Let's Do a Giveaway!!

The wonderful folks over at CSN stores have offered a $35 gift certificate to one of my readers!! You can use it towards anything you'd like from their 200+ stores where you can find everything from stylish handbags, to modern bar stools, or great dinnerware!

 I love this fall dinnerware set - Pfaltzgraff Plymouth Dinnerware Collection - 426 Series

 

I am obsessed with with fire pits - Bond Canyon Ridge Fire Table - 65224

But the best part is, you get to choose whatever you like!! To enter to win the $35 gift certificate, just leave a comment. That's it! I'll choose a winner Sunday night.

Baking Challenge - September '10

Oh boy, this one was a disaster!

Blackberry Cloud-Cake with Pistachios - another overly ambitious, silly dessert from the Martha Stewart Kitchens.

Let me first point out two things:
1.  I always struggle with whipping egg whites into stiff peaks.
2.  I have yet to make a successful jelly roll.

I went all Pioneer Woman here and did a "Cast of Characters" shot.  I bought frozen berries because the fresh ones were very expensive.  I also skipped the pistachios for the same reason.  That container of egg whites equals 8 eggs, so that was a shell and yolk saver :)  And I used white wine instead of white wine vinegar.

I decided to skip preparing the berries for the garnish.


I whisked and whisked those eggs and could not get those stiff peaks, so I gave up and finished my batter anyway.  And poured it into the pan:

Wow, that filled up the pan completely!!

With six minutes left to bake, the cake looked like it was about to explode in my oven.

 

Exhibit A - you can see the cracks

Exhibit B - you can see the cake going over the edge.

After all this drama, I kept on going and made the mousse - uneventful.

Then I flipped out the cake.

a bit weird looking; sticky, too

I spooned on the mousse and rolled it up:

What a work of art!

And then had a slice

what is that strange gelatinous looking layer?

It didn't taste too great and it was so ugly - I just dumped it.  Disaster averted.


I started this challenge almost two years ago in order to try out new recipes, techniques and tools; and I've learned some things along the way.

• I really like making cookies, brownies and cupcakes.
• I don't like working with fruit.
• I don't like whipping egg whites.
• I don't like making "fancy" desserts.
• I made up this whole challenge and I can change the rules whenever I want!

So starting next month, I am going to do things a little different :)

 

I can't think up a good title for this one...

I stumbled upon this cool site called Your Paper Pantry this summer.  It is an online community for crafters/scrappers but what really drew me in was all the monthly swaps you can join.  The two that most appealed to me were the ATC and Flower swaps so I signed up for September.

The theme for the ATC group for September was your dream vacation destination.  Of course, I chose Paris, being such a francophile and all.

I used a box of cereal to cut out the 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inch cards.  I started by painting the cards with gesso, then added a layer of white acrylic paint.  I then did a layer of crackle medium and finished with a pale pink acrylic paint. 
Then I used SCAL to cutout the eiffel tower in gray cardstock and added black embossing powder to give it a metal-ish feel.  I tied a pale peach ribbon around each card and tucked three flowers into each bow.  All the flowers came from one bunch that cost about $1 in the wedding aisle at Michaels.
I also stamped Paris and a fluer-de-lis in black ink and added two black rhinestones to the corner.

The theme for the flower swap was Shabby Chic.

One of the requirements for this swap is that you must package them as if they were being sold.
I cut a super large tag on my cricut out of a manila folder and glued ledger style paper on top.

I then used this awesome french script stamp with vintage photo distress ink to cover the whole tag and inked the edges with vintage photo as well.

For the flowers, I used four different colors of pink seed beads to make five petal flowers with white centers and two green leaves.  I then backed them all with white crepe paper circles.

In a week or two I'll be receiving my packages from all the other girls with their swap cards and flowers - I can't wait!!

My Goody Swap

I participated in a Goody Swap hosted by Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions.  My partner was Kristina @ A Cozy Cup of Tea and she sent me the coolest stuff!!

She made this cute little fall banner. I'm not sure where I want to put it, but I love it!

She also made this pretty paper rose corsage and scrabble tile sign - so cute!!

Some very nice stickers.

A mini frame stamp, the prettiest pink glitter I have ever seen, a pretty paper flower and luxe velvet flowers.

Lots of handmade tags.

Some paper glitter crowns and a rhinestone crown - and the loveliest little paper ornament that will go on my Christmas tree.

Kristina lives near Disney, so she sent me a little Mini Mouse head.  And that little pumpkin bag was filled with candy corn that I ate immediately :)

Kristina, thank you so much.  Everything you sent was totally me and I want to be you when I'm crafting :)