You've Got to Try This Bread Pudding

Words cannot describe this sweet and slightly tart raspberry bread pudding I made for my husband's birthday last month, before my new year's resolution to lose weight kicked in.  I must admit that my mouth is watering just thinking about this heavenly/sinful dessert.  Its one of my family's new favorites.

You can access the recipe by clicking this link: Thesisterscafe.com

This will fill a 9x13 pan to the tip top.  If you want to save yourself some calories, cut the recipe in half.  The second time I made this dessert (yep, twice the temptation) I used the triple berry combination sold at Costco - good, but I like the tartness of 100% raspberries.

A few tips - buy French bread a few days ahead of time. I trimmed a lot of the crust off before cubing the remaining loaf.  Then I let it dry on cookie sheets for several hours. I plan to do this night before if I make it again.  Bread that is slightly dried out is better for soaking up all that creamy sugary goodness. Also, place a baking sheet lined with foil under your baking dish to catch overflowing fruit.  Then you can just toss the foil for easy clean up.

This looks hard, but it is a fairly simple dessert that will wrap itself around your tastebuds...not to mention your thighs. LOL

Enjoy,
Sheila

Whoo's Your Valentine Special Offer

Here's a look at the January special from Close To My Heart.  This fabulous kit can be yours for just $10 with a $35 qualifying order through January 31st, or while supplies last. This project kit is well worth the money just for the stamp set, which I love.

Watch the video and see if you can pick out two new products that will be in the 2013 Spring Summer Idea Book that launches on February 1st.

In celebration of National Papercrafting Month, we’re offering a new product, available through January — our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit! This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product. The kit includes 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit! Perfect for gifts and classroom projects, the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit will make Valentine’s Day a cinch!

Qualify and buy the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit today for only $10!

*Shipping and handling may apply. Offer valid through January 31, 2013. Maximum of one $10 Whooo’s Your Valentine kit per customer.

I won "Fanciest Cookies" title!

My new friend, Katie, invited me to her annual cookie exchange this year.  I like this one because I only had to make 3 dozen cookies.  I've made as many as 12 dozen in the past.  Katie gives out prizes and my cookies won Fanciest Cookies. Wahoo!!  They are not hard at all, especially when you decorate them while watching reruns of Downton Abby Season 2 (can hardly wait for January 6th - season 3). You can find the cookie recipe at OurBestBites.Com.
Tip: I made the white icing a little thicker than the colored icing so it would hold it's shape better.

Here's another tip for making cut-out sugar cookies.  After mixing the dough, put a portion in a gallon size zipper bag and press dough around filling the space in the bag until you reach your desired thickness. Don't zip the bag shut until you have the dough flattened inside the bag.  Then you can refrigerate or freeze your dough.  When you're ready to cut shapes simply cut the sides of the bag and lay it open. Cut right from the bag.  You can roll any excess dough out again by scrunching it in a ball and putting the top layer of the bag over the ball, then roll with your rolling pin...ready for more cookie cutting. Pretty nifty.  And rather than dip your cookie cutter in flour, use powdered sugar.

   

Happy Holidays,

Sheila

Holiday Home Decor

I love this little holiday sign. It works for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Create this dual holiday home decor item using the Mix & Mingle mini album - it's availalble for $5 when you shop online.  Go to the shopping link of my website and click "While Supplies Last."  You'll see some other killer deals while you're there.  Please join the December Gathering when you check out.

Read on for a supply list to make this project.

One side for Thanksgiving...

Flip it over for Christmas.

Here's what you'll need:

• Mix & Mingle Mini Album (Z1334)
• Chipboard letters - Notable Dimensional Elements (Z1682)
• Themed patterned paper and cardstock of your choice
• Your favorite embellishments and stamped images
• Adhesive. I used Liquid Glass (Z679) because it dries super fast.

Happy Holidays,

Sheila 

2012 Retiring Products Announced

The end of the Autumn / Winter 2012 Idea Book is drawing near—January 31, 2013 to be exact! We must reluctantly retire some of the old items as we look forward to the release of the new.

Effective immediately, the items on this list are available only while supplies last.

Be sure to shop my website for many other clearance priced items available December 1st - While Supplies Last.  Every $50 order will receive a free Bonding Memories Glue Pen ($4.50 value). And you will be eligible for the December Stamp of the Month - Year Round Cheer for just $5 ($17.95 value).

Start shopping here.

2012 RETIRING PRODUCTS

Item #	Item Description	Page # Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book
A1104	A Tweet	90
A1111	A Tulip	68
A1116	A Melody	94
A1122	Bravo	92
A1128	Quick Cards—Shell	80
A1129	A Rainbow	85
B1365	Spring Up	71
B1369	Rosy Regards	67
B1374	Bee Happy	83
B1397	He Is Risen	74
B1402	My Peeps	72
C1439	Enjoy Life	95
C1440	Take a Picture	93
C1442	Tailor-Made	94
C1450	Eclectic Edges	99
C1452	Delight	71
C1455	Aspire	96
C1456	Heartfelt Treasures	68
C1457	Happy Camper	84
C1458	Paper Lantern	90
C1473	Remarkable Wreath	70
C1474	10 Things	105
C1485	Super Powers	47
C1498	Country Life	82
C1499	Perfect Day	80
D1195	The Works Alphabet	117
D1222	Tiny Typewriter Alphabet	117
D1296	Chocolate Alphabet Small	114
D1301	Hodge Podge Alphabet	114
D1303	Classmate Alphabet	114
D1462	Splendid Day	77
D1464	Card Chatter—Love	106
D1467	Trees & Things	76
D1472	Simple Memories	66
D1478	Bingo Alphabet	113
D1505	Roar!	89
D1508	Diverse Backgrounds	102
D1509	Magic Adventures	78
D1511	Kick Back	81
E1013	Field Trip Alphabet	114
G1040	Workshops on the Go® Spellbound Cricut® Kit	14
G1041	Workshops on the Go® Avonlea Cardmaking Kit	22
G1042	Workshops on the Go® Scroll Album Kit	23
G1043	Workshops on the Go® Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit	66
G1044	Workshops on the Go® Advent Calendar Kit	67
G1045	Workshops on the Go® Avonlea Scrapbooking Kit	21
G1046	Workshops on the Go® Clementine Scrapbooking Kit	29
G1047	Workshops on the Go® Dakota Scrapbooking Kit	35
G1048	Workshops on the Go® La Belle Vie Scrapbooking Kit	41
G1049	Workshops on the Go® Scholastic Scrapbooking Kit	47
G1050	Workshops on the Go® Flirty Scrapbooking Kit	53
G1051	Workshops on the Go® Moonlight Scrapbooking Kit	59
G1052	Workshops on the Go® Pear & Partridge Scrapbooking Kit	65
X7147B	My Reflections® Stella Paper Packet	68
X7147C	Stella Complements Canvas Shapes	68
X7148B	My Reflections® Pemberley Paper Packet	68
X7148C	My Stickease® Pemberley Assortment	68
X7150B	My Reflections® Victory Paper Packet	69
X7150C	My Stickease® Victory Assortment	69
X7153B	My Reflections® Florentine Paper Packet	69
X7153C	My Stickease® Florentine Assortment	69
X7158B	La Belle Vie Paper Packet	38
X7158C	La Belle Vie My Stickease® Assortment	38
X7160B	Flirty Paper Packet	50
X7160C	Flirty Complements Dimensional Elements	50
X7161B	Moonlight Paper Packet	56
X7161C	Moonlight Complements Dimensional Elements	56
X7162B	Pear & Partridge Paper Packet	62
X7162C	Pear & Partridge Complements Glittery Rub-Ons	62
Z1054	My Creations® Display Album	132
Z1252	Cutting Knife	135
Z1316	Designer Ribbon Cocoa Collection	124
Z1349	Shimmer Designer Brads	127
Z1352	4 1/2" Colonial White Circle Cards	123
Z1353	4 1/2" White Daisy Circle Cards	123
Z1360	Rhinestone Designer Brads	127
Z1361	Brads Red Assortment	127
Z1362	Brads Pink Assortment	127
Z1363	Brads Blue Assortment	127
Z1364	Brads Green Assortment	127
Z1365	Brads Basic Assortment	127
Z1378	My Creations® Banner	132
Z1385	Designer Ribbon Blue Collection	124
Z1387	Wooden Designer Buttons	125
Z1388	Newsprint Rub-Ons	130
Z1391	Buttons Clear Assortment	125
Z1393	Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection	126
Z1395	Irresistibles™ Eclectic Chipboard Die-Cuts (the alphabet)	130
Z1407	6" x 6" Olive Quick Pic™ Album	122
Z1408	6" x 6" Pansy Purple Quick Pic™ Album	122
Z1460	Foundry® Ribbon Slides	126
Z1461	Décor Journaling Spots	129
Z1464	Milepost Shapes	128
Z1465	Irresistibles™ Make-It-Count Numbers	130
Z1466	Bling Assortment	128
Z1614	My Creations® Memory Game	132
Z1615	Designer Ribbon Red Collection	124
Z1616	Designer Ribbon Green Collection	124
Z1681	Dimensional Elements  Numbers	131
Z1687	Bohemian Assortment	128
Z1689	Timeless Charms	128
Z1692	Tough Tags	128
Z1694	Bouquet Assortment	128
Z1695	Urban Felt Alphabet	130
Z1696	Keepsake Felt Alphabet	130
Z1700	Dark Chocolate Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons	126
Z1709	Just Blooms® Petals Paper Flowers	129
Z1711	Foundry® Binder Clips	126
Z1712	Foundry® Number Plates	126
Z1731	My Originals® Sweet Surprises Card Kit	123
Z1733	Black Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons	126
Z1741	Haunted Assortment	128
Z1742	Parlor Velvet Rub-Ons	126
Z1743	Festive Velvet Rub-Ons	126
Z1749	Autumn Lane Assortment	128
Z1761	Dimensional Elements Ornaments	131
Z1762	Dimensional Elements Snowflakes	131
Z1763	Boutique Assortment	128
Z1765	Color-Ready Arbor Wooden Shapes	130
Z1772	Dimensional Elements In Color—Holiday	128
Z188	Craft Jars	120

Bonus Workshop - Calendar Gift Ideas

Are you in need of a gift idea for a teacher, family member or friend?  Why not give a hand made calendar? They"ll think of you everyday! =)  Join me Thursday December 13th at 7:00 p.m. or Friday December 14th at 9:30 a.m. to create one or both calendars shown below.  You will need to order no later than December 2nd to ensure delivery of supplies needed for the projects.

Event Calendar $3 class fee plus supplies -
I immediately thought of Close To My Heart's unique Event Calender - a perpetual calendar to record annual events like birthdays and anniversaries - when I saw the December Stamp of the Month "Year Round Cheer" in the Idea Book.  Each of the 12 images is perfect for the months of the year.  They also look adorable on their own for a 3x3 note card, or to embellish a scrapbook page.

Supplies:
1 Event Calender 4" x 18" (Z126) $8.50 each
1 December Stamp of the Month: Year Round Cheer (S1212) optional $17.95 or $5 with a $50 purchase
 Each month has a 3.5" x 3.5" white space to decorate with random scraps of paper and embellishments to your liking.

close up view

All 12 squares. You can design your own, or copy mine

Desk Calendar $5 class fee plus supplies - 
This ingenious creation comes from the very talented Lisa Stenz.  I've created my version with Scholastic paper that I think is ideal for teachers.

Supplies:
2 My Creations Blocks (Z1746) $3.95 each
1 My Creations Card Box (Z1647) $4.95 each
1 Hook & Loop Dots (Z1805) $3.95 each
1 Bonding Memories Glue (1512) $6.95 each, recommended adhesive
If you don't want to use the Scholastic Paper shown, bring 4 sheets of 12" x 12" paper to the workshop
*Optional stamp sets:
Glamour Lowercase (D1522) $17.95
Casual Expressions (D1525) $17.95

side view

Feel free to order supplies directly from my website or contact me to join my order.

Happy holidays,

Sheila

Gobble Gobble Gift Bag

Here's a cute gift bag you can make for a teacher or special friend for Thanksgiving using the Close To My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  I filled the bag with candy corn and yummy chocolate popcorn I found in the candy aisle at Walmart.  I really want to make these pumpkin snickerdoodles for the next one.

Here are the dimensions, supplies and assembly instructions:

·        Chocolate Bag – 6 ½” Gift Bag  [font layer + shift < 3 >]

·        Chocolate Body* – 4” Scalloped Oval [fourth row, second from left]

·        Desert Sand Collar* – 2 ¾” Scalloped Oval [fourth row, second from left]

·        Chocolate Head* – 3” Egg [fourth row, fourth from right]

·        White Daisy Eyes – cut 2, ½” Ovals [second row, second from left]

·        Goldrush Beak – 1” Banner [third row, second from right]

·        Cranberry Waddle – 1 ½” Uneven Heart [bottom row, second from right + Shift]

·        Honey Feet – cut 2, 1” Skinny Heart [second row, fourth from right + Shift]

·        Feathers – One in each color, 1 ¾” Skinny Oval [top row, second from left]                                            Suggestions: Barn Red, Smokey Plum, New England Ivy, Honey, Autumn Terracota.

Also need

·        2 black Bigger Brads

·        6” Baker’s Twine

·        Liquid Glass, or other adhesive (I like this because it dries quickly)

·        Piercing Tool

·        Chocolate Ink

·        Sponge

Assembly: 

Sponge (*) pieces in Chocolate Ink.  Assemble turkey using Liquid Glass or similar adhesive.  Cut about 1/2" off bottom of Turkey body before attaching to the assembled gift bag, otherwise he won't sit up.

 

 

Enjoy,
Sheila