It's your Birthday

I hope everyone is well, we are having the strangest weather this year.  It has rained on and off all summer and the temperatures have stayed fairly cool for us.

Today's design I used the shadow technique to create the lettering and behind the flowers.

Materials:
Heartfelt Creations - Small Camelia Carnation
Martha Stewart - Punch Around the Edge Pansy
Memory Box - Sentimental Happy Birthday
Poppy Stamps - Swirly Curl Border Outline, Bountiful Sunflower Background

Just a few pictures from our trip to Butchart Gardens, Canada.

Butchart Gardens

https://www.butchartgardens.com/

Victoria Butterfly Gardens 

https://www.butterflygardens.com/

High Tea at the Empress Victoria

https://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/dining/tea-at-the-empress/

Beauty In Bloom

Hello, sorry I have been away for a while.  First I had a gum graft which I have been putting off for a while.  It was painful and made eating challenging.  I will need to have the surgery again after the first of the year for the rest of the areas.   Then my husband found out he had melanoma on the top of his head. So he had surgery and we were lucky to find it hadn't spread.

Today's design I have had for a while but didn't get around to posting.

Materials:
Elizabeth Craft - Curvy Leaves
Heartfelt Creations - Small Camelia Carnation
Poppy stamps - Little Hummingbird's
My Favorite Things - Stitched Rectangle Scallop Frame

Spring Stoll

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the Spring weather.  I have all my garden boxes planted, the snails are eating their way through my garden boxes.  Now the birds are pulling up the new tender shoots and the mice are running around the yard eating the seeds.  I really need to borrow a neighbor's cat for a few days.

Impression Obsession - Farm Girl, Duck set, Cardinals, Tiny Flowers & Fence
Poppy Stamps - Evanston Birdhouse & Fairy Flower
Memory Box - Grand Alder Tree
Spellbinders - Standard Circles Large

Blue  Clematis

Reddish Clematis

Spring Bouquet

Materials:
Art Glitter - White
Cuttlebug - Kassie's Brocade embossing folder
Heartfelt Creations - Small Camelia Carnation
Memory Box - Peace Doves
Spellbinders - Floral Ovals
Sakura 3d lacquer
Sizzix Susan's Gardens - Tool shaping kit

Well it's the weekend, raining and chilly.  Gave me time to work on cards instead of doing yardwork.
I went completely crazy with glitter on this design.  After embossing the purple paper I started shaping the flowers using the Sizzix Susan's Gardens tool kit.  I don't use it much but after watching some videos I always get in the mood to give it a try again.  After the flowers were shaped I used little dabs of the Sakura 3D lacquer and sprinkled on glitter.  I coated the birds with yellow glitter and decided to add the yellow Floral Oval for a little contrast.

Thank you for all your comments on my previous design I love reading them.

wild trilliums

A couple of years ago I noticed that Trilliums come up each Spring all around the yard.  So I now dig them up and have them all growing in the same area.  They tend to like shade and lots of moisture.

Out For A Stroll

The other day I told my husband I was giving myself a title I now am called the Kitchen Engineer. I use weights, measurements and temperature control, right.

Hope you are all enjoying some nice Spring weather.


Materials:
Elizabeth Craft - Curvy Leaves
EK Success - Daisy punch
Hearthfelt Creations - Small Camelia Carnation
Impression Obsession - Farm Girl
Memory Box - Fancy Blossoms
Spellbinders - Classic Ovals Large & Floral Ovals

You're My Favorite

Greetings and thank you for all your lovely comments on my last design.
Today's design was just a fun take on what dogs are really thinking.

Materials:
Impression Obsession - Girl with Easter Basket (just basket)
Memory Box - Crisp Bows
Poppy Stamps - Patient Pup
Spellbinders - Standard Circles Large

I have been growing Orchids  for many years now, I have them sitting in the bathroom where they seem to like the light from the two windows and the humidity.  Mine tend to bloom in February and then again later in the year.  I am always surprised how easy it is to grow them, really they just like to be ignored.

Here is a good article about how to get your Orchid to rebloom.

Starry Night

Greetings and hope everyone is well.  Just a quick little design using some negative cuts.

Materials:
Elizabeth Craft - Curvy Leaves
Memory Box - Leaping Deer & Tall Birch
Nuvo Crystal Drops - White
Spellbinders - Standard Circles Large

Tea & Cake

Hello, and hope everyone is fine.  Looking forward to warmer days and Spring like weather.  The snow has stopped but the daytime temperatures are certainly cool.

On days like today I like to sip on some Earl Grey tea and bake cookies.

Materials:
Dee's Distinctively - Border No 3 (Steam)
Impression Obsession - Tea Set
Martha Stewart - Floral Vine Deep Edge  & Cherish Hearts Edge Punch
Memory Box - Petite Cake

Got Ya

Greetings, after four storms we now have over 2 feet of snow on the ground.  We have been snowed in for days now.  Last night the county snowplow came and cleared the streets.  My husband spent hours clearing one side of the driveway.

I watched a fun tutorial about making trees by mixing glue and white paint in a small bottle.  After you get your trees the way you like them you then coat them in glitter.   So I thought I would give it a try for my background trees.

Link to tutorial

Materials:
Impression Obsession - Girl With Watering Can
Martha Stewart - Cardinal punch
Memory Box - Gentleman Leaping (arms only)
Papertry Ink - In the Meadow

Box covered with over 2 feet of snow

On the left side of picture is a 2 foot long icicle

Have a Dog-Gone Great Day

Our next snow storm is arriving, we have 9" on  the ground and more tonight and Monday.  Can't believe how much we are getting, it is setting all sorts of records.

Materials:
Mama Elephant - Frame Tags Park Avenue Creative Cuts
Martha Stewart - Balloon punch
Memory Box - Happy Valentine's Day & Crisp Bows
Nuvo Crystal Drops - Red, yellow, purple & orange
Poppy Stamps - Aston Side Table & Frenchy, Patient Pup

Raining Birthday Greeting's

Materials:
Cuttlebug - Tiffany Embossing Folder
Impression Obsession - Tiny Flowers
Poppy Stamps - Ivy Tendrils & Stitched Umbrellas
Spellbinders - Ribbon Banners

Snowed Sunday night and all day Monday.  So far we have over 5 inches on the ground.  The morning lows are 16 degrees and the high is 32 degrees. The snow is not melting.  We have another big snow storm coming in Friday that will bring another 5 inches or so.

In all the years we have lived here I have never seen so much snow nor has it lasted this long.

There is over 5" of snow on the birdfeeders.  It looks like they have little hats on.

Snow covered wind spinner

Wintery wonderland in the backyard.

These are my garden boxes filled with lots of snow

Cupid Delivering Hearts

Materials:
Art Glitter - Red, green, gold
Impression Obsession - Cupid With Hearts & Fir Trees
Memory Box - Brand New Bicycle
Penny Black - Heart String
Spellbinders - M- Bossabilities Brick Pattern

For this design I went glitter crazy, I glittered the flower pot, bike, heart string and cupids outfit.

I made reservations for High Tea last weekend for my husbands birthday. Yes, he was the only male in the Tea house.   We also needed to kill time and went to a model train show and then over to Bass Pro Shop to look at how they design the stores.  I am not a hunter but the stores are still very impressive with life size taxidermy and huge indoor fish tank.

Yes these are life size Elk

Moose

Fresh baked scones

Three tier tray, sorry we ate the second layer before I remembered to take the picture.

Easel Birthday Card

Hello, this is my first time trying a easel card design.

Materials:
Art Glitter - Paris 322
Heartfelt creations - Small Camellia Carnation
Elizabeth Craft - Curvy Leaves
Memory Box - Sentimental Happy Birthday
Nuvo Crystal Drops - Crushed Grape
Spellbinders - Standard Circles Large. Gold Majesty Circle & Inverted Scalloped Circles

Heart's Full of Love

Hello and I hope everyone is well.

I always have so much fun creating a half envelope card design.

Materials:
Alexandra Renke - Cupid
Card Deco - Frame Card Fantasy Scallop A5
Cuttlebug - Kassie's Brocade
Heartfelt Creation s _ Small Camellia Carnation
Memory Box - Sentimental Happy Valentine's Day & Meridian Border
Poppy Stamps - Ivy Tendrils
Spellbinders - Classic Hearts & Lace Hearts

Be Mine

Hello and thank you for stopping by.  I used the Martha Stewart Punch around page for the heart frame.  It is too bad she stopped making craft punches.  This is really a simple and fast design to create.

I have a funny story to tell you.  I have a squirrel buster bird feeder.  It has weights so anything heavier than a small bird the seed opening close up. I also have a whole peanut holder for the gorgeous Stellar Jays we have here in Washington.  They don't care for sun flowers seeds.  So the squirrel hasn't bothered the sun flower feeder but has been trying to get the peanuts.  Both of the feeders are on a metal Shepherds Hook.  The squirrel can actually climb up the metal pole to my surprise.  So I sprayed the pole with Pam cooking spray.  He slides down and now has given up trying to get the peanuts.

Materials:
Elizabeth Craft - Curvy Leaves
Martha Stewart - Punch Around The Page Sweethearts
Memory Box - Fabulous Phlox & Sentimental Be Mine
Nuvo Crystal Drops - Pink center of flowers
Spellbinders - Classic Square Large

Valentine Greetings

Greetings this is my first design of the new year.  I first die cut the Floral Oval then removed the piece and ran the Classic Oval die through  my machine to cut out  the center. I embossed the background and reattached the Floral Oval.  I attached the Curvy Leaves behind the oval and the small Carnation flowers to the front.  To the center of each flowers I added Hot Kiss Pink Glitter.  I added the ribbon banner after I die cut it in white and twice in pink so I could create the shadow effect.  I added a little yellow ink to the birds wings and attached as shown.  Before I attached the front to the white card stock I added some mounting tape to give the design a little dimension.

Materials:
Art Glitter - Hot Kiss #87 glitter
Cuttlebug - Kassie's Brocade
Elizabeth Craft - Curvy Leaves
Heartfelt - Small Camellia Carnations
Memory Box - Peace Doves
Spellbinders Classic Ovals Large, Floral Ovals & Ribbon Banners

When I was in Nuremberg I purchased some Springerle wooden cookie molds.  I still don't have the recipe correct but I am getting better at getting the design to show up after they are baked.

Best of the New Year

Greetings and hope you are looking forward to the New Year.

I wanted to thank everyone who takes the time and stops by my blog.  I always enjoy reading your comments and seeing the wonderful creative projects you design.

These festively dressed couple are certainly vying for best dressed of the New Year.
I had to die cut the legs twice and sort of move them around to get them into position.  For the hat on the lady I used the top of a ornament die.  It seemed to fit fine.  I doubt any guy would really wear gold glitter shoes but I wanted them to match.

Materials"
Cuttlebug - Polka Dot embossing folder
Memory Box - Lady Dancing, Gentlemen Leaping & Snowflake Ornament
Spellbinders - Grand Oval

Untangling The Lights

Greetings and welcome, thank you for stopping by.  I hope everyone is doing well and I am sure keeping busy with the holidays soon approaching.

We have been having strong winds and rain the past few days.  When that happens we tend to lose power for a while, which always is fun to sit in the dark.

I know when I had a cat he always was busy snooping around the Christmas tree and getting himself into the boxes and lights.

Materials:
Memory Box - Frosted Christmas Tree
Poppy Stamps - Curious Cat,  Sparkling Tree Lights & Abundant Gifts

Nuremberg (Germany) Christmas Market 2018

Greetings and thanks to everyone that stopped by and left such nice comments on my previous card.  We just got back from the famous Christmas Market in Nuremberg.  There are just so many booths and lots of wonderful holiday items being sold.  It is a fun city and this part is located within a large walled area.

We also took two day trips on the U-Bahn train over to Wurzburg and then the next day over to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.  They both have small Christmas markets I just wanted to walk around and see the towns.

Nuremberg Handwekerhof is just located opposite of the main train station

They have all sorts of fun little shops

Some of the wonderful holiday booths at the Nuremberg Christmas Market

Lots of wooden holiday items

Lebkucken cookie booths

Pastry shop, you will find it hard not to stop in for a delicious snack

DB Museum Nuremberg

They have all sizes of trains to see from the miniature to full size trains

Up On The Rooftop

Greetings and thank you all for stopping by.  I wanted to see is I could use some of the Santa Claus dies from Elizabeth Craft and  the beard and hat from the Memory box dies to create a different look for the Santa.  I made the chimney by die cutting twice the Grand Madison Fireplace. I trimmed off the middle part and glued the two sides together.   Once you add the Frosted Roof & Ledges pieces you don't notice the two pieces that are glued.  It looks like one continual piece.  The snow is Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer and Art Glitter.

Materials:
Elizabeth Craft - Santa Claus 1567
Impression Obsession - House
Memory Box - Beard Set, Holiday Hats, Pastry Labels, Classic Deer
Poppy Stamps - Grand Madison Fireplace ( I made the chimney out of the side of the fireplace), Sparkling Tree Lights & Frosted Roof Ledges
Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer
Art Glitter.
Mounting Tape (behind the mustache, hat trim and HO HO HO)

Seasons Greetings

I think I purchased the Santa & Elf die last year but never got around to using them.   As you can see those sneaky little elves are hiding among the Christmas tree.

Materials:
Art Glitter
Cheery Lynn Designs - Santa & Elf
Elizabeth Craft - Season's Greetings
Impression Obsession - Fir Trees
Martha Stewart - Punch Around the Page Doily
Taylored Expressions - Cloud Border Die
Spellbinders Heartfelt Creations - Classic Editions

Poinsettia Joy & Poinsettia Merry Christmas

First I would like to thank my new followers, and welcome to my blog.  I thought I would try edging the first card using a punch and the second using the Card Deco frame.   I messed up on the size of the paper to be punched, of course that was after I was done and noticed the punch did not line up correctly.

Materials:
Elizabeth Craft - 1226 Garden Notes Small Poinsettia
Find It Trading - Card Deco Frame Card Fantasy scallop A5
Impression Obsession Joy
Martha Stewart - Eyelet Lace Punch around the page
Poppy Stamps - Small Blooming Poinsettia, Pine Sprigs
Nuvo Crystal Drops- Red

Materials:
Card Deco - Frame Card Fantasy Scallop A5
Poppy Stamps Blooming Poinsettia, Small Blooming Poinsettia, Climbing Vine & Vintage Merry Christmas
Nuvo Crystal Drops- Red

Santa's Sleigh & Christmas Star Bread

Thank you all for stopping by and leaving such nice comments on my previous design.

Today's design features the jolly of elf himself just out for a practice run.

Materials:

Elizabeth Craft - 1567 Santa Claus & 1568 Santa's Sleigh

Impression Obsession - Fir Trees

Memory Box - Miniature sled, Tiny Candy Canes, Swirled Lollipops & Holly Vine

Papertry ink - In the Meadow die set

Sakura 3d Crystal Lacquer to the shoes and runner of sleigh.

Christmas Star Bread

I have made this twice now and tried two different recipes.  I first used one off the web 

(swedish-cinnamon-star-bread-like-a-cinnamon-bun/).  Then used Half of the  Amish bread recipe that I make into cinnamon bread.  Both work and really there is not much difference.

The key is dividing the dough in 4 equal pieces, shape into a ball  On a floured surface roll out dough into a 10" circle.  

Place the circle on a piece of parchment paper, brush with butter and sprinkle 1/3 cinnamon- sugar.

Roll out a second circle the same size as the first, and place it on top of the filling-covered circle.

Repeat the layering process with the butter cinnamon-sugar, dough circle leaving the top layer bare.

Place a 3" circle cookie cutter or glass on top.  Starting at top near edge of glass/circle cutter, cut the dough in 4 equal places.  Then cut those 4 in half and finally cut the next pieces in half.  Now you have 16 pieces of cut dough.

Using two hands, pick up two adjacent strips and twist them away from each other twice so that the top side is facing up again. Repeat with the remaining strips of dough.  You will end up with eight pairs of strips.

Pinch the pairs of strips together to create a star shape with eight points. Remover cookie cutter/glass.

I let the Amish bread dough rise for about 45 minutes.  The Swedish cinnamon recipe didn't need this step.

I baked the Amish bread on a lipped cookie sheet  20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees, depends on your own oven.

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Autumn

Greetings and thank you all for stopping by and leaving such warm comments on my previous design.

On today's card I added some glitter to the center of each flower and coated the autumn lettering with Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer.  I really like scalloped frame to set off the pumpkin.

Materials:
Card Deco - Frame Card Fantasy Scallop A5
Elizabeth Craft - 1598 Garden Notes French Pumpkin, 728 Bunch of Flowers, 730 Curvy Leaves & 1030 Bunch of Flowers 4
Impression Obsession - Tiny Flowers
Memory Box - Autumn Greetings
Nuvo Crystal Drops - Grape & Yellow
Nuvo Aqua Shimmer - Glitter gloss pen
Poppy Stamps  Leafy Spring
Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer