purple onion designs - more sweets & treats

It got a little crazy in my kitchen when I was working on my projects for Purple Onion Designs...cookies, cake, hot chocolate, and wine were involved:)

First up, I used the Coffee & Tea set to make this little tag for what I was hoping would be fluffy peppermint marshmallows.  This is what I get for not paying attention to my stand mixer...I completely overwhipped my homemade confection and ended up making peppermint taffy instead of marshmallows.  Um...they still tasted good though:)

Next, I showcased the little gingerbread man from Merry Thoughts for tags on cookie packages.  The cookies were almost too big to fit in my white lunch bags.  I think anyone would be happy to get such a yummy gift.  So easy to put together, too.

Up next -- a set of wine glass tags since we want to make sure we know which glass is ours, right?  No need to buy those metal charms, these will do just fine.  Plus, they're cute and colorful.  A perfect addition to little get together over a bottle of wine.

Lastly, I made a 6" round carrot cake from leftover batter from a previous baking gig.  I decorated it with Holiday Border Tapes adhered to a couple cakepop sticks.  I thought the dimensions of the border tapes would work really well with a small round cake.  My housemates appreciated it and devoured the cake.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season.  Thanks for stopping by!

purple onion designs - holiday sweets and treats

I had a lot of fun using stamps from Purple Onion Designs to make decorations and packaging for some baked goods.  The stamp images are so cute and whimsical, they just make me happy:)  First up, I baked red velvet cupcakes that are great on any day, but the striking red makes them even better for holiday gift-giving and celebrations.  The cupcake toppers were made with Merry Thoughts, a fun set containing a combination of wintery images and sentiments.

I also made almond tea cookies aka Mexican Wedding cookies.  I have made these cookies for baby and wedding showers, but I love making them around the holidays because they look like snowballs.  The simple sign was made using Merry Thoughts.

Finally, snowball cookies in a bag with a cute little snowman in the front, using Winterberry and Winter Wishes! sentiment set.

Baking orders have picked up and I'm excited to be in the kitchen and get to work...though when you enjoy something this much, it really doesn't feel like work.  So thankful that I have the cute Purple Onion Designs to play around with.  They really do elevate a simple treat into something super sweet:)

Check out Purple Onion Designs' holiday sale going on right now.  All stamps are 25% until December 10th.  Yes ya'll, ALL!

Thanks for stopping by.

owl I want for Christmas...

Oh, how I love puns!!!  And, oh how I love the movie Love Actually!!!  And, so does my friend Gary, who asked me to make Christmas cards for him this year.  When I saw Lawn Fawn's Winter Owl, I just *knew* this would be perfect for him.

See, Gary is a Mariah Carey fan, and not your average fan who enjoys one of her tunes from time to time.  Gary owns her piano books, has been to her concerts, and even had a Mariah (or Gariah) -themed birthday party one year.  We all had to prepare Mariah songs to sing at a karaoke spot.  Memorable!

When I showed Gary this stamp set, he said he loved it.  He then proceeded to ask me if I could make his Christmas cards have Mariah Carey on them with her arm extended, on which the winter owl would be perched.  I said no...that this would have to do.

This card will be submitted to Lawnscaping Challenge, where we had to incorporate polka dots into our project.  Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies:
Stamps: Lawn Fawn Into the Woods, Winter Owl
Inks: Versafine (onyx black)
Dies: Lawn Fawn Winter Owl
Other: Lawn Fawn Into the Woods, Peace Joy Love, kraft paper

sparkle and shine

It's been a while since I've made any cards, the reason which I'll blog about another day.  All I know is that I have a bunch of thank you/you're amazing cards that I need to make to show my gratitude.  Happy to be back in the groove of things and to be participating in CASology's challenge where we have to incorporate the key word "bell" into a card.  Here's mine:

I used one of my favorite holiday stamp sets: Winter Wonderland by Mama Elephant.  The sentiments stamp out soooo clearly and sharply.  And, I didn't even think you could strike a balance between cute and classy, but Mama Elephant figured it out.

I *think* those are bells on deers antlers?  My roommate says they're ornaments, but I looked really closely and the bell images have the tiny little notches on the bottom...you know, the holes in the bells that let you hear them ring.  Bells or ornaments...I'm going with bells.

Hope everyone is doing well.  Thank you for stopping by.

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant Winter Wonderland, No Peeking
Inks: Mama Elephant (ocean, winter); Versamark (onyx black)
Other: Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear)

holiday cupcake boxes

Here's a quick post to showcase these cute little cupcake boxes I made that feature the Holiday Border Tape Set from Purple Onion Designs.

I used the holiday sentiment borders to serve as bands around the little boxes.   And they really are little...just the right size to hold a mini cupcake.  I sprinkled a few sequins in there just for a size reference.

I've been asked to make favors for weddings and showers; these borders can work for holiday themed favors.  I think party guests would be so happy to take one of these home.

Thanks for stopping by!  Check out all the goodies at Purple Onion Designs.  Their holiday stamps are so much fun!  And, if you want some inspiration, check out the design team's creations on the Purple Onion Design blog.  

it's your birthday!

I was asked to make yet another cutesy birthday card for a 13 year old, so I went right back to my Femme Frames dies from Mama Elephant.  I think these will become my go-to die duo for feminine cards.  I do love them so.

This card will be entered into the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge that uses this sketch.

My card design might be a very loose interpretation of the sketch, so I hope it still qualifies for the challenge!

I threw in some sequins and a bit of glitter because nothing says happy birthday like a little sparkle:)

Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant Party Kit; Lawn Fawn Year Three
Inks: Mama Elephant (ocean, winter); Memento (tuxedo black); Memento Luxe (pear tart, rhubarb stalk, sweet plum)
Dies: Lawn Fawn Stitched Journal
Other: sequins; Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear)

bonjour

Bonjour!

What a day, what a day, what a DAY!!!

I'm floating and feeling great.  First, it's marathon Sunday, my favorite NYC-day of the year...thousands of runners test their strength and endurance, and take to a course through all five boroughs, while even more thousands cheer them on.  I love it...makes me feel inspired and reminds me how strong and connected we all are.

Next, I was asked to be part of a very special scavenger hunt for two of my friends that ultimately ended up in a wedding proposal!  I got to give a hint along the way...my friends came to visit me at the chocolate store where I work, where I gave them 2 cupcakes that had the clue to the next stop.  Even though I wasn't able to make it to the last stop on the hunt -- the proposal stop -- I was just happy to be part of this beautiful day.  Love is wonderful thing.

And finally, one of my idols came to the store.  MARTHA STEWART!  I love her!  She came by 2 years ago on a super busy day, but I still managed to break away and take a picture with her.  Today wasn't so busy, so Martha and her grandkiddies were able to just hang out for about 20 minutes, unnoticed and unbothered.  In fact, I think I was the one chatting it up with her the most!  Haha!  Won't pass up a chance to talk to her...we chatted about turkeys, cookies, construction in the neighborhood...we even fixed a wobbly table that had led to one of the grandkiddies to tip a little cup of chocolate milk.  Got everyone cleaned up and I got another picture with her.  When she and the kids left the store, I let all my giggles go and a customer asked me why I was so giddy.  I told her that Martha had just left the building and she and other customers couldn't believe they didn't see her.  I guess it's better that way.   Got more time for my chat with her haha! I'm such a nut!

So in the spirit of love, I made this...

Since most of the fun today took place at the French chocolate store where I work, I used my Bonjour set from Avery Elle.  I wanted to make the tag look like the ornate tin ceiling in the store.  It adds to the charm of the whole place, so to mimic it, I embossed and added some glitter.  Here's the sketch I used:

This card will be entered into the Avery Elle October Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Avery Elle Bonjour
Ink: Tim Holtz (antique linen, vintage photo, worn lipstick); Versamark
Other: Ribbon 

missing you already

My sister is the best.  The best I said.  So, I'm dedicating this post and card to her.  Recently, my sister came to New York to hang out with me and we had an awesome time.   Yes, I miss her already.  I started missing her the moment I waved goodbye at the airport.

My lives in California and I'm in New York, so we don't see each other very often.  In my last two jobs, I was fortunate enough to travel to California a lot for work so I got to spend time with my sister pretty often, but my current job doesn't require travel.  Good for this aging body of mine, but I do miss our time together.  We like to craft, cook, chat, eat, walk, and dance together.  And, sometimes we laugh until our bellies hurt.  I love that.  My sis is a true artist and such a genuine, strong, passionate person.

Random thing to point out -- the pigeon washi tape.  I made it from double-sided tape and tissue paper from Brooklyn Industries, a hip clothing store.  I can't afford their stuff so I only shop at their semi-annual sample sale.  And when I pass by a store, even if I don't buy stuff, I ask for their tissue paper.  Where else can you get pigeon paper?  And, what says NYC more than a pigeon, huh?

Here's my sister, Lynn, being her clever and nutty self.  It was fun to go to a bunch of Brooklyn signs and have her add an "N".

My sister hopes to come back and visit me in the springtime, perhaps along with our brother.  Fingers and toes crossed that we can make it happen.  Love my family so much.

This card will be entered into the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant (Midnight Letters); Simon Says Stamp (Life is a Journey)
Inks: Copic markers; Memento Luxe (rhubard stalk); Tim Holtz (spun sugar, tattered rose); Versamark
Dies: Lawn Fawn (Say Cheese); Paper Smooches (Super 2)
Other: Simon Says Stamp small banner stencils

i'm so thankful

Thank goodness for Pinterest!  Before I started pinning on my many boards, I used to just bookmark recipes, gift ideas, and baking projects that caught my eye...and then typically forget about them.  Now, through Pinterest, I get to organize all these projects I want to try and photos that inspire me.  So, this Lawnscaping Challenging -- a Pinterest inspired challenge -- was definitely fun for me.  Here's the pin I chose.

I love this time of year.  I love the leaves, the colors, wearing a bunch of layers, even the cold wind.  Here's my literal take on my pin.

I had a chance to try out my new Winter in the Park set by Lawn Fawn.  Love this set!  I also got to bring out a bunch of my ink pads and just go to town.  And, I got to use some distress powder that I received in my goodie bag from Damask Love Live.

My Pinterest pin inspired me to make this card, and this card is inspiring me to go to the park and sit on a bench:) Ha!

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Fall to you!

Supplies:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn Winter in the Park, Happy Feast (the tiny heart), Riley's ABCs (the tiny period to make dots)

Inks: Delicata (golden glitz); Memento (tuxedo black); Memento Luxe (dandelion, espresso truffle, love letter, morocco); Tim Holtz (frayed burlap, tea dye, vintage photo)

Other: uni-ball pen (gold); Tim Holtz distress powder (vintage photo); Martha Stewart glitter (iridescent hexigonal)

made with LOve

I lost count of all the different names my friends have suggested for my future baking business.  Bashland Bakery was a front runner for a while (backstory: my house, which is on Ashland Place, was lovingly renamed "Bashland" for all the get-togethers I host), but after testing it with a range of folks, I came to find out the "bash" doesn't mean celebration or party to anyone under the age of 30.  It apparently has a negative connotation.  Anyhoo, another popular suggestion was Made with LOve, where the LO in love is purposely capitalized.  My friends call me Lo, hence the emphasis on the Lo in Love in this tag:)

This is a last minute entry into the CAS-ual Friday Challenge; this week the theme is Tags and Bags.  Couldn't pass up the opportunity to bake off some chocolate chip cookie dough that's been hanging out in my refrigerator, so I rolled it out, popped it in the oven, made a half-box from pattern paper, stuck the cookies in there, and repurposed a plastic bag and some burlap ribbon from an old gift bag.  It was a make-it-work moment, and I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant (No Peeking)
Inks: Mama Elephant (ocean, winter); Memento (tuxedo black); Memento Luxe (rhubarb stalk)
Dies: Mama Elephant (Embellished Tag and Femme Frames)
Paper: My Minds Eye (Wonderful Winter)

love and endless gratitude

I received word last night that one of my teachers from high school passed away.  This blog is dedicated to her, Ms. Fern Wallace.  I am full of love and endless gratitude.

Ms. Wallace.  Funny that thinking about her brings a warmth...and a bit of fear...in my heart.  Before I got to know her, I was so intimidated by her.  She was Elk Grove High School's Activities Director during my time there, advising student clubs and student government.  She expected the best of her students and she didn't hold back from letting us know when we could give more and try harder.  Looking back, I think Ms. Wallace had more confidence in me than I had in myself.  I had been active in student government, sports, and clubs throughout high school and when Ms. Wallace saw me slipping, she let me know.

Ms. Wallace cared about her students like we were her own kids.  She took the time to know our goals and hopes, and she challenged us to bring them to life.  She'd joke around with us and validate us on our hard work.  I know that I worked hard to make her proud of me.

After I graduated, I came by to visit former teachers at my high school a few times.  I always had to find Ms. Wallace during my visits.  I remember catching up with her once when she told me, "You can call me Fern now."  Now, in my culture, we always address adults with a title of respect -- Ms, Mr, uncle, auntie -- so it was difficult for me and I just couldn't bring myself to call Ms. Wallace by her first name.  I would feel disrespectful in doing so.  Well today, I reflected about that exchange and I think I understand what my teacher, my mentor was conveying to me.  She saw us as equals and colleagues...two people with mutual respect for one another.  I know I wouldn't be who I am today without her guidance and genuine support.  And it is with love and endless gratitude that I say: Thank you, Fern.

This card for Fern will be submitted into the 10 Minute Craft Dash hosted by Pretty Pink Posh.  It took me 8 minutes and 51 seconds to make.  But, I actually made 3 cards before this one that either didn't look good enough, or where I ran out of time.  Fern always told me not to give up, so I'm happy to report that I didn't:)  After many years, your influence still remains.  You will always be in my heart.

Supplies:
Stamps: Paper Smooches Many Thanks, Reflections, Word Salad; Papertrey Ink Grand Ampersand
Dies: Paper Smooches Reflections
Inks: Mama Elephant (ocean); Memento (tuxedo black); Memento Luxe (Pistachio, Rhubarb Stalk)
Other: black enamel accents; Wink of Stella glitter brush (clear)

yay for a day with family and new friends!

Thank goodness I'm off today as I'm recovering from a busy and fulfilling weekend.  My sister is in town from Cali and we've been working like madwomen since the moment she touched ground.  First, I'm so thankful that she's here.  I've been wanting her to visit me in NYC for a while now (and ahem...she's visited our brother in Hawaii 4 times since the last time she came out to NYC...just sayin').  Secondly, sister time is the best.  So, with that I say yay!

My sister and I had the pleasure of baking for and attending Mama Elephant's 1-year anniversary party in New Jersey.  We both seriously love their products and when we met Kryssi and Angela, the two amazing women behind the magic, we knew exactly why.  They are the sweetest.  And so humble and down to earth.  We had a chance to craft with fellow fans, try out their new products, get to know some of the east coast stamping family, and just have a good time.  And for that, I say another yay!

Here are some photos of the party taken by my partner in crime, Hervay.  He came along for the fun and now really understands how crafting can bring people together.

Checking out the display of Mama Elephant's complete collection.

Some of the desserts made by yours truly;)

I used a Mama Elephant border stamp for my little signs.  Ha!

You know, I've seen lots of companies and organizations in their beginning years.  I've seen them struggle to figure out who they are and what they're about and take years to reach a level of maturity and self-awareness...One of the many things I admire about Mama Elephant is that Kryssi and Angela figured it out from the start.  They are thoughtful, meticulous, and full of integrity.  Plus, their talent is incomparable.  They've reached a level of professionalism that I strive for.

I tend to operate with some very simple mottoes in life, one being support good people.  I know that I don't have a lot of money to just throw around, so each dollar I spend I consider to be a decision or a vote.  So, when I come across a company like Mama Elephant that is high in quality and run by wonderful people, well hey, they get my vote.

Kryssi, me, Angela, my sister, Lynn

I'm just going to throw in a third yay here.  I won one of the raffle prizes.  Can I have had a more awesome day?  I don't think so.

So happy my sister is here with me.  So happy that we made new friends.  Congrats Kryssi and Angela!  Happy 1-year anniversary and to many many more to come.  Cheers!

This card will be entered into the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge and the Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge.

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant Central Park, Party Kit
Inks: Mama Elephant Creative Color (ocean); Memento Luxe (grey flannel, pear tart, rhubarb stalk)
Dies: Mama Elephant Party Kit