Diva Chick Birthday Card

It's been awhile since I have had a chance to post but summer is here and vacation has started.  Now that I have some free time on my hands I can start some crafting again.  So here is my first project.   I decided to start my crafting with a Stampin' Inspiration Challenge.  My Stampin' Up Demonstrator, Erica Cerwin is on the design team and she posted this challenge on her page.  So here was the challenge:

My thoughts were to create a card with my favorite color/pattern combinations, hot pink and leopard print.  So here is my card titled:  From one diva chick to another.  It was a fun way to get back into the crafting swing.

Stampin' Up Products Used

Melon Mambo paper

Chick Stamp from the Love you Much Set

Crown Stamp from the Tiny Tags Set

Happy Birthday sentiment from the Party This Way Set

Rhinestone Jewels

Valentine's Frappucino Treat Bottles

The last thing on my "To Do" list is to finish the gifts for Valentine's for my kids teachers.  I decided to make them Cinnamon Sugared Almonds because I found a cute stamp in the dollar bin at Michael's a few weeks ago.  The stamp has a cute squirrel with the sentiment "I'm Nuts About You".  Too cute.  I have been wanting to make a Frappucino Treat Bottle for a long time....I think I was beginning to drive my SU demonstrator Erica Cerwin crazy.

You will find the simple and easy recipe for the Cinnamon Sugar Almonds in a previous post.  I love the way the Frappucino Treat Bottles turned out.  Very simple and definitely very whimsical.......this is definitely something I will be doing again for future holidays and occasions.

Yippeeeee!!!  Mission accomplished....everything for my kids Valentine's parties are done!  It's their job to address all of their classmates' Valentine's cards. Mommy's job is done!  Check!

Valentine's Treats Part Tres

I am determined to get all the Valentine's goodies done before Thursday eve...the night before my kids Valentines parties at school.  We had a SU Stamp Club meeting this afternoon and my demonstrator had us make cute little treat holders that looked like the "old" style sour cream holders.  Those of you who have been around as long as I have may remember the "old" sour cream holders.  You young ones missed out.  Anyway...I made some homemade cinnamon sugared almonds and placed them into these cute containers added a few embellishments and ribbon and presto......cute and simple Valentine's gifts.

The recipe for the Cinnamon Sugared Almonds is pretty simple:

1 - egg white
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon of water
1 teaspoon of salt
2.5 cups of almonds

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

In a large bowl mix the egg white until you get peaks (with a hand mixer this takes approx. 6 minutes)
Once you have formed peaks add vanilla extract and water.  Mix again to form sturdy peaks.  Gently fold the almonds into the mixture....making sure that each almond is coated with the mixture.

In a separate bowl mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.  Mix these three ingredients thoroughly.  Pour the sugar mixture into the bowl of almonds.  Make sure that all the almonds are covered with the sugar mixture.

Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet and spread the almonds on the cookie sheet.  Place in the oven for 1 hour....make sure to check and stir the almonds every 15 minutes.  When you are able to pick up the almond without it sticking to your fingers and the coating is hard then your almonds are done.  Let them cool before packaging.


Sour Cream Style Treat Holder

You can find a video on how to make the treat holders at:  http://cricutmethat.blogspot.com/2010/09/sour-cream-treat-holders.html

This is what the finished product will look like.

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Valentine's Treats Part Deaux

I decided to be proactive and not wait for the last minute to finish my daughter's Valentine's treats for Saturday's game....and we also have our monthly Stampin' Up stamp club meeting tomorrow.  Soooooooo, I decided to knock out two birds with one stone.  This will be my entry into our monthly contest to get free goodies from our SU demonstrator.  I wish I could take credit for this idea but I actually got it from Pinterest (my newest obsession).  It is extremely simple and unique.  Supplies needed are:  Letterpress Plate or Roller of your choice depending on theme.  I used the SU Letterpress Plate -Lots of Love from last years mini catalog, white paper cd  holders, brads of your choice or colored staples.  The gift tag was made with SU Tag Punch and the sentiment is from the SU Filled with Love Set.

The first thing that you will need to do is cut a piece of paper the same size as the cellophane circle on the CD holder.  Then, you will run the CD holder through your Big Shot using your Letterpress Plate or use your roller to roll across your CD holder.  Then place your cookie in the window.  I used crystal brads on all four corners to hold the cookie in place to prevent it from slipping and so that you would be able to see the entire cookie in the window.  Then embellish with your tag and sentiment....then presto....cute, creative packaging for your treat.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Back from a LONG hiatus.....

I hadn't realized how long it had been since I last posted...BUT....it's been too long.  Sooooo....I am back with a Valentine's Treat using the Stampin' Up Scalloped Envelope Die.  I got this idea from my SU Demonstrator Erica Cerwin.  She made a similar treat for Halloween that you can find on her blog.

My daughter Mackenzie plays on a volleyball team and it's our turn to bring snacks so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to make these cute treats.

Happy crafting everyone!

'Tis the Season----Starbucks/Coffee Gift Card Holder

The holly jolly season is upon us....I think I heard only 46 more days till Christmas.  Boy time has sure flown by quickly.  In the spirit of the holiday season or any other occasion for that matter...I have created a cute card to insert your favorite "coffee gift card".  I have a friend who is celebrating a November birthday so a mutual friend and I decided to gift her with a Starbucks card.   Well.....I couldn't very well just give her the gift card in the traditional holder so I made this cute gift card holder instead.  Great and simple idea for all your favorite coffee lovers.

Halloween Treats

Spooky Kooky Treat time.  Stampin' Up has cute little cellophane bags in their Holiday Mini Catalog which are great for those little treats that you want to give to teachers, friends and co-workers. Check out how cute they are and they are really simple to fill and decorate for that little something to ward off the eerie and evil :)