Parsnip and Maple Syrup Cake

Yes, you read right... that's PARSNIP!
lol*

I am a regular visitor to the Good Food website,
and they have been having a cake competition.

This Parsnip and Maple Syrup Cake,
by Catherine Marshall,
has reached the top 3 ,
so I had to give it a try.
It's a fab, easy recipe -
if I can make it, anyone can -

and the parsnip keeps the cake lovely and moist.

Ignore the fact that my filling is a bit drippy.

We were so keen to get it filled and try it,
that the cake was still a bit warm.
xxx

Christmas Cupcakes

I am really happy with my first attempt and an 'easel' card.

They are easy to make and I think they look really stylish.

This is for the challenge over at Simon Says,
where the theme is
'All That Sparkles'.

I thought it would be nice to make a Christmas card,
using a stamp that wasn't just for Christmas,
so I had a rummage, and came up with these
cupcakes from Simon Says Stamp.

I paper pieced the cases, with sparkly paper
and added sticky pearls, diamonds and stickles glitter
to the frosting.

Do you like my bow?

It took me 100 attempts to get it like that... lol*

Recipe:
Stamps - Savor Sweet Cupcakes, from Simon Says Stamp.
Design Paper - K & Co, Peppermint Twist
Fancy edge made with Fiskars lace punch
Christmas Cupcakes sentiment made on my comp.
Ribbon and button from my stash.

xxx

Christmas Wilbur

I've had a little panic this morning,
totting up the number of Christmas cards I need.
So, here's another to add to my stash.

I have combined 2 challenges.
The sketch is by Ger, from Sunday Sketch & Stamp
(I just resized the circle,
because this was the largest die I had,
and you do not want to see me cut one out freehand.. lol*)
The theme is 'Furry Friends',
at Allsorts

Recipe:
Digital Stamp - Wilbur, from Pollycraft.
I paper pieced the parcels and coloured Wilbur
with copics.
Design Paper - K & Co Peppermint Twist
Ribbon, pearls, flower and metallic tape from my stash.
xxx

Cinder Toffee and Winter Wonderland Challenge

Mmmmm.... cinder toffee.
Not only is it delish,
but it makes your kitchen smell gorgeous.
:-)
As soon as I saw that this week's
Winter Wonderland challenge
was an 'open' theme,
I knew what I wanted to make.
I needed a place to keep my Christmas treat recipes
all together,

So I have covered a little notebook.
As you can see, I threw all my sparkle and glitter at it...lol*

The first recipe inside is for the Cinder Toffee -
so easy to make and a real favourite here.
In fact, I had to be quick to take the photo,
as the toffee was disappearing fast!

Recipe.
Small plain notebook.
Design Paper - K & Co Peppermint Twist.
Die cut 'Bug in a Rug' letters covered with Glossy Accents.
Punched snowflakes covered with stickles glitter.
Adhesive pearls, card candy and ribbon from my stash.
xxx

Winter's Day

Have you seen Elizabeth's images at Softpencil Digital Stamps?
Elizabeth is this week's sponsor at
A Spoon Full Of Sugar.

I haven't seen her work before,

but it is just sooo cute.

I definitely want to be in with a chance of winning some of
her adorable images.
So, here is my entry for their sketch challenge.
Check out the DT work, who have had the chance to play with
some of the images.

Recipe:

Stamp - Woodware, A Winter's Day,
coloured with copics
and sprinkled with Polar White Flower Soft.
Design Paper - K & Co Peppermint Twist.
Punched snowflakes, covered with Diamond Dust.
Sentiment from Craftwork Cards.
xxx

Halloween Treats

It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it!
I have had to sample several bags of sweeties this morning,
just to make sure that the quality is good enough
to put them in these jars.
:-)

These little treats are for my girls -
you're never too old for Haribo, are you?
I am entering them for this week's
Stamptacular Sunday challenge,
where the theme is

'Spooktacular'.
Take a look at the amazing work from the DT
and if you enter you could win the fab prize of a
$25 voucher from those lovely people at Simon Says Stamp

Recipe:

2 jars.
Halloween picket fence downloaded from here.
Design Paper - Doodlebug Design Inc.
Digital Stamp from Pollycraft,
coloured with Copics.
Sentiment made on my comp.
xxx

Allsorts Sketch - Edwin

Post number 2 for today -
and it's this card using the sketch at
Allsorts

I can't enter this for the challenge,
as I realised, after I made my card,
that the theme is 'Monochrome Christmas'
Silly me!

I admit too, that I struggled with the sketch.
I wasn't sure what to use for the 5 round embellies.
I persevered though, and came up with the circles
and card candy.
If you want to have a go at the sketch,
and the challenge,
check out the fab work from the DT
for some inspiration.

Recipe:
Magnolia stamp coloured with Copics.
Design Paper - Card Makers Earth Palette.
Card candy from Craftwork Cards.
xxx

Bling It Bear

I can't resist a bit of bling -
so I had to have a go at this week's challenge
over at Stamp Something,

where the theme is 'Bling It'.

There is also an awesome prize this week,
of some Copic Spica markers.
Who wouldn't love to win those?

I don't often make shaped cards,
but thought I would have a go at this simple, 'z-fold' style,
and I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out.


I find it hard to photograph glitter,
but I hope you can see that there is plenty of 'bling'
on my card.
The background paper is gorgeous and has a pretty glitter finish.
I also added some stickles glitter to the bear's dressing gown.

Recipe:
Stamp - Forever Friends, coloured with Copics.
Design Paper - K & Co, Peppermint Twist
Ribbon from my stash.
Sentiment from Craftwork Cards
xxx

Caroling Mice

Afternoon everyone.
Hope you are all enjoying what's left of the weekend.

Hands up who has given in and put the heating on!!

Here is my entry for this week's

Friday Sketchers.
There is some amazing talent on the DT over there,
and this week the challenge
is sponsored by
Quixotic Paperie
I have just been having a nosey around their online store,

and they have some gorgeous products.

Recipe:

Stamp - from the Penny Black Christmas Critters Set,
coloured with copics and some added stickles glitter.

Design Paper - My Mind's Eye, Peppermint Twist.

Swirls - Die cut with Sizzix Flourish #3

Sentiment from Craftwork Cards. Ribbon from my stash.
xxx

Pretty In Pink

TGI Friday!
Just a quick post this afternoon.

Have you entered the Simon Says Stamp challenge this week?

There's still plenty of time to try the great sketch by Domi.

Here's my entry for the challenge.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
so I made my card pink and substituted the breast cancer ribbon
for one of the flowers.

Recipe:

Stamp - Sugar Nellie with Heart,
coloured with copics.
Design Paper, My Mind's Eye

(deep pink is from Magnolia,
pale Pink is from Bloom & Grow)
Ribbon, brad and pearls from my stash.
xxx

Digi Stamp Folder

Afternoon everyone,
have you headed over to Pollycraft yet,
to take part in their birthday blog hop?

There are lots of prizes on offer
and some fabulous work to see.

They also have their normal challenge running,
and this week it's a colour combo of
Tangerine, Turquoise and Chocolate.

A while ago I covered my rubber stamp folder,
so this time I thought I would do the same for
my digi stamps.
I like to keep a copy of them printed out,
so that I can flick through them to choose
what I want to use.

For the front I combined 2 Pollycraft images -
Background Trees and Cherry Kisses Snowball.
They were coloured with my copics and some stickles glitter.

Design Paper is My Mind's Eye, Magnolia
Text stamped with MSE, Adrienne's letters.

Christmas Bear

I am feeling a bit sniffly today -

so I am going to turn on the heating,
wrap up warm and plonk myself in front of the TV.

But first, here is my entry for this week's

Sunday Sketch & Stamp,
which is a fab sketch from Clare.
Pop over there and check out the fab DT work.

Recipe:

Stamp - Forever Friends, paper pieced and coloured with copics.
Xmas design Paper from last year's stash.

Punched snowflakes sprinkled with Diamond Dust.

Star charm from the Hobby House

Sentiment and card candy from Craftwork Cards.

xxx

Autumn Birthday

Woohoo!

I was a winner at the Secret Crafter Blogoversary,

and won some crafting goodies from Wendy.
Can't wait to see what they are.

If you haven't checked out their challenge blog,

go and have a looksie.
They set a different challenge every Saturday,
and have an awesome DT.

At the end of the month all those that
enter a challenge go into the prize draw.

This week their theme is 'Autumn Colours'.

For my card I used the cute Milly stamp from Pink Gem.

This is just one of those fab stamps

that is great for paper piecing -
and that's what I did to her brolly, coat and boots.

The rest of her is coloured with copics.

Design Paper is My Mind's Eye - Bloom & Grow.
Flowers were punched from the DP
Card candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Ribbon from my stash.
xxx

Pollycraft 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday Pollycraft Challenge.

They are 1 year old.

To celebrate they have an amazing blog hop.

Visit the DT blogs starting here
and collect the letters to spell a word,

to be in with the chance of the grand prize.

There are lots of other great prizes
along the way and some gorgeous DT cards
You really don't want to miss out on this.
xxx

Halloween Gingerbread

This week Simon Says are trying to get 300 entries
for their

Halloween challenge.
There's still time to join in, so get making your
spooky, scary, eerie, creepy or cute projects.

The prize up for grabs is a fab $25 voucher for
the Simon Says Stamp Store

I made these little gingerbread men and iced them as skeletons.
The icing is a bit wobbly,
but the biscuits are good.
:-)

Then I put them into a little cello bag
and folded over some card for the top.

The cute little Halloween cat is a digi stamp
from Pollycraft
coloured with copics.

The 'Boo' is die cut
with Sizzix 'bug in a rug' letters.

Dear Santa...

Would anyone like to swap?
My job today is to clean the oven -
inside and out.

I will do ANYTHING else.

Hmmm... OK, I won't look after small children,

I draw the line at that!
Ha! Ha!

Yesterday I headed over to
play with the big girls at

The Sugar Bowl.
It's my first time trying their challenge,

but it was such a fab sketch,
I had to give it a go.
They have such a generous prize of
Sugar Nellie stamps, for this week's winner.
Nip over there and check out the DT work -
it's awesome.

Recipe:

Stamp - Sugar Nellie, Gorjuss Girls, Sent with Love,
coloured with copics.
Design Paper - K & C Peppermint Twist
Punched snowflakes covered with Diamond Dust
Pearls and snowflake trim from my stash.

Text made on my comp.

Mum's Diet Journal

Do you know it's just 11 weeks 'til Christmas.

Just enough time to lose a few pounds,

so I can squeeze into those party dresses.

And, if I lose some weight now,

I will be able to eat more at Christmas, right???

:-)
To help me keep on the straight and narrow

I have altered this little notebook,
to use as a diet journal.

I promise to write everything down,

and NO cheating!!


This is also my entry for the challenge over at
Funky Fairys
where the theme is 'Alter It!'
Pop on over there and check out the clever

ideas from the DT.
To be in with a chance of winning
remember to add at least 1 Funky Fairys item
to your project.

Recipe:

Notebook.

Design Papers - from the Funky Fairys 'cherish' set.
Stamp - Personal Impressions, Cute Characters,
coloured with copics.

Text made on my comp.
Punched flowers and card candy.
xxx

Sledging Hedgies

I made 2 attempts at this card for the

Winter Wonderland,

'Sleigh Bells Ring' challenge.

Ths first one is the card above,

and I'm not really happy with it.

I distressed round the stamp with brown ink -
what was I thinking?

And then tried to cover it all up with blue chalk,
and got carried away!
The ribbon isn't straight and neither is the text.

Not good!

So I tried again.

I'm not much happier with my second effort.

I think my mojo has disappeared today!

But it's a simple design that's good
when you have lots of Christmas cards to make.

Recipe
Stamp - Penny Black, Christmas Critters,
coloured with copics and stickles glitter.
Not sure what make the DP is, it's from last year's stash.
Happy Christmas stamp is Pink Gem
I punched the snowflakes from glitter card

Ribbon from my stash.
xxx

Christmas Lights

Wow!

3 posts in one day... that's a record for me.
Hubby is away on business,

so the housework can wait

and I have spread out my craft stuff

over every available surface.

Here's my entry for Simon Says Stamp,
which is the colour combo Red & Green.
If you enter the challenge, not only are you in with a chance of
winning a fab $25 gift voucher for the
Simon Says Stamp shop,
but you could also visit the DT
and find some hidden candy.

Recipe:

Digital Stamp - Pollycraft, Cherry Kisses Lights,
coloured with copics and stickles glitter

Design Paper - K & Co Peppermint Twist.

Swirl - Sizzix Flourish Die
Punched flowers, spritzed with glimmer mists and stickles glitter.
Card candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards.
xxx

Have fun, Jamie

Here's a card I have made for a friend's little boy - Jamie.
I am entering it for this week's

Secret Crafter challenge,

where the theme is 'Celebrations'.

I think this cute little set of Jungle Pals
from Woodware, are just perfect for kids cards.

Besides the images above, there is also a giraffe,
pawprint, bananas, leaf, and even the little sayings are included.

I have coloured the stamps with copics.
The design paper is My Mind's Eye, Bloom & Grow.

'Jamie' is stamped with MSE - Adrienne's clear stamps.
xxx

Sketch Saturday - Pets

Morning everyone.

Never mind what happened to the weekend,

what happened to September??

I blinked and it was gone.

My card is for this week's
Sketch Saturday challenge.

It's a fabulous sketch by Ria and the theme is 'Pets'.
We are pet mad here - I would love more animals,
but right now we just have Suzie (our Westie )

a hamster and two tankfulls of fish.

You don't want to miss out on this challenge,
because there are 2 fab sponsors this week -

Pollycraft and KreaTeja.
Check out the blog for some great inspiration from the DT

Recipe:
Stamp - Magnolia, Tilda with Puppy,
coloured with copics.
I messed up with the highlighter pen on her hair -
poor Tilda looks like she has eyebrows there now!

I never quite know where to add those accents.
Design Paper - Papermania, Sweet Nothings.
Blooms sprayed with Glimmer Mist, Tattered Rose.
Dew drops and ribbon from my stash.

Card candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards.
xxx

Truly Scrumptious

.... you two are truly scrumptious.

Am I the only one that has to have a little sing song

whenever I go to the Truly Scrumptious blog?

:-)
This card is for their weekly challenge,
which is a great sketch,
with the option of adding some 'doodling'.

My 'Party Edwin' stamp,

really doesn't get out as much as he should,

but he's so cute,

I don't just want to use him for New Year.

I've just realised too,
that I have forgotten to add the sentiment
to the card - silly me!
I'll go and do that as soon as I've finished posting.

Recipe:
Stamp - Magnolia, Party Edwin,
coloured with copics
and added silver stars.

Design Paper - Dovecraft, Masculine.
xxx