Gluten Free Autumn Apple Spice Cake

One of my favorite things about the fall season is all of the delicious flavors! This recipe for Gluten Free Autumn Apple Spice Cake includes many of those fall flavors - apples, cinnamon and pumpkin spice! It would certainly make a great addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table. In addition to being full of flavor it is also gluten, dairy and refined sugar free! 

 

Ingredients for cake:

3/4 cup almond flour

1/2 cup gluten free flour blend

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon xantham gum

1/2 cup honey

1 egg

1/2 cup applesauce

1/4 cup melted coconut oil

1 small apple chopped

For the "icing":

2 tablespoons softened coconut oil

1/2 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 and lightly grease an 8" x 8" pan.

Mix all dry ingredients (from almond flour to xantham gum) in a medium size bowl.

In a large bowl mix 1/2 cup of honey, egg, applesauce and coconut oil. 

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until well blended. Then stir in the apples.

Pour batter into greased pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Mix the icing ingredients in a small bowl until well blended. Once cake has cooled, pour the icing over the cake right before serving.

 

Trick or Treat! The Halloween season is upon us and it's time to get your Free Halloween Stickers. The stickers can be used to decorate your planner or to give to your kids. You can also use them to close a party favor bag or as a cupcake topper. Lots of different ways to use them - just use your creativity! You can also can them into strips and hand them out as a non-candy alternative to trick-or-treaters!

I don't know about you, but I don't like the creepy, scary party of Halloween. I'm much more into the cute decorations. So these stickers are all about the cuteness. If you want to see more Halloween cuteness, check out these cute clay pots or this Halloween t-shirt.  

 

Free Halloween Stickers

Just click on this link here. You will then be able to download your Halloween stickers! Just print them out on sticker paper to use as stickers or cardstock to use as party decor. The file format is png so you can use it with your cutting machine.



If you are looking for other Halloween printables, just click here. I also have other Halloween stickers available here and here. 

Hope you have a happy Halloween and enjoy your free printables!

Happy Halloween!For the Craft Destash we are challenged to create a project using only items currently found in our craft stash. We were to make something new with crafty supplies or re-make an item we've been holding on to for a while. For this challenge I decided to make this Candy Corn Cutie outfit from a free svg file from svglove.com.

Candy Corn Cutie

Materials:

SVG File
1 sheet of black glitter heat transfer vinyl
Small scrap of white glitter heat transfer vinyl
Small scrap of yellow and orange everyday iron-on
t-shirt or onesie

1 yard of each yellow, white and orange ribbon in various width
Candy corn button
fancy elastic

This is really easy to make. Just download the free svg file and upload it to your cutting machine software. Be sure to remember to reverse your image before you make the cut. Then follow the manufacturer's directions for ironing onto the shirt using a heat press or iron. Since little kids grow so fast I usually just iron these with an iron as it will probably only be worn a couple of times!

To make hair bows I use my Bowdabra. But the Ribbon Retreat has some great videos on making hair bows without using one. After you make the bow, just glue the candy corn button in the center.  Then glue the bow onto a piece of fancy elastic that you sew or glue into a circle. You can also use a hair clip if the child has enough hair. 



  

Welcome to the September Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop!  The purpose of this Pinterest Challenge is to motivate all the participants of this hop (and you too) to not just pin, but to make it happen! This month, I chose to make a Healthy Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. My inspiration came from this pin from The Minimalist Baker.



I love fall and pumpkin spice. But when it is still in the upper 90's outside it is really hard to think about drinking a hot coffee! So I thought I would make a pumpkin spice frappuccino instead. **This requires freezing so be sure to prepare ahead of time!

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino

Ingredients:

1 cup strong coffee (I used pumpkin spice flavor)
1 cup almond milk
¼ cup pumpkin puree
¼ teaspoon liquid stevia
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

Directions:

Make coffee and put it in the refrigerator to chill.
Mix the almond milk, pumpkin puree, stevia and pumpkin spice in a bowl. Stir until well blended. 
Pour mixture into an ice cube tray and place in freezer until frozen.
Place coffee and 8-10 pumpkin cubes in a blender. Blend until smooth. 
Top with a dash of cinnamon and enjoy!

 

**Note: I used 8 pumpkin spice cubes but I have an old blender and it had a hard time blending. The taste is great but it turned out a little icy. This will work best with a newer model blender.

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It is time to get decorating for the fall season - the first day of fall was this past Monday! To help you with your decorating I have created these Free Fall Printables featuring both fall and Halloween prints.

Free Fall Printables

The two prints that are wreaths are 8" x 10" in size. The harvest time and ghost pictures are 10" x 10" in size. All prints are high quality pdf files. If you need another format or would like a different size print please feel free to email me.

To get your free printables just click here. All four prints are located in this file so you can download the one you want. Or you can download all four!

I am sharing these prints at the Happy Fall Link Party. Be sure to stop by to find some great fall ideas from other bloggers. Or if you are a blogger yourself you can link up any post related to fall, Halloween or Thanksgiving. It's open from September 28 through October 18.



The images for these fall and Halloween printables come from www.freepik.com. 

If you would like some fall stickers to go along with your printables, check them out here.

Are you craving something pumpkin flavored?  This Chocolate Pumpkin Bread will hit the spot. It is moist and delicious with a hint of pumpkin spice!  And it is not only gluten free but sugar free and dairy free as well.

Gluten Free Chocolate Pumpkin Bread

1 cup almond flour
1 cup gluten free flour blend
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup xylitol
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
15 oz can pumpkin puree
¹⁄3 cup sugar free brown sugar*
2 eggs at room temperature
¹⁄3 cup melted coconut oil
¼ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup sugar free chocolate chips (if you are not worried about dairy)

*To make sugar free brown sugar, mix 1/3 cup of xylitol with 1 teaspoon of molasses

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Then spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl mix dry ingredients from almond flour to pumpkin pie spice so they are well blended. 

In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients from pumpkin puree to vanilla.

Pour wet ingredients into bowl with dry ingredients and mix until well combined. If using the chocolate chips, stir them in at this point.

Add batter to prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove from pan.

As with most gluten free products, this is best served the first few days. If you will not be eating it right away, cut into slices and freeze. Then you can defrost 1 or 2 pieces at a time to eat.

Looking for other gluten free pumpkin recipes? Check out these pumpkin spice raisin muffins. 



Recipe is a modified version of Pumpkin Bread from What the Fork.

Collaborating this month with a lovely group of Bloggers to bring you some new craft ideas. For the October Craft Destash we are challenged to create a project using only items currently found in our craft stash. We were to make something new with crafty supplies or re-make an item we've been holding on to for a while. For this challenge I decided to make these Fall Market Tote.

 



For this project, I had everything I needed. I was a little short on the interfacing so I had to purchase a package of that for $4. So this project ended up being very inexpensive!

Fall Market Tote

Materials:

1 yard main fabric
1 yard lining fabric
Fall fabric panel 
Medium weight fusible interfacing
Fusible web (make sure it's sewing machine safe)

Directions:

½"seam unless noted otherwise
press seams open after sewing

Cutting:

From the main fabric cut 2 pieces that are 21" x 19" as well as 2 pieces that are 2" x 21". The 19" side is the height and the 21" side is the width.
From the lining fabric you will also cut 2 pieces that are 21" x 19" and 2 pieces that are 2" x 21". In addition you will need to cut 1 piece that is 9½" x 21" (the base fabric). 
With the interfacing you will cut 4 sections that are 21" x 19" and 2 sections that are 2" x 21".

Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of your main fabric and lining fabric. Also iron the interfacing to the 2" x 21" strips which will be the straps.

Sewing:

Main Bag

With the main fabric laying right side up, place the base fabric  (9½ x 21" piece) right side down on top 8½" from the bottom.  Sew across. Repeat with the other piece of main fabric and base. Then fold the base fabric down at the seam and iron it. Stitch a topstitch across the bag about ¼" from where you folded the fabric down.

 

Cut out all the pieces from the fall fabric panel. Iron the steam a seam to the back. Then place them on the bag according to your preference and iron them down. Use a zigzag stitch to go around each applique.

 

Lay the right sides together and sew around the bag, leaving the top open.

If you would like to make an inside pocket, cut a 6½" x 10½" piece of the main fabric. Iron under a ¼" seam all the way around then iron it down another ¼". Sew down the seam on all 4 sides. Then place the pocket on the right side of one of your lining pieces. Sew down the two sides and across the bottom. Then sew a line up the middle so that you have two pockets.

 

Lining

Lay the two lining pieces together with right sides facing. Sew down the two sides and bottom using a 5/8" seam. This makes your lining just a bit smaller than the main bag. Leave this bag inside out.

Creating Bottom

To create a flat bottom on your bag, flatten the bottom seam so that it forms a triangle on both edges. Mark 4" down from point and sew across those lines. Repeat on lining bag. Cut off excess triangle of fabric from all 4 corners.

 

Straps

To sew the straps, place one lining and one main fabric right sides together. Sew up each long side. Repeat with other strap. Then turn those right side out. Pin one strap onto the right side of the lining bag so that the raw edges are lined up with the top edge of the bag. The edges of one strap will be about 5 inches apart. Baste this in place then repeat with the other strap.

Finishing

Place the main bag, right side out, inside the lining bag. You will have the right side of the lining bag facing the right side of the main bag. Pin top edges together making sure side seams are lined up. Sew around the top leaving about 5-6" open. Turn the bag by pulling it through the opening. Then iron the seam down and top stitch about ¼" from the top seam.

 

 

 

 

 

September Planner Stickers 2

Only a few more weeks until it officially fall! And fall is my favorite time of the year. Although it doesn't get really cool here in the Houston area in September, we at least lose the 100 degree temperatures and some of the humidity! How about you, what is your favorite thing about fall? I also love the colors of fall.  Get those colors in these free September Planner Stickers 2 by clicking on the picture below.

You can download a file for the Erin Condren Life Planner or the Happy 365 Planner. Both come in a png for use with your cutting machine or a pdf to cut yourself. And if you need sticker paper, check out this deal from Amazon. The price has gone up a little since I purchased some but it is still a better deal than some others.



 

 

If you would like additional stickers for September, click here to find the ones from last year.

Welcome to the thrift store find makeover challenge for August. For the challenge this month, I decided to make this Buffalo Plaid Happy Fall Pillow. So, technically this isn't from the thrift store. It was in a bag at my house that was destined for the thrift store so I think that counts. Right?

 



It is a shirt that my son wore when he was in high school. He cleaned his room when he got married so I had quite a few bags that had to go to the thrift store. I looked through them to find anything that was still usable and this shirt was definitely craft worthy!

Buffalo Plaid Happy Fall Pillow

Materials:

A shirt in buffalo plaid, this is a small men's
Sweater like fabric for appliques
Heat and Bond
Black glitter Iron-on vinyl
Cricut or other cutting machine and this cutting file
14" pillow form
Also needed: thread, sewing machine and iron

Directions:

To start, cut the sleeves and neck area off of the shirt. Leave the buttons or snaps closed and place it over the pillow form. Adjust button or snap placement and if needed, move the buttons so that the shirt is snug over the pillow. In the picture below I moved the snaps and sewed them back in place. Trim excess fabric from the open ends.

 

Close the buttons/snaps and turn the shirt inside out. Place it back over the pillow form. Pin the open ends together so that the shirt is pulled together right up against the pillow form. I took a little tuck in at the ends so the corners didn't stick out.  Unbutton the shirt and pull out the pillow form. 



Sew the ends where the shirt is pinned. Trim any excess fabric then turn right side out and place back over pillow form. Make any adjustments as needed.  

Cut the words "Happy Fall" from the black glitter iron-on using your cutting machine. Don't forget to mirror your words and to place the shiny side down on the mat!

Then cut the fall shapes from whatever material you choose. Iron on the Heat and Bond to the back of the fabric before you cut.  I had this cream colored knit that I used. I used my Accuquilt and the fall shapes die to cut them out. But you can certainly find images online to use and trace!

Remove the pillow form and lay the cover flat. Iron on the words and the shapes according to the manufacturer's directions. Then just put the cover on the pillow form and you have brand new fall decor!

The end of summer is closing in on us and fall will be here before you know it! September 23 marks the first day of autumn in the northern hemisphere. I don't know about you but I am always ready for some cooler weather when September comes. And the beginning of a new month means free stickers - September Planner Stickers. These fall themed stickers come complete with apples, pumpkins, coffee and cozy slippers!

These free printables are available in both png and pdf formats. If you use a cutting machine you will want to download the png ones. Otherwise the pdf ones will work for you. They are also available in the E.C. Life Planner size which are 1.9" high and the Create 365 Happy Planner size which are 2.25" high. Just click on the link and you can download whichever file you like. 

Looking for some paper to print them on? Here is the sticker paper I use. It's not as thick as the Cricut brand but it works great. And you get 100 sheets which last quite a while. 

Enjoy your new stickers!

September Planner Stickers

 

Looking for other fall stickers? Click here or here too find more!

 

Fall is a great time for making homemade treats. If you love to bake or give homemade gifts, these Fall Inspired Homemade Labels are for you! The round ones are 2" which fits perfectly on top of a mason jar. The oval labels are perfect for the side of a mason jar or a beautifully tied cellophane bag full of treats! 
 Just click on the picture below to access your free files. They are available in either pdf or png. Just print on sticker paper then they can be cut with your cutting machine or by hand. 

These cute images were purchased at The Hungry JPEG

Nothing says fall like candy corn! And these Candy Corn Cookie Bars are a perfect dessert to take to a Halloween party or share with your co-workers! This delicious recipe comes from Renee at Two In The Kitchen.

Candy Corn Cookie Bars 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1  1/2 cups candy corn

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375.
Line a 13 x 9" baking pan with foil. Then spray bottom of foil with cooking spray.
In a medium size bowl, mix flour, salt and baking soda and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar and vanilla. Then add eggs 1 at a time beating well after each addition.
Add flour mixture into wet ingredients 1 cup at a time mixing well after each addition.
Mix in 1 cup of candy corn.
Spread mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining candy corn on top of batter and press them down gently.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and let them cool completely before cutting.


 For other delicious cookie bars try these!