Saturday, January 31, 2009

Drumroll, Please.........

We went all the way back to August when I first launched my blog, wrote down everyone's name, put them in a handy dandy basket and my DH drew a name....No, he's NOT the blog candy!
And the winner of the blog candy is......
MARYBETH!!  AKA "MBZIM"   Congratulations, Marybeth!!  I'm sending you a Target mailbox and some fun stuff to decorate it with.

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Blog Candy and Chocolate Meringue Recipe Update

First, I'm compiling a list of all my regular visitors. My DH will draw one and I'll post it here.

Next, if you'd like the recipe for the Chocolate Meringue, leave me your email address as a comment and I'll send it to you on a Word document. To answer you, Pam, I'd make the meringue the same day, however, if you use organic whipping cream, and make sure your berries are dry, leftovers will keep several days in the refrigerator....if there are any, that is!

Blessings!

Charlene
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It's Time for Dessert

I know it's cold where alot of you are and our prayers are with our children and alot of other folks who are without power in the Midwest. We've been without power here after the hurricanes but I think being without it in the winter is much, much harder. So know that we are praying for you and thinking of you.

Here in Florida, late January and February are springtime....and springtime means(although we've been cold here, too....um, where's that global warming anyway!) ......

FLORIDA STRAWBERRIES! and strawberries mean shortcake but at our house they also mean this light and totally divine Chocolate Meringue with Berries, Whipped Cream and Raspberry Puree.

If you'd like to see the recipe, let me know. It's super easy, light on calories (except for the whipped cream but you're not eating it all!) and tastes so extravagant. The Raspberry Puree is drizzled on the plate and a wedge of the Meringue is placed on top. YUM!
Hope springtime is on the way for you, too, but until then here's a preview.
Blessings and Happy Baking,
Charlene
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Friday, January 30, 2009

Lavender Love x 4

Woo, Hoo! I just love it when I can combine challenges. I don't often remember to do it but it's so much fun to see what can happen. I have to say this card would come under the NO MOJO classification. It took hours....if I told you how many, you'd probably wonder why in the world I even try to do this. It should be easier but I do love it. At any rate, here we go:

This card combines the sketch challenge at Paper Craft Planet SK012409, Sharon Johnson's ssnotime72, and the SCS Limited Supply Challenge 202 to use hearts, and Ways to Use It Challenge to use Charms. That makes a total of 4 challenges met....Whew!

The DP is K & Co. Valentine pack, the stamps are Michael's $1, the pearls are Michael's as is the key charm. The heart is Cuttlebugged with the Swiss Dots folder, and cut with the Spellbinders heart dies. The lavender layer of the heart is popped up on SU dimensionals. The Love circles (cut with SU punches and a Spellbinder circle die) is popped on thicker dimensionals to layer over the heart.

Remember you can always click on the picture for a closer look.

Thanks so much for visiting. I just noticed that I'm nearing 2,000 visitors. That means it will be blog candy time!! I've decided to give the candy to those who visit and post comments regularly to say thank you for being there. I will let you know who that is when we reach 2,000.

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene
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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Pleats and Dots Valentine


I made card for a couple of challenges on SCS...TLC205 to use pleats on your card and Sketch Challenge (SC212).  I need to get a few Valentine's finished so tried to keep to that theme.

The base of this card is Chocolate Chip.  The designer papers are from Marcella in a pack I got at Target last year.  The "Love" Stamp is a Michael's $1 bin find.   There are red gems in the corners that you can see if you click on the photo.  I made the ovals with Spellbinders oval dies.  I added the dots with a white Sakura gel pen after fooling with this off and on during the day.  I just thought it needed SOMETHING but wasn't sure what.  I think the dots finished it off.

To make the pleated medallion, I cut a 1 x 12" strip of DP and scored it every 1/4"on my Scor-Pal.  I brought the ends together, keeping one finger on the center to keep it from popping up, and adhered the ends using a drop of hot glue.  I punched a 3/4" circle from red  CS, put a heart brad through a polka dot prima flower then glued them to the center of the medallion.

Thanks for dropping by.

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene
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Sunday, January 25, 2009

I'm OK...Really I am!!

So glad I found this picture.  I made this card a long time ago for a dear friend who had a serious accident.  Like most men, he kept saying, "I'm really OK..."  NOT! 

At any rate, he's all better although he kept us on our knees for awhile.

This image and sentiment are from a really old SU set whose name escapes me at the moment.  I love the images and can't bear to part with them.  I used SU's Copper metallic, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, More Mustard and Whisper White CS.  The Copper is cut and embossed with the square Nestibilities.  I colored him with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol.

If I remember correctly, I think he's 4 inches square. 

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene
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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Whole Wheat or White?

Today was bread baking day.  Our daughter-in-law got us hooked on a wonderful bread she makes using whole grain.  It was so good, my DH said I had to learn to make it....little did he know!!  We joke now that the first loaf cost $700.  We joined a co-op where I buy whole grains and mill the wheat myself.  I use a recipe that makes 5 loaves at a time.  I leave some plain and swirl some with cinnamon and raisins.  I love it that there's always some to share with friends and neighbors.

I've tweaked the original recipe a bit by adding a "Special Milk powder" from Baker's catalog.  It improves the shelf life and texture.  

Off for a busy weekend.  It's my turn to work hospitality at church all weekend so probably won't have any time to stamp.  :-(

Blessings, Happy Stamping and Happy Baking!

Charlene
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Friday, January 23, 2009

Black Orchid

Woo,hoo....I love it when I can actually get a challenge card done the same day it's issued. Today's card covers 2 challenges. So happy they were easy and I had a cool paper just waiting in my stash. Sharon Johnson's notime challenge today was to create a card with a "Modern Edge" and the SCS Limited Supply Challenge (LSC204) was to make a card with a black base.

I started with an SU black base. I had a paper pack from S.E.I. called Black Orchid. You can't tell but the orchid is actually glossy and has great texture. The solid teal layer is cut from the same paper pack. The ribbon is from Michael's.

The sentiment is from Papertrey's Simple Somethings. I clear embossed it to pick up the gloss in the orchid. The photo just doesn't do it justice.

Thanks for visiting!

Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
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Senior Citizens Rule! - Arsenic and Old Lace

The fabulous Sharon Johnson issued a challenge on her birthday to make a card that an ...ahem!..."older" person would like. Now, I live in Florida, the land of "older" ladies...like myself, for instance. The first thing that popped into my wicked head was this bit of a fussy hussy from Dolly Momma stamps. Her sign says "Money isn't everything but it sure keeps the kids in touch!" Isn't that the truth?! ;-) I was a bit hesitant to put her forth in this challenge because all the cards were so elegant, soft and pretty. She just wouldn't let me put her away so here goes....
I paper pieced her outfit right down to her gloves, purse, shoes and hat. Speaking of her hat, did you notice those natty real feathers up there? God bless my DH, he had a day off from work and drove me to Michael's just for those feathers. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Circuit City is right next door!
I found the tiny pearls while I was at Michael's...a whole package of pearls, 3 different sizes, (rhinestones, too) on sticky strip for $1.99. Her purse, earrings and shoes are sporting pearl accents. The choker around her neck was just too tiny for pearls so I used a cream colored Liquid Pearl paint for those. The big pearls are from the SU Pretties Kit (love that kit!). The crocheted edging came from a spool of beautiful ribbons I found at Tuesday Morning. She has sparkly eyeshadow thanks to my trusty Sakura glitter pen.
She's popped up on dimensionals, all the edges are sponged with SU Close to Cocoa and I stitched the edges. (BTW, if your Sew Mini is making noise and/or bunching thread, unscrew the face plate and use some spray air in there....mine was making the most awful racket and a mess of the thread...always stitch on some scrap CS first...until I cleaned it.)
The inside of the card is Mellow Moss with a scalloped border and some of the sheer dotted ribbon.
Hope you enjoy my "Senior Moment"!
Supplies Stamps - Dolly Momma
Paper: Papertrey ivory, SU Mellow Moss, K & CO designer paper
Ink: Versafine Black, Prismacolor markers
Accessories: Sewing machine, dimensionals, pearls, crocheted lace, ribbon, SU Pretties kit, feathers, Sakura glitter pen
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
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Thursday, January 22, 2009

You Sparkle, Cupcake!

I just LOVE these cupcakes! I got this image on clearance (!) from Impression Obsession. It's alot larger than most of my images so I made this card 5-1/2" square. I colored everything with my Prismacolor markers, then used my Sakura glitter pen to add some sparkle. The cherries are glittered just a tiny bit then glossed with Crystal Effects. The white cupcake has Liquid Pearl frosting. I used Fruit Punch Stickles on the tiered plate.
Don't you just LOVE that that little guy on the bike??? He's a sticker from Brenda Walton that I picked up a while ago on clearance at Michael's....want to know how he got there??? Confession time - I left my image in the Scalloped Rectangle Nestibility and traced around the inside. Right at that spot is an UH-OH. The hand holding the pen slipped just the tiniest bit but enough that I noticed. Turns out, I love him there and he might not have made it out of the package had I not gone looking for something to cover up my mistake.
I tried a little trick with the Scalloped Rectangle as well. The next layer Nestie was just a bit big for my eye at the long side, so I put just enough of the already cut image back into the die and ran just that part through my Cuttlebug stopping when I heard a pop. Both layers are embossed although it doesn't show here.
You can find the instructions here for the Ribbon Blossom. Pam was kind enough to make an excellent tutorial. I've made them before but she has a special technique that I hadn't tried. In case you're wondering, my blossom contains 20 pieces of ribbon. I made sure it was stationary by using a glue dot under the blossom part.
I added a cupcake on the inside, too, for a little extra yumminess. :-)
Supplies: Stamps - Impression Obsession
DP - DCDW -Nana's Kids
Paper - Papertrey white, SU Regal Rose
Ink - Versafine Black, Prismacolor markers
Accessories - Misc. ribbon, Brenda Walton sticker, Stickles, Sakura Glitter pen, Crystal Effects, Scor- Pal, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle Nestibilities
Blessings and Happy Stamping,
Charlene
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

You've Got Mail, Valentine!

Edited to add: Went to Target today. They do have the mailboxes, however, I did notice they're somewhat smaller than previously. Do you remember the mailboxes Target had in the $ spot for a couple of years in a row? I didn't check this year as I bought a bunch of them last year to have on hand. I've made several for gifts and while visiting a friend who received one, I noticed she kept hers in the kitchen. She and her DH leave each other small notes and gifts and signal by putting the flag up. How sweet is that?!! I thought that would be a cool thing to do for my DH for Valentine's Day. Hey, we can still be mushy after 40 years of marriage, right?
I chose Basic Grey's Infuse (you can get it at Eclectic Paperie on sale!) because it has the mellow green and red colors that are in my kitchen and combined it with SU's Chocolate Chip CS and Mellow Moss CS & ribbon. The LOVE rub-on's were picked up at Big Lots for $1 as were the sparkly rub on hearts. The pearled baubles came from Stamping Bella and were adhered with SU's awesome Crystal Effects. (I didn't realize the one on the flag moved until I took the picture...hate when that happens. Should have let it dry first!!) The heart that covers the rivet on the flag came from set by Making Memories that I picked up at Michael's.
I added our names to the flag using my computer since it's so tiny. I cut the vine from the Infuse DP, cut off the printed bud and added a bling flower picked up in the Michael's $1 spot.
I think I may fill it with some flimsy little thing from Victoria's Secret and some chocolate.......you think? ;-)
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Stamps for Sale

Edited: You can see pictures in my store at ShopHandmade.com. Just click the link in the sidebar. I'm adding them as I get time.
As promised, here are the stamps and supplies I have cleared out of my stamp closet. Some are new, some are retired, all are well loved and have made several trips to and from the stamp closet because I couldn't bear to part with them. (There are still a couple of sets, I'm pondering putting on this list...)
Prices do not include postage. Postage will be exact depending on your zip code. Since most stamp sets weigh under 13 oz., I can ship them First Class. I will combine shipping on multiple purchases which will ship Priority Mail. Shipping to US only.
I will accept payment by check, money order or Paypal. Please wait for me to invoice you if you wish to pay with PayPal.
Here's the list. I have photos available for everything listed. If you want to see a picture, please email me and I will send it. They will take up too much room here. Thanks!
Red indicates SOLD

Stampin Up Lucky Me (St. Patrick's Day) - $12 (tiny bit of ink on 2 stamps)
Stampin Up Loads of Love and Loads of Love Accessories - $30
Kathy Davis Flowers - $6
Stampin Up Simple Somethings - $7
Stampin Up Fun Faces - $10 (ink on wood 2 stamps)
Stampin Up Faith and Hope - $10
Stampendous Flowers in vase - $6
Impression Obsession Floral Heart Box - $5 (rubber has been repositioned)
Indadinkado School Days & School Supplies (2 stamps) $5
Hero Arts Bunny and Egg (2 stamps) (Retired) - $8
Hero Arts Flower Silouette Set of 3 stamps (Still in wrapper) - $10
Stamps by Judith & Heather Large U.S. flag - $8
Stampin Up So Many Sayings - $10
Stampin Up Tu-Tu Terrific - $15
Stampin Up Letters of Love - $7
Stampendous Pail Topper For Baby - $10
Stampendous Pail Topper Happy Birthday - $10
Stampin Up in the Sky - $5

Stampin Up Grand Cornucopia - $10 (some ink on wood)
Hero Arts Luck O' the Irish - (2 stamps) - $8
Stampin Up Big Blooms - $10
Hero Arts tiny alphabet - $5
Hero Arts Letters and Numbers - $5
Hero Arts Dot Alphabet - $5
Stampin Up Smorgasborders - $5
Stampin Up Alphabet Antiques Letters - $10
Stampin Up Antiques numbers - $5
Cuttlebug Fruit metal die - $6
CutterBee Circle Scissor Plus - $10
Fastenator large stapler and staples - $10


Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
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Monday, January 19, 2009

Apple Pie Recipe - Part Two

Praline  Taffy Apple Pie

Pie crust for a two crust pie

For the praline layers:
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/3 c. all purpose flour
1/4 c. unsalted butter, melted

Combine, mix well and set aside.

3 T.  all purpose flour
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. fresh lemon juice
dash salt
2/3 c. granulated sugar
6 c. thinly sliced, peeled apples  (I used a mixture of Granny Smith and Gala)
10 caramels, cut in half
half and half, light cream or milk
coarse sugar for sprinkling  (I used Turbinado for this pie, however, I usually use coarse white sugar)

Prepare crust, roll out and fit into a 9" pie pan. Set aside.

Place sliced, peeled apples into a large mixing bowl.  Combine sugar, 3 T. flour, cinnamon, lemon juice and salt.  Blend and toss with apples.

Transfer 1/2 of the apples to prepared pie crust.  Top with 1/2 of the praline and all of the caramels.  Repeat with remaining apples and praline.

Roll out top crust, place over pie.  Cut slits or decorative shapes in crust.  Flute edge.  Brush top with the half & half, cream or milk.

Sprinkle with sugar, if using.

Cover edges with foil.  Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 25 minutes.  Remove foil, bake an additional 20-25 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is nicely browned.  Serve warm.  Serves 8-10

Leave me a comment here if you make this pie.  I'd love to know what you think of it.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me or ask them here.

Blessings and Happy Baking!

Charlene
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Apple Pie Recipe

Thank you to everyone who has emailed or called with such nice compliments about the previous post. In the spirit of full disclosure :-), I got the pie recipe from my daughter-in-law, however, I don't remember where she said she got it.  In any case, it's become one of our favorites.  The Perfect Pie Crust recipe came from a friend who owned a wonderful little restaurant called "The Peach Magnolia".  Don't you just love that name? 
I added the sugar to the top of the pie crust, both for eye appeal and that special sweet crunch that makes even people who never eat the crust, eat every bite!  I promise once you try this crust and see how easy it is, you won't ever be tempted to pick up a grocery store crust ever again.   The Pie Recipe will be in the following post.   Here you go...Enjoy!
Perfect Pie Crust
Makes 4 (8 oz.) crusts
4 c. white flour, lightly spooned into measuring cup
1 T. sugar
2 t. salt
1 3/4 c. shortening (I use butter flavor Crisco)
1/2 c. water
1 T. white or apple cider vinegar
1 large egg
Measure flour, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl.  Stir well with a table fork.  Cut in shortening with a for or pastry blender until crumbly.
In small bowl, combine the water, vinegar and egg.  Beat with a fork or whisk until well blended.  Add to flour mixture a little at a time until moistened.  (you may not need it all depending on the volume of your egg).  You don't want it too wet, just thoroughly moistened.
Divide into 4 equal portions.  Shape each portion into a round patty.  Wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper.  At this point crusts may be placed into a Ziploc freezer bag and frozen or later use.  If using right away, refrigerae for at least 30 min. before rolling out.
When ready to bake, thaw if frozen,  lightly flour a pastry cloth or counter. Roll to 1/8"  thickness.  Place into pie plate.  Fill and bake according to your pie directions.
For a baked shell, thaw, roll, prick the bottom and sides of the shell with a fork.  Refrigerate or pop in the freezer for about 15 minutes.  This will keep your crust from shrinking down the sides of the pan.  (I keep a Reynolds oven bag full of dried beans or rice in the freezer, when ready to bake a shell, I place the bag in the shell for the first 10-12 minutes of baking.  Remove the bag, and bake until golden brown...about 10 more minutes.  The bag can be wiped off and placed back in the freezer.
Bake the shell at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes depending on your oven or just until golden brown.  Cool and fill.
Be sure and see the next post for the Praline Apple Pie Recipe.
Blessings and Happy Baking!
Charlene
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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Appetizer and Dessert...Are you Hungry?

Appetizer, anyone? I haven't been stamping because I've been cooking (and getting those sale stamps ready!)

Since we ladies had our cookie exchange, I asked my DH if he'd like to invite a few friends over for a "guy night". Of course, where there are men, there must be food!
I made this Antipasto Salad and dressing, we got some really good shrimp at Sam's Club, I made homemade lasagna (no sauce from a jar allowed) :-)
I couldn't get a photo of the Lasagna because I had to vamoose out of the house before his friends arrived.
Edited: Recipe for Antipasto Salad and Dressing
1/2 med. head iceberg lettuce
1 small head curley endive or green leaf lettuse (I used green leaf)
3-1/2 oz. thinly sliced pepperoni
4 oz. thinly sliced genoa salami
6 oz. proscuitto ham
Optional - 2 oz. can anchovies with capers, drained
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
1 c. radishes
1 c. mini carrots or carrot sticks
1 c. ripe & green olives (I bought small quantities of flavored olives at my deli)
8 oz. provolone cheese, cubed
Antipasto dressing

Shred lettuce, and spread on a large tray
Make a border of endive or green leaf lettuce. Arranges remaining ingredients on top of lettuce. Serve with dressing. Serves 10-12

Antipasto Dressing - This is very good on a tossed salad as well
3/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c. white wine, red wine or balsamic vinegar
2 t. dried oregano
1 t. dried basil
1/4 t. dried thyme
1 t. honey
1/8 t. pepper
2 T. water
1 clove garlic, crushed

Combine all ingredients in a jar, cover tightly, shake well. Let stand several hours at room temp.
I did, however, get a photo of the desssert.....

Praline Taffy Apple pie. I made 3 of these yummy pies. Two for the guys....although they only managed to polish off one with ice cream. I gave one away and we shared the leftover one with friends tonight. I think there might be a couple of pieces left for breakfast! Does anyone else eat apple pie for breakfast? I think it's just about one of my favorites.
If you'd like either of the recipes, let me know and I'll post them. The pie crust is the Perfect Pie Crust I posted awhile ago. It's just about the best crust I've found other than a butter crust which is divine with Raspberry Rhubarb Apple Pie. The nice thing about this one, other than being flaky and delicious every single time, is that you can make and freeze it well in advance. I like to make several batches at the beginning of every season to take advantage of all the different fruits and fillings available.
Thanks for visiting. I'll have the sale stamps and a Valentine project posted soon.
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene
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Monday, January 12, 2009

The Last of Winter -ssnotime69

I finished off the last of my cards using sweet Elzybells Just a Note.  This one was a happy accident.  I sewed a border using a wiggle motion which I can do without a problem on my Pfaff...not so on my little Sew Mini.  The bottom threads were all looped.  I messed up the tension, I guess.

I was going to cover the stitches with paper but then I decided to pull out the stitching.  A paper pierced card without all that piercing.  Bet I could have done this with no thread in the machine. ...note to self!

 Supplies: 
stamps:  Elzybells
paper:  SU Cool Caribbean, Basic Grey DP, PTI white
Ink:  Versafine black, SU Ruby Red, Prismacolor markers
Accessories:  SU button, embroidery thread, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Label die, chipboard, sewing machine

Sorry for the lighting in these two...Can't wait for my birthday and that Softbox for my photos!  No more dingy pictures.  On this one, I used SU Craft white ink and a snowflake image to make the background paper.  Just added a few dew drops and done.

For my final card, I decided to see how simply I could make it.  This is hard for me but I'm pleased with the result.  Just a bit of Stickles, and the circle DP plus a bit of smudging with Close to Cocoa to match the coloring on the DP.  I stamped the background with SU Craft White again.  No DP, no ribbon, no dew drops.
Thanks for visiting...I'm still gathering stamps for sale and doing research on the pricing.  Will post them soon along with Valentine projects.  Good bye, Winter!
Blessings & Happy Stamping,
Charlene            
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Sunday, January 11, 2009

You've GOT to see this...and a For Sale Sign

Nicole left a nice comment here so thought I 'd visit her blog. You've got to go and see what this talented lady can do.

Awesome!

I have a pile of stamps and supplies from my room cleaning that I will be posting as soon as I can get pictures...gotta sell them before they make their way back to their places. A couple have done that already so will need some serious help.

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene
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Saturday, January 10, 2009

Look What Lily the Fairy Did!!

Remember Lily the Fairy from here? Well, I guess she wasn't too happy being in that cute but somewhat plain box because look what she did.....
I do agree the Dew Drops are a huge improvement. Maybe I should have let her do this in the first place...you think? ;-) I'm pretty sure she adhered them with Crystal Effects so they're on there to stay. I think Shannon will like them, too!
Blessings and Happy Stamping,
Charlene
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Friday, January 9, 2009

A Little Note...of Thanks

I just realized these cards qualified for Splitcoaststampers Limited Supply Challenge LSC201 - My Favorite Things. AND Sharon Johnson's SSnotime#69 and I wasn't even trying. That just does not happen often.

No more than 3 colors, just a few of my favorite accessories and embellishments for the LSC201 and a winter card for Sharon's #69 - Whoopee!!


I'm woefully late getting my Christmas thank you's in the mail. I think I may get them finished today. I love this little image from Elzybells that I got here last year. I love that is a multi purpose note card...good for a thank you, thinking of you or "just a note. It's still winter...even here in FL. I used scraps of my Basic Grey Dasher paper and various embellishments to make each one unique. I just hate multiples but by changing up the embellishments, each one becomes a little bit special. My colors are Riding Hood Red, Bali Breeze/Cool Caribbean and Old Olive.

Some are paper pierced, some machine stitched, some have Dew Drops or buttons. I used Diamond Stickles for her coat trim and the snow. I stamped all my images first onto Papertrey's white CS then cut them out with my Spellbinders label and circle dies. The cards are 4-1/2" X 4-1/4". You can click on the picture for a close-up.

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

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The Truth Revealed

Didn't I tell you my desk wouldn't stay clean long?  I finally got to play a bit making thank yous (late thank yous, she said with her head down)

I can't seem to create without my stuff all out and around me.

The next post will reveal the result of this mess...


Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene
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Thursday, January 8, 2009

The Rest of the Room....

Decided I'd better take the rest of the pictures of my room before it gets wild in there again. This is the little table that sits to my right...not ideal but all I have for now. It holds my Janome Sew-Mini, colored pens, markers, Punch Pal (great for punching if you have arthritis in your hands or fingers..old age stinks.) What I lack in table scape, I make up for in landscape. I have a small patio and a view of the lake out that big sliding door. On nice days, I can push the doors into the wall and literally expand the room outside.


This is the "buy" we found at Goodwill for $80. It's a solid pine wardrobe. I painted it black, replace the wood knobs with brushed nickel, and then my DH made shelves so I could store "stuff in it. See that mess on the floor to the left...that's where I take my photos. I've asked for a softbox for my birthday. That fluffy tail belongs to Chloe, our Goldendoodle. She had to come in and investigate.

Below is a sewing table from JoAnn's. It can fold to 12" wide and is on wheels so I can convert this room to a bedroom when our grandchildren visit. It holds my paper cutters, Scor-Pal, Cuttlebug, another Ott light. The bins are full of ribbon, inks, papers...someday, I'd love a paper stacker.


Finally, the closet holds all my SU stamps, more paper, more stuff, tins, etc. The shelves were my birthday present last year.
Now you can see Chloe's front half! She's a camera ham, I think.

That's it! It won't be this "clean" again this year. I'm blessed to have an entire room to play in. We keep one room as a guest room and my husband has his office so this is where I retreat to.





Thanks for visiting.

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Lily the Fairy


Isn't Lily just the sweetest fairy you've ever seen? You can download this image free here. Pink Cat Studio, is having a contest using Lily the Fairy. You just need to download her, copy and print and make a card, then send it to Melissa.

Our granddaughter's cousin will be 5 this month and she loves Strawberry Shortcake. I've been saving the Strawberry Shortcake pens, rings, earrings, lip balm, etc. I found in the Target $1 spot a few months ago to send to her. I just wasn't quite sure how I wanted to package them. When I saw Lily I knew she was the perfect delivery person.

Who said a card has to be made of just paper? I wrapped this little tin with DP from Imaginisce Fairest of Them All Collection that I got here. It's just the perfect little girl paper and it's double-sided!! I adhered it all with Scor-Tape, of course. The front is actually a pocket that hold a tag with Shannon's name on it.


I printed Lily on SU's Shimmery White CS and colored her with my PrismaColor markers. I cut her out, glittered her really good with Art Institute glitter. (It has the most awesome shine!) I used my Sakura glitter pen to trace all around her so she'd really have some fairy sparkle. After she was cut and glittered, I popped her up using dimensionals onto another piece of Shimmery White that I watercolored with Pearlescent watercolors in soft gold.
I stamped the inside sentiment using my JustRite Stamper oval stamper with the Birthday sentiment and the mini alphabet set.
I will add the rings, and earrings to these cute gel pens but wanted you to be able to see the inside.
Hope Lily inspires you, too!
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
Charlene


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A CLEAN desk (sort of) and my Punch storage


As promised, here is the photo of my now clean (for me, anyway!) desk. I love, love, love the flat rods we got at Ikea in the kitchen dept. They were under $3 each and they hold my SU punches perfectly. Did you notice those uber cool little holders hanging off the top rod? Those were like 99 cents each and hold my scissors, paint brushes and the like. I really could have used another rod. Our Ikea is a day trip away so can't just run out and get another.
Note to self: If you find something you love at Ikea...get several...you can use it SOMEWHERE!
While we're here, the other buy that I can't live without now that I have old eyes, is the Ott light. Isn't that a pretty one? I found it at a really good price at Tuesday Morning a long time ago. It was something like $57. Retails normally for over a $100 so I scooped it right up.
I haven't finished the shadow box frame yet but since my DH was in a honey do mood, I thought I better take advantage of his skills. The frame holds tiny notes and pictures from my granddaughter. I want to put DP behind them to highlight them. The board inside is linen so it can be changed easily as she and our grandson grow. Got the frame on clearance at Target for $7.
You can just barely see my Janome Sew Mini in the bottom right corner. I wish I had a desk that wrapped around but since I don't, I have a stainless table that sits to my right and holds extra "stuff". It has a shelf underneath the solid surface so that makes it nice.
My desk is actually a computer desk. Not ideal as it isn't as wide or deep as I'd like but it does have drawers and what's really cool is that it has extra outlets built in. Nice for keeping my sewing machine, heat gun, and the like plugged in with a master switch for turning off the power.
I'll post pictures of the rest of the room later.
Blessings,
Charlene
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Monday, January 5, 2009

One last Christmas Cookie Post and a Goal

No pictures to post today. I must admit, I must clean my craft room before I can get to any solid surface in there. Haven't set foot in there since before Christmas and it's ugly, really, really, ugly.

My DH did hang some cool rods I found at Ikea to store my punches on. When I can get to the desk and take a photo, I'll post it. Only wishing I'd bought a few more as our Ikea is so far away.

Pam asked for a list of the cookies I made at Christmas. Here goes:

Chocolate Macadamia Nut Clusters
White Chocolate Chunk Macadamia Cookies (dipped in white chocolate) mmm-mmm!
Russian Teacakes
Clear the Cupboard Cookies (Southern Living recipe good for every day munching)
Crinkled Fudge Truffle Cookies
Minty Middles
Lemon Crinkles
Raspberry Pinwheels
Date Nut Pinwheels
Expresso Pinwheels
Greek Twists
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Princess Gems (very fragile, uses ammonia powder (!) and oh so good!)
Lora's Ginger Cookies
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies drizzled with white chocolate
Martha Stewart's Giant Gingerbread Snowflakes and Stars
Jan Hagels
Tiger Butter
Peppermint Bark

I usually make Baklava too, but just ran out of time this year...it's a once a year treat that will have to wait until next year.

Happy New Year Everybody. Hope to have some fun Valentine projects soon!

Blessings,
Charlene
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