Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Beautiful Blue Jay


This is a quick post today because I am busy enjoying time away with my family!  Can you believe this crazy warm weather we are having????  [Don't hate me, but I'd rather have snow!!!]

The last few weeks as we have driven around, I have seen many blue jays.  They are such a beautiful bird!!   Nasty to other birds, but beautiful! :)   I've got a blue jay on my card...

 

My image is Doodle Pantry's Bluejay.   The set has some wonderful sentiments, too, but I left it off so this could be used for any occasion needed. 


Challenges...
Tuesday Throwdown #274 - anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door Dec 22 - anything goes


Thanks for stopping by!!  Have a very Merry CHRISTmas and Blessed New  Year!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Gift box - TMS #332


Happy Tuesday to you!!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches
Can you believe that this is our last challenge of 2015??!?  It is our

Annual Anything Goes!!  

That means there is no sketch to follow... we want you to use your imagination and share your creation with us!  This challenge also runs for 2 weeks, so you have until Sunday, January 3 at 8 PM EST to share your project. 

Here's my project...


I started with a box that has a clear lid that came with some coasters in it.  I covered the box with DP and added my image and embellies to the lid.  My paper is Paper Crate Peppermint.  My image is FTHS Gift Stack Teddy Bear and I colored him with my Spectrum Noir markers.  The image is cut with Spellbinders Celebra'tions Pierced Squares.   Behind him the snowflake is Darice Large Snowflake die and the green is cut with Spellbinders Postage Stamp.  The sentiment is cut with a Simon Says Stamps Tiny Tags die.  (And inside, there are some Mackintosh's Toffee bars!!! Yummy!)

Our sponsor is our very own awesome and wonderful owner and fearless leader... Melissa!!  :)
She's offering some goodies including stamps, dies, papers, embellishments, and maybe more, so you definitely want to play along this week!!

Challenge...
FTHS Free Stamp of the Month December - must use Gift Stack Teddy Bear
Crafting From the Heart #91 - anything goes

 
Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Jenee
Jessi
Kris
Melissa
Nina

We'd love to have you play along with us during these next 2 weeks at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Christmas Blessings - TMS #331


Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!! 


This is probably my last Christmas card that I'll make this year.  My cards are all sent already (that's unusual for me!!), so I'll start keeping them for next year.  :)




My image is Berry Wreath and sentiment is 1 Line Christmas Blessings from DRS Designs... our sponsor for this week!



Here's our wonderful sketch by Nina...





Challenges...
Jingle Belles Rock December Linkfest Kickoff - Happy Holidays
Creative Moments #83 - anything goes w/ optional twist Christmas


Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Jenee
Jessi
Kris
Melissa
Nina

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Monday, December 14, 2015

Snow much fun!


I've got a thank you card to show you today.  I'm so excited that ALL of my Christmas cards are mailed!   (That does not usually happen until the week before Christmas, so I'm happy this year!)   So now I need to get going on thank you cards.


I used Doodle Pantry's Snow Birdie.  It's printed on Kraft (not sure why it has a pink tint!), cut with Spellbinders Labels 8, and inked with TH faded jeans.  My DP is Recollections Winter Frost, and the snowflake brad and twine are both Recollections.

Challenges...
Crafting From the Heart #90 - anything goes
613 Avenue Create #154 - anything goes or opt twist (I did AG)
Craft Your Passion #292 - anything goes
Little Red Wagon #319 - snow much fun

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Friday, December 11, 2015

Cardinal Christmas


My card today is my favorite of all I've made this year!  I love this image!!!


I am a very traditional red/green Christmas person, but I do also love some non-traditional color combos like this one.  My image and sentiment are from Sweet 'n Sassy's "Christmas Joy" and cut with the coordinating die.  I stamped it on Kraft and colored it with my Spectrum Noir markers.  The sentiment is heat embossed.  My DP is from my scrap pile (both pieces are from the same pad, but I can't remember the name!)   A scrap of ribbon and a bit of twine are tied behind the snowflake brad.

Challenges...
Word Art Wednesday #213 - anything goes/family friendly
CASE-ing Christmas #32 - anything winter holiday goes
Dies R Us #38 - Christmas (dies-Spellbinders Circles and SnS Christmas Joy)
Cute Card Thursday #403 - add some glitter (my brad is glittery though it's hard to see)
Simon Says Stamp Monday - holly jolly stamping (Christmas theme)

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!!

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Oldie-but-goodie Christmas card


***Scroll down or click HERE for my Tuesday Morning Sketches post***

I've got a cute Christmas card to show you.  I have mentioned that I have too much waaay too much lots a few things in my stash that I'm trying to use up.  I really "shopped my stash" with this card!!  The Recollections "Cozy Lodge" DP is a more recent purchase, but the image was saved from off of a card I received [I-don't-know-how-many] years ago!  The sentiment is FTHS and was a leftover just floating around waiting to be used.  The snowflakes are cut with a punch that was one of my very first purchases once I started scrapping.  (We love snow, so I NEEDED it! ;) )  The paper that the snowflakes are cut from was a small piece of white cardstock with measurements for another card that was just sitting on my table.  The MS border punch is several years old, too.  I love to play with new toys, images, papers, etc., but there is something very satisfying about also using the "oldies"!!


Here's a close up so you can see the sparkle on the image...



Challenges...
Tuesday Throwdown #273 - snowflakes
Simon Says Wednesday - Let it snow
Christmas Stampin' All Year Ling #61 - Christmas gift
Clear It Out - anything goes + anything goes
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - anything goes Christmas
A Snowflake Promise #11 - Christmas/winter
Cuttlebug Mania - Christmas animals (image cut with Spellbinders Standard Circles, sentiment cut with Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics A)


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Winter Westie - TMS #330


Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!!  

♪ ♫ "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" ♫ ♪  But it can also be the busiest!!  We're busy preparing for our Christmas play at church, and I've spent the last several days sewing costumes every moment I wasn't at practice!  Finally all done!!!!

But I do still have several cards to make and was able to spend a few minutes in my craft room to make this fun card!  


This adorable little guy is "Winter Westie" from Fred, She Said.  My DP is Recollections "Cozy Lodge."  My sentiment is MME and heat embossed with Recollections Ebony.

Our sponsor this week is our very own Kris and she has a wonderful collections of goodies for the winner... Christmas DP, Christmas, ribbon, Christmas stamps... check out the TMS blog post to see it all!!


Here's our wonderful sketch by Nina...



Challenges...
Pile It On #98 - anything Christmas/winter

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - December Pick a Previous 2015 Challenge (I chose November's Theme "Family and Friends" - I know lots of people whose dog is their best friend!!)

Christmas Card Challenge week #1 - photo inspiration (I was inspired by the stripes on the nails-I have stripes in the scarf)

Our Daily Bread Shining Light Challenge - Dec color challenge

  
Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Jenee
Jessi
Kris
Melissa
Nina

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

I've got a red Mustang!! - AIMPDC 12


A second post for the day and a second birthday card.   I made this card for a guy, but once it was together, I realized the paper seemed too girly for him, so had to make another one.  I do like this card... it's just not right for the guys in my life!

My dad is a car guy, and when I was little, he had a red Mustang.  About all I remember was being scrunched in it!!  There were 4 kids in my family, and 6 people don't fit very well in a Mustang!  I remember one trip that we had 7 people in it... Dad was driving, I was sharing the front seat with my dad's very tall cousin while my mother and 3 siblings took the back seat.  Not fun! 


My image is from Doodle Pantry's Classic Cars 2.   My sentiment is from Celebrations.  The "too girly" paper is Prima "Something Blue."  The image is cut with Spellbinders Labels Small and Large.


Since today is December 1, Doodle Pantry's Ants in My Pantry Digital Challenge 12 starts at noon!  The theme is always "anything digital goes" so print your digis and come over and play along!  Every entry is eligible to win a coupon to Doodle Pantry. Using a Doodle Pantry image is not required, but if you use one, you are eligible to be chosen as the "Pantry Pick" and will win a DP product!

Challenges...
613 Avenue Create #152 - anything goes w/ optional twist paper piecing (I went with AG)
Craft Your Passion #290 - anything goes
Crafting With Friends #11 - anything goes



Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

29 Again?? - TMS #329


Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!!

I've got a fun birthday card for you today.  I just had my 29th birthday in October... for the 21st time! LOL  I'm not sure when it started that everyone wanted to stay 29, but it makes for some fun cards/gifts/sayings.  The best one I've seen is "I'm 29.95 plus shipping and handling!" :)  

Here's my card...


My image is Stella Birthday 29 Again from Bugaboo... our sponsor for this week!! 



Here's our wonderful sketch...
  
Challenges...
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations #9 - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart #88 - anything goes
Seize the Birthday - anything goes w/ optional twist of vellum or acetate (I went with AG)


Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Jenee
Jessi
Kris
Melissa
Nina

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Deck the Halls


Whew!  I'm getting in at the last minute on one of the challenges, so I'll keep this short and sweet!

Have you decorated for Christmas yet?  We usually begin Thanksgiving evening and finish the next day, but this year, I did nothing!  Hoping to get my tree up and "deck the halls" this week.  :)

This birdbrain is working hard to deck his halls! 



Challenges...
Pile It On #97 - use red and green
Christmas Card Challenge #52 - anything goes
A Snowflake Promise #10 - anything goes winter/Christmas
FTHS Free Stamp of the Month November - must use Deck the Halls birdbrain
i {heart} sketches #128 - sketch and/or favorite color (I did both... I love red!!!!)


Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!!

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

A Christmas Carol


I'm looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with family on Thursday, but we're busy preparing for Christmas... especially our play... A Christmas Carol.  My hubby is Scrooge! :)  I was so excited to find these Graphic 45's "A Christmas Carol" stamps.  I'm making cards for the families in the cast.  I've got one done!  [Need almost 20, so I'd better get busy!!]

Aren't these wonderful????
I got a really good deal for all 3 on eBay! :)  Then I found the paper discounted at Blitsy.com.  [If you don't know about Blitsy, you need to go check them out!!  Click HERE]




Enough bragging about my bargains, here's my card...


I have a love/hate relationship with my camera.  Some days, I am thrilled with how it captures the colors and shades of my card.  Then there are days like today!  I tried both natural and artificial light and neither came out very true-to-life.  ((I know!  I know!  It's not the camera, it's the operator!))

I used Graphic 45 A Christmas Carol stamps and DP (from the 8x8 pad).   I used Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics A and Spellbinders Labels One and Scalloped Labels One.

Challenges...
Vintage Stamping #38 - Traditional Christmas
Christmas Card Challenge #51 - anything goes
'Tis the Season #55 - sketch "Christmas Panels"


Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Curious kitties - TMS #328


Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!!  


This week's sponsor is Sami Stamps.  I used Curious Gifts.   I made a Christmas card, obviously, but this fun stamp could be used for any occasion that you give a gift. 

My image was colored with Spectrum Noir markers and cut out with Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics A. My fun DP is Crate Paper "Peppermint."  For embossing, I used CB Swiss Dots, CB Holly Ribbons, and Darice Ornament Hung.  "Merry Christmas" is a MME clear sentiment.

Here's the sketch... {...just realized I missed the stitching element on my own sketch! :-o }
  

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Jenee
Jessi
Kris
Melissa
Nina

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Big-eyed "thank you" - TMS #327


Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!!  I've got a cute thank you card to show you today...

   

Our sponsor this week is Sherri Baldy Designs.  Her big-eyed beauties are soooo sweet and pretty and fun to color!!



My DP is MME Paris & Co.  My image is colored with Spectrum Noir markers.  As you can see, I turned it, but here's our wonderful sketch by Nina...




Challenges...

Simon Says Monday - Thanks/Thanksgiving
Tuesday Throwdown #271 - shopping spree (The last time I went paper shopping, I got this MME 6x6 pad that I used today. In fact, I liked it so much that I bought 2!!!)
{PIN}spirational Challenge #153 - photo (I took inspiration from the blonde little girl)


Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Jenee - glad to have her back!
Jessi
Kris
Melissa - off this week
Nina

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!


Sunday, November 15, 2015

O Little Town of Bethlehem


Today, Doodle Pantry is sponsoring the challenge over at Pile It On! The theme is "Any holiday/celebration."   My card is a Christmas card.

I love to listen to Christmas Carols, I love sing them, and I love to play them on the piano!!  I love them all including "O Little Town of Bethlehem."  Making this card, the song was going over and over in my head.  :)


My image and sentiment are from Doodle Pantry's Little Bethlehem.  It is cut with Spellbinders Classic Ovals and Labels Eighteen.  My DP is Paper Studio.

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Friday, November 13, 2015

Hubby's birthday


I've got my husband's birthday card to show you today...



My image is from Our Daily Bread Father's Day though this isn't a Father's day card... it is a birthday card even if it doesn't say "happy birthday" on the front!  My DP is 7 Gypsies "Journey."  The image is colored with Spectrum Noir markers and cut out with Spellbinders Labels One and Scalloped Labels One.  

Challenges...
Seize the Birthday - anything goes birthday

Crafting With Friends #10 - anything goes
Cute Card Thursday #399 - birds/animals
Creative Knockouts #115 - something to say (include a sentiment)
Our Daily Bread Shining Light ODBDSLC262 - sketch

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Eat my cookin' - TMS #326


Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!!  I've got a fun project but I used the sketch on a goodie box rather than a card this week.  Last week, I shared my caramel corn recipe (click here if you're interested) and that would be great to use to fill this box...

In case you can't read it, the sentiment says, 
"Many people have eaten my cooking 
& gone on to lead normal lives"    
LOL

I made the sketch square to fit the top of the box.  

The box is from a file for a cookie box that I found HERE at The Project Girl's blog.  The box is made using Christmas Kraft.  The main panel on top is Kraft that is embossed with Sizzix Berry Swirls and inked with Memento Rhubarb Stalk.     My brads and ribbon are from my stash.  The image is Baked With Love from Stitchy Bear's Digi Outlet... our sponsor for this week!


Here's our sketch...



Challenges...
Crafting From the Heart #85 - anything goes
Craft Your Passion #297 - anything goes
Decorate to Celebrate #112 - anything goes/3D


Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Jessi
Kris
Melissa
Nina

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Saturday, November 7, 2015

All Is Calm - take 2


Last week, I shared this card using All Is Calm from Doodle Pantry.  Today I've got another one, but this one is a little more "fun."   [The wonderful thing about DP images is that you get the outline plus one or more colored options!]  I used a different colored image than last time and added brads on some of the ornaments for fun.


Close-up of brads and Glossy Accents on star



This week, Doodle Pantry is sponsoring Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - a wonderful blog dedicated to collecting and distributing handmade cards to children who are inpatient at Children's Hospitals.  The theme is "Happy Holidays."

Challenges...
A Snowflake Promise #9 - anything goes winter/Christmas
Word Art Wednesday #208 -anything goes/family friendly
Fab 'n' Funky #280 - die cuts and/or punches (I used Spellbinders Petite Ovals and Scalloped Petite Ovals)

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!!

Friday, November 6, 2015

I miss you...


My card today is another for my daughter away at college...


I may let my son write this note and send it... he LOVES ice cream, so this would really mean a lot to her coming from him!! :)

My DP is Prima Believe.  The image and sentiment are from Doodle Pantry's Missing You.   The silver paper is cut out with Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Circles.  The ribbon is AC.  My button is Poppystamps Stitched Buttons Die and tied with a bit of twine. 

Challenges...
Cute Card Thursday #398 - food and drink
Crafty Girls Creations #8 - anything goes
Creative Knockouts #115 - lace, twine, and/or ribbon

Thanks for stopping and have a great weekend!!!

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Caramel corn!


I'm not a food blogger - that will be VERY obvious by my pics - but I was reminded by FB the other day that I was making caramel corn by this time last year.  **Why am I so slow this year??**   I shared that memory and the recipe was requested, so here it is. 

We LOVE this stuff!!  I cannot tell you how many batches we make and give away plus we have to have lots  more than we should  so much I need to go to Caramel Corn Anonymous some for ourselves.  It's SOOOOO good!



A friend gave me this recipe almost 20 yrs ago and we make it so many times throughout the fall and for Christmas.  I don't do it other times in the year because I would eat too much.  WARNING: it is addictive!!!

I truly apologize for the poor quality of my pics.  I'm not a great photographer anyway, but these were all taken with my phone, some taken one-handed while doing things so they're blurry, and some were taken by my son as I hollered, "Take it now!"  :P 
 
Caramel Corn

{Preheat oven to 225F}

6-8 qts popped corn {I use a scant 1 c unpopped kernels}
1-2 c peanuts, optional {I prefer it without peanuts but also avoid them because of friends with nut allergies}

1 c butter or margarine
2 c brown sugar
1/2 c light corn syrup
1 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda

~Pop corn and place in large roasting pan.  {Add peanuts, if desired.}  Set aside.
(I pop a scant 1/2 c of kernels at a time in my Whirly Pop pan.) 


~Combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt in heavy sauce pan over medium heat.

~Bring to rolling boil, stirring constantly.   Once boiling, boil for 5 minutes.  {No need to stir though I do occasionally}

~Remove from heat and add vanilla and baking soda.  Stir quickly and vigorously until it foams up and turns a nice light golden color.
 

~Pour over popped corn and gently stir, stir, and stir some more until everything is coated.

~Bake at 225 for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

~Spread on cookie sheets or wax paper to cool.  Break apart and store in airtight container.  ENJOY!!!
This is really blurry!  I guess I was shaking with excitement! LOL
 

Trust me... your friends will LOVE it if you make this for them!! 

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!!