Tuesday, May 31, 2011

ColourQ and i{heart}2stamp Challenges

This is my second post today and this card is even brighter and bolder than the first card.  On my earlier post I freely admitted that I was way out of my comfort zone with the colors - I can't believe that I have done it again!  Of course, it isn't something that I would have ever attempted without some amazing inspiration from colourQ!


Their inspiration photo is so darn cute, my card won't measure up!!  (Actually, I am really happy with my card and I am wondering if I am turning into a "Brights" kind of gal in my old age?)




The layout comes from the i{heart}2stamp monthly sketch challenge, and check out the date - once again I have waited until the last day.  Their sponsor this month is Your Next Stamp.  I like to try to use that company's stamps on my card but I actually don't have any.  After browsing their site, I definitely have a wishlist.


Then, to totally top off my descent into the world of bold and bright colors, I had a card from last week mentioned in two different challenges.  Here's the card (details here).  It's as bold and bright as my last two cards and it is a colourQ courtier and a Paper Player Cut Above.



Details on the first card:
  • Stamps: My Cute Stamps Elegant Birds
  • Ink: Memento Black and copics
  • Paper: Stampin' Up Soft Suede, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry
  • Accessories: Stampin' Up lattice embossing folder, Soft Suede ribbon, Nestabilities circles and scalloped circles, Stickles in Glam Pink, Yellow and Orange Peel


A Verve Kind of Day #4

I saw this morning's Splitcoast Color Challenge and walked away - definitely out of my comfort zone.  But...there is a reason they are called challenges.  So I decided to give it a try.  I forced myself to fully embrace these colors (vs. finding subtle patterned papers that matched) and I also went for a bold use of the dessert option: summer!!   Although I am happy with the final card, every decision and step of the way was painful!


The layout is from a May Viva La Verve Sketch.  Just one more to go for May and, for the first time, I will have finished that challenge!!
  • Stamps: Verve Miracles Blossom
  • Ink: copics
  • Paper: Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil CS and dsp, Pacific Point dsp
  • Accessories: Mark Richards Yellow Glitter Domes and Black Nailheads, Stampin' Up Daffodil Grosgrain and Scalloped Border Punch, Nestabilities Pinking Circles, Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames and Clouds dies

A Verve Kind of Day #3

I had promised this post yesterday and I was all ready to go, but my family insisted we watch a History Channel special together.  No problem - I figured that I would just write up the words after the show.  But I fell asleep, I'm embarrased to tell you how early it was!  It was just so cozy curled up next to my husband and the kids weren't arguing - just quietly watching the show.

Of course, this is the kids earlier on their Memorial Day holiday!  The "lump" under the blanket is the teenager!


Here is my third card for the May Verve Sketch challenges:


  • Stamps: Verve Dare to Be
  • Ink: Stampin' Up Early Espresso
  • Paper: Kaisercraft Secrete Bird Society, Stampin' Up Early Espresso and Shimmer White, Papertrey Aqua Mist, misc vellum
  • Accessories: Spellbinders Tag (cut in half so it peeks out from each side of the square), Spellbinders Beaded Oval, Clear Spica pen (on each bead), Martha Stewart butterfly punch

Monday, May 30, 2011

SCS CAS: Folded or Scrunched

Today's Splitcoast CAS Challenge was to fold or scrunch your ribbon.  I really like the folded ribbon look - I did a quick tutorial here (scroll past the shimmer paint instructions).


I pulled out the retired Kiwi Kiss for this card since I had ribbon, buttons, ink and paper in that color.  Since I had retired colors out - I also used Ruby Red and Cameo Coral, one of my favorite combos!

As a total sidetrack - how many of my Colorado readers are being invaded by miller moths?  I thought the cold weather might stop them - but apparently not.

For non-Colorado readers - I found this brief description of what it is like in Colorado during miller moth season:

Multitudes of Moths

Here's what happens if you simply use a fly swatter.  That's the "dust" from one of them smeared across my computer screen!

Although I really ought not complain as I just read about this Bermuda blogger's giant centipedes and flying cockroaches!!
I will have more posts today as I am finishing up the Verve May challenges and I have three to go!
  • Stamps: Stampin' Up Bold Blossom
  • Ink: Stampin' Up Kiwi Kiss, Ruby Red, Soft Suede
  • Paper: Stampin' Up Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral
  • Accessories: Stampin' Up Kiwi Kiss ribbon, Butterfly embosslist, Playground buttons, gems

Sunday, May 29, 2011

delight....

A new sketch is up over at Creative scrappers, it was a fun one to use this time.
 I decided to use a favourite photo from our photo shoot back in January with labelle photographics, He is just a delight.

 Do you spy that gorgeous vintage paper pin on my layout, one of the new goodies that my good friend Gail has in her etsy shop here
 Sigh more delish findings from her shop, be sure to head over and be quick as I am sure these will sell out fast.

Till next time...

Featured Stamper: Rosie

Today's Splitcoast Featured Stamper has a wonderful gallery.  I spent so much time studying Rosemary's cards and clicking the Favorite Heart, that I ran out of my morning "alone-time" so it took much longer to get a card made than usual!

I CASed this card.  Rosemary uses a lot of stamps that match nesties.  Her card uses an extra large stamp from Heartfelt Creations.  I have a number of stamps by them, but I had never ordered the extra large flowers - I may have to after seeing her card.  I used a similar set of stamps by Sparkle n Sprinkle that coordinates with Spellbinders Blossoms 3.  Since I didn't have an extra large flower, I used an arrangement of three flowers in place of her single flower.

  • Stamps: Sparkle n Sprinkle Blossoms, Papertrey Signature Greetings
  • Ink: Stampin' Up Melon Mambo
  • Paper: Stampin' Up Melon Mambo dsp
  • Accessories: patterned black brads from Oriental Trading, Nestabilities Blossoms 3

Baby Farfalle with a Creamy Smoked Bacon and Pea Sauce

This is one of those meals that tastes so miraculous, yet it all comes together with leftovers. Half a box of pasta, half a pack of bacon, some leftover peas from dinner the other night, mint from the garden, and just the right amount of Parmesan cheese.  It's a creamy, cheesy, comforting and pleasing meal that was heaven sent. Plus, it all comes together in the time it takes to boil the pasta.


Pasta with a Creamy Smoked Bacon and Pea Sauce
Adapted from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
Serves 4-6 (I halved the recipe)

10 slices smoked bacon or pancetta
a small bunch of fresh mint
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound dried mini shell or other type of pasta
olive oil
a pat of butter
2 cups frozen peas
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 lemon
6 ounces Parmesan cheese

To prepare your pasta:
Finely slice the bacon.  Pick the mint leaves and discard the stalks. Finely grate the Parmesan.

To cook your pasta:
Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil.  Add the mini pasta and cook according to the package instructions.  Get a large frying pan over a medium heat and add a good lug of olive oil and the butter.  Add the bacon to the pan, sprinkle a little pepper over and fry until golden and crisp.  Meanwhile, finely chop your mint leaves.  As soon as the bacon is golden, add your frozen peas and give the pan a good shake.  After a minute or so, add the heavy cream and chopped mint to the bacon and peas.  Drain the pasta in a colander over a large bowl, reserving some of the cooking water.  Add the pasta to the frying pan.  Halve your lemon and squeeze the juice over the pasta.  When it's all bubbling away nicely, remove from the heat.  It's really important that the sauce is creamy, silky, and delicious but if it's too thick for you, add a splash of the reserved cooking water to thin it out a bit.  Add the grated Parmesan and give the pan a shake to mix it in.

To serve your pasta:
Divide your pasta between plates or bowls, or put it on the table in a large serving dish and let everyone help themselves.  Lovely with a simply dressed green salad.


Notes/Results:  I absolutely loved this recipe!  Creamy, cheesy, bacony...delicious.  I do want to note that I needed to use a touch more cream to bring it all together, but otherwise it was perfect!

If you're celebrating the Memorial Day holiday have a great weekend!!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

LIM: Pick a Square

This morning, I realized that I work better under pressure.  I have a total of 15 minutes to put together a Thank You card (and to post it!) 

I checked out this week's Less Is More challenge which was to pick a box on this diagram, stamp in that one box and leave the rest white.


I had a older stamp set on my desk that had just come from an E-Bay purchase so I didn't even have to dig for stamps.

This came together in 10 minutes - 8 minutes of which was trying to get the thread through the tiny little butterfly button holes to make it look like antenna!  And I like this card better than I have liked anything I have done in my last leisurely few weeks!

  • Stamps: Stampin' Up Oh My Word, A Muse Essential Ovals clear set
  • Ink: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Soft Suede (sponged on the edges of the vase), Soft Sky and Pear Pizzazz
  • Paper: white
  • Accessories: buttons (I have had them so long, I have no idea who made them) and white crochet thread

Lacrosse Stamps DO Exist!!

This card is not a great work of art.  It is a thank you card for my youngest son's lacrosse coach.  But I am posting it because it is a real struggle to find anything lacrosse related - even though it is very, very quickly gaining in popularity - and I found a lacrosse set!  It's at clear&simple stamps


Here's my lacrosse player!


Our day today is dominated by lacrosse.  He has a scrimmage in just a few hours, then a final barbeque.  Then we have to watch lacrosse for the rest of the weekend as, for the first time ever, a team from west of the Mississippi is in the NCAA Final Four - our very own University of Denver! (I'll probably hang out in my craft corner, but I am sure that I will hear every play replayed throughout the weekend!)

  • Stamps: clear&simple lacrosse
  • Ink: Stampin' Up Tangerine and Brilliant Blue
  • Paper: Stampin' Up Tangerine and Brilliant Blue

Friday, May 27, 2011

It's Pink Saturday! and It's a Pink Saturday Birthday!!





It's been a special year around here and that little guy is one reason why...He has been a real joy! He  dropped into our lives on the hind end of a tough loss and we weren't really ready for him, but we sure are happy to have him!

Another special thing this year...Our ED...Second from the right won an inaugural award at the annual leadership conference (Komen)
and I was there...far right...
 I started this blog...who knew so many of us love pink...the first few names I tried to choose were taken...so I landed on this one...I am glad I did...Do you like my new banner?
SO anyway...it has been a fun year and a sad year and a stressful year and it isn't over yet...in other words...a pretty normal year...and more to come...Happy Birthday Pink Saturday!
Just click on the Birthday Picture above to join in the fun, and as always...



 

A treasure in Richmond, Virginia




I have had a friend Jeff FOREVER or at least since I was 32 which is really about the same as forever!
We met in San Diego when we were both working in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter and we would go have lunch almost everyday with a group of people. He ended up leaving and moving back to VA, met a beautiful woman and she agreed to marry him :o) Years later we found out that we too were relocating back to VA. Not the same city but we figured out that a short drive away is the middle, Richmond, VA! Now we can get our families together and I am so happy!

We decided to meet up at Maymont. It is a beautiful place and if you ever get the chance to go, it is well worth the stop!!!!






These goats have figured out how to try to get more attention and food.



The bridge in the Japanese Garden


Japanese garden




Adam at the carriage house




The horse drawn buggy with the bridal party :o)



On top of the world...







Lilly pad jumping!









And what fun is any trip when a child does not fall into the water! It was super hot so she dried out quickly




Being there inspired me to try a new idea but I cannot seem to find this print... if anyone knows where I can find some could you please send me a message!!!!! Thank you :o)

It is Alexander Henry Sumie (ink drawing)



Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!

Kim :o)