{WINNER} Shappy Apple's Key to My Heart Necklace

First, thanks to everyone for entering this contest.  Now, for the winner! With the help of Random.org the winner is....drum roll please....

Commenter #2, Brandee 

Yay--I'm so excited for you.  Shabby Apple is so generous for this giveaway.  Please remember you still have until March 2nd to receive the 10% discounted rate, using code "embellish10off" at checkout.  Enjoy your necklace Brandee.

{real party} Milesasaurus' Dino-Mite Shindig!

ROAR!  That is a word (or noise) I hear frequently in my house, so what better theme for a birthday party?  To say Miles is obsessed with dinosaurs would be an understatement.  He eats and sleeps dinosaurs.  No, really... he does.  He eats all things dinosaur shaped and sleeps with approximately 6 dinosaurs each night.

 

The party printables were originally inspired by this party, but made by myself and will be in my Etsy shop soon if you're interested in your very own customized set.  Anywho, let's get onto the party details.

{free printable} Dino-Mite Valentines

Have you seen these adorable dinosaur valentines?  I originally pinned it on Pinterest, but have traced it back to this woman's cute site.  She also has adorable girly ideas for heart shaped chocolate valentines.  I absolutely LOVE the idea and made my own version and now you can download and print your own if you choose to do so.  They print at 5" x 7" two/page.

Just print, cut and attach heart shaped chocolates with glue dots.  I bought two bags of Dove heart chocolates and it was just enough to make sixteen valentines, with two left over chocolates to devour. :)  Don't you just love Dove?  I especially enjoy the little sayings on the inside of the wrapper-- I occasionally need the friendly reminders.

{giveaway} Shabby Apple's Vintage "Key to My Heart" Necklace-- CLOSED!

It's an exciting day here at Embellish.  Shabby Apple has contacted me about doing a giveaway and after much deliberation and hmming and haaaing I've chosen this vintage looking necklace, called "Key to My Heart".  One lucky reader will receive this simple and elegant piece of jewelry!!! So let's chit chat about Shabby Apple for a sec.  If you have never been to their site you need to head on over and take a look.  They have the most classic looks for women's dresses and vintage jewelry.  It's the type of shop you buy a dress from and will find yourself wearing years from now because it will never go out of style.

 I am LOVING this (see above) pineapple colored dress with the front ruffles, but if you're more into subdued colors they have that too. Take a look at the dress below-- such a darling neckline and I love the simplicity of it.

How to enter to win the "Key to My Heart" Necklace

1.  Head on over to Shabby Apple's Facebook page HERE and click "like"

2.  Then come on back to Embellish and leave me a comment saying you did so

3.  Remember to leave your email address in the comments section so I can contact the winner.

4.  The winner will be chosen from a random number generator from the comments left on my blog.

5.  Winner must have a US shipping address and the necklace chosen can not be exchanged for any other items. 

Contest will close midnight on FEBRUARY 16, 2012 (CLOSED)
I know we're not all lucky winners here, so Shabby Apple has generously provided a coupon code to my readers.  So if you like what you see then head on over to Shabby Apple's site and use the code "embellish10off" to receive 10% off your order.  Coupon code expires March 2, 2012

{recipe & tutorial} Red Velvet Crackle Cookies

If there is one thing I always have in the pantry and fridge it's cake mix and cream cheese!  So, when I went to make some cookies for my husband's young men's church group I thought, what's better than the two of them together in a cookie?  These cookies are rich and chocolatey and all of the young men raved about their yumminess to my husband.

Ingredients:

1 Red Velvet Cake Mix 

1 8oz Cream Cheese, softened to room temp

1/2 Cup Butter, softened to room temp

1 Egg

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 Bag of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chip Morsels

Flour

Confectioner's Sugar

Directions:

First, beat together the room temperature butter and cream cheese.  Next add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until incorporated.  Now, mix in the red velvet cake mix, cover and chill in the fridge for 30-45 minutes. 

 Meanwhile, dust the chocolate chips in flour.  If you don't cover your chocolate chips in flour they sink to the bottom of the cookie while baking.  After dough has chilled add the chips to the cake mix and form into tablespoon sized balls.

 Next, roll the cake balls into a good amount of confectioner's sugar and place on a cookie sheet a couple of inches apart.  Then, take a cup and smoosh the balls down semi-flat.  If you don't flatten them a little they will remain in a ball form.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

 These cookies are divine!  They are soft.  They are chewy.  They are so rich you won't need many to get your fix.  Enjoy!  We sure did.

{recipe} Strawberry Almond Whoopie Pies

Cake mixes make my life so much easier.  Let's face it-- with two toddlers running around easier is better in this case.  I put together these strawberry almond whoopie pies in a matter of minutes for a girls craft night get together and they were a hit!  Delish and easy I tell ya!

Ingredients:

1 Strawberry Cake Mix
1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
2 Eggs
4 oz. Cream Cheese, Softened to room temp
1/4 Cup Butter, Softened to room temp
1 1/2 Cups Confectioner's Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 Teaspoons Almond Extract

Directions & Assembling:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  While the oven is heating up mix together the cake mix, oil and eggs.  Next, using a rounded tablespoon scoop the dough onto your cookie sheet-- leave a couple of inches between the cookies.  Bake for 8-10 minutes.  Let cool completely on rack before assembling.
While cookies are baking beat together your cream cheese, butter, vanilla and almond extract with powder sugar.  Add small increments of the almond extract at a time.  I love the cherry flavoring it gives baked goods, but depending on how much you like the taste of almond extract you could add a little more or a little less (or omit it all together, but then it would be called a 'strawberry vanilla whoopie pie').  When assembling the cookies I use that same tablespoon and plop a good amount on one side and take the other cookie and close it up, pushing the frosting out the sides.
TIP-- don't push the cookies together too hard or the filling will spill out. Also, these cookies are much easier to eat after they have sat for an hour or two assembled.  That is, if you can resist letting them sit on the counter that long.  :)

{free printable & project share} Felt Valentines Envelopes & Simple Message Cards

These felt Valentines envelopes are all over the internet so it's nothing new here. I made these fun envelopes last year and thought I would share with a free printable.  Inspired by PotteryBarn Kids I made these out of heavy weight felt and followed this tutorial from The Crafting Chicks.

 I followed the tutorial almost completely, but added a little of my own flair with the glittery letters.

 Are these glittered hearts not so stinkin' cute?  I found them at JoAnn's for $2, but after looking at them I think they would be fairly easy to recreate.  All you would need would be two sizes of  wooden hearts, mesh backing, glitter and you're good to go.  If you don't have a drill you could easily attach some ribbon to the back with a staple gun or glue.  In fact, I just might make a sparkly heart bunting to hang above my fireplace.

 What else would complete these envelopes, but some printable Valentines note cards?
Download your note cards HERE.