The ABC's of baking cookies

Did you know that most children loose about 30% or more of what they learned during summer?

Only 3 more weeks of summer vacationing, then back to school. For young readers, a fun way to get back in the "swing" of things is to re-introduce sight words through fun and inventive techniques. Cookie cutters, shaped in the letters of the alphabet, are a great way to ignite interest. Sold individually(through Press Dough), kindergartners and 1st graders have fun using letter shaped cookie cutters to spell, decorate cookies, and work on projects (dip in fingerpaint for letter impression).

For an additional teaching opportunity, get the children measuring, mixing, and rolling out cookie dough for that arithmetic advantage. A connection between academics and real life begin to make more sense and will engage children in understanding why they need education. It is an effective way to get your child on the right path in realizing the importance of studying and school work.

Teachers:

Alphabet/lettered cookie cutters will keep the child engaged. Use for child assessments or as a visual for handwriting, particularly students who may need extra tools and/or techniques (i.e. special needs, autistic students). Handwriting without tears is a method used in many school districts to give students a breakdown of each letter. For some students a visual support is necessary. Letters made of cookie cutters can change things up a bit and may actually get the student(s) more focused on the task at "hand".

Jazzed Rice Krispies Treats

Rice Krispies Treats are fun and easy. Don't stop at cutting then into boring squares. With a little extra special touch, Rice Krispies treats can be jazzed up and exciting to eat.

Rice Krispies Treats Recipe:

Melt, on low heat, 3 Tbls. of margarine or butter in large pot. Add 4 cups of mini marshmallows or 1 10 oz. package of regular marshmallows (stir frequently). Take off heat and stir in 6 cups of Rice Krispies. Spread into a greased (cooking spray) 13x9 pan and let set for a couple of hours.

When Rice Krispies treats are ready, gently release the sheet of treats from the pan and place on wax paper or counter. Jazz the treats by:

1. Cutting into fun shapes with ease using the Press Dough cookie cutters.

2. Create chocolate covered (w/sprinkles) Rice Krispies Suckers - Just cut treats into round (or other) shapes and push popsicle or cookie sticks into the bottom sides. It's a great way to limit messy fingers too!

Melt chocolate: Melt 1 cup chocolate morsels and 1 Tbls. shortening in a double broiler (heat resistant bowl over pan of boiling water). Stir continually. Dip sucker treats into melted chocolate, place on wax paper, and sprinkle with sprinkles. Refrigerate to harden then wrap in plastic wrap or plastic gusset bag. For an even more festive look, tie plastic with ribbon.

3. Rice Krispies Sundaes - Use the remnant pieces of Rice Krispies treats after cutting shapes or rip off small pieces and place in sundae dish or bowl. Drip melted chocolate over pieces and sprinkle, sprinkles on top. Place in refrigerator to harden.

Note: Substitute chocolate syrup or caramel for ease or place remnant pieces in a baggy. The small pieces are perfect to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Star Spangled Cookie Cutter Craft

In need of some crafty-kid ideas for your BBQ?

Paint with cookie cutters!

Any cookie cutter shapes will do(hearts, trucks, trains, stars, letters). Star shapes will add to the Independence day theme. Kids can "create" their own firework display.

Supplies:
Cookie Cutters
Washable paint (tempera or finger)
paper plates
paper
old t-shirts

Directions:
1. Squeeze a fair amount of paint on each paper plate (1 color each plate)
2. Give children old t-shirts to put on, a piece of paper and choice of cookie cutter(s).
3. Just dip cookie cutter into paint and stamp on piece of paper for a collage look or to color in later.

Once dry - kids can color in their shapes or create their own special fireworks display!

Tip: Kids love to see their name. Using letter shaped cookie cutters is a teaching opportunity and allows each to learn to spell their own name, read, or simply understand the alphabet.

Crafts with Cookie Cutters

DIY Coin Glycerin Soap

Gets Kids Washing! Wash for Rewards

Making glycerin soap out of Press Dough's cute multiple cookie cutter shapes just takes a little time and simple tips.

Ingredients/Supplies:

• Multiple cookie cutter is desired shapes
• 2 sheets of Aluminum foil
• Melt and Pour glycerin soap - purchased at craft stores
• If desired: soap coloring and scent drop - purchased at craft stores
• Large glass dish (that you can use for crafting) similar to a pyrex glass bowl for baking
• Boiling pot to support large glass dish (for creating a double broiler)
• 1 quarter to embed in soap
• A spray bottle of Alcohol (purchased in the first aid section of your grocery store or pharmacy)

Instructions:
Step 1: Fill up your pot with about 3/4 water and begin heating to a boil on stovetop
Step 2: Cut 8 ounces (to start out with) of melt and pour soap in 1-oz cubes (many packages have templated out 1 oz cubes for you).
Step 3: Once water is boiling in your pot, place your glass bowl on top of boiling water and place the 8 ounces of cubes in the bowl. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.

Step 4: Melting the soap will take a little time. Keep checking periodically to make sure your water has not evaporated and see how much has melted. It will be completely liquid when ready to pour into the multiple cookie cutters.

Step 5: While soap is melting, rip off a sheet of aluminum foil to wrap around the bottom of the Press Dough multiple cookie cutter so that all edges are snug (to prevent leakage). Also, try to keep the bottom of the aluminum foil free from creases to ensure a smooth bottom as the soap hardens and molds.

Step 6: Once melted (if desired), drop in about 5-6 drops of coloring and/or scent and stir. Follow the coloring and scenting directions on the package. If you don't feel the color is dark enough, squeeze a couple more drops into the soap. Be cautious with this. You can always add more, but you cannot take out.

Step 7: Once soap is melted, colored, and scented, skim any skin from the soap off the top and pour (using oven mitts (the glass bowl will be HOT) into the prepared multiple cookie cutter so that each cutter is only 1/4 or 1/2 way filled up. Place the excess melted soap back (still in bowl) back on the double broiler to keep melted. Tip: After you pour the melted soap into your cookie cutter molds, spray the top with the alcohol. This will get rid of any bubbles that may have produced and leave your soap clear.

Step 8: Wait about 15-20 minutes for the soap to harden.

Step 9: Once hardened, spray the quarter with alcohol (front and back), spray and place on the semi-hardened soap in the cookie cutter molds. The soap will now be able to hold the weight of the quarter. Take the rest of your melted soap (on the stovetop double broiler) and pour over the quarter. Remember to skim off the skin before pouring and spray the top of the poured soap with alcohol.

Step 10: Let sit for 4o minutes, then press gently to pop shaped glycerin soap out of multi-cutter mold. It is best to let the soap cure for about 1-2 weeks in the area before packaging, but if you can't then just wrap in plastic wrap until you are ready to use or adorn for gifts.

Suggestion: Raffia makes a great looking package for soap. Crystal clear bags or boxes are a great way to give your soap as gifts. Go buy a colorful loofah sponge and add to make a set.

Holiday Savings

Only 47 Days Until Christmas

If you are looking for holiday shopping savings, this weekend may be a good time to get some Veteran's Day deals. Here are some links for Free Shipping and savings I have received:

Press Dough - Free Shipping on select holiday cookie cutters

www.pressdough.com/store/home.php

Wal-Mart - $0.97 Shipping

http://www.pressdough.com/resources_affil_site.htm Click on Wal-Mart Icon

Potpourri – Up to 60% savings
http://www.potpourrigift.com/search.asp?skw=RSALE110308&srccode=RE8199&ver=3&GEN1=Fall+Back+Savings
Hanes – Free Shipping with $75 online purchase

http://www.hanes.com/

Lands End Free Shipping unti Nov 11th.

Enter in: Promotion code FREESHIP and the PIN 181990108
http://www.landsend.com/

One Step Ahead – Free Shipping on orders over $100 (until Nove 11th)

Enter promotion code SHPFREBE
http://www.onestepahead.com/

Pottery Barn Kids – Veteran’s Day Sale – Until Nov. 12th.

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/shop/sale/index.cfm?&bnrid=3501652&cm_ven=Email&cm_cat=Veterans_Day_Sale&cm_pla=DTC&cm_ite=dtc_shop_all_sale

Shop Irish – Free Shipping Plus $10 off $60 or more order (see details)

$4.99 Shipping on all other orders until Nov 20th.
Enter code FSDBL at checkout to receive discount.
http://www.shopirish.com/

MQT: Do you know of any holiday deals? If so, share them with us and post a comment. We have to look out for each other. After all, isn't that what true holiday spirit is all about?

High School + Heart Cookies = Yummy Fun

Well, I think I just found the most famous cookie cutouts ever:

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/10/05/zac-vanessa-are-cookie-cutter/comment-page-6/#comments

If you are looking for something to do during a fun night of sleepovers, a night of movies or friendly gathering, try baking up some cookie cutouts. Recipes for either sugar cookie cutouts or chocolate chip cutouts can be found at: http://www.pressdough.com/resources.html#recipes

Bake up some fun using the Press Dough Heart Multi-Cookie Cutter:
http://www.pressdough.com/store/product.php?productid=2&cat=8&page=1

Your tween and her friends can create fun "cookie" messages while chatting about the latest and greatest styles or celebrity gossip.
Yummy, hip, and fun! You are sure to be voted "Most Popular Party".

Don't forget, holidays are coming.

MQT: What name or message would you write on your own heart cookies? Who would you give it to?

I would give a cookie heart to my daughter with her name printed, mini m&m's lining the edge, and pink icing dotted throughout. For my son, I would bake a chocolate chip heart - knowing he would never eat such a sweet indulgence - print a big letter R in the center (for his name) in Red (favorite color), line the edge with a thin layer of red, swirly icing and stick a candle in the center (since choc. chip cookies can be cooked softer) and sing a melody of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow". Keep in mind, my kids are still very young.

DIY- Cookie Cutter Ornaments

Why buy those reproduced "dough" ornaments when YOU (and yours) can do it yourself?

There is nothing more personal than receiving something made with love. For myself, I begin thinking about holiday gifts for the 20 + teachers and therapists during summer. I'm not kidding. I want to show my appreciation for their dedication. I was thrilled when I stumbled across this do-it-yourself demonstration of dough ornaments:
http://www.diyalert.com/node/4090#comment-345

It made me think back to making these type of ornaments with my own mother. My sister and I actually went door to door selling them for extra Christmas money. Every year, these ornaments make it onto my mothers tree and remind me of that one year. Although my family was going through quite a hardship at the time, the memory of those dough ornaments are so vivid and happy.

This year, it seems right to make dough ornaments with my own kids. Of course, I'll be utilizing my time and energy by using the Press Dough cookie cutters (multi-cutters). I should be able to cut about 8 ornaments with every rolled out, circle of dough. It should go quick enough to keep the attention span of my 2 year old.

With the "economic crisis", we are going through a change in our view of spending and materialism. This is a great year to focus on making memories. I know from my own childhood, a memory will last forever.

MQT: What memories from your own childhood can you share that will have an everlasting effect on you and those you love? Lose yourself in the magic of memories this year. The family will be stronger for it.

Cookie Cutter Giveaway

89 Days Until Christmas!

Today, we kick off the holiday countdown with a weekly cookie cutter giveaway. Each week until Christmas, we will give away one of our exclusive holiday cookie cutters. Be sure to sign up for your chance at: http://www.pressdough.com/store/register.php. Get in on the fun early.

The Press Dough Multi Cookie Cutter solves the need for cookie speed. Just press and go. Make your holidays memorable and fun.

MQT: Are you already shopping for the holidays?

For me, I have found that when I begin too early, I tend to buy more because I forget what I already purchased early on.

Kindergarten Kid

We have survived the first day of kindergarten.

It was not without anxiety. Transitioning is hard for any child (and parent). For our son, it has always proved to be difficult. So when the bus came and Ryan was unable to find a seat, it was at that moment I knew we were in a bit of trouble. He was a lost puppy.

I had tried to prepare him for his new school. We had a book made (called social stories) to include pictures of school, his teachers, and his classes. I took him to the new school playground, at least twice a week to get comfortable in his new surroundings. I hoped it would also provide a feeling of confidence and make it easier for him to “fit” in with his typical peers. We would talk about kindergarten and all the new friends he would make. Could I have done more to help him?

I had not thought about the bus to school. This could be a deal breaker for him. It is unbelievably disorganizing to a child with special needs. There is no routine. It is loud and unsettling. As Ryan road away, I was beside myself with worry. He looked straight ahead, scared at the uncertainty of it all and put on the bravest face he could. I went home and wept. Not so brave.

I wish I had a magic wand and “pressdough” all our anxiety is gone. The good news is that we have a great team of school personnel to help us through.

Today is done. I look forward to each new day. For Ryan is my teacher and I learned about what true bravery is. I can’t wait for another lesson tomorrow.

Question: What do you learn from the children in your life?

Cookie cutter that makes multiple cuts?

Have you heard of such a device? Neither have I until I had the task of cutting out Valentine's Day cookies for my son's class last year. After positioning my, one and only, heart cookie cutter every which way on the dough, I was wondering if there was a better way. I scoured the internet looking, but found nothing. With cheers from family and friends, I embarked on submitting this idea of a multiple cookie cutter to a contest. Though I didn't get the benefits of winning this contest, I pursued this "idea" that everyone thought was so great. Again, I went to the internet and researched to make sure that a product, like the one I pictured in my head, was not already out in the market. I still couldn't find anything.
I took a leap and began my own "product development" on this cookie cutter that could cut multiple shapes at one time. I really was questioning why no one else thought or did this. My answer is...there were others but for some reason their ideas/products didn't work. I am now still forging forward in hopes of just touching a super itty bitty piece of the pie and began another search yesterday only to find that I am in good company. Yes, there are others who either had the same idea as me (at the same time), or possibly saw what I was doing off of my site. I am a little disappointed, but I am choosing to look at the positive. What are they:
1. I know that others thought the multi cutter was good enough to create themselves.
2. I know that my motivation is really to help bring families together and encourage young, ripe, innocent eyes of children.
3. By providing a solution for moms with limited time (which basically means all of us) I want to give these moms an opportunity to spend a moment doing a special activity, they might not otherwise do because of such time constraints.
4. Business wise: I have low overhead and a great technique to manufacture all types of cookie cutter shapes. I am simply cheaper!
5. Competition is good. It keeps us on our toes and will either push us out or get us in the game....bring it on!

Librarians

CALLING ALL LIBRARIANS! CALLING ALL LIBRARIANS!

Did you ever hear of a storybook sprinkles workshop?
The concept is to hold the workshops at local libraries. In conjuction with a book reading to children ages 4-6, the children decorate cookie cutouts in similar shapes, characters, or themes of the books read. Press Dough hopes to create fun library experiences for young children so they keep coming back. We will supply all the ingredients (cookie mix, icing mix, sprinkles, cookie bags, and twist ties, and multiple cookie cutter, which is a set of 4 cookie cutters bonded together) and try to make the process as easy as possible for the library staff. All you need is a volunteer to bake! Please contact me if you are interested in holding a workshop at your library:
customercare@pressdough.com