Friday's projects...

SO much to do...and SO little time...

I have had these birds cut and ready for cards for the past month now...

With our Mamas and Chicks Show coming up...I like to bring new and fresh *Chicks* to my table. I always have gift cards to sell, and have found that people don't like to pay more than $3 for a card...so I'm not "Hand drawing" any this time.

We went to the Art Shop yesterday(the girls and I) and we bought a new sketch book for each of them...they wanted one of the pretty ones with lovely flowers and birds all over the covers...BUT...I could by 3 regular ones for the price of one of those...so...we've been crafting this morning.

Given that the covers may not lay straight for a few days...and it may take a couple of days for even the glue to dry...but they loved getting messy this morning.

finally...I spoke with Tam yesterday and we agreed we HAVE to change our Banner...so I'm working on it...*smile*...

Maybe I'll post the finished piece later.

What are you working on today?

Char,On

Birthdays in our House...

Today was a special day...we blew up balloons...

and made cards...

prepped ingredients...

measured and mixed...

added a little colour...

and mixed some more...

checked that it all tasted great...
lit the candles...

and celebrated...

the girl's Dolls and Baby's Birthdays today.

You could sense the excitement and energy in the house this morning when I told the girls it was their Baby's Birthdays today and we better make a Birthday cake for them...

It was perfect!

The texture was so moist. The girls loved it.

Definitely a recipe worth trying!

Ricotta Pound Cake
1 1/2 c cake flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

3/4 c unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 c fresh whole-milk ricotta
1 1/2 c granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 vanilla bean
1 tsp pure vanilla extract


Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and place rack in center.
Grease and flour 9-inch loaf pan.
In medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.

In a separate bowl, cream together butter, ricotta, and sugar until smooth and light.
Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping sides of bowl after each addition.

Split vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the blunt side of a small knife, then beat them into the batter along with the vanilla extract. On low speed, beat in dry ingredients to combine them, scrape down sides of the bowl, and beat again on medium.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth top with a spatula. Tap pan on counter a few times to remove air pockets.

Put cake in oven and let bake for 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325°F (160°C) and let bake until cake springs back when lightly touched, the sides of the cake have pulled away from the sides of the pan, and a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 25-35 minutes more.

For some reason, mine took another 35 minutes.
Allow cake to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then invert it on wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe brought to you from HERE.

VERY easy...the girls had SO much fun making it.

Little Miss A turned around to me and said " this was SO much fun Mummy...so special, a Birthday Party for our babies....Thanks you!"

That made my day already!

What/Who made your day today?

Char,On

a super Sunday winnings...

YAY! YIPPY!

I woke up this morning to check my Esty Store and what did I find?

A lovely little note from the Esty Store *The Time is Now*(love that title)telling me I had WON her Giveaway!

Not sure when it was...but I entered a draw for these beautiful cards (hand cut) in the photo above by Naomi Shiek.

Now...the contest had been posted by Amy at Pikaland...and there was also a special to the first 3 who contacted Naomi about buying anything from her store and receiving free shipping...I jumped at the chance and bought myself *the deer in the bear*- it's a beautiful etching of hers...I love deer.

You can see more of her work either at her STORE or on her BLOG.

It's been raining ALL day here,so I have been doing a tonne of Internet marketing for our Mamas and Chicks Show which is creeping up soon.

I forget every time the Show comes around how much work is actually involved...

I have to create some more prints...and may be asking for your help soon...brain storming for ideas...

My to do list is becoming WAY too long for my liking.

If only we could buy more time...that *time vendor* would be one RICH man!

Have a lovely rest of the Day.

Until tomorrow.

Char,On