Foodie Friday - It's Green! and drawing winner

It's Friday and I've so missed doing the Foodie Friday posts...trying to get back into a normal non-holiday schedule.  Be sure to stay posted because there is a BIG Blog Hop coming with a BIG card magazine soon.  :-)

Since everyone is on a healthy kick after the holidays, we started making this Green Smoothie for breakfast. Our organic co-op leader makes it for her kids and guess what?  It's delicious!  Even my meat and potatoes eater loved it.

This isn't the bed where our kale is planted but it's green!  This is a shot of what I call our "salad bed".  It got all the herbs, lettuces, radishes, bok choy, etc.  The tomatoes are in pots to the left and the pineapples are in a bed next to the tomatoes.  We have plans to put the pineapples in pots as it's so much easier to keep weeded.

Two more of these raised beds are in the back of the yard with broccoli, kale, beans, peppers, carrots. etc.  They aren't getting enough sun at present due to some huge trees that we hope will be coming down.  They are a nuisance tree that spread by runner and nothing grows under them. They're called Australian Pines and I hate them!  They aren't ours so we can only cut the ones that grow into our property.

Now for the winner of the swing cards and stamp set:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

1

Timestamp: 2013-01-18 11:58:02 UTC

Eliza said...

Well hello dear lady Charlene, your desk is so tidy. Pity it sounds like the garden is benefiting from your services. Now this card die looks really interesting, you must tell more please.

Blogger if you want to go back switch your compose to HTML to upload and when this is done go back to compose. It is just a little box to the left of the composing section. Hey it works for me and a few others that I have recommend to it that way.

Happy WOYWW
Eliza

January 16, 2013 at 5:59 AM 

Congrats, Eliza!  Just send me your snail address and I'll get your goodies to you.  

Thanks for all the tips on photo uploading.  I had to give in to Chrome to get it done.  Even Firefox is using it..drats.  I did keep my IE browser for regular use though.  :-)

Happy Friday!!  Thanks much to the new followers!  You never know when I'll pop in another give away!

Let's help these kids get a puppy!

Update:  The kids got over 2 million likes and some tv stations picked them up....puppy time!!

Kids want puppy...Dad says if they get 1 million "Likes" on their Facebook page, they can have one.  They have over 10,000 likes now...what do you say bloggers?  Let's help them get that puppy.  They said it will be a rescue so that means some sweet pup gets a new home too.  Please like their page then pass it on.  :-)

WOYWW189 - cut it out!

I actually got three in a row this week!  Trying to get back on schedule.  It's growing season down here so between the store, the garden, and trying to get healthier, my stamping has gone by the wayside.

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for a peek at workdesks all over the world on Julia's Stamping Ground WOYWW189.

I got a new Sizzix interactive card die so thought I'd share it with you..I'll send one of you a few of the die cuts for this fun interactive card AND that set of Inkadinkadoo stamps sitting next to it.  :-)

We'll do it quick...so you've got until Friday to leave me a comment and if you're not a follower, I'd love it if you'd jump on board.  You never know when I might get the urge to give something away.  If you've won before, you know I always throw in a few surprises too.

Seems Google has forced me to update to Chrome in order to get photos into my blog.  I don't like it much but no other choice.  Humpf!

Happy WOYWW...be sure to stop in and say hey to Julia!

Teapot Tuesday - thinking of you

Yes, I did it! I finally got to get into my studio to create a card...actually two but one will have to wait. :-)
I just couldn't let this week's Teapot Tuesday 233 go without participating.  The destination station touched my heart and made me realize just how fragile life is.

If there is someone in your life who is dear to you, let them know...right now.  Life is fragile...handle with care.  If you want to read the story and see the destination of this week's cards, please go here.

We were to bring a flower garden this week. Sometimes I think a single bloom speaks volumes.  I dug out a couple of oldie but goody Stampin' Up sets...Terrific Tulips and Sincere Salutations as well as the old French Script background stamp.

I stamped the backgrounds with Versamark.  The rest is pretty simple.  I used Amuse and Fresh inks.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps - Stampin Up (retired)
Cardstock - Papertrey; Neenah; Stampin Up
Ink - Amuse; Fresh Ink
Other- Spellbinders oval; stick on pearls.

Latch Hook Rug...out of ribbon?!!

 Yep, I did it and I love it!  If you want to know all the details, head on over to the May Arts Blog.

You'll have to head to CHA to see it in person...If you were lucky enough to be there this past weekend and you saw my rug, I'd love to know what you think!

Super Simple Ribbon Roses

Loves me, loves me not, loves me!  That's what you'll be saying when you make dozens of beautiful ribbon roses using the simple step by step tutorial on the May Arts Blog!

Pop over to see which of the beautiful May Arts Ribbons I used and be sure to let the Ribbon Lady know what you think!

Sweet Dreams and Christmas Cookies

I finally dug myself out of 12 loads of dirty laundry, packed away the Christmas decorations, got all the ironing finished (did I mention I hate ironing?), cleaned the house and discovered white flies have been devouring our gardens while we were away.  (did I mention I hate white flies too?)

My homemade stuff isn't killing them so until the organic stuff I ordered, that's supposed to send them to white fly heaven, arrives, I thought I might dig out the paper and ink.  The mojo has definitely been on vacation with the rest of my body, I'm afraid.

I love the serenity of this room from the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge, Sweet Dreams.  The crisp white, the mix of patterns and the punch of red (I would never think to do that!), plus the touch of  natural wood on the bench legs and floor all beckoned.


Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

 I'm not entirely happy with the black pearls but since I colored them with Copics, removing them would leave a mark, so they had to stay.  I embossed PTI Lemon cardstock then rubbed over it with white ink.

 Supplies:
Cardstock - Neenah, Papertrey Ink
Stamps - Papertrey Ink Inside & Out Baby, Background Basics Gingham
Ink - Amuse; Stampin Up Craft White; Copic black marker
Other - May Arts Satin Hearts,  May Arts lace;  Cuttlebug Impressabilities embossing folder; Papertrey edge die; white stick on pearls; corner rounder

Some of you may know the saga of the oven.  My oven element burned out in the middle of  Christmas cookie baking and there wasn't one to be found locally so we had to order.  We really didn't think it would arrive in time but the Saturday before Christmas it arrived.  Needless to say, Sunday was an all day baking day. 

Here's a peek at some of the trays that went out

 Tied with May Arts 1.5" Striped Grosgrain, of course!

 Gingerbread snowflakes in each one.

Some of the cookies...not as many this year as a few batches got ruined by the faulty oven. 
 
Thanks so much for stopping by.  I love hearing from you!

Happy New Year Friends!

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

New Year Party Favor

I hope each of you had some special time with family and friends over the Christmas holiday. 

It's still party season as we prepare to welcome another New Year!  I have a quick, easy and pretty (!) party favor popper tutorial for you at the May Arts blog. 

Here's a sneak peek

You can whip dozens of these together in no time with the easy tutorial on the May Arts blog. 

Wishing each of you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year! 

Merry Christmas!

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." ~Isaiah 9:6





Blessings to you and yours as you share this reason for the season. 

CAS Teen Birthday

Hope you all enjoyed the May Arts Ribbonista Christmas Blog Hop!  The Ribbon Lady will be choosing winners so I hope you all left lots of comments along the way.

Our step grandson has a birthday just 2 days of after Christmas.  I find it difficult to create cards for teen boys.  I decided to use red since we'll still be in the Christmas season and keep it CAS.  I glittered up a chipboard with glass glitter for some holiday sparkle.  Inside is his age in die cut numbers.

All supplies Papertrey Ink except for the white cardstock (Neenah) and Spellbinders die cut star.

Thanks for stopping by!

May Arts Ribbonista Christmas Blog Hop - Day 5

It's time for the final day of the May Arts Ribbonista Christmas Blog Hop.  If you missed any of the previous days, just scroll down to find the links for each day.  You'll want to make sure to visit each Ribbonistas blog for a peek at some great projects and a chance to win your choice of full rolls of gorgeous May Arts Ribbon.

Here's the line up for Day 5

Jen
Leah
Monica
DeeDee
Susan

Here's another sneak peek at my project in case you missed it:

Thanks so much for spending the week with us.  Be sure to visit the May Arts Blog daily for lots of ribbon inspiration and fabulous giveaways!  From all of us, to all of you

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May Arts Ribbonista Hop Day 4

It's Day 4 of the May Arts Ribbonistas Christmas Blog Hop.  If you missed any of the previous 3 days, you can find links here.

Here's today's line up.  Be sure to visit all the Ribbonista Team blogs and leave a comment for a chance to win your choice of May Arts Ribbon!

Christina

Gini
Emily

Marie

Montina

If you missed my post yesterday, just scroll down for a holiday gift idea that can be changed up for any time of year.

May Arts Ribbonista Blog Hop - Day 3

It's time for Day 3 of the May Arts Ribbonista Christmas blog hop.  If you missed Days 1 and/or 2, you can find the links here and here.  Be sure to comment on each blog for a chance to win some awesome rolls of ribbon of your choice!

If you arrived here from Candy's blog, you're in the right place and it's my turn!  I'll have today's blog hop list at the end of this post.

One thing I've always loved to do at Christmas time is share homemade treats with our neighbors and friends.   

  One of my most favorite gifts to give are big beautiful loaves of homemade bread. I never cease to be amazed how simple ingredients like these

can become these with just a little time and effort.  It smells sooo good!

As beautiful as these loaves are by themselves, they become a really special gift when tied up with some beautiful May Arts Ribbon!  I used the festive Grosgrain with Ivory Stripes (RG14) to dress up a simple parchment paper wrap with a double loop bow.   A stamped tag, a few jingle bells and a bit of May Arts Natural Burlap String and a humble loaf of bread becomes an elegant gift that can't be bought in any store because a little of yourself goes into each loaf.



To wrap the bread, cut a length of natural parchment paper a bit longer than your loaf.  Lay the bread diagonal on the parchment. Begin by bringing up the bottom, then wrap the left side over the right, the right over the left side (like swaddling a baby) and secure with a bit of tape. Tie on your May Arts Ribbon and tag and done.

I know there are novice bakers out there who think they can't possibly bake bread, so I've written a step by step printable tutorial with pictures. This is my go to super simple recipe that I've used for over 30 years and I can almost guarantee you perfect success even if you've never baked bread before. You can do it!!
 Here's today's hop list: (remember to comment for a chance to win some gorgeous ribbon!)

Candy
  Charlene (that's me!)
Johanna
Lalo

Thanks so much for joining us today.  If you have questions about baking the bread, just send me an email!

Wishing a Very Merry Christmas to Julia and all the wonderful crafters who pop in at Julia's Stamping Ground for WOYWW185!    Homemade bread on the workdesk this week!

May Arts Ribbonista Blog Hop - Day 2

Did you see the super projects from Day 1 of the May Arts Ribbonista Blog Hop yet?  If not, you can go back here and  click your way through.  We're only doing 5 designers per day to be respectful of your time during this busy season; but you'll want to see all the great ideas and have a chance to win some ribbon so be sure to visit them all!

Ok...here's the line up for Day 2:

Jingle

Karen
Kendra
Vera

Ashley

It's a May Arts Ribbonista Blog Hop & Blog Candy Winner

It's time!!  Here are your first day stops for the May Arts Ribbonista Christmas Blog Hop!  Be sure to visit  each blog and leave some love, then check back here for the Ribbonistas for Day 2.   You know the Ribbon Lady loves to give away Ribbon!

Nicole
Sandy

Virginia
Erin
Jenifer

And...the winner of the Blog Candy is.....

Karen Wedding said...


Great card and glad to have you back! My favorite Christmas memory was when my grandfather was still alive and we would get together with my dad's side of the family and him and his brothers would make films of them throwing themselves away with the wrapping. It was hilarious to watch.

December 7, 2012 9:49 AM

Thanks for playing Karen!  You have two weeks to contact me so that I can send out your prize....you might find a surprise in there, too!!

Address for Cards for Sandy Hook Elem.

I will post the winner of the Blog Candy later today.  I believe this should take precedence right now.

Prayers

Gift Card Holder and a reminder

TGIF!!  It's Friday and that usually means I have a Foodie Friday post for you.  I'm actually going to save that for next week because....there's going to be a HUGE May Arts Ribbonista Blog Hop next week.  Each of the Ribbonistas has been assigned a day (about 5 per day so that you don't have to spend a ton of time trying to get to each blog).   Each of us has a project planned but it was up to us to choose so there will be surprises for everyone!  Of course there will be giveaways so be sure to stop by!

This weekend is the birthday of both my MIL and my SIL.  They share a birthday tomorrow.  My MIL will be 100 years old!!  I can only imagine all that she's seen in her lifetime..from horse and buggy to the internet!  Amazing.

Hubby and his sister are planning a special party for her but we didn't want to forget that it's also his sister's birthday.  She's a little more than a decade older than he is so we thought the best thing might be a gift card to a favorite restaurant.  I created a little non-Christmasy gift card holder for her.  These are so simple...just a half sheet of cardstock scored at 2 1/2" and 6 inches.  Fold, attach the ends of the bottom fold with some Scor-Tape or other strong tape and decorate away. 

Since he's hand carrying the holder, I went with a bumpy fun felt flower.  The smudgy color on the yellow is actually on the designer paper itself..  I do wish I had put the two words closer together but tired eyes prevailed and I didn't catch it in time.  I overstamped in grey ink to create the shadow. 

To create the little doily under the flower, I cut a 4 inch paper doily into fourths, then glued 2 pieces together so that the ends came together.  I crinkled them up a bit and used some Chai ink to soften the white.

Don't forget that tomorrow is the drawing for the Blog Candy!  There's a link on the right sidebar to the post you need to comment on for a chance to win.  I've also included some May Arts ribbon so be sure to get in on the fun.

Thanks for stopping by...it's time to bake the cookies!!!

Supply List:
Cardstock - Neenah; Echo Paper Oh Happy Day
Stamps - Papertrey Ink
Other - May Arts Satin Leaves;  Border die: Papertrey Ink; Felt: Papertrey Ink; Flower die: MFT daisy Die-namic;  magnetic strip tape