Encouragement Card, Sweet Saturday, and Happy News!

Happy Saturday, dear friends! What a week. Does anyone have a gallon of chocolate milk handy? I'll share my rainbow sprinkles in return.

In addition to this new card, today I also introduce a weekly feature: Sweet Saturday. Each weekend I will feature a new delicious confection that received rave reviews from my sugar-crazed family, along with a corresponding craft as the cherry on top. It was supposed to begin last week, but my family ate it too fast. (The dessert, not the blog.) Yes, this recipe is *that* good. My dad would call it the Cadillac of bundt cakes... he's adorable like that. Upon request I've made it two times since, so I snapped a "lovely" dark picture of it... seriously, could there have been any more rain this week? Flooding and gray skies galore!

Up first is a very special card. Friends, it was an emotional week. Mere moments after posting my Butterfly Wishes blog last Sunday, my mom called with news that my sweet grandpa passed away. Clearly three things were in order to sustain us: faith, chocolate, and Create a Critter. We celebrated his life on Thursday and before returning home I knew I had some cards to make. I firmly believe the Create a Critter cartridge is magical. This one is for my aunt who surely can use a cute card of encouragement. I inked the clouds with silver and added silver Stickles to the embossing to reflect a silver lining. Though sometimes it's nearly impossible to find, it's always there... in this case, a reminder to be joyful that our loved one is no longer in pain. The interior Scripture was chosen because especially in the stormy days of life, we need to praise and worship Him through gorgeous music from the depths of our heart... fully trusting and leaning on Him. After the period of mourning, our rainbows will appear. :o)

For an extra dose of fun, I had two challenges in mind for this card:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ (Encouragement card with a touch of silver. My first time here!)
Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog (The color blue and at least one cloud.)
Both of these blogs burst with inspiration and joy. I'm so grateful for them! :o)

This was my first time using Glossy Accents! So fun. I used it to fill the puddle (mostly...) and make raindrops. It doesn't show, but the umbrella handle is all sparkle. Naturally. Also, I love Peachy Keen stamps but don't have any... so I did my best to draw one of their faces to give her some personality.

And now for the dessert star of the day! Cinnamon-Chocolate bundt cake. Have you paired cinnamon and chocolate together in a cake? I hadn't before discovering this recipe... it's divine. You know it must be amazing for my first Sweet Saturday to be anything other than cupcakes. I made this for my grandpa's wake and the chocolate brilliance temporarily soothed the saddened hearts. Behold the power of chocolate! I've made this with a dusting of powdered sugar (while humming Waltz of the Snowflakes) and also with a simple powdered sugar-water glaze. Both are yummy. I think I'll only use the glaze when I want to adhere chocolate pearls to the top. Otherwise, this snowfall of powdered sugar is more than enough for this moist, chocolatey creation. Best bundt cake we've ever had. :o)

(Forgive the picture. Oh prime lens and external flash, I need you.)

Since I didn't alter the recipe and Blogger's current instability is making me nervous, I'll simply link to my source: Cinnamon Chocolate Bundt Cake by The Food Librarian. (Side note: She has an incredible array of bundt cake recipes. I can hardly wait to bake my next choice from her line-up: Snickerdoodle!)

Lastly, I have exciting news! I'm so honored to have been featured on Patches of Pink. Jalisa and her hubby chose my Butterfly Wishes basket as their favorite entry last week. I couldn't be more thrilled! It was a lovely bit of news to receive after this tough stretch. Thank you, Jalisa! :o)

Key Recipe Components (card):
 * Cricut cartridge: Create a Critter
 * Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls embossing folder
 * Fiskars Emboss Plus Punch (corner punch)
 * Paper: Heidi Grace, DCWV, Papertrey Ink, miscellaneous
 * Scripture: Dee's Bugaboo Boutique
 * Button: My Mind's Eye Tres Jolie
 * Misc: Glossy Accents, Stickles

Thank you very much for visiting! I hope your weekend shines with blessings, love, and laughter. :o)