Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Square Punch Challenge

Hello,

The Square Punch Challenge @ Moxie Fab WorldThis challenge is to incorporate square punches into a paper crafting project.
Supplies:  Green, red and Kraft card, EK punches, Hero Arts spots, Arty Stamps sentiment, Hero Arts embossing powder, bow (unknown) and Kaiser rhinestones

I embossed white dots on two squares of green card and cut them diagonally across to form the tree. Then I used a small square of red card to form the pot.
 
Sharing with CAS-ual Fridays#76

MIM - Anything goes
Stampin' for the weekend - Anything goes
Through the craft room door - Anything goes

Thank you for dropping by.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Christmas Kraft

Hello,

This week the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays is to use Kraft card in a CAS designs.
Supplies:  Kraft and red card, Sassy Cheryl's Digi image, BasicGrey design paper, Lyra pencils, Spellbinders dies, Kaiser rhinestones
 
This Christmas card is being entered in three more challenges -Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Circle
Crafty Ann's Challenge - Christmas in October
Stampin' For The Weekend - Anything Goes.

Thank you for dropping by

Less is More Sketch 7

Hello,

This week's challenge at Less is More is to follow a sketch.
And here is my interpretation -
Supplies ;  White, blue and silver card, Hero Arts image, DarkRoom Door sentiment, Versamark ink pad, Alison Elliss embossing powder, Spellbinders die.

Also for the following challenges -
Make it Monday 112 - Anything Goes
Cards galore October: - Anything goes
Fussy & fancy 74: - Anything Goes

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

Take care and thank you for dropping by.
 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Annabelle Stamps - absc055

Hello,

It's time for a new challenge a Annabelle Stamps - absc055.  It is the last post of guest designer Karin Akesdotter, of Peppermint Patty's Papercraft.  She has used one of my favourite stamps from Annabelles "Tomorrow's Dream".  A very pretty card.

Supplies:  Red, White, Green and black card, Memory Box die, Judikins sentiment

Also for the following challenges -
 Make it Monday: - Anything Goes
Through the Craftroom Door: - Anything Goes
Just Keep on Creating: - Anything Goes

Friday, October 26, 2012

Autumn

Hello,

This week the challenge at Less Is More is AUTUMNInspiration can taken from colours, festivals, seasonal images.

Here is my card for this challenge
Supplies:  White and red card, Hero Arts image, PTI sentiment, Lyra pencils, Kaiser rhinestones

Allsorts Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
Make It Monday - Anything Goes

I am just back from a holiday in Europe and the Autumn colours there were just glorious.  Australian native trees don't change colour.  So we rely on imported European trees for Autumn colour and there aren't mass plantings of them to give the same impact.

That's all for this post.  So take care and thank you for dropping by.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Orecchiette with Tuna and Courgettes

Hello,

Another favourite of mine and yes it’s quick and again it is from French Women For All Seasons by Mireille Guiliano.

Orecchiette with Tuna and Courgettes

Ingredients
350g orecchiette pasta
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 medium courgettes thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic
500gm cherry tomatoes halved
180g canned tuna in olive oil
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped basil

1.       Bring 2 litres salted water to a rolling boil in a large saucepan.  Cook the orecchiette according to packet directions.

2.      Place courgettes in a large serving bowl.  Drain the pasta over the bowl, and let the courgettes stand in the hot cooking water for 2 minutes to soften.  Drain, and return the courgettes to bowl.

3.      Heat the oil in a large frying pan.  Saute the garlic and tomatoes over medium heat until softened.  Remove from heat.  Add the tuna.  Toss with the pasta and courgettes, and drizzle the oil over it all.  Season with salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle with the basil.  Serve immediately.

In the original recipe it gives the option of butter or oil to cook the garlic and tomatoes but I omitted the butter because I use oil and like it.  Also the recipe uses tuna in olive oil.  I only ever buy tuna in spring-water so that’s what I use.  I don’t think it detracts from the dish

One gripe, not about the recipe but an ingredient, garlic.  It is almost impossible to buy Australian grown garlic.  Last year I grew my own but this year I am back to buying foreign garlic or going without and pasta isn’t the same without garlic.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Christmas Card

Hello,

Here is a Christmas card that just didn't live up to  the image I had in my head.  Perhaps if I work on it I can improve it
Supplies:  White and red card, Stampit sentiment, Annabelle image, Alison Ellis embossing powder, Versamark pad, Lyra pencils
 
Thank you for dropping by

Monday, October 15, 2012

CAS Card

Hello,
 
Here is another card that I made but decised against entering into the intended challenge.  I like this technique of embossing and adding colour after.
Supplies:  White card, Rubberneck stamp, Distress Ink, Kaiser rhinestones.
 
Thank you for dropping by

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Farfalle with Edamame

Hello,

As I have said before I like recipes that are quick because I don’t want to spend all night cooking after working all day.  It must also be tasty otherwise no-one will eat it.

Here is a recipe that has become one of my favourites.  It’s from French Women For All Seasons by Mireille Guiliano.
 
I don’t always use farfalle pasta.  If it is in the cupboard I use it if not I use whatever pasta is available.  I don’t bother with fresh edamame instead I buy it frozen and already podded  from a local Asian supermarket. 

Sometimes I make a smoked salmon pasta and I like to use this lemon sauce, it makes a nice light summer lunch.
 
Farfalle with Edamame

Ingredients
350g farfalle pasta
Salt and freshly ground paper
400g shelled edamame
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
80g grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1.       Cook the farfalle in salted water according to packet directions and stirring occasionally.  In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the edamame to the pan.  Drain, reserving 80ml of pasta water.

2.      Place lemon zest and juice in a large pan over medium heat.  Add reserved pasta water, oil and 60gm of the cheese.  Mix well.  Add the edamame and farfalle to the lemon mixture, toss well to coat.  Serve immediately, sprinkle with parsley and the remaining cheese.  Season with pepper to taste.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Spots and Dots

Hello,

There have been some challenges asking us to make our own backgrounds.  I have enjoyed these challenges so I have made another just for the heck of it.  It's a one layer and I usually find these difficult
Supplies:  White card, Rubberneck circles, Hero Arts sentiment, VersaColor Ink, Kaiser pearls

Take care and thank you for dropping by

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Royal Melbourne Show.

Hello,

At this time of the year there are three big events the Australian Rules Football grand finals, Rugby League Football grand finals and the Royal Melbourne Agricultural Show.

I like going to the Show especially when my son was small when it was magical.  He enjoyed all the baby animals, the show bags, the sie show rides and the junk food.

Now I go to the wood chopping, the animals - the dogs and horses in particular, the Grand Parade and the arts, craft and cookery.  The decorated cakes just blow your mind and the needle work is amazing. I never cease to marvel at the wonderous skills shown in  the needlework - just like my grandmother and great aunts used to do. 

The day is always tiring what with all the walking and the crowds but it is fun.

There was something that took my fancy.  It was yarn bombing.  Here is a link to see a tractor being yarn bombed

Sunday, October 07, 2012

Revisit Sketch Challenge

Hello,

I am now on annual leave and so you won't forget me I have attempted to schedule some post.  This blogging keeps me learning.

Recently I have been struggling with ideas for cards and after many frustrating hours have finally posted a card out of pure desparation.

One such card was entered in the AnnaBelle Stamps (ABSC054) challenge.  I was happy with the small square but I was unhappy with the overall look.  So I have had another go.
Here I have added some Chevron (Lawn Fawn) using Distress Ink.  I think this is better.

People out there in bloggland are so wonderfu, they never focus on the negative they always find something positive and make the sweetest comments.

One question - is adding the chevron in keeping with the sketch?

Well that's all for now.  If I have access to a computer I will let you know how my holiday is progressing

Take care and thank you for dropping by

 

Friday, October 05, 2012

Zoo

Hello,

The challenge I have a card for this evening is CASology – Zoo.  Here is the cue card
and here is my card
Supplies:  White and blue card, Christina Re design paper, Lawn Fawn image and sentiment, Stampin Up punch, Spellbinders die, Lyra pencil and ribbon.
 
Will also join the following challenges -
Challenges 4 Everybody #4: Anything Goes
Make it Monday #109: Anything Goes
Totally Stampalicious: Anything goes
 
Thank you for dropping by

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Paris

Hello,

My card tonight is for the Make My Monday challenge where the theme this week is Paris.
Supplies:White, pink and black card, Hero Art image, Judikins poodle, Darkroom Door background, Versamark, VersaColor, Alison Ellis clear embossing powder, Carl punch and Kaiser rhinestones
 
Will also join Make it Monday/Anything Goes
 
Thank you for dropping by

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Sketch Challenge

Hello,

A very quick post tonight.   I have used AnnaBelle Stamps (ABSC054) - sketch as the starting point
Supplies:  White, green and red card, Making Memories design paper, Cuttlebug dies, Spellbiners dies, EK punches, Annabelle's stamp sentiment, VersaColor and seed beads.

Will also join the following challenges
Make it Monday/Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp: Anything goes

Thank you for dropping by