CASEd

When I saw Kim's card over on the Paperwings Gallery, I knew I had to make one too! She was so kind to let me use it as a make n take project for my Open House last week. I love Kim's style and her gallery if full of wonderful creations!

Card Materials: all stamps and papers from The Angel Company

Stamps: Flowers and Holly, Bless Your Heart (free Level A hostess set)

Accessories: Black and white ribbon, Noir Palette ink, Prismacolored pencils and gamsol, TAC Kraft

Hope you have a great week!

More ... or ... Less?

I know that sometimes, more equals more and less is just less.

But sometimes, less is more!! Know what I mean?!

This card is a case in point...do I go with the embossed green panel, or just leave it plain?

I cased my favorite card in the latest issue of Serendipity from The Angel Company. If you aren't getting our catalogs in hard cover, you really are missing out on some great card ideas and projects. I love how it's set up litte a magazine - hence the name, "Magalogue"! You can still get a copy but now The Angel Company has made Serendipity available as a PDF and you can download it here.

But, back to my card! I used the Flourish impressionabilities plate from Spellbinders that we now carry and inked it up with Noir palette ink. Then I ran it through and embossed/inked the base cardstock in one sweep. So, this is my "more" card...

But I also like the clean look of the "less" card...

And I really don't want you to miss out on the butterfly. Once I colored it in with Prismacolored pencils and gamsol, I covered it in Crystal Lacquer, let it dry overnight and then cut it out. It's just gorgeous in real life.

All stamps and papers from The Angel Company.

If you need anything this month (you don't want to miss out on the Celebrate Him sets!) April 15th is the day to order! I am paying the sales tax for you...so save instantly by emailing me your order before midnight, or order on line and I will send you a check. Either way, you win!

Friday...at last!

I don't know why but I'm pooped (and it's only 9 am!)...thankfully, it's Friday!!

Just a quick and easy card to share today...I find that Kraft paper is the best for making a quick card that still looks nice. And, did you know that you can use colored pencil and gamsol on Kraft? It really makes some of the colors pop!

For this card, I used the two free Hostess sets in the new Serendipity magalogue. The Angel Company is so generous with it's hostesses...for a $100 show you get one free set and anything in the catalog for half priced. But through March 1, these benefits are doubled so it's a great time to be a hostess! If you are interested in having a party (catalog parties count!) shoot me an email.

I suppose I could've colored even more on the top of the flowers but I was worried that once I went that way, it would be too much color and I like the clean look of this card. I think I may just practice on a scrap of paper and play around with different looks.

I haven't shared a recipe in a long time and this is one of our family favorites. About 12 years ago we were stationed in Panama and so the TV was pretty limited but we did get the Home and Family show with Christina Ferrare...this was one of the recipes she had on the show and I must say, it it super easy and delicious!

La Orange Chicken

Butterfly 4 chicken breasts (so you can use tenderloins here too) - season and flour. Saute and remove chicken. In a little oil, add: 2 Tbl minced scallion or shallots, 1 cup fresh orange juice, about 1 teas. grated ginger (and I always substitute powder here because that's what I have on hand!), 1 Tbl brown sugar, 2 teas. mustard (not dried). Cook a minute or two and then add the chicken breast. Cook to thicken, about 5 min. You may add a little orange juice if it thickens too much or, if like us, you like a lot of sauce!

Pressing Leaves

Do you have a long forgotten, dust covered "tool"? Over 8 years ago I bought a microwave flower press and did a lot of work with it...but then, I just shifted gears and stopped using it. Last week I mentioned that I thought the turkey head would look neat on top of a leaf - and while I was out running a day later, I saw the most beautiful red maple leaves. That started it all again and so on my walks, dog in tow and in the rain, I was in search of some tiny leaves too.

It felt good to use the press again and I am so excited about the results!

These "hinges" are from the free Level A hostess set that you can pick from The Angel Company when you have a workshop order. I thought they were perfect for this wood grain technique background. The Scor Pal makes for especially realistic looking panels.

This technique has been around for a few years but I hadn't used it in a while. The dark panel was starting with a "mustard" colored piece of cardstock and then I used White Brilliance ink and a dark brown dye ink. The light panel was cream cardstock and I used the white with a Haystack palette ink. I scored my lines first though!!

My mom loves more "natural" cards and I think this is one that she would enjoy sending out to her friends.

Switching gears...tomorrow is Halloween! I wanted a quick and easy "treat" to throw together and remembered making chocolate covered popcorn at Christmas time. I had a bag of white chocolate candy disks and added some food coloring to make it orange...

It may be too late for you to make this now but it really only takes about 15 minutes or so - I made it before my son left for school this morning (including the tags and photo!). And if you plan for it now by buying this super cute but limited edition, Bone Appetit stamp set, you'll be already for next year.

Chocolate Covered Popcorn

2 bags microwaved popcorn (popped)

1 bag chocolate candy disks (melted)

Mix together until popcorn is well coated and then spread over waxed paper covered cookies sheets to dry. Store in an airtight bag and try to make it last! tee hee...

Have a super weekend! I'll see you back on Monday - the kids are off for two days and I hope to have some fun with them!