May Arts Ribbon - Let's Go Camping!

It's summertime and that means camping trips, swimming and adventures in the woods.  I've got a quick project for you on the May Arts Blog featuring October Afternoon Campfire designer papers and embellishments.    I think it's a super idea for boys and girls to journal their summer activities.

Here's a sneak peek..

There are two more larger journals as well.  Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me...see you at May Arts Ribbon!

Foodie Friday - Homemade Granola Bars

Granola bars...I've had a love/hate affair with them for years.  I liked the convenience of  having something quick to grab on my way out the door but I tried not to think about the fact that they were mostly sugar of one kind or another and they had very little nutritional value.  A girl could choose to break a tooth on them because they're rock hard or get the softer ones, which are often a sticky sugary mess.   I finally stopped buying them a few years ago.

Well, the other day, I was looking for something quick my DH could grab and eat on the way to work. (he leaves at 4:30 a.m. and honey, I'm NOT cookin' breakfast that early!) and enter The Barefoot Contessa.

Sweet but not too sweet, chewy, crunchy, delicious and packed with whole grains, nuts and dried fruit.   Real food and easy to boot!

I adapted Ina's recipe a bit substituting her dried dates for dried blueberries, slivered almonds instead of sliced and I used my own Homemade Vanilla.    You can find a printable recipe here.

Happy Foodie Friday!  Enjoy!!

Sparkle on!

The CAS-ual Friday challenge this week (CFC55) is Sparkle and Bling.  I can't think of anything more sparkly than May Arts Glitter Velvet Ribbon.  Grab your shades!

Sparkle on!

Supplies:
Cardstock - Neenah; PTI
Stamps - PTI Damask Designs
Ribbon - May Arts Glitter Velvet - silver,white,black; black bling; double sided strong tape

May Arts/Lawn Fawn Blog Hop - Cute as a Button

It's my turn to share on the May Arts Blog for the May Arts/ Lawn Fawn Blog Hop!  Here's a sneak peek!

 

The Ribbon Lady has a giveaway prize attached to my post so hurry over and comment to win!

WOYWW157 and a Rubbernecker Inspiration Challenge

Ok, first things first.  The Rubbernecker Sisterhood Sunday challenge (SS18) this month is an inspiration challenge.                                                 

All the challenge details are here.  You've got the whole month to play and you could win a Stamp SET just for playing along that includes the awesome new sets for 2012!

Here's my card for the challenge:

I went with the colors and cupcake theme...my cupcake stands?  Why they're wine glasses, of course!  LOL

Party Time - 439

Is this not the cutest set?  And just think..it could be yours just for making a card!!  I cut apart (gasp) the sentiment to make three separate stamps.  Now you know my secret...I cut up my rubber and acrylic stamps.

Now for a peek at my workdesk.for WOYWW157 at Julia's Stamping Ground..

This is the aftermath of the cardmaking..a few cupcakes that didn't make the color cut and my cut up rubber plus a journal in progress and various other parts and pieces that need to be put away.

Oh, and one last thing..(wink)

If you've been reading my blog, you know what this is.  Just leave me a comment telling me if you follow by email or reader.  This alphabet die set is by PTI.    I will draw a winner on June 20th.

Happy WOYWW!!

                                               

Rubbernecker and The Twinery Blog Hop

Rubbernecker Stamps and The Twinery have combined for a blog hop!   I'm not participating this time, but I don't want you to miss out.

Head to the Stampin' Sisterhood blog for the full hop route and have fun! 

Teapot Tuesday - Scooby Doooooo

This week's Teapot Tuesday (MMTPT201) Destination is a young man named Cory.  I have copied a portion of his story below. Cory has had alot of medical issues in his short lifetime.  The Teapotters have been charged with sending him some happy mail featuring some of his favorite characters.  His all time favorite is Scooby Doo, followed by Thomas the Train, Toy Story and Garfield the Cat.



                             

DESTINATION STATION

This week our destination is Clinton TWP, Michigan. If you would like a destination for your card, how about sending it to Cory. Cory is the son of a friend of fellow teapotter Sugar (redcaboose1717). Cory is 20 years old and has suffered with medical problems throughout his entire life. He was born with Microcephaly (small brain) and he also has Hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and due to the Hydrocephalus he has undergone many,many brain surgeries better known as shunt revisions. Cory also has battled non-hodgkins lynphoma, and had several chemo treatments. He is now in remission.
 
Cory's address:
Cory Robertson
38557 Wellington Dr.
Clinton TWP, MI  48036

Now for blog candy news.  If you've read this far, I know you're a regular here.  I promised monthly blog candy which will pop up on a random day during the month.  Since this is the first one, I'm giving you a little heads up that it will be sometime this week and only for followers or email readers.  All drawings will be by random selector based on comments.   Now...let's let the fun begin!

May Arts/Lawn Fawn Blog Week!!

Get ready for a fun week of projects and giveaways on the May Arts and Lawn Fawn blogs this week as we pair up to bring you some crafty inspiration!!

Clean and Simple Monday - Letters

The Clean and  Simple Challenge on SCS this week (CAS173) is to used letters on your cards.

I had the Kraft Reflections Stack and Letter Sticker Staples by Graphic 45 on my workdesk so this one practically made itself!  I think my hubby will like finding this tucked into his lunch tomorrow.  :-)

Lots to catch up on this week...then it's off to see the grands!  Yippee!

Supplies:

Cardstock - Papertrey Kraft; Graphic 45 Kraft Reflections
Other - Spellbinders heart die; Graphic 45 Staples Stickers

Foodie Friday - Calzones!!



Oh my...it's been awhile since I've made one of our favorite dinners, Goat Cheese and Proscuitto Calzones with homemade Tomato Basil Sauce.  YUM!  Our youngest son loves these and since he's moving closer (yes!), I thought I better practice up.

You can make the dough in the bread machine for ultra easy prep.

Then, just roll or pat it out and fill it up.

Goat cheese, Fontina, Mozzarella, Proscuitto, Tomatoes a bit of fresh or dried thyme and a healthy sprinkle of black pepper is how we like them.  I brush the dough with homemade garlic oil first.

Crimp it closed.

Then just pop it in a super hot oven.

A printable recipe for the dough is here.  Fill them with whatever floats your boat:  cooked sausage and steamed peppers, ham and cheese, pepperoni and cheese...

ENJOY!!



FTL192 - enjoy the moment

I popped in the the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog (FTL192) for their sketch challenge.   

                                                      

The flower was already made...whew!

Supplies:
Cardstock - Neenah
Stamps - Papertrey Pretty Peonies
Other - Sizzix embossing folder; handmade rose; leaves - Sizzix die; Ivy tendrils - Poppy Stamps

WOYWW156 - It's a Swap & Blog Candy news

A quick shot of my workspace for WOYWW156 at Julia's Stamping Ground but not all of it 'cause there's a DT project in process!  Don't be looking for Julia...seems she's on a beach somewhere working on her tan!  There's an ATC swap going on there this week too.  It's optional so if that's your thing, be sure to get in on the swap.

This is a DT project in process.  Can you guess what it might be?  There are bits and pieces of clues scattered about.

I have a post for you today on the May Arts Blog. It's a final thank you to Margaret, the owner of Sparkle N Sprinkle. Did you know they have a brick and mortar store in addition to their online store? 

I promised blog candy...and it's coming.  Here's what we'll be doing...instead of big candy infrequently, I'll be giving away monthly candy.  If you're a follower either by reader or email, you're welcome to participate.  The first candy will be next month...it might be ribbon, or stamps or dies.  You never know!

Flowers on Canvas Tutorial

It's my turn to host on the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood blog for Tuesdays with the Team.   I have a tutorial for you on how to stamp on canvas to achieve either muted or bright, vibrant colors.


Here's a sneak peek at the card I created.  Hop on over to the Sisterhood to see the rest.

There's a full supply list there too!!

Thanks for poppin in.  I appreciate your comments.

Teapot Tuesday - Flowers on Canvas

This week is "Tickle a Teapotter" week on SCS Teapot Tuesday MMTPT200.  That means that the cards we create will be sent to another teapotter as a surprise.  We won't know who it is until eveyone who wants to play along has had a chance to sign up...There's always room for more so play along!

Our challenge this week is to bring flowers and all things related to help Mudder's garden grow.  Seems she has a crop of teapots where blooming things should be.

I brought my flowers on canvas.  I'll have a tutorial for you on the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood blog today as well.

Supplies:

Paper- Neenah; SU Riding Hood Red

 Ink - SU Markers

Other: canvas, May Arts Silk Ribbon; iron on transfer paper; iron; SU embossing folder

Clean and Simple Monday - CAS172 LOVE

It's CAS Monday on SplitcoastStampers (CAS172) and the theme is love!  It seemed strange at first, then I realized that love never goes out of season and it is the time of year that seems to abound in brides.

Here's my card for the challenge...not a wedding card but a love card all the same.

Supplies:

Stamps - Papertrey Ink Love Birds

Paper - Neenah

Ink - Versafine Black; Papertrey Ink Pure Poppy (original pad from 2008!)

Other - foam squares; Papertrey Ink Love Birds die

CAS-ual Fridays

I thought I would play along with the CAS-ual Fridays (CFC54) Challenge to make a masculine card using designer paper. 

I used a strip from Graphic 45 Transatlantic as well as a tag from the collection.  I decided to make my own DP for the background.  I used a new background stamp from Rubbernecker called Paint Spattered Screen stamped with Versamark.  I really like the subtle texture it adds. 

Supplies:

Stamps - Rubbernecker Grunge Paint Spattered Screen (615)

Ink - Versafine Sepia, Versamark

Paper _ Graphic 45 Transatlantic; Papertrey Ink

Other - May Arts Burlap String; Scrabble letters; SU large eyelet; foam tape

Papertrey Ink May 2012 Blog Hop

Yay...I finally got a chance to pull out my PTI toys to play.  The Papertrey May blog hop is here!  I'm usually so swamped, I can't play but I grabbed a few minutes for a quick card this afternoon.

I was totally inspired by the colors.  I love blue and lime green together.  I combined this challenge with the Ribbon Carousel RCC54 Fancy Flowers challenge to use flowers on your creation.

Here's my take on the photo:

                                    
It was so simple and yet so satisfying.

Supplies
Stamps - Papertrey Simple Little Things
Ink - SU Night of Navy
Other - Papertrey Bloom Builder #3 die; Sizzix leaf die; May Arts Navy Blue Silk/Textured Lines Ribbons; flat backed pearl; Crystal Effects

Foodie Friday and a sad good bye

So yesterday, I'm cleaning the pool and noticed that the chlorine bucket was nearly empty so I decided to carry the bucket with me as I was tossing chlorine into the pool.  Scoop in one hand, bucket in the other...evenly balanced...NOT.  After I tossed a small amount in the shallow end, I headed for the deep end, gave the scoop a big heave ho...and in I went, fully clothed, bucket and scoop still tightly clutched because SOMEONE would have to dive down to get them if they went to the bottom.  Thankfully, I was close enough to the swim out to get myself out...chlorine spots all over my BLACK shorts and top.  Oh, and my hair looked really good prior to the trip, too.  Rats

Ok, now that you've finished laughing, I have a sad announcement.  This will be my last month with Sparkle N Sprinkle.  They have graciously allowed me to step down from the team early.  I want to say thank you to all the ladies of the team who welcomed me so warmly and wish them all much success.  

I've made a card whose sentiment fits the ladies perfectly..they are "Sassy (in a nice way! and Classy".

                          

This image and sentiment are from another brand new set called Vintage Boutique.   And....Monday, May 31st, you can get your entire order 31% off in honor of Memorial Day!  You can find all the details here.

Now for the food....I'm trying to lose a few pounds in preparation for planned swims in the pool this summer, ahem!   3 lbs. down,  2 to go!   So the food today is for the dogs...literally.  Our little Bentley is graduating from Intermediate dog class tomorrow so we're taking treats for his doggie classmates.

These are as yummy as they look.  I didn't put them on a Google Doc before but finally got that done so that you can print out the recipe. 

Bentley in his bike basket. 

Sorry for the long post today.   I'm gonna wash my hair now.