{create this} candy cane frame for ornaments, photos & more!

Happy Friday and welcome to the holidays in full swing at shaken together! And now, for this week's {create this} crafty tutorial ... what do you think about my fun candy cane frame?! 

Wanna know how to {create this}? 

Mine started with a mirror given to me by a friend ... thanks, Amy!  I told you I'd make something with it :)  The ribbed frame seemed to lend itself to being striped and I love the simple shape.  No free mirror?  Pick up a large frame or framed picture at a thrift store or garage sale!

The Saint was tasked with removing the mirror.  (Big shop, tools, dumpster = frame!)  Here is the frame before I painted it ... gold and brown, nothing terribly special.  The kitten ninja wanted to 'help' ... even the pets in our house are crafty, ha ha!

I truly wanted a vintage-y, imperfect frame so I just grabbed a foam brush and start painting stripes using antique white and red acrylic paint.  I touched up the stripes a bit with a smaller paintbrush for those places that were a little too imperfect, ha ha!  You can use painters tape if you want the stripes more precise and I'm sure spray paint would work, too. 

I used a heavy duty stapler to attach three strands of jute to the back of the frame and then painted a few mini clothespins green and added some red and white buttons for a little charm.  I found that using a ruler to clip the clothespins to made painting them easy peasy!

Hang up your favorite holiday things ...

This would be an awesome advent calendar (you'll need a few more clothespins), hang seasonal cookie cutters or feature a special collection.  Or use this fun striped frame just to share a festive holiday message by clipping on "ho ho ho" or "fa la la"!

Hope you were inspired to {create this}!

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

{taste this} devils food & peppermint ice cream sandwiches

Thanks for stopping by ...  I'm so glad you did!  And I know, I know ... you're probably saying, "Ice cream sandwiches?  But it's nearly winter!"  You see ... we live in Florida and we were still wearing shorts over the weekend while putting up the Christmas lights!  Kinda crazy!

But our unseasonably warm weather does allow me to indulge my LOVE of chocolate, peppermint and ice cream!  So for this week's {taste this tuesday} crank up the heat if you have to and join me in making these easy devils food & peppermint ice cream sandwiches!

Wanna know the secret to these ice cream sandwiches??  Devils food cake mix cookies!!  

Cake mix cookies?!  In case you don't know about this, you can make cookies from any cake mix by adding 2 eggs and 1/3 cup vegetable oil (or 1/2 cup melted butter depending on the recipe you find).  The batter is THICK but the cookies bake up divinely!  So stock up on those buy one, get one free cake mixes the next time you see them for emergency cookie baking ;) 

Anyway ... drop tablespoons of cookie batter on a baking sheet (mine was not greased and they came off okay but I use baking stones, so you may want to grease yours up!) and bake at 350* F for about 11 minutes and allow them to cool completely.   Cooled cookies:

Add a small scoop of slightly softened vanilla ice cream between two of your cookies and press them gently together.  Roll your sandwich in crushed candy canes/peppermints and pop in the freezer to harden. 

The best part about this recipe is that these delightfully decadent, chocolate peppermint-y heavenly creations can just hang out and wait in your freezer ... one for now, one for later! 

A few suggestions for next time: 

1. Crush the candy canes pretty small (smaller than in my pictures) - the pieces harden up in the freezer
2. Bake the cookies softer than you normally would ... again, the freezer :) 

I do have to say The Bugs and The Saint have scarfed them all up in the freezer, so for my try at making homemade ice cream sandwiches, they couldn't be too bad, ha ha!

Hope you were inspired to {taste this}!

It's beginning to taste a lot like Christmas!

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

MyMemories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software WINNER!!

Thanks to all who entered this great giveaway ... and a BIG thanks to MyMemories for allowing me to give a little back to my followers, readers and fans!!

Random.org selected winner #9 ...

Congratulations Catherine (guessing?!) who said ...

Thanks SO much for following ... I hope you enjoy this awesome software!!

MyMemories will be contacting you directly with additional information/instructions to claim your fantastic prize!!

And don't forget ... you can always purchase the MyMemories software at a HUGE discount by clicking on the button in my sidebar and entering my code :)

HEY!!!  I'm not done giving stuff away ... enter this week's Shabby Apple Key to Wonderland necklace giveaway here!

Hope you have a great week!
Keri

shabby apple jewelry {giveaway} & special discount!!

To say I was excited to host this giveaway is an EXTREME understatement!  Shabby Apple is an online dress boutique with gorgeous dresses for women and girls!  I am in serious love with their vintage collections and how in the world did I miss their swim wear?!  Did you know they have unbelievable jewelry and accessories, too?

Now, I am a jewelry girl ... not diamonds or big ticket anything that would break the bank (I would hate to worry about losing something that costs more than my car payment!) ... but unique and interesting pieces that I can wear to dress up a few layered t-shirts, add interest to a neckline or add a pop to a plain colored sweater.  

Let me show you a few things on my Shabby Apple jewelry wish list ... (could someone please alert The Saint, ha ha!?)

Large Silver Initial Pendant Necklace, Silver Bangle Set, Go Green Ring and Unlock Wonderland Necklace

I saved my VERY favorite piece to show you last ... because this is the piece of jewelry that I get to giveaway to one lucky person!!!  Take a look at Shabby Apple's Key to Wonderland necklace:

This necklace features an antique brass vintage reproduction skeleton key suspended on a 24” long chain.  I love that it is classic with a touch of whimsy!  And it could be all yours!

Here are all the ways to enter to win this gorgeous necklace - please leave a separate comment with your contact information for each entry:

• Follow pressed down, shaken together either by Google Friend Connect or by email - leave me a comment to let me know you are a fantastic follower!
• Like Shabby Apple on Facebook - they post special promotions and exclusive discounts for their Facebook friends!  Leave me a comment to let me know you "liked" them!
• Head over to Shabby Apple and leave me a comment with your favorite dress, skirt or other Shabby Apple item ... don't forget to come back and leave me a comment!

But that's not all ... Shabby Apple is offering a 10% discount for my readers, followers and friends!!  Head over to http://www.shabbyapple.com/ and use coupon code "shakentogether10off" at checkout!  This code expires in 30 days, so don't wait too long to shop :)

Just a few details about the giveaway:  winner will need a US mailing address and there are no exchanges for this piece of jewelry.  This giveaway ends Sunday, December 4th at 8PM EST and the winner (selected by random.org) will be announced Monday, December 5th.

Good luck and thanks SO much, Shabby Apple!!
Keri

{create this} beribboned trees advent dry erase frame

Here we are again on Friday ... (or Thursday, but I'm off work and this post was already drafted!) and the Friday after Thanksgiving at that!!  If your Thanksgiving was anything like ours, you were stuffed to the gills with food and good times!  What could be better?!  And if you have the luxury of a couple days off, hopefully between leftover turkey sandwiches and footballs games, you can squeeze in some crafting.  Because I have a simply sweet project that you can do this weekend and use alllllllll winter long!!

If this looks a little familiar, this was the project I submitted for the Handmade Holidays Series featuring STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam over at Under the Table and Dreaming :)

Since I am like a kid in a candy store for all things celebratory (seriously, I will celebrate my birthday all month long if you'll let me!), I wanted to create a project that our family could use to count down to all the fun stuff coming up in this busy winter holiday season.  Behold:  my Beribboned Trees Advent Dry Erase Frame!!

To get started, you probably have the following items stashed away at home:

• 1 photo frame (size of your choice) - I used a frame with an inner space of 8 x 10
• Ribbon scraps
• Low temperature hot glue gun
• Straight pins
• Festive holiday and white card stock
• Stamps/ink - or print the "days until" phrase using your printer
• One 6" x 4" STYROFOAM (TM) Brand Foam cone
• One 4" x 3" STYROFOAM (TM) Brand Foam cone
• Three 1" STYROFOAM (TM) Brand Foam balls
• Winter Snow (from one 4 liter bag)

(R) TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow.  Disclosure:  I received the STYROFOAM (TM) Brand Foam products in exchange for creating and posting this project.

Let's work with the cones, first:

I used a regular old kitchen steak knife to cut each cone in half and I didn't have any issues at all!  Just take your time and I would suggest cutting in something to catch any of the little flakes.  (I used the cardboard insert from a case of bottled water.)

Now, using a sponge/foam brush and acrylic paint, paint each halved cone with a fun, merry color and allow to dry.  

I wanted a modern, funky feel so I used leaf green, Tahitian blue and fuchsia.

Once your cone trees are dry, use straight pins  to secure coordinating ribbons scraps around the trees.  (You can also use glue but straight pins were quick and easy!)
  

Think ric-rac, lace, velvet ribbon, fun little pom poms and different widths and textures to give your trees character!  Don't forget to add a twiggy stem to each tree, too!

 For the frame:

1. Select a piece of festive card stock and trim it to fit in your frame.
2. Trim a piece of white card stock a bit smaller.  In my 8" x 10" frame, I trimmed my white card stock to 5" x 7".  Stamp your "days until" phrase.  (If you are using your printer, print the phrase before trimming your white card stock.)
3. I inked the edges of my white card stock with hot pink ink - basically, run an ink pad along the edges of your paper to add a touch of color and character - and then adhered it to the larger piece of card stock.
4. BEFORE you place your card stock insert in your frame, add a small amount of Winter Snow onto the inside bottom of the glass to add a snowy landscape to your frame.  (The Winter Snow should be between the glass and the cardstock.)
5. Place your card stock insert in the frame (on top of the Winter Snow) and secure it in place.

For the finishing touch, using your low temperature glue gun, affix the trees to the outside of the frame and add a 1" ball of STYROFOAM (TM) Brand Foam to the top of each tree.  Here are a couple close ups of my finished trees:

Believe it or not, you can use regular dry erase markers on the glass and wipe it away!!   That means you can count down to all sorts of fun things as get-togethers, parties and special events draw closer.  Here are a few ways to use this around your home ...


Paris?  I wish!!  Santa ... are you listening?!  ;)

I hope you were inspired to {create this}! 

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

{taste this} cranberry margarita 'mocktail'

It's almost Thanksgiving ... do you have your meal all planned out from appetizers to desserts?  We're not hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year so I am in charge of bringing desserts ... tough break for me ;)  I'll be bringing my mini pumpkin pie croissants and brownie bites with pumpkin cheesecake mousse ... nothing like blogging and baking to take the guess work out of a pot luck!!  

For this week's {taste this} post, I thought it would be great to share an easy entertaining recipe for a festive, non-alcoholic cranberry margarita 'mocktail'!

Here are your cast of characters:

Mix together equal parts cranberry juice and margarita flavored drink mix (I used a store brand Crystal Light type drink mix; use limeade or margarita mix as a substitute) to fill your glass or pitcher 2/3 full.  Fill the remaining 1/3 equally with lemon lime soda and non-alcoholic sparkling cranberry juice!  Other than the sparkling cranberry juice, all the other ingredients are diet so this mocktail is also pretty guilt-free!

This drink is refreshing and tart and not to sweet ... the perfect counter point to all the rich and delectable holiday food and desserts.  Bonus:  the kiddos can drink it and feel a little fun and fizz ;) 

Hope you were inspired to {taste this}!

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

MyMemories Suite Digital Scrapbook Software Review & {giveaway}!!

I started out my crafty life as a scrapbooker ... paper, embellishments, cropping, arranging ... I love it all!  But these days, between working full time, blogging, baseball, laundry and all of the other "every day" stuff ... my scrapbooks have gone sadly neglected.

So, when I was contacted by MyMemories to try out their MyMemories Suite digital scrapbooking software, it was a no-brainer!  I definitely need an easy, quick way to get my memories documented, journaling done and scrapbooks finished ... and this is the perfect program! 

I downloaded the scrapbook software in a matter of minutes and got right to work :)

The "drag and drop" features make it unbelivably easy to add and remove elements, re-size and crop photos, add text and embellishments, rearrange page elements and make each page the perfect reflection of my style!  There are gorgeous pre-designed templates for complete albums that you can personalize with a few clicks of your mouse! 

But I was really curious to see what other projects I could whip up with MyMemories Suite ... let's have a look!

We are a baseball family and I know there are tons of other families who spend their weekends and evenings at various sporting events.  At the end of every season, we have a celebration to reward the players and thank the parents and how fun would it be to present each family with a special memento of the season?  Here is what I came up with:

Add this to a plaque for the coaches or put it in an inexpensive frame for each family!

And my friends and family will tell you I am the WORST about sending Christmas cards ... but it only took me a few minutes put this together.  I can print them at home or upload them for printing and pick up!

MyMemories even has helpful videos on youtube with helpful hints and tutorials!

This is the time of year to be thankful and what says "thank you" better than a GIVEAWAY!?!  I am so excited to announce that you have a chance to win your very own copy of MyMemories Suite digital scrapbook software!! 

**There are lots of way to enter to win, so please leave a separate comment for EACH entry with your contact information!**

• Please follow pressed down, shaken together via Google Friend Connect or email
• Visit MyMemories and come back and share your favorite digital scrapbook kit
• Follow the MyMemories blog
• Like MyMemories on Facebook- when they reach 10,000 fans on Facebook, they are giving away an iPad - just like their page to be eligible to win!!
• Find MyMemories on Twitter

This giveaway will be open until 11:59pm EST, Sunday, November 11/27/11.  A winner will be selected via random.org and posted on Monday, November 11/28/11.

As another special offer for the pressed down, shaken together readers, followers, family and friends, MyMemories is offering YOU a $10 discount!!  Simply enter coupon code STMMMS56861 ~ copy & paste suggested ;) ~ to receive your discount!!

I'll be sharing several more projects in the coming days to show you fun ways to use the MyMemories Suite digital scrapbook software for scrapbooking and MORE!

Good luck and keep those comment entries coming!!
Keri

{create this} christmas light shabby tag banner

Okay, don't hate me ... but I had to do it! The first Christmas craft of the season before Thanksgiving! I know Christmas is all over blogland but I was trying to hold off a little longer. BUT, seeing as how we're not hosting Thanksgiving at our house (and that means no need to keep the Fall decorations up!), this crafty Christmas-LOVING girl's fingers were just itching to create something for Christmas!

If you're new here (welcome!), you may not have seen my Happy Fall & Boo-to-You shabby tag banners made out of regular ol' office supply store tags.  (Here they are if you're interested!)  Since I still have some of the tags left over (I only used a few in my trick-or-treat treasure hunt), I figured it was high time to make another banner ... this time for Christmas!!  Here is my "merry & bright" christmas light shabby tag banner!!

Once you decide on the message you want to use (I suggest something short & sweet like merry & bright, peace & joy, christmas, etc.), trim your tags in the shape of Christmas light bulbs and ink the edges in bright colors... like this:

Add narrow strips of foil to add shimmer to the bulb tops - you could also use glitter, sparkly pipe cleaners or even metallic paint. 

I used chipboard letters for my message, but again, you could stamp them, use letter stickers or hand letter them if you have gorgeous hand writing.

Tie your bulbs onto a length of jute and trim the longs ends of the string.  Now add ...

This banner would be adorable draped on a mantle or a mirror, pinned to your wall at work or a cute addition to a bulletin or announcement board! These tags are so versatile and inexpensive that this would be the perfect craft to make for a crafty afternoon with the girls!

Hope you were inspired to {create this}!!

Not singing Christmas carols ... at least not yet ;)
This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

{guest posting} at under the table and dreaming!!!

Tonight, I am beyond excited to be sharing a project in the Handmade Holidays Series at Under the Table and Dreaming!!  25 talented bloggers (including yours truly - wheeee!), 25 unbelievable projects in 5 days! 

While I can't give away all the details here ... my project involves STYROFOAM (TM) Brand Foam products, fun and funky paint colors, ribbons and a totally fun way to help your family enjoy the holiday season ... you can count on it ;) 

I'd love for my pressed down, shaken together readers to blow Stephanie away with visits and comments and a big show of love for this little ol' blogger!! 

You can find my project right here!!

Thanks, ya'll ... you make this bloggirl so happy!!
Keri

(R) TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow

{holiday sweet swap} sweet features #3

Is it Monday ALREADY?!  I had grand plans of posting this feature post this weekend but the onset of a cold hit me like a ton of bricks!  There was much napping, tissue folding (I am NOT a tissue wadder/crumbler!) and general grumpiness.  How do you cheer a crabby Keri up?  Take a peek at all the sweets that have linked up to the {holiday sweet swap}!! 

So, enough whining from me, let's spotlight some of your sweets!!

I have featured a ton of baked goods here, on Facebook and on my Pinterest board ... breads,  cupcakes ...  BUT today, I figured I would showcase some of your candy creations!  I'll be honest, I don't know that I've ever made homemade candy.  That is alllll about to change!!

First up ... Chocolate Almond Pralines shared by Meg's Everyday Indulgence!!   Sweet and simple and oh the things I am brainstorming to throw into these!!  She is also hosting 12 weeks of Christmas cookies - simply fantastic!!

Joan from Chocolate, Chocolate and more ... shared her recipe for Homemade Caramels and you better believe I am adding these to my list of things to add to our teacher gifts!  You also just might want to check out her Wicked Chocolate Caramel Bars - these look amazing!!

And how about this Easy Peppermint Fudge from Raia's Recipes?  I love that this is a basic recipe that you can easily adapt for all sorts of delicious variations.  And I also love her simple substitutions page - great idea, Raia!

Thanks again all you bakers, frosters and sweet treat makers ... your recipes will be pinned and shared on my Facebook page!  Can't wait to see what else you create this holiday season ... stop back by and share!!  See?  I feel better already!!

Have a sweet rest of your week!
Keri

{taste this} pesto gorgonzola party bites

Hey there - thanks so much for stopping by pressed down, shaken together for {taste this}!! 

If this is your first visit, there are lots more recipes on my tasty stuff page and if you are so inclined,tons of crafty tutorials appropriately filed under crafty stuff!  And if you have a serious sweet tooth, there are over 150 holiday/seasonal recipes linked up to my {holiday sweet swap} link party that is open until December 31st!

But since you're here today and I just so happen to have another taste recipe to share ... awaaaaaay we go!

I don't know about you, but around here, 'tis the season for party invites, party evites, get-togethers and all sorts of celebratory events!  SO, I figured I would post a few festive recipes in the coming weeks that are quick, easy and sure to be the hit of the party!  For example, today's pesto gorgonzola party bites!  

And for added fun, The Little Bug helped me so you'll see his marker stained (but freshly washed!) hands in some of the pictures!   

3 ingredients:  one 4 oz. tub of gorgonzola crumbles (I used the reduced fat version), one 8.1 oz jar of basil pesto and one crusty baguette cut into rounds.  That's it!

Slice your baguette into rounds and toast them in a 350* oven for 4-5 minutes.  Mix together your pesto and gorgonzola and slather it on your little toast rounds. 

Broil on low until the gorgonzola gets slightly melty and delicious ... you'll start to smell the basil-y pesto and salty goodness of the cheese ... practically heaven (or at least Italy!) in your kitchen!

For a little variety, you could top these with some fresh diced tomatoes, a curl of fresh Parmesan cheese or even a roasted red pepper!  If you can wait that long ;)

Hope you were inspired to {taste this} and tote them to all your upcoming festive occasions!

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

{create this} fall embroidery hoop art

Happy Friday and thanks for stopping by!!  Good stuff ahead :)

So, I don't know if you noticed but there is some seriously gorgeous inspiration out there in Blogland for fall decorating ... beautiful mantles (we don't have one), amazing tablescapes (do those people have kids?  or ninja kittens?  I had to relocate my fall table decorations after 2 days!) and fabulous porches or outside spaces (we're lucky to just get our lawn mowed some weeks)! 

Now, the pressed down, shaken together household has several leaf candle holders, a leaf garland bought last year on sale and a few token Thanksgiving odds and ends ... and being a DIY crafter, this is just NOT acceptable!! 

So, this week's {create this} is my effort to add a little fall-ish flair with my trio of  fall embroidery hoops!

The first hoop starts with plain muslin and a spooky tree from The Graphics Fairy. 

I just traced the tree onto the muslin with a sharpie.  Then, I hand cut felt leaves and glued them on.  Easy peasy!

The second hoop is simply jute strung across the hoop.  I hung a handful of fall-colored felt leaves from the jute with jewelry wire and crimps.  I love how the leaves move with every little breeze!

Finally, the third hoop starts with burlap inserted in the hoop.  I added a strip of torn muslin and brown chipboard 'thankful' letters for the finishing touch.   Delightful simplicity! 

These hoops are an inexpensive, quick way to add a little holiday decor just about anywhere ... so I hope you were inspired to {create this}!!

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

{taste this} porcupine meatballs

Nope, I'm not roasting up little prickly rodents ... we're making meat-a-balls!  Called 'porcuipines' probably because as they cook, the rice starts to poke out like little edible quills!  

Hello again folks and welcome to {taste this} at pressed down, shaken together!  Now that the weather is getting cooler and baseball is wrapping up, I have a little more time to cook dinner now!  So, this week, I decided to share a savory recipe that is one of our family's favorite (and simple!) meals - porcupine meatballs!

These rice-filled meatballs simmer in a rich tomato sauce in the oven, so once you whip them up and throw them in the oven, you've got 45 minutes to catch up on reality TV chores and laundry!

See how quick and easy?

Here is the recipe (adapted from my 1978 Betty Crocker Cookbook):

Porcupine Meatballs

Mix together:

1 - 1 1/3 pounds of ground beef (or ground turkey, ground pork, a little of each - you pick!)
1/2 cup uncooked instant rice
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Roll into 12 meatballs and place in a greased 8x8 square baking pan.

Porcupine Sauce

Whisk together:

One 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Pour over the porcupine meatballs.

Cover and cook in a 350* oven for 45 minutes.  Uncover and cook 15 minutes longer or until meatballs are cooked through.

We usually serve these with mashed potatoes or rice and green beans.  They would make an awesome meatball sub ... might have to make these again and try that this week!  This is a serious throw back dinner but The Bugs fight over who gets the leftovers ... so you know they've got to be good :)

Hope you were inspired to {taste this}!

With the holidays coming up, there is going to be TONS of tasty stuff and crafty stuff shared here at shaken together (I'm even guest posting a few times that I am SUPER excited about!!)  

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

{create this} wine cork turkey place card holders

So, I am posting this a smidge early since we have a baseball game Thursday night, the Little Bug has a two day baseball tournament and The Saint and I have a pretty busy weekend?  Why?!  My very best friend in the whole wide world is getting married Saturday!!!!!!!  That definitely deserves excessive exclamation points :)  The perfect man for her, a gorgeous pink and black wedding and the whole lovey dovey event in itself makes me so so happy!  Also making me happy?  I am so honored to be her matron (do I really have to be called that?) of honor, fun rehearsal dinner Friday night, we'll get some girl time when we get all prettified at the salon and I get to wear a gorgeous black (thank you, Jen!) dress!!  I get to toast them (hopefully without crying - oh, who are we kidding!?) and just celebrate their forever life together!! 

Congrats, Jen & John!!

There's some happiness going on around here, too!  Why?!  Because here is this week's {create this} craft and tutorial ... wine cork turkey place card holders!  

The pressed down, shaken together Thanksgiving is not terribly formal - sometimes it's at our house, last year we celebrated with our neighbors, sometimes we cook at the Little Madre's house - but these place card holders are easy to whip up and are simple and casual enough to fit in at any Thanksgiving table!

And here's how to make a wine cork turkey place card holder:

• Slice a sliver of cork off lengthwise so the cork sits without rolling.
• Place leaf tipped pins at one end of the cork and continue placing pins, fanning them out like a turkey's tail.
• Hand cut a quick head, beak and gobble (waddle?  you know, the red thing!) out of cardstock and adhere to the cork 'body'.
• Slide your place card in between a few pins - I punched a little kraft scalloped circle - and this little guy is ready for the table!!

Or in pictures for the visual learners :)

Use these wine cork turkeys to label dishes on your buffet as well ...

Hope you were inspired to {create this}!! 

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

Hello November {holiday sweet swap} co-hosts!!

It is November 1st (really?!  holy moly!!) and do you know what that means? 

• I will spend every morning for the next month saying, "no, not before breakfast" to the question, "Can I have a piece of candy?"
• I have to come up with something awesome for The Saint's birthday in ... oh, EIGHT DAYS!!
• And also, we have two new co-hosts for the {holiday sweet swap} and I need to introduce them!!

First up is Shelly who blogs over at A Creative Space!  She is a fabulous paper crafter, she shares DIY projects and I can't wait to see what she crafts in the kitchen!  Check out the mini greenhouse she made in 15 minutes ... even a novice gardener like me could do this!  I love that she also adds fun freebies like this 2012 Owl Calendar to her blog for everyone else, too!

Next up for November are the four sisters over at Crumbs and Chaos!  They share all sorts of amazing recipes, host a seasonal inspiration link party on Saturday and I just love their super cute blog!!  Check out this adorable rubber ducky 1st birthday party, and I am adding the ingredients to make this feta dip to my list for this weekend!

My fantastic fellow co-hosts will be featuring some of their favorite recipes linked to the party and maybe even share a recipe or two that you do not want to miss!

So, as you bake and frost and sprinkle delicious Fall sweet treats this month, take a few minutes to come link it up at the {holiday sweet swap} and stop by to say "hi!" to my co-hosts!!

Have a sweet rest of your week!
Keri