I'm a Nut

This week's challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters is something to create a card that cracks you up.  I LOVE what the other sisters have done, but I don't have any super funny stamps like they've got apparently. I learned this in my search for funny stamps - my pun-loving sense of humor is a little dorky!

So I instead went with this super cute Alfy Tinheart from PaperWorks Co. and used the sentiment that makes me laugh - "You're the bolt that holds us together" and on the inside I wrote "Because I'm CLEARLY the nut in this relationship!" I was planning on giving it to MrP, but since he saw this post as I was preparing it, I'll have to find a friend who can appreciate it and surprise him with something else. It is, afterall, his birthday coming up at the end of the month.

I used the sketch from SC279.

Stamps: Tinheart Family (Alfy)

Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Really Rust, MME Lil' Robots

Ink: Basic Black, Copics (yep - I used a whole three colors!), Real Red

Accessories: Amber Rhinestone, Dimensionals

Beautiful Brads Winner

It's Friday! WOOHOO! A week ago, we were celebrating the new Rachelle Anne Miller stamps at PaperWorks Co. Today, I'm sending off some gorgeous brads to one lucky winner....

According to Random.org, that winner is #18....Wilfreda!

If you can drop me an email, Wilfreda, I'll forward it to Peggy (who generously donated them) to send you those awesome brads.

Speaking of Peggy, I hear someone celebrated the big 3-0 yesterday..and to celebrate, I'm offering up THIS. That's right....the entire set. Just leave me a comment with your favorite online shopping destination for stamps. You have until NEXT Friday (May 7th) at 7am MT.

(And in celebrating Peggy, it just wouldn't be right to do it without a little love for Starbucks....so one Canadian commenter will receive a $5 g/c for a lovely latte! )

PaperWorks Co New Release Blog Hop!

If you've arrived here from Nikki's blog, you're on the right path.

If not - head over to Tinla at the PWCO blog to start the blog hop!

Are these not the sweetest little birthday owls ever?! PaperWorks Co and Rachelle Anne Miller have joined up to create this exclusive line of adorable stamps, which can now be found here. The fabulous Peggy asked a few non-DT members to help out and I was only too happy to help. I mean, have you seen the images of this incredibly talented illustrator? This image makes me wish someone I knew who's having a baby was having a Noah's Ark theme!

For this easel card (which is a style that's been on my must try list for quite a while), I used everything from an old PWCO card kit (Aug 09), which is a heck of a deal - you get cardstock, paper and accessories (ribbon, dew drops, brads were all remaining unused in my kit, so I took advantage and used some of the perfectly matched accessories) Unlike many of the Copic masters on Peggy's design team (and let's face it - she's one, too), I tend to color with pencils & gamsol, which is exactly what I did with these cute owls. I did add some sakura gel pen for a little sparkle (in the star and the one owl's flower feather accessory - you know...since they have feathers, not hair. Oh boy - I need to go back to sleep!)

There's four amazing images in this collection and Peggy's generously offering an entire set for one lucky commenter. PLUS we've got some blog candy being offered up by each blog hop member. I've picked out these awesome brads for your candy-loving pleasure (and a spare set for myself because I wouldn't give you something I don't love!!) There's six of the pearl style brads and 8 of those awesome pink button style brads. Oh - and since my birthday is tomorrow...come back for a candy-grabbing goodness bonus round!



In case you've had any trouble following along, here's the entire list of participants for the blog hop - be sure to check them all out for some inspired creations with these super cute PWCO exclusive, detailed pink rubber stamps.

Tinla

Jenny

Cris

Sheena

Stephanie S

Kristy

Danielle

Bella

Nikki

Tanis *you're here*

Natalie

Stephanie J

Lisa
PaperWorks Co. Blog

Be sure to check out all of Rachelle's amazing illustrations on her website, too!

Hope to see you tomorrow =)

Robotic Mojo

Oh my goodness! I found my mojo - or rather the Mojo Monday sketch found a semblance of what used to be my stamping mojo - and I ended up making two cards with it!

I picked up the adorable Tinheart family from Peggy at PaperworksCo on Saturday and I just had to get this sweetheart colored for a birthday card for my old roommate. I really wish I could master my camera because the photos I took of the cards I created tonight just really don't do them justice (at least in my mind!) Isn't Buckley Tinheart adorable?!

And since I loved the sentiments, I picked up an entire robot bundle to mix & match sentiments - in their perfectly robotic font. Speaking of perfectly matched - how about that awesome robot paper from My Mind's Eye - works great with Buckley, hey?! Darn you, Peggy!

The Mojo Monday Sketch 133 is a contest because it's the first of the month, so get your entries over there! (Oh yeah - and I hope you had a wonderful Easter break/long weekend!)

Stamps: PWCO Tinheart Buckley
Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Old Olive, MME Robots
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Navy Half Pearls, Nestabilities, Sponge, Dimensionals, Reused Ribbon from a Renaissance by Design order =)

A Non-Traditional Christmas

I'm so far behind when it comes to Christmas cards that I'm starting to think I might be in the lead. If only it wasn't just over a week until Christmas! LOL
At any rate, I just got some new stamps and I've been (I can't believe this) too busy to even play. Seriously!

These new Little Loud Christmas Freckle collection stamps from Paperworks Co are fabulous - so cute and colorable (now if only I had time to get my watercoloring skills up...)

I used Mercy's Sketch #51 for a fairly quick & easy, non-traditional winter card. The matching sentiment inside says "Sending you Christmas Wishes".

I'm so sorry I haven't been around the blogs much either - I really will catch up one of these days. Can you believe my work actually expects me to work while I'm there?! HAHA
Hope you're staying warm in these frosty temperatures we've been having.

Ollie Revealed!

I just love this guy!


Stamps: PaperworksCo Ollie
Paper: Whisper White, Blue Bayou, Blue Bayou DSP
Ink: Black Staz-On
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Blue Bayou Ribbon, Icicle Stickles
Techniques: Gamsol Magic

I used some icicle stickles to really bring out his tentacles and he was really easy to color with the prismacolor pencils and gamsol. I love these Aqua Amigos! Don't forget to check them out while they're on sale at PaperworksCo! The Mojo Monday Sketch 96 seemed to work perfectly for this image. I really love that old Blue Bayou and when I was looking for some DSP with it, I was delighted to find a pack of unloved BB DSP sitting there waiting for this card!
This was the sketch - you should give it a try, too! (Check out my rockin' bow....yep, I'm really trying to improve on them)


Last night was my horseback riding lesson and before we even mounted, we had excitement. One of the girls was trying to bridle her horse and the horse panicked, tried to back up and ended up stepping on the girl's leg. I hope she's alright today. We got started late and my friend Ally had to show off for her parents and try a superman dismount over a fence. Thankfully, she was up & doing her usual laughing/smiling within about 2 seconds. Love that girl! When I got home, which was later than planned, I ended up mowing the forest...errr...lawn (yay - the extra grass seed MrP planted is growing!) and finishing another card for tomorrow that used the Viva La Verve June 04 Sketch with a Twist. Can't wait to show you!

If you're an SCS Fan Club member, get on over for the Dare to Get Dirty '09 Challenges!

Wallie's Found His Inner Fierce

I just laugh when I hear the word Fierce since some friends watch America's Next Top Model and I got sucked into it for the last two seasons.

But Wallie's found his inner vixen. His dark side. His what?! He's a whale. What the?!


Stamps: PaperworksCo Wallie
Paper: Basic Grey, Night of Navy, Prestwick DSP, Going Gray, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Gray
Accessories: Navy Ribbon, Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Sakura Gel Pen
Techniques: Gamsol Magic

I turned Wallie into a shark! That's all I could see when I looked at the stamp and I figured if it was versatile enough to do it, I was going to make it happen. I took some liberties with AmyR's sketch and I forgot the sentiment, but them's the breaks when you're running on almost zero sleep for a busy week. And can you see the difference between this bow and yesterday's bow for Wallie? Chelsey did yesterday's....she's a bow master. I'm not.



Yes, it's been a crazy week and I've considered taking today off so I could get ready for our weekend in Kelowna (yep - wedding is still on despite the forest fires raging over there). I think they'll have great photos, though. Our wedding happened in 2006 when California had some nasty fires and we had great pictures, despite the photographer fiasco.

Enjoy your day and come back tomorrow to see what I've created with the very sweet Ollie the Octopus.



Don't forget - PWCO sale still on!!

Wallie & Carlos...my Amigos

Last night was my monthly stamp night with Chelsey (THANKS, BUDDY), so after supper at Von's to enjoy a Forkfest (aka BARGAIN!) meal, we spent some time in my stamping dungeon. Meet Wallie the Whale...


Stamps: PaperworksCo Walie
Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Blue Bayou
Ink: Black Staz-On
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, CM Bubble Maker, Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Blue Bayou Ribbon
Techniques: Gamsol Magic

Wallie fit perfectly for the Weekend Sketch Challenge 89 at Make a Difference (or at least I thought so). Here's the sketch...give it a try yourself!



This month, I chose to make the Spring Card as our start of inspiration. Chelsey's, of course, was a whole lot more perfect for folding than mine. I even measured! Guess that's what I get for trying too hard. LOL!


Stamps: PaperworksCo Carlos
Paper: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Black Staz-On, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, CM Bubble Maker, Nestabilities, Dimensionals, FlowerSoft, Crystal Effects
Techniques: Spring Card, Gamsol Magic

Carlos has Crystal Effects on his eyes to pop them out and some FlowerSoft in the sand for added dimension. Yay for Aqua Amigos and their fun coloring! Head over to Paperworks Co. to check out the sale, which is on until July 23rd.

Oh yes...as promised...(looks awful, tastes yummy)

Super Nacho Dip
1 lb ground beef
1 med. Onion, chopped
¼ tsp each: seasoning salt, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder & pepper
1 can mild green chilies (optional)
2 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups of salsa
1 can refried beans
½ cup chopped green onions (optional)
1 cup chopped ripe olives (optional)
1 cup sour cream
Parsley for garnish

Brown meat with onion & spices. Drain off fat. Spread refried beans in 9x12” pan. Top with meat. Sprinkle with chilies, then grated cheese & salsa. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven. Garnish with green onions, olives, sour cream & parsley. Serve with taco or corn chips.

I need a vacation! Who's with me?!

Good thing I start holidays on Friday =) 'nuff complaining....

May I present....Margarita Cupcakes!


Yep! They were a hit by all accounts. Unless people lied, which I would normally suspect, but I believe people tell the truth when they drink since they're less inhibited. Therefore, they were a hit in my books!

Unfortunately, this is the result when you leave a man in charge of frosting:



LOL! I shouldn't complain. It was much needed help on a busy Saturday. And it tasted great!
Here's the frosting recipe:

Tequila and Lime Frosting
(as adapted from Baking Bites, who used the recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup crisco (or any other shortening), softened
2 tbsp milk
6 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp tequila
4+ cups confectioners’ sugar
coarse sugar for “rims” (optional)

Cream together butter & shortening, milk, lime juice, tequila, and 4 cups of confectioners’ sugar. Add in more sugar as needed to make frosting stiff, but spreadable.Spread on cupcakes and roll the edges in a small amount of coarse, colored sugar if desired (poured into a small bowl, so it’s easy to direct it)

Also made some Super Nacho Dip for Fiesta. The photo doesn't do the tastiness justice, but then....when do they ever (unless you're a pro photographer, in which case, you'd be my hero!)



I'll post that recipe tomorrow. Because I have more to show you, that's why! Stop whining =)

This is what happens when adults get in the jumpy and kids hear other kids screaming in delight...more kids, more mayhem. (That's MrP's knees, after flopping down & trying to keep one side of the jumpy up since half the kids were smushed in the screen on the other side, dragging it down.



Last night, I just had to ink up my new Paperworks Co Aqua Amigos stamps. Tommy the Turtle is my first colored culprit (and my fave) in this collection. I used Jen's Sketch For You To Try (07-18-09), which was this layout:

And here's Tommy!

Stamps: PaperworksCo Tommy, Circle of Friends
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Shimmery Blue-Green Paper
Ink: Staz-On
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, CM Bubble Maker, Nestabilities, Dimensionals
Techniques: Gamsol Magic

This was my first time coloring with prismacolor pencils and gamsol (I used odorless paint thinner....is that the same thing?! Whatever...it worked!) And I love him! Now all I need are some Aquatic Sentiments *hint, hint, Peggy!*. (I needed more Thank You cards, so he's a grateful turtle) Anyways, he was a blast to color and I can't wait to get home & do more cards with the other three cuties!

Head over to their website to pick up your own...especially now while they've got sales going on, which include order any of the PWCO stamps & get 10% off the rest of your order by using "fiesta" when you checkout*, free shipping on the stamps*, lowered prices on the stamps ($3.99), collection discount (buy three, get one free!) What are you waiting for!?! Visit PaperworksCo now! *until July 23

Finally, here's the fam from the weekend. My nephew and niece have the funniest expressions - the usually pouty neice all "cheesed" up and my nephew looks like he was checking out MrP, who enjoyed the costumes for our old west pictures a little too much for someone his age if you ask me. The other two are my sisters.