A Shaker card using the Bottled Happiness stamp set.

Who's brilliant idea was to go to the Madison Farmer's Market on Saturday?  It was Alyssa's, but I was crazy enough to say yes.  It was crazy busy and super hot and humid.  Definitely not my kind of weather.  Even she said it was hot and she likes that kind of weather.  Alyssa takes after her father, not me.  Still, we had a great time.  I was kind of jealous that she got the Door County cherries and I didn't.  She refused to share with me too!  I learned my lesson...buy some yourself.

I usually don't do shaker cards, but with this stamp set and punch, I couldn't resist.  The bottle is filled with Effervescent Elements.  It's basically tiny, clear beads of two different sizes.  

The placement of the bottle was made to be easy.  Find the middle of the DSP, and put the punch all the way in.  It's as easy as that.

Foro the background, I used the 2022-2024 In-Color DSP.  When I punched out the bottle, I kept that piece.  Once I adhered the front of the dome to the DSP, and the Effervescent Elements.  Over them, I laid the bottle cut out, flipped over to show the other side.  To keep everything contained, I added a scrap piece of card stock so I wouldn't have the beads all over.  And with my luck, I would do exactly that.  

This card is already down at my local coffee shop for sale.  So, I did guess on the size of the basic White and Parakeet Party the floral bouquet is stamped on.  I just went downstairs and measured the actual stamp.  You might want to double check my measurements to make sure they are correct.  

On stamps that are larger, like this one, I pull out the Stamparatus.  Re-Stamping is super easy with it.  Also, you can place the second stamp on top of the first stamped image to get the correct positioning.  We made this card in club, and they were very happy the Stamparatus was ready to use.  

Do you like shaker cards?  They are so fun to make and everyone loves them!

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

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Stamparatus
$49.00
Paper Snips
$11.00

 

 

Tasty Thursday - Stir Fry Sauce

I had gone to the farmer's market in town this past weekend.  Great place to grab some fresh veggies.  Perfect since we wanted to do a chicken stir-fry this week.  

The bottles of re-made stir fry sauce in the stores are just too sweet and sometimes, lacking in flavor.  As usual, I headed to Pinterest to find a recipe. 

Found one!

And I pretty much had all the ingredients.  There were a few substitutions/changes on my end, but otherwise it was good.  The sauce thickened up very nicely.  

Stir Fry Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Shaoxing cooking wine (or dry sherry)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Combine cornstarch and water in a mason jar until smooth. Then add in all the remaining ingredients. Fasten the lid, and shake until fully incorporated.

  • (Alternatively, you can mix everything in a bowl with a whisk.)

  • If not using right away, store in a sealed jar or airtight container in the refrigerator. Note: after it's been sitting and untouched for a while, the ingredients will separate and the cornstarch has a tendency to settle and harden at the bottom of the jar. Take a dull knife to loosen it up, then fasten the lid and give it a good shake to reincorporate everything before using.

Here are my notes:

1.  It was still a little sweet for us, so I could decrease the brown sugar to 1/8 cup.

2.  I used dried ginger, rather than fresh.  

3.  I didn't have dry sherry to cook with, so I substituted marsala wine.

Those are the only things I would change in this recipe.  Other than the fact I never add as much crushed red pepper flakes as the recipe calls for.  I like flavor spice, hot hot spice.

If you want to see the original post, you can find it here.  https://bellyfull.net/stir-fry-sauce-recipe/#wprm-recipe-container-43667

Do you have a stir fry recipe that you like?  Let me know!  I love to try new recipes.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

Strawberry Treat

It was a quick visit, but Megan came. home last night.  She had an early dentist appointment today.  I'll take any excuse to see either one of my daughters.  I had gone through some of the kitchen cabinets and found some items of Megan's so I was happy to give them to her.  I'm sure I'll find more things as time goes by that are hers.  

Several months ago, we made these in my club.  Purposely I paired the bee/ladybug punch with the Oats & Honey granola bar.  It was just a fun thing to make and hand out to a friend.

My club member enjoyed these and decided to make some of her own.  And didn't go the bee route.  She went with the strawberries!

They are adorable!  I'm not positive of the colors she used in the strawberry, but I like it!  

The sentiment, Hello there, is perfect.  It's just a little gift to say Hi and to brighten one's day.  Wouldn't you smile if you received such a sweet little treat?   All decorated and for no reason at all.  

She also made some bee treats.  I didn't think about it, otherwise I would have taken a picture of one.  They were different, even cuter than the one I made.  

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Color Challenge #2

The color challenge this month was to use Black and White with a pop of color.  Sounds easy doesn't it?  In reality, it was rather tricky.  Choosing just one pop of color?  Remember how many colors SU! has to choose from?  Color challenges are actually easier when told which colors to use.

The pop of color I choose was Bermuda Bay.

I chose Bermuda Bay because I haven't used it in quite a while.  That's a good excuse in my eyes.

Don't forget to use the adhesive sheets when cutting out the stems.  Just adhere a large strip on the back of the Basic Black.  I like having the ends come up for a little dimension.  Also, saves some adhesive sheets.  

There are only two pieces that are adhered with dimensionals.  The 8 leaf sprig and the sentiment.  That was enough for me.  I thought about using the brushes on the background or even Wink of Stella on the leaves, but sometimes it best to keep it simple.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Paper Snips
$11.00

 

Tasty Thursday - Philly No Bake Cheesecake

I LOVE a good cheesecake.  Unfortunately for me, half of my family is lactose intolerant.  So, when I have a chance to make a dessert, one of my go to's is cheesecake.  This way I get a piece or two, and I don't have the entire dessert myself.  

This week I was trying to decide what to make for my club's treat.  My first choice was a peach cobbler.  But, I didn't have enough peaches.  Bummer. So, going through my recipe basket, I found this recipe that I haven't made in a very long time.  I believe it was found it on the inside packaging of the Philadelphia Cream Cheese wrapper.  

Since it was already in the afternoon, I had to come up with a dessert that was relatively quick.  That can be hard too.  My family would have shunned me if I bought a ready-made dessert.  It's just not what we do anymore.  

Philly No Bake Cheesecake

8 oz cream cheese

1/3 c sugar

8 oz cool whip

graham cracker crust

Mix together the cream cheese and sugar.  Gently stir in the cool whip.  Pour in the crust.  Refrigerate 3 hours and serve.

That's it.  Can it be that simple?  YES! Even the pie crust is store bought for this dessert.

I did get a can of blueberry pie filling and everyone could put that on top if they wanted to.  I thought of it too late, but maybe adding one teaspoon of vanilla would help too.

It must have been good, because several people wanted the recipe.  Enjoy it.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

 

 

 

The Dragonfly is Back.

It has felt so good this week not having to work.  Today I spent going through my cabinets and reorganizing.  Megan has a whole box to bring back with her next week.  I have a whole lot more room now!  It always amazes me how things just get thrown into the cabinets and ultimately get lost.  

Do you really have to have a reason to get out the dragonflies?  I didn't think so.  

I made this last month for my club Thank You cards.  Typically, I make the cards all the same.  Not this month!  The Dandy Garden DSP is retired, so I was using some of what was in my stash.  It is paired with different card base.  

The stamped wild flowers on either side of the DSP is the same on each card.  It's stamped in Mossy Meadow.  The middle is blank because the DSP covers it anyway.  

The dragonfly, I took the easy way out in coloring.  Blending Brushes.  Color them with the blending brushes and ink pads before you cut them out with the dies.  It was so easy.  Shh.  Don't tell, but I actually like them better than using the stamp that is included in this set.  

In case you were wondering, here are the other colors I used.

 

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

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Splendid Day in Fresh Freesia

I was very happy to have this weekend done.  Never thought you would hear me say that, right?  The drive to Ohio and back Saturday was such a long day.  Fifteen hours of just driving.  I was so happy Alyssa drove home.  But, our Global Entry pass was approved!  So,the drive was worth it.  Yesterday, Megan did the final move into her apartment.  We helped bring a last load and unload some boxes.  She is excited for this next phase of her life.  I'm so happy for her.  Now we have to adjust back to being empty nesters.  uugghhh.

We are making this card in club tomorrow evening.  I think this is my favorite stamp set from the new Mini Catalog.  And the paper just speaks for itself.

I started to case a card I saw on Pinterest.  Then changed a few things around.  The Basic White background was way to white.  First I tried stamping and embossing some images.  It still wasn't working for me.  Then I brought out the blending brushes.  I brushed Fresh Freesia around and that's what the card needed.  

Just a note on the coloring.  I only brushed Fresh Freesia on.  So, now when I look at the picture, I see some yellow spots around.  It had to come from my camera.  So, just imagine  the background in all one color.  Much better.

 

If you are wondering where the sentiment die is from, look at the All That Dies.  It is paired with the masculine stamp set, He's All That.  It's perfect!  It was a happy find to stumble across.  

Don't forget the heart pearls.  Pearls with sending hugs goes very well together.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

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Splendid Day with Blends

It a crazy weekend ahead of us.  We are trying to get our Global Entry pass.  The girls and I are approved to go through the interview process and when appointments open up, they are taken immediately.   We were lucky and found three appointments in Dayton, OH.  That means Saturday we are driving roughly 7 hours, doing our individual interviews and driving back home.  Crazy right?  There are no appointments near by us at all.  Some states are out until 2023!   Sunday will be finishing moving Megan into her apartment and she will officially be living on her own.  She's excited and nervous at the same time.  

Did you know July is Watercolor Month?  I had no idea there was such a thing, but evidently there is.

Stampin' Up! did a special creativity event for its demonstrators.  This is one card we made.  It does give you the look of watercoloring, but it's done with the Stampin' Blends!  Easy and you don't have to wait for the paper to dry.  

The products are from the Splendid Thoughts suite.  I'm in love with it. The dies are fun to play with.  Here we just used one kind of stem.  It's tucked under the sentiment, and then again, on top.  Fun.

    

Until this card, I never noticed this sentiment.  It's perfect for a wedding.  And I need to make a wedding card at the end of the month.  No idea what I want to do, but I'll be using this sentiment.  One problem solved.  

Don't you just loved the bees?  Don't stamp them in the middle of the Basic White.  Stick to the outside for the sentiment doesn't cover them.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

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