The deconstructed Sketch No. 79 (Take TWO!)

Well, this is “TAKE TWO” … been having major issues with WordPress the past two days!

I apologize for any of you who received a random post last night with half of my post.

I decided it was best to go to sleep and try again tomorrow.

We’ll see how this goes!?

This was going to be just a quick post showing my card for my favorite Sketch blog … deconstructing jen —

didn’t expect it to take two days.   🙂

This cutie is TILDA WITH a CUTE LAMB from the Magnolia Little Christmas 12 Collection.

I’ve followed the Deconstructed Sketch No. 79 …

Ugh, REALLY having issues with the quality of the photos today –

I’m on my way to get some help from Mr. WordPress!   🙂

Thanks for stopping in today – hope you’re having a great week.

La La Land ~ Use a Doily

***If you’re looking for the HOUSE MOUSE & FRIENDS MONDAY CHALLENGE BLOG HOP post, please click HERE ***

Hello Gorgeous!   🙂

Time for a new challenge at the La La Land Crafts challenge blog!   Today we’d like to see you add a doily to your card or project.   These really are so popular right now in this wonderful card-making world.

This cutie is Dress Up Marci and boy did I have fun with her!   Added lots of stickles and liquid pearls.   She’s been colored with Copics … of course!

My doily is actual a die cut that I found from Cheery Lynn Designs.  They have a ton of different styles — this one is called French Pastry.

I hope you will join us for this challenge.   All the details and the always amazing Design Team cards can be found HERE.

SUPPLIES USED:

• La La Land ~ Dress Up Marci
• Computer generated sentiment
• MME Lime Twist Happy Go Lucky
• PTI ~ stampers select cardstock
• Cheery Lynn Designs die ~ French Pastry
• MME Lime Twist Twine
• Liquid Pearls ~ white
• Stickles ~ turquoise & crystal
• Pop Dots
• Copics used:
• skin –  E000, 00, 01, 11;  R20, 30, 35
• hair  –  YR31; E97, 99
• hat – Y23, 26, 28
• ribbon on hat – YG91, 93, 95, 97
• flower on hat – V01, 05, 06
• dress – BG53, 70, 71
• shoes – RV63, 66

House Mouse & Friends Blog Hop

 

Happy House Mouse Monday!    

Welcome to our New Year Blog Hop!   If you’ve come here from the super talented and sooo very nice Lorraine’s blog, you’re at the right place.   If you’ve just happened to stop by today ~ Please hop over to the House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge blog to find ALL the details and a complete list of blogs to visit.  

Our challenge this week is NEW BEGINNINGS.   I’ve used this fun Popping Mouse image for my card, along with the Possibilities sentiment stamp.   They both seemed perfect for our challenge!

 

 

We’ve got some awesome sponsors lined up for the hop!    Be sure to go to the House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge blog for all the details.   

Your next stop is the always inspiring Natascha’s Blog.

Thanks for stopping in today!    Happy hopping!

 SUPPLIES USED:

• House Mouse ~ Popping Mouse
• Stampabilities ~ Possibilities sentiment
• Blending Card by X-Press Graph-X Supplies
• Basic Grey ~ curio collection
• Gold metallic cardstock
• Versamark ink
• Super fine detailed EP ~ gold
• Distress Inks ~ walnut stain, antique linen, vintage photo
• Miscellaneous black metallic self-adhesive dots
• Miscellaneous ribbon
• Pop dots
• Copics:   E30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 50, 51, 53, 55, 59;   R20, 30;   T, 1, 3, 5, 7

Pumpkin Torte ~ Yum-o!

Hi everyone!   As most of you know, my family and I celebrated Thanksgiving early ~ this past Saturday.   Yay, everything turned out well and there were no catastrophes in the kitchen!   🙂

Since we had our meal early, I was able to take a photo of my family’s (and guests’)  favorite Thanksgiving dessert.    I’ve actually been making this for over 30 YEARS — yep, I’m old!   hehehe   This goes way back to when I only needed to bring a dessert along to our family Thanksgiving gatherings … not prepare the entire meal!

It seriously is always a hit.  I’ve given the recipe out to just about everyone who has tried it.   Soooo, I wanted to share this with you.

I guarantee you and your guests will love it!!

**************************************************************

 Pumpkin Torte

  Crust:

1 2/3 cups graham cracker crumbs, ½ cup sugar, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, ½ cup butter ~ melted

Preheat oven to 350.    Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar & cinnamon together.  Add butter, mix well and pat into a 9×12 pan – I use a small measuring cup to press it into the corners.  Set to side.

 First Layer:

2 large eggs, ¾ cup sugar,  2 pkgs. 8 oz cream cheese at room temp

 Beat cream cheese until smooth.   Add eggs and sugar and mix until fluffy.   Put on top of crust and bake for 20 minutes.    Let cool.

 Second Layer:

1 lb. pumpkin (2 cups), 3 large egg yolks, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup milk, ½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. cinnamon

Mix and cook pumpkin, egg yolks, sugar, milk, salt & cinnamon in a small pan over medium heat until thick and bubbling – about 5 minutes – stirring constantly.   Remove from heat.

1 envelope unflavored gelatin, ¼ cup cold water

In a small bowl, dissolve gelatin in water.   Add gelatin mixture to pumpkin mixture.   Mix well and let cool.

3 large egg whites, ¼ cup sugar

 Beat egg whites and sugar until stiff.  Fold into cooled pumpkin mixture.  Pour into baked crust.  Let set in refrigerator for at least four hours or overnight. 

 Topping:

1 pint heavy cream (2 cups), 6 Tablespoons confectioner’s sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, Pumpkin Pie spice

 Whip cream until soft peaks form, add sugar and vanilla.  Top Torte with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on top.

Try it  ~  you’ll love it!   🙂

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog Hop –> Here

https://mycardz.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/7988/

Copic Creations REFLECTIONS challenge card can be found HERE.

https://mycardz.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/7701/

Thorn bushes have Roses!

 

Hello!   I seem to be one of those who always sees the glass as half empty …  so I love this sentiment about roses and thorns from good ole’ Ab Lincoln!    I need to embed it in my mind as my daily motto!  

 

 

I also just love all the floral images from I Brake For Stamps!   This one is called Long Rosebuds.  Hope you can take a peek at IBFS‘s store – You’ll be amazed at the selection of stamps!    Don’t forget to use coupon code SAVE10MARY for a 10% discount off any order from I Brake For Stamps!

I thought this image was perfect for the new(er) Spellbinders Nestabilities MEGA oval dies.   I know we’re previewing all the new dies being introduced at CHA next week, but these are still new to me!   🙂      I also used the Mega Scalloped Oval dies  for the matting and was able to emboss it with the 5×7 Cuttlebug polka dots folder ~ I love the new size!    No need to try to fit your paper into the smaller sized folders  ~   The die cut fit perfectly!   yay.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!   Hope you’re having a good week.

******************************************************

Supplies Used:

• I Brake For Stamps ~ Long Rosebuds
• Gina K. Designs  ~ Say it with Flowers sentiment
• Melissa Frances ~ Stella
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Mega Ovals LG
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Mega Classic Scalloped Ovals LG
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folder ~ 5×7 Polka Dots
• Smooch ~ illuminate pearlized topcoat
• Hero Arts Pearls & Gems ~ blush mixed accents
• Miscellaneous ribbon
• Pop dots
• Copics:   RV91, 93, 95, 99;  G12;  YG45;  T1, 3, 5;  C0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 

Total Cuteness!

 

How cute are these!!??    It’s the new release stamps from Lili of the Valley!    They are choosing one follower to receive the entire set!!    All the details can be found HERE . . .  But, you better hurry – it’s all over on Saturday!!

Welcome Back Rach!

 

Rach is back!!  Yay!   

I’m so excited!  Rachel Jakes, one of my favorite and inspirational cardmaking artists, is back after a well deserved break!   She has a brand new blog and some AWESOME Sugar-Free Candy, pictured above!    All the details can be found on Rach’s new blog Papercrafts by Rach.    

Skipping Stones Sketch Challenge No. 15 ~ It’s a Sneak Peep!

 

Welcome!   Time for a new Sketch Challenge at Skipping Stones Design.   I’m VERY excited about the challenges this month since we are soooo lucky to have my very dear friend – the super talented and amazing JAMI BOVA as our Guest Sketch Designer !!!     And, she definitely did not disappoint!    Here’s this week’s awesome Sketch . . .

 

For my card, you will getting a sneak “PEEP” at a fun new stamp set from Skipping Stones, scheduled to be released mid-March.   It’s called Chick Chat. 

 

Here’s my card!

 

This little peep was colored with Copics and then I used Marianne Walker’s  “nasty rag” technique to give her a little dimension.  The grass was added with colored pencils and gamsol.    The dp used is from Cosmo Cricket – Garden Variety.   

For some reason, I decided to dust off the old sewing machine for this one – unfortunately, I still can’t sew very straight!   I even attempted to stitch around the scalloped oval – which was then covered by my image!   lol    I tried. 

The flower was made using the Spellbinders Nestabilities Blossom dies and edged with a Colorbox Lipstick Red ink pad.   I also used the new Nellie Snellen floral punch – Stamen  for the center of the flower – thought it matched the dp  pretty darn well!    🙂

 

 

So hop over the Skipping Stones blog to take a PEEP at all the lovely creations for this challenge, by the awesome Skipping Stones Stamp Tramps!  

Thanks for stopping by today.

************************************************

Copics Used:   Y00o, 15, 18, 19, 38;  YR23, 24, 68; T1, 3, 5

Motivet Blog Candy!

Aren’t they the cutest?!!    Click here for a chance to win them!

Sorry …

…  that I’ve not been able to post the winner of my blog candy – I’m in the midst of a family emergency and have spent the past two days and nights at a Hospice care facility.   We’re taking a quick break right now, but I hope things will get better and I will be able to chose a winner and post it VERY soon.   Thanks for your patience!

Time for a Christmas Countdown!!

 

Nope, I haven’t lost my mind!!   It really is the perfect time to make a  Countdown Calendar for Christmas or Advent  AND,  they’re in stock now at 7 Kids College Fund at the best price around!

 

 

The Countdown Calendar from Karen Foster Design lets you “create your own 3D treat calendar for any occasion!”    The calendar includes 25 boxes with finger notches and a sheet of clear countdown number stickers.   Each box is large enough to hold multiple treats if being used for more than one child … or adult!    (It’s definitely perfect for my twin granddaughters.)

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best part about the Countdown Calendar is that it can be made for any 0ccasion  in addition to a Christmas/Advent calendar.   Each little drawer is double-sided ~ one side can be for Christmas and the other for any other special holiday of your choice ~ a countdown to birthdays, last/first day of school, vacations/special trips, wedding, new baby brother/sister ~ you name it, the possibilities are endless!

Also, inchie stamps would be perfect for the front of each box since the size is 1 1/2 inches, you would have a perfect 1/4 inch border on all four sides!

 

    

 

 

And, it was super easy to decorate!   The kit includes a cardboard template for cutting your paper to adhere to each box.  The front of  the boxes measures about 1 ½ inches, so a paper punch can also be used ~ I used a 1 ½ inch scalloped edge punch, which helped to be sure my finger hole was centered.   The hardest part will be to find some exciting treats to fill each box!    Sounds like a trip to Target’s dollar section for grandma!    😀

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be sure to check out the versatile Karen Foster Design Countdown Calendar at 7 Kids College Fund … before they’re all gone!!

House Mouse Challenge No. 49 ~ Back to School

 

Happy House Mouse Monday!!

 

Our challenge this week is Back to School. I know it’s hard to believe … it seems that summer just started! Why do the summer months go by soooo quickly??

I thought this image was perfect for this challenge ~ I just love how the little mouse in the middle is concentrating so hard to write perfectly … while the teacher is standing right behind him ~  such pressure for a little mouse!   I remember that feeling when I was younger, even after all these years!   And, then there’s the little guy in the back, just chewing away on his pencil, he looks a little stressed!   lol    At least we all know where those little pencil stubs disappear to.    🙂
 

 

It’s hard to tell from this photo, but each letter on the DP is dry embossed (not by me!), it’s from DCWV Nana’s Kids. I added some gold foil stars ~ for good penmanship, of course! ~ cut out with the Spellbinders Nestabilities star dies. The sentiment is computer generated. I tried to make it look like the old lined paper for practicing your writing ~ MICE Penmanship!    🙂

 

 

So, be sure to stop over at the House Mouse Challenge blog to see all the Back to School creations by the Ohh-Soo-Talented House Mouse Design Team. I hope you can join us for this challenge!

Thank you for your visit, and have a wonderful week.

Hugz ~ Mary
 

********************************************************************

Copics Used: R000, 14, 17, 20, 30, 32; E000, 00, 11, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43, 50, 51, 70, 71, 74; C1, 3, 5; YG03, 11, 23; YR00, 24; Y000

InStyle Stamps Blog Hop!! :)

Yay!  It’s finally time for the InStyle Stamps Blog Hop!!    I’m so glad you were able to stop by and hope you can check out all the creative projects from the awesome Design Team.    Here are links to their projects:

Virginia ISS Blog

Latrice  

Jennie 

Maria 

Sandy 

Melissa 

Shary 

Jennifer 

Kim 

Risa 

Joy  

Silke 

Taylor 

Michelle 

Vicky 

Here are my projectS — yep, I made two!!   I just have had so much fun with these stamps!!

It’s GINGER….in the garden.  I thought this would be a perfect image to use on a gift card  for a dear friend who loves gardening!

Gardening gift

The sentiment is computer generated!   

Happy Spring

For my second project, I used MR. BUSTER!!   🙂    Everyone’s favorite dog.   

Buster

Isn’t he a cutie????     I attached five Busters around the base of this glass jar, added the word’s “BUSTER”S TREATS” and glued some treats to the handle!    I thought this would be a great gift for someone’s favorite pooch!   🙂

It was hard to get a good picture, with all the glare from the glass….here are two different angles:

Buster's Treats 2

Buster's Treats 1

I think that’s it for now….don’t forget, you have until 10:00 p.m. EST TODAY to check out all the details and have a chance to win some fantastic prizes!!   

InStyle Stamps Blog Hop

Thank you so much for stopping by!    TGIF!!!!!