Sketch, Challenge, Inspiration and Recipe - Edited to add recipe

Good morning! Wow, I didn't get to post at all this weekend, but we had a great weekend. First, it was absolutely beautiful weather the entire weekend and the kids spent most of it outside playing in the dirt of course :) Our yard is all mowed, edged and trimmed. Kevin did such a great job and it looks beautiful. I'm not much for landscaping or gardening, but it does look nice and tidy. I also got the house all cleaned up and it looks nice too. Its a great way to start the week.

I had a club meeting and a small get together with some crafting friends too and that is always fun. I had an idea that I wanted to put together as a small appreciation for my friends, but I ran out of time, but wanted to implement it anyway. Now, I'll at least have the measurements for the next time. I always make sugar cookies whenever I have people over and this time I had wanted to have a little something extra for everyone to take home, but alas...

This also seconds as my challenge project for the "thank you" challenge over at Stamp Something. I thought it was perfect. I essentially followed the concept of the nugget box, but changed the dimensions to fit my cookie.
I do have to add here that I LOVE my scor-pal. If you click on the nugget box link you will see all the dimensions for a variety of boxes that are specific to the scor-pal.

Ok, to finish up - I used my nestability die to cut the window for my box, stamped on the transparency and then stamped again with a glue pad, then added glitter to it. I added a little tag and ribbon and here it is. So next time, I'll get them finished on time :)

I do have to say that this months' Stamp of the Month from Close to my Heart is fabulous. There are so many sentiments on this set and they are a perfect size for a lot of projects. This is going to be one of my most used sets now.

Cardstock: Stamper's Select White, Berry Bliss (Papertrey ink), Stamps: Playful Flourishes, Say It In Style (Stamp of the Month), (CTMH), Boxes, Bags, Tags (Papertrey ink), Ink: Berry Sorbet (papertrey ink), Tsukeneko Glue Pad, Other: Glitter, Circle Nestability die, Ribbon (Papertrey ink), Circle Punch, SU! Scallop punch

***Edited*** Sugar Cookie Recipe

This is an incredible sugar recipe that I got from my friend Lisa. She makes the most awesome cookies and they are always decorated perfectly. I didn't have any clear chunky sugar crystals to add, but they look great on the cookies. I can't think of the brand name either so I'll add it when I find it. Here is a very close copy (and could be) of the cutter I used. I bought it at Michaels or Joanns and its about 3" wide. The icing sets up well, but is still soft to eat. The cookies are soft and make sure to not over bake.

You can make the whole batch and freeze what you don't use, or most times, I just cut the recipe in half.

Sugar Cookie Recipe with Icing Recipe: Oven 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes

2 sticks butter
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt

I just put all dry ingredients together, mix butter and shortening, add sugar, blend, then add eggs and vanilla. Roll out to about 1/4 " thick - looks thick but this is what makes the cookie so soft.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour

Icing:

1 lb powdered sugar
2/3 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk

Let me know what you and your friends think about the cookies when you make them :)

Also, the box that I made was based on a 3 1/2" square base. You'll just have to play a little depending on the size of your cookie.

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Beate's Weekend Sketch:

And here is my card for Beate's weekend sketch. My inspiration for this card were all the fruit trees that are losing all their beautiful blooms right now. I took this picture on our walk to school at the end of last week. And of course, when I think of fruit trees, I always think of Papertrey ink's Out on a Limb. I used all PTI products for this card.
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, Stamper's Select White, Pink Patterns, Stamps: Say it in Style (CTMH), Out on a Limb, Ink: Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Sweet Leaf, Chocolate (CTMH), Other: Ribbon, Uniball gel pen

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!