Christmas Creations of a different kind.......

As promised, although a little bit later than anticipated, here are my culinary creations from this Christmas.

Firstly, we have the ice cream Christmas Tree Cake.  Why?  Because I don't like fruit cake, and nor do my children.  So when my mum discovered the Christmas Tree cake tin when cleaning out cupboards during her Spring Clean, I snaffled it to make this.....

Vanilla on the base, then a layer of chocolate for the tree base and the trunk, and then mint choc chip for the greenery.  Of course we needed some decorations on the tree.......and along came mini M&M's.  The edges of the vanilla layer are mint thins.

Then we have the gingerbread house.  As I think I mentioned in the last post, this year instead of buying pre-made gingerbread pieces, I bought a cookie cutter set that cuts the pieces of the house. So I made the gingerbread and assembled the pieces while the children decorated.  Misses 10 and 8 decorated the house, while Mr 4 decorated the Christmas trees and what where chimney pieces, but became fences because they didn't fit on the roof.  They had a wonderful afternoon.......

So......wishing you a very Happy Christmas......and I'll catch up again soon, once holidays are over.

Happy Stamping........Manda xxxx

For Your Inspiration......

This is a card that I made last night in response to a challenge on For Your Inspiration .  I have been watching these amazing photos for a while, but have only now had a chance to make a card in time to enter.

The inspiration photo is this amazing shot.

I've taken inspiration from the gorgeous turquoise and purple and white colours of the sky.  I've also tried to capture the sweep of the clouds in the background paper that I've made.

Stamp Sets: Just Believe, Curly Cute

Card stock: Elegant Eggplant, Tempting Turquoise, Glossy White.

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Tempting Turquoise

Other: White Embossing Powder, Elegant Eggplant spotted Grosgrain Ribbon, Ice Rhinestone Brads, Top Not Die.

Happy Stamping....Manda xxx

Christmas Bingo........

When the current IBC came out back in September, one of the first sets to catch my eye was the Bingo Background stamp and Jolly Bingo Bits.  Why?  To make my own game of Christmas Bingo! 

This is the box, it has a belly band that you slide off to open the lid.

  Then the inside looks like this.

Here are the game cards.

I've had to change the rules a little from traditional bingo.  The grey tokens get laid face down on the table, and then get turned over one at a time, for the players to cover their squares with a matching coloured circle to their card.  Each bingo card has each image, but in different places, so the first person to have a straight line, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally will win the game.  Of course, they will still have to call out 'Bingo'!

And just for something different, I'm entering my bingo game into the Inkspirations Challenge #100 -  Christmas Creations.

Stamp Sets: Bingo Background, Jolly Bingo Bits, Four the Holidays

Card Stock and Ink: Garden Green, Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Grey and Whisper White, Basic Black.

Other: Basic Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.

Happy Stamping.....Manda xxx



Christmas Bon Bons....

I spent the day stamping yesterday with a couple of friends, and they both told me that I never update my blog anymore.....so this post is for them.  2 posts in 2 days.....must be a record, at least since I went back to work.

This is a simple project that I've been wanting to do for a couple of weeks, and have finally completed.  A basket of Christmas Bon Bons.

Why?  To look festive.

With the added bonus of having something yummy inside to share on the Christmas Day lunch table.

(I hate the cheap and nasty versions with lame jokes and plastic toys - urgh!)

Stamps: Jolly Bingo Bits, Petite Pairs

Card Stock and Inks: Marina Mist, Old Olive, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red. Other: Letters to Santa DSP, Candy Wrapper Die

Now I'm off to continue with the Christmas baking.....Gingerbread house pieces are baked, now off to assemble.  I'll post photos of the finished work of art after the 3 children have finished decorating.

Happy Stamping......Manda

60th Thank You's....

This is one of 25 A7 sized Thank You cards that I made for my aunt, who recently celebrated a milestone birthday.  As one of her birthday cards stated, she turned 18, but with 42 years experience.  LOL.

The colour theme of the birthday was black, white and gold. I've gold embossed the main flower, which is a little easier to see below.

(sorry not sure why it's uploaded sideways, but you still get the idea.)

And yes I did hand cut all 25 flowers - not a flower punch in sight.

Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue

Ink: Black Stazon, Versamark

Card stock: Basic Black, Whisper White

Other: Gold Embossing Powder, Basic Pearls.

Happy Stamping......Manda