Wedding Card

Here's a simple wedding card I made the other day. I took several pictures of this card but I couldn't get the silver to photograph well. The striped paper is from the DCWV Christmas Glitter Stack, I thought it was perfect for a simple wedding card because the the subtle sparkles (which you really can't see). The cake image is from the Fun & Fast Notes. I stamped in VersaMark and embossed with silver embossing powder and used markers to color. I used the Circle and Scallopped Circle Nestabilities for matting the image, the scallopped layer is Silver Metalic paper (sorry it looks grey). A simple knot in white sheer ribbon to finished it off.

We had the party....

This week Micaela and I hosted a little Halloween Party for a couple of her friends and their Mommies. In keeping with my effort to be green I wanted to share what I did our Halloween Party to have zero waste.

Here's Micaela and one of her little friends enjoying a morning snack served in my BOO letter dishes-- Gold Fish and Trix cereal looked cute.

Instead of filling the trashcan with paper plates, plastic forks, cups, tablecloth and decorations after the party was over, here's what we did.

• I set a little table for Micaela & friends. It's one of those inexpensive kid size card tables with folding chairs. Instead of using a paper or plastic table cloth, I made one out of two one yard remants of seasonal fabric. I made the tablecoth reversible one side black, the other with a jack-o-lantern print.


• Instead of buying Halloween paper napkins, we used cloth. (Don't freak). I have always liked to use cloth napkins for parties, I usually just buy fabric by the yard, cut out squares 17x17 and sew a simple hem. I thought my black ones would be too morbid for kids and didn't have orange... thank goodness I had some yellow gingham ones from my Pink, Blue and Yellow stash for Baby Showers.


• We used real forks--- no plastic


• All the decorations outside and inside were from my stash--most I've had for 6 to 10 years.


• I used re-usable plastic pumpkin shaped plates for the girls... Got them at a discount store on clearance 2 for $1 when Micaela was a baby-- glad to finally have used them for the first time this year.


• Used reusable cups for their drinks, made one pitcher of Kool-Aid and refilled the cups as needed (eliminated juice boxes/pouches). The pumpkin cups were one of the favors.

All in all, zero waste and the girls had a great time.

Witch Shoes

Here's a simple card I made using the Witch Shoes stamp from Stampendous. Some little fingers got ahold of it while it was drying, please excuse the smudges. The dotted background was done with the Polkadot background stamp from SU. The sheer Orange ribbon and Happy Halloween sentiment is a $1 stamp are from Michael's.

Have a Green Halloween!

As Halloween approaches, here are several ideas for trick-or-treaters and treat-givers to add more green to the orange and black holiday.

• When planning a Halloween monster bash, use reusable utensils, plates, napkins and tablecloths instead of disposable ones.
• When you are shopping for Halloween goodies, buy candy that uses the least amount of packaging. Kids may clamor for chocolate and candy corn, but after Halloween's over, wrappers may be as common as tummy aches.
• Look for the recycled content in items you buy and carry reusable bags to put your groceries in," Krupp said.
• Walk or ride a bike for Halloween parties or trick-or-treating. If you have to drive, carpool to help reduce traffic and air pollution.
• Try to re-use Halloween decorations in the same way that Christmas ornaments are used from year-to-year, instead of throwing them away each November first.

Most of all, use this holiday to think about your everyday habits and actions to reduce waste 365 days a year. The scariest aspect of Halloween may not be the ghosts in the attic, but the waste on the floor. Individual actions can make a huge difference for our future.

Information from Environmental Defense Fund 10-21-08

Simple Monogram Cards

My friend's SIL wanted some very simple Save the Date cards for her wedding next year. Her colors are Chocolate & Sage. Here are the three cards I came up with using the Lovely Letters alphabet set from Stampin' Up!

I used Chocolate Chip craft ink, Chocolate Chip and Sage Shadow Card Stock and Chocolate Ribbon. We plan to use chocolate envelopes and use a gold pen for addressing.

This one has 1" wide Sheer Chocolate Ribbon. The medallion is from the Wanted stamp set.

I used 5/8 inch wide Chocolate Chip Ribbon and just circle punches on this one. I used the 1-1/4, 1-3/8 and 1-1/2 circle punches for the circles.

I used 1/4 inch wide Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon and the first two circle punches from above on this one.

Witch Party Favors

I made these the other night using the Witch punch from my 'pal' Martha Stewart. The punch is so intricate, I love the detail in the witch. I used More Mustard to make the top layer look like a moon and Basic Black for the scalloped circle. These containers are from Wilton and you can find them in the wedding favor section at any craft store. I used 1/4 inch ribbon from Stampin' Up! to dress up the container but it really looks fine without it. Thanks for stopping by.

Witch Hat Treats

In keeping with the witch theme, here's another EASY recipe to try. This one is from Betty Crocker.

32 Hershey®'s Kisses® milk chocolates, unwrapped
1 package (11 1/2 ounces) fudge-striped shortbread cookies (32)
1 tube (4.25 ounces) orange or red decorating icing

Attach 1 chocolate candy to chocolate bottom of each cookie, using decorating icing.

Pipe decorating icing around base of milk chocolate candy. TaDa, how much more simple can it get?

You can access the recipe at the Betty Crocker website by clicking here.

Green Tip

Did you know that two weeks of daily newspapers equals one full grown tree?

Please think about that the next time you're putting your newspaper in the trash.

Owls & Matching Kitchen Linens

My MIL has collected owls for a long time and last month sometime I was at Target and saw these cute fall themed kitchen towels and pot holders. I immediately thought of her and picked them up to send in a care package from Micaela.

Then a few weeks ago I was checking out Dawn's blog and saw this cute owl card made out of punches! Ta-Da! I knew what I had to do.

Here's the card I came up with to send with the kitchen linens. I tried to match the colors and patterns, notice the Aida Cloth background on the Old Olive circle (just like the towel) and I added an additional circle punch on the owl's belly to match the pot holder.
I generated the sentiment on the computer and did layers on the inside. This was a really fun card to make. I am not sure who came up with the owl originaly but I applaud them for having a brain that puts random shapes together to make totally cute things. Dawn has a video tutorial on how to make the owl, you can access it by clicking HERE.

This Friday was my in-law's 49th Wedding Anniversary, I hope they enjoy receiving the card & tiny gift. Thanks for stopping by.

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

I visited Williams Sonoma last week and they were sampling Spiced Pumpkin Seed Brittle. OMG, it's delicious! I've tried making brittle before and it didn't quite turn out, buying it is definitely the way to go.

If you have a Williams Sonoma in your area, definitely buy some-- you will love it. Or you can always order online and have it shipped to you!

More Boos

Here are some more cards made with those cute foam ghosts....

This is the card Micaela is mailing to here little friends. She wanted pink, not orange-- I think it works. We used the Top Note Die for the Pink Passion Layer and the Bubbles Cuttlebug embossing folder to emboss the Black layer. Micaela loves to crank the Cuttlebug!

These are little itty bitty Boo cards like the ones from yesterday. I made these for my SIL to give to her co-workers.

Here you can see the little matching envelopes. These are coin envelopes from Staples. I got like 500 for around $15. The envelopes are that manilla color which is pretty darn close to More Mustard. The Oct 31 stamp in the corner is a stamp form the $1 bin at either JoAnn or Michael's and the Boo is from the Pictograms stamp set from SU.

I stamped the inside with the Happy Boo to You from the retired Booglie Eyes stamp set.

Ghost Appetizers

Micaela is going to have a tiny little Halloween party/playdate with some of her friends. I say tiny because it's only going to be her and two other little girls. They will be here during lunch time so I've been looking for some fun foods to serve.

In keeping with Micaela's new found facination with ghosts, (she has no idea what a ghost even is, she just likes how they smile) I think this recipe from Pillsbury is going to be perfect. I love two ingredient recipes. I plant to assemble them the night before and just bake them off right before I need to serve them.

INGREDIENTS
1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or Colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend (4 oz)
Assorted sliced olives and chiles, as desired

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray, or cover with cooking parchment paper.

On cutting board, unroll dough; separate into 8 triangles. From center of longest side to opposite point, cut each triangle in half, making 16 triangles. Shape each as needed to look like ghost shape. Arrange triangles on cookie sheet, folding narrow point under about 1/ 2 inch, to form head of ghost.

Bake about 7 minutes or until slightly puffed and just beginning to brown. Sprinkle each ghost with 1 tablespoon cheese; top with sliced olives to form mouth and eyes. Bake 2 to 3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

You can access all the 'ghostly' details on their website by clicking here.

Green Tip

Something to think about every time you are done with a plastic bottle.

Happy Boo to You!

These are the cards Micaela and I made for her classmates at her two schools. We made 30-something of these little cards. They were incredibly easy! They are small and fit in a coin envelope the size of a business card. These were perfect for a 3 yr old that loves foamy stickers, she had a ball making them. Inside we stamped Happy Boo to You from the retired Booglie Eyes stamp set. We used Pink Passion, Only Orange and Lovely Lilac card stock. Micaela is so proud to hand out her handmade cards, it's totally adorable (I am a proud Mommy)!

Spooky Brownies

Here's a fun recipe I found at the Betty Crocker website. Aren't these adorable!

1 box Betty Crocker® Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for in brownie mix directions
1 container Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy creamy white frosting
Neon green, pink and blue food colors
24 large marshmallows
Miniature candy-coated chocolate baking bits
Black decorating gel
1 roll Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll-Ups® chewy fruit snack (any red variety)
Gummy worms candies


Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Bake and cool brownies as directed. Cut into 24 brownies, 6 rows by 4 rows.
Remove lid and foil cover from container of frosting. Microwave frosting uncovered on High about 20 seconds or until frosting can be stirred smooth. Divide warm frosting among 3 small bowls, 1 for each color. Decorate as directed below, using 8 brownies for each.Franken-Brownies Add 5 drops green food color to frosting in 1 bowl; mix well. Top each of 8 brownies with 1 large marshmallow. Spoon 1 tablespoon green frosting over each marshmallow to coat. Decorate with green baking bits for eyes and ears. Use black gel for mouths and centers of eyes. Cut fruit snack to use for hair. Boo-Brownies Top each of 8 brownies with 1 large marshmallow. Spoon 1 tablespoon white frosting over each marshmallow to coat. Use black gel for eyes and mouths. Spider Brownies Add 5 drops pink food color and 3 drops blue food color to frosting in 1 bowl; mix well. Top each of 8 brownies with 1 large marshmallow. Tuck gummy worms candies under each marshmallow for legs. Spoon 1 tablespoon purple frosting over each marshmallow to coat. Use orange baking bits for eyes. Use black gel for mouths, centers of eyes and eyebrows.


You can access the website by clicking here.

Creative Pumpkin Ideas

I love subscribing to the Better Homes & Gardens "100 days of Holidays" email newsletter. Their emails are loaded with terrific decorating ideas and recipes. One of their recent emails was on decorating pumpkins. I love the idea of painting pumpkins because several years ago I cut myself carving a pumpkin. Here's one of my favorites. You can check out a slide show by clicking here.

Pumpkin Patch

This past weekend we took Micaela to one of the local pumpkin patches we've been visiting the last four Octobers. Micaela was six months old the first time we went. I have about 30 favorite shots but this is probably one of my favorites. We've been taking a picture of her in this pot every year. This year she looked at us kinda funny when we told her to get in (obvious smirk on her face) I am not sure if she'll fit next year. And, I have to tell a story about the sweater she is wearing, I actually bought that when she was six months old and I've been holding on to it for the last 3 years! I am so glad that this year was THE year she finally fit into it!

It's Autumn...

I love this time of the year. Here are two of the cards my ladies made this week at Stamp Club.

This is a simple card I made using one of my all time favorite stamp from the "All Holidays" Stamp Set. I stamped in Chocolate Chip craft ink and embossed with clear powder. The background on the Chocolate Chip is the Paisley background stamp (choc chip classic ink). I used an ancient Paper Shapers punch to punch out a maple leaf in the corner (I've probably had that punch for 12+ years, I can remember using is as far back as 1997! The ribbon (which I love) is from JoAnn's. The More Mustard circle is designer paper from the Juntos collection in the Spanish Stampin' Up! catalaog. I used the Nestabilities dies for the scalloped and plain circles.

Second card is also simple. I stamped the "Stitched" background on the Really Rust card stock and the sentiment from the Best Yet stamp set in Chocolate Chip craft ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. The scallopped and plain circles are also done with the Nestabilities dies. The leaft was done using a Cuttlebug die and matching embossing folder-- I just love that leaf!

Thanks for visiting!

I've been stamping & cooking

I've been stamping and cooking just haven't had time to post! September is such a blur, I had so many different things going on, every single weekend was booked. October so far is a total repeat unfortunately. I can't say my life is dull because there are too many things going on. All of the KA trade partners are gearing up for the holidays, we have three weddings in the family and I have double events going on with Micaela since she attends two different schools. In addition to that, my hubby has a giant project going on in our back yard and I've got some redecorating going on inside the house. I am blessed to have such a full life!