CPS218 Sketch - thanks so much

Family is so very precious.  As we get older, so do our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.  My aunt, on my father's side, has always had a special place in my heart.  She took care of me for awhile when I was a little girl.  She has never, ever forgotten my birthday even though we rarely see one another.  

This year, I thought I'd send her a thank you for my birthday card and gift using a photo she took of me wearing her sweater.  She's also responsible for the "bowl" cut on my bangs...I mean literally.  She put a bowl on my head and cut...oh my gosh...

At any rate, I used the Card Positioning Systems sketch218 for my card.  I've flipped the sketch.  I tried to make it a little bit modern...polka dots and the dots down the side and a little bit vintage, the Life's Portrait DP from Webster's pages and the scalloped oval to go with the vintage photo.  I did some light distressing on the edges of the dp before sponging with Smokey Shadow ink.

I hope it makes her smile..she will be 80 years old this year.  I think she was about 25 when that photo was taken.  Time, precious time.

Supplies:
Paper - PTI Hawaiian Breeze, Black, Webster's Pages Life's Portrait
Stamps - PTI Tags for Spring
Ink - Versafine, PTI Smokey Shadow
Accessories - SU 1/2" & 3/4" punches, Spellbinders oval, scalloped oval dies, photo reduced to 60%

WOYWW102 and a May Arts Tutorial

What's on my workdesk...not a thing!  I spent the afternoon clearing it off of bits and pieces of projects so it's all ready for more projects...DH is off today so I won't be in here until this evening.  Be sure to head on over to Julia's Stamping Ground to see what on the other work desks of the world.

In the meantime, I have a quick and easy gift tutorial for you over at the May Arts blog.  I'm on a thrifty gifting kick....between the price of gas and food, gift giving has got be a frugal affair.

Here's a sneak peek:

Teapot Tuesday in a Mojo Monday Way

We are blessed to live in the land of sandy beaches, salty ocean breezes and sunshine....well, most of the time...and we'll discuss the hurricanes later.

This week's SCS Teapot Tuesday 146 destination is Levvitown, PA and a young man named Anthony.  Anthony was hit by a truck one evening after leaving the music store at a mall with his friends.  He was very seriously injured and has a long road of recovery ahead.  He loves the guitar and the beach.  Check out the link if you'd like to send Anthony a card.

Here's my card for Anothony.  Hope he likes it!

Here's the inspiration teapot.  I had all those images but chose to focus on the sailboats because I had that cool wave stamp.  I stamped and colored one set of waves on my CS then cut out the front set and popped it on dimensionals.  The sailboats are heat embossed in white on kraft.  The sun is rock and rolled, then clear embossed and cut out, gluing down only the center.  The sky is sponged lightly.

My friend, MB gave me that cool textured base cardstock so I have no idea where she got it but I LOVE it for this card...reminds me of white sand and that jute..!!

I used the sketch from Mojo Monday 191 (MOJO191)    I changed the position of the embellishment buttons because I really wanted to use those star buttons and they wouldn't fit in the sketch position.  I hope it still counts.

Here's the sketch:

Supply List

Paper - CS base (unknown), DP - DCWV Citrus Stack, SU Kraft, Tempting Turquoise, Neenah Classic

Stamps - PSX wave, Fiskars Island Fun, Inkadinkadoo Coastal

Ink - Copics, SU Craft White, Summer Sun, Tango Tangerine, Versafine, Copic markers

Accessories - May Arts Jute, buttons, white and clear EP, dimensionals, Spellbinders square dies

Clean and Simple Monday - CAS119

Happy Monday...I know, I know...I'm trying to be positive!  :-)

This week's CAS Challenge on SCS (CAS119) is an inspiration challenge based on the word "GIFT".   I thought about that one for awhile and decided the most special gifts are friends.  I think as we get older, we appreciate them more because we realize how rare real friendships are. 

We have dear friends who have been a part of our lives for many years.  They are the kind of friends you could call in the middle of the night and they would be right there for you.  The male half of this lovely pair has a birthday soon so he'll be getting this one.

The sentiment is on the inside.  I used the rectangle die to cut a window then a larger die to cut the frame (had to trim it a bit).  Scor-Pal was used to make the horizontal/vertical scores.

Linking this on Michelle's Make it Monday Linky Party...it's fun, no pressure. Just link up what you've made!

Supply List: 

Paper -  Papertrey Ink Kraft, Black

Stamps - Papertrey Ink Big Birthday Wishes

Ink - Versafine

Accessories - Scor-Pal, Button, heavy duty thread

                                                                   

Foodie Friday - Going to the Dogs Treats Recipe

I meant what I said about "Going to the Dogs"!  :-)  This week's Foodie Friday is FOR the dogs in honor of our little Bentley graduating from Beginner's Obedience Classes.  He had the best trainer in the world...Allison, owner of Dogs Gone Wild.  Don't you just love that name? 

This is Bentley with Allison at the end of class... he had a ball!  She's the best trainer for teaching dogs and their owners what I call "life skills"...not just sitting, staying, and coming but things that may save their lives as well.  She's got a great easy going personality that relaxes both the dogs and their owners.

Here's Bentley and me (love the knee brace!) going through his heeling and sitting routine at class.  His tail looks like a little flag, doesn't it?  LOL

We made these yummy treats to share with the class...and they are yummy!  DH actually munched on one on the way to class...they smell as good as they taste and they're gluten-free!  Yes, I ate one (or two) as well.

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Bacon Treats

I found the recipe online but can't remember where...as soon as I remember I will link it up.  Super quick and easy to make.

1 c. oat flour (I made mine using the food processor)

1 c. brown rice flour (I milled mine in the elec. grain mill but it took a long time)  You may also use reg. or whole wheat flour if you're not worried about them being gluten free.

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 T. honey

1 egg

1/2 c. water

2 pieces crisply cooked bacon, crumbled very well

1 carrot, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except for the flours, mix until well blended.  Add oat and brown rice flours and mix again until all the flour is incorporated.

Roll out between two pieces of parchment or waxed paper or on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4" thickness.

Cut into squares or use a dog bone shaped cookie cutter as above.

Bake until crisp...Now here you will have to use your judgement.  The original recipe said to bake 20-25 minutes but I baked them a bit longer.  Cool in oven, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store about a week's worth in a tightly sealed container and freeze the rest until needed.  (you can also share them with your doggie friends.  They will love you for it!)

Our dogs loved them!!  Here's Bentley waiting for them to come from the oven.  He could smell the bacon and peanut butter and it was almost more then he could bear.

That's how It felt like when Blogger decided to break down on everybody.   I stayed up late last night to make a card for Off the Wall Craftiness' Color Challenge OTWC#52 then couldn't get it posted or linked...bummer. Sorry, Kim...I tried.

Here's my card anyway . I thought those great nautical colors needed to have a boat to go with them! I hand stitched around the sails and boat for more definition. Love this Sailboat shaped card from the Cutting Cafe, it's one of my favorites!

Supplies:
Card Template/Sentiment - The Cutting Cafe Sailboat Shaped Card
Paper - Papertrey Ink
Accessories - needle/heavy duty thread

Have a great weekend!

sending you one little wish.....

Sorry, I've been sporadic in my posting but I have been working on upcoming DT projects.  I'll be sharing them soon.

I just got around to making a card for Clean and Simple Challenge on SCS - CAS118 Banners.  I combined it with Papertrey's Make it Monday Challenge Selective Inking (inking up just part of an image or sentiment.

I inked up the first line of one of the sentiments from Big Birthday Wishes for the front, then stamped the remaining part of the sentiment on the inside...." for a birthday as AMAZING as you are".

I linked this on the Linky Party at Pink Paper Paradise as well...join in the fun...no challenges, just prizes and chance to share your creativity.

Supply List:
Paper - Papertrey Spring Rain, Neenah Classic
Stamps - Papertrey Ink Big Birthday Wishes
Ink - Versafine
Accessories - Papertrey Polka Basics II Impression Plate, Banner Builder Collection, Double Ended Banners, May Arts 1/2" Solid Wrinkled Ribbon, Button, HD thread

May Arts/DCWV Blog Week!

It's here again! It's May Arts/DCWV Blog week!  Be sure to head over to May Arts Blog and the DCWV blog to see what the teams have created and win all the yummy prizes up for grabs.

Here's a little peek at my project.  The complete tutorial is over at the May Arts blog.  I have

up all my tutorials under my Tutorial page in the blog header to make it easier for you to find them.

Here's a hint...I didn't use any glue or tape to hold the paper down!!  Head here to see how I did it.  ;-)

Grad

Two posts today so be sure to scroll down for Teapot Tuesday.

It's hard to believe another school year is coming to an end!  Time for graduation cards!

Clean, simple, elegant.  You'll find this one in my Etsy store today.

Teapot Tuesday - Garden Wars

This week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge #145  card is going to Debbie, who's having a difficult recovery from major surgery.   You can go to the link to see the inspiration pot and find Debbie's destination address.

You can't see it in the photo but the peaches (in the basket and in the corner) are covered in Crystal Effects as are the blueberries, the center of the sunflower and the highlighted area of the jars.

Cindy has written a wonderful story to go with the teapot as she always does...here's my solution:

Reggie Von Veggie thought he was cool,

He was smarter than rabbits in granddaddy's school.

He planned to eat the garden of ole' Lou Schmoo, master of green thumbs;
He thinks he's cool, too.

Well, ole' Lou's wife, she knows a thing or two,
she picked 'em and canned 'em,
Now tell us who's cool?

Supply List:
Paper - SU Certainly Celery, Gooseberry Patch DP
Stamps - Papertrey Fruitful, Vintage Friendship Jar Sentiments
Ink - SU Chocolate Chip
Accessories - Burlap, MS daisy, Crystal Effects, dimensionals

It's Time to De-Stash the Studio!

I'm de-stashing my studio...a long overdue process.  I have added a page in my header - Stamps for Sale.

I will be adding more sets, individual stamps and other supplies so be sure to check back frequently.  Instructions for ordering are on the page.

Thanks!

May Arts Mother's Day Giveaway

Happy Mother's Day to all you hardworking Mom's out there!  May Arts has a giveaway just for you over on their FB page.  Enjoy your day. 

    

Foodie Friday and Paper Ruffles

Happy Friday...don't know about you but I am so ready for the weekend.

I played around a little tonight with some tissue paper for the Tissue Paper Magic Challenge at Moxie Fab World.  It was a bit more challenging that I thought and looked better in my head than on the paper.  I had some tissue paper that had fun scalloped edges so I thought I'd sew and gather it.  Sewing....easy, gathering...not so much. 

Supplies:
Paper - Neenah, PTI black
Stamps - PTI Big Birthday Wishes
Ink - Versafine
Accessories - May Arts Ribbon, bling

Ok, here's your Foodie Friday treat...are you ready?

Yep, Pretzel M&M's.  I'm absolutely addicted to those little gems...salty, sweet crunchy and chocolate!

No baking this week as I'm still working off that Coconut Cream Pie from last week.  ;-)

Fly Away for a Happy Birthday!

It's birthday time over at the May Arts Blog!  In honor of our Ribbon Lady's little dude's birthday, you have a chance to get all the presents.  How cool is that?  Be sure to pop over to see what you can win and all the small print.  Hurry though because she's choosing a winner tomorrow!

Here's my card for her big little dude...

Supply list:

Paper - DCWV Citrus Pack (the clouds are shiny..love it!), Neenah, SU Real Red

Stamps - Papertrey Ink Fly Away

Ink - Copics

Accessories - Papertrey Ink Cutting Dies - Fly Away,  By The Numbers, May Arts BurlapString, Crystal Effects, dimensionals, sewing machine

Teapot Tuesday Mojo Monday - I'm Late, I'm Late for a Date with Will and Kate!

Yes, I'm late and so sorry to the email readers of my blog.  I'm not sure if it's old age or what, but a couple of late nighters is all I can manage before I crash. 

This is the actual title of this week's MMTPT144 Teapot Challenge though.  Our cards are going to Charlotte who lives in Everett, WA.  Charlotte is in the final stages of cancer and is in a care center.  We're hoping our cards bring her a bit of joy in these final days.

If you'd like to send Charlotte a card, here's her address:

Charlotte Kellogg
c/o Everett Rehab and Care Center
1919 112th St., SW
Everett, WA 

I used the Mojo Monday 189 MOJO189 sketch for my card for Charlotte.

Here's the inspiration teapot:

Supplies:
Paper - Neenah Classic Solar White base, Making Memories English Garden DP, SU Riding Hood Red
Ink - Memento, Copics, Riding Hood Red
Stamps - SU Right at Home, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories - May Arts Twine, heart brads, SU oval punches, Spellbinders Square dies, MS border punch, sewing machine

Clean and Simple Monday

Two CAS cards for you today.  The first is for the CAS117 Challenge over at SCS.  It's a color challenge to use brown, white, light blue and tan.  My mind went immediately to the beach. 

May Arts is having a beach themed challenge this month.  I'm so excited about this challenge.  May Arts has so many beautiful, natural ribbons to choose from!  I just happen to live a few miles from the beach and the SCS colors are so natural to the area.

Supplies:  Paper - Bazzill Basics, Neenah Classic Solar White, PTI Dark Chocolate

Stamps - Impression Obsession

Ink - Tim Holtz Walnut Stain

Accessories - May Arts Burlap Twine, Burlap, shells

The Play Date Cafe #79 color challenge was really interesting this week.  Sadly, I needed a sympathy card so decided to see what I could do with those colors.  There is a tiny bit of glitter pen at the base of the leaves that looks really nice IRL.

Supplies:  Paper - SU Dark Grey, Riding Hood Red, White

Stamps - PTI Out on a Limb

Ink - SU Dark Grey, Versafine Lime

Accessories - Sakura Glitter pen, ribbon, embroidery floss, Glue Arts Ribbon Adhesive

Foodie Friday - Coconut Cream Pie

Oh my!  I think this is my most favorite dessert.  (ok, ok, I admit it...they all are!)   When I was a little girl, I lived with my grandmother for awhile.  She used to "go to town" every Saturday and every Saturday we would stop at a little diner that had the most wonderful coconut cream pie.  My grandmother would always ask me what I wanted even though she knew what I would choose. 

There it sat in all it's creamy, chewy, crunchy glory under a big glass dome. Coconut Cream Pie!  I'd climb onto a red plastic covered stool at the counter and watch the waitress lift that big glass cover, never taking my eyes off that dreamy pie for fear she'd drop it. 

I've made this version of it as long as long as I've been married (that's a long time!)   Yes, I have a stand with a big glass dome for it to sit under.  Protected, secure until it's time for dessert.  

 It's our oldest son's favorite dessert as well.  We prefer ours with real whipped cream but if you love meringue, I've included one for you.   Enjoy! 

Coconut Cream Pie

1 baked pie shell (Perfect Pie Crust recipe here)

2/3 c. sugar

1/2 t. salt

2 1/2 c. lukewarm milk (whole is best but 2% works)

3 eggs, separated

4 T. plus 2 t. cornstarch

1/2 c. cold milk

1 t. real unsalted butter (no substitutes)

1 t. vanilla

2 T. flaked coconut plus 3/4 - 1 c. more, for top (if using whipped cream to top, toast coconut separately)

1.  Combine sugar and salt in a saucepan.  Stir in the 2 1/2 c. lukewarm milk.

2.  Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl; stir in some the the warm milk mixture.

3.  Pour the egg yolk/milk mixture into the saucepan and heat to boiling.

4.  Mix the cornstarch into the 1/2 c. cold milk, making sure the mixture is smooth.  Stir into the hot milk    mixture  and cook until it boils and thickens, stirring constantly.

5.  Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla.

6.  Cover with waxed paper, pressing it onto the top of the pudding to prevent a "skin" from developing as it cools.  When cool, stir in the 2 T. of coconut, stir very gently to mix.

Cover with meringue or chill until serving time and served with fresh whipped cream and toasted coconut.

If you love meringue, this one is really good.

Meringue

3 egg whites

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. cream of tartat

4 T. granulated sugar

3/4 - 1 C. flaked coconut

1.  Beat egg whites until foamy.  Add salt and cream of tartar.  Continue beating until peaks hold their shape.

2.  Add sugar, one T. at a time, beating constantly until dissolved. 

3.  Pile on pie,making sure to pull the meringue to the edges of the crust to prevent weeping.

4.  Sprinkle with coconut,  place in preheated 325 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until browned.

The best tutorial on meringue can be found here if you've never made it before and are a bit nervous.  Note:  Be sure it's a dry day because humidity can destroy a meringue making it sticky...we live in the tropics so whipped cream is safer (and oh so yummy!)

Enjoy...and save me a piece if you make it.  :-)

Flutterby Gift Bag Tutorial

We're celebrating May Arts/Little Yellow Bicycle Week over at the May Art blog.!  I love giving gifts and for me, half the fun is giving a gift that's as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside. 

When is a box not a box...well, when it's a purse, of course!  I created this gift box purse and card from a single sheet of Little Yellow Bicycle cardstock and May Arts ribbon.

My little model (borrowed from next door) said she thought her friends would love it.  ;-)

Head on over the May Arts blog for more photos and the tutorial.  Thanks LYB!  It's been a fun and inspirational week.