Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A Card, A Calendar Page and a Cookie!


Gosh, it felt good to actually make a card...finally!  Had to take an unexpected trip to the doctor this afternoon as I've been having some uncomfortable symptoms.  She gave me an antibiotic and is running some tests so praying they come back ok.
 
This card is deceptively Clean and Simple.  The Clean and Simple challenge on SCS this week is to create a Valentine.  A little assist from The Cutting Cafe, a Making Memories Sabrina transparency sheet, a scrap of paper, a punch and some ribbon made this one super simple.  I simply copied one of the sentiments from The Cutting Cafe's awesome Valentine Big Stuff set using Print Shop directly onto my cardstock, added the transparency and embellishments and done!
 
Here's the calendar page I promised to post.  This year's calendar uses the template from Amuse. (proceeds donated to charity)  I had to make 24 sets this year so my embellishments were minimal.  My little Snow Angel (SU retired) has Flower Soft Polar White on the snowman's earmuffs, and the child's hat and coat sleeves.  I used my Prismacolor markers to color then glittered up the snow everywhere I could to make it sparkle.  The stand up calendar case with the nifty little sleeve to hold it in place is from calendar-case.com
 
 
 
 
And finally, a cookie!  Chocolate Crinkles....yum!  The secret to this cookie is not to overbake it so that it comes out soft and fudgy.  Cookies keep baking after they're removed from the oven so I take mine out a minute or so ahead of time.  The center of the cookie will look a bit shiny but that means it's not overdone, crumbly and dry.
 
 
Chocolate Crinkles (about 6 dozen)
 
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 t. vanilla
4 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled
4 eggs
2 c. all purpose flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 c. confectioner's sugar
 
Mix sugar, oil, vanilla and chocolate in large bowl.  Stir in eggs, one at a time.  Stir in flour, baking powder and salt.  Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
 
Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Drop dough by teaspoonfuls into confectioner's sugar; (I use a small scoop)  roll in the sugar to coat.  Shape into balls.  Place on parchment or Silpat lined cookie sheet.
 
Bake 9-12 minutes (ovens vary) or until almost no indentation remains when touched.  Remove from cookie sheets to wire rack and cool.   Freezes well.
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
 
 
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9 comments:

Regina Easter said...

hey you, how ya doing girl...goodness, i sure hope all is okay with ya..i will be keeping you in my prayers...okay so the card is amazing to say the least...so glad to see ya back in action...I was having CHARLENE WITHDRAWS...he he he..hugs

Charlene Merrick (LilLuvsStampin) said...

Gee, I hope everything is okay, Charlene. I'll keep you in my prayers.
Your projects are both darling! The pink and black is so striking, and who doesn't love an adorable, pudgy snowman? :-)
I may give your cookie recipe a try, too. They look delish!!!

Mary Beth said...

Charlene, there's so much eye candy on this post I don't know where to look first - awesome! Can't wait to try your crinkle cookie recipe, thanks for sharing. So glad you got the antibiotic...be well and blessed!

Anonymous said...

Oh Charlene, what a beautiful CAS card!! And yum yum yum...I'm so happy I will have time tomorrow to try this recipe!! Thanks for sharing, it sounds so goooood. Sorry to hear that you had to have a trip to the Doc's. I went today too. :( Never a fun thing to do.
hugs,
Deena

Kelly said...

Hi Chalene...hope everything turns out ok. Love both of these cards and the cookies...looks so yummy!

STAMPING SAM said...

Hello! I just came across your blog by way of Splitcoast and the chocolate book, then I saw your paper flowers and had to visit your blog! Love you projects and ideas. So creative! Thanks for sharing. I'll be back!!!

Sue from Oregon said...

Great creation Charlene...hopes this finds you feeling much much better too! No more sickies girl! love your calenders...and you used one of my fave stamps from SU! too!

Mandy said...

Have just become a follower..loving your blog so full of inspiration and the cookie receipes are fabulous..
Mandy xx

Susan (rainy) said...

Oh my gosh those cookies look amazing! I love the card... the scalloped border on the polk-a-dot paper is so sweet. And the calendar is wonderful... and 24 sets... Wow!

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