Hip to be Square challenge entry - Hels Sheridan

 My resolution this year is to enter more challenges, so here I go on the second one. I have done this for the Hip to be Square Challenge on Hels Sheridans Pinkleart Blog

USED

Mountboard

Tim Holtz Ideaology corners, grungeboard letters and shapes, metal and distress inks

Thin metal sheet

flower die

papers and card

Cuttlebug embossing folders

Paperartsy ephemera

Mountboard

Melt Pot, bronze and gold embossing UTEE

Text stamp

Mica - Perfect Pearls

First I cut loads of squares of paper in plain and pattern card and then embossed in the Cuttlebug.  The edges are inked in Fired Brick distress ink. I dipped the letters and shapes into the melt pot to coat them in UTEE, I  love the bubble effect it makes, probably due to the moisture content?  They are also brushed with Perfect Pearls in pink and gold

The flowers were die cut and rolled from art metal, they are easy to make but can get a little sharp on the edges.  Care is needed when removing from the die as it tears easily. Metal corner protectors on each corner for decoration and the close up of the Paper Artsy ephemera border.

A text stamp has been applied to hot utee on stampboard

I love Pumpkins (recipe)

 Well I managed to get all my Halloween gifts sorted out yesterday. The treat bags are stuffed, cards written,  the pumpkin lantern is made and the insides of Mr Franky are cooked up ready to make some 

Pumpkin Muffins

• How to do them: scoop out pumpkin insides discarding the seeds and stringy bits. You can wash and toast the seeds as a snack they are delish but it's a bit tedious taking the shells off.
• put the flesh, 2 tablesppons of water and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a bowl and microwave for 6 mins or until softened, stir a couple of times while it's cooking.
• Mash the cooked pumpkin or blend in a processor. You can now make muffins or freeze it for later in a poly bag. or Buy a tin of prepared Pumpkin from Waitrose!

Muffin Ingredients

• Divide your pumpkin into 2 equal amounts and find a cup that one amount fits in to fill it, this will be your measure for the other ingredients (you can use shop bought measure cups if you wish just follow that rule)
• put into a mixing bowl,  the 2 "cups" of pumpkin, 
• 3 cups of plain flour
• 2 cups of sugar, I prefer brown
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of each of the following spices, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice or just use 2 teaspoons of Mixed Spice.
• 2/3rd's of your cup of sunflower or vegetable oil
• 3 eggs (beat before adding to the mix)

Mix it all together, put into muffin cases, sprinkle with a little sugar for a crunchy top (I use crushed sugar cubes but regular is fine)  and cook for about 25 mins at 180cent, 350 farenheit or Gas 5  

EAT :-)

they will freeze in a plastic bag or box, reheat for a little while after defrosting to freshen them up

xx

Quotations mini book

Nestabilities mini album I made as an alternative to a Birthday Card for my friend.

Used:

Plain cardstock

patterned paper Basic Grey

Cuttlebug folders

Nellie Snellen Frame Die

Paper and fabric flowers

Binding ring

eyelets

Cropodile

Ribbons

Colourbox Eye chalks

Blending tool and foam

Grungeboard die cut shapes

Brads

Christmas Scene

I have made a start on the scene for my front entry porch. So far we have trees, houses and snowmen. Keep watching for the end product
TFLxxx

Place Settings and Friends Cards

I wanted to make some of the cups like Donna had done on Cricut forums but not as cards so I designed a cut file to make them into place names and menu cards. I hope you like them. I have not done them to suit a table theme as they will be for tea-time so a variety of colours suit, with the Christmas Crackers it makes a more fun table, had they been for dinner I would have made them the same to co-ordinate with my table,

I made them with a tab and slot so it would make them stand better. The menu ones have the work cut from the front layer for the names I did cut out letters and stuck them on after. Here is the CUT FILE if you want to have a go with the pattern I made.

The papers are Dovecraft, I added some pompoms to look like marshmallows on some of them and used glitter and flakes for "sprinkles". The menu ones have a printed menu inside made in "MS Word" and cut out

I have finished my cards but I couldn't resist making a few more just in case I forgot anyone, its always good to have some spares. The papers are Forever Friends with matching Double Sided card stock, some mirror board and punched snowflakes. I used a free embossing board gift from a magazine to make the greetings.

Insomnia Cards!

Well as usual I was up at "stupid o'clock" so I got all the housework done, washing, cleaning, chickens fed, dishwasher on and was done by 10am so I had time to get down to some more card making :-) here is what I managed to get done today. I did a few peojects last night but I can't post them as they are for the girls at Crafty Coffee morning and it might give the surprise away :-(

O'k so I cut too many of these but I had to use them up I love these little people and I am so glad I have the PK face stamps
Dashing through the snow!! these little chaps are having fun on the reindeer :-) Glamour Dust glitter does not photograph well :-(



Some more Easle ( stand up) cardsm using some pine cones cut last year and the deer. Holly printed card by papermania and vellum quotes
Card as before with Buzzcraft decoupage topper of the cute little bear, I have this stamp too which I really must get round to using!! Fiskars Holly border punch and Forever Friends backing papers

Similar but with a scallop border punch (not fiskars)
O'k thats it today then I am off to see the Christmas Lights being turned on with my Nieces and my Sister tonight. Grand Christmas doo with Carols singers, music and snow machine!! and hopefully some fireworks, hope they are as good as last year. Christmas is so close now ahhhhhh

Easle Cards

I like this design so had to give them a try today. They are really easy and have a lot of scope. I used up some leftover bits to make these but will make some more with better papers now I know the ropes with them
TFL
xx