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We're still creating with the food & drink of Christmas at Jingle Belles.
When I have my eating options, I usually head straight to the candy (okay maybe not straight to the candy ... there's usually a detour for any kind of warm dinner roll on my way) ... which is likely why this Sweet but Twisted Sentiment spoke to me.
Love those sweet little filed cookies too.
We hope you'll share your treats with us at Jingle Belles ... there's a chance to win this fun little prize package.
On my list of things to accomplish during this long holiday weekend is restocking my everyday card stash. I have quite a few random cards, but am sorely lacking in cards for specific occasions.
Tonight I cut up a 12" piece of Simple Stories Let's Party Journaling cards to start putting together some masculine birthday cards ... I always snap-up these types of designs when I see them for just such an occasion.
I started with the current Fusion Card Challenge. The Red Pillow reminded me of the Red Texty Journaling card ... and I incorporated the Sketch as well.
I also incorporated black and white background based on the pattern on the chair seat. I couldn't position the circles on top of the text, so I slipped them behind my rectangle sentiment.
I finished with a wrap of the three primary colors of twine. I'm also joining the Masculine Anything Goes Challenge at The Water Cooler Wednesday Challenge.
Next I used the layout from Paper Craft Crew Challenge with another journaling card.
I swapped the leaves for Party Hats and finished with a sticker sentiment.
Two down ... about 10 more to go.
Another week of skipping through blogland:
Happy Turkey Day!
I'm sharing some MISTI Stencil Magic at the Technique Junkies Blog today ... come check it out. And remember, there's a chance to win $25 to shop at the store if you link-up a Holiday Tag for the current Technique Junkies Challenge.
and remember ... always use my discount code TJ10Stephanie at Checkout.
There's also a great sale at the MISTI Blog ... if you use My Link to shop, I do get an affiliate bonus.
I used my last sympathy card today ... so I had to make some more. Because we all know that when you need a sympathy card is not the time you want to be making one ... so I always make sure I have some in my stash.
I pulled out several Retro Wood Block favorites for tonight's cards. The first is from Outlines Rubber Stamps and is good to have for so many occasions when you want to say something ... but there are no words.
I paired it with the bird from Unity Stamp Company's Sympathy & Sadness using this week's CAS(e) this Sketch!
The second one features Hero Arts In My Thoughts together with the Atlantic Hearts Sketch.
Papers are all from Authentique's Sea-Maiden Collection.
It all started with a Jason Mraz concert this summer. Brett Dennen was the opening act ... he has been a long-time favorite of mine, so we went to the show. I loved seeing him sing live, but only hearing a few songs made me want to hear more. Then I saw he was doing a headliner concert in Milwaukee on Friday, and decided on a solo road trip to hear some music.
I had planned to go see Gina K. at her Village Paper and Ink Store once I arrive in Milwaukee, but it turned out she was teaching classes in Madison for the weekend, so those plans had to be re-calibrated. I did go the store and managed to stock-up on cardstock, ties, stamps & foil.
If you're ever in the area, it's an absolutely gorgeous retail space.
Next I walked around downtown Milwaukee (ended-up walking to two different box offices before I found my tickets), and I also did what you do when you're in Wisconsin on Friday ... go to a Fish Fry. I went to the Swingin' Door Exchange and had the mixed Fry with Perch, Cod and a few crunchy shrimp together with house potato chips.
I enjoyed the concert, although the Turner Hall venue was a bit run down & very cold. It was fun to attend the pre-show where we got to talk with him & get our photos taken.
I got up early on Saturday and headed to Madison, Wisconsin (if Gina K is in Madison ... then I go to Madison). I started my morning at the MMoCA Art & Gift Fair at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.
I fell in love with this original Merino painting by Amy Carani, so it came home with me. She doesn't use masking and creates with free-handed painting.
Next I had a delicious Bolognese Sauce with Alfredo at Tutto Pasta on State Street.
Next I headed to the Rubber Stamp Show to take a Wreath Builder Class from Gina K. and meet-up with Mona Sen for a mini-Junkie-fest Reunion. I loved this color combination & primitive wreath design (I had to add extra snowflakes because I managed to get my inky finger on the paper in a few spots ... typical me).
It was so great to hang-out for a few moments.
Next Mona and I headed to the downtown Madison Night Winter Market where we tried a few delicious treats (and bought some spicy cheese bread and delicious chocolate chip cookies) and then we headed to Om Indian Fusion for an amazing supper. We shared Shahi Paneer and Bhindi Masala ... both were so delicious.
This morning before heading home, I made the journey to The Shoe Box in Black Earth, Wisconsin for some serious show shopping (it is a seriously road trip worthy store if you're ever in the area). These two lovely pairs came home with me.
It was a fantastic way to spend the weekend.
We're celebrating the Food & Drink of the Holidays at Jingle Belles. Do you have a favorite? I always have to have some dark chocolate covered cherries (while thinking about sharing them with my Granddad) and some Egg Nog. I prefer Ham to Turkey and Stuffing to Mashed Potatoes.
For my first card I cut into a hoarded piece of Alexandre Renke Designer paper ... seriously, if you haven't seen these papers, you should. They are German and have a thickness and richness unlike any paper I've seen. This piece features all sorts of holiday foods and drinks ... I went with the Gingerbread. I do have a memory of making Gingerbread cookies with my Grandma, but I don't think I ever made a Gingerbread House (not a bit fan of Gingerbread cookies ... I prefer my cookies soft).
I also have apple memories for the holidays ... there was always an apple in the toe of our stocking (which I didn't like because it took up a lot of space that I wished were filled with candy).
Isn't that little scene lovely ... it was so pretty, I kept the card simple, so it would be the focal point.
I made a second gingerbread card with pieces of the same 12" x 12" paper ... love those neutral tones with a tiny pop of red and that lovely font ... nibble, nibble, gnaw.
I hope you'll break out your favorite food memories and share them with us at Jingle Belles.
Another week of skipping through blogland:
Have a tremendous Thursday!
When I saw the theme at the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge was Playing Dress-Up ... I knew it was time to break out my Taylored Expression Sarcasti-chick and some of her Halloween Closet Dress-Up Clothes.
She's promising to grant your birthday wish ... but we all know, she's just there to get a piece of cake and glass of wine. The Sentiments are from Taylored Expressions Party Pals.
I dressed-her-up in vibrant pink and added some silver bling stickers. The layout is this week's Freshly Made Sketch.
I'm also joining the Clean & Simple Challenge at Seize the Birthday.
The design team at the CASology Challenge this week was super-creative in interpreting this week's Cue Card.
I had lots of ideas (the first one I had to trash because I couldn't find the stamp set I was looking for ... don't you hate when that happens. I'm sure I will find it next week when I'm looking for something completely different). Finally I went with a Glass Coffee Pot ... the epitome of The Office (and my Office).
I paired it with the final line from the TV Show The Office ... which is so true. And sometimes the most beautiful things is that first taste of morning caffeine.
Both Stamps are from The Ink Road Scranton, PA.
I also took my inspiration from the glass of wine at the Fusion Card Challenge (and used the Fusion Sketch too for my CAS Design).
