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Don't we all get tired of hearing "What's for dinner"?  I sure get tired of it.  

A friend of mine at work makes the most amazing egg rolls.  I don't have the faintest idea how she makes them, but that are just fabulous.  I "ordered" two dozen, ne for right now, and a dozen to freeze for later.

Anyway, that was the start of dinner.  Now, what to make with it.  We just had fried rice, so that wasn't an option.  Head to Pinterest!

After searching Chinese food, this recipe popped up.  I gave it a try.  

General Tso's Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb chicken thighs, boneless, skinless in 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

General Tso Sauce

• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce, low-sodium recommended
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Serving - optional

• 2 tsp sesame seeds
• green onion, minced

Instructions

• Into a large ziplock bag, add the cubed chicken and 1/2 cup cornstarch. Seal and shake until coated. Set aside.

• Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, water, sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.

• Place a large skillet or wok on medium-high heat. Add the oil and wait 30-60 seconds until it's very hot.

• Add the chicken pieces to the pan, shaking off excess cornstarch as you go. If you have more than fits in one layer, save half for a second batch.

• Fry for 3-5 minutes, turning from time to time to brown evenly. Remove to a plate and reserve.

• Remove all fat except for a tablespoon, then add in the ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes. Fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

• Add the chicken back to the pan and mix thoroughly with the ginger-garlic.

• Pour in the sauce mixture, and stir constantly until it's just thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, less than one minute.

• Remove from heat, serve immediately and enjoy!

We all enjoyed this recipe.  It was a little on the sweet side, so I would  start with only 1 tablespoon of sugar next time. You can always add more while it's cooking.   I also substituted cider vinegar instead of the rice vinegar.  That note was made in the original blog post.   You can see that here.  https://tipbuzz.com/general-tsos-chicken/

I did make a little extra sauce to dip the eggrolls in.  Not the typical sweet & sour sauce I usually use, but close enough.  

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

Last week we have my stamp club again.  Yay!  It was awesome seeing my ladies again.  

We always encourage Show & Tell.  One went way above and had a present for all of us.   

Katie made aprons for all of us!  Squee!!!  Isn't it adorable?  We immediately all put them on and wore them the rest of the night.  

The bee is actually from a Stampin' Up! stamp.   She thought it was completely appropriate.  We couldn't agree more.  I was on Pinterest and finally figured out the stamp set she took it from.  It was the retired SAB Honey Bee set. 

 

 

As you can see,  the bee had to be blown it up, quite a bit for the size.  It was then cut out using her Cricut machine.  Super talented.

We never did name our group.  Katie, unknowingly, just named the group - Bee Creative.  It's perfect.  

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

Did you see Stampin' Up! has come out with a new adhesive?  Actually, it's two new adhesives.  And they are exclusive to SU!

The Stampin' Seal is replacing the Tombo Snail, but better.  It will no longer make the long gooey strings Snail would.  It will start and end exactly where you want it to.   I also heard that it is much quieter than regular Snail.  I would call that a side bonus.

The Stampin' Seal+ is to replace the Fast Fuse.  So, it's stronger adhesive that is on a roller similar to the Stampin' Seal.  One bonus is that it won't clog like the Fast Fuse used to.  It's made for those heavier duty projects, such as 3D items.  

Also, both handles are exactly the same.  This means you can switch between the two.  

Just tonight, I ordered a Stampin' Seal.  I'll be honest and haven't used Snail in quite a while.  My go-to adhesive is the Multipurpose Liquid Glue. So, I am super curious as to how this adhesive holds.  Maybe if I get brave, I'll do a video and post it.  Goals to work on.

 

Stampin' Seal

Stampin' Seal Refill

Stampin' Seal+

Stampin' Seal+ Refill

 

In the meantime, here is a video to watch from SU! about the two adhesives.  It's just over 2 1/2 minutes, so take the time to watch it.

https://youtu.be/fpQoEteT_Zc

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

 

Today the temperature went from 80s and very humid to 60 and rain.  Couldn't get any more opposite in just hours.  Welcome to Wisconsin.  We almost need a jacket if going outside tonight.  Not to mention an umbrella.  

My card club met again last night, the first time in several months.  It was great seeing everyone together again.  

It's another Forever Fern card.  The ferns on the card base are stamped in Pear Pizzazz and Garden Green.  The Garden Green was a little bit dark, so make sure you stamp off first.    

While you are stamping ferns, don't forget the inside.  I stamped along the left side. It added a surprise element when you open the card.  I stamped in Pear Pizzazz.  Again, it was just a bit dark for what I was looking for, so I stamped off.  

The ribbon is from the Forever Greenery Ribbon pack.  The gold twine is fabulous. It's not just a twine, but had kind of a braid to it.  The only problem is that it frays very quickly.  I can see it making a beautiful tassel.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

tams# 46040

Product List

 

Forever Fern Cling Stamp Set (English)	Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper	Pear Pizzazz 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
Gold Foil Sheets	Layering Circles Dies	Forever Greenery Trim Combo Pack	Stampin' Dimensionals	Tear & Tape Adhesive

 

 

I finally had two day off from work in a row!  This hasn't happened since March.  It felt soooo good.  Much of the day was spent in my stamp room since we are having club tomorrow!  Last time we met was in February so it'll be great to see the ladies again.

Today is a simple card.  Sometimes, I like them better than the fru fru cards.  You see the actual card, not a bunch of stuff.

The sentiment is from the Lovely You stamp set.  It's the first time I'm using it.  There are so many sentiments I will be using.  It's great.  I also love the fonts.  I like the multiple fonts used.  The flowy are elegant, but still very easy to read.  Sometimes, the fonts are too elegant, they are hard to read.  I avoid those at all costs. Again, sometimes simple is best.

The fern is from the Forever Fern stamp set.  If you need a set for any occassion, I would highly recommend Forever Fern.  You can stamp with any color and use any sentiment there is.  

The base is sponged Mint Macaron.  I just made sure the sponged area was larger than the fern stamp.  The fern and sentiment are stamped in Pretty Peacock.  My ink pad is very juice.  Because of this, the fern is stamped off or it would be super dark.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Forever Fern Cling Stamp Set (English)	Lovely You Cling Stamp Set (English)	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock
Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad	Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad	Stamping Sponges

 

 

What a beautiful weekend!  The weather actually was the best.  It was warm, but my kind of warm, low 80s.  I spent a lot of yesterday and today weeding in the back.  We got 50 bags of mulch that I have to prep the area for.  It's the length of our property so it's quite a bit to get ready.  I'm hoping that to work on some bags throughout the week.  We'll see.

I really like the way this card turned out.  It looks simple and sweet, but in reality, it's not really simple.  Each image is stamped and then cut out by hand.  Sorry about that, but it makes the card.  

There's a secret in this card.  The top Whisper White piece that has the sentiment stamped on, is actually cut from the bottom piece of Whisper White on the card.  The Coastal Cabana piece is covering the cut out so you don't see the opening at all. 

The Whisper White base is embossed with the new 3D folder, Tasteful Textile.  Love how the pattern is nondescript so it will work in so many kinds of cards.  

The linen thread is wrapped around the embossed Whisper White, then adhered to the card base.  

Now, look at the layers on the card.  The feather and flower are both adhered with dimensionals.  I know it's a pain to cut out all the images, but the look can't be duplicated if they are just stamped on the card itself.  If I could make dies for these images, I sure would.

So far, it's hard to say which stamp set from the new catalog is my favorite.  I have Tasteful Touches and Forever Fern.  Both have been so fun to play with.  There are so many more sets that are on my Wish List.  In a perfect world, I would be able to purchase everything at once.  Sigh.  Maybe in the next life.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Tasteful Touches Cling Stamp Set (English)	Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad	Rococo Rose Classic Stampin’ Pad
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad	Soft Sea Foam Classic Stampin' Pad	Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder	Stitched Rectangles Dies	Linen Thread
Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush	Tear & Tape Adhesive	Paper Snips	Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

It's always fun to get the new In-Colors.  But, it's also a little intimidating.  

New Colors.  What coordinates with them?  

As always, Stampin' Up! is way ahead of that.  They have prepared a Color Coach for these colors.  

I just love seeing these Color Coaches.  There are times when I think "Really, you want to put those colors together?"   I take their advice and put those colors together and they work!  Amazing how SU! has that all figured out for us.  

What's the first color combo that peaks your interest?  I'm thinking Bumble Bee, Poppy Parade and Shaded Spruce.  

Any other combinations that you think will work?  Let us know!

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

It's finally here! 

The new Annual Catalog! 

Wahoo!

I am ready for some new colors to shake things up!  New cardstock.  New Ink pads.  New Ribbon.  New Blends.  New DSP.  New embellishments.  It's almost like Christmas in June.  I'm thinking Cinnamon Cider is my new favorite.  But, then again, Misty Moonlight is a close 2nd.  

Unfortunately, there is a bit of sad news.  The embossing machines and accessories are not currently available for ordering.  Stampin' Up! does not have an exact date when they will be available.  I will keep you updated when I hear some news.   Here is a list of items that are not orderable.

• Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653)
• Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (item 150673)
• Base Plate & Die Plate Pack (item 149657)
• Specialty Plate (item 154711)
• Mini Base Plate & Mini Embossing Plates Pack (item 151003)
• Mini Cutting Plates (item 151004)
• Magnetic Cutting Plate (item 149656)
• Mini Magnetic Cutting Plate (item 151005)
• Impression Mats (item 149660)

Do you have a current catalog?  If you don't, let's rectify that.  I'll get one to you.  It's such a good catalog!  With a new catalog also comes with new questions.  I'm here to help with those.  Just contact me.  

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper