Friday, September 30, 2011

Happy World Card Making Day and Operation Write Home

Hope you all get a chance to make a card today!


May Arts has joined with Operation Write Home for a Blog Hop to celebrate our men and women in uniform by sending them cards so they can send Christmas greetings to their families.  Be sure to pop over to the May Arts blog to see what the Ribbonistas have created.  If you decide to participate, remember that your cards must NOT have any glitter on them and that they shouldn't be too "bumpy".  You can find all the instructions on the OWH site.

I created this card (just under the wire) for the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Delightfully Random Challenge . 

Here's the Delightfully Random Trigger.  I love the colors and all the fun elements.  Didn't catch them all but think I have a few covered.


Here's my card:



Thanks for popping in...Off to gardening class today.
 


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Thursday, September 29, 2011

Foodie Friday - Zac's back!

While I had this cute little piece of rubber on my desk, I thought I'd make another Zac card for the Christmas stash. 



I made a frame using my Spellbinders Square dies and popped it up around the image using foam dots.  The background is stamped with Versamark and one of the new snowflakes from the Rubbernecker Winter Holiday Snowflake set.  There are tons of gorgeous big and small snowflakes in that set!  Love it!!

Supplies:
Paper - PTI, Beckett Radiance
Ink - Memento,  Versamark, Copics
Other - foam dimensionals, glitter, glitter dot, glue pen

Since the rest of country is celebrating fall, it's still stinking hot here!, I thought I'd make one of our most favorite fall desserts, Apple Crisp.  The original recipe was called Apple Crisp Pudding although I have no idea why.  Hint:  Men LOVE this!



You can find a printable copy of the recipe here.  The link is also on the Recipe link above.

Thanks so much for stopping by...Happy Friday!


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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Clean and Simple...Thursday?

Yahoo...my studio is nearly finished!  All I have to do is label all the storage boxes then I won't have any excuses for not being organized...I hope!

I was able to get in a tiny bit of stamping this evening.  The CAS challenge CAS137 on SCS this week was paper piecing.  I just got this adorable "Zac" image from Rubbernecker Stamps Winter Holiday line and couldn't wait to see him in ink.   I didn't add a sentiment as I'm not sure if this will be a Christmas card or just a holiday greeting card.


Supplies:

Stamps - Rubbernecker Zac 596-01
Paper - Neenah, Papertrey Ink
Ink - Memento, Copic markers
Other - May Arts Ric Rac, SU Dazzling Diamonds, foam tape

Our other "busy" work has been putting in the vegetable/herb garden.  I know what you're thinking but it's backwards here in the sub-tropics.  Our summer is your winter, your winter is our growing season...I guess it's a good thing because then you get all that yummy citrus and strawberries and Florida tomatoes in January!

I should be back on a "normal" posting schedule...unless life happens again! 
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

SSSSSSSSSSSnakes! Halloween Tutorial

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...yet but it's super busy around here.  I haven't been able to get into my craft studio because DH is building the IKEA furniture in there for me.  I'm stepping over piles of "stuff" but hopefully, it will be negotiable by the end of the week.

In the meantime, I have a fun Halloween tutorial for you over the May Arts blog.  Just in time for some spooky decorating.




This guy has friends...so pop over and check them out!

Psssst...it's the Ribbon Lady's birthday...head on over the blog or the Facebook page 'cause she's giving away presnets!!


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Friday, September 23, 2011

Foodie Friday and Copic Cert. Class Update

I may have shared this recipe before (I can't remember) but  some good things are worth repeating.  I make this delicious hummus about twice a month.  Once you try it, you will NEVER be able to eat grocery store hummus again.  I promise. 

I didn't have any parsley to sprinkle on top and my mint was newly planted so I just sprinkled some mint I had dried. 



You can find the link to the recipe at the recipe link above.

Oh my goodness...what fun we had at the Copics Certification Class.  Our instructor was the awesome Jennifer Balcer.  There was an intermediate class at the hotel next door and if we could have walked right over there to take that one too, we would have.  I learned soooo much and even found a new cardstock that the girl next to me was using that blends Copics like nobody's business.  It's called Beckett Radiance.  I came right home and ordered some.  (wink)

Another cool thing was that there were ladies there from all over the Western Hemisphere...Newfoundland, Brazil, Columbia and of course, the good ole USA.  I even got to meet  Karen, aka kstamper, a fellow SCS CAS DT member who came all the way from Colorado!

Even though I still have ALOT to learn, my Copics aren't so scarey anymore. 

Big smooches to DH who drove me up there, then went to IKEA to buy shelves and a new work station for my studio...how sweet was that?!!


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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

WOYWW - Notebooks!

It's Wednesday, already!!,  and that means another What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday WOYWW120 over at Julia's Stamping Ground.

This is only part of the 60 workbooks.  Another couple of crafty ladies are putting some together as well.

 

Working on some DT projects so will pop in to see the ladies of WOYWW a bit later.  Copics Certification class tomorrow in Orlando...WHOOPEE!!


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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

May Arts/Tattered Angels Blog Hop

Woo,Hoo...The May Arts Design Team is blog hopping with Tattered Angels this week.  You know there will great projects and lots of giveaways so grap your coffee cup and come hopping with us!



Here's a sneak peek at my project.  I've got a tutorial for you as well. 



Two posts today so be sure to scroll down for the Teapot Tuesday post.


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Teapot Tuesday

So happy to be creating again! My little big job is finished so I can breathe a bit. 

This week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge MMTPT164 destination is young music major named Breanne.  She suffers from MS and has been having a very difficult time.  Not only does she major in music, she's an awesome swimmer as well.  I know how hard it can be not to be able to do the things you love to do because your body doesn't cooperate. 

If you have a bit of extra time...I know Breanne would love to receive a card from you.



Supplies:
Paper - Neenah, PTI
Stamps - PTI Faux Ribbon, Inkadinkadoo
Ink - Versafine
Other- May Arts Crochet ribbon (see my Etsy shop), ribbon from stash, beads, head pin, charm

I've also had 3 projects (whoopee!) published in this month's Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, Volume 4, Issue #9/10.



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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Clean and Simple Monday

The CAS Challenge on SCS this week (CAS136) is leaves...in any form.  Thankfully, it's still summer here and we don't rake leaves.  I do miss the colors of fall though.

Here's my simple card...


Supplies:
Paper - Papertrey Ink Oranze Zest, Rustic Cream
Stamps - Rubbernecker Wildflowers 496-03, sentiment
Ink - Kaleidescope, Memento
Other - EK Success edge punch



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Friday, September 16, 2011

I forgot it was Friday!

Goodness, I've absolutely lost track of time and totally forgot it was Friday...already!

Today, I've got dinner for you and it's sooooo good that DH doesn't even ask, "Where's the beef?" as he sometimes does when I spring vegetarian dishes on him.



This is a version of Spanokopita or Spinach Pie that is absolutely decadent.  The good news is that it's delicious hot or cold.  I serve it with a baby greens salad dressed with my homemade Mint Vinegar Dressing.  If you have mint growing in your yard, this is a fabulous way to preserve the flavor.  It keeps literally for years.

You can find the recipes here.

geesh...where did Thursday go?
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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

WOYWW 119 - pretty petals

Happy WOYWW to all you at Julia's Stamping Ground.  Still working on that BIG project but I did take a quick picture of the flowers we made for the workbooks...I should not say "we". I showed the ladies how to do it, and they took off.  They ended up on my workdesk because we're doing the assembly here since I have all the cutting, punching and sticking "stuff". 

I love the rich colors compliments of May Arts Ribbon, of course!!



I can't show you the notebooks just yet...there might be eyes reading this that I don't know about and they're top secret.  ;-)

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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

It's a Girl!

You remember the sweet onesie invites I made the other day?  Well, here's the gift I made for sweet little Leyna when she makes her world debut. 


and I wrapped it up like this



If you want to see a tutorial on how I did it, head over to the May Arts blog today! 



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Monday, September 12, 2011

Clean and Simple Monday

Just want you to know I'm still here!  I'm working on a BIG project for May Arts that you will hear about soon but right now...my lips are sealed.  I have about another week of work but I promise as soon as they give the word...we'll let you in on it.

I did take a break last night to make a quick card for the CAS135 Sketch Challenge this week.  The sketch is by Jen (MissBoo) our moderator, who's been a bit under the weather.  The girl is "fussy cut" and popped up on dimensionals.



Supplies:
Paper - PTI, Girl's Paperie
Ink - Memento, Copics
Accessories - sewing machine, foam dimensionals, $1 spot bling




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Friday, September 9, 2011

Foodie Friday - Magic

Nothing crafty to show you today although I've been working on DT projects and had a group of ladies over tonight to work on those 60 retreat notebooks.  We burned vellum,(!) cut and punched notebook covers and tore borders.  I'll leave to your imagination what they look like after we get one put together.  We also made 60 satin ribbon flowers to adorn the covers.

I did bake a quick treat for the ladies..these bars go by many names but I haven't seen anyone use cornflake crumbs as the base.  I don't like graham cracker crumbs so many years ago I substituted corn flake crumbs and now we don't like them any other way.

See those Ghiradelli chocolate chips?  All melty and gooey...they stay that way because there's no wax in the chocolate.  The best!



Oh, go ahead...just take a bite!  You can find a printable recipe here and a link at the top of the page as well.  
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Thursday, September 8, 2011

I Got You Babe and a Winner

Yah!  They're finished...all 50 baby shower invites.  I'm thankful the new grandmother said that the new mama likes things simple.  She requested pink/white polka dots so here we go.........



A super BIG PINK THANK YOU to Regina, at The Cutting Cafe, who customized the template for me.  I needed to get 2 per sheet of paper instead of one AND she personalized the insert with the baby's name!! 

These need to be mailed so the embellishments had to be simple.  I couldn't resist the sweet little lacy pearls though...and they don't cause a big "bump" in the envelope.  Each card has been sponged around the edges on the outside and the inside template to add some warmth and depth.  I hand cut the banner.


Supplies: 
Paper - Neenah, The Paper Studio Sweet Pea Polka Pink
Ink - Versafine Pink Grapefruit
Stamps - PTI Baby Button Bits
Other - computer, pearled lace ribbon

Now....drumroll please! 

Research Randomizer Results

1 Set of 1 Unique Numbers Per Set

Range: From 1 to 28 -- Unsorted

Job Status:

Set #1:

8

That person is....

Sue from Oregon said...

The story of my life...late for almost everything LOL! Congrats on your blogoversary Charlene! My the time does fly! I am so very happy to have become your friend!
August 30, 2011 10:29 PM

Congratulations, Sue!!  Thanks for posting my candy on your blog and for being a faithful follower!



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Tuesday, September 6, 2011

WOYWW Wednesday 117 - Onesies!

Sorry I didn't post yesterday.  My body and brain just crashed I guess, so I went to bed very early. (age will do that to you!)  I do have a peek at the project I'm working on for WOYWW Wednesday over at Julia's Stamping Ground.  It's lovely of Julia to host a peek at busy work spaces all over the world.


Here's a peek at the 50 baby shower invitations in process.  That's 50 bases, 50 toppers and 50 inserts plus 50 trims and 50 banners!  Whew!   Our friend is having her first baby.. bet you couldn't guess it's a girl.  That jumble of white in the background is the pearl and satin trim.  I bought way too much but it was on sale 40% off so I'll put it to good use. 

Perhaps I'll put a bit in the Blogaversary Candy I'll be drawing for later today.  ;-)  What?  You didn't know I've been adding to it?  Don't know me well, do you?  LOL!

You do not see that bag of Skittles on my workspace.  I have NO idea how they got there.  ahem!



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Sunday, September 4, 2011

Clean and Simple Monday - Shoes

The CAS Challenge on SCS this week (CAS134) is a theme....shoes!  I have a couple of shoe stamps but decided to go through my stash of embellishments to see what I could come up with.  I found these shoe stickers I picked up for a $1 (still have one left!) on clearance and some chipboard letters I got at the Target dollar store a few years ago.    I thought it was about time I used  them!



I thought the perfect pair of shoes and a great friend are truly one of a kind! 

BTW, you still have time to get in on my blogaversary candy!

Supplies:
Paper - Neenah, Making Memories
Ink - Versafne
Stamps - Papertrey Friends Til the End
Other - chipboard letters, shoe stickers, foam dimensionals.
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Friday, September 2, 2011

September Craft Challenge - A Happy Accident



There's been an accident at May Arts Ribbon...but don't worry, it's a "happy accident"!!



Want to know what happened and what you can do about it?  Head on over the May Arts blog to read all about it!  You can tell'em I sent you to help "clean up". 

I'll be MIA on the blog this weekend...I've got 50 baby invites and some DT projects in the works.  I'll show you when I'm finished!!

Don't forget about my blogaversary candy here.....You've got time to help me celebrate.


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Thursday, September 1, 2011

chocolate & a card...or a card & chocolate

This is the my last card for the Moxie Fab World Sketch Challenges.  I saved this Square card sketch until last because I just couldn't think of a good idea...then.....Cath had this cool photo for the Tuesday Trigger challenge, "Nice and Neutral". 




Then I saw the challenge on the Creative Belli Blog Challenge #125 to use Acetate or Vellum and I had my idea.

A bit of woodgrain, a bit of ivory, a bit of white, black, kraft and grey.   Not alot of layering as I wanted to keep it CAS to match the feel of the trigger's elegant simplicity.

My friend, Jen, alerted me that the Cards blog, Create, is having a woodgrain challenge, so entering it there as well.

Supplies:
Cardstock: PTI Smokey Shadow, Kraft
Stamps : PTI Year of Flowers Mums, BB Woodgrain, Damask Designs
Ink: Versafine black, Versacolor Chateau Grey, Versamagic Gingerbread, Copic marker T4
Other: May Arts Double Faced Satin Ribbon,  detail white EP, beads, Crystal Effects


Now for the Chocolate...my friend, Sue, sent me a bunch of pictures...of desserts.  You just shouldn't do that to a friend!  It's cruel and mean and.... man...... did they look good!  So Sue, this one's for you.  My DH called them BTS Brownies.  Yes, that's what he meant!!



There's not really a recipe...I just started with a box of Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix, but then.....I added about a cup of pecans, a handful of coconut, a handful of Ghiradelli chocolate chips, and a handful of butterscotch chips....oh yes, I did. 

After they were cool, I topped them with some homemade chocolate frosting I had left over from a cupcake baking session and sprinkled with more pecans. 

I think DH is right...they are BTS!!

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