Home >> Blog

For Easter dinner I was bored with the typical side dishes.  My husband wanted mashed potatoes.  Yawn.  Because of lactose intolerant people, I have to keep in mind...no dairy.  Or at least very minimal.  That excludes any recipes that involve Cream of Mushroom soup, or any of the sort.  So many people try to give me recipes, but as soon as I hear it includes any kind of cream soup, it's a no.  

Megan wanted fresh green beans, and I was just fine with that.  The grocery store actually had some decent looking ones.  Just heating some other vegetable up was just blah.  

I searched Pinterest for vegetables an came up with this one.

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

2 lbs Carrots washed and peeled

​1/2 cup Brown Sugar

​1/4 cup Butter

​1/2 tsp Salt

1 1/2 cup Water

• Slice the carrots into 1/2? thick slices and place them in a large skillet. Add the water to the skillet. Cover and medium high heat until the carrots are simmering.

• Continue to cook over medium heat for approximately 8-10 minutes or until the carrots are tender.

• Drain off any excess water.

• Then stir in the brown sugar, butter and salt. Stir to coat the carrots in the butter and seasoning.

• Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until the sauce has formed and thickened some.

• Serve warm and enjoy!    

The recipe was pretty easy and didn't take long to make.  I did use regular carrots, not the baby carrots.  Those are great for snacking, but the regular carrots definitely have much more flavor. 

My mistake was that I cut the carrots just a little too thin.  I know cooked carrots are typically cut a bit thicker, and I should have done that.  Mine just were a little bit over cooked.  They would have been perfect if they were cut thicker.  I will keep that in mind when I make them again.  

I found the recipe at www.eatingatadime.com

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

The tulips aren't quite in bloom here yet.  I couldn't believe the snow showers we had yesterday!  And with it being mid April.  Guess Mother Nature doesn't like Wisconsin all too well.  

This card was a challenge.  A good one, but still a challenge.

I've been watching some videos to see how other people stamp these rows of tulips.  It can be quite tricky!  This is how I do this.

First, stamp the top row that goes all the way across.    Then stamp the row that goes directly down the middle.  Now comes the inside rows and the most tricky.  Line up the edge of the actual stamp with the previously stamped image.   DO NOT line up the tulips on the stamp.  By lining up the actual stamp edge leaves just enough of a separation between the tulip rows.  Keep in mind to lineup the upper tip as well.

But again, it's a hand stamped card so it shouldn't be perfect.  Mine definitely isn't!  A few rows are close together and you can see a few tulips didn't stamp well in the right corner.  These little imperfections make it even more special.

Remember those adhesive sheets I talked about in my last post?  I can't imagine adhering the fence any other way!  Stick the adhesive to the card stock, cut out the fence, peel and stick to the cardbase.  Seriously, it can't get any easier than that.  I highly suggest putting them on your wish List, if you haven't already.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Tulip Fields Photopolymer Stamp Set [157682] $18.00	Blessings Of Home Cling Stamp Set (English) [157930] $25.00	Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146987] $8.75	Pear Pizzazz 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131201] $8.75	Soft Suede 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [115318] $8.75	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $9.75
Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad [147104] $7.50	Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [153118] $7.50	Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [147099] $7.50	Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103] $7.50	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105] $7.50	Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers [147158] $30.00
Windmill Fields Dies [157683] $33.00	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $120.00	Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [150673] $60.00	Adhesive Sheets [152334] $10.00	Blending Brushes [153611] $12.00	Brushed Brass Butterflies [158136] $10.00
White 3/4" (1.9 Cm) Frayed Ribbon [158138] $7.50	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Mini Glue Dots [103683] $5.25

 

 

  

Happy Easter everyone!  Hope you had a fabulous holiday.

When I was in South Carolina, my aunt gave me her cast iron lamb cake mold!!  I was so excited!  There were many years when I made this cake with my grandma.  We decorated it, packed it in a Girl Scout cookie box and drove out to Pittsburgh for Easter with this in the trunk.  Remarkably, it always survived the 12 hour drive.  I did have to share a picture with my aunt and cousins since they didn't believe that I would make it.  My recipe was pretty vague, but I got the general idea of what to do.  Tip:  Don't substituted almond milk for regular milk.  It didn't turn out the first time, so I was glad there was time to make a second cake.

Each month, my club hostess has to give me an idea of what they want me to do in club.  This time I was challenged to use one of three Easter stamp sets she had.  It was definitely a challenge because I hadn't owned any one of those!  

The stamp set I chose was called Blessed Easter.  It was actually a wood block stamp.  Remember those?  It made us appreciate the clear stamps.  I colored the stamp with three of the In-Colors that will be retiring next month.  

Actually, most of the card is made using soon-to-be retired supplies.  Misty Moonlight, Magenta Madness, and Just Jade are retiring colors.  Also the In Good Taste DSP sill be gone.  It has actually been around for 2-3 years and that is long in DSP time!  All the same, I will see it go.

One very new item are the tulip cut outs along the bottom.  At first glance, you think they would be a nightmare to adhere to any card or project.  I just want to say two words:

ADHESIVE SHEETS

Have you heard of them?  They have been in my room for a year and completely forgotten about.  Big Mistake!  I just add a strip of the adhesive sheet on the back of a piece of cardstock.  Cut out the image with the die and Cut & Emboss machine, adhesive sheet on the bottom.  They turn any die cut into a sticker!  No messy glue to deal with.  Fabulous!  In fact, I ordered an additional sheets since they will be going up in price next month.  

Don't have them?  Take another look.  I consider them a hidden gem in the Annual Catalog.

And also don't forget about them like I did.

Hope you had a Blessed Easter yourself.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Blessed Easter [133212] $11.95	In Good Taste Designer Series Paper [152494] $21.00	Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153081] $8.75	Magenta Madness 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153080] $8.75
Just Jade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153079] $8.75	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $9.75	2020–2022 In Color Stampin' Write Marker Assortment [153125] $15.00	Tulips Dies [157677] $35.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $120.00	Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [150673] $60.00	Adhesive Sheets [152334] $10.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00

 

 

 

 

It was kind of crazy last night during my stamping club.  I couldn't find my tulip dies anywhere!  I practically tore apart my stamp room looking for them.  That's what I get for doing my deep clean!  Finally, they were found with some other stamp sets that I borrowed from one of my club people.  Whew!  That crisis was over.  The next crazy thing was that I planned a card that needed quite a few pieces cut out using the Cut & Emboss machines.  Both machines were in use quite a bit.  And that was with me cutting out quite a few things ahead of time.

We still had a fabulous time.

My good friend's birthday was last week.  I made this card for her.

Sentimental Swirls.  It really caught my eye in the Mini Catalog.  It's swirly, but not frilly.  Does that make any sense?  

This time, I used the main swirl.  I didn't add any extra swirls, but I was tempted.  Instead, I opted for the flowers and bird.  The bird is really cute, sitting on top of the swirl.    

Did you know the two smaller flowers can be cut out with the Strawberry Builder punch?  Fabulous idea!!  I love when a punch has multiple used.  Those flowers are adhered by using mini dimensionals.   The larger flower is stamped directly to the Basic White.

Do you know what 2020-2022 In-Color I will be missing the most?  MISTY MOONLIGHT. I'm hoping SU! will be doing a color refresh and bring it back.  

Here it's paired with Pool Party.  Clean and simple color pallette.  

Don't forget the rhinestones!  Along with the three, I added them to the inside of the flowers.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Sentimental Swirls Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [157996] $22.00	Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [122924] $8.75	Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153081] $8.75	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $9.75	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [147107] $7.50
Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [153118] $7.50	Strawberry Builder Punch [154239] $18.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] $4.00

 

 

We actually had relatively nice weather this weekend!  No rain and sunshine.  What a treat!  We haven't seen the sun in so long.  I'm sure the nice weather is not going to last long.  Mother Nature is probably just teasing us again.

I made this card earlier this month and didn't make good notes like normal.  They are very brief.  I'm especially guessing on the tulip colors.  The larger tulip is Gorgeous Grape and Highland Heather.  I'm positive about that.

The two other tulips are the ones I'm guessing on the colors.  For sure it's Rich Razzleberry.  Since I wrote down Fresh Freesia, I'm assuming that is paired with the Rich Razzleberry.  If not, I'll guess Blushing Bride.  Flirty Flamingo is a slight possibility.  

I'm sure that other people have done the same thing.  Right?

If you haven't noticed, I tried to stamp tulips that are very similar to those in the DSP.  

For the first time, I'm using the Timber 3D embossing folder!  It sat completely forgotten about.  Needless to say, I'm super happy it isn't retiring this year.  The background was just too plain for me and needed some pizzazz. 

Speaking of pizzazz, if you want to add more, use Wink of Stella on the tulips.  It's the best thing ever. Any card can always use the Wink of Stella on it.  

Here's what I did on the inside.  Simple, but not forgotten about.  

          

Take a look at the box!  Did you guess what was inside it?  Of course, I found the idea on Pinterest.  Absolutely NO way I created this box on my own.  My friend does like wine, so I couldn't resist.  It takes one of those small, individual size wine bottles.  You can find the idea on Pinterest, search wine box Stampin' Up or to go stampinmagic.com.   Her directions are very details and easy to follow.

By the way, my friend really did like it.  

Click on the above pictures for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Flowering Tulips Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [157672] $23.00	Flowering Fields 12” X 12” (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [157670] $11.50	Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146986] $8.75	Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [115316] $8.75	Just Jade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153079] $8.75	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $9.75
Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103] $7.50	Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [147099] $7.50	Fresh Freesia Classic Stampin' Pad [155611] $7.50	Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad [147091] $7.50	Just Jade Classic Stampin' Pad [153115] $7.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00
Tulips Dies [157677] $35.00	Timber 3 D Embossing Folder [156406] $10.00	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $120.00	Just Jade 1/4" (6.4 Mm) 2020–2022 In Color Ribbon [153621] $6.00	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] $4.00

 

 

 

 

Megan and I have been watching Downton Abbey.  Never thought I would get involved in it, but I was wrong.  We really have been enjoying it.  What's plaguing us is...who killed Mr. Green?

I CASED this card from the Mini Catalog.  What drew me to it was the sentiment on the side.  LOVE IT!  Something different and a great use of a long, skinny sentiment.  

The flowers are colored in Misty Moonlight and Pale Papaya.  You can use either the blender pens or Stampin' Blends.  The blender pens are great way to color if you don't have the right marker.  They turn every ink pad into a marker. 

Don't forget about the bumblebee.  Personally, I think it makes entire card.   

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always, 

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Honeybee Home Cling Stamp Set (English) [157943] $22.00	Blessings Of Home Cling Stamp Set (English) [157930] $25.00	Heart & Home 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [157928] $11.50	Sahara Sand 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121043] $8.75	Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102584] $8.75
Pale Papaya 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [155668] $8.75	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $9.75	Pale Papaya Classic Stampin' Pad [155670] $7.50	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [147089] $7.50	Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [153118] $7.50
Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad [153116] $7.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Honeybee Blooms Dies [157951] $28.00	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $120.00	Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [150673] $60.00
Heart & Home Doilies  [157956] $5.00	Blender Pens [102845] $12.00	3/8" (1 Cm) Denim Ribbon [149590] $7.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $5.00	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] $4.00
Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00	Mini Glue Dots [103683] $5.25

 

 

 

It includes flowers.

More than one kind of flowers.

There are multi colors on it.  

Did you guess the new catalog?  You'd be right!

The new catalog came in the mail Friday!  There's nothing like opening a brand new catalog and seeing all the goodies inside.

Stampin' Up! came out with a list that demonstrators could pre-order from this catalog.  It definitely made flipping through the pages in the catalog vs. a digital copy much easier.  

Yes, I placed my pre-order yesterday.  Included was card stock in all the new In-Colors!  Can't wait to get my hands on those colors.  I couldn't resist the new blends and of course the ink pads.  

And I didn't forget to order the catalogs for everyone!  Do you need one?  I'll put your name on one if you need.  They should be in sometime next week.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

 

 

I'm sure you have heard by now that the Retirement List is now out!  And there are some really good deals on the list.  SU! has discounted about 130 items up to 50% off!  

As usual, the supplies are available only while quantities last.  This includes stamp sets too.  Don't wait if you really want something.  The last day to order off this list is May 2nd.  

Unfortunately, we also have to say good-bye to the 2020-2022 In-Colors.  

Product List

 

Just Jade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153079] $8.75

Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock [153077] $8.75

Magenta Madness 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153080] $8.75

Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153081] $8.75

Cinnamon Cider 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153078] $8.75

 

I have to say that I'm sad to see them go.  The one I will miss the most is Misty Moonlight.  It's my favorite by far and my go-to for blues lately.  Just Jade is also going to be sadly missed.  

You can click here to see the Retirement List.

On the other hand, the new Annual Catalog is soon to come out!  I've seen it on line and can't wait to get my hands on the actual paper copy.  Digital just isn't the same as holding a brand new catalog in your hand.  Then, it feels real.

Have you seen the new 2022-2024 In-Colors?  I think you will like them!

     

     

     

I was definitely surprised there were three blue-ish colors.  That's a little unusual for SU!  The more I've seen them, the most I am starting to like them.  The one I can't wait to get my hands on is the Orchid Oasis.  The blue/purple color has me very intrigued.  

Do you need a catalog? Let me know and I'll get one to you as soon as I can.  I'll be ordering them first thing April 1st!

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper