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Happy Valentine's Day to you!  It was a quiet one here at our house.  We made a special dinner and that was about it.  My husband did buy me some flowers the other day which was special.  

I'm not sure what is going on with my computer lately.  I did make a tripto Best Buy to the Geek Squad.  It helped a little bit.  Some I did have to figure out on my own.  Two times I tried to do a blog post and it failed on me.  I'm hoping that the third try will be golden.

This is the Valentine's Day Card, I made for my hubby.  Clean and simple, just our taste.  

I colored the Meerkat with the Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends and cut him out.  He is so adorable holding the heart.  The heart is a retired punch, but it was the perfect size.  If you don't have one this size, you can draw and then cut one out by hand.  That would make the card even more special!

The background heart was also a retired punch, but you can use the Stitched Be Mine dies.  It definately looks like there is a heart very similar to this size.  I punched the heart out on scrap paper, then  sponged over it with the Sahara Sand ink pad and sponge.  I like the negative image it left.  

The sentiment is also from a retired stamp set.  Use one that you already own or even write one yourself.  Another special touch added to your homemade card.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instruction.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

The Gang's All Meer Cling Stamp Set (English) $0.00	Sahara Sand 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $8.75	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $9.75	Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad $7.50
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad $7.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad $6.00	Stitched Be Mine Dies $35.00	Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack $9.00	Crumb Cake Dark Stampin' Blends Marker $4.50
Crumb Cake Light Stampin' Blends Marker $4.50	Paper Snips $10.00	Stamping Sponges $4.00	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals $4.00

 

 

Ugh!!  I just want to let you know that I'm experiencing some computer problems. I thought Best Buy had it fixed today but it almost seems worse tonight!  That is so very typical of my luck.  
Another appointment is scheduled for tomorrow after work so guess I will see what they say.

Until next time...Stampin' Always 
Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Happy Weekend!

Unfortunately, it's now almost over with.  It was a whirlwind here.  Megan came home and because of the weather, ended up going back to school on Saturday night.  She was home for about 26 hours.  But, we were glad she didn't drive through this snow.  I went to coffee this morning, went grocery shopping and gladly stayed home the rest of the day.  

I did manage to spend a little time in my stamp room.  The other day, I was playing around with sponging background colors.  This one is done using Night of Navy and Pool Party.  I actually used a brush I found on Amazon, but I'm sure the same effect will work with the Stampin' Sponges. 

The key to sponging is to start right off the paper to avoid that initial sponge effect.  Start off and  keep going back and forth.  Re-ink your sponge and keep going.  The Night of Navy was sponged about 1/2 (or a little more) of the way up.  Overlap with the Pool Party.  That started about 1/3 of the way by the bottom and went up.  

I am really happy with the results of the background.  It was also fun to play with.  There are other colors I experimented with and I'll eventually show them to you.  

The Eiffel Tower and flourish is die cut from the Champagne Foil.  Gorgeous!  

I actually tried to put a ribbon on, and honestly couldn't figure out how it would help the card.  It actually looks like a simple card, but with the background, it definately is not.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Parisian Dies $27.00	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $9.75	Champagne Foil Sheets $5.00	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad $7.50
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad $7.50	Stamping Sponges $4.00	Fine-Tip Glue Pen $7.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels $5.00

 

 

 

On to the last card of the Tres Tulips.  I first started with a card for the Beginner Stamper.

Then was the card for the Casual Stamper.  

Now for the Avid Stamper. They like a card that has more detail, layers or embellishments.

For the card base, I used a Stampin' Sponge with the Mint Macaron and sponged the outside edges.  The white card base was just a bit too white.  

The tulips are now matted with Melon Mambo and colored with Wink of Stella.  The matte just helps bring out the tulips even more. Dimensionals also help with that.

I thought of it too late, but I should have embossed the sentiment.  Stamp on Mint Macaron and emboss with Whisper White embossing powder.  Now, why didn't I think of that sooner?!?  An Avid stamper would definately have done that!

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 $24.00	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $8.75	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock $8.25	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $9.75
Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad $7.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad $6.00	Subtles Stampin' Write Markers $30.00	Brights Stampin' Write Markers $30.00	Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder $10.00
Whisper White 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon $7.50	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush $8.00	Stampin' Dimensionals $4.00	Stamping Sponges $4.00

 

 

Do you like pumpkin?

How about spice cake?

Think simple recipes can be super tasty?

I hope you said yes to all!  This recipe is only 2 ingredients.  Yes, that's right.  TWO ingredients.  

My friend made these one time and we all liked them.  Well, except for Megan.  She's not a fan of pumpkin. 

Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Muffins

• 1 box (15 - 18 ounces) spice cake mix (or substitute a yellow cake mix with 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice whisked in)
• 1 can (15 ounces) canned pumpkin puree

 

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven.

• For mini muffins, preheat the oven to 400F degrees and line 24 mini muffin cups with paper liners or coat them with non-stick spray. (You can also use regular muffin tins for smallish regular muffins.)

• Make the batter in a large bowl by mixing just the two ingredients together, ignoring the instructions on the cake mix. This will take some effort and the mixture will be very very thick!

• Divide the batter evenly among the mini muffin cup tins.

• Bake at 400F degrees until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 10- 12 minutes for the mini-muffins.

• Remove and place on wire racks to cool

Can recipe get any easier than this one?  I took it up a notch when I made these.  Melt some butter.  Mix together some cinnamon and sugar.  Dip the muffin top in the butter, then into the cinnamon and sugar mixture.  This takes the muffin to the next level.  Maybe not the healthiest addition, but sure is good!

I got the original recipe from my friend, but also found it online at: simplenurishedliving.com. 

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

Stampin' Up has three categories for stampers.

1. Beginner - People who are new or relatively new to stamping so supplies might be limitied.  The cards for these people are just a few images,  cardstock, with little embellishments.
2. Casual - People who have been stamping.  They like a few embellishments and maybe different inks or products.
3. Avid - These people like over the top cards.  They use lots of embellishments, multiple techniques and lots of supplies at their disposal.

The other day, I posted this card.  Even though I colored the tulips, it's more for a beginner stamper.

This next card will be more for a Casual Stamper.  

The dimensions of both cards are exactly the same. 

I used the Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder on the Mint Macaron piece.  Added a bow with the Whisper White Baker's Twine.  The sentiment is the same, but it's stamped on Whisper White and adhere with a dimensional.

Friday, I will post the same card, but more of a Avid Stamper's version.  

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 $24.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock $8.25	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $8.75	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $9.75
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad $6.00	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad $7.50	Subtles Stampin' Write Markers $30.00	Brights Stampin' Write Markers $30.00	Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder $10.00
Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine $3.50	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals $4.00	Mini Glue Dots $5.25

 

 

 

 

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Today is the day for the Product Coordination!!  You can now order dies that coordinate with some of the SAB stamp sets.  No more fussy cutting for you!  

Take a look at the actual product images. 

 

Product List

 

Nature's Thoughts Dies $29.00	Positive Thoughts Cling Stamp Set $21.00
Special Day Dies $29.00	Special Someone Photopolymer Stamp Set $17.00
Ladybugs Dies $29.00	Little Ladybug Host Cling Stamp Set (English) $0.00
Sending Flowers Dies $27.00	Sending You Thoughts Cling Stamp Set (English) $0.00
Birthday Dies $27.00	Happy Birthday To You Cling Stamp Set (English) $0.00

 

 

That's just the stamp sets and the coordinating dies.  Now just wait. There is a DSP pack the coordinates with multiple products.  That was some super smart thinking!  Even if you don't have the punch, you can definately use the paper.  

Product List

 

Pleased As Punch Designer Series Paper $11.50

Small Bloom Punch $0.00

Heart Punch Pack $34.00

Tulip Builder Punch $18.00

Umbrella Builder Punch $18.00

 

 

I put my order in this morning for the birthday cake dies.  Let's hope they come so I can use them in my stamp club.  Don't forget these items are WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.  Sometimes these don't last long at all so don't wait.

Starting March 3, there is going to be another SAB release!  I am almost more excited about these products than the original SAB release!  There is some foil paper that is calling my name. 

But for now, we have these products to be excited about.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Sorry I didn't get a chance to post last night.  I was away on a stamping retreat with some friends and was just exhausted when I got home.  There wasn't any big projects I needed to get done, so I worked on some old projects that were found in my stamp room.  Some of them I had bought over 5 years ago.  It was time to finish them.  

One thing I realized...I want a Scan and Cut machine.  I've been seening a few things about them, but haven't paid too much attention to them.  But now..OMG.  Want one!  I stamped a bunch of meerkat's from The Gang's All Meer stamp set and it cut out a whole sheet of them in the time it would take me to fussy cut just one.  It is now on my birthday list.

While I was away this weekend, I quickly made this card.  My supplies were very limited to what I had brought with me.  I tried to pack very lightly and hate to borrow too much from the the others.

So, I had Mint Macaron and Melon Mambo with me.  That's what I went with.  

The tulips are from Winds of Change set.  I didn't stamp the entire stem.  Not enough space and definately, not needed.  They are colored with the regular Stampin' Write markers, not blends for two reasons.  First, I didn't have any of the blends with me and second, Melon Mambo doesn't come in the blends!  

This is such a class look and is super easy to create.  There are so many other ways of re-creating this card.  Over the week, I'm going to show you some ideas.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

tams# 41026

Product List

 

Winds Of Change Cling Stamp Set	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Subtles Stampin' Write Markers	Brights Stampin' Write Markers	Stampin' Dimensionals