Thank You

Ever since seeing Maureen work her magic with this Big & Bold Wishes stamp set from PTI, I've adored it. So when it came time to order my own goodies, it was definitely on my must have list.

I used Jen's SFYTT from November 13th, rotated, and the Inkspirations Color Challenge #48.

I had planned to make my Sisterhood Card on Tuesday, then clean the house, but this card came out first and I was having such a great time in my craft area that I skipped cleaning and made my second card!

Now to clean the house before I leave on Sunday for my week of girls relaxation and fun in the sun!

A little late

but life happens! On Tuesday, I took MrP to the hospital at 5am with abdominal pain and after three hours, they sent us home to wait & see if it persisted, stating they wouldn't do anything until it had been 12 hours of discomfort. Well 12 hours came and went and just as I was getting ready to glue this card together in the evening (nothing like last minute!), MrP asked if I thought he should go back or suck up the pain. I said I'd prefer he get it checked out, but that I'd support whatever he wanted to do. Back to the hospital we went. Almost 48 hours later, with MrP less one appendix and resting at home, I'm posting my Sisterhood color challenge card! Hopefully you've already checked out their fabulous creations!

I wanted to also participate in the Verve Ready, SET, Stamp Challenge since I have both Fluttering By and Petals and Stems. If you don't have them, they're currently 30% of though till August 15th, which is the challenge deadline. I used the Sisterhood color challenge of Orange, Red & Light Green to create this bright & cheerful card. I used Jen's SFYTT as it worked perfectly for the butterflies!

Stamps: Verve Petals & Stems

Paper: Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Certainly Celery

Accessories: Nestabilities, EF, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

SFYTT for Mother's Day

Using Jen's Sketch For You To Try from May 1st, I created this card with some of my mom's favorite colors. Sadly, when I showed MrP the cards for his mom & my mom, he found my mom's to be the more appealing card (I have to agree - I do love this one!), but he's happy as long as he can just sign his name in it.

I hadn't inked up this Taylored Expressions Discover Your Wings set yet and I just liked how the versamark'd moss turned out. I embossed the Pale Plum but it's barely noticeable and once again used the Rock N Roll technique for the butterfly, which is two layers of cut out cuteness.

Stamps: Taylored Expressions Discover Your Wings, SU! Well Scripted

Paper: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Mellow Moss, Whisper White

Ink: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Versamark

Accessories: Embossing folder, Purple Bling, Dimensionals

It's Your (Fri)Day!

Last Friday, Jen's Sketch for You to Try was a great one, along with a chance to win a mystery goodie bag. I was intrigued enough by the sketch to play along, but the goodies made it even more irresistable!

Stamps: Verve Party Time

Paper: Regal Rose, Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron, White, Delicate Dots DSP

Ink: Regal Rose, Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron

Accessories: Buttons (Burgundy & Saffron), Dimensionals, Nestabilities

Technique: Paper Tole

Here's a little more detail showing the popped up balloons (rose one once, striped one twice). I love this darn paper tole technique from Dawn's challenge that I took during the TE Birthday Bash a while back.

Thank goodness it's Friday - I'm about done with this week. I need some time to relax and do some crafting! The gym time sure is eating into that. I really do have to start reading my books for school, too, or I'll get behind really quickly when it starts in November.

Head over to Scrap n Stamp today & check out my card for the sketch challenge.

Have a fabulous day! =)

Scrap 'N Stamp Sketch Challenge

Did you see my creation over at Scrap 'N Stamp on Friday? Yep - I'm a sketch challenge designer for their Friday sketches. If you head over to their blog and give the sketch a try for a chance to win this month's fabulous prize - a Just Rite stamper set with a value of $18.49.

The bonus for us Canadians - Scrap 'N Stamp is Canadian, too.

This card used Bazzil Cardstock, BG Wisteria collection paper & elements, Peggy’s Pretties, BG Wisteria Brad, all of which can be purchased through their site.

I also created this card for friends of ours who've just bought their first place, which is always exciting!

Stamps: surprisabella with hat
Paper: White, Blue Bayou, Purely Pomegranate, Groovy Guava, Summer Picnic DSP
Ink: Versamark Black, Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: Nestabilities, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Star Punch, Silver Brad

The sketch is last week's Sketch for You to Try from Jen and I'm so happy I gave this a try, despite my initial hesitation at the scary challenge. I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with this today!

For Grandma P

Stamps: Verve Beautiful You
Paper: Maine Blueberry DSP, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Whisper White, Bashful Blue

Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder, Brides Flowers, Silver Brad, BG Opaline Half Pearls, ScorPal

Well didn't get much of anything done last night. We found out just before lunch that MrP's Grandma had passed away during the night, so his father was coming up to make arrangements. The last visit we had with her, she was in quite a rough state, but I recall the first time I met her, the life in her when I got her talking about her years spent as a teacher, before meeting the love of her life & their courtship. She could, at well over 80, recite Shakespeare better than most teachers still in the business. She knew acts and scenes....it was amazing.

The card I've got to show is based on Jen's Sketch for You to Try from August 22. I'm so glad I was able to play along on the weekend and use it in my card set, featuring this wonderful sentiment from Verve's Beautiful You.

Today, I dedicate my card to Grandma P...

Who loves Martinis?

This week, Jen's Sketch For You To Try was another great challenge and I thought the size of my cute House Mouse image from Susie would be perfect...


Turns out, I think I was right =)


Stamps: House Mouse
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon, White Ribbon, Scallop Punch, White Signo Gel Pen, Sakura Gel Pen

And, as it turns out I might have something in common with a rodent afterall. Although I much prefer my martinis olive-less and more of a candy flavor - like the resident martini in our house - a chocolate martini. A little creme de cacao, a little grey goose and you can call me Al!
Why is it that when I'm looking for a name, that one always pops into my head, along with the song? Oh Paul Simon, I love you. And your fun songs. And drinking chocolate martinis while I dance to your songs.

*If you'll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty when you call me
You can call me Al*

Try to tell me you're not singing....
well this will get you going =)

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.

Wicked Cupcakes & Sweet Card

How do you make a homemade cupcake even better? Add tequila and turn them into Margarita Cupcakes, that's how!

As you can imagine, I'm quite excited to give these a try. We have a Mexican/Spanish themed celebration to attend on Saturday and part of attending is to bring a theme item for the potluck. I'm going to take some Super Taco Dip and these adult cupcakes. Our week is looking so busy, though, that I whipped up the cupcakes and tossed them into the freezer to pull out on Friday for frosting.

I saw these on Baking Bites and couldn't resist. They're originally for a Vegan cupcake, but that meant another "special" ingredient, so I substituted regular ol' cow's milk. Seemed to work just fine….I feel like I should give them a go before taking them to Fiesta, but that would mean an additional dozen to make since this is already a small recipe at a single 12 cupcakes.

When dividing the batter into the muffin liners, one may be inclined to taste this alcohol infused batter. If you do, I relinquish all responsibility for any further taste testing because the sweet, lime and tequila is pretty irresistible. If that was something I was into. But I'm not. Really.

It was just a taste…don't judge me. You know you'd do it if nobody was looking.
I think I may need an intervention. My baking is getting in the way of my drinking. I mean….well, you get the idea. Send help.

Margarita Cupcakes
(adapted from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World)

1/4 cup lime juice
1 1/2 tsp lime zest (1 lime)
1 cup milk (this is where you can use soymilk - plain or vanilla)

1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp tequila
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350F. Fill a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.In a large bowl, mix together lime juice, lime zest, (soy)milk, oil , tequila, vanilla and sugar.In a small bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add to lime mixture and stir until just combined. Divide evenly into muffin tins.Bake for 20-24 minutes, until a tester comes out clean and the cakes spring back when lightly pressed.Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

I’ll post the frosting when I make it…unless you’re so inclined to make yourself a batch of these drool inducing babies…then head on over to Baking Bites for the rest of the recipe!

The next card I want to share is from this week's Sketch for You to Try
This was the sketch:

And my interpretation (complete with a little smudge, so I had her toss a few popcorn kernels - hey, I'm not perfect by any stretch of the imagination!):


Stamps: PMSabella, Mini Mates
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Bella Birds
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, SU! Markers
Accessories: Nestabilities, Liquid Applique