Have You Heard? It's May Arts/Hero Arts Blog Week!!!

It's here!  Hero Arts and May Arts have combined to bring you a fabulous week of stamp and ribbon inspiration!

There are prizes to be won so be sure to check out both sites and see what the Design Teams have created to inspire you this holiday season.

Here's a sneak peek at my projects....

Have you figured out what it is?  Hop on over to May Arts blog and check it out.  Be sure to leave me a comment and tell me what you think.  Then pop in here and find out how to win!

                                                     

Teapot Tuesday - Spiders and Bats and Ghosts....Oh, MY!!

I have two posts today so be sure to check them out 'cause...It's May Arts/Hero Arts Blog week!  Woo-Hoo!!

Our Teapot Tuesday Challenge (MMTPT115) this week  Destination Station this week is Birchwood, Wisconsin. 

We are sending our cards to Jacob, the 5 year old grandson of Renee, a fellow SCSer/Teapotter (handmadebyme). Jacob recently had tonsil surgery and the doctors found a cancerous growth on the tonsil. As his plans for treatment progressed unfortunately they discovered his cancer was more advanced than originally thought and had spread to both his kidneys and liver. Doesn't seem quite right for a 5 year old!


We are bringing a Halloween Party to Jacob!  Renee says he loves scarey stuff! Since he might not have the energy to do any trick or treating this year, we'll brighten his holiday with a skeery teaparty!

Here's the inspiration teapot chosen by Cindy (mothermark).

Here's my card for Jacob:

I used the Round Card Template from The Cutting Cafe.  The base is actually SU Night of Navy but swiped my white craft inkpad across it.  The stamps are Michael's $1 spot (spider/web, pumpkin).  Those super cute bats and ghosties are from May Arts Satin Cutouts line of ribbon.  Aren't they the cutest?  I used CE on the pumpkin and the spider and Sakura glitter pen on the web.  I also used the most awesome w Glue Arts Glue adhesive squares....love them!!! 

If you can send a card to cheer up this precious 5 year old, I know it will help ease the stress he and his family find themselves faced with.  You can find all Jacob's information here.

Supplies:

Paper - SU Night of Navy

Ink - SU Craft White, Eggplant Envy, Pumpkin Pie, Copic markers

Stamps - Michael's $1, PTI Spooky Sweets (boo)

Accessories - May Arts Satin Cutouts, Crystal Effects

                                                 

CAS88 - Crinkle, Crinkle Buttons & Bows

This week's CAS challenge at SCS this week is based on a word - "Crinkle" as in dry fall leaves.  I have to tell you it took some thought on this one...what crinkles besides leaves?  My DH even put on his thinking cap and walked all over Michael's with me looking for inspiration...now that's "l-o-v-e"!  ;-)

I dragged out everything I had looking for that sound...tissue paper, plastic wrap? Too quiet.  Paper leaves?  Yep, that works,  but not very original.  Finally, I remembered I had a roll of clear acetate cellophane, nice, noisy, crinkly cellophane!  I just made it into a clear crinkly bow... clean and simple!

I didn't "tie" the bow...I just looped the acetate back and forth then wound some sweet baby pink May Arts ribbon around it and pulled it tight.  The center panel has the ribbon underneath the flowered DP.

Head on over to SCS and see what the rest of the DT has crinkled up for you.  While you've got your acetate out for the JUGS challenge, you should check out the Transparent 3D challenge at PaperCubed, too!

CAS88 - Crinkle
Just Us Girls Challenge 54 - Technique/Acetate


Supplies:
Paper - SU Pink Pirouhette,  Barely Banana, SEI Chick-a-dee
Stamps - Papertrey Baby Button Bits
Ink - Versafine
Accessories - Acetate cellophane, SEI Chick-a-dee buttons, May Arts Wrinkled Ribbon, May Arts Satin Scalloped Edge Ribbon, Glue Arts ribbon adhesive

                                                           

Are You Ready? It's HERE!! The Hero Arts/May Arts Blog Week!!

                             

All of us over at May Arts have been so excited to announce to you our upcoming blog week with Hero Arts! Stamps & Ribbon just seem to go together like peanut butter & jelly, spaghetti & meatballs, bread & butter......well you get the idea. :)

All week long we will be posting projects that combine May Arts Ribbon & Hero Arts Stamps. We will also be having a fantastic giveaway coming up on Tuesday!

Here's a sneak peek of the what we have up for grabs:

Have we piqued your interest yet?  :-)  Be sure to head over to the May Arts blog and the May Arts Facebook  page for information on how you can win!

Want to know more about Hero Arts? They were kind enough to forward this bio:

Hero Arts is a family run business, a green business, and our wood block, Cling, and PolyCLEAR stamps are all proudly made right here in the USA! (You can learn more about the company HERE.) At Hero Arts we are dedicated to our customers, passionate about our community, and grateful to be a part of the wonderful and thriving craft of stamping. Visit the Hero Arts Blog and website to join the community and find creative inspiration every day!

So be sure to keep checking in for a fun filled week of crafty inspiration!


                                      

Free Fall Banner from Piggy Bank Parties at May Arts

                                        

Love this banner?  Me, too!!  Guess what?  You can get it absolutely FREE on the May Arts blog.  It's a gift from Piggy Bank Parties.  Our May Arts team member, Do Driver, has a cool jar and ribbon post for you on the May Arts blog and she's included this free download just for you! 

Hop over to the May Arts blog, check out her cute fall decor ideas and then head to Piggy Bank Parties  and do some fall party planning of your own. 

                                                      

Foodie Friday and One Layer Wednesday OLW23

How's that title for messing up your days of the week!  It's perfect for the kind of week I had this week...I actually had look on my computer for what day it was yesterday...I seem to have misplaced a couple of days this week...

Ok, as promised, here's your Foodie Friday treat.  Thought since I made you wait, I'd serve it before my card...after all, it's still warm!  Mmmmmm!

This is a simple and not too sweet Pineapple Cake.  A mere 20 minutes to mix up, 30-35 min. to bake and you've got a warm and yummy treat that's great for breakfast or dessert.  Who needs a mix when this cake is so super quick and easy.  Bet you have all the ingredients in your pantry right now.

Pineapple Cake

1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened

1 c. granulated sugar

2 eggs, room temp.

1 c. packed brown sugar

1 c. chopped pecans

1 c. coconut (omit if you don't like it)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 13 x 9 baking pan; set aside.  Drain pineapple, reserving the juice.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer for about 30 seconds.  Add sugar and beat until fluffy.

Add eggs, beat until smooth.  Add flour and reserved pineapple juice, alternately beginning and ending with flour.  Beat at low speed just until combined.  (overbeating = tough cake)

Fold in pineapple with spatula.  Spread in prepared pan.

Combine brown sugar, pecans, and coconut.  Sprinkle over batter.  Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Serve warm.

Makes 12-16 servings.

Now here's my take on the One Layer Wednesday OLW23 Heavy Metal Challenge.  The challenge is to use metal on your card.  Thank goodness she didn't ask us to play an electric guitar..I'm so not musically gifted!  Darn it!

I just got these awesome SEI Moonrise Filigree Metal Accents in yesterday's mail...perfect for this challenge!  Is that leaf not gorgeous!?  There are 5 other beautiful coppery metal accents included. 

I scored 5 lines down the left side then ran a strip of copper sequined border that I picked up at JoAnn's awhile back on clearance.  The sentiment is PTI First Fruits stamped in Dew Drops Brilliance Cosmic Copper ink.

Heavy metal indeed!

Gotta run, my cake is getting cold!!

                 

MMSC74 - May All Your Wishes Come True

Sorry I haven't been around much this week...my days have been filled with doctor visits and tests (came out fine) and a bad reaction to a drug that was supposed to help my knee...NOT!  It gave me chest pain for two days.  Thankfully, that has passed so I'm going to get a cortisone shot in the knee Friday instead of the meds.  I'm beginning to think alot of meds do more harm than good sometimes. 

I will post the Foodie Friday pic as soon as it comes out of the oven and cools a bit...sorry to keep you waiting but I promise it will worth a trip back.

In the meantime, I have a card for the Midnight Madness Challenge (MMSC74) this week. 

I chose the simpler version of the sketch.  I had to lay the card down because I used Crystal Effects and glitter on the tree and the DP has glittery trees as well so glare was an issue.

Head on over and play along...there's always a cool prize and someone has to win, right?  

Supplies:

Paper - PTI Kraft, Scarlet Jewel, Ripe Avocado, DP (from my stash)

Stamps - Hero Arts Wishes Come True

Ink - Versamark, Copic markers

Accessories- dimensionals, Spellbinders Circle dies, sewing machine, Crystal Effects, Art Institute Pearl Glitter

Check back for Foodie Friday!!

Off the Wall Mojo Monday

I love the colors of the Off the Wall Craftiness challenge (OTWC27) so much, I had to make another.  I decided to pair it with the Mojo Monday 159 sketch.  This card took way longer than it should have because I was trying to make iwth work with dark brown and it just didn't want to do that.  Have you ever had that happen?  It's frustrating, but once I gave in and moved to the kraft, it came together quickly.

I used that pot of shimmer colors I got at JoAnn's again...tried to see if I could capture it.

 

Supplies:

Paper - Kraft (unknown), Bazzill linen, SU (retired DP)

Stamps - Hero Arts Swirl Christmas (CL469), Papertrey Holiday Tags

Ink - Versafine Sea Breeze, Sahara Sand

Accessories - Hero Arts Hues - Prism, May Arts double faced satin, MS sticker, dimensionals, Metallic rubons, Spellbinders die 

Here are the colors this week:

Teapot Tuesday - Snoopy's Got Cookies on His Computer!

I'm late posting today...grrrr.  Had a bit of an issue with a med the doctor gave me for my knee. 

Today's Teapot Destination Station is Afghanistan and the son of fellow teapotter, Lisa Lara.  Her son, Kyler, is a "Tactical Network Software Specialist".  Whew....I can barely type it so I can't even imagine what he's responsible for keeping track of.  His Mom says he built his own computer (!) and had to leave it behind when he deployed.  Our Teapot Challenge MMTPT114 "Turn off that Computer, Here Comes the Recruiter!" is to cheer him up.

The rules stated  NO glitter..it gets on the soldier's clothes and makes them visible at night, no buttons, flowers, or other lumpy, bumpy things soooooo...this card was super simple!  You can read the story behind my card here on my SCS site.

Supplies:

Paper - PTI

Stamps - Stampabilities Thinking of Cookies

Ink - Memorex, Copic markers

Accessories - Scor-Pal

                                               

CAS87 - Faux Letterpress

This week's Clean and Simple Challenge (CAS87) on SCS is a technique challenge - Faux Letterpress.

The best tutorial I've found on this technique is here on Gina K's Stamp TV.  

Here's what I learned about using the CB folder instead of the Impressabilities folder Gina uses:

Ink up the debossed side.  I found that swiping the inkpad covered better than tapping.

Follow the CB instructions for running a folder through using the clear plates with this exception:  Do NOT close the folder.  Place a piece of shim (chipboard or rubber mat) over the cardstock then the second clear plate and run it through.  That's it.

I used my finger to tap a bit more white ink onto my snowman since I wanted him to stand out.

Here's my second card.  I masked off the "snow" to keep the ink from settling there.  Inky fingers?  Yes!  After I was finished, I covered the entire card with a Golden White shimmery gloss I picked up at JoAnn's last year.  It adds a a subtle sparkle that just won't photograph.

Supplies: Card 1
Paper - PTI white, Pure Poppy, Kraft
Ink - SU Craft White
Accessories - CB folder, SU markers - black, pumpkin pie, Recollections gems

Card 2
Paper - Night of Navy, Blissful Blue, White
Ink - SU Blissful Blue
Stamps - Papertrey Holiday Tags
Accessories - CB folder, stickon pearls, May Arts wrinkle ribbon

Happy World Cardmaking Day!

                                    

                                                  

Not exactly a card but close enough.  I love the colors from the Off The Wall Craftiness challenge #27 this week! (OTWC#27) Aqua, cream and brown are some of my favorite colors.  May Arts Ribbon is sponsoring the challenge this week!   

One of my favorite paper packs is Dill Blossom by SEI and I knew it would be perfect for this challenge.  This paper pack has a beautiful linen finish...love it!  The notebook is also cream and brown so I added a strip of the paper to match it up as well.  I tied everything up with a length of gorgeous May Arts brown satin ribbon .  I can't decide whether or not to leave the ribbon/button on the pen.  What do you think?

Challenges:  the first SEI link party (How cool is that!?)

Sew Many Challenges - Anything Goes (they're also looking for some new DT members.  If you're interested, the info is at this link as well.

Thanks so much for stopping by...I appreciate your comments a bunch!

PaperCubed -A Transparent October and Foodie Friday

This month's PaperCubed (P3) challenge is to use acrylic in your creation.  Remember, NO CARDS.  

I chose to use one of my favorite digital bag templates - The Funky Bag from The Digichick and a medium weight acrylic that I got from Dick Blick.   This bag has a cool curved flap that you can see here.  I reversed the direction of the flap and hid the clear velcro dot closure with the middle ghost.    See that awesome velvet corduroy and the satin cutout bats and ghosts?  They're from May Arts!  I love the texture of the velvet corduroy and it comes in awesome colors!

Remember, you have the entire month to get your acrylic thinking cap on so let's see those 3D acrylic creations!  Post your project over at P3 and you could win a super prize.  Be sure to pop in so you can see the other fabulous DT creations!

Challenges:

Aud's Challenge Blog - Halloween Sentiments

No Time to Stamp - Three is the Key (ssnotime159)

Now for Foodie Friday!  We love soup so we don't wait for cool weather to enjoy it.  This Italian Wedding Soup is easy and one of our favorites.  It's even better the second day.   

Italian Wedding Soup 

1 recipe Italian Mini Meatballs (recipe follows)

1 c. onion, diced

1 c. celery, diced

1 c. carrots, diced

1 c. ham, diced

1 T. garlic, minced

2 T. olive oil

1/2 c. dry white wine

6 c. chicken broth

2 t. dried oregano

1 t. red pepper flakes (may be omitted if you don't want the heat)

1 bay leaf

1 can (15 oz.) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

2 c. fresh spinach

1/2 c. chopped fresh parsley

2 eggs

Shredded Parmesan

Sweat vegetables, ham and garlic in oil in a large soup pot, covered, over med. heat until soft, about 10 minutes.

Deglaze with wine; reduce until nearly evaporated.  Stir in broth and seasonings, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, 15-20 minutes.

Drop meatballs into simmering soup and simmer 3-4 minutes.  Add beans, spinach and parsley, and cook just until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with some of the hot broth, then remove the soup from the heat; stir in egg mixture.

Serve and garnish with shredded fresh Parmesan.

Meatballs (May be made in advance and frozen until ready to use.  I make double and freeze for spaghetti & meatballs)

Stir together:

1/4 c. unseasoned fresh bread crumbs

1/4 c. grated Parmesan

2 T. whole milk

2 T. chicken broth

2 T. chopped fresh parsley

1 egg, beaten

2 t. dried Italian seasoning

1 t. garlic, minced

1 t. kosher salt

1/2 t. ground black pepper

1/8 t. red pepper flakes

Pinch of nutmeg

Add:

1/2 lb. ground chuck OR ground turkey

Mix thoroughly.  Form meatballs using a small scoop or melon baller and place on a aluminum foiled lined cookie sheet.  Bake in a 350 degree oven until meatballs are cooked through about 15-20 minutes.  May be used immediately or frozen for later use.

                                

Hero Arts May All Your Wishes Come True Gift Bag

Hero Arts has started new month long challenges!   What's cool is that winners are announced in two groups so both the early and late submitters have an opportunity to win. 

This month's theme is Everything Autumn and and the technique challenge is Simple Gift Bags with any theme.

I just got a couple of awesome HA Christmas sets so decided to pair one with one of my kraft bags.  Quick and easy!  I stitched the DP and the strip on the bag top before applying.

I stamped the tree image twice then cut out the layers on the tree for dimension, added some sparkly Stickles and done!

Supplies:

Stamps - Hero Arts Wishes Come True

Paper - Bazzill Textured, Basic Grey DP

Ink - Tim Holtz Fired Brick, Copic markers

Accessories - kraft bag, sewing machine, SB circle dies

                                        

The Cutting Cafe - BOO to You!

Uh, oh...looks like somebody got squished by a great big BOO!  This fun flap top card uses images from The Cutting Cafe's new Halloween Time.  What a great set!!   55 images - all fun and spooky.

I paired my images with some fun candy and skeleton stickers from K&Co.  The witch's shoes have 3 coats of CE on them so they're super shiny.  The flap closes with a velcro dot.  Inside, this bag of bones is hanging out inside one of the circle sentiments from the set. 

Challenges:

Paper Garden Projects Fourth Friday Challenge - Halloween

Thanks for stopping by!  Are your Halloween cards and gifts finished yet? 

Supplies:

Paper - SU Orange, Eggplant, Colorbox DP

Stamps - The Cutting Cafe

Accessories - computer, K&Co. stickers, Crystal Effects, googlie eyes, decorative scissors, velcro dot



Welcome Fall - May Arts Tutorial

May Arts Ribbon is having a Fall Decorating Contest!  Here are the details:

Autumn is right around the corner. Everywhere you look stores & homes are gearing up for this very lovely season. It is one of our favorite reasons to decorate with ribbon. For this contest we want to know how you are using ribbon to decorate for Fall. Are you making lovely displays in your home or decorating your yard? Maybe you have some great seasonal craft projects planned. Tell us all your ideas or send us a picture, & enter to win 1 full spool of Ribbon!


Details are Listed Below:

To enter: Post a comment here or send in a picture to sales@mayarts.com.

Start date: Monday September 20th, 2010.

Deadline: Sunday October 10th 2010.

The prize: 1 Full Spool of your favorite May Arts Ribbon!

We will select one entry. The winner’s name will be posted on Monday October 11th, 2010.

The winner will have 2 weeks to contact us & claim their prize.

Domestic & International entries are all welcome.

______________________________

To get your creative juices flowing, I've got two projects for you over at the May Arts Blog.  I'd love to know what you think of them so I'd love for you to leave me a comment over there!  See you here in a bit with another project.

Here's a sneak peak!

I'm still trying to recuperate from my weekend.  I think I must have been running on adrenaline because I'm super tired...I asked my body to things it hasn't done in a long time plus, we didn't get much sleep!  :-)

Now, a bit of sad news...Rachel, the Teapot Tuesday Destination Station on this post, has passed on.  We pray her family finds peace.

May Arts Fun Packs

Look what I found at May Arts Ribbon...Fun Packs!!  Fun Packs are 6 packs of perfectly coordinated ribbons.  18 yards of gorgeous ribbon.  See if you can guess which one is my favorite.

CAS86 - A Sketch Challenge

Sorry to be posting late today...I served as a team member on a women's spiritual weekend, got home late, late last night and am just starting to dig into the piles of laundry and suitcases.  Why is it that men don't need as much "stuff" as we do? 

Ok, on to the reason you've popped in!!  Today's challenge on SCS is a sketch by.....me!  It's a super simple design that can be used for so many occasions.

Here's the original and here is what I did with the sketch:

I changed the base color, the image shape, added a border and used some sparkly brads I had in my stash.  I can't wait to see what you do with it!!

Happy Stamping!!

Supplies

Paper - PTI Leaf Green,  Pure Poppy, Holiday Vintage Prints

Stamps - PTI Holiday Button Bits

Ink - Versafine gingerbread

Accessories - MS eyelet punch, twine, sparkly brads