CAS74 - Carrie's Cakes

A surprise for you and one for me, too!  First, the surprise for you..... I'm the Guest Designer for the CAS74 Inspiration Challenge this week.  Jen has chosen Carrie's Cakes as our Inspiration this week.  Oh my!  What gorgeous, gorgeous cakes, but oh the prices!!  We can dream right?  Here's the cake I chose as my inspiration:

 

Isn't this a fun cake?  I'll be making another card or two, or three for this fun challenge...so much eye candy to inspire.

Here's my card for this cake.  I made the rose using a pear shaped punch, the tendrils are strips of vellum that I colored with marker and curled with scissors.  I sprayed the rose with Glimmer Mist.

What do you think?

And the surprise for me?    I've been chosen as the Featured Stamper #178  this week on SplitcoastStampers!  I can't believe it!  My little gallery was chosen as the gallery to CASE (Copy and Share with Everyone) this week.  Gosh! I'm about speechless (which if you know me is saying something!) 

I hope you get a chance to play along with both challenges.  I appreciate your comments so much. 

 

Blog Candy Alert

Hee,hee...No, it's not MY Madkow but it is Lynne's Madkow...she's an awesome, and I do mean awesome scrapper over at the Posh Designs Scrapbook Store.  Lynne's style is definitely elegant and vintage so if that's you,  then you will adore her scrapbook creations.  If that's not your style, you will still be left drooling. 

Right now, Lynne has some gorgeous candy to give to one lucky winner....take a peek....

All you have to do is become a follower on Lynne's blog, leave a comment, and then mention that I sent you...easy peasy. 

Have fun and good luck!!

  

Happy 4th of July!

 Happy 4th of July!  We've got a busy day tomorrow and I bet you do too, so thought I'd post my greetings to you today.  I've used an older set from The Cutting Cafe  - 4th of July.  Regina's digital stamps make it simple to create sentiment greetings fast.  I love that I can re-size them, change the color, punch out a portion to use only what I want  (as I did with this one), print directly on my CS...ah, total control over a tiny portion of my life...love it. I added just just a little stitching and it was done! 

 

                                                   

 

Head on over to the Cafe site, grab a cup of coffee and take a tour through all the awesome stamp sets, the inspiration gallery and the Design Team sites.  Betcha can't choose just one! 

Supplies

Stamps - The Cutting Cafe 4th of July

Paper - Lizzie Anne Designs digital paper, Neenah Classic

Accessories - sewing machine, dimensionals, circle punch

Blackberry Peach Cake

My stamping friend, Sue, over at Sue's Stamping Stuff, sent me a link to a blackberry cake that looked delicious and challenged me to make it with our stash of  fresh picked blackberries.  It looked good but the couple of reviews I found said the cake was heavy sooooooo.....I played around with a couple of ideas, combined a few recipes and came up with what we think is a fabulous cake.  The first one was delicious.  The first one????  Yes, this is the second one...I decided the first one didn't have enough blackberries so had to make another....right...right? 

  Hey, Sue, this piece is for you! There's plenty for everyone else too so come on over.  I'll put the coffee on.

Here's how I changed the recipe...

1. 
   
   The original mixed the blackberries with sugar before scattering them on the bottom of the cake pan.  I was afraid that would make the berries "juice up" too much and honestly, the frosting and cake are sweet enough to balance the berries. 
2. 
   
   I used my own cake recipe
3. 
   
   I added a yummy peach filling...blackberries and peaches, oh my!
4. 
   
   The original had a plain buttercream frosting.  I made a fresh peach buttercream.  Delish!!

Baking a cake from scratch is easy and so much better tasting than from a box.  Short on time...no problem. 

You can bake the cake layers a day ahead and refrigerate the layers with waxed paper between the layers.  The peach filling can be made several days in advance and  refrigerated.  The frosting takes just minutes. 

Basic White Cake with Blackberries

Grease and flour 3 - 8" baking pans. (I sprayed with Baker's Joy)  Scatter blackberries to cover the bottom of the pan, leaving just a small space between each one.  Since blackberries are different sizes, I didn't measure but you want a good amount.

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

2  cups sugar

3 cups cake flour

4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 cup milk

2/3 cup water

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 tsp. almond extract

6 egg whites, room temperature

Blackberries (this is a great recipe for a white cake...without the blackberries!)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Beat butter, and shortening at med. speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with with milk and water, beginning and ending with flour mixture.  Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.  Stir in extracts. 

In separate bowl, beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form; fold about 1/3 of the egg whites into the batter.  Gradually fold in the rest of the egg whites.  Pour the batter over the blackberries in the prepared pans.

Bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pickinserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes.  Remove from pans to wire racks, and let cool 15 minutes.  Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator until ready to fill and frost. 

Peach Filling (Make a day ahead - needs to chill)

16 oz. sliced peaches fresh (may use thawed, drained frozen peaches)

1 c. sugar

2 T. butter

2 T. lemon juice

1 envelope unflavored gelatin (I used Knox)

3 T. water

1 1/2 t. peach liqueur  (I didn't have any on hand so didn't use)

Cook first 4 ingredients in a med. saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, 30 minutes.  Let cool slightly.

Sprinkle gelatin over 3 T. water in a small saucepan; let stand 1 minute.  Cook over low heat, stirring often until the gelatin dissolves (about 2 minutes)

Process the peach mixture in a blender or food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.  Stir in gelatin and peach liqueur, if using.  Cover and chill 8 hours.

Peach Buttercream

1 c. unsalted butter, softened

32 oz. confectioner's sugar

1 fresh peach, peeled and diced

Beat butter until creamy and light.  Add peaches and beat again.  Mix in confectioner's sugar until frosting is of spreading consistency.  You may need to add a bit more sugar if peach is very juicy.

To assemble the cake, place the first layer berry side up on a cake plate.  Cover the top with a small amount of frosting covering to the edge of the cake layer.  Spoon peach filling over the frosting, leaving a 1" at the edges.  Add the second cake layer, repeat with frosting and peach filling.  Place the final layer blackberry side down,  frost cake using the remaining frosting.

Any leftover peach filling is delicious as a spread on toast or English muffins.  (DH suggestion)

Enjoy!!  Let me know if you bake one...I'll be right over.

                                                              

It's Patriotic Paper Cubed (P3) Time!

Whew!  I'm finally digging out from under laundry, cleaning, peaches, blackberries and blueberries and a DH home for the last few days of his vacation time.  Who called these things "vacations" anyway?  I need a  "vacation"  from this vacation!! :-)

Right now though, it's the first of the month and that means it's Paper Cubed (P3) blog time!!  Our challenge is to take paper and make it 3D...no cards allowed.  Our team was challenged to make table decorations this month (doesn't have to be patriotic) and since the 4th is just a few days away, I thought I'd show you some fast and easy projects to make your tablescape fun. 

Remember...No cards...you have the whole month to play along, so get your summer thinking cap on and link it up...someone's got to win, right?   The prize this month is a Tim Holtz Stamp Set and Grungeboard!

                              
Here's a quick overview of the projects then scroll down for a few individual pictures and directions.   Here is the quick list of projects - Lantern votive covers, Vellum sparklers, placecards and Star Spangled napkins.

Now for the close ups....  first up are these cute paper votive lanterns.

                                                    Here's what you'll need for each one:

6" x  9" piece of cardstock

2 - 1/2" decorative strips

1 - 3/4" x 8" strip of CS or DP for handle

double sided tape (Scor-Tape or Red tape)

1. Score the 6"x 9" cardstock lengthwise at 4 1/2".

2. Score each end @ 1/2"

3. Glue or tape a 1/2" strip of DP on each scored end

4. Fold the cardstock in half.   Cut 3/4" slits from the fold to the scored rim.  Unfold and form the lantern,     securing the ends with tape at the top and the bottom. 

5. Add the handle.

You can create some fireworks for your table in minutes with these fun Vellum Sparklers.

Here's what you'll need for each one:

3" x 15" strip of vellum

Scor- tape or Redline tape

Bamboo skewer

Spray adhesive

glitter

containers/sand

1.  Fold the vellum strip in half lengthwise.

2.  Cut 1/8" slits from fold to leaving 1" uncut at the top.

3.  Apply double sided tape to the 1" uncut end.

4.  Begin removing the paper from the tape while tightly wrapping the vellum around the wooden skewer.

5.  Curl the ends of strips slightly with scissors.

6.  Spray the "sparkler" with the spray adhesive and quickly sprinkle with glitter.  Shake off excess glitter then set the sparklers in a sand filled container.  Add curled foil chenille stems.

The napkins and placecard holders are super fast.

Here's all you need for each one:

Foil cardstock - Cut 1 piece 3.5" x 4.5" for each placecard plus extra for stars

White cardstock - 3" x 1.5"

Star dies or punches

dimensionals

Foil chenille stems

cloth or paper napkins

I glued my stars on the cloth napkins with white glue so I can use the napkins again for another occasion.  Wrap the chenille stems around a bamboo skewer to make them corkscrew then arrange to look like fireworks.

Also fits these challenges:

PPA49 - 4th of July Inspiration

CCMC105 - Red, White and Blue

Pixie Dust Studio - Red, White and Blue

Paper Romance - Red, White and Blue

That's it!  Be sure to check out the rest of the team ideas....

Michelle     Tammy      Sandy      Lorrinda      Anna      Melanie

Have fun and thanks for visiting the playground! 

Cutting Cafe New Team and 2 for 1 Special!

I'm taking a quick break from this

to tell you about this:

Regina, of The Cutting Cafe has announced the new members of the Team.  A BIG Congrats and welcome to all the newbies!! 

To celebrate, Regina is having a 2 for 1 special to celebrate the new Team.  Yep, any set you want of equal or lesser value FREE but only until Monday,  June 28th Midnight so if you've had your eye on a couple of sets, now is the time to head on over the Cutting Cafe and stock up because there's no limit on how many sets you can purchase. 

Hope to be back on schedule with posting tomorrow! 

 

Foodie Friday - The Fruits of Our Labor

We're back from our annual blackberry, blueberry, peach pickin' trip.  We had such a lovely time...the weather was warm but a lovely breeze was blowing and in the early morning with the birds singing, bees buzzing and blackberries ripe for picking, nothing could be sweeter.  We brought home 10 gallons of blackberries, 1 gallon of blueberries and 3 bushels of peaches...(some for friends).  I'm going to be busy but don't worry, I'll have some stamping for you as well.  Next week, I've got a Paper Cubed (P3) project for you...hint, hint (4th of July!).

 

This is this morning's breakfast requested by DH.  A handful of sweet, plump blackberries and blueberries and a super sweet, juicy peach topped with a couple of dollops of lowfat Greek yogurt (love that stuff) and a drizzle of local honey.  Super easy, nutritious, and oh so delicious! 

I'm making an experimental cake so will let you know how it turns out. 

Things That Fly

Two super quick cards for you today...we're about to leave for berry picking so I won't be checking in for a few days.  The CAS 71 (Clean and Simple Challenge) on SplitcoastStampers last Monday was "Things That Fly".  I was away and didn't get to play but just couldn't resist a little fun by using my little Seed Shooter (House Mouse Designs) with his "flying" seed.  The sentiment is one of my favorite stamps from The Cutting Cafe  called Sweet Summer.  It's one of Regina's 99 cent special stamps and I can't tell you how often I use it.  I printed it directly on the cardstock for this card. 

This second card uses the same image.  I changed the card dimension to 4.25 x 4 inches.  The sentiment Papertrey.

Two super quick,super simple cards.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I appreciate your comments!

  

Happy Father's Day!

Barely got this finished in time!  My DH loves to BBQ so this cute  BBQ apron (template here) is just perfect for him.  I love this Whipper Snapper image called Grill Sergent and he was perfect for what I had in mind....

He slides out of the pocket by pulling the top of his hat up!  I think my DH is going to get a smile out of this one. I just did some fast faux stitching since I was short on time.

Challenges

Spectacular Sunday #63 -Tribute to all Fathers

Cupcake Craft Challenge #95 - One for the Boys

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge #45 - One for the Guys

Creative Craft Challenge - For the Man in Your Life

One Stop Craft Challenge  85- One for the Boys

Supplies:

Template - BBQ Apron Mirkwood Designs

Stamps - Whipper Snapper Designs Grill Sergeant

               SU All Year Cheer II - Sentiment

Paper - K&Co.  Hopscotch

Accessories - brads, Scor-Tape, dimensionals, glue dots

Technique - Slider Card

Another Clear Scraps Album

Goodness, this was supposed to post while I was gone.....

This is my second Clear Scraps album....this time for our grandson.   (You can see the first one here.)   I love that they give you the option to choose your own letters to spell anything you want.   I traced each letter onto the DP, cut them out, then I used a line of  Tombow Mono Multi around the edges to glue the DP to the clear acrylic letters.  I sanded and sponged the edges for dimension then embellished.  Easy, peasy.  Note:  DP is much easier to cut and sand than heavy cardstock. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I appreciate you!

Supplies:
Base - Clear Scraps acrylic letters
Paper - Papertrey Ink
Ink - PTI Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate
Accessories - stick on metal brads

Blessed!

I've been AWOL for a few days (plus a day for recuperation...I'm old!) because I've been having the time of my life with our grandchildren.  It was a jam-packed few days that included our granddaughter's dance recital, "Beauty and the Beast"...(I must say it the title fits her perfectly!),  swim lessons, tennis lessons,  our grandson's 5th birthday...

Can you just imagine the sound of this?  Too fun and yes, the tongue does help, I know...I used to color that way!  And no, I didn't buy those drums, his Daddy did!   Brave Mommy and Daddy :-)

The most precious time, though, was our granddaughter's decision to commit her life to the Lord.  Her Daddy baptized her.  We are so proud of her!

I'll be a bit sporadic for a bit as I'm going on our annual berry/peach pickin' trip but be sure to check in....there are some fun surprises coming...including one for me this morning...I'll be a Guest Designer for the CAS challenge on SplitcoastStampers July the 5th!!  Woo,Hoo!!

Now off to see what you all have been creating!  Happy Summer!!

   

It's Sketch Challenge Time at Posh Designs Scrapbook Store!

 

It's time once again for another sketch challenge over at the Posh Designs Scrapbook Store blog.  Nini has two challenges posted...one for cards and a layout challenge for you scrapbookers.  You're welcome to try one or both!  There's always a super prize for the winning participant so why not play along?!

Here's  my sample to give you a bit of inspiration.  Be sure to head to the blog and see the other DT samples then link up your creation.  Do you see my colorful sentiment?  I was sampling colors to match my DP before coloring.  They looked so pretty, I just stamped my sentiment right on the sample then cut it out with a Spellbinder oval die.

Supplies:

Paper - Neenah Classic Crest, DCWV Citrus Packs

Stamps - SU Kids at Play (retired), PTI Scattered Showers Additions (sun and sentiment)

Ink - Memorex, Copic Markers

Accessories - dimensionals, Art Institute glitter, Crystal Effects, Spellbinders circle and oval dies, corner rounder

 

It's the House Mouse Grand Prize!

 

Wow...look what arrived in today's mail.  I was so excited, I just set everything out on the kitchen counter.  There are waaay too many goodies for my little photo box.  I was the lucky winner of the very first House Mouse  and Friends Monday Challenge blog hop.    I'm pinching myself that's for sure!  What a blessing.  Be sure to hop on over to the blog for this week's challenge #71...there's still time to play.   It's a "sweet" one!  (hint, hint)

Foodie Friday - Kentucky Hot Browns

Welcome to another Foodie Friday!  Today, I've got dinner for you.  We've lived nearly all over the country and I've got to tell you the truth...some of the very best cooks live in Kentucky.  One of the very best, in our humble opinion, is Sarah Fritschner.  There are alot of recipes for Kentucky Hot Browns out there, but we love Sarah's the best.  They're easy, delicious, and company worthy so here we go.....

Notes:   The tomato is optional.  I put the bacon on top because I like to crumble it over my Hot Brown but you can also place it under the tomato if you choose.  We like our tomato topped with some additional Parmesan cheese and just slightly warmed for the last couple of minutes of broiling time.

KENTUCKY HOT BROWNS

This recipe serves 4  (I cut the recipe in half to serve 2.   If you need more servings, just double or triple it. Easy!!)

8 thick white bread slices (I used a thick sliced oval shaped "country white" bread)

1 lb. roasted turkey slices 

     This is a great recipe for leftover turkey.  In summer, we grill turkey breasts and freeze slices for this

      recipe.

Cheese Sauce (recipe follows)

1 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese

8 bacon slices, cooked

2 large tomatoes, sliced and halved  (optional)

                                    

Trim crusts from bread slices, and discard.  Place bread on a baking sheet, and broil 3 inches from heat until toasted, turning once.

Arrange 1 bread slice in each of 4 lightly greased baking dishes.  Top bread evenly with turkey.  Pour hot Cheese Sauce evenly over turkey, and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.

                                    

Broil 6 inches from heat for about 4 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned; remove from oven, top evenly with bacon and tomato.  Serve immediately. 

Prep time: 20 min.,  Broil: 4 min.

CHEESE SAUCE

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/3 cup all purpose flour

3 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.  Whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. 

Gradually whisk in milk.  Bring to a boil, and cook, whisking constantly, 1-2 minutes or until thickened.  Whisk in cheese, salt, and pepper.  Remove from heat.  

                                    

Prep time:  5 min., Cooking time:  8 min.

 

The Cutting Cafe - I Scream, You Scream...Ice Cream!!

 

It's hot and steamy outside...the perfect excuse for a yummy ice cream cone.  The good news?  This cone is calorie free!!  A dreamy swirl of Dark Chocolate and Pink Pirouette decorated with a generous sprinkle of sparkly gems. 

I used two sets from The Cutting Cafe to create this cool treat.  The perfect summertime set, Sweet Stuff.  This set is chock full of popsicles, ice cream, cake, lollipops and sentiments to go with them.  I used Birthday Fun for my sentiment circle.  Birthday Fun is a set of ...are you ready?...63 images!! 

While you're feasting on all the yummy digital stamps at the Cutting Cafe, you might want to check out the DT call Regina has posted..  Regina is looking for some new designers for the next term.  Just check out the requirements here.

Thanks for stopping by...I love your visits and your comments!

Supplies:

Stamps - The Cutting Cafe Sweet Stuff, Birthday Fun

Paper - PTI Dark Chocolate, SU Pink Pirouette

Accessories - stick on gems, Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies, Scor-Pal

House Mouse Challenge and a Grand Prize!

Have you heard?  House Mouse and Friends has a brand new DT and Challenge Blog.  Last week they had their first blog hop and guess who won the Grand Prize?  Me!!!  (insert happy dance!)  I seriously uttered a big ole' squeal..and danced around the room.  The dog thought I was playing so we both had a good time!   There were lots of other winners too, so head on over to the  HM blog and see who the lucky ducks are.

Guess what?  You can win a House Mouse stamp this week, too!  Here are the details:  Simply create a card or project that is "Sweet" themed and uses at least one House Mouse & Friends Image then link it up on the House Mouse and Friends Challenge blog.

I used the sketch from Midnight Madness Sketch  MMSC57 on Priscilla Styles.  Not their usual style  but my image is big so not much room for lots of embellishments and guess what?  Priscilla offers two sketches..one more elaborate and one simple.  No reason not to play, right?

                                                       

This also qualifies for the caardvarks June challenge to use wet/dry embossing, and the One Stop Craft Challenge #83 to make your own DP.

See that cute sentiment?  It's from The Cutting Cafe, of course.  It's from a really cool set called Sweet Stuff.  It's loaded with ...well, Sweet Stuff!  Popsicles, cake, lollipops, ice cream cones and no calories!!!

            

Thanks for stopping by my playground.  I'll be sure to show you what I won when it comes....oh somebody pinch me, would you?  Thanks to the team at House Mouse and Friends!!

                                           

Clear Scraps Album #1

This is my very first Clear Scraps album.  It was so much fun that I know I'll doing many more.  I've got another in progress for our grandson. 

I'm ashamed to say that I got these books at CHA in Orlando and didn't have the courage to take them on but once I did some research, it really wasn't hard at all.

I had purchased these papers from Imaginisce awhile ago just because they are so pretty and girly and I knew my granddaughter would love them.  

Supplies:

Album - Clear Scraps

Paper - Imaginisce Fairest of Them All

Ink - Papertrey Chai

Accessories - paper roses, stick on pearls, sanding block, Tom-bow Mono Multi, ribbons