Happy All Hallow's Eve

My little Callie (Black Lab) has been a little jealous with all the attention being focused on all the little Iry pictures.  So today from my Bat Dog Callie, we are wishing everyone a very happy All Hallow's Eve.  Callie to the rescue!

Idea of the Month - October - Pivot Point Stapler

I have decided to add a new feature to my blog.  I will call it Idea of the Month, but it could very well be a list of helpful stuff or a how-to in additional to any other how-to's I may have.  This way I will have at least one rather useful thing a month!  So for today's idea of the month, I am going to present you some ideas on using the WONDERFUL Pivot Point Stapler

Pivot Stapler Ideas Below -- By Alisan Smith -- A very creative and talented CTMH Consultant


The great thing about the stapler is that you can staple all the way down the border of a 12x12 page.

On this last one, I stapled the ribbon down and tied a knot around the staple. These bows are NEVER falling off!

October Stamp of the Month Swap

Time to post the Stamp of the Month Swap.  It was another fun swap!  It was definitely challenging and stretches my creativeness!  This first post is a 6x6 card.

The next below is a 4.5"x4.5".

The next one was done by Celina Little.  It is 3x6.

The one below was by Danielle Bensing and is a standard size card.  The ribbon is so neat!

The one below is a 3x6 done by Joe Ann Balles.

The next one (below) is from Wishes (Down The Middle) by Karen Hoffman

Below is my standard size card which was previously published.

Then we have a standard size card.  If you could see this close up you would see the textured paper--almost a linen look.

Next is another standard size card which has been textured and sanded!

Such talent!  The jewels just really jazz these up so much!

Treat containers

I went to an SU party the other night and came home with some darling containers and a Christmas card so I thought I would post:

This is treat holder the size of small paper bag--completely punches and Sizzix dies.  Fun!  The next one is a little Sizzix treat box filled with candy corn and has a little sign that goes boing when you open it and says, "Good to the last Bite"

This little treat box also made of puches is like a nugget box.  The last thing we made was a Christmas card with pop-ups.

This was a resist technique.  We sponged on olive and red inks.  The diamond in the center is CTMH.  It just needed that little extra touch.  Below is the inside of the card.  The finish is like it has create-a-shade over it.

It was a very fun evening.  I wasn't the mystery hostess, but two other lovely ladies were.  Oh well.....  :-)

And here is Iry (Iree) who wanted to join us so much.  She really thought she was missing out on something!

World Cardmaking Day!

Welcome to the Close To My Heart 2009 World Card Making Day Blog Hop! Be sure to make someone a card today and join the fun while you create!  Have a super creative day!

Join me and several other CTMH consultants as we share our card creations with you. If you've come from Wendy Kessler's blog then you're hopping right along. Join the fun and hop on to "the next person's" blog from here. This is a "round robin" hop so just keep hopping.

Supplies for my card includes:  Creative Basics Jingle Collection; D1376 Holiday Warmth (Oct SOTM); D1380 Just for the Holidays; Black CS and EI; White Daisy CS; Blender Pen; Juniper EI; Tulip EI and Marker; Black Grosgrain Ribbon; Connection Club adhesive-backed pearls; and Martha Stewart Border Punch.

Now you may wish to continue on the Word Cardmaking Day Blog Hop by going to Shirley Ross's Blog who is the next blog on the list!

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This is simple to do--just click on the link at the of the post on each blog to move to the next one.  Here we go!  You probably just arrived from Brea Montgomery's Blog after looking at my artwork you will find the link for the next blog.


This was my first attempt and I will post some updates to this a little later today that I liked even better....
Supplies used are all Close To My Heart:  Level II Jingle paper pack; D1376 Holiday Warmth (Stamp of the Month); Tulip CS; Gold EP; Gold Ribbon (retired).  I also used glitter (retired) on the Christmas bulbs.  But, I finally decided on this:

Now, "hop" on over to Tanya David's Blog - to see her lovely work!  If you get lost on the Hop, or find links that aren't working, see list below.  Thanks for stopping by!

ZIPLOC OMELET - Great Idea (Non Toxic)

This is such a great idea that I just had to print it.  First, I know there is some flack about cooking in plastic being toxic.  So I went to http://www.ziploc.com/ FAQs and SC Johnson says completely SAFE because they do not use any of the cancer causing things like the BPA etc.  So please check Ziploc's FAQs if you have any questions, but this recipe idea was too good to pass up!

Especially good for when all your family is together.  The best part is that no one has to wait for their "special" omelet!  Have guests write their name on a Quart-Size Ziploc Freezer bag with a Sharpie.

Crack 2 eggs (large or extra large but not more than 2) into the bag and add about 1/4 c. milk (if desired), then shake to combine them.

Put out a variety of ingredients such as:  cheese, ham, onion, green pepper, green chilis, tomato, salza, etc.

Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag and shakes.  Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.  Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes (I did 15 because of altitude).  You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot.  For more, make another pot of boiling water.

Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily.  Be prepared for awe!  Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake!  Everyone gets involved in the process and a great conversation piece!

Imagine having these ready the night before and putting the bag in boiling water while you get ready.  And in 15 minutes, voila!  You've got a nice omelet for a quick breakfast!