Friday Treat

Quite a productive day today although not in a challenge way (only managed one). However, made six Christmas cards based on the Friday Sketchers sketch. Also managed to update my blog with a lovely background, fix my clock and make a chocolate and cointreau mousse as a wee treat for tonight (one for Mrs Wonka I think).

Chocolate and Cointreau Mousse

INGREDIENTS
SERVES 6
7oz (200g) good quality dark chocolate (about 60% cocoa solids)
3 large eggs, separated
1 1/2oz (40g) caster sugar
2 tablespoons Cointreau (or other favorite liqueur)

METHOD
• Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a heatproof bowl with 4 fl oz (120ml) of warm water. Stand the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Make sure that the bowl is not actually touching the water.
• Leave the chocolate to melt for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove the bowl from the heat and stir the chocolate really well until it is smooth and glossy. Then leave it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Beat the egg yolks together and then add to the cooled chocolate, along with the Cointreau. Beat again until smooth.
• In a spotlessly clean bowl, whisk the egg whites to a soft peak stage. Then whisk in the sugar one third at time. You will now have a glossy, soft meringue.
• Now fold a small amount of the meringue into the chocolate using a metal spoon and "cutting actions". Once the mix has loosened up, continue folding in the meringue about one third at a time. Be careful not to be too vigorous or you will knock the air out of the mousse.
• Finally divide the mix up between 6 small ramekins. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Serve with whipped cream and biscuit curls - delish!


Off for a long hot bath now I have been cold all day - hope I'm not coming down with something.

Bye for now.

Friday Sketchers

Day four of my holibags and the first card of today for the Friday Sketchers challenge.

I have used papers from Shabby Princess, a PB image coloured with Faber-Castell watercolour pencils, Tom Jones crystals, layered snowflakes, ribbon and bling from my stash.

Thanks for looking!

A Sobering Thought

Just incase you over imbibe in the Halloween hooch - have a ghoulish one!

Pink To Make The Boys Wink

Last card of today and again I have used remnants of Summer Driggs Awareness papers, a PP image coloured with Faber-Castell watercolour pencils sprinkled with Tom Jones crystals and bling from my stash. I promise no more pink tomorrow.

Thanks for looking!

An Oldie But Goodie!

This is my first entry for the Theme Thursday Challenge the theme being vintage. I have used papers from Summer Driggs, adhesive pearls from Papermania and Prima flowers.

Thanks for looking!

2 Sketches 4 You Bonus Sketch

Here is my card for the Joke's bonus sketch on 2 Sketches 4 You - and boy was it hard - I've the Forestry Commission banging on the door protesting about the amount of paper I've wasted.

The papers are from Funky Fairy, the image is PB coloured with Whispers pens, the fluffy bits on his outfit are highlighted with Tom Jones crystals, X-Cut punched snowflakes with some Papermania stick on gems in the centre and a computer generated sentiment.

Thanks for looking!

I won, I won, I won......

OK admittedly it was one of those random generated thingies and not based on genuine talent but hey let me bask in my moment of glory. I won some blog candy over on Carol's Paperplayce Blog - woo hoo! - I've never won anything in my life, not even a raffle.

Anyway, day three of my holibags and here is my entry for Cute Card Thursday which is to make 'Drink' themed cards, any type not just alcoholic ones!

I have used remnants of Summer Driggs Awareness papers (I'm becoming a real pink girl), a PP image coloured with Faber-Castell watercolour pencils, computer generated sentiment, Papermania ribbon and a Card Candy pearl heart.

Thanks for looking!

Sketch Saturday Challenge

This is my last card for today. It is for the Sketch Saturday Challenge. I have used papers from the Summer Driggs Awareness kit, a PP image coloured with Whispers pens and Faber-Castell watercolour pencils, fluffy bits highlighted with Tom Jones crystals, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots border and some ribbon from my stash.

Thanks for looking!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Day two of my holibags - now to find a challenge. Found one over on Funky Fairy's Blogspot - oh no, what to do, I don't have any Funky Fairy products - but wait they actually have freebies to download.

So here it is I have used the blue and white spotty paper from the free blue Christmas download, the circle has been embossed with the Cuttlebug snowflake folder, the little snowman I purchased from Mad About Cards last year, ice blue ribbon from my stash, some layered snowflakes and the sentiment is computer generated (I'm rubbish at stamping sentiments).

Lunch in a minute and then I am going to make a few more of these - thank you Funky Fairy.

Thanks for looking!

Carol's Sketch Fun Challenge

Card # 2 today for Carol's Sketch Fun Challenge #5.

I have used more or less the same materials as my earlier card today; my new Sugar Nellie soft centre stamp coloured with Faber-Castell watercolour pencils, papers from the lovely Vicki's Pink Coffee Cream range, a prima flower, a little stick on gem and sentiment from my stash (I had stamped a sentiment directly onto the card and made a bit of a boo boo).

Thanks for looking!

Yippee!

I've got a few days off work this week so guess what I'm going to be doing? Super organised this morning - breakfast, read the paper, washed the dishes, made beef and orange curry, shepherds pie, bolognese and carrot and coriander soup to be frozen later (domestic goddess or what!), put on and hung out a washing, cleaned the bathroom, tidied the bedroom, did some banking and it's still only 10.30. I could get used to this.

Now for my Papertake Weekly Challenge entry based on Dawny's very first sketch.

I have used one of my new Sugar Nellie soft centre stamps coloured with Faber-Castell watercolour pencils, papers from the lovely Vicki's Pink Coffee Cream range, some doodling using a Sakura gel pen, some layered Cricut cut flowers, sequins, ribbon and sentiment from my stash.

Thanks for looking!

Skint!

Went along to the craft exhibition at the SECC today. Amongst my purse busting purchases were patchwork alphabet and sentiment stamps by Dimension Forth, X-cut punches and border system, five Sugar Nellie stamps (including some of the new soft centres) and the lovely Kath sold me a Fiskars bow maker for a fiver.

It was lovely to meet Kath in person. The poor soul was shattered after four days demonstrating - even her comfy slippers had given up the ghost.

Anyway, here is my first card using my new acquisitions.

Thanks for looking!

Meowy Christmas

Here is my entry for the Secret Crafters Challenge based on Donna's sketch.

I have used a PB image coloured with Whispers pens, Pink Petticoat papers, velvet ribbon, sentiment computer generated and liquid pearls.

Oh and stitching around the outside with my new mini sewing machine - first attempt which looks as if I have had a gin and tonic or two too many!



The second card is for Mojo Monday using the same materials with the addition of another Pink Petticoat paper, some snowflakes and some bling.

Thanks for looking!

The Stars At Night

Here is my entry for this weeks Cute Card Thursday challenge which is to create a card either with stars or something spooky.

I have used a PB stamp coloured with Whispers pens, my Cricut to cut the star, small confetti stars sprinkled all over the card and there are silver glitter stars on the present. It's a poor photo I'm afraid but I'm too tired to fix it - will try tomorrow.

Thanks for looking!

Woof Woof

Here is my first entry on the SBS challenge blog which is to create a card featuring dogs and/or puppies.



I've used a PB image but in very muted colours zinged up with a little gold. The papers are scraps from Summer Driggs Vintage Oreos which were left over from a previous card.



I am so behind now that I won't be doing any more challenges unless they feature a Christmas card (only done 7 so far).

Thanks for looking!

Friday Sketchers

Here is my entry for this weeks Friday Sketchers challenge - sketch #24.

I have used a PB image from the 12 Days of Christmas, Vicki's Doodlegrunge papers, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, some ribbon and Papermania flowers.

Thanks for looking!

Chill!

Here is my entry for Papertake Weekly Challenge #13 based on Katharina's sketch.

I have used a PB image, coloured with Whispers pens, Pink Petticoat Doodlicious Christmas large and small snowflake papers in Shimmer, Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder, a couple of snowflakes and some Stickles Icicle along the ice.

Thanks for looking!

Friday Sketchers

This is my entry for the Friday Sketchers challenge which is to make a card based on Beatrix's sketch.

I have used the second colour from Vicki's Doodlegrunge papers, a PB image coloured with Whispers pens, some ribbon, gems and glitter glue.

Thanks for looking!

Thanks A Bunch

This weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge is Thanks A Bunch.

I have used my wee PB hedgie image coloured with Whispers pens, Doodlegrunge papers from the wonderful Vicki, sentiment computer generated and my favourite cutesy stick on pearls.

Fluffy Birdie

This is my first entry for the Kaboodledoodles Challenge which is to incorporate their free to download papers in your card.

I have used the lighter of the two papers, a Pink Petticoat image, a feather in the birdie's tail, some ribbon on which I have directly stamped the sentiment and some bling.

Thanks for looking!

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

It is an extremely dreich day here today - wind, driving rain - a typical Scottish day really. Definitely a day for staying in and making as many cards as possible as I'm off to a Christening tomorrow and won't get my fix. Anyway, this is my entry for this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

K&Co Sparkly Sweet papers again (I love these colours), Penny Black 'So Cute' Image, Prima flowers and a Papermania sentiment (not sure if I like these but I don't have any suitable sentiment stamps for a circle).



In the second card - I prefer this one - I've used the same image but in very muted colours zinged up with a little gold. The papers are scraps from Summer Driggs Vintage Oreos which were left over from a previous card.

Thanks for looking!