Friday's Announcment

Check back Friday (May 1st) for my card that won the Use It! Challenge #8!

Rae is trying to save this blog- visit Use It! Challenge and try your hand at the challenges! Rae is redesigning this site to make it more user friendly! The premise is to use up those much loved items in your stash that "are just sitting there!" Put them to use!

Product Challenge!

I cannot believe that a week has gone by! I have been remiss about posting, life has come in the way- softball mainly and getting ready for this weekend. Been busy the last 2 weekends preparing for 3 workshops (very successful I may add...MHO!) So here are a few cards that I have been able to complete...........

My sister, Kris, tossed a challenge out to me a few weeks ago. With the products she sent (some papers, MM alphas, pins, stickers) I was to create at least 3 cards. Here are 2 of the cards- very beachy theme. I used some rub ons, CTMH stamps and cardstock, ribbons, jewelry charms- I think I was able to complete her challenge (hey Kris- Bring it ON!!!). The papers were from her gift to me, as well as the pins. The rub ons are Anna Griffin. Makes me wish summer vacation was here already................

See you soon-

Unscripted Sketches #02

On a message board at CTMH, I came across a consultant that referenced this new sketch site. I really like the sketches, they are new and fresh (at least to me-lol!). Once I saw it on Saturday, I knew exactly what papers I wanted to use. I have a craft fair next weekend, and plan on making a few more using the rest of the paper. I am torn about stamping any sentiment on them. I was planning on Happy Mother's Day, but if they don't sell, I will have quite a few to hold onto. I like to move my inventory out. So, onto the sketch. It really reminded me of a present. I used Garden Green to mat and to give more contrast to the yellow rose paper. The dotted ribbon came from Big Lots (I love this store, too bad it is 30 minutes away, though it could be a good thing b/c I would spend too much money there buying "cheap" stuff...LOL!)

Supplies: Daisy D paper, CTMH c/s, Rose stamp from CTMH, and sentiment from Stampin'Up! Inks are buttercup, creme brulee, garden green and black. Ribbon is misc.

Enjoy your day, it is another rainy day here in Pennsylvania.

Use It! Challenge #7

This week's challenge comes from Anja and she did some digging in her stash to create her card. I have to say that the cards are easier to design with only using 3 elements, but 5 this week really put my mojo to some serious thinking.......especially since I have a stomach bug today, many thanks to my girls...!LOL! If you click on the image directly, it should give you a huge view of the details.....

-use black or white cardstock (check!)
-4 different papers, different brands (check!)
-non scrap item (glasses, check!)
-pens or doodles (penned the tags and doodled, check, check!!)
-use something lying around: pins, buttons, ribbons, etc... (hemp, check!)

Many months ago a fellow consultant (Pam Klassan) designed a card using bi-focals she found at the Target $1 spot, saying Welcome to the Bi-focal Club. I found it totally cool and hip and saved it to my file for "future reference." Little did I know that today was the day that I would pull that copy out and CASE my own version!

Supplies: White and Black C/S CTMH, Bo bunny, Around the Block, CTMH Blue paper, and misc paper. Chocolate Alpha by CTMH, tags cut by hand, bi-focals found at Target, hemp.

I think that I was able to pull off the challenge in a very unique and creative way. Thanks Anja for the challenge! PS- hubby laughed when I showed it to him: "are they real glasses?", " of course they are honey, thanks to Target!"

365 Challenge day #49- Accordian Card

My take on the "tri-fold" card or aka Accordian Card. Turn it on it's side, it becomes a stair step card (instructions on Splitcoaststampers.com). I also made sure it fits into a standard sized envie (it is 4.25x5.5 folded) I love the weight of this card because of all of the cardstock and patterned paper. All products CTMH- thanks for stopping by....!

Cardstock base 12x5.5 inches, scored on the 2", 5", and 8" marks, valley and mountain folds.

New Challenge! Unscripted Sketches #01

Searching the boards today, I came across this new challenge site and decided to participate while I wait for my husband to come home and take me out on a lunch date. If you get a chance, head over and see the great artwork and get your artwork seen!

Very easy and yet elegant card! Would make a great Mother's Day card (maybe my MIL will be getting this one....LOL!) The stamp set is CTMH, prima flowers, American Crafts ribbon, MS punch and the papers are from my sister (you have no idea how much paper she sent my way, I think I am well stocked into the year 2015!LOL!!!)

The sentiment I pop dotted to give more dimension.

Thanks for stopping by!

365 Challenge Day #48

Today we are just to score the card, make patterns on it. I have 2 cards and they are very different from each other......

Card 1, uses white cardstock that I scored a basket pattern (can't seem to figure out how to get great pics with white cards-LOL!), used MStewart butterfly punch, Michaels beads, red satin ribbon and Close To My Heart Sentiment stamp set. Misc hat pin and beads. I love how this turned out (there are small butterflies on the patterned paper in watermelon and red, thus the color scheme...LOL! bright and cheery, green is my fave color!)

Card 2 I saw somewhere years ago and just loved the colors of it. This is my take on it. I sanded the tan textured c/s to give it a linen feel. The purple c/s is scored and sanded to show off the pattern (must use a white core c/s to get this effect!). Stamped with Sweet Flowers another CTMH set, Friend from Say it in Style set, tags cut from my cricut (love this machine!)

Thank you to those of you that wished me well on my back. I am finally feeling better but am moving slowly and cautiously to avoid reinjury. Hopefully in a few more days, will be 100%.

Have a great friday and enjoy the spring! Softball season officially starts this weekend, our first game is a doubleheader! Long weekend ahead------

spoonful of sugar challenge #47

Challenge today was to make a card using die cuts or punches. I made a holiday card and used my cricut for the dove and martha stewart snowflake punch. Embossed with cuttlebug using a snowflake folder. Thanks for looking!

mojo monday challenge #82

My sister tossed me a bag of goodies to create 3 cards with. Thank goodness for this sketch because it gave me a great headstart on being creative! Here is my submission (I am posting quickly before the gang gets home from softball.....LOL!)

Cute Card Thursday #56

I love these challenges and I love the fact that I can interpret the challenge into what works for me! CCT and Floral Fantasy is Challenge #56 and my card uses stamps for the flowers. I stamped the flowers in Creme Brulee and Sorbet, highlighting in Tulip. Thanks for looking!

Still trying to figure out the lighting for my photo shots....sorry so yellow :(

365 Card Challenge Day #47

Pop Up Cards! I am short on time, so this is my version of a pop-up card- open the card and the picnic basket pops up for you!

I made this for a Memorial Day picnic that we host every year. All products Close to My Heart (TM). I random stamped the background patterned paper. I love this cute little picnic set (too bad it is retired!) I even posted a pic of the paper before I cut it up- that is always the hardest part!

Paper Take Weekly Challenge

This weeks challenge was to creat a card using Pastel colors. To me it is either spring or baby cards that can handle this color scheme! I am vendoring in a spring Flea Market/Craft Show and trying to make boxes of easy premade cards. I am hoping that baby cards will sell well (to use as announcements or thank you's) and have made them neutral, made some blue for boys and need to make some pink ones next..... This card is very easy to put together- it is one of CTMH's card patterns from the Originals Patterns. I love the simplicity and can make a dozen in about 1 hour!
Supplies used: Colors are key lime green, sunkiss yellow, and pink. CTMH white swirl clip, yellow organdy ribbon, stamp from Mike's and sentiment from CTMH Baby set. PS I love to stamp on textured cardstock- it just really changes the look of the card.

Challenge Monday!

I am so sore from this weekend- my back went out and my hips are out of alignment due to my drive to Baltimore to visit family this past week. I am struggling with how many cards to do this week with the pain I am in from my chiropractic fix. Please excuse the fact that today I combined 2 challenges into one card....

Use It! #6 and 2S4Y #24

For Use It, Regan chose the following guidelines: go out of your comfort zone, use something that you are hoarding, use something new and heat emboss.

Doing "male" cards is always a struggle. I guess I just feel that "they don't get it" the whole made from your heart, handcrafted thing. Just me, but anyway, I did a boy baseball card- give it to the coach or to the baseball afficiando. I had been hoarding these great metal embellies from Tim Coffey collection that I have had about 3 years- why they are in my stash is beyond me, but I found them. New- these papers are from my sister Kris, due to her spring cleaning, I won the jackpot in goodies (I love this WeRMemory Keepers line Urban Window collection!!) and I heat embossed in clear "baseballs" and "batter up" on the gold cardstock (if you look closely enough you can spot it...)

From Kazan's sketch at 2S4Y, this is my interpretation of it. I have to say, that all in all, I am surprised at how well this turned out ( it is quite heavy due to the metal buttons!LOL!!)

Have a great week!

Card Patterns sketch#10

Okay, time for something different!

I came across this paper while cleaning and knew it was perfect for the sketch on Card Patterns. I am very out of the holiday season, but hey, it is one less that I have to make come November LOL!!!

365 Challenge- Stamp a Background

I love to stamp backgrounds! It is the cheapest and easiest way to change your paper. I learned how over time and it still takes practice, a steady hand, and good stamps. CTMH clear acrylics make stamping larger backgrounds much simpler because you can easily see where you need to line up your edges.

anywhoooo....I distressed the desert sand c/s base and with Argyle Backgrounds Set (ctmh), stamped the diamonds with sweet leaf ink on sweet leaf cardstock. Used the Basket Weave from same set, on vanilla cream c/s and using desert sand ink. I stamped the flower 2x and cut out, layered and pop dotted. Pin from Heidi Grace, satin ribbon from Big Lots (love this store....!) Vineyard berry ink and c/s for pop of color.

Thanks for stopping by today!

"Scrap" Saturday

Rain, Rain go away

Come again some other day.

So, what other way to spend a dreary Saturday than to papercraft?!LOL! I have been up since 6:30am doing laundry and other cleaning getting ready for a house full of company tomorrow. I am officially taking a break! Using scraps and my heavy duty thinking cap, these 2 cards came together once I pulled out my inspiration stamp Inkadinkado Birds. I love pink and green together (reminds me of the early 80's in high school when all of the "preppies" wore these colors.... am I showing my age or what!)

Well, april showers bring in may flowers, which bring in the birds! I am ready for flowers, trees in bloom, green grass and the sounds of kids laughing outside. (sigh.....guess I need to wait another week or so.)

Happy Scrappy Saturday!

2 Sketches 4 You Challenge #23

I have been busy preparing cards for all of the great challenges that I have come across in the past few weeks.

This sketch comes from 2 Sketches 4 you by Kazan and Laura. Using up more of this Scrapbook Walls paper ( I love it!!) and pulled out my Inkadinkado dog stamps- love how his sweater matches the diamond pattern on the paper! Life can be rough sometimes, let's just acknowledge it (I just lost my job to budget cuts, so I get it and am moving on....)

Enjoy the weekend and happy creating!

365 Cards Challenge

Day 41- Feel Better Friday

How many times have I needed a Get Well Soon Card, and come to find out, my card stash is full of Happy Birthday.....! Thanks to this challenge, I am 1 card ahead LOL!!

Pam's challenge was to make a get well card and use 5 flowers. Well, I sorta cheated and used the flower on the patterned paper as 1, flower on my ribbon and flowers on the Feel Better Soon sentiment. I love this paper from my sister, too bad there was only a few sheets of coordinating paper- I would love to make a set of cards using these colors- olive green, berry, and blush....

TTFN!

Cute Card Thursday Challenge

I found time to play today...Challenge #55 is titled "Marshmallows and Chocolate"- Pink and Brown is the colour challenge of the week. The first card uses all CTMH papers. I was trying to use up some scraps to make room in my stash pile for new papers and viola! this card used up the last of this paper pack! The second card I made with my sweetie in mind. Again, used all CTMH papers and stamps, hemp for the "hangers", flourish stamp (Key to My Heart) and just cut the hearts out with scallop scissors. Pop dotted the hearts to give dimension!

Need to make this short- with the holidays, traveling to Baltimore to visit family, and trying to clean- time is short, but didn't want too much time in between posts! LOL- I need a vacation after this spring break vacation!! Happy Easter everyone......

Fancy Fold Card Workshop Pieces

I have been busy over the weekend preparing my sample cards for an upcoming Fancy Fold Card Workshop! Whew- this is the 2nd Folding Class and am trying to keep it fresh and new. That can be a tall order, but with these 2 cards, I think that has been accomplished. The first card (show closed and opened) is a variation of the Stair Step Card. The 2nd is a Dahlia Flower, But I just made the bud. The vine was cut with the cricut Home Accents, which saved a ton of work and stamping. Fancy Fold Class #3, will be a dress card and pleats, which will be held in the fall. Hope that you like what you see and if you are in the area, there is still room to attend.

Have a great day!

Salad anyone!

Doesn't this salad look magazine worthy? I have never taken a photo of my dinner before, but just couldn't pass up this photo op seeing how pretty it looked after we assembled it..... oh my- makes me hungry now looking at it! Even the kids ate this (my picky one ate the steak not the greens....)

This salad is called Ginger Steak Salad and it was the easiest dinner to make. I found the recipe on Pioneer Woman (if you haven't checked out this site and read her Love Story to Marlboro Man, you must stop reading now, go find her on the web, read the story for the next 2 days and then come back to me!!!LOL!) Anyhooooooo...... I bought a London Broil steak for $4.81 at the store on sale (great price for around here) and it was super uber tender and juicy.

Ginger Steak Salad Recipe

marinade:
2 TBL soy sauce
1 TBL sherry
2 minced garlic cloves (I use the jar)
2 tsp brown sugar

1 rib eye or sirloin steak

mix all ingredients in a ziploc bag. place steak in bag. marinate for 30minutes to 2 hours

salad dressing:
2 TBL olive oil
2 TBL soy sauce
2 TBL white sugar
1 TBL lime juice
2 cloves garlic minced (jar, but less for me!)
1 TBL minced ginger, fresh (I used powdered)

whisk together.

Slice some green onions for a topper if you desire. Add 2 TBL olive oil to hot skillet. Add steak and cook for 1 1/2 minutes per side (if you like rare meat- I cooked my for about 4 minutes per side, and my meat was 1" thick). Remove steak from skillet and keep on plate to allow the juices to flow back into the meat.

Toss salad greens with 3/4 of dressing and put on a platter. Now, I added one cucumber diced, peeled and seeded. Slice meat on grain and mound on top of greens. Add tomatoes, if desired, and add rest of dressing. Sprinkle with green onions. Bon Appetite!

If Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade....!

Last week I found this great blog Cute Card Thursday. This week's theme is:

Challenge 54 - Citrus Colours
We want to see your fabulous bright creations this week using the colours hot pink, lime, lemon and orange! (You are allowed to use some or all of the colours!)

Supplies Used: miscellaneous paper, prima flowers and

walmart flowers, Life Is... stamp from CTMH.

I started off using the scraps from my other cards made earlier this week, but realized that I had no mojo left in me for them. As I was cleaning up my paper, I stumbled across this great floral patterned paper that completely inspired me. Everytime I look at it, it reminds me of lemonade- hence the name for todays post. So, now off to the store to buy some lemonade- I have to stop this association of food with my cards! I will never get anything done and I will eat us out of house and home! Now, here is what happened this week from making cupcake cards....

I have been crazy this week and part of the craziness was trying my hand at some of these great blog challenges that I have discovered. The down side of making these cards, well, I have become obsessed with wanting cake- more specifically CUPCAKES! Yummmy, yummy delicatable crumbly moist cupcakes, with lots of vanilla icing....mmmmmm. Back to the story..... So, with making these cute cupcake cards, I made some real ones. Now the other side of the story is that one of my girls volunteered me to make some treat for her class today, as we are having a belated baby shower for her teacher. Since I couldn't find any "pink" baby toppers for the cupcakes at Wally's, I improvised and bought Sour Bunnies! Aren't they the cutest thing? Kids just love the sours! So, I my mind, "killed 2 birds with one stone." Now, will they all make it to school?????? Time will tell. If you see me coming and I have crumbs in my hair- well, you will know the rest of the story. ( I am just chock full of these quotes today!)

Have a terrific Friday!