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Who's all done with hearing about the Coronavirus?  I am!!  The online orders at work have literally exploded.  Yesterday, we completed 25 orders.  Sometimes we get that many total order in a week, in a single day was absolutely crazy.  We were running very low on many foods at work.  Hopefully that will be rectified very quickly.  Megan is home from college for at least a month.  We just found out tonight, my husband is working from home for at least 2 weeks!  Yikes!  It's going to be a long two weeks.  

I was given a sample of this card for a swap.  Time to bring it to life.  Since I was getting bored with doing just normal fold card, this was perfect.  It looks normal from the front, but once it opens...SURPRISE!

Did you expect this?  I left my card inside pretty plain, but you can really jazz it up!  The card is Pool Party that is 11 x 4 1/4.  It's scored at     1 1/4,  2 1/4  and 2 3/4.  I added a base of Petal Pink before it was adhere to the card base.  It needed to be grounded and it really worked.  

The base Pool Party is hand stamped using the Parisian Beauty Stamp Set.  It's stamped in Gray Granite.  After I adhere the folded top, I felt like it was lacking something.  We did this for club and I finally figured it out.  I had them adhere a layer of vellum over the stamped Pool Party.  It softened up the stamped images and looked awesome.  Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to take a picture of their card, but trust me.  It made a huge difference.  The club people agreed with me. 

The Amour was cut from Champagne Foil Sheets.  The card needed some shine to the front.  Make sure to adhere the R to the edge of the Whisper White square.  Otherwise, it might rip off by mistake and you definately don't want that to happen.

If you needed a smaller size card, it would be super cute to give the folded part only.  It doesn't have to be adhered to a base. 

This is actually an easy card for the dramatic effect it gets. Wouldn't you love to receive a card like this?

Click on the above pictures for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 tams# 42418

Product List

 

Parisian Beauty Cling Stamp Set (English)	Parisian Dies	Parisian Beauty Bundle (English)	Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper	Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Gray Granite 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Champagne Foil Sheets	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad	Stitched Shapes Dies	Multipurpose Liquid Glue	Tear & Tape Adhesive	Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

 

 

 

There has been some crazy days at work lately.  People are crazy shopping.  The store has been super busy, almost worse than holiday shopping.  And the on-line orders, where I work, are insane.  Yesterday, I worked 8 straight hours, no breaks, and barely got the orders finished on time.  For a typical Thursday, we get maybe 1-4 orders.  Instead, there was 16 orders! INSANE!  The store has been out of hand sanitizer since last week and now completely sold out of toilet paper.  I hid a few packs for orders that came in today.  We kept it hidden from the customers.  We were afraid someone would take it off our carts without our knowledge!  I wouldn't put it past anyone.  

My club member, Elaine, designed this card for us.  She used the Power of Hope stamp set from the SAB catalog.  It totally resembles a chinese lantern.  How cool is that !?!

Here's a picture of the inside.  I don't recall the stamp set the bamboo is from, but it was a Stampin' Up! set.  

The circle was already cut out, making sure the fold edge was not cut off from the die.   

The pagoda was stamped right on the cicle, so it did get crimped.  The lady was stamped and fussy cut out.  She was then adhere onto the card with a dimensional.  I love how she put the two together.  

We then put it through a crimper.  That's right, who's even thought of that lately?  If you don't have one, the Corrugated 3D Embossing Folder would look exactly that same.  We adhered the crimped circle onto the card base using the Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  

Sorry, I don't have exact dimensions, but I know Elaine found the card design on Pinterest.  Gotta love it!

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

  

 

 

We just found out today that Megan will be home for an extended break.  She comes home Friday for Spring Break and because of the Coronavirus, they will be doing some weeks of on-line classes.  So, this means she will be home roughly 4 weeks!  All the details haven't been released about the two weeks of on-line classes so that will be interesting to see what that all entails.

I realized the other day, I did the background of dimensions and instructions, but never actually did the blog post on this beauty.

This is one of my all time favorite stamp sets.  I do love a big flower.  The outline is stamped in Smoky Slate and I used the sponge daubers with Petal Pink and Soft Sea Foam.  I started with the color in the ceter and brushed out.  My intent was not to have a perfectly colored in flower.  

The words on the Petal Pink pieces are from the Parisian Beauty Stamp Set.  Just keep stamping the words so they off set the empty spots.  The bottom piece is then embossed with the Parisian Flourish Embossing Folder.  

Usually, all the pieces are matted together in the same direction.  The flower didn't work well matted that way, so I chose to change the orientation of just the flower.  The Shimmery Whisper White is larger horizontally than the other pieces, but let's shake things up a bit.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Good Morning Magnolia Cling Stamp Set	Parisian Beauty Cling Stamp Set (English)	Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Soft Sea Foam 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad	Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad	Soft Sea Foam Classic Stampin' Pad	Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder	Sponge Daubers	Whisper White 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon
Classic Label Punch	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

 

What a crazy weekend!

It was Vintage Shop Hop weekend!  I went with three friends on Friday antiquing and shopping.  We started out in Dundee, Il and gradually worked out way towards home.  The Google map highlights over 400 stores in this event.  The stores are antiques, boutiques, new and vintage decor, and a lot more.  We hit about 10 stores or more.  I lost count of how many we went to. We had an awesome time together.  Saturday, we ran to Evansville to a few stores.  Found a few cute things, but that was just...meh.  Can't wait for the next one in October!

Weekend is over and it's back to work.  Sigh.

I signed up to do a Make 'n Take tomorrow night.  Because Spring is coming soon, I wanted to use Winds of Change Stamp Set!  So, how could I not?  Plus, I don't think too many other demonstrators that I will be seeing tomorrow night, have this set.

This is a relatively easy card to make.  Stamp the sentiment and windmill.  I also inked just around the tulip so I could get just that.  It's punched out using the 3/4 inch circle punch.   Stampin' Up! doesn't have that punch anymore, so I would use the 1 inch punch.  The 1/2 inch is just too small.  You could also fussy cut the tulip.  I was keeping it easy.

Here's a close up of the tulip.  It's colored with the Stampin'  Write marker.  You could also use the Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends.  I also colored it with the Wink of Stella.  Now, after looking at it close up, I notice it's not lined up exactly, so don't look too closely!

That's all I have for now.  Tomorrow is getting ready for club Tuesday night.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Winds Of Change Cling Stamp Set	Poppy Parade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Brights Stampin' Write Markers
Layered Leaves Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	1" (2.5 Cm) Circle Punch	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush	Stampin' Dimensionals	Tear & Tape Adhesive

 

 

 

 

 

TGIF Everyone!  

Do you have any special plans?  I'm antiquing friday with some friends.  Woohoo!  We always have a good time.  Saturday, maybe going to an antique place with my hubby.  But, he will probably come up with some project that has to be done at home instead.  That's probably what will happen.  

I needed a birthday card for a friend.  She loves mermaids and unfortunately, I don't have a stamp of one.  And I think she also likes purple.

It's no mermaid, but I tried to use the colors instead.  I used Petal Pink, Gorgeous Grape and Granny Apple Green.  It's the best that  I could come up with.  

And I also used Shimmery White on the cherry blossoms.

The Whisper White, under the cherry blossoms, is embossed with Parisian Flourish 3D embossing folder.  Just couldn't leave that plain.  I also used quite a few dimensionals on popping up those cherry blossoms.  

The sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Birthday Stamp Set.  The Happy and Birthday are from one stamp.  I cut those apart and added the Awesome.  Now I'm wishing I did it backwards - Gorgeous Grape cardstock with words embossed in Whisper White.  Too late now since she's already received it.  

Have a great weekend!

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)	Itty Bitty Birthdays Cling Stamp Set	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	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2	Blender Pens
Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder	Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine	Stampin' Dimensionals	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

Who likes guacamole?  Well, you might want to try this recipe. 

A little while ago, we went to a new Mexican restaurant in town.  Some of the entres come with an avocado salad.  Alyssa shared her's with me since I love guacamole and she's not a huge fan.  It was AWESOME!  As usual, I took to Pinterest to see what I could find. 

Last week, I tried this recipe.  I really liked it.  Alyssa thought it was meh and my husband didn't even try it.  I even brought some up to Megan at school because she likes guacamole too.  Except for the onions, she really liked it too.

Avocado Corn Salad

 

• 4 ears of corn
• 5 avocados
• 1 small red onion
• 1/2 cup diced scallions
• 2 limes juice only
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp minced fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp chili powder
• salt

Cooking corn on stove-top:

1. Heat up a large pot of water over medium-high heat and season it generously with salt. Make sure to take off the husk and all the silk threads from the ears of corn before cooking.

2. Once water starts to boil, lower the heat to medium-low and add corn. Cover the pot and let corn cook for about 10 minutes, until tender.

3. Take all the corn out onto a cutting board and let it cool enough to be handled. 

Cooking corn on a grill:

1. Prepare your charcoal until it’s ashed over. Move it to one half of the grill so that you have a cooler grill side and a hotter grill side. Make sure the grate is clean.

2. Snip the silk whiskers sticking out of the top of the corn husk but leave the rest of the corn in a husk. Lay it on the grill, with the bottom of the husk towards the cooler side of the grill. Close the grill and cook for 13-15 minutes, turning it every 3-4 minutes.

3. Take corn off the grill and carefully, using tongues, take off the husk and the silk. Brush corn with melted butter and place back on the grill. Close the grill and cook, turning it every 3-4 minutes, until lightly charred on all sides.

4. Take corn off the grill and let it cool until it can be handled. 

Avocado Corn Salad:

1. To cut corn kernels off the cob, stand corn up in a large mixing bowl cut side down. Slice the kernels off with a sharp knife from top to bottom, close to the part where kernels attach to the cob. Turn the ear of corn and repeat slicing the kernels off all the way around. 

2. Dice red onion and scallions and add it to the pot as well. 

3. Mince cilantro and mix it in with the corn and onions. Add salt and chili powder.

4. Cut each avocado in half and take out the pits. Peel avocado skin off and dice the meat into cubes. Add diced avocado to the mixed veggies in the bowl. 

5. Squeeze lime juice all over the avocado and add oil. Gently mix in avocado until just evenly incorporated. 

6. Serve right away.

I'll admit that I cheated.   Instead of using corn on the cob, I just used part of a frozen pack of steamed corn.  Maybe in the summertime, I would make the "real" corn, but not in March in Wisconsin. 

This is a recipe that I will definately be making again.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

 

SAB did just get better!  There are 5 new items availale until the end of March.  

Here is what is free with a $100 purchase.

The Flowering Foils are on my wish list for sure!  Those would be fun to use with the sponges I've been kind of obessing over lately.  The vellum is also very tempting.  I'll have to look at my bank account to see what I'm going to get.  

Now, these items are available until the end of March, along with the other SAB items too.  The Spring Mini Catalog will continue until June.  And we all know what June means.  A New Annual Catalog!  

In the meantime, go check out what you can get for FREE in either  SAB catalog.  There are some awesome products available while supplies last.  

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

 

It's Monday, but no work for me today!  No arguments at all.  I got some things done around here and made a birthday card for a friend.  It will go in the mail tomorrow.  Hopefully she likes it.

I don't remember when I used the Waterfront Stamp Set, so it was time to use it again.

The sky and ground are sponged in Seaside Spray and Crumb Cake.  Have you noticed that I've been into the sponging lately?  It's been fun playing with the colors.  

My favorite part of the card is the little cabin.  Love how the Merry Merlot pops.  It is actually stamped on a scrap piece, cut out and adhere with a dimensional.  It needed to stand out a bit.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

tams# 42007

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