March 29, 2013

Easter?!


     What do you do when you realize Easter is just days away and you haven't sent out cards?  Take inventory of your Easter stamp sets and then head to the computer.  I took a quick peek on SCS and found CAKath's card (here).  Loved the simplicity of her design, especially when I had several cards to make.
     It's hard to tell but the Daffodil layer is actually DSP, not card stock.  Because this is a clean and simple card I wanted a little something behind the white layer.

Stamps: Abundant Hope (retired), Well Versed (retired)
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, StazOn Black
Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight DSP

March 26, 2013

Quick Coconut Macaroons


     Hello!  Today's recipe comes from the March 2013 issue of Real Simple.  I've made coconut macaroons before (here) but this has to be the easiest recipe for this delicious cookies that I've seen - it can be done in one bowl with 5 ingredients!
    These little cookies are soft on the inside with the slightest  crunch from the baked coconut.  And did I mention they're gluten-free?!  I had leftover chocolate from a batch of Grasshopper Mint Cookies that I had just made and couldn't resist dipping a few of the cookies in it.  Oh. My.  (and I thought they couldn't get any better!).

Coconut Macaroons

  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1/2 up white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 14oz package sweetened shredded coconut (about 5 cups)


1.  Preheat oven to 325.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper

2. Whisk together egg whites, sugar, vanilla and salt in medium bowl until glossy and the sugar is almost dissolved.  Fold in coconut, stirring until evenly combined.

3. Using a small ice cream school, drop batter in mounds 1 inch apart on cookie sheets.  Bake, rotating the sheets halfway through, until brown, 20-25 minutes.  Let cool completely on wire racks. 

4.  If desired, drizzle or dip cooled macaroon in dark chocolate.  Enjoy! 


March 22, 2013

Sharing In Your Sorrow


     Hello!  It's always unfortunate when you have to make sympathy cards and this month I'm in need of three...  
     I loved atsamom's "Pink and Brown Thoughts" card over at SCS (here) and decided to CASE it using what I had in my stamp room.    


Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty In Pink, Soft Suede DSP
Ink: Soft Suede
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Beautiful Wings emboss lit, scallop edge border punch, dimensionals

March 19, 2013

Reverse Masking


     Watch as Brandi from Stampin' Up! takes you through the reverse masking technique.

March 15, 2013

By The Seashore Birthday


     Hello!  Today's card was inspired by Karren J. over at SCS (here).  I loved everything about her card and decided to CASE it using what I had in my stamp room. 
     I would have loved to have used the Clockworks set as a background like Karren did in her card but I don't own it.  Keeping with the sea theme I decided to use another image from the By the Seashore stamp set instead.  File this card under quick and simple!

Stamps: By the Seashore, Wishes Your Way
Paper: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla
Ink: Island Indigo, Versa Mark
Tools & Accessories: dimensionals

March 12, 2013

Textured Impressions Embossing Folders



     Watch as Brandi from Stampin' Up! shows you how to use embossing folders and the Big Shot.

March 8, 2013

Pinwheel Thank You


     Hello!  Today's card was inspired by Rita Wright's Pinwheel card over at SCS (here).  I loved everything about her card and decided to CASE it using the supplies I had in my stamping room.  The pinwheel is such a great addition to the Sizzlits family and was so happy to see it in the Spring Catalog (even more happy to see that it was $4.95)!  This is definitely a quick and simple card that would impress any recipient!

Stamps: Wishes Your Way
Paper: Whisper White, Subtles DSP
Ink: Rose Red
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Pinwheel Sizzlits die, brad, Essentials paper piercing pack, paper piercing tool

March 5, 2013

Milky Way Cookies


     Hello!  Today's recipe for Milky Way Cookies comes from the blog I Heart Nap Time (here).  These cookies are crazy good!  A soft, chewy, chocolately, caramel-y cookie - yum!  I knew the cookies were going to be amazing when I couldn't stop sampling the batter...  
     I had difficulty finding the mini Milky Ways that Jamielyn recommends and ended up using a bag of the "Fun Size".  I wanted to keep the candy bar pieces bite size and keep the caramel from oozing out during the baking process so I cut each bar into 8 pieces.  Worked like a charm! 
     A word of caution: make sure you have plenty of milk on hand when consuming.

Milky Way Cookies
  • 2 sticks butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 3/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 35 mini Milky Ways, coarsely chopped

1.  Preheat oven to 350 and line cookie sheet with parchment paper.  In large bowl cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined

2.  In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda and salt.  Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients along with the chopped Milky Ways.

3.  Drop dough by tablespoonful onto cookie sheet; bake for 9-11 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned.  Cool for 2 minutes before moving to wire rack.  Enjoy!

March 3, 2013

Photopolymer Stamps!




     Stampin’ Up! has searched long and hard for just the right material to be able to introduce completely clear stamping. And they've found it!
     Stampin’ Up! Is excited to announce that they now have wood-mount, clear-mount AND photopolymer stamps! The new photopolymer will be an addition to their stamp line and will appeal to all types of stampers. The top-quality photopolymer has just enough give to create a perfectly stamped image every time and with the introduction of our firm-foam pads, let's just say they're meant for each other! Photopolymer stamps will also be unique, fun designs that will inspire you and provide more versatile options you may not see in our traditional wood- and clear-mount stamp options. 



What makes them so great?
   They're entirely transparent for perfect placement every time! 
   They are durable. The photopolymer material is designed to last. 
   Can you say sticky? (Don't worry; in a good way.) These stamps stick amazingly well to our clear blocks.
   They're age tested. They won't yellow or cloud up over time. 
   They use FDA, food-safe material. How far can you stretch your stamping creativity? 
   We could go on, but we'll let you try them for yourself.

They are clearly a great choice.  More info will come soon!

March 1, 2013

Thank You


     Hello!  Today's card was inspired by inkpad's Papillon Sketch over at SCS (here).  I loved her layout but decided to go with the traditional 4 1/4"x 5 1/2" size card rather than her square card.  Using what I had in my stamp room I decided to go with the Beautiful Wings embosslit rather than the Papillon Potpourri butterfly stamp. 

Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Ink: StazOn Black
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, First Edition DSP
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit, dimensionals