Saturday, April 25, 2009

Thursday, April 23, 2009

I received an award

Chelsea over at Mama Makes Money has given me the Sisterhood Award. I'm so very honored to be recognized by my fellow blogger and now I get to share the bloggy love (again!).



1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

I'm going to pass this along to some of my fellow bloggy friends who have blogs that I admire, those who have inspired me, those that I visit on a regular basis, or that I feel deserve this award. (and in no particular order)



Thank You all!
BrendaLea

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Easiest and Best Chocolate Cake w/ Fudge Icing

I was recently over at Merry Made Cards and Crafts blog and she shared a recipe for a 5 minute microwave chocolate cake. I told her I had a recipe for a one mug microwave chocolate pudding that was good. She dropped me an e-mail today and asked for the pudding recipe, so I thought I would share the recipe with.

Chocolate Pudding in a Mug

1 Tlbs cornstarch
2 Tlbs cocoa powder
2 Tlbs sugar
3/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla

in large mug dissolve cornstarch, cocoa, and sugar in milk.
Microwave on high for 90 seconds or until mixture boils.
Stir in vanilla.
Chill for 1 hour.
Serves one.

After I typed up the recipe for her, it made me hungry for the easiest and best chocolate cake I have ever had. So I typed up that recipe for her as well. And it's here for you too. It is so easy. You do not need a mixer, you only need two bowels, it does not use any eggs, and you usually have all the ingredients on hand. And the cake is very moist. And the icing is so much like fudge that I could eat it all by itself (and I have). I am allergic to chocolate, but I can eat this cake without and repercussions. If I eat chocolate chip cookies, or a chocolate candy bart I will end up with migraine type headaches.... nothing seems to help them. But this is the one and only cake (so far that I have found) that I can eat.


Crazy Chocolate Cake

2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 Tlbs lemon juice
2/3 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups water

Mix all ingredients together with a fork and place in an un-greased 9" x 13" pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Let cake cool.

Chocolate Fudge Icing

6 Tlbs margarine
3 Tlbs cocoa powder or a handful of chocolate chips

Melt together in microwave.


Mix in:

2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 or 2 Tlbs HOT water

Spread over cooled cake and enjoy.

If you try either of the recipes, I would love to hear what you thought of them. And if you like quick and easy recipes, please let me know and I will share more of them. I have a lot that are really good and that I use all the time. And believe me, they have to be easy or I won't bother with them.

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

BrendaLea

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

2 of my Favorite Things

Happy Birthday Latte!!!

Latte' is 5 Today

Latte' at 5-1/2 months

My sweet, smart, and wonderful fur baby turned five today! She is so adorable and I love her so very much. I rescued her when she was about 6 weeks old. My Niece found her walking on the road. We tried to find an owner, but no one came forward. Not sure why such a tiny puppy was out and about on her own.

Latte' Nov 2008

Look what I found in my garden when I went out to hide Easter eggs for the Grandsons.
So pretty! So perfect! What a beautiful color!

It's the first one to bloom this year. Hopefully I will have blooming irises for a few weeks. Irises are my all time favorite flower. I collect anything and everything that has an iris on it. Jewelry! Throws! Pillows! Knick-knacks! Cards! Pictures! As a child we called them "Flags". A neighbor down the block has a yard full of "flags" in every color, and that is where my love affair of them began. And it wasn't until I was an adult that I learned they were really called Irises.

This is another picture of the same bloom.

I only have irises in two shades of purple and really should get some other colors. I love seeing a mixture of irises in different colors in a garden. Just not sure that I am up to digging holes to plant the bulbs. I should take a drive out to the fairgrounds, as they have a really nice display of irises, to see if theirs are blooming.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

My First Etsy Treasury

I was finally able to put together and post my very first etsy.com treasury. Guess I just happened to be there at the right time and the right place. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, the mechanics of it. But choosing what to include in my treasury that took a lot more thought on my part. Boy did I have fun putting it together. If you have a moment, would you please go take a look and tell me what you think of my treasury. I would really appreciate your comments.

Thank You so much in advance.

BrendaLea

3 New Winners Announced

I have several winners to announce.
I used Radom.org to pick these winners since my Grandsons went back to school today.


The first is for the blogger that blogged about my 29-Day Giving Challenge:

Here are your random numbers:

2

Timestamp: 2009-04-14 16:02:17 UTC

#2 is Robin



The winner for Day 27 of my 29-Day Giving Challenge had to be re-chosen as the original winner never contacted me, is:

Here are your random numbers:

5

Timestamp: 2009-04-14 16:11:16 UTC

#5 is Valerie

Blogger valerie2350 said...

pretty card - love the bracelet!
hope it would fit my skinny wrist - if not, my niece would love it :)



The winner for my giveaway during the Ultimate Blog Party is:

Here are your random numbers:

3

Timestamp: 2009-04-14 16:07:09 UTC

#2 is Lisa

Lisa said...

So nice to meet you! I love parties and giveaways!

Blessings!


The winners have 3 days in which to reply to my e-mail with your shipping address, otherwise a new winner will be chosen. Thanks to all for visiting my blog, blogging about my blog, following my blog, and for leaving me your comments. They are all very much appreciated. And I will be starting my 2nd round of the 29-Day Giving Challenge very soon with new and different giveaways each day of the challenge.

First Giveaway for this Blogger

Check this out... there is a ton of items in the one giveaway. All kinds of goodies which include:

1. A fashion scarf
2. A bandana
3. A packet of Sweet Pea seeds
4. One of Two Twilight keychains
5. Colgate Wisp in Cinnamint
6. Two different shades of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear nail polish (Purple Potion and Ice Coffee)
7. Cover Girl Eyeshadow trio in one of two trio's (Sea Glass or Cafe' au lait)
8. Nivea's Kiss of Moisture Hydrating Lip Care
9. Vaseline Total Moisture Conditioning Lotion
10. Sam Brocato Peppermint Scrub Purifying Shampoo (use once or twice a week only)
11. Sam Brocato Peppermint Scrub Restorative Hair & Scalp Masque
12. A copy of Radio
13. A copy of The American President
14. A copy of Twilight
15. A folder full of my favorite recipes
16. A Handmade Cloudberry Creations Apron (which hasn't actually been made yet so there isn't a photo, sorry)



Drive on over to Bumps in the Road to enter this giveaway.

Won an Altered Art Book

Craftside is an awesome blog that I love to read. I get lots of inspiration from them. For the past couple of months they have been writing up post based on the alphabet, using one letter each week. And each post has a question pertaining to the book they have reviewed that day. If you answer the question, you are entered into the weekly book giveaway. Currently they are on the letter "N". And I got lucky and won for the week of "L". A few days ago the book arrived (I had no idea which book I would receive) that Lindsey sent to me. I was blown away when I opened the package and saw which book it was. Altered Art Circus by Lisa Kettell (is a mixed-media artist). I love her work and I belong to her Flickr group, The Faerie Zine. I haven't been active in it lately, but it is a group of wonderful people and I really enjoyed the swaps and chats that I have participated in with them. If you have a chance to check out Altered Art Circus you should. The following is an exerpt fromt he Craftside blog:


Altered Art Circus! includes easy tutorials on basic digital altering effects for new and vintage images, step-by-step instruction for projects, a gallery of inspirational work from other artists, and clip art and images for you to use in your own projects. The book covers digital and paper alteration, creating from found and household objects (jars and boxes), features playful illustration, vintage imagery, and uses myriad other mixed-media materials, ranging from glitter and wire to crinoline and coloring agents.

GreenEarthJourney: enhabiten

GreenEarthJourney: enhabiten

Great eco-friendly pillow giveaway at Green Earth Journey!
You have until April 19th at midnight to enter.

Spotlight Giveaway

Want the chance to own an awesome little light with lots of power. Then enter the giveaway at Contest of the Day Blog. But you have to hurry as you only have until April 16th to enter.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Easter Egg Hunt

These are my wonderful, smart, handsome and all around super Grandsons. They are 11 and 14, but I have to make Easter baskets and hide eggs for them to hunt. I love putting together baskets filled with goodies for them and they love to hunt for the hidden eggs.

Can you see my very first Iris that bloomed?
Can you see the egg up in the tree in this picture? hint: it's orange
you can click on the picture to see a larger copy of the picture

Hope everyone has a fabulous Easter with their families!

Handy Handbag

A relatively new friend of mine, and I love her dearly (you know who you are), said she needed a small purse. Just big enough to carry keys, debit card, cigs and lighter. So I made her one. I had been crocheting baskets or birds nest and figured by altering my pattern a bit I could make her a purse. I used a purple heart shaped button for the closure, so I embellished it with small heart shaped charms on both the front and back of the purse. I used glass and wire beads on the fringe, and lined it with a colorful fabric. I had a lot of fun making this for her and may try my hand at making another one soon in a different color and different yarn.

back side of purse

close-up of front side
full view

Cute Tote and T Giveaway at Life's Perfect Pictures

Check out this giveaway for both a tote and a t-shirt. Both are simply darling. For your chance to enter, click the link below.

Life's Perfect Pictures: My VERY FIRST Give Away!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

The Apron Goddesses Giveaway!

Check this out... an apron giveaway and boy do they have some darling ones. Go enter now. Closes soon!

The Apron Goddesses: The Handmaiden's Cottage "Sophisticated Lady" Giveaway

GreenEarthJourney: olivebrown

To win a great set of coasters for your drinks, click on the link below.

GreenEarthJourney: olivebrown

Inked Inspirations Giveaway

Inked Inspirations has hit the 20,000 mark in hits and she felt like celebrating. She has one huge prize package that she is giving away. This package is full of stamps and other goodies. Just take a look at what is in it:

Here is what the prizes are:
Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch,
Stickles, a variety of Prima flowers,
3 alota stamps (donated by Helene), Sugar Nellie stamp (Daisy), Whiff of Joy stamp(Willow Baking Cookies), High Hopes stamp (Wagon Full of Blessings), Jolee's stickers, CC Designs Rubber Duckie stamp set, $10 Gift card to Roses On Paper, 5 Magnolia stamps (3 Tildas, 2 Accessory stamps) 2 stamp sets from Stampin' Up.

Rubberstamp Giveaway

Creating Cupcakes is giving away a set of Easter Rubberstamps, called Jelly Bean Stamps. They are so cute and are from the company called My Cute Stamps. They have some really adorable stamps there and my favorites are the set called Celebrate Today.

News Around The Blogs: Scrapbook Stampers Giveaway!!!!

To win a great assortment of scrapbooking supplies click on the link below.

News Around The Blogs: Scrapbook Stampers Giveaway!!!!

Eighty MPH Mom: e.l.f. COSMETICS REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

Eighty MPH Mom: e.l.f. COSMETICS REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: "Win an e.l.f. Mineral Makeup Starter Kit!"

Want to give e.l.f. make-up a try, then you need to enter the giveaway to Win an e.l.f. Mineral Makeup Starter Kit!

ShimmerMeBlue: Featured Artist - Snezana of Craft's Cottage

For a chance to win a beautiful hand crocheted scarf, visit the link below.

ShimmerMeBlue: Featured Artist - Snezana of Craft's Cottage

ShimmerMeBlue: Review & Giveaway - SlimPerfect

ShimmerMeBlue: Review & Giveaway - SlimPerfect

Check out this fabulous chance to win a Slimperfect Swinsuit!
You have until April 17th at 11:59 pm to enter.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Have you heard of Swagbuck?

Check it out. It's an easy way to earn point that you can cash in for various gifts. Just click on this link and you are there. Any time you want to search for something on the internet, use the swagbucks search tool and start collecting swagbuck.
Collect Swag Bucks and redeem them for autographs, Cd's, merch, Itunes Gift Cards, Ipods & Iphones in the official swagbucks.com Swag Store.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Julie has some blog candy

I messed up.... this one has closed and winner chosen. But take a look anyway...she has some rally cute stuff there to see.

Look at this adorable card. Julie of Julie's Japes made this and she is giving away a set of stamps just like the ones she used to make the card. I'd love to have that set, wouldn't you?


Lainy's Blogaversary Celebration

Lainy's Little Blog had a blogaversary on March 24th and is now celebrating the fact.


Look at all of the wonderful goodies that could be yours. You have until April 18th to enter. And while you are there take a look around at all of her beautiful creations.

Vicki has reached 30,000 hits

Vicki of Paperlicious Oasis has reached a wonderful milestone, 30,000 hits! Vicki has decided to celebrate! Look at the goodies below that you could win. But you only have until April 12th to enter. To see the goodies better just click on the picture and it will enlarge.

Easter Blog Candy

Jennifer of Phoenix Crafts is having a blogaversary and has decided to giveaway some blog candy. A real nice assortment of goodies. Just look at the wonderful items in the picture below. But you only have until April 12th at 7pm to enter so don't waste any time, go right on over and enter.

Blog Candy With a Twist

Karen of Charmed Cards & Crafts, has a fabulous set of blog candy. You MUST check it out!!! If you don't, you will regret it. Go over to Crafty Goings On and look at the great set of Copic Markers that is the blog candy. I've never had the opportunity to use the Copic Markers,. but have wanted to for a long time as I hear they are wonderful and well worth the price.

Hurry, ends tomorrow!

You can have a chance to win a Cuttlebug from Creating From The Heart , Melissa's blog. And she might throw in a Swiss Dot embossing folder and a Tim Holtz Bracket Grungebook as well. So take a chance and enter by leaving her a comment and posting on your blog about her giveaway.

Carol is having a birthday with blog candy

Carol over at Carol's Place is having a birthday and celebrating it with 3 sets of blog candy. Gorgeous candy too! You have until April 23rd to enter to win. So go check it out. You might just get lucky!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Am I going Batty for Batting?

Have you ever heard of the Creative Home Arts Club? Well if not, let me tell you a bit about them, or just go and check out their website.

They create a magazine that is sent out every other month that has all sorts of crafts in it, as well as reviews of various products by the members (not by the staff of the company) so you get a true and honest opinion. They also hold contest that are published in the magazine, and they have monthly giveaways.

Well guess what???? See the picture below? That is of me and what I won by entering the giveaway on their website. A set of quilt batting the the Warm Company. There were 3 queen size quilt battings, 3 baby quilt battings, and some craft batting used to make hot pads and such.

I was so excited to have won, can you see the huge smile on my face... ugly as it is.... my face that is. LOL!!!!



But I don't quilt. So now what do I do with it? Have a giveaway of my own? Sell it? Save it and learn to quilt? I do have some patchwork quilt tops that my Grandmother made.

Since I won this prize, I have won several other prizes and will be leting you know what they are soon.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Dore's Diaries is turning 1

Dore' having a blog anniversary on April 22 at her blog, Dore's Diaries . She's having one heck of a party with tons of gifts to celebrate her first year. To check out this celebration, visit her here. And in the mean time, just take a look at all the goodies that could be won, below.

Giveaway Part 1 - US RESIDENTS ONLY


**First Place**
~Cosmedicine Healthy Face Regimen ($102 value)
c/o Beauty Junkies Unite
~Your choice of Custom Blogspot 3 column Blog Design
($75 value) OR a Portrait Tile Pendant ($50 value) c/o Angela Vinez Design

**Second Place**
~Microfiber Camisole and Thong Set ($60 value) c/o My Adea
~Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister coupon
($5.49 value) c/o Clorox

**Third Place**
~Baby Basket w/ Lavender Chamomile Baby Lotion 8oz, Baby Fresh Whipped Body Butter 8 oz, Baby Bum Rub Ointment, and Chamomile Glycerine Baby Soap ($46.00 value)
c/o Vital Earth Traditions
~Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister coupon
($5.49 value) c/o Clorox


**Fourth Place**
~Savorings Serving Tray Gift Set
c/o Pillsbury
~
Shirt of your choice ($24 value) c/o Leave Me B

**Fifth Place**
~Savorings Wine Bag Gift Set c/o Pillsbury
~
Shirt of your choice ($24 value) c/o Leave Me B

**Sixth Place**
~Pillsbury Home is Calling Gift Basket c/o Pillsbury
~Shirt of your choice ($24 value) c/o Leave Me B

**Seventh Place**
~Lure for Him and Lure for Her Gift Set ($38 value)
c/o Eden Fantasys, an awesome place for Adult Toys


**Eighth Place**
~"Gift of Beauty" ($35 value) c/o It's A Glam Thing

**Ninth Place**
~$20 Gift Certificate c/o Vital Earth Traditions

**Tenth Place**
~8 oz. Soy Candle ($15.75 value) c/o Lorain's Touch
~PureSilk Moisturizing Shave Cream Sample c/o Barbasol Pure Silk

**Eleventh Place**
~Spinlash ($15 value) c/o Spinlash

~PureSilk Moisturizing Shave Cream Sample c/o Barbasol Pure Silk

**Twelfth Place**
~Bitch Balance Butter ($9 value) c/o Vital Earth Traditions
~PureSilk Moisturizing Shave Cream Sample c/o Barbasol Pure Silk

**Thirteenth Place**

~Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister coupon
($5.49 value) c/o Clorox
~2 oz. Soy Candle ($3.25 value) c/o Lorain's Touch


**Fourteenth Place**
~Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister coupon
($5.49 value) c/o Clorox

~PureSilk Moisturizing Shave Cream Sample c/o Barbasol Pure Silk

**Fifteenth Place**
~Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister coupon
($5.49 value) c/o Clorox



Giveaway Part 2 - OPEN TO EVERYONE!

**First Place**

~Custom Banner ($149 value) c/o Bannerwind.com
~5,000 EC credits c/o Paperkraft.net

**Second Place**
~Professional Logo ($99 value) c/o Logowind.com
~2,000 EC credits c/o Random Detoxification
~1000 EC credits c/o Freaky Frugalite

**Third Place**
~10,000 EC credits c/o Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009
~1,000 EC credits c/o A Grateful Heart
~The All-New DIL Rules eBook ($14.95 value) c/o Sally Shields

**Fourth Place**

~2,000 EC credits c/o Seek No More
~1,500 EC credits c/o PolitEkon
~1,500 EC credits c/o Nesting Buddy
~By the Book: How to Take Care of MY Kids eBook ($9.95 value)
c/o Karmel Publishing

**Fifth Place**
~2,000 EC credits c/o Windmill on the Hill
~1,500 EC credits c/o Things About Computer

**Sixth Place**

~1,500 EC credits c/o A Simple Life
~1,500 EC credits c/o Mature Not Senile
~1 month 125x125 ad space on PR3
c/o
Better Interpersonal Communication

**Seventh Place**
~2,000 EC credits c/o Moms... check nyo
~500 EC credits c/o Legal Cat-asthrope

~1 month 125x125 ad space on PR3 c/o Dore's Diaries

**Eight Place**
~1,000 EC credits c/o Indo Contest
~500 EC credits c/o Affiliatizer
~500 EC credits c/o Rapid Shoots
~500 EC credits c/o Scandals Prime dot COM
~250 EC credits c/o Stay at Home Mom
~1 month 125x125 ad space on PR3 c/o Symphony of Love

**Ninth Place**
~2000 EC credits c/o DB Comix
~500 EC credits c/o AllBlogContest
~1 month 125x125 ad space on PR2 c/o Free Famous Quotes

**Tenth Place**

~1500 EC credits c/o Mommy's Little Corner
~500 EC credits c/o My Kids Are My World
~1 month 125x125 ad space on PR2 c/o Gift Reviews

**Eleventh Place**
~1000 EC credits c/o East Coast Life
~500 EC credits c/o Vanilla Seven
~200 EC
credits c/o Margie and Edna's Basement
~1 month 125 x 125 ad space on PR2 c/o Blog Friendly PR

**Twelfth Place**

~1000 EC credits c/o Life's a Pizza Pie
~500 EC credits c/o Make Every Day Your Lucky Day

**Thirteenth Place**
~1024 EC credits c/o The Matthias Chronicles

**Fourteenth Place**
~250 EC credits c/o Pregnant with Cancer
~250 EC credits c/o Nothing Off Limits

Monday, April 6, 2009

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Seems like forever.....

Seems like it has been forever since I posted here at my blog. It's not been the best week for me. I've had two doctor appointments this week (they always tire me out and I am pretty useless the rest of the day), I've been very, very tired and sleepy, and found out via blood test that I am peri-menopause .... oh what fun! That's why I have been carrying a battery powered fan around the house with me and one in my purse. Hot Flashes are not fair!!!!!

I've recently won some items and wanted to show you what I have won.

I have tried I bet close to 75 - 100 times to get pictures of two bracelets that I won. These still are not the best pictures, but are the best I could get out of all that I took...and I did take a lot. Every time I had my camera out over the past 3 weeks or so, I would take pictures. I am so tired of trying to get decent photos of these two gorgeous bracelets and if I don't post about them soon, I will forget to show them to you. So here they are.

This first one is from Danica at XO Jewelry Designs. She has some new items up at her site and looks like she is getting ready fro Spring and Summer. So if you are looking for new jewelry to update your current wardrobe then you might want to take a look at what jewelry she has to offer. I own several of her pieces and I love each and every one of them.





During the One World One Heart event back during January and February 2009. I won this gorgeous bracelet from Kiva of Farmstead Lady Designs. She has both a great blog and a etsy shop, with more beautiful jewelry.



Christina Hurley held a giveaway on her blog for St. Patrick's Day and I was one of several lucky winners as there were 5 other jewelry artist that donated prizes for this giveaay besides Christina, herself. I was lucky and won these beautiful pearl and copper earrings from Teresa Smith of T Smith Designs.

I absolutely love all of my new jewelry. If you have a moment stop by their shops or blogs and say "Hi!" and tell them I sent you.