Thursday, July 25, 2013

Hero Hostess Summer Picnic Blog Hop


• Welcome to the Hero Hostess Summer Picnic Hop!

• If you’ve been following along, you’ve just arrived from Marcy at En Papillate Arts blog!

• Hero Arts will be awarding prizes from randomly drawn comments. For a chance to win, simply comment on ANY of the stops along the hop on ANY day, including each day’s starting post at the Hero Club Blog. The more comments you leave, the better your chance of winning!


• I will also be sending out some goodies to a randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on my blog.  I'll announce the winner on Friday, EDITED TO 7/26/2013 - a FRIDAY, not today, 7/25/2013.

• If you find a broken link, you'll find a master list of the hop links at the Hero Arts Club Blog
. Also, please report broken links to: blog@heroarts.com.

• Your next stop on the Hero Arts Hostess Blog Hop is Lin Brandenberry at Sending Hugs.


I have two recipes for you at the end of this post, one for the card and one for a fantastic sheet cake, a cake that looks like you made fudge... ice it while the cake is warm... YUM.  

On to my picnic card and for me, a summer picnic is all about where we went and what we ate.  I thought I'd prepare my picnic dish in my apron.  I'd love to have an apron of the world, so I'm making this one of paper.



Close-Up

I lined up the water colored map with the background map and I do like the results.  

Card Recipe:
Hero Arts cling "Map of America - CG527"
Hero Arts "Travel AC031"
Hero Arts die-cut (HA die D1085 Tag)
Dreamweaver Apron Die & (Stencil LG736)
Cuttlebug
Ranger Distress Markers
Water pen
Water Spritzer
Water Color Paper for the apron
Kraft note card

Jennifer McGuire's post on July 3rd inspired me to use use a water color technique of misting the water onto watercolor paper first and then adding the distress colors.  I used markers and a water pen instead of putting the distress ink pad onto a craft sheet and picking the ink up with a brush.

Cake Recipe:
INGREDIENTS
o    1 cup butter, cubed
o    1 cup water
o    1/4 cup baking cocoa
o    2 cups all-purpose flour
o    2 cups sugar
o    1 teaspoon baking soda
o    1/2 teaspoon salt
o    1/2 cup Daisy Brand Sour Cream
o    ICING:
o    1/2 cup butter, cubed
o    1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
o    3 tablespoons baking cocoa
o    3 to 3 & 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
o    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
o    cups Walnuts (see NOTES)

INSTRUCTIONS
In a large saucepan, bring the butter, water and cocoa to a boil. Remove from heat. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt and add to the cocoa mixture. Stir in the sour cream until smooth.
Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
In a saucepan, melt butter; add milk and cocoa. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla with a whisk until smooth. Pour over warm cake. Cool completely on a wire rack.   Yield: 15 servings.

NOTES 
If you like nuts, stir chopped pecans or walnuts into the icing as you cook it.  As many as you like.  I used one cup for half a layer. 

THIS LOOKS LIKE YOU’RE MAKING FUDGE BECAUSE THE CAKE IS AN INCH HIGH.  IT IS SO YUMMY AND A GREAT CAKE TO FREEZE AHEAD OF TIME. 

Remember, your next stop on the Hero Arts Hostess Blog Hop is Lin Brandenberry at Sending Hugs.

140 comments:

Tracey said...

Great apron! Fabulous card!!

Annette Allen said...

how totally awesome.. very creative and fun.

Sue D said...

very creative apron card! Thanks for the recipe too!
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

Lin said...

What a genius card, Arlene, and I am making this cake first thing this weekend! So pleased to be sharing this picnic day with you!

judy said...

Very creative!!

Betty Sue said...

Love your apron and the way you presented it! Very creative!!

stampingandstitching said...

Arlene, this is such a gorgeous and creative card! I love the beautiful apron with the map pattern and it looks great against the kraft background! Same as Lin I'll be baking your yummy sheet cake at the weekend!

Candy Meyers said...

This is really a great card. So many possibilities for its use. Thanks loads,
Candy Meyers

CinnamonSally said...

Arlene your card is fabulous, what a great idea with the map and it looks fabulous against the Kraft!!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Love this worldly apron, so clever and appropriate for your theme. Make me want to have a picnic!

Barb said...

Really neat card. Great idea!

Barb said...

Hi Arlene! So happy to be at this picnic with you! Your card is so very clever! Love that creative apron!

Delicious sounding cake - yumm-mmy!!

Anonymous said...

Geneous card. Great thinking about the theme of the blog hop.
Margriet

judkajudi said...

Darling map apron, Arlene. You are so creative!! The cake sounds yummy .... so happy to be picnicking with you!! Hope your pink caddie is back to CAS!!!

linf54 said...

Very unique card and who doesn't love chocolate cake?

Teresa Zuehls said...

Love how creative you were with the apron and map! That cake recipe sounds like it is to die for! TFS

heidi @ ggip said...

Very unique!

adele holcomb said...

I love maps, and this card is a cute way to combine food and travel themes!

Gunilla/Nilla said...

This is a stunning card!

Thalia said...

What a great idea, love the card and the cake recipe.

tammy b said...

i'm the same about picnics, it's all about what we ate, with whom and where! nice job

Lauren said...

Love the apron, and how you lined it up so the map print was continuous!

Virginia L. said...

GREAT job, Arlene! The pairing of stamps is so creative! The apron sure is worldly! Your cake recipe looks divine! I shall get my son to bake one for me :)

Miriam Prantner said...

This is so cool! I love how you used the stencil and stamped the world on top, what a great technique!

shirley-bee said...

Clever card - the map apron looks fab!

GrammySue's Creations said...

Beautifully done--love the apron.

Anonymous said...

the cake sounds delish.... and love your unique card!
linda patti tpatti@windstream.net

Dana D. said...

Your apron card is terrific. Wonderful colors and amazing details. Cake? Yes indeed. Sounds really good.

Barbara said...

I love your card and all the detail you put into it....lining up the apron map with the background map, for example. It's such a clever idea! And I agree with you about Jennifer's videos, I always learn a lot from her. The cake is on my "to try list", because who doesn't love chocolate and this sounds wonderful!

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Great idea with the apron.

Judy1223 said...

Arlene, what a cool card...i LOVE your map apron! Great recipe, too!

cm said...

What a delightful pairing of your incredibly clever, delightful "picnic" apron card and your delicious cake recipe! Treats for the eyes; treats for the tummy! Fantastic!! Thanks for sharing!
c

margaretart said...

Such a creative idea--and it's very personal with your own sentiment. Great job! And great cake!

Heatheranne Whitman said...

Wonderful card! I love the way you did the apron and the background. Thanks for the recipe. Thank you for the chance to win a wonderful prize. :-)

Kailash said...

Such a clever and creative design of the apron Arlene, fabulous card!!

Kris in Alaska said...

Cute idea and fun card!

Kris in Alaska
funamom at yahoo dot com

slang said...

Such a clever card. Love the matching of the map. As for the cake, sounds too good to be true.

Dorothy C. said...

You picked some great stamps to work with. Your watercoloring was beautiful. Thanks for the recipe - one can never have too many recipes calling for chocolate!

Katie Ann Brooks said...

This is fun!!!

Vikki H said...

what a great look for the map stamp! especially with travels you get to try out new cuisine!

Ann Marie said...

So clever how you lined them up! Great card.

Denise Bryant said...

Very cool apron! Love your card!

Craftyfield said...

So original! Great use of the map stamp.

marking said...

Nice card, so original. The chocolate cake looks so rich. Mmmm

Robin Cooper said...

Very creative! I like it!

Kim M said...

Wonderful card. Love that you made the dress with the map design. Very creative. :-)

Daria Z. said...

Arlene, your apron is simply wonderful! Such a fun card.

joy said...

What a clever design, Arlene. I love that you went in a totally different direction for your picnic card. The cake recipe sounds SO good, too!

donna mikasa said...

Love both recipes, Arlene! Your apron is so creative and that cake sounds delicious and decadent! Thanks for sharing!

karenelr said...

What an adorable clever card! I am going to have to try something like that! I love it! The cake recipe ingredients looks like they'll make a great cake! Thanks for your inspiration!

Unknown said...

I love that you cute out an apron for this card. It's an unusual and adorable choice.

LauraJane:) said...

How VERY clever is your card?!!
LOVE the apron, so fitting for the picnic.

cheiron said...

Such a beautiful artsy card! I love how you made this apron. And the cake...I am not going anywhere this weekend and may just have to bake one. YUM!

Brenda said...

Very well thought out card Arlene! Love seeing the map in the Apron!

Стокли said...

Is there a picture of the cake? cause it sounds really yummy.

Leesa B said...

Very creative apron card!! Thank you for the cake recipe too!!!

brenda said...

Such a cute and creative card!

PamSpradlin said...

I love your card...I also watched Jennifer's video about misting the paper first. I am going to have to try that since the colors on your card are fabulous.

One of two sisters said...

Great card-and recipe!

Kathy (krolski) said...

Such a great card!! Beautiful! Love your recipe too!

Sue McRae said...

Your apron card is so clever Arlene, love it!

cghundley said...

This is a cute card,
the apron looks great
made out of the map.
Carla from Utah

Maeghan M. said...

What a cute little apron on that card! TFS!

Barbara said...

A map apron! It took me a bit to figure it out but I get it!! Need to do this with other shapes thanks for the spark:)

CathyL said...

Cute card, and your recipe sounds wonderful!

Mateja M said...

Such a cute idea :) I would also love an apron of the world!

Nancy Dees said...

A woman after my own heart....got to have an apron! The map adds a real 'vacation' or holiday atmosphere to the card.
I read the recipe and it looks delicious. However since I am losing weight, looking will be all I do.
Nanc

the doghouse said...

Great card...

Karen said...

What a very clever and unique card! I love the colors and details. Thanks for sharing your ideas and this yummy cake recipe.

Kathy Rosecrans said...

Love your apron!! Now to eat some of that cake!

Anonymous said...

Clever card -- love the apron. I gained weight just reading the recipe for the cake ;)

3kidmama said...

I love the way you used the map stamp for background texture. I don't know why but I never would have thought of using that stamp in that way! Thanks for the great idea.

creationsnz said...

a round-the-world apron is nearly as good as Supermans cape! Great card and recipe, thanks

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Super cute apron with the maps, Arlene - just love the patterns you used! And your recipe sounds divine - love cake!! So happy to hop with you this week!!

Patricia said...

Wonderful & original card! I would have thought go this combo. Thanks for the inspiration. Your recipe sounds so decadent. Therefore I must try it!

Shelley said...

Wonderful idea!

Greta said...

How creative, Arlene--love your apron on the map! That recipe looks like one even I can make & sounds scrumptious! Thank you!

Dame Jeanne Marie said...

ok - I'm drooling over your recipe...Mmmmm! The watercolor technique on your card is really cool too. Have to try that!

diana said...

Great apron card and thanks for the cake recipe, yum!

Barb Ghig said...

Such a clever and charming apron card, Arlene...pretty color combo, too!
Thank you so much for the recipe...I can't wait to try it out!

Deb Walker Deb Stamps Life, LLC said...

Great ideas both Arlene! That apron is such a fun idea and reminds me of the aprons our mama-san made us in Japan! Truly apron of the other side of the world! The cake sounds delicious and I'll put DD on it for the weekend!

Teresa W. said...

Very creative card! I know you had fun making your world traveling apron. So fun.

Unknown said...

Such a great card - love that apron! Your cake looks delish, too! :)

craftymom205 said...

Interesting card.

craftymom205 at yahoo dot com

Janet M said...

I'd like an apron like that.

Cindi said...

The Card Recipe is cute!

SandiL said...

Love the apron and your water colouring is amazing. Very stunning. TFS

Marilyn C. said...

Yummy recipe and love the apron card.

Alexia Misso said...

Love the card and smart idea to use map for the apron!! Thanks for sharing the recipe too!

Chark said...

that cake sounds divine! and the idea for this is great--I like keeping track of where we eat on vacation.

Jackie - aka funhockeymom25 said...

what an awesome combination!!! very creative!!

Phi said...

What an innovative card. Love the apron and the background. LVoe the whole card. Thanks for sharing.

brenlubrant said...

Youe card is very cleaver. Good job!!

Paperpicnic said...

Wow, your card is so creative and very beautiful! A great way to use a map stamp! Can't wait to try your cake recipe, sounds so yummy!

Memories by Manda said...

I have been looking for a big map stamp and that one you used looks neat.

pcm said...

neat way to make an apron!

Delia said...

I like the map card and how you layered the map.

Anonymous said...

What a cute card and a great idea to make an apron on it! Thanks for sharing your talent and a great looking recipe!

Tona said...

Love, love, love your card!

Anonymous said...

Unique way of using the stamp Arlene. thank you for sharing a super technique!

Regards,
Vithya

ivy said...

nicely done Arlene! love the map apron!

Kathy Mc said...

Great card with the map & apron! Your sheet cake sounds delicious ~ going to try it next time I bake.

Deborah said...

What a clever idea for a summer card
I like it.

jusaweecatnap said...

What a clever idea for the card--beautifully executed. Cake sounds wonderful; wish I had a piece right now!

newscrapper said...

All this talk about food is making me hungry!

loulou said...

What a great card, such a fun idea the apron. Deliciously decadent recipe.

Aileen said...

What a clever, clever girl you are. Love the idea. Just stunning. Thanks also for the wonderful recipe.

Sarah G said...

Love the way you have used the map - your apron is so fun!

Pia Larsen said...

Great inspiration :-)

Shannon said...

OH MY GOSH, I THINK YOUR CARD IS SO CLEVER AND INTERESTING. THANKS FOR SHARING THE CARD AND THE RECIPE WITH ALL OF US. TAKE CARE AND HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE SUMMER.

Janis said...

Creative card!!! I a crazy abt maps.
Oh, my....which sounds tastier: the cake recipe or the blog candy???? What a wonderful hostess you are to offer both!!!
<3 J

stamplover2011 said...

Neat and creative! Great job!

Karen said...

WOW! Love the Old World Vintage feel. You have transformed the stamped image beautfully!

Stacy Kay Brais said...

Very neat card!

Alison said...

That recipe sounds so delicious! I'd probably put on weight just cooking it - but the best things always do! A very innovative card - what a fantastic idea.

SD pooja said...

Very different idea to use map for apron/dress on card.Loved the unique card !

Auror Willow said...

What we can't have in real life we can always have on paper! That would be really cute to have a map apron!

jintyoo7 said...

How very clever, Arlene - well done -it's brilliant :)

rhoffer said...

What a different card--loved the techniques used!

Unknown said...

Oh wow!! I absolutely love your card!! It's so different!! That apron is amazing!! And that cake recipe sounds delicious!! All these wonderful sounding sweets are going to send me into a diabetic coma!! Haha!! Thx for sharing!!

Pat said...

What a great technique! Thanks for the recipe, too!

Judy Tuck said...

Such a fantastic card. So very clever!

LaVon Hall said...

How creative? The idea is so original with such a nice result!

Jingle said...

What a neat card! I love that the map is over all of it!

Karen L K said...

Very clever card. Nice colors too. That cake sounds really good, thanks for sharing the recipe.

Mona Odegard said...

Very artistic look!

Suzanne C said...

That apron looks so cool in the map print. The card is beautiful. Yum Yum Sheet Cake! Can't wait to try it!

Valerie said...

Love your card, especially the back ground.

Anonymous said...

What a cool apron. I love the details of how you were inspired to make your card.

Dana said...

Love the dress!! It really pops against the kraft!!

keeleykats said...

Arlene, How clever! I love the map apron! Your cake sounds wonderful, I need to make a cake tomorrow and think this is the ONE! Thanks for sharing!

Flo said...

Oh, I finally figured out it is an apron. Very cute, love your use of the map stamp.

Dawn T said...

Hi Arlene... better late than never! Finally catching up ~ great card. Love the idea of the map on the apron. And the cake sounds very scrummy

TenSGal said...

Wonderful card! So creative....love that apron!

And I love anything fudgy!!! Thanks for the recipe!

Susan

Linda said...

Very cute card. The cake recipe looks like it would be delicious and seems very simple. Thanks for sharing.

Linda D.

Kards by Karen said...

I just loved the "shabby chic" look of your card!

Gilu J said...

Cake recipe without eggs? Yipeeeeee! Gotta try it out.

Leni said...

I always wear apron's, so you can imagine that I like this one! So creative!

sharon l-s said...

great card - clever apron. will try the recipe for sharing at next stamp club meeting. tfs

Unknown said...

Love your use of the map and the apron is adorable!