I've had this bell cutter for many years now. And guess what? I've never made a bell cookie with it until this year! But don't let that fool you- it's one of my ABSOULTE FAVORITE CUTTERS. I'm not lying. It's one of those cutters that never finds it's way back into my "Christmas" cutter bin because I always come back to it over and over again. And if I put it in my Christmas bin, I would have to get on a step stool to get it all the time. And that's too much work. And chances are, something would fall on me as I tried to bring down my Christmas bin box. So for safety's sake, I keep it out. Always.

Santa cutters?  To make mermaids?  Yup!  Let's just say that it's my own little "Christmas in July" party.  I love being able to re-purpose cutters!  I realize that it's a gift that I have that not everybody has.  Other people can sing and dance and reach the the top shelf of their kitchen cabinet without a stool.  Me?  I can make a mermaid from a Santa cutter.  #winning      

So which Santa cutters did I use for these cuties?

Ah, mistletoe. One of the more intriguing plants of the holiday season. The shiny green leaves, the little pearl-white berries. It's so pretty! Sought out by couples to share a smooch underneath, while others avoided it like the plague. Some take it's parasitic nature to heart, and prey merciless upon me, even if I'm five feet away. . . ahem, Cookie Widower (my hubby).  :) 

The East Coast is under attack from a phenomenon called the Polar Vortex. This air mass, usually in place in the Arctic, has decided to migrate south for a day or two. Sort of like a little mini vacation. So here in Maryland, we're expected to dive into single digit temperatures, with wind gusts over 30mph, resulting in below-zero wind chills. Schools are closing, people are putting extra blankets on their beds, buying extra toilet paper and so on. I can just imagine the mocking conversations in Russia over the clinking of vodka glasses-"they don't know what cold really feels like!". 
In addition to the cold temps, the Vortex has brought something else from the Arctic- PENGUINS!  So what can you do on a extra cold winter's day? Bake sweets, of course! And these penguins are dressed for the weather!

I must say that this design was a complete accident. I was in a hurry and wanted a quick green Christmas tree and it just happened. And I liked it. So then I decided to do it again, and even adding in a little pink flair. Let me show you!   

I have an obsession with decorated gingerbread.  Some (aka my kids) might even call it an unhealthy addiction.  I love everything about it- the smell, the color, the taste, and of course, decorating it.  This love affair has been going on for a LONG time. Here's the story of how we met.