Repurposed Packaging

This is another item that you will see at the March 8th Craft Sale at Hudsonville High School.  I hope to see you there.

I have made these before with a Christmas theme and they sold very well.  I had so many empty Red Line Sticky Strip packages left over (I rarely throw stuff out if I think I can repurpose it) and with graduation right around the corner with a craft sale coming up I thought it would be perfect.

On the back side I added a little envelope that I made using the PUNCH BOARD so that this could hold a gift card - the perfect gift for a graduate.

Sorry about the hazy photo the light was coming through the blinds

So once again here are the details for the Craft Sale:
WHERE: Hudsonville High School, 5037 32nd Ave, Hudsonville
WHEN: Saturday, March 8
TIME: 10am to 2pm
WHO: this craft sale benefits the Hudsonville High School Orchestra.  If we don't do well then we will no longer participate so it is up to you to come (at least) check us out

Let me know if you saw my blog post, Facebook post or Pinterest and I will have a small gift for you.

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Today I thought I would share a yummy recipe with you.  I have been buying the Daiya brand of dairy free cream cheese and it is pretty expensive so when I had some left over from a previous recipe  I didn't want the rest to go bad.  My sister gave me this recipe for Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cupcakes and she had switched it up to be gluten free so I went one step further and used dairy free cream cheese and dairy free sour cream.  We also eliminate the vinegar because it plays havoc with our sinuses and the only reason people put the vinegar (along with the baking soda) to a recipe like this is to add more carbon dioxide (yea, I researched it)  I will give you the regular recipe and you can change it up like we did if you need to for your own diet restrictions.  I think they are pretty yummy!  I will be bringing them with me to church tonight for out Girls Night Out Event.  See you there!

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cupcakes
(from Cookie Madness via My Baking Adventures)

Fillling:
4 oz cream cheese softened (I used Daiya dairy free)
2 T granulated sugar (I used pure organic cane sugar) (unrefined)
1 1/2 tsp lightly beaten egg (break egg, mix with fork, measure)
1/4 tsp vanilla

Batter:
1 C plus 2 T flour (I used gluten free)
2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt
1/2 C vegetable oil
2/3 C sugar (I used pure organic cane sugar) (unrefined)
1 tsp vinegar (I  omit this)
1 large egg
1 T red food coloring
3/4 tsp vanilla
3 T sour cream (I used dairy free)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 8-10 muffin cps with paper liners

prepare filling first. With a mixing spoon, beat together softened cream cheese and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and stir until smooth.  Set aside

In a mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt

In a second mixing bowl, stir together oil, sugar, vinegar, egg, red food color, vanilla and sour cream.   Mix very well, then add the flour mixture and stir just until well blended

Measure out approximately 1/3 C red mixture and set aside. Divide remaining red mixture between the muffin cups - each should be a little over 1/3 of the way full. Spoon cream cheese mixture over red mixture, dividing evenly between all cups. Drop small spoonfuls of reserved red batter on top of cream cheese mixture, making a bullseye pattern.

Bake for 20-23 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.

Best served Chilled

I hope you give these a try no matter what variety you like (gluten free or the regular)

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi

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Pinterest Inspired

This cute idea was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest so thought I would make some up for the next craft on March 8th.

Gracie let me draw a cut out of her hand to use as a template for the hands behind the tags.  I thought these would be a great idea for end of year gifts for the teachers.

I went to My Digital Studio to make the tags, then I stamped the arrows on the bottom using the TAPE IT stamp set in the current catalog.

I hope you can pop in to see us at the Hudsonville High School, 5037 32nd Ave., Hudsonville from 10am to 2pm.  Be sure to tell me that you saw this post on my blog, on Pinterest or on Facebook and I will have a small gift for you.

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

Slow Cooker Root Vegetable Stew

I posted on Facebook yesterday that I was making this for our dinner and I got several comments and people wanting the recipe.  I got his recipe from my sister, and where she got it, I have no idea.  I hope you like it

Have you ever seen these slow cooker liners?  We love them - saves so much time in your clean up

Channeling my inner Julia Childs while I diced up my onion  (I love the movie Julie and Julia)

Dale helps me to cut the butternut squash (I've lost so much strength in my hands from breaks, surgeries and cake decorating over the years), but once it gets into manageable size I can do the peeling and chopping.
1# Butternut Squash

1# of carrots

 1# of Sweet Potatoes

 1# of Yukon Gold Potatoes

 Everything is chopped up

 Celery - 2 stems

 6 cloves of garlic

 Fresh Sage leaves

Fresh Kale - this you will add at the very end, just before serving.  A great source of vitamins

Add it all to your crock pot with your spices and cook

Here it is in recipe form:

SLOW COOKER ROOT VEGETABLE STEW

1 large white onion, chopped (I was channeling my inner Julia Child on this part)
1 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 lb carrots, peeled, and chopped
1 lb sweet potato, peeled and chopped
1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
6 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced thin
3 C chicken broth (or vegetable broth) - I used Chicken broth this time around
1 bay leaf
1 T fresh sage leaves, finely chopped (I have some extra sitting here that needs to be used up-first come first served)
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 C chopped fresh kale

Add all the ingredients to a slow cooker except for the kale, carefully stir to combine (this makes a lot), Cook on low heat 6-8 hours until the vegetables are tender.  Remove bay leaf, and carefully stir in the kale.  Let the stew continue cooking for another 10 minutes.  Season with additional salt and pepper if needed

Serve immediately

Sometimes it is just good to give your body a break from meat so we love this meatless meal - well, I think Dale would love a little chicken or something on the side, but he sure is a trooper with all my new recipes.

ENJOY!! 
and thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

Red Hot Sketch Challenge #115

Another Red Hot Sketch Challenge to share with you all.

This is what we had to work with...

The first thing I thought of when I saw this sketch challenge was that it looked like a scrap book page so I went with that thought. Here is my take on it...

These are our two amazing grand children, Tyler (11) and Gracie (8).  The sentiment "Grandkids, it's the little things that make you smile" comes from the frame that Jeff and Jess gave us at Christmas when they announced that they were expecting.  When the new grandbaby arrives this summer I can take out the photo of me holding the frame and put in a picture of the new baby.  I can hardly wait!

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

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Happy Birthday Melissa

Yesterday was our daughter (in-law), Melissa's birthday.  Our son, Joey, called and asked if I could make a cake for Melissa.  I thought that was so sweet.  He was planning to make her a nice dinner and wanted to surprise her with a cake.  The theme of their wedding 18 months ago was butterflies and the color scheme was Tempting Turquoise and Green Galore so he wanted to have a butterfly cake with those colors.  I love how it turned out!

I added the edible glitter to it so you can see how it sparkles.

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

Jitter Monkey

The story goes like this...
When my dad was a teenager there was a comic strip in the newspaper about a monkey named Jitter.  His buddies all thought that my dad resembled this Jitter Monkey (nice friends, right!) and therefore started calling him Jitter.  It stuck!

My dad loved to draw this monkey every so often and tell his story, because who else do you know with a nickname of Jitter?

After playing with the UNDEFINED Stamp Kit at Leadership I knew I was going to make up a stamp with my dad's Jitter Monkey on it.  I wanted to save a piece of something that is very dear to us.

Not sure what I will do with this stamp but I most certainly will treasure it FOREVER!  I made up a card that I can give to him on his next birthday.  I used a color and layout design by Linda Heller.

YOU can do this too, and make a one-of-a-kind stamp.  UNDEFINED only costs $19.95 for the Carving Kit (#133402) which comes with 2 carving tools, 3"x4" rubber, 3"x4" foam, 4 wood blocks (various sizes), 1 Island Indigo Marker, 3 Postcards, Instruction Sheet, Stamp image templates

The REFILL KIT (#134808) only costs $9.95 and includes 3"x4" rubber, 3"x4" foam, 4 wood blocks (various sizes) and an instruction sheet.

If you want to make your one-of-a-kind-stamp into a clear mount stamp you can purchase the CLEAR MOUNT CLING FOAM for only $10.95 (#124236).  this comes with 2 pages of Cling Foam.  I love this stuff because I can take my Stampin' Wheels and turn them into a clear mount stamp.  No more crooked lines for me!!

Just think you can make one of your child's drawing creations into a personal stamp that you can keep FOREVER!!

Click HERE to purchase the UNDEFINED Kits
Click HERE to shop on line with me

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

Red Hot Stamper Sketch Challenge #114

Here is the Red Hot Stamper Sketch Challenge #114

And here is my take on it...

I used the Stamp Set called POMP and CIRCUMSTANCE in the Occasions catalog on page 29 (#134168 Clear mount) for only $14.95

Here is how I made the inside...  I chose the Maize and Blue theme (Daffodil Delight and Midnight Muse) because those are our school colors here in Hudsonville MI and I knew I would be needing a ton of graduation cards again this year.

I pulled out some retired Designer Paper because the current offerings do not have what I wanted.  After I made my Sketch Challenge Card I had a ton of scraps left so thought I would give the Quilt Star Technique a try.  I saw this on France Martins blog and we used this technique in our Card Club last Monday.  I wanted to be able to show the ladies how you can use your scraps to make a really cool card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

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February My Paper Pumpkin

SO EXCITED!! My Paper Pumpkin Kit came in the mail Tuesday!!  Perfect timing as I was able to show this month's My Paper Pumpkin to the ladies who came to the COME STAMP WITH ME TUESDAY open house style class.

I couldn't wait to dig right into it yesterday.  Aren't these bags CUTE!!

And look at all the extras I had left over...

One of the gals suggested that they would make super cute Easter "basket" bags, and I had just the right amount of bags (5) in the kit for our kids and grand kids.  Now I can't wait to fill them up with goodies for Easter.

You can get in on the My Paper Pumpkin subscription at any time by going to mypaperpumpkin.com and subscribing.  Please add me as your demonstrator when prompted.  I really appreciate it CHRISTI WAITE HUDSONVILLE, MI

If you subscribe by March 31st  Stampin' Up! is going to throw in a 5 piece marker set in the 2012-2013 In colors of Primrose Petal, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green and Midnight Muse.

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi


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Guest Stamper - Becky C

Today I am sharing a super cute and creative card that my friend, Becky, made for Dale for his birthday.  I love how she even added the WAITE to the side of the pocket.  Clever! very clever indeed!!  When Becky gets her blog up and running I will post a link to it for you to see all her creations.

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

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Weekly Deals and so much more

Just wanted to keep you up on some great Stampin' Up! Deals

If you wish you had jumped on the My Paper Pumpkin deal when it started and now feel like you are missing out on some of the exclusive stamps then NOW you have the chance to purchase select My Paper Pumpkin Kits (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)
Click HERE to see the full flyer

Maybe you were one of the smart ones who purchased the My Paper Pumpkin Kits but wish you had more of the consumable supplies to make more.  Click on the link above to see which ones are available to you to purchase more of these (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)

NEW items added to the CLEARANCE RACK!  Up to 80% off - these too, are WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.  Click HERE to check out what is on the CLEARANCE RACK

WEEKLY DEALS for February 18-24

Click HERE to place an order or just to check it out more clearly

MY DIGITAL STUDIO: NEW RELEASES... if you have jumped on the My Digital Studio Band wagon you will want to see the newest MDS releases.  Click HERE to see more clearly and place your order.  There is no tax or shipping involved and the download comes right to you.  No need to pick up from me, etc.  

Just a reminder that the FREE MARKER DEAL is still on if you sign up for the My Paper Pumpkin

Click HERE to sign up for My Paper Pumpkin and to check out all the details. Please put me down as your demonstrator when asked - I really appreciate it! Christi Waite Hudsonville MI

Sale A Bration!!  Yeah!! this is the best time of the Stampin' Up! year and you still have time to get some FREE product.  Check it out HERE. Choose one free product with a $50 purchase, TWO free products with a $100 purchase - and so on and so forth...

A NEW Photopolymer stamp set called SANS and STRIPES only $13.95.  this is one the trending alphabet sets you will see in all areas of merchandising.  Time to get in on the trend!!

Fabulous Kit now available called HIP HIP HOORAY Card Kit.  Everything you need to make 20 cards for only $19.95.  Click HERE to purchase

I hope I haven't over whelmed you but I didn't want you to miss out on the great deals and new product!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

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Cakes!

I know this is a bit late to post but I just received the photos from the bride last week.  This wedding was in December and had a beautiful red, white and silver theme.  They made the cupcake stand to look like a Christmas Tree so all I needed to do was fill it up with delicious cupcakes.  The 6" cake on the top was for the bride and groom to cut into and the florist came and added all the flowers after I set it up, therefore the delay in getting a picture to show you.

This next cake was for a 50th birthday for a guy at church who loves his motorcycle.  I molded little motorcycles out of chocolate.

This super simple heart shaped cake was for Dale's Valentine's Day birthday and I made his FAVORITE: Red Cake!!  the icing for red cake is totally different than your basic buttercream icing so I went with whipped Bettercreme!  He said it is delicious!  It must be because the first ingredient on the label is high fructose corn syrup.  Guess he is eating this call all by himself!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

Circle Monogram Photopolymer Stamps

My newest favorite stamp(s) just arrived in my mailbox on Saturday!! WOOT WOOT!!  These CIRCLE MONOGRAM PHOTOPOLYMER STAMPS were introduced at the Leadership Conference in January, and I am so excited to share them with you.  These are the three that I designed

First I wanted a great return address stamp for Dale and I.  I must admit I am pretty impressed with the clear image it gives

When you place an order with me I will pop in a 3x3 thank you note in your bag

And now the inside can look like this!!

I also had one more made to stamp on the back of my cards.

I am one happy stamper!!

You can order yours using the item #132852 and only cost $23.95.  

Click HERE to view the Flyer

Don't forget that TODAY is the last day to get in on these WEEKLY DEALS

Click HERE to shop on line with me

There is still time to join the My Paper Pumpkin Subscription and get the FREE ($14.95 value) Markers.  Deadline to get this great deal is March 31st

Click HERE to sign up  Be sure to put me down as your demonstrator when asked - I would really appreciate it!!  Christi Waite, Hudsonville MI

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

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