Saturday Sketch Challenge 198

It has been quite a busy week for me, so while my husband bathes the baby and my two older kids play, I am finally getting a chance to post my challenge card that I actually made on the day the sketch came out this week ~go figure~  Here is the sketch:

After posting this picture, I see that I miss interpreted the sketch, somewhat.  I know, how could I have done that, it IS pretty simple and straight forward.  Well, when I first saw it, I missed the big box that was to be the base layer!  Oh well, my bad.  Anyway, here is my interpretation:

I had decided that it was high time that I use some of the in colors that I had, and I had Concord Crush ink and paper on my craft table, as well as the build a blossom stamp set and punch, so that was where I started from.  First I cut my base layer 8.5" x 5.5" and scored it at 4.25".  Next I cut a piece of designer paper in the Poppy Parade at 5.25" x 4".  I punched one side with the scallop border punch, then sponged the edge with the Concord, and layered the other side of the print under the scalloped edge.  I ran that piece through the Elegant Lines embossing folder and then sanded the raised lines to bring out the white core.  Next I sponged over the white lines with the concord for a little extra color.  For the focal I double layered a flower from the build a blossom stamped in Concord, first over Pink Pirouette and next over the DSP.  Both layers are accented with Dazzling diamonds, and then Rhinestone basic jewels for the center.  I spotted a piece of vellum on my table, so I stamped it with one of the Frames from the sneak peek set from the upcoming Idea Book and Catalog.  Then I added the sentiment from the Always Elegant set that matches the folder and I got FREE during Sale-a-bration!
Here is a close up of the flower.

I just don't know about this card.  I  like the components, but I don't know how I feel about the color combo.  Sometimes you just gotta take risks!  Thanks for stopping by!

Strength and Hope

A few days ago I receieved my recent order from Stampin' Up! and yesterday I decided it was high time to get some of the new stuff out to play with.  One of the stamp sets that came is called Strength and Hope.  This is a very special set, not only for the artwork, but because Stampin' Up! is donating a portion of the proceedes from its purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  If you are interested in getting the Strength and Hope set, it will be in the upcoming Summer Mini Catalog that starts May 1, 2011.  

Someone very special to me is an Oncology RN, among other things, and does a lot of work with the American Cancer Society.  I decided that she needed to have a set of cards made with this stamp to use for various purposes with that group.  After playing around with different layouts and designs, this is what I came up with:

I started with a 8.5" x  5.5" based in Rose Red, scored and folded at 4.25".  Then I added a layer of Pink Pirouette cut at 5.25" x 4".  I randomly stamped the butterfly image in the same color to create a background.  Next, I centered the flourish image and stamped it with Pear Pizzazz.  I set that aside and stamped the flourish image again on Whisper White, coloring the red heart with my Rose Red marker.  I punched those out with the scallop circle punch, being careful to center the punch.  After I had 8 of those all stamped and punched, I took out a piece of vellum and stamped the Hope 'H', in Early Espresso, coloring the word, again with the marker. After repeating that 8 more times, I punched it out with my 1 3/8" circle punch.

Here is a close up of the H and ribbon.

To assemble I added a piece of Rose Red seam binding ribbon over the flourish on the pink, then the scallop punch out, being careful to match up the flourishes and popping that out with two dimensionals.  Finally I placed the circle punch out in the middle of the scallop so that the red heart was between the top of the H.  What do you think? 

A butterfly in the inside of the card on Whisper White adds that special touch!

I boxed them up and added the flower and bow to secure the box.  The flower was made with the Build a Blossom Stamp set and Punch, stamped in Pink Pirouette on Whisper White, then glittered with Dazzling Diamonds.

 I just know my special person will love this set!  Sorry if I ruined a surprise if you are reading this, but now you have something to look forward to in the mail!

Sneaky Treats

Hello!  I just wanted to share a recipe with you that I have been making for my kids, and day care kids, the past two weeks.  My kids are the worst breakfast eaters!  I have to beg borrow and steal to get them to the breakfast table and then nag them to eat.  A few weeks ago I started making Carnation instant breakfast for them so that if they dont finish in time for us to leave for school, they can take it with them and get a healthy breakfast in the car.  It has been working for the most part, but they were getting tired of the chocolate shakes.  Since the weather has started to turn warmer, I've decided to change up the recipe and the results have been great!  They now beg me for their morning milk shake and even manage to get some grains in there adding cereal or a mini bagel.  After I portion out the shakes, I take the left overs and freeze them in to popsicle molds for their after school snacks.  Yesterday I had enough to share with my daycare kids and they RAVED!!!!  Its a hit.  So, I wanted to share my recipe with you:

1 cup Skim Milk
1/2 cup plain Kefir (this is packed with good stuff, but high in fat, you can sub nonfat greek-style yogurt, but you'll miss out on the probiotics)
2 cups frozen strawberries
1 frozen banana cut into chunks
2 tbsp ground flax seeds (optional)
1 packet Vanilla Carnation instant breakfast

Add all the ingredients to a blender and, well, blend until combined.
That's it!  If your kids don't think this is sweet enough, you can add honey or blue agave for a little extra sweetness, but I think the banana gives it plenty!  This combination is loaded with protein, calcium, vitamin D, iron, B vitamins, fiber, minerals and just plain tastes great!  I make a version for myself omitting any extra sweeteners, carnation breakfast, and using the nonfat greet yogurt, 1/2 of the rest of the ingredients to get a thick, yummy smoothie that fills me up and satisfies me until lunch, all for about 200 calories. 

I'd love to know if you try this and what your family thinks!  Enjoy and have a great day!

A Beatiful Day at Burke Lake Park

Hi friends!  I have not posted in a while, so it is high time!  I do not have a project for you in this post (I have one to show and I will try to get that up later today).  Yesterday we had a great day here in VA!  It was a little windy, but the temperatures were up to 80 degrees and it was sunny!  Yes, the SUN!  The kids were off of school for a teacher work day and I didn't have any "extra" kids around, so Dave and I decided that we should meet at Burke Lake Park in Burke, VA for a picnic.

It is a bit of a drive for me, but was only about 10-15 minutes from his work.  So I packed a few essentials, loaded up the car, hit KFC for some quick, easy lunch, and we headed to the park.  We go through Clifton, VA to get there, one of my favorite communites.  I do love to drive through there, but not as much when I am the one at the wheel.  The roads are narrow and windy, which make it hard to look at all the great properties.  We made pretty good time, and I was only told 3-4 times about how starving the kids were and was only asked 2-3 times if were we were almost there yet.

The picnic area we like, next to the play equipment, was pretty crowded, but it was just before noon and I was able to lay claim to a nice picnic table in the sun.  (Ah, sun).  The starving kids from the car didn't want anything to do with eating, so we let them play for a bit while Dave, Jae-sun and I enjoyed some chicken, mac-n-cheese and green beans, yummmm.  We finally wrangled the older two to come and eat, then after had some fun all playing together on the jungle gym and in the woods.  I hope you enjoy these shots:

Dave and Jae

Noah and Jae-sun going down the tube slide

Natural Teeter-totter

Noah on his scooter

We all had a great time!  I was exhausted from this outing but so worth it!  On the way home, the kids and I stopped for our first soft-serve ice cream of the season.  Again, yummmmm!