Mmm, Leftovers

My favorite part of Thanksgiving--besides sitting at the table with family, passing the house with Christmas lights twinkling, and yummy food--is the leftovers!!  I make two special dishes with the turkey meat, and I made the first one earlier this week.  I had help, too!  My new daughter-in-law, Cami, came over to help and to make pies for her family.

Here are the results, a pie for me, hubby and daughter.  Cami took hers home for the family to enjoy that night.  Each pie is custom made for the individual's taste buds.  I like mushrooms but not peas, Wendy likes peas but not mushrooms, and hubby likes it ALL!! LOL

My other special leftover dish is lovingly referred to as "turkey balls"!    They are croquettes, small molded balls of cut-up turkey and cream of chicken soup, rolled in flour and egg and bread crumbs--crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside.  Mmm-mm-mmm!

So, do you have any special leftover dishes you make after Thanksgiving?  Let me know!!

Make it a Shiny Christmas

Squigglefly Challenge Blog has a new weekly challenge today--use glitter and bling and a Squigglefly digi image!  So I just had to alter this small metal tray and make this Christmas present for one of my co-workers.  My project started with this vintage tray I snagged at a craft show/rummage sale called the Bizarre Bazaar.  I got six trays for a dollar (not to mention a whole lot more, each item being a dollar).

I used acrylic paints to cover the tray, then Mod Podged some pale teal-colored patterned paper onto the face and sprinkled the first layer of glitter while the glue was drying.  Next I printed an image from the Inger Harding Winter Wonderland collection.  I tore the edges and again used Mod Podge and a sprinkle of glitter.  I love the new papers from Inger, don't you?

I chose a Tim Holtz metal tag for the sentiment:

Then it was time to embellish!  I wanted to keep a vintage look to my finished project, so I tied a bit of fiber onto one end of the tag, and adhered a rose onto the other end.  A few well-placed pearls on the edges of my tray and a bow complete the look I wanted, but the whole thing needed something...  

I finally added a single sparkly snowflake and it looks like it is following her down the path she's lighting.  So now I am one more Christmas project into my long list of favors, cards, presents and decor to make for this year's holiday celebration.

So are you into shiny?  do you have extra glitter and bling on hand?  Why not use a Squigglefly digi image and create something festive.  And while you're at it, enter the Squigglefly Challenge for your chance to win!

The History of Bullying Goes Way Back

Let me give you a little Christmas history lesson.  It involves some very mean reindeer and one bullied reindeer--don't worry, it has a happy ending!

My card showcases Coriander Shea's lovely new stamped image Reindeer Decor, offered by Queen Kay Designs.  By taking a line from the song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the football frenzy of the last week, I ended up with a couple of rough looking reindeer.  They are the ones who called Rudolph names and wouldn't let him play games with them (especially Antler Tackle).
I stamped, colored and fussy-cut three images and adhered them onto an embossed card front.  The sentiment is a line from the Christmas song, and I embellished with red glittery border from K & Co., as well as a leftover Christmas brad I found at the bottom of my Christmas craft box.
Don't these reindeer look like they're ready to tackle you?!  I even gave each the football smudges under their eyes so the sun wouldn't distract their targeting ability.  I am definitely giving this card to one of my guy friends who appreciates a little football humor.
You can check out all the new Christmas rubber at the QKD SHOPPE today!!!

A note of seriousness here: even though bullying is a priority in schools nowadays, you can't help someone who won't tell people they are victims of bullying.  Watch for signs from your kids, your students, your family. Keep the lines of communication open.  Google sites that give you the symptoms, warning signs and advice on how to handle someone who is being bullied.
Our area has been hit with quite a few suicides in the last year, despite the "high awareness" that schools are on.  I was lucky enough to discover that my daughter was being bullied when she was very young, and got some really good advice on how to handle her and the main bully and her mom.  My daughter came out of the experience stronger and with a new best friend.  She is now a senior in high school and very empathetic to others who are being bullied.  And she is alive, which is more than I can say of other worried parents.
Keep your ears and hearts open to young victims.  You could save a life!

I'm So Thankful...

...for my life, my loves, my homes, my job, my five senses, my creativity...
AND the new Squigglefly Challenge!!  (You'll never guess what the new challenge is...wait for it...)
A THANKFUL THEME!!  (Bet you didn't see that one coming)

You can create a thank you card, a Thanksgiving card, or anything with a grateful theme.
One of November's newest digi releases from Squigglelfy mixes both the "giving thanks" theme with the Thanksgiving theme for one terrific image.  Our very talented Fawn Palmer is the artist of Happy Turket Day digi image from Squigglefly Designs.
I decided to go along with the Thanksgiving theme and create a feast for the eyes, in bold bright colors!  I used my Copics to color Fawn's image, then added a little Stickle here and a little Liquid Glass there for a little shine, especially on the pumpkins.  I actually printed up two images, then used just the larger pumpkin to add to my scene.
I found a leftover piece of Dasher patterned paper and distressed the edges.  Before adhering my image to the card, I fell into a feather frenzy for a fun feel (feeling funny using all those F's).  I glued the feathers under the image and slipped the pumpkin pie recipe sticker (Tim Holtz Idealogy Sticker Pad) and a bit of K&Co border in orange along the side.  Then had to staple a few snippets of ribbon and thought I had better quit before my card exploded!!
The girl in the image just looked like she was having a blast in her turkey costume, so I wanted to give my card that same fun feeling.  I hope you like it!  For more of Fawn's digi images, check out the Squigglefly Store.  And don'y forget to showcase the things for which you are grateful with a card!  Use a Squigglefly image and enter it in the challenge for a chance to win!
p.s.  One more thing to be grateful for:  the honor of being on the Squigglefly Design Team for another term!!  I am such a lucky duck (or should it be turkey, in line with the season?)!

Favors From the Queen

I love to come up with different kinds of favors to give to each guest.  One of the ideas knocking around in my head is to give each guest a cupcake to take home (or to eat if pumpkin pie, cheesecake and Christmas cookies aren't enough).  I found these cute squat Mason jars at a rummage sale and picked up a handful.

I thought that Crystal Moore's image, Solar Plexus, a Queen Kat Designs November release stamp, would be perfect to decorate my jar.  I decided to stamp the image onto a pastel green background, using VersaMark ink and red embossing powder.  The image really pops!

I attached it to the top and for this photo, placed candy inside the jar.  I might even go with the candy contents instead of the cupcake, because I have these wonderful bite-sized Mars chocolates left over from Halloween, and I thought "do I really need to add another baking project to my full day?" LOL

I added Christmas ribbon to the top screw-on lid, and just a single Christmas sticker, since I want all that candy to shine through to my guests.  Simple yet pretty, thanks to Crystal's Solar Plexus, and I can do them up well before the actual celebration, since chocolate lasts for six months, and it's in an airtight container.

QKD has released some beautiful stamps this month, and Christmas is coming!!  Get your wish list going for Santa (or hubby) to choose from now and check out the Shoppe!!

Silly Santa

I think I am going to send this card to Santa after Christmas this year.  Looks like he's already in his PJ's and ready to hit the sack after a long hard night.  I had a word with Mrs. Claus and she told me that after Christmas Eve, Santa wasn't willing to pull on one more outfit of red, so his pajamas are anything but..
.
I colored my sleepy Santa, a newly released QKD stamp from Sandra Caldwell called Silly Santa, with my Copic markers and colored his PJ's GREEN so he could rest in peaceful slumber.  I decided to try an "infinity frame" theme for my card, but ended up with only three layers!  Oh well, one person's infinity is not as long as the next person's...

I kept my card clean and simple, with just a white snowflake and some jewels for embellishment.  This card will go through the post office easily with just one stamp, so I might just send a couple of these out to some friends as well as Santa!

I love to play with Sandra's images!  You will too, so go check them out at the QKD Shoppe!!

One Crafter's Trash is Another Crafter's Treasure

At least, that's what the basis was for a challenge I participate in at my Yahoo Group, Your Scrapbook Place!  We were partnered and sent each other the leftovers off our craft table.  I received a lot of leftover papers and a diecut or two, and since I am still in a "thankful" frame of mind, I made a Thank You card!

I was able to use three pieces of patterned papers to attach to a brown cardstock base.  I also cut the wings off a huge diecut bug and presto change-o, they became flourishes!  I added a piece of my own leftover orange border,the sentiment circle, and a bit of leftover lace.  I finished off my card with a tiny piece of ribbon from the swap, and my thank you card, although it is missing a lot of bells and whistles, is done!  And sometimes, it's nice to work without all those bells and whistles--sometimes they get in the way!! LOL
So remember, crafters, waste not, want not!!  Next time you're ready to brush those snippets and strays into the trash can, why don't you package it all up and challenge a friend?

Oldie but Goodie

Every Thanksgiving, I call a few select people and tell them how grateful I am that they are in my life.  Some people have been there for as far back as I can remember.  Others just made their appearance recently.  Regardless, they made a difference in my life, and I am grateful
This is the inspiration that helped me create this card today for the new Squigglefly Challenge Blog.  The challenge this week is to use an image that's been stored in your computer for a while, one that you used once or twice, but not recently.

I printed up an image called Patchwork Apple by artist Fawn Palmer.  I decided that my card should be cut in the shape of the apple image, so I adhered it onto red cardstock and cut around it.  That's when the fun began!  I used a mix of Copics and Spectrum Noir markers to bring my Patchwork Apple to life.  Once colored, I made it sparkle with sequins, glitter and jewels.  To give it the final Fall touch, I popped on a Harvest sentiment and tied a bit of fiber to the apple's stem.
I had fun "unearthing" an oldie but goodie, and I bet you will too!  If you use a Squigglefly image, go post it on the Squigglefly Challenge Blog for your chance to win!!

Reindeer Favors with a Favorite Reindeer

I get to host Christmas Dinner every year.  Anywhere from 12 to 25 family members are invited, and sometimes I invite the stray neighbor, cousin, in-law or friend to join in the festivities.
I always try to come up with a cute favor for each person, and this year I decided to run with a favor box of treats showcasing a QKD stamped image called Rudolph Decor from our very own Coriander Shea.
As soon as I stamped and colored this fur ball of fun, I knew I had to glitz up his Christmas lights with Stickles for that added shine that every Christmas begs for.  I fussy-cut the image and popped him onto my plain brown box, after first inking the edges and adding a white Christmas tree border.  I cut this border with my new punch system from CTMH.  Since the embellishments are minimal, I added some ink to the front panel behind Rudolph.
I originally wanted to use just the dark brown raffia to tie up my boxes, but that red and green dash of color works well.  I think my guests will get a kick out of these cute boxes.
For more Christmas fun, check out Coriander's newest releases, as well as all the rest of her awesome stamps, at the QKD Shoppe!!

Good night, Santa!

Hello, crafters!  Yesterday I didn't think my workday would ever end, so last night I made a circle-shaped card to match my mood (because a circle has no end)!  I used a brand spankin' new November release stamped image by the very talented Sandra Caldwell.  It's called Silly Santa, and it is too darn cute!!
He looks like he has just finished his nightlong rounds of delivering packages around the world; hence, the dazed and confused look on his face and his half-shut eyes!!
After coloring my image with Copics, I decided to give his old gray hairs some shine with Stickles.  I "framed" my colored image by using a Copic and coloring a border around the circular edge, then popping it onto my card base to which I had already attached some Christmas Basic Grey patterned paper.  A few leftover jingle bells from a diecut border finishes off the bottom half of my card, while a jeweled mini border and a clothespin Christmas tree embellishment take care of the rest of the card.
My sentiment inside reads:  "Around the world in 12 hours or less makes for happy children and one tired Santa!  Have a peaceful Christmas Day!"
For more of Sandra's images, check out the Shoppe!!

If Wishes Were Candy

If wishes were candy I would weigh a ton!!  I have made so many wish lists--health wishes, money wishes, family wishes, stupid wishes, generous wishes--that I'd never want to see a sticky piece of chocolate or a chewy bit of caramel ever again! LOL!

Meanwhile, I have a yummy Wish list to show you, made with one of the newer Squigglefly images called A Gingerbread House by Jane Beljo.
The project is a cardstock booklet that is stapled together and embellished with patterned papers, jewels, stickers and rub-on words AND one very important embellishments for this week's Squigglefly Challenge - a BOW!!
But let's get back to the main image.  I paper-pieced part of it and used my Copics for the rest, with a little CTMH Liquid Glass for shine and a bit of Stickles for glimmer.  I had small leftover pieces of Christmas patterned papers to set a scene behind the house, then dimensionally adhered the image to the background.  I added a few sticker snowballs for a warm look to the chimney (sometimes when I look at this I see snowballs popping out of it like a Nerf gun).
I used leftover word rub-ons for my title, and than wound ribbon around the edge and tied it with a bow (a magnificent bow if I say so myself!!).
This little booklet holds my grandkids' wish lists, and I keep it in my purse at all time, so that if I make an unplanned trip to the store, I know what I need to look for!  It only has about six pages, which is just enough for my newly-added poppets and an extra page for my teen daughter.  Small and thin, it takes up no space but has a lot of impact for my Christmas shopping.  AND it follows the Squigglefly Challenge this week.  It's a win-win project!!

'tis the Season to Make Tags

Now that Halloween is over, my mind is churning with cards and tags and favors and projects for Christmas.  Today I wanted to use a new November-release QKD stamp from artist Crystal Moore called Solar Plexus.  I decided to make a Christmas tag.

I started with a wooden tag for the base and used distress inks in green and red.   I stamped Solar Plexus in black and colored in parts with red and green Spectrum Noir markers.
I chose a Tim Holtz' Ideology Word Band that reads: "Encourage your hopes, Not your fears" and wired it onto the tag.  I added a few Skittles, a vintage button and some greenery with a flower.  I decided that since it is a Christmas tag, it needed a little sparkle, so I used Stickle on parts of the stamped image.
I finished off my tag with a bit of lace on the bottom edge, and some fiber at the top.
I hope you check out more of Crystal's stamps at the QKD SHOPPE.