Unstampabelles Design Team Call!!

Yes, we are in search of three new members for our Design Team to start January next year for a six month stint.


Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to Mandy, Kerry and Kaye at the end of our December challenge. They already know that 2012 is going to keep them plenty busy in real life but I am sure they will still find time to visit in the future. We will miss their wonderful inspiration.


On a positive note though....this now gives you the chance to be part of our fun and friendly team!
We will require a creation from you each month to showcase at the start of each challenge.
If you have the time possibly a second card during the month to keep the inspiration flowing.


What to do to be considered:


Please just add a link HERE of a project that you have posted (current or older) on your blog that will fit our challenge criteria.
Remember, all types of papercrafts and any technique....but NO STAMPS.


Our call will stay open until 12th December.

Exciting Announcement!!

Some of you might have noticed a new logo on the left side of my blog and if you haven't let me just tell you that I have been asked to be a member of the Nicecrane Designs Team! Thank you Ignacio and Dawn!! WOOT WOOT! :) I'm very excited to work with these products!!

My first creation is this beautiful victorian style Christmas ornament!



Here I decided to make it a bit fancier by adding gold glitter strips to the top and bottom flaps!


Here is a preview of what it looks like from the store. All you do is print, cut, fold and glue!


You can find this product in the store by clicking HERE!

Challenges:
Crafty Calendar - Winter Wardrobe
Crafty Catz - Use A Digi
Cupcake Craft - Two's Company
Fab N' Funky - Baby It's Cold Outside
Paper Sundaes - Use A Digi
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Women Only
ABC Challenge - D for Dazzle (gold glitter)
Totally Gorjuss - Christmas Traditions
Whoopsi Daisy - Colors of Winter

Grilled Stuffed Portabello Mushroom!

For those of you that are still in "warm weather" mode even after outdoor temps have cooled off...here is a recipe for you from Weber's Big Book of Grilling!

Ingredients:
2 slices bacon
4 large portabello mushrooms
olive oil
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh italian parsley
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Remove and discard stems and gills from the mushrooms. Wipe clean and brush both sides with olive oil. Set top side down on a platter.
In a large pan over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Crumble and set aside. Add onion and red pepper to the bacon fat and cook for 6-8 minutes. Add garlic for 1 minute. Then add the bread crumbs, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir to blend and remove from heat. Add the bacon and cheese. Mix well and put stuffing in the mushroom caps. Grill the stuffed mushrooms over INDIRECT (or they will burn to a crisp!) high heat until soft and lightly browned. About 8-10 minutes.
Serves 4

ENJOY!!

German Tasty Tuesday!

Today I have an entire meal to show you! I fixed up a German inspired meal of crispy pork, fried taters and brussel sprouts!! SUPER YUM!

Crispy Pork Medallions - Click HERE!

Bacon Roasted Brussel Sprouts - Click HERE!

Fried Taters - This is just my own recipe. Slice up some potatoes (any variety) and fry them in a little olive oil. Add whatever you like to them and cook til tender. Make sure you toss frequently so the potatoes don't stick to the pan! In this particular picture I added mushroom, onion, pepper and saurkraut to my taters! :)

ENJOY!

Unstampabelles Challenge #5

Time for our fifth challenge over at Unstampabelles and for this month we want to see TREES! We are also going to offer you an extra entry for the prize if you do the technique and for this month we want you to try out "paper punches/die cuts"! You have until December 2nd to get your entries in and the new challenge will start on December 5th. Remember you MUST use the theme TREES on your project and "paper punches/die cuts" are optional but it will get you an extra entry!

*Just remember......NO STAMPS at all! No rubber, digi, sentiments, etc.!

Our sponsor for this month is CMD Cards!! They are offering the winner a $10 gift certificate to their store!!




Now for my DT card to get you started!



I used some CMD Cards tree die cuts (thank you Merry!) .... love the colors! Rounded the top corners of my card and finished off with a sentiment from The Sticker Store!
CMD Cards

Challenges:
Allsorts - Anything but square
Crafty Catz - Anything goes
SAS4Kids - Christmas card for a kid

Thank You!!

I wanted to show off a few items I received in the mail this week!

One is this tissue holder that Halle sewed up just for me! Isn't is FANTASTIC?!! I LOVE the colors and cherries are one of my favs! :) She also takes great photos and incorporates them into cards. You can check her blog out HERE!



The second is a Halloween card from Curt! I can't tell you how AMAZING this card looks in real life...such a great scene and so sparkly! My husband was even wowed by it!! You can check out his blog HERE! Make sure you watch the cute videos of his dogs "kids" while your there! They are very talented!



Thanks to both of you for thinking of me...it truly warms my heart!! :)
Hugs!
-Stacie

Whole Wheat Strawberry Banana Muffin!

Click HERE for the recipe!
I used a regular sized muffin pan instead of the large size and put the strawberries in whole rather than slicing them. Overall, a very delicious muffin!

Enjoy!

Happy Haunting!

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween yesterday! I have been so busy I didn't get a chance to make any Halloween cards til today. I just look at it as being early for next year! LOL! Sure feels good to be back in my crafty space for a little while!

Here is a card I made to encourage anyone and everyone to go take part in the current challenge over at Unstampabelles! You still have a few days to enter the Fall/Autumn theme! Just remember no stamps are allowed! Also, if you use stitching (real or faux) you will get your name in the pot twice for the monthly prize which is kindly sponsored by Pizzazz Aplenty!



The orange rhinestone on the top of the cats hat is from Pizzazz Aplenty...just adds that perfect touch! The main cat image which already has a faux stitching border and the sentiment are cut out from patterned paper....I received the paper from a friend (thanks)! I believe it is from the Rusty Pickle company and the "Addams Family" line. I also fussy cut the skull out of paper and covered the eyes and nose area with orange glitter.

Challenges:
Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz - Halloween
Fab N' Funky - Hubby,Bubble,Toil and Trouble
Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Halloween
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Paper Cupcakes - Trick or Treat

Yogurt Cake!

The original recipe was for a lemon yogurt cake but I am not very fond of lemon so I tweaked the recipe to my tastes. You can click HERE for the original recipe!

I used vanilla yogurt and almond extract. As an icing I just used powdered sugar, milk and some extract (can't remember if I used vanilla or almond...maybe both?) and then topped it all off with some toasted almonds.

If you plan on giving this cake a try I would suggest reading some reviews....several people have experimented with trying to reduce the amount of sugar...I know I cut WAY back on that and also used an egg substitute to lessen the calories a bit. I like dessert ALOT so I gotta cut calorie corners somewhere! LOL!

ENJOY!

Birthday Cupcake Bookmarks! - 2nd post today

*Cupcake/sentiment stamp is from Stampin' Up!*

Challenges:
Crafty Catz - Birthday
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday - Something food related
Sir Stampalot - Food

Mad For Markers GD Card!

Thanks for waiting on me to post something crafty...I know it has been a LONG time! Life sometimes gets in the way as I'm sure you are all familiar with that every now and again!
Here is my guest design card for the current challenge going on over at Mad For Markers and you can check me out over there by clicking HERE!




Challenges:
C.R.A.F.T Challenge - Autumn
Cardmadfairy Challenge - Spots and Stripes (hope you can see the embossed spots on the red cardstock)
Charisma Cardz - Embossing (dry embossing on red cardstock)
Kaboodle Doodle - Fall
Lollipop Crafts - Atleast 3 Embellishments
Shopping Our Stash - Fall Colors

Tomato and Herb Tostada!

Click HERE for the recipe!

* I did alter the recipe some. I used premade tostadas to save time. Added sauteed onions and mushrooms. And instead of mixing the cayenne pepper into the beans/rice I just sprinkled some on top of the ones I wanted hot for hubby and then left it off mine. Yes, I am a baby when it comes to "spicy/hot" food!!

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies!

* Picture is before adding powdered sugar *

This size of cookie is perfect for a little treat and they sure don't last long around the holidays! Click HERE for the recipe!

Enjoy!

Chocolate Butterfinger Caramel Cake!

So good it is hard to eat just one piece!!! Click HERE for the recipe! I did not do the sweetened condensed milk layer. I also used a tub of cool whip instead of whipping my own.

Enjoy!

Thanks Chickadee!

*All stamps are Lawn Fawn except the clouds and that is from Practicing Creativity*

Sending this to a pal that has done something nice for me!

Challenges:
Lawnscaping Challenge - For World Card Making Day! Use their stamps and any theme!
Lawn Fawn - Make a thank you card using their stamps and send it to someone special!

Unstampabelles Challenge #4!

Time for our fourth challenge over at Unstampabelles and for this month we want to see FALL/AUTUMN! We are also going to offer you an extra entry for the prize if you do the technique and for this month we want you to try out "stitching"! You have until November 4th to get your entries in and the new challenge will start on November 7th. Remember you MUST use the theme FALL/AUTUMN on your project and "stitching" is optional but it will get you an extra entry!

*Just remember......NO STAMPS at all! No rubber, digi, sentiments, etc.!

Our sponsor for this month is Pizzaz Aplenty!!
The winner will receive a $10 surprise package of goodies!



Pizzazz Aplenty began with only a bit of bling and some ribbon, but in the last few months, we've added so much more... from cardstock to cello bags, as well as charms, stick pins, brads, buttons, cords, twines, laces, and over 20 colors in flatback pearls and rhinestones. The newest additions are teardrop pearls, button stick pins, leaf pins, heart pins, resin cameos and flowers!

* I have personally ordered from this company a few times in the past and Judy (the owner) is FANTASTIC! She replies fast and is super quick on shipping! Her costs are a real bargain and I always love the extras she puts in the orders! I encourage you to check out the store...you won't be disappointed! To go directly to the store click HERE! ... AND NO I WAS NOT PAID TO SAY ANY OF THIS! * :)

Now for my DT card to get you started!


I cut out the tree and sentiment with my Cricut "Just Because" cart. Used some scrap paper and added the perfect final touch...orange rhinestones and cranberry flatback pearls from Pizzaz Aplenty!!

Your turn! I sure hope to see more of you over at Unstampabelles this month!

Added note: Thanks to my blogging pal Dawn I am now able to increase my font size....let me know what you think!
Curt....you can put those glasses away now! LOL!

Challenges:
One Crazy Stamper - Fall Theme
Penny's Challenge - Anything Goes
Phindy's Place - Autumn/Fall
Send A Smile 4 Kids - Fall Colors
Simon Says - Anything Goes
ABC Challenge - A for Anything Goes

Happy Birthday Mr. Cool!

I think this guy looks so "cool"....the image is from Whiff of Joy Stamps and I colored him with my copics. Used my Copic 0 blender pen on the jeans and jacket to give it a faded/washed out look! Pretty cool huh? I have another one I did a different way using the blender pen but will show it later....gotta keep ya in suspense as though I'm sure that will keep you up at night! LMAO!


Challenges:
Mad For Markers - Colorless Blender
Aud Sentiments - Happy Birthday
C.R.A.F.T - Inspiration Picture
Paper Sundaes - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Men Only
Simon Says - Anything Goes
Southern Girls - Anything Goes

Freezer Peaches

Some of you might remember me talking about going to an orchard to get some peaches over the summer. They had "seconds" for sale which just meant they might of been bruised or had cuts in them. I was just going to slice them up to freeze anyways so we took a box of them....then she said how about two boxes for the same price....well DUH of course we will take them!! So we ended up with 172 peaches for 10 dollars!! BARGAIN!! So mom bought all the canning supplies and put me to work! It took me a few days but I sliced and peeled each one and put them in these jars with screw on plastic lids to keep in the freezer...now we will have that fresh peach taste all year! :)

I did not want to make a sugary syrup so I read somewhere online I could use white grape juice and lemon juice....seemed to work great! You just use 2 tablespoons of lemon juice for every 4 cups of 100% no sugar added white grape juice. Just make sure you cover the tops of the peaches or they will brown! When your ready to eat or if you want to use them in a recipe just thaw...and you can use the juice that is leftover in recipes too so nothing goes to waste!



Hope some of you can give this a try!
Enjoy! :)

Another Birthday Card!

Here is another birthday card that I sent to my blogging pal Curt. This was actually done over the summer but I forgot to post it on my blog...whoops! I actually have found several today while searching through my computer so I will be showing those soon too!




The digi image is from Karen's Doodles and I colored Bigsby with my Copics. Then added some glossy accents to the juggling balls and a silver nailhead on the bike wheel.
I thought it turned out pretty good considering I'm not very good at making male themed cards!
I made this post BOLD but I don't think it really looks much different so does anyone know how to make my font bigger?? I can't seem to find that option...I only have bold and italic.

Challenges:
Craft Your Passion - Anything with a digi
Cardmadfairy - Lots of layers
Crafty Sentiments - Happy Birthday
Creatalicious - Anything Goes
Creative Inspirations - Let's Celebrate
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Kaboodle Doodles - Lots of layers
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays - Birthday

A Beary Special Birthday!

Here is the card I made for hubby! I just love this cute bear stamp from Whiff of Joy! Colored him with my Copics and added a bit of liquid applique to make the icing look puffy. Cut the main base with my Cricut Wild Card cart...it is actually an invitation but thought it made a fun card design!

*Click on pictures to enlarge*








Challenges:
Crafty Calendar - Bears
Crafty Sentiments - Birthday
Creatalicious - Anything Goes
Creative Inspirations - Let's Celebrate
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Fab N' Funky - A Hard Theme (Male card....so hard because I always want to use flowers or bling!)
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays - Birthday
TMITA - Someone Special