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Chonky Boys: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches that Scream Summer!

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Featuring my thick and nuggy Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookies, these ice cream sandwiches are the stuff that summer dreams are made of.  If you've ever had the Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich at Disneyland , you are going to LOVE these!  These big and bold chocolate chip cookies are based on a recipe from my culinary school studies at Auguste Escoffier, but with a few modifications to give them that Jennuine touch.  They make the perfectas book for a fat slice of real vanilla bean ice cream.  And those mini chips?  You just gotta have that extra cronch! Thank goodness this recipe only makes 8 sandwiches, otherwise I would be eating them for breakfast lunch and dinner.  This way, my big family can help save me from my inner child diet-saboteur.   Print With Image Without Image Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Yield: 8 Author: Jenn Erickson Loaded with chocolate chips and buttery, brown-sugary vanilla flavor, these mall-sized cookies form a perfect partnership with a
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Artful Scrapbooking, Simplified!
Product Review: Project Life Memory-Keeping System

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This post is part of a paid campaign with American Crafts, but all opinions are my own. Less time on memory keeping = More time for memory making As an artist and aesthete I often find it difficult to reconcile the discrepancy between how I want things to look and the amount of time available to achieve that level of quality and style.  Sometimes I find a way to compromise, and other times I simply put my plans on hold.  Such is the case when it comes to memory books.  I confess, my album-keeping days came to an end with the birth of my second child.  I simply couldn't keep up.  The desire was there, but I didn't feel that I had the time necessary to devote to memory-keeping. Frankly, I find the art of scrapbooking a bit intimidating.  I'm in awe of those master scrappers who've devoted their artistic passion to crafting page after page of layered, enveloped, bordered and bedazzled showcases for every special moment of their lives.  I watch in awe, perhaps
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Classic Fall Giveaway with $600 in Prizes!

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  I'm thrilled to be participating in this year's Classic Fall Giveaway organized by Janette from The Johanson Journey and Connie from Measured by the Heart .  I've teamed up with these talented ladies and 15 stellar co-hosts to share an amazing giveaway to get this season started right!    Row 1  Connie from Measured by the Heart Janette from The Johanson Journey Row 2   Sarah Kate from The Wanderblogger Taralyn from Keep Moving Forward with Me   Emmy from EmmyMom One Day at a Time Jenn from Rook No. 17 Susanna from Zealous Mom Row 3  Vivienne from The Vspot Blog Mariah from Giggles Galore Autumn from Stay Gold, Autumn Kimberly from A Night Owl Abbie from Lovin’ Our Chaos Row 4 Cheryl with That’s What {Che} Said Heather from Setting for Four Gail from My Repurposed Life Jaime from Love.Jaime Nicole from Life’s a Beach Thank you to ou
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After School Snacks for Picky Eaters
{Sponsored by Cooking Light} #BTSatSafeway #ad

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This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group ™ and Cooking Light , but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BTSatSafeway   http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO . In the spirit of the Back-to-School season, here's a pop quiz: True or False? 1. My child is hungry when they come home from school. 2. My child is a picky eater. 3. I prefer to feed my child foods that are minimally processed and have nutritional value. 4. I enjoy trying new recipes. If you answered True to any of the above, we have something in common. Shortly before school started last week, I had the opportunity to apply for a campaign to work with CookingLight Magazine on a Back-to-School post focusing on quick, easy and healthy recipes for picky eaters. Since I'm a longtime fan of CookingLight recipes, shop at Safeway , and have two very picky eaters starting school this month, I knew that this campaign would have real value for me and my readers. I
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Free Victorian Scrap -- Vintage Sailing Ships

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Hello friends!  It's been a busy back-to-school week here, but I didn't want you to think that I had sailed off into oblivion. Coming up this week, I have a huge giveaway, a great recipe for picky eaters (sponsored by Cooking Light) and will be guest posting on the Pfister blog.  In the meantime, I'm pleased to be sharing these two wonderful Victorian scrap images of clipper ships from my collection. Click on the image above to download from my PhotoBucket gallery. Click on the image above to download from my PhotoBucket gallery. And here's a full sheet PDF for card-making and collaging:  Click HERE for download.
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Recipe: Homemade Gourmet Ketchup
+ a Printable Vintage Catsup Label

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If someone had told me one year ago that I'd someday be singing the praises of ketchup, I would have told them to take their crystal ball in to be serviced.  Unless it's mixed up in a fry sauce or is on a burger, I've been perfectly content to live my life without that high fructose laden tomato condiment.  That all changed a few months ago, however, when my family stopped for a bite at a wonderful little cafe and charcuterie in Solvang, CA.   Served alongside my daughter's house-cured hotdog and crispy potato wedges at Succulent Cafe was a homemade ketchup like no other.  "Try this!" my husband insisted.  I threw him the " You know I don't eat ketchup {dorkpie} !" face.  " Seriously.  You have to try it, " he persisted.  He would not relent till I tried it.  I'm glad I gave in.  The homemade ketchup had a rich tomato flavor, not too sweet and the perfect tang.  The flavor was so complex that we found ourselves wanting t
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Wooden Peg Fairy Doll DIY
{for whimsical favors, cupcake toppers, and birthday candle holders}

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I've been delighted to see a resurgence in the popularity of peg dolls in DIY communities online, and decided it was high time to breathe some new life into this oldie but goodie from my first year of blogging.  The tutorial needed just a bit of TLC and a sprinkle of pixie dust... ...and these magical little cupcake toppers that double as party favors are ready to take flight once again! With simple wooden pegs, "silk" flowers and basic crafting supplies, you can create a whole garden of Flower Fairies as favors, cupcake toppers, and even birthday candle holders.     How to Make:  Wooden Peg Fairy Dolls (for favors, cupcake toppers, or birthday candle holders) Wood Game pieces (my source: Factory Direct Craft )   Bamboo skewers or wooden dowels, cut to 2” lengths Foam floral block for makeshift drying rack (optional) Drill Acrylic paints in the colors you want for skin,hair, eyes, cheeks and mouth An assortment of fine and medium pain
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Flip Dolls & Other Toys That Zip, Stack, Hide, Grab & Go
{Book Review & #Giveaway}

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You're going to "flip" for this book! A stuffed toy can be a child's boon companion and greatest treasure. And often, a  stuffed toy hand-made by a loved one endures long after commercial toys have fallen out of favor. Flip Dolls are one such toy that goes beyond mere cuddliness to the realm of interactive, fascinating, and even magical.  Perhaps it's because, as a child, I was captivated by my friend's doll that flipped from Little Red Riding Hood to the Big Bad Wolf (a gift from her Nana).  It "may" have ended up in my backpack for a few minutes until my conscience caught up with me.  Just sayin'.   So, it was with childlike glee that I greeted the arrival of Flip Dolls & Other Toys That Zip, Stack, Hide, Grab & Go by Laura Wilson (Lark Crafts, August 2013, ISBN 978-1-4547-0248-1).  Wilson's playful spirit is evident in this clever, inventive and charming book of interactive plush toys.  One can't help but smi
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