Hope it's been a great day for you all! We're in for some storms here in California...it's been brewing and hovering for hours...but nothing yet!
I've got a few things for you tonight. Over at Splitcoast in the Crafty Secrets' forum, Pammyjo is hosting this week's challenge..."Primarily Pink". We were to use pink as the predominating color in our card. Easy peasy!
Here's my card for the challenge:
This sweet image is from Crafty Secrets' "Childhood" Images & Journal Notes booklet...I just love using these for inspiration! The beautiful background rose paper is from their "Radiant" paper pack.
The big, fat gorgeous rose I cut out is from DCWV's brand new & fabulous "Vintage Collage" stack--just found it at Michaels the other day--run over and get it quick!!! Also, check out this wonderful lace frame I also got at Michaels--just perfect for a sweet little vintage image!
Yesterday was my dear Grandmother Velda's birthday. She's been gone now for nine years...hard to believe. I always think of her on her birthday and remember so many lovely times together. She taught me so much, as I've mentioned on earlier posts, and I think of her almost every day as I'm doing small, simple tasks around the house that she taught me how to do...
Grammie, as we called her, loved violets. She remembered her grandmother always giving her violets on her birthdays, often in pretty little baskets...once she remembered being presented with a beautiful cut crystal basket that held her birthday violets. I was fortunate to get a crystal basket of hers when she died...I always wonder if it was the same one she received from her grandmother when she was a girl...
Well, in honor of Grammie's birthday, I made this card...
...the image I used is Velda herself, as a little girl. This has always been one of my very favorite old family photos...she looks like a little cherub! I found some beautiful vintage violet images online, and used them to embellish her card. The color is a little off here...looks better in person, of course!
Every year on every birthday card, Grammie would sign her name and put "X's and O's" underneath her name--an "XO" for each year. The last card I received from her was my 38th, and even though her handwriting was getting very shaky, there were, indeed, 38 "XOXOXOXOXO...'s" on my card. Such a sweet tradition and an even sweeter memory for me.
The "X" & "O" stamps are from Crafty Secrets' new "Message on a Bottle" stamp set. Lots of silver shavings glitter, Dazzling Diamonds on the violets, buttons in shades of violet, some lace & ribbon, and that's a wrap!
Here's another photo of the beautiful Velda on her wedding day in 1937...
Grammie had a favorite homemade frosting she would whip up to dazzle a cake--whether for a birthday, or a cake just for fun after school for the kids. My Mom said they loved this frosting so much, it was often their request for their birthday cakes.
Velda got this recipe from her mother, Estella, who got it from her mother, Sarah...wonder where it started....? I made it tonight in her honor, and it was delicious!
Just a regular chocolate cake mix will do, unless you want to get all fancy! The frosting is glossy, and thick and smooth...perfect! Here's the recipe:
Velda's Quick Never-Fail White Icing
1 egg white
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp vanilla
Put egg whites, salt, sugar and cream of tartar in mixing bowl, and mix together lightly. Add the boiling water and beat with hand mixer on fastest speed until thick, glossy, and it forms peaks. While mixing, keep turning the bowl and scraping the sides. Add vanilla and mix in gently.
Spread on cake, making peaks with spreader. If desired, melt a bit of semi-sweet chocolate and drizzle it on the frosting...YUM! Enjoy!
Well, that's it for tonight...hope you have a wonderful night & a great weekend...and make something delicious!
Sweet Dreams...
