Cool Blue Christmas

HI everyone! It's a beautiful fall day and I decided to start working on those Christmas cards early. This card was created for the Hero Arts October challenge to make holiday cards.

I have used this sketch before and I love it so much I thought I would try it again. I used a light blue cardstock base, some pearlescent off white cardstock from Marco Paper (this stuff is really thick and nice) , my Martha Stewart snowflake punch and my EK Success border punch here. The sentiment comes from the Hero Arts clear set "Joy to All" and that was clear embossed. The cute papers are Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses and the embossing folder is from Stampin Up. I just had to add some pearls on the big snowflake and along the border punch to go along with the pearly cardstock. I must admit it's kind of hard to make a wintery Christmas card when it's so nice and sunny here and all I see are fall colors outside my window.


My fellow Flickr friend Deirdre is having some amazing blog candy! Pop on over to her blog and leave her a nice comment for a chance to win!

I'll be back to post in a day or 2 some more Halloween cards!

Inky Hugs, Anne

Hello in pink!

Hi ya stampers!

Well the day got away from me and I was really only able to get one card made today for the Hero Arts WCMD challenge. I used the center flower which was a freebie extra from the Hero Arts Srapfest class and covered it in distress inks and then used another Hero Arts stamp (CG134) Large Flower to make the green leaves. I got out my trusty bottle of gold Pearl Ex spray mix and gave the flower and leaves a good soaking. Too bad the picture doesn't really capture the shine.......I had about 10 minutes of daylight left so I ran outside to snap the pic quickly....plus I'm NO pro at getting the right angle to capture the shine. Anyways....I used my current favorite background stamp by Impression Obsession and a sentiment from Hero Arts again. I'm going to send this card to my hubby's aunt who I just heard went into the hospital for some minor surgery. If I had gotten the phone call about 10 minutes earlier I would have changed the sentiment to "Hope you feel better soon" or something along those lines.....but I think this will do.

Exciting news to share: I won the $100.00 shopping spree over at Hero Arts for the month of September- wohoooo!! I've got my list of stamps and goodies all picked out- will most likely do some more blog candy here and share some of my winnings!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to show you all some more fun Halloween cards I got done this weekend as well for the October CCC that Deb hosts (can't post them until the recipient recieves her cards).

Inky Hugs, Anne

Happy World Cardmaking Day to all!

I almost forgot (sorry been very busy this week)  that this is the day for cardmakers around the world to celebrate and make some cards! Hero Arts is having a little contest on thier blog today- go check it out and see what fun and generous prizes you can win! The theme is all about color- and I just  love color so this is right up my alley. I must say I will try to get a few cards made today between running off to the apple orchard with friends and cleaning house. I'm currently finishing up a few Halloween cards and getting ready to start on my Christams cards as well. Hope you all have a fun and wonderful World Cardmaking day!

Anne

Blog Candy winner!

Today is the day I get to announce the winner of my Halloween blog candy- wohooooo! Thank you everyone for all your fun memories about Halloween and wonderful comments- I really enjoyed hearing each and every story!

I did the whole random number thing and the winner is..................................................Deirdre!

Deirdre I will get in touch with you and get your address so I can get your Halloween goodies in the mail to you just as quickly as I can. Thanks again everyone for playing along and I hope to do some more blog candy again soon...............Christmas isn't far away.................ya never know?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Anne

Foodie talk today!

Hi all!

Well fall is upon us here in Wisconsin and it's that time of year when my body is starting to crave all those yummy comfort foods. Think pumpkin pie, chili, split pea & ham soup- homebaked bread.......you know what I mean- right? Real food that fills you up and keeps you going. No more grilled anything or a cold salad......I want rib-sticking- can't eat any more- kind of  food!

This last week I have been dying to make some delicious pumpkin cheesecake and have been to 3 different grocery stores in search of canned pumpkin and guess what.............there is NO canned pumpkin anywhere in Wisconsin or Minnesota!! What the heck?  Come on people- you are killing me here......all I need is one little can of pumpkin for one small cheesecake!

I finally talked to a fella at my local grocery store to see what the heck is up with  the pumpkin situation and he explained that there has been a massive shortage due to last years crops being ruined.......so guess what- NO pumpkin cheesecake for me- RATS!! I'm entirely too lazy to actually go get a real pumpkin- carve it up- and then cook the insides just for one cheesecake (waaaaay to much work!) I did a bit of web surfing and found out that Libby's is actually shipping out canned pumpkin this week- many stores will be recieving shipments soon. Wohooo!!

Here is the recipe for that yummy pumpkin cheesecake- and it's super easy and quick to make! Hopefully I can get my hands on a can of that heavenly stuff soon and whip one of these up before I die!

Fluffy Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
12 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
1 cup canned or pureed pumpkin
1 graham cracker crust

In large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese till fluffy. Add the sugar and spice, beat again. Add eggs, one at a time just until combined, add pumpkin and mix some more (gently). Pour into crust and bake at 350 for 30 -35 minutes! Cool for 1 hour- then refrigerate for 3 hours!   EASY and soooo YUMMY!

I've been quite into making my own pickled cucumbers recently too. My mom brought me a jar about a month ago and I nearly ate the whole thing in 2 days! (what a pig huh?) They were so good and they are super easy to make. No actual canning needs to get done (lazy again....ha ha) I just make them in the fridge using a clean old pickle/peanut butter jar and it takes about 1 week for them to soak and be perfect!

I use about 1/3 vinegar to 2/3 water, pickling salt, fresh dill weed, a clove or 2 of garlic, fresh cracked black pepper, a pinch of celery salt, and some sliced up white onions. I just slice up the cucumbers about 1/8" thick, cut them in half or quarters and let them soak in the brine. I try to remember to shake up the jar when I poke my head in the fridge.....but that doesn't always happen. I just prepared another batch this morning as my hubby and I devoured the last batch in a mere 3 days. I'm also going to try to do green beans this way too. My dear old mom brought me a jar of those as well- oooh they were heavenly!

Hope you enjoy my ramblings about food today.....and if you happen to see any canned pumpkin in Wisconsin please let me know- I'll drive as fast as I can to go get some!! ha ha :)

I just got a subscription to this awesome magazine as well- so many great healthy recipes in there.

Anne