He did it all by himself!!

Two posts today.

Look what my husband made while I was out. His very first card unassisted and with little to no idea what to use or how to do it. I came home from working at church and there it was. Isn't he the sweetest? He also brought me a beautiful bromeliad...I'm not one for things that don't last long...like roses. I love them but when they're gone...they're gone.

He found some single stationary notes that I had gotten in a huge pack at Target awhile ago so this is a flat card. He used a scrap I had laying out from the Making Memories Sabrina pack and the scalloped heart was on my desk. He found my punches and punched the rest himself. I asked how he adhered it all...Mono-multi...and did you notice he scored the center of the scalloped heart and left the edges upturned? Clever fella...he even has one of the hearts tucked into the dotted piece...he said he wanted it to look like it was coming out of a box.

I think I may need to take some lessons...he obviously has skills he's been hiding these 40 years.

P.S. He said he couldn't find a "bee" after he'd written his cute "Will you "bee" my Valentine?" hee,hee...I think it's fine the way it is.

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

The Chocolate Book...Revisited

Happy Valentine's Day!! Today has been a good day. The sun is shining and I got lots acomplished. I made another version of the Chocolate Book for the teachers at high school where our church meets. I used the K & Co. Valentine pack and was determined to use only papers from that pack except for the corresponding back side.

This version uses two DP's butted together and closed with a belly band. The stamp is a Michael's $1 that I stamped twice. I cut the center out of one with my 1" circle punch, sponged the edges and popped it up with a dimensional. The large hearts were cut with the Spellbinders Nestibilities then run through the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. Hershey bars finish it off. YUM!

The insert is a PDF file that I have available on SCS along with the tutorial. For those of you who may have downloaded the tutorial previously, I've changed it to make it simpler and more generic. It was written specifically for the one I did for the Scor-Pal magazine a couple of years ago so it was due for an overhaul. Please note: this design is copyrighted and may not be reproduced for sale or publication.

Thanks for visiting. Your comments are appreciated and always welcome. Thank you too for all the sweet wishes regarding my back. It will take awhile but is getting better by the day...helps if I keep it iced like I'm supposed to...not my favorite thing to do. BRRRRR....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Charlene

Not Your Average Notepad

A quick post today.  My back is still stiff as a board and I think my mind is too.  I had a stamp camp scheduled this week...on the 12th...that was yesterday, right?  Well, I sent my ladies an email saying I'd see them FRIDAY.  Sooooo, I made my DH a nice dinner and since it was warm, I decided it would be nice to eat outside.  My phone rings at 7 p.m.  One of my friends is at my front door...for stamp camp!!!  Thank goodness, I'm organized....most of the time, anyway.  I had everything ready to go and all loaded into bins.  My DH cleared the table, did the dishes and even made coffee.  I owe him big time....;-)...he assured me he would take advantage of that fact!  I wish I had thought to take pictures of their mailboxes....totally adorable and each unique.  They also made two cards...the one in the last post and another I'll get posted soon, that is IF I can remember!!!  LOL 

In the meantime, I made this chipboard notepad for a friend.  I LOVE the paper in the Making Memories pack called SABRINA.  I tried to find some online so I could show you a photo but couldn't find it.  I got mine at Michael's.  It's the prettiest paper...all pink, black and cream and the price was only about $12 for 24 12x12 sheets.  I also picked up the little flowers and matching bling packs.  I don't ususally do that and regret it later. 

I used my Spellbinders Label One Nesties and SU's Sweet Sampler sentiment.  I used the pink rhinestones from the bling pack on the flourishes.  The flowers were just simple round disks so I cut the top two into petals and shaped them a bit.  I sponged the edges in Versamark black ink.  It's darker than SU's black and I thought it looked better here.  I finally learned to use my binding machine.  Not hard, I just had to slow down and take the time to read the instructions. 

Thanks so much for visiting.  I appreciate your sweet comments and emails so much.

Blessings,

Charlene

Anniversary Sketch Card - Late!!

Nicole at Papertrey issued a sketch challenge to win stuff...well, I didn't get it finished in time but I am in love with this pink and black combo. This was a super simple card to do. The size is 5-1/4 x 4-1/4 because I crimped a corner...don't you just hate that!!? I've managed to throw my back out...again (!) so can't sit too long. Afraid it's back to the chiropractor. This is a fun and easy sketch. Try your hand at it and see what YOU can do. Edited to add: I had a question regarding what a "sketch" is. It's the basic card layout. In this instance, the layout was to have a one piece back layer, the middle "pillar" layer, the image layer and the placement of the embellishments. What you do with the basic "sketch" is up to you.

Supplies: Cardstock - PTI, Making Memories, Stampin Up

Stamps - PTI Faux Ribbon, Michael's $1

Accessories - Ribbon - PTI, Bling- Michael's $1

Thanks for visiting...your comments are always welcome.

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

I love you Beary much!..Before and After

I used to collect teddy bears....lots of them. While I don't do THAT anymore...um, stamps have kinda replaced them...I'm still a goner for a cute furry face.

I saw these cuties and knew they'd be perfect to tuck into my grandchildren's Valentine box.

Of course, I couldn't send them out of the house looking like this so I dressed them up a bit.

This is the one I did for my granddaughter. The cute image and designer paper are all K & Co.

in a Valentine pack I found at Michael's. The base cardstock is Papertrey Ink Sweet Blush and Summer Sunrise. I stamped her name using Spellbinders Brayton Font. See that sweet butterfly? It's the Martha Stewart punch....I used a product called Shimmerz in the color Pixie Dust, on the wings...I wish you could see the sparkle. Shimmerz is a paint on glitter. You just shake it up and put it wherever you want some sparkle. Easy Peasy!

That cute little bird was already all glittered up.

I made one for my grandson as well but that picture came out too dark...I'll say it again...I can't wait for my birthday and that photo light box. Geesh, I never thought I'd want another birthday to hurry and get here but anything for stamping, right? :-)

Thanks for visiting. Your comments are always welcome!

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

It's in the Bag!

Papertrey Ink is having a contest that asked us to come up with a bag design or decoration. I had some of these super nice glassine bags and my very favorite Berry Sorbet cardstock and ribbon so I decided to play along. The stamp set I used is Flower Garden. I can't tell you how many times I pull this set out. It's so versatile! I used Versamark ink to stamp the large flower onto Berry Sorbet DP then clear embossed it. I stamped over the center dots with both chocolate and Vintage Cream Palette inks. I stamped the stem in Spring Moss Palette ink onto Spring Moss cardstock then cut it out. The leaf on the left is popped up just a bit to give it dimension. The large flower is popped up on a dimensional in the center. I cut into the petals to give them some form then I stamped the word "smile" in Vintage Cream and clear embossed it as well.


Do you see the little petals falling of the flower? I cut those off one of the smaller flowers in the set. I distressed the edges of the tag and sponged them with Vintage cream as well.

The tag is removable so my friend can take it off and use it on a card if she wants to.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you find time to make a bag too!

Blessings and Happy Stamping!


Charlene

You've got to take a look at these new Webster's Pages!

Sorry for the lack of posting the past few days, we're planning a dinner and a mystery party for our Bible study group.  Sounds like fun, doesn't it?  We have a group that meets for fellowship where two couples plan a meal and a theme, everyone makes a part of  the meal  and the rest is up to the hosts.  It's at the end of the month so I'll let you know how it goes then.  

In addition, I'm making some draperies for the bedroom sliding glass doors....beautiful silk, lined in blackout lining.  That stuff is HEAVY and the amount of material I'm working with is ridiculous,  but, she said shamefully, the fabric's been sitting in the master bedroom for a year and a half!!!   Confession is good for the soul, right?  OUCH!

I took a break from ironing and the sewing to look at some of the new papers, tools and embellishments coming out this spring and I'm in LOVE with this line of Webster's pages.  Whimsical, vintage, romantic, fun and elegance all rolled into one beautiful paper pack.  I don't own any yet, but I've read that these papers are heavyweight.  I'm thinking something like Crate Paper, maybe.  Can't wait until they make their debut in the spring, but you can WIN them if you go to the link and leave a comment.   Plus, you can get a close up look at each paper.   How cool is that? 

Thanks for visiting.  I'll have a project soon.

Blessings and Happy Stamping (and Baking!),

Charlene

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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