Crafty Chefs January Recipe

      I can't believe how long it took me to get to the January recipe for Crafty Chefs but my time since Christmas seems to have rushed by at three times normal speed so here it is January 21 and I'm just now getting my card posted.

     In case you don't know about Crafty Chefs, it's a group of crafters who want to try things which may be outside their comfort zone.  Each month, one member makes a card or other project using a recipe which they have put together themselves, and they post the recipe for everyone else to use.  I've been doing that for about a year now and it's fun.  You get to choose whether or not you want to use any given recipe and there are no deadlines for when or how soon you must enter your project.  If you want to skip a recipe, you can.  There are no prizes, no sponsors, no obligations - just good fun and the opportunity to try something new with lots of encouragement from others who are trying the same thing.  Come check us out and join in.  All it takes is a Facebook account.  :-D

     The recipe this month was - MUST USE: Stencil Paste (I didn't have any so the Master Chef suggested I try embossing powder instead), Glitz or Sparkle, Slimline design, Use at least 1 die.  The CAN USE (Optional) items were: Stencil, Fun Fold, Acetate.  

     I made my first ever stencil by using a border punch on acetate!  So, a brand new technique added to my crafty options and I didn't violate my commitment to using only things already in my stash. See the paragraph at the end of this post for a full understanding of that. :-D

3 layers of sparkly black, double thick EP

     (first layer: embossing ink applied thru stencil;

      that was thick enough that I could swipe the ink

      for the next 2 layers across the top, 

      then apply more double thick EP and heat)

Stencil hand-made w Fiskars punches

Memory Box die for sentiment

Glitter paper background

Slimline card design

     Challenges:

Allsorts

Art Impressions

Cardz TV

Crafter's Castle

Incy Wincy

Outlawz Festive Fri

Penny's Paper-Crafty

Uniko Studio

Word Art Weds

     I'm still following the "challenge-yourself" idea being promoted by my blogging buddy, V.  It's called "Just Stash January" and it involves using nothing but things already in your stash throughout the entire month of January!  There are a few reasonable exceptions (all of which mean that no money has come out of your pocket) and you can read about those on her post.  Just click on the link above to find out all about it, then start counting those coins and bills you'll be 'stashing' in your pocket this month instead of crying about even more charges on the credit cards after the holiday season. 

     Come see us at Crafty Chefs.  You never know what you might find there that will intrigue and challenge you.  You might even decide to join us!  :-D  Happy Crafting  NanaConnie

Stencil Christmas Tree

     Last year, when the Linda Simpson Designs blog was still holding challenges and I was part of the DT, I got this wonderful Christmas Tree stencil.  Unfortunately, it arrived in my mailbox when I was off on my holiday travels so I never did get to use it.  But this year, I dug it out and this is my first (but definitely not last) card using it. 

     I used removable tape to put the stencil down on white CS and just colored the tree instead of using it for dimensional pastes.  I started coloring with ProMarkers, then added white gel pen for the 'snow.'  The star and tree trunk are also done with ProMarkers.  I cut the corners with two different Fiskars punches, then matted the image with a scrap piece of red CS.

     The dp came from my Christmas stash of papers and I think it's from Doodlebug.  The burgundy ribbon is also a scrap.  I tied a double loop, double layer, bow using my bow maker.  After looking at the photo, I think I may add a die cut "Merry Christmas" sentiment to the top.

     Challenges:
12 Months of Christmas
Country View Crafts
Craft-Dee BowZ
Crafts Galore Encore
Crafty Hazelnut's
Crafty Hazelnut's DP
Hiding in My Craft Room
Jo's Scrap Shack
Scribbles Designs
So Suzy/Crackerbox

     OK, I finally got a post up for today.  I was beginning to think everything would have to wait until tomorrow.  It seems that every project I started got interrupted with something else which had to be done right then, and that led to another something which required immediate attention.  Ever have one of those days?  Yeah, me, too - too often!  Happy Crafting.  NanaConnie