The Twelve Days of Thanksgiving

Are you a subscriber to Pinterest?  If not, let me tell you about it.  Pinterest is a free website that is like a virtual bulletin board or virtual bookmark tool.  I have hundreds of bookmarks on my computer, which are kind of useless because of the volume.  Well, Pinterest let’s you develop categories and you can add a photo that automatically links back to the original site, of items you want to keep handy.  You can also search on Pinterest for absolutely anything and “repin” the item to your boards.   I know I sound like an advertisement for Pinterest, but I just want to share with you this terrific site.  Click on the Big P below and it will take you to my page:

 

Which brings me to today’s project.  I found this on Pinterest and decided to make a few adjustments and create a little Thankfulness Jar for a my sisters, mom and aunt.  Each jar has  little slips of paper for each family member to write what you are thankful for each day.  Then, on Thanksgiving, empty the jar and share your “thankfulness” with the entire family.

I added Stampin’ Up! Spice Cake Fabric, some tomato twine and cut out some leaves from the Gently Falling stamp set.  About 10 minutes each jar and it can be used every year.  I just kinda love it!

We are getting ready for Thanksgiving next week and Isabella’s first birthday party.  She was here this weekend and is walking everywhere.  She looks like a little monster holding her arms straight out for balance.  I have a lot to do to get ready for the party and Thanksgiving Dinner for about 35 and I am a little under the weather, so it will be a few days before I can get back to it.   In the meantime, I can get a lot done on the computer printing cupcake toppers, banner, treat toppers, etc.  Here’s the invite that we sent that was created for us by 3PeasPrints, a terrific shop on Etsy.  I really wanted to make it myself on Stampin’ Up!’s My Digital Studio software, but I am just not quite there yet with my expertise.  Maybe next year.

We are so thankful for this little miracle baby that it is only fitting that her first birthday theme is one of thanks.

I hope your holiday plans are moving along nicely.

Blessings to you,

Diane

Freshly Made Birthday

I have been working on this card for days…and I think I went a little overboard.  I am really a Clean and Simple gal, so when I do make a more intense card I just can’t stop with the embellishments and textures.  And this card has it all!  The image panel looked a little plain, so I fringed the top and bottom.  Used the new cute Houndstooth embossing folder from Stampin’ Up! for the first time and cut some little buttons  for the corner.  Then, since I was on a roll, I ran the sentiment through the crimper.  I probably used 50 Stampin’ dimensionals – everything is “popped up.”  But, after all that, I really like this card- it will be perfect for a “little” friend birthday.  Here’s the sketch we were given for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge # 3:

And, here’s my card:

All supplies by Stampin’ Up!  I hope this is the beginning of a wonderful week for you.

Hello Doilies Sneak Peak

I am still here waiting, waiting and waiting for Mr. Brown (UPS) to arrive with my demonstrator copy of the new Stampin’ Up! Idea Book and Catalog that goes live to customers on July 1.  In addition to the catalog, I will be getting the new In Colors and a couple of new stamp sets with this ship, so I decided to bide my time by getting a card ready to go with items from the new catalog.

So, in just a little while, I will be posting my first card using brand new items- it is an absolute case of a card on the cover of our demonstrator monthly magazine.

And, here it is!!!  Thank you Mr. Brown ….

I used the current Curly Cute set and the new Delicate Doilies Set, along with brand new In Color Wisteria Wonder Textured Card Stock which looks great with the Pumpkin Pie, Pretty In Pink and Whisper White papers.  Then, as the terrific focal point, a Melon Mambo doily die cut from the to die for Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper.  Add a couple of rhinestones (oops! forgot those before I photographed)  and a little white Baker’s Twine and you have a gorgeous card- suitable for most any occasion.

 

‘Til next time….

Happy Birthday Scott!!!

What a great day we had on January 2nd as we celebrated the birthday of our youngest son, Scott.  God blessed us with this wonderful child 39 years ago and he has been a joy to us each day.  This birthday was special because we were together to celebrate.  Scott lives in Marietta, GA but has been with us for several weeks during the holidays.  He requested his favorite dessert – Hello Dollies – which we call Birthday Dollies just for him.  So, here are some photos and my recipe for this delicious and easy peasy dessert.

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Birthday Dollies
Prep time: 10 minutes
325 degrees for 30 minutes (preheat)
Serves: 2-3 dozen bars

Ingredients

1-1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 stick butter
1 package 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 14 oz can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

Directions

In a small bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs to melted butter and mix.  Press mixture firmly on the bottom of a 9” X  13” glass baking dish. Layer the next three ingredients, then pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the ingredients. Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool (may be chilled). Cut into bars.  Store covered at room temperature.

Until next time…..

Blessings,

Diane

What a Great Tuesday! CAS70

’ve had such a good day today.  It is my sweet Mother’s 85th Birthday and her Facebook page is full of wonderful, heartfelt wishes from friends all over the world.  She is so special and I love her so much.
I’ve spent the day going through the new Stampin’ Up! catalog for the umpteenth time.  I just can’t wait to share it with you.  My supply will be shipped on June 18th – so get ready for some fantabulous new stamp sets, beautiful new colors and lots of exciting surprises.  I will publish links as soon as we are allowed.
In the meantime, I made this card using Greenhouse Garden for the very first time.  This two-step set is in the current catalog but I didn’t get it until recently.  Wow, I just didn’t know what I was missing.  It is terrific as you can tell by this CAS (Clean and Simple) card.  The Stamp-a-ma-jig makes lining up the images sooooooo easy.  If you don’t have one, order right away.  It helps so much to line up your sentiments or any floating image- wood mounted stamps or clear mount.

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I used two of the new core colors- Marina Mist and Daffodil Delight and love, love them.  Especially the Marina Mist.  Today’s favorite.  I love the new core and new in colors so much that I will be changing my favorites daily!
I sure hope you are having a great day and wish you great blessings,

Supplies: All supplies are current Stampin’ Up! products
Stamps:  Greenhouse Garden, Elements of Style, Well Scripted
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight
Ink:  Basic Black, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight
Accessories:  Basic Black gingham ribbon, SU! dimensionals, Clear blocks, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Corner rounder punch

del.icio.us Tags: SU!,Greenhouse Garden,Birthday,Colors

Inspired Butterfly Birthday - TLC228

Hello all, I know I promised to post more often, but I just haven’t found the time to do a challenge lately- until today and I just couldn’t resist.  The Technique Lovers Challenge today was to try a new fold from Penny Wessenauer and it really looked interesting.  Penny was so gracious to share her template with us which you can find here along with many other wonderful tutorials.

One of my dear stampin’ friends has a birthday this week and these are the hardest cards to make.  First, you want it to be special for a special friend; then, it must be outstanding because that friend is also a stamper!  And finally, you know she will display the card- so there is even more pressure.  This stand up card was just perfect along with my very best and favorite Designer Paper from Stampin’ Up and a little silver bling.  I used white shimmery metallic paper and clear embossed the image and the punched butterflies.   I love how it turned out and the back is as pretty as the front, don’t you think?

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend.  Ours was quiet, but we did enjoy a great visit from our son Scott and attended an awesome church service.

 

 

 

Blessings,

Diane

Supplies: 

Stamps:  SU! Inspired by Nature; CTMH For Every Occasion (Sentiment)

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Wausau White Metallic, Parisian Breeze DSP

Ink:  PTI Dark Chocolate

Embellishments:  Baja Breeze ribbon, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Filigree Brad, Pretties Rhinestone brad

Accessories:  Martha Stewart Classic Butterfly punch, SU! Scallop Edge Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Versamark, Heat tool, Dimensionals, 1/4 inch punch

Technorati Tags: TLC228,PTI,CTMH,Birthday,Butterfly,Chocolate

Raspberry Birthday Dress - SC229

 

Here’s a great sketch for the challenge on SCS today, plus the cutest dress template that I saw on Bensarmom’s blog, Trusting in the Lord for All Things.  She is so creative- take a look and you will be blessed. 

I’m in love with Raspberry Tart DSP from Stampin’ Up!  There’s a special this month- buy three packs of DSP and get one free.  If you don’t have a SU! demo, here’s the link to the best one in the business – Lisa Wright’s Stampin’ Up site. 

I’ve got to get dinner started- so here’s my birthday card for my niece Tina using this spiffy paper.  Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Birthday,Dress,Inque,Pearls,PTI,Raspberry Tart,SC229,SU

Technorati Tags: CPCM-NTYW06

Blessings,

Diane

Supplies:  Stamps: Phrase Collection – Inque; Paper:  Raspberry Tart DSP, Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, Whisper White; Ink:  Basic Black; Accessories:  MS Doily Punch, Paper Studio Pearls, PTI Berry Sorbet Ribbon, Nesties Scallop Circle Die, Dimensionals