Background

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Prickley Pear

I guess it is time to start thinking Christmas about now.  I seem to always be behind and every year I have such great plans to be ahead of the game.  Oh well, maybe next year.  Today's fun card is made using an embossing folder and then stamping on the other half of the card using the Poinsettia 2 Holiday Clear Set.  I colored in the flowers using my copics.  I then used the Flourished Ovals 3 Holidays and the Flourished Oval Die.  You will find that I use that set alot.  I finished off the card using a black velvet ribbon.
You can see some of the creations this week by the design team at Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Prickley Pear

I know Christmas is over but I had to post just one more of my favorite Christmas Cards from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps.  This one is very simple but made a very cute card.  I used the stamp "Jingle All the Way" and stamped it three times.  Of course I had to add some cute little bells on the card to make it complete.

Some other great creations can be seen on the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Twisted Tuesday Challenge


It is time for Twisted Tuesday Challenge.  The challenge today is to use something crafty this is new to me and the twist is to have the theme of my creations be something new or the beginning of something.

I decided to make a baby card because what is more exciting that the beginning of a life.  I use a Papertrey Ink stamp that is new to me.  It is called Baby Button Bits. The sentiment and bee stamp is both from that set.  I wanted to go very basic with this card.  Perfect color for boy or girl.  You will notice I even added a few stickles to the wings for some sparkle on the card.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Prickley Pear

Today's card is one of my favorite Christmas cards.  I used this image called "Rudolf Snapshot" from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps and stamped it 3 times.  I used my copic markers to give it a little brightness around his nose.  Then I added 3 red gems and what a cutie he is.  The sentiment and die  are from the Flourished Ovals 3 Holidays and I also used the Flourished Oval Die.

You can see some other creations of the design team at Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

House Mouse Challenge

Another Christmas card made.  I have several House Mouse Stamps and I just love those little guys.  For this card I use the Mouse Star Stamp. 
I also decided to enter this card in a Challenge that I found and will be visiting frequently because they have the most adorable House Mouse Challenges.  Be sure and check them out.  The challenge this week over on their blog is to use silver or gold.  I think you will see plenty of gold in my card.

i{heart}card sketch 47


I decided to go a different direction today and make something besides Christmas.  I have been having so much fun coloring the "From the Heart" digital stamps that I purchased this month.  I used the stamp called Easter Egg Tulips and decided to use some spring colors when coloring with my copic markers. 


This is the sketch that I decided to use for my card.  My butterfly is a Stampin Up Set called Papillon Potpourri and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.


Saturday, December 21, 2013

Sketch Saturday Challenge

Yes, I know, still working on Christmas cards.  I am so thankful for all these wonderful sketch challenges to keep me inspired. What a fun thing they are doing over at Sketch Saturday.  The challenge is Anything Goes and you pick any of their old images.  Boy I will be referring back to their sketches because I see some ones I want to use.

 I chose Sketch #281 to make my Christmas Card.  The stamp I used is called Alex in the Snow with Puppies by Tina Wenke.  This little boy is just adorable. 



Tuesday Morning Sketches

Today I decided to switch it up and do a birthday card for my dear friend Teresa.  We have worked together for many years.  I really admire her because she is such a good mom and friend.  She has 3 daughters who are the sweetest kids you will ever meet.  Her birthday is coming up so I decided to use the sketch over at Tuesday Morning Sketches.
Sorry the picture is not the best on my card but the days are so short here that it is hard to find some sunshine and take a nice picture of my cards.
The stamp I used is called Big Squeeze by Tina Wenke.  Her images are always so adorable.


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Holiday Post



You will notice that each of the design team at Prickley Pear RubberStamps is trying to share something with a holiday theme about themselves during the month of December.  Today was my day so since I don’t do a lot of Christmas decorating, I thought I would focus on what I remember most about my family during the holidays.  Christmas with my grandparents was always about food.  That is where I got my love of baking and trying new recipes.  My grandparents lived in a small farm community and I will always love the friendship among neighbors, friends and families. 

Today I share a recipe from my grandmother that I absolutely love.  They are pineapple rolls and are delicious.  My grandmother used to take these rolls everywhere. 

Pineapple Rolls
3-3 ½ cups all purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 pkg. active dry yeast
½ cup water
½ cup milk
¼ cup butter
1 egg

Filling:  1-8 oz.  can crushed pineapple
2 T.  Cornstarch
1/3 cup sugar

Glaze:  1 cup powdered sugar
2 T. butter
1 T. milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

In small pan, cook pineapple, cornstarch and sugar until thick.  This could take 10-15 minutes.  Let cool.

In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and yeast;  blend well.  In small saucepan, heat water, milk and ¼ cup butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees)  Add warm liquid and egg to flour mixture.  Blend at low speed until moistened;  beat 3 minutes at medium speed.  By hand, stir in an additional 1 1/2  cup flour until dough pulls cleanly away from sides of bowl. 

On floured surface, knead in 1 ¼ -1 ½ cups flour until dough is smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.  Place dough in greased bowl;  cover loosely with plastic wrap and cloth towel.  Let rise in warm place (80 to 85 degrees) until light and doubled in size, about 45-60 minutes.

Punch down dough several times to remove all air bubbles.   On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into 18 x 12 rectangle.  Spread with cooled pineapple mixture.  Starting with 18 inch side, roll up tightly, pressing edges to seal.  Cut into 18 slices, place slices, cut side down, in greased pan.  Cover, let rise in warm place until light and doubled in size, about 35-45 minutes.

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Uncover dough.  Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  In small bowl, blend powdered sugar, butter, milk and vanilla for desired drizzling consistency.  Drizzle over warm rolls.  Serve warm.

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.

Merry Christmas to All.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Prickley Pear



Another week and another Christmas card using one of the sets from the Flourished Ovals 3 Holidays and the Flourished Oval Die from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps.  I also stamped the Thumpety Thump Thump using my versa mark to give it a different look.

Be sure and check out the other creations by the design team on the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Tuesday Morning Sketch #228

How about this?  Two posts in one day.  Another Christmas card completed.  Tuesday Morning Sketches is having another sketch challenge to I went there for my inspiration on this card.
For my card I colored the cute little House Mouse Wreath stamp with my copic markers.  The design paper is called Magical Collection from Studio Calico.
Check out some of the other creations at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  I am always amazed at what people come up with given a sketch as a challenge.

I (heart) card sketches no 46

Still trying to finish up a few more Christmas Cards.  I love the images I purchased at "From the Heart Stamps" and decided to use them in my last few Christmas Cards.  This is the sketch that we were asked to use.
This was the card that I made using the sketch.  The digital stamp I used was called "Peace, Joy, Love".   
I colored the image with my copic markers and used a little snowflake to top the card off.
So another Christmas card done and a few more to make.


Friday, December 13, 2013

From the Heart Stamp Challenge

Who would ever think that I would be enjoying a snowy, icy day but as usual I am in a rush to finish up a few Christmas cards and this is the perfect day to do it. 

I purchased the stamp ""Candy Cane Anneke"  from "From the Heart Digital Stamps" and decided to enter my card in the December Stamp of the month Challenge on the "From The Heart Stamp Blog".  If you haven't checked out their stamps, you are truly missing some adorable digital stamps.  I have a few more images that I have colored and need to make into a card.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Twisted Tuesday Challenges

It is time again for a challenge over at Twisted Tuesday Challenges.  The challenge today is to fussy cut something and the twist is to make special cuts in the corners.  I used the stamp "Brrr Friends" from Two Paper Divas.  I just love the penguin and polar bear.  So cute.  The sentiment is also from Two Paper Divas called "Holiday Sentiments".

Check out the rest of the design team on Twisted Tuesday Challenges and join us in the challenge this week.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Prickley Pear

You can see that I am really trying to get alot of my Christmas Cards done.  I am so lucky that Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps has some great images to work with.  This week I used their stamp "Presents with Holly" and colored it with my copic markers.

You can see some other great creations by the design there on the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Snowman Card

Well I have 18 Christmas Cards to make today to finish up my list.  I went to Tuesday Morning Sketches for some inspiration on my current card.

I love this stamp from Prickley Pear Stamps called "Snowman with Lantern".  I colored it with my copics and then went to my MME Vintage Christmas Designer Paper.
Well off to make 17 more cards.  Thanks to Tuesday Morning Sketches for the inspiration for this card.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

i{heart} card sketch no.45




I feel like I am behind on making Christmas cards.  I tell myself every year that I will make 5 every month.  Well that didn't happen so here I am trying to make Christmas cards.

I have been using more digital stamps and loving them because they are soooo easy to store.  One of my favorite digital companies is From The Heart Digital Stamps.  They have the most adorable images and the design team always has great projects.
Sketch045.jpg

I decided to try my hand at their challenge this week.  Above it the sketch challenge no. 45.   For my card I used the image called "Trimming the Birdhouse".  You just have to love those adorable birds.  I used Silver and Gold Collection by Bo Bunny designer paper.  The sentiment is by basic grey.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Holiday Tissue Box Cover.



Today’s tutorial for Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps is a Holiday Tissue box cover.  I originally got the idea from Splitcoast Stampers.  I made a few additions to the box and ended up with this lovely holiday box.  I used an Angel Soft Tissue box but I think they are all pretty much the same size.  For this project I use My Mind’s Eye “Mistletoe Magic” Designer Paper.

Cut 2 pieces of Red cardstock 5 1/8” x 9 ½” and score each piece at ½” and 5”. 



  
Cut four pieces design paper 4 1/4” x 5 7/8”.  Adhere to each side of the box.  I decorated the front of the box with the GG0184 Snowman with Lantern stamp from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps.  I cut out the design with an oval die.  I then used a scalloped oval die to give the snowman a little dimension.  When adhering this to your box, remember that you will be adding a top to the box so you will need to move your oval towards the bottom .   I put double sided tape on each 1/2 “ long end and put together to form a hollow box.




 For the top of the box, cut one piece 6 5/8” x 6 5/8” square.  Score it at 1” along all 4 sides.   Cut slits on each side to the score line.   I then centered an oval shape die in the center of the box and cut it out.  I then cut out a piece of coordinating designer paper 4 3/8” x 4 3/8” square.  I then centered a scalloped oval die and cut it out.  Cut four pieces coordinating designer paper 7/8” x 4 3/8” for the sides of the top.  Adhere to all 4 sides of the top.  Put double sided tape on each corner and form box top.


I put pieces of double sided tape along the inside of the top of the box and adhered to the base.  I also added the Poinsettia on the top of the stamped image to give it a little dimension.

This was so easy to make and adds just a little bit of fun to that ordinary tissue box.  

Monday, December 2, 2013

Prickley Pear

Hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner.  For this weeks post at Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps, I have used a precious stamp called "Child with Lamb" and their Snowflake Pendant Die.  The sentiment is from their Flourished Ovals 3 Holidays set which I seem to be using alot.  The red border was done with my crimper.
You can see some of the other creations by the design team at Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog.

PIP Challenge #2409

 I am a little late in posting my card for Pammies Inky Pinkies Challenge #2409 .  Our internet was down all day yesterday.  Oh the joys of...