It's been too long since I updated my blog.  We've been busy with Softball season for our youngest, planning the 1st birthday of our grandson, lots of projects and OT at our full time jobs and trying to fit in our new "get in shape" routines.  Whew! 

So, I have made a few things over the last several weeks.  I just hadn't taken the time to update the blog.  So, here it is!  Are you ready... : )

Flip Card for the card exchange at work - this is one of my favorites stamp sets from Close to My Heart.  It's called a sip.  I stamped the cup and spoon images and cut them out.  Embellished with glitter and added some brown floss to look like steam from the cup.

Card for a friend at work for her Grandparents 65th Wedding Anniversary - this was made using the Tie The Knot Cricut cartridge for the cake and cake stand.  I then used a generic bell stamp and some silver glitter glue to accent the cake and bells.  I had some old sticker numbers I used for the top of the cake and cut some candles from yellow paper free hand.

Birthday card for a friend at work - this card was made using the Furry Friends cricut cartridge for the littler girl and cat. I then used the the Cuttle Bug to emboss the Happy Birthday flag, cut it out and filled in the letters with a gel pen.  Some glitter glue was added for embellishment along with a red/white ribbon.  The background is a cupcake pattern from "The Sweet with Glitter" matstack from DCWV.  If you haven't seen the matstacks they are great.  I used them a lot as backgrounds for my cards.  They add a little extra dimension and are the perfect size.

Another birthday card for a co-worker - this card was made using the Doodlecharms cricut cartridge to make the mailbox.  I then used the Cuttle Bug again to emboss the "Celebrate" image.  It didn't come out the best after adding the glitter, but it's ok.  Two stamp sets from CTMH were used on this one.  The balloon stamp from the Party Animal set and the Cherish the Day (retired) set to make the date ticket in the mailbox.  I again used "The Sweet with Glitter" matstack as the background.  As always, some glitter glue was added for extra "sparkle."  (Just a quick reference to Albert from Bayou Billionaires LOL)

Smiling Puppy

Our puppy, just had to share.  She's a Kemmer Stock Mountain Cur.  Check out our group on facebook for other pics and talk to other owners and lovers of this amazing breed of dog.

Owl Card (stiched flowers and beads)

Card made for a recent card exchange. Challenge this month was stitching and beads.

Recipe:
Cricut Cartridge - Create a Critter
Cardstock - Blue, Brown and Orange
Wiggle Eyes - 1/2 Inch
Patterned Paper - your choice
Border Cardstock - your choice (I used a darker green to match the patterened paper)
Close to my Heart - Tag the Occasion Stamp Set
Close to my Heart - Chocolate Ink
Small pearl beads - 5
Embroidery Floss - your choice 3 strands for each flower (I used pink, yellow and purple)

The overall card size for this project was 5.5" x 4.25".  I used a spare precut card left over from a recent project.  So, your cut sizes may vary depending on your card size.

Owl Image - Cut image Owl <shadow> using brown cardstock at 2".  Cut image Owl <layer 2> using blue cardstock at 2". Cut image Owl <layer 3> in orange at 2".  Glue blue image to brown image.  Glue orange image to blue image.  Glue wiggle eyes to overall image as precut on image.  Glue small pearl beads to overall image as precut on image.

Border - Cut border cardstock to 3/4" wide by length of your card.  Stamp small flower equally spaced on border using chocolate ink.  Use a small tip from embossing pen, needle or toothpick to make holes at center and outer edge of flower leaves.  Sew each flower from outer leaf edge to center of flower all the way around until each flower is sewn.  I used the same color for the 2 outside flowers and 2 flowers next to those.  Then use a different color for the center.

Border Tips:  1) Use a ruler to help mark the cardstock with where to stamp the image.  I used an X-ACTO ruler with measurements starting from 0 in the center and precut holes.  2) Use embroidery floss and border cardstock to complement the patterned paper you choose.

Patterened Paper - Cut patterened paper to 3" wide by length of your card.

Distress outside of all papers adn images using chocolate ink (optional).  I find the best results using a regular stamp pad and a small piece of sponge.  Dab the sponge on the stamp pad to pick up in.  Then sweep sponge over outside edge of papers to distress.

Adhere patterened paper to bottom edge of card.  Adhere border to top of patterened paper.  You may want to use 2 sided tape or tape the back of the border before adhereing to ensure flowers don't unravel.  Adhere owl to top left corner of card overlapping feet of owl onto border.  Add any greetings, etc. as you choose.  Stamp small flower to lower left corner of envelope.



Cricut Bling

Recipe:

Cricut Cartridge - Create a Critter
Vinyl - The Paper Studio (Brown, Pink and Cream)
Inc Permanent Marker - Red

Cut Owl <shadow> image on brown vinyl
Cut Owl <Layer 1> image on cream vinyl
Cut Owl <Layer 2> image on pink vinyl

Peel vinyl backing away from cream vinyl and adhere to top of brown vinyl.  Peel vinyl backing from pink vinyl and adhere to top of cream/brown vinyl.  Outline beak as shown with indents on pink vinyl (cut from the cricut image) with red marker.

Tip 1:  Use Own <Layer 3> to add vinyl beak and feet with red or orange vinyl.  (I didn't have any)
Tip 2:  Use wiggle eyes for a different and fun look

Card made from Sonoma WOG from CTMH

Card made using the Sonoma WOG from CTMH (see general instructions below on the scrapbook pages).  I used a precut card from JoAnn Fabrics in off white and added the papers from the kit.

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Sonoma Scrapbook Pages

Two new scrapbook pages made with the Sonoma workshop on the go from Close to my Heart.

I'm just now starting to get into actual scrapbook pages.  I have to say.  I think I like it.  I've never been a big fan of stamping.  But, after using the ones from CTMH.  I love it too.  The embellishments and instructions provided in the kit are great.  I have to admit, though, the instructions are a bit confusing.  So, if you have questions let me know.  Everything was distressed with a sponge and cocoa ink.  I actually cut my round sponge from the kit into smaller pieces.  The flowers were cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  The large flowers use flower #7 at 2" with the large leaf from the WOG stamp set.  The small flowers use flower #7 at 1 1/2" and the small leaf from the WOG stamp set.  The flowers are then blotted with the smokey plum ink using the sponge to add some texture.  The scalloped border next to the baboo cardstock was done using a scallop scissors. But, you can use the cricut cartridge to create a more uniform look (as I did with the card above).

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Get Well Soon Coffee Mug Card

Get Well Soon card for a co-worker.  I love the pre cut cards and evenlopes you can find in the craft store.  They make your job so much easier for making cards.  The pre printed papers you can by also make it so much easier.  I used the distressing inks on the edges of the card, cardstock, stamped image and then all over the brown cardstock that has the mug attached to it. 
Off White Pre-Cut Card & Evenlope from Jo-Ann Fabrics
Pre-Printed Paper Background by DCWV the SWEET with Glitter
1/8" Dark Brown Ribbon (from my stock)
Brown Card Stock (from my stock)
Mug Stamps by CTMH Wonderland Stamp Set
White Embossing Powder by Zing!
Liquid Glass by CTMH
Pin Clips by CTMH
Chocolate Distressing Ink by CTMH

Love Birds Box

Made with the cricut art philosophy cartridge.  Blanket stitching along seam.

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Thinking of You card

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Simple Christmas card inside

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Simple Christmas Card - outside

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Semi Homemade French Onion Soup

Yummy and easy French Onion Soup

1can Campbells French Onion Soup

2qt Beef Stock

3 sm Onions

1 T Garlic Powder (I prefer Tastefully Simples Garlic Garlic)

1T Worstershire Sauce

2T Olive Oil

Slice and separate rings of onions. Drizzle olive oil in bottom of large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Place onions in skillet with garlic and worstershire and cook until onions are nearly done. Stirring frequently to ensure they do not brown. Add aprox. 2 cups of beef broth and cook to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 20 min. Place onion mixture, broth and soup in crock pot on low until hot stirring often.

To serve place croutons in bottom of soup bowl, cover with soup and top with provolone cheese. Place in oven on broil until cheese is lightly brown and bubbly.

ENJOY!

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New Years Taffy Apple Pizza

Recipe courtesy of Pampered Chef

1 pkg. Sugar Cookie Dough (18 oz)
1/2 t. Vanilla
1 pkg. Softened Cream Cheese (8 oz)
1/2 c. Brown Sugar
1/4 c. Creamy Peanut Butter
2 Green Apples (diced)
1/2 c. Caramel Ice Cream Topping
1/2 c. Nuts (optional)

Spread cookie dough flat onto cookie sheet.  Bake according to directions and let cool.  Mix vanilla, cream cheese, brown sugar and peanut butter together until well blended and smooth.  Spread mixture onto cooled cookie dough.  Place apples onto peanut butter mixture evently.  Drizzle caramel over apples.  Place nuts over entire pizza and serve.

New Years Veggie Pizza

2 pkg. Crescent Rolls (bake/serve kind in a tube)
2 pkg. Softened Cream Cheese
1 T. Spinach & Herb Dip Mix (Tastefully Simple), optional
1/2 c. Shredded Broccoli
1/2 c. Shredded Cauliflower
1/2 c. Shredded Carrotts
1/2 c. Shredded Cheese, optional

Spread crescent rolls flat on cookie sheet for crust of pizza.  Bake according to package directions and cool.  Mix cram cheese and spinach & herb dip mix together until well blended and no lumps are visible.  Spread cream cheese evenly on cooled crescent rolls.  Spread veggies evenly over cream cheese.  Spread shredded cheese evenly over cream cheese. 

Note:  If using food processor to shred veggies.  Shred carrotts seperately as they have more water content and will make the entire mixture "wet".  You can also dice veggies if you prefer.

New Years Meatballs

1 lb. Hamburger
1 lb. Venison Burger
2 Eggs
1/4 c. Milk
4 slices of Bread
1 c. Shredded Cheese
1 T. Garlic Powder (I prefer Garlic Garlic from Tastefully Simple)
1 T. Onion Power (I prefer Onion Onion from Tastefully Simple)
1/2 c. Grape Jelly

Mix all ingredients except Jelly together.  Roll into balls.  Brown metaballs on stovetop just enough to create firm up their shape.  Place meatballs in cake pan and back at 350 until done (about 45 min).  Place meatballs in crock pot with jelly.  Let cook on low until jelly melts (stiring often).  Put crock pot on keep warm for serving.