Ginghamgrlva's Blog

And the Non-Winner Is……

ginghamgrlva — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:47:12 +0000

The results of the Scharffen Berger Chocolate Adventure Cupcake Contest were announced today! It was fun to be one of the more than 2,000 entries, which puts me in good company as a non-winner!! The contest rules state that “All entries submitted become the exclusive property of the Sponsors and none will be returned,” so it seems clear that I am not free to post my non-winning recipe and share it with you.

I can tell you that my non-winning recipe was adapted from my Grandmom’s 1-2-3-4 cake recipe that is at least 60 years old. The handwritten notes from her recipe book states that “1 1/2 times the recipe makes a doll cake.” And I can tell you that many doll cakes were made for me in my youth from this recipe!

The Chocolate Adventure Contest wanted you to select from one of fourteen adventure ingredients. When I saw that one of them was saffron, my mind was set! Starting with my Grandmom’s wonderful recipe, I substituted orange blossom water for some of the milk called for in the recipe and added saffron powder and steeped it. I made the batter and then added some Scharffen Berger cocoa nibs for a little “crunch” effect and topped the cupcake with a milk chocolate ganache using Scharffen Berger’s 41% Cacao Milk Chocolate for the ganache. Overall, I was pleased with my results and submitted my recipe for consideration in the contest. My first time ever to do so. I think Grandmom would be proud!

Inspired Sewing

ginghamgrlva — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:39:01 +0000

This past weekend, I ventured to a Sewing and Quilt Expo and was thrilled to find so many vendors selling beautiful fabrics, including a wonderful new fabric from Robert Kaufman with bright teapots and teacups in lime, magenta, blue and yellow. I could not wait to get home to turn it into a tea cozy!! I found another fabric, called Girlfriends, that is just beautiful. It uses one of my favorite color combinations, pink and black, and has pretty teapots, hearts and ivy. That, too, has been crafted into a new tea cozy! And then, I found this adorable fabric printed with bold bright bows in purple, green, blue, yellow and red which was quickly transformed into yet another tea cozy!! It must be the approach of autumn and the yearn for that morning pot of tea that inspired me to turn these beautiful fabrics to cozies so quickly!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58242548/tied-up-in-bows-tea-cozy

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58242783/girlfriends-tea-cozy

Little Black Tea Cozy

ginghamgrlva — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:45:36 +0000

Well, they say that every girls’ wardrobe needs a “little black dress,” or LBD….so why not the tea table? This black tea cozy will add a touch of drama to your afternoon tea! The black fabric is printed with swirls of white and has a pretty edging of white lace. The perfect cozy for afternoon tea with special friends!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57364126/black-with-swirls-tea-cozy

Feeling Crafty??

ginghamgrlva — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:38:52 +0000

Lately, I have been making and selling a ton of craft aprons as vendors prepare for the upcoming fall and Christmas craft season(s). When some of my wonderful buyers asked for a couple of “embellishments” to the apron, I came up with this new version of the craft apron. The Gingham Girl Craft Apron includes a cloth loop on the back to allow one to hang up the apron or it can be used to attach a key to a cash box (or classroom)! The middle pocket on the front is covered with a V-shaped flap that velcros to the apron for added security.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57344465/gingham-girl-yellow-print-craft-apron

No Longer LOST!!!

ginghamgrlva — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:29:43 +0000

Well, like so many others who spent the past six years trying to figure out the series LOST, I remain mystified and not totally satisfied. Had I been one of the show’s writers, I would have ended it differently, but it wasn’t my gig….

However, upon reflection, I begin to see that LOST was really just a re-write of the made for TV version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer….

WHAAATTT?? You say? Well, consider the following:

Both Jack and Rudolph had daddy issues – both fathers were derisive of their sons’ skill sets

Jack was on the Island with a bunch of societal outcasts. Rudolph spent time on the Island of Misfit Toys. Both sought to rescue their friends from the respective islands.

Jack had to deal with the Man In Black/Smoke Monster who came from a cave. Rudolph had to deal with Abominable Snowman who lived in a cave.

Jack & Company in the end, were led into the light. In the end, Rudolph guided his reindeer pals by the light….

Kate was to Jack what Clarice was to Rudolph.

So many more comparisons to ponder. When you compare the two stories, the parallels are remarkable!!!

Sweetheart’s Tea for Two

ginghamgrlva — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:10:02 +0000

Hooray! It’s nearly Valentine’s Day! Such a special day to celebrate the meaning of love with the someone special in your life. How about celebrating the day with a Sweetheart’s Tea for Two? Plan something simple, but romantic. There’s nothing that says you can’t break out the candles and champagne for afternoon tea for two, especially for Valentine’s Day. A tray with a few sweets, maybe some chocolate truffles or chocolate covered strawberries, a nice pot of tea, and you’ve set the stage for an afternoon of romance. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day Tea Cozy

Polka Dots Retro Apron

ginghamgrlva — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:58:26 +0000

Hey, I am feeling a little dotty these days! I made this apron using a black polka dot fabric and accented with pink gingham check fabric. I think it has a great retro look to it, don’t you? This apron can be made as a Mother/Daughter set – order now for Mother’s Day! It’s really not too far in the future and we all know how time flies by!

www.etsy.com/shop/ginghamgrlva

Retro Polka Dot Apron

A Visit to the Flower Garden

ginghamgrlva — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:39:25 +0000

I’ve listed two new tea cozies on Etsy that I thought I would share with you here. One is dark green and printed with a display of flowers that range from pink peonies to asters to daisies. The cozy is lined with a light pink broadcloth and bound with dark green bias tape. This tea cozy is elegant enough for a formal afternoon. It’s like a visit to the flower garden, only these flowers are ever blooming!

I’ve also listed a new black and white tea cozy which has a white background fabric that is covered with a black print which is not quite a fleur de lis, but pretty close! The tea cosy is lined with white broadcloth and bound with black bias tape. This is the first tea cozy that I’ve ever used black bias tape for, and I must say, I think it’s a rather dramatic effect! The cozy is equally appropriate for a male or female tea lover.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ginghamgrlva

Floral Garden Tea Cozy

Black on White Tea Cozy

January is National Hot Tea Month!

ginghamgrlva — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:13:38 +0000

Celebrate National Hot Tea Month by trying a new tea and treating yourself to a new tea cozy! I love darjeeling tea, but resolve this year to try to find a pu-erh tea to enjoy. Maybe January is the time to do it! I’ll let you know what I find.

Here’s a new red polka dot tea cozy that I’ve listed on Etsy. I think it’s kinda fun and retro. You could use this cozy for Valentine’s Day if you wanted, and it’s cute enough for everyday use. If you need a new tea cozy, stop by my shop and take a peek!

Retro Polka Dot Tea Cozy

Tea Cozy for Valentine’s Day

ginghamgrlva — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:58:27 +0000

This tea cozy is perfect for you and your sweetheart for a romantic Valentine’s Day tea for two! Lipstick red kisses dotting the black fabric may prove to be the incentive for a smooch or two! Some yummy warm scones, chocolate covered strawberries, a nice pot of tea and maybe even a sip of champagne will set the tone for a wonderful tea time!

www.etsy.com/shop/ginghamgrlva

Valentine's Day Tea Cozy