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Wishing you the happiest of holidays!

       - Your Friends at BasicGrey

Today's recipe is by Alli A.:



Christmas Eve Clam Chowder

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

•           3 (6.5 ounce) cans minced clams

•           1 cup minced onion

•           1 cup diced celery

•           2 cups cubed potatoes

•           1 cup diced carrots

•           3/4 cup butter

•           3/4 cup all-purpose flour

•           1 quart half-and-half cream

•           2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

•           1 1/2 teaspoons salt

•           ground black pepper to taste

 

Directions

1.         Drain juice from clams into a large skillet over the onions, celery, potatoes and carrots. Add water to cover, and cook over medium heat until tender.

2.         Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Whisk in cream and stir constantly until thick and smooth. Stir in vegetables and clam juice. Heat through, but do not boil.

3.         Stir in clams just before serving. If they cook too much they get tough. When clams are heated through, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.

Who is ready for a free download for today's treat? It's an extremely adorable greeting card template. Maybe sending some last minute email greetings to friends? Why not include a little digital image featuring your family, kids or pets? It's easy as 1-2-3 with this template!

 

Today's treat comes care of Kelly Goree, who designed a Sampler with her own unique modern tastes:



It features some artfully-placed paper flowers a lot of wow! Stitched Brads, Glazed Brads and Chipboard Alphabet letters are used to accent.

Today's little feature is a fun project you can make at home. This sweet thing is a Sampler and features Picadilly paper:



This project is by our friend Amy. To create this project at home, you will need:

1 Picadilly Collection Pack (or your Collection Pack of your choice)
1 Rook Large Sampler (Small also available)
Unique Embellishments like the retro-inspired Metal Flowers from Picadilly, Stitched Brads and Buttons and Brads
Circle Cutter

This design uses the Cathedral Window motif. All you do is cut 39 (or fewer to leave empty spaces) 2 7/8" diameter circles (the smaller Rook Sampler uses a smaller circle, so measure first). The benefit of choosing a double-sided paper is that the opposite side becomes part of the design!

You can adhere the circles with fabric glue, stitching, or simply attach them with brads like shown here.

Like the Cathedral Window motif? Why not try it out on some greeting cards:



Happy Wednesday!
Children of all ages enjoy a good game and meaningful playtime. BasicGrey has two really fun products, introduced in the baby market this year, that are perfect afternoon activities for the little ones. 



First off, we have a clever Memory Game. But this isn't your everyday, run-of-the-mill Memory Game--it features cute and clever art and creative pairings like "Moon & Stars" and "Plate & Utensils" for a unique twist.

Next, we have adorable ABC Art Cards. Each card features a whimsical doodle and several creative examples of words that start with that letter.

Well, this wouldn't be an advent treat unless we had something great to offer--how about a bundle? This bundle features one package of each of the ABC Art Cards and Memory Game--and it features a savings of $6.00 total off of MSRP. Now that's what I call smart! Check it out here.

Want something that should really make you Jovial? How about another fun bundle? Know someone who is in to papercrafting but still building up her creative voice? Why not try a fun Page or Card Kit to get her creating. The Card and Page Kits come with everything needed plus instructions to create some amazing projects. PLUS, each come with several "bonus" pieces so she'll have the ability to keep on crafting even after she's done with the kit. How about a special price (55% off of MSRP)? Check the bundle out here!



Today's treat is a clever little decoration discovered by Mariann. It is simple and easy to do, and great for an afternoon when you just need a moment to yourself to relax (or a great project for children to do for some peace and quiet):

The ingredients are simple: your favorite scrapbook paper patterns, coordinating brads, styrofoam cone, cork, wire and decorative brad (like the Stitched Brad from Jovial, shown here at the top. 

Instructions:
Select three or four coordinating pieces of paper. Punch multiple 1" and 1.5" circles from each print. Put one small and one large circle on a coordinating brad at a time and bend them in towards the brad in a "crumpling" motion. Then stick the brad and circles directly into the tree, stacking them around the top of the cone. Repeat until cone is covered.  Add a piece of corked wire and your stitched brad to the top of the tree.

Today's treat is a very special favorite recipe, brought to us by the lovely Mariann. This treat is something everyone in the office absolutely loves (especially when brought to a company party):

White Chocolate Covered Popcorn:

Place the popcorn kernels in the basin of the hot air popper, pop the popcorn and watch to make sure that the un-popped kernels are kept out. Pop the desired amount popcorn and place in a metal or glass mixing bowl large enough to mix the popcorn and chocolate together. While popping the corn, start melting the white ribbon coating in a metal or glass bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water, do not allow bottom of bowl to touch the water, and stir until chocolate is smooth and melted. Remove from over water, wipe the bottom of the bowl making sure to keep the chocolate clear of water.

Slowly pour melted white ribbon coating over the bowl of popped kernels, while stirring gently to coat and cover the popcorn kernels. Once all chocolate is poured in and the popcorn is covered, pour onto a cookie sheet in a single layer, allow to dry.

While the popcorn is drying, start melting your additional chocolate to color. Melt in small bowls in the same method as above. Once chocolate is melted add the oil based food coloring and stir until desired color.

After the popcorn has dried, using a fork or slotted spoon, scoop chocolate and slowly shake over the popcorn creating colored lines on the popcorn, allow to dry in between different colors. Once the layers have all dried, using a spatula carefully scrape the bottom of the cookie sheet and sift through the popcorn, if you want you can then repeat the drizzled effect to give it more color.

Once all the popcorn has dried, scoop in to cellophane bags and tie with ribbon.

 

Buttons, buttons, who's got the button?

We do!



Did you know that BasicGrey released a great variety of Essential Buttons during our introduction into the fabric market? 



But we didn't just release any ol' buttons. We released high-quality and extremely competitively-priced buttons. Our Essential Buttons are tough with an attractive matte finish. But what if they get scratched along the way? No worries, the Essential Buttons are dyed all the way through so those scratches will buff right out. That way you can be secure in the knowledge that your projects will last for years. 

Essential Buttons come in a wide variety of colors and are perfect stocking stuffer for any crafter. Check out both sizes and all colors here!

Today's inspiration comes from Allison A.:

Layered Paper Ornaments

Originally this idea came from one of our designers here at BG that found the idea on a blog, and then I tweaked a few things. These ornaments have been such a novelty for me this year and I have loved making them; in fact I let my sweet sister pick out her favorite BG line that went with her personal style; she loves colors, and that sweet vintage look, so she went with the June Bug Collection. She must have been good this year because she got an early Christmas present of 18 of these ornaments, and the fun part was when we set up a little mass production line, put in a good movie and made them together.  For each ornament you need the following materials:

•           3” white Styrofoam ball (you can use a bigger size if you so desire)

•           1.5” circle punch

•           12x12 sheet of your favorite BG paper (if you want to do a whole set of ornaments the collection packs are perfect!)

•           Long Needle

•           Scissors

•           Ribbon

•           Embroidery Thread- color of your choice (we chose green to match the tree branches)

•           Lots of ball point, metal, straight pins

•           BasicGrey Precision File Set

 

1.         Take the circle file from the BG Precision File Set and make a skinny hole through the center of the Styrofoam ball.

2.         Thread the needle through the tunnel made with the file set, and allow as much thread as you would like for your loop, and then tie a double knot onto the top center of the ball, and then take the loose ends of thread and by holding them together make a knot, creating your loop, and then trim the ends if uneven.

3.         Using your circle punch tool, punch out lots of circles and what is perfect about the BG papers is that they are double-sided, so you can alternate your pattern on your ornament using both patterns if you would like. I usually like to have alternate patters, but you can do all one design as well, and the number of circles you punch out is going to depend on the size of ornament you decide to do.

4.         Now is the fun part! Place a circle at the bottom of you ornament and using a straight pin poke it into the Styrofoam, and now you are ready to start layering your circles. Build from the bottom up. As you layer, be sure to offset your layers so that you evenly cover the Styrofoam.

5.         Once you reach the top and have great coverage of your ornament, then cut a couple pieces of ribbon and tie a double knot or a bow at the base of your loop on top of the ornament, and presto, change—another project/gift checked off your list!

These ornaments are really unique and you can customize them and change them out every year if you want! They also make fantastic co-worker, and neighbor gifts, and you can attach a special message or holiday thought to them as well. Have fun and Happy Holidays!

Today's treat is just a little something for the crafters out there looking for something interesting and unique--BasicGrey's Heirloom buttons!



Today's bundle features two cards of the assorted buttons at 25% off of MSRP! 

Whether you sew, make jewelry, scrapbook, create greeting cards or even if you just collect buttons, this bundle is a great value. And not to mention great for stocking stuffers.

 

 

Today's awesome treat comes from designer Amy Friend, who included a couple of BasicGrey pieces on a couple of her last creations, these cute clutches:



She used some Hello Luscious fabric by Moda (widely available in February) and do you spot the Burst Bossom in Buttercup she attached to the first pouch? Adorable! BasicGrey's fabric flowers are great for adding a little interest to any project...and even wrapped presents!

More creativity can be found on Amy's blog, During Quiet Time. Enjoy!

Today's treat is really exciting--we've got yet another FREE digital download to feature. Today you get an entire Starter Kit from the Dasher collection, regularly priced at $8.00! So as you are creating those holiday pages, gift tags, holiday cards (and anything else you can think up), why not try out the Dasher Starter Kit for free--it's packed with a ton of elements, borders, frames, tags, elements and of course--digital papers! Click here to get it now!



See you tomorrow!

Looking for a little inspiration for your holiday cards? We've got some videos you may be interested in!

Digital Card Class #1
Digital Card Class #2

Plus we've got a great deal on this mini album bundle featuring BasicGrey's classic Fruitcake collection. Bonus: there's a video walking you through the whole class!

Fruitcake Mini Album Video
Fruitcake Mini Album Bundle (purchase here)


Today's cute inspiration comes from Christine:

finnish star

 

I found the tutorial for these finnish stars on craftideas. They only look complicated, seriously they are easy and fun. The tutorial is for paper stars but I made mine from fabric - some of the new Hello Luscious fabric that is oh so cute! I used heatn' bond to make double sided fabric and fabri-tac to glue them together.

The tutorial is easy to follow, but they didn't specify the number, length and width of the strips. For each star you need twelve strips. 6 fronts and 6 backs if you're doing fabric like mine, but it would work just as well with paper and you'd only need 6 total strips. Use your favorite BasicGrey double sided paper line!

Large star : 1"x12" inch strips.

Smaller star: .5"x6" inch strips.

A little set of these ornaments would make a sweet Christmas gift for a teacher, a neighbor or grandparents. I'm going to use mine as a little topper for gift packages, but they would also make a great garland or mobile!

http://www.craftideas.info/html/finnish_star.html

Can you say yum? Because these cookies are way yum. I don't think Santa would say no to a plate of these sitting out for him on Christmas Eve. This recipe is one of Deanne's favorites and she shares it with us today:

 

 

It's the 8th of December. It is hard to believe this month is going by so fast!

Next up for our Advent Calendar program is a feature on another amazing company we get to work with, Hero Arts!

 

Hero Arts produces beautiful, high-quality cling rubber, wood and clear acrylic stamps with BasicGrey's collections. 

Today's treat is now and for one week only, all available BasicGrey Hero Arts stamps are 20% off MSRP! Click here to see everything available! (PS, click Buy Online to filter only those available).

Happy Thursday! 

It's Day 7! And do you know what that means? Today we've got another treat for you. Today we're offering a FREE set of digital Patterns featuring BasicGrey's Blitzen Collection!  



Happy Wednesday!

BasicGrey has had the privilege to work with some awesome companies in the past and for today's advent treat, we are featuring Core'dinations. 

Their ColorCore cardstock is just too fun and just too cute, and best of all--they come in some best-selling BasicGrey designs! Check out our blog where are featuring some amazing designs for Christmas cards as well as a chance to win something, along with the Core'dinations blog where they have some fun designs and a chance to win too!

And now, some really cute projects featuring the product:

The Core'dinations Assortment Packs are also ON SALE for $7.50 at basicgrey.com - that's 50% off!

Not to brag or anything, but BasicGrey's calendar kit may be the most perfect gift out there right now. What other gift is pre-designed and ready to go in one easy box? What other handmade gift kit out there features your own photos? What other gift will remind the receiver each month of how much you care? 


With layouts featuring Curio, Sweet Threads, Pyrus, Jovial and designed by the super talented Kelly Goree, the calendar is super easy--and super gorgeous.

 
Above: April's layout


Above: May's layout

Not to mention it is on sale right now for $17.00 per kit at www.basicgrey.com, and available for your holiday crafting sessions--but don't wait! This special is only for a limited time.

And don't forget to check out the blog--we're giving a Calendar Kit away today to a lucky winner. 

Did you know that BasicGrey's digital offerings include everything you need to make beautiful holiday photo greeting cards? Why pay someone to do it for you when creating your own is easy, quick, inexpensive, fun and most of all--your very own creation? Whether you are a digi pro or beginner, we've got what you need to get started. 



Check out a couple of BGTV videos (class 1 and class 2) for how-tos and inspiration.

We've got some amazing quick card templates in our digital section which are amazingly fun to play with.

And last but not least, we've got classic BasicGrey holiday collections in the digital shop right now including Fruitcake--so check it out, have some fun, and make something uniquely your own for your holiday greetings.

Today's advent gift is a fun little bundle of Jovial product, perfect for making super-cute cards like the ones shown below designed by Kelly Goree. Check it out--this bundle is only $20.00 and includes one Collection Pack and one package of Jovial Glazed Brads! That is $6.00 off regular retail price. How about that for a sweet treat?




Happy Saturday! 


Today is a little treat just for you! We have a FREE digital download from Blitzen as a special surprise--perfect for your holiday greetings, holiday pages and more! Check out these frosty Blitzen Textures for your favorite winter memories! 



Oh, what fun it is!

Today's advent is one of our favorite recipes! Allison B. brought this recipe to a recent company gathering and it was a smash-hit! With the holiday potlucks coming up we know you are on the lookout for anything quick, easy and delicious, so here you are! (Great dinner for picky eaters too).



Quick and Easy Holiday Meatballs

10.5 ounce of frozen meatballs
19 ounce bottle of Famous Dave’s Sweet and Zesty BBQ Sauce (or substitute your favorite sauce)
22 ounce jar Grape Jelly

Place meatballs in a slow cooker.  Combine bbq sauce and grape jelly with a wire wisk.  Pour over meatballs.

Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high 3-4 hours

Optional: Serve over rice or noodles.