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Several weeks ago I was graciously asked to be a Guest Designer for Storage Units, Ink and More {some of you may have heard them referred to by SU Ink}. There images are very cute line drawings that are fun to color, so I accepted the adventure of being one of their first Guest Designers.

This is a card that I created using the Snow Day set that is going to be released this Saturday, November 1st.

The image is actually 3 trees, but I masked them to create a little forest. The peppermint ornaments are topped with Diamond Glaze and I used Diamond Stickles to create the snow beneath the trees. I love putting my sentiments inside circles and, as you can see, that is what I did here. This sentiment comes from a separate sentiment set called Winter Thoughts. The white panel is embossed with the Cuttlebug Christmas Ornaments folder. As for my final touches, I added felt ric-rac from Creative Cafe {from Creative Imaginations} and circle punches with brads in the center.
Last, but not least, I want to take a moment to thank Denise for having me as part of her team this month…THANK YOU! Also, but sure to check out the creations from the SU Ink Design Team on the SU Ink blog HERE.

Hooray…Halloween is just a couple days away and I am in full swing creating all things black and orange. I’ve managed to squeeze in a few holiday projects, too. However, for today I am sticking with Halloween stuff. Since today is What’s Up? Wednesday I chose to use some images from the Totally Witchin’ set from My Favorite Things. I stamped the cauldron in VersaMark on PTI Vintage Cream cardstock and then embossed with Stampendous Marcasite embossing powder. This EP is SO COOL! It’s almost like a mixture of black, silver and glitter embossing powder. It makes the cauldron look very realistic. The fun little monster DP is from DCWV…very cute!

Here’s a detail shot of the embossed cauldron. I used baubles to add more texture and then outlined the image with Copic BV31 to give it a little more “pop.”

Be sure to check out the MFT Forum on SCS for new What’s Up Wednesday challenges. There will also be a chat tonight, see ya there!

It is CHILLY here in North Texas. A cold front came through on Sunday/Monday night and the temps dropped…quickly. Now, I know that many people will not take pity on us here, but trust me…I am COLD! I used that inspiration to create my card for today’s TCP Tuesday challenge. This week Leigh has another fab sketch. The end of this post has all the TCP Tuesday deets.

Here’s my take on it using Cranberry Crisp, Basic Black, Kraft and PTI Vintage Cream with Cosmo Cricket DP…

I wanted to take a minute and show you some of the details. First, I used two different kinds of ribbon. The ribbon that goes all the way around is a grosgrain and then I tied two separate strips of organdy ribbon into the knot. To give the card some extra texture, I took my heat gun and “curled” {melt} the organdy. Be VERY careful when you try this! The ribbon will melt very quickly and sometimes it gets holes in it or it can catch fire. Nope, that hasn’t happened to me, but I have come close a time or two.

Second, when using an embossing folder, you don’t have to embossed the entire panel. I have used this idea/technique/whatever the heck you want to call it a number of times and each time I get responses that read, “I would have never thought to use it that way.” By no means is this an original idea, but rather just a little something to tuck away in your idea book.

So, wanna play along?…EVERYONE can! Here’s what you are gonna want to know…
1. Each a week one of the The Cat’s Pajamas DT Members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color,theme/inspiration, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project on Leigh’s TCP Tuesday post.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS, please use the keyword TCPTUES31 for this challenge.
8. Alma will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.
10. Oh yea…HAVE FUN!

A week or so ago Paper Crafts Magazine sent out an email asking if anyone would like to spread the word about their {upcoming}latest and greatest publication, Paper Crafts Gourmet. I love just about anything Paper Crafts, so I said I would love to spread the word. Here is a peek into what is in this YUM-O publication {please note that this is not a my project or recipe}…

Deets on the project by Alisa Bangerter…
SUPPLIES: Cardstock: (ivory) Dye ink: (Black) Stewart Superior Corp.; (Summer Sun) Stampin’ Up! Specialty ink: (Mango Lemonade color wash) Stewart Superior Corp. Color medium: (black chalk) Craf-T Products Accents: (black brads) Making Memories; (chipboard bat, moon) Melissa Frances Fibers: (black striped ribbon) Pebbles Inc. Font: (Black Family) www.dafont.com Adhesive: (foam tape) Finished size: 3″ x 4 1/2″

1. Make tag from cardstock. 2. Crumple tag and smooth out. Spray edges with color wash; let dry. Apply chalk. 3. Ink chipboard moon; let dry. Chalk edges and adhere. 4. Ink chipboard bat; let dry. Adhere with foam tape. 5. Print sentiment on cardstock; trim and tear edges. Chalk edges and adhere with foam tape. Attach brads. Attach ribbon with brad.

Here are the YUM-O biscuits that are featured with this project. Don’t these just look like the ones that you can get at Red Lobster? I swear I can take down a half dozen of those without blinking. Well, I could have. I’ve been doing good on my diet, so I would probably be happy with one. Um, ok, make it two.

Here’s the recipe for those DELISH biscuits…
Cheesy Garlic Drop Biscuits
Alisa Bangerter

This is a perfect recipe to pull out if you are short on time because there is no rolling or cutting. The cheese and garlic add extra kick to a plain biscuit, and kids love them. They are the perfect accompaniment to serve with soups or stews, and are great served with a salad.

INGREDIENTS
2 c. flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. butter or margarine
1 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 1/4 c. milk
Chives (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Mix together dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry cutter until mixture is fine. Add cheese and mix well. Add milk and stir until just moistened. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Sprinkle top with chopped dried or fresh chives if desired. Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes.

It’s been a long week. Tony wrapped up mid-terms with late nights at school and then he was whisked away for a few days for job interviews. Needless to say, I will be glad when life gets back to normal next week. But then again, what is normal? LOL!

Before I get to the sketch, I thought you might want to know…

I love bringing you my sketches on Saturday and this week is no different. Although, I will say that this one was more challenging for me that some of the more recent sketches. I kinda knew it would be when I drew it out over a month ago, but of course I waited until the last minute to come up with something. I’m gonna go ahead and blame Tony for that, because the last minute was really the only minute that I had…LOL! Anyways, here is the sketch…

My sample using several stamp companies’ stamps. The poppy stamp is from Stampington and Company; the houndstooth is from Cornish Heritage Farms and the sentiment is from My Favorite Things.

The Designer of the Month, Nancy Riley, created this adorable card…

Check out the samples from a few of my stampin’ friends, Amy R., Amy S., Carole, Shannan and Susan!

Wanna play? Here’s what you should know…
1. ANYONE can play.
2. Have fun with this!
3. When uploading to SCS, use the keyword SFYTT.
4. Post a link to your blog or gallery on this post.