Berry Blossoms and Coffee Wands

So... what did you think of the new Berry Blossoms DSP? I thought, hmmmm..... and didn't order it right away because I just wasn't sure. Being a "winter" they are not my favorite colors, but I decided to go with the brown in the paper and and see what I could do. I'm really happy with the results!

An how about some coffee wands? These great little bags are now available in the Holiday Mini catalog. They can be filled with anything - anything little that is! I filled these with coffee beans.

First attempt at risotto!

I've been wanting to make risotto so tonight for dinner we had grilled chicken and butternut squash risotto - wow, it's fantastic!!

6 c chicken broth - heat and then keep warm
6T butter - divided into 4T and 2T
1/2 c chopped onion
2 c butternut squash, peeled and finely diced
2 c arborio rice
1 c dry white wine
1 c freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 T chopped chives

Melt 4T butter in large saucepan; add onion and butternut squash and cook approx 5 mins or until onion is done (you don't want the squash to be done)

Add rice to mixture and cook 2 minutes. Add wine and cook until rice has absorbed the wine, stirring constantly.

Add broth 1 c at a time, cooking and stirring between each addition until rice has absorbed the broth each time. This will take approx 15 minutes.

When rice is tender, add 2T butter and 1/2 c Parmesan cheese. It should have a wonderfully creamy texture.

Serve with remaining grated Parmesan and topped with chives.

Halloween - fancy and frightening!

Flirtatious DSP makes another appearance - this time in a Halloween card. The doilies included in this paper set have two sides (everything does, right?) one is traditional white and the other a perfect Halloween color!

A little witch complete with spiders. This card makes great use of the Big Shot! A spiderweb background, embossed lines, scalloped circles topped off with a bow!

Mr. Frankenstein - this time showcased against a spiderweb background and adhered to a fan fold flower (is there a better name for these?) made from Frightful Sight DSP. Check out the new Simply Scored tool today!

Wedding Day!

Time for another wedding card! The bride had chosen red, black and white as her colors along with red poppies. These flowers are so... fun to make and hold their shape perfectly! I used the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch (on the first setting) and it was just the right size.

I really do like the "happy I do day" stamp from Word Play but have struggled to find a punch that fits it well. Tada - I found it! The Extra Large Oval punch turned slightly sideways seems to fit just fine. The center sports an Antique Brad #117273.

Pumpkin Treat Basket

I wanted to make a little basket that would work for small fall treats. I'd seen many pumpkins made from circles but none from the Oval Scallop die cut - I'm sure they are out there, I just hadn't come across any. Fill it with anything special!

I began with two Oval Scallop dies and cut a third using Just Add Cake DSP. Sponged the edges of both with Pumpkin Pie ink. Cut the bottom edge of the Oval Scallop straight so the basket will  stand up.

Leaves: Stamp the leaf from French Foilage #121166 stamp set using  Always Artichoke ink on Old Olive cardstock. Run the leaves through the Spider Web embossing folder to add dimension.

I created a small box to fit inside and adhered it using Sticky Strip.

Cutest little Americans!!

Are these not the greatest little grandkids!!  First day of school with all it's new binders, pencils and clothes is always fun!  Have a great year!

Thinking of Fall....

I've been thinking of fall.... it isn't too far away now, is it? I think it may be my favorite season, with spring a close second. I love that by the time a season comes around a person just seems ready for it.  In celebration of fall - here is my card. Was so simple and I made quite a few! I think it will be my "Happy Fall Greetings" card for 2011!!

The stamp set, Faith in Nature, is one of the sets that Stampin' Up! has specially priced for hostesses in the new catalog. I love it for a couple of reasons.... first, my very first stamp set I ever  purchased was a pear and I used it over and over again. You know how first stamp sets hold a special place in a person's heart? Secondly, I love script added to pictures. So this stamp set perfectly fits into my "favorite things" category!

It had been awhile since I have used the Stampin' Pastels - almost felt like an artist!

Early Espresso and Very Vanilla cardstock
Early Espresso ink
Faith in Nature stamp set #122492
Crumb Cake seam binding #122332
Stampin' Pastels # 120962