Dec 23, 2010 | Big Shot, Christmas, Fabric, Holiday Mini Catalog 2010, Recipe, SU Buttons, Tags |
I have been making this recipe for many years – it is always a big hit. I recently made it at my Holiday Gift Making weekend that I had back in November and several people wanted the recipe. I am making some more for Christmas – to have out our family events throughout the holidays and thought I would share it with you. In the past I have given it as gifts to teachers and neighbors. It was such a great teacher gift – a ready made appetizer for a teacher to take home for the holidays. I made them when Kyle was in Kindergarten (he is now a freshman in college) and wrapped them up in a dish with crackers and a spreader to give to his teacher. Several years later when ever we would see this teacher (she no longer worked at the school) she always commented on how she remembered that gift and how good it was.
Today I decided to wrap up a few for gifts – I actually divided one larger cheese ball into two smaller ones to wrap them.
I used several items from the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Mini catalog. First the Deck The Halls fabric – I cut a large square and then folded it into quarters and used the Big Shot and the Scallop Square die to cut the fabric. I lined the fabric up on the die so that the cut edges after I folded it up where getting cut and the folded sides were inside the die so they didn’t get cut. This gave me a large scallop square of fabric – basically the size of 4 of them together – but one large piece of fabric. I hope that made sense.
My cheese balls were rolled in almonds
and then I wrapped them first with wax paper and then with plastic wrap. Then I put it in the center of my scalloped fabric square. I took two opposite points and folded them across the cheese ball then took the other two points and brought them together at the top. I used a large needle, some Linen Thread, and a Big Designer Button from the Deck the Halls pack – I used the smallest Always Artichoke button for these. I used the needle to pull the Linen thread through the front of the button, through both layers of fabric to the back, through both layers of fabric again through to the front and through the button. Tied that in a knot and then added a tag from the Tags til Christmas stamp set. Tied it in a bow and trim the ends. It dressed them up nicely!
Here is the recipe:
Almond Chicken Cheese Ball
1- 1/2 cups cooked chicken
1 Tbsp A-1 steak sauce
2 – 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
Combine above in a bowl. Mix well.
1/4 cup minced green onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped almonds
Mix green onion, 2 Tbs parsley and celery with the cream cheese mixture. Mix well, form 2 balls – refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Roll in “leftover” parsley and almonds. Serve with crackers.
Here are some of my notes:
-I have been using canned chicken – just drain it well.
– I usually leave out the celery – my family doesn’t care for it.
– This time I left out the parsley because I didn’t have any – it’s mostly for looks.
– Forming the balls is messy on your hands. I get out waxed paper and put a ball in the middle of each piece. Then roll that up and cover it with plastic wrap to put in the fridge.
– I was able to freeze one – but don’t add the outside parsley and almonds before freezing and do wrap in wax paper first – because when it defrosts it gets “wet” and the wax paper seems to absorb some of that. Let it defrost in the fridge and then roll in the parsley and almonds before serving it.
Happy Holidays!!
Nov 20, 2010 | Big Shot, Bingo, Fabric, Holiday Mini Catalog 2010 |
Earlier this month I held a Holiday Gift making class. It was a lot of fun and everyone that came left with finished gifts! Some were teacher or friend gifts, some were mom or grandma gifts, and some were just for themselves. One of the projects was a set of Fabric Ornaments using the new Stampin’ Up! Fabric that is in the Holiday Mini Catalog. There are two different packages to choose from and both have matching button assortments to coordinate. They also coordinate with Designer Paper packs and Stampin’ Up! stamp sets. It is so easy to make a whole set of matching projects including the packaging and cards!
Stampin' Up! Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons
Stampin' Up! Deck the Halls Designer Fabric
My samples today use the Candy Cane collection. The colors in this collection are Garden Green, Real Red, Baja Breeze and Blushing Bride.
Stampin' Up! Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons
- Stampin’ Up! Candy Cane Designer Fabric
We made Fabric Ornaments by cutting the fabric with the Big Shot – I used the Scallop Circles #2 Die and two layers of each pattern. The great thing about the Big Shot is you can cut all six layers at the same time – so it is just one pass through the Big Shot for all the fabric for all three ornaments. I did cut the batting one layer at a time because it is thick.
To make the ornaments layer two small scallops of fabric with a small scallop batting in between and put a stitch in each scallop with some thread and a needle.
Then add a button on the top and one of the large scallop fabric pieces on the back. Choose a different fabric for the large scallop than what you used for the small one. Sew the button through the small layered scallop and the large scallop.
Next layer the large scallop batting and some ribbon for a hanger – I used Real Red Grosgrain for these – and then the last large fabric scallop. Again put a stitch in each scallop with some needle and thread all the way around. You may want to go twice over the part where the handle is to make it secure.
That’s it. I did them in sets of three mixing the three fabric patterns from the package. I also made a set using the Deck the Halls fabric and buttons.
I actually gave this set away as a prize for my Pokeeno group so I decided to create a coordinating box to hold them. I used Real Red card stock and the Candy Candy Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper that matches with the fabric.
The panels are stamped with snow flakes and then the paper is punched with the Ornament punch and I added one on each side.
I measured the box to be just the right size to fit the ornaments inside. I use my Grid paper when I create a box. I lay the item I want to fit in side on my paper and draw a box around it. Then figure how high I want the sides to be and draw those lines on the paper.
Then I make a lid which is slightly bigger just a fraction so the lid will slide over the base.
I hope you like the project and you should try the fabric – I’m not much of a sewer but I do like the fabric and have used it several times on non-sewing projects.
No Bingo winner yet – so here we go again…
It’s BINGO TIME! We are playing Round 6 of Monika’s Blog Bingo. I have now filled group 7 and won’t be taking any more names right now – I”ll be taking a Bingo break after group 7 plays – I may play again in the future so I hope you will continue to visit my blog. See this POST for more details on how to play and the previous winners.
And now for today’s piece – Here is piece #17 –the furniture from Loads of Love Accessories stamp set (stamped in Chocolate Chip).
Make sure you send me an email when you get your 5 in a row. 
Oct 22, 2010 | Big Shot, Bingo, class, Fabric, Punch Art |
Last fall I saw a scarecrow bag that someone (sorry I don’t know who) had made and thought it was so cute. But I never got around to making one. So when I was planning my Punch Art class for this month I decided I wanted to do a scarecrow as part of the class. I was trying to decide if I wanted to make a card, or something like the bag that I saw but finally decided I wanted to use the Fancy Favor Box die to make mine. Then I was looking at Stampin’ Connection (our demo community for sharing ideas) and Doris Denman posted a cute scarecrow card. I had already started with my box but I did decide to use some of the elements from her card – the smile and the little crows. So my scarecrow box is a combination of ideas from those two plus a little of my own. And here he is……
I cut the box from So Saffron card stock using the Big Shot and the Fancy Favor box die. Then I cut another panel of So Saffron to fit on the front and ran that through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. The edges are sponged in Soft Suede. Around the top of the box I used the brown paper packaging that comes in all the Stampin’ Up! shipping boxes. Yep that paper works perfect for a scarecrow and can be used for shredded paper inside the box too! Around the bottom of the box is a torn piece of Deck the Halls fabric – tied in a knot on the corner and one of the little Vintage Trinkets safety pins is on there. The crow, flower and his face are all made from various punches – lets see if I can make a list:
Eyes – Bitty Circle, 1/2″ circle, 3/4″ circle
Nose – Large Star
Mouth – 1-3/4″ circle, Heart to Heart
Flower – Boho Blossom, Bitty Circle
Crow – 3/4″ x 15/16″ oval, Boho Blossom, Heart to Heart
I really like how the boxes turned out – I make one for each of the kids for their Thanksgiving Table (Stephanie – what do you think?)
So now lets get on with Bingo – I’m going to recap all the pieces that I called since I thought I messed up my numbering – but really didn’t – apparently writing my posts really late at night is not a good thing – here it goes :
#1 –the Pear from Cheep Talk stamp set (stamped in Pear Pizzazz)
#2 –the bird on a branch “thinking of you” image from Cute By the Inch stamp set (stamped in Pear Pizzazz)
#3 –the tiny flower image from Flight of the Butterfly stamp set (stamped in Peach Parfait)
#4 –the CREATE image from Charming stamp set (stamped in Peach Parfait)
#5 –the soccer ball image from All in the Family Accesories stamp set (stamped in Concord Crush).
#6 –the dog bone image from Friends Fur-Ever stamp set (stamped in Chocoalte Chip)
#7 –the pumpkins from Loads of Love Accessories stamp set (stamped in Peach Parfait)
#8 –the dog from All in the Family stamp set (stamped in Chocolate Chip)
#9 –the flower from Season of Friendship stamp set (stamped in Poppy Parade)
#10 –the alphabet from Cute by the Inch stamp set (stamped in Poppy Parade)
Let’s play for today ….
It’s BINGO TIME! We are playing Round 5 of Monika’s Blog Bingo. I’m currently taking names for Round 7. See this POST for more details on how to join, how to play and the previous winners.
Here is piece #11 –the little bird from Friends Fur-Ever stamp set (stamped in Pear Pizzazz).
Oct 4, 2010 | Big Shot, Bingo, Fabric |
I got back late last night from my trip so I have a quick post for you. At my downline meeting last month I asked a couple of people to bring Make&Take projects and I wanted to share those with you.
Joyce shared this cute pencil project that she found somewhere – she was making them for a friend and prepped enough for our meeting. The inside is ROLO candy we wrapped them with just a piece of paper and taped it to hold them in roll. I forgot why we couldn’t just use the rerolled candy – but she had a reason for it. Then we made the outside pencil part with So Saffron card stock – we scalloped one edge and then scored in between all the scallops to create the look of a pencil. If you want to add writing or something to the edge of the pencil do that before attaching it around the candy. We added a kiss in the end for the point. At the other end we wrapped a piece of pink card stock and then foil. And we added a piece of pink at the very end to finish off the eraser.
Lisa showed us all how to make these flowers. This is my green one. She showed us several different ones that she made including one that was on her shirt – everyone thought she bought it at the store that way!
We used the Big Shot to cut the fabric – mine uses the Circles #2 Die but other people used the scalloped circles. We saw these same kind of flowers at convention. But I had forgotten about them. You cut a bunch of layers of fabric, layer them and stitch together in the center. The more layers the fuller the flower. Then use the heat tool to heat the fabric until it curls. So you need to use a synthetic fabric – like a sating slippery fabric so that it will curl when you heat it. I didn’t do it on mine but you can add in something on the center like a button or brad. And then add a pin to the back so you can pin it to your top.
The other two projects we made were my Birthday Bakery card – see it HERE –
and the Got Treats? skinny bags – see those HERE –
We had a wonderful time at the meeting. The next one is in November and if you are a demonstrator that lives near me you are invited to join me. Just email me for more information.
Let’s play Bingo…..
It’s BINGO TIME! We are playing Round 4 of Monika’s Blog Bingo. I’m currently taking names for Round 6. See this POST for more details on how to join, how to play and the Round 1, 2, and 3 winners.
Here is piece #7 –the snowflake image from Season of Friendship stamp set (stamped in Concord Crush).
Sep 27, 2010 | Bingo, class, D is for Dog, Fabric, Holiday Mini Catalog 2010 |
This project was one from my Love Your Pets class. Its a treat jar – mine is decorated for a dog but I gave the class the option of doing a dog or cat. We used the D is for Dog and C is for Cat stamp sets. And the jars are decorated with the new Stampin’ Up! fabric in Holiday Mini Catalog and the Big Buttons.
I used one of the fabric patterns from the Deck the Halls bundle and the coordinating Big Designer Buttons. The fabric is torn into strips and wrapped around the jar to overlap the ends. Then I used Linen Thread to tie around it and hold it tight and then I put one of the big buttons on it. So its not a fabric sewing project but it is a fabric project!
The lid is decorated with elements from the D is for Dog stamp set. And the new 2″ Circle punch is exactly the right size for the top of the jar – these were the regular mouth jars not the wide-mouth. And I ran the circle through the Square lattice embossing folder too.
I also created a tag to tie around the button – the D is for dog stamp is punched with the small tag punch and layered with the large tag punch. The paw print is punched with the 3/4″ circle punch, and the bone is cut out. They are all threaded on a piece of Linen Thread and tied around the big button.
I filled it with dog treats and now it sits on my counter. I really like this fabric because the patterns aren’t really Christmas patterns – you can use them for every day projects not just holiday projects. I can keep this on the counter year round. And I know Aspen and Magnolia will be happy about that!
If you are checking in on Monika’s Blog Bingo – I finally found my winner on Sunday afternoon. So it’s time to get a new group started – this time it will be group 4 and here are the players:
- Marilyn from NY
- D from WA
- Cinthia from MA
- Susan from Wis.
- Peggy from Maryland
- Sandi from MI
- Ruth from CT
- Ola from Indiana
- Sue from MS
- Cristy from TX
- Judy from CA
- Jeanette from GA
- Amy from MN
- Cinda from GA
- Patty from FL
- Kim from NJ
I will email Bingo cards for Round 4 to all of you and the first Bingo piece will be called on Tuesday 9/28. I really like how everyone is from all over the US! Isn’t it fun? Thanks for playing along. I’ll have an updated post with all the rules when we start on Tuesday.
Have a wonderful Monday!
I used several items from the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Mini catalog. First the Deck The Halls fabric – I cut a large square and then folded it into quarters and used the Big Shot and the Scallop Square die to cut the fabric. I lined the fabric up on the die so that the cut edges after I folded it up where getting cut and the folded sides were inside the die so they didn’t get cut. This gave me a large scallop square of fabric – basically the size of 4 of them together – but one large piece of fabric. I hope that made sense.
and then I wrapped them first with wax paper and then with plastic wrap. Then I put it in the center of my scalloped fabric square. I took two opposite points and folded them across the cheese ball then took the other two points and brought them together at the top. I used a large needle, some Linen Thread, and a Big Designer Button from the Deck the Halls pack – I used the smallest Always Artichoke button for these. I used the needle to pull the Linen thread through the front of the button, through both layers of fabric to the back, through both layers of fabric again through to the front and through the button. Tied that in a knot and then added a tag from the Tags til Christmas stamp set. Tied it in a bow and trim the ends. It dressed them up nicely!
