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
1. Selissa @ All Palmer
2. Anna @ Living in the Park
3. Mimi @ Living in France
$25 shop credit to Parties by Hardie:
Kassi @ Life as We Know It
$40 shop credit to Photo Making Jewelry:
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!
Kassi @ Truly Lovely says
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
Haylee says
I went to one of these last week and totally loved it! What a fun idea.
Crystal @ Ordinary Days says
Looks like a yummy blast!!
Vivienne says
So. Jealous. So jealous!
AliLilly says
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! 🙂
Diane {Created by Diane} says
Looks like a great cookie party! Lots of goodies 🙂
ellie g says
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!
Mormishmom says
Oh, it looks like it was so awesome! I love my cute little SIL's face on your blog – makes me happy!!
Mangham Team says
Wow! The cookies look fabulous. I would LOVE some of thos recipes. WOuld you be willing to share?
Merry Christmas! Sally
this blessed nest says
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
Sofia says
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!! 😀
kami @ nobiggie.net says
What a fun day, Jen! I'm so glad you did this. Thank you! Your house looked beautiful for Christmas!
**Amy** says
I had so much fun meeting you and everyone else! Thanks for hosting it in your beautiful home!
Emily says
Those cookies all look delicious and beautiful–as do the bloggers. 🙂 So glad it was a success! Wish I could have been there!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
I knew I should have jumped on a plane! 😉 Looks like you all had a delicious time. 🙂
Amy @ Living Locurto says
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.
heidi says
Oh FUN! And look at those yummy treats! You are quite the hostest with the mostest, Jen
scraps_n_stuff says
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.
Heather says
Yummmmmmm…I want to lick my screen. I'm such a push over for cookies!
MaryJanes and Galoshes says
Looks like it was a great turn out!!! Wish I lived in Utah LOL.
Taylor
http://www.maryjanesandgaloshes.com
MiMi says
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!
Amy says
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
Black and White {Side by Side} says
Looks like a fun time!!! Love your outfit, Jen! That belt is super cute!
TidyMom says
One word………..JEALOUS!
SERIOUSLY you girls must have had so much fun!!!!
Whatever Dee-Dee wants says
What a fun party idea!
Mike and Larissa says
Loved the Party.. Thanks for having us and all the cookies were so Yummy. Hopefully next year i'll be a little skinnier.
Kara says
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!! 🙂
Candi says
This looks great. Cookies look delish.
Kassi @ Truly Lovely says
SO excited I won!!! Gives me a GREAT reason to throw a party… Maybe something for my bridesmaids! Thanks for hosting Jen!!!
Simply Amy says
Wow, that looks like an amazing cookie exchange! I love the idea for the tree and having everyone sign it.
Jennifer says
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.
dancin' momma says
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!
April in CT says
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!
Suzanne says
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.
Lauren says
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!! :):)
Rhonda says
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!
The Painted Cottage says
Your party looked like TOO much fun! And the cookies …YUMMY! 🙂
Admitted Fabricaholic says
Looks like a great time…and such yummy cookies 🙂
Susie says
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!
Carolyn™ says
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.
Leanne says
This would be so fun to attend every year. Thanks for being such a great hostess. Merry Christmas!
Tauni says
Jen, thanks again for hosting. The party was wonderful!
Cherry Tree Lane says
Um….WHY am I not invited to this party?! HUH?!