How many times do we look at the craft supplies we own and wonder how to add a new twist. I have again been working with my stencils and love the above effects. I love using the embossing paste and dry embossing but this is a fun way to use any stencil. These were done using Memory Mist by Stewart Superior.
So I do not have a finished project this week but I love the looks created for positive and negative space. I also used some great texture paper by Mr. Ellie Pooh! Here is how I accomplished this look!
Set the stencil on paper.
Spray several colors of mist over the stencil.
Carefully remove the stencil and place it to the side.
Take another piece of paper and lay it on top of the still "inked" stencil.
Press paper down on the stencil gently making sure to press over the entire image.
Remove the paper and there is your negative image.
You may need to work with the mist to know when the stencil is covered well. If you over ink it will bleed through the stencil and fill all the open areas on your negative image as well.
This is scarecrow done with a different technique. Then the image below is the negative image!
Hope you all enjoy this small tutorial. I will be teaching is Topeka, KS this weekend. Check out my blog for info on the Memory Expo and a great blog hop with blog candy from Dreamweaver Stencils! Hoping that Dreamweaver will soon be a proud sponsor of Cutting Above!
kristiscreativecafe.blogspot.com
Don't forget we have several giveaways going on for you to enter..
Happy Tuesday! How was your weekend? This was THEE weekend for me to catch up on all the movies I've been wanting to watch.
I have a confession to make. I'm the type that luvs to spend a whole afternoon just watching one movie after another to catch up..I usually prefer to watch movies on Tuesdays.
We have a movie theater that shows new releases that are at least a month old on "Tuesdays" for $1.00.. Yes you read it right. Check your local area for such theater. Usually they are the older ones that don't have stadium seating.
I think Tina Fey is the most wonderful comedienne that ever lived. I have a tendency to watch movies with certain actors I luv regardless if the movie is horrible or not....or have a bad review.
This Date Night movie is a laugh a minute at every turn, and as married women we can relate to the doldrums sometimes.
The premises are this overwhelmed married couple is trying to spice things up, only to fall into a series of unfortunate events..that lead them to fall in love all over again...Isn't that cute??? If you are looking for a fun comedy, I strongly recommend Date Night.
Now I would have enjoyed this movie much more if it was Steve Martin, Will Ferrell, or Jim Carey in the male lead role instead of Steve Carell. He is a bit on the dry side for me to be with Tina Fey.
BTW Mark Wahlberg was super yummo :)
Moving on to The American with George Clooney..
Let me start by saying I was very disappointed and wanted the $26.00 back my DH spent. Half way thru it I wanted to see the Switch instead with Jennifer Aniston which I did see. It was horrible in a huge, I'm talking huge way...The American that is. I'm not sure why each Clooney movie portray women is such bad light.
From Prostitute to Liars pants on fire...
Yeah I do like all the explosion, car chasing, building blowing etc... I'm that type of gal.
Just to let you know the American was the type of movie that makes you think about brownies all day. Finally you hightail it to the bakery and buy the brownie only to find out after the first bite it's made out of tofu not chocolate. So the build up of anticipation never come, it never really explained the premise of why they were trying to kill him, or elaborate on the irony that he created a gun, which in the end they wanted to use to kill him.
BTW the trailer action you see on Youtube didn't take place until 1 hour into the movie. Yep it is a slow process, but the scenery was magnificent. It reminded me of the Under the Tuscan Sun movie ...oooh another movie I luv... makes me dream to move to Italy.
The Switch with Jennifer Aniston
I'm not really sure what all the hoopla is about Jennifer's movies not earning a lot when she is the headliner. See the article here. I know for a fact I spend quite a lot of money on seeing her movies.She is my Heroine in real life! Let me elaborate more on why she is the Heroine.
She was smart to select a publicist that knows how to put a marketing factory behind her to milk the divorce for all it's worth. She got more mileage out of it than when she was married.
It's been what 7 years now? the media is still talking about the breakup...the supposed feud between her and Angelina. Last month she made the cover of the most important fashion magazine for the year.
You can't stand in line at the grocery store and not see her on some tabloid, regarding something she said about Brad etc...
That my friend is marketing at it's finest! No publicity is bad. I got a divorce and yet I got nothing out of it. The worst part is I had to pay him palimony.
She needs to be the poster child for "There's life after Divorce" but it also helps to be
divorced from the right person.
Now you see why she's my Heroine. Anywhoo I digress.
This movie is about this girl that has a great job and wants something more out of life. A child for instance.then start the search for the donor that happens to be a toothy Greek God.
The BFF male kinda hinted there were something more than just friendship going on {wink}... a mishap happens and the child arrives as precocious and lovable as it can be. Then the bff fall madly in love and rides into the sunset. Actually since they were in NY, they walked into the Sunset...ooooh such a feel good movie a la Eat, Pray, Love which I happen to love as well..
For you own date night movie, Red box is giving you a free rental. Did you know they update their kiosks every Tuesday with new releases? The folks at Red Box were kind enough to generate this coupon code.
How to Participate
Your free rental promo code is: WNXJW5K
Redeeming your free rental
Thinking about enjoying a free movie tonight? Here’s what to do:
Visit a redbox® kiosk near you (find one at redbox.com)
Select a movie and swipe your credit card
Enter your promo code: WNXJW5K
Come back and let me know what movie you rented?
What was the last good movie have you seen? Did you see any of the mentioned movies above?
What was your impression?
Don't forget we have several giveaways going on for you to enter..
Hi Everyone,
Has anyone had to moved from blogspot to a Custom Domain? How did you let your followers know you have moved?
Did you lose your followers?
How did you make changes for the network of twitter etc..?
What pitfalls should be avoided?
any help is truly appreciated
We have moved to a new address, please come to visit me at
http://MaggieLamarre.com
Please don't forget to change your bookmarks and links to reflect the new address.
Please help me spread the word of the new address..
Look for a new prize pack for helping out starting October 1st, 2010.
Thanks
Maggie
This weekend was a worldwind of movies and
Scrapbooking 2 of my fav activities outside of reading..
I attended the Collins Group Convention in Orlando and did the make and take for Cosmo Cricket and the cards were just so cute, reconnect with Claudine Helmuth she use to live here in Orlando before moving to DC.. Spent sometimes with my pal Jackie and chit chatting with the store owners, it was very refreshing to see the amount of husband that was there to support their wives in their business..
After all that yummy goodness I had no energy to cook, but it so happen in the freezer I always have frozen dough in case of an emergency.. they always come in handy for Pizza.
I made Margherita Pizza with loads of mozarella, feta cheese and vine ripe tomatoes..
It wasn't until we were almost done eating I remember to take pics..below..
Margherita Pizza with a twist of Feta cheese:
1.Roll out the dough, spread land o lake unsalted butter, very sparingly, then put in the oven for 5 mtes at 300 degrees, remove from the oven.
2.Add mozzarella cheese on the warm dough, layer of Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme).
3.Add layer of tomatoes, feta cheese, another layer of mozarella, a bit of black pepper, red pepper flakes, bake at 375 for 10mtes until cheese is melted..
The dessert below, after watching Julie & Julia the movie, I was inspired to conquer making the pear cake for my sister's bday. Conquer it I did, after baking DH said if he didn't see me baked it, he would have thought I purchased it, which is high praise indeed...
Here is the recipe on Martha Stewart, I added almond to it. Pear Cake
What is your adventure this week?
Here is the weekly menu:
Lots of crockpot use, I gotta clean my studio this week..
Free items at Walmart.. to get these items for free, you need to use a coupon, there are coupons insert, or you can print them by signing on at the mfg site.
Remember use an email address just for coupons other wise you will be flooded..
Post-It Super Sticky Notes – $1, free after printable couponshere
Shout Travel Wipes – $0.97free, use coupon from Sunday's paper insert from August 8th.
Deals at Walgreen, worth a trip..
L’Oral Revitalift Products, $5.99
Use $1/1 Coupon from the September Coupon Book from Walgreen
Use $3/1 Printable Coupon $1.99 ea. after coupons!
Buy Crest Toothpaste, $1.99
Use $1/1 or $0.75/1 Coupon from 8/29 PG insert
Get a $1 Register Reward FREE – $0.24 after Register Rewards!
The Box should contain a $0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste Coupon and a $1/1 Oral B Toothbrush Coupon
Buy an Oral B Toothbrush, $1.99 Use $1/1 Oral B Coupon from Inside Crest Box from the First Transaction
Get a $1 Register Reward FREE after Register Rewards!
It's the weekend and I'm looking forward to be out and about...The Collins group convention is in Orlando. Cosmo Cricket, SEI, Prima and countless other mfg will here.
I will be helping with make and take at the Cosmo Cricket booth so if you are in the area, please stop by and say hello..It will be a lot of fun loads of prizes.
By popular demand, we are going to focus on how to create a simple elegant wedding card in less than 2 minutes. I just know you are going to luv how fun and easy it is to learn and create these cards. These basic principals can be applied to create many other cards not just for weddings.
Simply start with premade blank cards from your craft store. They come in 25 to 50 cards per packs w/envelopes. Emboss with Cricut cuttlebug folders.
Then use your stash of stickers, embellishments, and or rhinestones to create a stunning card.
Instructions
Emboss card base with Cricut Cuttlebug embossing folders.
Embellish leaves with stickles.
Adhere embellishments with pop dot glue to base of card.
Adhere rhinestones.
Add ribbon
Supplies
Tools: Cricut Cuttlebug Machine, Cricut Cuttlebug Embossing folders Embellishment:: Martha Stewart tags, K & Company Wedding embellishments, Mambi rhinestones
The best part is I want to send these 3 cards to you! How to enter?
Leave a comment on this post with your email address.
Be a follower of this blog,
Post this on your blog or any forum you belong. Winner announce on October 1st.
I don't know about all of you but I am more than ready for the nice fall weather!
I love summer and was not minding the heat until.........the air went out.
So hear I sit hoping that it will cool off enough to sleep!
So I am thinking cool thoughts! I hope this card inspires you to spring into fall!
So let me start by saying this card just got bigger and more layered and it is more than I usually do on a card but I must admit, I love the way this card came out! So I will try to take you through it step by step.
Cut your base card to 5 X 7 and use just a little double stick tape that you tear (La'Dore) and put it on the bottom edge and add leafing and brush off the excess.
The next step was to get the leaves ready for the final step. These are the three leaves that overlap the sentiment. I used the translucent paste on the ever faithful non stick craft sheet and let dry. I then placed the stencil back over the leaves and applied glue ink. Then comes the leafing. Finally you peel the dry leaves carefully off the craft sheet and run through your sticker maker and set aside.
I got these great leaves by Prima and just started layering them on the base card.
I used the translucent paste on the leaf background, let it dry and used the same process as the leaves in step 2.
Here is a HUGE secret. I use everything if it is not nailed down. The great paper/card the paste leaf background is layered on....card that some Prima flowers came on! Use a deckle pair of scissors on the edges!
I stenciled the sentiment on the card stock with chalk (PanPastels) and then used translucent paste over the words.
I edged the sentiment with some great deep colors of the chalk.
I started attaching layers. Prima packaging card/leaf background/sentiment/some additional Prima leaves.
I added a button and now peeled the "sticker" leaves and attached them to the card.
Now with me it is not done unless it has some glitter so used just a touch of glitter on the last leaves attached
Of course it is all topped off with a GREAT ribbon from Bo-Bunny.
In order to do this card you need the supplies but mostly patience to let all the embossing paste dry! I just love all the different paste that Dreamweaver has. All stencils used are also Dreamweaver Designs!
Check out my other cards and idea on my blog kristiscreativecafe.blogspot.com
PS Don't forget to enter the giveaway of Mypinkstamper DVD Here
Happy Hump Day! as a collector of all things pretty, I've found myself keeping all the pretty packages of products I purchased for use on a later project.
I purchased this stamp set a while ago it's Kelli Panacci timeless and knew the package was too pretty to throw into the recycle bin. Instead I keep a collection just for such occasion..
My favorite to collect is Prima, Eksuccess, they are always so ornate with fun colours.
I created this treasure card using the packaging and Mypinkstamper sentiments, they are just pure fun..
Treasure card
Instructions
Stamp all over the base card. Trim package to fit card base, ink the edges, then adhere together.
Trim clock from package, ink edges, stamp butterfly, adhere with pop dot glue.
Cut pattern paper to fit bottom of card base.
Stamp sentiment on a strip of paper, ink the edges, add rhinestone, adhere with pop dot glue.
Supplies
Stamps :: Mypinkstamper (Family & Friends), Inkadinkado Ink :: Colorbok Fluid chalk Cardstock:: Paper source, Pattern paper Basic Grey Embellishment:: Deja Vu
Have a great day,
Maggie
PS Don't forget to enter the giveaway of Mypinkstamper DVD Here
If I was to say I've been in luv with this little machine will be an understatement. I've been completely besotted with this little machine..
So besotted that we have a blog devoted just to this machine.. Cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.
The new line is so sleek and so kewl just like a little purse, but the best part is it's lighter and have it's own onboard storage for the handle..
Here are some pics and a video of me demoing it at CHA at the Provo Craft booth..
Here is a simple card yet elegant.
Grow elegant card
Instructions
Cut 3 hearts using Gypsy font from Cardstock 3.75", 3.5", 2.75" embossed with Cricut Cuttlebug Swiss dot folder , spray with Tattered Angels glimmer mist. Cut 3 hearts in fabric slightly larger, then adhere to cardstock hearts.
Cut a mat 4x5" emboss with Cricut Cuttlebug Victorian a2 folder, spray with Tattered Angels glimmer mist. Distress edges.
Q&A
How to get free produce at Target.
1.Check your Sunday coupons, check Target website for coupons here
2.Use both coupons on sale items. Don't forget to print the coupons at the gift registry section.
3.Print coupon online using the black feature to save ink instead of colour ink Redplum
Have a great week, keep the questions coming.
PS..don't forget to be a follower and leave comments for the 3 Cricut cartridges giveaway here
Hi Everyone,
I am not really sure why once you become a crafter, you are also a collector, the more I have the more I collect.
I am a stampaholic and very proud of it as well. I love stamps, from rubber,clear,and digital brushes also known as digital stamps..
Do you ever wish you could find the itty bitty stamps that fit your needs when you are creating?
Wish no more, Robyn aka the Pinkstamper has introduced a new line of itty bitty stamps sentiments to fit the bill. Whether you are a scrapbooker, or stamper these stamps will fit nicely in your collection..
1. What makes those stamps different?
They are made with the finest polymer. You can tell about the quality of the stamps in the details, they are very sharp, and are carved high enough to create a very clean image.
2.These stamps goes perfectly with several Provo Craft Cricut Cartridges, if you don’t use a Die cut machine that’s ok, the stamps are quite versatile.
Here are a few cards I’ve created using several of the lines of stamps.
Supplies used:
Mypinkstamper line stamps, staz on, Provo Craft Cricut Cartridge Martha Stewart Elegant Cake, Cricut Expression machine, Coredination black magic and glitter paper, Colorbok fluid chalk,Mambi rhinestones, GCD Melody Ross pattern papers.
I use the family & Friends line on this lay out, here are more details.
Here are 3 cards I have created,
Pros: The stamps are very well made, sharp details, they cling beautifully even after several washing, they don’t stain like other clear stamps on the market. The packaging instead of a sheet over the stamp, the overlay is like an envelope very easy to keep the stamps in one place..Each line has at least 25 sentiments, which is a bargain.. Cons: Since this is a new company there is not a wide selection, Robyn will be coming out with more stamps. Would like to see even smaller sizes. You can see more of the stamps in action HEREfor more inspiration.. Here are the lines I worked with.
We are offering you a great prize Robyn’s Dvd on how to create awesome projects.
How you can win:
Leave as many comments as you wish on all the post on this blog, from today till Sept 30th.
Follow the blog and tell your friends about this giveaway.
Please remember: Help spread the word about this giveaway!
Who is eligible:
Everyone! You don’t have to be a blogger to win, just supply a valid e-mail address.
When the giveaway ends:
October 1st. I’ll e-mail the winner(s), and results are always posted here as well. If the winner doesn’t respond within seven business days, a new winner will be drawn. Have a great weekend, Don't forget to follow the blog and leave a comment..
For you, creativity is first and foremost a form of expression: it creates a special link between the internal and external worlds. It allows you to get a grasp of your powerful emotions, by molding them into a physical form. In fact, the most important thing for you is to be able to release your emotions. You need to be able to touch them or look at them in concrete form, and to do that you have to find a way to make them come alive. This is how your desires and anxieties take shape.
Keeping things bottled up creates a tension that can only be resolved once you have expressed how you feel. This means you have to be strong enough not to let yourself get swept away by chaotic impulses; if you turn your creative urges on everyday life — making a picnic, singing to the baby, choosing what to wear — you can express yourself while staying rooted in reality. Creativity is principally cathartic.
It relieves a deep need, an almost primal, archaic impulse. For you, being creative is about having the power to give form to something you feel, to those deep personal issues that are often raw and disorganized. For these reasons you are usually attracted to art that demands physicality, that allows you to express what’s inside, and that unites spontaneity, strength, freedom, power and movement.
Let me know if your came close? don't forget the cartridge giveaway here
I am sooo loving the stencils right now. You know how you go in phases? Well this is one of the phase things! There are just so many options with them.
Here is the other recent technique "Quite a Pear" I share earlier.
I am going to share with you the embossed image of a tulip that was done using the Cuttlebug! Once you have created the layers for your machine and run it through, the result is a great embossed image.
So here is the card and the very easy steps to recreating it!
Step 1 Dry emboss the image of the tulip using the Cuttlebug Machine from Cricut.
Step 2 Leaving the stencil in place add color using a stencil brush. I used PanPastels by ColorFin. They have a rich color and go on smooth with very little pressure.
Step 3 Layer the image on coordinating card stock. The base layer was cut then folded in half using the Score-It-All.
Step 4 Use the punch of your choice to add the decorative edge to the card and finish assembly of the card!
Again, I love and am obsessed with the stencils right now. This stencil and the pear stencil were both provided by Dreamweaver! They have, in my opinion, the most versatile and elegant stencils on the market.
Check out my blog and the links there to see more with great stencils! Also, if you will be near Topeka, KS, October 1st and 2nd, check out the Memory Expo. There is a link on my blog to check that out as well!
kristiscreativecafe.blogspot.com
PS Don't forget to sign up to be a follower and the three Cartridges giveaway HERE
The William Sonoma Gift Certificate HERE
Hello Everyone, What's for Dinner this week? Many mom hear this question through out the week.. Have you started your menu yet?
I've received several emails from you, asking on how I save and organized? Every Monday I will be sharing tips on how, help you succeed at the grocery store.
Here are my tips for you this week. Getting setup to save money and organized.
Follow the steps below to be on your way to cut your grocery bill in half.
1.Check your pantry and fridge before making your list. (it is important to know what you have before buying) 2. Get the Sunday paper for the coupons. 3.Check online for coupons 4.Set up an email account just for for your coupons. 5.Sign up at your fav mfg sites for coupons, trust me you will be glad you did. I use soymilk every month they send coupon out for a free 1/2 gallon, that's a $3.67 savings a month. 6.Use ziplist to store your menus, and create a shopping list, you can send this list to your phone.. 7.Sign up to Rachel Ray newsletter, she sends 7 days meal planning to your email.. 8.Sign up for Campbell soup newsletter, amazing dinner ideas using soup. 9.Sign up for Simple magazine monthly meals newsletter.
Here are my easy peasy process:
Wednesdays, I save my grocery stores flyers to check what coupons are in the Sunday paper.. I only carry coupons of items I know I will be using. Example for Spaghetti I always use rolls, I will cut the Pillsbury coupons, compare the grocery store flyers for maximum savings.
Target,have deep discounts on certain items each week, they also have in-store coupons as well. I save $ by not printing those coupons at home, rather I print them from the gift registry section located at each target.
Here are examples of savings. Stove Top was $49. at the Grocery store it was $1.89. that is a saving of $1.40..
Walmart has free items weekly, with coupons..
I devote 1 hour a week to setting up menu, cutting coupons and getting my list ready, in turn I save regularly between $22-29 weekly on my groceries. Some weeks I save $45.00 when the item is bgofree, then I use a coupon, further deep discount.
Next week I will explore the wonderful world of Drugstore and how they can pay you to shop there.
Here's a recipe from last night dinner and we will have it again on Wend as left over.
Prep time: 8 mtes Cooking :25mtes Serves:8 people
Ingredients:
1. Dice the Green Pepper, Red Pepper, Onions, Garlic (3 cloves) add Oregano, Evoo, Smoke salt.
Add a dollop of Unsalted butter (Land o Lakes) roast for 10 mtes at 400degrees..
3. Boil Pasta, add Oregano, Salt, Black Pepper to the boiling water.
4.Sautee the Shrimp, add Rotel tomatoes, simmer down, then add 1/2 c Vodka let simmer for 5 mtes reduce the heat..
5.Drain the Pasta, remove the roasted vegetables, stir onto the Pasta, then add Parmesan cheese, toss well. Add fresh basil, Parsley to serve
6.Garlic bread, mix Landolakes unsalted butter with garlic powder, spread on bread put in the oven for 5 mtes..
How many times do we look at the craft supplies we own and wonder how to add a new twist. I have again been working with my stencils and love the above effects. I love using the embossing paste and dry embossing but this is a fun way to use any stencil. These were done using Memory Mist by Stewart Superior.
This is scarecrow done with a different technique. Then the image below is the negative image!
Trilogy, Bonds, 
(both), 
movies are the type of action movies that float my boat.
the movie, I was inspired to conquer making the pear cake for my sister's bday. Conquer it I did, after baking DH said if he didn't see me baked it, he would have thought I purchased it, which is high praise indeed...
Machine from Cricut. 
by ColorFin. They have a rich color and go on smooth with very little pressure.
