INSIDE OUT CHOCOLATE CHESS PIE

Have you ever made a pie that turned out this ugly . . . and inside out???  Yes, that's PIE CRUST in the center of the pie!  This pie took so long to bake . . . I was up late waiting for it to bake "enough," giving it 5 more minutes, 7 minutes, 5 minutes, another 8 minutes after the 45 minutes that it had already been in the oven!  By the time it looked done, I was ready to get out of the kitchen!  This morning, I cut the pie and, good Lord, what happened?  It appears that the filling traded places with the crust, and the filling isn't even good!  I didn't have a single can of evaporated milk, so I substituted with a little bit of regular 2% milk (which I know is quite different).  Who would have thought it would totally ruin the pie?  I can understand if I didn't have cocoa, vanilla, or sugar, but milk????  My sister commented not too long ago about the number of evaporated milk cans in my pantry and asked why I had so many.  At the time, I couldn't recall the last time I had used any--it just seems like one of those things you always pick up at the store, you know?  Maybe I roam the house in my sleep and use evaporated milk because all those cans got used for something!  I suppose I'll toss this pie in the garbage, where my kitchen skills reside.  I swear, I think I am about as skilled in the kitchen as I would be trying to survive in a wilderness (or the backyard).  I'd really like a delicious chocolate pie, but now I'll have to wait until the snow melts so I can buy a can of evaporated milk.  [heavy sigh]

IT'S SNOW TIME!

What a surprise to see the amount of snow we're getting!  Unfortunately, the accumulation has occurred after dark.  As seldom as we get snow, I prefer for it to fall during the day when I can watch it.  Even though it's dark, I couldn't resist taking some pictures.  Look at all the snowflakes in this one!  Those little babies are really piling up--except for the ones that got scooped in a bowl and turned into snow cream. 

MAKIN' UP FOR LOST TIME

Here are two more cards for you!  Both of these cards feature some of Stampin' Up!'s "Sale-a-Bration" stamp sets.  On the card on the left, I used "Happy Moments" (love the bird cage) and "Sweet Pea" designer paper from the "Occasions" mini catalog.  The second card features the "Good Neighbors" stamp set, designer paper from the "Welcome Neighbor" pad, Pinking Hearts border punch (which I scored to mimic a picket fence), dotted Dusty Durango ribbon, sentiment from "Teeny Tiny Wishes," and Dusty Durango, So Saffron, and Old Olive card stock.

MY COMPUTER IS BACK IN BUSINESS!

I have really missed my computer! For nearly a week, I have been using my notebook, but it is not the same!  I'm now back in my little corner of the room, surrounded by all of . . . well . . . the usual mess.  One of the projects I created a few days ago was this little note box.  I have the drawer pulled out so you can see that it has a place to hold paper.  This project was supposed to have a little loop to hold a pen, but I didn't make one.  The loop would have gone below the flower and, as you can see, I have a pretty scallop there that I didn't want to hide.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this project include "Thoroughly Modern" designer paper, Rose Red and Whisper White card stock, linen thread, Scallop Trim border punch, 3/4" circle punch, Eyelet border punch, Go Go Boots Alphabet dies, Finial Press embossing folder, and the Scallop Edge punch.

HERE'S ONE FOR THE KIDDOS

How cute is this little pig with coins in his belly and a corkscrew tail?  I wish he had more of a happy expression on his face--I guess it's all in the eyelids (or not).  Anyway, this box is 4.5" square with a 1.5" depth, so it could be filled with cash, gift cards, or many other things for that special little someone in your life.  Stampin' Up! punches used to create the pig include 1-3/4" Circle, 5-Petal Flower, 1/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, and Modern Label.  The body of the pig was cut with the Circle Scissors Plus.  Other products used on this project are Melon Mambo dotted grosgrain ribbon and a Sweet Treat cup.  I can't take credit for the clever use of punches to create the pig, but I'm glad the idea was shared with me.  It's just so cute!

"RAZZLE DAZZLE" BIRTHDAY

"Razzle Dazzle" is a stamp set that I haven't used a lot, but I always love this image when I create with it!  The following Stampin' Up! products were used to create this card that I will send to a special cousin:  Rose Red, Soft Suede, and Very Vanilla card stock, Rose Red and Soft Suede markers, Soft Suede dotted grosgrain ribbon, Soft Suede Classic ink (love, love, love this color), Eyelet Border punch, "Something Sweet" stamp set (sentiment), and Stampin' Sponge.  While I didn't do a great job with the Rose Red "faux lace," I think it definitely adds to the overall design, and all of the sponged edges really "vintage up" this card--LOVE that!  As you can probably tell, the sentiment was the last thing added to the card.  I couldn't find a good placement for it, so that's why it's just kind of stuck on there.  ;-)

RECIPE SWAPS

This month, some customers and I swapped 6x6 recipe pages.  Even though I don't like cooking, recipe swaps are my FAVORITE!  It's always interesting to see the layouts and how cleverly the pages are decorated, and I think my ladies did such a GREAT job on these swaps that I wanted to post them to my blog. 

"VINTAGE VOGUE" SYMPATHY

Over the weekend, I found out that I needed a sympathy card to send to a special aunt since her husband had died suddenly, unexpectedly.  I did some experimenting with the "Vintage Vogue" stamp set, and can I just say that I love, love, love this stamp set . . . and this card.  I hated to smash the flower petals into the envelope, but this was a card that had an important mission.  Stampin' Up! products that were used to create this special card include "Thoughts & Prayers" stamp set, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, and Whisper White card stock, Rich Razzleberry and Always Artichoke inks, Soft Suede dotted ribbon, clear Rhinestone brad (which I dotted with a glittery glue substance), piercing tool and mat pack, Finial Press embossing folder, Scallop Trim corner punch (inside the card), Champagne Mist shimmer mist (can you see that pretty shimmer), and the Little Leaves Sizzlits die.  Go ahead and put "Vintage Vogue" on your wish list and call me to order it OR go HERE to place your order and have it delivered to your front door!

STAMPING ON TWILL TAPE

As I was working on this card, I wasn't sure where I wanted to add the sentiment.  That's when it occurred to me to stamp on twill tape!  Didn't it turn out well?  All that I knew I wanted to do with this card was stamp a "one-sheet wonder" and then cut three strips, but it evolved into a design that had the perfect place for the bird and he, too, reiterates the message on his wing!  Stampin' Up! products used include "Vintage Vogue" stamp set, Two Step Bird punch, Taken with Teal Craft ink, rhinestone from Eggcellent Eggs Kit, Naturals Ivory and Taken with Teal card stock, and the following Classic inks:  Rich Razzleberry, Taken with Teal, Cameo Coral, and Always Artichoke.

VINTAGE "ROCK 'N ROLL"

I'll admit it . . . I really like this design!  Stampin' Up!'s new "Vintage Vogue" stamp set is so darn pretty--how could a person not like it?  I decided to stamp the large flower using the Rock and Roll technique--the flower is just perfect for it!  I stamped and cut out the small flowers to adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals in the center of the flowers.  While I didn't enjoy tying on the dangling hearts, they really add to the card.  Other Stampin' Up! products used include Cottage Wall designer paper, small heart and Pinking Hearts punches, linen thread, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum, and Whisper White card stock, and Rich Razzleberry and Always Artichoke ink.

RAZZLEBERRY "GOOD THOUGHTS" CARD

Look!  It's another square card!  For this one, I used several new Stampin' Up! products, such as the "Vintage Vogue" stamp set, Eggcellent Eggs Kit (small flowers, leaf, and rhinestone), Ovals die, Clear Scallop Square die, satin ribbon, Scallop Oval and Modern Label punches, a label from the Matchbox die, rhinestone brad, and Bride specialty designer paper.

"MATCHBOX DIE" VALENTINE BOX

This is one of the easiest and quickest projects that I've made in a while--truly, a no-fuss treat!  There are many ways a person could choose to decorate it, but I kept it simple.  To create this box, I used Stampin' Up!'s Real Red, Pretty in Pink, and Whisper White card stock, Heart to Heart punch, and Matchbox XL die.  The labels (under the hearts) are two of the three labels on the die--how handy is that?????  The Matchbox die cuts three different labels, the box, and a sleeve for the box.  On my project, I cut the sleeve to form a lid and then cut a "V" in the front of the box (because I forgot to punch a semi-circle prior to assembly) to make the box easier to open.  If you can't think of a better reason to buy the Matchbox die, then this superdeeduper EASY box is reason enough!

CARD TREE

So . . . we all know that Regina's a gadget ho, and this is my most recently acquired gadget . . . a card tree.  I must admit that I had reservations about ordering this product due to the space it would take and the possibility that it could look too busy/messy; however, as you can see, it can display a variety of projects--not just cards.  I might eventually retire my display board and just use this card tree and the shelf it sits on.  I don't plan to keep it in front of the window, that's for sure.  What do you think . . . is it a keeper?

HEARTS INSTEAD OF GUMBALLS

One of the Stampin' Up! colors that I use the least is Basic Gray, even though it's a very handy neutral.  I'm not sure what prompted me to reach for it while making this card, but I like this combination of colors.  I actually started working on this card a week ago, but I was waiting for the "Pinking Hearts Border" punch and Very Vanilla satin ribbon to arrive so I could finish it.  Besides the products already mentioned, other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include "Sending Love" designer paper, "Something Sweet" and "Holiday Best" stamp sets, Small Heart punch, Very Vanilla, Real Red, and Pretty in Pink card stock, silver brad, and 1-3/4", 1/4", 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" Circle punches.

BUDDY AT THE DOOR

Yesterday, we walked by the front door, and there was Buddy . . . waiting patiently for one of us to come by and offer a treat.  Instead of just posting the picture, I wanted to apply a colored pencil filter effect so, obviously, this isn't "just" a snapshot.  I uploaded the photo to Stampin' Up!'s "My Digital Studio" and added some digital punches, brads, and ribbon.  So easy, and yet these little additions took the picture to whole new level.  ETA:  Funny story . . . the door bell rang this afternoon and when my husband opened the door, there was Buddy--all smiles (I know for sure he was smiling) and tail wagging.  My brother-in-law had stopped by and decided to get the bell for Buddy, but we didn't see him (BIL) right away.  I've been waiting for Buddy to learn how to knock on the door or ring the bell, but he's at least learned to escort someone to do that for him. 

CUPCAKE DREAMS

My husband's birthday is this Friday, and this is the card that I made for him.  It's nothing elaborate, but I'm sure he will appreciate it.  A few months ago, he found out that he was diabetic.  Since then, he has been a model patient . . . totally changed his eating habits and has been losing weight.  He has lost at least 36 lbs.!  He has such an impressive will-power!  As I was perusing the shelves full of stamps, trying to decide what kind of card to make for him, this image was so fitting (no pun intended).  My husband weighs himself each morning and, for the most part, says "No!" to sweets.  I hope the cupcake won't make him hungry!

RE-DISCOVERING "BASKETS & BLOOMS"

Stampin' Up!'s "Baskets and Blooms" Bigz XL die has everything you need to create a really cute basket.  The die has flowers, a tag, the basket pieces, and two decorative strips.  What I like most about this die is its versatility!  I should have taken a picture of the original basket design but, as you can see, here are two more basket designs you can make with the die . . . a boxy basket and a rectangular basket.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create both of these baskets include Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, So Saffron, Barely Banana, Perfect Plum, and Pale Plum card stock, "Little Leaves" Sizzlits die, Daisies #2 die, Organza Ribbon, Pop-Up Glue Dots, and Jumbo Flower brad.  I can't wait to make another one.  The Perfect Plum basket is a bit plain, and I look forward to "dressin' up" the next one!