Clean & Simple Monday & a Giveaway

Yeah...we're finally all out of the sick bed and eating regular food.  I don't want to see another bowl of Jello for a loooooog time!  Now to hide those 5 lbs. I lost so they don't come back...under the bed maybe?

Thanks for the well wishes and emails, you made my day.

This week's CAS challenge (CAS209) on SplitCoastStampers is a Featured Stamper Challenge.  Up is the amazing gallery of simplybeautiful.

Here is my take on this bright and beautiful card:

And to thank you all for hanging in there while we all got well, I've got a little thank you gift for someone.

How about some pretty butterflies of your own?  Just leave me a comment and I'll randomly choose a winner on Friday.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Neenah; Papertrey Ink
Stamps - Papertrey Ink Beautiful Blessings
Ink - Versafine
Other - stick on pears

New May Arts Team and 2 Giveaways

There's big news on the May Arts blog and you're going to want to hop over and get in the giveaways.  I'll be back with some May Arts goodness soon.  So proud and happy to remain a part of this awesome team!

Time out

Sorry for the long absence.  We're fighing the stomach flu here at our house.  As soon as the symptoms fade, we'll be back with some crafty goodness.

May Arts Valentine Blog Hop - Day 4

Welcome to Day 4 of the May Arts Ribbon Valentine Blog Hop!  It's been an awesome 3 days and there are two more to go!

I'm up today with a recipe and simple and an easy table decoration that would be perfect for a Valentine party centerpiece.  Remember the ornament tree I made at Christmas time?

I couldn't bear to throw away the painted branches so I put them in a corner just waiting for another chance to make an appearance.  Now, instead of glass balls, they hold delicious Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Hearts.  (printable recipe)

 I hung them with gorgeous May Arts 1/4" Satin Center Band Ribbon, then tied a bit red bow on the vase with May Arts 1.5" Red Grosgrain.  (sorry for the light...it was a gloomy day when I shot this.)

Want some beautiful May Arts Ribbon of your own?  You  have a chance to win 4 full rolls just by visiting each Ribbonista and leaving them a comment.  I've included the full list below in case you missed someone along the way.  Up next is the talented Ashley Newell.

Monday

• Virginia Fynes
• Karen Baker
• Lalo IK
• DeeDee Catron
• Vera Yates

Tuesday

Christina Colón

Emily Lanham Sandy Allnock Jenifer Cowles Johanna Descoins Wednesday Susan Lui Jen Shears Candy Rosenberg Leah Farrar-White Nicole Martel Thursday Charlene Driggs Ashley N Newell Erin Thiem Marie Otake Gini Williams Cagle Friday Alexcia Patterson-Schroll Montina Burt Kendra Wiggins Jingle Monica Edwards

Valentines and Chocolate

Ah...Valentine's Day...is there any more perfect occasion for.....

CHOCOLATE?

If that fits your description of bliss and you've got a few minutes to spare, I've got a recipe and simple wrap that will have those hugs and kisses blowing your way in no time.

If you've got a serious craving...be sure to head over the May Arts blog for the recipe and all the details.

Don't forget to scroll down for the  May Arts Valentine's Blog Hop details.  There are 4 of ribbon waiting for a lucky comment.

May Arts February Valentine's Blog Hop

 It's here!  A full week of May Arts Ribbon Love.  Every day this week the Ribbonistas will be bringing you ideas for your May Arts Valentines and a chance to win 4 ROLLS of YOUR CHOICE of gorgeous May Arts Ribbon of your own!

Here's the Blog Hop List for the week:

Monday

• Virginia Fynes
• Karen Baker
• Lalo IK
• DeeDee Catron
• Vera Yates

Tuesday

Christina Colón

Emily Lanham Sandy Allnock Jenifer Cowles Johanna Descoins Wednesday Susan Lui Jen Shears Candy Rosenberg Leah Farrar-White Nicole Martel Thursday Charlene Driggs Ashley N Newell Erin Thiem Marie Otake Gini Williams Cagle Friday Alexcia Patterson-Schroll Montina Burt Kendra Wiggins Jingle Monica Edwards

Make it Monday, Teapot Tuesday ...all on a Wednesday!

It's tax season so that means less time for fun and more work.  sigh....

I combined the Papertrey Make It Monday 102 Pillow Box Stamping challenge with the Teapot Tuesday MMTPT235 challenge to make a little gift set for Cindy Motherway, affectionately known as, da Mudder.  Cindy has given countless hours, lots of tears and boundless amounts of encouragement to so many people through her Teapot Tuesday Challenges on SplitcoastStampers.

A few ladies have stepped up to relieve da Mudder as she steps down to go on to other adventures.  This week, Ksnurse, has planned a little dotty party in honor of Cindy.

Here's my little gift set for Cindy:

Here's what I made to send her:

I love, love May Arts velvet and I hope Cindy will like this bookmark.  It's not polka dot but I had some pretty beads that have sparkly dots on them...close, right? (The tutorial I wrote for  for these was published in Bead Trends magazine...there's a link in the sidebar.)

Here's the inspiration photo:

Thanks for stopping by...I love your visits and comments.  I'm trying to get around to return the favor.  :-)

Supplies:
Cardstock - Neenah
Stamps - Papertrey Ink Polka Dot Basics, Tiny Tags II
Ink - Versafine
Ribbon - May Arts Velvet
Other - Scor-Tape; Bazzill Basics flower;beads and findings

Clean and Simple Monday - Take Joy in Today

This week's Clean and Simple Challenge on SCS (CAS205) is a Featured Player challenge.  The talented stamper we're casing this week is mamaxsix.  She's created so many wonderful cards it was hard to choose one but I settled on this one.  

I changed it up by using ribbon instead of washi tape and brighter colors because this card is going to dear friend who is undergoing chemotherapy and I wanted happy colors to cheer her day.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Papertrey Ink; Neenah
Ribbon - May Arts Chevron, Solid Wrinkled
Stamps - Papertrey Ink Beautiful Blessings
Ink - Versafine Black
Other - Scor-Tape

Thanks for stopping by!

May Arts/CardMaker Magazine Blog Hop (Giveaway!)

It's here!!  A creatively jam packed one day Blog Hop with May Arts Ribbon and CardMaker Magazine and you're invited to join us for lots of ribbon inspired card ideas.

Here's my card for the hop.

I wanted to keep my design Clean and Simple, however, I wanted to do more than just a bow.  I managed to get 4 yummy May Arts Ribbons on my card front.  You'll find the card recipe below the hop list.

Here's the list of designers you'll be hopping with.  Make sure to leave each one some love!  One lucky comment will win 4 rolls of May Arts Ribbon...your choice!  Now that's a prize worth "hopping" up and down for!

• Brooke Smith / Cardmaker Magazine
• Ashley N Newell
• Candy Rosenberg
• Charlene Driggs - That's me!
• AJ Otto
• Sandy Allnock
  Christine Okken
• DeeDee Catron
• Emily Lanham
• Erin Thiem
• Glenda J. Wyatt
  Ivanka Lentle
• Gini Williams Cagle
• Jen Shears
• Jenifer Cowles
• Jennie Harper
  Melanie Muenchinger
• Monica Edwards
• Jingle
• Karen Baker
• Lalo IK
• Marie Otake
• Susan Lui
• Vera Yates
• Virginia Fynes

Hope you've been inspired to use lots of May Arts Ribbon on your CAS cards!

Here's the recipe for my card:

White card base - 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Designer Paper - 5 1/2" x 2 1/2" Papertrey Ink

May Arts Ribbon in order of layering:  Satin Edge Velvet (388); Leaves (BY) Black and White; Sheer Frayed Flower (393) 

Stamps- Papertrey Ink Big Thank You

Other - Scor-Tape; sparkly button

The wonderfully talented AJ Otto is next!

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!