For the Birds

Another Regional Swap.  This is just a "card front".  We demo's like to have ideas, and this is a great way to swap without having to make an entire card and keeps the cost down.

So here is what I came up with:

 I knew I could "step it up" with buttons etc, but didn't have enough of the same one to put it on all of them.  (so if you swap with me, you can add a button, ribbon, or whatever)

So here is what I did with one of them.  I trimmed it down and layered it onto a card made from the same blue cardstock.  I added more dots around the frame with the white gel pen, and added a button with some white bakers twine.  See how just a simple thing can change the look of a card!

 

Supplies used on the first card are:

For the Birds stamp set

Melon Mambo, Bashful Blue, Whisper White Cardstock

Polka Dot Parade DSP

Labels Collection Framelits

Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Old Olive Markers

Black Stazon ink, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals, White Gel Pen, Snail Adhesive

 

Happy Stamping & Knitting!

http://www.joanhajek.stampinup.net

Happy Spring!

I admit I am a Pinterest whore.  An addict for sure!  I just can't help myself.  Just wish I had the time and the money to do everything on there that I like!

Anywhooo....I wanted to make a carrot with some extra Easter candy I bought for a 3D swap for Stampin' Up!  Baltimore Regional event.  Didn't want it to say Happy Easter though, since we are past that.  So I figured "hello" would be cute enough!  I knew I could make it like the old stand by "sour cream" treat container, but wasn't sure about the best way to do the stems etc.  In comes Pinterest!  I found this.  I didn't want to use ribbon though.  I knew I had some polka dot paper, but not enough to make many.  So instead I figured I would use an embossing folder instead.  Then I found this and decided to CASE it for the most part.  So if you are going to the Baltimore Regional, and have a 3D swap, I would love to swap with you!

Happy Stamping & Knitting!

http://www.joanhajek.stampinup.net

A Sad Sad Time..........

Have been in a real funk lately.  My Dad had been sick with cancer, and passed away on March 22nd.  Two days prior to his 82nd birthday.  While Dad said he had a good life, and that he couldn't live forever, I kept hoping the end wouldn't come.  It did.  Have been trying to deal and cope with it these past few weeks and am not doing well with it.  Everyone says it will always hurt, but it gets easier.  I cry myself to sleep at night.  I say my prayers, and I talk to him, in hopes he hears me.  As a grown a$$ woman, it is now at this point in my life that I feel like a little girl again.  I didn't want to lose my Daddy.  We had a good relationship and I treasured our conversations.  Love you so much Dad!  And thank you for being you.




Happy Stamping & Knitting!

http://www.joanhajek.stampinup.net

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I love the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps we sell from Stampin' Up!  The shortbread sugar cookie recipe is one of the two that come with the kit.  Not sure why these flattened out so much though!  I think my oven is too hot!

Anyhooo......I made a double batch of the recipe.  

Here is what the stamp set I used comes with

Occasions Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps #127081

 And here is a step by step of how I get the image onto my cookies!

 Put the silicone stamp onto the wooden handle.

I use a small cup to support it until I am ready to put the sugar in the stamp image and then to support it when I press the dough ball into the stamp.

 I spoon a bit of sugar on and use a spatula to scrape off the excess.

 This is about the amount I leave on there.  (can't be perfect!)

 I put a ball of dough on top and just smooch down enough to make sure I am covering the image.

 I finish pressing it onto my Silpat.  

And Voila'....they come out yummy!

 

Happy Stamping & Knitting!

http://www.joanhajek.stampinup.net

My Digital Studio

My goal for 2013 is to catch up on my scrap booking!  Hubby gave me a new laptop for Christmas so I was able to download the MDS2+ that I purchased when it was 50% off.  My other laptop has the original version that I still have to find the disc for!  Anyway....I put together two pages for Christmas Eve 2011!

Happy Stamping & Knitting!

http://www.joanhajek.stampinup.net

Bridal Shower Things

My cousin is getting married in September and we threw her a shower.  My contributions are the shower favors, and food name tags and people name tags.  I used our Stampin' Up! Petite Purse die cut and embossed the cardstock with the new Chevron embossing folder.  The pearl is from a local craft store.
 Love how it all turned out!

Happy Stamping & Knitting!

http://www.joanhajek.stampinup.net

Cinnamon Rolls

 I have become addicted to Pinterest.  So much to look at and try.  These have been my go to lately when we want something sweet for breakfast.  Have even made a few batches up for the neighbors and made triple batches on our beach vacation!  So easy to do!  I use my Demarle at Home muffin mold and the sugary gooiness (is that a word!) doesn't even stick!

 The website for these is Chef in Training.

Happy Stamping & Knitting!

http://www.joanhajek.stampinup.net

Yummy Goodness!  Ok...these are not something you want to eat if you are counting calories.  Or maybe you can have one as a treat!  I saw this idea on Pinterest and knew my son would love them!  All thing things he loves in one!

It looked to me that the ones on Pinterest were made with a large square pan and full size Reese's peanut butter cups.  I wanted to scale it down. And good thing I did!!! These things are VERY RICH!

I used my Demarle Mini Muffin tray.  I put a small amount of the cookie down in the bottom, added a mini peanut butter cup, then some of the prepared brownie mix to top it off.  The directions said to bake for 18 minutes at 350, but mine weren't quite done.  I recommend between 20 and 25 minutes and maybe more depending on your oven.  Let them cool completely before you pop them out of the mold! 



Happy Stamping & Knitting!

http://www.joanhajek.stampinup.net

Cardinal LOVE!

The weather here in Maryland the last month or so has been great! Warm spring days in Winter! The whole winter season has been very mild! I am hoping the warmer days are here to stay. I love sitting out on the patio on a crisp morning/afternoon with a cup of coffee! Filled the bird feeder up (sorry birdies....was negligent for a while there!), and the birds are singing my praises! Happy Stamping & Knitting!

http://www.joanhajek.stampinup.net

Shower Day!

Today was Nikki's shower. I kind of took over for my BF Phyllis, whose husband is very sick at John's Hopkins. She had enough on her plate so I told her I would take care of it. So with some help with food, and Aimee's house we pulled together and made it happen! Her nursery theme is Dr. Seuss, so wanted to stick with it. Previous post shows the centerpiece I made. I also made these adorable Thing 1 and Thing 2 cupcakes that I saw on Pinterest! But if you make them be forewarned!!!! DO NOT put the cotton candy on , and put in your cupcake carrier!!! Wait til you are ready to serve them to add the cotton candy! I didn't, and it melted into the frosting! So thankfully I had extra cotton candy and doctored them up when I got to Aimee's house! PHEW! So there was an added layer of sugary crunchiness to the cupcakes! :) I made the favors that are a Hershey candy bar. I saw the poem on the internet and changed a few word. The covering is just red and white striped scrapbook paper, the poem taped on top and punch of Thing 1 or is it 2? Happy Stamping & Knitting!

http://www.joanhajek.stampinup.net