Friday, April 29, 2011

Foodie Friday - Coconut Cream Pie

Oh my!  I think this is my most favorite dessert.  (ok, ok, I admit it...they all are!)   When I was a little girl, I lived with my grandmother for awhile.  She used to "go to town" every Saturday and every Saturday we would stop at a little diner that had the most wonderful coconut cream pie.  My grandmother would always ask me what I wanted even though she knew what I would choose. 

There it sat in all it's creamy, chewy, crunchy glory under a big glass dome. Coconut Cream Pie!  I'd climb onto a red plastic covered stool at the counter and watch the waitress lift that big glass cover, never taking my eyes off that dreamy pie for fear she'd drop it. 

I've made this version of it as long as long as I've been married (that's a long time!)   Yes, I have a stand with a big glass dome for it to sit under.  Protected, secure until it's time for dessert.  

 It's our oldest son's favorite dessert as well.  We prefer ours with real whipped cream but if you love meringue, I've included one for you.   Enjoy! 



Coconut Cream Pie

1 baked pie shell (Perfect Pie Crust recipe here)

2/3 c. sugar
1/2 t. salt
2 1/2 c. lukewarm milk (whole is best but 2% works)
3 eggs, separated
4 T. plus 2 t. cornstarch
1/2 c. cold milk
1 t. real unsalted butter (no substitutes)
1 t. vanilla
2 T. flaked coconut plus 3/4 - 1 c. more, for top (if using whipped cream to top, toast coconut separately)

1.  Combine sugar and salt in a saucepan.  Stir in the 2 1/2 c. lukewarm milk.
2.  Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl; stir in some the the warm milk mixture.
3.  Pour the egg yolk/milk mixture into the saucepan and heat to boiling.
4.  Mix the cornstarch into the 1/2 c. cold milk, making sure the mixture is smooth.  Stir into the hot milk    mixture  and cook until it boils and thickens, stirring constantly.
5.  Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla.
6.  Cover with waxed paper, pressing it onto the top of the pudding to prevent a "skin" from developing as it cools.  When cool, stir in the 2 T. of coconut, stir very gently to mix.

Cover with meringue or chill until serving time and served with fresh whipped cream and toasted coconut.

If you love meringue, this one is really good.

Meringue

3 egg whites
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. cream of tartat
4 T. granulated sugar
3/4 - 1 C. flaked coconut

1.  Beat egg whites until foamy.  Add salt and cream of tartar.  Continue beating until peaks hold their shape.
2.  Add sugar, one T. at a time, beating constantly until dissolved. 
3.  Pile on pie,making sure to pull the meringue to the edges of the crust to prevent weeping.
4.  Sprinkle with coconut,  place in preheated 325 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until browned.

The best tutorial on meringue can be found here if you've never made it before and are a bit nervous.  Note:  Be sure it's a dry day because humidity can destroy a meringue making it sticky...we live in the tropics so whipped cream is safer (and oh so yummy!)

Enjoy...and save me a piece if you make it.  :-)



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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Flutterby Gift Bag Tutorial

We're celebrating May Arts/Little Yellow Bicycle Week over at the May Art blog.!  I love giving gifts and for me, half the fun is giving a gift that's as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside. 

When is a box not a box...well, when it's a purse, of course!  I created this gift box purse and card from a single sheet of Little Yellow Bicycle cardstock and May Arts ribbon.



My little model (borrowed from next door) said she thought her friends would love it.  ;-)


Head on over the May Arts blog for more photos and the tutorial.  Thanks LYB!  It's been a fun and inspirational week.
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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

May Arts/LYB Giveaway

It's May Arts/ Little Yellow Bicycle Blog week!  Hurry over and check the DT projects made with great LYB products and May Arts Ribbon.  While you're there, follow the directions to win this



and this





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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger, May Arts and WOYWW

I actually got to play along with the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge this week!   The trigger is this cool fabric from Moda.

I decided to go literal and get all polka dotted.  I muted down the colors a bit and I think I really like it.



Once the circle placement was done, it went together really fast.  I used all Bazzill Basics papers, even for the base.  I love the texture it adds, almost like fabric.

Supplies:
Paper - Bazzill Basics (various textures)
Stamps - Papertrey Ink Friendship Jar Spring Fillers
Accessories - SU  1-1/4" circle punch, tape gun

Now on to WOYWW over at Julia's Stamping Ground #99 (!) I just cleared off my workdesk...well, mostly...after yesterday's cards.  And no, you may not look at the table behind that stool!  Be sure to head over to see workdesks from all over the world...some messy and some oh so neat!  (sigh)



Those plastic bins on the shelves hold my acrylic stamps and various books.  The book on my desk is mine from childhood...about 5th grade, I think.  I loved the story..."The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew".   :-)

Be sure to pop over to the May Arts blog this week.  It's May Arts/Little Yellow Bicycle Blog Week!  Lots of fun inspiration and giveaways.




I'll have a fun project for you this week. In the meantime, be sure to check out the cool projects from the other designers as well.

Thanks so much for spending time here!  I love your visits.  
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Triple Tuesday

Hope you all had a beautiful Easter weekend.  We were surprised by a visit from my nephew who we haven't seen in 14 years.  I am thrilled to say he is a wonderful young man and we were so blessed by his visit.  He spent a couple of nights and went to church with us.  It was fun to have a young man to feed once again!   :-)

I've got two cards today...I can tell my age is beginning to take it's toll.  I had mounds of laundry and cleaning to do and was just too tired to post yesterday.  Hope you'll forgive me.

Here's the card I created for the SCS Clean and Simple Challenge (CAS116)  this week.  We were to use the Rule of Thirds.   It's a rule of composition for photography or art.  The link gives a grid and description.



I used the Alpha Blocks die from Papertrey Ink to cut my little rectangles, popped them up on dimensionals, then added my sentiment.  (PTI Train Tracks).  Super easy, super simple.  I have a problem lining things up due to a brain injury so I won't tell you how many times I had to move those little shapes!

Supplies:
Paper - Neenah Paper (base), SU Melon Mambo, So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories - Alpha-Blocks die (Papertrey Ink), dimensionals

Next up is the Teapot Tuesday (MMTPT143) Challenge.  This week's card destination is a fun one.  We can choose to send the card to the person who uploads to the left of us, if they're participating in the challenge! 

I used the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday 188  Sketch Challenge.  They've given us two options...round or square.  I chose one of my most favorite shaped card templates from The Cutting Cafe - the Scalloped Circle!  This month's inspiration challenge from TCC is shaped cards.  


Here's the inspiration teapot although, if you choose to play, it's an anything goes challenge.


I used one of my oldie but goody sets from Stamps by Judith called Early Bird.  I also used the same DCWV adhesive backed paper that I used on this card.  I think I'm addicted to it.  No taping, no gluing...awesome colors!   The sentiment panel is popped on dimensionals.  I cut the backs off the brads and adhered them with glue dots.

Supplies:
Paper - Black base (PTI), DP (DCWV Adhestive back Pattern Stack)
Card Templates - The Cutting Cafe - Scalloped Circle Shaped Card and Circles
Ink - Memento, Copic markers
Stamps - Stamps by Judith Early Bird
Accessories - sewing machine, dimensionals, brads, white marker (tool alert!  The BEST white marker is the Sailor White Writer rolling ball pen)

Shopping alert - There's a 20% off entire purchase coupon for Michael's link on the SCS link!  Not sure how long it's going to be there so go pick it up....quick!

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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Enjoy the Journey!

My friend, Gretchen, has a friend who's father, Frank, will be celebrating his 90th birthday this coming week.  Her friend would love to have him receive 90 cards for the momentus occasion.

I think that we forget how blessed we are that those who came before us enable us to live as free and as comfortably as we do.  If you'd like to help celebrate his birthday, here's his address:     

                                                  Frank Klackle
                                                  119 Lime St., NE
                                                  Lake Placid, FL  33852

Here's my card for Frank. 


The hot air balloon is a new template from The Cutting Cafe...I just love it!  If you've never ridden in a hot air balloon, you really should put it on your "bucket list".  It's just the most serene and peaceful way to travel across the sky.  They're so beautiful, tool .

The DP is from a really cool, really BIG pack of adhesive backed paper from DCWV called Pattern Stack.  It's 12" x 24" and works PERFECTLY in die cutting machines.  One of the things I like best is that you don't have to worry about how to glue or stick down small areas. 

Happy Birthday, Frank!

Supply List:
Paper - Neenah Classic, DCWV
Template/Sentiment - The Cutting Cafe
Numbers - Papertrey Ink dies
Accessories - sewing machine, Spellbinders circle dies


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Friday, April 22, 2011

Happy Easter!

No foodie this Friday.  I've spent hours trying to get my digital cutter to talk to my computer...finally had to have the wonderful tech, Terri from Bosskut, take over my computer.  She got it done...thankfully!!  A big shout out, Terri!

My internet service has been down as well this afternoon as well.

I did manage to whip up a quick table setting/favor for Easter.  You still have time to make these.  Cute and quick...my kinda project.


If you want to see what's in my box along with a supply list and quick tutorial, head on over to the May Arts Blog. 
Have a blessed Easter!!

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Thursday, April 21, 2011

May Arts Giveaway

Sorry, I've been awol...we received a surprise phone call from a nephew we haven't seen for many years and have spent some time getting to know him as a young man. 

I'll be back tomorrow with a May Arts project for you but to hold you over, there's a giveaway on the May Arts blog...sweet treats!  Do you have a favorite?  Just pop over to the May Arts blog or the FB page and tell the Ribbon Lady what your favorite sweet treat is and you can win this:



Now this is what I call a sweet treat!



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Monday, April 18, 2011

CAS Monday meets Teapot Tuesday

I spent the day working on a DT project and didn't realize I hadn't checked the CAS challenge for this week!  Yikes!

I decided to combine the awesome sketch by mamamostamps (CAS115) with this week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge (MMTPT142).  Our cards this week are heading to Canada and Kay, the 91 yr. old grandmother of another Charlene (crystaldolphins) on SCS.  Kay fell and broke her arm and is having some complications that have kept her hospitalized.


click on photos to enlarge

The digi image was created for Kay by Leigh of HappiLeigh Scrappin.  She's offering it free on her website.  Leigh has some other cute digis there you might like as well.

Supplies:
Stamps - HappiLeigh Scrappin, Flourishes Flourished Words
Paper - Neenah, SU Pretty in Pink
Ink - Versafine, Copics
Accessories - May Arts Ribbon, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, Spellbinders Rectangle dies.

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Saturday, April 16, 2011

Monthly Inspiration and Giveaway Time at the Cutting Cafe

Ok, ladies...there is a treat in store for you at The Cutting Cafe this weekend.  The DT challenge was to use Shaped cards and the samples are super spectacular!! 

You can win your choice of 3 shaped card templates just for leaving a comment and Regina is also offering a a BOGO (buy one, get one free)...with no limit!!  How cool is that?

Just click here to see all the DT samples!!


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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Foodie Friday - Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Now you really didn't think I was going to serve you that stuff in the red can and good old American cheese, did you?  ;-)  I did love that as a kid but we're all grown up now so it's time for some grown up tomato soup and grilled cheese.



Yumm -O!!  Chunky Tomato Basil Soup and Grilled Mozzarella, Pesto and Roasted Pepper Sandwiches on multi-grain sourdough bread....hungry yet?

This soup recipe came from a good friend at church...the sandwich I just made up as I went.  You can omit the roasted peppers if you don't have any or don't like them.  You can have this dinner on the table in under an hour and it's good enough to serve to company.

Roasted Tomato Soup

1/3 c. cup EACH finely chopped carrots, leeks, red onion, and celery
1/4 c. finely chopped green pepper
2 tsp. garlic, minced
3 ounces unsalted butter
1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 quart chicken stock
16 oz. can diced tomatoes in puree
1 tsp. basil leaves
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 c. tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste
1 c. heavy cream (I know, but it's sooooo good!)

Melt butter and heat until very hot but not browned.  Add vegetables and saute until softened. 

Add garlic.  Saute until cooked and vegetables are translucent.

Add the flour, cook, stirring occasionally, about 6-8 minutes.  Add chicken stock, stirring constantly to make to make sure there are no lumps.  Stir in remaining ingredients, EXCEPT for cream.  Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, simmer for 20 minutes.  Ad the cream.  Heat until the soup is heated through about 5 minutes or until hot. 

Grilled Mozzarella, Pesto and Roasted Sandwiches 
Adjust quantities for number of sandwiches required

Thick sliced multi-gain sourdough bread - 2 slices per sandwich
Fresh mozzarella cheese - 2 slices per sandwich
Fresh or store bought Pesto - 1 T. per sandwich
Roasted Red Peppers (optional) -  enough to cover cheese in a single layer
  ( I roast my own if they're on sale.  I keep a jar on hand just in case.)
Olive oil

For each sandwich:

Brush one side of each piece of bread with olive oil.  Spread one slice with 1 T. pesto.  Add two slices fresh mozzarella cheese and roasted red peppers if using.  Top with 2nd slice of bread that has been brushed with olive oil.  Grill until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. 

Enjoy!!


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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

A little of this and a little of that....

Thanks everyone for hanging in there while I was away and for waiting until the weariness and brain fog cleared. In case you were wondering, the cake pops were a HUGE hit.  I'm so glad I invested the time to make them not only delicious but beautiful.  I wish I had snapped a final photo.  I wrapped each one in a clear bag and tied it with beautiful sheer white May Arts ribbon. 

I was finally able to get back into my studio last night for a bit of catching up on the SCS challenges and just in time for WOYWW 97 over at Julia's Stamping Ground.  Be sure to pop over to see what's on the workdesks of crafters all over the world.

Since my workdesk was a bit of a mess from making the cards below, I took a shot of my paper storage.  I know everyone is always looking for a neat way to store their paper.  I  LOVE this system!!



I still need a few more pieces so I can get my basic white paper in there.  I sort my paper by manufacturer due to the DT challenges and from there by color families as much as possible. 

Now to the reason my desk is a mess.....First up is this card for the Teapot Tuesday challenge -  MMTPT141:


Our cards are going to Tom, a 62 yr. old man with Down's Syndrome, who loves guitars & cars, and he LOVES to get cards!  You can find all Tom's information at the above link if you'd like to help make his day.

My card for Tom is has all the elements heat embossed in black detail embossing powder, then I cut them out and popped everything on with dimensionals.

Next up is the Clean and Simple challenge card - CAS114.  This week was an inspiration challenge based on some cute baby bibs.


I used the largest Spellbinder's Scalloped Circle die to cut my bib shape and a smaller plain circle for the opening. 

Thankfully, both card came together easily in great part to the wonderful inspiration photos.  Be sure to pop over the SCS site for a peek.  Remember, you can click on any photo for closer look.  ;-)

The winner of my blog candy has not contacted me even though I left a note on her blog so I have chosen another winner:

okienurse said...



Welcome back! Glad to hear your arm is getting better! Very nice card. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #162

Thanks, Vicki!  PM me with your snail mail and I'll send the package right out to you!




Supplies :
Guitar card
Paper - Neenah Solar White, PTI black. DCWV La Creme
Ink - Versamark
Stamps - Inkadinkadoo Rock Star
Accessories - Black detail embossing powder, dimensionals, stick on bling

Bib card
Paper - SU Certainly Celery
Ink - Versamark, Versafine black, SU Certainly Celery (sponging)
Stamps - Hero Arts Swirl Christmas, PTI Baby Button Bits (sentiment)
Accessories - Spellbinder's Scalloped Circle/Circle dies, White detail EP, ribbon


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Friday, April 8, 2011

May Arts/Bella Blvd. Blog Week & a Tutorial

Today is the last day of May Arts Blog Week with Bella Blvd. and what an exciting and beautiful week it's been!  If you haven't checked out the wonderful DT projects and giveaways yet, be sure to head over to the May Arts and Bella Blvd. blog before you miss out.

I'm so excited to be winding up the weekend with a fun project that I hope you will love as much as I do.
Here's a little sneak peek and a hint (I used one of the templates from the Cutting Cafe for our Shaped Card inspiration challenge this month...can you guess which one?)



I've got a tutorial for you at May Arts Ribbon blog so be sure to head over to see the whole project.


                                           
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Thursday, April 7, 2011

"I am my beloved's and His desire is for me."

This verse from Song of Solomon is the theme of our weekend.  A wedding...with the perfect Groom.  How wonderful to rest in the confidence of that verse on your wedding day.

Here's the card I designed for the leader of our weekend so thank her for being willing to listen to the Lord and lead all of us.  She chose white with silver accents as our colors for the weekend.



I adore this sheer May Arts Ribbon (NE01) !  I used it to tie all the cake pops as well...it has a subtle sheen that almost makes it sparkle....just beautiful!

Hope she likes it!

Supplies:
Paper - SU Silver cardstock, DP- DCWV Luxury pack
Sentiment - computer generated
Accessories - magnolia (made by me),  May Arts Sheer ribbon, spray of pearls (Michael's), stick on pearls, Sakura gelly roll crystal star (highlights flower centers), heavy duty thread, needle, piercing tool, Spellbinder's  oval die


                                                     
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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Cake Pops! WOYWW 96

What's on my workdesk?  Not much stamping but lots and lots (130 to be exact!) cake pops!!  These are all ready to be bagged, tagged and ribboned...May Arts of course!  Hey, did you see the 2nd May Arts giveaway yet?  No...well why not?  :-)  



Head on over the Stamping Ground to see what Julia and the other WOYWW crew have on their workdesks this week.

I've  got a couple of posts in the hopper for you while I'm gone...just hope blogger cooperates!

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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Teapot Tuesday, Bella Blvd and May Arts

Apologies to my email readers for the late post...DH's week to go in to work later in the day means my posting doesn't get done at night or early in the a.m.  I'm also prepping for my weekend away...lots to do so little time it seems.

Another combo post for you today.  First up...exciting news!  May Arts and Bella Blvd. are bringing you an exciting blog week with lots of giveaways, projects and fun.

Want a sneak peek of what you can win?

and how about a side of ribbon to go with that?



Yummy, right?  Head on over the May Arts blog to find out how to win it and then head to Bella Blvd. for the yummy giveaways there as well.   I'm not sure what day my project will be up but I will give you a heads up when I see it.  I had soooo much fun!

This week's Teapot Tuesday card is heading to Emmit, Idaho and Linda who has had to have nearly all the vertebrae in her spine fused after a fall.  Linda's friend, Leigh Grady, has designed a free digital image that she's sharing for anyone who wants to make a card for Linda.  Linda loves cats and butterflies.  I have dubbed my creature a Caterfly.  :-)



He's a big bold kitty with big bold colors.  I gave him some softness on his belly and feet with a bit of flower soft.  He's popped up on dimensionals.  Hope he brings Linda a smile.

I also made this card for the OLW47 challenge this week hosted by Jennifer challenge this week.  Believe it or not, it took me 3 tries to get that image straight in the embossed square.  Still not sure I like it but it's done.



I used a Spellbinders Square die to emboss the center then stamped the image from SU Gently Falling in Versamark Brilliance Sky Blue ink...it has a bit of shimmer to it that's really soft and pretty.

Last but not least, I received this sweet award from kind Peggy.  She calls herself the Nutty Cardmaker but I think she's all sweetness.


Thanks Peggy...be sure to pop over and show Peggy some love.  She's in the far North in Canada and a regualr on SCS.
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Monday, April 4, 2011

Clean & Simple Featured Stamper Make it Monday

How's that for combining challenges?  Super busy week this week as I will be heading out of town for 4 days at the end of the week leaving Hubby and Puppy on their own.  I'm trying to work ahead and plan ahead but there will still be a few days when I won't be posting over the weekend.

Here's my 3fer for today.  The CAS113 Challenge on SCS is a color challenge to use Aqua, light yellow and white.  I combined with this week's Papertrey Ink Make it Monday challenge to use heat embossing as well as the DT Challenge revisiting Butterfly Kisses and the Sunday Featured Stamper challenge FS217 featuring the wonderful gallery of Irene aka Dandi93.

You can find the card I chose to CASE from Irene's amazing gallery here.  She has several examples using this technique  including an overall awesome gallery so be ready to spend some time there enjoying her talent.


Here's my humble offering...it actually took me a few tries to get the oval sponged without getting ink outside the die.  I heat embossed the butterfly from Butterfly Kisses before cutting it out.  The center white panel is popped on foam tape.

Supplies:
Paper - Neenah 110 lb.
Stamps - PTI Butterfly Kisses
Ink - PTI Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist, Versamark
Accessories - EP, heat gun, foam tape

Thanks for visiting today...love our time together.

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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Blue Baby Blue Giveaway

Two posts today so be sure to scroll down for my Papertrey Make it Monday post. 

There was an old song, back when they were clean and you could understand the words!  Now you know how OLD I am.

"Blue baby blue, I'm as blue as I can be;
'Cause my sailor boy said, "Ship Ahoy",
And joined the Naaaavy."

Corny but cute and it's the first thing that popped into my head when I saw this beautiful blue collection Giveaway at May Arts Ribbon in honor of World Autism Awareness Day.



Head to the blog to see how you can win it.

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Friday, April 1, 2011

Make it Monday..on Saturday!

It's not Monday but I am on time (yeah!) for the Papertrey Ink Make It Monday Challenge.  This week is a technique challenge using ink blending. (video tutorial at this link)  Now I must admit I rarely try challenges but I needed a card for my prayer partner on a retreat weekend who just happens to be male and a pastor.  Talk about intimidating!
I used PTI"s Everyday Blessings for this CAS card.  The sentiment is perfect for my needs.
The center panel is popped up on dimensionals.  I used the Tim Holtz blending tool and black ink to do the subtle blending.  I think it makes the cross looks like it's backlit. 



If you change the sentiment, this would make a nice, elegant, simple sympathy card for a male or female, I think.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  You can always click on the photos to make them bigger if you'd like.



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