Wednesday, March 31, 2010

CAS60- Carly's Sketch

This week's CAS60 Challenge on SCS features a sketch by the oh so talented team member, Carly.
I used the new Beautiful Blooms set from The Cutting Cafe.  I just love this set.  It's so versatile and comes with sentiments, vases and bunches of flowers...just in time for spring picking. 

Don't forget to check out my BLOG CANDY post! 


Supplies:
Paper - SU
Accessories - MS ribbon,  Spellbinders ribbon tag die


 
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I'd Rather Fall in Chocolate...Wouldn't you?

Do love sketches?  I do.  They give me a place to start and often inspire me to use products or images I might not think to use.
This is the current sketch on the Posh Designs Scrapbook blog.  If the sketch isn't enough to inspire you, how about this awesome prize?
It's Pink Cat Studio's Fairy stamp set.  A $14.99 value.   You'll fnd lots of inspiration on the PDSS blog.   The Design Team has created some eye candy to give you some ideas. 
Want to see mine?  It's super simple as I'm trying to catch up from my time off due to my burned hand (anyone know what to do for the itching?).
Super simple using a Mary Engelbreit sticker that I mounted on a yellow circle cut with a Spellbinder's die, a scrap panel that picks up the colors and dots and those sparkly rhinestone bits of fun.   Super quick, super easy. 
Can't wait to see yours!  Get creating and link up your creation on the PDSS blog.  You don't want to miss out on that great prize.


 
 
 
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Monday, March 29, 2010

Blog Candy and Stamping Supplies for Sale

 Hey, Everyone....well I'm back from nursing my burned hand.  Thanks to all of you for the sweet get well wishes and the pm's with the advice to use aloe.  Two friends gave me some and it really did help.  I'm very fortunate that the ice packs kept it from blistering.  I keep packages of (don't laugh) peas and corn in the freezer for burns, bruises and bumps.  Works like a charm...think I read it somewhere.  It's still red and  a bit scaley but no pain!


To say thank you for hanging in with me, I have a cool blog candy for you.  Those big events are coming...you know, Mother's Day, Father's Day and Graduations so I have a set for each holiday.  Here's what the lucky winner will receive:




      3 sets of Clear Stamps - Mother's Day

                                             Father's Day
                                            Graduation
                              1 set of Fabric Thickers   

                            1 set of Flocked Flourishes

                          11  yards of gorgeous May Arts ribbon. 
      5 yards of soft lucious silk  (1 yard each of 5 colors)
      3 yards of the beautiful striped grosgrain ribbon  (1  yd. of each color)
     3 yards of the gorgeous crocheted ribbon.   (1 yd. each of each color)

You can see the colors under my FOR SALE header.  

Since this is a big batch of candy, I'll keep it posted until April 22nd.  I'll add things as I find them...surprises are wonderful, right?

 Here's what you need to do:

1.  Please leave a comment and follow my blog if you aren't already a follower. 

2.  If you have a blog, please post a photo of the candy with a link to my blog on your sidebar.
 
3.  If you don't have a blog, just follow, comment and be sure to leave an email address where you can be reached.





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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Cutting Cafe Giveaway Winner!!

Thanks to everyone who participated in The Cutting Cafe Giveaway.  Here is the winner;


Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

29

Timestamp: 2010-03-25 15:50:28 UTC

Donna said...


Wow, this is the cutest card I have seen in a long time, you are one creative, talented girl. Thanks

Donna C.
goCricutgo
March 24, 2010 4:39 PM

Donna, please send me your email address (cookiebaker57@gmail.com) so we can get your stamps to you.  If the winner does not respond in 3 days, another name will be drawn.

Just a quick note to let you know that I will not be posting for a few days.  I burned my right hand last night with scalding water.  It is pretty painful and since I'm right handed, crafting  and typing are not possible.  Thankfully, I keep several bags of frozen peas and corn in the freezer just in case and keeping it iced has kept the blistering to a minimum.  

Thanks for understanding.
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It's Sneak Peek Week at Ethereal Forest Designs!


That's right, Ethereal Forest Designs is about to release some fabulous new designs.   I have a sneak peek for you of two of the awesome new images.
I've used the Rose image and the All Occasions Sentiment Set to create this simple but elegant sympathy card.   The images will be available April 1st. 
For this card, I printed two copies of the Rose image.  I colored them with Prismacolor pencils and baby oil, then I cut the center out of one of the Rose images.  I cut out the full Rose image, then used my dimensionals to pop up the center portion.  I used my Spellbinders Rectangle Nestibility dies to emboss the card front, added the rose and sentiment and done.
Please visit the rest of the EFD team to see even more great images this week.  I'lll have another peek this week for you as well.

 
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

It's Giveaway Time at the Cutting Cafe!


This post will stay on top until Wednesday, March 24th, 12:00 p.m. Eastern time.  Winner will drawn on Thursday morning.  Scroll down for newer posts.

That's right!  Regina, of The Cutting Cafe, has said we could create a project and give YOU the sets we used.  How's that for fun?

My project is a little peep holder.  Isn't it cute?  I used the Bunny Shaped Card and The Easter Set 2 printable stamp set.    The Easter Set 2 has 11 images and sentiments as well.  There are so many ways to use this awesome set of printable stamps.

All you have to do to win, is leave a comment here on this post by Thursday, March 25th.  I will choose one winner by random number selector for BOTH sets of stamps!! 

Don't forget to check out the rest of the CC Design Team to see what they're giving away.

Thanks for "peeping" in!!

Supplies:
Paper - PTI Melon Berry, SU Baja Breeze
Ink - PTI Vintage Cream, markers
Stamps/Templates - The Cutting Cafe
Accessories:  printer, Spellbinders oval dies, peep, clear bag, ribbon, embroidery floss, pom,pom, stick-on gems, stick on bird, Cuttlebug flower die
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

CAS59 - New York, New York


This week's CAS59 challenge on SpitcoastStampers is a theme...New York, New York!  (SCS is down so will add link when the site's back up) 


I chose "Central Park in the Snow".  One of the photos was a gorgeous tree in fall foliage.  I thought this would make a nice masculine card either for a birthday or condolence card.  Not sure if you can see the embossing on the card or not but it adds a nice elegant feel.  Super quick to put together.


Make sure to check out my sale page.  I'll be adding some stamp sets, paper, ribbon and  CD calendar cases that I have purged from my stash.  I have some blog candy coming up later in the week AND a sneak peek from Ethereal Forest Designs.  Whew...lots going on...you don't want to miss out.

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Friday, March 19, 2010

It's Fun Friday on the Posh Designs Blog!



Hi everyone! Thank you so much for all the well wishes.   I think we may have found the culprit  that was causing my stomach to do flip flops.  The only other time I've felt like this other than having a serious virus was when I was pregnant and I'm pretty sure that isn't the case!!! 


I've used the awesome Butterfly Shaped Card Template, the All Occasion Tag Set and the All Occasion Scalloped Circle Word Set 1 from The Cutting Cafe to create an elegant spring birthday card and gift box set.   You can find a tutorial on the Posh blog for creating the center of the box.   This little box does a big job...it can hold candy or gift sizes of lotion, lipstick, hand cream, cookies...what can you think of?

This is also for Challenge 59 Spots and Dots on Crafty Creations Challenges & The Dutch Dare Challenge 73 (color challenge).  It looks like all kinds of colors were used but I think this looks like one of them and I used the butterfly inspiration on the the shirt.
Be sure and stay tuned...I've got blog candy coming and some items on my For Sale link AND a giveaway from TCC.   How's that for excitement!?
Supplies
Cardstock - solid PTI Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon, K&Co. Brenda Walton Chelsea Glitter Pink
Template - The Cutting Cafe
Accessories -  PTI ribbon, Martha Stewart border punch, butterfly punch, Art Institute Glitter (eggplant), silver twine, dimensionals, glue dots, stick-on pearls, Sakura Glitter pen









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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Wish Big Elymira!


Sorry I've been MIA for a couple of days...fighting a combination of stomach bug, the time change and my bp flip flopping around.   I haven't been this icky sick in awhile so I guess I was due.

This sketch is for Mercy's Tuesday sketch challenge 65 (MTSC65) and the Spots and Dots challenge on One Stop Craft Challenges. 
This sketch fit Elymira just right, don't you think?  This is Elymira.  She's one of the cute images from Ethereal Forest Designs this month.    Guess what...Elymira has a twin named Elmer!   The "Wish Big" sentiment is from the Elephant Sentiments set.

Supplies:
Stamps - Ethereal Forest Designs
Paper - SU Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Old Olive,  Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday DP
Accessories - Spellbinders Circle dies, dimensionals


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Monday, March 15, 2010

CPS157 - Pink and Green Fairies All Around

We love daylight savings time around here but oh my, this old brain doesn't adjust as easily as it used to.  I'm a daylight girl...and it's darker in the a.m. so my brain doesn't kick in until it gets light outside.  So...the body gets up but the brain stays in bed.  It's not pretty.


DH and I headed off to Epcot this weekend.  Disney has a great deal for FL residents from Jan.-May.  $99 for 4 visits to any of 4 parks.  We can fit that one into the budget.  We haven't been to Epcot in over 20 yrs.  This weekend was the Flower and Garden show and it was BEAUTIFUL....lots of flowers and the character shaped topiaries Disney is famous for. 

This little card was nearly finished when we left...covers a few challenges:


Playground Toys:
Paper - SU Pixie Pink, Pretty in Pink, Gable Green, Neenah Classic, DCWV Glitter pack
Ink - Mememto black, Copic marker
Accessories:  Art Institute Glitter, Spellbinders Circle/Scalloped Circle dies, MS border punch




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Friday, March 12, 2010

The Chocolate Book in Vintage Shabby Chic

Before I forget, I want to remind you that Posh Designs has a cool sketch challenge on the blog.  There's a mystery prize to be won so be sure to play.  If you've seen the goodies in the Posh Designs Scrapbook Store, you know that prize has to be a good one!   The team has given you lots of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing.

Some of you know me on SCS and Scor-Pal, as the creator of  "The Chocolate Book", but you've never seen it like this!  Come to think of it...neither have I.  This is my first attempt at Vintage Shabby Chic AND my very first weekly blog column on the Posh Designs Blog.  You can see more photos and get all the details on the Posh Blog.  You can get a template and a tutorial there as well as on my header above.
                                                
 This creation also qualifies for the Ways To Use It (WT261) challenge, What's New? on SCS to use something new and the Try a New Technique (TLC263) Very Vintage challenge.  I used my new Webster's Pages Combo Pack Lullaby Lane/Life's Portrait paper (Love, love it) and my new May Arts silk ribbon.  (I will have some up on my Etsy site!)  I also used my sheer rayon ribbon in a new way...I heated it up with my heat gun.  If you know me well, you know that's waaaaay out of my area of comfort.

I've added lots of close-ups on the Posh blog so be sure to head over and take a look...while you're there, take a look at some of the projects the rest of the team has offered for inspiration.


Thanks for stopping by today...I really appreciate the time you choose to spend with me.  Be sure to check back...I think it's time for some blog candy, don't you?  (wink,wink!)



 
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Thursday, March 11, 2010

So...You've Never Seen a Blue Striped Bunny?


Well..now you have!  I made a pink bunny to send to my granddaughter so thought a blue one for her brother was in order.  He is all boy and a  cute pink bunny just wouldn't do.  I even gave this one a fuzzy green (!) tail with Flower Soft.  This image is just one of the initial releases, Easter Bunny from Ethereal Forest Designs.  I also used one of the Garden Sentiments for the inside.  Today's the last day for entry to the Blog Hop so make sure you head to EFD and play along.


I thought my treat cup (StampinUp) was full until I tipped the card up to take the picture.  Anyone know just how many M&M's they hold?

This easy design is a flap card.  You can find directions here for this easy tri-fold. 


Today was a gorgeous WARM day...finally!  DH and I worked all day in the yard pulling weeds, trimming bushes and mowing the yard.  Funny how the weeds were the only things that weren't damaged by the cold.


Supplies:
Stamps - Easter Bunny, Garden Sentiments both from Ethereal Forest Designs
Paper - Bazzill Texture, Debbie Mum Noah's Ark DP
Accessories - SU Treat Cup, sewing machine, Sakura white gel pen, dimensionals, Flower Soft, velcro dot


 
 
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Got Coffee? Cards for a Cause and Cutting Cafe DT Search


One of my most favorite things is enjoying a really hot cup of good coffee.  My DH makes the coffe in our house.  He's so good at it, I don't even attempt it unless I'm forced into it when he's out of town.  


The Cutting Cafe has two brand new sets.   The Coffee Cup Shaped Template and the huge Got Coffee? printable stamp set.  I colored in some of the images on this linen textured DP with marker.

 
 
 
Aren't those cool images?  You can see what some of the other designers have brewed up here as well.
 
 
This second mug is for today's combined Color Challenge/Teapot Tuesday challenge Bashful Celery Melons (CC261) Cards for a Cause. You can read the story about Lindsey, the young woman  behind the challenge on the link.  You can email Cindy directly if you'd like to send Lindsey a card. 
 
 
This isn't Lindsay's card,  but since I was working with the Coffee Cup template, I thought I would make a really funky tea cup.  We were to use Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery and Mambo Melon.  This Basic Grey paper just happened to have all those colors in it.  We were also to use lots of stitching.  My little Sew Mini decided to act up for the first time but I did get lots of straight and zig zag stitching on my cup. 
 
 
Regina, the owner of The Cutting Cafe is having a Design Team Call.  You can read more about it here.
 
Thanks for stopping by...nothing's better than coffee with friends!
 
Supplies:
 
Stamps/Templates - The Cutting Cafe
Paper - Card 2 SU Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Mambo Melon, Basic Grey Pheobe DP
             Card 1 - PTI Vintage Cream, Summer Sunrise, GCD Studios Provence DP
Accessories - Spellbinders Circle/Scalloped Circle dies, computer, dimensionals, markers, scalloped border punch
 
 
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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Time for Posh Designs Sketch Challenge #10!

(click for a closer look)

It's time for a new sketch challenge at Posh Designs Scrapbook Store blog!  Posh Designs is giving away a Mystery Prize Package to one lucky sketch player. 
I chose to use an image instead of a sentiment for my center panel because I fell in love with this digital image from Phindy's Place called Eggtastic.  I love the detail and creativity in these adorable images. 

    
I started with the super cute cardstock from Cosmo Cricket called Girl Friday.  It has the soft colors of spring that I thought would be perfect with this cute little chick and egg.   


Remember you can flip, rotate, or change up the sketch to suit your style just as long as we can see the main elements of the sketch.  You've got two weeks to play so get creating and be sure to link your creation here on the Posh blog to be entered to win.  Deadline is March 22nd at 11:59 PM. 

Check out what the other talented ladies of Posh Designs did with this sketch:
Melina          Nini            Kim
Amy             Dawn

Be sure to visit us on the PDSS forum as well.  There's sure to be something there to inspire you, make you think or giggle, ask a question or perhaps you know the answer to a question someone else has asked.

Supplies:
Paper - Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday DP, PTI Aqua Mist, Melon Berry, Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream
Ink - Copic markers
Stamps - Flourishes Flourished Words, Phindy's Place Eggstatic
Accessories:  PTI ribbon, button, MS border punch, sewing machine, Sakura glaze pen




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Monday, March 8, 2010

CAS57 - Layer it with Spellbinders Dies

I don't think I've EVER made a card this fast so if I can do it, so can you.  Today's Clean and Simple Challenge on SplitcoastStampers (CAS57) is to layer Spellbinders Dies to create your card.  I used the oval and long rectangle dies for this super fast card.  The Barely Banana (yellow) piece was actually a scrap.  Love when that happens!  Sentiment was generated using the computer in Print Shop.

Supplies:

Paper - SU Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Barely Banana, DCWV Spring Glitter Pack
Stamps - None!
Accessories - computer, Print Shop, Martha Stewart ribbon, Spellbinders Oval, Long Rectangle dies, Cuttlebug folder


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Sunday, March 7, 2010

It's Time for the Blog Hop at EFD!!!

“Welcome to the First “Ethereal Forest Designs” Blog Hop!!! If you stopped in here first, make sure you head to our  Design Team Coordinator, Darsie Bruno’s Blog, HERE  and start your hop!


Please make sure you comment on each design team member's blog, then return to the Ethereal Forest Designs blog and make a comment!  At the end of the hop, one lucky winner who has commented on all the blogs will receive a $10.00 voucher to the Ethereal Forest Designs Store.


Need some inspiration?  I've used EFD's  Easter Cross and Easter Sentiments Images to create a simple yet elegant card for SplitcoastStampers Clean and Simple (CAS56) "It's Hip to be Square" challenge to make a square card.
This card is 4.25" square.  Don't you just love that elegant script in EFD's Easter Sentiments?  I love this reminder of why we celebrate the Easter season.


Here's a list of the EFD team members in case you lose your way:


Darsie
Audrey
Betty
Charlene (that's me!)
Karen
Melissa
Shirley
Ethereal Forest Designs


The winner will be announced on the Ethereal Forest Designs blog on Friday, March 12th. Deadline to complete the hop will be Thursday, March 11th!



Thanks for taking the time to play along. To continue the blog hop, please visit  Karen's blog. All of the images used in the design teams creations can be found at the Ethereal Forest Designs Store .

Supplies:
Stamps - Ethereal Forest Designs Easter Cross/Easter Sentiments
Paper - Papertrey Guidelines, Lavender Mist, Plum Pudding
Ink - Copic Markers
Accessories - Spellbinders Oval and Ribbon Tag dies, Stickles, PTI Plum Pudding ribbon, Prima rose





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Friday, March 5, 2010

$25 to spend at Posh Designs Scrapbook Store!!

Just a quick reminder that you still have 4 days to get a card entered in the sketch challenge at Posh Designs Scrapbook Store.  There's a $25 gift certificate so spend at the store for one lucky winner so be sure to get your card linked on the blog

No card today as DH and I have been painting the kitchen...all day and we're still not finished!!  Whose idea was this anyway...?? 

I'm the guilty one...it was a pretty Martha Stewart green called "Fen"...don't ask me what Fen is...I have no idea.  At any rate, I was tired of it so painted it a Benjamin Moore color called Muslin.  Loving this color with the black accents in my kitchen. 

Kuddos to my sweet DH who just came home from a week long meeting yesterday and spent his only day off this week with a roller in his hands.  I think he's a keeper. 


 
 
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Thursday, March 4, 2010

Jewel's Been Planting Flowers Just for You


Isn't this just the sweetest image?  This is Jewel Planting from Ethereal Forest Design (EFD for short).  I also used one of the super cute Gardent Sentiments for my flower stake. 
I think this would make an adorable little housewarming or hostess gift.  The sentiment says, "May your Garden Never have Weeds".  Oh that it were so!


I printed Jewel and the sentiment on Neenah Classic Solar White before I chose my  designer paper which has  ivory undertones.  The image didn't matter as I was going to color it anyway. But not the sentiment so rather than print out another, I just swiped my PTI Vintage Cream pad across it.  Instant ivory.  I stitched and distressed the sentiment tag.  That pretty shine was already on the paper.  I punched the butterflies from the same paper.  The flowers are a combination of my punched images and Chloe's Closet flowers.


Don't forget to pop back in for the EFD Blog Hop!  You could win $$ to go shopping for your own EFD images.  The team has been working on projects to get your creative juices flowing.  See you at the Hop!!

 Supplies:
Paper - Making Memories Chloe's Closet, Neenah Classic Solar White
Ink - PTI Vintage Cream
Accessories - pail and flower stake - Target, ribbon, ribbon, brads, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, various flower punches, Chloe's Closet flowers, dimensionals, Sakura glaze pen, Copic markers, bag filler, popsicle stick, flower seeds, sewing machine, clothespin



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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Time for Some Blackberry Crumble

I've been out of town for a few days to spend some time with the beautiful little baby girl these sweet little piggies belong to.  She is just gorgeous and so sweet.  Smiles all the time...ALL the time!  Is there anything sweeter than the smell of a little baby?  Um,...well, maybe if it's this warm Blackberry Crumble! 

I'm catching up on my stamping projects so thought I'd give you a recipe break in the meantime.

I combined a few recipes to come with this delicious dessert.  We pick our own blackberries in the early summer and I freeze them in addition to making jam with some of them.  This topping is delicious with peaches and blueberries too, so if blackberries aren't your thing, just substitute the fruit or combination of fruits of your choice.  (Blackberries, blueberries and peaches are awesome together!)  This dessert is quick and easy and will have your guests asking for the recipe.

Here's the recipe:

Blackberry Crumble

Filling
4 c. fresh or frozen blackberries
4 T. Grand Marnier liqueur (yum)
3/4 c. sugar
3-4 T. cornstarch

Topping
1 c. light brown sugar
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 -1 c. old fashioned rolled oats (not instant) You may want to add a bit more...I usually do.
1 c. flour
1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened

Light grease an 11 x 7 in glass baking pan with butter.  Spread berries evenly in the baking dish.  Sprinkle with the Grand Marnier.  Combine the sugar and cornstarch and sprinkle evenly over the berries.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the topping ingredients, adding more oats if desired.  I use my hands and combine until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is evenly dispersed. 

Spread the oat mixture over the berries.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven about 30 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is nicely browned.  Remove from oven, cool slightly and serve warm with ice cream.

YUM!!

*If using peaches, add 1/2 t. nutmeg

                                                               

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Monday, March 1, 2010

It's Here!

 
 
 
It’s here! The First Release Day for Ethereal Forest Designs!
 
There are 27 images and sentiments for purchasing on their newly formed store. The design team has been busy creating cards this past week using the wonderful images and you can find them on the Ethereal Forest Designs Blog!
 
Please take a moment to browse the images at the Store, then hop over to the Blog and leave a comment! You could possibly win a free image, if you do! We’ll draw a random winner who has left a comment on the EFD Blog on Tuesday, March 2nd.
 
Make sure you become a “follower” on their blog to stay up-to-date on Blog Hop, New Releases and Challenges information.”

 
 
 
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