Anniversary Card

Time already for another Glitterbabe Challenge! Where does the time go?? Seems as though weeks are just passing me by...anyone else feel that way?

On with my card...I thought this sweet little birdhouse from Glitterbabe's Art was perfect for a special 2 Year Anniversary card to send to my friends! I thought the two hearts would signify 2 years and the 2 of them. Yeah, I know...I put more thought into creating than I should!! LOL! I embossed them with the swiss dots folder and added picket fence distress stickles for some sparkle!



The challenge for this week can be found HERE! Anything goes this week as long as you use a Glitterbabe image AND you MUST MUST MUST have something sparkly on your card!! If you don't have any Glitterbabe images there are some awesome freebies for you to grab HERE!

Also gotta shout out to my friend Dawn....she is a Guest Designer this week for Glitterbabe's and her Halloween card is sooooooooooo cool! You can check out her blog HERE!

I am also entering my card into the following challenges:
OTWC #30 - Use the colors in the inspiration photo (I also added a bit of red....hope that is okay!)

Stamp Something - Digi
Totally Gorjuss - Sparkle (picket fence distress stickles on hearts)
Creative Craft - Anniversary
Creative Cottage - Embossing
Fab N' Funky - Clean and Simple
Stamping Vacation State Your State Challenge - I picked the diamond for Arkansas - put a diamond rhinestone on the birdhouse!
Top Tip Tuesday - Anything goes

Streusel Topped PB Chip and Banana Cake

Another FANTASTIC recipe from Becky B. found HERE! I am not a huge fan of peanut butter by itself but mix it with banana and I am in heaven!! This cake was devoured and I'm already planning on making it again! :) I liked mine better heated up as it makes the PB chips nice and gooey! ENJOY!

-Stacie

Frame It!

This week over at Glitterbabe's Challenge we want to see you "FRAME IT" and "SPARKLE IT". Here is the card I did and of course I included LOTS of glitter on that pumpkin!! :)



The images on the DT cards were kindly given to us by this weeks sponsor... JLJ Designs! This week you could win three of her digis and a paper pack! I really hope to see some of you playing in our challenges....so fun and so easy!! Plus you could win great prizes!!

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:
Stampin' For The Weekend - Halloween/Fall
EBTKS - Sketch
Crazy 4 Challenges - Fall/Autumn
Southern Girls - Glitter It Up!
MelJen's Designs - Anything Goes!
Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Goes!

House Picture

It has been a long time since I showed you all a picture of the new house we are building. We started on this project last summer and this is where we are at now. SOOOOOOOOOO time consuming when you are doing ALL the work yourself! We started putting stone on the outside last week. Once we get a good chunk of that done I will post another picture!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! The weather here was GORGEOUS....we worked on the house most of it but we did take some time out to spend with relatives that have flown in from Washington State! They are staying til Wednesday morning so if I haven't been around much lately it is because I am CRAZY busy!! So many other things going on too but you get the point....never enough time to get everything done!

-Stacie

Showcasing Kay!!

Last month Stamping Vacation did a HUGE blog hop and Kay won a stamp set from Practicing Creativity on my blog. Well, she was kind enough to e-mail me that she had used my tutorial for rosettes which you can find HERE!

This was her first time making a rosette and I was STUNNED at how awesome her project looked!!


(Picture is from her blog)

Click HERE to see the full project...you will be blown away!!

Thanks Kay for allowing me to show off your work!!!

Hugs!
-Stacie

Glitterbabe Challenge

Image is from Glitterbabe

I just LOVE this image....isn't it hilarious? Colored with my Copics and did a little faux stitching to make it stand out more. Then popped it on a nestie die cut to act as a frame for the image. I just love the colors in this paper and as a final touch I put a glitter dot in each corner. I really wanted this funny image to stand out so I kept the embellishments simple. Hope you like it!

To join in the challenge for this week click HERE! The theme is Halloween! Don't forget to use something sparkly!! You don't have to use a Glitterbabe image to enter but we would LOVE it if you did and Stef has some great freebies located HERE!
You can also purchase images HERE! Her prices are sooooooo reasonable you could get several and still not break the bank! Have fun and hope to see you over there!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
CPS - Sketch (flipped)
Paper Sundaes - Change of season
TMITA - Frame it out
Digital Tuesday - Digi and sewing
ACLP - blue, brown, rust, gold
Fab N' Funky - Yummy (kind of a funny take on the challenge this week!)
Penny's - So long as it flies (I had a dumb moment and actually had to look up online to see if a turkey could fly and in fact "wild" turkeys can fly!) LOL!
Stamping Vacation Animal Applause - animal you would NOT want running through your house!
Stamping Vacation Lots of Paper - More than one type of leaf

New Store Candy Winner!!!!

Alrighty....time to announce the winner of my new store candy! I put the names of those that followed the rules into a hat and had my hubby draw a name and that person is................................DRUMROLL PLEASE.......................


.................................Christi Hicks at Christi's Creations !!! Congrats!!
Please e-mail me with your mailing address by Sunday October 17th. If for some reason I do not hear back from the winner by Monday morning I will do a re-draw.

Thanks so much to everyone that entered my candy and promoted my store....I have already been selling my embossing bags! WOOT WOOT!! :)

Hugs!
-Stacie

No! No! Challenge For October!

Stamp is Sarah Kay (courtesy of my pal Annmaree! ... thanks girl!)

Such an easy peasy challenge over at Stamping Vacation! All you have to do is use an image that does NOT start with an "S"! Click HERE to go directly to the challenge post...hope to see you join us!! The more challenges you enter the entire month the better your chances are of winning the monthly prize. This month we are being sponsored by Stamping Dragon Designs and they are giving away 4 free digis (fantastic images...you can see one of their images I have used HERE!!!) AND Stamping Vacation is also going to throw in a $15 gift certificate to Papertrey Ink!! Such an amazing prize package!!


Challenges:
Polka Doodle - Make your own embellie (I made my own pearls using viva decor products)
Digi's With Attitude! Challenge #1 - Use metal (metal brads in the middle of flowers)
Stamp Something - Punches (leaf punch)
Let's Ink It Up - Halloween Colors
Friday Sketchers - Sketch
Stamping Vacation Special Month Challenge - Adopt a shelter dog

Back up and running....AGAIN!!

Someone knock on wood for me!! LOL!

A million updates and a few reboots of the computer and I "THINK" I am back in business!! I am frantically trying to catch up...I missed ALOT! So please bear with me if I'm late in posting or responding to e-mails!

Be back soon with my DT card for Stamping Vacation AND I will try to pick a winner for my candy today or tomorrow.

Thanks!
-Stacie

Spoke too soon.....

Well, the gremlins are still here attacking my computer! I can't open any other blogs....all I get is a black screen!!! SOOOOO FRUSTRATING!!!

I hope to be able to post a DT card here for the Build A Sketch Challenge over at Stamping Vacation tomorrow but if it is late you will know why!! I also can't click on anything in my blogroll without turning my entire computer to a black screen and locking things up so I do apologize if I am not able to leave you comments....I will be back as soon as I can vanquish these demons....I think I have watched too much of the show "Charmed!" LOL!

-Stacie

Back to normal!

Looks like my blog is back to normal....those gremlins sure are little stinkpots when they come to visit! I'm glad it isn't just me having these troubles too!

Thank you to those that responded for reassuring me things would work themselves out!

-Stacie

My New Store Plus CANDY!!!!

** CANDY IS CLOSED **


I am excited to introduce to you my new store called Startistic Designs and I will be selling handmade items and a few crafty supplies. I will be adding items as they become available and if you would like to place a custom order you can also do that via e-mail.

In celebration of opening up my new store I would like to offer you some candy!! YAY! FREE STUFF!! LOL! :)

Included:
16 6x6 designed papers
4 6x6 coredinations starry night papers
2 rubber stamps (1 beach scene and 1 mountain scene)
Glittery Star stickers
Studio G stamp set
Sizzix star brass embossing folder (yes, this works in the Cuttlebug!!) WOOT WOOT!!
Assorted stamped images
Pack of 128 Alphabet rub-ons
** I might throw in some extra goodies depending on how many people enter this candy! The more people that enter the bigger the prize! **

Rules to enter:
1. Must follow this blog...please only follow if you like what you see and NOT just for the candy! Thank you! :)
2. Post about my new store and giveaway (you can use both pics above)...you MUST link to this post AND to my store!
(leave me a link with your name for 1 entry)
3. If you become a follower of Stamping Vacation and mention my name (Stacie) in a comment over there you will get a 2nd entry. If you have already done this in the past for me you still qualify for a 2nd entry! (Please leave a 2nd link with your name and SV behind it so I know you have done this.)

I will ship anywhere!
Candy will close on October 8th at noon EST.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!!!



Thank you so much for your support!! I really appreciate it!
-Stacie

Blogger Troubles!!

So I get up this morning and my blogroll is completely GONE!!! I have never had this happen before. I have tried restarting/refreshing and nothing is working. Any ideas on a fix?? What a grumpy way to start my morning.....harumph!

Oh and today is the last day to enter my new store candy!! Not many people have entered so your chances of winning are REALLY good!!!
* Please double check that you have followed the rules....I have clicked on a few random names and they are not eligible ... sorry but I must be fair! *

-Stacie

Time for another Glitterbabe Challenge!!

Today we are being sponsored by Deedee's Digis and I must say she has some super adorable images and you really should go check them out!!



The challenge we are giving you this week over at Glitterbabe's is Anything Goes! And don't forget we want to see some sparkle on your creation!!!

Here is my card and the digi was kindly given to the DT from Deedee's Images!


** Yes, I know the ribbon doesn't look like it matches but I promise you it does! Drives me nuts when lighting doesn't work out well for photos but I tried! **
Hope you still enjoy looking at my card! :)

Challenges:
For Fun Challenges - Something never used before (Halloween style button)
Simon Says - Halloween
Fab N' Funky - Use a digi
Sir Stampalot - Autumn, button (scarecrow with pumpkin is a button) and bow!
Crazy 4 Challenges - orange, black, kraft, yellow, green
Top Tip Tuesday - To brighten up a plain black and white sentiment try adding a unique shape and outline with some colored glitter!

1 Happy Anniversary!

Digi is from Squiggle Stamps

Challenges:
Stampin' For The Weekend - Autumn Inspiration
Stamp Something - Celebrate
Squiggle Stamps - Use one of their images and an autumn theme
Kaboodle Doodles - Fall colors
Mojo Monday - Sketch (flipped)
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Numbers (I used the number 1)
Stamping Vacation Special Month - Sewing (I used faux stitching)
Stamping Vacation Embellish It - Use a leaf
Stamping Vacation Lots of Paper - More than one type of leaf
Mad For Markers - Color a digi with Copics

Happy Birthday Horse

Time for another Build A Sketch Challenge over at Stamping Vacation!

The image I used is from our wonderful sponsor this month and that is
Stamping Dragon Designs! You could win 4 free digi images from them and a $15 gift certificate to PTI from Stamping Vacation...all you need to do is participate in as many challenges as you can all month long at Stamping Vacation and we will randomly choose one winner for the prize!!!

In this challenge you will be given certain " puzzle pieces" to use to create your own sketch. I don't know about you but this ALWAYS helps me complete a card!! And being able to create my own sketch is really fun!

Here is a list of all the "pieces" you should have so far...if your just getting started go ahead and cut these up and put in a box for safe keeping:

#1 Black 5 1/2 x 4 1/4
#2 Gray 5 1/4 x 4
#3 White 3 1/8 square
#4 Black 2 1/2 circle
#5 Black 2 1/2 x 1 1/2
#6 Gray 5 1/2 x 1 1/4
#7 White 5 x 2 1/4
#8 White 3 5/8 x 1 3/4
#9 Black 1 7/8 scalloped square
#10 Black 1/2 scalloped strip
#11 Black 3 3/4 label panel
#12 Gray 3 1/2 x 1 1/4
#13 White 5 1/4 x 2 1/4
#14 Black 3 x 2 1/4 oval

This list can also be found on the challenge post HERE.

This month we are going to add another piece:
#15 Gray 4 7/8 x 2 7/8 piece

For this months challenge you are to use pieces #1, #2, #11, #12 and #15 to build your sketch... you have until November 4th to submit your creation!


I am also entering this card into the following challenges:
Crafty Calendar - Birthday
Stamp Something - Celebration
Paper Sundaes - Something from your stash
Stamping Vacation Animal Applause - Animal you would NOT want running in your house!
Mad For Markers - Color digi with Copics

More new recipes!!

Wanted to share two new recipes I tried out on my family a few nights ago....everyone really liked them. Even my hubby who doesn't care for stuffing liked this recipe!! :)


The above recipe is called "Peach-Glazed Pork Roast with Corn Bread Stuffing" and it is from my Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.

Ingredients:
Non-stick spray
1 single boneless pork top loin (about 2 - 2.5 pounds)
salt
ground black pepper
1 T. cooking oil
4 C. corn bread stuffing mix
3/4 C. reduced sodium chicken broth
1/2 C. mixed dried fruit bits
1/4 C. chopped onion
1/2 C. peach spreadable fruit
1 t. finely shredded lemon peel (I used dried grated orange peel)
1/4 t. ground cinnamon

1. Lightly coat a 4 quart slow cooker with non-stick spray. Trim fat from meat. If necessary cut meat to fit in slow cooker. Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper. In a large skillet brown meat on all sides in hot oil. Drain off fat and set aside.

2. In a large bowl toss together stuffing mix, broth, dried fruit, and onion. Place stuffing mixture in slow cooker. Add meat. In a small bowl stir together the peach spreadable fruit, lemon or orange peel, and cinnamon. Spread over meat in cooker.

3. Cover and cook on low heat for about 5-6 hours OR on high heat for about 2.5 - 3 hours.

4. Remove meat from cooker and slice. Stir stuffing and serve!

Serves 8




And this yummy dessert is called "Cherry Almond Bars" and I got the recipe from my blogging pal Becky. Click HERE for the recipe!!
The only thing I messed up was I forgot to save some of the batter for the top ... oops!! But it still came out fine! :) I would also lessen the amount of almond extract because it is pretty strong but that is just my personal taste....my husband thought they were the best thing since sliced bread!! LOL! :)

ENJOY!! And if you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me!
-Stacie

Flower Soft Thank You

Challenges:
OTWC #26 - Use the colors as inspiration

Get Sketchy - Sketch
A Spoonfull of Sugar - Spots and Stripes
C.R.A.F.T. - Fancy floral
Crafty Sentiments - Use a border punch (I used Martha Stewart Lattice)
Heart To Heart Card Drive - Thank you
Flower Soft (FSC05) - Use flower soft and flowers!

Glitterbabe New DT Introductions and Challenge #14

WOOT WOOT!! The time has finally arrived and I am "officially" introduced on the Glitterbabe DT...you can check out all the new members HERE!

The challenge over at Glitterbabe this week is wet or dry embossing and don't forget the sparkly stuff!!! To go directly to the challenge post click HERE!

And for this week we are being sponsored by: Ellaphantastic Cards and Crafts


Helen was kind enough to give the DT members a digi to use on our projects this week! And here is my first Glitterbabe DT card! I heat embossed the outside of the main inverted scallop with gold and dry embossed the smaller red inverted scallops with the Cuttlebug Snow Dots folder. Colored the image with my Copics, added some gold glitter to the snowmans buttons and finished off the ground with some Polar White Flowersoft! Isn't he adorable?? I just love that little birdie on his hat!



I have a quick question for you....how many of you would like to know exactly which Copics I use for my cards?? I have left it out so far because it is an extra step I would have to take for my posts but if you really would like to know which ones I use I would be more than happy to share! I just don't want to do the extra work if nobody cares! LOL! So if I have several of you that say, "yes yes yes...please share!" than your wish is my command! :)

Alrighty, now for the challenges!
Lollipop Crafts Glitter (on snowmans buttons)
Creative Inspirations - Christmas in September
The Creative Cottage - Bling (glitter)
Penny's Challenge - Circles
CPS - Sketch
Sew Many - Christmas theme
Totally Gorjuss - Christmas
Crazy 4 Challenges - Bling (glitter)
Charisma Cardz - Christmas

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
-Stacie

Guessing Game Winner!

I really enjoyed reading all the guesses yesterday on my food picture! I couldn't believe I had 18 different people try and guess....I was so pleased to see you wanted to play along! :) I must say it was so much fun I hope to do it again sometime!! The correct answer was PERSIMMON!!! :) A neighbor of my parents has given me about 3 buckets full and I have managed to get about 14 cups of pulp out of it to freeze for recipes later! All squeezed through a mesh bag by hand...yes, it took awhile! :P
So 6 people guessed correctly and I put those names in a hat and as I was mixing them up one flopped out of the hat so just figured that was a good sign that should be my winner and that person is ............................drum roll....................................Lou Lou Shive!!!!

Congrats! Please e-mail me with your mailing address by October 3rd and I will send you a surprise pack of goodies!! Thanks again to everyone for playing my little guessing game!

Hugs!
-Stacie