A CAS and a Teapot

Two cards today.  I've had this one done for a few days but didn't have time to get it posted.  It's for Sharon Johnson's ssnotime150 Color Challenge , the Play Date Cafe's Color Challenge - pdcc40  and  Really Reasonable Ribbon's Challenge #5 color challenge.

                                          

We are to use green/yellow plus black and white or ivory as the neutral.  For the Play Date challenge the colors are black and white with a touch of green but I think my ivory is light enough to pass.  wink, wink

This next card is TOTALLY different.  It's for the Teapot Tuesday and  Teapot Destination Station challenges on SCS.  You've got to go to Teapot Tuesday and read all about the party!  Penelope, Blossom and Bea are having a tea party to celebrate the opening of their new shop.  Charlotte, aka Charlie did not want to go....no way, but her mom made her. You can read the whole sad tale here.  :-)

I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch 84 and flipped it 'cause Charlie's so tall.

                                

Thanks so much for your sweet comments and your visits.  They make my day!

Supplies:

#1

Paper - PTI ivory, Black

DP - My Mind's Eye Lush

Stamps - unmounted rubber

Ink - Versafine black

Accessories - stick on bling, May Arts silk ribbon

#2

Paper - Neenah Classic, SU Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, PTI Navy

DP - Chloe's Closet

Stamps - Sassy Cheryl's

Ink - Copic Markers

Accessories - buttons, Chloe's Closet daisy trim, Cuttlebug swiss dots folder, Spellbinders long rectangle die, sewing machine

  

The Cutting Cafe - It's a Cupcake Kind of Day

One of my all time favorite sets stamp sets from The Cutting Cafe has got to be All About Cupcakes.

I LOVE, love this set!  Maybe because it's got 49 images (yep, I said 49!), or maybe it's the cool cake stands, or the awesome sentiments or maybe, just maybe, it's all those yummy cupcakes!  Whatever it is, I find myself pulling these images out of my computer all the time.

I found this sweet little pincushion pattern (Just Desserts) online.  Be kind, this is my first one and I must have been tense when I was doing the stitching because some of them are a bit tight...as in uptight!

At any rate, I just had to make a sweet card to go with it.  I think this would be a sweet little gift for any  big or little girl occasion...birthday, get well or just "thinking of you".  How about when your little sweetheart begins her first stitching project?

Would love to know what you think!  Thanks for stopping by the playground!!


This is for the Dutch Dare Card Challenge - Anything Goes ddcc #83

Supplies:
Stamps - The Cutting Cafe All About Cupcakes

Paper - PTI, SU Designer paper

Accessories - tag punch, button, ribbon, dimensionals. ticket die, stitching thread

  

Picture Perfect

                                  

Sorry I've been MIA for a couple of days. I spent a day out of town preparing to

serve on a spiritual retreat team.  That meant hubby was "home alone" all day Saturday. He surprised me by trimming all the hedges (a big job!) and removing an old pond so we can plant the area with a nice tree (an even bigger job!) I promised him we would spend Sunday together going to church and just relaxing the rest of the day.   Time well spent.

Now it's back to work for both of us and it's the first of the month, so that must mean it's time for Paper Cubed!  That's P3 to us.  :-) 

This month Kim challenged the design team to make a picture holder.   If you've played with us before you know that our rule is NO CARDS.   You are free to use your imagination to create anything that will hold a picture but NOT A FRAME.

Here's what I started with:

This is a 2 inch binder clip that you can purchase inexpensively at a discount or office supply store. 

I decided to cover the back of it as well because I wanted it to be beautiful from all sides.  

This month, our sponsor is Die Cuts R Us.  You can win a $15 gift certificate to shop to your heart's content for paper, embellishments, chipboard, stamps...need I say more?

Be sure to head to the Paper Cubed blog to check out what the other fabulous designers have created to get your imagination going; then get creting and link up your project on the blog.  We can't wait to see what you create and you might just win that super gift certificate!

 Remember, you've got until August 31st so there's no pressure. 

 Thanks for visiting...I'd love to know what you think of my creation.  Be sure to share some love with the rest of the design team as well.

Supplies:

Stamps - SU Everyday Flexible Phrases
Paper - Webster's Pages
Ink - Versafine
Accessories - 2" binder clip, chipboard, chipboard letters & shapes, spray adhesive, glitter, pearls, paper rose, Scor-Tape, Spellbinders Oval die



  

Foodie Friday - Fontina Frittata with Italian Sausage

I can't believe it's Friday...already!  This is one of those week's that has just flown by.  I hate when that happens! 

Have you ever had a Frittata?  It's just the best "go to" when you're short on time and still need a filling healthy meal for your family.  Breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Just change the add-ins to suit your taste (or whatever's in the fridge), and you're good to go.  Your friends and family will think you fussed and only you will know how easy it was.   If there's any left over, it's just as good cold.

The original recipe for this one came from Cuisine at Home but I changed it up a bit to suit my hubby's taste buds.  Dinner on the table in under an hour and Fudge Surprise Key Lime Pie for dessert!

Fontina Frittata

1 T. olive oil

6 oz. Italian Sausage (about 2, casings removed)  You can also try crumbled bacon, diced ham, cooked breakfast sausage be creative!

1/2 c. onion, chopped

1- 1/2 c. fresh spinach, chopped and packed into measuring cup (try other greens if you like them)

3/4 c.  diced fresh or drained canned tomatoes

12 eggs

1/2 c. heavy cream

1 t. kosher salt

1 c. fontina cheese, shredded (feel free to substitute any kind of cheese your family likes)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Saute sausage in the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until nearly cooked through and broken up, about 3 minutes.  Add onion and cook 2 minutes more or until onion is softened.  Stir in greens, tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste and cook just until greens are wilted, 1-2 minutes.

Remove the mixture to a bowl and wipe out the skillet with a paper towel.  Coat skillet generously with olive oil or spray with cooking spray.

Combine eggs, cream and salt in a blender until frothy.  Pour egg mixture into the hot skillet, stir in sausage mixture and cheese, transfer pan to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until set in the center. Sprinkle with a bit of extra cheese as soon as it comes from the oven, if desired.

To serve, slice into wedges.  Serve with a green or fruit salad.

Makes 6-8 servings.

Enjoy!!

                                                    

What to do if it Rains on Your Parade

A quick card that I made for my friend, Della.  She is recuperating from a serious stay in the hospital.  She will so appreciate this fun sentiment. 

Thanks to Sue, over at Sue's Stamping Spot, for sending me this super cute image.  We've been stamping and sharing images and it's been so much fun. 

I colored the boots with Copics then used Crystal Effects to shine some of them up and a Sakura gel marker to give my grey clouds a silver lining. 

Thanks for visiting.  A special thank you to everyone who has emailed or commented that they will be sending Andrew a card.   If you missed it, you can read my post here.

Supplies:

Paper - Neenah Classic,  SU Real Red, Grey, PTI dp

Stamps - shared image

Ink - Copic marker

Supplies - Spellbinders scalloped rectangle die, PTI cloud die, ribbon, corner rounder, Sakura marker

Back to School with The Cutting Cafe

It's almost time for back to school!  Gifts for female teachers are easier than gifts for men so I challenged myself to think of something a male teacher would use and appreciate.  Regina at The Cutting Cafe has designed this super Tabbbed Organizer Set.  I can think of so many uses for this set!  Recipe boxes, notebooks, journals and fun little organizers like this desk set. 

 

This project is about 90% recycled material.   I recycled a square acrylic box by cutting it in 2 (enough for 2 of these sets!) Then I cut the Tabbed Organizers from chipboard that came in my Stampin Up decorator papers.  I covered the organizers with designer paper then added the stamped images to the label that comes in the Tabbed Organizer Set.  See that little stand under my box?  It's the lid from an old prescription bottle, covered with cardstock that I adhered with my trusty glue gun. 

                                 

Have you noticed how thin index cards have become?  Ick!  I  "borrowed" these from my husband's desk, then glued them to some cardstock, added a strip of paper to match my Tabbed Organizers and a couple of Martha Stewart apples punches. Much better!!  See that neat label on the front?  It's from the Cutting Cafe School Days Printable Stamp Set .  28 great stamps perfect for back to school creating!  I laced my label on with a strip of leather lacing then secured the label with glue dots.

 

We have to have a card to write a personal note to that special teacher so I printed the same apples/sentiment image from School Days Printable Stamp Set directly onto my cardstock using Print Shop.  You can do this with Word as well.  I added a bit of dp, stitching, a button and some embroidery thread that I simply wrapped around the dp.

Please remember to pray for Andrew.  Info for sending him a card is on this post.

This little set will be in my Etsy shop along with a few of the other gifts you have seen recently later today.

Supplies:

Stamps - The Cutting Cafe School Days Printable Stamp Set, Tabbed Organizer Set

PTI Teacher's Apple

Paper - PTI

Ink - Copic markers, Tim Holtz Walnut Stain

Accessories - acrylic box, Spellbinders long rectangle dies, index cards, leather lacing, embroidery floss, button, computer

 

                                                       

A Request for Andrew - Can you help?

Update:  Andrew has been admitted to the hospital.  Please continue to pray for him and his parents.  If you can leave them a message on their Caring Bridge site (link below) it would be much appreciated. 

A few of you might remember that I requested prayers for Andrew, the nephew of a friend of ours, who has been diagnosed with multiple brain tumors.  This picture is from his Caring Bridge site.  If you would like to read Andrew's story and leave a message for his family, I know they would appreciate it so much. 

Andrew is 10 years old and loves baseball more than anything.  He has now lost all his hair due to the chemo treatments.  We weren't sure how comfortable Andrew's family would be putting his information out here in cyberspace but Andrew's aunt said he is going through a particularly difficult time right now and is in need of  encouragement. 

I know that cardmakers are the most wonderful encouragers!  If you have a moment, could you  please send Andrew a card?  It would mean so much to his family and I know it would lift his spirits. 

Here is Andrew's address: 
                                                                Andrew Wernicke

                                                               19445 Benington Drive
                                                               Brookfield, WI 53045

I had thought about sending him a baseball inspired card and then decided to send this one hoping it would bring a smile to his face. 

                              

I used an EK Success punch for my waves and popped them up on dimensionals so the fishes could jump in and out of them.   I cut the fish out and then coated them with Crystal Effects to give them shine and dimension.  My sentiment is computer generated.  This is for the CAS77 Red fish, Blue fish challenge on SCS.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Supplies:

Paper - Neenah Classis, PTI

Stamps - SU Fishy Friends (retired)

Ink - Copic marker

Accessories - EK Success large scallop embossing die, Spellbinders circle die, SU circle punch, computer, Crystal Effects, dimensionals

   

Dirty Little Ravengirl Featured Stamper

The Featured Stamper over at SCS is the talented ravengirl aka Toni.  This lady is seriously awesome at CAS cards.   I chose this card of Toni's and then "dirtied" it up for the Dare To Get Dirty Passion for Pattern by Sharon Johnson to use 3 different patterned papers on our cards. 

I used the lush May Arts black silk ribbon to separate my two base patterns.  Head on over to the May Arts blog....they've got a Ribbon on Cards #31 challenge on right now.  My chipboard and the tiny heart are covered with a new product from Art Institute Glitter called Black Vinyl.  It's for glossy cardstock but I liked the not too shiny look on this card.

Thanks so much for stopping by....I love your comments!

Supplies:

Paper - PTI, Webster's Pages, Neenah Classic

Ink - Versafine

Stamps - Flourishes Flourished Love

Accessories - May Arts silk ribbon, Art Institute Black Vinyl Glitter

May Arts Ribbon

                     
                       

Remember that I told you that I was working on a special project?    Here's a little sneak peak.  If you want to see the rest of the project; my post is live over at the May Arts blog right now!

 

 I love May Arts ribbon and I know you do to, so pop on over there and leave a comment to tell them  (and me!) what you think of my project.

 

This also qualifies for Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply 149 challenge to use two of something.  I used two DP's, double ribbon bows, and more and the Dare to Get Dirty Challenge on SCS (DTGD10Toy) Pretty Packaging. 

Thanks so much! 

No Foodie Friday but Clean and Simple and Thankful

 

I started this card for the Sketch Challenge1028 on CCEE Stampers and then realized it says MONOCHROMATIC...duh!  I could get by with the black as a  neutral but when the blue and saffron creeped in, the game was over.  I may enter it anyway just for the sketch. 

 

Sorry, no food today...hubby had a day off yesterday so that meant lots of catching up on errands and I'm working on a project I can't share until next month so it's been a busy few days.

 

Thanks for stopping by...I appreciate you!!

 

Supplies:

Stamps - SU Live Your Dream, Hero Arts

Paper - Neenah Classic white, SU black, PTI Aqua Mist

Ink - Versafine, So Saffron

Accessories - Cuttlebug folder

  

The Cutting Cafe - Little Sailor Boy

 

It seems as though every young mom we know is having a baby!   Guess it was that cold winter  ;-)  At any rate, it gives me a chance to make some baby cards and gifts and I love that. 

 

One of my favorite templates from The Cutting Cafe is this adorable Sailboat Shaped Card Set.  Perfect for a little boy.  Everything is included and ready to cut so all I did was add some handstitching.   Regina has made it so easy to make these adorable shaped cards.  She's got dozens of designs to choose from so that you can let your imagination "sail".    You can cut them out by hand using her pdf files or use the WPC cutting file as I did here.  There are two sentiments and an envelope included in this set as well.  What's not to love?

 

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.

 

Supplies:

Stamps - The Cutting Cafe Sailboat Shaped Card set

Paper - Papertrey Ink

Accessories - Spellbinders Circle dies, handstitching - heavy duty thread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean and Simple Monday

Sorry my Monday post is late...I've had a toothache for a couple of days that seriously cut into my creative juices.  An afternoon in the dentist chair (ugh!) and I'm almost back to whatever "normal" is.  The dentist fixed a chip and said I've been grinding my teeth.  I must be taking out my stress on my teeth at night. 

  

Ok, back to fun stuff...today's card is for the CAS76 Challenge on SCS .  We are to making a card using this cute sketch by Toni aka ravengirl.   

                                   

Don't forget,  you still have time to play along with the Papercubed (P3) challenge to make a table decoration.  Kim, our DT leader, has a great prize for one lucky crafter...a Tim Holtz stamp set and Grungeboard!!  You've got until the end of the month so get creating and link up.

Thanks for popping into the playground. I always appreciate your sweet comments and read every one.

Supplies:

Paper - Papertrey, Webster's Pages

Stamps - Savvy stamps

Ink - Tim Holtz Distress

Accessories - Spellbinders Label and Fancy Tags dies, paper roses

                                                   

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch 82 - Tiny Miracle

                                         
My little project today centered around Mercy's Tuesday Sketch 82.  I love Mercy's sketches.  They're so much fun to interpret.  (I didn't notice until after I took the photos that my ribbon was crooked...arghhh. Fixed that!)

I cut the scalloped oval from some pink wool felt I had leftover from another project.  I hand stitched the sentiment circle using heavy duty thread. 

Anyway, here's Mercy's sketch:

                                                    

Here's the rest of my gift project....

I made the little Bun in the Oven box from Papertrey Ink.  After I bought mine, I found a FREE template  that looks exactly the same!  I added a clear acrylic window to the front.  Inside the oven, is my little sock cupcake.  Carolina has a really good video tutorial here for making them. 

I made a pocket on the top inside of my card to hold a gift card.  I just used Scor-Tape on 3 sides of matching paper about 1 /12" wide and 4 inches long and popped in my stroller shaped gift card.  Worked like a charm. 

Supplies:

Paper - SU Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Imaginesce DP, Neenah Classic Ivory

Stamps - Michael's $1 (love that!)

Ink - Versafine

Accessories - Prima roses, buttons, heavy duty thread, ribbon, bun in oven template, gift bag, baby socks, cupcake paper, MS scalloped border punch, SU tag punches,  acrylic tag, acrylic sheet (oven window)

Foodie Friday - Pesto and Poppies

First up are the poppies...this is for  Sketch Challenge 289 on SCS.  Even though I used layers, I think this qualifies as CAS too.   I tried to stay as true to the sketch as I could wthout too many embellishments just to see if I could.

 

Here's the details on the card; then onto the Pesto!

 

Supplies:

Paper - Papertrey Ink

Stamps - Hero Arts-A Wild Poppy, Saavy sentiment

Ink - Versafine chalk ink, Tim Holtz Walnut Stain

Accessories - buttons, twine

 

Pesto is one of my all time favorite foods...It's so expensive to buy but so easy to make and freeze if you grow your own Basil, Parsley, Spinach, Cilantro, or Sage... or have a generous neighbor who does!   I'll show you how I get it ready to pull out at a moments notice for stirring into sauces,  soups, topping bread, pizza, chicken and a variety of other dishes to add extra yumminess and homemade flavor.  Great for spaghetti sauce in a jar...a couple of tablespoons and you'll think it's homemade.

 

You start with this:

 

 

 

Here's the quick recipe:

 

Fresh Pesto

 

2 cups packed fresh basil, parsley, spinach, cilantro, or sage (try a combo like basil and parsley)

3/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

1/2 c. walnut pieces or pine nuts

2 large cloves of garlic, cut in half

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. freshly ground pepper

1/2 c. olive oil

 

Remove stems from basil.  Wash thoroughly in lukewarm water, and drain well.

 

Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add basil and next 5 ingredients.  Process until mixture is smooth.

 

With processor running, pour oil through food chute in a slow steady stream until combined. 

Use immediately, or freeze for later use.  Here's how I do it: 

Place one Tablespoon of pesto into each ice cube slot.  Cover and freeze until firm.  When frozen, just pop them out and place in freezer bags. Return to freezer until needed.   They unthaw in just minutes or you can pop them frozen right into soups or sauces for extra homemade flavor.

Bon Appetit!!

 

                                              

A Cause and a Card

While blog hopping to check out some challenges, one of my first stops was at A Spoonful of Sugar.  One of their DT members, Michelle, has had a bad accident that has resulted in the loss of an eye. 

 

The team is requesting that cards be sent to Michelle to cheer her.  You can find her address and the details at this link.  You will also find a link to a free digital stamp set designed in Michelle's honor by artists Melissa Jenkins and Ann Vento and available for download through Whimsey Stamps.   I know that she would also appreciate your prayers. 

 

Now on to my card for today...no challenges, just a simple CAS Thank you that was ordered by a friend.  I lined the envelope as well.

 

Supplies

Paper - Neenah Classic White, Papertrey Ink

Stamps - Papertrey Out on a Limb

Ink - Versafine, Papertrey

Accessories - ribbon

 

 

CAS75 - Dry Embossing

This week's CAS (Clean and Simple) Challenge CAS75 is to use dry embossing.  I took the easy way out and used Spellbinders dies to emboss my card front. I used a Cuttlebug die to cut then emboss the butterfly.  Card size is 4.25" square.   I left off a sentiment because I thought this card could be used for just about any occasion from sympathy to birthday.  Quick, clean and simple.  Gotta love that!

Supplies:

Paper- Neenah Classic, SU Black

Accessories - Spellbinders Square dies, Cuttlebug butterfly Cut and Emboss die, self stick half back pearls, Scor-Tape

Get Ready to Hookie Lau..We're Going to a Luau!

I've been keeping a secret!  I was asked to be the Guest Designer on the Hand Stamped Sentiments blog!


The Design Team theme is .Luau.   You are free to create whatever you want.   How's that for fun?  I decided to make a little set that could be used for a party or for a romantic little Hawaiian evening with your honey.  ;-)

First up is my card, which I made as an invitation but could also be used for a fun summer beach card.

The images are from an acrylic set I found at JoAnn's by Fiskars called "Island Fun".  The totem image is a single that I just stacked one on another, embossed with clear embossing powder then cut out.  The flower and sentiment are from the same set.  See those little swirly things around the flowers?  Well, they were left over when I used my swirled MS border punch on another project.  I knew I could use them on something!

Next up is my little glass charm which also doubles as a wrist lei.  I punched flowers from mulberry paper then strung them on pink elastic cording.

Finally, is a little favor box.  This is actually the cute Life Savers Box from the Cutting Cafe.  This box holds 4 packages of Lifesavers.  I didn't have any Lifesavers but guess what?  It also holds 4 of these yummy Ghiradelli chocolates that just happened to match my box. 

It's summertime...great time to plan a Luau.  Hop on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments to see what the fabulously talented Design Team has in store for you then grab your grass skirt, your ukulele, your vivid colors and stamps and play along. 

This is also for the F4A20 Free for All Challenge at SCS - Show Us What Ya Got...how'd they know I HAD to go shopping?  Who ratted me out?!

Supplies:

Paper - K & Co. Citronella

Stamps - Fiskars Island Fun

Template - The Cutting Cafe Life Savers Box

Ink - Versafine

Accessories - large flower punch, elastic cording

It's Tea Time at The Cutting Cafe

 

This week's Featured Stamper 179 at SCS is Stephanie.  I chose this cute card of Stephanie's to case.  It gave me the perfect opportunity to use The Cutting Cafe's new Tea Time set.  My problem was choosing which adorable tea pot to use.  There are 31 stamps in this set!!  I used the sentiment  " I hope you feel better soon" from the new Tea Bag Holder Template set on the inside and added a Four Red Fruits Tea Bag to the opposite panel. 

I printed out another teapot then cut the strawberries and the tea cup out and popped them up on dimensionals.  I got my Prismacolor color pencils out and dusted them off to do my coloring.  I blended with baby oil.

I think this one's going to my dear friend, Della.  She's in the hospital with clots in both lungs and both legs.  If you can whisper a prayer for her it would mean so much. 

Supplies:

Stamps - The Cutting Cafe Tea Time, Tea Bag Holder Template

Paper - Papertrey, SU DP, fine tip black pen

Ink - Prismacolor pencils, baby oil

Accessories - ribbon, half back pearls, dimensionals, MS border punch, Crystal Effects, tea bag