*Compensated affiliate links used where possible at zero cost to you. No posts are ever sponsored or paid.*
How are we doing out there? Have everything you need? I hope you are safe and not too stir-crazy. I have a fun video below if you're feeling stressed.
Since we are in isolation with two kitties, I thought I'd post some pet cards today with some fun stencil techniques.
I used this amazing combo of stencil + mask for the cat in a few different ways. (PS - there's a link and a discount code for all this at the end of this post.) For this first card, I put down the stencil, so that the only open space was in the shape of the cat - the rest of the card was covered. Then I inked this fabby background stamp in black and stamped it into that opening with the MISTI - pressing close to the edges of the stencil to try to get all of the cat shape stamped. Then I removed the stencil, and placed the cat shaped mask over the stamped kitty and used my Life Changing Blender Brushes to create a Key Lime glow around the kitty. The card base is Key lime too. The sentiment is from this pretty kitty stamp set - this stamp & die bundle is very inexpensive and is on sale right now.
Now while the background stamp was still inked and in my MISTI, I picked up that ink with another card front, creating a monoprint that seemed perfect for a pet sympathy card. The sentiment is from this set.
Finally, I put the mask portion of the set onto another card front, and used this cute background stencil for all the kitties in the background. After removing that stencil, I also ink blended close to the mask to be sure the shape was preserved cleanly. All that bright green and kitties makes my eyes happy.
I hope you are safe & well this week. Here's a video that made me happy this week. Discount code for all active discounts, including these stencils below.
CURRENT COUPON CODES
15% off anything at Marker Universe or any of their other sites - Understandblue15.
10% off the whole store at A Colorful Life Designs - LydiaFan10 Arkon stand link below!
I did a little Marie Kondoing this past weekend on a neglected stack of stuff. I have a little bit more to go, but it's really amazing how once you get in that mindset, your stuff stays neat, organized and minimal.
I still have way too many books, but I'll be taking some to Half Price books this morning. My goal is to get down to just the two large bookcases in my library, but that means three bookcases have to go, and that's a hard task for a committed reader. But I'll get there. I just need fewer trips and more time at home, which is my goal for 2020.
I rewarded myself for checking that off my list by make two cards with some fun new layering stencils I got.
I figured it was time to let winter start creeping into my cardmaking - last week I worked on some Hero Arts winter catalog cards (wait till you see what they have!) and now I'm in the mood to make Halloween and Christmas cards.
I did a little retail therapy this month, and this adorable Yeti stamp set and dies jumped in my cart early. They are so cute, and the sentiments aren't just winter, as you'll see on my card.
Isn't he adorable? He just wants you to bring it in for a hug.
Now layering with dye inks gives you a softer, glowier look with similar colors. I used my layering poppy stencil with Red Hot, Wild Dandelion and Amalgam inks. Again using Pixie Spray, I could even stack the slightly tacky stencils together, which you'll see in the video. I loved the poppies so much I kept it simple with this hello die.
Stencils are one of the least expensive and most versatile supplies I own. I'm working through the last of the uncatalogued ones - getting them into Airtable and filed, with the help of my sweet friend Marci. Then I'll be ready for my late summer sale!
So here's the video, and stay tuned below the supplies for a yummy recipe!
So lately I've been trying a lot more Asian recipes - that's a flavor profile I love. And for the very first time, I made my own spring rolls with those fun rice wrappers. On the inside of the rolls, I added sushi rice, and this amazing sticky sesame cauliflower as well as some greens. I made this incredible peanut dipping sauce for them, but then I realized that that sauce makes AMAZING cold peanut noodles, so I had that this week. So here's the recipe, adapted from this one. I made it less garlicky and more spicy, and used a honey peanut butter and less honey.
3/4 C. Home Plate Honey creamy peanut butter
2 TBS honey
1/4 C. Seasoned rice vinegar
1/3 C. Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos
1.25 tsp. Christopher Ranch minced ginger
1/4 tsp. Christopher Ranch minced garlic
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, ground in the grinder
1 package soba noodles, or your noodle of choice, cooked
Cilantro
chopped peanuts
diced red bell pepper
Whisk first six ingredients together, and coat noodles evenly. Refrigerate, and serve cold, with the garnishes listed at time of serving.
The noodles I use are these - I love that they're a product of Australia. They also have quite a bit of protein in them. I cook a whole package and this peanut sauce is the perfect amount to coat a whole package, and you'll have a nice bunch of cold lunches for a week.
I also have found a great nutrition tracking app. This one is the only one I've found that a) has an adequate food library and b) tracks micronutrients, minerals, fiber and everything else under the sun. It's amazing to put your food in there and see EXACTLY how much of each vitamin and mineral you're getting from your meals. I love it.
Hope you're having a good week - I'm headed to Junkie Fest tomorrow - maybe I'll see you there! :)
