It's Good to be King!

Aren't cards for men the hardest? Well, at least for me they are. I'd rather do glitter and pearls and ribbons.

I love the humorous designs of Whipper Snapper designs. I don't have too many but this lion is one of my favorites. He's colored with my Prismacolor pencils, water brush and on the mane only, baby oil. The jewels on his crown are adorned with Stickles and Crystal Effectsand his nose has just the tiniest bit of Crystal Effects as well.

I computer generated the saying as well as the inside sentiment. The brads are a really more of a rivet and I heavy handed a couple of them with my Crop-a-dile. Can you say, smooshed?

The size of this card is a bit bigger - 5" square. The base of the card is PTI white cardstock. I found the paper at JoAnn's awhile back on a super sale 10/$1. It's paper not cardstock so I used a strip of black cs on the back of each side. One to hide the rivets and one for symmetry. I ran the edges of the card over my black ink pad to hide the white edges.

Don't you love that little box? It's a 2-5-7-10 box with the top 2" cut off. Easy peasy with the stupendous Scor-Pal and Scor-Tape. The base is SU Handsome Hunter. Covered the front and back with more of the matching paper. I punched the tag with an old Marvy tag punch in black cs, punched another in white and trimmed it down before stamping my sentiment. Inside is a bag of Hershey Kisses. They come with different sayings now...isn't that cool? These say Happy Birthday. I removed the generic ribbon and tied it with some black grosgrain.

I think he's rather regal, don't you?

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

Black and White, a little Red and a Computer

I love the holidays but sometimes the busyness is too busy...I needed some really fast cards for thank yous...now when I say "fast", I mean the creating part not the thinking part.  Wish I was faster at it.  The simplest cards seem to take me forever....DUH, should just case or use a template!  In addition, my camera is acting up so some of my photos are grainy like the one below....it's much prettier IRL.

I didn't have the stamps to say what I wanted to say to I typed these on the computer and printed them out onto Papertrey heavy white cardstock then used my Nestibilities dies to cut and emboss.  Added some sheer organza from Michaels and beaded stick pens from the SU Pretties kit.   The DP are all from the Basic Grey Scarlet Letter pad.   I was wishing I had black beads for these two sooooo.........

while I was at Michael's, they just happened to be having a sale on these cool crystal and pearl beads.   I had a few red ones that I had picked up on clearance at JoAnn's.  Much better I think.

Would love to know what YOU think!

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

Blog Candy for...

ME!  I never and I mean NEVER, win anything.  I wasn't even trying to win anything and guess what?!
I was the 4,000 (!) visitor to Tammy Hershberger's
site and this is what I got. 

They are really cool felt snowflakes and sparkly brads that I can't wait to play with.  If you haven't checked out this talented lady's site yet, you need to pay a visit....you never know.....

Fun!

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

Turquoise Christmas

Don't you just love this gorgeous turquoise color? It's from Bazzill. I originally had planned this using Bashful Blue but didn't enough ribbon. Wasn't sure how this would work, but I love it!

This simple set is for a volunteer appreciation dinner where I was asked to come up with a few simple projects for the ladies to make and take.

I had to keep in mind that none of these ladies were stampers so simplicity, cost and ease of finding the supplies was important.

The card  is simply the Snowflake Cuttlebug folder trimmed a bit and then wrapped with Martha Stewart binding. I used my glue pen to add glitter to some of the snowflakes. The center medallion is punched from the So Many Scallops set from SU. I ended up changing the background on the medallion to the solid turquoise after I took this photo. The center portion of the medallion was punched out with the 1-1/4" circle punch and popped  up on dimensionals. I glittered the snowflake on the medallion as well.

The tin came from JoAnn's in the wedding dept. I picked them up using a 50% off coupon so got 25 for $10. Just wrapped the base in the matching paper, punched a scallop using the SU Scallop punch, punched the center out again, glittered and popped up.

The package on the bottom is a wrapped Dove Bar....think they'll like that one? :-) I stamped the Bazzill paper with the Snowflakes from Inkadinkadoo (got mine at Michael's) in SU craft white ink, glittered some of them and wrapped the bar using my Scor-Tape to adhere the paper securely. I wrapped it  with the MS ribbon, cut a scallop with my Petite Scalloped Circles, and another glittered medallion. I got the plastic snowflake last year after Christmas. (Michael's)

Love to know what you think!

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

A New Place to Play

Hey, have you heard there's a new place for sharing and inspiration?  It's called Paper Craft Planet.  You can sign up or just visit but be careful....you'll want to stay awhile.  Lots of online friends and familiar stampers there...look for me and be my friend.


Have Fun!


Charlene

Thankful and Grateful

I really do miss the colors of fall...not necessarily the raking of leaves that come with it, but the beauty of leaves turning colors of gold and red.

Sharon Johnson used the One sheet wonder technique to create her beautiful cards. I wish the Spectrum pad she used was still available as I LOVE the richness the purples add to her cards. I changed my backgrounds out a bit and added some ribbon. A great way to make multiples.

Supplies:

Cardstock - Olive Olive, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Stamps - Papertrey First Fruits

Accessories: Cuttlebug and Nestibility used for scallop edge on card #1, Nestibilities Ovals

Ribbon - Michael's and JoAnn's

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

Update of Hope

Isn't this the most beautiful photo? My DH loves to take nature photos. I think this is one of my favorites. Even with a damaged wing this beautiful creature still lives and amazes. It reminded me of my brother, Lance.

I had told you in an earlier post that he was facing liver failure and transplantation due to doctor error. While he is not yet "out of the woods", he is much improved. His doctors told him he was as near death as anyone they had seen. They had given him 10 days at most. Even his head had swelled from the failure of his liver. The body swelling has mostly subsided as has the pain.

He credits the improvement to diet. He now eats what he calls "funny food". Lean protein, lots of greens, beets, fruits, and other veggies, and soy milk. No sugar, processed food, no supplements or even an aspirin. This for a guy who wouldn't touch a vegetable when he was a kid (unless it was pumpkin in pie) and admits he ate pizza several times a week.

He has told his doctors that he will not have the liver transplant choosing quality of life over quantity. He is grateful for the improvement God has granted him. He's changing his life....and mine.

Card info...I found regular ink wouldn't dry on the photo but SU black marker dried beautifully.

Supplies:
Photo, Cardstock - Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
Corner rounder, sheer black ribbon

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

Christmas Card for Team Cookies and Cards

As promised, here is the card I made for Team Cookies and Cards.  I thought it might be best to make a card that either a man or woman might be comfortable sending.  I wish you could see the sparkle on this...my little Sony digital just doesn't do it justice.  The base card is elegant Fabriano from Dick Blick.  I just love texture, the deckled edges and small size of these elegant note and envelopes.  The color is somewhere between white and ivory...not too much of either.  Wonderful for watercoloring, takes ink beautifully and great for quick cards.  For this card I used Stampin Up's new Snow Swirled set.  Like the notecards, simple and elegant. 

 I first stamped the tree in Versamark, the sprinkled with gold Tinsel EP (the tinsel sparkles as opposed to regular Gold EP) and heat set.  I stamped the greeting, repeated the process and then added the clear bling from Martha Stewart to the snowflakes on the tree.  DONE!

This design is so simple and elegant, I'm thinking this may be my Christmas card this year.  What do you think?

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

I've been Tagged!!

No cards today...I spent an indulgent day shopping at the mall with my dear friend, Patty. We see each other entirely too little and just had a wonderful time shopping and talking. I don't go to the mall much (my DH is thankful) as I find clothes shopping to be something I have to be in the mood for. I have to get myself psyched up for it. I guess I just wasn't born with the shopping gene...unless it's for stamps, paper and ink....no problems in that department, unfortunately.

At any rate, this is my very first time being tagged. Tammy Herschberger tagged me to give 5 answers to the following items:


Things I love

1. God
2. My family
3. My friends
4. Stamping
5. Giving gifts

Things I don't love

1. Dishonesty
2. Anger
3. Injustice
4. Politics
5. Chocolate ice cream

Songs on my MP3 Player

I'm ashamed to say I have one but haven't put a single song on it. Uh, guess I'll do that now.

Favorite food/drinks

1. Pizza
2. Dessert (anything except chocolate ice cream)
3. Hummus
4. Salads
5. Bakalava (yeah, I know it's dessert but it deserves it's own spot!)

Now I have to tag 5 others...

Some are stampers, some just inspire me to be a better person:

1. Catherine
2. Cherry
3. Debbie
4. Erika
5. Meaghan
   

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

Mmmmm....Snickerdoodles!

Mmmm, Mmmm, here are those yummy Snickerdoodles I promised you. These break my rule (just a bit) of using only real, unsalted butter, as they use a combination of butter and butter-flavor shortening. Remember to have your butter and eggs at room temp. Don't let the butter get too soft, as that will cause over spreading. Don't you love that plate? I found it at a yard sale with a couple of others years ago. It's Limoge. I love serving an old fashioned cookie like Snickerdoodles on it. This is one of the simplest and best cookies. One big tip is to remove them IMMEDIATELY from the cookie sheet after you take them from the oven. If you leave them on the sheet to cool, they will overbake and you will loose that soft center that makes these so yummy. Let me know how yours turn out.

Snickerdoodles

1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened

1/2 c. shortening (I use butter flavor Crisco)

1-1/2 c. sugar

2 large eggs

2-3/4 c. all purpose flour

2 t. cream of tartar

1 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt (not kosher)

2 T. sugar

2 t. cinnamon

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and mix well. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, b. soda and salt. Shape the dught by rounded teaspoonfuls (about the size of a walnut) into balls.

Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.

Roll each ball in the mixture. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. (I use Silpat liners) Bake 8-10 min. or until set but not crisp. Immediately remove from cookie sheet and cool on a rack.

If you leave the cookies on the sheet, they will continue to bake from the residual heat on the pan and overcook.

Happy Baking and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

Team Cards and Cookies....all ready to pack and go!

Here's my cards and cookies all wrapped and ready to be packed into my mailing box to wing their way to our soldier Wayne.  I made the chocolate chip cookies I posted here as well as Snickerdoodles. 12 dozen in total.    I had a request to post my recipe for the Snickerdoodles so look for them in the next post.  I'll post a close up of the cards in another post as well.

Thanks to Tammy Hershberger for sharing the information and to Erika Martin for being Team Captain.  An afternoon of baking  and prayers for our servicemen and women and a morning of stamping (hey, I may use this design for MY Christmas cards....simple elegant...) for a great cause.   

Blessings & Happy Stamping!

Charlene

Carmel Apple To Go

I love, love, love carmel apples!! The best carmel on earth is made in Burnsville, MN at a family candy co. called Abdullah's. Oh, my, I can taste that yummy homemade carmel now!!

I saw a version of this cute kit on Mish's site. I chose to use the red and black solely because I had a roll of ribbon from the $1 spot at Michael's that looks like a bandana only floral. I used every single bit of it! The last tiny piece went on the card.

I ended up putting red shreds in the can after seeing my photo. The little clear envelopes contain some mini chocolate chips and chopped pecans. I included a single pkg of carmel apple dip and a beautiful Gala apple. Perfectly sweet and crunchy. Everything goes into the pail except the card. That cute bag came in a pack of 2 for $1 from the Target $1 spot. Nice heavyweight and notice the edging.

The stamps are Papertrey Spooky Sweets II, paper is Bazzill red textured, SU white, red and black. I cut the scallops and circle on pail lid with my Spellbinders Nestibilities. I get some of mine at Cut at Home. If you sign up for an account, they will send you a MONTHLY coupon for 40% off a single item....sweeeet!!

Love to know what you think!

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

Driving me Batty!

Have you ever seen a bat close up? We had a nest full in the outside wall of our house last year. Where we live, they are an endangered species due to the fact they eat mosquitoes, so we had to seal off every opening on the exterior of our house while they were out foraging and then hope they didn't get in. It was expensive but it worked.!

Maybe that's why I had bats on the brain when I created this bat using my fabo Scor-Pal. You can find the tutorial and more photos in the Scor-Pal Halloween Magazine. You can get the list of supplies and a pdf tutorial on the site.

Let me know if you try them...you can make dozens as they're super easy!

Happy Halloween and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

Team Cookies and Cards

Do you like to bake? When I posted the recipe for those chocolate chip cookies a few weeks ago, a lot of you responded with comments that you were going to make some, too. So I know there are some bakers out there! Do you like to make cards? Of course you do! You wouldn't be here on my blog if you didn't share this passion with me, right?


Tammy Hershberger  at Stamp Happy
has given me permission to post a portion of her blog entry here:

So I'd like to challenge you all to join a team that I just joined! It's called Operation Baking GALS (Give A Little Support)! All you have to do is bake a batch of cookies, make 10 holiday cards and send this package to a soldier! You don't even have to pick a soldier... it's already been done! You can read about Wayne here. And to get signed up for Team Cookies & Cards, go to Erika Martin's blog here. There's a link in that post to get signed up! If you have any questions, just email me! I'll get the answers for you! One question I had for Erika was how much it would approximately cost to mail the package. Erika said she was able to get her package sent in a large Priority Mail box at a cost of $10.95. Not a bad price to brighten the day of many of our troops serving so graciously overseas!

Charlene again:

I've signed up and Tammy said there are 3 spots open as of this evening.  If you can help out, visit Erika Martin's blog here and join us!



Blessings and Happy stamping!

Charlene

Trick or Treat.....please?

Isn't this little guy just the cutest?  He's from House Mouse.  His name is Lil Punkin.  Cute?

The base card is SU Pumpkin Pie.  The DP is a scrap from last year's Martha Stewart Halloween Pack.  Brads are SU and that gorgeous ribbon (it shimmers but can't tell here) is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  

His little costume is colored with SU Watercolor Crayons then shimmered over with Twinkling H2O's.  

He's not crooked...he leans!  ;-)

Happy Halloween and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

Boo!

I gave myself the gift of some stamping time today and actually finished two cards.  I  baked 6 loaves of Hawaiian Banana Bread today as well, so it was a very fulfilling day.

This was for the sketch challenge (SC199).  I can't believe I actually finished a sketch challenge on the day it was due!  This was a fun challenge...I did meander off a bit and add that cool webbing I got from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  Debbie has the coolest ribbons around at a fair price. 

This card is 4.25 x 4.25.  The base is SU's Elegant Eggplant.  I wish my camera could capture all the sparkle of the K & Co. glitter paper (Michael's)  Those happy pumpkins are all sparkly black...you should have seen my desk when I finished with both cards...perfect time to pull out my glitter cloth from Scor-Pal.  The pumpkin and Boo! are from the $1 bin at Michael's.  Both were stamped with black Versafine ink then embossed using black embossing powder.  I colored the pumpkin with SU More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie markers, then glammed him up with a bit of Sakura Glitter Pen and popped him up on dimensionals.  The edges of each panel are distressed.    The orange brads are from the Target $1 spot.

Thanks for visiting...and Happy Stamping!

Charlene 

Request for RAK's for Marcus

Hi guys,

This was passed along by Marybeth.  If you can send Marcus a card as a RAK (Random Act of Kindness), I know he'd appreciate it.


http://craftingtheweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/marcus.html

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

EEEK!!! It's A Spider, or Two or Three or....

Aren't these little guys just the cutest?  I made these for teacher gifts as well as some to send to my grandchildren.  So easy to do....and not so scarey after all.  :-)

Supplies:  Scallop circle punch, photo corner punch,
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Tango Tangerine
Accessories: Scor-Tape, wiggle eyes

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

Happy Birthday, Sandra!

Hi again,

Another October birthday...this time it's my dear DIL.  She had a very classic style so when I saw Sharon Johnson's  stamp challenge today I knew this style would be perfect. 

Sharon issued a challenge to use no picture stamps.  Today is also my DH's birthday so I am busy baking and planning his surprises as well but needed to get her card in the mail so it will arrive on time. 

I had borrowed a friend's gift package Cuttlebug folder some time ago and ran off a bunch of this simple design on the heavier Papertrey white cardstock.  I simply cut a piece of DP to fit the center, stamped the greeting and tied on the ribbon.  I wish you could feel the ribbon!  It's a beautiful, soft, 1-1/2" wide satin.  I cut the ends to look a bit like a bow tie. 

Notice anything else different?  This card doesn't open!  The weight of the paper and simplicity of the design prompted me to just write my personal greeting on the back and further simplify my task.  I used this technique on the pink card for Linda in my previous post. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

Can You Help?

Hi there!

I apologize for the lack of posts...October is our family's birthday month...so much to do and so little time.  I know, I know..birthdays are the same day every year and I should make the cards, plan the gifts in advance and I really do mean to...but...

I received an email recently from a friend who has a friend who's sister has recently been diagnosed with a serious illness. I am not at liberty to share details but it seems we all have a dear one or someone who is dealing with a life altering or life threatening situation so I know we can relate.

I know how awesome stampers are...and we love to bless others with cards.  If you have a minute or two and can send this dear lady a birthday card, I know it would make her day...and brighten the lives of her family as well.   

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

Linda Franz
PO Box 618
Sister Bay, WI  54234-0618

Blessings, Thanks, and Happy Stamping!

Charlene