Wild About Stamping - A new Magnolia-licious sketch challenge for September

Can you believe it's already September??? Where in the world is the time going? Each year just goes by faster and faster. *sigh* I'm always happy to see fall arrive though. I love the beautiful colors and the crispness in the air. It just gives me an awesome feeling. Not sure why, but I love it! Well, with the arrival of September, comes a new sketch challenge for Magnolia-licious. This month, it's Diana's turn. And she actually chose a project for us instead of using a sketch. And what a fun and awesome project it is, too!

It's a Scor-Pal project for an accordian file. You could use this for a multitude of things! Diana suggested stamped images, which I thought was perfect. Thus, the theme of my project was born. This accordian file went together pretty easily too! I will be the first to tell you that I normally have to do these types of things twice cause I always mess it up my first try. I got this one on the very first try! WOOHOO!!! The directions are available here.

For mine, I used three different Magnolia stamps. The lion from the Pet and Animal collection, the sign from the Chasing Butterflies Collection, and the tag. They're all colored with my Copic markers. The oval behind the lion was cut with my Nesties and then lightly airbrushed with my Copics, just to take the sharp edge off the bright white. I just hand drew the grass line with my Copic multi-liner pen. I can't find the sign in stock right now at Magnolia-licious. But if you're interested, please just send Diana an email.

So whatcha think? Would you like to win this accordian folder with a few little treats inside? If you would, just leave me a comment on this post by midnight Monday, Sept 7th. I will draw a winner Tuesday evening via Random.org. Watch the Magnolia-licious Highlites blog this coming Friday for more information about this amazing accordian file.

Thanks for stopping by to see me today, and I hope to see you back again soon! Hugs!!!

If I was casting for one of Cinderella's ugly sisters, Dr Frederic Brandt would be on the shortlist.

I was watching a story on non surgical face lifts on 20/20 on TV3 last night. They were interviewing the Dr Frederic Brandt, a guy who is apparently responsible for some of the maintenance on Madonna.

Now this photo does him all sorts of favours.
He has got to be the owner of one of the scariest faces on the planet. And it doesn't move. He admitted that he can't frown or look angry. It's as if his forehead is in a Valium induced coma.

But what struck me is, if your face guru guy looked like that, wouldn't it concern you that he doesn't have a great handle on the concept of beauty and that you're more likely to come out looking like someone who's off to an Adams family reunion rather than someone who has just put a couple of years on ice?

It's almost like asking these ladies...

..for some nutrition tips.

Or this guy...

..for a weights program.

Bitten By The Bug new challenge and blog hop with candy!

Hi everyone! Sure hope you had a wonderful weekend! They never last long enough for me, how about you?? Well, at least we're adding some fun to your Monday blues by having a blog hop for Bitten By The Bug today! YAY! That means that not only do you get to feast your eyes on all the new projects of the talented BBTB designers, you also get a bunch of chances to win some yummy blog candy! YAY!!! The new challenge this week was to use the ribbon cut from the Paper Pups cartridge. I don't know if it's because it's fair time, or what. But all I could think of was putting it on an animal. LOL! This cow from Paper Dolls Dress Up is one of my very favorite Cricut cuts, and I haven't used it yet this year. So I decided to combine the two of them since this cow is defintely cute enough to win first place in a contest! I put it together with the tree and grass cuts from ZooBalloo with my Design Software.

So now onto the blog candy. Leave me a comment on this post by midnight Friday night, and I'll pick one winner via Random.org Up for grabs is a fun package of Rob and Bob Studio 3d stickers, some beautiful Basic Grey rubons, some pretty clear tags, and a Cuttlebug cut and emboss set, Treetops.

Ok, if you got here via the amazingly talented Kazan, then you're on the right track! After you leave your comment here, then continue on to see the fabulous work by Michele Kovak. Michele is the last stop on the blog hop, and I promise you're in for a wonderful treat! Be sure to take some time to look at all of Michele's wonderful work. Thanks so much for joining in on our blog hop today, and hope to see you back again soon! Don't forget to check back on Saturday to see if you won! HUGS!

Flavor of the Month. . . .Move over Lemon Squares

....There's a New Bar in Town!

Flavor-of-the-Month: Lemon-Lime Edition

If you love lemon squares, you'll flip over these Key Lime Bars! Tangy and sweet with a coconut crust....I could honestly eat the entire 9 x 13" pan in just one sitting.

The recipe comes from The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion.

Key Lime Bars
(tweaked from the King Arthur Cookie Companion)

2/3 c brown sugar
1 & 3/4 c unbleached, all-purpose flour
3 c sweetened coconut
1/2 tsp coarse salt
1/2 c unsalted butter (1 stick)
-------------------
cream cheese (8 ounces)
1 & 3/4 c sugar
pinch coarse salt
3 TBSP all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1/2 c fresh squeezed key lime juice

Preheat oven to 300. Toast the coconut on a parchment lined baking sheet for 8-10 minutes. Set aside.

Raise oven temp to 350. Lightly grease a 9 x 13" pan.

Combine the brown sugar through unsalted butter. Mix until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture; press remaining crust into the prepared pan. Bake 16-18 minutes; until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool.

Beat the cream cheese until soft. Add the sugar and salt and mix until well blended. Stir in the flour and then beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, beating well after each addition. Stir in the lime juice (room temperature makes for easy squeezing) and a drop of green food coloring (optional); mix until smooth. Pour onto crust.

Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with the 1 cup reserved crumbs. Bake 10 minutes more until set on the sides and still slightly wobbly in the center. Remove from oven and let cool 1 hour. Move to refrigerator and chill.

Cut using a handy-dandy bench scraper, pressing straight down to cut all the way through the crust.


Flavor of the Month theme for September....a tribute to John Hughes. I was a teenager in the 80's. No one captured that era better that John Hughes. I think I watched 16 Candles at least 50 times during high school. Did you hear that John Hughes died in August? I think we need to honor his genius with a baking tribute.

Here are just some of the movies he wrote...

• 16 Candles {oh, Jake Ryan!}
  
• Pretty in Pink {James Spader, evil, but gorgeous!}
  
• The Breakfast Club
• Ferris Bueller's Day Off
• Mr. Mom {LOVE Michael Keaton watching Young & the Restless}
  
• Vacation
• Weird Science
• and more! Go here for more inspiration...

I'm thinking Pretty in Pink Cupcakes, or my sister's suggestion...a Breakfast Club Sandwich. :) If you haven't seen any of these movies, click on over to your Netflix and add them to your list!

Alright...I can't wait to see your lemon-lime creations! Link away! And thanks for participating! (Linky will close early on September 1st to avoid spammers.)

Visit last month's theme: pie!

The one about planes and metal detectors

I was talking aviation security with an international pilot recently, we were discussing the varying levels of security at different airports.

How come at one international airport I can swan through without setting off the metal detector, but yet at another one - wearing the same clothes -I get told very brusquely, 'Take off your belt and boots.' (I did refrain from, 'If you were going to request my jeans, I'm going to have to put my foot down') and, even without these items, promptly proceed to set off the metal detector?

He said that he noticed a huge difference from airport to airport. And that at one particular airport, despite the fact that they're familiar with the security staff, they remain incredibly strict with their searches of them.

Which, when you think about it, is kind of a waste of time - as he so rightly pointed out, 'If I wanted to take the plane down, I wouldn't need to smuggle anything on board - I'd be flying my weapon.'

I have to say, while I think our domestic security in New Zealand can be over the top, security on international flights does make me feel a little better about life in general. And when I read that there are calls in Bangkok to relax airport security I start to get a little twitchy.

Especially when you read that the reason Democrat MP Pichet Panwichartkul, is calling for the security review not because he's thinks the risk of terrorism on planes has diminished, but due to what appear to be fashion issues.

The former finance minister asked why passengers have to take off their belts at the checkpoint and then clumsily put them back on in public.

"How is it possible that a female foreign passenger must remove her jacket to reveal her light clothing underneath to go through the screening?" he asked.

Hmmm, call me butt-stupid Mr Panwichartkul, but don't you reckon if that jacket was carrying a gun or a knife, don't you think it's worth her having to reveal her light clothing?

Just a thought.

FoodBuzz 24, 24, 24: 45 Years, 45 Beers!

{FoodBuzz 24, 24,24 is a blogging event hosted by FoodBuzz. One night per month, 24 bloggers host 24 meals in the same 24 hours...I'm very excited to be a part of this month's event!}

My husband's birthday was yesterday...the big 4-5. We had a few friends over to celebrate what we called "45 Years, 45 Beers."

We had 45 different beers, to share of course, and snacks and sweets. This IS Bake at 350, so let's start with the desserts, shall we? :)

{Cake Truffles & Cookies}

These were the red velvet cake truffles...I'm not sure I can have a party without cake truffles now. Click here for instructions on making them.

Cookies...I made bite-size ones so they were a little more cocktail friendly. Scroll down for decorating how-to's.


Then, the cupcakes...I used Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. (I bought this book last week and am IN LOVE with it.) The yellow buttermilk cupcakes were frosted half with chocolate fudge and half with creamy vanilla frosting. {I'm going to do a whole cupcake post on these next week...YUM!}

How do you like those beer and gun toppers? Very manly, I thought! {From the cuteness that is the Layer Cake Shop!}

Alright...the snacks...

{Beaumont Dip and Herbed Goat Cheese Balls, Tortilla Roll-ups}

Tortilla Roll-ups: I don't think you can have a party in Texas without these. Cream cheese, jalapenos, salsa, lime juice....I love these. You can make them ahead and the recipe makes a lot.

Beaumont Dip: This is a recipe my parents picked up in Beaumont (duh!), Texas. Easy, easy...and "always a hit." (Meg...that's for you.) Serve with tortilla chips.

Last, but not least, Giada's Herbed Goat Cheese. Goat cheese rolled in herbs and lemon zest. I tried not to eat them all...good thing the cake truffles distracted me.


Blueberry Sangria...mmmmm. For the non-beer drinkers. :)


Want to see all of that beer?


Yes, I bought 45 different singles! It was really fun to see them all together.

We have some seven left over....come on by!

The recipes!

Tortilla Roll-Ups

3 (8 ounce) pkg cream cheese
1 pint sour cream
2 TBSP salsa
10 green onion tops, chopped
juice of 1 lime
4 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
large flour tortillas

Combine all except the tortillas until smooth. Spread on flour tortillas and roll. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate several hours or overnight. slice and serve with salsa.


Beaumont Dip

2 small cans diced black olives
2 small cans diced green chiles
4 green onions, chopped (white & green parts)
3 tomatoes, diced
3 TBSP red wine vinegar
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients and refrigerate several hours. Serve with tortilla chips.


Blueberry Sangria, serves 15, easily halved
(adapted from 101 Sangrias & pitcher drinks)

2 c water
2 c sugar
3 c blueberries
2 bottles red wine (I used chianti)
2 c pomegranate cranberry juice
1/2 c brandy
1/2 c triple sec
2 oranges, halved and thinly sliced

Combine the water and sugar over low heat. Stir until sugar has dissolved to make a simple syrup. Let cool.

Combine 1 & 1/2 c simple syrup and the blueberries over low heat. Sit constantly until the berries begin to change color and the syrup thickens. Combine remaining ingredients in a large container. Add the blueberry mixture and stir well. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve over ice.


For making the cookies:

• Pipe the edge of a mini circle in brown royal icing using a #2 tip (AmeriColor Chocolate Brown).
• Thin red and yellow icing with water until the consistency of a thick syrup. Cover with a damp towel and let sit several minutes (AmeriColor Super Red and Egg Yellow) .
• Stir gently with a rubber spatula to pop any air bubbles that have formed on the top. Transfer to squeeze bottles.
• Fill several cookies with red icing, using a toothpick to guide to edges.
  
• Go back over the wet red icing and drop on the thinned yellow icing to make dots.
• Let sit 1 hour.
• Using the brown icing and #2 tip, pipe on the number.
• Let dry overnight before packaging.
  

Thank you FoodBuzz....we had such a good time being a part of 24, 24, 24!!!

Next week...I'll show you more on the cupcakes and pre-party mishaps!

Wildfox

wildfox

Spring 2010 look book.

PC. wildfox via fashioncopious

And another one from the Gin Wigmore stable.

I'm digging it.

But I do find mannequins creepy, though.

Fun in the pumpkin patch

Hello and happy Saturday!! I did some babysitting for the grandkids today, and was able to get a little bit of crafting done. I've been wanting to do something with this cute stamp from Digital Pencil Too, and when I found this adorable circle stamp from The Cutting Cafe', I knew they would be a perfect match for each other! It's from a set called Halloween Labels. Regina has lots of cute and fun Halloween stamp sets over at the Cutting Cafe'! Be sure and pop over to check them all out!

I colored the stamp with my Copic markers and cut it out with my circle Nestabilities. The DP is Scenic Route and cardstock is Bazzill. I cut a couple maple leaves out with a Cuttlebug cut and emboss set, and attached them on the corners after sanding them a little bit so the veins of the leaf would stand out nicely. That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by to see me!! Be sure and stop by on Monday cause Bitten By The Bug is having our monthly blog hop. So there will fun and yummy prizes up for grabs!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! HUGS!

My father can be such a bastard. But if he changes, I will kill him.

So the Fruitcake, my mother, has been learning mahjong.

Now this is more complicated than the sentence may initially read.

Some of you will be familar with how numerically challenged she is.

As I have said before, we are talking about the woman who, when playing Monopoly would roll, say, a six and a three, and before she could say 'Pass me the calculator' you'd exclaim 'Eight ! Go straight to jail!'

She was reasonably delighted when she told me that the mahjong sensei thought her and her friends were good enough to play on their own, and that she was going to be hosting them all for a gruelling afternoon while they slogged it out over the mahjong table.

And that is why she wasn't answering the telephone when my father-the-arms-dealer was trying to tell her that he had arrived safely back in the country.

So he rang me instead, 'I'm back ! Can't get hold of your mother, she's not answering the phone - I think she's having a snakes and ladders party.'

Check These Out: Cookie Exchange!

Have you heard of Sunflower Baking? Laura does some of the most creative cookie work I've seen...AND she was nice enough to share some of her newest collections here!


{for the accountant...}


{...and the hairdresser...(she really is an artist!)}


{...and the new driver...love that keyless remote!}

Sunflower Baking has so many adorable cookies. Go check them out! I could steal her be inspired by her ideas all day! ;)

♥Thank you, Laura for being a part of cookie exchange!♥

For previous cookie exchange posts, click here!

Elsa Hosk

Elsa Hosk : American Gigolo

by achAT

ph: Tim Petersen

achAT-scans @1600px

from Amica Deutsch März 2009