Halloween Mani

Hi all another mani to share...

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Breast Cancer Awareness Mani

Hi all!  I know it's been a while since I have posted, just have not been in a crafty mood.
I have become obsessed with my nails ever since I discovered nail stamping.

"As we all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but it should not start or end in October, we should always be aware. Remember to do your self-breast exams, send reminder cards to your friends to get their mammograms, and accompany a friend to their appointment. Somehow, some way we have known someone who has battled this terrible disease; some have fought a good fight, but unfortunately, some lost the battle." ~LUFP

 God bless them all!

I wanted to share a manicure that I did for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

I am also going to link my mani to Link Up for Pink and D.L Art's Linky Pinky Party

Come join the fun for a great cause, check out some great projects and maybe even win a prize! 

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

My new nail obsession

How cool is that?!!  I used stamps that my boss had lying around

I just love it... I found a new toy to play with on my nails.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Off Topic GIVEAWAY ~ Closed

~~~~~  I WON~~~~~
I know this is not a usual post for this blog (heck this is a first post in a while), but who doesn't like a GIVEAWAY??!!  Well you have a chance of winning a GC to Bornprettystore.com.  Check it out!  Here is the link to get some entries to the giveaway.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Birthday Cards

Just wanted to pop in and share two Birthday cards I did with my kids for their friends joint party last week.

I used the "Look who's" .png's and the "Scalloped Shapes" pattern sets from Designs on Cloud 9 for these.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Catching up...

 Well it certainly has been a while since I posted... 

I have been so tired and lazy lately its kind of scary, so scary that I went to the Dr. and got some blood work, still waiting on results.

Well enough about my woes, lets do some project catch ups...

All the following items have been made using files from Designsoncloud9.com

Cute little print and cut end of school year treats for my Daughter's Class mates.

Engagement gift for Hubs Nephew and Fiance'

I used an Air Eraser to Etch the glasses

Frame for my Mother using vinyl and handmade paper flowers

Another Print and cut end of the year gift for my Daughters Teacher 

it contains movie size candy, couple bags of microwave popcorn and a Gift Voucher to Redbox

and finally a random card that I made

I think we are all caught up...

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Cow-a-Bunga! Dude

Hi, just wanted to share a layout I did of my kids doing a little body boarding...

I used "Surf and Turf" (this months FREE with purchase file) 

I made the cows using mulberry paper so they are soft and fuzzy,

and "ribbon slides" pattern from Designs on Cloud 9

Closer look at first page 

 and closer look at page 2.

I used Joy's Life stamps "My Hero" set for the sentiments on the ribbon slidders.

Thanks for looking!

Hugs, Staci

Happy Memorial Day!

Land of the FREE

because of the BRAVE!

Thank you to all who served and are currently serving!

Hugs, Staci

Altered Wood Frame

Hey there! My last DT project for Joyslife.com was a Home Decor project.
This was a tough one for me, but this is what we came up with.

I bought one of those unfinished wooden frames from Michael's covered it with a patterned paper of her choice, inked the edges then we stamped all the words she chose from the Joyslife.com stamp set 

"Everyday Occasions".

I cut some patterns from Designs on Cloud 9 ~ I used the magnolia flower from the "Fancy Flowers" set and the rose from the "Curly Flowers" set to make the dimensional flowers.

Needed to add a little bling on the frame so I followed some of the swirls on the paper with Stickles and glued on some skittles or dew drops over the flowers in the pattern.

 Whala.... a pretty little girly frame.  

I may take it to work with me or give it to my daughter for her room.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Green Fork and Spoon

This post is off the typical topic of my blog, but I thought it was totally worth mentioning!

I received a great gift for Mother's Day.

It is a box of organic snacks (always different), some sample sizes, some full sizes.

Look at the nice presentation when you open the box (made from recycled materials)

the thank you card can be planted using your box and it contains herb seeds.

Check out the video here

You get a card of all the goodies that are in the box

and it is chocked full of stuff

look at all that stuff... oh you may notice I broke into the Asiago Crisps...Mmmmm!

there are even a few coupons too.

If you are looking to smarter snacks, this is a good option for you to try some stuff out.

Check em out at...

HERE

They also have a Facebook page

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Mother's Day Tea time

    Just wanted to share a cute little easel card I made for my Grandmother for Mother's Day.

I used Designs on Cloud 9 's "Latte Bears"

and Joyslife.com  "That tastes Punny" and "Holiday Occasions" stamp sets

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Kahlua Brownies w/ Brown Butter Kahlua icing

Oh these look so fudgey and yummy!!

  

kahlua brownies w/ brown butter kahlua icing
Yield: 16 brownies
Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 45 min
These are a FUDGY sort of brownie (the best kind)… not a cakey brownie to be found in this bunch.

Ingredients:
BROWNIES:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons Kahlua (or another coffee liqueur), divided

ICING:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 Tablespoons kahlua
1 Tablespoon whipping cream
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar (more or less), sift after measuring

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9x9-inch pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Prepare brownies: In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

3. Set a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (pan shouldn't be touching the water). Place butter and chocolate chips in bowl and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool a bit.

4. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, mix sugar, eggs and 1/2 cup Kahlua. Pour in buttery chocolate mixture and beat until mixed well. Mix in dry ingredients and beat just until combined.

5. Pour brownie batter into prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until top cracks slightly and toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean (it might be slightly gooey on the bottom of the toothpick- that's okay!) Remove brownies from oven and immediately brush warm brownies with 2 Tablespoons of Kahlua. Let brownies cool completely. I like to refrigerate them after they have cooled down a bit.

6. Prepare Icing: Place butter in saucepan and heat until lightly browned. Remove from heat and add Kahlua & whipping cream. Whisk in powdered sugar until you have the consistency that you desire (you should be looking for a thick, smooth icing that is still pourable). Pour on top of cooled brownies and spread to edges to cover completely. Refrigerate until set. Chilled brownies are easiest to cut... use a large, sharp knife, wipe clean after each cut, and you'll get nice, clean cuts.

Tips:
*Store brownies in covered container. They're best if eaten within a couple of days.

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Just wanted to share the little Teacher Appreciation gifts I made for my Daughter to give to her teachers.

I used Joyslife.com's New Stamp Set "My Hero" and one of her older sets "Everyday Occasions"

the bear piecing and .png bear images are from Designs on Cloud  9's "School Bears" pattern set and the topper I made by welding one of the borders from the "Short Borders 2" set also from Designs on Cloud 9 to a rectangle and adding score lines for easy folding.

and the others are just cute stick figures that fit the type of teachers ie; computer, gym, etc. off the internet

I made this one slightly larger for her main Teacher and paper pieced the bear with the globe.

then on the following ones I did the print and cut method using my Cameo (LOVE) 

Below I cut a file that someone shared on a Silhouette forum from vinyl and applied it to a clear acrylic clipboard that I got at Walmart and embellished it with ribbons and flowers to make the other part of her main teachers gift.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Apple Crisp Pizza

Thought I would share another recipe I found that sounds pretty good... Mother's Day is coming soon so I have been looking for something different to make..hence the recipe shares :)

Apple Crisp Pizza
Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches)
2/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
4 medium apples (like Gala, Fiji, Braeburn, Empire) peeled and diced into 1/4 inch pieces
TOPPING:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup salted butter, softened
DRIZZLE:
1/2 cup caramel topping

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll pastry to fit a 12 inch pizza pan; fold under edges to give the pizza a bit of a raised crust. Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add peeled, diced apples and toss. Arrange the apples in a single layer over the pie crust to completely cover it.
For the topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and butter in a bowl. Mix well. Sprinkle topping evenly over the apples.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until apples are tender. Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with caramel topping. Cut into pizza slices and serve warm with ice cream. Makes 12 servings.

Snickers Cake

This looked so good that I thought I would share...

Maybe this will be Father's Day Dessert here :)

SNICKERS CAKE

1 box devils food cake mix, plus ingredients to make the cake
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar Smucker's hot caramel ice cream topping1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 snickers candy bars, chopped
1/3 cup peanuts, chopped
caramel sauce
chocolate sauce

Bake cake in a 9x13-inch pan according to direction on the package.

While cake is baking, mix condensed milk and hot caramel topping until well blended. When the cake is done and while it's still hot, poke holes in it with a fork or straw. Pour milk mixture over the cake. Allow cake to cool completely. Sprinkle chocolate chips over cake.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Quick Birthday card

Hi all!  Just wanted to share a  quick Birthday card I made.

I used Laurie's Lables from Designs on Cloud 9 

and the sentiment is from one of Joyslife.com's New stamp sets "My Hero"

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

What's Shakin? and a shower gift

Hi all!  Today I wanted to show you a cute little recycled Skippy Peanut Butter jar.  I put the paper piecing on an action wobble - so fitting for this right!? LOL (could not get a photo of it wobbling though)

I used one of the Hot Peppers from the Cinco de Mayo pattern set and one of the labels from  Laurie's Labels... both sets are from  Designs on Cloud 9. 

The sentiment on the label is from one of Joyslife.com's new stamp set "That Tastes Punny"

you can get the new sets here.

I plan on collecting the Box Tops for Education and Campbell's Labels in the jar.

I also wanted to share a shower gift I made ... I decorated a Wilton Cupcake/sheet cake carrier with vinyl then put a cupcake cook book, cupcake wrappers, cupcake tin, sprinkles, cake mix, wooden spoon and towel inside and then wrapped it all up in cellophane with a pretty bow.

 the cute little cupcake on the side is from Designs on Cloud 9's Sweets for my Sweet set.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Hello Super Friend

I almost forgot about this weeks DT post, so when I came home from work last night and got the kids all settled into bed, I threw this little card together for my Daughter to write a friend in NC.  I used the print and cut feature on the Silhouette Cameo which I LOVE, since I can be an air brain and still get a cute project done in little or hardly any time.  I used the "Star Border" (welded to a rectangle) and "Super Boy" patter sets from Designs on Cloud 9 and one of Joylife.com's NEW stamp  sets "My Hero" Perfect fit for this cute little super guy.

Thanks for visiting! 

Hugs, Staci

Say Cheese

So I started out making this a card, but then thought 

"hmmm this would make a cute (somewhat large) embellishment for a layout".  

So that is what I am going to do with it... When you ask?  That I am not sure of... 

have to find the right photo(s).

I used Designs on Cloud 9's "Background Circles" (thought it would make a great cheese look)

and the hanging mouse from the "Insta-Cutie" pattern set

The cute and perfectly fitting sentiment is from one of 

Joyslife.com 's NEW stamp collections, "That Tastes Punny" which you can pre-order now.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

DC9 2nd Birthday Celebration

Check out 

Designs on Cloud 9's blog 

for today's Birthday Freebie and Kit Giveaway

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Designs on Cloud 9 2nd Birthday Giveaway

Check out the DC9 blog for Birthday Giveaway Info

Thanks for visiting!
Hugs, Staci

Happy Easter card

Hi there!  

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter 
and share this cute card that I made.

I used a few cutting patterns from Designs on Cloud 9's 

Fun Borders Set 1

Laurie's Labels

Carrot Title
and the sentiments was from
 Joyslife.com's "Yummy Puns"
Thanks for visiting!
Hugs, Staci

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!

Yvonne Morentin

you are the winner of the Joyslife.com Spring Inspiration Blog Hop!

I have emailed you with prize claiming instructions!

Congrats again!!!

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Joy's Life Inspired by Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joys Life "Inspired by" themed Blog Hop

If you happened here by chance, your in for a treat...

head over to the beginning 

~Joy's Blog~

If you came from

 ~ Jenny's Blog~ 

then you are on the right trail.

Now for my project.... 

I have been playing with vinyl a bit lately and am loving it.

I was inspired by the pretty colors of spring and the fact that Easter is in a week and I wanted to make Easter pails for my kiddos.
My inspiration photo

and here is the pail I did for my daughter.

I used the adorable little bunny from "Bunny Cuties" pattern set 

on the pail itself with some additional elements to dress it up.

For the tag I used "Bear Bunnies" pattern sets to make this cute little tear bear dressed up in her Easter Bunny costume with Joyslife.com 's "Egg-specially for you" sentiment from 

Yummy Puns Stamps set.

How perfect is that stamp to use on an EASTER pail/gift.  

I say darn perfect LOL

*****   Now for a little candy  *****

I am offering your choice of either Bear Bunnies or Bunny Cuties pattern set from Designsoncloud9.com 

to one lucky person that leaves a comment on this post. 

{ONE comment per person} 

Be sure to leave a way to contact you as I will email the winner.

 Good Luck! 

 Your next stop is ~ Megan's Blog~

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

In case you get lost along the way below is the line up...

Joy: http://joyslife.com

Maria: http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com

Patty: http://craftykitten1.blogspot.com

June: http://simplyelegantpapercrafts.blogspot.com

Jenny: http://jennyplace26.blogspot.ca     

~ YOU ARE HERE ~ Staci: http://preciousmem.blogspot.com  ~ YOU ARE HERE ~

Megan: http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com

Kimberly: http://hellocutiecrafts.blogspot.com  

Laura: http://www.laurascraftsandmore.com   

Debbie: http://bugjuiced.blogspot.com    

Lori: http://got2bcrafting.blogspot.com   

Cyndy: http://arcyscraps.blogspot.com     

Birthday Card

Hi!  I have a few Birthdays coming up, 

so you may be seeing a few more Card posts...

I love the simple look of this card.

I used "Diamonds" from one of the new backgound patterns and the Daisy from "Fancy Flowers" pattern set from Designs on Cloud 9

The sentiment is from 2 stamps sets from Joyslife.com

Everyday Occasions and Holiday Occasions - 2 staples in the stamp collection 

Be sure to check out the new stamp sets coming out the 2nd week in April ~ pre-order now :)

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Personalized Pet Memorial tile

Hi there.  I just wanted to share some memorial tiles I have made for those beloved Fur Babies that have passed and we want something to remember them by.
$15.00 For a 6x6  with Easel back for hanging on a wall or standing on a table top.

I am still working on other breeds.
If your interested in a breed not listed or another type of animal leave me a comment with your email and I will see if I can make one.

Brittany Spaniel 

 Boston Terrier

Chihuahua

 Rottweiler

Great Dane

 Mixed Breed

If interested email me breed and town for a shipping quote.

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Monster High Birthday

Hi there!  

For todays DT post I am sharing a Birthday card I made my 8 yr old daughter.  

She is a Monster High fanatic!  

She has collected over 20 dolls over the past 2 years and has her sights set on more! 

 Shesh... hopefully this fad lasts a long time!  

Anywho... Onto the card...

I used four Designs on Cloud 9 pattern sets.

Heart shape: "Cool Love"

Flourish: "Fancy Flourishes"

Lips w/ Fangs: "Love Bites"

Tag: "Laurie's Labels"

I did some dry embossing on the top mat and then took a block buffer and sanded away the color, added a sparkly pink ribbon and some pink Stickles on the flourish to tie in the bling of the ribbon.

I used the print and cut feature with the Cameo for the printed pic of the Ghoul friends of Monster High in the heart shape and the sentiment inside "Hope it's Fang~tastic" (Love that feature)

The fabulous stamps on the front of the card is from Joys Life stamps "Everyday Occasions"

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci

Birthday Circle Card

Hi there, I just wanted to share a cute little circle card  that my 4yr old son and I put together for his Aunt.

We used the "Scalloped Shapes" patten set for the base of the card

"Fancy Flourishes" for the pretty design on the front from Designs on Cloud 9

The stamps sentiments are from Joyslife.com

Everyday Ocassions and Wintery Puns

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs, Staci