Simple Card Set and Sweet Saturday

Happy Saturday, friends! Is your weekend off to a sparkly start? :o)

Two posts in two days! Happy happy, joy joy. :o) Today I'm sharing a set of simple cards that I made in coordinating designs when I first got my Cricut in April. I wanted a versatile set that was streamlined and simplistic, yet still lovely. These were quick to make, which is helpful when there just isn't time to dilly dally but you're desperate to create anything. I originally had four planned, but the fourth veered off track and no longer fit this theme. Silly owl with a mind of its own. ;)

This first one is kind of like a burst of sunshine. :o)

I love how gender-friendly this one is. It appropriate for anyone, thanks to its earth tones and nature theme.

This final one was made for sweet Grandpa. It's one of my last memories of him. An enormous smile lit up his face as he rested in his hospital bed... a huge goofy grin. He certainly didn't mind that I stamped the sentiment crooked in my rushed and sleep deprived state. I had a divine prompting that I needed to make this card for him that very night, so there was no way I was about to let sleep overtake me. My Aunt kept this card after he passed away a couple weeks ago, which warmed my heart. It's a nice memory for her, too.

Who's ready for a snack? It's Sweet Saturday time! I made this Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake on Wednesday afternoon and it was completely devoured by the end of the day. So much for the breakfast idea. The cake is light and fluffy, with a gooey trail of cinnamon, sugar, and chocolate running through the middle. (Or in my case... the not-quite-middle. One could assume I divided my batter with my eyes closed.) This delicious treat has a crunchy topping of more cinnamon-sugar and chocolate chips, which also serves to make it twinkle. Who can resist sparkling coffee cake? I hope you make and enjoy it sometime soon. :o) (Did I mention that it sparkles?)

Yes, this is my tunnel of deliciousness through the "middle"... it's more like a rollercoaster ride.

Thank you for your continued support! It's a blessing to share my creative adventures with you. Smile lots this weekend, knowing you're loved. :o)

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
Yield: 9-12 pieces of cake

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Cinnamon Sugar Topping/Filling:
¼ cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1½ tsp. cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350º. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating until smooth. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. In a small bowl, make the cinnamon sugar topping/filling: stir together sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour half of the batter into the prepared dish and sprinkle with half of the cinnamon-sugar and half of the chocolate chips. Spoon the remaining batter over the filling, spreading gently. Sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon-sugar and chocolate chips.

Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, approximately 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature and serve.

Source: Two Peas and Their Pod

Key Recipe Components (for cards):
 * Cricut Storybook cartridge
 * Cuttlebug embossing folders: Swiss Dots, Polka Dots
 * Paper: DCWV, Graphic 45, miscellaneous
 * Stamp: Hampton Art
 * Ribbon: K & Company, SEI