Happy Anniversary to Hubby and Me

Today is our 30th wedding anniversary. You would think that we would have something very special planned for that, but we don't. We went to dinner on Saturday, but no plans for today. Skip has to work second shift. Sarah and Jason were going to come over to celebrate with us on Sunday, but they are having problems with getting the house and had to go and talk to Jason's father about it. I did want to share some great anniversary cards that we've been receiving from friends. Above card from Lisa.

This one is from Kat.

And this one is from Connie. Thanks ladies! Love them all!

 I also want to wish Lisa and Geoff a very Happy Anniversary as there's is today also. Wishing you a very happy day with many more anniversaries to come Lisa!

 To my friend Connie.....praying for your mom. Sorry to hear that she is not well.

Stamping trails
Karen

Punches Hurt!

Ouch punches hurt! I got the new Blossom punch from the mini catty and while I was making this card I got my palm caught in the punch. I was holding it upside down so I could see where I was punching and whamo! 

Guess I had better be more careful!

This is the card in question that used the Blossom punch. I didn't really put much thought in to this card, just playing around with left over pieces and parts that I still had on my desk from the week of stamping.


Yesterday was a busy day. We started getting an early lunch at a local Italian restaurant. Then we drove about 30 miles to  Menard's to pick up some stuff to make benches and rail for the new deck. Of course we had to unload the stuff too. Maybe I should tell you how much the unload was. Two Hundred and Three 16 pound each stones. WOW did I ever get a workout in. Oh and did I also tell you that it was 39 degrees outside when we were doing this. GOOD GRIEF!!!

Today thankfully is suppose to be warmer lower 60's and blessed sunshine. I really need it!!!!! 

Stamping trails
Karen

Adorning Accents Just Believe

I must say I love the Adorning Accents edges. Can you believe I've had them and the matching embossing folders for some time now and just got around to using them yesterday. I know I'm bad. Trying really hard to use all my stamping supplies, instead of letting them gather vintage dust. Other things used, Just Believe stamp set, butterfly punch, scrap of Beau Chateau designer paper, and pearls. Color Palette: Vanilla, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso.

 Well I'm still working on my spring cleaning. Busy, busy, busy! Taking full advantage of my meds! Not trying to overdo the workouts, but I am doing the cleaning! Took a bunch of stuff to good will today. Feels good to get organized!

 Weigh in - Lost 4 pounds. WOW I had a good week!!!!!!!

Stamping trails
 Karen

Very Victorian Card

Yesterday morning I made this very vintage Victorian card. Started with base cardstock Wisteria Wonder, then added layer of Pink Pirouette, and Basic Black. Stamp sets used: Forever Young, Ting Tags, Doily Background, and Delicate Doilies. Vintage ribbon completed the card. Large oval punch for the black layer, and the smallest oval from the ovals die also used. Hubby and I have an anniversary coming up so I'm thinking about giving him this one, but maybe not. Still thinking about it.


 Cold and rainy yesterday. I cleaned some more. Finished up day 6 of my meds. Still have 9 more days to go, but today my dose will be one pill less. They are doing wonders for me! Have had no knee pain, and my energy level is through the roof! Haven't been sleeping well only getting about 5 hours a night. I told my friend that when the pill are ended that I'm going to crash and burn. Her words of wisdom? Make sure I have a soft place to land. Thanks Marianne!

 Stamping trails
 Karen

Very Vintage Wheel

These cards were created for yet another VC Rockers Challenge. For this challenge we had to travel back in our stamping minds to the first time we fell in love with stamping. For me it was when I was visiting friends in 01. They had been having SU workshops so when I visited they had another one and let me be the mystery hostess. I was hooked when the Demo showed how the wheels worked. My kids were younger then and I was seeing how quick and easy it would be to create gift bags, treat bags, wrapping paper, book covers, stationary....oh the endless possibilities! I don't use my wheels quite as often now, but I still love them! This card uses jumbo Very Vintage Wheel. Color Palette: Soft Suede, White, Pretty in Pink, and Certainly Celery. Other things used, rhinestones, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies embosslit, pop dots, and sponges.

And since I messed up rolling the first time I ended up with a scrap piece of the rolled image so I had to use that too! Base card Soft Suede. Word stamp from Cherish Friendship.

Stamping trails
Karen

Fridge Magnet Gifts

Trying to get a jump on Christmas gifts. Just love these cute little fridge magnets. Not my idea I found them on Frenchie's site. So easy to punch through magnet sheets with the Designer Label punch. Cardstock is Crumb Cake. Four Frames stamp set was inked with Soft Suede, and then sponged with Old Olive, So Saffron, and Pretty in Pink. All edges finished with Soft Suede.

Even made a little "matching" Matchbox to hold them in.

Here you can see the drawer opened. I added a vintage brad for the drawer pull.

And after the stamping was finished I was left with a mess on the desk! One of these fine days I'll learn to clean as I go........but then again I'm not holding my breath on that one as I'm sure I'd pass out and hit the floor!

 Stamping trails
 Karen

Vintage Vogue Card

Made this card for a VC Rockers Challenge. Base card Wild Wasabi. Torn layers black. The black cardstock was first spritzed with water then crumbled up in my hand, then hand torn into strips. Flower in center was inked with Wasabi then rolled in black ink. Punched with large scallop circle punch and layered with more Wasabi and 2 1/2 circle punch. Vintage brad for the center flower. I didn't feel the card was finished enough for me so I sponged the edges with black.

Got up yesterday and made spinach cupcakes for breakfast. Then I got Chicken Stoganoff started in the crock pot. I have to admit I stayed in my PJ's till way past noon. It has been cold here. No snow, but temps in the 40's, windy and just brrrrrrrr. Some days it just doesn't serve a purpose to get out of your flannels!

Made more cards, and cleaned up the stamp room. Also swept the floors, and cleaned the bathrooms. I think today I'll just work on more cards and maybe do some crocheting. Getting behind on that. Since it is going to be cold all week just might be a good time to cuddle up on the couch with some yarn.

Stamping trails
Karen

Bras for the Cause

I spent yesterday afternoon with Sarah decorating some bras. The Curves where she works is participating in the Walk for the Cause Breast Cancer fundraisers. The Curves team will have a booth and will be selling the decorated bras. I'm also going to be making thank you cards for them. They can give this out at the booth. Of course the perfect stamp set to use for this is Rue Des Fleurs. I can used the corset with the word Thanks for your Support. I think Sarah and I both like the pink bra the best.

This one we are calling Oo La La....French bra

Not as happy with the red satin bra, but its not finished yet. Sarah wanted to add some black lace so that will be added later as I didn't have any black lace on hand.

 I'll be walking with my daughter Sarah for this event. American Cancer Society - Making Strides I am participating in 2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Cleveland, Ohio! Please support me with a donation. Donate.

 I'm not sure if you will be able to donate from the above link that I posted on facebook. But if you would like to donate to the cause please visit my wall on facebook. There is a link there.


 Stamping trails
 Karen

Birthday Card, Enchilada Casserole

This is a challenge card I did for the VC Rockers group. Challenge was to select scrap designer or cardstock, then add some neutral embellishments, and last add a base card with either a torn or punched edge. My base card is River Rock. Paisley Petals designer paper with Early Espresso layers. Pretty quick and easy card.

I made Enchilada Casserole last night for dinner. Pretty yummy. I picked up the wrong can of enchilada sauce. Suppose to use red enchilada sauce, but I got the mild green sauce instead. It was still pretty darn good. Even Skip liked it and we all know he doesn't like very many of my WW recipes. 1 cup shredded reduced fat Mexican cheese 1/3 cup ff milk 2 egg whites 1 tsp ground cumin 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes 1 14 3/4 oz. can cream corn 1 box of jiffy corn muffin mix 1 4 oz can chopped green chiles drained cooking spray 1 10oz can red enchilada sauce 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast 1/2 cup ff sour cream heat oven to 400 mix 1/4 of the cheese and the next 7 ingredients in a large bowl till moist. Pour into 13x9x2 pan that has been sprayed with the cooking spray. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and pierce entire surface with fork. Pour enchilada sauce over top. Add chicken and the remaining cheese. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Remove and let stand for 15 minutes. Cut into 8 pieces. Top each with 1 tablespoon of sour cream. calories 354, fat 14.1 grams, fiber 2.5 grams. I started new meds yesterday. I'll be on Pedizone (not sure I spelled that right) for 15 days. I have to say in just one day my knee is 90% better. I don't remember now if I posted but the doctor got my x-rays back and I have arthritis in my right knee. And may I just add the Blogspot changed design and I've been having trouble finding what I need to post. Grrrr. Oh well can't complain too much as it is a free site. Stamping trails Karen

Welcome to SU Stars Spring Blog Hop. Chances are you arrived here from Robin's Craft Room Robin is such a talented lady! If you'd like to start at the beginning of the Spring Hop visit here I made a wreath for my part of this hop. Started with cardboard from one of the designer papers. Then just cut it into a circle. Used Flower Folds big shot die to cut the flowers using Paisley Petals paper, and Marina Mist, Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze, and white cardstock. The circles in the flower centers were stamped with Early Espresso using Delicate Doilies stamp set. For the wreath base I brayered over it with Always Artichoke ink then stamped the leaf from Flower Fest randomly over it using the same ink color. Word "hello" from Tiny Tags, and "Spring" is from Season to Season (retired). Embosslits Beautiful Wings was also used. Next up on the Spring Hop is Shelly Peck. You can visit her blog here Hope you enjoy the Spring Hopping!!!!! Weigh in - Lost 1.6 pounds Stamping trails Karen

Feeling Blue

I've been making cards using Thought and Prayers stamp set. I borrowed the set from Kat. Thanks Kat!

This card uses Early Espresso, River Rock, and Paisley Prints designer paper. I carried the designer paper to the inside card.

So why am I feeling blue? Jonathan Frid died yesterday at the age of 87. He was Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows. I remember running home from school to watch the show as a kid. My brother knew I was afraid of vampires and use to tease me about it. So now I'm missing both of them. Hubby said now we know he wasn't a vampire. What do I think? I think Jonathan couldn't bear the that that Johnny Depp made a joke out of Barnabas Collins in his new movie. I wish they would leave some of childhood memories alone.

Stamping trails
Karen

Really Great Mail Day!

Well this is one happy girl! My wonderful friend Kat sent me 25 Christmas cards that she recently made. I'm only showing a few samples of the cards is this pic. So I got Christmas in April! Kat you did a fantastic job on all of them. Big thanks!!!! These were waiting in my mail box when I got back from the doctor yesterday afternoon. Just perfect to relax and look at after that long doctor visit.

Had some x-rays taken of my knee. Doctor thinks it is arthritis. We will see after the x-ray are reviewed. My blood pressure was great 116/78. I also had blood work done, and just for good measure I got a mammogram to. What a day!

I did make a new recipe. Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls. So good, and light!

1 tablespoon melted butter or margarine
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
1 can reduced fat crescent rolls
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

unroll the crescents on a cookie sheet, but don't separate any of them. Press the perforations together to seal them up. You will have a long rectangle. Spread the melted butter over the rectangle. Mix the sugar, chips, and cinnamon in a bowl then sprinkle them over the butter, but keep them about an 1 inch away from one long edge of the rolls. Now starting at one long edge start rolling it up jelly roll style. Then cut the roll into 16 pieces. Lay the pieces flat on the cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven at 375 for 13 minutes. Can you say YUM!!!!!! Only 25 calories and 1.5 grams of fat for each one. Pure delight!

Stamping trails
Karen

Seedlings

Hubby and I have been planting seeds indoors so when it's safe to plant in the garden we will have something to plant. Skip tilled the garden Easter weekend so the soil is ready. This pic is a cucumber.

This one is tomatoes.

And my adopted pet squirrel. He was up on the deck begging yesterday morning so I can't say no to him.

I covered my apple core with peanut butter. That was one happy squirrel!

Magic Masking, Happy Mail, and Crockpot Cheese Burgers

My friend Marianne got me looking at splitcoast today. This technique is Magic Masking. Super easy to do. Not a new to me technique as I did this years ago. Its one of those learned, used, then forgotten techniques. You need glossy cardstock. Tear a strip of masking tape then ink it in a dye based ink pad and press it on the glossy cardstock. Hold cardstock in one hand and tape in the other then just pull it off. Leaves a nice texture design. Since Flower Fest is retiring I decided to use it today. Colors Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, and Marina Mist.

And speaking of my friend I received this cute little notebook in the mail from her yesterday. I told her sure I can use it....getting older and can't remember those passwords like I use to! Thanks Marianne!

I tried a new recipe for the crock pot.

Cheese Burger Crock

1 1/2 lb lean ground meat
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
8 oz Velveeta cheese (use the 2% one)
1 cup chopped onions
2 tablespoons skim milk

Brown the meat with the pepper and garlic powder. Transfer to crock. Mix in the onions, milk and cheese. Cook on low 2 hours. Serve on buns.

Hubby liked this one.

Stamping trails
Karen

Fixing Goofs

One of the main reasons why I like to stamp is being able to "fix" any goofs I make. You know the ones....smudging ink where you don't want it to be, not stamping clear images and so on. This is how I wanted the card to look. When stamped the focal image on the second one that is where I goofed!

On the top right I smudged some ink. I must have had inky fingers and touched the white cardstock. So to cover that up I added a small flower with a brad in the center. Now notice on this one I have "with sympathy" layered on Baja Breeze cardstock. When I went to stamp the word on the white it slipped out of my hand and smeared the word.

I like both the cards...but what I really like is being able to correct a problem without starting over!

I was at Aldi's on Saturday and found these bars. What a great find! Only 14 calories each, 0 fat, and 1 fiber. Which means point wise for WW it works out to a big "0" per each bar! Pure delight, and they taste great!

Rain and Pain

Well it rained most of the day yesterday. Since it was damp and a bit cold I had some pain in my knee. Going to the doctor on Wednesday to see if anything can be done about it. Just hasn't been right since I took that fall off the bike.

Stamp set Inspired by Nature. Cardstock Vanilla, Suede, More Mustard, and a little bit of green on the stems and leaves. The full stamp wouldn't fit on the piece of vanilla that I cut for the main image so I cut one flower out and glued it in place with a 2 way glue pen.

Now the weather man promised me that there would be sun today no rain and temps up to 78, and I can't see the weather man being wrong....crossing my fingers!

Stamping trails
Karen

Lazy Day

I was really lazy yesterday. Did do some light housework, and got on the treadmill but other than that I was lazy! Watched some telly, made a pot of pinto beans in the crockpot, and watched the dust bunnies roll across the floor. I did make this card. I broke out some Basic Gray paper, and speaking of dust.....the pretty designer paper is just sitting in drawers getting older (like me), so I decided I need to use some of it. Stamp set by SU Forever Young.

It is suppose to be warmer today so I think I'll get on the bike and take it for a spin. Maybe I'll do some grocery shopping too. It has to be better than watching dust bunnies!

Weigh in - lost 1.2

Stamping trails
Karen

Chicken Stroganoff

I made this in the crock pot yesterday and it was a big hit with the family.

4 frozen chicken breasts
1 can cream of mushroom soup ( I use the lower sodium and lower fat kind)
8 oz fat free plain yogurt
1 package of stoganoff dry mix. The recipe called for a package of dry onion soup but since I didn't have that on hand and didn't want to go out I used what I had on hand.

Place the chicken in the crock. Mix the other ingredients together and pour over the chicken. Cook on low for 7 hours. Serves 4. Pour this over noodles, or rice.

Picture of it on my plate. The chicken breasts were large so I just cut mine in half. The chicken could be shredded after it cooks in the crock then poured over noodles.

Stamping trails
Karen

Snow

I woke up to snow on the ground. Not much but just enough to make me unhappy. Suppose to be Spring, not Winter. If you look on the lower right hand corner of the picture you will see some of my tulips. What a contrast...snow and tulips. Which leads me to the card.

Since the calendar is really off this year I broke out my snowflake stamp set. The technique is called marker resist. Snowflake stamped on white cardstock with Versamark ink, then embossed with white embossing powder. I used the following marker colors, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Tempting Turquoise, and Pacific Point to add the color. Next I wiped off the marker from the snowflakes and used some water to flick on the completed panel, to make the blotches.

For the inside card I found some matching snowflake ribbon by American Crafts. I also put a strip on the inside card front to hide the prongs of the brads.

Still hoping for warmer weather soon. To my friends in TX send some of the heat my way please!

Stamping trails
Karen

Eggs and Easter Photos

I didn't color eggs this Easter season, so I was happy when Sarah arrived on Sunday bearing Easter eggs she had colored.

Her boyfriend Jason made the bunny on this egg. Cool!

Pic of the family.

Sarah and her Aunt Lisa.

Well yesterday was April 10th and we got snow! Yes you heard right, we got some of that dirty four letter word. It didn't stick, was just cold, windy, and flakes falling. Suppose to be 70 by Saturday. Just love this crazy Ohio weather!!!!!

Stamping trails
Karen

Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake

This is a great summertime recipe. Light and airy and so good. I also made this for Easter dinner.

Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake

one box white cake mix
10 oz diet Sprite
2 egg whites
fat free cool whip
one small package sugar free raspberry jello
1 1/2 boiling water
little bit of flaked coconut


Mix the cake mix with the Sprite and egg whites. Spray 13x9x2 pan with cooking spray. Pour cake mix into the pan. Bake according to the cake mix directions. I believe I baked mine for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and let cool. Take a straw and poke holes in the top of the cake. Heat water to boiling and mix in the jello. Once dissolved pour over the top of the cake. Refrigerate for 3 hours. Top with the cool whip and just a bit of coconut.

This reminds me of Hostess Zinger cakes, but a lighter version.

Stamping trails
Karen

Birds Nests

Very late posting today. I spent the day cleaning the kitchen and putting things back in order after Easter dinner. Then I had to go and pick up a few groceries.

One of the fun things I made for Easter are these birds nests. Easy and just a bit messy to make, but everyone loved them.

Birds Nests

10 shredded wheat biscuits (cereal the large ones)
1 1/2 cup peanut butter. (the recipe called for chunky PB but I don't like that kind. I also used reduced fat PB)
12 oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate morsels
jelly beans.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, add the peanut butter remove from heat. Crush the wheat biscuits and stir into the chocolate/peanut butter mixture until covered. Spread some wax paper on the work surface and form the mixture into nests. I used two spoons to help shape them and put a indentation in the center. Allow them to cool for 30 minutes then add some jelly beans for the eggs.

More pictures tomorrow, and hopefully I'll get it posted in the morning!

Stamping trails
Karen

Happy Easter

Wishing you a very blessed Easter.

I'll be serving dinner at 2. Not a large group for dinner, it will just be the 8 of us. My ham is cooking in the crockpot. This is the first year I've tried to make a ham in the crock. I'll let you know how it comes out. Will be posting pics tomorrow.


Cross was made using Modern label punch, center flower Boho Blossom. Oval is from Oval # 2 die Sizzix. Colors: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, White, Wisteria, Pear Pizzazz, and designer paper by Basic Gray.

Stamping trails
Karen

Bunny and Chick Treat Holders

**Edited**

I forgot to enter my weigh in results for week 5

Made these to give to my nieces on Sunday. Large scallop circle die by Sizzix for the treat holder. Punches used: 1/2 circle, scallop oval, large oval, trio heart, 2 1/2 scallop circle.

Side view of the goody inside. Peanut Butter eggs....my weakness. I'm being strong.....no Easter candy for me.

I'll be doing some prep work for Sunday dinner today. Making sweet potato casserole so I'll be cooking and mashing the taters, also will be making deviled eggs, oh and the spinach dip. Busy, busy

Weigh in Week 5 - lost 1.3

Stamping trails
Karen

Lattice Die Egg

Got another egg card for you today. For this one I used the oval die again to cut out the egg, then I used the lattice die to make the design. Under layer is Daffodil Delight cardstock with a few rhinestones just to perk the egg up. Stamp set Inspired by Nature. Pear Pizzazz and Marina Mist cardstock also used.

With Easter just a few days away I've been busy planning out the dinner menu, and doing some housework. I know I have an egg tray to hold the deviled eggs but I haven't come across it yet.

Skip and John both have today off. They are really happy about the three day weekend. Now if I could only rope them into giving me a hand with some of the chores......I can dream....can't I?

Stamping trails
Karen