German Apple Cake

I found this cake recipe in Taste of Home magazine, and it's one of those yummy, comforting fall desserts.  I served it at one of my workshops the other night, and it was GONE before the evening was over.

By the way, if you need good recipes, I recommend visiting Taste of Home's website:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/.  They have a plethora of recipes in all categories, and you can always find something tasty to make.  Their recipes are very practical for the everyday home cook.

 Directions

• In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; add to egg mixture and mix well. Fold in apples and nuts. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
• In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter. Add confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth. Spread over cake. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 12-16 servings.

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups chopped peeled tart apples
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 
  FROSTING:
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

NEW SPECIAL AVAILABLE NOW!!

From now through November, you can get the Holiday Wishes D-size stamp set for only $5 with any $25 acrylic stamp purchase.  You can order online or contact me directly to order. 

October Stamp of the Month Creations

 These are cards and boxes I designed for my October Stamp of the Month class.  Although it's too late to sign up for the class, it's NOT too late to order the October Stamp of the Month, Holiday Magic.  You can purchase it for $17.95 or get it for $5 with a $50 purchase!  You can order online or contact me by Oct. 31st.

Cards from my Christmas Card Marathon (Oct. 24 & 25th)

 I've been a Christmas card FACTORY lately getting ready for my fall classes!  These five cards are the ones we'll be making for my Christmas Card Marathon.  The first two designs (the blue & brown stocking card and the striped/snowflake card) were inspired by Vicki Wizniuk (visit her blog at www.wizardshangout.blogspot.com) and the three remaining cards are my designs.

Winter Wonderland Layout from my team meeting (December club layout)

I created this layout for my Oct. team meeting, and I just love how it turned out.  The design came from the Magic book (Out of the Hat, p. 82), and I used papers from the Wonderland paper packet.  Snowflakes and letters are cut on the Cricut and stamped with shades of Crystal Blue and Twilight Ink.  The Designer Brad rhinestones really add a lot of sparkle to the layout.  I random-stamped my letters with small snowflakes and mounted both the letters and some of the snowflakes with 3D foam tape.

Believe Layout (designed for my team meeting and my November hostess clubs)



This layout design comes from the Magic book (Backstage, p. 28) and features papers from the Believe paper packet (plus Cranberry Cardstock).  I made full use of my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge on this one--I used it to cut the circle, the letters, the holly leaves and the Happy Holidays label. 



I used foam tape to "pop" the letters up--which gave it a more dimensional look.

Why I love the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge!

These cards are exactly why I love the new Art Philosophy Cartridge SO much!  How fun it is to play around with all of the cute ornaments, tags and Christmas shapes on this cartridge!  I used the Elemental paper packet for both of these cards.

If you haven't yet purchased the Close to My Heart Cricut Collection, what are you waiting for??

More Inspiration from my fabulous team!

A card by Sandee DePriest inspired me to make this stand-up card featuring Wonderland paper.  Sandee is a wonderful card maker, and I'm so happy that she shares her great ideas with our team!  If you want to see her original version (with scalloped edges), scroll back a few posts until you find the swap cards from my last team meeting.  For this card, I cut the base cardstock 8 1/2 x 5 1/2.  Then, I scored it at 1 1/2, 2 1/2, 5, and 6 1/4.  When the card is folded flat, it will fit in a standard invitation envelope, and when it's stretched out, it will stand up nicely.  We'll also be making this card in my Christmas Card Sampler class.

Card Ideas from one of my favorite card makers!

 I don't know about you all, but I love to browse through artwork on blogs, bulletin boards and magazines looking for great designs that just make me SMILE!  One of my favorite bloggers is Vicki Wizniuk from British Columbia.  If you'd like to view her blog click HERE.  You won't be disappointed because her artwork is incredible!  Both of these cards are inspired by Vicki's card designs. . .one's a pretty close copy and the other's a little different.  If you'd like to make these two cards, come join me at my Christmas Card Sampler Class!

Money Holder Card (from Christmas Card Sampler Class)

Rita Hartsock, one of my awesome team members, sent the autumn version of this card/money holder to me, and I loved it so much that I had to make a Christmas version.  Rita said she used a money envelope from her bank as the pattern/inspiration, and I thought it was pretty clever!   To make this card, I started off with a piece of cardstock that was 8 1/2 square.  I scored it at 2 1/2 inches and 6 inches to make the tri-fold card base.  Then, I turned it the other way and scored it one inch from the edge down each side of the card.  This formed my flaps.  I completely cut off the flaps from the top and bottom sections of the card and then cut the remaining middle flaps at a curve.  If you're coming to the Christmas Card Sampler class on Oct. 6th or 11th, you'll be learning how to make this card.  Thanks, Rita!

October Stamp of the Month--Worthy of a Workshop!

If you make ANYTHING for Christmas--cards, layouts, 3-D projects--you're going to want this stamp set.  I love all of the interesting patterns on the images.  Be sure to purchase the October Stamp of the Month BEFORE October is gone!  I like this set so much that I'm having a Stamp of the Month class featuring this stamp set on Tuesday, Nov. 1st., 6 p.m.  The class fee is $25, which includes this stamp set plus the projects that we make in the class.  If you want to attend, be sure to sign up by Oct. 20th so that I can get your stamp set ordered in time for the class!