May Arts Tutorial

Two posts today so if you're looking for Foodie Friday...just scroll down one.  It's worth it, I promise.  ;-)

So is this quick, easy and inexpensive little gift.  Head on over the May Arts Blog to see the whole project with a tutorial.

Shine, sparkle, pearls, lace, ribbon....have I got your attention yet? 

Foodie Friday - Chocolate & Peanut Butter Cream

Chocolate and Peanut Butter...mmmm!  I think it should be a whole food group by itself.  You know...antioxidants, protein, fat, carbohydrates...it's got it all!!  ;-D

In case you're not convinced, they say a picture is worth a thousand words....

What do you think? 

I make my cupcakes from scratch but you can use a mix if that's more your style.  If anyone wants the cake recipe, let me know and I'll post it later. 

This frosting is TO DIE FOR!  Seriously!!  I didn't have any creamy peanut butter in the house so I used crunchy.  My sweet hubby prefers his that way.   Be forewarned...you will be tempted to eat this with a spoon.

Peanut Butter Frosting (This makes enough to fill and frost a two layer cake or 24 cupcakes)

2 cups confectionner's sugar

2 cups creamy peanut butter (crunchy works!)  Use a brand like Peter Pan or Skippy not all natural

1/2 cup plus 2 T. unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 t. pure vanilla extract

1/2 t. kosher salt

2/3 c. heavy cream

Place all ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer except for heavy cream.  Mix on low speed until creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl.  Add the heavy cream and beat on high speed until the frosting is light and smooth. 

Due to the heavy cream, this frosting should be refrigerated until ready to serve.  Remove from refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving to soften.

 Mmmmmm.....

                                               

Pink Magnolia

I had so much fun making the Cherry Blossoms for yesterday's card that I decided to make more flowers.  I love shaping and shading these beautiful blooms.  Sure they take a bit longer than using a pre-made flower but the satisfaction factor can't be matched.

                                  

My inspiration?  This Tuesday Trigger photo from Moxie Fab World.

I loved the yellow and white with a touch of black, but I was most intrigued by the pink in the flowers, the view through the window and even on the floor.  Instead of black, I used PTI's Smokey Shadow.  Achieved the same pop but with a softer look, I think.

Ah, Spring!

Supply List:

Paper - Neenah, Bazzill, Papertrey Smokey Shadow, Lemon Tart

Stamps - Flourishes Flourished Words

Ink - Versafine Black, PTI Smokey Shadow, Copic Y13

Accessories - Spellbinders label die, PTI ribbon, Punch Bunch punches

                                                           

WOYWW and Cherry Blossoms

The final round of the CAS Spring DT search on SCS is underway.   The final field is an amazingly creative bunch of ladies.  Be sure to check out the gallery and see what they've been doing. 

I decided to play in the final round just for fun.  The theme is Spring Flowers.  I think cherry blossoms and dogwoods are the perfect harbingers of spring.  Beautiful flowers, no leaves to get in the way of their beauty.

I took a side view so you could see the layers in my cherry blossoms.  Remember you can always click on the photos to make them larger.

Supply List:

Paper - Neenah, PTI, Bazzill

Stamps - PTI 2008 Holiday Tags
Ink - Versafine, Copic marker
Accessories - punches, seam binding, MS stickers

Now for WOYWW Wednesday #91 over at the Stamping Ground.  Here's what my workdesk looked like when I started...we won't talk about what it looks like now! 

Happy Creating!!

Teapot Tuesday - It's All About Sports

This week's Teapot Tuesday challenge go to a young man severely burned over most of his body in a gasoline fire.  He loves sports so our cards are to be sports inspired.  I don't know how da Mudder comes up with an appropriately themed teapot each week but she's done it again!

Here's my card for Bobby...not a single sports stamp in my stash so had to resort to stickers that I happened to pick up at a markdown sale (in 2007!).   The second one is a holographic sticker so it's not your eyes ;-)

Supplies :

Paper - Neenah, Cosmo Cricket Embossed, SU DP

Sentiment - computer generated

Accessories - stickers, dimensionals

This second card is for our granddaughter who made her first ever field hockey goal and tied the score!  She was so excited and I'm excited for her.  How lucky I had some hockey holographic stickers.

I had to take the second photo from above so you could see how the image changes.  She's a girly girl but she loves sports, too so I tried to incoorporate a bit of girly bling and bows along with the sports sticker.  I mounted the sticker onto a vellum metal edge tag for some extra shine.

Supplies:
Stamps - Michael's $1 spot
Paper - Neenah, SU DP, vellum
Ink - Versafine (it took awhile to dry!)
Accessories - ribbon, vellum metal tag, stick on bling, sewing machine

Thanks for stopping by today!

. 

Clean and Simple Monday

Life is slowly returning to some semblence of whatever "normal" used to be...is there really such a thing?  What is "normal" anyway?  If you know...please tell me.

At any rate, DH is out of town so that means I can eat when I'm hungry, shop with a friend without an eye on the clock, and not worry about preparing dinner daily.  I actually enjoy that part but a break now and then is delightful too.

I told you that I love the colors in the Jones Design Company giveaway post.  So when I saw the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS this week honoring Corie Foster, I knew right away what colors I wanted to use.  Here's the card I cased from Corie's gallery

                                        
Supplies:
Stamps - Papertrey Damask Designs, Simple Somethings
Paper - Neenah, SU
Ribbon - grosgrain

               

The SCS Clean and Simple Challenge is "Outdoors" .  Now there's a wide open field of ideas for you.  I always need card for guys and they're so hard sometimes. 

I decided to go one layer and grabbed a Fabriano notecard, some unmounted rubber and a Memento Tuxedo brown ink pad and done...I got those images in a grab bag years ago from Cornish Heritage Farms so I have no idea who made them.

Thanks much for dropping by...is your life "normal"?

                                                   

Let's Go for a Ride!

It's spring time here in the South...finally!  Warm sunshine, ocean breezes and growing things put me in a bicycle riding mood.  Perfect timing for this awesome set from The Cutting Cafe called "Let's go for a Ride"!  I chose a summery paper from DCWV Citrus Stack.  All of the saffron colored flowers have a just a bit of glitter on them.  Perfect match for the sun, the sea and things that grow.  

The cute set has tricycles, bicycles, unicycles, street scene, sentiments...everything you need for a sunny day!

Happy Sunday!

Supply List:

Stamps - The Cutting Cafe, Let's Go for a Ride

Paper - SU So Saffron, Turquoise, DCWV Citrus Pack

Ink - Copic markers

Accessories - Stickles, dimensionals, Crystal Effects, Ribbon

                                                           

Jones Company

                                          

Lovely yumminess, right?  It's all being given away at the Jones Company.  Looks like some awesome stamping inspiration too. 

Foodie Friday - Wish Big it's Red Velvet

 I promised you my recipe for the Red Velvet Cupcakes I made for DH to take to work last week.  I combined several recipes to come up with my own version which is light and delicious!  Some red velvet recipes I tested were too heavy for our tastes.  Just be sure not to over beat the batter after the flour is added or your cupcakes will be tough.  That's a good rule for any cake or muffin.

Edited to add:  I had a few questions about the cupcake in the jar.  Will try to answer them here. 

1.  Bake the cupcake with cupcake liners in muffin pans.  Baking w/o a liner can result in a too dark, too dry cupcake. 

2.  To place in the jar, just peel off the liner and split the cupcake across the middle - horizontally.  Fill and     frost as you would a cake.  Be sure the frosting is low enough so that it doesn't stick to the lid for a nicer presentation when opened.  I sprinkle on some fun decorations as well.

3.  Yes, I freeze the cupcakes in the jars.  When ready to give locally, thaw, then pop on your decorated lid.
    For mailing, I leave the cakes frozen.  Just pop on your decorated lid and wrap securely in bubble wrap.  
    Ship Priority Mail.  They will stay fresh in the jar for several days!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

2 c. sugar
8 oz. butter (1/2 lb.) room temperature
2 extra large eggs
4 Tablespoons cocoa powder
2 ounces red food color
2 1/2 c. cake flour
1/2 t. salt
1 c. buttermilk
1 t. vanilla extract
1 t. baking soda
1 Tablespoon vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line approx. 18 baking cups with paper liners.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Mix cocoa powder and food coloring together in a small bowl.  Add to sugar mixture; beat well.  

Sift flour and salt together.  (I use a large wire strainer)  Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.  Blend in the vanilla.  

In a small bowl, combine baking soda and vinegar.  Add to the batter. 

Using an ice cream scoop, scoop batter into the baking cups.  This should fill them about 3/4 full.  Bake 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Enjoy!!

 

There's No Time Like the Present....

This week's Featured Stamper on SCS is the awesome StampGroover.  I'm late to her party but hope there's still some cookies left.    I chose this card to CASE.  The rules say you need to change at least 3 things so here we go...I changed the colors, the border, I used bling instead of buttons and added another layer.  This card is for my DH who's leaving on a business trip soon.  I always hide a little love note in his suitcase.  ;-)   He said once that those little notes keep him coming home.  

I used the Cutting Cafe's Clock Background and a sentiment from the HUGE (77 stamps!) It's About Time printable stamp set. 

The inside is for his eyes only.  ;-D

Teapot Tuesday - Elegant?

Happy Teapot Tuesday!  Our assignment today was to create an "elegant" card for Lauren, an aspiring young actor who's had to put her career on hold due to some serious health issues.  You can find Lauren's info here if you'd like to send her a card. 

Our assignment today had "extra cookies" attached.  It's time for the "A Card A Me Awards"!!!  There's extra cookies for the Best and Worst Dressed.  Hmmmm.....I think I'm a shoo in for the Best Dressed award.  What do you think?  ;-D

Elegant, don't cha think?  Fancy Nancy has bling in her hair, on her dress, her shoes, her gloves, and her bag.

She's trying to catch the eye of Clancey who's doing the A Card A Me Award pickin'.  She even brought her own flowers so she'd be prepared to accept the award.

Here's the teapot my card was based on:

Happy Teapot Tuesday...come with us to the awards...you never know, extra cookies might be yours!!

May Arts/Graphic 45 Week Sneak Peek

It's going to be a fun week of giveaways and great projects on the May Arts and Graphic 45 blogs!  Here's a
sneak peek at my project....so see the "rest of the story", head on over to the May Arts blog to see my Paris Album.  I'd love to know what you think!

Cutting Cafe Green Giveaway Winner

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

13

Timestamp: 2011-02-21 01:10:15 UTC

The winner of the Cutting Cafe's 4 Leaf Clover Template is:

KSD Creations said...

Your image and coloring are fantastic. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful bit of inspiration.

                                                           February 18, 2011 9:19 AM


Thanks to everyone who played along...stayed tuned for another giveaway soon.


                                                          

Sweet Nothings from May Arts

                                

Be still my heart...have you ever seen such a lovely group of romantic ribbon?  Wouldn't you love to HAVE it all?   Well, maybe you can...just head to the May Arts blog  and tell 'em what you want to see.  That's it!  Someone has to win it, right? 

Foodie Friday - Cupcakes!!!

My DH won some major awards within his company so he's having a celebration for his employees.  They are a wonderful group of people.  He asked if I could make cupcakes...I said sure then asked how many...he said, "Oh, about a 100"!!   I should have asked the question first, huh?

I did this over 3 days...first the frostings  5 batches of Cream Cheese Frosting, 2 batches of Peanut Butter Frosting.  Yesterday, I baked all the cupcakes.  This morning, I did all the frosting since I don't have room to refrigerate that many cupcakes!

Here's the result:

Artwork on my wall compliments of my grandchildren.  :-)

Here's what I made,

Coconut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These are sooooo fabulous!  I will publish the recipe if anyone wants it.  (I thought I already did but couldn't find it.on my blog..geesh!)

Quick Italian Cream with Cream Cheese Frosting/Toasted Pecans

Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting

I couldn't find my recipe so used Paula Deen's.  I was a tiny bit disappointed as they were a bit heavy for my taste but still good.  Of course, I found my recipe last night!

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This is my own recipe.  I combined several to come up with my own which our family and friends love.  Will post the recipe later.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip with Peanut Butter Cream Frosting

This frosting is sooooo yummy I could eat it with a spoon!  (ok, I already have) 

Here they are all packaged up to go.  DH bought some containers from our local grocery store bakery.  They were perfect because the domed lids saved the frosting from being smooshed. 

Finally,  Happy Anniversary to our dear friends Renee and Russ!!  I made their card early, then didn't get it in the mail!   I used the Featured Stamper Challenge on SCS.  Willow01 aka Charlene (!) has a fabulous gallery.  Here's my case

Don't forget to stop by The Cutting Cafe today.  Regina has challenged the DT to create something Green and she's letting you reap the rewards at the end of the rainbow! 

Thanks for stopping by today...off to clean up the kitchen!



May Arts Ribbon Topiary

Happy Thursday everyone!  I have a super cute, quick and easy project for you over at the May Arts Blog. 

You can make this beautiful table centerpiece in under an hour...now where did you put those May Arts Ribbon scraps?
 
This project has been featured on Craft Gossip DIY Weddings.   Thanks, Kimberly!!

See you tomorrow...I've got  100 cupcakes to make for DH to take to work!  I made all the frosting today.  YUM!

                                                           

WOYWW? A Baby Shower Thank you!

I have no earthly idea what I'm going to do with this darling baby shower card from The Cutting Cafe's Baby Shower Thank you set but it was so adorable (and so quick and easy!!) that I couldn't resist.  Regina has designed it so that you can print out 2 cards per sheet of paper...with no coloring to do and only a quick cut and fold, a new mom can send out dozens of these economically and in no time flat.   I added just a bit of elegant May Arts silk ribbon (EA34), sewed on a cute button and finished.

 Now for a peek into my studio for  The Stamping Ground's What's on Your Workdesk #89 .  My work area isn't fit for human consumption so  I thought I'd give you a peek at my button storage.  I found the shelving unit at HomeGoods.  Love it.  In addition to the shelves, it has 3 nice drawers at the base.

Most of those little jars came from IKEA....great price and perfect for the buttons.  I had seen similar jars online for almost $5 EACH!!

Don't forget to comment here for the 4 Leaf Clover template from The Cutting Cafe and be sure to stop by the Cafe on Friday for the big Giveaway!!


                                                   

Teapot Tuesday and May Arts Giveaway Winner!!

First up is Teapot Tuesday.  I'm so pumped!!  My card has been featured on the SCS Facebook Page.  Thanks so much!  I used a fun image from My Owl Barn.  Lots of fun owl inspiration there for you owl lovers.

I hope Marie (sister of SCSer PhilsMom) likes these high steppers dancin' under the spotlights.  You can read Marie's story here.  If you have time to send her a card, owl or not, I know she'd appreciate it.

Supplies: 

Image - My Owl Barn

Stamps - PTI

Paper - SU

Accessories -  printer, May Arts Glitter Ribbon, dimensionals, stick on gems, corner rounder

I had to share the Valentine my sweet DH made for me.  I will never cease to be amazed how he can go into my studio and come out 15 minutes later with sweetly adorable creations.  It takes me FOREVER.

And Now....drumroll please....the winner of my May Arts Ribbon Giveaway!

There were two lovely commenters who made the same guess that is closest to the amount.  I only have one prize so I have to give it the one who made the first closest guess.  There are 23 yards of gorgeous May Arts ribbons!  Congratulations to.......

 Darlene said...

Well I'm going to try 22.5. Thanks for your generosity.

Praying each day is better than the last for you.

January 27, 2011 9:22 AM

If I'm not contacted by Friday, Feb. 18th, then the next closest guess by Lorene will be awarded the ribbon.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to participate and leave a comment.  Don't forget to click the link on the right sidebar for your chance to win The Cutting Cafe Giveaway!