Teapot Tuesday, Bella Blvd and May Arts

Apologies to my email readers for the late post...DH's week to go in to work later in the day means my posting doesn't get done at night or early in the a.m.  I'm also prepping for my weekend away...lots to do so little time it seems.

Another combo post for you today.  First up...exciting news!  May Arts and Bella Blvd. are bringing you an exciting blog week with lots of giveaways, projects and fun.

Want a sneak peek of what you can win?

and how about a side of ribbon to go with that?



Yummy, right?  Head on over the May Arts blog to find out how to win it and then head to Bella Blvd. for the yummy giveaways there as well.   I'm not sure what day my project will be up but I will give you a heads up when I see it.  I had soooo much fun!

This week's Teapot Tuesday card is heading to Emmit, Idaho and Linda who has had to have nearly all the vertebrae in her spine fused after a fall.  Linda's friend, Leigh Grady, has designed a free digital image that she's sharing for anyone who wants to make a card for Linda.  Linda loves cats and butterflies.  I have dubbed my creature a Caterfly.  :-)

He's a big bold kitty with big bold colors.  I gave him some softness on his belly and feet with a bit of flower soft.  He's popped up on dimensionals.  Hope he brings Linda a smile.

I also made this card for the OLW47 challenge this week hosted by Jennifer challenge this week.  Believe it or not, it took me 3 tries to get that image straight in the embossed square.  Still not sure I like it but it's done.

I used a Spellbinders Square die to emboss the center then stamped the image from SU Gently Falling in Versamark Brilliance Sky Blue ink...it has a bit of shimmer to it that's really soft and pretty.

Last but not least, I received this sweet award from kind Peggy.  She calls herself the Nutty Cardmaker but I think she's all sweetness.

Thanks Peggy...be sure to pop over and show Peggy some love.  She's in the far North in Canada and a regualr on SCS.

WOYWW & A Blog Award

Well, it's Wednesday and that means that Julia over at the Stamping Ground wants to peek at what's on our workdesks. (WOYWW)  I've got a DT project on the creating table so thought I show you my cutting/embossing/storage unit this week.

This is the unit from IKEA (Varde) that nearly caused my poor DH to have a nervous breakdown.  It took 3 trips back to the store to get straight boards!  I do love this unit though!  Lots of storage as those drawers are both deep from front to back as well as a nice depth from top to bottom.  Wish it always looked this neat.

I alsojust received this sweet blog award from Beth at My Serendipity.  Beth is a talented scrapbooker as well as a crafty cardmaker.  She's pretty handy with a paint brush too as you can see in this post and she's pretty handy with her Cricut as you can see from this gorgeous Vintage Window creation.

I'm supposed to tell you 7 things about myself and then pass this award on to 15 other deserving bloggers.  That will be the hard part as you are all so talented!

Here we go:

1.  I LOVE Oreos with Double Stuff   (Yes, I know they're bad for you but I only buy them once a year.)

2.  I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers who are younger than I.

3.  I have been married for 41 (!) years and I still love my guy "like new".

4.  I love to grow things, particulary herbs and vegetables.

5.  Paper crafting and baking are my most favorite things to do. 

6.  I enjoy pulling weeds.  I know, it's sick but I don't have to think while I do it and the results are instant.

7.  Dessert is my favorite meal.  ;-)

Now for some awesome creative bloggers in no particular order:

  1.  Jen Spears Designs

  2.  Sue's Stamping Stuff

  3.  Bouncyflouncyfunfunfun

  4.  Corgi Creations

  5.  Inking in Red

  6.  Isn't that Sweet?

  7.  Kreative Korner by Kelly

  8.  Lori Hariston

  9.  Lorraine's Loft

10.  Off the Wall Craftiness

11.  PinkBonBons

12.  Pocket Full of Pink

13.  SJButteflyDreams

14.  TsurutaDesigns

15.  Where M&M's Gather

How's that for eye candy!?

Foodie Friday, Awards and a Doodle

Welcome to Foodie Friday!  Your hostess today is Chloe.  Chloe has just had a brush out and she's feeling very mellow.  You'd never know that this morning she scared a little bunny half out of his skin with her barking and jumping.  She loves to sit on the pool deck in the mornings and scan for bunnies....well, this morning she spied one.  He was thankful she was inside the fence and he was outside. 

Today's recipe is super simple.  I'm sure many of you have made Lemon Squares before but there are always new bakers who may not have tried them yet.  I had some fresh lemons in the refrigerator and was in the mood for something light and easy.  These have a tender shortbread crust and a creamy filling.. Just 15 minutes prep time isn't bad either!  Yum! 

Here we go!

Lemon Squares

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. confectioner's sugar
1 c. butter, softened
4 large eggs
2 c. sugar
1/3 c. fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
1/2 t. baking powder
Confectioner's sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine 2 1/4 c. flour and 1/2 c. confectioner's sugar.  Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender until crumbly.  Firmly press mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minuts or until lightly browned.

Whisk eggs in a large bowl; whisk 2 c. sugar and lemon juice.  Combine remaining 1/4 c. flour and baking powder; whisk into egg mixture.  Pour batter over hot crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes or until set.  Do not overbake or your filling will not be creamy. 

Let cool completely on a wire rack.  Cut into bars and sprinkle evenly with additional confectioner's sugar.

Prep time:  15 minutes (gotta love that!)

Now some sweet thank you's!  The awesomely talented Judi Rose sent me this sweet award awhile ago and I forgot to post it.  Thanks, Judi! 

I'm supposed to pass this on to 7 other lovely bloggers so here you go:

Sabrina - if you haven't seen Sabrina's elegant style yet, you're in for a treat.1

Kelly - Kelly is a sweetheart with an eye for color and a way with digital stamps that is pure "Wow"

Jen - Jen is a fellow member of the May Arts DT.  Her CAS style is beyond creative.

Bonnie - Bonnie has a delightful way with digis!  Her CC creations rock.

Sue - This lady can color!  Her House Mouse creations are to die for!

Charlene - We share the same name but this lady has talent to spare and she loves M&M's!

Tammy - Tammy is as nice as she is talented!  She rocks paper and ink!

Sally Atkins gave me this sweet gift.  Thanks Sally...if you haven't visited her blog, you're missing some awesome coloring and creative style!!

CAS74 - Carrie's Cakes

A surprise for you and one for me, too!  First, the surprise for you..... I'm the Guest Designer for the CAS74 Inspiration Challenge this week.  Jen has chosen Carrie's Cakes as our Inspiration this week.  Oh my!  What gorgeous, gorgeous cakes, but oh the prices!!  We can dream right?  Here's the cake I chose as my inspiration:

 

Isn't this a fun cake?  I'll be making another card or two, or three for this fun challenge...so much eye candy to inspire.

Here's my card for this cake.  I made the rose using a pear shaped punch, the tendrils are strips of vellum that I colored with marker and curled with scissors.  I sprayed the rose with Glimmer Mist.

What do you think?

And the surprise for me?    I've been chosen as the Featured Stamper #178  this week on SplitcoastStampers!  I can't believe it!  My little gallery was chosen as the gallery to CASE (Copy and Share with Everyone) this week.  Gosh! I'm about speechless (which if you know me is saying something!) 

I hope you get a chance to play along with both challenges.  I appreciate your comments so much. 

 

Good News Came in Two's Today!!

   

WOW!  What a short but exciting week it's been!!  I feel so very blessed.  First, I am so humbled to have been chosen for the Ethereal Forest Designs Team.  I will be joining some very talented ladies in this new digi design venture.  Stay tuned for a Sneak Peek and a Blog Hop beginning next week.

 

 

 

Next up, I was humbled to be chosen as a "Shining Star"  on the Stamping Sisters in Christ blog.  You can click over to see my card and for details on the card, you can go here.  Even those of you who don't blog, can use these challenges as inspiration points to get your Mojo going.  ;-)

 

Thanks for sharing my joy.  One of my prayers for the New Year was to concentrate on more challenges and Design Teams.  You can imagine my amazement when I was asked to be one team without even submitting an application.  When we ask in faith, He listens.  This is icing on my cake.  Thank you for allowing me to celebrate a bit.

 

 

Divine Influence - Oh my!!

Happy New Year, Everyone! Today is Monday and my dear sweet hubby has gone back to work. We had a divine holiday together...no traveling. We missed our kids and grandchildren dearly but without schedules to keep, our 9 days seemed like a month. We enjoyed a simple Christmas, lunches, dinners and movies with friends. A rare treat for us, as we usually do Netflix and eat at home.

Speaking of divine, I was humbled beyond belief to be asked several weeks ago, by the talented and "divine" Jessica, of Jess' Obsession, if I would consider being featured on The Divine Influence blog...my goodness! I was jumpin' in my chair. I gave Jess permission to choose the items to be featured so I hope you enjoy her tour through my blog.

My little apple box tutorial, using the apple card from The Cutting Cafe, was also featured on Print Radar. This sweet little box can be made larger or smaller to hold a variety of gifts and would make a delightful teacher gift.

Congratulations, Jessica! Jessica's first year blogging anniversary is January 15th. She's offering some "divine" blog candy to celebrate; so hop on over to Jess' Obsession and give her a shout out. While you're there, spend some time scrolling through her creations...you'll be glad you did!

A Blog Award

Wow...I am so humbled...Sue, a uber talented stamper/blogger, I'd love to have for a friend/neighbor....(the woman bakes too!) has graced me with this sweet award. You've got to see her Penny Black and House Mouse creations. This lady can do things with Copics and paper that you won't believe.

The award came with the stipulation that I had to pass it on to 5 other talented ladies AND answer in one word the following questions....now anyone who knows me well, knows I can't say ANYTHING in one word, but I gave it a go...it's much, much harder than you'd think.

Head on over to see these lovely ladies, you won't be disappointed. My answers follow.

Deena
Regina
Peet
Jessica G
Enfys

1. Where is your cell phone? purse

2. Your hair? ponytail

3. Your mother? distant

4. Your father? dead

5. Your favorite food? pie

6. Your dream last night? none

7. Your favorite drink? milk

8. Your dream/goal? Creating

9. What room are you in? Office

10. Your hobby? stamping

11. Your fear? accidents

2. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Tennessee

13. Where were you last night? Concert

14. Something that you aren’t? Shy

15. Muffins? Apple

16. Wish list item? Bosskut

17. Where did you grow up? Ohio

19. What are you wearing? Shorts

20. Your TV? On

21. Your Pets? Dog

22. Friends? Awesome

23. Your life? Blessed

24. Your mood? Calm

25. Missing Someone? Grandchildren

26. Vehicle? Hyundai

27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes

28. Your favorite store? Archivers

29. Your favorite color? Green

30. When was the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? Movie

32. Your best friend? Patty

33. One place that I go to over and over? Church

34. Facebook? Yes

35. Favorite place to eat? Carraba's