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We were all excited for the Packer game tonight.  Win this one and onto the Superbowl!  Well, that was short lived excitement.  They couldn't do anything right.  Especially, couldn't stop the 49ers running game.  The girls and I stopped watching it at half time.  My husband went downstairs and kind of watched it.  It was a depressing way to end the season.  

Onto better things.  I normally don't to Anniversary or Wedding cards, but this one just happened to be.

We make this card in club last week and they all loved it.  I loved the cherry blossoms colored in Pool Party. For a change, I kept some of the flowers  white, and just concentrated on the flower insides.  

The leaves, or the parts that are colored, are also done with the Smoky Slate Blends.  Basically, there is just enough color for you to see.  I didn't blend any of these colors, just used either the light or dark marker.

The Whisper White circle was adhere with regular glue.  But the cherry blossoms were adhered using dimensionals.  I don't think I ever used so many dimensionals as I did on this, but it was worth it.  It was a good thing I just stocked up on them before club!

The DSP is from the Parisian Blossoms DSP pack.  I finally dug into this paper.  There will definately be more to come with this DSP.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Forever Blossoms Cling Stamp Set (English)	Cherry Blossoms Dies	Forever Blossoms Bundle (English)	Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper	Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Pool Party Dark Stampin' Blends Marker
Pool Party Light Stampin' Blends Marker	Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack	Smoky Slate Dark Stampin' Blends Marker	Smoky Slate Light Stampin' Blends Marker	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
Layering Circles Dies	Whisper White 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon	Rhinestone Basic Jewels	Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

 

 

You are going to want to mark you calendars for February 4.  That's when Stampin' Up! is releasing some brand new products that coordinate with items from the SAB catalog and also the January-June mini catalog!  

Don't you just LOVE this time of year?  

Did you notice the ladybugs are getting their own set of dies? I know a lot of people are going to be super excited about that!  I'm excited there are dies coming out for the  Happy Birthday to You Stamp Set.  That is on my list for sure.  

Take a peek what's coming out.

PLEASE NOTE:  These items will be available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!  Don't wait if there is something you must have.  They go on sale starting February 4, through March 31st.  My gut feeling is some won't last very long.  

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

 

 

Are you a sweet or salty person when it comes to snacks?

Typically, I'm a sweet person.  But I needed a salty snack for a recent demonstrator meeting.  As always, Pinterest to the rescue!

I remember a friend making these pretzels that had seasonings on.  They were simple, but everyone liked them.  I went on a hunt and found them, or at least something very similar.  

What I liked about this recipe was the fact it gave several variations of the original.  One variation had a quicker way of finishing the pretzels, and the other variation was with oyster crackers, not pretzels.  

Ranch Pretzels

12 oz bottle Orville Reddenbacher's Popping Topping Buttery Flavor Popcorn Oil
Hidden Valley Ranch Mix Packet (Dry), 1 packet
1 teaspoon onion powder
2-3 teaspoons garlic powder

Mix 2-3 pounds of pretzels in a large bowl with most of 1 bottle of Orville Butter popping oil (I always use most of the bottle, but stop when the butter is at the bottom of the label (about 1 inch left in bottle). Pour the contents of Ranch Dressing Mix. And garlic powder, onion powder.

Stir. Cover, (or transfer to large plastic bags with extra room and shake) and mix every so often (every hour or so, it doesn't have to be exact) for 24 hours until oil is absorbed.

Variation 1:

1 Packet of ranch dressing mix 20 ounces of mini-twist pretzels
3/4 Cup of vegetable/canola oil
1 tablespoon of dill weed
1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easy clean up. Gently pour pretzels into a large bowl and add remaining ingredients. Stir very gently to mix well, being careful not to break pretzels into little pieces. Pour pretzels onto the sheet pan and spread into an even layer. Place pretzels into the oven and stir every five to six minutes, baking for a total of 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.  Store in an air tight container


Variation 2:

3/4 c. popcorn oil
1 (1 oz.) envelope Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1/2 tsp. dill weed
1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 lb. pretzels, broken sm.

Directions:

Bake at 250 degrees for 40 minutes, turn over in 10 minutes.For oyster crackers, use 12-16 oz. plain oyster crackers. Bake at 275 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Place on baking sheets and bake. Drain on a brown bag to cool.

 

I used the original version.  There was plenty of time for the pretzels to dry and I was home all day, so I stirred them periodically throughout the day.  My daughter wasn't happy that I made them.  Megan, especially, loves them, but aren't exactly the healthiest snack, but could definately be worse.  She snacked on them all day.  Good thing I made almost two bags of pretzels.

And by the way, I did have enough for my meeting.

You can find the original recipe here from http://bethanysrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/11/ranch-pretzels.html

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

Let's take a vote. Who likes birthday cake?

• Yes
• No

​I'm all for the YES!   My favorite would probably be white cake, maybe a chocolate filling and white icing.  Something simple.  Too much frosting is not my thing, but I do like more than just a thin layer.

Are you hungry yet?  I am!  

I don't have any actual birthday cake to share, but I do have something else.

This was my club Thank You's from last month.  With the holidays, I was short on time.  So, my club members received them last night.  At least they didn't have to remind me.

The color pallet was definately on the subtle side.  They are also colors that haven't been used lately.  Time to dust them off and get them into the light.  I used the Stampin' Blends to color the card with.  The more I use them, the more I like.  Ever so slowly, I'm building my supply of them.  

The card layout wouldn't let the "Happy Birthday" fit on the card in one piece.  Easy solution.  Cut between the words and adhere with dimensionals.  There's no reason not to cut the saying up.

This stamp set can be yours FREE with a $50 order.  That's right, FREE during Sale-a-Bration.  You might want to think twice about this set.  Here's some awesome news:

Dies for the Happy Birthday to You Sale-A-Bration set 

They will be available for ordering starting Feb. 4 through March 31.  I don't think they will last long, so if you want them, I wouldn't wait. It's just a gut feeling, but I don't think they will last to the end of SAB.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 tams# 40437

Product List

 

Happy Birthday To You Cling Stamp Set (English)	Seaside Spray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Sahara Sand 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack	Petal Pink Light Stampin' Blends Marker	Petal Pink Dark Stampin' Blends Marker	Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack	Mint Macaron Light Stampin' Blends Marker
Mint Macaron Dark Stampin' Blends Marker	Smoky Slate Light Stampin' Blends Marker	Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder	Stampin' Dimensionals	Paper Snips

 

 

 

Last April we went to Amsterdam, Holland.  It just happened to be the perfect time to visit the tulip gardens.  I've always like tulips, but since visiting Keukenhof Garden, they are now my favorite flower.  It made our local Rotary Gardens seem like nothing in comparison.  There are about 10 million bulbs in this garden and I believe it.  We were all in awe over how the number of tulips and the beauty in which they were presented.  I'll show just a few pictures.

The pictures don't do the flowers any justice.  They were absolutely beautiful.  I would highly recommend if you get to Holland during tulip season...GO!  You won't be disappointed.  Given the chance, I would definately go back.

So, with my new love of tulips, when the Annual Catalog came out last June, I couldn't help not wanting the Winds of Change Stamp Set.  This next picture is the wooden tulips that are all over Amsterdam, in the vase I purchased there.  I can't wait for Spring to come so I get put them out again!  I couldn't resist taking a picture of them with my card.

 .       

A lot of the vases and dishes over there are white and blue.  Therefore, I chose the colors of Whisper White and Blueberry Bushel.  Very appropriate I thought.

To stamp the windmill and tulips, I highly recommend using the Stamparatus.  I was very glad I did since one part didnt' stamp well the first time.  I also cut my paper down once I stamped the image.  In the recipe, I did list the final paper size to what is on the card.

Do you see the one tulip that is standing out?  I colored it with the clear Wink of Stella.  I thought the ink had dried, but evidentally it wasn't.  I do like how it very subtly stands out from the rest.  It ended up being a good Oops.

I am hoping my club people also like this stamp set since we are using it tomorrow night.    But, unlike this one, we will be doing a lot of coloring!

Click on the above picture for the dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

tams# 40346

Product List

 

Winds Of Change Cling Stamp Set	Blueberry Bushel 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad	Stamparatus	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush	Multipurpose Liquid Glue

 

 

 

The past several days all the talk has been a huge snowstorm is headed our way.  Friday night came the ice.  That was bad.  You could barely open car doors it was so thick.  Last night we were supposed to get 8-12 inches of snow.  I think we got 2 inches.  All the hype for nothing.  That's very typical for the weather lately.  All hype and then nothing.  But, I'm not complaining.  Our winter has been pretty calm.  We had more snow at Halloween time.  Go figure!

These guys are so fun to play with.  I stamped them in Memento and then colored with the Early Espresso watercolor pencil.  Where the color is darker, I went over those spots several times to get the darker effect.  In the lighter areas, sometimes I didn't even color those.  I just used the color that was on the blender pens.  

If you know me, you will know that I'm not a purple person.  I don't dislike it, just not a huge fan.  So, I figured it was time to finally use the Gorgeous Grape.  There is definately a richness with this deep color.  The meerkats look good surrounded by Gorgeous Grape.

The black line around the card is just made with my Basic Black marker.  Nothing special, just draw a "curvy" line and add a few dots for added interest.  I've seen more people use this look so I figured why shouldn't I use it?

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

tams# 40317

Product List

 

The Gang's All Meer Cling Stamp Set (English)	Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Watercolor Pencils	Blender Pens	Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker

 

 

What's the cuteset stamp set in the SAB catalog?  It's the Meerkat's!  Seriously, have you seen them?  They are so adorable.  

The Gang's All Meer Cling Stamp Set (English)

See what I mean?  Adorable!!

I quickly made this card this morning before I went to work.  He's a stand up-kind of Meerkat!

The meerkat is stamped in Early Espresso.  I colored him with the watercolor pencils.  The pencil is also Early Espresso.  I was so afraid he would be too dark to see anything of his stamped features.  So, when you color him, do it VERY LIGHTLY.  It seemed like there was barely any coloring done when I took my blender pen and finished him up.  He turned out Great!!

I added some ground underneath him because he felt too plain in the circle.  The party hat was a last minute addition.  He needed a bit of color and the hat was perfect.  The bad news was the hat doesn't come with a punch so you have to fussy cut it with your paper snips.  The good news is that it was only one hat, and a small one at that.  

The base of the card is Crumb Cake.  The card needed some color, so I randomly chose Coastal Cabana.  It's been way too long time since I used this color.  

Just because the Holiday Catalog was done in early January, doesn't mean you have to put all those supplies away.  Recognize the Hammered Metal 3D Embossing Folder?  There is absolutely nothing that screams Christmas in this folder, so there's no reason not to continue using it.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

tams# 40161

Product List

 

The Gang's All Meer Cling Stamp Set (English)	Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad	Hammered Metal 3D Embossing Folder	Watercolor Pencils	Blender Pens	Layering Circles Dies
Linen Thread	Paper Snips	Stampin' Dimensionals	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals	Tear & Tape Adhesive

 

 

 

 

 

Today was a fun family day.  We went to a local antique store.  Well, actually, it is an old factory that's been "renevated" to an antique mall and it's HUGE.  It's large and disjointed so you all have to be in the same room or you will get lost from the rest.  The floors squeek, and are uneven, roof leaks in the summertime, but it's still a fun place to visit.  We only go 2-3 times a year and I seriously don't know if we have walked through the entire place at a single visit.  We all had a great time and found treasures to bring home.

When I came home, I whipped up this card.  I earned this stamp FREE by placing a $50 order.  It's one of the m any stamp sets you can earn free during SAB.

The cake is stamped in Memento Ink, and colored with the Watercolor pencils.  I wanted to get the depth by using just one color.  So, in certain parts I used a lot of color from the watercolor pencil.  Using the blender pens, I started in the darker areas and fanned out from there.  So, where the lighter colors are, it's just basically being dragged from the darker colors.  If more color is removed than you prefer, just re-color and blend again.

TIP:  When fanning out from dark to light, make sure you clean the blender pen.  I cleaned mine after using it no more than 5 swips.  It really made a difference on the lighter areas.

The Melon Mambo is off centered toward the upper right corner.  I compensated by having the cake in the bottom left corner of the Melon Mambo.  So, the cake really happens to be in the center of the card.  It's a trick to the eye.

Check out the colors I used:

  

This was a fun set to play with.  Next time, I want to stamp an extra flower and cut it out.  It would be awesome to have one adhered with a dimensional.  Next time!

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Happy Birthday To You Cling Stamp Set (English)	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Watercolor Pencils	Blender Pens	Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder
Pearl Basic Jewels	Stampin' Dimensionals	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush	Shimmery Crystal Effects	Paper Snips