It’s National Coffee Day

Yep, seriously – Did you know that today is National Coffee Day? I was surprised to see it scrolling across my tv screen this morning. I guess I should really pay closer attendtion to something soooo important. LOL!

And since my sister is a coffee fiend I thought I’d make a quick card to send her in order to celebrate this important date.

Perfect Blend & Trim the Tree

I made the focal point on this  card using our Perfect Blend stamp set (130745/131392) and the Ovals Collection Framelits Dies (129381). I’ve used my Cherry Cobbler and Skin Tone Blendabilities Markers to color my coffee cup and the Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack as inspiration for my color pallet.

Did you know that the Ovals Collection Framelits Dies are part of the Weekly Deals that end tonight at 11:50 p.m. (MT)? So if you don’t have this collection of Framlits Dies it is a great time to get them and save.

Weekly Deals September 23 2014

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Perfect Blend (130745/131392)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black Pad (132708)

Paper: Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack (135824), Sahara Sand (121043), Early Espresso (119686), Cherry Cobbler (119685), and Whisper White card stock (100730)

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler (130995) and Skin Tones Stampin’ Blendabilities Markers (129370), Top Note Die (113463), Ovals Collection Framelits Dies (129381), and Argyle Embossing Folder (127750)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code T4TV6CAB

Place an Online order with me and use my Hostess Code T4TV6CAB  and I’ll send you a FREE Tutorial with instructions to create 4 fun projects using the Wonderful Wreath stamp set!

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, September 29th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

PAPER PUMPKIN Subscription

A Perfect Blend

I love to get together with friends for a cup of coffee and so when I saw this Perfect Blend stamp set in the 2013 Catalog I couldn’t resist adding it to my ever growing coffee and tea themed items. I could easily see making all kinds of gifts and cards with this cute little set that has such great sentiments.

So today I thought I would share with you one of my projects that I made using this cute little Perfect Blend stamp set. It was a gift for a special friend that held two of my homemade and oh sooo decadent chocolate-almond biscotti – hopefully she took a few minutes to enjoy them over a relaxing cup of coffee, before getting back to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Fancy Bubble Bow

I made this gift box using one of our Tag a Bag Gift Boxes – these little boxes really makes things quick and easy. And I used our Season of Style Designer Series Paper since this pattern felt kind of coffee house-ish to me along with the Gift Bow Bigz L Die from the Holiday Catalog.

I made a quick video tutorial so you can see how I made this Fancy Bubble Bow below:

The Gift Bow die makes this Fancy Bubble Bow really so easy to make – And did you know that this great die is in the Holiday Catalog?

Gift Bow Die

Yikes – That means it is only available until January 2nd! So if you have been wanting one for yourself too, why not get one now before they’re gone?

I bet you’re wondering if I’m going to share the recipe, right?

This recipe was given to me by my friend Helen – so I call them Helen’s Chocolate-Almond Biscotti.

Helen’s Chocolate-Almond Biscotti

 ½ c. butter, softened

1 ¼ c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. almond extract

2 ¼ c. flour

¼ c. cocoa

1 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

1 c. almonds, sliced or chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat buter and sugar in large bowl until blended. Add eggs and almond extract; beat until smooth. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until smooth. Dough will be thick. Stir in almonds with wooden spoon.

Divide dough in half. With lightly floured hands shape each half into a rectangular log about 2 inches in diameter and 11 inches long; place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper at least 2 inches apart.

Helen's Chocolate-Almond Biscotti (1)

Bake 30 minutes or until logs are set. Remove from oven, cool on cookie sheet 15 minutes.

Helen's Chocolate-Almond Biscotti

Using a serrated knife, cut logs diagonally, using a sawing motion, into ½ inch slices. Arrange slices, cut sides down, close together on cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 9 minutes. Turn slices over; bake an addition 8 to 9 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet; leave on parchment paper and cool.

Drizzle with glaze or dip ends into glaze.

Helen’s Chocolate Glaze

Place 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon shortening into small microwaveable bowl. Microwave at High 1 to 1 ½ minutes or until smooth when stirred. Drizzle or dip.

I’ve even experimented with the recipe a bit and came up with my own version for those allergic to nuts by just substituting a couple things. I thought they were pretty good too, so here you go.

Double Chocolate – Orange Biscotti

Substitute Orange Extract for Almond and Mini Chocolate Chips for almonds.

Helen's Chocolate-Almond Biscotti (2)

These biscotti are a little extra work – but oooh, sooo worth it when you sit down with your cup of coffee and start to dunk! Even Larry loves them and he doesn’t wait for the coffee!!

Hmmmm…I think it is time for a cup of coffee. How about you?

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Perfect Blend (130745/131392)

Inks: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink (126979)

Paper: Season of Style Designer Series Paper (132340) and Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)

Accessories: Tag a Bag Gift Boxes (130927), Big Shot (113439), Gift Bow Bigz L Die (129977), Deco Labels Collection Framelits (130102), Paper Snips (103579), Bone Folder (102300), Glue Dots (103683)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Use Hostess Code UHRUCJ9X and get a special Class from me for FREE!

Clearance Rack Blitz (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends December 23, 2013 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Festive Flurry Ornament Kit (while supplies last)

Need Gift Ideas Image

Wetlands

I just love the Wetlands stamp set – Especially the sentiments and the font that is used for this set. Here is another card created with the Wetlands stamp set that I wanted to share with you.

Wetlands Convention swap 2013

This card used our Ivory Naturals card stock (item 101849). Both our Ivory and Whisper White Naturals card stock has got this great earthy feel to it and is a wonderful choice when you are looking for something with just a little more texture.  Naturals card stock come 40 sheets to a package so it is a great deal too. Why not check it out if you haven’t already?

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Wetlands (item 126695/126697)

Inks: Early Espresso (item 126974) and Crumb Cake (item 126975)

Paper: Naturals Ivory (item 101849), Early Espresso (item 119686), and Cajun Craze (item 119684)

Accessories: Window Frames Collection Framelits (item 129021) and Square Lattice Embossing Folder (item 119976)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Mystery Hostess Code

Use Mystery Hostess Code WSCBPMPF when placing your order and your name will be entered into my Mystery Hostess Drawing. This Mystery Hostess Code WSCBPMPF will be good through Saturday, September 14th. The number of hostess will depend on the total sales and I’ll be drawing a hostess for every $150 in sales.

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

Holiday Catalog Premiere Party

Holiday Catalog Premiere Party Banner

Click HERE to see my flyer with all the details

NEW My Digital Downloads

Here are some great NEW My Digital Studio Digital Downloads for this week. You’re going to love the new Simply Life Photo Templates – a clean, fresh look for your scrapbook pages!

Simply Life Photo Templates (item 135245)

MDS Simply Life Photo Templates

Witches’ Brew Designer Washi Tape (item 135240) and What a Day Pocket Cards (item 134981)

MDS Witches' Brew Designer Washi Tape MDS What a Day Pocket Cards

Toil & Trouble Stamp Brush Set (item 135243) 

MDS Toil & Trouble

Tape It Stamp Brush Set (item 135241)

MDS Tape It

Burlap Ribbon (item 135246)

Burlap Ribbon

Grateful Hearts Framables (item 135238)

MDS Grateful Hearts Frameables

Halloween Banner Simply Created Kit (item 135239)

MDS Halloween Banner Simply Created Kit

Halloween Hello Brush Set (item 135244)

MDS Halloween Hello

And one of my favorites Perfect Blend Stamp Brush Set (item 135242) because after all who doesn’t like coffee, right?

MDS Perfect Blend

Want to learn more about My Digital Studio? Why not check out my Calendar of Events? Or click HERE to learn about our FREE 30 Day Trial of My Digital Studio.

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)