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Saturday, May 28, 2011

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)

Photobucket

9 comments:

  1. My Sweets, I am so glad Blogger decided to be nice again so we could be graced with this fantabulous post. :)

    I am in loooove with your card! Those clouds are absolutely divine! Sparkly swirls?! *squee* And you drew Ms. Ducky's adorable face?! You are too talented for words. Your aunt is very lucky to be receiving this card. I just know she'll love it.

    And please send me a piece of that delicious bundt cake! My mouth is watering at the mere thought. While you have Sweet Saturday, I think I'm going to have to add Attempts at Sweet Sunday where I venture into the kitchen to try my hand at baking your amazing suggestions. They look too delicious not to!

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  2. Hi Karen! Oh I'm so sorry you had such a rough week! I think your responses were perfect though! Creating that adorable card for your aunt, and feasting on chocolate.... perfect! Your card is too cute! I love the sparkly silver lining and the inside too! You are quite the artist to draw Ms Ducky's face! It's perfect! We're so glad you found Stampin Sisters in Christ and have joined us this week.... we hope you'll play again next week!
    hugs and blessings...
    Grace

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  3. So sorry to hear about your loss! On another note... your cloud idea is brilliant ;) (I knew we had a lot in common lol) and that cake is so yummy looking!!! Your drawn on face is amazing (obviously you don't need peachy keen stamps! - which is not something I could say about myself). Such wonderful sentiments complete this card to make it perfect. So glad I found your blog. Can't wait to see what you make next! Your family is in my thoughts and prayers!

    Tiffany - http://sparkledmemories.blogspot.com/

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  4. Oh Karen, I am so sorry for the loss of your Grandpa. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your card is absolutely ADORABLE! I cannot believe you hand drew that stinkin' cute face?! The glossy accents add so much dimension. It's just too cute! And that cake looks so delicious! I love homemade cake, much more than store bought cake...there's just no comparison. I am sending you lots of hugs!
    Sabrina

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  5. Your card is just so cute...and the cake looks YUMMY! Thanks so much for playing along with us at FCCB!

    Lisa
    http://prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com

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  6. Thank you with all my sparkly heart, my sweet crafty friends! My family and I are truly blessed by you. :o) Hugs and blessings!

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  7. Thank you for visiting my blog ~ I am now a follower of your!!
    http://kerieskafe.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. *wipes away endless happy tears* This card is a glorious exhibition of all the love that is just bursting out of your heart each and every single day, Sunshine. Even through the hardest moments in life, it shines just as bright and the light that radiates from it helps others heal and find hope. You are something crazy special sis. And this card and cake are sparkling evidence of just how special God made you.

    I can't stop staring at the card Sunshine...so many small stunning tiny details. I NEED THAT DUCKY!!! *hugglers him forever* And look at the flower sis! You used a button!!! AHHH!!! Sooooooo perfect!!! *hugglers it oodles* I sooooooo love the raindrops, Sunshine! What do you use to make them look so real like that? And only you sis would come up with such an amazing way to sparklify the clouds...I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!

    *dances the happy ducky dance with you and Mr. Ducky under his happy happy umbrella*

    May God shower my sweetest Karen with all the love in His heart during this extremely difficult month. I am so proud of you, Sunshine. You have shone through this last week just like the rainbow in your card peeking through the clouds. God has endless rainbows in sight for you sis...and your sweetest Grandpa too!

    I LOVE YOU SUNSHINE!!!

    *waves to all the new lovely followers* YAY!!!

    *squishers you silly and then devours your bundt cake with you til there is nothing left but a mini pile of snowflakey crumbs* WHEEE!!!

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  9. Karen, I'm so sorry you had a rough week.... but one another note your card it so very true .... After the rain there is always sunshine. No matter how strong the storm can be, God will always turn it around and that bad storm will become the brightest sunshine. I truly love your cars and creativity. You always have something so beyond amazing and adorable. Love the rain drops. :0) simply wonderful. Have a good night my dear friend.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving some love! Have a beautifully blessed day. :o)

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