Having just finished packing a large box of cards for Operation Write Home, I thought I'd do a few layouts to get back into my scrapbook routine. This is a recent layout of my new favorite subject - Sweet Caroline:










Supplies: pp - K&Co, KI Memories; die - Nestabilities; chipboard letters - Heidi Grace

I wish I knew how to photograph them better!

Off to start another layout!

Had a pretty low-key weekend -- boring grocery trips, lots of grilling, and managed to, finally, watch the Netflix movie we've had for a couple of weeks. We watched Extraordinary Measures with Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford. It was very good!

And, here is this week's sketch from OWH:











And, my card:










Supplies: stamps - Magenta, PTI; pp - Heidi Grace; dies - Nestabilities

This week's Midweek Throwdown at OWH is a recipe challenge. The challenge is to create a card using a die cut or punch, ribbon and heat or dry embossing.

I chose to do a holiday-themed card:










Supplies: pp - KI Memories, The Paper Studio; stamps - A Muse Artstamps; dies - Nestabilities; embossing powder

That's it for now -- we have a doubleheader today, due to a rainout last night. They may not make it to the playoffs, but, being a die-hard fan, I still watch 'em!

I'm a tad late with this week's Operation Write Home sketch, so here it is:














And, here is my card:













Supplies: stamps - PTI Holiday Trees, Savvystamps; pp - Fiskars, embossing folder - CB Polka Dots; die - PTI Scallop; bakers twine - MS

I'm probably out of the loop, but I was delighted to fall upon the larger size Cuttlebug embossing folders at Hobby Lobby this past weekend. I picked up the Polka Dots and Clockworks folders - just perfect for card fronts!

This is the book I am reading right now. It is an older book, but one I had always planned on reading after spending 5 years in Savannah -- and missing it terribly! I'm half way through it and am enjoying it thoroughly!

It's time for another sketch challenge from Operation Write Home. Here is the sketch:











I decided to do another Halloween card for this challenge.










My supplies: pp - Paper Pizazz; stamp - Inkadinkado; dies - PTI; embossing folder - Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes; Punch - McGill file tab; rub-on letters - Making Memories; felt

I gathered inspiration for today's card from a combination of 2 sources that I received in yesterday's mail -- the October cover of Scrapbooks Etc. and a card in the Sept/Oct edition of Paper Crafts magazine.










Supplies: pp - Creative Imaginations; dies - leaf/Cuttlebug, label/Slice Noteworthy; MS Bakers Twine; Embossing folder - CB Swiss Dots

Yesterday's kitchen creation - Bread & Butter Pickles!

It's time for another Midweek Throwdown over at Operation Write Home. This week's challenge is to create a Fall-themed any occasion card with no sentiment.

Here is my creation:










Supplies: pp - very old Deja View; stamp - Art Impressions; buttons, ribbon, MS bakers twine, paper crimper

And, today would have been my Dad's 95th birthday. Although it has been 14 years since he left us, it seems like just yesterday. The grandkids called him Buppa! So, Happy Birthday, Buppa!

I'll leave you with a photo of my breakfast this morning. Found a recipe on allrecipes recently for muffin frittatas. They were quite good!

Today, my card is inspired by a tutorial from one of the blogs that I frequent. The blogger is Hilary Kanwischer (hilaryscraps.typepad.com)

Her card:














Now, I didn't have all of the cool elements that Hilary had, but I figured I had some supplies that I could substitute. Since I had no chipboard frames, I used Nestabilities round and scallop dies to cut out the frame. Anyway, here is my version:













Supplies: stamps - PTI Holiday Tree; pp - Paper Studio, Imaginisce; dies - Nestabilities, Sizzix; embossing folders - Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, Basic Grey Merry Christmas; buttons - PTI Vintage; MS bakers twine, machine stitching

And, here is yesterday's project -- pasta sauce!

It's time again for another sketch from OWH. The sketch:













I did take a bit of creative license and changed the rectangular element into an oval one, but still kept it a simply-designed card:













My supplies: stamps - Savvy Stamps; dies - Nestabilities; embossing folder - Basic Grey/Sizzix

Have a great day!

No cards to post today as I decided to take some time and make multiples of some of my cards for OWH. The deadline for sending Halloween cards is September 20 and for Thanksgiving cards is October 1 and I have a few more to make. So far, I have roughly 110 cards completed. After they are shipped, I'll move on to holiday cards.

Here is the recipe for the photo I posted yesterday. The recipe is from allrecipes.com. First, is the original recipe, and my revisions after that.










Slow Cooker Vegetable-Beef Soup

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 c onion, chopped
1 (14 1/2 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 (14 1/2 oz) can Italian diced tomatoes, drained
1 (16 oz.) pkg frozen mixed vegetables
1 c sliced fresh or frozen okra
2 potatoes, peeled & chopped
1 T ketchup
salt & pepper, to taste
water

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until beef is evenly brown and onion is tender. Drain grease.

In a slow cooker, mix the beef and onion, tomatoes, vegetables, okra, potatoes, ketchup, salt, and pepper. Pour in enough water to cover.

Cook 4 hours on low.


My revisions:

did not drain tomatoes

used frozen soup vegetables which already had okra and potatoes in it

I did add a bit too much water. Using the empty 14 1/2 oz can from the tomatoes, I added 1 1/2 cans, next time I will just add 1 can. I cooked it down a bit today on the stovetop and it was pretty good.

This week's OWH Midweek Throwdown is a simple one -- create a card using patterned paper from your stash. The embellishments I used have been sitting in a basket on my scrap counter for quite some time and the paper came from my scrap collection.










Supplies: stamps - Heidi Grace; dies - PTI, Nestabilities; pp - Crate Paper

Here is a photo of today's Crock Pot recipe:

Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup










If it works out, I will post the recipe tomorrow!

Using a leftover stamped image from last Christmas, I created this clean and simple card. Having never stamped directly on ribbon, I wasn't confident that I had the right type of ink, but it seems to be okay!










Last night, I tried a recipe that I had seen on Food Network last week. Paula Deen did an entire show dedicated to the Crock Pot. I love my Crock Pot!!! I know lots of people probably use their's more in the Winter months, but we use ours at least once a week - all year round. With Southern temps in the mid 90's all Summer long, we go out of our way to avoid oven cooking.

Anyway, she did one of my favorite comfort foods in the Crock Pot -- Macaroni & Cheese. Sure it won't have the browned topping like oven-baked Mac & Cheese, but I gave it a try. It was surprisingly good! I will definitely be making this again.

Here is her recipe and the changes I made are beneath hers:

Creamy Macaroni & Cheese

2 c uncooked elbow macaroni
4 T butter, cut into pieces
2 1/2 c grated sharp Cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 c sour cream
1 (10 3/4 oz.) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1/2 t salt
1 c milk
1/2 t dry mustard
1/2 t black pepper

Boil macaroni in 2 qt. saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts. In a slow cooker, combine cheese/butter mixture and add the eggs, sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and stir well. Then, add drained macaroni and stir again. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

***

My revisions:

cooked elbows only 5 minutes

eliminated the eggs

only cooked 2 hours

1/2 hour before done, sprinkle cheese over top

OWH Sketch 28

Here is this week's sketch ...














...and, my card:











My supplies: stamp - Heidi Grace; CB Swiss Dots embossing folder; handmade felt bird

This is the time of year when I seriously think about canning. Here is my 1st batch of Grape Jelly for the year. Thanks for the nudge, Tracy!