Ink, Ink & Even More Ink!

I just received my first shipment of ink from Stampin Up!  Something tells me I may have enough ink now.  I've been enabled.  I can't take full blame for the ink explosion that just slapped chaos on my craft room.  Christina has been showing videos this week on the Stampin Up! products and she lured me in.

Trying new ink is a pretty big step for me.  I've been a loyal and true Papertrey Ink girl since the beginning.  I love, love, love the weight of their cardstock but I haven't been so happy with the results from the inks lately.  I've been going back and forth trying to find ink colors that would coordinate well with  PTI's paper.  I placed my order on the 1st of August and it was at my door on the 8th!

I thought I'd show the 'chaos' part of this new found ink.  Here is where I currently house my ink pads in my 5 x 5 Expedit from IKEA.   Something tells me the 30 new ink pads are not going to fit in the same space.  I'm back to the constant battle of finding a home for new products (while still having my room feel 'pretty' and organized).  Maybe I should just move myself into a Michaels or a Hobby Lobby and take up residence.  Think they would mind?  Oh, they would have to be pet friendly, I'd need to bring my Yorkie with me!

While I started to unpack my lovelies, I decided I would make an ink swatch deck for myself.    I also came up with a cross-reference chart to match the different ink colors across the brands I use.    The chart is a work in progress as I add colors, but here it is so far.

Enjoy Your Retirement

It's been awhile since I've been in my craft room creating new things.  Summer took so long to get here and yet it's coming to an end so quickly!  Is it flying by for you as well?

An Administrative Assistant at the company my husband works for is about to retire (lucky girl).  My husband spends most of his time at work on the "road" and she has been a huge help to him when it comes to travel arrangements.  He's really sorry to see her leave.  He asked me to make a card for him to tuck a little gift card in as a thank you.

I have been anxious to use the supplies I received in June from the Hero Arts Warehouse Sale.  All of the paper came from the card set.  I decided to turn the PTI Mat Stack 7 dies on their side so my sentiment could fit on the bottom of the largest layer.


Supplies Used:
Paper:  Floral Mixed Folded Cards
Stamps:  Scrolling Script, On the Links
Ink:  Wisteria, VersaMark
Other:  Floral Mixed Accents, Mat Stack 7 Dies, White Embossing Powder

God Bless America Card

I made two color versions of the same card to wish our family and friends a happy Fourth of July.  It sure took a long time for summer to get here and now it seems like it's flying by!




Supplies Used:
Paper - Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening, White
Stamps - Red, White & Blue
Ink - Enchanted Evening, Lipstick Red
Other - Super Star Boarders Die, Limitless Layers Circle Die, Ladybug red embossing powder (Martha Stewart)

S'mores in a Jar

I'm back with another 'in a jar recipe'.  I'm obsessed with finding desserts to serve in these cute little Ball Jars.  I've made pie, cheesecake and now S'mores!  Here's the recipe I used:

Ingredients:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 3.4-ounce package instant chocolate pudding, prepared to package directions
1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff
12 large marshmallows

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Add graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar in a bowl and mix well together. Transfer crumb mixture to a foil lined baking sheet and press mixture into the bottom. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool then break into pieces.

Layer crumbled graham crackers, then a layer of pudding, then marshmallow fluff, repeating layers until ending with the pudding layer. Place 3 large marshmallows on top of the pudding, and broil on a top rack of the oven for 2-3 minutes or until tops begin to brown lightly. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

I think 3 marshmallows on the top was a bit too much, next time I'll only top it with one.


My DH is my official taste tester and so far, he liked this 'in the jar' recipe the best.  (He is a huge chocolate fan, so maybe that had something to do with it).

Hero Arts Warehouse Sale

Last week while reading Jennifer McGuire's blog I decided to head over to Hero Arts site and see what they have to offer.  See, I'm the kind of crafter who purchases 90% of my supplies online and very rarely deviate from the companies I buy from, but I thought I'd browse and see just what they have.  I noticed a section in their shop called Warehouse Sale and was enticed.  A 'mystery box'...YES!    Not a bad idea for someone just wanting to sample a little of what they had to offer.  I choose to order the $25 Accessories box of goodies.

My order arrived yesterday!  Just like the description said - it was filled with gems, flowers, buttons, patterned paper, stamps and ink!

Here's what was included:
20 sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 patterned paper
2 wood block stamps (100% Original and Enjoy the Moments)
2 Inks (Crushed Olive Distress Ink and Black Memories Dye Cube)
3 Fancy Felt Flowers (Spring, Summer, Neutral)
2 Fancy Felt Buttons (Spring, Summer)
2 Art Buttons (Spring, Summer)
1 Flower Sequins
1 Floral Ribbon
2 3mm clear Gemstones
1 pack Gemstones
1/2 pack Floral envelopes
1/2 pack Floral cards
1/4 pack of Floral print flowers
1/2 pack of Floral mixed accents

That's a pretty great mystery box if you ask me.
I was hoping for a sample of their mid-tone inks, oh well.  I'll just have to order some to try them!

Relax and Enjoy Your Day Postcard

I'm joining the fun over at Papertrey Ink and playing along with their Make It Monday challenge.  This week Ashley demonstrated stamping on photos and making them into postcards.

I choose a photo I took of my two favorite guys - my wonderful husband and my sweet Yorkshire Terrier, Piper.  We were in Ocean City, Maryland over the winter for my best friends wedding.  We go to OCMD every summer and during that time dogs are not allowed on the beach, but in the winter it's a different ball game.  One of the first things we did when we arrived was head right down to the beach and show that little peanut the ocean.  He wasn't impressed with the water, but loved walking around and meeting new people and other dogs (mostly the people).  This candid shot just makes my heart melt.

I like this new idea of stamping on photos and using them as postcards.  I think I'll try it some more.  I need to work on my stamping skills for the back of the cards though.  My lines are not very straight, but I'll work on that.  This challenge also made me want to add the Postmarks Stamp Set to my wish list.  Why does that always seems to happen?

Supplies Used:
Paper - Inkjet Photo
Stamps - Flipping Out, Desktop File Inspiration, Limitless Labels
Ink - Dark Chocolate, True Black
Other -

No Bake Cheesecake in a Jar

We had a small cookout get together on Memorial Day and I made these desserts.  I love using these mini jars for desserts when the warmer weather comes.  I need to start finding more recipes to use these little cuties with!

I made two different toppings: blueberry and strawberry.  (Next time I make them I will try cherry using the recipe from my pies in a jar)

Blueberry Topping
1 cup fresh blueberries
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
2 tsp water
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp zest of lemon

Combine the blueberries and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.  In a small bowl mix together the cornstarch and water until smooth.  Stir berries occasionally as they begin to release their juices.  Once mixture is bubbling, stir in cornstarch mixture.  Continue to cook, stirring frequently until the mixture thickens.  Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and zest.  Transfer to a bowl.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Strawberry Topping
1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries
2 tbsp granulated sugar

Combine the strawberries and sugar in a bowl and toss to combine.  Let this stand for 1 hour, stirring a few times until the berries have released their juices.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Graham Cracker Base
3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp melted butter

Combine ingredients in a small bowl with a fork.  Spoon about 1 1/2 tbsp of mixture into the jar and push down with a spoon (I used the handle to my lemon juicer)

Cheesecake

8 oz cream cheese

2 cups low-fat Greek yogurt

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp  heavy cream

Combine the cream cheese and Greek yogurt in a bowl.  Beat the mixture on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.  Add in the confectioners' sugar and mix until well incorporated.  Add in vanilla and heavy cream, beat until fluffy.   Spoon the mixture into jars.  Spoon topping onto cheesecake mixture.

Refrigerate until ready to eat

Makes 12 mini jar cheesecakes

I cut mini stars from packaged Pillsbury pie dough and baked them until golden brown on a cookie sheet  (next time I will sprinkle with sugar prior to baking) and placed them on top right before serving.

Yum!!