Post Valentine

Yes, I know, Valentine's Day is long past, however, since we're still in February I think it's not too late to post cards, what do you say?

I made these cards a while back, however, because I've been super busy, I wasn't able to post them to my site, so for your viewing pleasure, here they are:

I made this card especially for someone who wanted to give it to their hubby. Drawing inspiration from here and using the sketch on the left, this is what I came up with.  The background papers we digi papers purchased from Mygrafico. The papers are by Cupcake Cutiees and they're called Hearts N Love papers. The Love of My Heart sentiment was printed on Gina K Designs Red Hot and Dark Chocolate cardstock from my computer using the Channel font, and I finished by embellishing with brown ribbons and two pearl pins to which I added tiny pearls at the end so they won't stick anyone, lol!  The card on the right (below) was made using the same papers, but the embellishments were from my stash. I made this one for my brother to give to his wife. I love the play of red and chocolate, don't you?

These other cards were quickies made using cutting files I purchased from the Cutting Café. They were easy to make using Make-the-Cut. These are the finished products. Most of the papers I used were part of a stash I've had sitting around for a long time.

Double Letterpress Technique

Hi all,

Today I'm showcasing a card I made using the Double Letterpress technique I learnt at StampTV. This was an amazingly easy technique to follow and I'm pleased with the way the card came out.

Here's the card and here is a link to the technique.

My Other Loves

Next to crafting cards, I'm passionate about two other things: cooking and baking.  I can't tell you when I started baking. I've been doing so ever since I have memory. Cooking on the other hand, is different. I remember clearly that at age 9 my dad said to my 8-year old sister and I, "It's time for you girls to learn how to cook" and he took us into the kitchen and proceeded to teach us the basics of cooking (my dad was a Chef working for the Panama Canal Clubhouse.) I've been cooking ever since. Being that I'm Panamanian of West Indian descent (my parents are first generation Panamanian and my grandparents where from Barbados (on the maternal side) and Jamaica (on the paternal).) the cooking I learnt was traditional West Indian fare as well as Panamanian cuisine.  This doesn't mean I won't try anything else. I'm game for good food.

Last week on Pinterest I saw a recipe for an easy Creamy Chicken pot Pie. I used that recipe as a guide and with a few different ingredients, came up with my own version.  I used a cast iron skillet to cook and bake the dish and here's the final product.

Of course, this offering pleased the lady of the house - my 90 year-old mother - who loves to eat and will try anything I make.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
1 package Fajita strips
2 Tbs Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1 package broccoli, cauliflower & carrots (found in the produce section of your grocery - not frozen)
1 8oz. Cream Cheese
1 Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust (when in a hurry)
1 can Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup
Garlic
Onion
Bell Peppers
Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sauté onion, bell pepper and garlic in Coconut Oil in skillet. Stir in fresh vegetables and add Salt and Pepper to taste. In a separate bowl, mix together the Cream Cheese and Cream of Chicken Soup until creamy. Stir it in the creamed mixture with the vegetables and cook for 3 minutes until bubbly. Place the refrigerated pie crust over vegetables, flute edges, then brush with a beaten egg to give it that golden crust look. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Serve with a tossed salad. Buen provecho!

Season of Love

Well folks, Valentine's day is fast approaching and I had to get on the ball or the day would come and go  quicker than I can say...  Last week I started working on some VD cards and I want to showcase some of them here today.

This first card makes me want to say, "Yum!" I had this paper called "I Love Cupcakes" since last year, and because I started my projects too late, I never used it. So, here it is this year.  What goes best with cupcakes? Well, ice cream, of course! got the ice cream cone cutting file from the Make-the-Cut! forum gallery. cut the file using my Bosskut Gazelle.



These next cards were made using Awesome Chalkboard Textures digital papers from Mygrafico Arts & Crafts.  I used the blackboard concept one these cards and cut the letters using a free font called Pastels. I used MTC to design and cut the letters, then attached them to the chalkboard background paper. For the eraser cut a piece of sponge from one of my many foam brushes, then glued a piece of the cardstock that frames the chalkboard stock.

On the third card, I was inspired by a picture I saw on the Internet of a mason jar filled with flower stems. I used a stock image I had of a vase, traced and cut it with MTC. Then, searching in my MTC folder for a rose cut file, I found one I liked, cut it, then attached it to the green Awesome Chalkboard Textures. I used the Pastel font in MTC and cut the "Roses are Red" letters. I finished it off by attaching little red rose buds I'd purchased at Michael's years ago for some invitations, then added some bling stones as ellipsis.

I have a few more cards I made, but will share those with you later.  In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend!