Praying for you.........Sympathy Card

Well....here in Charleston, South Carolina where it is normally sunny and warm, it is a brisk 32 degrees and the forecast is predicting SNOW!   Yes.....snow. We have not had snow here since 2010. So, as you can imagine, the town is in panic mode and shutting down all around me.  I did not frown too much about it, because that meant I got to leave my "day job" at 1:00 to get home before freezing roads, cook dinner early and get in the scrap room!






As many of you may know, a dear friend of ours, who was only 19 years old, passed away earlier this month after a decade long battle with brain cancer.  He fought the fight from the beginning and passed away still fighting and believing.  He was an inspiration to not only those who knew him personally, but had a large following not only around the United States, but around the globe due to the way he lived his life fully and head on. 






Erik was a HUGE Clemson Tiger fan (college here in South Carolina for those that are not aware) and at his funeral services and Celebration of Life he had asked before he passed, that anyone attending wear those Tiger fighting colors of Orange and Purple.  So......when creating this card today for his parents I immediately pulled out those colors.  I know....not traditional "sympathy" card colors, but very appropriate in this instance I felt.






Once I pulled out the colors, I had a hard time trying to decide where to go from there - after all was a very tough card to make for me.  So, I set my sights online and came across the Sketch Saturday challenge #294 this week and thought that was the perfect place to start!  If you create cards, please come over and join in the fun!  The sketch to follow this week was as follows:









Based on such, this is the card I came up with:

The tree image is "popped up" with dimensionals and then the sentiment is also "popped up" on top from the tree base. I am very pleased how it turned out and I think Erik would be happy with it too.  The inside sentiment reads: "Praying for friends to comfort you, faith to uphold you, and loving memories to heal your heart".  If you would like more information on this awesome young man, or need some inspiration in your life, please feel free to go to facebook and follow his page "Prayers for Erik Simao".  It will do your heart good!




Ingredients for this card:


Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Pumpkin Pie, Lovely Lilac (retired), and Whisper White
Stamps:  Stampin' Up! Thoughts and Prayers (retired)
Ink: Stampin' Up! Pumpkin Pie
Other: Stampin' Up! Stampin' Dimensionals


Happy Crafting!


Tina

Sketch Challenge with Your Next Stamp

Hello everyone! Over the weekend I stumbled upon another stamp company called Your Next Step.  They do a monthly challenge so I decided to participate.  I do not have any of their stamps yet, but they are nice enough to let anyone play along in their challenges! If interested, please go over to Your Next Stamp and play along! This is the YNSFFC08 - January 2014 Sketch Challenge.


In going through my stamping supplies this weekend, I also came across a brand new stamp that had never been inked up so my goal this weekend was to put this bad boy to use. This challenge was the perfect time to do it!  Here is the card I came up with:

This color scheme is way out of my norm, but I thought it turned out rather cute, and I am pleased with it. I stamped the first pear with Certainly Celery right on my white cardstock.  I then stamped the dotted pear with Old Olive on scrap white and cut it out and popped it up to give the card a little dimension.  Listed below are the products used.


Cardstock:  Stampin Up! Sahara Sand, Old Olive and Basic Black
Stamps:  Studio G
Ink:  Stampin Up! Black, Old Olive and Certainly Celery
Other:  Stampin Up!  Stampin' Dimensionals


Happy Crafting!

Tina

Sorry for the loss of your best friend........

How is everyone doing here on the 2nd day of the New Year?  Kept (or broke) any New Year Resolutions yet?

I wanted to keep on my "roll" of creating (two days in a row - new record pretty much!) so I went over to My Favorite Things for their weekly sketch challenge to get some inspiration.  Lucky for me, it was a rather basic sketch that would work for any kind of card, and a sketch that I will likely turn to again and again.  Here is the sketch they gave:

Since I have had the fear of losing a dear pet of mine weighing heavy on my heart the last few weeks, I decided I would do a Pet Sympathy card tonight.  Luckily, my "Karma Sue" has hung in there and seems to be improving somewhat.  However, I am sure there are others out there that treat their pets as family members as well, and when they do lose a pet would appreciate receiving a note of comfort.     This is what I came up with:

 

 

The sentiment at the bottom corner reads "a dog wags its tail with its heart".  I stamped the dog as to be "fading off" the page, but showing that a dog will wag his tail to the very end.   The inside of the card simply reads "So sorry for the loss of your best friend." .  I have provided an "ingredient list" at the bottom of the page of the materials used in making the card.  It is very simple, but sweet card I think.

Ingredient List:

Cardstock:  Stampin Up! Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip
Designer paper: Paper Adventures "Susie Muise Paw Print on Pink
Inks: Stampin Up! Basic Brown
Stamps: Stampin Up! D is for Dog

Happy Crafting!

Tina

You're Simply Sweet . . . Valentine Card

Well, it is here...... 2014! I am bound and determined to get more crafty this year since I have missed it so I figured what better day to start than today!   I used the MoJoMonday blog to help me get started with a layout.   Then, I just recently joined a card swap group and this month we are to swap Valentines/Love/Wedding cards. So.....when I put the two ideas together, this is what I came up with:

It has a simple sentiment of "Happy Valentine's Day" on the inside.  The "ingredient" list for the card is below.  My "mojo" is slowly coming back and I will hopefully be able to "scoop up" my creative side back to the surface sooner than later!

Hope everyone has a great 2014!!!

Ingredient List:
Stamps: My Favorite Things - Who's That Girl - "Here's the Scoop"
Paper:  CTMH More To Adore Paper Pack (retired)
Inks: SU Chocolate Chip, CTMH Parchment, SU! So Saffron, Lavender Lace, Blissful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Pretty In Pink
Embellishments: CTMH Bitty Brads


Happy Crafting!

Tina

Product Review: Dr. Scholls For Her Comfort Insoles

Guess what day it is? Yep, that's right - it is Happy Hump Day Wednesday! Gotta love that week is half way over already for sure.

As some of you know, in the last week or so I received a box of goodies from Influenster with various products inside that they asked me to try out, sample, and give them provide them with feedback of my honest opinions.    Well, inside that box, Influenster provided to me on half of Dr. Scholls a pair of Dr. Scholls For Her Comfort Insoles.  I thought, well that is nice, but didn't get too excited, I mean how can you get excited over insoles, right?

Well - - let me tell you - start getting excited!  Honestly, I did put off trying them because I immediately noted on the package it said for sizes 6-10.  Really? The same person that wears a size 6 can wear the same insoles of a size 10 person?  Well, that told me that it was a "size 10" insole and I was going to have to cut it down to size and who's got time for that?  If I had simply taken the time to read the entire package upon receipt, I would have noted that it said "no cutting required" and it is true.  Somehow, someway, you just slide them in your shoe and they work!  Maybe it's magic, I don't know, but who cares how it works, it simply worked and fit perfectly in my shoe.

I wear flats to work all the time and, like some moms, instead of treating myself to new shoes all the time, I tend to treat the other family members to stuff before I treat myself. As such, my flats tend to get "flatter and flatter" on the insoles, ie. less comfortable.  Let me tell you - I slipped the insoles right in my "flattest" of flats and Oila! - it was like I had new shoes on my feet!

The gel-like material made for a "cool sensation" on my feet which was nice.  They also had gave extra support and cushion right where I needed them.  I was also worried before trying them that they would "take up room" in my shoes and make my shoes tight and less comfortable.  They did not!  Again, not sure how they didn't but they didn't.

Usually after working all day long I immediately come home, throw my shoes in the closet and slip on my comfy slippers before I start cooking dinner, etc.  Honestly, the last three days of wearing these insoles, I have not bothered to slip into my slippers until after dinner, cleaning the kitchen, taking care of dogs, etc. etc.  They are that comfortable!

Do you have uncomfortable shoes or are on your feet all day?  Try and pair of Dr. Sschools for Her Comfort Insoles and let me know what you think.  I don't think you will disappointed.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Annie's Homegrown Macaroni & Cheese

I was sent a cup of Annie's Homegrown Real Aged Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese microwaveable cups to try out and test by Influenster on behalf of Annie's Homegrown.  When I first opened my box of goodies to try and saw this product, I was like "Oh no, that is not going to be good."  The reason I said that is because I am not one to eat "microwaveable meals" nor am I know to eat "organic" or any other "healthy food" for the most part.  LOL But, I had a job to do it and I was going to do it well!

So, I took this little cup to work for my lunch this week to give it a try.  It probably didn't hurt it had that cute little bunny starting at me on the package, you know I am a sucker for furry, four legged cute creatures to plug me along.

Anyhoo - more about the product.  It was easy to make, simply tear off the plastic cover, remove the packet of cheese mx and fill with cold water to the "fill line" . . . didn't even need a measuring cup to measure my water, how easy is that!?  Then mix it up well....this is where I started getting more worried because the water looked a little "grey".  Well after reading the package I realized these were "wheat" and "organic" noodles which probably is what resulted in that appearance.  I plugged forward and heating it up as directed for two minutes.  When the microwave buzzed, I added the cheese mix and stirred and let it sit for another minute so the cheese could melt and get all ooey- gooey and then I went for it.   And............surprise............. it was actually pretty darn good!

The cheese melted all nicely, not clumpy or "powerdy" tasting.  It actually had a really nice "butter flavor" which I actually loved.  It was just the perfect size for a nice small lunch or snack.  I will definitely try them again.  I am thinking the kids would really like the White cheddar flavor.

Have you tried it?  Leave a comment below if so and let us know what you thought!


(NOTE: Providing this product by Influenster in no way, shape, or form swayed me in my review of this product.)

Bacon Cheddar Chicken Salad (and Beer Bread!)

Because I am always on the go and there is always someone else looking in the fridge for something to eat, the other day I decided to put together a large batch of chicken salad to keep on hand for those "refrigerator grazers" - you know the ones!   This chicken salad has become a popular treat in my house and I hope you will enjoy it too!

Ingredients:

2 T Tastefully Simple Bacon Bacon
1 1/2 c. Mayonnaise (hubby prefers Miracle Whip when I make it just for him)
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
2 cups cooked, diced chicken breast (I use canned chicken to make this up in a jiffy - sometimes use 3 cups)
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
Green Onion, sliced

Simply combine all ingredients, mix well and chill.  Spread on your favorite bread or simply enjoy with crackers or celery sticks for a nutritious snack! 

Our family particularly likes it served on Tastefully Simple Beer Bread.  To make a more "sturdier" bread for sandwiches, I simply add 2 eggs to the mix before baking.  As you can tell from the picture below, someone could not even finish making their sandwich before taking a bite! Yummo.......

Enjoy!

Tina

If you would like to order any Tastefully Simple products or see what others products there are available in that product line, please feel free to go over to www.tastefullysimple.com/web/jrucker.  Or, if you would like, please feel free to come join the fun on my family's facebook business page for more recipes, tips, giveaways and more!