Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #132

This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.
"YOUR CHOICE"

Enter one style or both this week.

Just have fun and come play with us :)

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Our MMSC131 Gold Star Award goes to...
 5. Sarah T 

 Our Remarkables Awards this week go to...
 3. Gro Tjeltveit  

 19. riliska  

 20. mocca22  

 23. Hlora 

Please grab your award logos from the side bar and display them proudly :)

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Our MMSC131 Weekly Bonus Winner is...
 29. Nancy Williams 

Here are your random numbers:29

Timestamp: 2011-11-29 03:58:50 UTC

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Our MMSC132 Weekly Bonus Sponsor is..

House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge is a site filled with wonderful projects and techniques using House-Mouse & Friends Stamps that include House-Mouse, Happy Hoppers, and Gruffies Images!.  We are not affiliated with HMD. We are just a super enthusiastic group of Stampers who LOVE creating with these Stamps.  We post a NEW challenge every other week on Mondays. We offer great prizes to those who enter projects into our challenges using these stamps. So come visit us to join the FUN and get inspired by the beautiful samples from the TALENTED Design Team here: http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/

One lucky winner will these brand NEW House-Mouse & Friends Stamps!!!!

Thank you for your sponsorship America. It is so cool to see a challenge that has such a warm, giving and family feeling to it. Be sure to stop by and check out there challenges each week. The are wonderful group of crafters :) Now to our players... break out those House Mouse stamps, dust them off and show us your lovely creations. All images are welcome, but we would love to see these cute  images flood our inlinkz this week!! Have fun with whatever you create for our challenge!!
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How much fun is this House Mouse image named
"Feathered Friends"!
With the beginning of winter upon us, don't forget to
FEED YOUR FEATHERED FRIENDS!

I have two creations to share with you today!  As a member of Priscilla's DT I'd also like to share this creation made using the "priscillastyles" image "Christmas Stocking".

Closer View showing Sparkle & Liquid Applique Fur
(Remember to click on any image to enlarge)

Now it's YOUR turn!  We'd love to see what you create using these fun sketches.
Be sure to pop over to the MMSC Blog for more inspiration from my team mates!

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Darlene

Holidays with Family ...

... it doesn't get much better than that!!  

 

(Back row:  L-R ... Carolyn, Morgan, Frank, Jonathan

Sitting:Ken, Mom, ME, Mark)

I haven't gotten much done in my crafting ... but I sure have enjoyed hubby being home and spending time with my family over the Thanksgiving Day weekend!!  Here's a few photos to share with you ...

The Franjko's in the kitchen  (where all the food is) LOL!

Morgan asked for a LITTLE bit of whipped cream on her pie!!

Never let Frank be in charge of the whipped cream!  LOL!

FOUR GENERATIONS

(L-R)  Morgan, Carolyn, Mom & Me

My TWO FAVORITE LADIES!!!

My grandkids are growing up so fast!

(L-R)  Jonathan, CJ (Morgan's boyfriend), Morgan

Morgan's FAVORITE socks

Mark & I took advantage of the beautiful weather we had here in Ohio over the weekend and got the outside of our home decorated for the Christmas holiday season.  It averaged around 60 degrees and it was so nice to be able to do this without coats & gloves.  I even cut my grass one last time and have now rearranged my equipment by putting the riding mower away and have the snow blower out and ready for when the WHITE STUFF shows up.  I am really proud to show you a couple photos of the outside of our home ... with the new landscaping & shutters ... the decorations look even better than before!!

 (CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE)

Today it's been raining so it was a good day to start on the inside.  We got the tree up & decorated and I even got the mantle MOSTLY done.  I have a couple other pieces I'd like to add once I dig them out!  LOL!

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope your Thanksgiving gathering was as blessed as ours!

Mark has to go back to work tomorrow & I'll be playing catch up in the crafting cave but I'm looking forward to going out to dinner tomorrow night.  We celebrate our ANNIVERSARY tomorrow and I pray we have many, many more together!  Mark is truly MY BEST FRIEND and I love him dearly!!

See you later!

BIG HUGS TO YOU ALL!!\

Darlene

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge

HAPPY BLACK FRIDAY!

Did you have an enjoyable Thanksgiving?  We sure did!

For today's challenge at Wags 'n Whiskers, Stephanie would like us to use an

ANGELIQUE IMAGE

I have chosen to use the adorable "SAY A PRAYER" image which you can find HERE.  And, I went with more of a 'winter' theme but used colors I rarely use together except for baby cards.  Pink & Blue!  And I really like how it came together!

 Recipe for this creation:
Papers:  Whtie cs, Pink Pirouette cs, DCWV 'the Winter Matstack'
Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, Quickie Glue, Deco Art Glamour Dust, Spellbinder classic & scallop circle dies, Spellbinder Create a Flake Three dies, Martha Stewart icicle border punch

Now it's your turn! I look forward to seeing your creations!  Don't forget to pop over to the Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge Blog for more inspiration from my team mates! 
Hugs,
Darlene

FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS . . .

Shelly's Images Challenge

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

Yep, it might be Thanksgiving, but Shelly's Images would still like to have you come share in the fun filled challenge we are offering up today!

GETTING READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

USE RED & GREEN

Today we are featuring (at a reduced price TODAY ONLY), Shelly's "Christmas Fairy"

I had so much fun creating with her and so did the rest of the team!  Please be sure to pop on over to the Shelly's Images Challenge Blog for inspiration and then PLEASE come join us!  You have ALL WEEK, so while the boys are watching FOOTBALL ... sneak on into your craftroom and create!  I can't wait to see what you do!  Here's what I came up with ... what do you think?

Here is a close-up of the wings which I have added Deco Art Glamour Dust to ... using Quickie Glue as my adhesive.

Recipe:
Papers:  Green cs, red cs, white cs, Cloud9 Designs dp, the Paper Studio dp
Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, MS snowflake punch, Deco Art Diamond Dust, Spellbinder Scallop Rectangle dies, K&Company adhesive sticker

OH ... and don't forget about Fabulous Freebie Friday tomorrow!! 

A MUCH BETTER DEAL than anything you'll find out there at the Mall on Black Friday!  Here's a peek ...

Is this fabulous or what!!!!

Okay ... time for another piece of that pumpkin pie w/whipped cream!!  YUMMO!!  Hope to see you at Shelly's Images ... ENJOY!!

Hugs,
Darlene

ANOTHER DAY IN THE KITCHEN . . .

While in the process of making pies for tomorrow's feast, hubby came up with another recipe he wanted to try and I wanted to share that recipe with you all.  First, here's a peek at the pies ... your typical Thanksgiving PUMPKIN and of course my family like CHERRY so we made two of each!!

HERE'S THE "NEW" RECIPE . . . 

CRANBERRY PISTACHIO SCONES

 BEFORE BAKING ... and

 AFTER!  YUMMO!!

Neither of us had ever thought to try making scones before ... in fact, Mark said he didn't think he had ever eaten a scone but after making THREE BATCHES of these yummy treats, they are now one of his favorites!  The recipe actual came from the Instruction & Recipe Booklet that came with our Cuisinart 3-cup Food Processor.  Not hard at all and really good!!!  Here ya go ...

Makes 8 scones

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup boiling water

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1-1/3 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" pieces

2/3 cup fat free vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup shelled pistachos

milk for brushing

granulated sugar for sprinkling

Pour the boiling water over the cranberries in a small heatproof bowl.  Let stand 10 minutes to plump.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Drain cranberries and pat dry, reserve.

(Using the metal blade in food processor)  Place the brown sugar in the work bowl.  Pulse to break up, 10 times.  Add flour, baking powder and salt.  Process to blend, 10 seconds.  Add cold butter pieces, process until mixture resembles a course meal, 30 seconds.  Add yogurt, cranberries and pistachios to work bowl.  Pulse until just incorporated, about 5 to 10 pulses.  Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface.  With lightly floured hands, turn dough to knead, 4 times.  (Press dough flat, fold, press flat again, repeat for a total of 4 times)  Roll dough into a circle, 7" in diameter, 3/4" high.  Use a serrated knife or pizza cutter to cut dough into 8 wedges.  Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet in a circle with the wedges about 1/2" apart.  Brush lightly with milk and sprinkle with granulated sugar.  Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden and firm, but not dry.  Let cool on a rack for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories 192 (38% from fat) * Carbs 26g  *  pro  4g  *  fat 8g  *  sat. fat 4g  *  chol  16mg  *  sod 108 mg  * calc  43mg  *  fiber  1g

If you get the chance, give these a try!  We shared them with our neighbors and they've all called back saying how much they've enjoyed them!    Okay ... I'm tired!  Going to go put my feet up and get rested up for tomorrow!  Enjoy!

Hugs,
Darlene

The Sisterhood of Crafter's . . .

. . . invites you to play along in their POLKA DOT CHALLENGE.

With so much going on this time of the year ... it's fun to venture away from those 'holiday' creations and do something FUN!  BUT there again, if you're anything like me, and need more holiday cards created ... use the POLKA DOT theme to create a Christmas card like mine below . . .

 Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, DCWV designer paper
Image: Nicecrane Designs Vintage 
Funny Christmas I
Accessories:  Spellbinder 'Create A Flake Three' snowflake die

Recipe:

Papers: White cs, Christmas Green cs, BoBunny 'Father Christmas' dp

Image:  Nicecrane Designs ' Sweet, Sweet Girls'

Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, Stampendous Diamond Dots, Gold Pilot marker, SU ticket punch

 So there you have it!  When you get a moment to yourself and want to have a little fun ... look through your stash for something with polka dots and come join us at The Sisterhood of Crafters!  Hope to see you there!

Guess I'd better check my list and make sure I have everything I need for tomorrow!  Enjoy your day with family /friends and know I am a friend who TRULY APPRECIATES you taking the time to stop by!!

HUGS,
Darlene

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge

This week at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge we are to:

TIE ONE ON!

No, no ... it's not what you think!  LOL!!  (that will come over the holiday's I'm sure!) but for today, let's use ribbon, rafia, etc., and tie something onto our projects!  I have TIED a ribbon/bow around the 2nd panel of my creation.  NEED INSPIRATION??  Pop on over to our Challenge Blog and check out what my team mates have created.

My focus image was provided by our sponsor  

 "Stretch N' Bubbles".  

You'll want to be sure to pop on over to their store and see all the fun images available!

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Guess I'd better get those Pumpkin Pies in the oven!!

Hugs,

Darlene

Hubby's At It Again . . .

Yes, but today we were BOTH in the kitchen having fun!

We had already planned on making the Cranberry Relish for our Thanksgiving Dinner at our daughter's but we also decided to make a batch of Peanut Butter Fudge ... YUMMO!!!

Feel free to use either of these recipes but PLEASE STOP BACK and let me know IF YOU DO!!  

Here ya go!

FRESH CRANBERRY RELISH

RECIPE:

1 bag (12 oz) whole cranberries

2 navel oranges

2 cups granulated sugar

Chopped Walnuts

Wash & separate cranberries, put through grinder 

(food processor or blender).

Wash oranges, quarter and remove any seeds then put thru grinder (including the skins).

Add sugar and mix thoroughly.

Add walnuts and let sit.

BEST if made a day or two in advance.

I have made a double batch so I can share with other family members and freeze some for a later date.

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

RECIPE:

2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup milk

Boil (stirring constantly) until soft ball stage.

Remove from heat and add:

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup marshmallow creme (I used 7 oz)

2 cups creamy peanut butter (I used Skippy)

Mix well. Spread in 8x8 pan.  ENJOY!!

It's always so much fun to not only share the goodies you make over the holidays with friends & family ... but also to share the recipes.  I hope you give these a try ... I know they are a couple of my families favorites!

See you tomorrow for Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge and The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge!

Happy Crafting (and Cooking/Baking).

Darlene

HURRY!  

You don't want to miss out on the FABULOUS SALE going on right now at 

Nicecrane Designs!!

RUNS THROUGH FRIDAY, 11-25-11

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #131

It's Tuesday and you know what that means!!

It's time for another MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE!  Hooray!

This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.
"YOUR CHOICE"

Enter one style or both this week.

Just have fun and come play with us :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our MMSC130 Gold Star Award goes to...
  21. Nancy Brown  

 Our Remarkables Awards this week go to...
 2. An  & 7. An2  

 14. laney  

 22. Grace N  

 27. Mandy  

 35. Kate 

Please grab your award logos from the side bar and display them proudly :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our MMSC130 Weekly Bonus Winner is...
  11. Marlene (cards4u) 

Here are your random numbers:11

Timestamp: 2011-11-22 03:16:48 UTC

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our MMSC131 Weekly Bonus Sponsor is..

House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge is a site filled with wonderful projects and techniques using House-Mouse & Friends Stamps that include House-Mouse, Happy Hoppers, and Gruffies Images!.  We are not affiliated with HMD. We are just a super enthusiastic group of Stampers who LOVE creating with these Stamps.  We post a NEW challenge every other week on Mondays. We offer great prizes to those who enter projects into our challenges using these stamps. So come visit us to join the FUN and get inspired by the beautiful samples from the TALENTED Design Team here: http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/

One lucky winner will these brand NEW House-Mouse & Friends Stamps!!!!

Thank you for your sponsorship America. It is so cool to see a challenge that has such a warm, giving and family feeling to it. Be sure to stop by and check out there challenges each week. The are wonderful group of crafters :) Now to our players... break out those House Mouse stamps, dust them off and show us your lovely creations. All images are welcome, but we would love to see these cute  images flood our inlinkz this week!! Have fun with whatever you create for our challenge!!

This week I went with a vintage image for my creation.  I have used scraps of holiday paper that were laying on my table for this creation ... along with Prima flowers and greenery created from the Martha Stewart branch punch.  SU watercolor pencils and blender pen were used to color my image and gold Stickles was used for my corner embellishments.

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is THIS WEEK ... that means Christmas is right around the corner!  YIPES!!  Guess I'd better get busy!  Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hugs,
Darlene

Hooray for Husbands that Bake!

That's right!  I give THREE CHEERS to husbands that aren't afraid to bake or cook and 

MY husband can do BOTH very well!!  

He's on vacation this week and he knew I had some card orders to fill so while I was down in my 'crafting cave' ... he was upstairs 'working his magic'!

He said he saw this recipe (which I will share at the end of this post) in a local flyer, that sounded pretty good and wanted to give it a try.  After going through the pantry to see if he had everything needed ... "PLUS" (he always adds a little "EXTRA") ... and he was on his way!  The recipe called for THREE Apples ... we only had TWO but he was sure it would be OKAY ... AND HE WAS RIGHT!!!

This is called Philadelphia-Style Apple Cake ... doesn't it look yummy?  (IT WAS!)

I say WAS because after we each had a piece for dessert after our Panera Bread Broccoli Cheese Soup, we divided it up to share with our neighbors!  They are always sharing cookies, cupcakes, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, tabolli (those last few are from our Arabic neighbor ... Mmmmm so good) ... so it was time for us to do a little sharing in return!

This is the piece I cut for Mark ... I took a little smaller piece.  It was still warm and the only thing that could have made it better is if I had some vanilla ice cream for on the top!  (she says licking her lips)

The apples were done PERFECTLY and the cake was so moist!  Not too sweet either ...

Mark said it actually reminded him of the old time cakes his grandmother used to make when he was a little boy at home.  When you read the recipe, it certainly reminds you of those recipes of long ago!!

Okay ... enough chatter ... here's the recipe for you!  Enjoy!

(and if you make it, drop me a note and let me know what you thought)

Philadelphia Style Apple Cake

6 cups peeled & thinly sliced Granny Smith Apples 

(about 3 large)

1/2 cup plus 5 Tablespoons granulated sugar, divided

4 teaspoons cinnamon

3 cups all-purpose flower

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 eggs

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup orange juice

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 cup Cherry Flavored Craisins (Mark's addition)

1/4 cup chopped pecans (Mark's addition)

1.  Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease, sugar and flower a 10" Bundt or tube pan.

2.  Combine apple slices with 5 tablespoons granulated sugar and cinnamon, set aside.

3.  Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and set aside

4.  Beat eggs with remaining granulated sugar and brown sugar.  Add vegetable oil, orange juice and vanilla; beat well.  Gradually blend in flour mixture and mix until well blended (about 1 minute).

5.  Pour one-third of the batter into the pan.  Top with half the apple slices, (draining off any liquid), Craisins & Pecans.  Pour in half the remaining batter and top with remaining apple slices, Craisins & Pecans.  Top with remaining batter, making sure the apples are covered.

6.  Bake 55 to 60 minutes, until the top turns golden brown and a knife insered near the center comes out clean.  Let cool 10 minutes in pan.  Turn out onto a wire rack and let cool completely.  Serves 16

Nutritional fact per serving: 320 calories, 15g fat, 55mg cholesterol, 4g protein, 47g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 190mg sodium.

So there you have it!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Now I'd better get back to finishing my cards!

Hugs,

Darlene

Nicecrane Designs creations ...

Ignacio at Nicecrane Designs has been busy, busy creating the most adorable images & collage sheets to create with.  Here are a few samples showcasing his VINTAGE FUNNY CHRISTMAS PACK.

 

VINTAGE FUNNY CHRISTMAS I

 VINTAGE FUNNY CHRISTMAS II

 

VINTAGE FUNNY CHRISTMAS III

How wonderful that he is not only offering each of these fabulous Collage Sheets separately ... but now you can get them ALL in ONE PACK and SAVE!

 Thanks for stopping by today and please when you get a chance ... pop on over to NICECRANE DESIGNS and check out ALL of the amazing IMAGES, PAPERS, COLLAGE SHEETS and other paper crafting items you will surely want to have!!

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday ...
Hugs,
Darlene