Something Old, and Something New!

Hello stampers! 

I have a special treat for you today - a different kind of creating - my Great Grandmother's Sugar Cookie Recipe. 

I served these cookies at my Make-It-Monday class this week and everyone wanted the recipe, so I figured I'd just post it here on the blog for you all. 

I've been making these cookies ever since I was a little girl, mostly with my Grandma, although sometimes my Mom and I would do the honors. But no matter who is in the kitchen, each Christmas, without fail, we bake Grandma Nicely's Sugar Cookies. 

I never met her, but there's a part of her here with every Christmas that passes. I make them now with my daughter, using my Grandma's cookie cutters, passing on the tradition that someday she'll pass on to her child. 

I created this 6" x 6" recipe card several years ago for a swap at the SU! Convention. Most of it was done using My Digital Studio, but it's a hybrid project because of the stamping and embellishments. 

This is me, my daughter and my Mom in a photo from about 2004.

When my daughter and I pulled out some of our Christmas cookie recipes the day after Thanksgiving, we found this handwritten copy among a stack of recipes that we kept from my Mom's estate. 

The top portion is my Grandmother's handwriting, the bottom section, my Mom's. 

I'm so glad I went through those papers, I'll treasure this always. 

I'll type out the cookie recipe at the bottom of this post so you have a clear, updated copy. 

You'll love these cookies - I promise! 

Now, here's the something NEW I promised you: 

There's a new Occasions catalog coming out....

And it's chock full of really awesome stamps, paper and embellishments - enough to make your heart just go pitter-patter. :)

I've got a TON of cute samples to show you - to give you just a taste of all the goodness this catalog has in store. You'll be able to order from it beginning January 3rd. 

This card was made with a stamp set called Apple of my Eye. I paired it with some fun bright colors and the Brushstrokes Background Stamp. 

Here's a partial list of products I used to make this fun, fresh card:

As always, you can click on any of the thumbnail photos to shop for any Stampin' Up! supplies in my Online Store. 

Here's the sugar cookie recipe for you: (slightly modified)

Grandma Nicely's Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup Butter

1 1/2 cup Sugar

3 Eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

3 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour

2 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1/2 tsp. Salt

Food Coloring

Cookie Decors

Directions: 

Soften Butter, combine with Sugar, Eggs and Vanilla in stand mixer or large bowl. 

Mix well. 

In a separate bowl, combine Flour, Cream of Tartar, Baking Soda and Salt.  

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. 

Beat all ingredients well. Dough will be very thick. 

Separate dough into sections and add food coloring if desired. 

Roll dough sections in waxed paper and chill for 2 hours. 

Ready to bake? Roll and cut out with cookie cutters. Use extra flour if needed to handle the dough. Do not over flour! 

Dough should remain cool for best results. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week, the freezer for a month. 

Bake cookies in a 350 degree oven for 8-12 minutes. Decorate as desired. 

Yield: approximately 3 dozen cookies.