shimmer & shine...

Welcome, welcome to Day 2 of our 12 Days of Christmas blog event...I've been excited since my last post to get going on this next project for you.  Remember waaaaaay back when...I had started a Birthday Calendar book using Papertrey Ink's Calendar Basics stamp set, the Calendar Page die, and the Mini Calendar Pages?  Well, I'm just now finishing up the book for a special customer and thought that the December page was the perfect place to celebrate with some shimmer and shine...and some sugarplums...

My December page might just be my favorite...I'm smitten with the vintage tag from This Good Day...something about the fanciful, dreamy, sugarplum ballerinas and the fact that my little girl adores the songs from the Nutcracker...

Pink foil Dresden wings add the perfect, soft shine...

A Melissa Frances glitter chipboard heart brings in the shimmer...I like to distress the edges of these with brown ink to shabby them up a bit....I learned this from the amazing Linda Albrecht.

And of course...the sweet tag...comes with the most beautiful clear glitter around the edges and the flowers framing in the lovely ballerinas.  I added the bitty pearls for a really subtle final touch of shine.

And to finish the page off, a Mishe mini tea stained tag stamped with the Rustic Branches sentiment tied to the center of a double scrunched seam binding bow.

Be sure to stop by Mish's blog to see the project created for today...I know I'll love it as I love everything she does.

Here is my recipe for the day...in honor of sugarplums everywhere...dates are the closest fruity-ish ingredient I could come up with...please don't let the dates scare you...this is the most delicious cake ever....my husband's favorite and one I'm making today.  Thank you to my mother-in-law for this delicious tried and true, family heirloom.

Chocolate Chip Date Nut Cake

Combine:

1 cup chopped dates

1 tsp. soda

Pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over dates and soda and set aside to cool.

Cream:

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

Blend well.

Add:

Date nut mixture to shortening mixture and blend well.

Add:

1 1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. soda

Pour into a greased cake pan, top with 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 cups slivered almonds.

Bake 34-40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!

And...the Peppermint Kisses pockets have sold out before listing them in my store...so I'm working on getting supplies coming for another dozen.  Look for them in my etsy if you're interested.

Happy Monday little dears!

Melis 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Mish]

So perfectly pink and pretty Melissa. You do such beautiful work. Am printing off the cake recipe too, my dad will LOVE it!

[mamajulie]

I have never been lucky enough to get anything from your etsy--always gone when I get there. Can I pre-order a peppermint pocket this time? I have been looking for a recipe for date nut cake, and this looks wonderful. I read both you and Mish every post and love that you are working together.

[rebekah f]

Beautiful Melissa! I don't know how u do it all and be a wonderful mama at the same time! Can't wait for another Melis/Michie post! SO glad you gals teamed up!

[Patty O'Malley]

Love this! So pretty and feminine! The cake sounds delicious. My Mom loves dates, so I'll have to try this for her. I missed out on the pockets, too. Can I pre-order one?

[sandy]

Thank you for all the hard work you and Mish are doing for the 12 Days of Christmas posts. I'm enjoying it. I save your cake recipe and hope to make it soon. Looking forward to more goodness from you and Mish!

[Viola Mahr]

Ohh, this is sooo pretty! I agree with you that the vintage tag is lovely ... and I'm so enjoying these posts from you and Mish ... looking forward to the days ahead, and so happy too that your peppermint kits are going so fast. That should tell you something about how FAMOUS you are! :)

hugs,
Vio

[Joanna]

Soooooooooooo very beautiful!!
I tried to purchase your goodie
box yesterday but was too late.
I did check out Mish's blog - what
beautiful things.I love her seam
binding ribbon! I'm going to try
your cake recipe. It sounds
lush!

[Denise]

Melissa, beautiful... as always.... my goal for 2011 is to be able to create the layers and textures like you do.... i love the details you add... have a great day!

[Anne T]

So sweet, shabby and beautiful! Your customer will certainly LOVE this creation! Thanks for the inspiration!!

[One Second Needle]

What wonderful work! Thanks for the cake recipe!

[Alice W.]

the vintage tag is darling. beautiful project!

[Stella]

Breathtaking; that is one lucky customer. Such a beauty.....

[Bar Mitzvah Caterers Boston]

Thanks for sharing the nice recipe. I definitely going to try this.

[Shelley McCormick]

Chocolate Chip Date Cake sounds wonderful. Just one little question, what size cake pan?