Spring Mini Monster Cookies

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Happy Memorial Day, y’all!

I was just so thrilled with the positive response from my very first recipe! Thank you all for such a warm welcome, I know I’m going to love contributing recipes to y’all… get ready!

I couldn’t wait to create something just as delicious, and exclusive, for Pretty Pink Posh readers! The classic monster cookie recipe is one of my favorites, and is something that I grew up with. I have fond memories of coming home from school to a house smelling of fresh baked “monsters” and an icy cold glass of milk waiting for me on the counter. Those were the days :)

Today, I’m sharing a “spring-y” version of monster cookies with you. There are just a few minor changes that make them brighter and more enticing for those hot summer days! They are perfect for picnics, hikes, after school snacks, BBQ treats, or just because. Everyone LOVES them, and they’ll be the hit of the party! Mini or “monstrous,” the size doesn’t make any difference in taste! Bonus: they’re gluten free! {You can ensure this by using gluten free oats}

Tip: At my house, we freeze cookies after baking them, and can enjoy them for up to 6 months! On a regular basis, I’ll find Grant munching on some frozen cookies- a nice and chilly treat for when the days really heat up!

Enjoy – I hope you have a fun-filled day with friends and family ahead!

Spring Mini Monster Cookies
Recipe Type: Dessert
Ingredients
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/4 c. packed light brown sugar
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 c. Spring M&Ms {or regular, only the color changes!}
  • 1 c. white chocolate chips
  • 2 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 4 1/2 c. quick cook oats {not instant}
Instructions
  1. In the biggest mixing bowl you have, combine the eggs, brown sugar, and sugar. Mix until smooth.
  2. Add salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well until fully incorporated.
  3. Add baking soda and oats. Stir well.
  4. Mix in M&Ms and white chocolate chips.
  5. Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours.
  6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  7. Roll dough in your hand to form a ball, about 1 tablespoon in size.
  8. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until just slightly golden brown. Don’t overbake! {They will continue to cook on cooling rack}.
  9. Let stand 2 minutes and transfer to cooling rack.
  10. When cool, freeze in Ziploc bags for up to 6 months, or keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days.
  11. Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe will make LOTS of mini cookies! If you’d prefer larger cookies, or the typical “monster,” simply increase baking time.
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May 2013 Craft Haul

Good morning, sweet friends!

As you’re reading this, I’m currently at the airport en route on my first mini vacation in years. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to still go, due to my health problems, but I went ahead and still kept my plans. My best friend, her sister and I are headed to San Francisco, where we’ll meet up with my sister, who recently moved there. I’m so excited to finally see this city I’ve heard about! I plan on taking pictures and uploading on Instagram along the way, so follow me if you’d like a peek into my trip.

In my effort to change things up a bit, I put together a craft haul post. You can see what I purchased in the video and then all of the links are located below.

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Ellen Hutson I Neat & Tangled I Amazon I Little Free Radical

 

Have you purchased anything recently? Big or small hauls, I would love to read or see what you got. It’s always so fun when my friends post what they got on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Seeing what caught their eye and then later see how they used the products makes my heart happy. Also, sometimes seeing what another person purchases sometimes prompts purchases from friends! :)

That’s going to wrap up this post today. I brought my laptop with me, so hopefully I can sneak in a post or two while I’m here. No promises though!

Shine Bright + Sequin Giveaway!

I think I need a nickname having to do with sequins- I cannot get enough! It seems like no matter how much I try to create cards without them, they somehow make a way onto my creations. I am hopelessly and utterly addicted.

It’s that time again…..GIVEAWAY time! As promised, I have another sequin giveaway and I’m thrilled to say that this one is being sponsored by Neat & Tangled!  I picked out five of my favorite sequin colors {do you realize how hard this was….it’s like picking a favorite child!} and Danielle graciously provided them as the giveaway.

Seeing as there’s a giveaway, I thought it appropriate to share a card showcasing the colors the lucky winner will be receiving. All you need for this cutie are some star dies, sequins and a sentiment, easy peasy!

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For those new to my blog, in case you need some inspiration on sequins, I have lots to share. I debated on the easiest way to share all of the links and decided creating a Pinterest board would be the way to go. Click here to all of my sequin creations.

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Okay, now let’s get to the good stuff….. the details of the giveaway and all the different ways you can enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Everyone likes to hear about a giveaway, so be sure to share, tweet and email all of your friends about the giveaway!

I hope that with each sequin post, I’m passing along my love of them to more of you, my amazing readers. If you’ve created crafty projects with sequins, I’d love to take a peek. Feel free to leave a comment with the direct blog link to your post(s) so the fellow sequin lovers and I can take a peek. :)

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Spring Floral Card Trio

It’s time for the monthly DeNami Design blog hop and I won’t lie, I  love the Fresh Florals theme this month. As you might be able to guess from my blog, I’m a girly girl and love flowers and any excuse to use them on cards. Instead of just creating one cards, I put together a trio of cards showcasing the same designs in different colors.

If you started the hop from the beginning, you should be coming from the super sweet Larissa Heskett’s blog. If you are one of my blog readers, or you happened across the hop midway, feel free to visit the DeNami blog for the complete list of participants. Leave comments on each stop for the highest chance of winning one of the coveted gift certificates!

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When I first started creating these cards, I didn’t know which stamps I wanted to pair together. After I pulled out lots of my favorites, I got some scratch paper and played around with the different pattern possibilities. Ultimately, I came up with this and LOVE how all of the stamps work together.

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I use the same green and blue inks on all the cards and just added different colored flowers and cardstocks. The first initial one took the longest, after I got the colors I wanted to use all pulled out, creating the others was super easy. {Links to all the inks and stamps below.}

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There’s just one more stop left on this hop- head on over to the talented and uber sweet Lisa Elton’s blog! She is one of my very dear designers at DeNami and she always creates such beautiful items. Enjoy!

10 Minute Craft Dash DT Call

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It’s that time…. I’m opening up the SECOND 10 Minute Craft Dash DT call! The past nine of months of hosting this challenge has been such a thrill and I have even more exciting and fun plans in the upcoming months!

The challenge has grown so much this year- it’s so exciting to see the entries from all across the world come in for each new challenge! I am constantly amazed at all that you are able to create within the 10 minutes and I’m looking forward to bringing on new designers to share their inspiration with each new challenge.

Qualities of a Craft Dash designer: Ability to create items within 10 minutes// Have an active blog// Capable of taking quality photos of your projects// Willing to promote the Craft Dash on the social media sites you use// Organized and able to stay on top of assignments// Team player who likes to have fun

* Term will be July- December 2013*

Email me with the information below: prettypinkposh@gmail.com

 

  • Your name, blog link and the country you reside in.
  • 4 photos of your best work that was created within 10 minutes. {Please include time within your email}
  • Short bio that includes any past design accomplishments, DT experience {none required} and anything else that might intrigue me when I’m pouring through the applications.
  • Why you would like to join the Craft Dash team.
  • If you have the ability to make videos for the challenge, please mention this in your application and include your YouTube/ Vimeo channel link.

Deadline to apply is June 1st

Notifications will be sent out no later than June 10th.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below, or send me an email!

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Avery Elle Love + Coming Soon

DTCALL_3It makes me excited to hear that many of you are looking forward to the upcoming DT call. Stay tuned, all the details will be posted tomorrow morning! If you have plans and are afraid you’ll miss the news, don’t worry, you can get my upcoming posts sent directly to your email inbox! Subscribe to Pretty Pink Posh via Email

With a rough patch in my health, I haven’t had a chance to create anything in quite a while. Thanks to my little stash of cards that haven’t been posted, I still have something to share!  Did you hear that Avery Elle is now available at Ellen Hutson? Woohoo! Today’s card is courtesy of the beautiful set,Petals & Stems. {Other cards I’ve made with this set can be found here, here and here}

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It may be a little hard to see in the picture, but I did my sequin/ rhinestone layers again. I just love how it looks and how it can bring two types of bling together! Also, how fun are these Hero Arts colored ink pads?

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That’s going to wrap up this post. Today is my youngest brothers birthday, so I have plans to take him to Target and let him have a mini shopping spree. Also, it just so happens that it’s in the same city as Ellen Hutson, so I’ll be stopping by there as well. I think it’s a win-win all around! :)

10 Minute Craft Dash #18

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Hello and Happy Wednesday!

It’s a good day here at Pretty Pink Posh. My sister made a surprise visit from San Francisco yesterday, so it’s been a whirlwind 24 hours. There’s something about having her in the same state that makes the family feel that much closer and the days a little brighter. Ah, love these family times!

Well, it’s time for the a brand new 10 Minute Craft Dash and I have a new sponsor to introduce you to, along with an adorable prize and some special guests! Whether you stamp, sew, scrapbook or just tinker around with crafts, you can join along in this challenge!

* If you aren’t able to stay within the 10 minutes, you can still link up your item! While it won’t quality for the winner spot, it still could qualify as a favorites pick!

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Now onto the  first-time sponsor providing the adorable stamp set for the winner. Please welcome Precious Remembrance Shop, a small company based out of North Carolina. They are still fairly new, but they have a fabulous DT and you may have seen some of their special guests that have made this company known in blog land. The winner of this challenge will get their most recent stamp set, Little One!

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If you were inspired by the cards above, just wait until you see what the Precious Remembrance Shop DT has created! It’s not often that a WHOLE team will be able to join along, so I am truly excited to be able to share all of the following links with you. Be sure to visit each blog- I know that it’ll inspire you with this color palette!

Dyane (owner)

Lisa Elton

Kim Duran

Nattarida Smith

Clare Prezzla

Geri Freeman

Elena Roussakis

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How to Play

  1. Create a card/craft project within 10 minutes featuring the color palette.
  2. Post the time it took to create.
  3. Be sure to include the challenge graphic in your post and link to the challenge.
  4. You may combine a total of three challenges with your entry. You may enter the challenge a maximum of two times.
  5. Subscribe to Pretty Pink Posh via Email

You can pull out your supplies before your timer starts!



10 Minute Craft Dash #17 Highlights + BIG NEWS!

DTCALL_2I hinted that there was going to be a Craft Dash DT call coming soon and it’s almost here! If you would like your work to be seen by thousands, you’re a fan of a good challenge and post regularly to your blog, stay tuned and/or sign up to receive Pretty Pink Posh via Email so you won’t miss the news!

Okay, now back to our regularly scheduled program…..

With the close of the 10 Minute Craft Dash #17, it’s time to announce the lucky winner and the favorites from this challenge. You all did such a beautiful job with this color palette and it made me happy to read that you liked playing with these colors!

Congratulations to Allyson A!

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Ready for some of my favorites? If you’re new to the Craft Dash, I always pick out some entries to showcase and share with you. Be sure to stop by each of the blogs to take a look at the beautiful cards and also peek at their inspiring blogs! {Ladies, feel free to grab the badge below and put it on your blogs!}

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Tracey Cuccia

Jennie Harper

Amy Struthers

Chupa

Clare

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If you are interested in getting a head start on the next Craft Dash, I have the colors that will be featured on the Pretty Pink Posh Facebook page. This is EXCLUSIVE to those who like my page. If you go there and go to “exclusives”, you get to see the next 10 Minute Craft Dash challenge a day early!

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I shall see some of you on the Pretty Pink Posh Facebook page later today and the rest I hope to see tomorrow for the new challenge that will bring a brand new sponsor! . Thanks for stopping by!

Oreo Stuffed Brownie Cupcakes

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Hi y’all! I am thrilled to be joining sweet Paulina and her wonderful blog! Twice a month, I will be sharing a new and original recipe for something that will likely throw your diet off track, but it will be so worth it! Up first, are these splendid cupcakes. Or are they brownies? Either way, they are absolutely amazing, and provide the perfect combination of textures and flavors. I love anything peanut butter and chocolate, and I hope you do, too! And bonus, they’re super simple to whip up, which means they’ll most likely be your go-to dessert to wow all of your friends :)

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Oreo Stuffed Brownie Cupcakes
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 40 mins
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 12 cupcake liners
  • 1 box of Ghirardelli brownie mix {plus necessary ingredients}
  • 12 Oreos {I used Mega-Stuffed}
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. Prepare the brownie mix according to the back of the box.
  3. Line a muffin tin with liners.
  4. Place an Oreo at the bottom of each lined spot.
  5. Pour brownie batter over the Oreos and into each individual liner until the tins are all 3/4 full. {You should have enough for 12 – if you have extra, just make additional cupcakes until all of the batter is gone}
  6. Bake according to the box directions, or for about 25-30 minutes.
  7. Let cool, remove from pan, and place on wire cooling rack.
  8. Once completely cooled, frost with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Icing!
Notes
I made these with a boxed mix for brownies. This was purely to keep it easy! However, if you have a tried and true brownie recipe, by all means, use it in place of the boxed mix, and just adjust baking temperature and time according to your recipe.
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Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 15 mins
Total time: 15 mins
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 stick butter, softened
  • 2/3 c. peanut butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 4 c. powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp. milk
  • Mini chocolate chips {for garnish}
Instructions
  1. Using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese and butter until completely combined and smooth.
  2. Add peanut butter and mix well.
  3. Blend in vanilla.
  4. Gradually add in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until well incorporated.
  5. Mix in milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting forms your desired consistency.
  6. Refrigerate 15-20 minutes before using.
  7. Using icing bags and tips, frost the cooled cupcakes.
  8. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.
  9. Enjoy!
Notes
For thicker icing, use less milk. For thinner icing, use more milk.
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Thanks for letting me stop by, and I can’t wait to get to know you all better! I’ve heard so many amazing things about Pretty Pink Posh’s loyal fans and followers, and feel so honored to get to be a part of this!

Happy Monday – make it a sweet one! xo

Happy {early} Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is on Sunday and I was scrambling to find the energy to create a special card for my mom. With  my mom being the owner of a stamp company, I always find the need to “top” the last card I gave to her. Let me tell you, this is not an easy feat and sometimes I fail miserably. However, thanks to my infatuation with sequins {and shakers}, I think she’ll be pleasantly surprised with this card. She’s seen my recent creations and now she gets her very own shaker!

Okay, truth be told, I have already given her this card. I knew she would see it on the blog {since she reads daily}, so I gave her the card a little early. ‘Tis the life of a crafter and blogger!

My mom has a love for pinks and greens, so I definitely made an effort to include them in this card. You would think that after making her cards for all these years I wouldn’t get nervous about doing them, but I still do! I think it’s the desire to want to make her proud that gets to me…. thankfully, despite many flops over the years, she still likes my cards and also has something sweet to say about them.

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Some of my readers have been able to meet my mom over the years, and I’m sure you’ll agree she’s a special woman. It’s not easy raising five kids, homeschooling all of them and also running a business. If I ever have the privilege of being a mother, I hope that I’m able to be the amazing example and role model she has been able to be for me.

I wanted to pay a little homage to my mom, so I have a list of five things my mother has taught and passed along to me over the years. {Why five? Because she has five kids!}…..

  • A love for creating cards {especially those with pinks and green and lots of bling} all stem from watching my mom do it when I was younger.
  • A heart to encourage others with small acts of kindness or words were brought on by seeing her do this for numerous people over my lifetime.
  • An unbreakable bond with family stems from those moments when we had many special family gatherings and holidays growing up. While sometimes we drive each other crazy, we love each other so much and would do anything for one another.
  • A hunger to keep learning and growing as a person. I can recall many times while going to the library as a kid, seeing her checkout different how-to books. Even now, she continues to have a passion for learning new things– I want to be like that when I’m her age!
  • A desire to share Christ’s love and hope with people around me from listening and watching her do this countless time with strangers and acquaintances. If you have something so special, why keep it to yourself?

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For all of the mothers out there, I hope that you all have a truly blessed Mother’s Day weekend. Each of you has such a special role in a child’s life and I hope that you feel the love and know impact you make on our lives. For all of us kiddos, let’s be sure to shower our moms with love and kindness and share how much they truly mean to us.

Big, big hugs to all of you today. I’m off to a doctors appointment in just a bit and hopefully this one will provide some answers and physical relief! I hope you’ll come back on Monday- Hilari will be here with her very first feature as a contributor to Pretty Pink Posh!