HAPPY NEW YEARS - HAPPY STAMPING

Hard to believe we're leaving 2010 behind us, but at the stroke of midnight tonight a new and exciting year will be unfolding.  Tomorrow will be a day to embark on those annual resolutions and thoughts of self-improvement and to reflect on the year just past.

When I look back at my stamping life in 2010 here are some of the things I've reflected on:

• I think of all my fantastic customers who have kept me a float doing what I love.  You're all so awesome and I hope you'll come back next year for more exciting times.
• I think of all the great stampers I've had the pleasure to meet and to correspond with. 
• I think of  all the great blogs I've had the pleasure of visiting and the awesome projects that I've seen displayed.  Thank you Chandra and Julie for expanding all our horizons.
• All the fun I had designing my many projects for UStamp and working with Dawn Raspas to create some wonderful stamping times.  Thanks Dawn you gave me some great opportunities to test my mettle and to participate in your wonderful series.  Also a big hug to all of my friends on UStamp and to all the awesome designers who work so hard to bring about a successful event...........you are my heros!  A particular thanks to Betty Traciuk who works so hard behind the scenes to make this event move along.  Betty was always there to answer my many questions and help me through when I was had doubts or was stuck............. you are the one girl!  Thank you.
• Being able to participate with all the great gals on the Inkspirations Blog Hop.  That was fun and I so enjoyed being a part of your wonderful tour.  Makeesha Byl thanks so much I love this group!
• Participating in the Royal Blog Hop tour and winning a great blog candy prize from Jennifer Blomquist! I loved hunting for clues and visiting all the fantastic sites.  This tour really rocked. Whoo Hoo that was fun!  Can't wait to sign up for the next one.
• Participating with Late Nite Stampers and in particular Sherill Graf who is so inspiring!
• Being a member of the Langley Colourful Impressions Group..........you ladies rock!  A big salute to Kristina Koch for all her wonderful events and helpfulness over the year.  You sure know how to have fun, teach us new stamping tricks and keep us informed.  Take a bow Kristina, you deserve it.
• Recruiting two great gals in the 10,000 Recruits Promotion on Stampin' Up.  Wow you ladies came through in the nick of time and I am so thrilled to have you as part of my "Penny Token's Stampin' Girls"..............Janis and Lorraine, you are both awesome and I hope I can be an inspiring leader too!  Good luck with your upcoming workshops!
• I think of how fantastic the feeling was to hit 10,000 visitors to my blog...........I cried that was so much fun and so exciting watching the visitor count rise through the help of Stampin' Connection and UStamp.
• I think of my wonderful friend Sheri Lee who inspires me and gives me such happiness in my stamping world.  Sheri you are just the best friend and I truly love all your phenomenal creations and talent, not to mention your friendship which I value immensely.  Thanks Sheri you made my year .....again!
• I think of all the changes that Stampin' Up has made over the past year, and just to name a few the color rennovations, punch modifications, catalogue changes, the addition of so many new and wonderful products, DBWs, MDS, Stampin Connection and more.  Thanks Shelly Gardiner.

Although there are so many more things I'd like to share I think I'll end this post with a New Years Poem by Joanne Fuchs.  I think it says it all!  Happy New Years Everyone!

Happy New Year Wish

My Happy New Year wish for you
Is for your best year yet,
A year where life is peaceful,
And what you want, you get.


A year in which you cherish
The past year’s memories,
And live your life each new day,
Full of bright expectancies.


I wish for you a holiday
With happiness galore;
And when it’s done, I wish you
Happy New Year, and many more.

Great Canadian Butter Tarts

I don't know a Canadian whose face doesn't light up when you mention Butter Tarts.  It's a tradition and one that fits right in with Christmas baking and goodies.  My family adores butter tarts and can't wait to sink their teeth into these holiday marvels. 

In the past I've purchased frozen tart shells which I bought either at Costco (80 frozen 3" shells) or Safeway (30 frozen 3" shells), not because I'm lazy, but because I found it more efficient to use frozen shells when I'm making huge batches of these holiday favourites.  So, imagine my surprise when I couldn't find any frozen tart shells in California! There just aren't any to be found.  I've been to Costco, Marie Calendars, VONs, Ralphs, Jensens, Trader Joes............ you name it.  No frozen tart shells.  In fact, when I asked if anyone had tart shells most of the store staff generally gave me a pretty puzzled look and some even pointed to filled "quiche" shells.  Sorry mates not the right thing!  My American friends just don't know what they are missing!

Well, I just have to make butter tarts for Christmas and I can't let this bump get in the way, so I had decided to pull out my favourite "from scratch" pastry recipe and make the tart shells that way. As I was about to get on with this job my friend Margo (who is my newest hero) suggested I try "Pillsbury Pie Crusts".  She uses them all the time, and swears they are just the best!  I have to admit I hadn't really thought about using a refrigerated pie crust, but I thought what the heck I'll give it a try.  Well let me tell you that other than the tart crusts turning out just a tad flakier than what we're used to, using the pie crust worked.  Thank You Pilsbury Dough Boy!  I should have known!  Anyway if you decide to make thebutter tarts this way, there are 2 crusts in a box and you'll get six 4" tart shells from each crust.  Thought I'd share my recipe and some pictures of my finished tarts.  My husband is happy and so am I.  If you decide to try them out let me know how you made out. 

Canadian Butter Tarts

Ingredients:
1 egg beaten
1/3 cup soft margarine (room temperature not microwave softened)
1 cup golden brown sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
½ cup raisins (I soak mine in hot water for 20 minutes to soften)
½ cup finely chopped walnuts (put ½ cup in Ziploc bag and crush with a mallet)
1 tsp vanilla
1 pastry recipe or frozen tart shells

Mix first 7 ingredients together and fill tart shells 2/3 full. Bake in a hot oven 400 degrees for 16 minutes or until tart shells are golden brown and butter tart mixture is browned.
Note if using frozen tart shells: Bake in a hot oven 450 degrees for 8 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350 F and bake 15 to 20 minutes.

Hot out of the oven.............Yumm and it smells so good!

These are so sweet and tasty.  This recipe will make 12-15 tarts.  Better make a second batch, they go fast!

I told you he was happy! 

Stampin' Up! - Filled with Love Promotion Dec 17 to Jan 24, 2011

I know Christmas isn't even over yet, but I don't want you to miss out on this great event called the "Filled with Love Promotion".  In case you didn't already know, Valentine's Day is considered the second biggest holiday for sending cards.  This Filled with Love Promotion which runs from December 17th to January 24th will help you complete all your card projects in plenty of time for the big day.  During this event you can get an exclusive package of Designer Series Paper perfect for creating cards for family, friends, classmates, and more! Also as part of this promotion you can get a FREE package of Bitty Buttons--a $6.50 value--when you purchase an exclusive "Filled with Love Bundle." To find out more about what is offered in this great promotion click here.  My on-line store is open 24/7 for your shopping convenience.  If you have any questions regarding this promotion just email me I'd be happy to help you out.

Sorry I Haven't been Posting............

I've been absent for a while and feeling very guilty about it, wondering if it's procrastination or lack of inspiration.  For me I think it's just that overload time of year and trying to keep my priorities right........ family and friends first, then doing the things I love to do.

I've found that between working on house renos, shopping, running the golf group, shuffleboard, attending the annual Christmas Carol singalong, and other events, time has just flown by. For example, last week I wrote in my blog that I'd be updating my gift creations for the Inkspirations Blog hop, but you guessed it....NOT.  There's been no time to even haul out a stamp let alone get stamping time in.  And for whatever reason it always seems to be past midnight when I've finally got time.  "Who am I kidding?"   Last night I  told my husband I'd just love to put the world on "suspended animation" for about three days. I think that would be enough time for me to get it "all done".  But so far I just haven't been able to manage that feat!

So if you've wondered where I've been, why I haven't posted or why I've let you down, I truly apologize and will try to make up for it.  And, even though I know many of you are probably feeling the same, I know others are accomplishing so much!  I truly admire and salute all those amazing ladies who are baking, paper crafting and getting it done, and then blog posting to keep the rest of us in the picture.  You're all my heros and my inspiration!  You really are!  Okay I'm off to the kitchen to bake butter tarts for our open house tomorrow.

Inspirations Blog Tour

Hi everyone!  Hope you've had fun visiting all the sites on the Inkspirations Wishing You Christmas Cheer Christmas Gift Blog Tour.  I am so excited to be able to participate and invite you to check out my Christmas projects too.

The Inkspirations Team is so talented and this is such an honour to be a participant of their very first blog tour. The tour begins at  http://www.inkspirations-challenges.blogspot.com/ and the first awesome site is Makeesha Byl's.  She starts the tour off with an awesome gift idea.  Here's a full ist of the other sites you can visit:



Senior Inkspirations Design Team

Keesha - http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au//
Cindy - http://cindymajor.typepad.com/encre_papier_ciseaux/
Kristy - http://kirstyscardnscrap.wordpress.com//
Renee - http://www.reneevs.blogspot.com/

Design Team
Brandi - http://www.brandiwiggins.com//
Carrie - http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com//
Helen - http://h2designs.blogspot.com//
Ilina - http://ilinacrouse.blogspot.com//
Lee-Ann - http://www.leeannebarry.com//
Marisa - http://rosemary-reflections.blogspot.com/

The Blog Tour Participants
Julie LeBlanc - kewlstamps-n-more.blogspot.com
Jess Doyle - jesscraft.blogspot.com
Jasmin Owsley - http://www.wildflowerscraps.com/
Gardenia Pepworth - http://alittlelessuseless.wordpress.com//
Denise Willerton - http://www.chezmoicreations.blogspot.com/
Nicole Derendorf - http://stampingdownunder.wordpress.com//
Andrea Lowcock - http://andrealowcock.wordpress.com/
Belinda Tubby - http://stampinbuzz.com/
Karyn Schultz - http://karynscraftingobsession.blogspot.com/
Rebekah Stevens - http://wecraftalot.blogspot.com/
Kim Badelt - http://kimsstampingspot.blogspot.com//
Deb Speijers - http://www.stampandscrapwithdeb.com/
Maureen Rauchfuss - http://crazystampinglady.blogspot.com/
Karen G - http://cardsbykareng.blogspot.com/
Tracey - http://www.photovidal.blogspot.com/
Heather Pilz - StampPaperScissorsInk.com
Penny Hanuszak - http://pennytokensstampinspot.blogspot.com/
Louise Ryan - http://stamp2it.com/

So to begin, here is a card I designed for UStamp that I'd like to share with you.  This gate fold card features the Jolly Jingles Jumbo Wheel embossed in Silver. The beautiful Tempting Turquoise cardstock really showcases this color.  Don't you think?  I will be adding some more projects as the day progresses.  Hope you enjoy this starter.

Jolly Jingles Jumbo Roller and small stamp from Tags Til Christmas. 

Matching Envelope

Once you've viewed my Christmas Stamp Camp projects the next stop on the blog hop is Louise Ryan who has a couple of last minute gift ideas to share with you.  Have fun and thanks for stopping by.

Welcome Christmas Silhouette Card -Christmas Stamp a Stack Cards

One of my truly awesome stamping buddies Sheri, visited me last Sunday and we had a fun afternoon and evening of cardmaking and sharing.   We had such a great time and we made some awesome projects together, including this one.  Sheri had brought several stamp sets with her and when I saw the "Welcome Christmas" (118736 W/120597 A pg. 37 2010/2011 IB&C) set I just knew we had to make something with it.  I've seen so many fabulous cards featuring this 5 piece set, and hers hadn't even seen ink yet! 

It was a must do project from the start.  Once we decided we were going to do a split window pane using the children playing stamp it didn't take us long to come up with the rest of the design and colours.  Sheri's a master when it comes to color selection so when she suggested we sponge the sky in Crumb Cake, stamp the trees from Lovely as a Tree (115026 pg 114), in Chocolate Chip and the children in Early Espresso, I was game.  And, look how lovely this grading of colour turned out. 

I used Close to Cocoa for the card base and added a layer of Cherry Cobbler that had been run through the Big Shot machine in the Finial Press Textured Embossing Folder (115963).   The images were stamped on a 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 piece of Whisper White Card Stock, cut into 4 squares and then glued in window pane fashion onto a square piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock. This was mounted using dimensionals to the Cherry Cobbler layer.  The Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon is mounted on a strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock that has been punched with the Eyelet Border punch. 

All in all this was a pretty easy card that packs a really powerful punch.  Thanks Sheri for playing along with me on this one!  What do you think?  Isn't it beautiful! 

Delightful Decorations Movers and Shapers Card - Christmas Stamp-A-Stack

This summer I've really used my Big Shot a lot and one of my favourite Big Shot die cuts has been the  Magnetic Movers and Shapers Curly Label  (114506 pg. 208 IB&C).  It's very easy to use and adds a beautiful window design to a card front.   There are also two accompanying sets that can be used with this set.  The one I ordered is called Holiday Windows (116821 pg. 208) and it has an ornament, a dove, a circle and a curly label die shape.  This set is absolutely perfect for the holiday season and I think will add some real versatility to my cards.

Initially I was planning on using it to make a card with a window in the front corner, but let me tell you all that changed in a flash when I happened across a video tutorial on  Glenda Caulkins blog site .  She demonstrates some unique and interesting ways to use the Movers and Shapers magnetic die cuts not only for this card project, but for others.  She's awesome! 

I was intrigued by her floating ornament card and as soon as I saw it I shamelessly wanted to CASE it.  My intention was to use the Candy Cane Christmas Specialty DSP from the Holiday Mini catalogue (SOLD OUT) along with the Merry Crittermas Stamp set I had on order.  Imagine my disappointment when the stamp set arrived but not the DSP. I was fortunate to get my order in just before it sold out but  the last I checked, it's still in transit. Oh well, my fingers are crossed it'll arrive this week and then I'll make this card again and post it for you.

Okay, so not to be defeated and because I was dying to make this card, I rummaged through my scrap DSP and found some retired SU paper that looked like it would work, and I teamed it up with Creamy Caramel and Real Red Cardstock.  I loved the simplicity of this card, the few supplies required and how quick it was to make.  It kind of reminds me of Hansel and Gretel and/or gingerbread houses....what do you think?  Here's a view of the full card from a couple of different angles. 

The trick to making this card is to ensure that the fold is centered on the die cut and the Big Shot plate only covers to the fold line when you run it through the machine.  If you watch the video tutorial it is self explanatory. 

.

The sentiment which is from the retired Christmas Punch stamp set is stamped in Early Espresso on the inside of the card.  I initially stamped the sentiment on a post it note and used that to make sure of the placement before stamping to ensure the sentiment didn't show when the card front was closed.  That worked perfectly.