Strawberry Torte with Blueberries

Merry Christmas and here's my Strawberry Torte recipe for all of us that love "sweets" and it's one that actually is diet and fat free! Hope you enjoy it as much as my family does! And this is what we have for "Happy Birthday Jesus" for Christmas! Yum!

Strawberry Blueberry torte or trifle


Angel food cake (I make mine from Betty Crocker mix)
 (You won't be using all of the cake!!!  Cut or pull apart into 1" cubes.)
Filling:
1 can Eagle Brand FAT FREE condensed milk
water
1 Box of Jello Sugar Free White Chocolate Instant Pudding mix
1 can of Reddi Whip Can of whip cream (preferred over Cool Whip but it's personal taste)
1 1/2 Quarts Strawberries cut with an egg slicer
1 pint Blueberries
Tools: Hand mixer and large mixing bowl; 2 cup measuring cup and large scraper; Large trifle bowl as seen in picture. 


Bake the Angel Food cake according to directions on the box.  Cake needs to cool down before assembling. 
While it cooks, start the pudding. 
Get a 2 cup measuring cup.  Put 1/4 cup water in the bottom, and then pour Eagle Brand Fat Free condensed milk in. Scrape all of it you can out of the can. Stir to mix the water with the condensed milk before continuing to fill the cup up to the 2 cup point with a bit more water, mixing it again before adding.  Pour into a large mixing bowl. Add the pudding mix and using hand mixer, mix on low for 2 minutes. Clean mixer blades into pudding so that you get as much as possible off. Spray 2 cups or more of the Reddi Whip whip cream into pudding and "fold" into the pudding.  This means gently with a large scraper "folding" it over itself several times until it is mixed. Try NOT to stir it.  Refrigerate until cake is cooled and ready to assemble the torte.
Assembling:
Layering:  1" portions of Angel Food cake on bottom. There are two layers, and you decide how much you want to use so put 1.5 to 2 inches of the cake. Next, the majority of the blueberries, holding back some for the top, as seen in the picture.  Top with HALF of  pudding mixture, spreading it gently over lower level.
 Now for the second layer of cake cubes, but this time use a layer of strawberries.  Spread remaining half of pudding mix on top of that.  Arrange the pretty top with strawberries fanning out from the middle with blueberries as the center.  The Torte or Trifle should be refrigerated until ready to eat.  Good luck keeping the family away from it before your guests get to enjoy it. Once you taste it you will see why I say that.
 Oh, and by the way, it's DIET!!! Low on calories and fat and full of good things from the berries. Unfortunately, it does have High Fructose Corn Syrup in the Eagle Brand, and Bad sweetner in the pudding mix. But those are miner since it saves you tons in calories and fat.  

Pretty Pink Posh Feminie Tag

On Essentials by Ellen they are hosting 12 Tag of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2016 Challenge.  I have been inspired by a few of them and am posting my tag to play along.

 I was inspired by Carissa Wiley's pretty tag using Pretty Pink Posh's stamps with the glitter edge to the snow slopes. I moved my 2 trees to different spots, and used the adorable bunny instead of the snowman. I also used glitter instead of foil. Since I didn't have a stitiched tag die, I used the Storybook die to kind of match all the stitch lines. Carissa used so many shimmery elements so I used: Glitter ribbon, shimmery word paper brought out the pinks in the scene better that brown wood colors so I chose that instead, too. Sequins for shimmer and shine. Also, white edges on the trees instead of the foil for snow.  
Pretty Pink Posh products: Storybook 5 dies; Holiday Pals stamp set. Also, WPlus9 Holiday Apertures die set for outside stitich lines.
Copic Markers: YG 06, YG 67, B10, C3, RV02, RV04, Momento ink Tuxedo Black, MISTI, Uniball Impact White pen, Radiant Neon Ink Pad, elctric pink, Big Joy stamp, Creative Expressions Cosmic Shimmer Glitter in Iced Snow, May Arts Silver glitter ribbon, Kennedy Grace Sequins Moonbeams, Pink Cardstock and twine, DCWV Glitter cardstock and Reminese Christmas Carols pattern paper which is shimmery.  I used the pink cardstock and made the earmuffs pink as well to show the feminine twist. Shimmer papers in soft colors as well. Hope you enjoy it!
Challenges I am entering it in:

12 Tag of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2016 Challenge

Simon Says: Let There Be Snow

Dies are Us-Challenge #63-Snow

Die Cut Divas monthly challenge-Layers or Layer it
Marker Pop Challenge #110-Winter
Sugar Pea Designs December Challenge-Anything goes-SPDMIU26

Echo Park This & That Graceful Layout using Scrapbook Generation

This layout is of my beloved ladies that became my close friends when I attended Bible Study Fellowship. They all had such an important impact on my life and I feel privileged to have had this special time with them. The pics are of a fellowship at one of their houses where we ate, shared life stories and enjoyed each other's company. I feel that those 9 months I attended that Bible study was wonderful with these experienced Christian mentors who taught me so much!  Unfortunately, I am working and unable to go to a daytime study so see them rarely.
  I chose to make this layout this week's project for the challenge on Paper Crafter's Corner because of the the inspiration picture of women/friends working together. Supplies used were Echo Park This & That Graceful papers and chipboard with a Scrapbook Generation layout. Basically scrap lifted from Pinterest!
Paper Crafter's Corner Magazine Monday #165

Julie Nutting Doll December Daily

I just love making my yearly December Daily!! Using my new Julie Nutting doll, and paper piecing with old, old K & Co. Christmas papers, and Neenah paper to use with my copics, I added her to my 2016 journal. Love how it turned out. Also added a Basic Grey sticker behind her for depth.
#thedailymarker30day

DCWV October Stack-a-holic Challenge

I loved how the photos match up with DCWV's Lace & Linen stack so made this layout using the October Challenge Sketch.
I die cut using my Cricut Explore and their Design Studio which made so many of the cuts you see. The cartridges used are Blackletter for the banner, and large cut behind the tag. Serenity is from the Cindy Loo cart.  The ribbon flowers are from Hobby Lobby. The sequins are from Kennedy Grace Creations called Pink Champagne. Hope you enjoy it!!

                   Was featured as one of the winners on DCWV October Stack-a-holic blog

DCWV Noel Card

Using DCWV Winter in the Woods, Holiday Glitzy Glitter stacks and the October DCWV card sketch, I made this. Love how cute it turned out. The tag is tied with turquoise lace and white tulle. Added Ranger Crystal lacquer to the letters on the tag, and then added the chunky glitter. To finish it off I add a Little B red cardinal sticker. Just love how cute it turned out!!
Am entering in these challenges:
Paper Crafter's Corner Magazine Monday #164-Wintery Holiday card.
DCWV October Card Sketch

DCWV Linen and Lace Layout

I loved these photos of my daughter and they match perfectly with DCWV's Linen and Lace papers. Love the serenity and dreamy feel of the layout.
To make the layout, I cut apart the preset paper layout, and expanded the width to use 4x6 size of the photos. Added the paper with the stitched seams as the original piece had showed. Added a handmade flower from Maya Road scallop ribbon, gray burlap, and pearls. Added lace butterflies as well. The Dream metal word is an oldie but goodie, from the company Making Memories. All the last items have been in my scraproom for years. If you enjoy what you see I hope you will leave me a comment!!
These pics are at the Ringling Brothers Museum Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. They are open with free admission on Wednesday.

Graphic 45 Time to Celebrate cards

 Graphic 45 Time to Celebrate Wedding Card made for someone special coming up this month.      
                                         
Graphic 45 Time to Celebrate Birthday card as well. Inked with green on the top part and brown on the bottom, all around all the edges. And a big Green silk ribbon from May Arts Ribbon. Love that yummy color, don't you!! So glad to get my hands on this collection and hoping they enjoy it too!
Challenges
This bottom card reminds of the face on the inspiration photo of the woman staring start at the illustrator and with a demure, straight faced look. Funny how things hit me!!
 Entering for Paper Crafter's Corner Magazine Monday challenge #163 Here

Colosseum Underground, Rome, Italy Layout

When I was anticipating traveling to Rome, Italy, I wanted to see more than just the average tourist. It was apparent that there were many tours of the Colosseum in Rome, but only one Underground Tour and you must book it prior and by phone. This part is very important because other agencies will resell the tix and cost you over one hundred more! This tour features the dungeons, and other things as well as your tour of the Colosseum itself, and a pass to do the Forum on your own.  I hope you will try and go if you ever travel to Rome. Here is a Tripadvisor advisory of how to book the Underground Tour.  The large picture on the left page is of us next to those dungeons! Pretty cool, eh?  This was a trip of a lifetime taken in 2014!

The layout: Authentique Devotion papers, Petaloo flowers sprayed darker to match papers, and various cardstocks.  The title is cut from on Cricut Explore using the Destination cartridge. I then embossed it using a Versamark pad, and Bronze Zing embossing powder.  I used my Score Pal to crease the cardstock to make it a perfect fold so I could include more pics.  Also, I popped up a vintage sticker from my stash after mounting it to cardstock.

I really enjoy hearing your comments so please leave them.  

Challenges:

Paper Crafter's Corner Magazine Monday #162-For the turquoise and peach/copper colors that lends itself to be vintage feel like the inspiration photo. 

Paper Smooches Fall releases!

Here is Savannah O'Gwynn's inspiration using the new Paper Smooches Fall Release!

                                       Head to Paper Smooches Blog to see the Blog Hop.

Kennedy Grace Creations Vintage Tea Fall Card

Using the Kennedy Grace Creations Vintage Tea Set and DCWV Autumn Leaves mini stack with Rose Gold Foil. The photo doesn't show how rose gold the foil on the paper is. The ribbon is by Snug Hug in Burgundy.  Crochet lace and Sizzix oval die were used as well.
This is for the 2016 Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop-My fourth card for the hop.

Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop #3

Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop is really on a role with tons of sponsors and fabulous inspiration! Here's my 3rd post using the Prima Chippy pieces I won last go round!!
Products used: Sizzix Adhesive sheets, Jen Long Sizzix Happy Birthday thinlet; Sizzix Stitched Oval die; DCWV Autumn Leaves mini Stack; Prima Coffee Break Wood Icons; Scrapbook Adhesives: 3D Foam Squares, E Z Tape runner and Dotz; Prima flowers; and lace. #fall2016clh
Other Challenges:
Craft Your Passion #331- I'm #34
Inspiration Destination#104-Anything goes

2016 Fall Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

                     

Loved this Vintage Tea Set from Kennedy Grace Creations for today's Fall Coffee Lovers' Blog Hop.
Coloring with Copics used are E000, E53, E50, B05,B000, B18. Fussy cut it all out and then added using Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares and adhesive as to pop up the cup and have dimension.  Also, used my new MISTI!! I made this so as to have a cute spoon holder next to my coffee pot! Great idea, right!! Enjoy the Hop!

Clearsnap September Challenge

Not pictured is one of the blues from this collection

 Using all Clearsnap products I purchased and have used.
Clearsnap Products: Color Catcher, Smooch Spirtz in Gold Glow, Blue and Pralines and Cream, from Donna Salazar's Vintage Colors collection; Izink in blue called Volubilis (and orange but it didn't turn out as brown as I wanted so I covered it up) on a mason jar.
Other Products: Seam binding, Petaloo blossom in cream white, and a mason jar. Kennedy Grace Tea Set, Copics: E000, E53, E50, B05,B000, B18. Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares.
Here is the Clearsnap challenge group on Facebook Here: I Heart Clearsnap
Here is the inspiration photo:

Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Card Day 1

Using Reminisce Autumn Harvest collection and my Cricut Explore, I cut this card for the first day of the Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.  I love the inspiration from all the designers on this! Hope you enjoy mine! #fall2016clh

Graphic 45 World's Fair Layout of Florence

                                   

                                                             

                                                           

  Using the Graphic 45 World's Fair papers called Balloon Bouquet, I fussy cut tons of images out of the top half of one sheet and used the 4 inch bottom of it for the bottom part of page 2. I slammed all of my beautiful pictures of all the iconic building shots in Florence side by side, and matted with the balloon side. Using another 2 sheets of that same pattern paper, I mounted the elements.  Also, the tag in the bottom right page is from another line of Graphic 45 called Cityscapes and then added a "Italy" stamp.
   For my Cricut cuts, I chose Anna Griffin's Cricut cartridge Soiree Lettering-Grace Script for the title using an orange-red cardstock. The doilies were cut using another Anna Griffin cartridge using a very light taupe color.  Cutting one in half and placing in strategic areas in order to cover fussy cut openings. ;)  With the fussy cut balloons and flowers were placed flat and then popped up to add dimension.  Hope you enjoy this double layout and leave me a comment. Always enjoy reading your responses!
   This was very time consuming but I think the hardest part was to find all the sheets of paper since many stores had run out of it!!  
 Challenges:
Paper Crafter's Corner Magazine Monday #161-Inspired by the church steeples and buildings in pic.

Early Bird Layout using 2 different paper lines

    So glad to see this week's challenge on PPC about foods from different countries!! I have so many pictures to scrap with that kind of theme!! Here are photos I snapped of the divine breakfast. The Bed and Breakfast we stayed at in Italy called Florence Chic! If you are ever there I recommend you stay! Also, notice the delicious desserts on the breakfast tray? They are homemade by the owner's mother each day!! Most often, we were the only ones there so I felt guilty if I didn't "indulge" because I didn't want her feelings to be hurt! HA!

Layout: Using 2 different paper lines that seemed to coordinate, I managed to piece this together seamlessly. The left page is Bo Bunny Trail Mix Collection from Field Journal, and the right Kaiser Kraft Hunt and Gather from Watch.  Don't they seem to just match perfectly?
    The flowers are from die cutting fabric with a Sizzix Bigz die and glued together with a glue gun. Centers are buttons from my stash. Also, added black tulle to imply leaves. On the left page, the birdcage is die cut with American Craft Pow, glitter paper. The title,"Early Bird" was cut using a font from the computer. Photos are double matted and placed side by side. The coffee cup is made on my Cricut Explore which I love!! All edges are distressed with Clearsnap ink, Chestnut Roan.
Challenges:
Paper Crafter's Corner Magazine Monday Challenge #160-Entrees, sides and desserts from our Italian breakfast
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes