January 30, 2011 Dinner Club

Well, dinner club last night was somewhat of a success.  The menu was:

Appetizers:    Pomegranet Martinis
                     Marinated stuffed olives
                     Nutty stuffed mushrooms (allrecipes.com)
                     Dried plum, cheese and almond crostini

Salad:           Spring Greens tossed with Garlic Maple Vinaigrette
                     topped with Craisens, and sugared walnuts
                     Sundried tomato and olive Fougasse (bread)

Entree:          Corn Flan with Spicy Shrimp
                     Glazed Brussel Sprouts with carmalized onions

Dessert:        Roasted Pears with Almonds, Dried Cranberries and White Chocolate Drizzle (Cat Cora)

I was pleased with how everything turned out except the brussel sprouts.  Now I am one of those weird people who love brussel sprouts, but this recipe called for carmalizing and I turned my back for one minute....Suger in a frying pan--not a pretty sight!  The pears were a big success, though.  I really meant to take some kind of picture of the evening and post it, but after the suger episode, my mind just went to making sure everything else in the evening went well.  After dinner, we sadly watched the second half of the Mizzou basketball game.  It wasn't the outcome we were all hoping for.
More snow called for this week.  That means more time for stamping.  The newest Technique Junkie Newsletter is chock full of great new creative ideas, and I can't wait to try them.
Until next time.......

January 28, 2011 Black Birdbath

Working today. I substitute teach about 3 days a week. Had great kids today. I even got to monitor a jazz band class led by Seth--one of the students. Great job, Seth! After I leave school today I have to make quick stop at the grocery store to pick up the last items for our dinner tomorrow night. Tonight I will start the sun-dried tomato and olive bread as it has to raise overnight in the fridge. The salad is under control,dressing and sugared walnuts--done. Tomorrow I get to play in the kitchen all day--which I love!
Today's post is another card I assembled from my "parts drawer". The beautiful birdbath stamp was from a friend so I don't know the manufacturer. But I stamped and embossed in black. It is stamped on background paper I made but can't remember the technique. It was done long ago. Some kind of marbling or maybe polished stone? I need to start writing the tech on the back.
I layered it on gold cs and mounted on a purple card. I thought it needed something else so I added the Cuttlebug fancy corners and a small bow made from SU rainbow ribbon.  Hope you like it.  I think the birthday girl did who received it.  TFL

January 27, 2011 Aged Tiles

Today I did battle with my carpet cleaner..trying to get the traffic area between the kitchen and bedrooms cleaned.  The cleaner was being a little cranky, but I think I won.  The carpet looks a little better.  I also started preparing for our dinner club meal that my husband and I are hostessing on Saturday night. 

There are 4 couples who get together once a month or so and experiment with tasty (we hope) dishes to serve.  I'll fill you in on my menu later...if it was a success.  All new recipes, so we will see.

On to today's card.  I love this stamp.  It is another one I borrowed from a friend, stamped a few images  and put them my "parts drawer".  I thought it was a good image to use for the aged tiles technique.  I always have to add a little "bling".  I had been looking for a reason to use these mega gem stones!

January 26, 2011 Brick Wall

Girl's night out was great last night.  A big thank you to Karen and Carolyn for hostessing.  What great food and fellowship.  I know at our table, we solved all the problems of the world--(if only!)  This card was one of the birthday cards I gave last night.

I was so thrilled after using Tim Holtz's Alterations Texture Folder--Bricked-- at a freind's house, that I had to go out and buy it.  This was a birthday card I made using that folder.  I first stamped white card stock with a stamp from SU set Definitely Decorative Ferns with TH Distress Ink Peeled Paint.  Then I used SU going gray and inked the embossing folder and ran the stamped card stock through the cuttlebug. The white piece was then mounted on SU Old Olive or Celery--not sure which.  The ribbon is a glitter ribbon, and the butterflies are stamped on DP, embossed with gold, and then cut out. Bling gems  for accent  on the butterflies from my stash.  Thanks for looking.

January 25, 2011 Simply White

I feel so bad that I cannot remember whose blog I visited that made a beautiful card that gave me then inspriation for the one above.  I shamefully admit I have cased it almost identically.  I just couldn't figure out how she got the double swiss dot embossing in the places she put it, but I did the best I could.  This card will be my DH anniversary card.  The paper is gemstones.  Cuttlebug embossing folders: Swiss Dots, Fancy Corners, and Butterflies.  If anyone recognizes this card please let me know, as I would love to give her credit.  I also made another similar one, but with all over embossing the same and a color butterfly, but it has been mailed already.  Girl's Night Out tonight, and I get to distribute some of my cards to the birthday girls this month--Phyllis, Debbie, Marlene, and Barb--all February birthdays.  There is a special one for Colleen (a January BD) because last month I didn't have time to make her a card, and had to resort to a store bought  (gasp) and she whined a little.  Will post it later.

January 24, 2011 Felted Cardstock

This card was made using the felted cardstock technique on SCS found at this link http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/results/ca262177bcd7bb1499a4015d2ce5c4b6/

I was at a friend's house for our monthly bookclub meeting and she had these beautiful napkins for us to use with our munchies.  I couldn't resist bringing one home and making it a background! Thanks Diane.

The stamp is from a SU set that is now retired, I think, called Oriental Paintings.  I was going through my drawer of  "card parts" and thought it went well with the background.  Embellishments from my stash. Tim Holtz Distressed Ink Vintage Photo.  When I get together with fellow stampers, we share our stamps and stamp images to save for future use--thus my "card parts" drawer.

I'm still working on my profile, revising, changing, etc.  I'm sure it will be a work in progress for a long time.

Thanks for stopping by today.

January 23, 2011 Tall Accordian Card

My first post on my new blog--my first and only blog! As my profile states, I am a stamper, card maker and love to cook.  I tend to make cards in bursts instead of creating daily.  We've had a lot of snow here in the midwest the last couple of weeks--and yes more snow today--so I've had some time to make a few cards for upcoming birthdays.  The picture below is a card I made for a dear friend's wedding anniversary coming up in February.  Their anniversary is the same as ours, and we usually celebrate together.  The technique is from The Technique Junkie Newsletter  Fancy Folds and Motion Paper Crafts CD.  I've been a subscriber to the newsletter for many years, and it has been the source of many inspirations.  The technique is called Tall Accordian Card.  The stamps are a new set I found at JoAnn's on sale!  They are clear acrylic, but sadly I already threw the wrapping away, so I don't know the manufacturer.  The paper was a new purchase also from JoAnn's DCWV The Black Currant Stack.  Lots of foil accents.  Ink used was Tim Holtz Distress Ink Dusty Grape and twine and charm from my stash.