One for the Thumb

DH and I are season ticket holders for the Sioux Falls Storm.  

The Storm play in the IFL (Indoor Football League).  

Calling the Sioux Falls Arena AKA: THE STORM SHELTER home.

Want to more about the Storm visit there website here...Sioux Falls Storm

Below is a page for the Championship Game that  it is now being called "one for the thumb".  

For the obvious reason of the Storm  having now earned 5 Championship seasons!

In the corner is the IFL Commissioner Tommy Benizio.  He was in attendance for the  game going around the arena and talking to different people,  I was one of those people.  Good thing my seat is on the aisle or DH would have given him a piece of his mind.  The man was not well received by most of the fans. This is why...in 2009 the Storm was found to be in violation of league rules concerning workers compensation coverage.

 As punishment, the team's first five wins of the season were forfeited into losses.  

That did not sit well with the players or the fans.  

Yes, that is my hand!  I could not find a Cricut cut so had to go old school;)

Below a few snapshots from the 2011 season...

 

For sure they are not grand layouts however, they were fun to create

Have a Happy Stamp Day.  God Bless.

Berry Sweet!

 Another creation using Cricut's Simply Charmed along with Doodlebug Designs DP.  So SWEET!

Sentiment from Papertreyink.com Everyday Button Bits, Cardstock and ink

Cuttle Bug embossing folders

SU Word Window Punch and Scallop Border Punch

Vintage Loopy Ribbon

Dimensional Dots

Stickles

Happy Stamp Day.  God Bless

Rick Rack Rose Tutorial

Here is a link to the tutorial I used to create my Rose Buds for today's card...

http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/03/rick-rack-rosettes.html

SC343 Circa 1934

I still had Circa 1934 from Cosmo Cricket out on my desk so I used that for today's sketch challenge over on SCS.  You can find it here...SC343

Have you tried making flowers from rolled rick rack yet?  It is so fun you must put it on your list.  There were two used on this creation...

This one super simple sticking to the sketch no extras...

Happy Stamp Day.  God Bless.

In the Soup

I worked on some board shorts for the 4th  Have a SWELL 4th  and made up a few of these with the leftover bits.  The script is computer generated.  And for those who don't know about the soup it is the point where the wave breaks and all the trash and seaweed  from the ocean collects in the white water.  

Surfers call this the SOUP;)

So as the card says when life has you in the SOUP paddle out again!

Thought this would make another wonderful card of encouragement for my creative stash.

Pic from the Soup Bowl in Barbados...

Okay, I am packing up for the sun, sand and surf.  Who is going with me?

Product list

cricut/cricut All Packed up Cartridge

WE R Memory Keepers Yankee Doodle DP

Paptertrey Ink card stock

computer/printer

SU oval punch

Cuttle bug Divine swirls embossing folder

Tombow Multi for the Cricut Cuts works wonderfully for me!

Happy Stamp Day.  God Bless.

Birthday Fun with Napkins

For my creation today I used napkins in place of Decorative Paper.  For the dotted I crumpled it up and ran it through the Xyron then mounted it on my black base.  

For the stripe napkin, I applied the cracked glass technique.

The cute little cake image came off of Cricut Simply Charmed. 

 I punched out the sprinkles from the extra stripe napkin.

PTI card stock and sentiment

Michaels Napkins

Cricut/Cricut Simply Charmed

Circle punches

SU Bold Brads

Google Eyes

Copic Markers

White Gel Pen

Stickles

Xyron

Clear embossing powder/heat gun

Versamark/PaletteNoir  inks

dimensional dots

Happy Stamp Day.  God Bless.

Christian Paper Crafts Retro and Vintage Style Hop

Edit to place the redo Sunday 23 11:00 AM.  I took the vintage paper doily and moved it to the top with the sentiment.  Like this look much better;)

see other participants and join the Hop with this link

Oh have I been waiting for this to arrive.  I have been holding onto Cosmo Crickets Circa 1934 for a special vintage project.  I combined the dp with the video tutorial in the sidebar and WOW I love the results.

I used the leftover scraps from the wreath on the card front.  So love vintage typewriters, I am on the lookout for a delicious RED one.   For now Little J plays on this  pretending she is working for the news.  

Products used...
Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934
Vintage Rick Rack
Vintage Paper Doily
Styrofoam wreath
Glue Gun
PTI True Black Satin Ribbon, vintage cream cardstock

Enjoy the Christian Paper Crafts blog hop.  God Bless.http://cpccreativeblog.com/?p=7780

Ring Tray Tute

So I hung my necklaces on the wall with a stick here is the post link for you

Organized Stick Up

Now I am showing you the ring tray I made using simple crafty tools so I could organize my larger rings.  You know the ones that are bigger than life and fun as heck to wear.  Everyone always has questions for me when I have them on.  Yes, them!  I am not known for wearing just a single ring at a time. 

You see the tray bottom right of photo...

Here is a close up for you, I have left some rings off so you can see the spaces they fit into...

Want to make one?

Here is how to do it.

1. Start with a 12 by 12 piece of card stock.
2. Score and fold card stock at 6"
3. Score  1" in on all sides
4. Measure out and mark with pencil where you want your holes to be
5. Use the Big Bite or anywhere hole punch to make your 1/4" holes for the smaller rings
6. Use a sharp scissors  to cut on the marked line between these holes to make your ring slot
7. For the larger elastic banded ring spaces I lined up the markings on the punch to space out the holes
8. Fold on all of your 1" score lines
9. Cut into your flap ends
10. Adhere your flaps with Red Liner Tape and you are finished.

Want to take it up a step?

 Make a tray for your organizer  to nest it into. 

 This tray is where I placed the matching earrings for the rings organized here.

Here are a few more beauties I have been wanting to show you.  

The ring on the left was made from a vintage screw back earring.  

Remove the earring back

Place E6000 on earring back

Set an adjustable ring bezel and dry for 24 hours.

Yes, it is that EASY and they look fabulous.  

No to mention the hunt for these vintage goodies is a delight!

(I have had some fall apart when  back was removed.  No fears, just take some jewelry wire and a few tools and restring the beads and continue as mentioned above.  You can even take multiples apart and restring a new design.  Endless possibilities!)

The ring on the right was made with products I purchased for paper crafting.

The Cameo is resin purchased from Etsy.

The Bezel was also an Etsy Purchase.

A little E6000 and an adjustable ring bezel and you are good to go.

I love both of the looks.  Yes, I do at times wear them at the same time;)

So there you have it a lot of organization using the basic simple tools and a whole lot of fun;)

Product list...

DCWV Luxury Stack DP

Pencil

Ruler

Anywhere hole punch

SU oval punch 1 3/8" by 3/8"

Scissors

Red Liner Tape

Scor Pal

Jewelry Shoppe Ring Bezels

Cameo Bezel (unknown maker)

E6000 adhesive

Vintage Screw Back Earrings

Resin Cameo

Have a Happy Stamp Day.  God Bless.

Christmas in July OWH 77

I decided to take on a challenge, it has been a long time since I have done any.  

You can find more details on the challenge used with this link... OWH sketch challenge 77.

Here is the sketch...

I just can't put away Cricut's Simply Charmed Cartridge there are so many cute images on that baby.  For the card today I used the winter hat and gloves at 1 1/2".

Holiday Button Bits Sentiment from PaperTrey Ink, buttons and cardstock

snowflake embossing folder

Copic markers

snowflake corner punch

snowflake confetti

pearls

white gel pen

google eyes

Happy Stamp Day.  God Bless.

Sweet Threads

Hard to believe summer CHA is right around the corner.  Yet again I can't attend!!  So I will have to live the experience online, many companies have been doing early peeks;)

This paper I used was from the winter CHA Basic Grey's Sweet Threads.  The butterflies are K and Co.

Super easy and SWEET, have to love creations like that.

Products used

PTI cardstock and Everyday Button Bits stamp set

Basic Grey Sweet Threads DP

Marvy Scallop Punch

Happy Stamp Day.  God Bless.

Rainbows Baby!

Oh, how wonderful were the Glam Bands!  Poison was one of my faves. Now the resurgence and comeback of Bret Michaels after Celebrity Apprentice you probably know the Lead vocalist. He is one of the best lyric writers around not to mention he is HOT!

Yes, I am a fan of all types of  music I love all different Genres and really can't pick a favorite one.  Depends on my mood what playlist I have going in the background.

Why the heck am I talking about this you ask.  Well Poison's song lyrics inspired today's creation...

I think it is a wonderful card of encouragement don't you?

Bret Michaels now, still as hot as EVER and I so want his Hat!

HERE IS THE CRY TOUGH VIDEO THE INSPIRATION FOR TODAYS CARD, ENJOY!

products used...

PTI cardstock

Cuttle Bug impression folder divine swirls

Cricut Expression

Cricut Cartridge Simply Charmed

Stickles

computer generated script

circle punches

dimensional dots

Happy Stamp Day.  God Bless.

Today is Sugar Cookie Day

We love to bake sugar cookies around here. 

Cookies in general are gobbled up faster than Cookie Monster on a sugar high.  

I do have go to recipes for sugar cookies and this is one of them.  

The main change here is using Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk. 

Oh, so very YUMMY!

EagleBrand.com

Eagle Brand Cut out Cookies

3 1/2 C flour

2t baking powder 

1/4 t salt

1 14 oz sweetened condensed milk

3/4 C butter

2 eggs

1T flavoring (either almond, vanilla or lemon)

Combine flour baking powder and salt. Beat milk, butter, eggs and flavoring in bowl for one minute.  Add flour mixture and combine.  Divide into thirds and chill for two hours.

Pre heat oven to 350.  Roll out dough onto lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes. Bake 9 to 11 minutes

I have sound something interesting I want to try EDIBLE Images over on Etsy.

Vintage Cherry Edible Images

Has anyone played around with these before?

Powder Sugar Glaze

2 C sifted powdered sugar

1/2 t flavoring (to match the cookie flavor you made)

2 T Milk

Tint with food coloring

Mix to a glaze consistency.  Apply to cooled cookies and let dry.

Here is  a link back to another sugar cookie I have shown in the past.

Have a cookie!

May your Sugar Cookie Day Be sprinkled with Love and Laughter;)

God Bless.

Mulberry Jam Blue Ribbon Recipe

 One batch of Rhubarb Mulberry Jam has been made.  Below is my favorite way to enjoy it. 

Dark rye bread, cream cheese and Jam.  YUMMY!

Little J loves it when Mom makes fun shapes with the bread.  Oh, the wonderful little things!

Rhubarb Mulberry Jam

Wash and chop 5 C Rhubarb

Place into non stick pot

Add 4 C of Sugar

Let the Rhubarb sweat under the sugar as you prepare the Mulberries.

Prepare 3 C of crushed Mulberries.

I wash and freeze my berries.  When I am ready to use them I quick thaw in the microwave.

This makes it so much easier to remove the stems and crush the fruit at the same time.

I also like to put them on top of the sugar that way if I miss a stem it becomes visible and can be removed.

Bring to a hard boil and boil for 10 minutes.

Add 1 package of Cranberry Jello 

continue to cook for 10 minutes.

Pack into prepared Jars.

Hot water boil for 15 minutes.

Let cool and store.

I have won a blue ribbon with this recipe at our county fair and it is some YUMMY stuff!  The hardest part is preparing the Mulberries and making sure the stems are removed.  

There is nothing worse than getting a woody stem with a bite.

Here is another fun little snack for the summer.

Dark Rye bread again with cream cheese.  

This time cuts of fresh cucumber and tomato topped with fresh Dill.  So good!

Have a Happy Stamp Day!  God Bless.

One Happy Tired Hooker

Here is our newly completed Rag Rug sitting in its spot in front of the kitchen sink.  

The finished size is 32"

I know!

This was much easier than I had first thought it would be.  

Read Previous hooker post to find links to directions.

I switched hook size to an N or 9mm as I finished the outer rings.  

I have also placed some stitches on the back just to make sure the kids or dogs don't get tangled up in it and all is for naught!  Next step before it is down on a permanent basis is to Scotch Guard it.

Here is an estimated amount of yardage used.

Purchased 9 yards

Scrap yards unknown

Not bad considering I taught myself to crochet two years ago because I loved the look of the flowers on my card creations.  Some of you seasoned veterans can see some missteps here and there I am sure.  Next one I will have to practice up on blending in my rings better.  The center starts of the rings throw me off you can see as I progressed the outer ones look much better.  In fact the final blue rings are my pride and joy.

Hey, it is primitive and primitive is 

the new antique;)

Liz loves it so much she wants to try this one for in front of the fridge...

If you have not given Crochet a try I recommend learning it such fun;)  Turns out my DH knows how, his Grandmother taught him when he was growing up. 

 I believe I may possibly get a few new potholders out of him.

Happy Hooking.  God Bless.

Have a Swell 4th

I love these Board shorts from Cricut Cartridge Pack Your Bags

Along with We R Memory Keepers Yankee Doodles DP

I think they turned out super cute;)

not to mention they were super easy to create...

I did computer generate the script and punched it out with SU tag punch.

Have a SWELL 4th!

God Bless AMERICA!

One Happy Hooker

LOL;)  Yeah, I had to use that title!
(based on the style of rug I am working on)

I used the Tute from Vintage Chica Rag Rug to create this beautiful rustic throw rug that is going to live in front of our kitchen sink.  When I placed it the look was not quite yet what I was looking for, I am going back to place more fabric.  
Right now as you see it the measurement is 18"

One thing with the tute I used she states to take out some crochet to have a flat rug.  For myself I found the opposite to be true I added some stitches when my rug started to roll.

Believe me I had numerous bird nests, hats and bags before I figured it out;)

Have a happy fun weekend!  God Bless.