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It was sooo good to have the day off.  Actually, I don't work until Monday.  Yippee!!  My husband is travelling, again, so I'm home all by myself.  Today, I goofed off and went to some antique stores in Madison. I didn't find a whole lot, but it's all about the hunt.  Alyssa's all-time favorite movie is Lady and the Tramp.  Well, today, I found two different books about their pup, Scamp.  I didn't think she had them, but to be sure, I Snapchatted her in Germany.  She didn't have them so I snagged them and made her day.  Anything vintage Lady and the Tramp are hard to find, so I was excited too.  They will be on her desk for when she comes home.

Ranch Oyster Crackers have been around my family for as long as I can remember.  Typically, we had them arouond Christmas time.  My family now likes them too.  It's an easy recipe to jazz up some rather plain crackers.  BEWARE:  They can be addicting.  Better not keep the container out too long or they will be gone.

Ranch Oyster Crackers

3/4 cup oil

11 oz Oyster Crackers

1 oz Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing (one package)

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

Mix the oil, Oyster Crackers, ranch dressing, and parmesan cheese.  Add the crackers and toss until they are coated.  Lay on cookie sheet to let dry, stir occassionally.  Store in air-tight container for several weeks.

Easy right?  These are the perfect snack to have around if you have company.  Make ahead,  put in a nice bowl and set on the table.  Done.  They are loved by children and adults of all ages.  That's the best kind of snack.

Well, I wish this could be longer, but my computer really, really needs to be charged.  

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

The Good News:  Stampin' Up! has a Color Revamp in the works for the new Annual Catalog!  Thirteen new colors coming to the Color Collections.

The Bad News:  In order to make room for these new colors, they had to retire some of the existing ones. 

Here are the colors from the regular collections that we are saying good-bye to.

The color that really surprised me was the Chocolate Chip.  It's such a pretty brown (and my go-to) that I'll be sad to see it go.  Trying to be positive...I'm sure I'll fall in love with it's replacement.  As much as I will miss some of the blue colors, I am excited to have Coastal Cobana back!!  I think it would be super pretty when used with the Waterfront stamp set .

If you are interested in any product in these retiring colors, I wouldn't hesitate to place an order.  Once they are gone, they are gone for good.  I can see some people stocking up, especially on the paper, to they won't run out for quite a while.  

Let me know if you have any questions on this Color Revamp.  I can't wait to get my hands on those new colors!  

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Have you heard about the big news Stampin' Up! has released? 

We are getting 13 new colors in with our 4 Color Collections.  Isn't that awesome!  It's great to shake things up every once in a while.  Of those 13 olors, there are 6 previous In-Colors that are coming back!  They are:

Mossy Meadow

Poppy Parade

Flirty Flamingo (Which is a current In-Color)

Coastal Cabana

Mint Macaroon

Blackberry Bliss

The color that I'm most excited to see back is Coastal Cabana. It's such a beautifu color.  Another favorite for me is the Poppy Parade.  I might even have some of the cardstock tucked away.  I'll have to go and dig some out.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they are all coming back, but those got me excited.

Drumroll Please...Here are the Brand New Colors

I'm already in love with Soft Sea Foam.  It's such a dreamy color.  The Merry Merlot just wants me to have a glass of Merot wine.  They are all so gorgeous and I can't wait to get my hands on these.   

So now look at all the new Color Collections.

Take a special look at the Neutrals Collection.  Notice the three colors they added: Merry Merlot, Mossy Meadow and Night of Navy.  They added those in the group to add some color, but most people consider them Neutral anyway.  

Have you noticed what is not in the Neutrals Collection?  Basic Black, Whisper White and Very Vanilla.  Don't worry.  They have been moved into their own category, Basics.  By doing this, it freed up three spots in the Neutrals for the new colors.  But at the same time, we wouldn't survive without those Basic colors.  

Another revamp Stampin' Up! has done is they changed the case of the ink pads.  They are easier to open, larger outside label, and now have a label on the inside by the foam!  You can see what color pad you are using!  Another great element is now they stack together!  This will make them even more portable.  And don't worry, the pads stil flip open, so when storing, the pad will be upside down.  Ever notice why Stampin' Up! is one of the few companies that have this particular design?  It's so when they are not being used, the pads are upside down and gravity pulls the ink to the top of the pad, not the bottom.  I even store my Tuxedo Memento Black pad upside down because of this.  

With all these changes, the In-Color program remains unchanged.  They will be with us for two years before they retire.  So, here are the new In-Colors:

I think I'm going to like them!

Of course, with all these new colors coming in, there had to be room for them. Sadly we have to say good-bye to:

Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Marina Mist, Wisteria Wonder, Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant, Island Indigo, Perfect Plum, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi. 

I'm sad to see Chocolate Chip and Island Indigo leave.  I will miss them, but I'll fall in love with a new color.  Which one will you miss?  

Don't worry.  You can still order these colors before they leave us.  They are on the Retirement List and available while supplies last or until May 31.  If you need cardstock, new ink pad or refills, I wouldn't wait.  Personally, I don't think some colors will last long at all.

Speaking of...did you see the Retirement List was released today?  You can find them here:

Retirement List - Occasions Catalog

Retirement List - Annual Catalog

The items on the Retirement Lists are while quantites are limited.  If there is something you must have, I wouldn't wait too long.  Once it gone, it's gone for good.  But we are onto bigger and better things!  That is how I am looking at things. 

I'm excited for the new colors!  The new Annual Catalog is fabulous.  My wish list is way too long.  Any questions about the new colors, just let me know.  I'm here to help.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

Yesterday Stampin' Up! had it's local OnStage event here in Milwaukee.  It's a special event that they have typically two times a year throughout the world.  It's their version of a convention that is totally awesome.  There are numerous OnStage events going on the same day, multiple in the US and all over the world.  Isn't that impressive?

Probably one of the reasons that it was fabulous was because Shelli, the Founder of Stampin' Up! was at our OnStage.  She is a wonderful person.  She was our hostess for the day and I loved listening to her.  She was very energetic, humerous and overall a joy to listen to.  She even delivered something to our table!  Yes, she was handing out product just like all the other help.  I'll get into what we got in a second.  A highlight was getting my picture taken with her.  I didn't think that would happen to little me.

So, at OnStage the day is filled with demonstrations, both in person and via video, talks about recruiting, make 'n takes, and first peaks at the new catalog.  Yes, that is what Shelli actually delivered to our table!  I have the brand spanking new catalog in my hands.  I'm dying to show all you, but I can't yet.  Not until after Tuesday at 1:00 MT when the retirement list comes out!  There are sooo many new goodies.  I honestly really like this catalog and think you will too.  I already have 4 new stamp sets and I will show them when I can. It's hard keeping secrets.  

These were the wonderful ladies I share the table with.  I thought it was a great idea to get a table picture.  This photo area was in good use all day.  

One thing that many, many demos do is swaps.  There are some organize swaps that you have to "belong"  in order to swap.  But in the main aisles, there are many people with their swaps in hand, just asking around if you want to swap with them.  There is never a lack of swappers.  Some even came to our table and asked.  Of course, you never know what you are going to get in return.  Some swaps are just beautiful.  Others, well let just say they need a bit of a touch up.  But it's all in fun.  Look at all the swaps I received!  I couldn't lay them side by side because there were too many, over 50 of them.  The only rule you need to follow is that all the product should be current.  No problem for me!

Sorry about the glare. Many were in the clear envelopes and that is what caused it.  Out of all these swaps, only two are similar.  Or that's what I have noticed.  These I'll be bringing to my club meeting Tuesday to share with them.  I made two different swaps and will post those in the next several days.  Too many cards to post, not enough time to do the posts.  I guess that a good thing.

I have more pictures share, but I'm done for the night.  More to follow tomorrow.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

I've been working on swaps for the past several nights and I'm almost done. Just got to put my name, etc. on the back and put them in clear envelopes.  Hate to say this, but I don't want to look at the Fruit Basket stamp set and punch for a little while.  I'll post those swaps next week and you will totally understand what I mean.  

Ever have trouble coming up with a side dish for dinner?  That's one of the hardest dishes for me.  You can only do baked/mashed potatoes so many times before you get tired of those.  All those packaged pastas are loaded with sodium so I try to avoid those.  They are okay in a pinch.  

I found this recipe long ago enough that I don't remember when it came from.  Honey Garlic Pasta.  Another reason I like this recipe...I always have the ingredients in the house so if I make it at the last minute, I'm good.

Honey Garlic Pasta

16 oz. pasta

2-3 cloves garlic

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup butter

1 teaspooon basil

1 teaspoon thyme

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Cook and drain pasta.

In skillet, sauce garlic in butter.  Stir in honey, basil and thyme.  Add to cooked pasta and toss.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

That's all there is to this recipe.  You can easily cut this recipe in half if needed.  This could probably be made in the same amount of time as the boxed pasta mixes. OK, so you do have to use a skillet and a sauce pan to make this recipe rather than just one.  But on the flip side, no additional salt is added except for what is naturally in the ingredients.  For me it's a win-win.  

Enjoy the recipe.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper  

  

 

It's very quiet here tonight.  Both girls are gone and Chris is travelling for work.  He went to California.  Lucky one.  I was stuck scrapping the snow off the car this morning.  I'm taking the night off from working on swaps for this weekend.  I'm starting to see fruit in my sleep.  Tomorrow night I'll be back on them.  I have to get these finished for Saturday.  

These are the Easter Baskets I made for Megan and her roommates.  Can you ever be to old to receive an Easter Basket like this?  I didn't think so. I think it made her day.  The baskets were really easy to make and a great way to use up old dsp sheets.  

This as all the baskets I made.  Of course I couldn't make four from the same paper.  That's too drab.  The labels are stamped from the Wood Words and Label Me Pretty stamp sets . I tied them on the handles using up some thick Bakers Twine leftover from an old Paper Pumpkin kit.  Even though I was using up some old twine, any twine of any color would work.  I love using up old things.  The other paper I used was from 2 years ago.  I loved the paper, but at the same time glad to use some up.  

The baskets themselves were easy to make.  It is a sheet of dsp, 9 x 9 scored at 3 and 6 inches on both sides.  The measurements would be so easy if you would need to adjust the measurements to make a different size basket. 

The only part was wasn't Stampin'Up was the brads.  Brads are what hold the handles to the basket.  I punched a hold in the handle and basket and attached them.  If you can think of another way, I would love to hear about it.  

This is a rough template I made to show you where to score and where to cut.  It's that easy.  

Besides an Easter Basket, they would make great May Day Baskets.  Just saying.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

Doesn't the weekend go by way too fast?  How was everyone's Easter?  We celebrated with my husband's family.  It was strange not having either one of our girls with us.  Alyssa is in Germany, and Megan didn't come home for the weekend.  We went and saw her on Friday instead.  Took her out for lunch and brought Easter treats for her and her roommates.  I'll show those tomorrow.  

It's a sad day when SAB is over.  The Spring Catalog is still going on right now through May 31.  If you haven't noticed, Fruit Basket stamp set is one of my favorites.  I was playing around tonight with it making swaps for this weekend.  I am crazy.  Just saying.  Next week I'll show what I mean by that.  

Mother's Day will be coming up fast so here is a card for that.  I used A Mother's Flair Stamp Set.  Whisper White / Powder Pink / Delicate Doilies.  Sounds like a Mother's Day card to me.  Recognize the ends of the Whisper White piece in the middle?  I used the Everyday Punch in a different way.  I cut the width of the punch, stamped in the middle and then punched with the paper over the top of the punch. Easy done.  

The paper on top of the Delicate Doilie is from the Fresh Florals DSP pack.  I used the scallop framelit but made sure I had the florals where I needed them on the circle.  The top Whisper White is embossed with the Layered Leaves Dynamic Textured Embossing Folder.  Love how it tied the flowers together.  

The Crumb Cake really grounded the card.  It's such softer brown than Chocolate Chip.  It needed a neutral base for the other colors to pop out.  I love how this turned out. The retirement list comes out pretty soon.  I'm so hoping that Crumb Cake is not on that list.  

That's it for tonight.  Time for Bed.

Click on the picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

 

It's so sad to say that tomorrow, Saturday, is the last day of Sale-A-Bration 2018.  The last day to get FREE stamp sets, accessories, and framelits.  

This paper in person is absolutely gorgeous.  The catalog doesn't do it justice.  When using the Stampin' Blends, by just coloring givees it a watercolor effect.  It has a little swirled effect to it.

This basket weave embossing folder is really super neat.  I've seen so many cards using the embossing folder and stamp set.  It would make for some awesome Mother's Day cards.  

These are just a few things in the SAB you can get for FREE.  That right. FREE. The sale does end  Saturday, 3/31 12pm MT.  That's coming up very quickly.  We won't see another sale like this until January 2019.  Boy, do I hate to say that year.  I'm trying to get thru 2018 yet.  

Want to see the catalog?  Just click on the catalog front on the right side of my blog.  It'll take you right to it.  

Happy SAB!

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper