Rachel Hopes

Lentils and Quinoa with Vegetables

2014-05-06T11:30:00.004-06:00

I am trying to learn one new Vegan dish a week, as my husband has gone Vegan this year and I feel like a horrible wife never cooking for him. This Saturday I altered a Vegan Lentil Chili recipe I found on Ambitious Kitchen. I really liked this and actually went and bought more butternut squash so I can make it again. I know my husband wished for a bit more spice, but he really enjoyed it as well.

Lentils and Quinoa with Veggies

Ingredients

1 teaspoon oil (I used Avocado Oil, but EVOO works)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small white or yellow onion, chopped
1 red or yellow pepper, diced
2 fresh tomatoes, finely chopped (you can use canned tomatoes)
1 sm Butternut Squash, cleaned and diced
3 med carrots, peeled and diced
½ tsp cumin
1/8 tsp chili powder, or more depending on how spicy you like it
3 cups vegetarian broth, plus more if necessary
1 cup green lentils, rinsed
1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
1/2 cup cilantro or Parsley, finely chopped plus more for garnish
Avocado for topping, if desired
Salt and Pepper to taste, I layer this by adding to each new addition

Instructions

Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, add garlic and cook for a minute or until fragrant and slightly golden. Add onion, cook for 3-5 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add squash, pepper and carrot, cook until al dente, Add in tomatoes, cumin, chili and salt and pepper, lower heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes or until tomatoes begin to break down.
Add broth, quinoa, and lentils; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until lentils are tender and quinoa has expanded.
Stir in Parsley or Cilantro and season with more salt and pepper if needed. You can add a bit more broth if you feel you do not have enough, it will continue to thicken as it cools. Simmer a few minutes more.
Top with avocado if desired.

April 2014 In Review

2014-04-30T12:30:00.000-06:00

Books Read

April 1st ~Zachary's Birthday

April 3rd ~$62 on Scratchers!

April 5th ~Tucanos Lunch Date with Connor

Christine's Baby Shower

April 6th ~Heather and Sabra Sugar Skull

April 8th ~Fever and Chills, thankful for my snuggle buddy

April 10th ~Mom's Birthday

April 11th ~Hired as Event Photog for RAWartist Boise
~Tied to win Bad Ass Challenge on 365Project.org

~Ice Cream Friday

~Connor's Orchestra Concert

April 12th ~Beginning Tae Kwon Do with Connor

~ Donna, Brian and Steve Sugar Skull

April 13th ~SubSpace Cyber Punk Shoot

April 14th ~Won a Pair of Proof Glasses

April 17th ~RAWartists Boise Spectrum

April 18th ~FroYo Friday

April 19th ~Dying Eggs with Connor

~Leslie Sugar Skull

April 20th ~Easter and Birthday Celebration

April 26th ~Jenn, Larz and Hilary Sugar Skull

April 27th ~My Birthday

March 2014 In Review

2014-04-02T12:21:00.000-06:00

Books Read:

March 1st Cedaredge, CO...Hanging out, Dinner for Grandma's Birthday, new dining room table install

March 2nd Cedaredge, CO Hanging out, Mexican restaurant with Cristian in Delta, pictures, Connor made jewelry in shop with Pops, Oscars with Grandma

March 3rd Drive Home, Grandma's Official 90th Birthday

March 6th Crazy Hair day at School

March 7th Treasure Valley Children's Theatre Peter Pan shoot

April 10th HAE Attack

April 12th Outer Ear Canal Infection and swelling from HAE

Pi Day! 3.14

March 15th St Patty's Celebration at Grainey's to see The Naughties

"My man and I are both wearing skirts... And we're off to the rodeo"

"Jameson on board, Guinness going down smooth and Danny Boy on the pipes. Happy almost St Patricks Day!"

March 16th First time at Trader Joe's in 8 years!!!

March 17th St Patrick's Day

March 21st Peter Pan Rehearsal Shoot

666 likes on FB Page

March 22nd Peter Pan Jr with Connor and RENT with Cristian

Add the Words Selfie

Image Chosen for Vicious Vixens Issue 3

March 23rd Sugar Skull Shoot with Laura

March 25th Connor to Rockaway Beach, OR to see Karen and Andrew with Grandma and Grandpa for Spring Break

March 26th Nuffer Family Shoot

March 27th Great Hair Day!

March 28th Connor home from Oregon

Started #100DaysofHappy, Made Popular and Trending Page on 365Project.org

March 29th Sugar Skull Shoot with JR and Amy

RENT with Unique

March 30th Sugar Skull shoot with Marcy and Lindsay

February 2014 In Review

2014-03-09T12:31:00.001-06:00

Books I read:

Feb 6th: Cyber Punk Shoot planning meeting at SubSpace

Feb 7th: Snow Day for BSD

Feb 8th: Photo Shoot with Diane

Feb 9th: Game night with Connor

Feb 11th: Changed my own tire

Feb 12th: New tires on car

Feb 14th: Valentine's Day

Connor's Box

Connor's Valentines

Feb 16th: Amazing Sunset

Feb 17th: Found my new favorite chip

Feb 21st another amazing sunset

Feb 21st NEW HAIR!!!

Feb 22nd Photo Shoot with Shelby

Feb 26th Vikings on History Channel (Thanks to Jessica!!)

Feb 28th Trip to Cedaredge, CO to see Grandma for her 90th Birthday! 10.5 hours in a rented Suburban with Mom, Dad, Zach, Connor and Cristian

January 2014 In Review

2014-02-04T17:25:00.002-07:00

Journaling my months for posterity and possibly a Project Life????

January 2014

New Year's Eve party at the Powerhouse with Sean and Angela, followed by a quick stop at a house party to say hello to Josh

New Year's Day Shoot at Reid Merrill Park with other photogs and a bunch of models

Jan 1: Deep thoughts on Facebook: "People like to use New Year's Day as a "clean slate" or a "new beginning" but in reality every second of every day is a new lifetime, one you have never lived before, so if you are ready to make a change do it. You are the master of your fate. Use every new moment to be who and what you want to be."

Jan 1... 600 likes on my Hope Shots Photo Facebook Fan Page
Jan 2nd Lunch with Cristian and Erica at Kyoto
Jan 5th: Snow Bunny Shoot with Jazmine, Giovanna and Angela (Grimes Creek)

Jan 6-10: Mass Appraisal Continuing Education class

Jan 9th, Lunch and Shopping with Shelby during class

Project 52: Challenge Your{Self} Self Portrait Challenge

Jan 19th...RAW Video at Doyle and Donna's
Cristian begins No Sugar Challenge and Smoothies
Freezing Weather, Fog, Major inversion for weeks...lots of frosty trees in the mornings

Jan 20: Educating the kid: "Cristian played a little LL Cool J, Connor asked who it was, I told him it was an Old School rapper. His response... "Old School rappers are cool, the New School stuff, not so much."
Jan 19th: Broncos and Seahawks heading to the Super Bowl!!
Jan 20th: Mommy Son Date...Flu Mist Vaccines, Lunch at Pad Thai House and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Jan 21st: Classes begin at CWI
Jan 23rd-25th: HAE Attack
Jan 29th: Ice Storm overnight

MOVING

2012-08-13T22:53:00.001-06:00

I am now posting over on WordPress! Come see all my new posts at http://hopess13.wordpress.com/

I would love to have you follow me there!!!

SALE

2012-08-11T18:23:00.003-06:00

Selling Lots of Stamping, Papercrafting and Craft Supplies, Check it out HERE!!! If you do not have a Facebook account and would like to purchase anything contact me at rachelhope13 at gmail dot com.

Not forgotten

2012-07-19T18:37:00.006-06:00

Hello followers! (If there are any of you left!) I know I rarely post here, but I haven't forgotten you all. I have not stamped or paper crafted (is that a word?) a Thing in months!!! I have been busy snapping away with my camera trying to become a real life photographer. If you would like to check out my photos please visit my Photo Blog, I would love to have you follow and/or comment on my new art! :)

On a personal note my life has been full of job stress and medical quandary. I posted Years ago asking if anyone had any ideas, since then my doctors have come up with a Possibility, but no actual diagnosis. I am currently in testing to see if we can prove or disprove that it is Hereditary Angioedema Type III.

Besides photography I am still dabbling a bit in the glass pendents I posted awhile back. A few of you asked for instructions and supplies...they are Super simple and just require scrapbook paper scraps, Diamond Glaze or similar glue and the glass tiles/bales from THIS awesome site. If you don't want to make them yourself I have quite a few available in my Etsy Shop!! :)

I will try to come back and post more often!!! I miss my many bloggy friends!

Print Runner Business Card Giveaway!

2012-05-25T09:57:00.000-06:00

How about a giveaway???

PrintRunner is an online printing company that offers business card services. PrintRunner.com was established with little more than a small press and a dream. Ten years later their company became one of the foremost quality printers in Southern California. Their commitment to provide the best value and high quality full color printing at affordable price made their company grow. PrintRunner is a full service high quality printing company located in Chatsworth, California.

Print business cards with PrintRunner, it is easy!!

Here is what you could win...

Business Cards, 2x3.5 (Standard) Quantity: 250

Colors 4/4 Color Both Sides

Paper 14 pt. UV Coating on Front, 14 pt. UV Coating on both sides,

(No proof, no rounded corners)

Details:

**Comment to win, it is as easy as that, I will draw a winner on May 25th at 9 pm MT**

*Giveaway is open to US Residents only, ages 18 years old and above.**

**I will receive a set of these business cards, too, for hosting this!** :)

**Follow PrintRunner.com on Twitter and Facebook! (Optional, but if you do please comment again to let me know and I will give you another entry!)**

**Deadline for submission of winners is on May 29, 2012 so the winner MUST contact me at hopeshots@live.com by May 28th or I will draw another winner!!!**

**Winner of this giveaway can not have won a PrintRunner.com giveaway in the last two-months**

Another side of me...

2012-05-17T11:51:00.012-06:00

I went to bed with a headache and woke up with a worse one. My mind is filled with an impressive amount of junk and I am stressed to the point of breaking. Today is not my day, my typical smile, twinkling eyes and happy go lucky attitude are hiding somewhere.

But, Beauty is where you find it...and days like today make me glad I don't experience long bouts of depression or dark places very often in my charmed life... Look at that, even on a day like today my Polly Anna hops out and finds the silver lining!

Beauty is Where You Find It: Another Side of Me

*Don't forget my Business Card Giveaway, ending April 25th*

Inconvenient Truths

2012-05-04T10:16:00.002-06:00

      My early childhood was not like most; I was raised in a very small town, in a home my parents built themselves from adobe bricks. My food was cooked on a wood stove, my clothes were washed in a ringer washing machine and I learned to read by the light of a kerosene lamp. I was 13 before I had a phone and the only electricity was from a generator we used to power the VCR and TV for occasional movie nights. After moving to the big city at 15, I starting living what most people would consider a normal life. Suddenly I had a microwave, a TV that I could watch whenever I wanted and a stove that came on at the push of a button. I was instantly in love with modern convenience. As the years went by I started to see a change in myself that I was not proud of. I began to realize that the modern world, with all its modern conveniences was making me lazy and fat. The modern world is full of instant and easy. By definition convenience should be good, but is it possible to have too much of a good thing?
     As I watch the fast paced, electronic, machine-filled world revolve around me I am often reminded of the opening sequence of the movie The Gods Must Be Crazy. The movie opens with sped up scenes of people rushing to work, machines clattering away slicing bread and moving heavy things. The scenes show the rushing, frenetic movements of a world of modern people dealing with all their machines and modern conveniences, often resulting in accidents. There are humorous scenes, such as a woman backing down her driveway in her car to get mail out of her mailbox, then driving back up her driveway and into her garage. These scenes make me laugh, but it is a sad reality. As more and more new technologies are introduced I have to spend more time learning how to use them and dealing with the frustration caused by errors, breakage and malfunction. I have begun to see that convenience has become thoroughly inconvenient.
       Convenience has overrun quality and time. Making a cup of tea has become as simple as a push of a few buttons on the microwave. Water is heated in just a few minutes and tea is packaged in a single serving bag. The convenience of making a quick cup is time saving and easy. What is missing from this experience is the calming routine of heating a pot, measuring and brewing the tea, and pouring a cup of warmth from a nice ceramic pot. In the rush for ease and convenience the modern world has turned its face away from ceremony and routine. The quiet moments of my life have been filled with the beep of machines and the buzzing of electronic notifications.
        If patience is a virtue, the modern world is full of vice. I no longer have to wait for a store to open at 9 in the morning to buy my milk. I no longer have to wait for the Postal Service to deliver a letter across the country and then wait again for the response to be delivered to me. If I want the answer to a question I no longer have to thumb through a stack of books to find it. Instant answers, immediate responses to communication and 24 hour access to shopping has made me impatient and allowed me to make split second decisions about purchases and actions. As my life becomes more fast-paced and things become more readily available I have lost the ability to sit and wait, to sleep on a decision and to take a moment to think about my words and deeds.
    As interpersonal communication becomes more and more electronic I more often converse without looking the other person in the eye. I can form entire relationships without ever having a face-to-face conversation. I have friends who live thousands of miles away, who I have never been in the same room with, and yet I have told them things about myself that I haven’t told my family. When I communicate electronically I don’t have to see and feel the reactions of the person on the other end of the phone or computer. Writing an email to a prospective boyfriend or texting a friend in another state feels almost like writing in a diary or journal. Not only can I tell this faceless person my deep, dark secrets, I can imagine their response and say things that I wouldn’t say if they were standing in front of me. When reading an email or a text the only tone I hear is the one I imagine in my own head, I can read a sentence written by someone else and give it meaning that was not intended. Relationships based on a foundation like this can be disappointing when I meet the person and begin to spend time with them in the real world, outside the confines of faceless electronic communication. When I can no longer add my own tone of voice to their communication I am forced to see who they really are and abandon the person I made them out to be in my head.
     With convenience comes frustration and stress. Making thousands of little choices has become a large part of modern life. When faced with choosing between 100 different pairs of jeans, in different colors, styles and prices I sometimes feel like throwing up my hands and going home empty handed. Modern grocery stores are packed with hundreds of choices. Which cereal for breakfast? Which brand of eggs is best? What juice should I buy? My brain is constantly bombarded with choices. Given so many choices, I often choose the easiest option, he option that saves the most time and takes the least effort. These choices often lead to unhealthy food and laziness. When I don’t have to do something, I often choose not to. Eating food someone else prepared is so much easier than cooking it myself. Driving a car is so much easier than walking a few blocks. Why get up and get dressed to drive to the store when I could just sit on my couch in my pajamas and order it online. Choice is a modern convenience that leads to laziness.
     I do not long for the days of beating my clothes on a rock beside a river or churning my own butter, but some days the fast pace of the modern world hangs heavy on my heart. Having things readily available definitely makes my life easier and frees up time for friendly gatherings, hobbies and entertainment, but at what cost? I eat food that is out of season, full of preservatives and packed with chemicals. I drive to the store, to school, and to work, even if it is a short trip. I send messages by phone, email or text without having to pick up a pen and fold a letter. I create relationships with people who don’t exist as I imagine them. These conveniences make life easier, but they also isolate me from family and friends, make me unhealthy and lazy, and make me a less patient person. The cost of ease and convenience is paid with my health, physically and mentally.

Cupcake Pendant

2012-02-27T20:20:00.002-07:00

Another pendant...because that is what I am making these days, I may stamp again, but for now I am cranking these things out and I love it!

I used Basic Grey Nook and Pantry paper for this one, the cupcakes are the perfect size for the triangle tray!

Glass Pendants

2012-02-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have found a way to use my patterned paper. The poor stuff has been languishing in my new Spare Bedroom/Office/Craft Room since I moved. I just don't have the mojo to make cards right now.

Necklaces and Pendants though, Oh Yeah!!! I can not stop making these things!!!

All of these were made using Diamond Glaze and Paper scraps!!! Well and some supplies from the Jewelry section. The combinations are endless! Simple modern pendants with just the glass domino tiles, vintage with Antique Bronze starburst trays, or a little in between with simple silver trays.

If you would like to see more styles I have them up at my Etsy store, Hope Springs Art

Reading List 2011

2012-01-08T14:07:00.015-07:00

Recommended by people I trust

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Riggs, Ransom

Authors and Series I LOVE

Outlander Series by Gabaldon, Diana

Sookie Stackhouse Series by Harris, Charlaine

The Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger

The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

Roadside Crosses by Deaver, Jeffery

Looked good on the shelf at the bookstore

Girl in the Steel Corset by Cross, Kady

Random books Given to me by friends

Blood Sins by Hooper, Kay

Stalking Susan by Kramer, Julie

Vanish by Gerritsen, Tess

For my 40 by 40 "read 40 classics" list

Jonathon Livingston Seagull by Bach, Richard

Getting my Holiday Crafty On...

2011-12-24T00:05:00.005-07:00

I got Crafty this month!!!

I made my new bedroom a giftie! Hey, it's my new house, it deserves a Christmas gift, too! (Thanks to Pinterest for the idea)

"Is that Chicken Wire???" You ask. Why, yes, it is!!! :) And a super old, gross frame and 4 knobs I didn't need...

Sharing this Jewelry Frame on the Cottage & Vine "Get it Together Linky Party"

I also made Connor's teacher a little Giftie for Christmas...thanks Again to Pinterest for the idea!!!

I'm not great at pre planning these sorts of things, so I had some spacing issues, but Black Stickles saved the day!!!

It's been months...

2011-12-08T20:03:00.006-07:00

Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell. ~Edna St Vincent Millay

It has been MONTHS since I stamped! I moved and I worked and I got a new puppy and I just lost my mojo. And then my boss asked me to make a card and I said yes, and then I realized 1/2 my stuff is still in boxes and I panicked!!! First, I agree to Stamp! Second, it was a Work card, which means a BIG card and I find them SOOOO Hard!!!

So, be kind...here it is:

(Please excuse my photo set up...I don't even have my craft table up at the new house, let alone a photo station.

Pictures on Canvas...

2011-09-13T14:37:00.001-06:00

I recently joined a Photo Walk in Downtown Boise, it was specifically tailored to view, photograph and learn about the Historic buildings we have downtown. I have always loved taking photos of flowers and buildings, so one of my favorite shots is a mix of the two. I loved these pretty geranium baskets.

Rather than just print the photo on 8x10 photo paper and framing it, I took advantage of an offer to get one of my Pictures on Canvas from Easy Canvas Prints and had it printed 16" x 20". Ummm, WOW! It can out so crisp and clean, I Love it!!! I ordered it as a Christmas gift, but, I may keep it!!! ;)

I love the feel the canvas texture gives a photo. I am no artist, but this makes me feel like one!! :D

I had the edges done with a continuation of the photo itself, you can choose a solid side, a mirror image of the edge or like mine. You can also choose a 1' 1/2" deep side if you want.

A Huge thanks to Easy Canvas Prints for the great canvas!!!

Pictures on Canvas

*I was given a special offer to try out Easy Canvas Prints and give an honest opinion of their product on my blog. My post is a not a result of any pay, my opinion is based on my experience with the company as a whole, from their website, ordering experience and shipping.

Addicted to Notebooks & Journals...

2011-09-05T20:42:00.007-06:00

A sound head, an honest heart, and an humble spirit are the three best guides through time and to eternity -Sir Walter Scott
I made something!!! I Created!!!

Anyone who has been in my office or seen my desk drawers Knows that I am a collector of notebooks, paper pads and journals. I asked for a Bind It All a few years ago so I could make my own. Finally today in a desperate attempt to do Something that didn't include clutching my stomach in pain or sleeping I grabbed some supplies and made a few notebooks.

I recently rearranged my bookshelves and found an old copy of a Sir Walter Scott book with a beautiful cover, but very damaged pages. Today I recreated that book to let it keep it's beauty and give it some functionality...

I even saved one of the illustrated pages...

I also used some of the more than 100 coasters I bought Ages ago in a bulk buy with some stamping buddies...

Sorry for the blurry photos, I guess it wasn't just my fuzzy pain med vision. Will take new pics ASAP

Butterfly Thank You...

2011-07-10T10:24:00.000-06:00

Love is like a butterfly, it goes where it pleases and it pleases wherever it goes. -Author Unknown

Hello, welcome back! I have been gone for awhile, sorry about that! I was able to put together a card for this week's Cupcake Inspiration Challenge. I used a sketch from Clean & Simple Stamping from a few weeks ago. Our sponsor this week is Chi Chi Memories, but I had an issue with my printer, so I wasn't able to use the image I had picked out. :(

Supplies:
Stamps: Butterfly Dreams (Papertrey Ink,) Sentiment (The Greeting Farm)
Paper: Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise, White (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers
Misc: Gems, Border Punch

Challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations:
Fall to Layout 147:
Stampin For the Weekend: Wings & Things
Flutter By Wednesday: Butterfly, Angel or Fairy

Thanks for stopping by!

Sky's the Limit...

2011-06-26T17:35:00.007-06:00

The balloon seems to stand still in the air while the earth flies past underneath. -Alberto Santos-Dumont.OK, I think I have an addiction to kraft cardstock all of a sudden! I have made 3 cards in the last week and all three were on Kraft card bases. Whats not to Love, right???? I love that I can add white ink to the edges for detail and it is neutral enough for any color combination.

This card is for this week's Cupcake Inspiration challenge, I used the Hot Air Balloon image from our sponsor, Glitterbabe Digis. I Love Hot Air Balloons, they are so fun and amazing to me...I actually got to ride in one once over the San Diego coast, it was Amazing!!!!!

Supplies: Stamps: Hot Air Balloon (Glitterbabe Digis,) Sky's the Limit sentiment (Greeting Farm) Paper: Kraft, White CS (PTI) Ink: Printer, Copic Markers, Memento Black, Craft White Misc: Polka Dots CB Folder, Taffeta Ribbon, Vintage Button, Pop Up Glue Dots, Divine Twine

Challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations:
Off the Wall Craftiness:
Catch the Bug: Red, White, Blue & Ribbon
Stamp Something: Red, White & Blue
Sentimental Sundays: Colors of your Flag + Sentiment
Saturday Challenge: Embossing
Pile It On: Circles

Thanks for stopping by!

Super Simple Mushrooms...

2011-06-20T17:42:00.006-06:00

Ladybugs all dressed in red
Strolling through the flowerbed.
If I were tiny just like you
I'd creep among the flowers too!
~Maria FlemingHello there!!! Two days in a row??? Yep, that's me...stamping again!!! :D

I am late, but dare I say, worth the wait??? :) This week's Cupcake Inspiration challenge is sponsored by Amber Ink and the cuppies are Adorable polka dot, lady bug, caterpillar adorableness!!! I used the mushroom images Amber Ink provided the Sweeties, made a little line of them and colored them up with my beloved Copics (Oh, how I missed you!!!)

I hope you like this card, because there will be more CAS designs coming to my blog very soon! (I Adore all the beautiful 3d flowers I have and the buttons and the bows, but I find that I rarely send cards anymore because everything in my basket is so hard to stick in an envelope!!)

Supplies:
Stamps: Fungi, Mushroom Border & Love Bug (Amber Ink)
Paper: Kraft, White, DCWV Textured Card for the Border
Ink: Printer, Copic Markers
Misc: Stardust Stickles, Liquid Pearls, Border Punch

Challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations:
Just Add Ink #72: Coloring
Stampin B's #115: Border Punches
Just Some Lines: Spots & Dots
Mum's Craft Shop: Seeing Spots

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Father's Day!!!

2011-06-19T18:08:00.005-06:00

Some people don't believe in Heroes, they obviously haven't met my Dad! -UnknownI huge Hug to all the Dads, GrandDads, StepDads, Single Moms and Father Figures out there!!!! Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

I sat on the patio at my Mom and Dad's house soaking up the 70* weather, the breeze, the sun, the clouds and the Wind! It was a beautiful day!

Here is the card I made for my Dad, finally inked up Authentic Man, I have had this since it First came out!!!Supplies:
Stamps: Authentic Man (Ippity by Unity)
Paper: Kraft, White
Ink: Memento Black, White Kraft, Distress Inks, Blue Bayou, Copic Markers

Challenges:
All Things Unity: Get Manly
Dream Valley: Father's Day
2 Sisters: Masculine Card

Birthday Tea...

2011-06-03T05:39:00.001-06:00

Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea. -Henry Fielding

More birthday cards using scraps...I don't have any idea who made this paper! LOL Love the colors though! I paired it with a set I won from Mark's Finest Papers, Floral Tea...fun for one of my Grandma's friends!!

I appreciate everyone stopping by to take a look, I know I am not on my game quite yet...but I am working on it...I WILL get my Mojo back!!!

Here is an inside shot...

Supplies:
Stamps: Floral Tea (Marks Finest Papers)
Paper: Unknown Scraps, Black, Pretty in Pink, White, Soft Sky CS
Ink: Memento Black, Copics, Pretty in Pink, Soft Sky
Misc: Paper Flowers, Gems, Circle Nesties, Swiss Dot Cuttlebug Folder, Ribbon

Challenges:
Party Time Tues: Anything Goes Birthday
Creative Craft World: 3 or more flowers
Divas by Design: Florals
Use It Tuesdays: Flowers & Stamp not Previously Inked

Rose Birthday...

2011-06-01T01:30:00.005-06:00

A single rose can be my garden...a single friend, my world. -Leo F. Buscaglia I am trying to pull myself up out of a Non-crafty state by Just Doing It! I need more birthday cards for Grandma. I am using up scraps of paper from my Scrap drawer, then finding images that work. Love the Waltzing Mouse Roses in Bloom set and I think it works perfectly with the rose paper scraps I found...I think they are SU DD(?)

Supplies:
Stamps: Roses in Bloom (Waltzing Mouse,) Birthday Sentiments (PTI)
Paper: SU DD Scraps, Chocolate Chp, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Copics, Pretty in Pink
Misc: Taffeta Ribbon, Stardust Stickles

Challenges:
Dream Valley: Stamp Something (no digis)
2 Sisters: Anything Goes
Ooh la la: Birthday
Party Time Tues: Anything Goes Birthday

Peony Birthday...

2011-05-30T11:03:00.005-06:00

Can we conceive what humanity would be if it did not know the flowers? ~Maurice MaeterlinckMy Grandma requested birthday cards...and lots of them. My Mojo is gone, but when Grandma asks for cards and sends a Check I have to get busy!!! I printed out a bunch of digital images weeks ago and they were sitting on my desk, so I grabbed some paper scraps and started coloring...so far I have been able to whip up 3 cards...still need to make 7 more At Least!

I tried to keep the embellishments to a minimum to make it easier for her to mail them. But sometime I get carried away with the bling ;)

Supplies:
Stamps: Peony (Just Ink Lined) Happy Birthday Sentiment (PTI)
Paper: Scrap of Older Imaginisce Patterned Paper, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa (SU,) White (PTI)
Ink: Printer, Copics, Chocolate Chip
Misc: Gems, Paper Flowers, Stardust Stickles, Edge Punch

Challenges:
Cupcake Inspiration Challenge:
Creations by Gill M: Green & Pink Plus Flowers
Word Play Weekend Challenge: Scallops
Card Makin' Mamas: Use your scraps