Warm Soft Gingerbread...

 We are in the thick of Christmas merriment...

baking, stitching, creating, wrapping

and lots of online shopping and shopping local

(small business), this year.

There is just something about warm, soft

Gingerbread from the oven and 

a steaming cup of tea.

These are very simple cookies, 

but the real magic is their deliciousness...

I mean, anything with lots of honey

and butter, just has to taste good !

These are soft and not overly sweet.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

3 and 3/4 cup flour

2 and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 Tbsp. ginger

1/2 Tbsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. nutmeg

heavy pinch of clove

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

heavy 1/3 cup honey

2 eggs

Cream butter.  Add sugar, honey and eggs - 

beat well.  Add spices and baking soda -

mix until smooth.  Add flour, one cup at a time.  

Blend until smooth.  Form into two balls of dough.

Flatten slightly with hands.  Wrap in 

plastic wrap and refrigerate several

hours or overnight.  Roll out dough on lightly 

floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.

With festive cookie cutters, 

cut out cookies and place on baking sheets

that have been lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 350' for approximately 12-15 minutes.

Do not overbake.

Cool and decorate as you would like.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Enjoy your day...

Rose

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Promotions - Discounts - New Releases -

Needlework Tips and Stitch Inspiration -

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(Three Sheep Studio's Newsletter)

My Most Requested Pattern and an Old Fashioned Cookie...

'Farm Show Sheep'

A tribute to the many Community Farm Shows, 

across the USA.

A gathering of animals, canned goods, 

needlework, flower exhibits,

baked goods, vegetables, farm equipment -

all competing for the coveted Blue Ribbon !

This design launched it all...

Originally drawn on linen for

Rug Hooking, I placed it in the 

State level Farm Show, many years ago

and it did amazingly well.

In fact, it generated so much interest

that my business was 'born' from it...

Three Sheep Studio.

Once I had my business on it's feet,

I formatted the design into 

Punch Needle Embroidery.

After some time, I removed this pattern from

my 'line up' and placed it in my private collection.

After several years of being tucked away,

this design continues to be

an often requested pattern.

'Farm Show Sheep' is available,

once again.  This design is punched

with Valdani Perle Cotton Thread,

however there is a DMC conversion included.

To learn more about this design, 

go to 'Farm Show Sheep'.

Cookie baking is underway at our house.

Old Fashioned Vanilla Raisin Cookies

are at the top of the list.

They are topped with a generous amount 

of sanding sugar !

Old Fashioned Vanilla Raisin Cookies

(Recipe from Rebecca White)

2 Cups raisins

1 1/2 Cup water

1/2 Cup butter, softened

1/2 Cup shortening

1 1/2 Cup sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 1/2 Cups flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

-----------

Additional sugar for rolling - 1/2 C each 

of granulated AND sanding sugar

*  In a small saucepan, boil raisins and water

until all water is absorbed.  Remove from heat

and cool for 30 minutes.

*  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  

Line baking trays with parchment paper.

*  In a large bowl, cream together butter,

shortening and sugar until fluffy.  

*  Add eggs and vanilla and mix together.

*  Gradually add dry ingredients and mix well.

*  Gently fold in raisins.

*  Using a small cookie scoop (approx. 1/2 Tbsp.),

drop cookies into sanding/granulated sugar mix.

Cover with sugar and place on parchment

lined tray.

*  Bake for approximately 9 min.,

or just until slightly golden.

~ ~ ~ ~

Enjoy your day my Friends...

Rose

Vintage Christmas Toys...

I've been working on two new 

Punch Needle designs.

Both are horses that have a 

Vintage Christmas feel to them.

Not too 'Christmasy',

so you can leave them out year-round.

'Antique Pull Horse'

A beautiful Pull Toy

reminiscent of a Vintage Christmas.

Design size 6 in. x 4.75 in.

Punched with Valdani Perle Cotton...

a DMC conversion is included.

For pattern, go to...

'Antique Pull Horse'

'Spotted Pony'

is an old fashioned Rocking Horse...

Rocking Horse is surrounded by pennies, 

with just a hint of Christmas Spirit.

Design size is 7.25 in. x 5 in.

Beautiful Valdani Perle Cotton was used.

DMC conversion included.

For more details, go to...

'Spotted Pony'

*****************

November has rolled in 

with winds and crisp cold air.

~ Soup weather ~

Chicken Corn Soup with Rivals

is a favorite at our house.

For recipe, go to...

'Soup'

Enjoy your day...

Rose

For Giveaways - Sales - Promotions -

Discounts - New Releases - 

Needlework Tips and Stitch Inspiration -

Sign up for our Newsletter at ...

'ThreeSheepStudio's Newsletter'

A Week At The Farm Show...

Starting this cool, overcast day with 

Fruit Baked Oatmeal... yum !

Mix together in a bowl...

(scant)1/2 cup oil

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

3 cups old fashioned oatmeal

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 cup milk 

1 tsp. vanilla

When all is combined,

add fruit of your choice.

I like to add frozen mixed berries.

Pour into a 8in. x 9in. pan.

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

~ ~ ~

Ever since receiving this HUGE Dahlia

for the Artisans' Porchwalk,

I have been loving these flowers...

so while at the Manheim Community Farm Show,

I went looking for the flower display...

I seriously may need to grow some of these beauties 

in my gardens, next season !

While checking out the Dahlias,

I spied some tiny rubber boots...

so, so cute !

Just couldn't resist !

TINY !

more cuteness !

Some people really have an imagination ;)

I also spied this beauty...

REALLY want several of these !

The Penn State Extension said these 

particular plants were experimental

and they would be disposed of, after the show...

can't I please take them home ??

(I was actually tempted to be a 

"dumpster diver" !)

My 14 y.o. son entered a few items

in the Farm Show this year.

This is his 'Cut Paper Collage'.

His entry in the '3D sculpture'.

He loves to cartoon...

He entered 'Life Changes'

in the 'Color Drawing' category.

(No ribbon for this, but it's MY

personal favorite, because it shows

his personality !)

It was a great Farm Show Week.

Good food (every day), cool evenings,

lots of talent everywhere and ribbons !

(My son won two first place ribbons 

for his artwork !! **Proud Mama**)

Maybe, I'll hire him on,

 to draw Punch Needle Designs !!

;)

Enjoy your Sunday my friends...

Rose

Hornbooks And Spiced Pumpkin...

Hornbooks are perfect for "finishing"

your hand work.

Counted Cross Stitch, Hand Embroidery,

Wool Applique and Punch Needle...

these lovelies arrived in the mail.

(From Tara at Perfect Prim Punch)

They are getting a fresh coat of paint,

followed by hand rubbed wax.

It is a cold and dreary day 

here in Pennsylvania...

I'm enjoying the comforting

sweet and spicey smell of 

Spiced Pumpkin Loaf.

Spiced Pumpkin Loaves

Yield: 2 loaves

3 C sugar

1/4 C vegetable oil 

4 eggs

3/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 C apple juice

2 tsp. vanilla

2 C pumpkin (drain if fresh) OR 15 oz. can

4 C flour

Chopped walnuts or pecans, for top (optional)

**Can also add 1/2 C dried cranberries**

• Mix well.  Sprinkle nuts on top.  
• Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes, until knife inserted into center comes out clean.  Enjoy !

This recipe makes two large loaves...

keep one for yourself and gift the second one !

(Of course, if you must keep them both,

they freeze well.)

More Wool Charm Bundles 

are being assembled...

Little bites of color and texture 

for wool applique and small sewing projects.

It's a great way to get an assortment of 
wool, in lots of colors and textures.

It seems I'm not the only one 

enjoying the fresh parsley.

I had to share my ONE AND ONLY pumpkin !

The wild animals have been eating them 

when they are just tiny...

somehow, this one was missed...

'Pumpkin Love'  ;)

Enjoy your day...

Rose

Honey Butter And Real Life...

With Christmas only days away,

it's time to make Honey Butter...

perfect for gifting. 

Honey Butter

1 cup Honey

1 cup Heavy Cream

1 cup granulated Sugar

3/4 pound Butter, (3 sticks)

• In pan combine honey, cream and sugar.  On medium high heat, bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Boil for 1 minute.
• Cut butter into Tablespoon pieces and place in blender.  Pour hot mixture over butter and blend until well mixed.
• Pour into containers and refrigerate. 

Yield: approx. six 1/2 pints.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

For Cinnamon Honey Butter:

Add 1 tsp. ground cinnamon (or more, depending on taste)

For Orange Honey Butter:

Add 1/2 tsp. orange extract

For Vanilla Honey Butter:

Add 1/2 tsp. pure extract or can add seeds 

scraped from half a pod, into hot mixture

To wrap, as shown, twist band off jar.

(Pint or half pint Ball jars were used

with lids and bands.)

Center a large piece of tissue paper over the jar.

Gently twist lid back onto jar.

Gather tissue paper on top of lid.

Tie tightly with string.

Hold tissue paper above jar, while using a 

sharp scissors to cut the tissue paper

straight across, about 2 inches above string.

Attach a tag.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Real life...

Several years ago, I gathered all my supplies

to start making a dozen or so jars of Honey Butter.

As I poured my first batch into their clean jars...

I noticed flecks of something dark in the mixture...

???

It didn't take long for me to realize what had happened.

I have four children and they all love fruit smoothies.

That morning, my #2 daughter made 

blueberry smoothies, cleaned up and headed

out the door.

There were still some small flecks of blueberries 

around the blades and when I poured the hot

honey mixture into the blender, it 'blended' the blueberry

skins into my honey butter.

These ingredients are expensive and I was not

going to throw away the batch.

Just that quick, it came to me...

we now had "Vanilla speck Honey Butter".

No one ever knew.  

(And it was still amazingly good !)

Have a wonderful start to your week...

Rose