Foodie Friday - Pizza!!

First of all, I'm not sure how my navbar got fixed but to the little fairy who did  it....bless you!  (I have a feeling it's a blogger fix, but I'll take it!!)

Foodie Friday this week is pizza!  No, I did not make it but it is handmade at a little family owned shop in town, called Anna's.  Homemade dough, sauce and this veggie pizza is to die for!  A whole day's veggies on this one...broccoli, spinach, artichokes, muchrooms, tomatoes, red/yellow bell peppers...mmmmm...this is our every other Friday treat.  If you're ever in S. Florida, you must look up Anna's.

My DH, the meat eater, started eating my half of the pizza after he tasted this veggie version, now we just order the whole thing veggie!  A single slice is more than enough!!

WOYWW168

Hello Wednesday!  It's only Tuesday but it seems Julia (Stamping Ground) has graced us with an early post.  I was actually in desparate need of some sketch inspiration so just popped on to see what was out there.

Here's a peek at what I plan to use...I hope, anyway!  It's a piece of the botched watercolor technique I attempted for SCS then rescued from the waste basket when I saw how beautifully it dried.

A couple of Halloween stamps from the $1 spot at Michael's and some hook & loop tape from Tombow that I'm dying to try out on something.   I'm playing with some Versamark and a butterfly from Rubbernecker Stamps...what do you think?

While you're here, don't forget to drop over May Arts for Basically Bare Blog Week...there are presents, you know1

And, make sure you check out the Rubbernecker Stamps challenge link on the top sidebar....Prizes there, too! 

and finally....it's almost the end of the month so be sure to click on my giveaway link at the top of the page to comment on the right page if you'd like a chance at that Papertrey Ink gift certificate.  It's just sitting in my account waiting for someone's name! 

May Arts/Basically Bare Blog Week - Back to School!

It's my turn to share at the May Arts Blog! We've paired up with the DT from Basically Bare for a full week of inspiration and fun giveaways. 

Here's a sneak peek at my project. 

I can't wait to see what you think of it!

Thanks so much and good luck!!

Teapot Tuesday - Milkshakes for Tyler

When cancer strikes anyone it's tragic but when it's children, it just breaks my heart.  This week's Teapot Tuesday challenge Destination is Tyler.  Tyler is a very sweet 11 year old boy who is currently in remission from Rhabdomyosarcoma, a childhood cancer.  He must still undergo many surgeries to repair the devastation caused by the cancer.

Tyler's family must continually raise funds for Tyler's travelling expenses. How wonderful that his family has found a compassionate and caring doctor who will perform his surgeries at no cost. The travelling back and forth is expensive, though.

Cindy is requesting that if you are able, a $1.00 bill framed in some way on your card would help fund Tyler's upcoming trip.  Not required, not expected. Just a little donation request on the side....


Here is Tyler's website with much more information as well as pictures of Tyler and updates. Here is the address to mail your card to:

Tyler Tucker
P.O. Box 14386
Greenville, SC 29610-4386

You can find more info at the Destination site here.  Like all kids, Tyler loves to get mail and he loves strawberry milkshakes.  Our challenge is to send Tyler smiles and jokes.

I hope Garfield brings Tyler a giggle or two. 

Thanks for helping and if you can, could you please share this on your blog?

Clean & Simple Monday - Back to School!

It's back to school time...our grands still get a couple more weeks of free time.  They go back when we used to - after the Labor Day holiday.

Here in the sunny South though, most kids have already started or are starting school today.  The Clean & Simple DT over at SCS are celebrating with an inspiration challenge based on the word, "School" (CAS184). 

Here's my take on the challenge:

 Supplies:

Stamps - Papertrey Teacher's Apple

Ink - Amuse

Paper - PTI Kraft, Brown; Graphic 45 An ABC Primer

Other - May Arts Twine

Psst....did you know the SCS DT is looking for a few good CAS stampers for the new Fall DT?  Head over to see the details...hurry though...deadline is approaching!

May Arts/Paper Crafter's Library & Ribbon Giveaway

                                   


May Arts Ribbon is being featured on Paper Crafter's Library this week.  One of our very own newbie designers, Nicole Martel, has a sweet project and the Ribbon Lady is graciously giving away ribbon just for popping over to say hi.  There are 2 chances to win so be sure to read how.  I promise you'll like it.

If you're wondering why there's no Foodie Friday it's because I was playing chase with this cutie patootie, aka, Bentley...who is need of a haircut...and managed to damage a tendon in my ankle.  Soooo...knee brace on one leg, boot on the other.  Sigh...moral of the story...do not chase puppies in sandals.

Another May Arts Tutorial! Trash to Treasure Teacher Gifts

My DIL is a teacher so I have it on good authority that teachers can only use so many coffee mugs and apples but they LOVE food.

Head over the May Arts blog to see what I did with these berry containers.

May Arts Tutorial - DIY Tote Bag

Head over the May Arts Blog today.  I've got a super awesomely easy tote bag idea for you.  I take mine shopping, to the Post Office when I'm mailing lots of packages and even to the beach.  Got a half hour?  Let's make one together!

May Arts Kid Fun

I've got a super quick and easy project for you on the May Arts Blog today.  A few minutes of your time plus a bit of ribbon and you can make a game to keep the kids busy on a rainy day,  at a picnic or a day at the beach.

Here's a sneak peek.

Teapot Tuesday - James' Pirate

I haven't had time to play Teapot Tuesday MMTPT211 for awhile but this week's challenge broke my heart.  James is a little boy dealing with the grown up disease of cancer.  He has multiple tumors on his spine and brain.  You can find James' Caring Bridge page at this link.  His sweet smile will melt your heart.

James loves dogs and pirates.  I've been hanging onto my Billy stamps from Pink Cat Studio..now I know why.  I'm in big trouble, though.  We have to walk the plank if we bring skulls and crossbones...YIKES!!

I did bring pieces of silver...ok, they're bling but who's counting?

If you'd like to send James a card, his address is:

James Siedenburg

c/o Heather Bedford
2701 Judith
Champaign, IL 61821


Thanks for stopping by...hope you can help brighten James day.  If you have a blog, could you please spread the word? 

Clean & Simple Monday - Hello Muddah!

This week's SplitcoastStampers CAS183 challenge is a sketch by talented DT member, Tenia Sanders-Nelson.

I made a card with (GASP!)....no stamping!!  I spied my well loved and almost used up (sniff) October Afternoon Campfire Collection on the paper stacker and here's the result.

What?  You've never heard of a singing fox?  ;-)

Runway Inspired Water Stamping

I did it.  I tried a "messy" technique.  I am so not a let go and just do it stamper...I think I have to have too much control to enjoy the creativeness required to have fun with this.  I also think a smoother cardstock may have allowed the colors to blend easier. I used Neenah 110 lb. card. 

Fellow Rubbernecker teammate, Bev Gerard, aka TexasGrammy on SCS has written an easy step by step tutorial for a technqiue she calls, Water Stamping.  Bev is a "Dirty Dozen" alumni and her cards are just amazing! 

Here's my feeble attempt at her technique which for anyone else is super easy:

You basically just sponge color onto your cardstock, wet your background or other images and then stamp on the inked cardstocked.  I refuse to tell you how many attempts I made at this!  The shiny things are actually clear bling but they photographed solid. 

I wanted to use the colors from the Runway Inspired Challenge #17 Carlos Miele.  Mine are a bit bolder.

Bev's tutorial says to use a wet paper towel as a stamp pad to ink your stamps but my image couldn't hold enough water that way so I just misted it with water, then spread the water with my fingertips until the image was wet. 

I tossed the wet paper towel into the waste basket on top of the um, uh, let's say, multiple false starts at this technique.  Look what I found this morning.

I rather like the muted watercolor effect and believe it or not, I used the same colors on both pieces but placed them differently and got two totally different color blends.  I'm going to press these out and trim them down for other cards, I think. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Supplies:
Stamps: Rubbernecker Flourish Tree, Sentiment
Ink - SU Tango Tangerine, Eggplant Envy, Certainly Celery
Paper - Neenah; SU
Other - May Arts 1/8" velvet ribbon; Martha Stewart clear bling

Foodie Friday - Dinner's Ready!

I can't remember where I got this recipe...sometime back in the mid-80's or so...(Yikes!. I just had a small moment of panic at the realization of how looooong ago that was.) 

Ahem...ok, I've re-gathered my composure, well, mostly anyway..back to the recipe.

I never really like pork chops until I found this way of cooking them...they were usually just dry and tough.  The best part is that even when I'm busy, I can put a nice dinner on the table with almost no effort and the pork chops are absolutely divinely fork tender and flavorful. 

Toss some baked potatoes in the oven with the chops (I scrub mine, pierce with a fork, then put them in a zip loc bag with a bit of olive oil, coarse salt, and fresh garlic, rub them around then pop them into the oven.) steam some broccoli or other green veggie of your choice, add a salad and dinner is served.

You can find a printable recipe for Lemon Pork Chops here. 

Bon Appetit!!

WOYWW166

It's time for another WOYWW (166) at Julia's Stamping Ground...we get to snoop onto the workdesks all over the world. Clean or messy, it doesn't matter...

My workdesk is a mess as per usual...I snapped a photo of the set I used for the May Arts/Our Craft Lounge Blog week...did you know they're giving stuff away?  Oh yes,they are!!  So am I, so if you have a chance pop in and answer my questions to win.

This set from OCL  made me laugh out loud when I got it in the mail. 

Happy WOYWW ...don't forget to check my blog candy post while you're here...if you're follower!

May Arts/Our Craft Lounge Blog Week and a Giveaway!

 It's time for another super blog week with May Arts Ribbon and Our Craft Lounge!  Be sure to check out the posts for the entire week on both blogs for your chance to win ribbon, stamps and other fun stuff!!

Here's a sneaky peekie at my project for the hop.  It makes me giggle every time I see it...and I've got a giveaway on my post.  Just pop over over to see all the projects and see how you can win May Arts Ribbon, Our Craft Lounge goodies and more!! 

                             

Clean & Simple Monday - Color Challenge

This week's Clean & Simple Challenge (CAS182) on SCS is a color challenge...Dark Blue and White.

Here's my card for the challenge:

                           

Yes, you are seeing double.  I stamped the trees in Versamark, then dried them with a heat gun. Stamped again slightly off then added White Detail Embossing Powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle

Stamps - SU Lovely as a Tree; PTI Made of Snow

Ink - Versamark

Paper - Neenah; SU Night of Navy

Other - White Detail EP

Rubbernecker Inspiration Challenge SS20

It's time for another challenge at the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood Blog. 

Here's our challenge photo for this month and my take on it.  I decided to go with more muted shades of the challenge colors for a card with a fall like theme. (wishful thinking!)

I used one of Rubbernecker's new Wildflower stamps called Floral #6 and a sentiment from the new Best Wishes set.  I kept with the rustic fall feel by adding a simple strip of May Arts Woven Burlap ribbon.

Be sure to take a look around the NEW Rubbernecker Stamp site.  It's Awesome!  You'll be able to search for your favorite stamps, click to larger images and find a gallery of cards to inspire you.   Mr. Rubbernecker is still working on the site so some images may not show up yet.

You've got an entire month to play along with the challenge.  Just pop over to the Sisterhood blog and link up your creation for a chance to win a STAMP SET OF YOUR CHOICE.   

Supplies:

Stamps - Rubbernecker Floral #6, Best Wishes Set

Paper - PTI Kraft, Leaf Green

Ink - AMuse

Other - May Arts Woven Burlap

Foodie Friday - French Breakfast Puffs & Candy!

My apologies for not posting this month's Blog Candy as promised yesterday.  I got new heavier wires on my braces and my mouth hurts so badly even my head hurts.  A sip of water brought tears to my eyes.  I don't know how the little kids do it!

I did bake these lovely treats on Wednesday for an upcoming May Arts Blog Hop.  Wait til you see what I did with them!  hee,hee...

                        

I adapted the recipe from The Pioneer Woman a couple of years ago and believe me when I tell you they're worth every single calorie!!  I've got the recipe here so you can print it out and make some for yourself...and the rest of your family but only if you can't hide them fast enough!

Now for this month's Follower Blog Candy...I've got a $10 gift certificate for

Just leave me a comment on this post and let me know how you're following!

Thanks much..now get those muffins in the oven!!

Time to Meet the May Arts New Ribbonistas and a Giveaway!

                                 


As the Ribbon Lady says,  this is a bittersweet time...time to bid farewell the beloved Ribbonistas who are not returning and time to say Welcome Aboard to the new Ribbonistas for 2012-13.

Head over the May Arts Ribbon blog and welcome the new team...the Ribbon Lady is giving away ribbon to one lucky comment leaver.  It could be YOU!  Then head to the May Arts Facebook Page for another chance to win.  Woo, Hoo!!

WOYWW165 & Make it Monday & BC Winner

It's Wednesday and that means it's time once again to hop around the world to snoop at workdesks on Julia's Stamping Ground (WOYWW165).  I've sufficiently recovered from the pineapple escapade from last week!  ;-)

I thought you might be getting bored with my desk so I thought I'd share the new decal I put on the laundry room wall.  Now, mind you I do my laundry and ironing (I HATE ironing but I iron everything!) within 2 days but I did think this was fun.  It's on a wall above the window in the laundry room.

I found it on Etsy at a shop called Walls that Talk.  My only complaint is that it took ALOT of rubbing to get the letters to stick so it took over an hour to get this up. Otherwise, I love it and will probably buy more from this shop as she has some great sayings.

I also grabbed a few minutes..ok, more like an hour to make a card for Papertrey's Make it Monday #76 challenge. Yes, I know it's not Monday, but I didn't have any creative time the past two days.  This week's challenge is called "Double Time Bleach Stamping".  The idea is to bleach stamp then use ink over the bleach.  I figured most people would do flowers so I chose something different.  I had a hard time getting the bleach to take on some of the PTI paper colors for some reason but it liked the Melon Berry.

I stamped small solid circles with ink on the solid bleached circles.

Supplies:

Paper - Neenah Ivory; PTI Melon Berry

Ink- Versamagic Pink Grapefruit, Versafine Black

Stamps - PTI Polka Dot Basics, Signature Sentiments II

Other - bleach; PTI Fabulous Frames dies; ribbon

Finally, I have the winner of July's Blog Candy. 

Random Integer Generator

                                                          Here are your random numbers:


                                                                                   2


                                                   Timestamp: 2012-08-01 02:58:47 UTC


Ellen said...

Oh my Charlene! Love your use of twine and your colors of the rainbow! Awesome!! Off to dig out my twine and try and play along. I have such a hard time keeping it CAS. Have a good night girl!

July 15, 2012 11:29 PM

The Spellbinders Impressabilities will be on it's way to you, Ellen!  Please PM me with your snail mail address.  Thanks for commenting and following.  I'm tucking in a few extra surprises, too.

I'll have August's Follower Blog Candy up tomorrow.  :)