This week's sketch challenge over at OWH came together pretty quickly for me. I used an embellishment I had made a few years ago. I made several of them and apparently forgotten about them. Anyway, here is the sketch:











Here is my take on the sketch:










Supplies: stamps - Rubber Soul, PTI Ribbon Tails; die - Nestabilities circle

This week's Midweek Throwdown at OWH is called Cards 4 Kids. The challenge is to create a card for our heroes to send home to their children. I don't really have too many suitable stamps for children so I used a baby-themed stamp. I purposely left the sentiment off so that it could be used for various occasions.










Supplies: embossing folders - Provocraft Cuttlebug; die - Nestabilities; stamps - PTI Sweet Baby

For those of you interested in the Beef Stroganoff recipe I mentioned earlier, my husband took leftovers for lunch 2 days in a row, so I guess it was a hit.

Beef Stroganoff

2 lbs. stew meat (I used London Broil)
2 cans Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup
1 large onion, diced
2 T Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 c water
8 oz cream cheese
1 t garlic salt
couple dashes of hot paprika (didn't have any so I just used regular)

In the slow cooker, stir in all the ingredients, except the meat and the cream cheese. Once combined, add the meat and mix together.

Cook on low for 8 hours. Cut up the cream cheese into cubes just before serving and turn crockpot on high. Stir the cream cheese in until all combined. Put lid back on and leave for about 10 minutes. Serve over egg noodles.


I thought 8 hours was a bit too long; mine was ready in 6 hours.

This week's sketch challenge at OWH is to create a card using this design:











Using one of my favorite PTI dies, I made a clean and simple card:










Supplies: pp - very old; die and buttons - PTI

I found a recipe for "The Absolute Best Crockpot Beef Stroganoff". So, that is what I am making tonight for dinner. It calls for cream cheese instead of sour cream. I'll post the recipe if it turns out well.

For this week's sketch at OWH, for some reason, I went with a bit of a summer theme. The sketch:











My card:











Supplies: stamp - A Muse; dies - Nestabilities; embossing folder - Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes; bakers twine; random buttons

Back with another card for OWH's "Christmas in July" theme. I cheated and used the same technique and design as yesterday's card!










Supply List: embossing folders - Sizzix, Cuttlebug; dies - Nestabilities; stamp - PTI Peace Be Still

Another little project I've been working on are yoyo barrettes for my granddaughter, CJ.










Last week, I finished "10th Anniversary" by James Patterson and it was excellent and yesterday I started his latest book, "Now You See Her". I'm only a couple of chapters in and I find it hard to put down.

Yeah, I know it's early, but today's challenge on OWH has a "Christmas in July" theme. I used a technique I found on Splitcoaststampers to dry emboss, then to wet emboss. Not sure if I love the embossing folders I chose to do this card, but I have started another one using a snowflake folder, so you might see that one tomorrow.










Supply List: embossing folders - Sizzix, Cuttlebug; dies - Nestabilities; stamp - PTI Wreath for All Seasons

Now that the Cannas are starting to bloom the hummingbirds are visiting the backyard. It wasn't easy, but I was able to get a photo last weekend.

Just sharing a layout with you today. I know it's a little sparse, but I'm not sure what to put in the white space. I hate to add an element and then end up wishing I hadn't. The idea for this layout design came from a poster on 2Peas, unfortunately, I don't remember her name. I love the circle elements sewn on the top.










The supplies I used: pp - Recollections, Paper Studio, Basic Grey; dies - PTI Eyelet Lace, Butterfly; circle punch; bling - MS