Just Us Girls Challenge #9

Happy BELATED Thanksgiving everyone!  Today is the 9th week for Just Us Girls and our challenge blog!  Everyone has been so supportive and LOYAL, and for that we are all GRATEFUL!  We try very hard to keep our challenges fresh, fun, EASY, and we also try very hard to faithfully leave comments for all of our participants.  I must say, that I failed miserably at commenting last week and for that I apologize sincerely.  I can't explain everything I've been working behind the scenes but trust me when I tell you it has been a LOT :O)  Plus I'm studying for a promotion test next week so I'm tied up in that regard as well.  I PROMISE to get back to my normal commenting this week!!  Especially after my test on Wednesday ;] 

So, without further adieu, check out our fun 3-D/Template challenge hosted by our sweet, Mona this week. Oh, and I noticed on the JUGS site that our very GENEROUS Mona is also putting up a nice pile of BLOG CANDY as well!  Be sure to check it out if you haven't already.

For my gift package, I chose to use Lauren Meader's PTI "FOR KEEP{sake}" template.  It was PERFECT for the "gift" I had in mind.  My "gift" is a layered chocolate chip cookie mix!  Instead of using the typical jar to hold my mix, I used a clear treat bag that you can purchase at any craft store.  It proved to be a little more difficult to layer the mix without combining ingredients (err...like the flour you see that slid down into the brown sugar), but I LOVE how it turned out with this template!  NOTE:  I increased the dimension of the box and lid by 1/2 inch.  This made the lid a little too big, but it works for my overstuffed bag of mix ;]

I used Martha Stewart holiday patterned paper on PTI Select White cs.  I punched the windows using my Curved Rectangle Nestabilities after adhering the patterned paper.  I also cut slits in each side of the top of the lid to thread my ribbon through.  I used my Cuttlebug Snowflake ef on the aqua panel on the lid and sanded the flakes to make them appear white. 

I printed my recipe on some plain MS paper and left a little room for a stamped Inkadinkado flourish and snowflakes that I embossed in white.  I used white eyelash yarn to tie the recipe to my satin ribbon with some layered snowflakes and jingle bells :O)  I adhered the aqua ribbon around the lid and tucked it into one of the sides before adhering together.

Didn't it turn out cute?  I'm giving this gift to my friend's teenage daughter who loves to bake!  Hopefully I get to test the cookies when they're made ;]  LOL  Okay, so here's the recipe for my layered mix (press each layer down firmly before adding the next layer):

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 1/2 cups flour mixed with
             1 tsp baking soda
             and 1/4 tsp salt

...and the recipe to print on the tag ;]

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Empty bag of cookie mix into large mixing bowl.  Thoroughly blend mix.
2. Add:  1 ½ sticks butter or margarine, very soft
             1 egg slightly beaten
             1 tsp vanilla
3. Mix until completely blended.
4. Shape into balls the size of walnuts. Place 2” apart on greased baking sheets.
5. Bake at 350° for 13 to 15 minutes. Cool 10 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies and finish cooling on racks. These cookies don’t firm up until completely cooled.

**Makes 2 ½ dozen cookies


That's all I have for you today, but be sure to check out the rest of the team's inspirational projects [<--- links in my left sidebar]!  They have some AWESOME eye candy this weekend...I already peeked ;]  We sure hope you can play along!  If you do, be sure to link it using Mr. Linky on the JUGS site and use keyword JUGS9 in any online galleries.  Don't forget about Mona's blog candy, it's a great pile :O)

Have a wonderful weekend!