It's Time for A Recipe Break

It's holiday time once again and that means baking at my house. Today was our last session in our Beth Moore Daniel Bible study...it was just truly awesome. A lot to take in but time well spent.

We decided to celebrate with a buffet breakfast. Several ladies brought some truly delicious treats...cheese grits..mmmm, pumpkin bread, fruit salad, little quiche like cups, and I made this yummy Butter Almond Coffeecake.

For those of you who've never tried working with yeast, this recipe is perfect. No kneading! Your mixer does all the work and you get all the credit. It takes just minutes to prep the ingredients then you go do something else for 90 minutes while it rises. Bake for 20 minutes and done! Here's the recipe...remember to use real butter as it's a major flavor ingredient in this recipe.

Butter Almond Coffeecake

Topping
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup sugar
2 T. light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Dough
1-3/4 to 2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1 egg

Grease an 8 or 9" square pan. In small bowl, combine all topping ingredients; blend well. Spread evenly in bottom of prepared pan, set aside.

Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl, combine 1 c. flour, 1/4 c. sugar, salt and yeast; blend well. Heat milk and 1/4 c. butter until very warm (120-130 degrees). Add warm liquid and egg to flour mixture. Blend at low speed of mixer until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Stir in an additional 3/4 - 1 c. flour to make a stiff batter. Spoon evenly over topping mixture in pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and a cloth towel. Let rise in a warm place (80-85 degrees) until light and doubled in size, about 1-1/2 hours.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Don't overbake. Immediately turn onto serving platter or foil. Serve warm. Makes 9 servings.

Enjoy!!

It's FREE, It's FREE!!

Ok, ladies, position your most nimble fingers on that keyboard and head here pronto because this is a limited time offer.

Just until Thursday, November 19th, Regina is giving away a HUGE set called Christmas Daily Planner absolutely FREE !!! After the 19th, the set will retail for $12.99 !!!

This is Regina's Thanksgiving gift to you and I'm honored to have the pleasure of passing it on. This cool set has 84 images!!! You read that right....84!!!

....so why are you still reading this post? ;-)

A Blog Award

Wow...I am so humbled...Sue, a uber talented stamper/blogger, I'd love to have for a friend/neighbor....(the woman bakes too!) has graced me with this sweet award. You've got to see her Penny Black and House Mouse creations. This lady can do things with Copics and paper that you won't believe.

The award came with the stipulation that I had to pass it on to 5 other talented ladies AND answer in one word the following questions....now anyone who knows me well, knows I can't say ANYTHING in one word, but I gave it a go...it's much, much harder than you'd think.

Head on over to see these lovely ladies, you won't be disappointed. My answers follow.

Deena
Regina
Peet
Jessica G
Enfys

1. Where is your cell phone? purse

2. Your hair? ponytail

3. Your mother? distant

4. Your father? dead

5. Your favorite food? pie

6. Your dream last night? none

7. Your favorite drink? milk

8. Your dream/goal? Creating

9. What room are you in? Office

10. Your hobby? stamping

11. Your fear? accidents

2. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Tennessee

13. Where were you last night? Concert

14. Something that you aren’t? Shy

15. Muffins? Apple

16. Wish list item? Bosskut

17. Where did you grow up? Ohio

19. What are you wearing? Shorts

20. Your TV? On

21. Your Pets? Dog

22. Friends? Awesome

23. Your life? Blessed

24. Your mood? Calm

25. Missing Someone? Grandchildren

26. Vehicle? Hyundai

27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes

28. Your favorite store? Archivers

29. Your favorite color? Green

30. When was the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? Movie

32. Your best friend? Patty

33. One place that I go to over and over? Church

34. Facebook? Yes

35. Favorite place to eat? Carraba's

More Quick Gift Ideas and a Tutorial

Here's another project many have seen but may be new to some of you. I've re-created the water bottle card for Christmas gifting. A way to refresh someone's body and spirit!

This cover fits a Zephyrhills water bottle, just adjust the length to fit whatever water you use.

Here's how to do it:

Supply List:

water bottle
drink packet
Cardstock
DP
1-1/4" circle punch
scallop circle punch
Scor-Tape
2 brads
Mono Multi glue
double sided tape

Cut solid cardstock 3" x 11"
Score at 2"
Turn and score again at 2-1/2"

For the top:
Fold the 2" scored side back (away from you) and the 2-1/2" scored side up.
Punch the 2" end with the 1-1/4" punch
Punch a Scalloped circle
Dab Mono Multi on the scallops only, leaving the center clean

Hold the cardstock to the light and place the scallop circle over the 1-1/4" hole. Press down and punch out the hole with the 1-1/4" punch again. (this is the easiest way I've found to make sure the scallop is centered)

For the center:
Cut the solid cardstock panel - 2-7/8" x 5-3/8"
Cut the DP - 2-3/4" x 5-1/4"
Adhere to main panel with double sided tape

For the bottom pocket:
Cut the colored solid - 2-1/2" x 2-1/4"
Cut the image panel - 2-1/4" x 2"
Adhere with double sided tape

Attach brads to top corners of the bottom pocket
Add your drink mix and bless someone with a soul and thirst quencher!

Back with a Cutting Cafe Project and a GIVEAWAY!

This drawing is closed as of 12:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15th. Thanks!...I have a couple of tutorials you will want to make for Christmas so scroll down.

Wow...I've never had a flu bug that knocked me off my feet for this long. Even the bronchitis I had this spring didn't hit me this hard. I'm feeling better but still tired and somewhere between a frog and a whale....croaking voice and blowing nose!! ;-) My Mojo hasn't quite returned to normal yet, but it feels good to want to create again so hope springs eternal.


Regina must have know how much I love planners when she came out with this super HolidayPlanner set..I used the Cutting Cafe Notebook/Planner (woo,hoo it's Free..see here for details) She even designed inner pockets and included lists for notes and gifts in the Holiday Planner set that fit right in this super planner template that are ready to print and pop right in.


I added an extra pocket on mine and decided to use her awesome Christmas Gift Tag set so my tags would be ready to pop onto my gifts as soon as I get them wrapped. I won't have to hunt for my receipts either because there's a pocket for them as well. Everything nice and organized...Love it!!


I didn't have time to finish them all but there are 14 tags ready for you to print, cut and decorate. I used double sided tape on some of mine to just stick on my packages.


Regina has said I can give away ALL THREE OF THESE SETS!!! The Holiday Planner, the Notebook Cover and the Christmas Gift Tags.

Just leave me a comment by Sunday, November 15th.

Supplies:

Digital Stamps : Cutting Cafe Notebook Cover, Christmas Planner, and Christmas Gift Tag sets
Stamps: Papertrey Holiday Button Bits

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest White, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding, Papertrey Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy

Accessories: Ribbon, bling, Spellbinders Circle, Label, Rectangle dies, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, button, Liquid Pearls

Blessings!

Charlene

More Christmas Gift Ideas

Here's another oldie but goodie quick Christmas/Birthday gift idea...a post it note holder with matching beaded pen. For Christmas gift giving, just leave off the sentiment.



These are gifts that are useful, inexpensive and appreciated by everyone. You can make them masculine or feminine depending on your choice of image.



Supplies:
4 X 6 acrylic frame turned upside down (Walmart about $1)
4 x 6 piece of DP
Post-It notepad
Scor - Tape (for taping the pad down on the frame)
Misc. stamps for image panel
For pen: Micro beads, Super Tacky Tape (you can buy supplies here), DP

Matchbook Candy Holder

Are these not just adorable?!!! I love little gifts that I can give on the spur of the moment. One thing I love to do at Christmas is tuck a little surprise in my mailbox a few times a week for the mailperson. Just a way to say "I appreciate you". She gets a big plate of cookies, too!

You can find the tutorial for these adorable little Matchbox Candy Holders

on SplitCoastStampers. They are so easy you can make dozens in a day.

I'm showing you some I did for Christmas and some for Thank you's and birthdays.

The Chocolate Book is Back!

Since everyone is in the gifting mode and budgets are slim this year, I thought I'd bring back some oldies that I've had numerous requests for plus some new projects that I'm catching up with since I've been sick. (still froggy but better each day..thanks for the prayers, guys!)

First up is the Chocolate Book. I love this little gift and so does everyone who gets one. You can't go wrong with 2 kinds of chocolate, right? I'm showing it in two versions...one for birthday and one for Christmas. You can find the tutorial and the download for the inside pages here on Splitcoast in POST 12. I designed this for Scor-Pal a couple of years ago. I've posted it in both PDF and Word formats. Please note: While I share this design for your personal use, it is copyrighted and may not be sold or submitted for contest.

Supplies:

Paper - SU, Martha Stewart, Misc.

Stamps - Papertrey Holiday Button Bits

Ink - Versafine Gingerbread, Black, SU markers

Accessories - Scor-Pal, Scor- Tape, buttons, Dark & Milk Chocolate Hershey bars, PDF printout

Dasher in Blue

Don't forget to leave a comment here
for The Cutting Cafe giveaway. I'll draw the winner on the 15th!

This quick card is for the Clean and Simple Challenge (CAS40) on Splitcoast. This week was a Color Challenge to use one color plus white.

I chose the Dasher image from Stampin Up. He's stamped in Versafine Sea Breeze and clear heat embossed. The Cuttlebug folder background and the edges of the Baja Breeze label are glittered using a glue pen and Martha Stewart Crystal fine glitter.

Supplies:
Paper: Neenah Classic White, SU Baja Breeze
Ink: Versafine Sea Breeze
Stamps: SU Dasher
Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder, Spellbinders label die, glue pen, Martha Stewart bling and glitter, American Crafts ribbon

Trick or Treating

Don't forget to comment here for the Cutting Cafe Giveway!

Thought I'd share a few photos from our trip to see our kids and grandchildren. We got to go trick or treating with them...such fun! The first one is me with our granddaughter, Ann. The neighbor had just hung this ghost on the tree so we had to go check it out!

This next photo is our oldest son, Steve, aka, Daddy, carving the pumpkin according to Ann and David's instructions.

All done!

Dressed and waiting to go...hurry up, Mom and Daddy!

Finally....I think my favorite candy is in there!!

It was alternately warm - 78 degrees and freezing - in the 30's overnight, while we were there. Even though we both came home with flu, we wouldn't have missed a minute of it!

Thanks for visiting...I've got several projects lined up to show you so be sure to pop back in.

I'm back with a Cutting Cafe goodie and the flu!

We are back from our wonderful visit with our family but unfortunately, picked up the flu somewhere along the way. I've had a flu shot (reg.) but evidently this is another strain. UGH! Fever, body aches, chills, swollen glands, the works...my poor DH has it as well, but his seems to be milder...good thing as the poor guy had to go to work. The weather in KY is very unreliable...it was 78 degrees one day and in the 30's the next night. Our Florida blood has made us big sissies.

As soon as he gets the photos of our grandchildren edited, I'll post some...we got to go trick or treating with them! What fun.

Regina came out with this awesome Holiday Planner set just in time for the holidays...and it's just $2.99 for this HUGE set. I don't know how she does it! I braved my craft room and made this sweet little planner using a template I found free on Capture the Moment. I made a belly band to keep it closed. Regina even included a digi stamp for Receipts and this little notepad cover has a pocket that's just perfect for slipping those holiday receipts in so they don't get lost. Perfect for tracking what you've bought for each person on your list!

My posts may be a bit erratic this week depending on how I feel...thanks for understanding.

Supplies: The Cutting Cafe Holiday Planner set
Paper: PTI Kraft, Poppy Red,, Martha Stewart Christmas, SU white
Accessories: Scor-Tape, Scalloped edge punch, Spellbinders Label die, dimensionals, glue on bling, sewing machine.

Mercy's Sketch 44

I got a few minutes..around midnight (!) to finish a card I started yesterday morning. This is for Mercy's challenge 44. Overall size is 4.25 square.


I triple looped the bow, ran a few stitches through the center to gather it, then tied a separate piece of ribbon over the stitches.

Made the stick pin from inexpensive pearl stick pins and beads from Michael's.


Supplies:
Paper - Making Memories Sabrina
Ink - Versafine black
Accessories - glue on facets, sheer ribbon, beads, pearl stick pin, Spellbinders oval dies

It's Christmas All Around!

My first Christmas card of the season...makes my insides quake when I think of how much I know I have to do. Gotta start somewhere right?

I know of no better place to begin than the Cutting Cafe's Christmas All Around. This cute set has 6 3" circle images with sentiments PLUS 11 separate images to color and cut as you please.

I chose this "O Christmas Tree" circle and image. My card is 5" square. I used SCS Sketch Challenge 190 (SC190) The tree is watercolored with Pearlescent watercolors to give the tree a subtle shimmer. Those little stick on blingy things came on a big sheet of multi sizes from Michael's for about $2.

Head on over to the Cafe and see this great set for yourself...Regina has some beautiful eye candy there of her own. ;-)

Supplies:

Stamps - The Cutting Cafe

Paper - Basic Grey Figgy Pudding, PTI Poppy Red, Aqua Mist

Ink - Pearlescent Watercolors, Old Olive, Ruby Red (sponging)

Accessories - Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies, ribbon, silver twine, button, bling stick-ons

Think Pink Hope Kit

I decided to make a little gift to go with the Fight Like a Girl card I posted yesterday. I guess you would ordinarily call it one of those Survival Kits but I decided to call mine a "hope" kit!

I covered a qt. sized acrylic can with DP, added some string pearls, flowers, that same glittery pink ribbon dress I used on my card and lots of bling to the top, satin ribbon, flowers, beads....a totally girly happy gift can, I think.

Kudos to my DH...he figured out how to get the handle off the acrylic can so I could run pony beads around it. We glued it back on with E6000...had to let it dry for a day or so to make sure it was good and secure but I love the look, don't you?

I printed the contents of the can on Vellum, rolled it like a scroll, tied with ribbon and popped it inside with the rest of the goodies.

Freebie alert: Verve stamps has a free digi download on an adorable set called Warm Winter Wishes but only until 10/23...so you better hurry over!

Thanks for droppping by....I appreciate you!


Supplies:
Stamps : Flourishes- Think Pink-Fight Like a Girl
Paper: Heidi Swapp Sassy Sweet
Ink: SU Regal Rose
Accessories: acrylic paint can, satin ribbon, grosgrain ribbon, pony beads, E6000, stick-on gems, glitter pen, Making Memories flowers, Spellbinders circle dies

Think Pink - Fight Like a Girl!

When I saw this set from Flourishes on Deena's blog

I just knew I needed it. We have two (!) friends who have been diagnosed with breast cancer this year. I know we probably all know a friend, relative or acquaintance who has this frightening disease.

I used a variety of "pinks" on this and the gift can that you'll see tomorrow, from pales to rosy. The dress is popped up on dimensionals. Wish you could see the sparkle. I used a Sakura glitter pen on the dress and the Hope sentiment.

After I made my card, I cruised SCS for a bit and found this awesome resource. Sketch Challenges Roxie had made a master file of all the challenges so you can view them from your computer, save them or print them out. Since I don't have a computer in my stamp room..another wish list item...I printed them out for easy reference.

Supply list: Stamps - Flourishes Think Pink - Fight like a Girl

Paper - Base and pinks - Bazzill Linen Texture

Ink - SU Regal Rose, Versamark

Accessories - Martha Stewart lace punch, pearl stick pin & beads, dimensionals, Sakura glitter pen, embossing powder, ribbon

SC246 - Soccer Boy & Quick Bread

Edited to add: Thanks for the emails and comments about the quick breads...Please leave an email address if you would like the recipes as I have them on Word documents.

Yeah! I finally got to escape to my room for a bit.

But first, my DH left me a note this morning that says he needs "nut bread" for work tomorrow morning. I think he thinks I'm a bakery! Nut bread to him means a whole big tray of a variety of breads for his inventory crew. A well fed inventory crew is a happy inventory crew. :-) I made 4 kinds...butternut squash (in the center), yes, I baked the squash!, applesauce raisin pecan (bottom left and going clockwise) Hawaiian Banana bread, and date nut. Done...happy husband and now that I can stamp, happy wife.

If you'd like any of the recipes, just email me with your email address.

I wanted to make a "boy" card for our grandson. He's all of 4 and just finished soccer season. He actually looks alot like little Billy from Pink Cat Stamps. Our granddaughter went into great detail explaining his soccer uniform to me so I could get it just right. "Blueish, greenish shirt, no number on it, black shorts, black shoes and a black and yellow ball." I think I got it!

Have I said how much I LOVE Crate Paper? It's great for boxes but the colors are just awesome and so beautifully complimentary. These papers are all from the Samantha pack but I think they suit a boy just fine. The black is SU. I colored him with my Prismacolors markers. I got those silver dimensionals thingys at Big Lots for about $1. I covered the ball with Crystal Effects and popped it up on dimensionals. I stamped his name with JustRiteStampers.

Thanks for stopping by...off to try and get another project finished. ;-)

And so it Ends...The Much Improved Laundry Room!

Hi Everyone...No, I'm not ending my blog...it's just been a very long busy week. So sorry for the long absence but I've had no time to even peek in my stamp room . Monday, I worked at the Zook Family Adoption auction all day...from about 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. I'm happy to report that they raised over $15,000 towards the adoption of two more children from Russia.

Tuesday, I had my Beth Moore Daniel study (love that!) in the morning, ran errands all afternoon, raced home to make dinner and then we had our couples Bible study that night.

Wednesday, I crashed...seriously crashed. I guess my age is catching up to me...oh, how I hate to admit that!

Thursday and Friday, I had the most awful stomach ache I've EVER experienced. I just couldn't image what would have caused it until I read the side of the box of protein bars we've been eating on our weight loss diet. My DH is wanting to lose 20 lbs. (they're having a challenge at his job), so I decided it wouldn't hurt me to lose 5 or 10 either. I found these really good protein bars called "Pure Protein"...20 grams of Protein, low carbs, low sugar...well, it was the low sugar part that caused my stomach problems. It seems these bars contain "sugar alchohols". It says right on the box that some people are sensitive to them. Um, I didn't read that before I bought them! I did some more research on the net and sure enough...that was it. I was eating just one a day with a full glass of water but it was still too many for me. I just don't metabolize the sugar alchohols well. My DH has had no problems with them at all and they really do taste good and satisfy not only the appetite but the craving for something sweet, but I guess, for me, I'll have to find something else because I was in sheer agony for two entire days.

We began our Marriage Bible study in our home on Friday nights as well and I do most of the prep so you can see why I've had no stamping time....I have a craft show coming up in Nov. so I'll have some things to show you soon.

In the meantime, I thought you might like to see "The End"...our laundry room (the ugly) is nearly finished!! My DH did everything everything from laying the tile, to putting in the cabinets, countertops, sink, faucet, etc. all by himself. My job was painting that awful mauvy purple color to a warm muslin. Sorry for the brightness...there is a skylight in there (thankful for it when we have hurricane shutters up! Everything came from Lowes except for the handles which we got at Ikea. We still have touch up painting and decorating to do plus he put the wrong handle size on the big drawer so have to re-order a new front but otherwise, we're nearly there.

What do you think? A big improvement?? ;-)

Cutting Cafe Winners!

And the winners are.....Tiny Box with Sentiments

 

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

21

Timestamp: 2009-10-09 03:31:10 UTC

JenniferCR said...

What amazing projects you have created here! I love both of them! Your work is stunning!

For My Neighbor

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

5

Timestamp: 2009-10-09 03:27:17 UTC

Charlene Merrick (LilLuvsStampin) said...


Hee! This is so doggone cute and so well designed and embellished! What a great stamp set idea for neighbors!



Congratulations!!  Your stamps will be on the way!! 

Thanks to everyone who played along...stay tuned for more Cutting Cafe creations!!