Wednesday - What's Cooking??

So I think I am going to start a new weekly post called - Wednesday - What's Cooking?? - maybe it will get me back to cooking again.

We have a weight loss team at work - it goes through May 13 so as a team we are suppose to lose weight.  We have two office workers who have already been losing their weight so they are not on the team but encourage us on.  Pat is our walking coach - even though it is bad weather outside - Pat rounds up as many of the troop in the office and they walk the hallways and stairs of our building.  I have not yet joined them because of a sore foot - I probably just need to suck it up and see if it makes it any worse.

I found this recipe for Oatmeal in the crock pot.  Very health recipe so I made it last week at work.  I made it one day and then we could have it for breakfast the next day.  I made a double batch and all day the question was - is the oatmeal going to blow the top off the crock pot.  It got to the very top but we did not have to scrape it off the ceiling.  Of course, we all had to taste it when it came out of the crock pot at the end of the day - we had a little bit and put a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt on top.  My boss was laughing - she said she could hear the clinking of the spoons scrapping the bowls.  We just warmed it in the microwave the next day.

Crock Pot Oatmeal

Peel and slice 2 applies and place in the bottom of the crock pot.

Add 1/3 cup brow sugar (I used brown sugar substitute and the amount that equals 1/3 cup)

1 tsp cinnamon

Pour 2 cups oatmeal (I used regular oatmeal - not quick cooking - going for all that fiber)

Pour 4 cups of water on top.

Do NOT stir.  Cook overnight for 8 to 9 hours on low.  

And yes, do not stir, you will be so surprised when it is done cooking - what is underneath - at that point I stirred it all together.

Enjoy.

Addicted to CAS and Oldie Moldie Monday

Oldie Moldie Monday - time to show some love for your old supplies.  The paper used in my cards for today's post are from Basic Grey - a 6 x 6 pad - one of my many 6 x 6 pads.  You know you must have them all.  My goal is to use this one up so I will keep working on it - come back next Monday I will probably have more cards made from the same pad.

These three cards are all masculine cards.  Addicted to CAS's weekly challenge is "raining men."  To make a masculine card.

The first card is very simple - black stamping on Kraft with one accent color of card stock - besides black.  The golf stamp is one I have had for ages but dig it out to make masculine cards.  The second card is another favorite old golf stamp - did a little spot coloring on the image with colored pencils and copics.  One small strip of patterned paper added just a little accent along with the card stock.  The last masculine card used a few strips of the paper from the pad.  The stamp is new - it is from Lawn Fawn.  I tried my hand at adding the little dash marks with a pen - it is ok.  If you check on Saturday's post, you will see another card with the same design.

Now a couple more cards from the same pad - these cards will all go in my next Operation Write Home box - the one that is being packed and sent out today.   I hope.  I seem to have a pear thing going this box - who knew I had that much paper with pears on it.  Luckily I have this cute sentiment from Unity Stamps.

Everyone enjoy your Monday.

Operation Write Home Weekly Sketch

Today's sketch on Stars and Stamps - Operation Write Home's Card Blog -  was like giving birth - this is the second try - I think what the problem is the thinking of you stamp - I think - or it could just me having a problem - maybe I need some more coffee.  I love the colors in this paper pad - it is by Prima - orange and pink are happy colors.  I used black to offset the colors.  The middle black strip under the flower was added afterwards - I needed something there to do something - like I said it was like giving birth.

I started with this card base first but then the stamp and background paper were fighting.  I don't know who won - I separated them.  But I did get another happy card out of it.  I think they would work for Mother's Day but also any day when you are thinking of someone special.

Here is your Hint for the Day - when stamping sentiments or images on a light color bse I find they are too stark - pop when you don't want them to pop - kinda like a sore thumb - I have found that chalking them adds some color to them - they no longer are sore - they blend with the card - on this card I chalked both sentiments with an orange chalk.  

Everyone enjoy your Sunday.

Hello Lovely

Hello Lovely - isn't that a wonderful sentiment - it is a new sentiment stamp I got from Papertrey Ink.  I am mailing this card is my 95 year old aunt - the last remaining sibling from my father's 11 brother and sisters.  My Mom is the last "in law" that is still living and she is also in her middle 90's.

I made the colored panel several weeks ago in the Clean and Simple 2 Class - this was one technique they showed.  I used some watercolor pens and scribbled on my teflon mat, sprayed water on it and then placed the watercolor paper in the paint and got these cool colors.  I then sprinkled salt on top of it while still wet so that is the dotty texture you see in the color.  I backed it with black and there it sat until today's sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch.

I matted the white base with black and then embossed it.  The black just sets everything off.  I was glad to be able to use that panel I had made.  If you notice the orange in the middle - it did not stamp in the middle of the flower so this was my way of covering up my bad stamping.

Well I need to go snowblow my driveway and sidewalk.  YUCK.  Everyone enjoy your evening.

Virtual Card Making Party Cards

Over the week end Operation Write Home - Stars and Stamp blog - hosted a virtual card party with different hostesses.  I have tried to play along with a few of the challenges.  This card covers two of the challenges.

The first challenge is for "things with wings".  This cute little birdie is from Whipper Snapper Designs.

The second challenge is "to use washi tape".  You know I had to have some - it is popular - so I had to buy it but of course I never used it - thank you for helping me break it out.  I put the washi tape on cardstock and then cut the strip out so it has little strength to it.  I liked using the 4 different tapes on the card.  I have enough tape on cardstock for another card - so I really should design another one.

My next box for Operation Write Home is getting ready to go - hopefully it will go in the mail this week.

Oldie Moldie Monday

This is a card I made last week for someone leaving the university for a new position.  Tracy always carries a school bus lunch box so that is why his card has a school bus on it.

The images are clip art I found within Word - I had forgotten about the clip art there.  When I found the image of the front of the bus and then the back of the bus - the card design was started.  The paper is actually Christmas Paper (the stripe) and the dots and yellow I found in my scrap bag.

This was a fun card to finally come together because it was "so" the person who was the recipient.

Everyone enjoy your Monday.

Virtual Card Party

Gee I am doing the first challenge from the virtual card making party with Operation Write Home.  This challenge is to "zig zag your card" - this piece of zig zag paper was laying on the design table so I decided to use it - I used the Silhouette to cut the banner.  The car image is a $1 stamp I bought somewhere - another stamp I have gotten my money's worth out of - it was colored with Copics and I chalked the white paper around the car.  The Hello is another $1 stamp - stamped with $1 ink.  Just call me cheap.  The gold and black circle are debossed using a large dot folder.   

This could also qualify for the "things with wheels" challenge.

I am also entering it in the Friday Mashup Challenge - to use your markers and texture.

OK back to work.

Virtual Card Making Party with Operation Write Home

This week end Operation Write Home is having a Virtual Card Making party.  I was gone most of yesterday but did start a few cards last night for the challenges from yesterday.  This card is for the challenge - All Creatures Great and Small - I have a box almost ready to be mailed but I did not have any masculine cards in the box so thought I would make a few to include.  This fish paper (a fish is a creature) is from Hobby Lobby - and I like to use it for masculine cards.  The burlap paper is from Hobby Lobby also.  The sentiment is a favorite Hero Arts stamp - works well for a masculine card.

Luckily these cards were laying on my design table and I just had to finish adhering them together.  These cards will go into two challenges.  One challenge is for partial embossing - I did not have the time to do what the video showed but will try it soon so I decided just to emboss part of the card front and stamp below the embossing or I guess it was stamp and then emboss above the stamping.

The second challenge for these cards is things with wheels.  This stamp is a favorite - no longer available from Cornish Heritage Farms - maybe the new company under this name will bring it back - it makes such a great masculine card with just plain stamping - no coloring needed.  The square card is a 4.25 square - someone standing at my cutting table was not thinking as they trimmed that piece of kraft paper.

Well I need to get some healthy groceries - six of us in the office joined a weight loss team - so I guess I need to buy some more fruits and vegetables and lean meat.  Working on plans for a trip to Florida and oh yes - must do some housework and probably laundry.  YUCK on all that stuff - I would much rather play with my paper.

Our Daily Bread Designs Support of Operation Write Home

Every month Our Daily Bread Designs sponsors a challenge for Operation Write Home - for every 25 cards submitted (up to 50 cards) they will pay for shipping on a box of cards to our Heroes.  What a wonderful way to support our Heroes and Operation Write Home.  Thank you to Our Daily Bread Design Company.

This month the theme is to use fruit.  I recently got this pear stamp from Unity Stamps because I knew it would make great cards for our Heroes to send home to their loved ones.  It is stamped in Memento ink and colored with Copics.  I am actually quite proud of my coloring on these pears.  I actually achieved some depth with my shading.

The week end approaches - yeah.  Everyone enjoy your Friday.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.  A couple cards I sent to some favorite people in my life.  The moose is in honor of my daughter Carrie who lives in Alaska.  They see moose in the yard all the time.

This moose is called Riley.

Enjoy your day - we have a potluck at work and then we start a group diet - we have to go weigh in in the afternoon.

Whipper Snapper Valentine Card

Just a quick share of a valentine card I made for my niece.  This is a Whipper Snapper stamp - makes a cute Valentine card but I know I will get lots of use out of it for Operation Write Home cards.

Everyone have a good Tuesday.

Oldie Moldie Monday

Oldie Moldie Monday - time to show some love to your old supplies - this paper is old - one piece and another with some die cuts on it.  I have managed 4 cards out of the paper.  I did use a new stamp I had recently purchased - it is from Whipper Snapper Designs.  A wonderful stamp company located in Wisconsin.  The stamp is probably a Valentine stamp but I will get lots of use out of it for Operation Write Home.

These cards are for my Operation Write Home box.  The challenge for midweek on the Stars and Stamps Card blog - is to make cards for kids.  I think our Heroes will enjoy sending these cards home to someone they love.

Enjoy your week - now we can begin the countdown to the week end.  Take some time to show some love for your old supplies.

You Make Me Smile - Thoughts of Spring

Sunday morning - time to do the Operation Write Home - Stars and Stamps weekly sketch - I had a weird night of sleep so a little slower this morning.

A little blue bird of happiness, a sweet sentiment and a little paper and twine finish off this card.  The blue, green and pink are all scraps.  I did cut into a sheet for the stripe.  A Sizzix dmbossing folder adds the texture.  Now I need to go make valentine cards for my own family.

Everyone enjoy your Sunday and lets hope Spring will soon come to all of us.

Riley the Moose Heads to Alaska

Riley the Moose goes to Alaska.  My youngest has now lived in Alaska one year.  They love it there so that is important.  I will make the journey to visit in August.  Hopefully I will see a moose - most likely he will not be holding a rose for me when I arrive.

Some SRM Stickers added some special touches and the sentiment to the card.

I am entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Have a Heart.

Also in the Just Add Ink Challenge - Just Add a Heart.

Clean and Simple Card

I am taking the Online Card Class Clean and Simple 2 - clean and simple is very difficult for me to do - the card looks naked but I do try and I think I did do ok on this card.

I used a heavy cream card stock for the card base.  I but a slightly smaller piece and embossed the Hero Arts Houndstooth design on it with white embossing powder.  This panel is pop dotted on the card base  The pink strip on the bottom is from the edge of a 12 x 12 sheet.  The Always a Friend stamp is from Simon Says Stamp which I embossed with white on pink paper.  It is pop dotted on the card front.  The butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch.

This sketch was from one of the classes last week.

Be My Valentine

My sweet little teddy bear is ready to make someone's heart melt on valentine's day.  The card is based on the sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch.

Instead of a flag I kept with the scalloped circle.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Oldie Moldie Monday

Three cards to share today - still working on that Basic Grey 6 x 6 pad.  Used up all the cupcake paper.  The cupcake is a digital colored with Copics.  The sentiment on the cupcake card is from Eat Cake Graphics - I love that sentiment.

The little bunny is missing someone special - this was paper found in my purple box - I made a valentine card out of the purple paper (double sided) and just had enough left to make this card.  He may be a bunny but he is not reserved for Easter.

All three cards will go in my next Operation Write Home box.

Enjoy your Monday.

Super Bowl Sunday

Yes it is super bowl Sunday - but no Packers - but my oldest has long been a 49ers fan - so for her I will cheer for them.

Today's card is for the weekly sketch on Stars and Stamps, Operation Write Home's Card Blog.  I chose to add more layers to the card. I grounded every layer with black so it would pop a little more.  It really does make a difference.  Try it on your card someday.  I learned this little trick from our fearless leader Sandy.

My little tip for you today - when you fussy cut out an image or sentiment like I did - take a black marker and run around the edge of the paper.  This way the edge of your cut out is black and no white shows - it gives it more of a finished look.  I also did that with my buttons - but just used a red marker on them.  Another hint for today - this is the Martha Stewart button punch - it embosses the button also - but I layered two of them together to give each button a little more depth and sturdiness.

The paper is from Authentique - great double sided paper.  The sentiment is a Hero Arts sentiment I used very often on my OWH cards.  I love the shape of the sentiment and it works for both masculine and feminine cards.

Well I am off to get some groceries so I can eat this week.  We have snow in our forecast off and on all week - I do hate to have to get up in the morning and clean everything before I head to work.  Everyone enjoy your day.

Be My Valentine

I worked on a couple valentine cards yesterday.  Need to get the packages in the mail.

This cute little stamp is one I bught for $1 and I have sure go my money's worth out of it.  I still have two more colored - with little red hearts on them.  These two were colored with favorite colors of both recipients.  The top card uses new paper - American Crafts - and the bottom card is leftovers - not valentine at all but I thought it was sweet paper.  I have enough of it left for one more card of some sort - check back Monday - it may be in an Oldie Moldie Monday post.

I used SRM Stickers for the sentiment.  Some Stickles were added to each heart and some bakers twine tied on to finish off each card.

I am entering this card in the challenge on Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog where "anything goes".  This qualifies as anything.

I am also entering this card in the weekly Shop My Stash challenge - one was to use a heart - well the second card is paper from my stash and also that stamp.

Enjoy your Saturday - I have snowblowing on my agenda - a trip to the post office and then I need to do some creating, cleaning and laundry.

It's Your Day

The midweek challenge on Stars and Stamps - Operation Write Home's card blog - is to make a birthday card.  What is more birthday like - than your own cupcake.

The cupcake is a digital design colored with copics.  The paper is from a Basic Grey 6 x 6 pad I am trying to use up - stay tuned a couple more cupcake cards coming your way.  I also used an SRM Sticker on the card to add a sentiment.

It is very very cold here today - I took a decompression day off from work today - and I want to go out shopping - so after while - later afternoon - I am going to go do some shopping.   BRRRRRR.