Saturday, January 31, 2009
Drumroll, Please.........
Blog Candy and Chocolate Meringue Recipe Update
Next, if you'd like the recipe for the Chocolate Meringue, leave me your email address as a comment and I'll send it to you on a Word document. To answer you, Pam, I'd make the meringue the same day, however, if you use organic whipping cream, and make sure your berries are dry, leftovers will keep several days in the refrigerator....if there are any, that is!
Blessings!
Charlene
It's Time for Dessert
FLORIDA STRAWBERRIES! and strawberries mean shortcake but at our house they also mean this light and totally divine Chocolate Meringue with Berries, Whipped Cream and Raspberry Puree.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Lavender Love x 4
This card combines the sketch challenge at Paper Craft Planet SK012409, Sharon Johnson's ssnotime72, and the SCS Limited Supply Challenge 202 to use hearts, and Ways to Use It Challenge to use Charms. That makes a total of 4 challenges met....Whew!
The DP is K & Co. Valentine pack, the stamps are Michael's $1, the pearls are Michael's as is the key charm. The heart is Cuttlebugged with the Swiss Dots folder, and cut with the Spellbinders heart dies. The lavender layer of the heart is popped up on SU dimensionals. The Love circles (cut with SU punches and a Spellbinder circle die) is popped on thicker dimensionals to layer over the heart.
Remember you can always click on the picture for a closer look.
Thanks so much for visiting. I just noticed that I'm nearing 2,000 visitors. That means it will be blog candy time!! I've decided to give the candy to those who visit and post comments regularly to say thank you for being there. I will let you know who that is when we reach 2,000.
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Pleats and Dots Valentine
I made card for a couple of challenges on SCS...TLC205 to use pleats on your card and Sketch Challenge (SC212). I need to get a few Valentine's finished so tried to keep to that theme.
The base of this card is Chocolate Chip. The designer papers are from Marcella in a pack I got at Target last year. The "Love" Stamp is a Michael's $1 bin find. There are red gems in the corners that you can see if you click on the photo. I made the ovals with Spellbinders oval dies. I added the dots with a white Sakura gel pen after fooling with this off and on during the day. I just thought it needed SOMETHING but wasn't sure what. I think the dots finished it off.
To make the pleated medallion, I cut a 1 x 12" strip of DP and scored it every 1/4"on my Scor-Pal. I brought the ends together, keeping one finger on the center to keep it from popping up, and adhered the ends using a drop of hot glue. I punched a 3/4" circle from red CS, put a heart brad through a polka dot prima flower then glued them to the center of the medallion.
Thanks for dropping by.
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
Sunday, January 25, 2009
I'm OK...Really I am!!
At any rate, he's all better although he kept us on our knees for awhile.
This image and sentiment are from a really old SU set whose name escapes me at the moment. I love the images and can't bear to part with them. I used SU's Copper metallic, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, More Mustard and Whisper White CS. The Copper is cut and embossed with the square Nestibilities. I colored him with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol.
If I remember correctly, I think he's 4 inches square.
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Whole Wheat or White?
I've tweaked the original recipe a bit by adding a "Special Milk powder" from Baker's catalog. It improves the shelf life and texture.
Off for a busy weekend. It's my turn to work hospitality at church all weekend so probably won't have any time to stamp. :-(
Blessings, Happy Stamping and Happy Baking!
Charlene
Friday, January 23, 2009
Black Orchid
I started with an SU black base. I had a paper pack from S.E.I. called Black Orchid. You can't tell but the orchid is actually glossy and has great texture. The solid teal layer is cut from the same paper pack. The ribbon is from Michael's.
The sentiment is from Papertrey's Simple Somethings. I clear embossed it to pick up the gloss in the orchid. The photo just doesn't do it justice.
Thanks for visiting!
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
Senior Citizens Rule! - Arsenic and Old Lace
Thursday, January 22, 2009
You Sparkle, Cupcake!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
You've Got Mail, Valentine!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Stamps for Sale
Stampin Up Lucky Me (St. Patrick's Day) - $12 (tiny bit of ink on 2 stamps)
Stampin Up Loads of Love and Loads of Love Accessories - $30
Kathy Davis Flowers - $6
Stampin Up Simple Somethings - $7
Stampin Up Fun Faces - $10 (ink on wood 2 stamps)
Stampin Up Faith and Hope - $10
Stampendous Flowers in vase - $6
Impression Obsession Floral Heart Box - $5 (rubber has been repositioned)
Indadinkado School Days & School Supplies (2 stamps) $5
Hero Arts Bunny and Egg (2 stamps) (Retired) - $8
Hero Arts Flower Silouette Set of 3 stamps (Still in wrapper) - $10
Stamps by Judith & Heather Large U.S. flag - $8
Stampin Up So Many Sayings - $10
Stampin Up Tu-Tu Terrific - $15
Stampin Up Letters of Love - $7
Stampendous Pail Topper For Baby - $10
Stampendous Pail Topper Happy Birthday - $10
Stampin Up in the Sky - $5
Stampin Up Grand Cornucopia - $10 (some ink on wood)
Hero Arts Luck O' the Irish - (2 stamps) - $8
Stampin Up Big Blooms - $10
Hero Arts tiny alphabet - $5
Hero Arts Letters and Numbers - $5
Hero Arts Dot Alphabet - $5
Stampin Up Smorgasborders - $5
Stampin Up Alphabet Antiques Letters - $10
Stampin Up Antiques numbers - $5
Cuttlebug Fruit metal die - $6
CutterBee Circle Scissor Plus - $10
Fastenator large stapler and staples - $10
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
Monday, January 19, 2009
Apple Pie Recipe - Part Two
Pie crust for a two crust pie
For the praline layers:
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/3 c. all purpose flour
1/4 c. unsalted butter, melted
Combine, mix well and set aside.
3 T. all purpose flour
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. fresh lemon juice
dash salt
2/3 c. granulated sugar
6 c. thinly sliced, peeled apples (I used a mixture of Granny Smith and Gala)
10 caramels, cut in half
half and half, light cream or milk
coarse sugar for sprinkling (I used Turbinado for this pie, however, I usually use coarse white sugar)
Prepare crust, roll out and fit into a 9" pie pan. Set aside.
Place sliced, peeled apples into a large mixing bowl. Combine sugar, 3 T. flour, cinnamon, lemon juice and salt. Blend and toss with apples.
Transfer 1/2 of the apples to prepared pie crust. Top with 1/2 of the praline and all of the caramels. Repeat with remaining apples and praline.
Roll out top crust, place over pie. Cut slits or decorative shapes in crust. Flute edge. Brush top with the half & half, cream or milk.
Sprinkle with sugar, if using.
Cover edges with foil. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, bake an additional 20-25 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is nicely browned. Serve warm. Serves 8-10
Leave me a comment here if you make this pie. I'd love to know what you think of it. If you have any questions, feel free to email me or ask them here.
Blessings and Happy Baking!
Charlene
Apple Pie Recipe
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Appetizer and Dessert...Are you Hungry?
Edited: Recipe for Antipasto Salad and Dressing
1/2 med. head iceberg lettuce
1 small head curley endive or green leaf lettuse (I used green leaf)
3-1/2 oz. thinly sliced pepperoni
4 oz. thinly sliced genoa salami
6 oz. proscuitto ham
Optional - 2 oz. can anchovies with capers, drained
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
1 c. radishes
1 c. mini carrots or carrot sticks
1 c. ripe & green olives (I bought small quantities of flavored olives at my deli)
8 oz. provolone cheese, cubed
Antipasto dressing
Shred lettuce, and spread on a large tray
Make a border of endive or green leaf lettuce. Arranges remaining ingredients on top of lettuce. Serve with dressing. Serves 10-12
Antipasto Dressing - This is very good on a tossed salad as well
3/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c. white wine, red wine or balsamic vinegar
2 t. dried oregano
1 t. dried basil
1/4 t. dried thyme
1 t. honey
1/8 t. pepper
2 T. water
1 clove garlic, crushed
Combine all ingredients in a jar, cover tightly, shake well. Let stand several hours at room temp.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Last of Winter -ssnotime69
I was going to cover the stitches with paper but then I decided to pull out the stitching. A paper pierced card without all that piercing. Bet I could have done this with no thread in the machine. ...note to self!
Supplies:
stamps: Elzybells
paper: SU Cool Caribbean, Basic Grey DP, PTI white
Ink: Versafine black, SU Ruby Red, Prismacolor markers
Accessories: SU button, embroidery thread, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Label die, chipboard, sewing machine
Sunday, January 11, 2009
You've GOT to see this...and a For Sale Sign
Awesome!
I have a pile of stamps and supplies from my room cleaning that I will be posting as soon as I can get pictures...gotta sell them before they make their way back to their places. A couple have done that already so will need some serious help.
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Look What Lily the Fairy Did!!
Blessings and Happy Stamping,
Charlene
Friday, January 9, 2009
A Little Note...of Thanks
I just realized these cards qualified for Splitcoaststampers Limited Supply Challenge LSC201 - My Favorite Things. AND Sharon Johnson's SSnotime#69 and I wasn't even trying. That just does not happen often.
No more than 3 colors, just a few of my favorite accessories and embellishments for the LSC201 and a winter card for Sharon's #69 - Whoopee!!
I'm woefully late getting my Christmas thank you's in the mail. I think I may get them finished today. I love this little image from Elzybells that I got here last year. I love that is a multi purpose note card...good for a thank you, thinking of you or "just a note. It's still winter...even here in FL. I used scraps of my Basic Grey Dasher paper and various embellishments to make each one unique. I just hate multiples but by changing up the embellishments, each one becomes a little bit special. My colors are Riding Hood Red, Bali Breeze/Cool Caribbean and Old Olive.
Some are paper pierced, some machine stitched, some have Dew Drops or buttons. I used Diamond Stickles for her coat trim and the snow. I stamped all my images first onto Papertrey's white CS then cut them out with my Spellbinders label and circle dies. The cards are 4-1/2" X 4-1/4". You can click on the picture for a close-up.
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
The Truth Revealed
I can't seem to create without my stuff all out and around me.
The next post will reveal the result of this mess...
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The Rest of the Room....
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Lily the Fairy
A CLEAN desk (sort of) and my Punch storage
Monday, January 5, 2009
One last Christmas Cookie Post and a Goal
My DH did hang some cool rods I found at Ikea to store my punches on. When I can get to the desk and take a photo, I'll post it. Only wishing I'd bought a few more as our Ikea is so far away.
Pam asked for a list of the cookies I made at Christmas. Here goes:
Chocolate Macadamia Nut Clusters
White Chocolate Chunk Macadamia Cookies (dipped in white chocolate) mmm-mmm!
Russian Teacakes
Clear the Cupboard Cookies (Southern Living recipe good for every day munching)
Crinkled Fudge Truffle Cookies
Minty Middles
Lemon Crinkles
Raspberry Pinwheels
Date Nut Pinwheels
Expresso Pinwheels
Greek Twists
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Princess Gems (very fragile, uses ammonia powder (!) and oh so good!)
Lora's Ginger Cookies
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies drizzled with white chocolate
Martha Stewart's Giant Gingerbread Snowflakes and Stars
Jan Hagels
Tiger Butter
Peppermint Bark
I usually make Baklava too, but just ran out of time this year...it's a once a year treat that will have to wait until next year.
Happy New Year Everybody. Hope to have some fun Valentine projects soon!
Blessings,
Charlene