Our Friday Friend Laura

Happy Cupcake Friday! You know what that means :) ! It's time for another Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge over on Taylor's blog (click over to play!) and it's time to introduce you to Our Friday Friend. Let's have a big round of applause for Laura Leonard (lleonard on SCS). Laura is a very enthusiastic SASI stamper and her recent creations really caught Taylor's eye. You can check out her SCS gallery here and be sure to hop over to her blog Lu-La's Corner and scroll down to see a very young SASI stamper in the making. That's what we like to see!

Not only did Laura grant us a sweet interview, but she decided to create some brand new projects to share with our SASI readers on the blog today. So check out her adorable pail filled with yummy candy cane tootsie pops and her fun Winter picture frame while you also enjoy a little get-to-know-you time.

1) What city/state do you live in?

I live in Plainfield, Illinois which is about 35 miles Southwest of Chi-Town (Chicago). GO BEARS!!!


2) How did you become addicted to papercrafts? How long have you been stamping?

About two and a half years ago I was desperate to find a hobby; something to do for "me". With a husband, two daughters, and a full-time job outside of the home, it was a MUST. I kept hearing my girlfriend Michele talk about going to "stamp camp" every month and finally decided to ask if I could join her. Well, as most of you know, the rest was history...LOL! I became addicted immediately and have been stamping ever since.

3) How would you describe your style? What are your favorite projects to create?

Ya know, I don't think I've ever really given my style any thought until this question...LOL! I would have to go with cutesy and I love using bright colors. I've never really created a lot of projects; I've always just been into making cards. I do, however, like to make anything that can hold a small gift. And, with the holidays upon us (and money tight), I hope to experiment a little bit more with that.

4) Do you have a favorite SASI image?

That's like asking if I have a favorite child...LOL? This is a REALLY hard question to answer, but if I HAD to choose one favorite SASI image it would have to be the cupcake on the ladder blowing out the candles from the Sweet Celebration set.

5) What is your favorite sweet treat?

I would have to say that my favorite sweet treat is Tiramisu. Since I'm not really a "baker", I am sharing a very easy Tiramisu recipe.

Simple Tiramisu

(recipe from http://www.allrecipes.com/)
Ingredients
· 16 ladyfingers
· 2/3 cup strong brewed coffee, room temperature
· 1/3 cup maple syrup
· 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
· 1/2 cup sour cream
· 1/2 cup maple syrup
· 1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
· 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Directions
Split ladyfingers lengthwise and use them to line the bottom and sides of an 8x8 inch dish. Stir together coffee and 1/3 cup maple syrup until smooth. Spoon mixture over ladyfingers.
In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, sour cream and 1/2 cup maple syrup until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture over soaked ladyfingers. Cover and chill 15 minutes.
Dust with sifted cocoa just before serving.

Thanks Laura for the yummy recipe and the yummy creations!

And how about you - would you like to be Our Friday Friend?

Each week Taylor will scour the Taylored Expressions Company Gallery at SCS for recent uploads (within the past 10 days) in search of a SASI Stamper to be featured on this blog. To be considered all you have to do is:

**Create something (card, 3D item, scrapbook page, anything) using one or more images from any SASI stamp set. Your creation should showcase SASI, but does not have to be exclusive to SASI.

**Upload your creation to SCS being sure to use the keyword SASI so it will appear in the Taylored Expressions Company Gallery (which is driven by a keyword search) and complete the recipe section of the upload.

**In the description field of your upload please mention Stamp a Sweet Impression stamps are from http://www.tayloredexpressions.com/

Super simple - pretty much just have fun stamping and upload what you make so we can see it! If you are chosen, Taylor will send you an e-mail or PM asking if you'd like to be featured and requesting permission to post one or more of your creations here as Our Friday Friend. You will have the choice of creating something new or just allowing us to post a pic already in your gallery. We will include a link to your SCS Member Gallery and to your blog if you have one (note: a blog is not required to qualify for this feature.)

Have a sweet weekend!

-Jami