Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Mom!

Today is a special day -- My mom is 80! The two of us are going out to lunch at Applebee's and then after school is out we will celebrate and open gifts with the rest of the family! My mom is AWESOME and she is a stamper too!

Isn't she beautiful?

Tomorrow is New Release Day at Our Daily Bread designs!
Come back and see what fun I will have on May Day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

Turtle Love

Today marks my last day as a Guest Designer for DRS Designs. So today I chose this cute turtle image that I hadn't had a chance to use yet. My colors were decided by the colors in the ric rac: Pixie Pink, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery and Pumpkin Pie.

I decided to use the same layout as I did yesterday -- what a totally different look with the different colors and images! I think my pet turtle would be proud! LOL

Some celebrations coming up later this week:
Tomorrow is my mom's 80th birthday and that will be a special day! I am so glad I get to spend the day with her!

Friday is May Day -- are you making any May baskets? I will have a fun tutorial and recipe for a simple May basket you can share!
Friday also marks New Release Day at Our Daily Bread designs and we will have a special challenge for you to join in and do!

Sunday, May 3, marks my second Blogaversary! Watch for some special fun things on that day too!
Have a good day!

A Sneak Peek at Freedom!

Today's card uses colors from the SCS Color Challenge 216: Basic Black, Old Olive and Real Red. We could also choose Very Vanilla or Whisper White. My sweet friend, Betty Wright, is hosting today!

I chose Very Vanilla and stamped the eagle in Palette Noir Black, then watercolored lightly with More Mustard, Basic Gray, and Creamy Caramel. The black panel is also pierced at the top (like the red at the bottom) but the picture doesn't pick that up~

I chose images from new May 1st releases by Our Daily Bread designs. There are three new sets available this Friday -- all patriotic! Be sure to come back on the 1st and see what else is going on at ODBD! We will have a fun sketch challenge for you!

Check out these Sneak Peeks!

Betty Wright
Kim MacNutt
Tosha Leyendekker

Stamps: Our Daily Bread designs
Paper: Real, Red, Basic Black, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Stampin' Up! DP
Ink: Palette Noir Black, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Basic Gray
Accessories: gold star brads, Nestabilities, Paper Frills (Doodlebug), striped ribbon, paper piercer
Techniques: watercolor

Shake It Baby, Shake It!

For SCS Featured Stamper Challenge 116: Congratulations to Kathy Jones (Wattle)!! I really love her work, and here is the elegant card I cased!

I kept the layout and overall design, and changed images, colors, added designer paper, hardware and a 3D rattle shaker sticker. I did keep Sage Shadow as one of the card bases. This card measures 5.5 in. square. I really like that lace trim, and now I am out! It's on my "Get More" list!

This has been a busy week! My husband is in a Tom Stoppard play at the Community Theatre that opened on Thursday called "Rough Crossing" - I am taking photos each night for the players. Today was District Music Contest for my daughter's choirs and bands -- all of her groups got Superiors, so that was exciting! And tomorrow, we host the annual University Philosophy Department picnic for the college students. It was 85 earlier in the week. Tomorrow it's supposed to rain and be in the low 60's......of course~! Well, this is the 17th year we have had this picnic, and we have had rain days before! So, now I am off to make my famous baked bean recipe and some cheesy potatoes to have in the crock pot, ready to bake tomorrow!

Have a blessed Sunday, and thanks for stopping by today!

Stamps: Children of God (ODBD)
Paper: Sage Shadow, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Daisy D DP
Ink: Basic Gray
Accessories: lace trim, satin trimmed organdy ribbon, shaker sticker (rattle), hardware (CTMH), Nestabilities, pearls (Hero Arts)

It's Raining.......Cupcakes!

Isn't this the cutest image? For SCS Sketch Challenge 225 here.

I used a brand new digital image from Tim Hunter, the artist extraordinaire behind Hambo Stamps. Click the link HERE to see all of Tim's new digital images in his Etsy store. This was my first time working with a digital stamp image, and it was a lot of fun. It was easy to just print again on designer paper to paper piece too.

I paper pieced the umbrella and the girl's pants. The cupcake frosting is all glittery with Crystal Stickles, which the photo didn't pick up~ You can click on the photo to make it larger and pick up some of the details. I used Stampin' Up! markers to color.

And for a drink with my cupcakes:

Razzleberry Tea

8 C. water, divided
5 teabags
1 1/4 C. sugar
6-oz. can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
64-oz. bottle cranberry-raspberry juice, chilled
10-oz. pkg. frozen raspberries, thawed

Brings 3 C. water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat; add tea bags and let steep until tea is desired strength. Discard teabags. While still warm, stir in sugar until dissolved; add enough of the remaining water to equal 2 quarts total. Pour tea into a large serving pitcher. Stir in remaining ingredients; serve warm or chilled (my preference is over ice!). Makes 24 servings.

Tim is adding new images every day, so keep checking back!
Have a wonderful day!


Stamps: Digital Download by Tim Hunter of Hambo Stamps
Paper: Regal Rose, Green Galore, Gable Green, Whisper White, DP by The Paper Studio and Stampin' Up!
Ink: various for coloring
Accessories: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF, paper piercer, white organdy ribbon, crystal stickles, computer printer
Techniques: paper piecing, piercing

Love Entwined

For today's SCS Color Challenge 215: Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red

Well, I just love these colors. Pink Pirouette is my new favorite pink (stocking up!) and Rose Red has always been a favorite. What a great color challenge!

I used images from Love One Another, by Our Daily Bread designs. I stamped the wreath in Basic Gray, and then colored it with my Stampin' Up! markers. The sentiment is stamped in Rose Red. I added pearls to the top of each wreath.

The paper is SEI Chocolat and is also available at ODBD.

And for a little dessert to go with my card:

Cherry Dream

Ingredients

* 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
* 3/4 cup margarine, melted
* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1 dash vanilla extract
* 1 dash almond extract
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1 (12 ounce) can cherry pie filling (I use the ones that say More Fruit!)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish. In small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted margarine. Stir well and press into baking dish. Bake 5 minutes. Cool.
2. In large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and almond extract. Mix well. In a medium bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Spread over cooled crust. Dot with cherry pie filling, and smooth with knife or spatula to cover. Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Have a great day!


Stamps: Love One Another (ODBD)
Paper: Basic Gray, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, SEI Chocolat DP
Ink: Basic Gray, Rose Red, Mellow Moss, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: pearls, photo corner punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF, Nestabilties, Offray ribbon. Fiskars border punch

A Simple Spring

Today's challenge at House Mouse & Friends was "Springtime." I have several images that I could have used that had more to them, but the first sign of spring to me is seeing the first robin in my yard! I think this little image is so sweet.

After stamping with Palette Noir Black, I watercolored my image using reinkers and an aqua brush. I was totally inspired by this gorgeous card of my stamping friend, Darleen, and I pretty much cased her in my card. Thanks, for the inspiration, Darleen!

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team did here and play along!

And for a totally different look, here is Sally the Snail, all ready for her Spring Snail Trail Dance, but she it taking it "One Day at a Time." The DRS Designs Challenge today was a color challenge: Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion and Summer Sun. What fun colors!


I substituted some Basic Grey Bittersweet DP for my Pink Passion and Chocolate Chip main panels. Sally is stamped in Black Stazon and is watercolored. Be sure to see what the rest of the DRS DT did with these awesome colors here and play along with this challenge too!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy Bee-Day!

For today's SCS Featured Stamper Challenge 115 . . .

I chose this darling card of jaymerz's to case. You can click on the picture above to enlarge it and see those darling bees close up!

I kept her theme and overall layout and colors.
I changed images, ribbon and brad placement, and designer paper patterns. I added flowers.

The wings have Crystal Stickles on them and the little bee in the top middle is popped up on dimensionals.

My images are new Spring releases by Hambo Stamps!

Stop back tomorrow for House Mouse fun!

Stamps: Hambo Stamps
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Stampin' Up! and Provo Craft DP
Ink: Palette Noir Black, Yoyo Yellow, Apricot Appeal
Accessories: silk flowers and black brads (The Paper Studio), Nestabilities, word window punch, large oval punch, organdy ribbon, crystal stickles

A Little of This - A Little of That - Probably a Little Long....

Today I want to share just some fun stuff with you.

Many of you know I am a singer, musical director, performer, and teacher. And I am a true American Idol fan. But I was totally wowed by THIS (as has everyone).

If you have not yet heard Susan Boyle (Britain's Got Talent!) sing, and you enjoy music, you must go listen and watch that video. She sings "I Dreamed a Dream" from my most favorite musical ever, Les Miserables. I was just in tears after she was through!

And for a totally different kind of sound, listen to her sing "Cry Me A River" HERE.

Wow. I am so glad that Britain's version of the show actually goes for the talent, rather than the outfit, the look, the gimmicks. I am excited to see what she does this week!

And now to share a RAK with you:

I received this GORGEOUS card from Angie Zublionis. Isn't is just divine? Angie was one of the first people whose artwork I started to favorite way back a few years ago on Splitcoast. Check out her gallery here. More RAK pics to come!

Oh, and did I mention my Blog Candy Winner??? :)

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

7 

Timestamp: 2009-04-18 15:44:07 UTC

Congratulations, Becky!! Please email me your address so I can send you your Southern Dogwood set from Rubber Stamp Tapestry!

It's spring (well, except in the Denver area right now - eesh!) and that is when I like to start sharing my favorite recipes again! Here is an easy main dish for you to try:

Lemon Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

* 3-4 pounds chicken parts (thighs and legs recommended), skin-on, bone-in, trimmed of excess fat
* 2 Tbsp lemon zest
* 1/3 cup lemon juice
* 2 cloves garlic, crushed
* 2 Tbsp fresh chopped thyme (or 2 teaspoons dried)
* 1 Tbsp fresh chopped rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried)
* 1 teaspoons salt
* 1 teaspoon black pepper
* 2-3 Tbsp melted butter
* Lemon slices for garnish

1 Place lemon juice, lemon peel, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, whisk to combine. With the tip of a sharp knife, cut into each chicken piece one or two times by about 1/2 an inch. (This will help the marinade penetrate.) Place the chicken pieces and the marinade in a gallon-sized freezer bag. Rotate the bag so that all chicken pieces are coated with the marinade. Seal the bag and place in a bowl in the refrigerator (in case of leakage). Let marinate for 2 hours.

2 Preheat oven to 425°F. Remove chicken from marinade and place in a single layer in a large baking dish, skin side up. Reserve the marinade. Use a pastry brush to brush a little melted butter on to each piece of chicken.

3 Bake for a total of 50 to 55 minutes, until the skins are crispy brown, and the chicken is cooked through, juices running clear (breasts have an internal temperature of 165°F and thighs 175°F). Half-way through the baking, at about the 25 minute mark, baste the chicken pieces generously with reserved marinade.

Depending on the size of the breasts, they may be ready before the thighs, so if you are cooking a mix of chicken parts, keep that in mind, you may have to take them out of the oven before the thighs.

Let rest, covered in foil, for 10 minutes before serving.

4 Pour the juices from the pan into a serving bowl. Use a tablespoon to skim the fat off the top (save the fat for cooking with later, or discard, but do not discard down the drain or it will solidify and clog your drain). Serve the chicken with the juices on the side or a little poured over the top of the chicken.

Serves 4-6. Serve alone or with steamed rice. YUM!

(from Simple Recipes)

Enjoy! Have a great day, everyone!

Last Chance for Blog Candy --- and a Muddy Duck!

Today is the last day to enter my Blog Candy drawing HERE. Don't miss out on a chance to win a pretty Rubber Stamp Tapestry set!

Today's SCS Limited Supplies Challenge 216 had a list to follow:
1 Wheel (as in stamping wheel, not a car wheel!)
1 Sentiment
1 Image
1 Embellishment
What a fun challenge! I seriously had to dust off my wheel handle for this, but I am glad I did! I forgot how fun wheels are. Thanks, Dawn!

1 Wheel - Rough Texture
1 Sentiment - Happy Mudder's Day
1 Image - Duck
1 Embellishment - gingham ribbon


I used a retired Stampin' Up! Jumbo Wheel - Rough Texture stamped (rolled?) in Apricot Appeal ink (actually I had the cartridge so I suppose it would be rolled around? lol).

I rolled it both ways on the paper (plaid fashion) for a darker impression. My clouds are sponged with a hand cut cloud stencil I made.

My images are by Hambo Stamps. And speaking of Hambo, you MUST check out this card made by Timbo, the artist behind Hambo! It's DIVINE! And guess what else? I just saw new sneak peeks of the May designs and they are so so cute!! I am really excited for this release. You will LOVE what is coming up!

Stamps: Rough Texture Jumbo Wheel (SU); Sitting Duck - 2504, Happy Mudder's Day - 2502 (Hambo Stamps)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, BB DP, AA DP (not AARP!)
Ink: Copic C-3, Palette Noir Black, Apricot Appeal, Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue, Mellow Moss, Creamy Caramel, Certainly Celery
Accessories: gingham ribbon, Nestabilities, MS punch, Cuttlebug corner punch
Techniques: watercolor

A Rose For You

I really wanted to make another card using the colors from this week's SCS Color Challenge -- the last one had so little pink and it's my favorite color! I used this cute little guy from DRS Designs. Doesn't he have the sweetest face? Well, he is a little shy, but he is wishing you a Happy Birthday......with love! I used Item No. G623 (Sweet Offering) and Item No. B250 (Happy Birthday) for my images. I added Crystal Stickles to his rose, and embossed the So Saffron panel with a Cuttlebug folder.

Inspired by Dawn's beautiful card HERE. Tomorrow is the last day to enter my Blog Candy giveaway!

Stamps: DRS Designs
Paper: Bordering Blue, Whisper White, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette
Ink: Palette Noir Black, plus Color Challenge colors and Creamy Caramel, Copic C-1
Accessories: Cuttlebug EF, paper flowers, brad, heart sticker, paper piercer, word window punch, Crystal Stickles, Nestabilities
Techniques: watercolor

When Is The Last Time....

...........(if you use Stampin' Up! cardstock) that you used Pale Plum? Well, it had been a loooooong time for me! But I chose that for my main color because of the yummy and gorgeous new paper I got yesterday from Our Daily Bread designs: Memory Box Sprout. I am in love! Actually, ALL of the Memory Box papers (and I got every one!) are fantastic and you must check them out HERE. They are a heavier weight, and are so nice. The patterns are delightful!


I used a verse from the new April release, Love One Another, as my focal point. You can see all the new releases for April HERE. Be sure to check out all the new products (and there are a LOT!) HERE.

If you look closely under the verse, you can see my new Cuttlebug embossing folder that does dots. I alternated every other one with gems.

To enter my Blog Candy giveaway, click HERE. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Love One Another (ODBD)
Paper: Whisper White, Pale Plum, Memory Box Sprout DP
Ink: Palette Noir Black
Accessories: Nestabilities, paper flowers, gems, lace trim, photo corner punch, Cuttlebug EF, satin trimmed white organdy ribbon

A Great Color Challenge!

Today's SCS Color Challenge 214 was really a challenge for me: Bordering Blue, Pink Pirouette and So Saffron. I love these colors, though, and hope to make another card with them a little bit later. Today's card has just a hint of pink (even though Pink Pirouette is my new favorite PINK!) in the flower center (pearl brad).


I used SCS Sketch 190 for my layout and some retired Stampin' Up! designer paper. My sentiment/verse is from Children of God, one of the new April releases by Our Daily Bread designs.

Thanks for stopping by! Click HERE to enter my Blog Candy giveaway!



Stamps: Children of God (ODBD)
Paper: Bordering Blue, Whisper White, So Saffron, Spring Flowers DP
Ink: Palette Noir Black
Accessories: key charm, paper flowers, pink pearl brad, kraft tafetta ribbon, stick pin (Heidi Grace), pearls (KaiserCraft), Nestabilities

Uh Oh!

Mudpie wants to tell so badly!! Those other mice aren't supposed to be in that expensive Estee Lauder perfume! Today's House Mouse & Friends Challenge was to use multiple images on our cards - either multiples of the same stamp, or a combination of stamps. I chose a combination of stamps, and came up with this:



I love Basic Grey's Porcelain paper! I used Pink Pirouette for my mats and card base, Chocolate Chip for one layer and the Basic Grey for a splash of design and color. My images are stamped in Palette Noir Black ink on Whisper White cardstock and watercolored with reinkers and an aqua brush. My border punch is from Fiskars.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team's cards here. There is a prize this week, generously donated by America herself!

And if you are interested in my blog candy, scroll down to the next post!

Too Much Easter Candy? How About Some Blog Candy?

Good morning!

I hope that those of you celebrating Easter yesterday were able to spend it with family! I had a wonderful time with my husband, daughter, and my parents, and also got to talk to my son on the phone. It was cooler than I would have liked, but spring is coming! My crabapple trees are budding and soon I hope to have a yard full of lilac blooms as well.
It was a fun and busy day yesterday and I didn't get here to post, but today I will share my fun stuff.

Susan, from Rubber Stamp Tapestry asked me to stay on her Design Team for another four months! I am thrilled to work with Susan, as she is one of the nicest people I know (cyberly speaking!). Someday I am going to meet her in person, as she lives very close to the city where my son attends college in North Carolina.

Here is a card I made with this month's special, Southern Dogwood:


You can see the supply list and the steps I took to make this card HERE.
And, I am offering this set as Blog Candy this week! To enter, go to Susan's blog HERE, or the RST main page HERE and have a look around. Then come back and tell me which sets or products you liked, or what you thought of Susan's awesome tutorials! Leave a comment on THIS POST by 11:00 p.m. CST on April 17th! I will draw the winner on the 18th using Random!

Good luck and enjoy the RST peg stamps!

Mouse Lovers, come back later this afternoon to see my mousie card for today's House Mouse & Friends Challenge!

Simply for a Friend

For today's Inspiration Challenge 175, I chose this pillow set from Grandin Road. I loved the classic look to the pillows and wanted to reflect that in my card.

My sentiment is stamped in Mellow Moss, all other images are stamped in Encore Silver.

This is also for Sharon's Stamp Simply Challenge 82: Hang It Up. I used a little heart/cross charm on white organdy ribbon.

I hope you all are having a blessed Easter weekend! Come back tomorrow for some exciting news and an Easter Celebration card!


Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes (SU)
Paper: River Rock, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Encore Silver, Mellow Moss
Accessories: white organdy ribbon, word window punch, charm, metal heart stickers

Welcome Baby!

This afternoon I am making Chicken Enchiladas for a friend that just had a baby a few weeks ago -- 4 1/2 weeks early! But everything is fine, and the sweet new little one is at home now.

Yesterday I went to Hobby Lobby looking for a particular border punch, and when they didn't have that I ventured into the paper aisle (like I need any more paper in my entire life, and two generations beyond that! LOL). It was on sale, so of course I had to get SOMEthing! I bought two single sheets - and have no idea why I chose what I did. But guess what? When today's SCS Color Challenge was posted, it was the EXACT colors in the paper I bought. How cool is that?

AND -- I needed to make a card using a wonderful new release by Our Daily Bread designs today -- and everything just sort of fell into place from there! Here is my card:


And here is the complete set: Children of God~

The color challenge was to use Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa and So Saffron. I really like how it turned out!


Stamps: Children of God (ODBD)
Paper: Close to Cocoa, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, DP by The Paper Studio, Whisper White
Ink: Palette Noir Black
Accessories: MS branch punch, paper flowers (Hero Arts), dew drops, word window punch, Nestabilities, MS lace doily border punch, bitty brads (CTMH)

Sweet Hogwash!

Today's House Mouse & Friends Challenge is "Something Sweet"! The Design Team created projects with something sweet on them! This could be using sweet wrappers, an image with something sweet on it (such as apples, strawberries, chocolate), or you could even use the word 'sweet' in your sentiment, as I did in my card. Come play along, and post your card link HERE.

Little Monica is all ready with her cute Easter egg!

Today over at the DRS Designs Blog the Design Team was challenged to make birthday creations.
DRS has a ton of birthday sentiments and in the last couple of months have come out with lots of images suitable for birthdays. They even have a whole line dedicated to the months of the year...images and sentiments to go with them so you're covered for a whole year of birthdays!

I used two new releases for my treat box and matching card: E722 Hogwash Greeting and D718 Leonard's Dance of Joy. Leonard is stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black ink and is watercolored with Pink Pirouette ink. My card is 4.25 inches square. The little treat box is filled with pink jelly beans.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Love Never Fails

I think that this particular Scripture passage is probably a favorite of many. I certainly do love it, and I love the font that Kelley (owner of Our Daily Bread designs) chose for this stamp. It's just a beautiful statement. One of my favorite colors for making a statement is red, and I chose that for my color today.

Check out what others in the Bread Basket [aka Design Team] have made:

Amy Sheffer
Angel Wilde
Becca Feeken
Betty Wright
Chris Olsen
Jane Wetzel
Lorelie Kim
Kim MacNutt (new Guest Designer for April and May!)
Tosh Leyendekker (new Guest Designer for April and May!)

And more samples to come!

Thanks for stopping by today! Be sure to check out all four new ODBD sets HERE!

If you are here for the DRS Blog Hop, scroll down one more post!

Stamps: 1 Corinthians 13 (ODBD)
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, VersaColor Cardinal Red
Accessories: paper flowers, MS branch punch, Shapeabilities, satin trimmed organdy ribbon, pearls, Cuttlebug EF

DRS Blog Hop Stop #6

Welcome to today's DRS Designs Blog Hop! If you came here from Jessica's blog, you are in the right spot. To start at the beginning, click HERE.

There are several new images available tomorrow and DRS is offering HALF of them to two winners as Blog Candy (each winner will receive a different half)! The drawing will be on Monday, April 6th, so be sure to start at the beginning of the Hop to find out where it is and what to do to win!

My project today uses two images: Cattail Bridge (692LU) and Birthday Wishes Come True (508EU). I stamped the image in VersaFine Black Onyx Ink and then watercolored using reinkers and an aqua brush. I painted the underside of the bridge a little mottled to be a reflection of the water. Be sure to check out all the new designs HERE.

Now on to the next stop -- Vicki's blog -- to see what she has in store!

Come back later this afternoon to see what I have been working on for the new releases from Our Daily Bread designs! Check out this post!

And a last non-stamping comment - it's Opening Night for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"!
Check out this cute picture (my daughter is in the pink dress - she plays Sally):


More pictures to come!

New Releases at Our Daily Bread designs!

Where did March go? Time is flying by~
I am still waiting for the "Out Like a Lamb" part, though. We are supposed to have 6-8 inches of snow on Saturday! Blech!

But I know it's a new month when Our Daily Bread designs has some wonderful new stamp sets!
Take a look at this post on the ODBD blog. It shows all four stamp sets available for purchase NOW, and also some fabulous designs by the Bread Basket Design Team!

Check back soon to see the project I have been working on!