Foodie Friday - Perfect Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes were always a favorite in our house.  Making the cheese sauce wasn't my most favorite part so when I found this version I was a happy camper.  The bonus?  They're fast, easy and FABULOUS.  Perfect for Thanksgiving or anytime.

Potatoes are on special most everywhere now so it's a good time to try this recipe.  My friend, Janet, said she needed a potato recipe.  Seems someone in her house, who shall remain nameless, bought 20 lbs. of potatoes yesterday.  LOL

You can find a printable copy of the recipe here and at the link at the top of the page.  I'm making them again today!

I forgot to add that I won the Pie Tasting Contest at church with this pie!!  Woo,Hoo!!

May Arts/Echo Park Blog Week Inspiration and Giveaways

It's my turn on the May Arts Blog to share the fun we had with Echo Park Papers this week.  I got to play with the vintage looking Season's Greetings Collection.

Want to make those boxes?  There's a tutorial for you on the MA Blog.  Of course, a blog week wouldn't be complete without giveaways right?  Well the Ribbon Lady and Echo Park have teamed together to cover that too.
All you have to do to have a chance to win is leave a commnet here.

WOYWW128 and Ribbon Carousel sketch

It's Wednesday...already  that means it's time for WOYWW over at Julia's Stamping Ground.  I missed last week as I was swamped.  This post will be short and sweet as I'm off to grab a couple of items on my Christmas list that are the "Lowest Price of the Season".  :-)

First up though is my submission for the cool sketch on Ribbon Carousel RCC29 (Laura's Sketch). 

                                           

I wanted you to see the beautiful texture added by the May Arts Ribbon and Sparkle N Sprinkle black detail embossing powder.  I love the beauty of this sentiment.  I think it's perfect for a sympathy card or for a friend going through a tough time.

Here's a peek at my workdesk....(notice there is no candy on there, Janet!)  :-)

I'm off to walk the dog and hit the mall (UGH!) but be sure to check out the other workdesks over at Julia's and don't forget to Hop with the Sisters at Rubbernecker.   There's a whole lot of inspiration and a stamp set up for grabs just for commenting.

Supply List

Cardstock - PTI; K&Co.

Stamps - Sparkle N Sprinkle Bird Swirl (432)

Ink - Versamark/Versafine

Other - SNS Black Detail EP (EP171), May Arts Velvet Corduroy, Recollections stick on bling



Teapot Tuesday - Katie Renz' Twins Birthday

This week our Teapot Tuesday Destination (MMTPT172) is the home of Will and Nate Renz, Katie's soon to be 6 year old twins.  Our hope and our prayer is to make their birthdays a bit brighter.  The boys love cars and trucks and have asked for a remote controlled car/truck for their birthday.   If you'd like to send them a card, you can find all the information here.

Of course, each boy needs their very own card so I made them just slightly different and added their initials.  The cars are cut out and popped up on dimensionals.

Supply List

Cardstock - Neenah; DCWV

Stamps - Wags n Whiskers Speed Racer digi, PTI sentiment

Ink - Versafine, Memento, Copics

Other - PTI number and banner dies, SB star die, metal letters, glitter, sewing machine, Helmar Zap Dots

Don't forget the RN Blog Hop is in full swing.  You have until Thursday to comment and win!

Echo Park Blog Week!

                         

It's here!  May Arts/Echo Park Blog Week is here and you know what that means!  Lots of giveaways so head on over the MA blog and the Echo Park blog to see what the design teams have created for your inspiration.

Be sure to scroll down for the Rubbernecker Blog Hop and giveaway as well.  It's going to be a fun week!

I'll be back with a sneak peek at my Echo Park project when it's ready for prime time.  :-)

Clean and Simple Monday - Party On!

The SplitcoastStampers CAS144 challenge this week is a word - PARTY! 

I just adore this little image from All Night Media.  One layer and done!  I embossed my party boy with black EP from Sparkle N Sprinkle, added some of their cool Dimensional Glue and a smidgen of SNS Rosy Red Glitter.

Supply List

Cardstock - Neenah

Stamps - All Night Media Party Boy, PTI

Ink - Versamark, Versafine

Other - SNS EP, glitter, glue; May Arts glitter velvet ribbon

Don't forget the Rubbernecker Holiday Blog Hop is still in full hopping mode!  You've got until Thursday to complete the hop for your chance to win your choice of a full set of awesome RN stamps!

Start the hop here at Bev's blog to get going.

Rubbernecker Holiday Blog Hop!

It's time for the Rubbernecker Holiday Blog Hop!  The Stampin’ Sisterhood is in a holiday mood.  We're all using Rubbernecker Holiday images so put on your favorite CD and get ready to hop with us.

Just leave a comment at each hop site and you'll be entered in a random drawing for your choice of one Rubbernecker Stamp set.  We know you're busy, so you will have until THURSDAY 11/17 to hop. The winner will be announced on the Rubbernecker Blog on FRIDAY 11/18.


We have some exciting news to share as well. We will be starting some awesome Rubbernecker challenges on SUNDAY 11/20.  Hope you will join us for SISTERHOOD SUNDAYS.  Time to get hopping!

•  Bev Gerard
•  Charlene Driggs (That's me!)
•  Charlene Merrick
•  Frances Gumprecht
•  Holly McMillen
•  Jacquie Peifer
•  Jen Charboneau
•  Jennifer Cuthbertson
•  Joan Ervin
•  Judy Rozema
•  Julia Aston
•  Juliana Swanson
•  Karen Hunsaker
•  Kecia Waters
•  Kittie Caracciolo
•  Maria Gurnsey
•  Rubbernecker Stamps

Supply List
Cardstock - Neenah; DCWV Winter Wonder Stack
Stamps - Rubbernecker Joy Text (209-02), Snowflake Set (587)
Other - Sparkle n Sprinkle Bridal Glitter (G1029), SNS Brushable Glue, SNS Clear EP

Beads and Baubles

I know what you're thinking?  Where are the beads and baubles?  Well, they're right here on the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge.    Love the color and all that gold.

Supplies:

Cardstock - Neenah; Papertrey Ink

Stamps - Rubbernecker Christmas Tree Set 592

Other - May Arts Glitter Velvet; Sparkle N Sprinkle Clear Detail Embossing Powder

Foodie Friday - It's all about Velvet...ribbon and pie

Sorry I've been AWOL for a couple of days.  My little brother, whom I haven't seen for a few years came for an all too quick visit.  It's so hard being so far away from family but it was so good to see him.

I've got a great gift idea tutorial for you over at the May Arts blog.  Here's a bit of sneak peek. 

I've also been doing a bit of cooking and baking.  Here's a quick and easy and oh so velvety Derby Pie that you can whip up in mere minutes.  It's a staple during Kentucky Derby season.  I'm not even a chocolate chip lover but I can't resist this warm rich pie piled high with real whipped cream.

That's what I'm talkin' about!

You can find the printable recipe for Derby Pie here and at the Recipe Link at the top of the page. You can find the pie crust recipe at the Recipe Link as well.  If you haven't tried it, you really should, you know.  It's super easy and you can freeze so that you can have pie any time.

Last but oh so not least......You want to be sure to check out the Blog Hop going on at the Sparkle and Sprinkle Blog.  Some lucky blog hopper is going to win the Grand Prize of a stamp set of your choice and there are 3 more secret prizes hidden along the hop. 

May Arts and Operation Write Home

May Arts Ribbon has paired with Operation Write Home once again to make and send cards for our brave and dedicated men and women who are serving our country.  This time we've created Thank you cards.  Be sure to pop over the May Arts blog to see the cards the DT has created.

I also hosted a group of lovely ladies who together made 107 cards (!) for OWH last Friday evening.  You can see the samples on the MA blog as well.  OWH always needs thank you cards so if you have a few extra minutes to stamp some, I know they'd appreciate it.   Remember, no glitter and no bumpy embellishments.

Many thanks to Diane, Stephanie, Durley, Kay, Krystal, MaryBeth, and Janet.

Be sure to scroll down for the Foodie Friday post.

Teapot Tuesday - The Cat's Meow

The SCS Teapot Tuesday Destination Station MMTPT171 this week is a couple facing some very critical health issues.  They love their cats so our challenge is to send them fun/funny cards with, what else, cats!  I must admit I don't like cats much...with apologies to my friends who have them...it's a childhood thing. 

I used the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday challenge MOJO214 .

Recipe List

Cardstock - PTI; DCWV

Stamps - Rubbernecker Cats Set - 597

Other - foam tape, May Arts Sheer Watermelon, glue dot, SB circle die

A Heavy Heart - Katie Renz

I am pasting the email I received from Kate at I heart papers.  Katie Renz has gone home. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Dear Swimmers,

It is with a very heavy heart that I write to you to let you know that Katie has passed. Early this morning at 5:10am PST she passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her family until the very end.

Please take a moment to update your followers and blog readers with this news. We had such an overwhelming support for the Swimming for Katie hop and fundraiser and I know they would want to know this news. The donation link is still live, as is the static page with the fundraising items for sale. All the information is HERE. So, if people feel so moved, they still have the opportunity to purchase or donate.


Sympathy cards can be sent to:

The Renz Family
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913


Also, in case you're interested, the twins, Nate and Will, will be turning 6 on Nov. 19th and Hunter will be 12 on Dec. 1. It would be wonderful if we could shower them with cards for their special day, just like their mom would do. Kevin's birthday is November 17. 

I am at a loss for any other words other than thanking you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you.
With deep sadness...
Kate

A note from me....SCS Teapot Tuesday group will be doing a drive for birthday cards for the boys so please be watching for info if you'd like to participate.

Thanks,

Clean and Simple Monday- CAS143

I've been creating away for upcoming blog hops and challenges so stay tuned for a busy month.  I did manage a few minutes (actually, this sketch was hard for me for some reason so it was more than a few minutes!) for the SCS Clean and Simple Challenge which is a sketch challenge this week.

You can find all the details here.

Supply List

Stamps - SU Scenic Season; Papertrey Ink Love Lives Here Holiday

Cardstock - SU Real Red; PTI Vintage Cream

Ink - Wild Wasabi, SU RR marker

Other - SNS Twinkling Clouds glitter, glue pen, Recollections stick on bling

I've been cooking and baking too...Sorry I missed Foodie Friday.  For all you foodies, I will post the recipe I made tomorrow.  I had 7 lovely ladies over to make cards for Operation Write Home so didn't have time to post.  They collectively made 107 cards!!  WTG, girlfriends!

Here Comes the Flower Girl - Tutorial

My DH and I got married in the winter...January to be exact in one of the worst snowstorms I can remember.  We didn't have a flower girl but for those of you thinking of winter weddings, I have an alternative to the summery baskets that are so common.  Actually, just change the color and this flower girl "basket" would be perfect for any little flower girl to toss petals from.  It's less bulky than a basket and the thinner handle makes it easier for little fingers to grasp.

Head on over the May Arts blog for a full tutorial.  Doesn't this look like one of the pleated dresses so popular right now? 

PS...those rose petals were all saved from roses DH has given me over the years.  Perhaps someday, our granddaughter will use them.  sigh...........

WOYWW126

Another Wednesday...already!!  Hey time...SLOW DOWN!  That's not likely to happen.  On my workdesk is my new favorite tool.  I saw this Fiskars Stamp Press tool in use online.  I thought it looked wonderful...guess what?  It is!  I even removed the angel from the card in yesterday's post to add some color to her, can you imagine doing that on a tiny piece of already cut CS?  Run right out and get one.

 

See that SU Choc Chip pad on my desk?  Anyone know how to get the darn top back on?  I went to open it and the top went flying.  Thankfully, it ended up in the wastebasket and not on the carpeting.

I've got stamps out for a Rubbernecker Blog Hop coming up and also for a Sparkle and Sprinkle project. 

Be sure to head on over to Julia's for a look at creative desks all over the world.

Twofer Tuesday - one for Christmas and one for Autumn

Another late Monday post but life is going to get busier instead of slower so I will just apologize in advance if I don't post daily through the holidays...I will try though, I will try.

Here's my CAS Monday card for the SplitcoastStampers SCS142 Ivory, Red and Chocolate challenge.

Supply List

Cardstock - PTI Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate

Stamps - PTI Holiday Tags

Other - May Arts ribbon , PTI angel die, SB circle die, CB swiss dots folder



This is the Teapot Tuesday MMTPT170 card for SCS member CAKath.  Kathy's sister recently passed away due to multiple cancers so we're out to send her some TLC and lots of prayers.  The challenge was to make mosaics but my health issues makes that super hard so I fudged it a bit....after trying 3x unsuccessfully.

Supply List

Cardstock and DP - Papertrey Ink

Stamps - PTI Year of Flowers, Mums

Ink - Memento, Copics

Other - foam dot, stick on bling

Foodie Friday - Parmesan Crusted Chicken w/Arugula & Tomatoes

One of our favorite chain restaurants is Carrabba's Italian Grill.  Our budget doesn't allow for frequent trips but we're never disappointed.  This spring, we went for my birthday.  DH got a new dish that was only available for the spring, Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Arugula and Tomato Salad.   He raved with every bite about how delicious it was and has been talking about it ever since.

I decided to see if I could replicate it for him.  He said it's nearly identical.  Woo,Hoo.  I must say, it was delicious and look at that golden crust on the chicken!  It would good by itself.  Definitely carmelize the lemons and squeeze on the chicken/salad.  All this in under 45 minutes!!

I took notes as I cooked so you can find a printable recipe HERE and on the Recipe Link above.

Bon Appetito!

An Elegant Fall and WOYWW 125

Hooray!  It's my turn on the May Arts blog to show you what I've done with Creative Imaginations Paint It papers and H20's.  Here's a peek at what I've been playing with.

Here's a sneak peak at one project:

Are they not gorgeous?  Pop over to see what else I did with this and more!  Be sure to leave a comment to win while you're there!!

It's time for WOYWW over at Julia's Stamping Ground.  There's nothing on my desk that I can share yet so I thought I'd show you the little sign that I found many years ago.    Yep, that's me...always behind or at least it feels that way!  Guess, I'm living forever at this rate!!!   It's traveled all over the US with us and has mostly been attached to my washing machine or refrigerator because it's magnetic. 

 Well, believe it or not the fridge door is wood and the washer is one of those front loaders (BTW, I think we're going backwards...my mom had one of these in the 50's for heaven's sake!)

Be sure to pop in to see the other workdesks across the world.

Less is More - Breast Cancer Awareness

I have a cool photo to share with you.  Earlier this month, our town lit up the main bridge across the river in pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  The idea was submitted by my friend, Neil Zimmerman.  Neil is a very talented young man who came up with the idea and a way to do it inexpensively.  Neil attends the University of Florida (I'll forgive him for that!).  I thought you might want to see ho how cool it looked. Neil's mom was kind enough to share this photo taken by Steven Martine.

I created a card for a freind at church who was recently diagnosed with BC.  You can find it on my Tuesdays with the Team post at Rubbernecker Stamps Blog.  Here's a little sneak peek.  I'll pop over there to see what you think.

I used the Polka Dot theme from the Less is More Week 38 challenge.