Dandelion Mouse

Fell in love with this digi from Meljean's Design (http://shop.meljensdesigns.com/Digital-Stamps_c77.htm).  I did it two ways...one if for a going away card for a man - simple, and the other for a preteen girl - big fluffy bow.

I colored the images with my Stampin' Up pencils & blended with gamsol.  I added Diamond Stickles to the dandelion.  Both cards are easel cards, but one is offset.  I did discover that I do not like the super glittery ribbon...this one had no body, no fluff.  I layered it over the white grosgrain to give it some body.  

What's for dinner?

That dreaded question...just makes you cringe when you hear it.  Well, at least I do.   We have a few favorites that I try to always have the ingredients on hand for and this is one of them.  I call it kielbasa and cabbage, but my husband calls it "Polish Stir Fry". 

Ingredients:

1 lb kielbasa (or sausage of your choice) cut into 1/2" rounds

1 box Pierogies (I prefer the mini ones)

1 pepper (your choice of color) cut into strips

1 small onion coarsly chopped

1/2 head of cabbage chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

olive oil

Directions:

*  Brown sausage in a large frying pan.  Remove & set aside. 

*  Add 1-2 T of olive oil to pan and set heat on high; once heated add frozen pierogies.  Saute until golden on outside.  Reduce heat to medium, cover and heat through (approximately 5-7 minutes).

*  Once pierogies are heated through add minced garlic and return sausage to pan.  Add onions and peppers, cover and let cook for approximately 5-7 minutes until vegetables are not quite done. 

*  Stir in cabbage; cover and let cabbage wilt. 

Variations:

*  Of don't have pierogies, serve over prepared egg noodles.

*  Any sausage will do...even brats!  When using brats or similar types of sausage I precook the links to firm, then slice into coins and finish cooking.

*  Add other vegetables and even fruits....shredded carrots, finely chopped apples, etc...

Enjoy!

Love is in the Air ATC

The theme for the January ATC swap was "Love is in the Air". I decided that for this swap I could not buy anything, I must use things I had on hand...I have SOOO MUCH! After gathering everything I could find that was appropriate to theme I went to work...

This is a rather simple card, but I really like it. I used a purple glitter paper for the base. I then took a piece of handmade paper and tore it into a cloud shape. To make it more interesting I used metallic rubs all over in pink, purple, blue, & silver with blue inked edges. I then pop dotted the winged heart embellishment on.

For this card I wanted to use the vintage gold foil cupid seals I had purchased...and been saving to make something ;) I used a black print card stock for the back. I used gold metallic rub around the edges to soften the look. I then layered on a fabric heart, cupid seal and silk flower.

Now on to a challenge card....

My take on the sketch...I used a digi that I found for free on the Operation Write Home site (http://operationwritehome.org/digis.html).  The little puppy was just so cute and had the saddest eyes that I knew it had to be for a belated birthday card, so...I printed the sentiment on the computer.  After coloring the image I added Crystal Effects to his eyes & nose, "fussy cut'' the image, and adhered it with pop dots to the white circle.  The papers are scraps of Basic Grey from my scrap box.  To add a little depth I embosses the striped & white papers.  I inked all edges.  I just love him!

Pinterest...and a super yummy dinner

Well, if you haven't discovered Pinteret yet, you just don't know what you are missing.  I am completely addicted, have thousands of pins and feel lost if I don't check it once a day.  One of my favorite things to pin is yummy recipes.  I have all kinds of soup, crock pot dishes, cupcakes, drinks....Now one of my goals this year is to start using/doing some of the things I have pinned...so in that spirit I used a recipe from there to create dinner.  To start with you need to make the chicken...

 

Mexican Crock Pot Chicken

1 3-lb bag of frozen, boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins

1 can of corn, drained

1 can Ro-tel

1 can black beans, rinsed & drained

1 8 oz block of cream cheese

Place chicken in crock pot.  Add corn, Rotelle, beans; to with cream cheese.  low 6-8 hours.  After an hour or so I stir in the melted cream cheese & continue to stir every 2 hours.  Once done cooking, remove chicken pieces & shred; then mix back in. 

(found on Pinterest, originally from: http://thelarsonlingo.blogspot.com/2011/05/easiest-dinner-ever.html)

This in itself is a yummy meal, but I decided to go a step further.  Here is what I did...

I used flour tortillas, a can of enchilada sauce and a bag of shredded Mexican cheese.

I covered the bottom of a 13x9 casserole dish with a little of the enchilada sauce.  I then filled the tortillas with about 1/2 C of the chicken mixture, rolled and placed seam down in the dish.  I made 6 filled tortillas.  Once your dish is full, cover with about a cup of the enchilada sauce; top with cheese.  Place in a 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes until heated through, bubbly on top.  Serve with sour cream on top.  Ole!

And, best part, I have half the mixture to freeze for another meal :)

Girly Girls - Part 2

Now for Taylor's card.  While I consider Taylor also be a very girly, girl she is very different from her sister.  She is more free spirited, "hippy-ish"...long hair with braids, bright colors, tye dye...but still into all the girly things.  This image was perfect for her (Hippy Love from Saturated Canary:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/SaturatedCanaryDigis?page=2).  I did pretty much the same for the image as for Brigitte's card...colored with Stampin' Up pencils, added Stickles to the buttons on her skirt & boots, added Smooch to the flowers in her hair, and then I sprayed the image with Smooch Spritz in pearl.  Again, I used paper scraps for the card.  I did emboss the orange piece.  I inked all edges with burnt sienna Cat's Eye chalk.  Added a few flowers and a big bow to finish it off. 

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: Diamonds or Pearls
http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/


Pixie Dust Studio: Girly, Girl
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.com/

Girly Girls

This morning I decided that after doing the "have to" chores I was going to create.  After checking in the a few of the challenge blogs I follow, one had my creativity flowing.  Pixie Dust Studio (http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.com/ ) the theme was "Girly, Girl".  Wow, I know for most people that would bring to mind bows, glitter, pink, etc.  My mind was reeling because I actually had a few ideas on how to go for this one and a lot of it was due to the images I had just purchased from Saturated Canary (http://www.etsy.com/shop/SaturatedCanaryDigis?page=2) to make some cards for my BFF's daughters who are away at college.  I consider both of them to be very girly, girls...in their own ways.  So, I made Brigitte's card first...



I consider her to be more of the typical girly girl...make up, clothes, pink & purple...but she is also very intelligent and even a little "geeky"...likes to read, plays video games, etc.  So, this image was perfect for her!  It is "Ivy" by Saturated Canary.  I colored her with Stampin' Up pencils and then embellished...stickles for the legwarmer pom-poms and glasses, Smooch for her blue eyes, and Smooch Spritz over the whole thing to make it shimmery.  I used papers from my scrap bin and then added some flowers, rhinestones, and ribbon.  Very girly, girl!  See my next post for my take on her other daughter, Taylor.

Entered this card into the following challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge:  Diamonds or Pearls http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/

Pixie Dust Studio:  Girly, Girl

http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.com/



Already...

February!  And tomorrow is groundhog day.  I have to say, I am hoping he sees his shadow and goes back in his burrow, I want 6 more weeks of winter.  We have had no real snow this year...it has been so mild, more like a cold spring. 

Did you make any resolutions or goals for the new year?  I took January to think about this...there are a lot of things going on in my life right now that I wish I could change, but...out of my control, so I decided to do something about the things I can control.  So, my five goals for the year are:

1.  To finish what I started...a total house de-clutter.  I have been working this for a couple of months and I want to continue with it. 

2.  Get my scrapbooks caught up.  I am on the way with this...I organized all the digital photos from the last 3 years, made a list of events & I am now comparing with what I have done.  I should have 2011 all caught up in about 4-6 more layouts :)  Then back to 2010!

3.  Work on a healthier lifestyle.  This includes losing some weight, but also just being more active, managing stress in a constructive way, etc.  This includes participating in 2-3 5K with DH and DS.

4.  Blog at least twice a week...and not always craft stuff.  I have decided that if I am going to be on Pinterest, I need to use the pins I save...so I will share that with you...and some other fun things going on.

5.  Slow down!  I feel like I am constantly doing...and overwhelmed at times.  I am going to learn to say, "NO."  and to prioritize and simplify.  I need time for myself...and I need to enjoy things more...

I am sure this list will change as the year progresses and I complete things on the list, but this is a good start.  So, what are your resolutions/goals?