Snow Advisory

From what I hear, we're supposed to get snow this week. I'm not sure how much... hopefully it won't be too bad. I do know that just three hours from us, they are expecting anywhere from 10-18" of snow. Oh my! Isn't it time for Spring yet?


So what does a person do when there's that much snow? Build a snowman, of course. Since I don't want to go out in the cold, I've "built" a snowman inside. LOL!

Here he is, along with his feathered friend:

Image: Inkadinkado
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP Cranberry Crisp, Crumb Cake, and Handsome Hunter
Designer Paper: SEI Alpine Frost (double sided)
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! White Organdy Ribbon, Stickles Glitter Glue, and Studio 18 Mary Engelbrett Rhinestones

Crafty Ho

This week's Crafty Ho Challenge is going to test our papercrafting skills.

The requirement - use NO designer paper!


Oh my! You know how much I love designer paper........ so please don't laugh (or worse yet, gasp) when you see my card.


Here it is:

I couldn't leave the cardstock completely plain, so I scored three vertical lines on the piece of copper background cardstock. ;)

Images: Stampin' UP! Lovely As a Tree
Ink: Versamark
Embossing Powder: Judikins Black Opal
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip, Copper, Crumb Cake, and Handaome Hunter
Embellishments: Foof-a-la button, Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, and hemp (unknown vendor)

Pork Loin with Cranberries

I love to cook, but I also get bored with cooking. Therefore I'm always looking for new recipes. (You might have noticed the blog list in my right sidebar with all those wonderful cooking blogs. That's my culinary inspiration. LOL!)

Not too long ago I came upon a wonderful crockpot recipe.

I ♥ my crockpot.

Yum!

This has now become one of son's favorite dishes!!!

We always make fried rice to go with it.

Delicious!

Image: Stampin' UP! Cool Cat
Ink: Stampin' UP! Real Red
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Real Red and Tempting Turquoise
Designer Paper: DCWV Nana's Kitchen Stack
Embellishments: Gartner Studios Brides Flowers and Studio 18 Rhinestones

Calendar Girls Premier

What is a Calendar Girl? We are a group of ten women, online friends, who have formed a blog group. You've probably already noticed the blog list in my blog's lefthand sidebar which each of their names (followed by a Miss February, March, etc.) Isn't that fun? We almost feel like stamping pinup girls... only with clothes on! ;)

One of the elements of our blog group is a monthly challenge, which we've agreed to post to our blogs on the 28th of each month. This month, Miss January (me!) is the one who chose the theme for the challenge. Tee Hee! I was very challenging to my Calendar Girls!

These were our instructions:

1. Create a card (or anything but a card, if you choose) that reflects your month. In my case, because I'm Miss January, my card needed to reflect the month of January in some way.

2. Use your favorite embellishment on your creation.

3. Use your newest papercrafting tool/toy in making your creation, but it cannot be something you purchased specifically for this challenge.

Oh this is going to be soooooooo much fun!

Here's my card:

It definitely reflects January here in northern Illinois... chilly and snowy! Brrrrrrr!!!

Ribbon and brads are my go-to embellishments, and I'm becoming increasingly fond of rhinestones, too, so I used all three of those embellishments on my card.

The new toy I used is the Stampin' UP! Northern Flurry embossing folder. I actually purchased it a few months ago, but had not used it yet. Shame on me!

Here's a closeup of the darling image - it's a Whipper Snapper called Chilly Snowman :

Here's a flat view so you can see some of the dimension/layering:

Now it's time to go check out the other Calendar Girls' posts! Be sure to leave them some love on their blogs!

I ♥ Kelly (Miss February)

I ♥ April (Miss March)

I ♥ Terry (Miss April)

I ♥ Barb (Miss May)

I ♥ Carol (Miss June)

I ♥ Michelle (Miss July)

I ♥ Debbie (Miss August)

I ♥ Paola (Miss September)

I ♥ Tami (Miss October)

Oh, and don't forget to come back on February 28th, when Kelly (Miss February) will challenge the Calendar Girls to get inky!

Image: Whipper Snapper Chilly Snowman
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Bashful Blue, Pale Plum, and Perfect Plum
Designer Paper: Target Glitter Paper and scraps from my scrap file
Special Tool: Stampin' UP! Northern Flurry Embossing Folder
Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones, Stickles Glitter Glue, Target Holiday Ribbon, and brads (vendor unknown)

On the Stage

PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE TWO BLOG POSTS TODAY, this one and the Stamp-n-Doodle one that follows it. Be sure to check them both out!

Chi Chi Memories Challenge

January 27 - February 9

The card I created features some of my favorite Chi Chi Memories images:

This is a sketch challenge. Please go to the Chi Chi Challenge blog to see the sketch and the work of the other design team members, too.


The adorable images reminded me so much of my college days, working toward my theatre degree. Except for one thing. We would have NEVER said Good Luck in the theatre.

Break a Leg!


Images: Chi Chi Memories
Ink: Copic markers and Copic Spica pen
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Daffodil Delight and Garden Green
Designer Paper: vendor unknown
Embellishments: grosgrain ribbon (vendor unknown) and Stickles glitter glue

Momma's Boy

Stamp-n-Doodle Sketch Challenge

January 27 - February 2

Here'a the sketch:

Yes, it is a bit challenging! LOL!

Here's my card:

I used the Stamp-n-Doodle image called Momma's Boy in its printed condition. I didn't color it at all! Isn't it wonderful???

This image spoke of love for me, so I used heart paper and a wonderful metallic brad that spells out Love.

Image: Stamp-n-Doodle Momma's Boy
Cardstock: Stammpin' UP! Gray and Pretty in Pink
Designer Paper: Target Dollar Aisle
Embellishments: Queen & Co. pearls, Stampin' UP! Taffeta ribbon, and a brad from an unknown vendor

Hot Stuff

I ♥ Wednesdays because Wednesdays mean Fresh Brewed Designs Challenges!


This week's challenge is a photo inspiration challenge.



Here's my card:

This is the photo inspiration:

Did I do okay?

I made an easel card with the Fresh Brewed Designs Hot Date image.

Don't forget to play along in the Challenge.

January 26 - February 1

Image: Fresh Brewed Designs
Ink: Copic markers and Copic Spica pens
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Pear Pizzazz and Rose Red
Designer Paper: GCD Studios Cloisonne Collection
Embellishments: Prima flower and Kaiser pearls

Wanna Know a Secret?

shhhhhhhhh!!!

I made this recipe card, but I've never made this recipe. I intend to, but just haven't found the right time yet (partially since two of my guys don't eat pasta).

But I needed a Crockpot recipe for a swap I was in and I really think this one is going to be delicious. I hope I'm right!







Image: Stamp by Judith
Ink: Stampin' UP! Real Red
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Pear Pizzazz and Real Red
Designer Paper: TPC Studio So Delish Spice Rack (double-sided)
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! grosgrain ribbon and Create! Impress! brad

Martin Luther King

Crafty Ho Challenge

January 23 - 29

Photo Inspiration based on this famous photo:

I couldn't seem to make up my mind what I wanted to do, based on this photo. There were so many different directions to go.


Here were some of my thoughts:

Martin Luther King was instrumental in bringing black and white together - so a black and white card seemed appropriate.


Martin Luther King was a great orator - so a card with a great sentiment/quote seemed appropriate.


Martin Luther King had a dream that was before his time - so a clock/time themed card seemed appropriate.

Based on those thoughts, here's my card:

If you're curious, yes, the hand on the clock is a real hand from a real clock. Pretty cool, isn't it? I attached it with a large brad. (Unfortunately, I only had one hand, so there isn't a second one on the card.)




Image & Sentiment: Stampin' UP! It's About Time
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Basic Black and Whisper White
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! Black Organdy Ribbon, a clock hand, and a large brad

An Apple a Day

Who doesn't love a nice crisp apple?

My personal favorites are the ones that are a wee bit tart. Oh, and I love to dip apple slices in caramel dip. Yummy!

Apples are wonderful!

So is the Chi Chi Memories apple tree image that I used to create this card:

It's actually part of the Puppet Show set. I thought it was perfect for creating a Chi Chi Memories Challenge card using this sketch:

I wanted some clouds in the background of my image block, but I didn't want to print them on the page, I wanted to sponge around them. To achieve that process, I printed the cloud images from the Puppet Show set onto cardstock and carefully cut them out.

I then placed them on a piece of white cardstock and sponged around them with blue ink. When I removed the cutouts, I had a nice blue sky with white clouds. Perfect!

For the four circles on the sketch, I colored an apple from the image and cut it out. I then placed four apples along the side.

Chi Chi Memories Challenge

ends January 26

Images: Chi Chi Memories Puppet Show
Ink: Copic markers and Stampin' UP! Marina Mist
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Close to Cocoa, Garden Green, and Marina Mist
Punch: Martha Stewart Grass
Embellishment: Stickles XMas Red Glitter Glue

Anybody Want an Easy Recipe?

If so, this is the recipe for you! ;)

Easy Does It Manicotti

Yummy!

It doesn't show up in the picture very well, but I stamped the words Bon Appetit! randomly on the yellow cardstock to create a designer paper look.


Image: Stampin' UP! Backyard BBQ
Sentiment: Stampin' UP! Voila
Ink: Stampin' UP! So Saffron
Cardstock: Paper Reflections
Designer Paper: TPC Studio So Delish What's Baking
Embellishment: brad

Stamp n Doodle

It's time for a new Stamp-n-Doodle Challenge
Theme: Get Dressed Up


January 20 - 26

The design team was challenged to use a really fun dress template to create cards for this week's challenge.


Here's my card:

I didn't really mean for it to be so simple and easy-peasy, but when I got to playing around with different ideas with the template in hand, I kept going back to a beautiful piece of embossed paper that I purchased at our office supply store about a year ago. The store decided to close their tiny scrapbooking room and marked the papers and such down in price to move them out. This is one of the papers I purchased, but I had never found the time to use it until now.

Because the white paper is embossed with flowers and bumblebees, I chose yellow embellishments.



Designer Paper: Lasting Impressions for Paper, Inc.
Embellishments: Classic Traditions satin ribbon and Paper Studios buttons

Fresh Brewed Designs Valentine's Blog Hop

Good Morning and welcome to the FRESH BREWED DESIGNS Valentine's Blog Hop and New Image Release!

If you are getting here from Audrey's blog, you are at the right place! If not, then please go back to Heather's Coffee Break to the start of the hop! (If you get lost at any point in the hop, go back to Heather's blog, where you will find a complete list of the blogs.)


As others before me in this hop have said, let me add my thanks and appreciation to you for joining us in the Fresh Brewed Designs Valentine's Blog Hop. As you've already noticed, I'm sure, this hop is featuring some of the many newly released Valentine's digis available TODAY in the Fresh Brewed Designs Shop. These images are perfect for showing your loved ones how very much they mean to you.

Everyone hopping with us today will be entered in a random drawing for a Fresh Brewed prize, so be sure to leave a comment on each blog you hop to. Everyone who snags the January 19 blog badge and emails Heather will be entered twice! And for every 10 hop participants, there will be an extra image added to the prize package for this hop (so encourage ALL of your friends to hop along, too!!!)

I created a card with the Love Birds image and coordinating sentiment:

Isn't this the cutest pair of owls you've ever seen???

I used some fun designer papers and minimal embellishments for my card.

Look at all the layers:

Thank you so much for stopping by. Your next hop stop will be Tracey. BUT before you leave, I want to let you in on a little secret! Fresh Brewed Designs is getting ready for another Rubber Stamp Release!!! (oh, let's not keep it a secret... let's shout about it! Okay?)

FRESH BREWED DESIGNS is getting ready for another Rubber Stamp Release!!!

Heather has designed several new stamps to add to the shop including the Cutie Pie featured on this badge as well as some new coffee girls.

The hop and release will be on March 1. Heather has created this badge and is askingus all to help spread the word by adding it to our sidebar and linking it back to Freshly Brewed Challenges. If you do add the badge, head over to the challenge blog, email Heather and let her know. She will add you to a drawing for a special prize that will be announced after the March 1 hop.

Thanks again for hopping with us at Fresh Brewed Designs!



Image and Sentiment: Fresh Brewed Designs Love Birds
Ink: Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, and Night of Navy
Designer Paper: We R Memory Keepers Designer Collection
Embellishments: Autumn Leaves Foof-a-la button and Stampin' UP! wine and navy Organdy ribbon

The Return of the Treasure Hunt

Wow! It's been a long time since I did a treasure hunt post. I've missed them! Have you?

For those of you who are newer to my blog, let me explain. This past summer I combined my love of cardmaking with my love of searching for treasures at yard sales. Each week I looked for something (preferrably something not specifically made for paper-crafting) on my yard sale outings that I would then use to create a card and post on my blog that week.

I had so much fun doing this that I actually hoarded some treasures so I could continue through the non-yard sale months. However, Christmas and such got in the way and I haven't posted any Treasure Hunt creations for a few weeks........... until now. ;)

Here's the treasure:

a bag of mini-popsicle sticks

cost: 10 cents

What to do with them???

Make caramel apples, of course!

I made several of these apples and have mailed them to Viv's house for her Shape card swap. I hope she likes them!

Oh, and to give credit, I got the idea from the My Favorite Things blog! However, I hand-drew my template, rather than using theirs because I needed a smaller apple.

Sentiment: Stampin' UP! Whimsical Words
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Creamy Caramel
Designer Paper: vendor unknown
Punch: Martha Stewart Goo
Embellishments: hemp and a button

Fire! Fire!

FIRE!

Now that I have your attention...

It's time for this month's Dueling Darlings to post their creations.

The Dazzler's Team Hostess this month was none other than our own Sweet P - Paola. She sent us a delightful kit filled with gorgeous papers and embellishments and the most fun FIREy Penny Black images.

Take a look at my card:

We were also given the instructions to happily celebrate a brand New Year Birthday with a bit of humor.

Fun & Laughter for ever after!

I'm not sure I got the laughter right on my card - the embellishments are just so gorgeous, KWIM? But the image is absolutely hilarious... so I hope Sweet P isn't too disappointed in me.

One last instruction from our hostess was to share a New Year resolution that you NEVER kept so far, but really wanted to. hmmmmmmmm... can't do it, Sweet P. I've NEVER made a New Year's Resolution in my life. I do set annual goals though, and one of my goals last year, that wasn't met, was to try to get a card published in a magazine.

Okay, enough talking... let's go see what the other Dueling Darlings created.

First, check out my fellow Dazzlers:

April

Debbie

Melina

Michelle

Paola

Terry

Now, check out the Diva's (their hostess was Judy)

Barb

Carol

Joan

Judy

Kelly

LJ

Image: Penny Black Best of Luck

Sentiment: Stampin' UP! Perfect Punches

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Copic markers, and Copic Spica pens

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Cherry Cobbler and Sage Shadow

Designer Papers: Daisy D Paisley Bloom and K & Co. Lovely

Embellishments: Dollar Store paper doily, Stampin' UP! ribbons, Forever in Time gems, Michael's flowers, Wal-Mart button, and Stickles glitter glue

What's Black and White

and Red all over?

That is a pathetic joke/riddle that I remember from way back when I was in elementary school. Corny, I know! Wonder why I still remember it???

Today's card is Black and White and Red... because this week's Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge is Black and White plus one other color.

Don't forget, next week (January 19) is the Fresh Brewed Designs Blog Hop!

Image: Fresh Brewed Designs
Ink: Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Black, Red, and White
Designer Paper: glitter (from Target) and print from my scrap file
Embellishments: brads

Little Cabin in the Woods

Does it make you want to sing?

Little man by the window stood...

Saw a rabbit hopping by...

Oops! Wrong idea! Actually, the cabin in the woods on this card is really quite beautiful. I love this stamped image.

Very peaceful - serene!

Image: Inkadinkadoo
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Cardstock: Gina K Ivory and Stampin' UP! Black and Old Olive
Designer Papers: vendor unknown
Embellishments: Prima flower and rhinestone brad

Warm Winter Wishes

Crafty Ho Challenge

January 9 - 15

Theme: Monochromatic (neutrals allowed)

Sending you Warm Winter Wishes while I'm away.

I'll be back home again soon!

Hugs!

Good Luck

I love the new Chi Chi Memories stamp set, with the adorable puppets and there's even a cute cute stage. They are such fun! So I couldn't resist using a few of the images for today's card.

The card also utilizes the sketch for the current challenge at Chi Chi Memories. You can check out all the details on the Chi Chi Memories Challenge Blog.

Images and Sentiments: Chi Chi Memories
Ink: Copic markers and Copic Spica pen
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Garden Green
Designer Papers: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Dashes Dots and Checks ribbon and Recollections mini brads

A Labor of Love

Do you want to see what I've been working on? It's a huge project.

Every year (for the past dozen or more years) I make a scrapbooked calendar for my parents for Christmas. They insist. ;)

So today I thought I'd show you some pictures of the 2011 calendar. I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures. Hopefully you will get an idea of what the calendar is like anyway.