Monday, December 7, 2009

Crafty Secrets DT Challenge--In the Kitchen!

Good morning, everyone! Hope the day is going well for you all--it's just POURING here! This is our version of winter here in Central California--it FINALLY feels like Christmas!

I was so thrilled to be asked to join in with the Crafty Secrets Design Team today in their monthly Challenge as a Guest Designer--thanks, Sandy! The theme for this month is kitchen-oriented...so much to choose from in that category with Crafty Secrets!

I'm really not happy with my photos today--sorry about that! The lighting is just terrible--so not much I can do!

For my card, I chose an adorable vintage image from their "Domestic Goddess" Creative Scraps--LOVE those Creative Scraps! So many fabulous images to choose from!

I stamped the mixing bowl image from the "Little Chef" stamp set for the background and glittered it up--of course! Sacrificed a second image from the Scrap sheet and cut out the little kitchen fairy so I could pop her up--one of my favorite things to do! I love that the Scraps come with word strips that can be used with the images--makes the job quick and easy!

I punched the border with my favorite new Martha Stewart Loopy edge punch, and used Crafty Secrets' "Earthy" paper pack for the green houndstooth paper...some lace, grosgrain ribbon, more Martha Stewart "White Gold" glitter and a big, fat button, and that's it!

Wish I'd had time to do another project, but I didn't!

Thanks, ladies, for letting me play with you today! If you haven't been over to the other DT ladies' blogs yet--hop on over pronto! What an amazingly talented group of women--I'm always inspired by their projects! Here they are:

Vicki Chrisman--Design Team Leader






Heidi Blankenship and Linda Duke are also on the Crafty Secrets DT, but were unable to participate this time--but stop by for a visit anyway!

We'd also love you to stop over to Splitcoast to the Crafty Secrets' Forum, where we have a fun challenge each week! This week, the amazing Darlene is our host, and I'm sure she'll have something fun "cooked" up...Come and play with us!

Since we're talking about kitchens, baking, etc...I thought I'd include something delicious for you--wish you all could just take a big, fat bite of this yummy cake!


This is how the Campbells' do cake...once in a while we'll pull out the recipes and make one from scratch, but we're usually in a hurry, so we'll just take out a cake mix and have at it!

We do a little something to make it our own, however, and people really love it! We add a whole bag of some kind of chips--chocolate, butterscotch, white, cinnamon...you get the idea!...to the batter before we pour it into the pan!

When you bite into your cake, there's this extra fabulous crunchy, melty layer on the bottom from the chips...YIKES! We can't make a cake without doing this anymore! Came up with the idea a couple of years ago...always seem to be looking for ways to add more calories to something! Try it, I think you'll love it!

The other thing I do...I just can't seem to use "canned" frosting anymore--I've found a few delicious frosting recipes over time that have become favorites. I'll use them over and over...modify them according to cakes--but homemade is just SOOOO much better! So that's what we did here, too! Here's the recipe for the creamy, chocolatey frosting!

Well, that's it for this wet, wintry morning! Hope your day is wonderful, no matter the weather, and that you're enjoying this beautiful Christmas season!

32 comments:

  1. Julie,congratulations on your position as Guest Designer! You've a wonderful way with all things vintage. Your card is wonderful and the cake looks scrumptious. I make have to do some baking this afternoon. Thanks for your recent kind words on my blog. Your blog is always such a treat to visit.

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  2. Congratulations on being Crafty Secrets' guest designer this month, Julie! Your card is fabulous! I love the glittery background and the little popped up fairy - so cute!

    Our official family birthday cake is a two-layer (French Vanilla and Red Velvet with butter cream frosting). I should try adding chips to the layers - yum! Does the bottom stick to the pan?

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  3. YAY Julie, so glad you could play this month!
    I LOVE your card, it's so pretty, love all the detail!

    Holy COW, my mouth is watering big time, that cake......man, does that look yummy! I'll have to try your secret ingredient!

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  4. Congratulations! I can't think of anybody that would be a better choice as a Crafty Secrets guest designer!

    I *LOVE* the little blue fairy! Can I have a blue fairy!?!?!?!?! PLEAZZZZZE! :D

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  5. Hey, Hey ... congrats girlfriend on being this month's Guest Designer! Your card is adorable with all it's sparkle & lace! LOVE, love, love the kitchen fairy ... PERFECT addition! You are so clever!
    And OH MY ... that cake ... yikes, I'm putting on weight just looking at it! Hmmmm ... so yummy looking! I rarely bake anymore since it's just Mark & I ... guess who'd be eating it all!!! LOL!!! But when I have the opportunity to bake again, I'll certainly keep this idea in mind! YUM!!!

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  6. Woo hoo!! Congrats on being the guest DT!!!! How exciting! You really deserve to be on the DT permanently though!!!

    Fabulous card and I LOVE the hint about the chips on the bottom!!! I'm going to go bake a cake now and do that!!!! Talk about mouth watering!!!

    {hugs}
    Erin

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  7. Love your blog and your project for the DT.

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  8. hey Julie! Another totally awsome card! Gosh love this vintage stuff so much! Also, I bought one of those cheap "shop" lights from Home Depot..very good for pics and very very inexpensive!

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  9. Hi Julie

    Well done on the DT call up. Lovely vintage projects here and of course some yummy food.

    Can't beleive you weather sounds just like here in the UK, but I bet it's not as cold there.

    B x

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  10. Congrats!! I am so excited for you! Love your card and the fairy is the perfect touch! As always I absolutely enjoy your touch of sparkle!

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  11. Gorgeous card and really yummy looking cake. Just love that beautiful blog background to. Congratulations on your guest DT spot too-how fab for you and hope you enjoy every minute.
    We've had pouring rain here too today and are wondering where the sun went.
    Hugs, Fliss x

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  12. fantastic retro, great post, thanks for sharing, hugs

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  13. Congratulations as well. I think the photos turned out well. Thanks for visiting my blog this morning. I've been neglecting my blog.... I hope to do better soon.
    I love your new background! It looks fabulous.
    Stephanie

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  14. I love your idea to add all those chips to the batter

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  15. Nummy!! I got so interested in your cake I had to go back and look at your project! Love your project and your blog looks amazing!

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  16. I love all of the details in your project and the addition of the cute stamp!

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  17. Nice project! And wow that looks soo yummy :)
    Hugs
    Hazel

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  18. All looks really nice and that cake.wow.
    Congratulations!
    Rita

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  19. You are MY hero! Congrats on this post....you know I love what you do! ; )

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  20. I think your pictures turned out great. I love that vintage card. great details. Blessings!
    Gwen

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  21. Splendid card. Love the sentiment and that big red button adds the finishing touch!
    Maureen

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  22. Julie, I absolutely ADORE this card! What a wonderful job you have done with it. I just love the two layers you did with the paper punch. This is yet another punch I am going to just have to get myself! I also adore the little Kitchen Fairy, but then again, I WOULD! I feel a bit like a Kitchen Fairy myself sometimes! You always amaze me with your card making talents! I am totally in awe of you! I know you are probably sleeping as I type this. I hope you are having sweet dreams!! xxoo

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  23. glittered mixing bowls and a kitchen fairy - I love this!!!

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  24. Congratulations on being Guest Designer. I love your card and the cake looks yummy. James and I are going to bake at the weekend - can't wait! x

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  25. Hi Julie,
    I would love a piece of that cake right now please. LOL I love anything sweet pretty much and that looks delicious! I will have to try that.

    Cute card too. You did a great job!
    You can certainly use the cards I put on my blog today. If I had your email or if it was tied to your blog, I could just hit reply and email you. :)
    Hugs~

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  26. Oh yummy. That looks SOOO good! Love that card too!

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  27. Love your pretty card! You do such a beautiful job on all of your projects! And that cake looks DEE-LICIOUS! Wow!!! Thanks so much for sharing and have a great day! Hugs! Coralie

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  28. So many creative posts to catch up on. I do hope you will join my next Tag Along in January creating a vintage tag to add to your own collection. Your amazing vintage blocks are too cute for words! Loved the pixie post, and the cake - must try the cake! Holiday cheer to be found here - can't wait to come again! Elizabeth

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  29. Okay, I think I need to hire this couple to do "presto, dinner's ready" at my house. Can you believe how much is packed into that oven!! Wonderfully nostalgic piece very indicative of the thinking of the time frame. And the cake that you showed us looks scrumptious. I"m with you on canned icing.

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  30. Hi Julie, That cake looks delish! I can almost taste it. Thanks for stopping by to visit today - I didn't write the blogger's poem - I got it in an email today, and boy can I relate! Blessings, Melissa

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  31. i love the vintage feel of this card...i especially like that bit of lace you used. it's funny how i notice the tiny things...perhaps most of us do! beauty in the details.

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  32. I just love your card. I too love the vintage look. It reminds me of my childhood. Thanks for sharing your talent and caring spirit.

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