Paper Players Sketch Challenge

I love the sketches and The Paper Players had another good one this week...

I thought right away of the new Doodlebug Smitten Kitten collection that I just couldn't resist and happened to have. It would work perfectly for this sketch with all the cute paper options and sticker sheet. There are little kittens on the yellow paper and hearts on the pink.

I love the black outline on cards and I tried to finish the inside although I feel the sentiment is a bit small for the size of the card....

Freshly Made Sketches #246

I am a fan of Freshly Made sketches, they suit my style and I don't like adding a lot of frou-frou to my cards. I have been playing with the MFT card sketch and while I'm not a fan of tags on cards, I thought this one worked out pretty well. Here's the sketch FMS 246 ...

And here's my cow card...

I used jute twine to "tie" into the farm scene and adorable background paper. The cow was coloured with my Copics which were getting a little dusty, if you know what I mean. I used a stitched tag die from Your Next Stamp, I believe it was in a Christmas set.

Weekend Retreat

Yikes! It's been almost a month since I posted. Lots going on and the summer vacation has begun.
I was able to spend a great weekend away with a couple of my favourite people and do a little cardmaking and relaxing and of course, eating.
We got a great deal at Too Younique Scrapbooking Retreat in Mt. Forest and it was too good to pass up. The accomodations and scrapping area are just great and the food was wonderful and no cleanup.
Here's a few pics of the yummy goodness we were treated to...

Lunch

Dinner

Brunch

Wouldn't it be great to have your own personal Chef?

Hanging baskets

I must admit I have a bit of an obsession with Hanging baskets. Because I have 2 big dogs that like to
"protect" the backyard from birds, squirrels and other perceived threats, I have to keep most of my tender plants at least 3 feet up. Plus it's easier for me to putz around pinching off blooms etc when you don't have to bend over.
It started with 2 fuschias, only this time I bought the smaller blooming variety by mistake. Regardless, they have started to fill in beautifully and I really like them...

Then I was gifted this gorgeous arrangement....

I checked out a well known local variety that sells beautiful plants and while my driver picked up a couple baskets, I held back until later that day when I went to another nursery and had to buy a similar plant....

It was a little more grown and a little nutrient deficient but I like a challenge and should be able to keep it blooming all summer. Dragon's Beard Begonia is another favourite of mine.
THEN I spotted this fuschia...

I had to have it! The purple is almost black it is so dark and the buds and flowers were huge...

I hope I have some hummingbirds buzzing around soon as long as these guys stay sleeping in the sun...

The weather has been so beautiful, not too hot but was really getting dry. Today we are getting a slow, soaking rain, just what the gardens ordered.

MFT Sketch Challenge- A Wedding card

I needed a wedding card for a customer/family member and I don't usually make this type of card.  Fortunately, I picked up a cute Impression Obsession wedding cake die, like, yesterday and was able to put this card together. I kept it pretty neutral as I don't know the colour theme and thought it would work well with this week's MFT Sketch challenge....

I love paper piecing and even though it was a bit intricate, I thought it turned out great.

I hope she likes it too.

Round and Round

The Challenge this week at Little Red Wagon is Round and Round. I recently completed this baby card and I used a couple circles so I decided to link up. After I put the card together and decided to make a few more, I realized I had lost the bundle die. I think it may have stuck to the paper and I discarded it with the scraps. Oh well, I figured out I could use an upside down balloon and cut out a little heart inside it.All is not lost (other then the die)

And here is my original card...

I loved paper piecing the stork which I had been referring to as a swan because I couldn't think of the name of the bird that delivered babies. I think I'll stamp Congratulations on the inside. It's always difficult to know what sentiment to use. I think I'm pretty safe with that one.

Holiday Weekend and Rhubarb Squares

I've fallen behind on my posting but that's ok, it's been beautiful weather and lots of yardwork to accomplish.
It was a fantastic Long weekend and here are a couple of the highlights...

I had to post a picture of this dinner, it was so yummy. Homemade burgers, potato salad, mixed green salad and grilled asparagus. HELLO SUMMER!
Spent some time making these to donate to the Purina Walk for Dog Guides which took place today and boy was it hot!

They were kept chilled until the last minute but it was a scorcher for May!

And I took advantage of the season for rhubarb and made these delicious squares for the second time this year for company. I went to backlink the recipe and it looks like I have never posted it. So here goes...

Rhubarb Squares
Bottom layer
 1 cup flour
1/3 cup butter (cut into dry mixture with pastry blender)
2 Tbsp brown sugar

Middle layer
2 1/4 cup rhubarb
1 cup white sugar
2 Tbsp cream
3 egg yolks
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Topping
3 egg whites
6 Tbsp sugar

Combine bottom layer, press into 8x8 pan and bake for 20 min at 325F.
Meanwhile, get rhubarb stewing. Put middle layer ingredients in a heavy pot and cook over medium, stirring until thick. Pour over base when it comes out of oven.

Beat the egg whites until stiff, add sugar. Cover squares with meringue and brown in 325F oven. 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown.