Let's Scrap Challenge #133 - Layout & Cards

Hi Stampers/Scrappers!

I joined an online scrapbooking community, Let's Scrap, so I can get some pages done before my baby arrives! I just participated in a layout challenge, #133. You can still join in if you upload your layout by this Thursday, April, 19, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (using the main page clock time), to be eligible for the prize drawing -a fun assortment of scrapbook goodies (they will ship anywhere)!

Here is my 2 page layout. I used flowers as a theme and my title is Love Being An Auntie. I have 3 nieces and 2 nephews (although I noticed 1 nephew is not pictured!). I love using punches on layouts and for this one I used the Lace Ribbon Border punch #122362 by Stampin Up. It's so versatile, looks like lace, and looks beautiful on cards or layouts! You can purchase it from me (just email me: sweetpiecesbyme@gmail.com) or go to www.stampinup.com and note me as the Demonstrator.


I also joined in another Challenge thru Green Tangerines, Tuesdays with a Twist, where you use your leftover pieces from your layout to create some cards. I made 3 cards and was entered 3 times. And I won a $5 gift card! :) Here are my spring/baby themed cards...

The Stampin' Up! Retired List is Available!!

We have all been waiting patiently to see what stamp sets will be retiring on May 31st, 2012. Good news, The Stampin' Up! Retired List is now available!

* Click HERE to see the list of over 300 stamp sets that will be retiring!!
* These stamp sets will be available through May 31st, 2012.

• If you plan to order your retiring favorites, be sure to check the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack for great deals on punches, albums, designer series paper and more. Up to 60% off! 50+ new products added to clearance this past week! Clearance rack items can ONLY be placed through an on-line order and are available while supplies last! If you don't have a Demonstrator, be sure to enter my name as your Demonstrator!
  
• Don't miss your chance to pre-order new products from the Stampin' Up! Summer Smooches Collection. Ends April 30.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Retired Accessories/Décor Elements Lists will be released on April 25, 2012. Retiring accessories and Stampin' Up! Décor Elements (this line is being discontinued) will only be available while supplies last. BE SURE TO ORDER EARLY!

PLEASE REMEMBER that the Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 Annual Catalog will be released June 1, 2012, a month earlier than in the past. The good news is that with so many stamp sets retiring, the new catalog will be loaded with new products!

Bridal Shower Dress Card

Hi Stampers!

I have seen this card a lot lately and I wanted to make my own version of it. I have a bridal shower to go to on Saturday so I thought this would be perfect. I used the same colors of her invitation, a bright green (Wild Wasabi) and a espresso colored brown (Early Espresso). I hand cut the dress and ran in through the Big Shot #113439 using 2 different embossing folders, Framed Tulips #121809 and Elegant Bouquet#115964. I added pearls #119247 and dazzling diamonds #102023 fine glitter to finish the dress. I also used the eyelet border punch #119853 on the edge. You can purchase any of these items on the web at www.stampinup.com. Just be sure to enter my name as the Demonstrator :) Enjoy!

Ribbon Shares! Get a little or a lot of each ribbon by Stampin' Up!

Introducing my Ribbon Share opportunity! You will be able to purchase several colors of each type of Stampin' Up! ribbon at a fraction of the cost! This way you can increase your ribbon collection without breaking the bank ;)

Here's a picture of what each share will look like: (you'll receive a card with the "collection" that you are ordering, for example all polka dot ribbon, all taffeta or all ruffled ribbon)

Here is how my share works:

To reserve a spot in Charlene's Ribbon Shares, please EMAIL ME directly at sweetpiecesbyme@gmail.com.

Please include the following information in your email:

1. Name

2. Mailing Address (United States addresses only)

3. Which share(s) you would like to reserve (see choices below)

4. Email for Paypal invoicing or how you prefer to pay

When your share(s) fill, I will email a PayPal invoice for you to complete the payment process. At which time, I'll place the order with Stampin' Up! Upon arrival from Stampin' Up!, I will sort, cut, wrap/assemble, package and mail. This process takes about two weeks.

I generally use PayPal for all my billing needs. However, you do not need to have a PayPal account to make your payment. Just an email address and credit or debit card is all you need. When you receive my PayPal invoice, you can choose to pay using your PayPal account funds or, by credit/debit card. Just follow their SUPER EASY instructions to make your payment via the method that is most convenient for you.

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All ribbon shares are wrapped around chipboard to ensure wrinkle free ribbon. In addition...all shares are protected by cello bag packaging, ensuring safe and dry delivery!
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Here are the shares that are available as of 4/10/2012: (shares subject to change with new 2012-2013 Catalog)

Narrow 1/8" Taffeta RIBBON SHARE: $13.95 (+$1.50 shipping if not a local pickup)
This share includes approx 2 yards of each Narrow 1/8" Taffeta ribbon with white trimmed edges in 10 colors (Baja Breeze, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red,Regal Rose, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla) It's like getting this ribbon for $0.69/yard!

3/8" Taffeta RIBBON SHARE: $15.95 (+$1.50 shipping if not a local pickup)
This share includes approx 2 yards of each 3/8" Taffeta ribbon in 10 colors (Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, Perfect Plum, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Soft Suede and Whisper White) It's like getting this ribbon for $0.79/yard!

Scallop Dots 1/2" RIBBON SHARE: $17.95 (+$2 shipping if not a local pickup)
This share includes 2 yards of each of the 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon in 10 colors (Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Elegant Eggplant, Marina Mist, Melon Mambo, More Mustard, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink and Tangerine Tango) It's like getting this ribbon for $0.89/yard!

1/4" Grosgrain RIBBON SHARE: $19.95 (+$3 shipping if not a local pickup)This share includes 3 yards of each of the 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon in 17 colors (Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Garden Green, Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink , Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Very Vanilla & Whisper White) Total 51 yards! of It's like getting this ribbon for $0.39/yard!

1/2" Seam Binding RIBBON SHARE: $12.95 (+$1.50 shipping if not a local pickup) This share includes approx 2 yards of each 1/2" Seam Binding ribbon in (Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz and Rose Red AND now NEW Pool Party too!!!) It's like getting this ribbon for $0.80/yard!

5/8" Satin RIBBON SHARE: $19.95 (+$2.50 shipping if not a local pickup)
This share includes a generous 3 yards of each of the 5/8" Satin Ribbon in 10 colors (Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Very Vanilla and Whisper White) It's like getting this ribbon for $0.66/yard!

1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain RIBBON SHARE: $25.95 (+$2.50 shipping if not a local pickup)
This share includes approx 2 yards of each 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain ribbon in 11 colors. (Basic Black, Basic Gray, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Melon Mambo, Not Quite Navy, Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede, Wild Wasabi)

3/8" Ruffled RIBBON SHARE: $11.95 (+$2 shipping if not a local pickup)
This share includes approx 2 yards of each 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon in the five 2011-2013 IN COLORS (Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder)

1/2" Stitched-Poly RIBBON SHARE: $11.95 (+$2 shipping if not a local pickup)
This share includes a generous 3 yards of each 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon in the five 2010-2012 IN COLORS (Blushing Bride, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade) It's like getting this ribbon for $0.79/yard!

Tiramisu Recipe - MUST TRY!

Ok kids, if you love Tiramisu, this recipe is probably one of the best out there! (I wish I could take credit!) However, I found it on the Food Network website. ;) It's Johnny Garlic's Classic Tiramisu. If you're not familiar with Johnny Garlic's, it's a restaurant chain owned by celebrity chef Guy Fieri.
I made this for my sister in law and her husband and they LOVED it. Of course I did too - I mean wow it is SO GOOD. It makes a 9x13 pan full so you have plenty for 14-16 people easily!
I bought the hard lady fingers and wasn't sure how it would turn out but since you dip them in the coffee/amaretto mixture, they do really soak up that liquid. (You just need to do a quick dip too)
That is what you do first and line your 9x13 pan with the soaked lady fingers.

Then you put a mascarpone/cream layer on top of it, I whipped mine up in my Kitchen Aid mixer, super easy....and sprinkle unsweetened cocoa powder on top of it.

Then add another layer of soaked lady fingers.....


Then of course another layer of the creamy mascarpone filling and top with more cocoa powder.

I made this 1 day ahead and covered it tightly with saran wrap and kept it in the fridge. It came out so good and tasted just like a restaurant style Tiramisu! It's a very impressive dessert that is quite easy to make! Hope you try it and enjoy! I know we did!!!

Card Making Workshop Saturday April 7th

I've been busy crafting! Sadly not all for me though :( I made a banner for my sister in law's baby shower and also a home decor frame sample for a workshop.
However today I was lucky and I finished TWO cards for my upcoming workshop! YAY! I loved using the 2011-2013 in colors again. They are my fav :) I used the stamp set Fruit and Flowers and the coordinating paper too. I got to play with my new Labels Framelits too! - LOVE it. If you didn't get it, I'm sure it will be moved into the main IB&C. For this card I used Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder and Calypso Coral.


I also made this card using the Hostess paper, Cheerful Treat. I love the Concord Crush and Melon Mambo flowers. SO springy and bright! :) If you host a party of $150 or more you can choose this DSP as one of your FREE items! For this card I used 2 different papers, Concord Crush and a little Lucky Limeade. I ran in through the Big Shot with a flower embossing folder, Elegant Bouquet. Since I didn't have room to stamp, I stamped a 2-step flower on the inside on whisper white. I love the way it turned out!

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while, Monday I'll be 26 weeks pregnant! I can't believe it. I didn't take my picture yet, but I will and I'll post it this week. I wonder how my dog Hunny will react to this little bundle that will take over our house? Baby Wyatt will soon be here!! :-)

Rustic Roasted Apple Pies with fresh Whipped Cream!

Now this is a sweet piece! I had to share this picture and recipe! I just made this tonight...it's a Giada De Laurentiis recipe from the Food Network. Here is the recipe. I did add a little more than 1/4 cup of powdered sugar to the whipped cream to sweeten it up. I also had some Red Delicious apples that were going to go bad and I used those - it still turned out GREAT. I used the pie dough recipe from Anne Burrell here. I am NO longer afraid of pie crust! This one is AMAZING! So flaky and buttery. Whoever you make these for, will love you. :-) Enjoy!!