WHOO-LA-LA

What an awesome stamp set!  I stamped out three of the same owls, all with a flower and used each on a different project and they all turned out super cute.  

~SUPPLIES NEEDED~

STAMP SET ~ OWL TOGETHER NOW

CARD STOCK ~ CLOSE TO COCOA, SO SAFFRON, VERY VANILLA & OLD OLIVE

INK / STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS ~ CLOSED TO COCOA, OLD OLIVE, MORE MUSTARD, TANGERINE TANGO & CHOCOLATE CHIP

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER ~ HAIKU

ACCESSORIES ~

BLENDER PENS

1 1/4" SQUARE PUNCH

1 3/8" SQUARE PUNCH

STAMPIN' DIMENSIONALS

**This card is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"**

OWL TOGETHER NOW ~ MINI NOTEBOOK ALBUM

It has been at least a month since I have been able to get into my craft room to play.  I had one week off between semesters and I enjoyed every single minute of the time not spent studying for exams.  After reading a couple of books just for fun, I hit my computer and started looking at my favorite blogs, which gave me ideas for this album as well as the cards that will follow.  

I found instructions for this awesome little album HERE.  

FRONT VIEW

INSIDE VIEW

**The only thing I changed from the instructions was the length of card stock needed for the accordion fold to hold the album pages.  Instead of 7", I used 10" so that all album pages would be on an inside fold.**

~SUPPLIES NEEDED~

STAMP SET -  OWL TOGETHER NOW

CARD STOCK - SO SAFFRON, TANGERINE TANGO, VERY VANILLA

INK / STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS - CLOSE TO COCOA, CHOCOLATE CHIP, MORE MUSTARD, TANGERINE TANGO, OLD OLIVE

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER - HAIKU

ACCESSORIES:

DESIGNER CIRCLE BRADS

DESIGNER FLOWER BRADS

1/2" OLD OLIVE GROSGRAIN RIBBON

CROP A DILE

STICKY STRIP

PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

When I was in high school, I worked two summers at Camp Singing Wind.  First as a Kitchen Cutie and then as a Life Guard / Counselor.  The cook for the camp (Cookie) would make these peanut butter/oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies that were just fantastic.  I was never able to find a recipe that even came close to those camp cookies until three years ago.  I started combining different cookie recipes until I found a good match.  These cookies are my favorite!

~INSTRUCTIONS~

1 C PEANUT BUTTER

3/4 C BUTTER

1 C BROWN SUGAR

1/2 C SUGAR

2 C OATMEAL

1 C AP FLOUR

1 t BAKING POWDER

1 t BAKING SODA

1/2 t SALT

2 EGGS

1 t VANILLA

1-1/4 C CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees 

Cream together peanut butter, butter, brown sugar and sugar.  When blended add eggs and vanilla.

In separate bowl combine oatmeal, flower, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.  Fold in chocolate chips.

Using medium cookie scoop, drop dough onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Flatten with a wet fork.

Bake for 8 - 12 minutes or until golden brown on edges.

EASTER BUNNY FUN

I shall name him FRED!

Two years ago I came across THE ELF ON THE SHELF at a local boutique in Lithia, FL.  It came with a cute little book to read to the kids that explains that the little Elf has come to live with the family.  He needs a name (the girls named him FROSTY PEE-KO) and every night from December 1st through Christmas Eve, Frosty Pee-ko would fly back to the North Pole and tell Santa about our day.  Every morning Frosty Pee-ko would be back but he would choose a hiding place.  The girls wake up and start searching right away for their elf.  We have had so much fun with our elf, this year he even showed up in Buenos Aires while we were there for vacation.  

Frosty Pee-ko hanging out on Abuela's lamp!

We had so much fun with Frosty Pee-ko that I thought it might be fun if we tried something similar with the Easter Bunny.  I found a the instructions for the bunny below HERE.  My goal is to have our bunny Fred hide every morning with two little treat filled eggs for the girls to find.  

HAIKU GIFT TIN

I had an extra tin hanging around just waiting to be decorated and today I finally had some down time where I could sneak away to my craft room.  I have recently discovered powdered green tea called MATCHA and after placing an order I was happy to find that I could recycle the tins into gift tins.

I used STAMPIN' UP! DESIGNER SERIES PAPER ~ HAIKU as my base.  I love the colors in this series!

I used the DESIGNER LABEL PUNCH along with the SILVER HODGEPODGE HARDWARE frame to match.  I used LINEN THREAD to tie the frame to the tin (along with TOMBOW ADHESIVE to help hold it in place).  I used Swarovski crystal beads & butterflies to decorate the thread.

I used the SCALLOPED CIRCLE PUNCH, 3/4" CIRCLE PUNCH and 1/2" CIRCLE PUNCH to create the flower for the top of the tin.  I punched out three scalloped circles in OLD OLIVE, TANGERINE TANGO and SO SAFFRON.  I cut into each groove of the scalloped circle about 1/2" to form the flower, then I cut petals off the OLD OLIVE & TANGERINE TANGO scalloped circles and then glued the individual petals onto the SO SAFFRON flower.  I topped the flower with the 3/4" circle in MORE MUSTARD and 1/2" circle in TANGERINE TANGO.  To get shape in the flower I folded the petals up first and then rolled the tips around a pencil.

EASTER BASKET FUN

Last October / November while at a STAMPIN' UP! meeting I learned how to make this box out of the BIGZ SCALLOP ENVELOPE'S ~ (SIZZIX DIE).  You can find good instructions HERE.

I used DESIGNER SERIES PAPERS ~ WASHINGTON APPLE and MAINE BLUEBERRY.  I believe that Maine Blueberry has retired and is no longer available for order from STAMPIN' UP! but the Washington Apple is so go find your local demonstrator and order some of this awesome paper!  

To attach the handles I used the small flowers from the FLOWER DESIGNER BRADS.  This is actually the first time I have used these brads even though I have had them for months.  I've been waiting for just the right project and I found it with these baskets.  They added just the right touch!

To make the filler for the baskets, I used the color combinations used on the paper itself.  For the WASHINGTON APPLE I used RIDING HOOD RED, PUMPKIN PIE, SO SAFFRON and BASHFUL BLUE.  For the MAINE BLUEBERRY I used NOT QUITE NAVY, OLD OLIVE and BASHFUL BLUE.  

I have a CARL PAPER TRIMMER that will cut through many layers of card stock at a time.  I used that with the layers of card stock for each basket.  I just trimmed about a 1/4" at a time until I had enough strips to fill the baskets.  Once I had enough paper trimmed, I scrunched it up and rolled it around in the palms of my hands to shape it.  

I LOVE CHERRY BLOSSOMS!

I love cherry blossoms!  I have four cherry blossom punches that range from 1/4" to 1" and I absolutely love them.  I do not use them as often as I would like but when I do, I am always so happy, HAPPY, HAPPY I bought them!  To give the blossoms shape, I used the rounded end cap of one of my SAKURA pens.  

~SUPPLIES NEEDED~

STAMP SETS ~ Pocket Silhouettes & Season of Friendship

CARD STOCK ~ Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

INK / STAMPIN' WRITE MARKER ~ Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red

ACCESSORIES ~ 1/4" Cherry Blossom Punch (Carl CarlaCraft), glue dots, SAKURA pen cap.

CAITLIN'S BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES

My youngest bug turned 7 a few weeks ago and she asked me to make CHOCOLATE FUDGE TORTE CUPCAKES that were stuffed with STRAWBERRY CREAM FILLING.  I tried to get a good photo of the cupcake cut in half so you could see the filling but it truly was not a pretty picture.  Wilton came out with a 12 - PIECE CUPCAKE DECORATING SET that is awesome.  I have really only used one of the tips in the set (BIZMARCK TIP 230) it's the longest one for piping filling inside the cupcake. 

My girlfriend asked me if I had made the cake batter from scratch and while I wanted to say yes, I couldn't.  I can make a mean chocolate cake from scratch but it just does not do justice to this recipe.  10 years ago another girlfriend and I decided to make a gourmet meal.  We started with dessert of course!  I had found this recipe in one of those PILLSBURY booklets you see in the checkout line at the grocery store.  The cake was awesome!  I have made it countless times over the years and I must say it is a keeper.

~RECIPE~

1 PKG (18.25 OZ) PILLSBURY MOIST SUPREME DEVILS FOOD CAKE

1 C SOUR CREAM

3/4 C WATER

1/3 C OIL

1 t VANILLA

3 EGGS

1 C MINI SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, combine all cake ingredients except the chocolate chips.  Beat at low speed until moistened.  Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.  Fold in the chocolate chips.  Distribute evenly into the 24 cupcake liners.

Bake for 22 minutes.

STRAWBERRY CREAM FILLING

1 CAN STRAWBERRY PIE FILLING

1/2 C CREAM CHEESE ICING (I DID USE STORE BOUGHT)

Mix well!  I used the food processor to help break up the whole strawberries.

How to use the BISMARCK TIP 230 and a disposable decorating bag.

Cut the tip of the decorating bag off, clip just enough of the tip off for the piping tip to fit into the bag snugly without falling through.  I use a long drinking glass to hold the bag in place while filling it with the icing/filling (fold the tip up towards the top of the glass and bring the edges of the decorating bag over the edge of the glass until it is secure)  

Once the filling is in the bag, twist the top closed and insert the piping tip about an inch into the center of the cupcake.  When you see the cupcake's center rise up a little, there is enough filling.  At that point, stop applying pressure to the bag and pull the tip away. 

~ICING~

I just used up the remaining cream cheese icing and then dipped the iced cupcake in coarse pink sanding sugar.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES - YUM!

Every time I went to break a cookie open to take a photo of it, I would eat the darn cookie.  10 cookies later, I just had to stop trying.  Since starting this blog, I have started back up in school which is why I haven't posted in a while.  When the exams come up, my time in the craft room and on the computer really slows down.  I had some free time today and jumped at the chance to make some cookies.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

~RECIPE~

Cream together:

1  LB BUTTER, SOFTENED

1 LB BROWN SUGAR

1-1/2 C SUGAR

Add:

2 T VANILLA

3 EGGS

Stir in:

6 C FLOUR

1-1/2 t SALT

1-1/2 t BAKING SODA

12 OZ SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS

6 OZ MILK CHOCOLATE CHIPS

6 OZ WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIPS

2 C OATMEAL

1 C WALNUTS

1 C CHOPPED MACADAMIA NUTS

**you can substitute the chocolates and nuts with any variety you like**

I used my 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop to get cookies that were equal in size.  Place 2" apart on cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for 14 minutes.   They key for these cookies is to not let them brown too much on top.  When you notice the cookies are slightly tan on the edges take them out of the oven.  This will make them chewy and delicious.  If you leave them in 2 - 3 minutes longer you will get crunchy cookies.  (both versions are yummy).  

This batch makes tons of cookies.  I was given this recipe by a dear friend in California.  She taught me to freeze the cookie dough after I had scooped it and to use it like the store bought version of cookies you can bake 1 or 2 at a time.  I will often do just that and put a couple of cookies in the oven before my girls get home from school.

Because this batch makes soooooooooo much dough, be careful if you are using a stand mixer.  I have a 6 Qt bowl and the dough will still come up over the edge of the bowl if I am not paying attention.

TOD GILES' FAVORITE SOUR CREAM APPLE PIE

TOD GILES 

(1962 - 2007)

This apple pie is awesome!  While visiting our friend Leo over the Christmas holidays in 2007 she shared one of Tod's favorite recipes with us.  

I was very skeptical about the pie while Leo was making it as I had never heard of sour cream being in apple pies.  We sat around the table in the kitchen and chatted while the pie was baking and when it came out of the oven the pie was beautiful.  I was still nervous when I put the first bite in my mouth and my skepticism very quickly went away.  The pie tasted fabulous!  Better than any apple pie I had ever tried, without a doubt!  I hope that you all enjoy it as much as we do.

VEIW FROM THE TOP

ANOTHER VIEW

*I have to say that my photos do not do justice to what this pie looks like.  I also have to say that my pie is not even close to being pretty!*

~RECIPE~

1 9"  PIE SHELL (UNBAKED)

1 EGG

1/2 C SUGAR

2 T FLOUR

1/4 t SALT

2 T LEMON JUICE

1 C SOUR CREAM

4 C PEELED & SLICED GOLDEN DELICIOUS APPLES

TOPPING~

1/4 C FLOUR

1/2 C FIRMLY PACKED LIGHT BROWN SUGAR

1 T CINNAMON

1/4 C BUTTER

CRUST~

1-1/4 C ALL PURPOSE FLOUR

1/3 C BUTTER FLAVORED SHORTENING

4 - 5  T COLD WATER

PINCH OF SALT

~FOR THE CRUST~

STIR TOGETHER FLOUR AND SALT.  USING A PASTRY BLENDER, CUT IN THE SHORTENING UNTIL THE PIECES ARE PEA SIZED.

SPRINKLE 1 T WATER OVER PART OF THE MIXTURE, GENTLY TOSS WITH FORK.  REPEAT WITH REMAINING WATER USING 1 T AT A TIME UNTIL ALL THE DOUGH IS MOISTENED. 

FORM DOUGH INTO A BALL.  

(ROLL DOUGH BETWEEN LAYERS OF WAX PAPER TO REDUCE MESS)

~FOR PIE FILLING~

PUT APPLES IN PIE SHELL

IN A SMALL BOWL BEAT EGG, FLOUR, SUGAR, SALT AND LEMON JUICE UNTIL WELL MIXED.  ADD SOUR CREAM AND BLEND WELL.  POUR THIS MIXTURE OVER THE APPLES.

~FOR THE TOPPING~

MELT BUTTER (JUST ENOUGH TO SOFTEN), COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS USING A FORK OR PASTRY BLENDER.  SPRINKLE OVER PIE WHEN INDICATED.

~FOR BAKING~

BAKE THE PIE WITHOUT THE TOPPING AT 400 DEGREES FOR 15 MINUTES.  AFTER THE 15 MINUTES HAVE PASSED REDUCE THE OVEN TEMP DOWN TO 350 DEGREES, SPRINKLE THE TOPPING ON AND BAKE FOR 30 - 40 MORE MINUTES.

ENJOY

THE INVITATION THAT NEVER WAS

I have seen a few different examples on how to use the PETAL CARD BIGZ DIE.  My youngest daughter requested cupcakes to take to the park to share with her friends.  I had every intention of making invites for her to pass out last week and I just did not have the time to get them made.  I did get to play for a few minutes this afternoon to see if I could make something quick and I came up with the cutest little cupcake invite.  (at least I think so)

CUPCAKE INVITE CLOSED

CUPCAKE INVITE OPENED

~SUPPLIES NEEDED~

CARD STOCK: PINK PIROUETTE, PINK PASSION AND PIXIE PINK

ACCESSORIES:

BIG SHOT

PETAL CARD BIGZ DIE

TAG PUNCH

SMALL TAG PUNCH

HORIZONTAL SLOT PUNCH

   (non STAMPIN' UP! punch) - MARTHA STEWART - cupcake punch

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER ~ CANDY LANE

STAMPIN' DIMENSIONALS

MINI GLUE DOTS

~retired ORGANDY RIBBON

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - DINNER CAKE 

I came across the idea of making a meat loaf and mashed potato cake on MARTHA'S website and when I was trying to figure out what to make for my youngest daughters birthday dinner I thought this would be perfect.  We didn't do a real birthday cake because her birthday fell on a school night.  This was decided only because sugar and set bed times do not go together with my girls.  My eldest daughter was looking at the cake with shock and horror, it was too funny!

CLOSE UP OF THE DINNER CAKE

(It was hard to get a good photo while trying to get this to the table without hurting anyone - the cake weighed in at well over 4 pounds)

LOVE IS IN THE AIR . . .

I am loving the new stamp sets that Stampin' UP! is coming out with.  I just got my newest order in on Monday and of course I had to go and play.  

JUST BUZZIN BY

LOVE BIRDS

LOVE YOU MUCH

LOVE BIRDS TREAT BOX ~ TOP VIEW

LOVE BIRDS TREAT BOX ~ SIDE VIEW

~SUPPLIES~

Stamp sets: JUST BUZZIN BY, LOVE YOU MUCH

Card Stock: PINK PIROUETTE, RIDING HOOD RED, ROSE RED and CHOCOLATE CHIP

Ink / Stampin' Write Markers: PINK PIROUETTE, RIDING HOOD RED, ROSE RED, OLD OLIVE, BLUSH BLOSSOM, REAL RED, CHOCOLATE CHIP

Accessories:  

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER ~ CANDY LANE

 TOP NOTE DIE

HEART TO HEART PUNCH

SPIRAL PUNCH

SCALLOPED CIRCLE PUNCH

1 1/4" SQUARE PUNCH

1 3/8" SQUARE PUNCH

 WORD WINDOW PUNCH

DESIGNER BUTTONS

BRADS

GROSGRAIN RIBBON: ROSE RED, PRETTY IN PINK, WHISPER WHITE and    CHOCOLATE CHIP.

MINI GLUE DOTS

STAMPIN' DIMENSIONALS

2-WAY GLUE PEN

STICKY STRIP

SNAIL

CRYSTAL EFFECTS

 CUTTER KIT

FILING CABINET = AWESOME M & M STORAGE

I found a really cool 3-D project on Toy's Haven

The blog has step by step instructions as well as photographs to use as guidelines for creating this awesome storage container.  

FRONT VIEW

 

SIDE VIEW

ANOTHER VIEW

THE INSIDE SUPPORT

The only thing I did differently is to actually add card stock supports to the inside flap instead of just using STICKY STRIP.

~SUPPLIES NEEDED~

CARD STOCK  - Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie

ACCESSORIES - 

Sweet Always Designer Series Paper

Sticky Strip

4 brads

1/2" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE STAMP SET

It's a dormant set, so it's not out in the catalog but it is still available.  I am excited to see what Stampin' UP! comes out with in their new catalog, hopefully more stamp sets like SUMMER BY THE SEA where I can play with the WATERCOLOR PENCILS, CRAYONS AND AQUA PAINTER more often.

My sister asked me to make a special card for her and this is what I created!

Supplies needed will be listed below.

PAPER PIERCED CREASE FOR THE LINEN THREAD

**I used the paper piercer to put three small holes in the crease of the card to help keep the LINEN THREAD looking clean.  I used the SNAIL to hold the thread in place on the inside of the card and then put a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"  CONFETTI WHITE CARD STOCK panel on the inside of the card to hide the thread. **

I USED A WHOLE SHEET OF WATERCOLOR PAPER

**I stamped the image three times using BLACK STAZ ON and then played around with the colors until I found what I liked.  The images on the page are the ones I decided against.**  

~SUPPLIES NEEDED~

STAMP SETS:

SUMMER BY THE SEA

A BEAUTIFUL THING

BOHO BACKGROUNDS

CARD STOCK:

CONFETTI WHITE

WHISPER WHITE

NIGHT OF NAVY

BORDERING BLUE

INKS / STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS:

BASIC BLACK STAMPIN' WRITE MARKER

NIGHT OF NAVY

BASHFUL BLUE

BORDERING BLUE

OLD OLIVE

BLUSH BLOSSOM

CREAMY CARAMEL

TAKEN WITH TEAL

BASIC BLACK

STAZ ON BLACK

*WATERCOLOR PENCILS FOR THE HAIR*

ACCESSORIES:

LINEN THREAD

PAPER PIERCER

AQUA PAINTER

STAMPIN' DIMENSIONALS

SNAIL ~ ADHESIVE

MY CRAFT ROOM

**IT ROCKS**

MY DESK / WORK TABLE

It's made from two filing cabinets from the local supply store and a solid wood door from the local home improvement store.  It's nice and big!

CARD HANGER

**I found this in Argentina, I think it is meant to be used for hanging small laundry items when traveling but it works so much better as a way to display projects**

CARD STOCK FILED AWAY ALPHABETICALLY

**I got this idea from my friend Whitney R., what a great way to organize the CARD STOCK.  It's very easy to see what is running low before the next order goes out!**

STORAGE BINS UNDER DESK

**An old bookshelf fits perfectly under the desk and it houses all my scrap DESIGNER SERIES PAPER, templates, sample cards, glue, INK PADS, and tissue paper**

PRE-CUT CARD STOCK FOR CARDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

**My friend Lisa C. uses this system in her card classes and it just rocks!  The first time I attended one of her classes and saw the CARD STOCK pre-cut like this, I ran home and created my own stockpile.**

LONG BOOK SHELF WITH CURRENT STAMP SETS, RIBBONS, PUNCHES & STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS

**This was one of my first attempts at making a book shelf!  I made it almost five years ago and it is still holding up.  The back is made of peg board and that has been just awesome for organizing supplies.  I'm not sure if you can see the rack that the ribbon is on, it is made for pegboard organizers!**

STORAGE CORNER, WITH ORGANIZER FOR BUTTONS, BRADS & CLIPS

ADDITIONAL STORAGE!

**The armoire was too big to fit in the bedroom so "sadly" it had to go into the crafting room.**

AWESOME MADE IN THE U.S.A. STORAGE CUBE

** I have really been trying to purchase items made in the U.S.A. lately and can I say they are super hard to find!  While walking through Target, I was surprised to find that this storage cube was made in America.  The system is pretty cool, you can arrange the shelves four different ways.  You can purchase drawers that are as deep as two shelves.  I will definitely be getting more of these cubes.  The drawers I selected hold the 12 x 12 CARD STOCK and DESIGNER SERIES PAPER perfectly.

ALL OF MY RETIRED STAMP SETS

ANOTHER SHOT OF THE AWESOME DESK!

THE SWEETEST LETTER EVER!

My six year old wrote me this letter two days ago after I enrolled at the local Community College.  I will translate below.  :)

From Caitlin

To Mom

Happy first month

of the year

for Mommy getting

a chance to get

in college today

was the first 

meeting and tomorrow

is the second

But she is still

the best at this

stuff --> baking

being a great mom

with the rules figured

out and pet

owner having two

children  Thank you

mom for all the 

stuff you do to

make us happy

(a drawing of lips ~ for a kiss) I LOVE YOU

and of course she added lots of hugs and kisses with the X's and O's.

She, of course, melted my heart with this letter!

STATIONARY SET WITH PROTECTIVE COVER

**I saw this on a new blog I have been watching and decided that I would figure out how to make it.  It is toooooo cute.  I forgot to take photos of the cards that fit inside.  It holds six cards on one side and six envelopes on the other.  I used two pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" CHOCOLATE CHIP CARDSTOCK for the base pieces and then used the SUMMER HOME SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KIT for coordinating pieces.  I recommend using STICKY STRIP for this project because its hold is super strong.**

COVER OF STATIONARY SET (DIMENSIONS)

INSIDE POCKET DIMENSIONS (TWO POCKETS ARE NEEDED)

**if you click on the photo it will enlarge and you can see the dimensions better**

INSIDE POCKET, SCORED AND CUT WITH STICKY STRIP APPLIED

BACKSIDE VIEW OF THE INSIDE POCKET

COVER (DECORATED)

INSIDE VIEW WITH POCKETS ATTACHED

PROTECTIVE COVER (DIMENSIONS)

INSIDE VIEW OF PROTECTIVE COVER

STATIONARY SET INSIDE COVER

STATIONARY SET COMPLETELY INSIDE COVER

This project wasn't too hard to make, it was time consuming the first time around because I was figuring out dimensions.  Now that I have them, it will be super easy to make.