

{.... and still wrapping}

:: i've been wrapping presents like a mad woman... and sadly i'm still not done ::

:: this is how i'm wrapping my gifts this year with handmade tags and red bakers twine. i figure it's easy to do it all the same, and everyone will know who it's from ::

:: just getting some finishing touches on the holidays.. wrapping gifts, sending out orders from my site, thinking about neighbor gifts [still need to do that] ::

:: just wanted to check in and wish everyone some good times as the christmas rush is in full swing ... just one week... aaahhhh!! ::

:: i've sent out all orders to date so please expect your order in the mail soon. i've been getting most orders out the day you order so there still could be time. and, for you last minute shoppers... you can check out my jewelry at these stores [p.s. check out armelle jewelry now at soel boutique!]::

{this little birdy is on sale!}

:: almost forgot to post about this little birdy! just went on sale in the shop!

check it out here! ::

{sweet life in the valley..}

:: april just introduced me to her new blog called sweet life in the valley, utah valley that is. it features fun things and cool things going on in utah county. it definately perked my interest being a born utah valleyan and all... check out their fun blog here or on my side links ::

{the stockings were hung ...}

:: i finally had the chance to get our stockings made ::
:: i decided to stick with my recycled sweaters theme i've had going on latetly ::

:: i'm liking these because, 01- if i get sick of them next year or want a new color i can just make new ones, and 02- when we add to the family, i can whip up a new one! ::

:: so, do any of you have any fun stocking ideas to share? ::

{baby stocking advent calendar}

{photos via martha stewart}

:: i love this idea from martha stewart, yet again. you can make a great advent calendar with baby socks and have cute treats, and things to do inside for each day of december. click here for instructions on how to make it! ::

{fabric trees}

:: aren't these little fabric trees the cutest things ever? i'm going to try these out if i ever get around to it that is. a great tutorial and download for the pattern can be found on the small object blog. click here for tutorial ::

{button, button who wants a button?}

:: it's finally here!! i was meaning to put together a button for the armelle blog for a while, so here it is! ::

:: if you're a fan of the armelle blog, i'd LOVE for you to have a button! [or simply add us to your favorite links] ::

{how to put this button on your blog- instructions for blogger}
1- sign into your blogger account
2- go to manage: layout
3- click on add a page element on your right or left side bar depending on your format
4- click on the HTML/JavaScript [add to blog] option
5- simply paste the code into the large blank area under content [please let me know if you have any problems]

*****click here to get the code for the armelle blog button****

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thanks for your support! i love sharing my ideas with you!

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:: also, if you are a fan of my jewelry line you can add a button to your blog as well. ::

*********click here to get the code for my armelle jewelry button*******

thanks!

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{giveaway over at YHO!}

:: don't forget to head over to YHO for a little giveaway that i'm doing for one of my armelle jewelry necklaces ::

:: giveaway ends friday night ::

{jumping on the advent calendar wagon}

{photo via julieree}

:: i think i'm the last person to make a post about advent calendars on my blog ::

:: seriously, i never knew these were so big. what ever happend to the good old chocolate pop out ones. well, i know what happend to ours, my husband and i ate it in a matter of minutes. we aren't too patient to wait 25 days obviously. ::

:: anyhow, this cute advent calendar is available as a free download over at the julieree blog ::

:: i think i just may hop on the advent wagon with this free download , and bonus... you can't see what is in the box so that may keep us from eating all the treats on day one! ::

:: on another note, i just finished our christmas card last night and i'm super excited about it! i'll share a little later after they are all sent off ::

{caramel corn}

:: i've been meaning to share this recipe since, well before halloween but i just forgot ::
:: i made a bunch of this around halloween time for my photo class friends and for family. a great holiday treat, so christmas counts too ::
:: this is a great caramel popcorn recipe. this style is the kind you buy from those shops at the mall, you bake it so it's more crunchy, but still oh so good ::

{caramel corn}

preheat oven to 250*
2 cubes butter or margarine
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
~boil this mixture for 5 minutes. remove from heat and add:
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 gallons popped pop corn. [i air popped 1/2 cup of uncooked kernels, then popped another 1/4 cup uncooked kernels and that amount was just right. just don't try to pop more than a 1/2 cup at a time]

~cover popcorn with syrup. place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. bake on cookie sheet for 45 minutes depending on how you like it. sticky or hard. stir every 15 minutes.

enjoy!

{mitten clips}

:: i think i'm going to be making a few of these mitten clips. what a cute idea. of course from those at martha stewart. click here to learn how to make these. ::

{bakers twine delight in my shop!}

:: check out the oodles of bakers twine available to purchase in my etsy shop now! ::

:: just in time for the holidays to dress up your gift tags, brown paper packages, + holiday ornaments ::

:: click here to shop ::

[check back tomorrow for some new items to be listed!]

{somethin's a comin'..!!??!}

:: something is in store for my little etsy shop!! check back today or tomorrow for some new items listed just in time for christmas [hint: it's not jewelry this time] ::

{beehive bazaar}

:: i took a few pics yesterday at the beehive bazaar. it was so crowded i couldn't really get too many. i was so happy with the turn out.. it was nice to see all the supporters of the crafters out there. you still have time to make it down. it's until 8 pm tonight! ::