Teapot Tuesday - red and green?

Yes, red and green but not for Christmas!  Our Teapot Tuesday destination (MMTPT197) this week are newlyweds Alan and Ellen in Stockton, NJ.  You can find their complete story and mailing info as well as the challenge at the link above.   Alan and Ellen were just married in March.  Alan has recently been diagnosed with cancer.  We're out to bring them some encouragement and good wishes for their marriage.  Our challenge was to use red and green. 

I'm embarrassed to say that this is my first try at the emboss resist technique.  I am just not into messy but this was so much fun, I did a couple more! 

Supplies:
Stamps - Rubbernecker Stamps 2012 Collage Images
Ink - Ranger Distress Inks; Versamark
Paper - Neenah; October Afternoon
Other - Clear EP; May Arts 3/8" Velvet Ribbon; Tear-ific Tape

Clean and Simple Monday - Chic

The Clean and Simple Challenge (SC169) this week is called "It's Time to be Chic".   The definition of chic is elegant, sophistacated...of course, there are those who feel chic is chic(k) and their interpretation might be humorous, so I guess, it's all in the translation!

I chose a new (!) stamp Wildflower stamp (610-01) from Rubbernecker Stamps and went with the chic colors of black and white.

Chic? N'est pas?

Supplies:
Stamps - Rubbernecker Spring Glory (610-01)
Ink - Versafine black
Cardstock - PTI black; Neenah

Rubbernecker Stamps Sketch Challenge - SS17

It's time for another Monthly Sketch Challenge (SS17) at the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood Blog.

Here's my take on the challenge:

forgot to take the pearls out!!

It's easy to play along...remember, you've got a full month!

1.  Please limit the other challenges you enter with your creation to no more than 4 total.

2.  Link up your creation on the Stampin Sisterhood Blog.

3.  If you post in any online galleries, please use SS17 so we can find you to comment.

4.  The winner will receive a stamp set of their choice and a badge to display on their blog.

5.  Share your creation on Facebook, Twitter, etc., and come back to the SS Blog to tell us where you shared for another chance to win.

Different Sisters will have cards posted on the SS Blog throughout the month for your inspiration so check in often.

Supplies:
Stamps - Tree Inchies (430), Party Time (439)
Paper - Neenah Cream; Simple Stories 100 Days of Summer
Ink - SU markers Real Red, Certainly Celery; SU Close to Cocoa
Other - May Arts Crochet lace , May Arts Textured Lines; Tear-ific Tape (SAT01); sewing machine; foam tape

Vintage Vogue

Some days I long to shed my flip flops and shorts, tank tops and jeans and dress like this...

                                                                          Image Credit

sigh...but, then who would clean the house and walk the dog?  This is the inspiration photo on this week's Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger.

I was inspired by the gorgeous lace, the monochromatic color and the pop of gold.  My sentiment is stamped in sepia although it looks brown in the photo.  Perfect for the wedding of a friend at the end of the month, I think.

Foodie Friday - Cream Cheese Banana Bread

Happy Friday!  Goodness, if someone knows where this week went, would you please tell me?  The time just flew.  We are in the middle of yet another demo project....the kitchen floor!  Good bye old warped wood (it's the engineered stuff that can't be refinished again) and hello practical tile...yes, I know it's harder but also more durable and I have one of those cushy mat things to stand on.

Before the demo crew tore up the kitchen, I baked some yummy Cream Cheese Banana Bread (printable recipe).  I adapted this version a bit from the original Southern Living recipe, adding canned mashed pears along with the bananas and using bigger pans.  They recommended a med. size bread pan (8x4) - too small!  Use 2 full sized pans to prevent overflow.

Moist, yummy and oh so good...plus one to share or pop in the freezer for another day!

Grab a cup of hot tea or my personal favorite, a glass of cold milk, and enjoy!

May Arts/Ribbon Carousel Birthday Blog Hop

                                        

Ribbon Carousel is having a birthday party, May Arts Ribbon is helping to celebrate and we're inviting you to join in the fun!

The May Arts Design Team is joining the Ribbon Carousel Design Team to bring you fun and creative ways to use that Fabulous May Arts Ribbon.

It wouldn't be party without presents, right?   All you have to do to get in on the prizes is comment on each designer's blog then head to the May Arts and Ribbon Carousel Facebook pages for even more chances to win. 

Bet you're wondering what the prizes are right?  Here goes...

May Arts blog - a Ribbon Carousel!

May Arts Facebook page - 2 - 10 packs wooden ribbon spools

Ribbon Carousel blog - 4 spools of ribbon

Ribbon Carousel Facebook page - 2 spools of ribbon

Here's my project for the hop.  When we think of ribbon, we seldom think of masculine projects so I wanted to show you how you can incorporate ribbon into your guy themed projects.  I transformed a plain clipboard that I picked up for just a little over a $1 at my local W store with beautiful yet decidedly masculine, May Arts Ribbon.

I ran strips of Tear-ific Tape around the edges then coverd them with May Arts 5/8" double faced suede ribbon in dark brown (XV10).  I rounded off the edges with scissors then added my designer paper. 

I used Crystal Effects to attach May Arts Jute Cord  around the edges of the paper, then tied off some buttons with May Arts natural jute twine.   Another strip of suede ribbon covers the metal bar at the top and embellishes the card I slipped under the clip...prior to adding the "Honey Do" list!!  The card says..."You are amazing!"  :-)

I think this might make doing those honey do chores a bit more inviting, don't you? 

Teapot Tuesday -Dora's going to New Zealand

My card today is super simple because I'm nursing a bad burn on my wrist caused by steam.  Yow!  That thing hurts....but I so wanted to send a card to this week's Teapot Tuesday (MMTPT196) destination. 

Cindy, our moderator tells the story much better than I could so here she is:

Baby Eva Mitchell is 4 years old and lives at Auckland's Children's Hospital full time. Eva was born with a large hole in her left diaphragm and was unable to develop internally. She was given a very slim chance of surviving at birth, but has beaten the odds more times than anyone can count. Full ecmo life support, strokes causing weakness on her left side, bad chronic lung disease, living on oxygen, stomach and bowel do not function, gastrointestinal failure and she is fed into her blood stream which makes her a sick little girl who battles every single day!! She has lived in Auckland's Children's Hospital most of her life but since being admitted in May of 2009, she has only had 5 hours at home. She teaches us to cherish life, to take everyday as it comes and to run with it because life is precious.


Eva has a Facebook page where you can see lots of photos of her and follow her story. Eva's favorite color is purple although she also loves pink. She is a big Dora the Explorer fan and likes Makeup Mouse too. She wants to be a nurse when she grows up and she loves to play doctors. Her mom is Tiff and Dad is Joel.

Eva will be thrilled to get some pretty mail. Feel free to also send her sister Mela a card if you so desire. It would be really fun if you could include some fun childlike images for the girls to color while they are spending time together in the hospital. Punched shapes might be fun as well.

The cards will be sent to a friend of the family, who will deliver them to Eva at the hospital!


Here is the address:


Eva Mitchell
24 Platina Street,
Remuera, Auckland,
New Zealand, 1050

Clean and Simple Monday - Chocolate Mint

This week's CAS challenge (CAS168) on SCS is a color Challenge...Chocolate, Mint and White or Cream.  Great colors for masculine cards. 

I used SU Chocolate Chip and Certainly Celery inks, Chocolate Chip CS and Neenah Cream with Papertrey Ink's World's Greatest stamp set and die. 

Foodie Friday

I know...don't faint!  I've actually been back to the kitchen and baking again.  I actually did alot of baking this week but didn't think to grab the camera before it went out the door. 

I made Mississippi Mud Cake for our church picnic and it was sooo good, I decided to make another.  The best part is that it takes almost no time and just a few ingredients and there's enough to share with a neighbor or two because it's baked in a half sheet cake pan.  Perfect for potlucks, too!  I adapted the recipe a bit as I found the baking time to be too long resulting in a dry cake.  I always start checking baking times early so I caught it before it dried out, thank goodness!

You can find a printable recipe at the link above...dig in!

I have a bit of sad news to report...my friend, neighbor, and the mother of my dear friend Patty, Barbara Bryan, went to heaven this past week.  You may remember that Barbara was a Teapot Tuesday destination a few weeks ago. Our prayers are being lifted in thanksgiving for her life and for her family.  A special thank you to all the Teapotters who made cards for Barbara...they are still a great comfort to her family.  The cards are going with the family to Barbara's home N. Carolina where she will be laid to rest. 

May Arts/Authentique Blog Hop Paper Bag Album

It's my turn to show you what I did with May Arts Ribbon and the BEAUTIFUL papers from Authentique.  Our theme was Mother's Day so I created (my very first) paper bag album with Authentique's earthy and beautiful Gathering line of papers and die cuts.

Here's a sneak peek at the cover...be sure to pop over to see the entire book and leave a comment on the May Arts blog to win.  Be sure to check out the rest of the DT projects while you're there.

May Arts/Authentique Blog Week

                    

May Arts and Authentique have partnered together for one beautiful week dedicated to Mother's Day.  The Design Teams have come up with some beautiful and crafty ideas for you and of course, there will be prizes just for commenting! 

Be sure to stop in every day this week for more ideas and chances to win awesome May Arts Ribbon and gorgeous papers from Authentique.

Rubbernecker Father's Day Blog Hop

It's time for another Rubbernecker Stamps Blog Hop!  We're getting a head start on Father's Day. 

Here are all the important details:

OUR PRIZE:

A Stamp set of your choice!
Winner to be announced on the SS Blog 4/28 (1 week to hop).

HOP DETAILS:

Follow the route below
Leave some love at each stop
Go back to the Sisterhood Blog and let them know you have hopped.

BONUS ENTRY:

As a bonus we will draw an EXTRA winner for a STAMP SET of your choice, just for sharing our hop on your Facebook page or Blog!!

After you have shared, just go back to the Stampin' Sisterhood Blog and let us know where you have shared our hop.

Here's my take on the challenge.  Our dads have passed on so I created a card that I could use for any of the male members in our family.

I used real wood for the panels.  I chose a light wood because alot of the old "Woody's" had light paneling.  I added a layer of Crystal Effects over the entire car (except for the wood) to give it some extra shine.

I used the Blogger Sketch Challenge from Lisa Somerville's blog as my starting point.

I had to move the small side panel since my car is longer.  I flipped it on it's end too.  ;-)

Supplies:
Stamps - Rubbernecker Woody 567-01, Just Because 565-22
Paper - Bazzill Basics; My Mind's Eye Glitter Book (great guy stack!)
Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa; Copics, Copic Silver pen
Other - Martha Stewart border punch; brads; foam tape; Spellbinders square dies


Your next stop is Charlene Merrick (grab some M&M's for me while you're there, will you?)  Here's a list of the hop order in case you get lost along the way.  Be sure to leave a comment on each site to be eligible to win and thanks for spending some time with us!  Good Luck!

• Charlene Driggs (that's me!)
• Charlene Merrick
• Ellen Taylor
  Jacquie Peifer
• Jen Charboneau
• Jennifer Cuthbertson
• Joan Ervin
• Judy Rozema
• Julia Aston
• Karen Hunsaker
• Kecia Waters
• Kittie Caracciolo
• Stampin' Sisterhood

WOYWW150 - fluffy

It's Wednesday...already!  I've got a full day as it's my morning to tutor my little kindergarteners in reading but had to pop in quickly to wave hi to the ladies over at Julia's Stamping Ground and WOYWW150.

I've just finished a special order project I've not been given the liberty to share but it turned out soooo cute!  Do you ever hate to part with things you've made?

Those fluffy balls on my desk are some rolls of fringed tissue paper I just got in the mail.  I can't wait to use them but first I've got to get my card done for the Father's Day hop at Rubbernecker Stamps...there's a hint, maybe on my desk...unless I change my mind, of course.

I've got an April Showers coupon sale in my Etsy shop but just for a couple of weeks.....

Teapot Tuesday - Ham Radio

You must forgive me,  I couldn't help myself....this week's Teapot Tuesday Destination (MMTPT194) is Charles.  Charles is an ardent ham radio buff who has been diagnosed with cancer.  He had surgery a few days ago and is in need of some serious cheering up. 

When I saw this image, I just couldn't resist.  We were use the color brown, repeaters (brads), bands (twine) and letters.  The letters on the card mean, "How's my transmission?".  I hope this "ham" radio gives Charles the giggles.

;-)

Clean and Simple Monday - Magnolia Wishes

This week's CAS challenge on SCS (CAS166) is a sketch by DT member stampercamper.  Love this sketch!  You need to check out the CAS166 gallery to see all the variations of it to see how versatile it is.

Here's my take on the sketch.  I love this Rubbernecker sentiment because I think it works for everything from birthdays to Mother's Day to weddings.

The magnolia is made with a pear punch and a sun punch. The embossed panel is popped up with foam tape.

Supplies:

Stamps - Rubbernecker Beautiful Wishes (565-12) 

Paper - Neenah Classic Cream; Bazzill Basics Linen

Ink - Versafine black; PTI Chai; marker

Other - SU embossing die; pear punch, Cuttlebug leaf die; Poppy Stamps tendrils die; foam tape

some days you're the dog....

The Queen for the Day (QFTD108) over at SCS this week was none other than my Rubbernecker teamie, Charlene Merrick.   Charlene is an awesome creator and one of the newest members of the SCS, Dirty Dozen.

I tried to pick just one card to case from her fabulous gallery but I couldn't do it...she has too many!  Soooo, I decided to pick one of the images she uses alot in the adorable scene cards she creates...DOG from Rubbernecker Stamps and create my own little scene.

I just love this little guy and Charlene is the reason I own him.  She has done him in every color, including pink!  I computer generated my sentiment right on the cardstock, then built the scene around it.  I hope it's worthy of her day in the glittery sun.

Congratulations, Queen Charlene!!

Supplies:

Stamps - Rubbernecker Dog - 569-18; Papertrey Ink - Sun

Paper - Neenah; stash dp; Bazzill Basics

Ink - Memento, Copics

Other - fire hydrant die cut, cloud die from PTI, Poppy Stamps Grassland die, foam tape.

Operation Write Home - Make'em Laugh

                                     

May Arts has once again teamed up with the awesome folks at Operation Write Home (did you know they have a challenge blog now?!) and some other fine companies to support our troops through our craft.  The MA Team has come up with some fun cards to share so be sure to pop over to the blog for a few giggles and to see how YOU can participate in this worthy cause.  Just remember to keep your embellishments to a minimum so that extra postage isn't needed.


Here are the cards I've sent to Operation Home to hopefully bring a few smiles to our troops.

Stamps - Sentiment- Rubbernecker Stamps; Image - Whipper Snapper

May Arts Woven Burlap

                                                                     Stamps by Judith
                                                                 May Arts Burlap String  

You can find a list of the other companies participating in the hop on the May Arts blog.                            

Tuesday Trigger - Three Little Birds

I don't know a thing about the Bob Marley song that inspired this week's Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger, Three Little Birds, but I do know I love the understated colors in this giclee print.

                                         

Image Credit

Here's my take on it.  Not sure if I should ditch the leaves...?

Supplies:
Stamps - Hero Arts Merci Bouquet (almost used this cute bird!)
Paper - Stampin Up Silver; Neenah;  Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow; Bazzill Basics - birds/layer
Ink - Stampin Up Craft White
Ohter - Poppy Stamps Nested Bird; May Arts satin leaves

Foodie Friday...it's 5:00 somewhere

Dessert is back on the table at our house. Whoopee!  Of course, I have trouble eating it now, (which might be a good thing) due to the braces but hubby is a happy camper.

I made a carrot cake for Easter which was happily shared with a few neighbors and yesterday, I made these yummy Peanut Butter cookies again.  Hubby had a contest at work and promised the winner 2 dozen of the cookie of their choice.   No flour in these so you gluten free dieters can enjoy these!

Yummo!

 How about a cool drinkt to wash down that cookie?  I played again with the Sparkle N Sprinkle sketch (SSNSC06) for this month with this cute set called Cocktails II.



I switched up the side shape once again and used more of my fave DCWV Citrus Stack (honestly, I think I need to go get some more of this...it's just perfect for summer creating!)

Did you know you you can win the stamp SET of your choice for playing along?  You can read the instructions for playing along here....come on...you've go plenty of time!

Supplies
Stamps - Sparkle N Sprinkle Cocktails II (417)
Paper - Neenah Cream; DCWV Citrus Stack
Ink - Menento; Copics
Other - SparklenSprinkle Glitter (Florida Beach G111); SNS embossing powder Winter Berry (EP411); Spellbinders Oval dies; Quickie glue pen; 1/4" Tear-ific Tape; sewing machine

May Arts/Creative Imaginations Blog Week - Japanese Carp Kite Tutorial

                              

It's my turn on the May Arts blog to bring you a project using the beautiful papers and embellishments from Creative Imaginations.  I have a beautiful and easy craft that you can do with your kids or as a fun party or springtime decoration.  There are giveaways every day just for commenting so head on over and tell the Ribbon Lady what you think!