What's Cooking?

Hi folks! Here we are at the start of another week. This will be the last week on Blogger for me, as I'm switching over to Word Press with a new look, and I'm so excited!

I've been cook'in up some goodies. Do you recognize the recipe box? Click here for my tutorial.





What kitchen is without a grocery list? Why not create a matching post-it note holder. Need a tutorial? Click here for my recent one.

The images are from Odd Bird Planet and you can view them here.

Flair has a cute line of paper called Keep on Cooking. Want a peak at it? Click here. There are coordinating stickers, and I put one on the lid of the recipe box as shown in the photo. The sticker set also came with recipe index words. "Desserts" is shown. I punched out a tab and simply stuck "Desserts" onto the tab.









In this photo you can see that I decorated the post-in note holder with more cooking stickers by placing a sticker on the inside,





Thank you for stopping by. My next post will be on my new site. I will let you know the website when I post.

Batique Sympathy Greetings

Hi there folks. This week I had major computer woes. Why don't I ever learn to back up? Ohhh, I am so terribly bad. Sadly, my studio computer died. Did I back up my photos that accumulated for two years? Did I back up 200 Odd Bird Planet cards that I had yet to post on my blog and in galleries? Did I back up my favourites? How about my resume? How about my important files? Nope. Nada. No. Sad, sad, sad. Donnie was a sweetie and uploaded Kodak Easy Share on my laptop, so that's why I'm able to post for you today. He then took his computer and put it into my studio. What a sweetie! Thanks honey! Two people and we have three computers in the house. When one crashes, my life is in a state of turmoil.

Sadly, because of my computer woes, I was not able to post this card in time for Catherine's challenge. I used her picture as inspiration for my sympathy card. Steps to creating this card:

1. Created a faux batik background on homemade paper with a skeleton leaf.
2. Stamped image from the SU Lovely As A Tree set. Stamped sentiment from Inkadinkado.
3. Double matted the tree in black and green. Matted the sentiment in black.
4. Glued Tree to 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch background. Placed pop dots under sentiment and adhered
image to background.

Next Saturday I will have a scrapbook layout to show you. Alex posts layouts every Saturday and I thought that if I join in, I too could catch up with my photos. Ummm, well, I guess I have nothing to use for catching up, but I do have some odds and ends that I can scrap.

I'm also excited to tell you my new block will be up in a day or two, so stay tuned.

Bye for now....

Pretty Paper Purses

Aren't these paper purses cute? Want in on a little secret? I sent them to Johanna, owner of Odd Bird Planet, and forgot to enclose a note explaining that I accidentally adhered the beads incorrectly so the purse didn't open. When I thought to e-mail her, she said, "oh, I wondered. After I tried and tried, I finally gave up." That's what I get for not testing things out BEFORE I send them to Johanna. I'm so silly--LOL.

To create these cards I created two library pockets. One was made ever so slightly smaller, so it could be inserted into the other. The ribbon handle was threaded through the center of both library pockets. The ribbon was threaded through the top, and comes out at the bottom. If you look closely, you will see the white ribbon knoted on the polka-dot card. Before the cards are put together the beads are to be added. Not after, like I did.

Ideas for purse:

• Party invitation. Place pertinent information inside.
• Birthday card for a little girl. Make it eccentric looking for teenagers
• Business card holder
• Great place to "hide a key." It blends in wonderfully with a studio and craft room

This month's ODD BIRD PLANET monthly special is now available. To purchase each stamp separately would cost $32, but with this month's special now on, you can get all the stamps shown above for $26. How? Visit here.

Tutorial Tuesday - Peel-Off's

Welcome to my weekly tutorial here at Sunflower's and Dragonflies. Have you noticed how popular Peel-Offs are lately? Every rubberstamp and scrapbook store that I go into seems to have Peel-Offs by Magenta, and other brands similar in nature. This is my first tutorial with Peel-Offs, with more to come in the future. Pattern is my own design. Enjoy!

Supplies:
Peel-Offs
Peel-Offs permanent markers (or other permanet marker)
3 3/4" x 10 3/4" cardstock for base
two - 3 1/4" x 4" cardstock for decoration
Matt - optional
Vellum
Scor-Pal or score blade
bead
eyelit









Score base at 2 1/4" and 6 10/16"













Place Peel-Offs onto vellum.










Colour Peel-Offs as desired.







The edge of the card should be oval. Use a Coluzzle if you wish. I cut the Peel-Offs alone the Peel-Offs edge.









Put decorative cardstock through the Cuttlebug.









Matt front decorative cardstock (optional)









Place an eyelit on the Peel-Offs approx 1/2" above edge. Close card and decide on placement for the brad on the decorative cardstock. Place brad 2" from the edge of the card.








Peel apart the threads of cross-stitch thread, keeping three together which you will use to thread through the bead as shown.












Put the thread through the eyelit as shown. Tie around brad.












Finished card.

Lime Tart Reveal

Round and round we go. Squeeker bird just loves to be involved with roundness. It makes for an interesting card, wouldn't you agree? This stamp can be found in this months Lime Tart kit.

Passion. For me it has been circle cards and sewing on cards. I can't get enough of them both!

What does passion mean to you? Drop me a note and share, won't you.

Stamps: Odd Bird Planet

Passion Meets Tempting

Welcome back folks! Today we have Ms. Owl joining us once again. Wow, look at the embellishments today. The cute summer-time hat coordinates so well with Certainly Celery. Doesn't she look tempting surrounded in Tempting Turquoise? Yes, indeed Pink Passion is another bright colour that coordinates so well. True to her word, Ms. Norman uses Brilliant Blue again, just enough to say, "I'm working outside my box for my readers." Those brads are so interesting. And I see Ms. Norman's signature colour, once again. My heavens, how does she find coordinating pieces in Cool Caribbean? However she does it, she does it well. Those cute white polka dots are admired by all who enjoys Ms. Norman's style. She tells me they are made evenly with a white Souflee pen. Well, darn darling!

Saddle Up Them There Horses

Howdy folks! Possy up and join me for a while, won't you?

Now I hear you have been wanting to see some masculine cards. I'm as masculine as I can get--even if I do have a baby face. But aren't I cute?! I'd be cute on a birthday invitation, birthday card, possy card, or whatever your little heart desires. I'm slipp'n into an envelope and travelling down to them there Mississippi for my nephew's birthday. I'm a little late, but I don't think he'll mind.



Stamp: Rubbernecker.
Paper: Daisyd

Ms. Owl is Back

Welcome back. If you caught yesterday's strut down the isle, you'll be in for a bigger treat today. Why? Because Ms. Owl's accessory artist is here to share some of her inside secrets.

Announcer: Ms. Norman, how interesting that you should look as eccentric and stylish as Ms. Owl. How do you do it?

Ms. Norman: Well, thank you--I think. I guess it goes back as far as I can remember. Everyone has an eccentric and quirky family member--even if one doesn't care to admit it--and I guess I have always been "that" person in my family. Every pair of glasses I have ever owned has always been out-there. If there is a piece of clothing or jewelery that is funky and fun, I have it!

Announcer: How would you describe your colour sense?

Ms. Norman: Sense or nonsense? It's all the same--it just depends how one looks at it. For example, I am not afraid of colour, and my home has always reflected that. While some family members (I won't embarrass anyone by stating names) prefer anemic household colours, I love a punch. My upstairs hall is orange and is smooshed with terricotta--a much darker orange-brown. Today's card reflects my sense of experimentation. How? By using S.U.'s Barely Blue. It isn't a colour I use much, but because I want to make my viewers happy, I like to work outside the box a little. Barely Blue is combined with the ever-so-popular Certainly Celery. What doesn't coordinate with Certainly Celery. It is also lovely with Cool Caribbean, and we all know how much I love Cool Caribbean.

Announcer: How do you like to coordinate, or is it embellish?

Ms. Norman: Well, one thing is for certain, one can never over-embellish. I always stick as close to the truth as I can, with lots of embellishment--LOL. Today Ms. Owl rises to the occasion with another lovely coordinated hand bag from K& Company. K & Company knows how to please the ladies, and this year has taken on a whole new look. No longer can I walk by any isle without inviting K&Company along. I believe we look stunning together. Just look at Ms. Owl. She is tickled blue, with her new handbag.

Announcer: Well, Ms. Norman. I thoroughly enjoyed getting the inside track to your colour sense. Do you think you can join me again this week?

Ms. Norman: Darling, I'm here to please you all. My mind is always on my readers and viewers. Thank you for the invitation, I certainly will be back. Stay tuned for something from Rubbernecker tomorrow; my owls need a rest.

Who Loves Purses

Who who loves purses? I do, I do. And Ms. Owl does too.

Strutting down the isle today we have Ms. Owl, from Pink Cat Studio. Doesn't she look hip in those glasses and hat? Here she is now, carrying a coordinating handbag from K&C. My, my, every lady loves to have a new purse, and this will fit any pocketbook; the price is too good to pass by folks. Look at her walk. Doesn't she look proud coordinating with the background paper in Taken With Teal, Real Red, Pixie Pink, Brilliant Blue, and like any good girl should have--a hint of black. Powerful without being too over-stated. Wouldn't you say?

Folks, you will see her strut her stuff down the isle again this week, so stay tuned for another chapter in Ms. Owl's life.

Until tomorrow, take care.

Squeeker Bird

Did you have a nice Canada Day? I enjoyed the day with some friends. Today I am at the start of a gruling training schedule at work. My schedule is this: work five days, have one off, then work a stretch of six days with one off, followed by four days, and then two off. So far I'm loving my new job. Unlike the transcription department, admitting is full of life and fun. I am actually allowed to talk and socialize now. Can you believe that we actually got in trouble by talking in transcription? My chatty nature is coming out again, so watch out girlfriends!

Here is a sneak peak into the full Lime Tart Kit that will be revealed by the Odd Bird Planet on July 7th. The kit will include Squeeker Bird.

To make this card, cut the main card with a Coluzzle, as well as the designer paper. Sew dp. Cut Squeeker Bird with Nestabilities. Mount paper flowers and finish off with white dots using the white Souflee pen.

Thank you for stopping by.

Tutorial Tuesday - Scratch and Sniff

It's Tutorial Tuesday, once again, here at Sunflowers and Dragonflies. Today's tutorial was inspired by my girlfriend, Sue Gatza. Sue taught this technique at our SU Stamper's 12 group, and we all thought this was a very fun card to make.

In today's tutorial I used sugar-free Crystal light. The colour turned out less vibrant than the sugar-free Jello we used at Sue's party. When I do this technique again, I will use sugar-free Jello because I love the results better. Enjoy!


Supplies:

Sugar-free Crystal Light or Sugar-Free Jello
Clear Embossing Powder
Small bowl
VersaMark
Embossing Gun (not in photo)







Mix one teaspoon of sugar free powder with one teaspoon of clear embossing powder.













Place your stamp onto VersaMark pad and stamp out your image.








Sprinkle on the sugar free/embossing powder mixture and heat emboss.













Whalaa. Time to scratch and sniff. Three different powders were used.







Suggestions for Scratch and Sniff:

• Children's party invitations
• Children's birthday cards
• Scrapbook layouts
• Hidden tags in altered books
• Pop up cards

May I Have This Dance

Have you seen these Odd Bird Planet stamps? This series of old-fashion birds are my favourites. If you click on the photo you will see that I coloured the dresses with Prismacolor pencil crayons and then painted over top with Twinkling H2O's. There are even some crystals decorating the dresses.

Don't forget that there is a draw for some blog candy on July 4th. All you have to do is link me up to your one layer card.

Thank you for stopping by.

One Layer Challenge and Blog Candy

Here is my second attempt at a one layer card. I challenge you to create a one layer card and link me up for a chance to win some blog candy. I will draw a name on Friday, July 4th.

Stamps: Odd Bird Planet

Fanciful Flowers

Happy Friday everyone!

Are you one-layer challenged like I am? Every now and again I attempt a simple, clean, one-layer card, and today I am sharing my attempt with you.

I would love to see your one-layer cards. If you link me up, I'll post your cards on my blog.

Thank you for stopping by.

Stamps: Odd Bird Planet

Blog Candy Giveaway

Oh my, don't you just love this set? Lucky for me, it's a blog giveaway over at Starving Artists, so I have the opportunity to win. All you have to do to enter, is visit their blog, post their blog candy, and link them up to your blog. That's it.

Good-luck to everyone.

Proud Mom and Limetart News

Can you tell that Sarah and Adam
are close?
Adam went to visit Sarah, who
is working in Toronto.

I love this picture so much
and just had to share.

As you know, I'm a scrapbooker. Now I am a very happy scrapbooker because Australia's Limetart kits are now being sold at the Odd Bird Planet.

Tutorial Tuesday - Golden Gel Transfer

It's Tutorial Tuesday, once again, at Sunflowers and Dragonflies. There are a couple of ladies on Splitcoast Stampers who are anxiously awaiting today's Golden gel transfer tutorial. There is a wide range of pictures that can be used with this technique. Dover Publications has awesome copyright free images. If you sign up for their newsletter, you get free images sent along with each newsletter. You can use photos, images from the web, and even something printed off in Word.

I hope this tutorial leaves you filled with inspiration. If you do a transfer, link me up. I'd love to see what you did.



Supplies:

Image (shown here is a Dover book with coloured pictures)
sponge stick
Golden gel medium















Golden gel medium is used for this tutorial.












Photocopy your image on an ink jet printer.















Trim your edges to the size of your coaster. Another option is to tear the edges for a unique look.











Sponge on an even layer of Golden gel medium. Cover the entire surface of your picture. Let dry completely (approx 30 minutes) before adding layer 2. Once dry, ad layer 3.









Continue adding coats 3, 4 and 5. Dry between each coat. Let dry completely (about 3 hours)before moving to the next step.












Dip your fingers into water and gently rub off paper backing.













Continue to dip your fingers into the water and rub off the paper backing.












All the rubbing has been finished.












You can see from this photo that the gel transfer is paper thin.













Spread a layer of gel medium over your coaster and place the image on top.












Place your image on top of the coaster and brush one or two coats of gel medium on top. Once dry, spray protection over top.















This is a painting that I did. In the bottom right hand corner you will see a large area where I did a gel transfer. This demonstrates that no item is too large to make this transfer successful.




Close-up of my gel transfer. If you are going to do a transfer using words, you must transpose it backwards in your Word program prior to printing. If you do not, your words will end up backwards.