S'more Banana Muffins

 I haven't had time to do much baking recently and it's been so hot to really feel in the mood to bake.  However, three over ripe bananas just begged me to use them in my favorite banana bread recipe. I didn't feel like making a loaf so I decided on muffins.  A loaf recipe of banana bread will make about 12 large muffins.  I love to experiment so this time I decided to make S'more Banana Muffins. I simply eliminated the nuts and inserted pieces of graham crackers and dark chocolate into the finished muffins and plopped on half a marshmallow. The residual heat melted the chocolate and marshmallow a little. I suppose if I had a mini torch I could have toasted the marshmallows.  Because this was an experiment, I only made half of the dozen muffins this way...enough to see if they would be good the next day or could be frozen.  Into the other half of the batter I mixed in some fresh blueberries before scooping out portions into the paper lined muffin tin.  Sorry I didn't take photos of the blueberry version.  Both banana muffin varieties were super delicious and will be added to my favorite recipe variations.  (P.S. I made the mistake of using white whole wheat flour instead of  regular all purpose flour and perhaps that is why the muffins were super moist and scrumptious.)

Under the Sea Thanks Card

These are two more Alcohol Ink and Stickles on Yupo paper background cards. They were created in the same way as those in the previous post. I'm not sure why, but these two cards were easier to photograph even though I think the jellyfish cards are prettier.

The stamps and dies I used were Hero Arts products. Please refer to the previous post to see the Hero Arts stamp set I used for the fish and small shells. I wish you could see the tiny stars and other sparkly shapes from the Stickles glitter gel that make the background really gorgeous.  After drying, if the background is still tacky, rub on a tiny amount of cornstarch.  There are lots of Stickles colors so I know that I will be experimenting with more background techniques.  Please return to this blog site often to see what I discover.

 

Jellyfish Thanks Card

After purchasing Stickles Glitter Gels in various colors from HM Ben Franklin Crafts, I was challenged to figure out what to do with them.  I wondered if I could combine them with Alcohol Inks on Yupo paper.  I folded a sheet of Yupo paper, sprayed on alcohol and applied some drops of alcohol inks plus some dollops of glitter gel.  Next, I closed the Yupo paper and rubbed the outside. Opening the paper revealed lovely ink blot colors with amazing sparkling effects including tiny glitter pieces.  (Sorry that the photos don't do justice to the subtle delights of these cards.)

The die cut 'Thanks' and stamped colored die cut jellyfish were added to the cards with foam dot adhesives and Beacon glue. I added a bit of Glossy Accents to the jellyfish and sprinkled them with Stampendous crystal glitter because...well, you can never have too much sparkle...right?

 

BAM! You're Old

I have a dear, OLD friend who was born 6 months before me so I love teasing her that she is OLDER than me and at least for a few months I am the YOUNG one. This card for her started with a panel stenciled (Whimsy stencil) with purple, blue and yellow Stencil Butter stars.  After the stencil butter was dry, I adhered (with foam dots) some die cut (Whimsy dies) images (Whimsy) stamped and colored with Copic pens.  I love the subtle sheen of the stencil butter which is almost like foiled designs with a little raised effect. I will continue to experiment with these stencil butters to see what else I can create. I hope you'll visit this blog site again soon to see more of my 'experiments'!

 

Stencil Butter Mini Slim Cat Cards

I wanted to try the stencil butters (available at HM BFC) for what they were intended...stenciling!  They worked perfectly, going on smoothly and drying to a luscious sheen.  With the Simple Stories scattered hearts stencil it was easy to make a rainbow panel of hearts. Once dried the panel was enough for two mini slimline cards. I used the Whimsy stitched die with rounded corners to cut the stenciled heart panels and then formed two mini slimline cards (corners were rounded with a corner cropper) to which the heart panels were attached.

Doodlebug Designs has some really cute die cut cat images and worded banners. They were a simple quick way for me to decorate these cards without detracting from the stenciled hearts. I think both of these cards will be good additions to my stash of cute cards for various occasions.  It's always good to be prepared with cheerful all occasion cards. In my next post I will feature a card that also uses the stencil butters...gotta get ALL the colors now!

 

Upcycled Cosmetic Heart Jar

Like a true hoarder, it is difficult for me to throw out empty glass cosmetic jars, like the ones from L'Occitane.  I think the fancy companies make their jars from heavy glass so that you can't tell how little product you are getting for so much money. LOL! Anyway, I think I've found a use for some of those empty jars.  Simply applying some stencil butter (available at HM Ben Franklin Crafts) in various colors can amazingly transform the plain glass into a magical pearlized surface.  The stencil butter is tacky before drying so little Sprinkletz hearts (HM BFC) can be pressed on.  The cover of the jar had the company name embossed on the metal surface so an extra coating of the stencil butter had to be applied.  I am happy that I now have a decorative jar that can be used to hold rings, earrings or other small pieces of jewelry.  The stencil butters (TCW) come in a wide variety of delicious colors so I am thinking the next jar I make will be done in blues and purples with star confetti.  The stencil butter is also very easy to use with stencils.  My next post will feature some cards made with this product. Please visit this site again to see my colorful stenciled cards. 

 

More Card Kits (#3 & #4)

I purchase a lot of boxed card sets from HM Ben Franklin Crafts.  There are a good quantity of assorted cards in each box.  Rarely do I use up all the cards, so I decided that it might be nice to make card kits for my crafty friends who I think would enjoy making cards while on a trip or in front of the TV.  I start each kit by making a sample card so the recipient can see my vision. I include supplies similar to those used on the sample card. I purposely add a few variations so that using the kit embellishments will result in different but similar cards.

Here is another card kit that uses circular pieces and heartfelt sentiments.  If you don't have premade card blanks, you can always cut and fold some solid or printed card stock.  I find that making card kits is mentally soothing because it helps to use up my excess supplies and paper scraps. YAY!

Packaged in Heiko self-sealing cello bags make the kits ready for gift giving...just tie a bow through the pre-made hole.  For the circular designed card kit, I used the Spellbinders circle die set and Woodware Craft stamps...love the sayings in slightly messy typewriter font! If you are a craft supply collector/hoarder, you should try making kits for your friends (even the ones with their own massive stash of crafty stuff)....LOL!