This is for the Clean and Simple challenge this week...a theme challenge- LOVE!

It may seem odd making a LOVE card at this time of the year but I made mine as a thank you to my son's teacher for all the hard work she has done this year keeping my little guy in line! She is very loved by her students!

supplies: 

stamps- CTMH, PTI 

paper- SU pretty in pink, vellum

ink- pretty in pink, stazon black

accessories- CTMH wood piece, bitty bling

Thanks for stopping by!

CAS171 fun sketch from Tilly

This is for the Clean and Simple challenge this week...a lovely sketch from our own Tilly! At first I thought this would be a fun easy sketch but it proved quite challenging for me!
Case in point...I started off with this card and found there was too much space not he right so I added the little puffs off of the shoe. But now I feel like they are hanging there and have no purpose. But I didn't feel like ripping them off and re-doing the shoe so I left them. If I did this over, I would leave off the poofs....LOL

supplies:

Stamps- Rubbernecker stamps

paper- SU real red, PTI white, doodlebug designs PP

ink- versafine black, copic markers

technique: paper piecing

This one was easy and I used my favorite go to wierdo color combo. FOr some reason this combo just makes me happy. And so do flip flops. Therefore, happy card. LOL

supplies:

Stamps: Market Street Stamps

paper: SU real red, tempting turquoise, PTI white

ink- versafine black, copic markers

technique: paper piecing

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

This is for the Clean and Simple challenge on SCS...a technique challenge. Basically, you cut an image into thirds...they don't have to be equal, either...just as long as you have 3 pieces of an image at the end. Then out lay them out next to each other but not touching. Almost makes it look like a mural....cool, huh?

supplies:
stamps- Gina K, Papertrey Ink
paper- SU perfect plum, white
ink- memento black, copic markers
accessories- none

This is for the Clean and Simple challenge at Splitcoaststampers this week....to be inspired by the word "CHIC." I think this sassy lady and the city BG says it all!

supplies:

Stamps- Close to My Heart- Fashionista

paper- SU Bashful Blue, SU DP, PTI white

ink- versafine black onyx, SU bashful blue, copic marker

technique- paper piecing

CAS168 Color Challenge

This is for the Clean and Simple challenge on SCS this week...a color challenge! Chocolate, Green and White/Ivory. I was in need of a Grad card so I found some paint chips sitting around and used these to make this "door" thing...

 supplies:
stamps- Papertrey ink mega mixed messages, get to the point, SU grad hat
ink- SU wild wasabi, versafine black onyx
paper- PTI dark chocolate, white
accessories- paint chip, half pearls, twine

Next up was me playing around with resist emboss techniques...this one is straight up versa mark and white EP. I stamped and sponged over it after.

supplies:

Stamps- Studio G, SU Organic Grace, PTI Birthday Basics

Ink- versamark, SU chocolate chip, wild wasabi

paper- SU old Olive, chocolate chip

accessories- white EP, ribbon

Thanks for stopping by!

CAS 167 PARTY animal!

This is for the Clean and SImple challenge this week on Splitcoaststampers! The theme is "At the Zoo" so i pulled out my favor BG stamp! I know it seems a little busy for a CAS card but it only took about 10 minutes! Simple enough for me! LOL

Thanks for stopping by!

supplies:

stamps-  rubbernecker stamps, Papertrey Ink it's a Jungle out there

paper- PTI black, white, summer sunrise

ink- versafine black onyx, SU apricot appeal

one more...

One more for today...I was sooo taken back by the entries for this week's CAS challenge! There were so many unusual color combos! Then I noticed the challenge over at CAS-ual Friday was to use opposite colors on the color wheel! No wonder! SO I had to get busy and make another one...and I love this week's sketch so here is another for CAS166 and one for CFC48.

I pulled out all my still wood mounted SU stamps and while trying to organize them, I figured I'd play! I just loved the flowers in these 2 sets and they go together so well!

supplies:

stamps- SU fifth ave floral, embrace life, PTI- signature greetings

paper- PTI white, pure poppy, hawaiian shores, aqua mist

ink- versafine black

accessories- ribbon, stickles

CAS166 Sketch Challenge!

This is for the Clean and Simple challenge on SCS this week...a fabulous sketch from our own Mary! I LOVE this sketch, so simple and so versatile!

My first is just 2 flowers stacked up with some felt and a button. I made a bunch of these and have them in a baggie for when I need a quickie embellishment!

This next one is a special one for my niece! She is having a Mickey and Minnie birthday party this year! So fun! This was a die I picked up in the clearance bin at Michaels from Cuttlebug. I cut the bow by hand.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

supplies:

Flower card:

stamps- Papertrey Ink Beautiful Blooms II, Birthday Basics

paper- PTI white, lavender moon, rustic white, SU old olive

ink- PTI lavender moon, ocean mist, versafine black onyx

accessories- felt, buttons, cuttlebug embossing folder, PTI dies, Sizzix leaf die

Minnie Card:

stamps- Papertrey Ink Inside & Out Birthday

paper- PTI black, berry sorbet, white, DSP

ink- versafine black onyx

CFC46 Name that Tune!

Hi everyone! I am still trying to organize my craft space but while I do I have been trying to get back to doing at least one challenge a day! Today, I am finally getting around to the CAS-ual Friday challenge (just squeaking it in!)...To be inspired by a song CFC46! I was inspired by "Born to Be Wild," by Steppenwolf....The most perfect Motorcycle riding song! Yea...that is totally the song I have in my head while riding on the back of my Hubby's Harley! LOL

Thanks for stopping by and RIDE ON!

supplies:

stamps- Close to My Heart, SU tire tracks wheel

Paper- Stampin Up

Ink- Versafine Black Onyx, Ranger distress inks

CAS164 Spotlighting!

This is for the Clean and Simple Challenge this week on SCS. This week's challenge is a technique challenge...SPOTLIGHTING! One of my favorites! This first one is a real CAS, lots of white space and the spotlighting in a circle in the center. I added some stickles for a little shine.

This one may be a stretch on CAS a bit because of the busy background but it's still the one stamp. I also made the card smaller by a 1/2 inch widthwise so the sentiment strip would still fit in the envelope! I also made the spotlighting part a heart shape just to change it up a bit.

Thanks for stopping by!

recipe:

stamps- DRS designs

cardstock- Papertrey ink

ink- Versafine Black onyx

accessories- watercolor pencils, stickles

technique- spotlighting

My craft area>>> a work in progress....

I am busy working on my craft area...hubby put in the cabinets and counter top (I am a stander so I needed all counter height) in the "hallway" part of my bonus room. The bonus room (AKA our movie room) is next to it and is sectioned off nicely now. Started out as a mess as I started to bring up my stuff.....

Getting neater....

Now I need to figure out what kind of cabinets or shelves I need up top. I still need to find a place and a way to store my paper. Ugh this is getting to be the hardest part!

MORE TO COME>>>>>>>>

CAS 163 and CFC45

This is for the Clean and Simple challenge on SCS and the CAS-ual Friday challenge for this week. First, the CAS challenge was to use this fabulous inspiration photo:

The CFC45 challenge on CAS-ual Friday is to use pastels and black! Great combo here for me! I am still on my kick to use stamp sets I am finding as I uncover them in boxes that are still packed from the move so I found this little one dollar set and bought it would be perfect for this challenge!

recipe:

stamps- Studio G, Papertrey ink birthday bash sentiments

paper- SU cardstock scraps, PTI white and black

ink- versafine black

accessories- none

techniques- paper piecing

CAS162

This is for the Clean and Simple challenge this week on SCS. The challenge is a fabulous sketch from our own new DT member ArizonaMaine (Angela)...more good news, Angela was just named one of the newest members of the Splitcoast's Dirty Dozen! Congrats Angela, we are so proud of you!

So here is my first card based on Angela's...I had to flip it horizontally because that's how the palm tree went LOL!

recipe:

stamps- Market Street stamps

paper- Papertrey Ink white, K&CO patterned paper, core'dinations green, brown

ink- versafine black, copic markers

Next up is what I call making a superstar out of a dollar stamp! I used to have tons of the dollar stamps but moved on and got rid of a bunch of them But this daisy struck me as something to use for some cool techniques...this was just a simple resist with some distress inks.
recipe:

stamps- Studio G, Papertrey Ink anniversary set

paper- Papertrey Ink, white, summer sun

ink- versafine black, ranger distress inks, versamark

accessories- ribbon, stapler, clear glitter embossing powder

Thanks for looking, have a great week!

CAS-ual Friday! CFC44

This is for the CAS-ual Friday Challenge! A 1-2-3 challenge to use a pattern, an image and a sentiment. I needed to send a birthday card to my little cousin and he loves the guitar so this little simple card was perfect!

recipe:

stamps- Papertrey Ink

paper- SU tempting turquoise, PTI white

ink- SU real red, tempting turquoise, versafine black

accessories- PTI die, CTMH bitty sparkles

Thanks for looking!

VSN projects!

It was another Virtual Stamping Night this past weekend! And although I couldn't play live with my peeps in Brooksville, I still made a few cards!

This is for the VSN challenge from Lynn to make a card with something that hops...here is my grasshopper! MAR12VSNJ

This is for the VSN challenge from Michelle to use heart or the word Love on your card...I used both (wish I did this for Valentines day!) MAR12VSNB

This is for the VSN challenge from Jen to make a card using sunny colors! Lots of scraps used here... MAR12VSNA

This is for the VSN challenge from Brenda to make a card with something you would find in the sky! I pulled out this Owl set and paper pieced the whole little guy. MAR12VSND

This is for the CAS challenge today (I used Baja Blue) and the VSN challenge from Lisa to make a Sympathy card. MAR12VSNE

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

CAS161 Blue Birthday!

This is for the Clean and Simple challenge this week at SCS. We were to use shades of blue...so I think I got a bunch of them anyway! I'm not big on pastel blues but give me navy any day! Thanks for looking!

recipe:

stamps- Papertrey Ink Background Basics Chevrons, Think Big Favorites #12

ink- SU night of navy, bashful blue, baja blue, buckaroo blue, Versafine black onyx

paper- Papertrey ink white, enchanted evening

accessories- Papertrey Ink ribbon

CAS160 Monograms

This is for the Clean and Simple challenge this week...to use Monograms. Normally, I love this but I didn't have much time because I have company. But I love how my letter came out! I used a chipboard letter, stamped it with script in versa mark and embossed in clear. Then I sponged it with 2 different distress inks (barn red and mustard seed). Then I sponged some walnut stain on the edges. The BG of the card is stamped with barn door on SU real red. Thanks for stopping by!

recipe:

cardstock- SU real red, vanilla

stamps- CTMH

inks- ranger distress inks- barn door, mustard seed, walnut stain; versamark; versafine black onyx

accessories- clear EP

CAS159

This is for the last CAS challenge for this term...a color challenge! Razzleberry and white! Easy right? Yes, unless you are down to your last half of a piece! Its hard to tell but the mat behind the white panel is all cut out in the center! LOL TFL!

recipe:

stamps: Papertrey Ink Butterfly Dreams, Think Big favorites #12

paper- SU rich razzleberry, PTI white

ink- versafine onyx black

accessories: CTMH rhinestones

recipe:

stamps- PTI mega mixed messages

paper- SU rich razzleberry, PTI white

ink- rich razzleberry, versafine black onyx

accessories- Cuttlebug dies, CTMH rhinestones

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Happy Fat Tuesday! Mardi Gras time is always so fun for me, we never had anything about it up North but down here it's all about the party! I made my very first King Cake this year...we used to have one shipped up from NOLA every year but this year I tried it myself! Came out fabulous...right down to hiding the plastic baby in it!

I know, it actually looks more like a giant bagel but it tasted like King Cake! Here is the recipe I used from all recipes.com

TRADITIONAL KING CAKE

Ingredients

• PASTRY:
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 2/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• FILLING:
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• FROSTING:
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions

1. Scald milk, remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup of butter. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water with 1 tablespoon of the white sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. When yeast mixture is bubbling, add the cooled milk mixture. Whisk in the eggs. Stir in the remaining white sugar, salt and nutmeg. Beat the flour into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
3. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours. When risen, punch down and divide dough in half.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 2 cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
5. To Make Filling: Combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, chopped pecans, 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup raisins. Pour 1/2 cup melted butter over the cinnamon mixture and mix until crumbly.
6. Roll dough halves out into large rectangles (approximately 10x16 inches or so). Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough and roll up each half tightly like a jelly roll, beginning at the wide side. Bring the ends of each roll together to form 2 oval shaped rings. Place each ring on a prepared cookie sheet. With scissors make cuts 1/3 of the way through the rings at 1 inch intervals. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Push the doll into the bottom of the cake. Frost while warm with the confectioners' sugar blended with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.

PS I omitted the raisin cause I no like em....lol

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Mardi Gras!