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

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

$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. 

  

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:

Stamps - Ethereal Forest Designs Jewel Planting and Garden Sentiments

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

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

                                                               

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.”

 

  

CAS55, FTL80 - I Need a Makeover!

This week's CAS challenge was to pick one of our own cards and give it a CAS makeover...oh, yeah, I need one to but I don't think paper and ink will help.  LOL

 

I chose this one.

I like it for it's Vintage style but I wanted to play with a Clean and Simple blog sketch FTL80.  The challenge was to create a clean and simple card using patterned paper.  Normally, we think of CAS cards as having lots of white space. 

 

Here's mine.  I think I like this better than the original. 

There were very specific directions for the card and paper sizes.  Head on over and give this sketch a go.  It really was fun!  I wasn't even tempted to bling it up.  I added the sentiment with the elegant Flourished Words from Flourishes.

Supplies:

Paper - PTI Lemon Mist, Basic Grey Urban Couture, SU Chocolate Chip

Ink - SU Chocolate Chip

Image- Vintage image from Twisted Sisters

 

 

And These Little Piggies are the Sweetest of All

I had some time today to go blog hopping and stopped in to see what awesome creation Jenny Gropp had created today.  She had the cutest card using a sketch from Our Creative Corner.  I fell in love with it right away!

  

The challenge this week at Stamping Sisters in Christ  (SSCC28) is  based on Colossians 3:17. 

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

How miraculous is the gift of life!  When I see the 10 little fingers and 10 little toes of a newborn babe, I am always awed and humbled.  He knows us in the womb.  The song I sang all day yesterday was "Our God is an Awesome God".  

How awesome is His creation of tiny toes and butterflies...both testimonies of His glory. 

Here's my take on the sketch challenge and in thankfulness for this new life ...what do you think?  Those are the sweet little toes of the granddaughter of one of my dearest friends.  I fell in love with the photo when she sent it in an email so I printed it out and saved it to make her a card.  The baby's colors are pink and brown so I wanted to incorporate those colors . 

The base paper is PTI Sweet Blush.  The DP is Debbie Mum's Noah's Ark.  I just love it! 

Supplies:

Paper - PTI Sweet Blush, Debbie Mum Noah's Ark

Stamps - Alesa Baker - inside sentiment (blog title)  :-)

Accessories - photo, buttons, butterfly (Michael's) ribbon, dimensionals

   

"Time" for a bunch of challenges

Two posts today so be sure to scroll down!

 

Hi!  First I must tell you that this card is way out of my comfort zone but I'm commited to learn and grow so I just dove in.  I began with this sketch challenge from Posh Designs Scrapbook Store and then went looking for more inspiration.


The second challenge I found is the Stamping Sisters in Christ Challenge, SSCC27, based on Esther 4:14 to show "time".  I loved the Beth Moore study of Esther so I really wanted to do this one.

I found a couple of other challenges on SCS to use lace (WT259) and the new Free for All Challenges(F4A1) to use texture, patterned paper, and a color you don't normally use.  My rarely used color is Really Rust.  I bet its been years since I pulled that one out.

I flipped the sentiment panel, did alot of distressing and sponging and cluttered it up really good with embellishments.   I just love this quote...be sure and enlarge the photo so you can read it.

Give this sketch a try and link your creations on the Posh Designs Scrapbook blog.  They're giving a $25 gift certificate to the awesome Posh Designs Scrapbook Store.

Supplies:
Paper - Basic Grey Infuse DP, SU Very Vanilla base, PTI Vintage cream
Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Walnut, SU Really Rust
Stamps - Tim Holtz Visual Artistry
Accessories - big scallop punch, crocheted lace, stick-on pearls, dimensionals, distressing tool, die cuts

A Life Filled with Cupcakes is a Good Life, So... Pig Out!

I am sad to report that due to circumstances beyond her control, Judy of Digital-Ink Co., is closing the doors to the store.  She will be opening her own stand alone store soon so stay tuned for more information.


I was assigned to Judy for the next challenge, "Anything Goes".  I paired her image, "Pig Out" with some templates from The Cutting Cafe.  You know how much I love cupcakes! (See my posts here for recipes and photos).  I chose the Cupcake Box and one of her awesome new releases All Occasion Tag Set.  These tags fit the SU tag punch.  How cool is that?!  I wanted this to be suitable for boys but I think a girl might like the polka dotted pig too.

I used the Easel Card design from SplitcoastStampers and The Cutting Cafe's All About Cupcakes for my card sentiment.

Have you ever seen such pure bliss?  Um, that is unless, it's my face diving into that cupcake!

Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate your comments and if you're new, come follow along with me!  You never know what will happen on the playground.

Supplies:
Paper - SU Certainly Celery, Bordering Blue, Crate Paper Brunch
Stamps - The Cutting Cafe,  M&M designz
Accessories - Templates - The Cutting Cafe, Crystal Effects, sewing machine, beads, ribbon, twine, Spellbinder circle dies,wooden skewer, Scor-Tape 
Ink - Prismacolor marker

Good Luck!

I have another Sneak Peek for you today from Ethereal Forest Designs.  I used the sketch CPS154 from Card Positioning Systems to create this little Good Luck set to tuck into my DH's suitcase when he goes away on a business trip.  He's hoping to win an award so I want him to know I miss him and will be thinking of him.  I think the Ghiradelli chocolate will be a welcome treat.

I used the Clover Pot image for the card and just the pot image for the little Matchbook candy holder.  The sentiment comes from the St. Patty's Sentiments.  Both images that will be available when the Ethereal Forest Designs store opens on March 1st. 

Supplies:

Paper - SU Certainly Celery, Ruby Red, Ballet Blue,  Black, Crate Paper Brunch Collection

Stamps - Ethereal Forest Designs digital

Ink - Prismacolor pencils/baby oil

Accessories - glitter, brads, Scor-Tape, dimensionals, shamrocks from stash

  

There's No Place Like Home

I've had a secret for a  week or so but haven't been able to share until now.     Whooooopppeeeeee!

Ok, got that out of my system...I am going to be a CAS (Clean and Simple) Guest Designer in April!  SCS has been having a CAS Olympic challenge.  I made it through two rounds but got cut in the final...You can go see the heavy competition and see why.  There are some awesomely creative people in the world of ink and paper.  

One of my goals this year was to make a design team and make an effort to try out for something on SCS.

I am totally and completely on my knees and thankful for the awesome blessings I've been given...and all at once too.  I'm getting too old for this much excitement!

My friend, Patty, loaned me that adorable birdhouse, an oldie from D.O.T.S but sooo easy to paper piece.

I just stamped a bunch, paper pieced the houses, colored the stand and ivy, played with punches and ribbon.  Truly 10 minutes and done. You could change the sentiment to suit any occasion!

         

I'm thinking of having a regular blog feature on Sundays.  Clean and Simple Sunday. SCS sponsors the CAS challenge on Monday so you'll be all practiced and ready, LOL...me, too!   What do you think? 

BTW, a faithful commentor, Mandy, has new blog candy you may want to check out.  There's a photo in my sidebar.  Good luck!

Supplies:

Paper - Papertrey

Stamps - D.O.T.S, Papertrey Home for the Holidays (I inked just part of the stamp) wink,wink

Ink - Versafine, marker

Accessories - MS punch, buttons, ribbon, glue dots, twine

Extra, Extra...I've Got Big News!!

I've been asked to be part of the amazing team at Posh Designs Scrapbook Store!  I'm so excited to join the talented group of women at Posh Designs.

Join us on the Posh Designs blog where you'll find bi-weekly sketch challenges and team samples to inspire you.   

Here's the sketch that was posted today.  I'll have a sample to share with you soon.

The challenges are bi-weekly so you don't have to rush and  Posh Designs Scrapbook Store is giving away a $25 gift certificate to one lucky winner!  How cool is that?  Can you say SHOP-PING?  So get creating then head over to the Posh Designs blog to link up your project.

Want even more fun?  Join the  Posh Designs Forum where you can set up your own page to post your creations, ask questions,  get inspiration and meet others who share your passion for paper.  I'll see you there!! 

 

It's Sneak Peek Week for Ethereal Forest Designs - Pat the Bunny!

Isn't this pink bunny the cutest?  This is one of the digital stamps available March 1st from Ethereal Forest Designs.  This new line of digital stamps also features sentiments to go with most of the images. How cool is that?  You can print them out as is, re-size them, or print directly on your cardstock, as I did here.

I printed this little "Easter Bunny"  twice, directly onto my Imaginesce DP after re-sizing him in Word.  I printed the sentiment directly onto my cardstock using PrintShop.  I cut out the entire bunny from one image and only the eggs from the second image.  I popped up the eggs with dimensionals after coloring and glittering.  The bunny is also popped off the card.  Flower Soft Polar White gives him a fluffy looking tail.  Easy peasy!

This little Easter Bunny is entered in :

the Easter challenge at Die Cut Dreams.

Your Next Stamp - Spring Colors

Stamp Something - Touch of Spring

Inky Impressions - Think Spring

You'll want to be sure to check out what these other talented designers have done with the cute images from EFD this week.  I'll have another sneak peek for you on Friday. 

Darsie Bruno, Melissa Craig, Shirley Chillman, Carla Hiebert, Audrey Gonzales, Betty Roberts

Make sure to watch for the  Ethereal Forest Designs Blog Hop beginning March 7st. 

Supplies:

Paper - Neenah Classic White, Imaginesce Princess DP, SU Regal Rose

Accessories: Martha Stewart punch (I LOVE this punch), Art Institute glitter, dimensionals, ribbon blossom, markers, Flower Soft Polar White

Faith, Hope, Love - Casing JovialJudi

Today's Featured Stamper Challenge over at SCS is to case the uber talented jovialjudi.  Wow!  This lady has the most awesome gallery!   The rules require that you change at least 3 things...I changed a few more on mine because these cards are for my DH (will tell you about that in a minute).  Here's Judi's card:

Can't you almost TASTE that yummy cupcake!?

and here's mine:

These cards are for men, so I couldn't add any bling or ribbons and my DH asked for a clean and simple style. This fits the challenge at PALS to KISS (Keep it Simple, Sweetie)  I changed the panel size, colors, and left off her embellishments.  Thanks for the inspiration, Judi.

Now for the why.... I've been thinking about Challenge 26 over at Stampin' Sisters in Christ all week, to show God's love.  My husband has been working with Samaritan's Purse in their efforts to help the Haitian people recover from the earthquake.  The media will never tell you about what this organization is doing.  They are building homes, using the best materials, for the people of Port au Prince...hundreds of  homes.  If you have it in your heart to help, I know they would put the funds to good use because we've seen it. 

My DH has been priviledged to be able to help them procure the materials through the company he works for.  He has been so blessed and blown away by their love for the people and the hard work they're doing to restore the Haitian people to dignity, that he wanted to send Samaritian's Purse execcutives personal thank you notes.  This is my small contribution to him.

My tears flow as I write.  Blessings.

Supplies:

Paper - PTI Kraft, black

Stamps - PTI Simple Blessings

Accessories - dimensionals

Downhill Run

This card is for a Clean and Simple challenge on SCS and the Crafty Creations Challenges to use stitching on your creation.    If you haven't tried sewing on your creations yet, you really should.  It's easy and fun.

The CAS challenge required us to use a slope...as in the Olympics..you know ski slope, luge, etc.  Problem is,  I live in S. Florida and my mind doesn't do snow in February, actually, after our short but freezing stint in MN, my mind doesn't do snow and cold anywhere!!!  My brain and body just shut down and I EAT.  Now, here in good ole' sunny FLA, we're growing strawberries, tomatoes and oranges but man oh man has it been cccccold here. We always get some chilly, in the 30's weather, but not for this long.  I know, I know, "quit whining!"  My kids are digging out of the snow.  

This card is all PTI...you can click to get a closer look. 

Supplies:

Paper - Papertrey Aqua Mist, Ripe Avocado, Ivory, Bitty Box Basics DP, Green Tea Leaves DP

Stamps - Button Bits

Ink - Versafine, SU marker

Accessories - sewing machine, PTI buttons, Aqua Mist ribbon, butterfly punch

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.