Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year!

We're back from Christmas vacation spent with our two adorable munchkin grandchildren.  Is there anything more wonderful than watching a child's face on Christmas morning?  I hope you all had a safe and happy Christmas season.

I took a major tumble down the stairs on Christmas morning so sitting is not an enjoyable condition presently.  No broken bones, thankfully, but some internal bruising and many sore muscles.  Let's just say bifocals, puppies and long stairways aren't a good mix.  I hope a few more days of healing will get me back in the craft studio. 

In the meantime, May Arts is celebrating the New Year with a grand giveaway. Be sure to pop over and comment to win. 

While you're there, I have a fun tutorial that you can do with your kids.  When the weather is too cold to build snowmen outside, you can build some inside!  No mittens required.   Here's a little preview.  They're super fun and easy! 


Pin It!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Quick...I need a Gift Card Holder!

Time for those last minute gift cards and no boring presentations here.  Head over to the May Arts blog to peek at the inside and a tutorial link.  See that gorgeous DP and cardstock?  It's all from Bazzill.   Love, love it.



It will be Valentine's Day before we know it and Bazzill has that covered too.  Here's sneak peek at a card I've made using a new line from Bazzill that's also on the May Arts blog.


Can you say happy and bright? 
Wishing you and yours a very blessed and Merry Christmas!  See you after the holiday!
Pin It!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Sparkle N Sprinkle Valentines in December

I've moved on from Christmas cards and have been making some Valentines...now that has to be a first!

This card that reminds me of the Valentines we gave as kids.  A simple one layer card with a lollipop treat attached.  Nothing too mushy so the boys will be happy and just enough ribbon and scallops to please the girls in colors they'll both approve of.


This CAS card was made from the same set called Bird Swirl...love the versatility!  One for the kids and one for the grown ups!



You can find tutorials and supply lists for both cards here on the Sparkle N Sprinkle site along with some other samples by the designers.  SNS is offering free shipping right now too!
Pin It!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Clean & Simple Monday - Up, up and away!

The CAS149 Challenge on Splitcoast is a cool sketch by Winter DT member and fellow Rubbernecker teamie, Charlene Merrick. 

I needed a birthday card (fast) for a boy who will be 12 right after Christmas.  I love this sketch!

Supplies:
Card size - 4.25" x 4.25"
Paper - Neenah; American Crafts City Park, X-Pressit
Stamps - Papertrey Up, Up and Away
Ink - Memento, Copic markers
Other - PTI metal dies, silver brad, foam tape (large balloon is popped up)


Thanks for stopping by...almost time to make the cookie trays.  :-)


Posted by Picasa
Pin It!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Sisterhood Sunday Challenge SS4

It's time for another Rubbernecker Sisterhood Sunday Challenge SS4


This week, we've got the blues, figuratively speaking, of course!  Head on over to the blog to see the inspiration photo and the details for the challenge.  Of course there's a prize for the weekly winner.  In addition, the weekly winners go into a drawing at the end of the month for an entire set of your choice. 

                                            

I rarely use blue, I mean, like almost never, but I gave it a shot.

Those cool chipboard stars came in a package already glittered from the Dollar Store!

I've got a few more gifts to wrap, then it's time to get ready to see the grandchildren for Christmas morning.  Is your shopping finished?

Supplies:
Paper - Neenah; DCWV Winter Wonder Stack; Bazzill, Papertrey Ink
Ink - Versamark; Brilliance Mediterranean Blue
Other - May Arts Ribbon; chipboard stars, foam squares


Pin It!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Foodie Friday - Martha Stewart's Gingerbread

One of our holiday traditions has become these giant Gingerbread Snowflakes (this is the recipe I use).
Everyone loves them and they're not at all difficult to make.

Here's all the gingerbread finished and drying....You can see the size of the snowflakes compared to the trees which are quite large themselves. I made some smaller snowflakes as well for those who aren't into sharing their cookies!!



This giant cookie measures 7 inches across so there's enough to share with someone special.
This photo is just before I shook off the excess sugar.


How's your Christmas baking coming along?  Do you bake or do you buy your Christmas cookies? 

Don't forget...today is the last day of the May Arts/ Graphic 45 Blog Week.  Be sure to stop in and see what Friday's Design Teams have in store for you.

Posted by Picasa
Pin It!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Be My Valentine Skipping Stones Design Sketch

I don't believe it myself so pick yourself up off the floor...I'm actually making Valentine cards!  Ask me if my Christmas cards are fininshed?  Of course not!

I couldn't resist the sketch at Skipping Stones Design Sketch  #106.   I just got some new Rubbernecker Stamps that were screaming for some ink and oh so cool Clear Detail Black Embossing Powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle so I decided to play along.  I seriously love this stuff so you may just see me use it on everything!



Look at that shine and detail!

Supplies:
Paper - Neenah base; Papertrey; Bazzill; Making Memories Sabrina 
Ink - Versamark, Copic marker
Other - SNS Black Clear Detail EP, heat gun, Spellbinders circle dies, sewing machine, netting, seam binding, paper roses, Helmar 450 Quick Dry (just like hot glue but no burns!)
 

Here's the sketch so grab some paper and ink and play along!

                                                              

Don't forget to scroll down for the May Arts/Graphic 45 Blog Hop...you've got two more days of fab projects and chances to win.


Pin It!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

It's May Arts/Graphic 45 Blog Week!

I'm so excited...just like a kid - at Christmas!  The May Arts DT has partnered with the DT from
 - squeal like a girl -
                                                              Graphic 45!!



We've paired May Arts Ribbons and Graphics 45 to bring you a week full of fun, giveaways and projects.  We'll be posting our projects on our individual blogs so grab a cuppa something, a Christmas cookie and come along, 'cause you'll want to see it all. 

Another good part is that you get a few bites a day so you won't have to spend hours hopping around - double coolness and more cookies.  ;-)

Today is my day! Be sure to stay until the end of this post because I have links to more FABULOUS May Arts designers and awesome Graphic 45 designers. Here we go...

I'm determined to be more organized this year.  (I think I say that every year.) So, I've created a Monthly Card Organizer.  Each month has a calendar for noting special events and a pocket to insert the cards for that month.   I kept the embellishments to a minimum because I want to be sure my cards will go in each pocket undamaged.

Remember, you can click on any photo to make it larger.



Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium, Martha Stewart Snowflakes, plastic snowman, sewing machine


Graphic 45 An ABC Primer, metal clip, sewing machine



Graphic 45 An ABC Primer, Teresa Collins chipboard, Recollections leaves


Other Supplies
Bazzill 12 x 12; Papertrey Ink Kraft; Bind it all; Calendar Organizer Tutorial/calendar download

Be sure you check out the fabulous designs this week from the May Arts and Graphic 45 Design Teams.

Here's a list day by day...

Monday

May Arts

                                                                            Graphic 45

Tuesday

May Arts
Charlene Driggs (that's me!)

Graphic 45



Wednesday

May Arts

Graphic 45

Thursday

May Arts

Graphic 45


Friday

May Arts


Graphic 45

Don't forget to leave your comments....you know there will be surprises.

Pin It!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Not a Creature was Stirring except............

one little mouse.  Here's a sneak peek!  Head on over the May Arts blog to see what this little mouse has to show you.  There's a complete supply list and tutorial as well.  As usual, leave me a comment there to win some awesome ribbon of your choice.



Pin It!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Stampin Sisterhood Challenge

                                                  
It's time for another Sisterhood Sunday Challenge on the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood blog.  Here's the photo for this week. 
                                                            SS3-12/11

Here's my take.  I chose to focus on the sketch.  You can choose the lights, the colors, the sketch...whatever inspires you.

I'm not a cat lover but I do love this set of sassy cats from the Cat Set - 597.  I made two frames using Spellbinders Square dies then I popped up the black frame with foam tape. 

 I'd love to know what you think!  Remember, you have a week to play along and of course, there's a free Rubbernecker stamp of your choice and a chance for entire free set at the end of the month for one lucky stamper who plays along.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Neenah; Papertrey solids, Martha Stewart DP
Stamps - Rubbernecker Stamps Cat Set - 597
Ink - Versafine black
Other - Martha Stewart punches, Spellbinders Square dies, foam tape, Glue dots, PTI edger die



Pin It!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Foodie Friday - So it begins...

I've procrastinated until I can't so it's time for the baking to begin!  This is how my kitchen will look for the next several days.....


Busy times call for easy menus so I pulled out a favorite that can be on the table in under 30 minutes.  I've posted it previously but since there are always new visitors who pop in, I thought a re-run would be ok.  I've also put it into pdf format for you to print out.



YUM!  Hot Browns!  Our favorite way to use up the Thanksgiving turkey breast.  I store mine in the freezer in Foodsaver bags portioned out for 2 servings. (about 1/2 lb.) 

I shot this before I put the bacon on.  Feel free to leave off the tomato if you don't like it.  This recipe was created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY and the story is the brothers who came up with the idea fought over whether or not to add the tomato.  It's delish either way.

Back to the baking..


Pin It!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

WOYWW? - Ribbon Carousel Challenge - Peppermist Twist

Ribbon Carousel Challenge RCC32
Well, gonna do a dance and it goes like this
The name of the dance is the peppermint twist
In a night like this - a peppermint twist

Round and round, up and down
Round and round, up and down
Around and around, and a up and down and a
                                                      One, two, three kick, one, two, three go...

Oh yes,  I'm old enough to remember when the twist was first introduced....and I can still do it, thank you very much....Grab your kids and go here to listen and DANCE; they will love it!!!  That is, right after you see my rendition of the Peppermint Twist Ribbon Carousel/May Arts style.  May Arts is sponsoring the challenge this week on Ribbon Carousel and you know what that means....FREE RIBBON!!


I glittered the WHOLE tag!
Wrapped the handle and stamped the tissue paper to match.

This is just a simple white bag that you get in the value packs at Michael's or JoAnn's.  I made it a bit taller with my lucious May Arts Ribbon.  I stamped the tissue paper with Rubbernecker's Snowflakes Set 587.

Be sure to twist on over to Julia's Stamping Ground for WOYWW131 this week to see what Christmas goodies may be popping up all over the world.  I've got a gift card holder in progress for our granddaughter.




Supplies

white gift bag
extra strong double sided tape
tag, glitter
Stamps - Rubbernecker Snowflakes Set 587, SU retired
Ink - Real Red, Green Galore

Pin It!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Clean and Simple Monday - Twine

Sorry to be so late but 'tis the season.  Tomorrow begins the "Great Cookie Baking Adventure" so I probably won't get in much stamping time.  I make all the dough first then bake, bake, bake.  I've promised myself I WILL NOT make the 800+ cookies I did last year. 

I desperately needed some stamp therapy. The CAS147 this week is to use twine.  My MIL and SIL share the same birthday so I made two similar cards using the front and back designs Bazzill paper.  I love this fresh color combo!  I think I'll send this one to my SIL....

                                                
and this one to my MIL who will be 97 years young.


Thanks so much for hanging in there...I'm also working on DT projects so stay tuned for some fun.

Supplies:
Paper - Neenah; Papertrey; Bazzill
Ink - Colorbox Cranberry
Stamps - PTI Big Birthday Wishes
Other - May Arts twine, PTI dies

Pin It!
01 09 10