Hello and welcome to your next picnic spot on the Hero Arts Hostess Summer Picnic Blog Hop!
If you’ve been following along the picnic trail, you should have just arrived from the blog of the talented Kryssi Ng. In case you come across a broken link or didn't begin at the start of the hop, you’ll find a master list of the hop links at the Hero Club Blog. Also please report broken links to blog@heroarts.com.
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 - best of luck! I have comment moderator switched on, so don’t worry if your comment doesn’t appear immediately.
Recently we’ve been enjoying the most glorious weather and have had lots of days out in some of our local scenic areas. Each time we’ve loaded up our wicker picnic basket, so for our virtual picnic today I thought I’d make a picnic basket shaped card.
I die cut the basket using my Silhouette and stamped the outer layer and handles with the Designer Woodgrain stamp. The sentiment was heat embossed in white. Then I made a little tablecloth/blanket by repeatedly stamping the strawberry from the Picnic set on a triangle of white card and coloured it with ProMarkers. The borders were made from scraps of card left over from other projects. After stamping and cutting out the cupcakes, I added some dimension by adhering the “cream” topping with foam pads. Some swirls of stickles were applied for added sparkle and the “chocolate” and strawberries on the cupcakes were covered with a layer of Glossy Accents.
All week I’ve been enjoying this calorie free picnic and want to try out all the mouth watering recipes my Hosti sisters have provided. So now it’s my turn to come up with something for our picnic. One of my favourite summer time combinations is strawberries and cream, so pavlova is one of the (many!) desserts I love.
As well as being a cool and refreshing dessert, pavlova is also easy to make. If you’re having a garden picnic, the pavlova can come straight out of your fridge or if you’re going on a picnic out and about, just pop the pavlova or elements needed for the pavlova into your cooler box to keep chilled. With the recipe below you can either make one big pavlova or a batch of mini pavlovas as I did.
1. Line baking trays with non stick baking parchment.
2. Whisk egg whites until stiff. Whisk in the caster sugar a third at a time, each time whisking until the mixture is stiff and very shiny. Fold in the cornflour, vanilla essence and the white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
3. Spoon dollops of the mixture into small round shapes on the baking parchment. Form a hollow in the middle of the round mounds.
4. Bake at 130 C (250 F) for approximately 45 minutes or until pale brown and dry but a little soft in the centre. (If you are making 1 large pavlova, adjust the cooking time to 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours). Leave to cool slightly and peel off paper.
5. Whisk the cream until thick and fold in icing sugar. Spoon cream onto mini pavlovas and decorate with strawberries and cherries (or any other fruits).
6. Now sit back, relax and enjoy!
I've made my card and my dish so now it's time for me to find a lovely picnic spot. I'd dearly love to have all my Hosti sisters right here with me, so we could enjoy a little hike and picnic together overlooking the lakes at Glendalough, Co Wicklow.
I'd like to say a great big thanks to Hero Arts for letting us loose having us on the blog this week and of course for all the fab must have goodies it produces! Also a great big thanks to Deborah, who has put in an amazing amount of work behind the scenes for the hop and has had us all in giggles as she's let the cat out of the bag over on the Hero Arts blog about our shenanigans at the picnic!
But for the moment why don’t you join me in hopping over to the next stop on the Hero Arts Hostess Summer Picnic Blog Hop where we'll visit the lovely and talented Kathy Wade – I can’t wait to see what she has lined up for us! Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of the hop!
I'm submitting this card into the Simon Says Stamp Summer Food and/or Drink Challenge.
Wow! What a fabulous post, my friend! First of all, your card is amazing! That basket filled with cupcakes is so adorable! Your creativity has no end! Love your cute recipe card and that dessert looks so delicious!
I KNOW each one of us would LOVE to be right there with you in that very spot! Such a gorgeous photo!
Oh do I wish I was there again with you in your beautiful countryside, my friend! What a delicious post - your card is perfect for our hop (love all the tiny details) and the pavlovas look fantastic! We've had such fun this week, haven't we?
Such a fun basket-shaped card! I love the sweet cupcakes and your shiny strawberries look fabulous! Thanks so much for the recipe, and for sharing your beautiful photo with us!
Oh, Heather! This is a very welcoming post, indeed. Your picnic basket filled with cupcakes is just perfect for this occasion. The pavlova looks so yummy ... and you have chosen the perfect spot for our picnic. You live in a very beautiful part of our world! I think the hosti would love to picnic in Ireland! We've had a wonderful week, sharing this picnic!
Oh, I do love that basket card! The tablecloth is perfect and the colors are really summery. Supr, fun elements and details. And the recipe sounds great!
Mmm to both the card and pavlova.
Oh my, that card is incredible!!!
Eye-catching: everything about your post is eye-catching! Your picnic basket card is darling (sudden craving for cupcakes happening!); your recipe + photo are especially tempting, and the picture of the valley = oh my goodness! Spectacular scenery, indeed! Thanks for sharing treats for the eyes; treats for the palette!
Does anything say summer like strawberries?? I think NOT!
I love the basket full of cupcakes - so delicious looking! Your recipe and beautiful picture look amazing! And thanks for the sweet comments. :) It's been so fun hopping with you.
Such a yummy card !
What a cute little picnic basket full of sweet cupcakes! Love it.
Your recipe sounds delicious and the photo of Ireland is absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful place to have a for real picnic!!!
How fun is this card?! I love the basket and the shine!
what an awesome idea for a card!!! love the little details.
Oh I love this! What could be better than strawberries and cupcakes!
Your picnic basket card is incredibly creative -- I love it! And your photo of Ireland makes me yearn to visit one day.
Yum on the card and recipe!
Heather, your basket is so cute and creative!!
Your basket with the cupcakes is sooo clever. Terrific details too. What a wonderful recipe.
I've always wanted to go to Ireland as I'm Irish on my father's side. Your lovely photo makes me want to go even more! How lovely it is. Maybe one day I'll get there. Your card is perfect for this picnic blog hop. Your work is stunning. The perfect card for this blog. I have never heard of pavlovas, but I'm sure going to give it a go. Thanks!
Lovely and creative card! I love how you stamped the basket and handles with the wood grain stamp and made the cream with foam and stickles. Love the dimension it gives. How I wish I could be at your picnic! :) Some day I will make it to Ireland.
WOW Heather your basket card is amazing and so unique and what a yummy recipe too. So wish I could have a picnic with you and see that amazing view!!
What a TREAT to have you on this picnic!! The delightful basket card, yummy recipe, the beautiful sight? You rock this blog hop, Heather!
Your card is amazing...and I am thinking it could be a birthday card also. Love that you continued on with Deborah's post and gave us more info on the 'picnic'.
Oh wow!!! Sooo cute! i love the cupcakes sitting in the basket!!
what a delicious design, heather... those cupcakes look good enough to eat!
You have the most beautiful picnic spot and i adore your very attractive cupcakes.
Heather, your card is absolutely delightful! The basket is wonderful and your cupcakes look yummy. AND, what a beautiful spot for a picnic!!
I think I want to come on your picnic! Love pavlova - our former pastor's family who lived in Ireland for 3 yrs often made it for us - yummy! Your picnic card is incredibly creative!
Heather, congratulations on a fantastic blog. Wonderful original card,full of lovely Spent a couple of happy happy days in Glendalough a few years ago. Unforgettable!
Such a creative and gorgeous project Heather, your recipe looks so yummy!! Thanks for sharing the beautiful picture of your fave picnic spot, I have always wanted to visit Ireland and this makes me want to come there quicker:-)!!
Your basket is perfect for our summer picnic Heather and your cupcakes look good enough to eat! And your pavlova looks scrumptious!
Thanks for taking us on your picnic with this oh-so-fun post Heather! Happy summer days to you and yours!
Your card is so fantastic and clever. And the pavlova looks delicious. It reminds me of a layer strawberry meringue dessert that I make. This would be easier and I will give it a try.
What a sweet little picnic basket! TFS!!!
Your card Is delightful! So many incredible details, love it! I can't wait to try your recipe for mini pavlovas, they look and sound amazing! Thanks for sharing your card, recipe, and amazing scenery!
Your cupcakes are just as appetizing as your pavlova ! The basket is fantastic too.
Incredibly cute basket - well done!
So cute! Love the picnic basket!
Oh, MY, what an awesome picnic basket...should have known you would have something amazing to share with us today! Great recipe, too!
What a beautiful spot for a picnic! Loved your card, too!
What a fun card; love all the details. The pavlova looks heavenly.
Awe!! Such a super cute picnic basket shaped card!! I love it!!! I love the strawberries!! And those cupcakes look delicious!!! Very creative!! And hmm that dessert sounds amazing!! Thx for sharing!!
Whoa! The cupcake basket is so adorable. Absolutely beautiful!
Love your picnic basket card and cupcakes- they look good enough to eat! You've even provided a great spot for us to put down our quilt from yesterday, and maybe even fly a kite. Your pavlova looks scrumptious! Thanks for sharing your ideas and recipe.
Adorable and your recipe sounds easy and what a wonderful lite summer treat thanks!
The cupcakes look good enough to eat. The wooden basket is spectacular!
Wow your card is spectacular! Thanks for the pavlova recipe, my MIL has celiac and somehow I never think of pavlova when she is here, duh me! Beautiful pic of Ireland, makes me want to jump on a plane and visit again.
Wowza, this is amazing! Love your creation and your recipe!
Wonderful projects for inspiring great ideas!
I think that I have to pick some strawberries! Thanks for sharing!
Oh, my word! You should have been on Day 1! Your card is picnicky sweet and that recipe--YUM!! It's been such a pleasure picnicking with you, Heather! We must do it more often!
WOW!!!! What a great card! This is amazing!!!
And the dessert sounds super yummy, too!
Amazing blog post!!! Your card is awesome and so creative. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, wow! That is just too cute! You have done such an amazing job!
So it is DEBORAH that has been recapping all the scenes at the picnic?..I'm going to use those posts as idea starters for my creative writing class this fall with the kiddos.
SWEET picnic basket and recipe card.
Gonna have to give the pavlova a try.
Your card is amazing & so was that photo.
Clearly, I should be making more use of my silhouette! The basket is so cute.
Best idea EVER! good job!
Your picnic spot is lovely.
Your card is yummy looking as is your dessert. I don't think I have ever made Pavlovas, but the small ones would be perfect size--especially for a picnic.
That card is too cute. So cleverly done. The recipe sounds awesome. I will "case" that!
Very cute picnic basket card and thanks for the recipe.
Oh my, your picnic basket is amazing. What a sweet card! I'm learning so many new foods from all your wonderful recipes ~ look delish!
Oh my, that is where I want to go for a picnic.
Your cupcake picnic basket is amazing!
The recipe for Pavlova looks wonderful!
Darling basket of cupcakes! Great card... very fun idea!
What an amazing card!! It is beyond professional!! Anyone would be delighted to receive this card! Thanks for the inspiration and the yummy looking recipe!
The picnic basket is amazing - great creative card!
Your card is too cute--love the basket. The recipe looks yummy.
OMG what a fabulous card!!!! And your recipe sounds deeelish!
WOW! What a perfect picnic card. It' perfect in every way and the yummy recipe. Love the view. Wouldn't it be great to have a picnic there?
Darling basket of cupcakes. What could be yummier than something with strawberries???? That Pavlova recipe and photo look irresistible!!! TFS.
Love that basket filled with yummies! Too cute!
This is extremely clever and fantastic! The cupcakes are fab! The dessert looks so yummy!
Great card. How totally clever. Love that woodgrain and your glossy strawberries. My MIL is a coeliac so pav is always on the menu at our family gatherings.
Just love all the details in your amazing picnic basket with cupcakes, Heather! And so clever to do the recipe on the little notecard from Remember! Love the added strawberries! And the pavlova looks so yummy - wish I was enjoying it with you in Glendalough, my friend!!
Wow, I don't know where you live but that countryside is beautiful. 2nd, you card basket is pure perfection. Right down to the strawberries-that recipe looks yummy from the pictures you sent us. Wonderful post. Have a happy summer.
Your card is the best that I have seen during this week's Hero Art's blog hop.
This is awesome! I have to say it is the best of the whole hop! Just LOVE it!!
Loving it! Recipe and a perfect card!
Your project is cute and your dessert looks yummy.
Heather, Amazing basket card! The chocolate frosting looks good enough to eat! Your dessert also looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing your picnic spot photo!
You are always so creative, Heather--fabulous work! I want to have a picnic with you--gorgeous picture that reminds me of my trip to Ireland so many years ago.
What a yummy card! Let the picnic begin! And to finish it off we'll nosh on gorgeous mini pavlovas. They look delicious!
Thank you for sharing that wonderful picnic basket and the cute recipe card. Being an Aussie I do so love pavlova, just need to wait a few months for the summer bit. Its been a brilliant blog hop, thanks to all you talented ladies.
what a gorgeous card Heather.. and of course seeing as how Pavlova was invented here in NZ... a great recipe. I do lots of these in the summer time especially when we go out to barbeques with friends.
This is an AMAZING card! I love the basket and those yummy cupcakes! So cool. And that dessert looks delicious, so good that it is gluten free so all can enjoy.
Your card is yummy, and shouts "Let's have a picnic!"
Such a cute card. It looks good enough to eat. And your recipe is a perfect match to it.
Wow! This card is over-the-top! Thanks for sharing how you did it, too!
How absolutely cute with such wonderful detail!
Your card is beautiful. So many details make it wonderful!!! I want to go to that spot and have a picnic.
Your card is absolutely adorable and the cupcakes look delicious. What a beautiful spot for a picnic. Thanks for sharing.
I want your picnic basket! Wonderful card.
This is an adorable card and the cupcakes look delicious. What a wonderful place for a picnic. Thanks for sharing.
I just love your strawberry basket card--it just sings of summer!--and the pavlova recipe looks delicious!
What a clever card! I love pavlova and your mini pavs look fantastic!
Aww! This is super cute!! Love this! That basket full of treats is just too cute!!
Oh, my goodness. Is this ever adorable.
WOw!!Your picnic basket looks wonderful and your cupcakes looks yummy!!
Yummy! Both the card and the recipe!
oo! i'd love to have a picnic with that scenery!
lol, love the card totally makes me want to go on a proper picnic! i love pavlova too!
Wow, your blog is so fun to read. I would love to be at the picnic spot with you!
Love your card and your post. I would love to be at the picnic spot with you!
I love your picnic basket card.
I love light and refreshing desserts, yours is a must tray for me.
Those cupcakes look good enough to eat. I will have to try the pavlova with some of my freshly picked blueberries.
Super fun picnic basket you have made! And your recipe is great, would love to eat that right away, because I love desserts, and this looks so yummy! Thank you for showing something of your country. I always love to see beautiful spots in other countries. I would love to go out and have a walk in that area!!!
The strawberry tablecloth is so cute. Great job on the basket too. Loved the pic at the end of your post. Thanks.
You have outdone yourself, my friend! I love that amazing card you created and the pavlova - oh my! Wish I could join you on a picnic at that breath-taking spot.
WOW!! I love your picnic basket card it is adorable!!
Oh my that card is absolutely beautiful and so is the scenery! Ireland is my dream vacation. The country is just gorgeous and the people are fabulous! Thanks for sharing.
Lots of detail on that card.
That card is super cute, super clever and super creative. Thanks for sharing the recipe. It is nice to see some different type recipes especially. Not a common one here in the US. That spot is absolutely beautiful and yes I would love to be there too. I love hiking.
AWESOME card! I love anything baskets - so creative!
Thanks for sharing your talent creatively and for the delicious sounding dessert!
An adorable project and YUM YUM YUM! I love strawberries!
What an absolutely darling card you've made, it has tons of personality. Thank you for sharing it with us and for the recipe. Have a great rest of the summer.
I love your adorable basket creation Heather! Thanks for sharing that beautiful photograph too, I can't get enough of these scenic views!