Vertically Challenged

NO!!!! The weekend can NOT already be over! Where does the time go? I was supposed to have made a final decision about whether or not to join Stampin' Up. I just can't seem to make up my mind. My goal was to decide by this evening...and here it is Sunday evening and I'm still unsure...

Confession time....I didn't intend for this to be a horizontal tag. I put the design paper on THEN realized it was directional and that I cut it in the WRONG direction. Oh well.... (maybe THAT's my answer regarding being Stampin' Up-er...I can't even put design paper on in the right direction!)

Front of tag.

Back of tag.

Thinking of You
~Cardboard tag - edges painted with purple acrylic paint
~Layer of Paper Pizazz Garden Scattered Flowers (both front and back)
Front
~Purple tulle, green and pink sheer ribbon
~Flower button with floss
~Die cut leaves by Taylored Expressions
~Sentiment from a Michael's dollar bin stamped with black ink
~Purple rhinestone
~Pearl swirls
~Purple cardstock flower cut using Cricut and Songbird cartridge - sliced - edges smudged with purple acrylic paint and dotted with white Sharpie Poster Paint
~Image by Phindy's Place coplored with Copics, shoes highlighted with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects
Back
~Top of tag painted with purple acrylic paint and dotted with white Sharpie Poster Paint
~Remainder of Cricut cardstock flower
~Rectangle of white cardstock - edges curve punched and smudged with Stampin' Up Celery - this is for a note and signature
Challenges and Inspiration
Sentimental Sundays - paint and ink
Phindy's - button
Pile it One - cute
DYSU - friend
CMC Copic Challenge - girly
Paper Crafting Journey - pearls and swirls

Thanks for clicking by. Enjoy your Monday...I certainly hope to.

Nancy in Iowa

Food Glorious Food

I'm looking forward to my annual holiday with my sisters! I decided to take along some homemade salsa...actually a couple of batches...one WITH cilantro and one for the 'cilantrophobs' in the group. I can't really blame them evidently there is some genetic predisposition to being a cilantro-hater. The taste to 'those' kind of folks is evidently that of soap, lotion, or bug bed infested clothing. There are scientific reasons for the chemical breakdown of the fat molecules resulting in lathery fragrance. Who knew there were fat molecules in CILANTRO!? 

When Julia Child was asked about her dislike of cilantro she replied, “I would pick it out if I saw it and throw it on the floor.” YIKES! Did you know there are Facebook pages dedicated to the hatred of this "Devil's Weed"! There are whole discussion threads dedicated to this product of coriander! There are "I Hate Cilantro" BLOGS! Cilantro revulsion made The New York Times.

Anyway...This recipe is so fast and easy that making a Cilantro-Free version will be a snap! I myself am on the 'extra cilantro please' side of the fence! I don't usually post recipes but I could DRINK this stuff so I think I will share it. The origin of the recipe was PINTEREST!

I've made this twice - the second time - just for fun I included three tomatillos (quick blanched) and increased the honey by a scant additional teaspoon.

Easy Blender Salsa

Ingredients:

·        1- 14 oz can diced tomatoes

·        1- 10 oz can original Rotel

·        1/2 small onion, roughly chopped

·        1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed

·        1/2-1 jalapeno, seeded or not (depends on how spicy you like it)

·        1 teaspoon honey

·        1/2 teaspoon salt

·        1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

·        small to medium size handful of cilantro, washed

·        juice of 1 lime

Directions:Put all the ingredients in the base of a food processor or good blender and pulse to combine for 30 seconds or so until all the ingredients are finely chopped and salsa is desired consistency. Taste for seasoning and adjust to taste.

Now for my non-food creation. This entire project came about because I was in the mood for some Modge-Podge! By the way...I don't like dill.

Detail of tag.

Back of tag.

Tag on a Tag
Front:~Manilla tag~Lots of layers of Le' Romantique by Graphic 45 - punched using a deckle square punch - all the edges smudged with Distress Ink - front and back coated with Modge Podge~Paper pieced horizontal strip of same design paper~Wrap around of tulle~Distressed Prima flowers with bling centers (gift from sissy Gail)~Pearl strands~Pre-made die cut tag from Graphic 45 with teal and coral ribbonsBack:~Layer of design paper Le' Romantique by Graphic 45~Rectangle of smudged/distress BasicGrey Basics Manila Paper Pad for sentiment /signatureChallenges/InspirationsSouthern Girls - angels
BasicGrey - things with wings
Inspired by Stamping - photo inspiration
Moving Along with the Times - pink, pearly, and pretty

Must run...on our way to see the local theater production of Oliver. (Briar Cliff student in a lead role - must show my support - hence the title of this post - well that and the rambling about Cilantro!
Nancy in Iowa

Thank you for clicking by,

Mannequin Mania

We are planning a sister's retreat this fall. Sissy Judy (from Atlanta, GA) will be joining us Midwesterners for our Official 3/5's Club Sisters Holiday! Because we are planning on lots of quilt stops along the way sissy Gail, daughter Amy, and I went on a quilt shop reconnaissance mission this weekend. With so many quilt shops to choose from we felt we had to deem whether or not they are 3/5's Club worthy! Don't worry Judy - we didn't do any REAL shopping - just checking things out!  I'll post some pictures on Pinterist or Facebook so you can see them....maybe THAT will force you to my social media world!

While at an odd little fabric/notions/quasi household items store (Varenhorst Fabrics) in Storm Lake, IA I found a package of ready made yo-yos so...I bought them! I bought the ready-made yo-yos plus a yo-yo maker. I'll let you know if I ever crack it open from the package. I thought it would be fun to make an occasional yo-yo for a card or two. We'll see....

Unknown to my sisters I will be hunting down the names/locations of any scrap booking stores in the vicinity of Okoboji, IA!

I used one of the pre-made yo-yo on the previous posting - click here to see it. While at Varenhorst's Amy was looking for Gail and I - she was fooled a few times by covert and somewhat creepy mannequins.  Check these out: 

Main street fabrics store, J Varenhorst's Fabrics In Storm Lake, IA

Covert Ops Mannequin

Does this dress make my wig look ugly?

Someone lend me a hand so I can toss the bouquet!

Mannequin waif

Mink - check...Artificial Lashes - check...

And now for the card of the day. Actually it is another tag. I think I could get into this tag making! Which is a good thing considering the number of envelopes I 'had' to buy! This one has a quilt theme to it - must be the influence of all the quilt shops. I may allow the mannequins to influence my next card...spooky tag anyone?

Tag front

Detail - crackled gloss on corner quilt fan

Detail - banner top

Back of tag

Dresden Tag
Front:
~Design papers from My Mind's Eye Kraft Funday Happy Days
~Quilt Dresden plates paper-cut from same collection
~Large brown metal brad from We R Memory Keepers
~Brown cardstock circle - used Crop-A-Dile Big Bite for the hole - jute tie
~Banner made from the 'peek-hole' of Behr Paint Chips - glued to twine 
~My Mind's Eye Happy Days red/kraft twine
Back:
~Layer of Kraft cardstock on back stamped using Stampin' Up Weathered background stamp and Distress Ink Vintage Photo
~Sentiment by Art Gone Wild Words to the Rescue: Friendship
~Button star stamped with Distress Ink Fired Brick
~Another Dresden plate cut from My Mind's Eye Kraft Funday Happy Days
Challenges
Pile it On - tag
ATCs and Cards with Attitude - anything goes
Joyful Stamper - anything goes
Aud Sentiments - tags
Crafty Creations - tag
Dancing in Pajamas - red, aqua, kraft

I'm a little worried what the 'Mannequin Muses' may have in store for me...


Thanks for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Tag - I'm It!

I really like tags. I admire creative souls who make so many lovely tags. I've been 'pinning' and 'pinning' to my Pinterest tags board like CRAZY hoping to get the hang of it (no pun intended)! At first I hesitated because I'm not sure what one does with a tag... I decided I needed some tag envelopes. I ordered 3 1/8" by 5 1/2" 'coin envelopes'. Of course I don't think these can be placed in the mail because of their size. I guess the 'coin envelope' could be placed in a "regular" envelope for mailing. I've not seen the back of a tag so I decided I would make it available for a sentiment or message. Again...what does one do with tags!?

I used heavy cardboard and cut a tag shape since I wasn't smart enough to order actual manila tags - I was too worried about the goofy envelopes! But I really like the rigidity of the heavy cardboard (used the back of a legal pad).

So....if you have any insights on tags - I'll "hang" on your every word!

Tag Front

Tag Back

Yo...Yo!
~BasicGray Basics Manila Paper Pad design paper
~Stamped script background using brown ink (stamped diagonally)
~Swirls stamped with Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder - then 'resist' smudged over with ink using blender pad
~Snippet of lace edged with green twill ribbon
~Die cut leaves embossed with copper embossing powder
~Assorted ribbons
~Fabric yo yo
~Button
~Brown cardstock circle folded over the top for the hole punch and ribbons
~Twine with sun charm
Challenges
Crafty Mess - sun or moon
Splendiferous - die cut
Alphabet Challenge - lace

Thanks for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Dribs of Chips

Grueling weekend....another Freshman Orientation. Love to meet the new families and students - but man I really need a day to catch up and more time in The Bubble making cards (not to mention laundry). I got a Stampin' Up catalog in the mail and haven't had a chance to crack it open. I think tonight is the night for that lovely task!

I managed to put the finishing touches on this one - I've been working on it in dribs and drabs when I could sneak a few moments in The Bubble. Used more of the paint chips I 'acquired' at Lowes. Paint chips these days are HUGE compared to the wee swatches of yesteryear....

Butter Chip
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Ocean Tides with strips of Martha Stewart paint chips
~Cosmo Cricket Material Girl die cut using Spellbinders Beaded Circles - yellow cardstock behind the open triangles and paint strip dots
~Yellow cardstrock die cut using smaller Beaded Circle - edges dotted with more paper punched paint chip circles
~Inkdinkdoo butterfly stamped on Papertemptress Cryogen White colored with Copics highlighted with Stickles and Stampin' Up Crystal Effects
~Ribbon
Challenges and Inspirations
Play Date Cafe - color inspiration
Pile It On - kick back and relax (nothing says relax like taking time to watch a butterfly flutter by)
One Stitch at a Time - anything goes
Stamptacular Sunday - wings and bling
The Ribbon Girls - color inspiration

Thanks for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Kale and Kernels

July 4th. A BIG day here in America. A British friend of my husband's said, "I don't think I'll join in the celebration - it really wasn't a good day for us." Tee-hee-tee-hee.

My day started out with a trip to the Farmer's Market with my friend Lisa. I bought fresh kale, cilantro, onions, and my FAVORITE: Koated Kernals...so NOT a vegetable! But OH SO DELICIOUS! It is a start-up company of it's parent company Jolly Time Popcorn, a fourth generation family run business that started in Sioux City in 1914. Koated Kernals are sinfully good!

Since it is a historical day here in the U.S. I'm sharing some FUN facts about the history of Jolly Time - which coincidentally has an address of One Fun Place.

• 1914 - Cloid Smith – the founding father of JOLLY TIME^® Pop Corn – and his son, Howard Smith, set up shop in their Sioux City, Iowa, home. From their basement they shell, clean and package the first branded popcorn in the U.S.
• 2003 - JOLLY TIME^® hits a milestone, producing its one billionth bag of microwave popcorn in Sioux City, Iowa.

I personally like the 'already popped popcorn' that I can buy directly at the factory. It is HUGE bag (think large kitchen trash can liner size) and only costs $5.00. I occasionally purchase a bag and take it to work. It is a big hit with co-workers and the students (not such a big hit with the custodial staff.. I have been known to mail a giant bag or two to my sister in Atlanta, GA. It's just THAT GOOD!

Last Saturday's trip to the Farmer's Market I bought a 'bouquet' of sunflowers that I have enjoyed all week in my office. This sunny bunch inspired this card. Well that and I am easily distracted...I was looking for something (can't remember now what I was looking for nor can I remember if I found it!) and I ran across a stamp that my niece Linda gave me LONG ago when she designed stamps for Chunky Stamps...remember those?

Speaking of the Farmer's Market - hard to believe the entire area was under water last summer from the flood of 2011... As the t-shirt says, "Flood SUX". True that!  (MORE history - the FAA's airport designation for my dear hometown of Sioux City is SUX" -- it has to be one of the all time worse 'handles' EVER. However we have made the best of it branding everything from "flood SUX" to "snow SUX" to work SUX"...

Back to the card...did I mention that easily distracted trait... Ever start out making a card and as you are making it thinking...this is NOT working...this is going to end up in the trash heap? Well this one was perilously close to making to 'the heap'. But I think it deserves to be a survivor.

Chunky Flowers

~Base card - PaperTrey Ink - Select White (front of card cut slightly narrower to allow for the inside strip of lattice to peek out)

~Layer of long ago forgotten My Mind's Eye Front Porch Orange/Blue Stripes

~Layer of  equally forgotten My Mind's Eye Front Porch Blue Polka Dots

~Dark teal pieces are actually up-cycled office folder cardstock - edges punched with Martha Stewart Lattice

~Daisy Vine image stamped using Versamark and embossing powder - colored with inks and sponge - centers of flowers dabbed with Flower Soft

~Corner flower created using cardstock and Sizzix and Taylored Expressions die cuts/Cuttlebug

~Metal flower brad

Challenges

Clear it Out - anything goes plus yellow plus clear it out (found this 'old' stamp)

Mojo Monday - sketch

Flourishes - summer

Tuesday Throwdown - summer

Thank you for clicking by and putting up with my history lesson.

Nancy in Iowa

Paint Chip Swirl

Where is the summer going? Can't believe it is July. Thought a cool ice cream cone would be just the ticket on a hot summer night! Used paint chips from Lowe's for the solid colors in this card. Wonder what they thought when I kept picking and picking and picking paint chips to take home. Probably thought - wow - she either can't make up her mind or has LOTS of rooms to paint!

Party Hardy
~Base card - white linen
~Layer of My Mind's Eye - Kraft Funday Happy Days
~Three brads
~All solid colors are paint chips
~Beaded Circles die cut using Spellbinders and Cuttlebug - layer of white cardstock under triangle holes - rose colored solid circles added using paper punch
~Sentiment stamped using Stazon black and rubber stamp kit
~Ice cream image stamped using Stazon black and Taylored Expressions Build a Treat stamps and coordinating dies - highlighted with Stickles Yellow and Fruit Punch
~Cherry punched using paper punch - highlighted with Candy Cane Stickles and scrap for stem
Challenges and Inspirations
Play Date Cafe - color challenge
Our Creative Corner - bakin' beauties

Thanks for clicking by!
Nancy in Iowa