Dream BIG!

My motto for the last 2 years has been to dream big, life is too short. I am so extremely honored to share with you all that my business partner Jen and I have been contacted by Alexis, the Editor of Martha Stewart's "Dreamers Into Doers" website. Our company, Party Starters, is being featured in the Martha Stewart newsletter this week and on the Dreamers Into Doers portion of the website as "Doer Of The Week"!

Let me tell you, I feel like I won the lottery after I talked with Alexis. Never in a million years did I imagine that I would be a part of anything Martha Stewart. What a complete honor for us! I have been a fan of Martha Stewart since 1995 when I started watching her tv program. Martha is the one who inspired me to stamp back then. I made all of my own hand stamped Christmas wrapping paper in 1995 (before kids). To tell you the truth I was so proud of those packages that I about died when people tore into them...LOL!

I have been called "Martha" by family members and friends a time or two and that has always been a compliment. Yes, Martha has flaws, but don't we all. I am so inspired by her drive to succeed and her passion for all things crafty, decorating, cooking, baking and gardening. I am in awe by the extremely talented people that she has working with and for her.

Its been a crazy but great week in Pam-land....and I can't wait to see what the future has to offer. I can definitely handle these big dreams coming true!

Here's wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving (in the USA of course). I have a lot to be thankful for!

Hugs,
Pam

CC&M Blog Candy Winner

Come on down Rhonda Miller, you are the lucky winner of the Creative Cuts and More blog candy!

Here is what Rhonda wrote:
bluepoohbear75 said...

Sounds like fun, I can't wait to hop along and check it out. I put the blinkie on my sidebar. http://bluepoohbear753.blogspot.com/

November 4, 2009 9:17 AM

Rhonda I will get your info to Creative Cuts and More and they will be in touch!

Congrats!!

Quick Holiday Treats Apron Kit Tutorial

Just a quick post to give you some easy directions on how to assemble your Apron pages if you purchase the CC&M Holiday Treats Apron Kit.

In case you missed our blog hop yesterday please check out the link HERE. We had such a incredible amount of talent, 24 talented designers from all over the blogosphere, that created this album. Tons of eye candy, inspiration and hello...tons of recipes! After all this was Creative Cuts and More's MEGA Recipe Blog Hop. Please, if you have time check it out.
In your Holiday Treats Apron Kit you will receive red and green cardstock aprons, Doodlebug pattern paper cut to fit onto your red and green aprons as well as chipboard apron pieces. (plus a ton of embellishing goodies and extra paper!)


Step 1: Attach one of your pattern apron pieces onto either a green or red apron. (I used Killer Red Tacky Tape in the 1/8" width)






















Step 2: Fold your apron pocket up onto the pattern covered side. Either wrap the side tabs around to the back of the apron or simply fold them under and attach the the pattern paper side. (I wrapped mine all the way around and adhered with Killer Red Tacky Tape)




















Step 3: Once you have completely all aprons, sandwich a chipboard apron in between two cardstock aprons. (again I used Killer Red tape, it holds the best and once its stuck...its suck!)

Note: I punched holes in the side of my aprons to put rings in. If you do this you must punch each cardstock aprons (pocket folded up and attached) before you sandwich all of your pieces together!



Hope this helps and I hope you all run over to Creative Cuts and More to pick up both the "Holiday Treats Apron Kit" AND the "Treasured Family Recipe Kit". You have until this Saturday, November 14th to use the online coupon code: recipebloghop2009 during checkout to receive 20% off! Hurry these kits won't last long!

Thanks for stopping by,
Pam

CC&M Mega Recipe Blog Hop Day 2

Welcome blog hoppers to day 2 of the Creative Cuts and More MEGA recipe blog hop. Today you will find all kinds of inspiring albums made with the Holiday Treats Apron Kit! Plus we all will be sharing some of our own delicious recipes.

For my apron album I used just about everything included in the kit and added a few items of my own. For the front cover I used the stamp set " Something Sweet Set" from JustRite and I added a whole bunch of grosgrain & satin ribbon from my stash. I also used bigger rings then the ones included in the kit, because I simply made my album too fat...otherwise the album works just fine with the rings included. *EDITED* I will post tomorrow how to assemble the aprons for this album in 4 easy steps.

...and here is my recipe for today. You can click on the photo to enlarge it a bit. These cookie are really good, even though the ingredients sound a little strange. They are even better if you drizzle white or milk chocolate over them...Yummers!

In honor of the Mega Recipe blog hop CC&M is having a great sale. For the next five days CC&M will offer 20% off the entire store. But act quickly, its only for five more days-this sale will end on Nov. 14th. Make sure to enter this code recipebloghop2009 during checkout.

As a continuing part of the celebration CC&M will of course give away great gifts. Each day we will give away one kit. Here is the twist - go through the blog hop, leave wonderful comments for all the great designers. After you have finished the blog hop, return HERE to DieCutDiva.com and instead of leaving a comment, you need to share a recipe to have a chance at winning the kit. Share the recipe on your blog and link it back and get another chance to win the kit. Help us also make this a great recipe swap!!!!

For now I am sure you are anxious to get on your blog hopping way. Now, click on over to the next fabulous designer in the hop Nathalia!

Die Cut Diva
Pam Smerker <----YOU ARE HERE
Nathalia Castelllon <---------Go Here NEXT

Dawn Lusk

Stephany Zerbe
Jennifer Hansen

Lisa Somerville

Lila Holgate

Kazan Clark

Rachel Hope Baird
Ellen Sosnoski

Cecilia Stricklin

Cambria Turnbow
Angie Pearl

Laura Davis

Noelle Reese

Holly Brown

Rachel Sztonyk

Deb Felts

Jen Johnson

Amber Hillman

Carla Mayfield

Cindy Lawrence

Chris Dickinson

Die Cut Diva

CC&M Mega Recipe Blog Hop Day 1

Welcome blog hoppers, you are almost to the end our of amazing MEGA Recipe blog hop! If you didn't arrive here from Stacy Cohen's blog, you don't want to miss what our designers have in store for you! The CC&M Mega Recipe Blog Hop starts at Die Cut Diva

I had so much fun creating this 8”x8” Treasured Family Recipes Kit for Creative Cuts and More. All of the samples that the Blog Hop designers have shared today have been amazing! I absolutely couldn't be more thrilled with this kit and the results! It makes a fabulous gift for loved ones in your family, a great shower gift for a bride to be...or a keepsake for yourself to keep your own families treasured recipes in. I know you will enjoy creating your own version of this cookbook.

So here are some of my pages:





Here is a recipe just for you from my collection:

Nana's Quick Chocolate Cake
Combine in a large bowl:
3 C Flour
2C Sugar
6 TBLS cocoa
2 tsp salt
Add:
2 Tsp vanilla
2 TBLS Vinegar
2/3 C + 1 TBLS oil
2C + 1 TBLS water

Beat well and pour into a greased 9 x 13" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.


For the next six days, we will offer 20% off the entire store. But act quickly, it is only for six days – this sale will end on Nov 14^th. Make sure you enter this code recipebloghop2009 during checkout.

Don't forget each day of our Mega Recipe Blog Hop, Creative Cuts and More will give away one kit. Make sure you have gone through the blog hop, leave wonderful comments for the great designers. After you have finished the blog hop, return to Die Cut Diva and instead of leaving a comment, you need to share a recipe to have a chance at winning the kit. Share the recipe on your blog and link it back and get another chance to win the kit. Help us also make this a great recipe swap.

Make sure you check back at Die Cut Diva tomorrow for the Holiday Treats Apron Recipe Kit Blog Hop. We will also have 24 designers who will be showcasing their great creations and sharing holiday treat recipes. Thanks so much for stopping by today. I can't wait to show you my Holiday Treats Apron recipe book tomorrow!

NOW, please head back on over to Die Cut Diva to leave a recipe/comment for our Mega Recipe swap and a chance to win one of the new recipe kits!

~Pam

Here is our blog hop list one more time:

Die Cut Diva
Jen Johnson

Lori Renn
Michele Kovack

Ellen Sosnoski
Kayla Dupont

Courtney Holgate

Sharon Harnist

Eva Dobilas
Noelle Reese

Joan Ervin

Suzanne Blickenstaff
Angie Pearl

Cathy Tidwell
Holly Simoni

Lila Holgate
Kendra Wietstock

Chris Penaflor

Holly Brown

AJ Otto

Stephany Zerbe
Lisa Somerville
Chris Dickinson
Stacy Cohen

Pam Smerker <------You are here

Die Cut Diva <-------Go Here Next!

Anyone up for some blog candy CC&M style??

The Creative Cuts and More design team, the "Die Cut Divas" are gearing up along with a bunch of super talented paper crafters from around the blogosphere for a Mega Recipe Blog Hop!! When you ask...Monday and Tuesdsay, November 9th & 10th! Since we have such amazing talent working this MEGA blog hop we need you to spread the word (that is where the blog candy comes in). Copy this blinkie and add it to your blog or your place on the web, come back, leave me a comment showing me where you put it and you are entered! Entered for what? Some fabulous Surprise Blog Candy from Creative Cuts and More!!! Yummers! So what are you waiting for....right click on the apple picture below, save it and then add it to your blog!
Thanks...

Since we are talking about recipes, I just wanted to show you real quick a cake that I made. Last month Party Starters had a theme contest. We asked people to give us unique themes for cakes and this is the one I chose..."Cookie Exchange Party". For all of those people who get together to exchange holiday cookies and recipes this cake makes a great centerpiece and favors! The hostess can print out her cookie recipe, roll it up into a scroll, stick one scroll in each cake slice box, then hand them out to their guests at the end of the party.
A big thanks to Wendy for the fabulous idea!

I won't be back until Monday for the Mega Blog Hop, so have yourself a fabulous rest of the week and weekend!

~Pam

CC&M & Caardvarks Blog Hop Day 3 "Table Decor"

Well we are onto our final day of the Creative Cuts and More & Caardvarks holiday hop. Please make sure that you have started from the beginning at Caardvarks, so you don't miss a single project.

For my table decoration I chose to make an "Advent Cake". This centerpiece can stay on your table through out the month of December as you count down the days to Christmas. Fill each "cake box slice" with candy, trinkets or a special note then let your loved ones open a slice each day. I always spend a minimum of $30 if not more to buy my three kids the cheapo advent calendars at the super market. Well this year...I can fill each box with enough goodies for all three kids and myself! Plus I can reuse this centerpiece each year.

Now some of you may or may not know, Jen Johnson and I own "Party Starters". This type of cake is our specialty! We work along with Terry the owner of Creative Cuts and More and if you see anything on her website that you love, but don't have the time to embellish, Party Starters can do it for you.

Please come on back tomorrow for another fun cake treat AND see how you can win some BLOG CANDY!!!

Alrighty...head on over to Die Cut Diva for another fabulous creation (from me LOL).
Thanks for stopping by!
~Pam

Here is your blog hop list again.

Tanis Geisbrecht
Mel McCarthy
Lucy Abrams
Heidi Van Laar
Kelly Rasmussen
Stephany Zerbe
Sue-ann Tilby
Amy Crockett
Ashley Cannon Newell
Catherine Doucette
Peet Roeven
Eva Dobilas
Michelle Giraud
Nathalia Castellon
Carla Mayfield
Chris Dickinson
Ellen Sosnoski
Jennifer Johnson
Kayla Dupont
Lila Holgate
Lindsay Weirich
Pamela Smerker <-----you are here
Diecut Divas Blog <-----Go here next!~
Creative Cuts & More

(Sign up for our Newsletter)
Caardvarks
(Leave a comment to let us know you've finished today's hop!)

CC&M & Caardvarks Blog Hop Day 2 "Pretty Packaging"

Welcome to Day Two of "A Very Merry Caardvarks & Creative Cuts and More Holiday Hop"!
THREE fun-filled days of holiday inspiration! Today we are sharing, pretty packaging. Tomorrow, home decor, centerpieces and holiday ornaments. If you came from Lindsay's amazing blog then you are right on track. If you came here first then please hop on over to the beginning to Caardvarks so that you don't miss a creative thing!

Here we go....
For today's project I used a Creative Cuts and More's cupcake box. The bottom half of the box was cut out of acetate and is a special request, just give them a call and they will make sure you get exactly what you want when you order. If you order now you can take advantage of a 15% off online coupon which is only good through November 4th, so don't delay! The coupon code is: holidayhop2009

This cupcake box is not only great for giving cupcakes, but our very own Die Cut Diva designer Holly thought it would be a great idea to use for a beautiful ornament. There is a piece of cardstock with a special cutout in it that allows the box to hold either a cupcake or round object in the bottom of the box, without it slipping around. Brilliant! For the embellishing, I used CC&M mini trees, rhinestones, some ribbon, a little wreath button and of course Killer Red tacky tape. Creative Cuts and More has the BEST price for Killer Red Tacky Tape, seriously the best super sticky tape EVER!! I punched holes in the lid, so that I could weave ribbon through it. The snow on the bottom of the box is just white cardstock torn in a wave pattern. I added the trees, topped each off with a rhinestone and voila!

Now you are almost finished, with our fantastic day two hop. Next scoot on over to Die Cut Diva. Here is our blog hop list again:

Tanis Geisbrecht
Lucy Abrams
Heidi Van Laar
Kelly Rasmussen
Stephany Zerbe
Sue-ann Tilby
Amy Crockett
Ashley Cannon Newell
Catherine Doucette
Peet Roeven
Eva Dobilas
Michelle Giraud
Nathalia Castellon
Holly Brown
Carla Mayfield
Chris Dickinson
Ellen Sosnoski
Jennifer Johnson
Lila Holgate
Lindsay Weirich
Pamela Smerker <----you are here
Diecut Divas Blog <------GO HERE NEXT
Creative Cuts & More

(Sign up for Newsletter)
Caardvarks (Leave a comment to let us know you've finished today's hop!)

Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow for more fun holiday ideas!
~Pam

CC&M & Caardvarks Blog Hop Day 1

Welcome blog hoppers! If you stopped here first, please make sure you start at the beginning over at Caardvarks! If you have been hopping along, you are almost finished!

For my holiday card I used this beautiful A7 scalloped card with the new square window convertible die. There are so many ways you can decorate this card, but I decided to use some of Creative Cuts and More's cute little small snowflakes to make a spinner card. The snowflake is suspended by a piece of floss. Simply "wind up" the snowflake close the card then pop it in an envelope. When your lucky recipient opens the cards the snowflake will spin around showing off all of its sparkles.

Now its time to hop on over to Die Cut Diva, the home of the Creative Cuts and More design team to see some more amazing creations! Don't forget to make your way back to the beginning and leave comments for a chance to win some great prizes!

See you tomorrow!
~Pam

Go to Die Cut Diva NEXT

-then head on over to Creative Cuts and More (sign up for Newsletter): http://www.creativecutsandmore.com/

-then head on over to Caardvarks (leave a comment to let us know you've finished today's hop): http://caardvarks.blogspot.com/