Unstampabelles Challenge #12

This is an auto-post as I am still away on vacation...hopefully not burned to a crisp by this time! :P

Time for our twelfth challenge over at Unstampabelles and for this month we want to see any paper creation with RIBBON! You have until June 29th to get your entries in and the new challenge will start on July 2nd!
*Just remember......NO STAMPS at all! No rubber, digi, sentiments, etc.!

Our sponsor for this month is HUGGIESCRAFTS!
* Please visit the Unstampabelle blog for more information on the prize!

Now for my DT project to get you started!


I used some scrap ribbon to make a Christmas tree, then added some sparkly dots to represent snowflakes, used real wood veneer as the tree base, and for the finishing touch added a star to the top of the tree! The sentiment is just handwritten in gold.

Vacation....AGAIN!

I know ... I know... I'm such a slacker! LOL! I was going to post pics from my trip to Gatlinburg over Mother's Day but after I got back I was completely slammed at work. Then I had to spend all of this week planning/preparing to go on my next vacation (listen to me whine right...I hear all those tiny violins!) :P Hubby and I are getting ready to head out to Virginia to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary! After we get back and things settle down I will post a few pics from both trips! Be back in a few weeks!

-Stacie :)

Girl With Wreath

I had this cute image from Nicecrane Designs laying on my desk and thought it was time to get another Christmas card done...I usually wait til the last minute and my goal is to NOT do that this year! I embossed the background with my Cuttlebug, added some scrap ribbons to the bottom, colored the little girl and wreath up with my Copics and added a plastic Merry Christmas sentiment.

You can find this image available in the Nicecrane Designs store by clicking HERE!

Sweet Potato Hummus

First off I need to state that I am completely ADDICTED to hummus! My fav was Sabra brand spinach artichoke hummus...Mmmmmmm! When it is in the house I pretty much eat it everyday! After getting my new high powered blender I thought about making my own...that away I know exactly what is in my food, how fresh it was, and could customize it however I liked. Let's just say I was not disappointed...I have tried chickpeas (garbanzo beans), black beans and now sweet potato! This one is by far the most work but it also tastes and looks more "upscale". You could make a more basic one although this particular recipe really adds a nice zing! I wasn't sure about the ingredient combination but I'm so glad I tried it....this is now my FAVORITE hummus!!! And it is healthy for you to boot! I love eating hummus with Stacy's "naked" pita chips...they are THE BEST!! I'm going to try making my own in the future so we will see how that goes!

Click HERE for this gourmet hummus recipe!

Enjoy! :)

No Pudge Brownie

For those of you on diets but still want a delicious treat I have found a recipe clone for "No Pudge Brownies". I have seen these in the store and was able to try some a lady gave me one time but they are expensive! So when I found this recipe I had to give it a try! They are DELICIOUS!! Yes, I went all out and had mine with ice cream and caramel sauce but they really are good on their own! Plus if you decide not to eat the entire pan of these brownies you can freeze them individually for later!

Click HERE for the recipe!

Enjoy! :)

I'm Back!!

Hey everyone! I'm back from vacation! My mom, sis and I went to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area and it was a wonderful time! I will try and share a few pics with you later this week! For now I have some crafty goodness to show you! This is a redo of an Easter basket I gave out. I originally didn't put an image on it which you can see HERE, but after doing a few boy ones up for my nephews and using images I didn't want the girl to feel left out. So I used a darling stamp sent to me by my best bud Annmaree...thanks dear! :)
It is called "Sheep For Ewe" by Wild Rose Stamps. Adorable right?

out of town

Wanted to let you all know that I am out of town until late Sunday. Going on a Mother's Day vacation with my mom and sister! Be back with some crafty stuff to show you next week!

Smart Pig!

I thought this was such a funny image with the pig in glasses and playing scrabble!
You can find this image at Nicecrane Designs by clicking HERE!

Challenges:
Send A Smile 4 Kids - buttons, ribbon or flowers (I chose flowers)

Maple Bacon Breakfast Roll!

Everything tastes better with bacon!!
Click HERE for this quick and easy recipe that only uses 5 ingredients!!

Enjoy! :)

Unstampabelles Challenge #11

Time for our eleventh challenge over at Unstampabelles and for this month we want to see MOVING PARTS! The bonus technique for this month is TO USE A BRAD OR SPLIT PIN! You have until June 1st to get your entries in and the new challenge will start on June 4th.
*Just remember......NO STAMPS at all! No rubber, digi, sentiments, etc.!

Our sponsor for this month is


CRAFT MAD

This is the fantastic prize on offer for this month!



Now for my DT project to get you started!

I did a suspension card and you can find a tutorial HERE!



The above is a "before" picture without a sentiment. The below images are after I had used a stamp for the sentiment. Just remember to enter your card into the challenge BEFORE stamping a sentiment! I could of used a sticker or cut letters out but I truly forgot before finishing this card....my brain is scattered these days! :P Hope to see you join in this fun challenge!




Challenges:
Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes
Creative Craft - Anything Goes
Delightful Sketches - Mother's Day
Mishelflo's Challenge - Celebration
Paper Sundaes - Mother's Day
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Mother's Day/Feminine Plus Ribbon

Pork Chops With Apple and Thyme

This is a wonderful recipe for pork chops...the flavors of apple and thyme really work beautifully together! Click HERE for the recipe!

* I served mine up with some balsamic/olive oil grilled bell peppers and portabello mushrooms!

Enjoy! :)

Happy Birthday Boy!

Image is from InStyle Stamps

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments - For A Child
Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
Kaboodle Doodle - Emboss It
Penny's Challenge - Happy Birthday
Send A Smile 4 Kids - For The Boys
Shopping Our Stash - Starts With A "B" (Boy, Blue)
Simon Says - Anything Goes
SSDS - Birthday

Vegan PB Banana Bread Cake

For those of you that like to play with blenders here is a recipe for you!
* Note that she had a hard time using a Blendtec blender...I have the same blender and it worked perfectly. You just have to put the ingredients in the right order for it to work...but I'm sure those of you with a high speed blender know this already! :P

This was very gooey and so moist and delicious! Click HERE for the recipe!

I did change a few things to the recipe...I kept the oats whole instead of making them into flour, I used whole wheat flour instead of almond, and only 1/2 cup pb instead of the recommended 1 cup. I did use a 9x13 baking dish and it only needed 30 minutes (to be extra gooey) in my oven so be sure to watch it!

Enjoy! :)

Anniversary Card For In-Laws

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments - Spring/Summer colors
C.R.A.F.T - Anniversary
Crazy 4 Challenges - Add black cardstock
Delicious Doodles - Loads of layers

Anniversary Card For Friends

* If anyone knows who this image is by please let me know so I can give credit to the designer! *

Challenges:
C.R.A.F.T - Anniversary
Crafty Sentiments - Use a digi
Lollipop Crafts - Spring Fling (flowers)
Top Tip Tuesday - Spotty Dotty

40th Gag Birthday Gifts!

Here are some pictures I keep forgetting to post. My sister turned the big 40 last year and being the sweet sister that I am I decided to make her some gag gifts! LOL!
Hopefully you can read the labels (all images are freebies online) as they are pretty funny...if you need to make them larger please click on the pictures! Enjoy a good laugh for the day! :)
** The "pills" are M&M's and jelly beans! **









Challenges:
Stampalot - Birthday
The Lollipop Ladies - Gummy Bears (Figured all the colors fit the theme!)
Penny's Challenge - Anything But A Card

Parmesan Polenta and Spicy Sausage Sauce

I know it is pretty hard to believe that I'm not posting a dessert recipe right? LOL! I made this for the guys and it was my first time making polenta so I had no clue how it would turn out. I am not a huge fan of sausage or anything spicy so I did not try that part but they sure loved it...actually my dad always asks about the sausage now! I did however try the parmesan polenta and oh boy was it yummy! I wasn't aware that polenta had a little sweetness to it but it does...no wonder I like it! LOL! If you haven't tried polenta yet I encourage you to get out of your cooking comfort zone and try something new....you just might find another "go to" food in your kitchen!!

You can find the recipe HERE!

Enjoy! :)

Blueberry Drop Scones

These scones ended up spreading out more like cookies than a drop biscuit/scone but they still tasted darn good for less than 100 calories a piece! Click HERE for the recipe!

Enjoy! :)

Happy Easter!!

I used the same tutorial for these Easter baskets that I featured HERE. This time I added some ADORABLE images I colored up with my Copics from Nicecrane Designs which you can find HERE! I had so much fun making these for my two little nephews and filling them up with goodies! I'm so excited to give these to them I can hardly stand it! LOL!






Wishing you all Easter blessings!
- Stacie

Cranberry Orange Scone Bread!

This was out of this world amazing and lowfat!! Click HERE for the recipe!
Note: For the sugar on top I think the smaller 1 T portion is enough (instead of 2 T) and I used Turbinado sugar which gives it a nice crunch!

Enjoy! :)