Very Merry Christmas

     Hello!   Today's card is another one that was inspired by an article in the demonstrator magazine Stampin' Success.  
This was an incredibly quick card to make and could easily be mass produced!

Stamps: More Merry Messages
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Very Vanilla, Be of Good Cheer DSP
Tools & Accessories: Merry Minis punches, baker's twine, dimensionals

Crunch Top Apple Pie

     Hello!  Today's recipe comes from Paula Deen by way of FoodNetwork.com (here).   Aaron and I took another trip up to Carter Hill and since their specialty is apples we picked up another  1/2 peck.   They also specialize in these ah-mazing apple filled cookies but I haven't quite figured out their recipe or how they fill the cookies.  We bought two bags of cookies so I could do some "research" on this.  No luck on their recipe yet but I'll keep you posted!
     This week I was looking for an apple dessert with a twist.  Not quite a pie and not quite a crisp.  I found just what I was looking for in Paula's recipe.  The unique ingredient of applesauce gives the pie a smooth texture without adding too much sweetness.  Paula's recipe calls for a lattice crust top in addition to the crumb topping but I'll be honest and say I was feeling a bit on the lazy side and decided to omit that part.  While we absolutely love this recipe I think the next time I make this I'll be adding some chopped walnuts to crunch topping for a little added crunch.  And maybe then I'll give the lattice crust a try!       

Crunch Top Apple Pie

• Frozen pie crust
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3 1/2 cups peeled, sliced apples
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Crunch Topping

• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• Dash of salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1.  Preheat oven to 425.  Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, apples, apple sauce and lemon juice in bowl.  Spoon the apple mixture into pie crust and dot with butter.

2.  For crunch topping, combine flour, salt, sugar, and oats.  Using a fork cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.  Sprinkle over apples. 

3.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 and continue to bake for 45-50 minutes or until topping is golden brown.  Let cool for at least 15 minutes.  Serve with a scoop (or two) of vanilla ice cream.  Enjoy!    

Stampin' Trimmer Now Available!

     Introducing the new and improved Stampin' Trimmer!  Although paper trimmers are a common tool, this trimmer was designed exclusively by paper crafters for paper crafters - and because it's made by Stampin' Up! you know it's a cut above the rest!

Features of the All-New Stampin' Trimmer

• An extra-wide 6-1/4" cutting base and an extended 14-1/2" ruler
  • The extra-wide cutting base provides a large work area and is marked in 1/4" (4 mm) increments, allowing for small measurements. 
  • The right-side grid helps you measure and cut very thin strips.
  • The extended cutting arm has a stabilizing leg to provide a sturdy and steady cutting surface for longer cuts. 
  • When fully extended, the extended cutting arm sits flush with the trimmer base, providing more accurate and consistent measurements across the entire surface.
  • The cutting base and track include a full ruler, incorporating measurements down to 1/16" and grid lines that mark each quarter inch. 
  • All rulers and measurements on the base are printed under a plastic cover so your measurements won't wear off.
  • The base has nonskid feet, which keeps the Stampin' Trimmer securely in place on your work area.
• A full 12" cutting and scoring track
  • The extra-long cutting track has space at the top and bottom so you don't have to take the cutting and scoring blades out when you're not using them. 
  • The track gives you enough space to cut or score a full 12" (30.5 cm) without having to remove or switch out handles. 
  • The cutting track locks in place for secure storage or transport. 
  • The track includes an insertion point for cutting and scoring blade handles so you can easily insert handles into the cutting track.
• Specially designed handles and cutting track to ensure straight cuts
  • The hook on the scoring and cutting blade handles keeps the handles stable so the cuts are as straight as possible.
  • Handles come in two colors: dark for cutting, light for scoring. 
  • The precision tip on the cutting blade allows you to pinpoint precisely where you're cutting.
  • The point on the side of each handle shows you where the blade will cut, making it easy to see exactly where your cuts and scores will begin.
• Storage compartment under base
  • The storage compartment holds scoring and cutting tools such as a Bone Folder, Simply Scored Stylus, extra scoring and cutting blades, and even business cards. 
  • Separate compartments within the storage compartment keep your tools organized, and the clear cover makes it easy to see what you've stored.

To order the new Stampin' Trimmer check out my website (here).

Using Up Scraps

     Hello!  As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I receive a bi-monthly publication called Stampin' Success.  It's chalk full of ideas to improve my business as well as wonderful ideas for workshops and stamp clubs.  In the October issue there was an article featuring the Festival of Prints DSP pack from the Holiday Catalog.  Taking an economic approach to making my cards recently, I decided to use what I had on hand and make use of some Be of Good Cheer DSP scraps I had laying around.  

Stamps: More Merry Messages
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Crumb Cake, Be of Good Cheer DSP, Neutrals DSP
Tools & Accessories: Merry Minis and corner rounder punches, rhinestone jewels

More Single Stamps!

     
     A few weeks ago Stampin' Up! announced they would be selling individual stamps from the Perfectly Penned, Word Play, and Seasonal Sayings stamp sets.  Due to the popularity of this promotion Stampin' Up! is adding ten more individual images - including 3 that you've never seen before!

Here are the details:

• Order numbers for the stamps can be found on the flyers (link at bottom of post)
• Stamps will not be sent in typical packaging, they'll arrive in a cello bag
• This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only
• There's NO limit on how many stamps you can buy (think Christmas gifts!)
• Offer ends January 2, 2013

Single Stamps: Assortment 1 (here)

Single Stamps: Assortment 2 (here)

Word Play (here)

Perfectly Penned (here)

Seasonal Sayings (here)

To place an order at anytime check out my website (here).

Spooktacular Sale!

On Monday October 29th Stampin' Up! will have a Spooktacular sale.

For 1 day only Stampin' Up! will offer 15% off almost every stamp they sell!  Beginning at 12:00am and ending at 11:50pm  every stamp in the current catalog will be on sale.  There is no minimum to purchase and no limit to the number of stamps you can order.

Stamps not included in this sale are hostess sets and bundled stamp sets.

To place an order visit my website (here).

Remember this is a 1 day only sale!

A Little Christmas Sparkle

     Hello!  Today's card was inspired by Connie Babbert's Watercolor Winter card over on her blog, Inspired Treasures (here).  I {loved} everything about her card and decided to keep the layout the same but change up the color and dust off my heat tool!
    I can't tell you the last time I pulled out my heat tool and embossed - it's been ages!  And I've also had a package of silver glimmer paper sitting in my paper rack for almost a year now... thought I should get some use out of that, too!

Stamps: Watercolor Winter
Ink: VersaMark
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, silver glimmer paper, Be of Good Cheer DSP
Tools & Accessories: Heat tool, pewter embossing powder, seam binding ribbon, dimensionals

Homemade Apple Crisp

     Hello!  My normal "homemade" apple crisp consists of apples and a box of Concord Foods Apple Crisp mix.  You know, the one in the red box that's always hanging around the apple section of the food store.  But after a trip to our favorite apple orchard, Carter Hill, and a little research on the internet, I decided to make apple crisp from scratch.  
     This recipe comes from Taste of Home (here) and is super easy to prepare.  The original recipe calls for 10-11 cups of sliced apples - yikes!  Since I'm not feeding a small army, I decided to scale down the amount of apples and went with 5 large apples, sliced.  I prefer my apples to be tender, almost on the mushy side so I let the crisp bake for a full 60 minutes. 

     According to Aaron, this is the best apple crisp I've ever made and I'd have to agree.  The apples are tender and juicy while the crumb topping is buttery and slightly crunchy. Each of us went back for a second helping!  And there's a bonus to baking with apples - you get that wonderful apple smell wafting through the house!  

Easy Apple Crisp

• 5-6 large apples, sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon, divided
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup cold butter cubed

1.  Preheat oven to 375.  Toss apples, sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in large bowl.  Place apples in 13"x9" baking dish.

2.  Combine flour, brown sugar, oats, baking powder, nutmeg and 1/2 tsp cinnamon; cut in butter until mixture is course and crumbly (feel free to use your hands to do this!).

3.  Sprinkle mixture over apples.  Bake for 50-60 minutes or until apples are tender.  Let cool for at least 15 minutes, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Enjoy!

Thanksgiving

     Hello!  Today's card was inspired by LeAnne Pugliese's Fall Sympathy card over at SCS (here).  I loved everything about her card and decided to change the sentiment and use the the Day of Gratitude stamp set.

     Again, in the theme of using what I have on hand, I used the retired Poppy Parade ink and card stock to create the fall colors.  Cajun Craze would be an excellent substitution.

Stamps: Day of Gratitude, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Poppy Parade (retired), Old Olive, More Mustard

Paper: Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade, First Edition DSP

Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Bitty Banners framelits dies, button, linen thread

3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies

     O.M.G.   These cookies are incredible!  I found the original recipe on a delicious blog, Cookies and Cups (here) and thought I'd give it a try.  

     You might remember that last year at this time there was a canned pumpkin shortage due to summer droughts in the mid-west.  Not being able to make my famous pumpkin whoopie pies made for a very looooong fall and winter.  This year, however, our local grocery store is well stocked with Libby's Pureed Pumpkin and I was able to stock up this weekend.  The cashier did give me a funny look when I placed 10 cans at the register but you never know when there will be another pumpkin shortage (especially if this recipe catches on)! 

     There are literally three ingredients in this recipe.  I think it took me longer to get out and assemble the hand-mixer than it did to prepare the batter.  Shelly recommended topping the cookies with buttercream frosting.  She happened to have leftover homemade frosting in her fridge, I happen to be good friends with Betty Crocker and she let me use hers.  You can certainly leave them unfrosted but really, who would want to?!   

3-Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies

• 1 box cake mix (I used yellow)
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

1.  Preheat oven to 350.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2.  Mix 3 ingredients in medium bowl until lump-free (I used a hand mixer but you can mix with a spoon).

3.  Drop by rounded tablespoon onto cookie sheets.  Bake for 15-17 minutes.

4.  Allow to cool completely on wire rack before frosting.  Enjoy!

On a Dark & Dreary Night...

     Hello!  Today's card was inspired by Cards4Ever's Birthday card over at SCS (here).  I loved her layout and decided to change the theme from birthday to my favorite holiday - Halloween!
     Lately, I've been all about using what you have as opposed to purchasing something you may only use once or twice - this includes stamps.  While I absolutely {love} Googly Ghouls and Monster Munchies in the Holiday catalog, I decided to get a bit more use out of my Dark & Dreary stamp set.  
     I had a hard time deciding which paper combination to use and I'm still not sure I like the one I chose.  I have a hard time using different patterns on the same card, I like everything to be matchy-matchy!

Stamps: Dark & Dreary (retired)
Ink: StazOn Black
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Tangerine Tango, Howlstooth & Scaringbone
Tools & Accessories: Glimmer brads, black grosgrain ribbon (retired), dimesionals

Single Stamps?!

     Stampin' Up! is trying out something new!  We're excited to offer customers the chance to buy single pieces from these select stamp sets: Word Play, Perfectly Penned and Seasonal Sayings.  The offer will be available now through January 2, 2013.

A few things to remember

• To view the stamp sets and find the stamp item numbers download the flyers below
• Stamps won't be sent to you in typical cases or packaging; they'll be packaged in cello bags.  If you'd like a case for your stamp, you can buy Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four (#119105)
• This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only
• The stamps do not come with a clear-mount block, you'll need to buy a block separately if you don't already have one.
• There's no limit on how many pieces you can buy
• This is a limited time offer, so take advantage of it while you can!

Word Play flyer (here)

Perfectly Penned flyer (here)

Seasonal Sayings flyer (here)

Merry Little Snowflakes

     Hello!  Today's card was inspired by bon2stamp's Jolly Little Snowflakes card over at SCS (here).  I loved absolutely everything about her card and changed only the sentiment.  This card was incredibly easy to make and could easily be produced in large quantities!

Stamps: Jolly Bingo Bits, More Merry Messages
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, White craft
Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Kraft
Tools & Accessories: Seam binding ribbon, rhinestone jewels, corner punch

FREE Gift with Purchase!

     It may only be October but, Stampin' Claus is comin' to town!  Get a FREE Festive Paper-Piercing pack when you purchase the Ornaments Keepsake set and Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP.

Choose from the following options: 

Item	Description	Retail Value	Special Price
132260	Christmas Gift Pack (wood-mount) Includes Ornament Keepsakes Set (wood-mount), Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack	$55.85	$47.90
132261	Christmas Gift Pack (clear-mount) Includes Ornament Keepsakes Set (clear-mount), Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack	$44.85	$38.90
132262	Christmas Gift Pack (wood-mount bundle) Includes Ornament Keepsakes Bundle (wood-mount), Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, and Festive Paper-Piercing Pack	$70.85	$62.90
132263	Christmas Gift Pack (clear-mount bundle) Includes Ornament Keepsakes Bundle (clear-mount), Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, and Festive Paper-Piercing Pack

Just a few things to remember:

• When ordering online you must use the item numbers listed above to receive the special price
• This promotion has no limits - for every bundle you purchase  you'll get a FREE paper-piercing pack.  They make great gifts!
• This promotion ends October 31

To download a color flyer click (here)

To place an order online click (here)

Dutch Apple Cake

     
     Hello!   Today's recipe is one I found on the Taste of Home website (here) It's apple season and once Aaron brought home a peck of apples from Carter Hill Orchard (here) I knew I'd be baking with them!
     Dutch Apple Cake is incredibly moist and dense, it almost has the density of a pound cake.  I used Macintosh apples and found that the apples almost melted into the loaf after baking.  Absolutely delicious!
     This recipe is quick and simple to make but does take a while to bake.  The apples must be cut and allowed to sit in cinnamon and sugar for an hour before the batter is prepared.  Also, the original recipe says to bake it at 300 for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours but I ended up baking mine for over 2 hours! 

Dutch Apple Cake

• 3 medium, tart apples peeled and cut into 1/4" slices
• 3 tbsp plus 1 cup sugar, divided
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/8 tsp salt

1.  In large bowl combine apples, cinnamon and sugar; let stand for 1 hour

2.  Preheat oven to 300.  In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add vanilla.  Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and blend until smooth.

3.  Transfer batter to a greased 9x5" loaf pan.  Push apple slices vertically into batter, placing them close together.

4. Bake loaf for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.  Serve warm.  Enjoy!