fresh cut trees

We had a card class Fri. night. A few friends stopped by for a bowl of chili and forgotten cookies....recipe to follow.....we made a few cards...We had fun laughing at our creations....so tonight I thought I would give you some insight on how to make fresh cut trees. These of course remind me of the Charlie Brown trees of the late '60's....so here's the scoop....cut masking tape in manageable pieces about a foot long. Color with green sharpie and let dry. The ones I made first had two different sharpies and that gave the tape some depth. These are my fav so we will have to make another trip to wallyworld to get more variations....in the mean time, practice with what you have.If you use coloring markers it may take longer for the tape to dry....my fingers turned green....too impatient.....Instead of cutting the brown paper into 1/2" strips vary the trunk by tearing the brown paper to make it look more natural. Top with a star brad (tiny ones from Reflections)... bird punch....(Stampin'Up!), Santa hat is JOLEE'S... add buttons ...polka dots...jute.....the red base in made from the bottom of the Martha Steward cupcake punch @ Michaels...I am sending the "wonky tree" to my niece....she's the artist in the fam and will hopefully understand all things crooked ....it's just ART, right???? That's all folks! OOPs....I almost forgot to give you the recipe. This comes from my friend, Ruth, that makes them for us each year. Hers are better because if you don't S-L-O-W-L-Y add the sugar patiently....they come out grainy....

Forgotten Cookies:Preheat oven to 350* In the mixing bowl of a stand alone mixer.... Beat 2 egg whites (room temp) and a pinch of salt until stiff

Add 2/3 sup of sugar(1 tsp. at a time) gradually...slowly.....let standing mixer do the work...or your arm will fall off...Add 1 cup mini chocolate chips....and I mean the tiny ones....stir in 1 cup chopped nuts if you like them...I use pecans...drop by teaspoonful on foil lined pan.... sprayed w/Pam for an easy release. Place in oven and TURN THE OVEN OFF. Leave in oven at least 4 hrs or overnight. Make yourself a sign to take them out of the oven...you may forget or someone may turn the oven on for another reason and ruin the cookies....Merry Christmas Peeps!

PS>>>after thought today....punch small hole on each side of the top....run a small thread of jute though the hole and knot...now you have a holder for the tree to hang on your tree....instant ornament! (cut off the front side of the card, of course) or better yet....cut the card in half, write on the back....personal notes in real scribble are fun to decipher! Joyeux Noel! ? Did I spell that right? Need more instruction in French please....