Cut Once, Stamp Twice

I actually made both of these cards from my stash box, however, because I made two of them at once, using the same materials I did not post them as S"crap".

The card base is whisper white card stock, the Designer Series Paper is Cheerful Treat, and the ribbon is a left over from Sale-a-bration 2011 (OMG - old product -AGAIN......).  

The card on the left is stamped with flowers from the Flower Fest stamp set and colored with my Copic markers.

The card on the right is also the Flower Fest stamp set (butterfly too), again colored with Copic Markers, but this time I used my flower punch to punch out the flowers.  The flowers are put on with Stampin Dimensionals, and the butterfly is attached with a glue dot after wings were bent to look more like it was in flight.

The scallop border is made from a really old (the printing has worn off of it) punch that I do not remember who manufactured it, but it still works, so I am not going to upgrade it!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Happy National Public Sleeping Day!!

In honor of today's festivities I thought a pillowcase would be the perfect tribute.

Although I am a red eye crafter, and am up until all hours of the day (too many years of night shifts) I am a big fan of the nap.

So, to celebrate the occasion I looked through the fabric stash and had this which I had purchased some time ago with the intent of making a pillowcase and made it to showcase for today.  

Nighty. night....

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Oh S"crap"! It's Monday

Today's card is made using s"craps" of course (scrap box seems to be getting bigger though - how is that possible?).

The base of the card is Pacific Point, on which I layered real red and whisper white card stock.  The whisper white was put through the Cuttlebug in the Snow Burst embossing foler.  The Designer Series Paper (yummy candy) is from the Big Top Birthday pack.  

The candies on the white are stamped in Versa Mark and then embossed with Cherry Cobbler, Tangerine Tango, and Wild Wasabi embossing powder (left over from last spring's Mini Catalogue - old product again!).  The candy stamps are from the Sweets for the Sweet Stamp set.

The greeting is also from this stamp set, I used my Stampin' Write markers to color each word individually and then punched out with my 1" punch and put on a 1 3/4" scallop circle.  The ribbon was added because there was still space that looked vacant.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

It's Waffle Sunday!!

When we went shopping in Great Falls, MT in November, we stayed at a hotel where there was a waffle maker in the breakfast area.  Every morning for three days, my son and I had waffles for breakfast and he thought this was just "Top Drawer".  Ever since then, he has been wanting a waffle maker.

A few weeks ago, I found one on sale at Sears, used some Sears points, and Petro Points and when was all done paid about $25 for this waffle maker (original price $149.99).

Now, to try making waffles. 

First we tried a box of mix - tasted like mix and was really dry.  Tried some other homemade versions, but too runny or too dry.  Found this recipe and with some changes have an awesome waffle recipe:

Not Awful Waffles: 

mix in bowl together:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons sugar

- mix in another bowl:

2 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups milk

6 tablespoons non hydrogenated margarine (melted)

- whisk wet ingredients together then add dry ingredients

- beat egg whites until stiff peaks and then fold into other mixture

- cook in waffle maker as per manufacturer's instructions

 Enjoy!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Pumpkin Muffins

If you follow my blog at all (now who doesn't) you will remember that last November I cooked and froze a whole pumpkin for purposes of muffin making.  Last evening that is what I did, and here are the results.  They turned out delicious (sorry about the pictures - lighting is odd at midnight).

Pumpkin Muffins

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup buttermilk

1 cup mashed cooked pumpkin

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp allspice

1/4 tsp cloves

1 cup white flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup ground flax seed

1 cup chocolate chips

Mix ingredients together in order listed.  Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.

Enjoy!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

It's no secret that I am a big fan of the cookie.  I feel terrible that the poor cookie gets such a bad rap these days as to potentially making all of us and our children over weight.  I still bake cookies, and my child does consume  them (he is definitely not over weight despite growing up in a home where there are always fresh baked cookies, along with lots of exercise and fruits and vegetables). 

Today I decided to make Chocolate Crackle Cookies because they are so yummy.  This recipe was modified by me several years ago and I am not sure where the original was from so here is my take on it:

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

1/4 cup non hydrogenated canola margarine

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 eggs

2 tsps vanilla

4 melted chocolate baking squares (I put in glass bowl in microwave for about a minute just enough to soften)

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsps baking powder

3 tbsp ground flax seed

2/3 cup icing sugar

Cream together margarine, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.  Add softened chocolate and mix until smooth.  Add dry ingredients.  Roll into 1" balls ( I used the small Pampered Chef Scoop to measure out the dough).  Roll in icing sugar and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 minutes.  Do not over bake these as they will get dry due to the whole wheat and flax seed in them.  Enjoy.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Happy Birthday

Today is my husband's birthday!

This year I decided that rather than spend hours looking for the "perfect" card that he probably will not get really excited about, I would make a card that would rationalize all the crafty things I do, and look fun on the buffet!

I used Pool Party for the base, the cupcake paper is from the Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Series Paper.

I then stamped the Sweet Cake stamp image in Early Espresso onto Whisper White card stock, colored the icing with Calypso Coral, used Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details on the cherry and heart and then covered with a thin layer of Crystal Effects.

I used a brad and ribbon from the Sale-a-bration bonus set I got with my last order to make the bow on the birthday banner.  I think it looks pretty, and except for my son who thinks every thing I make is "Top Drawer", I remain certain the most guys do not care about cards, so a bow it is!

Now, off to Red Robin (his choice not mine - but that's okay because I found out recently I can swap out the burger for a veggie burger - YAY).  

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Cut Once, Stamp Twice

I LOVE these Sweet Shop Designer Sticker packages from the Spring Mini Catalogue.
For these cards I used a piece of Poppy Parade card stock, and a piece of Designer Series Paper from the Domestic Goddess line.  The paper is the same for both of these I just used a different side of the same piece for both cards (heeheehee).
The oval piece in the center was cut out using my wonderful friend the Coluzzle (OMG!!! she's using out of date contraband product AGAIN!!), and the frame was the next size up in the Coluzzle oval.
A sticker in the center to finish it off.
I thought about adding more to these, however, I think the simplicity of these is beautiful.
Hope this inspires your own creativity...

kathy

Vintage Look Pillowcases

Since it is the middle of January and the Christmas decorations and projects have been put away, I decided to raid my stash today (fabric - not cookie) and see what I could do.  I found this fabric that I had purchased last fall at My Sewing Room in Calgary.  I bought this fabric because it had that vintage look and feel to it.  As you may have guessed I love antique stuff, and when I can find fabric that looks like it belongs in another previous time, I have to get it.  So, I got 1.4 meters of the spool print, and 0.6 meters of the button print with the intention of making pillowcases and that is what I did this afternoon.  I washed them, and pressed them, then washed sheets too, and now it will be clean sheet day, and new pillowcase day at my house!!  Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Oh S"crap"! It's Monday.

This card came together totally by chance.   I had a couple of left over scallop frames from another project I had been working on, and it seemed to coordinated with the other papers it was sitting next to.  

I decided to use the Field Flowers stamp set (I think it's my default stamp set right now), and since all the flowers look like weeds to me, I decided I had better not use a colour that would further emphasize the weed theme.  So I thought -- ORANGE. 

Then, since I had the orange and the markers were out, I decided to venture WAY outside of my comfort zone, and make the flower into Marigolds (I really hate those flowers, I think that they are so UGLY, the only good memory I have of them, is from when I was a kid and the gopher was pulling them out of my mom's flower bed into his home to eat - hehehehehe).  

The card turned out alright - however, some people may like the Marigold idea, I still do not.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Family Day Weekend

Happy Family Day Weekend!

This Family Day Weekend we have chosen to stay at home (here in Alberta - not the usual Florida vacation) and enjoy the mountains.  We are currently skiing in Banff.  Love it!!

This project seemed perfect to showcase for this weekend.

The frame was purchased from Michaels (40% off coupon).  The frame is made from some kind of really cheap ?pine wood and laser cut.  I rubbed my Early Espresso ink pad across the grain of the wood to color/stain it.  Probably not recommended by your local Stampin Up demonstrator as by the end my ink pad was rather furry looking. Hmmmm.  

I cut a piece of left over poster board in the oval shape and then adhered the Mocha Morning Designer Series Paper to it.  No, the paper is not a perfect fit for this project, but if you line up 2 pieces of the DSP carefully, it will work out alright (to quote my Aunt Ivy - a galloping horse would not stop to notice).  

The "family" word in the center was also purchased at the same time as the frame and made of the cheap wood on which I also rubbed the Early Espresso Ink pad.

The photo frame at the top used Early Espresso Paper run through Karina's big shot with her scallop oval die,  and the remaining letters were cut from the Plantin Cricut die size 1" shadow image.

Now, for those of you that know your geographical landmarks, yes, the photo is taken at Maligne Lake with the infamous Spirit Island behind us.  One of the many great things about living in Alberta is that so many of the world's geographical treasures are within 3 hours of home!!!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Raspberry Banana Loaf

When I opened the freezer this morning, and 3 frozen bananas almost took off my foot I decided it was time to make banana loaf.  I will not eat a banana once it has a brown spot on it - too sweet, and only good for future banana loaf, so I toss them in the freezer.  Once they start to become a public safety hazard, I make banana muffins or loaves out of them.  Since it is the dreary month of January, I decided to pull out the decadent recipe for banana loaf and make raspberry banana loaf!  The recipe follows and Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Raspberry Banana Loaf

1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup buttermilk
2 mashed bananas
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/4 cup white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons ground flax seed
1 cup frozen raspberries

Cream oil, sugar and eggs.  Add baking soda, buttermilk, banana, and cinnamon.  Fold in flours, flax seed, and raspberries.  Bake at 350 degrees for 65 minutes, and allow to cool before removing from pan.  Enjoy. 

Kathy

Mitten Cookies

My son and I made mitten cookies last evening.  I got this cookie cutter at Superstore just before Christmas.  The cookie cutter also includes 3 plastic stencils to place over the cookie to aid in the decoration process.  There is one for a snow man (what's left of them are the red sprinkle ones), one with a snowflake, and then the easiest one for a seven year old to use - the nordic sweater snow design.  My son had lots of fun making these, and they taste delicious.  Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Birthday Card for Mark

I made this Birthday card to go along with Mark's quilt.  This card shows my obvious lack of commitment to any one product or crafting technique.

The paper is Real Red, Night of Navy, Early Espresson, Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie card stock from Stampin Up.  The Early Espresso was run through the lined embossing folder.  The Very Vanilla was drawn on in 1"lines with my Copic Markers and colored with my Copic Markers.  I love how the wood grain appearance of the floors turned out.  

Then I got out my Cricut and using my Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge cut out the basketball net, and basketball. 

The Birthday wish is from a hostess stamp set from Stampin Up (last summer I think).  

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Happy Birthday Mark!!! (very belated)

My son's friend Mark had his 5th Birthday back in December, but we were in Banff at the time of his party so were unable to attend.  

This is Mark's birthday present from us.  I found this kit (Robert Kaufmann pattern and fabric) at Sewing with Class in November of this year and new immediately who I had to get this for.  Earlier in the year I had made a quilt for Mark's older brother Matthew's (3D Quilt) Birthday, and now it seemed fitting that Mark should have his own quilt too.  Now, the reason why this quilt is so appropriate for Mark - he has his own basketball court in his home!!

I hope he enjoys it.  The hardest part of this quilt was getting the panel print to be even, as for some reason panels are never printed along the grain of the fabric, so although I did not start this quilt until after Christmas vacation, it took a lot of time, to get the fabric straight enough for the quilt to be the same size throughout. 

Happy Belated Birthday Mark!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

February Quilt Calendar

 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!  xoxoxoxoxoxo
This year I have decided to participate in the Block of the Month Calendar program offered by Sew Divine.  These monthly blocks are part of the Patchabilities Monthly Mini's set.  The main reason I chose to do this set was because they have a Canada option for the month of July.  GO CANADA GO!!!! (I digress.....).

These blocks come with the pattern and fabrics but what makes them "Top Drawer" in my world is that there are seasonally appropriate top banners for the frame to coordinate with the months (this month has the hearts at the top, however, my son pointed out that they look like fish skeletons drawn next to cats or racoons in books - and they kind of do), and additionally there is a stick of a white oil based painted that was used to stencil in the "hugs & kisses".

Now, there is a brush included in the kit for which you are supposed to brush the oil paint into place, but I have a hard time following directions - way too over rated I think.  So, I took the paint stick and rubbed over the stencil until the letters were as white as I thought they should be.  Instructions stated to dry over night before appliqueing the next day which seemed reasonable since this was of course a red eye craft.  Next day, still wet, and same for the next week!!!!  Note to self, start earlier next time, as I have no intention of spending the better part of my day applying paint stick with a brush.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Oh S"crap"! It's Monday.

Into the scrap box again!

This card uses basic black for the card base, some left over Love Impressions Designer Series Paper (Stampin Up Spring Mini 2011), a left over red glitter X from the Valentine's Day Frames I made (this one was in the Roly Poly font from the Cricut, but was too wide to go in the frame), and a small piece of silver glitter paper that I found in the box.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Cut Once, Stamp Twice

This project did not meet the criteria for Oh  "S"crap" It's Monday, because the card base made of Marina Mist came from a new piece of paper.

The rest however, is scrap pieces. 

The stamp set for the flower stems is from the Bold Blossom Stamp set (Stampin Up Mini Catalogue Spring 2011), the flowers are from the Flower Builder Punch, and one was a scrap flower from the Flower Die.  The fabric button on the left card is also a left over from the 2011 Spring Mini Catalogue, and the button on the card on the right is from Sale-a-bration 2011 as well.   

The greeting on the card on the right is from the Touch of Kindness stamp set from the Summer 2011 Mini Catalogue. 

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Snack Time a.k.a. Crafting with Food

I made four of these this morning for my son's morning snack.  Also included is vanilla yogurt for dipping.  I always try to make lunch fun as it is probably somewhere near 6 hours old by the time the poor kid has to eat it.  Of course he does his best to be creative with his lunches once at school.  He frequently asks for Tuna Fish sandwiches not because he is faithful to the Fish Oil Hypothesis but because he tells all the other children he is is eating Cat Food Sandwiches, then laughs hysterically while they all gag and turn green! Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Cuddle Scarf

I have been planning to make this project for a while now, but always run out of time.  Today I did it.  I am not putting in instructions for this project as there is an awesome link on You Tube for how to make this scarf.  

My additional advice for this is that rather than serge the loose ends, toss the fabric in the dryer for a few minutes and the lint trap will have all of the loose ends in it rather than having to dig out your serger for 2 minutes of sewing.

I also did not sew one for my son (although he wants one) as the pediatric nurse in me has doubts about the safety of these for children. 

This entire project is less than 20 minutes to make, and is super cozy.   Took me longer to get the fabric out of the stash (fabric - not cookie).

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Popsicle Cards

I bought this stamp set entitled Mouthwatering because I thought it was SOOOOOO  fun.  

I have had it now for over a week and still did not know what to do with it.  This morning I decided to venture forth into the world and purchase some Popsicle sticks, because a Popsicle must have a proper stick.  Now with the proper equipment in hand I was able to begin to do something with this stamp set.

The base for this card is Always Artichoke card stock, Concord Crush Designer Series Paper, and Whisper White.  The Always Artichoke Popsicle was stamped directly on the Whisper White, and the Eggplant Popsicle was stamped on another piece of Whisper White and then cut out.  Glue dots anchor the half a stick under neath.  The dotted ribbon is from my Ribbon Share that Karina ran last summer.  

Enjoy the simple things in life and Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Card/Gift Boxes

I simply LOVE my Simply Scored Tool.

All over the craft world I see people making boxes, and I wonder how do they do that???  Most offer patterns for these boxes for a fee and since I am cheap or as a colleague used to say "tight with your pennies, not your affection", I refuse to pay for something that I can make.

Well, thanks to the Simply Scored Tool, I am now able to make these box items.

The intent of this box was to hold 6 cards along with envelopes.

The base of this box is 7 7/8 x 6 1/2".

Score at the 1" mark on all four sides.

Note that I have cut the seam allowance differently for the bottom and top of the box to decrease corner bulk (just like in quilting). 

The top of this box is cut at 8 x 6 5/8" and scored at the 1" mark on all four sides.  

I used double sided tape to secure the corners.  

I used the new heart framelets in the center of the top of the box to cut out the heart shape prior to cutting anything.  I learned from someone along time ago when using the Spellbinders dies that sticky notes work to hold these dies in place and they do!!!

Six cards along with envelopes fit easily inside.  Probably chocolate too!!

TAH DAH.  Two little boxes filled with cards, perfect gift for your friends that appreciate this kind of thing!

If you have a Simply Scored Tool, I really do encourage you to use it!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

X O Frames

Back when I made my semi-annual trip to Superstore I found these frames and thought that for the price they were a must have item that would come in handy some day.

Today is that day! Now, I am very excited about these frames (not just because of the price), but when I turned them over to take off the packaging I found that they were Made in Canada!!!!!  I was so excited!

The frames are 5 x 7 in size so I cut the paper from the Mocha Morning Designer Series Paper (DSP) collection from Stampin Up.  Once that was done I loaded the Red Glitter Paper in the Cricut and cut the "X" and "O" at 4" and glued on to DSP.  Still looked like it needed something, so I used my heart punch and quickly cut out a heart for each frame.  

TAH DAH!!  Quick and easy and pretty "Top Drawer".

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Oh S"crap"! It's Monday.

Digging through the box today, I found this collection of purple papers that when put near each other did not look too bad, so I decided to see what I could make with them.  

The card base is a piece of Wisteria Wonder, the next layer of paper is from the Cheerful Treat Designer Series Paper set (Stampin Up Hostess Promotional offering), another piece of Wisteria Wonder and more of the Cheerful Treat, the ribbon is a left over from ?something and it is Dotted Elegant Eggplant.  The flower is made from a front and back side of Elegant Eggplant DSP using the Fancy Flower Punch, and a Lucky Limeaide brad.  I folded the flower petals a bit on both layers to give it some dimension.  

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Square Envelopes

Here are the instructions for the square envelopes I made for my Coffee Talk Swaps of yesterday.

These are for 4" cards, but if you pay attention to the dimensions you will be able to alter these to your own size of card.

Cut Designer Series Paper (DSP) (also this is an excellent opportunity to use up the ugly paper you have lying around - i.e. How much of this pink stuff can anyone use - and the DSP pack it came in still has MORE!!!)

Cut at 5 1/8" by 9 1/8".

Score 1/2" from each of the long edges.

Turn paper so that long edge is along top of Simply Scored Tool, and score at: 1 1/2", and at 5 5/8".

Cut out top rectangle as seen in picture, cut to score line at 5 5/8 measurement.

Fold all edges in along score line and round corners of envelope flap and upper edge.

Run adhesive (sticky strip if using the postal system) along lower edge of envelope before folding upwards to form envelope (don't worry if you forget to do this, you will only do it once and then remember to always apply sticky to the shorter seam).  

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Coffee Talk Swaps

These are the swaps that I have made for Coffee Talk at Karina's last night.  We usually meet the first Friday of the month to find out "what's up",  do some stampin', catch up on new gossip, and eat too many decadent treats.  It's a lot of fun, and if you want to join us contact Karina.

My cards tonight are 4 x 4 in dimension and use Pretty in Pink cardstock, along with Pear Pizazz Designer Series Paper and Whisper White Card stock.  The stamped heart image is from the Filled with Love stamp set, and the other heart image is made from DSP with the heart punch and a foam pop dot behind to elevate it.  The whisper white card stock was fun through the Polka Dot embossing folder.  Now there is not really anything special about these cards (I know), but I did try to make this a "top drawer" project by making the envelopes to coordinate with the cards!!  I will post the directions for the envelopes tomorrow.  Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Stamp of the Month Club

Got my most recent Stamp of the Month set.  I love it!!  This set is called Field Flowers and at first I thought that the flowers resembled weed in the canola fields (which was sort of back home comforting feeling).  I now love this set because of just how easy it is to use, and the beautiful images you can get with it.  These are the cards that Karina designed for this set.  Check out her web site as she has a lot of fantastic ideas and cards to show off.  Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

I Love my Dog Card

I had so much fun making this card!

The Boxing Day Sale at Scrapbook Memories & More included Copic Markers.  Since I have heard so much about how great these markers are I decided I had better get some while on sale (rationalize away).  Then, I looked at them, and thought what to do????  If these are "Top Drawer" then I had better learn how to use them.  So, I took the Introductory class that the store offered on how to use them, and today, took them out and started to use them.

I made my son this quick and easy card, because when he found out that these markers have been used in Cartooning and Visual Arts mediums for years he wanted to colour Scooby-Doo.  Since I cannot find a Scooby-Doo stamp as of yet, this dog set that we found at Michaels (40% off coupon) the other day will have to do.

The card base is Sahara Sand card stock with Early Espresso dog tracks wheeled across.  The next layer is Early Espresso run through the stripes embossing folder.  The piece on the side is some dotted early espresso left over from the Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper.  The puppy image was stamped with Memento Ink and then colored with my new Copic Markers.  I LOVE colouring, so this was so much fun.  The heart was cut out from the Red Glitter paper.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

National Cherry Month

Happy National Cherry Month.  It's actually an American holiday, but I could not find a Canadian version and the British one was not until July and I needed something to rationalize this table runner.  Now, if you follow my blog you know that fat quarters at quilt shops are like puppies at the shelter, but you may not know that charm squares are like kittens at the shelter (also needing homes, but come in smaller packages).  Such was the case with these.  I found these little cuties at My Sewing Room on one of my trips back to Calgary and immediately had to give them a home.  Now, there was only 32 of these little guys in a package, what to do?  Hmmm, let me think, oh yah, make a table runner, which is what I did, and then I found at Quilt Essential Co. in St. Albert the blue cherry print that I used for the back, and the white cherry print that I used for the binding.  Looks very summery and festive for the month (until it gets milk spilled on it) on my table.  Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy