Teapot Tuesday - Donald was Set Up!!

The Teapot Tuesday Destination Station this week is my very own doctor's office.  Lynette Watson, my doctor's receptionist has cancer in several areas of her body.  You can read a bit of her story and Destination information here.

Here's what you need to know for the Teapot Challenge.  Lynette loves kids and Disney World so the uber talented Cindy Mothermark chose the most amazing teapot.  You MUST go to Cindy's blog and check out her EXACT replications of the teapots.  I don't know how she does it week after week!!

 If you have time to send Lynette a card, I know she would appreciate it so much.

Here's her address:

Lynette Watson

c/o A Cornerstone Family Practice
11786 SE Federal Hwy
Hobe Sound, FL 33455

Here's my card.  I used clipart since I don't have any Disney stamps.  You can read my story about how Donald got set up here.

I printed out two copies of the clipart then cut one out and popped it up on dimensionals.

Supplies:
Paper - SU Summer Sun, Regal Rose
Stamps - Justrite Stampers Times New Roman
Ink - Versfine
Accessories - clipart, buttons, ribbon, dimensionals

CAS89 - A "Couple" of Mittens

This week's Clean and Simple Challenge on SplitcoastStampers (CAS89) is a Sketch by kstamper.  Karen's coloring is just beautiful and the design is inspired.  I'm honored to be on the Fall DT with her. 

The original challenge was for the CAS Fall DT to make a card with a "couple" of things.  Not sure why this new challenge gave me so much trouble but I had major brain strain trying to come up with a card.  Then it would not photograph worth a plugged nickel!  I think it may be the photographer!

You can't see it, but I added subtle dots of glitter on the inside of the embossed panel and the snowflakes on the mittens.

Supplies: 

Paper - SU Taken with Teal, Neenah Classic Solar White

Ink - Taken with Teal

Stamps - Retired SU Holiday Sampler, Hero Arts Wavy Winter Wishes

Accessories - Spellbinders Rectangle dies, MS twine, Glitter Glue pen, Art Institute Angel Dust glitter

                                          

May Arts Ribbon Contest and Foodie Friday

 I'm working on a new project that I can't wait to show you but have one little part to finish.  While you're waiting, take a look at this gorgeous ribbon!!  I just saw this on the May Arts Face book site :

                                
Didn't I tell you?  Guess what?  You can WIN it!!  This is the prize for the next May Arts contest!!  I'm loving those gold trees and that chevron stripe and I think I neeeeeed that red and taupe stripe.  Nuts...I can't play...but you can!  Details will be up soon on Facebook.

Ok, now for Foodie Friday....

I love fall...the temperature cools just a bit, the leaves turn gorgeous shades of yellow, red and orange and the new crop of crisp, crunchy, sweet, tart apples are ready for the picking.

Today's Foodie Friday is a recipe I've used for over 40 years...it's so easy and so good you may never buy applesauce in a jar again.  It can be served warm...that's how I like mine or chilled, for breakfast, lunch or dinner or added to your favorite apple recipes.  I have an Applesauce Cake recipe I'll share with you later that I use this in but for now...enjoy this

Chunky Applesauce

6 large cooking apples (I double this recipe) 

1 c. boiling water

1/8 t. salt

1 t. lemon juice

1/2 t. grated lemon peel

1/4 t. ground cinnamon

1/8 t. ground nutmeg

1/2 - 1 c. sugar

Note:  I use a variety of apples in my applesauce.  If you use a very tart apple, you may need to add up to a full cup of sugar.  Feel free to adjust to your family's taste.  I also add pears to the apples if I happen to have them....yum!

Wash, peel, and core apples.  Cut them into thick slices.  Want to see how I do it?  Easy, peasy...

I've had this "Yankee Apple Peeler" for years and highly recommend it as a time-saver.  Your kids will love helping you!  It peels, cuts and cores the apples!  I just cut them in half and done!  That little handle at the bottom sucks it right to your counter top so it doesn't move around.   Sorry...I didn't see that bit of peel until too late!

In a 4 qt. saucepan, combine apples, boiling water, and salt.  Cover tightly and cook over moderately low heat until apples are cooked through.  Add a little more water, if necessary, to keep apples from sticking to pan.

The cooking time will vary depending on the variety of apples used.  One way to tell if they're cooked through is to stir the apples vigorously.  They will chunk easily. 

Once apples are cooked, stir in lemon juice, peel, and spices.  Add sugar to taste, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

Serve warm or chilled. 

You can see how far the apples cooked down.  Apple Perfection!

Enjoy!!

                                                

A RAK and A Cutie Pie

If you haven't been to Sue's Stamping Stuff, you really need to take a trip over there and see what this talented lady  "cooks" up on a regular basis.  Sue is one talented stamper (just take a gander at her House Mouse DT samples!) and a baker of cookies (woman after my own heart) but even more than that, she's just one nice thoughtful human being. 

When she read about my bum knee, she sent me a gorgeous (!) card which I'll show you in a minute but also a whole bunch of uber cute stamped images!  How fun!  Wanna see what I did with one of them?  It's from Lili of the Valley (LOTV) and just super adorable. 

                                               

Didn't I tell you?  I found the stamp sheets only at Simon Says Stamp but no individuals (insert sad face).  This little Cutie Pie will be in my Etsy shop.

Now for the awesome RAK from Sue:

Didn't I tell you?!

My card is for the Sketch Challenge at Our Creative Corner (OCCC)

Thanks so much for all of your lovely comments and don't forget to hop over to May Arts and Hero Arts because it's.......

P.S.
I'm about to give the blog an overhaul in appearance and maybe a name change to the name of my Etsy Store.   Has anyone changed their blog name and had trouble getting your posts transferred?


                                                 

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!