Wednesday, January 14, 2009

BELLI CHALLENGE #50 - UNUSED STAMPS

It is BELLI CHALLENGE day!!!


What is the Belli Challenge you ask?

Each week, I try to give us a challenge that will use things we have lying around our stamp rooms or homes! With a constant flow of new things coming out, I tend to forget about the other things I have and they quickly become clutter!
This weeks, Belli Challenge is to make a project with your UNUSED, NEGLECTED STAMPS (use any well loved stamps that you haven't inked up in a while)
C'mon! You know you have them...remember that stamp set you HAD TO HAVE? You may have used it way back when and now it sits...I know! I have a BUNCH of them! LOL
Here is what you need to do...

1. Anyone Can Play! Spread the Word! :)
2. Make a completed project with your UNUSED, NEGLECTED STAMPS (use any well loved stamps that you haven't inked up in a while)
3. Share the link here in the comments linking to my Blog and CBC50. When you post to Splitcoaststampers or Paper Craft Planet or to your Blog, be sure and put CBC50 as the KEYWORD and mention of the challenge - with a link!
4. I will do a drawing and the person whose name I draw will be a BELLI GUEST DESIGNER the second week of February!
5. Deadline for entry is Tuesday evening 7 p.m. Central time.
Last week's winner was Jessica- check her FABULOUS project out HERE. I love the sentiment and live by it too sometimes! LOL Be sure to leave her some LOVE! :)
Now, do not gasp at my project. I am trying to make 10 Christmas cards a month, so I can get them done early. I am even one month ahead! This is February's cards!!! WOOHOO for me! We will see now where I am in March...

Here are the details for this project:
Stamp Set: Holiday Sentiments by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, Pine stamp unknown...
Ink: CRAFT & Classic Chocolate Chip Ink,
Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Ski Slope, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White,
Accessories: Alpine Ribbon, Branch Punch by Martha Steward, Heat Tool, Clear EP, Jumbo Brads, Bling Stickers, Nestiabilities, Lg. Oval Punch, 1 1/4 cirlce inch punch, Rounded Tab Punch, Dimensionals
Be sure to check out the FABULOUS Belli Challenge Design Team's creations!!! Leave them a comment! We all LOVE to know what you are thinking about what we create. I know it makes me SMILE when you leave me a comment.
Holly Brown
Joan Ervin
Ceal Pritchett
Danita Hollander
Shelly Koskinen
Debby McGivillary
Karen Gibson

I have started a GROUP on the PAPER CRAFT PLANET! I will be listing the challenges there and would love to have you join in the fun there too! I will not be posting the prizes on the group at this time. Any participants that want to be included in the prizes will need to come here to post their links!

Thank you for coming by! Have a fabulous day!!!
Chrissy D

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

CBCC #21 - TAKE TWO - MY HUSBAND'S CHALLENGE

Hello Again...If you read my earlier post, you will know that my husband thought my FIRST attempt at this challenge was ugly. (Scroll down one post if you missed it) So I told him to grab me another cd... well he picked one of my favorite colors, so where is the CHALLENGE in that? The one color I use the LEAST is yellow - so my cd I picked was MUCH more of a challenge...but hey, who am I to NOT take this challenge...after all, he did drink a beer for me once when I wanted the Beer Cap for last week's CBC Challenge.
Here is the cd he picked out. I rarely listen to this...I figure with the children laughing, yelling or playing in the background I wouldn't be able to relax and enjoy it anyways so I really do not listen to music very often because it adds to the racket. And believe me, I do not need ANYMORE brain activity!!! LOL
And here is the card I made for HIS Challenge...
I used my personal design CHILD OF GOD available at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and punched a hole in his hands to loop the flower through it...it kind of makes him look like he is holding a flower, doesn't it? I tried to make him look like he was smelling it, but it covered up his face too much. The floral stamp set is Close as a Memory by SU.
Here are the rest of the details:
Stamp Set: Child of God by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, Close as a Memory by SU
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Creamy Caramel, Cream Confetti, Basic Grey Wassail (I LOVE THAT DP!!!!)
Accessories: Primas, Dew Drops, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 1/2 circle punch, Rounded Tab Punch, Dew Drops, Copics

So what do YOU think!? :) I came up with a BRILLIANT IDEA (well, I think so anyways)...my idea will be a Saturday Challenge...I have to figure out how often I want to do this...I was thinking of maybe having it be based on my husband coming into my office and grabbing something (me might be nice, but there isn't much challenge in that, is there? LOL) ok FOCUS...too much coffee, I am rambling...Anyways, he could grab something he THINKS I do not use often - and the challenge would be to use it...What do ya think of THAT idea? It will start THIS SATURDAY! Be on the look out!

Have a great day!

Chrissy D

Monday, January 12, 2009

MONDAY DT CHALLENGE #9 with a TWIST AND TUTORIAL AND MONDAY MAIL CALL!

I am back with another post! Today is MONDAY Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps DT Challenge and this week's challenge is the DRYER SHEET TECHNIQUE. You can find the tutorial HERE . I put a twist on it and created my own little technique that I will call the DRYER SHEET WITH A MASK. I included a tutorial for you below...

Before I go any further...today is MONDAY MAIL CALL day! I came up with this challenge for ME. LOL Honestly, I have to say I am GUILTY of making ALL of these cards, and RARELY mailing them out! How horrible is that!? There is this GAPING BLACK HOLE between my office and the mail box! So my NEW CHALLENGE is going to be to MAIL CARDS!
My goal for today is to mail out 4 cards! I am going to send out 4 RANDOM cards because I only have ONE BIRTHDAY card to send out. If I have time, I may even really stretch myself and send out 2 extra RAKS! It really doesn't take long, so why do I have this stumbling block!? LOL

Now back to the Monday DT Challenge...the Dryer Sheet Technique

I didn't have any dryer sheets because I use liquid fabric softener, so I hunted some down rather than buying them. When I sat down and read the instructions, it had to be a USED sheet. So this was awesome! I killed TWO birds with one stone...I got a load of laundry done too! WOOHOO! LOL I think my man will especially love this card, don't you?


When I stamped the penguins and added the dryer sheet, I loved the way the penguin looked fuzzy and didn't want to glitter it all up. So I decided to create a mask for it and glitter the background only. What do you think?


Here are the directions....


I hope you guys can play along this week and don't forget to check out the other Senior DT members for inspiration: Christi, Sandy, and Courtney

Let me know if you find this tutorial helpful! Thank you for stopping by! Have a great day!
Chrissy D

ONCE A MONTH COOKING - RECIPES

Come back in a few hours for a stamping post!
As I wake up here this morning with my coffee, I thought I would share some more recipes. We have our Once a Month cooking coming up again. With the holildays and occassional eating out in between the past 45ish days, I still have some meals left in my freezer. So this week, I am trying to use up some of these meals so I have more room in my freezer!
We each threw a few recipes out for ideas and here is our menu for the month.

Baked Potato Soup
Makes 4 servings.
3 bacon strips diced
1 small onoin chopped
1 clove garlic minced
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups chicken broth
2 large baked potatos peeled and cubed
1 cup half and half
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
shredded cheddar cheese
minced fresh parsley
In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving 1
tablespoon drippings. Set bacon aside. Saute onion and garlic
in the drippings until tender. Stir in flour, salt, basil and pepper;
mix well. Gradually add broth. Bring to boil; boil and stir for 2
minutes. Add the potatoes, cream and hot pepper sauce; heat
through but do not boil. (Note: Freezes well at this point. Can
be put in crock pot and cook on low all day – no need to thaw
if frozen) Garnish with bacon, cheese and parsley.

Roast - we used the roast in the Garden Fresh Soup
Makes 8 servings.
2 pounds roast (shoulder is best)
1 package onion soup mix
1/3 cup red wine
1 can golden mushroom soup
Salt and pepper roast and brown. Then put in crock pot and
cook on low 6 hours. Save drippings and part of meat for
garden fresh soup.

Garden Fresh Soup
Makes 8 servings.
1 1/2 pounds roast cooked
1 onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 cup carrot diced
1 cup celery chopped
1 potato diced
1 cup frozen peas
1 can kitchen sliced green beans
Add drippings from roast recipe
8 cups beef broth
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves
1 can tomato sauce (medium can)
2 large tomatoes seeded and chopped
2/3 cup ditalini pasta
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients but not the pasta and simmer for 30
minutes. Then put in freezer containers and label. Save
pasta for day of cooking then cook them and add to soup.
Quick Cassoulet - this is one of our family favorites!
Makes 4 servings.
1 can Condensed Creamy Onion Soup
1 can tomato soup
1 cup water
16 ounces small white beans drained
3/4 pound kielbasa cut into 1/2" pieces
4 small potato washed and quartered
3 medium carrot cut into 1/2" pieces
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
4 qt sauce pan, combine soup and water and mix, add
remaining
ingredients. Heat on medium heat to a boil. Reduce to low and
cover cook
20-25 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Marinated Pork Tenderloin
Makes 4 servings.
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar packed
2 tablespoons sherry
1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pinch garlic powder
2 3/4 pound pork tenderloins
Place soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, dried onion, cinnamon,
olive oil and a touch of garlic powder in a large resealable
plastic bag. Seal and shake to mix. Place pork in bag with
marinade, seal and refrigerate for 6-12 hours.
Preheat grill for high heat.
Lightly oil grate. Place tenderloins on grill and discard
marinade. Cook 20 minutes or to desired doneness. Slice
into medallions and serve.

It's Chili, by George!
Makes 10 servings.
2 pounds ground beef
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce (28 oz)
1 can kidney beans drained
1 can pinto beans drained
1 1/2 cups onion chopped
1/4 cup bell pepper chopped
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1/4 cup chili powder
1 can tomato paste
1. Place ground beef in a large, deep skillet. Cook over
medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, and crumble.
2. In a large pot over high heat combine the ground beef,
tomatos, tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, onions,
bell pepper, cayenne pepper, sugar, oregano, ground black
pepper, salt, cumin and chili powder. Bring to a boil, then
reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours. (Note: If using a
slow cooker, set on low, add ingredients, and cook for 8 to 10 hours.

Mary Pat's Chicken
Makes 6 servings.
6 chicken breast
1/2 pound bacon
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk or Marsala wine
salt to taste
parsley flakes
French fried onion rings (optional)
Slivered almonds (optional)
Roll chicken breasts and wrap in bacon. Mix together woup,
sour cream and milk or wine. Pour over chicken. Season
lightly with salt and parsley flakes. Bake at 275 uncovered for
3 hours. you can increase temp for faster baking. Sprinkle
with french fried onion rings or slivered almonds.

Shredded French Dip
Makes 8 servings.
3 pounds boneless beef chuck roast trimmed
1 can french onion soup (condensed)
1 can beef consomme
1 can beef broth
1 teaspoon beef bouillon grnaules
8 french or italian rolls split
Halve roast and place in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Combine the
soup, consomme, broth and boullion; pour over the roast.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.
Remove meat and shred with two forks. Serve on rolls. Skim
fat from cooking juices and serve as a dipping sauce.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganauf
Makes 4 servings.
1 pound beef stew meat
1 can golden mushroom soup
1/2 cup onion chopped
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 cup beef broth
salt
pepper
garlic powder
1/2 package onion soup mix
4 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
In a slow cooker, combine the meat, soup, onion, seasongins,
Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Cook on low setting for
8 hours, or on high for about 5 hours. Stir in cream cheese &
sour cream just before serving

Smothered Meatloaf
Makes 6 servings.
4 cups potatoes Obrien
1 pound ground beef
1 1/4 pounds ground pork
1 box Garlic Herb Shake and Bake
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 jar/can 4.5oz sliced mushrooms
1 egg
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 onion sliced thin
1 package fresh mushrooms sliced
Place potatoes in the bottom of a 5-quart slow cooker.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, shake and
bake, onion soup mix, sliced mushrooms, and egg. Set aside.
In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup Cheddar soup and
evaporated milk. Add to meat mixture. Using a wooden spoon
or clean hands mix thoroughly and form into a loaf. Place in
slow cooker on top of the potatoes. Make sure meatloaf does
not touch the sides of the slow cooker.
Stir together remaining cheddar soup with cream of mushroom
soup. Pour over meatloaf. Top with onions and mushrooms.
Cover and cook on HIGH setting for 1 hour. Reduce the
temperature to LOW setting and cook for an additional 5 to 6
hours.
A few people had questions for the Once a Month questions...
Someone asked about whether it would be better to cook on your own or with someone else. I have the largest family in our group with 6 members, every one else had 4 family members. For a few of our meals, there was only one serving for each person, unless our eldest was missing. However, I often make a garden salad, a side dish and maybe dinner rolls to help fill them up.
For several years, when cooking, I would multiply my recipes and freeze 3-4 dishes of whatever I made, so we would have dinner that night, and a few in the freezer. If you have people to cook with, it definitely makes it more fun and helps cultivate that friendship. If you do not have someone to cook with and you have young children, I would say when you cook a meal try multiplying it and freezing it to get started.
Enjoy! I will post more recipes for our Once a Month next week!
Don't forget today is MAIL CALL MONDAY! I will have a project by lunchtime. Today is the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Design Team Challenges!
Have a great day!
Chrissy D

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Basic Grey Challenge - CONTENTS MAY BE FROZEN...

Have you ever purchased a stamp and had it SIT for TWO years? I bought that sentiment stamp about 2 years ago because I HAD TO HAVE IT. Then it sat...and sat....and sat....and sat some more....until tonight...My friend Ceal sent me this Whiff Of Joy stamped image and I colored her. Danita told me about the Basic Grey Challenge website (they have prizes!). This week's challenge is to use CHIPBOARD! The square is the Chipboard!Here are a few more details:
Stamp Set: by Whiff of Joy - Willow with Hot Chocolate, Sentiment stamp by Inkadoo
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Periphery Basic Grey DP, Soft Sky, Whisper White
Accessories: Snowflake Nestibilities, Felt Snowflakes, Pretties Kit by SU, Dimensionals, BLING Stickers, COPICS, Nestibilities
Have a wonderful day! Thank you for stopping by!
Chrissy D

WATERCOLOR RESIST - A TRUE FRIEND

HAPPY SATURDAY!!! (or whatever day you are looking at this! :)) I tried a new technique today that was in the Technique Junkies newsletter. Do you get that newsletter yet? I am so excited because I am going to be a GUEST DESIGNER in a few months!!! If you are a subscriber - be on the look out in a few months!
I think I am HOOKED on this TOP NOTE DIE from SU. If you do not have it - you can go HERE or HERE for some FREE templates. You will have to cut them by hand, but when you want something and you do not have it, this works!
Here are a few more details...
Stamp Set: Bella Toile & All In A Row by SU, A True Friend by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Cardstock: Rose Red, Whisper White
Accessories: Pretties Kit, Pomegranite Ribbon, Black EP, Heat Tool, Top Note Die, Watercolor Wonder Crayons
I made my own little frame for the text by using the flourish of the Top Note Die and then trimming the sides down a bit.
Thank you so much for looking and commenting! They truly bless my heart!
Have a FABULOUS day!
Chrissy D

Friday, January 9, 2009

MOJO SNOWFLAKES...

TWO POSTS TODAY! Yes, I am behind with my MOJO post, but I just had time to do it last night! Scroll down for the BLOGGERS CHALLENGE post! My 7 yo old sweetie made a card too, but she needs to finish it, so I will add that this weekend some time. It is snowing today, so she is outside playing in the snow on recess!

This week's MOJO Sketch has a contest! The Prize: This is a judged contest, so my two favorite entries will each win their choice of any Verve Stamps set (up to $24)!The winners will be announced on Wednesday, January 14.
Here is my entry... I used my design SNOWFLAKES available at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.
I stamped the focal image in Brilliant Blue and cut around it adding the Purple Stickles to the pattern.
To make the background on the nestibilities...would you like a picture tutorial? It really was quite fun! I cut out the Labels One die, then I cut a mat out using a smaller Pinking Circle (Nestabilities). I sponged using a sponge dauber with Almost Amethyst (the lightest color of ink I used on this project). Then I cut a little bit larger mat with scrap paper and matted my image, sponging with a different sponge with Brilliant Blue Ink. One I had that completed, I grabbed another sponge and sponged all of the edges of the Labels One Die with Lovely Lilac ink. If you are like me, and want a visual! Let me know!
Here are a few more details:
Stamp Set: Snowflakes by ME!
Cardstock: Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Same, Craft White
Accessories: Nestibilities (Labels One, Small Pinking Circles), Big Shot (LOVE THIS!), Branch Punch, BLING Adhesive Gems, Dimensionals, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Snowflake Brads, Rounded Tab Punch
Thank you for looking! Have a fabulous Day!
Chrissy D