we used a recipe for “building gingerbread” *edible but not as good as “eating gingerbread”

Butter                8oz
Brown Sugar   8oz
Molasses          8oz
Flour                 2lb 3oz
B. Soda             2tsp
Cinnamon       2tsp
Ginger              1/2tsp
Clove                1tsp
Water                8oz

Cream together the butter and sugar, then add molasses and water, sift all the dry together and add slowly to mixer.  Bake at 325F until done, it all depends on what size your pieces are.  I normally at least double the recipe for a good size house.  Also all of the gingerbread MUST be totally cool before you start to build or the icing will just melt and not glue anything together!

and to put it all together, we used Royal Icing:

Royal Icing Using Meringue Powder:

4 cups (440 grams) confectioners’ (powdered or icing) sugar

3 tablespoons (30 grams) meringue powder

1/2 teaspoon extract (vanilla, lemon, almond)

1/2 – 3/4 cup (120 – 180 ml) warm water

Note: Food Coloring (I use Gel Pastes that can be found at cake decorating and party stores or
else on-line)

For Royal Icing with Meringue Powder: In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand
mixer), beat the confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder until combined. Add the water
and beat on medium to high speed until very glossy and stiff peaks form (5 to 7 minutes). If
necessary, to get the right consistency, add more powdered sugar or water. To cover or ‘flood’
the entire surface of the cookie with icing, the proper consistency is when you lift the beater, the
ribbon of icing that falls back into the bowl remains on the surface of the icing for a few seconds
before disappearing.

The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing
hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.

Makes about 3 cups

Jordan was the one who came up with the idea of adding skittles to the tops of the gum drops and I must say, I love the look. Jalen and I both followed Jordan’s lead.  He told me he was making a pattern, alternating red and green. He also made a sort of gate with the candy canes and a walk way.

Jalen’s house is the one with the candy cane on the roof and alternating red and green skittles stripes.

My house is the last one with the candy cane hearts and red skittles.

It was a fun venture.  We made two batches of building gingerbread, which for the amount and size of houses we were making, it was just too much.  Also, the rectangles we cut were not quite the right shapes so we had gaps.  For next year’s gingerbread villages, I’ve ordered Gingerbread House Cutters (B1101) from foose.  It was quite fun :)

We also made some eating Gingerbread, sugar cookies and white chip chocolate cookies. I’ll be sharing those soon. and can I add. the house smells lovely. I <3 Gingerbread!

Thanks for stopping by!

Love Love and Blog you Later,

Joscie, rhymes with bossy :)

We hot glued the items to the jar lid and added water, glycerin, and glitter(s) to the jar.

Jordan chose first, his favorite Lego minifig, Alien *ailee* and droid, a Christmas Tree and some glitter. We (I) hot glued little Lego circle studs to the lid and then placed the minifigs on top. I also hot glued a bottle brush Christmas tree. The dye from the tree ended up coloring the water a little bit.




Jalen chose his Ninjago mini figs.


I chose a minion figure that we picked up in Universal Studios and another with Mario and Luigi.

Jordan’s Alie:





They are a happy little collection on our coffee table.
Thanks for stopping by!
Love Love and Blog you Later,
Joscie, rhymes with bossy :)
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Day 8, two

Me: day 2 of advent calendar

Jalen: Kung Fu Panda 2

Jordan: 2 earth skylanders

Troy: Jalen’s 2 eyes

Day 9, Twelve

Me: safety inspection sticker

Jalen: day 12 on the advent calendar

Jordan:12 skylanders

Troy: 12 cups in a display case

Day 10, Snack

Me: I find it funny that we all took our pictures at different times but chose the same snack. our mickey mouse shaped rice krispy treats.

Jalen:

Jordan:

Day 11, Online

Me: my blog

Jalen: our router

Jordan: his 3DS can go online

Troy: Jordan online

Day 12, In Real Life

Me: my craft stuff that got moved out of my craft room for rehoming/ebay or whatever. and has sat here in my kitchen waiting for me. (ps, ready for an online craft sale?)

Jalen: real people driving and living.

Jordan: the day by day bible.

Day 13, Mail

Me: Calendars going out to mail at the Post Office

Jalen: Lego Catalog

Jordan: Christmas card from Lego VIP program

Day 14, Line(s)

Me: our first year putting up lights outside

Jalen: lines on the table

Jordan: lines of skittles (and other candies) on his gingerbread house.

Thanks for stopping by!
Love Love and Blog you later,
Joscie, rhymes with bossy :)

Day 3, seat

Me:

Jalen:

Jordan:

Troy:

Day 4, Toy

Me:

Jalen:

Jordan:

Troy:

Day 5, Large

Me:

Jalen:

Jordan:

Troy:

Day 6, in a row

Me:

Jalen:

Jordan:

Troy:

Day 7, Close Up

Me:

Jalen:

Jordan:

Troy:

Thanks for stopping by! I’ll be posting more pictures later. :)
Love Love and Blog you Later,
Joscie, rhymes with bossy (and her boys)

Dumbo

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•  Dec. Pea Soup – Elements  by ChrissyW
•  Pea Soup December: Funky Xmas Elements  by Hazel Olive Designs
• Pea Soup December – Soft Candy Solid  by Edeline Marta
• Pea Soup December – Jen’s Papers  by Jen Martakis
• Pea Soup- December  by Michelle Underwood
• pea soup december – peppermint tags  by Polka Dot Pixels

Sweet Treats

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• Cheerful: Full Kit  by Tickled Pink Studio
• Pea Soup December: Candied Alpha  by Angie Kovacs

joy

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• Wordy Bits: Clustered  by Tickled Pink Studio
• Cheerful: Full Kit  by Tickled Pink Studio
• Pea Soup December – Soft Candy Solid  by Edeline Marta
• Pea Soup- December  by Michelle Underwood

These layouts use Edeline’s new Christmas Joyful Kit:

Salt Dough Ornaments

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• Christmas Joyful Bundle  by Edeline Marta

Walt & Mickey

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• Christmas Joyful Bundle  by Edeline Marta

kid craft

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• Christmas Joyful Bundle  by Edeline Marta

Thanks for stopping by!

Love Love and blog you Later,

Joscie, rhymes with Bossy :)

Jalen chose the large Mickey Mouse ears.  I cut ice cream cone shapes to paint as Santa.

we baked at 250 for two hours. and I couldn’t help but think, I wonder how much energy that’s using?

once they were cooled we brought out some acrylic paint and got busy.

Jordan painted all the elephants dark blue. again no big surprise there.

Jalen painted most of his mickey ears black.

I opted for aqua and also painted my santa.

We did not put these on our tree but instead tied them to gifts. :)

It was a messy and long project but I am glad we did it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Love Love and Blog you Later,
Joscie, rhymes with bossy! :)

advent calendar tutorial

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Miss Mint has some new FABULOUS Christmas Kits and Alphas in the store, check them out!

Christmas 2011

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Disney Christmas 2011

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Miss Mint’s Christmas Past Kit
Miss Mint’s Glitzy Alphabet Blue Miss Mint’s Glitzy Alphabet Red
Miss Mint’s Candy Canes
and featuring Miss Mint’s fabulous new freebie:

summer movies

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HP 7.2

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Miss Mint’s Movie Night Freebie

Thanks for stopping by!

Love Love and Blog you Later,

Joscie, rhymes with bossy :)

• we forced some paper white narcissus for the first time since we’ve been back home in the islands.
• we baked a lot of gingerbread and sugar cookies.
• we made gingerbread houses.

• made some cake pops
• made goodie bags for my mail carrier and garbage man.
• got a thank you from the garbage man when i handed it over
• got a thank you note from the mail man in the mail box. it was so sweet, it made me smile. :)
• we saw the ships all lit up for Christmas.
• went to church on Christmas eve.  Jalen was an acolyte and carried in the flame.  He also helped light the candles at the end of the service.  Jordan was excited to hold a candle.

• we went to see the city lights/parade
• we didn’t plan to meet up with MarnaLicious and Family but it just worked out that way :)

• Incrediboy made a come back.
• We went hiking one day with Aunty MarnaLicious after a late night of crafting.  I did not feel well.  Note to self: go to bed on time!
• we went out to eat. a lot.
• I designed, printed, addressed and mailed out 180 Christmas Cards.
• only one has come back for bad address, that’s a record.
• Next year, I will not be sending out as many cards.
• I designed, printed, assembled, wrapped and mailed out 33 calendars.
• Next year, I may or may not be sending out as many calendars.
• we shopped online
• i ordered books for all my nieces and nephews and personalized with bookplates
• they loved them, I’m so excited!
• We have really enjoyed our think geek/amazon Christmas shopping. It was really simplified and I will go this route again.
• Jalen’s computer broke
• we bought a new laptop for the boys
• I called the teaching textbook company for help recovering his grades/progress and resetting our registration.  what an awesome, helpful company. I highly recommend them.
• When asked what I wanted for Christmas, I emailed a link to my amazon wish list.  and I got the best gift ever.
• I got a new camera strap designed for the ladies. and i love it!  It’s by black rapid.
• Jalen learned in his math program about bits, bytes, K, Meg and Gig.
• Jordan learned in his math program how to count pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
• I designed and screen printed some camp half-blood t shirts.
• I need to go buy more t shirts as a messy work space ruined a few.
• We got a lot of rain
• we bought new cell phones, the nexus s.  the new Google phone.
• Best Buy is not on my happy list.  They had insufficient supply so when I went in to pick them up, I could only buy one.  I had to order Troy’s via phone and it was delivered a few days later.
• I am loving my phone though.
• We saw Yogi bear for another free sneak preview at MCBH
• We saw the Chronicles of Narnia, voyage of the Dawn Treader in 3D, and loved it.
• We bought a new waffle maker from Bed Bath and Beyond. a super fancy double, flip it over kinda waffle maker. $95.
• so excited about it. made waffles like 10 since getting it.
• saw same waffle maker at sam’s club. $65. doh! but not too disappointed.
• missed out on the lunar eclipse/winter solstice due to overcast weather.
• Jordan got a new camera and a spy watch from Granny and Pop.  He took about 65 pictures on it and then dropped and broke it Christmas morning.  So glad we had bought the product replacement plan.  We replaced it with a more expensive shock proof model.
• Jalen got a robot arm and a spy cam rover from Granny and Pop.  He and Troy put both together and is loving it.
• We got Jalen snap circuits and Jordan got some elephants and elephant books.
• Both boys got a kindle to share and airzookas.  These are hand held air canons.  they are a bit unwieldy and difficult but fun when you get the hang of it
• We had steak, rice, corn and sparkling apple cider for dinner.
• We’ve got party hats, noise makers and curly cue thingies to throw in the air.
• We’ll be celebrating new year at 8pm HST.

I hope you’ve had a great 2010 and will join me in 2011, it’s going to be a great one!

Love Love and Blog you Later,

Joscie, rhymes with bossy! :)

Two Peas in a Bucket

white light

• Messy Doodle Alpha – Outlines by Jenny Dipzinski
• Old Timey Photo Frame Single by Erica Hernandez
• Yummers by Lauren Reid
• Bliss Alpha by Lauren Reid
• Joy Page kit by Michelle Underwood

Gingerbread Cookies

• Yummers by Lauren Reid

a little note hybrid card

• Merry Christmas Baby – Word Art by Jo Hanna
• Hero Arts Stamp Brown ink
• American Crafts Foam Adhesive
• Paper Trey Ink Kraft Paper

Hybrid Gift Tags

I added the text in Photoshop, printed on plain cardstock, handcut with scissors and wrote the name with my sharpie.

• my life 365 – pinked dotted tags by Polka Dot Pixels

Hybrid Gift Tags

I created these labels in Photoshop. I printed at 8×8 on textured white american crafts cardstock and cut with my tonic trimmer.  so so cute, if I do say so myself. and the mostly white background keeps the ink use down. love!

• Joy Page kit by Michelle Underwood

Hybrid Book Plates

This year I ordered book sets for my 10 nieces and nephews.  the little kids got board books and the older ones got sets like Wimpy Kid, Gregor the Overlander, Percy Jackson, The Hunger Games.  I created these personalized book plates for them too.  My boys are getting books too. ;)

• my life 365 – apothecary labels by Polka Dot Pixels

********************************

Peppermint Creative

Miss Mint has also released some new Christmas goodies.  I am completely smitten with her Cookie Alphas and frames. Here is one Christmas Layout and one from the last release I forgot to post.

Christmas Cookies

• Jolly Gingerbread Element
• Jolly Gingerbread Papers
• Jumbo Bracket Mats – Christmas
• Gingerbread Cookie Alphabet
• Gingerbread Frames

Star Gazer

• stitched felt alphas
• soopa sunburst papers
• houndstooth heaven papers
• text around the circles
• P365 Months Tickets
• techno geek
• scalloped edge stickers
• sweet cheeks paper(kraft)

I also have a few tutorials up on the Minty Blog, check it out! *click pics for links to the posts* :)

Creative Charms

This month’s deals:

Kit of the Month – Nouveaux Vintage – 125 Pieces

• Ivory Vintage Velvet Poppies
• Classic Grey Vintage Velvet Poppies
• Vintage Brown Vintage Velvet Poppies
• Amber Vintage Marble Brad
• Light Green Vintage Jewels
• Amber Vintage Flower Button
• Antique White Gradient Pearl Stickers
• Brown Vintage Velvet Ric Rac

Regular Price – $21.00

Sale Price $14.99 (30% Off)

Deal of the Month – Winter Wonderland – 131 Pieces

• Blue Pure Blossoms
• Blue Gradient Gem Stickers
• Winter Medley
• White Flared Flowers
• Blue Flared Flowers
• White Gem Garden
• Blue Gem Brads
• Blue Bells
• Blue Vintage Velvet Ric Rac
• Snowflake Ribbon

Regular Price $17.00

Sale Price $6.99 (60% Off)

I will have my new creative charms tutorial coming up next week.

*******************************

On the home front, we’ve been busy making cookies galore.  I tried a new recipe this year that I found through the Pioneer Woman’s blog.  These sugar cookies are so delish and easy we’ll be making them throughout the year!  I will be substituting coconut extract for the almond though.  We also made our Gingerbread houses.  This year instead of one large house we made 3 houses to have a village on our dining room table. :)

I had a little giggle because my pal Marnalicious mentioned that it looked so Christmassy with the wreath and the Christmas tree in the background… I admitted, I had to drag the dining room table about 3 feet over to get the tree in the shot ;)  That’s Jordan’s house on the left, Jalen on the right and Troy and I in the middle.  Jordan says he’s the only one that is perfectly sized to go in the door to the house.  I just say our doors are sized like hawaiian hale, you have to bend over to come in to show you mean no harm ;)

We have also been hiking with Aunty Marnalicious and Aunty FabuLisa and sometimes Aunty Maile.  It is a good habit I need to do more often, I have to work off these cookies before I end up having to buy bigger shorts!  I am done with my shopping and Christmas Card and Calendar designing.  I am waiting on UPS  and USPS to deliver the last packages from Amazon and I’ll get those babies wrapped up.  We went to Target today to print up the Christmas Cards and Calendar prints.  Over the next few days I’ll be putting together the calendars and addressing the Card envelopes. I am finally feeling like I can come up for air, whew!

Oh, and I have a little funny story to share.  I sent out a care package to my girlfriend lala.  The post office left one of those we tried to deliver your package but now you have to come pick it up at the post office…. and they said it was from Joscie Rhymes. heee. of course I listed on the return address: Joscie, rhymes with bossy Cutchens. ;)

I hope you are all doing well out there and having a good Holiday season.  Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you.

Love Love and Blog you Later,

Joscie, rhymes with bossy!

Love Love,

Joscie, rhymes with bossy, Troy, Jalen and Jordan