For Unto Us A Child Is Born

From our family to yours, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. May your day be filled with lots of love and blessings.

With lots of love,

Vera, John, Eli & Abby

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine Blog Hop

Hi everyone and welcome to Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking farewell blog hop. Card makers from all over the world are participating today to honor the dedication and remembering the inspiration that PC&S has brought to the card making community.

You should arrive here from MAYURI blog.

I am really not quite sure where to start with this post. It still hard to believe that PC&S will soon close their door.

PC&S have opened so many doors for me. Started with Gallery Idol 2010. Never in a million year, I thought I'd get picked. This event literally change my life. I met some girls that has become such dear friends to me that I'd otherwise wouldn't have met and it marked the point of my journey into card making world.

Then, when I went to CHA in July 2010 I experienced first hand, how warm and kind the PC&S crew are. Mind you, I am very shy and I often find it hard to chat with people I just met. Not, with this crew! They chatted away and make you feel like you've known them forever! I was so geeky, I actually asked them all to sign my Gallery Idol Top 5 card. I know, super cheesy and nerdy. But, what can I say, I was so ga-ga over meeting them for the first time.

Thank you for the fun memories!! Yeah, the last picture was from a super fun late night gathering at CHA.
Best night, ever! 

One of my most memorable moment was when I got my first happy email from Susan. I was jumping up and down! I had 3 cards as a newbie and it was a moment to remember for me. I was grinning ear to ear when I saw my 1st published card on Card Creations Vol. 9 (2011).

Thank you, PC&S for this honor.

With their submission calls and various competition, PC&S challenge me creatively. They make me want to create better, step out of my comfort zone, to think outside the box. They also know how to lift up your spirit. Like, when Susan told me that this card below was her favorite card from the whole Card Creations Vol.12, she totally made my day. To this day, an email or note from her always makes me smile. Seeing any of PC&S crew at CHA always a delight.

PC&S brought so much joy to my card making journey. When I first found out about the magazine ending, I didn't craft for like a week or so. I just suddenly loss the appetite to create. It such a big part of my card making. I feel at loss. However, at the end, I realize I should honor PC&S by celebrating the experiences that PC&S has given me. Be thankful that I have those experience to remember.

I am celebrating & thankful for the friendship with PC&S crew. I am celebrating all the happy email, joyful moments like when I found out that I made it for Gallery Idol (twice), Stamping Royalty, WCMD winner, etc. I am celebrating all the opportunities that I have experience that I probably wouldn't have experience without my exposure with PC&S.

To Jennifer, Kerry, Holly, Susan, Matt, thank you for the memories. Thank you for all the fun, creativity, opportunities, etc. And thank you for supporting my Caring Hearts Card Drive from the very beginning. You helped promote it and sponsor it. It means so much to me to have your support.

Please know that I am thinking of you as you're embarking on new adventure. Sometime bad thing happened, so bigger, better things could happen. You all are such special people and I appreciate you so much. 

I made this special card just for the PC&S Crew:

There's so much I want to say, but I hope Jennifer, Kerry, Holly and Susan knows how I feel about them. This is definitely not goodbye as we'll see each other on FB. I wish you all the best for the future. Again, thank you for your dedication to card making industry, for making it such a fun community to be part of. 

From here please hop on over to CONNIE MERCER blog. And, big shout out to Taheerah Atchia for organizing this hop! You totally rock. 

Embrace The Moonlight

With the news of PC closing down soon, I was feeling melancholy and spent some time browsing through my submission folders. And, looking through some of my submission stuff, I realized that I never shared any of my project from PC Cool Tools 2014 edition. Of course, I have to correct that, right?

Here is my favorite project in this fun issue. I just love the way the red popped against the blue background. And yes.. of course.. the birds. I love projects with birds. :)

BTW, have you send in your cards for Caring Hearts Cad Drive? If you haven't, please send them ASAP. You have till November 28th! Wanna see some of the cards that have made it? 

Here's a peek into the pile of almost 3000 cards on my dining table. We rarely use our dining room as hubby and I usually just use our breakfast table for dinner, so... dining room turned into mailing room.

There are tons of gorgeous cards! I think whoever got these cards will be smiling ear to ear when they open it. It truly warms my heart seeing the support that you all pour into this card drive. Thank you so much for supporting us. 

I am sure, by this evening the collection number would change. Every day we received lots of packages. My goal is 6000 cards as I am hoping to support over 40 nursing homes. We can all dream big, right?

A Touch of Gold

I fell in love with Altenew Painted Flower set from the moment I saw it. And, I am excited to have two cards using this set published on Paper Crafts & Scrapbook November 2014 edition (which is available now HERE). 

Here's a look at one of the card. 

Looking at this card reminding me that I don't play with this set often enough. Maybe I'll pull out this set again this weekend and play with it.

BTW, today is also my day at A Jillian Vance Design. Here's a sneak peek of my card. For the full view of the card  please check out my blog post HERE.

That's all for me today. Things are lining up for Caring Hearts Card Drive. You won't believe the prize that we got lined up for our 5th year! It's going to be amazing. Stay tune... all details will be revealed on Saturday, October 4th!!

Gallery Idol Round 4

Happy Monday. Today, I continue my Gallery Idol journey. It's been fun & a bit nerve wrecking. Luckily my work keep me crazy busy lately, that I don't get to fret too much. I have to say that the girls in this GI blow my mind with their creativity. Everyone really step up and create amazing creations that makes me feel so honored to be among them.

For this round the challenge is to use border stamp creatively. This is quite a challenge as my stash of border stamp is pretty limited. And, I know that I don't want to use border stamp just as border. I have seen quite a few tribal prints on shirts that I found interesting and use that as the base for my card idea.

Lucky for me, I have this triangle border from Studio Calico Darling Sentiments set that fit for the look that I want to create. Bold, colorful, tribal pattern.

Yep, that triangle border on the bottom translate into the pattern on this elephant:

                                    

There was a lot of careful coloring. Finger cramp, check. eyes crossed, check. Aching shoulder & hand, check. I had to do one for practice just so I can decide on the color combo that I want to use. Once that decided, on to the real thing. It took me awhile to finish coloring this card. Hah... I feel like I almost couldn't straighten my fingers by the time I finished. But, I think the end result is worth it.

The bottom border was created using the chevron border from Lawn Fawn Chevron Background set. I stamped the chevron border twice, off setting the second one so it create diamond pattern border. Then color all those tiny spaces with Copic markers.

This card is definitely bold & colorful. And, there's also a hint of gold. I outlined the elephant shape with gold metallic paper.

I am very thankful that I have made it this far. I really, really appreciate your support & kind words & your vote. Wouldn't be here if not for your support. This Gallery Idol has definitely push my creativity, made me step up my work and I couldn't be happier with the cards I made.

If you love my bold & colorful elephant card, I'd love to have your vote. You have till Thursday morning to vote. Thank you so much and may your week be a blessed one.

Gallery Idol Round 3

This round started as a real challenge. Of course I have used stencil before, but I want to come up with something that's outside the box. Friday passed with no inspiration whatsoever. Saturday, I had a couple ideas, but worried one might be too complicated. So, I tried to make this colorful geometric panel instead andddd... ditched it. Although, I did end up using that card for other assignment. Nothing go to waste. ;)

Then I went back to that idea that I thought was too complicated. I was thinking about creating a painting like image using stencil. I ran my idea to Trinh, who's been my sounding board through this journey (and the previous GI journey back in 2010) and when she said yes, that's cool, I went to work and came up with this.

Seriously, I am so proud of this card. From, what was I thinking, you're nuts, (took me 5 times to get it right) it has became wow, I can't believe I actually did it.

I made my own stencil for the whole thing. Using Silhouette I made stencil of the girl silhouette, the butterflies and the diagonal stripes. The honey comb stencil is from Memory Box. 

I start by tracing the girl stencil on the card panel, just the hair part, so I know where to place the butterflies. Then I inked the butterflies with various color ink using make up sponge. Once I inked all the butterflies, I stamped some with  a fine detailed flower from PTI Pretty Peonies set and some with Stampabilities Faded Text Background.

Then erase the pencil line, placed the girl stencil back on and using the mini sponge dauber inked the silhouette with Rangers Antique Linen, Spun Sugar, Shabby Shutters (mixed with Memento Pear Tart). Then without removing the stencil, stamp the Pretty Peonies. Added some small splatter details using the ink splatter from Mama Elephant Fair Feathers set. Here's a close up of the card. Click on the pic if you want to see it in larger size.

Once that done, I decided the panel still need a bit more umph..., so I decided to make a couple of the butterflies pop by adding an actual butterfly die-cut and add a bit of texture to the panel using Memory Box Honey Comb stencil & embossing paste. While waiting for it to dry, I stencil the diagonal stripe on one side of the card base and wiped solid ink on the other side. Finished by adding the sentiment & adhering the panel to the card base.

The whole thing is so pretty and bright. It totally makes me happy. I sure hope to make it to the next round. At the end, I am just thrilled that this challenge has made me create a project that I am proud of. Yes, it took hours and hours to get it look the way I want it, but the satisfaction when you accomplish something that you thought might not be possible is so worth it.

If you love this card, I'd so love for yo to vote for it. Thank you in advance for your vote & support. You all are awesome!

Gallery Idol Round 2

Eeek.... It's time for Gallery Idol round 2. The theme for round 2 is die-cutting. And from  the moment I saw it, the first thing that came to my mind was shaped card.

After a day of brainstorming, I found my inspiration from Finding Nemo. After all, one of my favorite quote came from  that movie, "Keep on swimming".

So, here's my entry for round 2:

For the card base I used the largest balloon (turned upside down) from Simon Says Stamp Balloon dies set. The water line inside were also cut using the balloon die combine with SSS Curved Edge craft die. Flip the die for the bottom water line.

The seaweed were cut using the leave dies Wplus9 Silver Bells dies set. The fish are from Paper Smooches Briny Blue set. The big red fish were die-cut twice so I can insert a strip of acetate in between to make the fish move-able. See this second pic and you can see the fish swim to the left. :)

To create a glossy look, I die-cut the cover of the card from a piece of acetate, layer it on top and hold the whole card together with a tied bow string. You could barely see the piece of acetate, but if you click on the picture you can see it in larger size and you can see the outline of the acetate on the bottom right corner of the picture.

I hope you like my card and will consider to vote for it. I sure would love to make it to the next round. To vote for your favorite card go to: GALLERY IDOL VOTING

Thank you so much for stopping by here and if you do vote for my card, thank you, thank you, thank you!! And, a quick birthday shout out to my dear brother Jerry who is celebrating his birthday from the hospital bed. Happy birthday, Jerry. I love you, wishing you a very happy birthday and a speedy recovery. xoxo

I Admire You

So, yesterday I was pinching myself because of THIS announcement. Happy dance!!

I am so thrilled to be picked as the Top 20 for Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Gallery Idol. Last time I made it into GI was back in 2010. Pretty much it's the event that turned me into card making more seriously. In a sense that I made some awesome friendship from it and I was like, wow, this hobby is awesome. I have friendship that I wouldn't have met if it's not for card making.

I did try again for GI in 2011-2013 and didn't make it. But, I am glad that I never stop trying. Like they said for sure you won't get picked if you don't try. My attitude when I entered this year is whatever happen, happen. If it get picked, yay, if not, okay at least I made something that I am pretty darn proud of.

Quoting Christina from Grey's Anatomy, "If your goal and purpose is to win that award, forget it,  you will never win it. You do what you do because you love it, because it means something, not for the award." Something like that. When I heard it, I was like hey that's great words to live by. Yeah... I am deep like that, getting lesson of life through Grey's. Hah... Go Grey's! ;)

Anyhow.... I am so honored to be among such talents. Seriously, some of the girls are among my favorite card makers! Like Iwona Palamountain for example, oh my word.... that girl has created some amazing work that totally blow my mind. Amy Kolling, one of my favorite! I love her style &I was rooting for her last year. Erin Lee Schreiner has such cool & trendy style. In short, I am excited to be sharing this journey with all 19 girls. Whether it'a short ride or long ride.... I'll just enjoy it.

With this note in  mind, this card is how I feel of my fellow contestants. You all are so awesome!

I'll be brainstorming for the next round, so wish me luck and may you all have a safe & memorable Memorial Day weekend!

Washi Tape Bird

After spending way too much time on 2 cards for my Gallery Idol entry, today I have a card that's simpler and pretty quick to complete.

Actually, this is the first card that I made for the open audition. It's more my usual CAS & sweet style. Not graphic at all. I am using my favorite image of all time. Birdie!!

Except for the sentiment, everything on this card made with washi tape. I use it as border as well as to create pattern on the bird. Even the beak is made of washi tape.

For the bird. I first cut the shape using Silhouette and then lined up Prima Marketing doilies washi tape to create the perfect round doilies background pattern. Then using a knife I trim the tapes following the bird shape. For the wing part I used Freckled Fawn Random Writing washi tape and repeat the process like I did on  the birdie. Adhere the wing with pop-dots.Repeat the same process for the beak.

At least it's not as much cutting as the other two cards. Looking back, I guess I could say that one thing I am pretty good at is cutting details with knife. I wonder if it has anything to do with knife accident I had when I was a kid. I accidentally cut my finger when I was like 7. It wasn't super big cut, but blood was everywhere and I was crying my eyes out and showing it to my mom. And, I remember her saying, well, now you know why I keep telling you not to play with knife. My mom not the type that freak out when her kids get injured. She's practical and calm.

I think because she didn't freak out, I never get traumatized about using knife and instead learn to use it carefully. Can you imagine, crafting with no knife. Well, I couldn't. It's part of my essential tool.

Well, we'll see how this goes. Last time I made it for Gallery Idol was back on 2010. Cross my finger that I can make it again. If not, well at least I had fun challenging myself to make something awesome. :) Have a blessed week everyone.

Brightness

I finally finished my second entry for 2014 Paper  Crafts & Scrapbooking Gallery Idol open audition. Let me just say that the making of this card is as colorful in language as the card itself. Hah... My patience was sorely tested for this card. You'll see why...

Get your sunglasses out:

So, the first time I did this, my plan was creating the word by cutting, remove the washi tape and replace with another color washi tape. I was already on my second "L" and almost done before I realized that I  miscalculate my space and do not have enough space for the "O". So, all the frustration of carefully cutting and changing the color and have those tape sticking to  my fingers... I was like acckk..... colorful language, then breath in, breath out and decided to start it all over again.

The second time, I decided the word in colors is too much, too busy. So, again, I gently lift up the cut out part and decided to leave it white.

Let's see.... all in all... this one took me almost 2 hours or maybe slightly more including the breathing and calming down part. Hah... I am just glad I didn't give up. The result is quite worth it. And, no, I don't think I will repeat this again.

Anyhoo.... since you could enter 3 cards, I think the next one would be pretty simple.  See you tomorrow.

Bold & Graphic Design

So, it's time for the 2014 Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Gallery Idol. I decided to try my luck and throw my hat into the ring.

The open audition theme is to create card using washi tape. So, after some thinking I decided to go with bold, graphic design with a little hint of gold.

I used Recollection washi tape collection and adhere them diagonally. To keep the line evenly in between, I laid a short piece of washi tape at each end and use that as my guide on where to lay the next tape and just keep repeating the step. Yep, this whole card was made with no ruler whatsoever! Simply hold the tape taut when you adhere them and you'll get a straight line.

To create the diamond pattern, where ever the tape overlaid one another, I gently use a knife to cut & lift up  the pieces to reveal the black background. And, for added visual interest, I kind of move around some of the colored washi tape diamond.

I think all in all it took me about 90 minutes to complete this whole card. It did take a while to cut those little pieces carefully as to not cut the cardstock itself, but the result makes me happy. 

Now, crossing my fingers and wait. Enjoy your weekend, everyone. 

Stamping Royalty: Honorable Mention

Slightly over a week ago, I was on pin and needles waiting to see if I am lucky enough to get in for Stamping Royalty again. I won Stamping Royalty back in 2012 in Birthday category and decided to try my luck again. To my delight....., this happened!

 

 

 

Yep, yep .... I am one of the 5 girls who got picked for 2014 Stamping Royalty Honorable Mention. And, when the July issue come out, people get to vote on the card for their favorite. Congrats to all the Honorable Mention girls!! I am honored to share this with all these talented girls.

 

And, thank you to Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking! To celebrate & show my gratitude, I have this thank you card to share:

 

 

Thank you for sharing my excitement and may your week starts off wonderfully!

Card Creations 12 Blog Hop Winner

Hi all, just popping in to announce the winner from Card Creations 12 Blog Hop. The lucky gal who win a copy of Card Creations Vol. 12 is.......

Congrats, LINDSEY!! Lindsey, please email me your mailing address and we'll get this fab issues on its way to you.

That's it peeps. I'll be back tomorrow with a card to share. :)

Card Creations 12 Blog Hop

Hi everyone. Happy Friday and welcome to Card Creations 12 Blog Hop. We are celebrating the latest special issue from Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking and seriously, this edition is filled with many, many awesome inspirations.

You should have arrive here from the talented Katie Gehring. In case you missed any link, you can always find the full list at Paper Crafts blog.

Now, for this hop we're asked to create projects based on sketches provided for us. Here's one of the sketch:

And, here's my card. Yes, it's one bright, happy pandamonium card! Can you guess what art work inspired this card? Yep... my own version of Andy Warhol. ;)

Then, since I was all inspired and my desk covered with stuff, I figured what the heck, just go ahead and make 1 more card. This time following this sketch.

Hm... yeah... you might need sunglasses for this one. Brightness!! 

Except for the sentiment,  this card is one layer card. Well, that's it from me. I have a desk that need much cleaning. From here, please hop on over to the coloring master, Alice Wertz.

No hop is complete without a giveaway. I am giving away 1 copy of Card Creations, Vol. 12. Simply leave a comment here by midnight, Tuesday, March 11, 2014.

Thank you so much for stopping by here and I hope you enjoy the hop. Cheers....

You Are Loved

Hi peeps. I am so sorry that I am behind in announcing the winner from WCMD Thank You Hop. So, without further delay, the winner of my giveaway is........... MARCI COLLINS!!

Congrats, Marcy. Please email me your mailing address.

BTW, have you seen the latest Card Creations, Vol. 12? If you haven't, run and get one! Okay, maybe don't run, drive. LOL. There's many, many awesome inspirations in this one magazine. I have sticky note all over this one.

And, I am excited to share that I have 5 cards published in this one. Here's one of the card. I picked this one to share here, since it's so springy and I am ready for spring.

 

 

I do love the way this card turned out. I basically create my own stencil using my ever reliable Mr. C (Silhouette Cameo). Once I cut the diagonal stripe  background, I used sponge dauber to dab in colors in the opening. And, using matching color, I stamped the flowers from Papertrey Ink Mini Blooms set into the wood veneer butterfly. The sentiment is from Elle's Studio.

 

Oh yes.... guess what?? Tomorrow we'll have a fun Card Creations Blog Hop to celebrate this issue!!  Hope you'll join the hop and I'll see you tomorrow.

 

Oh, oh... one more thing...., I am up on i {heart} papers blog today. I'd love for you to check it out. Thanks so much.

WCMD Thank You Hop

Hi everyone and welcome  to WCMD Thank You Hop. I still remember, like it was just yesterday when I found out I was one of the winner for 2013 World Card Making Day. To say I was excited was an understatement. I had to read the announcement twice just to make sure I wasn't mistaken.  :)

Soon after, someone suggested a hop and of course, we all love blog hop, right? So, all of us jump in and here we are.

You should have arrived here from my sweet & talented friend's blog Trinh Arrieta. Our challenge is to create a card using our winning goodies (and... psst... there's a giveaway below) in the category that we won in.

I won in birthday category, so I get to create another birthday card. Here's my card using patterned paper from Jillibean plus tag embellishment and alphabet sticker from October Afternoon.

This card comes together pretty quick and I love how all the elements work together the way I envision it. I love the fact that I get to use the alphabet sticker and mixing it with stamp sentiment. Note to self: don't be shy to mix sticker & stamp.

As usual, when I received something, I like to share as well. So many people has been so supportive and always cheering me on and I want to thank you by doing a little giveaway. I am giving away this Spellbinders Captivating Squares and Hero Arts Shadow Ink. Most likely I will also throw in some additional goodies. ;)

Simply leave a comment here by midnight Tuesday, March 4 and I will pick a winner on Wednesday.

From here, please hop on over to Veronica Zalis. Thank you all so much for stopping by here and I wish you all a fabulous weekend. 

In case you missed any link, here's a complete list of the hop participants: 

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking

Alice Wertz 

Amy Kolling  

Asty Purbasari 

Dana Warren 

Erin Lee Schreiner 

Heidi Lopez 

Ilina Crouse  

Katie Gehring

Laura Pryor 

Lorraine Marasigan 

Maria Fischer 

Miriam Prantner  

Trinh Arrieta 

Vera Wirianta Yates  <--- you are here

Veronica Zalis 

2013 WCMD Card

Yay... have you seen the new March Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking? I am excited that finally, I can share with you my card that won Paper Crafts 2013 World Card Making Day. It's what I consider one of my best card and I had so  much in making it.

This card totally show my love of the Wplus9 Fresh Cut Floral set and my love for Silhouette Cameo. Sigh...seriously I love Mister C. I die cut the linear background and the gold doily using Mister C.

And, this card is the card that turn me into using gold. Normally, I am a silver girl. But, a few months ago I start seeing gold accent popping up on designs quite a bit and I decided to give it a try and I love the result. Navy and gold is simply stunning, isn't it? Since then, I've been stocking up on gold vellum and glitter cardstock.

Here's a look at the 2013 WCMD Winners. I am excited and humbled to share this spot with these talented ladies.

That's it from me today and  thank you for letting me share my excitement. 

Stamping on Feather

On the recent Paper Crafts Handmade Cards publication, I have 2 of my favorite cards in there. One was the one that showcased HERE and the other one is this one: 

This card has very soft and pretty look. I got the feathers from the general craft section at Hobby Lobby and color them with distress ink and then stamped one of them with handwritten background stamp. Definitely color them first, then stamp it. If you do it the other way around, you'll end up with lots of smear. LOL... yep, speaking from experience. ;)

To keep the soft look, I stamp the pretty sentiment from Avery Elle "Celebrate" set in colors that match the colors on the feathers. If you're interested on Avery Elle's products check out i {heart} papers.

I also want to use this chance to thank both Avery Elle and i {heart} papers for their support for Caring Hearts Card Drive. They are simply awesome, awesome companies!

PS: So excited to share that my Santa card is being showcased at Paper Crafts Connection HERE and on Moxie Fab HERE. Double happiness. So grateful... 

May your day be filled with things that makes you grateful. Cheers.... 

Handmade Cards Blog Hop

Hi everyone and welcome to Paper Crafts Handmade Cards Blog Hop! Yep, today we are celebrating this latest special issue from Paper Crafts that filled with so many fabulous projects. You should arrive here from Sarah J. Moerman blog. If not, you can always find the link for all the participants below.

I am very excited over this issue. After all, I am still pinching myself that I have 7 projects published on this issue. Am so grateful & happy over this. 

For today's hop, we were asked to create project with certain amount of supplies. My assignment is to create a card using 7 supplies. Looks like today is all about the number 7 for me. Hm... maybe I should buy lottery ticket? Hah.... Here's my card:

The supplies I used are:

1. Cardstock (Aqua Mist from Papertrey Ink)

2. Stamp (Feathers from Wplus9 Fanciful Feathers set)
3. Ink pads (Hero Arts Tide Pool, Papertrey Ink Berry Sorbet, MementoTuxedo Black) 

4. Dies (Feathers from Wplus9 Fanciful Feathers set)

5. Glitter tape (American Crafts)

6. Patterned paper (for the bird from My Mind's eye paper pad)

7. Black enamel (Ranger)

At first, I was worried that 7 supplies would be hard to fulfill. But, as it turned out I could easily use more than that. This challenge definitely makes me realize even CAS card could use more than 7 supplies. And, I am happy that I finally putting my American Crafts gold glitter tape to use. It's been sitting in my drawer brand new for over a year! Yikes...

With this little speck of gold, I am entering this card for Moxie Fab All That Glitter Is Gold challenge.

Of course, no hop would be complete without a giveaway. Paper Crafts is giving each of us an extra copy of this issue to giveaway. Simply leave a comment here by midnight CST, Tuesday, September 24, 2013. 

That's it from me. Thank you so much for stopping by here. I really appreciate your visit. From here, please hop on over to Vanessa Menhorn blog. 

 Ashley Marcu

Chan Vuong

Lucy Abrams

Lorena Cantó Lavería

Sarah J. Moerman

Vera Wirianta Yates  <--- you are HERE

Vanessa Menhorn

Emily Branch

Holiday Cards & More, Vol. 8 Blog Hop!

Happy Friday and welcome to Paper Crafts Holiday Cards & More blog hop. We are celebrating this super fun & festive issue filled with many awesome ideas for the holidays. You should arrive here from Kelly Griglione blog.

For this hop, we're asked to create a festive treat wrap and share a favorite holiday recipe. One of my project that get published in this issue is a cookie tote that looked like a gingerbread house. So, continuing with the house theme, I decided to create two house cookie box. I am also entering this for Moxie Fab Holiday Food & Treat Wrap challenge.

Both house were made using Silhouette. I love that machine. I really do. :) Now, for the first house I decorate the top with sparkly May Arts ribbon to add a festive feeling. Colored the window with copic to add warmth to the house. The cute Mrs. Clause is actually one of the gnome from There She Goes My Little Friend set. 

The next box is decorated with Santa from PTI Tiny Treats Christmas set and reindeer from PTI Holiday Tags Stamp set. I lined the window with wax paper.

Now, the recipe. I definitely not a cook. In our household my husband is the cook. Thank goodness, other wise I'll be living of cereal and ramen noodle. Ha... But, I do like making dessert. Unfortunately, since there's only the two of us and 3 dogs, I can't make dessert too often. It can be dangerous, if you know what I mean.

My favorite dessert is cheesecake and tiramisu. I've been known to eat them for dinner on rare occasion. For today I decided to share my favorite tiramisu recipe.

If I am not wrong I got this from Kraft website long time ago. One of the reason I like this recipe, no baking required.

　

TIRAMISU

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

3 cups cold milk

2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

48 NILLA Wafers

½ cup brewed strong MAXWELL HOUSE Coffee, cooled

2 oz. BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, coarsely grated

1 cup fresh raspberries

Instructions:
1. Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Beat in milk and dry pudding mixes. Stir in 2 cups COOL WHIP.

2. Line 2-1/2-qt. bowl with 24 wafers; drizzle with 1/4 cup coffee. Top with half each of the pudding mixture and chocolate. Repeat all layers.

3. Top with remaining COOL WHIP and raspberries. Refrigerate 2 hours.

　

Easy peasy. It's great for party since this recipe is for 14-16 servings.

Last but not least, the giveaway part. PC is giving each of us an extra issue to give away. Simply leave a comment here by midnight CST, Tuesday, August 13 and I'll announce the winner on Wednesday. From here please hop to Maurine Anderson. In case you missed a link, below is the complete list of the hop participants. Thank you so much for stopping by here. 

 Lorena Cantó Lavería

Kalyn Kepner

Erin Lincoln

Jeanne Jachna

Nina Yang

Amanda Coleman

Karolyn Loncon

Kelly Griglione

Vera Wirianta Yates <--- you are here

Maurine Anderson