It was so fun meeting new friends Tuesday at my Holiday Cookie Exchange. Thank you to everyone who came. And for those of you who couldn’t come, I am hoping to make this an annual party, so maybe you will be able to join us next year!
I found the idea for a fun chalkboard tree picture in the Seattle Magazine. I just loved the idea, and decided to make a Chalkboard Tree for the Cookie Exchange.
I had a frame, and I covered the frame with some canvas that I had in my fabric stash. My canvas wasn’t long enough, so I sewed two pieces together. I covered the underlying board with the fabric and secured it with Gorilla Tape.
Then I freehanded a tree on the canvas. I painted chalkboard paint on the tree. To get the edges smooth, just load up the paintbrush with paint and gently brush the paint along the pencil edges. On the bottom of the tree, I drew a box and then cut out some fabric and hot glued it onto the canvas.
It was fun to have the guests sign the tree with season wishes or just adutograph it when they came into the party!
It would also be a fun thing to do for a birthday. You could paint a package and use ribbon to “wrap” the present. Or, for a New Year’s Eve Party — you could paint a clock, or the year.
Everyone brought such amazing cookies!!
And thank you to Amy from Living Locurto for the great FREE Cookie Party Printables — download them for FREE on her blog!!
And here are some winners!
#351 — Robyn @ The Pink Peony of Le Jardin
![[IMG_1257+-+Copy.JPG]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6edFqkwVJFE/SqxR2d5isPI/AAAAAAAAAwM/4mBN8YXEb5c/S220/IMG_1257%2B-%2BCopy.JPG)
1. Selissa @ All Palmer
![[Me.JPG]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N-F2PNQblsA/SSyfd3n2y1I/AAAAAAAAAAM/H9wPkKcYoB8/S220/Me.JPG)
2. Anna @ Living in the Park
![[head.jpg]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RTXYnt4WL3Y/S2DEDGelYgI/AAAAAAAABgA/JTffnDUYgCQ/S220/head.jpg)
3. Mimi @ Living in France
$25 shop credit to Parties by Hardie:
![[Nate%26Kassi+%282%29.jpg]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sHSdRBkq_YU/TPZ6wg-yw9I/AAAAAAAAAB0/gclCpnKLEdE/S220/Nate%2526Kassi%2B%25282%2529.jpg)
Kassi @ Life as We Know It
$40 shop credit to Photo Making Jewelry:
![[facebook+profile+family+pic.jpg]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__RjlNekgkCk/S4KY0SkDeZI/AAAAAAAABfc/fgApC5SgU4U/S220/facebook%2Bprofile%2Bfamily%2Bpic.jpg)
XOXO
PS — It’s another great day on the Holly Bloggy Christmas Party –
with a Recipe Party and fantastic Giveaways (hint – Lisa Leonard).
So link up your recipes and see all the delicious creations!!
YUM!
Just wanted to let you know your tree gave me Chalkboard paint inspiration!! I'm linking to you with my chalkboard paint idea here… THANKS!!! http://trulylovelywiththelaneysisters.blogspot.com/2010/12/chalboard-canisters.html
I went to one of these last week and totally loved it! What a fun idea.
Looks like a yummy blast!!
So. Jealous. So jealous!
OH WOW!! That looks like SO MUCH FUN!! Everything looks so delicious too!! Please Please accept my RSVP for next year!! I would LOVE to come and I'll bring along the Alie in AliLilly too!
Looks like a great cookie party! Lots of goodies
This was SOOO stinkin' fun. And may I just say that those choco delights that you made? Seriously? They were AMAZING. Out of this world. I wrestled Will for the 2nd one. And I won. I'm big.
Thank you so much for inviting me and letting me drool all over your house. Sorry about that.
That tree is so stinkin' cute. I didn't autograph it though. Boo. Save it for me….I'll come back.
And I'm crackin' up about the sweater comments. For one thing, was HATING how it looked on me. So that's funny.
Anyway, it's a Forever21 sweater. But I hate to tell you gals that it's last year. So it might not be available. And I just outed myself as a last season sweater wearer. Eek!
Oh, it looks like it was so awesome! I love my cute little SIL's face on your blog – makes me happy!!
Wow! The cookies look fabulous. I would LOVE some of thos recipes. WOuld you be willing to share?
Merry Christmas! Sally
wow! wow! wow!
not only do you have & post the best ideas & showcase all of us…you throw parties as well.
jen, where do you find the time & energy?
amazing. seriously, this looks incredible & how fun to meet & greet new friends & cookies!!!!
have a merry weekend!
kellie
Looks like you ladies have tons of fun!! And those cookies look delicious!
BTW, I have nominated you for an award!! Gotta go here http://frompdxwithlove.com/5635/blog/stylish-blogger-award/2010/ and check it out!!
What a fun day, Jen! I'm so glad you did this. Thank you! Your house looked beautiful for Christmas!
I had so much fun meeting you and everyone else! Thanks for hosting it in your beautiful home!
Those cookies all look delicious and beautiful–as do the bloggers.
So glad it was a success! Wish I could have been there!
I knew I should have jumped on a plane!
Looks like you all had a delicious time. 
What a fun party! I'm getting hungry for some cookies now:-) Love the chalkboard tree. That's adorable! Glad you got some use out of the printables.
Oh FUN! And look at those yummy treats! You are quite the hostest with the mostest, Jen
I saw the chalkboard tree over here http://www.seattlemag.com/0p124a1149/bring-on-the-bling/
Super cute idea, maybe one day I'll have time to make my own.
Yummmmmmm…I want to lick my screen. I'm such a push over for cookies!
Looks like it was a great turn out!!! Wish I lived in Utah LOL.
Taylor
http://www.maryjanesandgaloshes.com
I can't believe I won!!! Thank you Jen!
I think maybe I should do a cookie exchange next year…and invite tons of people and neighbors and make it really fun. It would be so inexpensive!
It was such a fun party! So nice to meet so many amazing women, and the cookies- well let's just say YUM!!!
Thanks again, Jen!
xoxo,
Amy
Looks like a fun time!!! Love your outfit, Jen! That belt is super cute!
One word………..JEALOUS!
SERIOUSLY you girls must have had so much fun!!!!
What a fun party idea!
Loved the Party.. Thanks for having us and all the cookies were so Yummy. Hopefully next year i'll be a little skinnier.
In hindsight, I'm wishing I would have come to this instead of the Pier 1 event. Looks like you had a ton of fun. I'm planning on being there next year!!
This looks great. Cookies look delish.
SO excited I won!!! Gives me a GREAT reason to throw a party… Maybe something for my bridesmaids! Thanks for hosting Jen!!!
Wow, that looks like an amazing cookie exchange! I love the idea for the tree and having everyone sign it.
Wow I wish I lived near you, I love the cookie party exchange. Looks like there were plenty of awesome cookies.
http://www.alwaysinwonder.com
having a blog giveaway for a $20 Home Depot Gift Card if anyone is interested.
Thank you for hosting such a fun holiday party! It was awesome to meet you in person. You have a GORGEOUS house and are the sweetest person!
WOW!! This looks like so much fun! What beautiful cookies and goodies and everyone looks like they had a fantastic time.
Now, I too MUST know where that gorgeous sweater Lara is wearing came from?!? I must have it, it's exactly what I've been looking for!
What a fun party. Those cookies look fabulous. It's 7:47 in the morning and I'm already craving sweets. This. is. not. good.
looks like SO MUCH FUN!!! I wish I could have been there!
I am LOVING the tree chalkboard. I have some left over chalkboard paint and think I know what to do with it now!!
:)
Jen, it looks like it turned out wonderful!! Yummy! I've wanted to do one for a few years and just can't seem to ever get one done. Wish I lived closer to you so I could just look forward to yours every year!
That chalkboard tree is ADORABLE!
Your party looked like TOO much fun! And the cookies …YUMMY!
Looks like a great time…and such yummy cookies
Looks awesome! Digging the choc dipped cookies with candy candy particles on top
and the red and white things … meringes?
In other news: somebody want to link the pattern or store that Lara bought her sweater at!!??!?!!? So gorgeous!
Looks like you all had a fun time, loved the chalk board tree idea. Lots of good looking cookies there, I wish more of my friends cooked to have a cookie swap. Merry Christmas to you all.
This would be so fun to attend every year. Thanks for being such a great hostess. Merry Christmas!
Jen, thanks again for hosting. The party was wonderful!
Um….WHY am I not invited to this party?! HUH?!