Welcome CC&M Blog Hoppers!

Boy it has been a while since I participated in a blog hop, so I was thrilled when Creative Cuts and More asked me to be a part of their Baby & Bridal hop this month. So many fabulous ideas all in one day, plus a chance at a  terrific PRIZE ( A two tiered cake in sooth or textured cardstock) & HELLO a coupon code for 20% everything in the store!! (code is: babybridalhop20 )

  If you happened to stop here first today, please head on over to the Die Cut Diva blog  so you can start the hop from the beginning! If you are hopping right along and came over from Melisa's gorgeous blog and creations then you are on the right track. 

 I have designed wedding favors using Creative Cuts and More's wonderful dies in the past. I must say that I am partial to their baby collection though. The baby shoes are my absolute favorite die...so far! 

Since I am now in the party business I decided to create some fun decorations and favors with a twin baby shower in mind. The "Sweet Pea" theme works well, because it can be gender neutral, all boy or all girl. 

Creative Cuts and More has a fabulous Penant die for creating fun personalized buntings. 

This is Creative Cuts and More's A2 Gate Fold Cresent card with band, & Baby Shoe

 

 Here is CC&M's small Take Out box decorated with a mini tissue pom pom

The vellum lamp shade die fits right on top of a wine glass to make a votive lamp. These lamps make a wonderful hostess gift or prize for shower games. 

We recommend using a battery operated votive candle. You can never be too safe.

A2 Gate Fold Cresent card used for an invitaion

 Here again is the Vellum Lamp Shade, Baby Shoes & a Oval A2 window frame with an A2 card

Great for making thank you notes. 

I hope you found some inspiration while visiting my blog. Please keep on hopping you are almost finished with only 3 more stops. Next up is Becky's great designs.  Don't forget to leave your comments for a chance at that yummy prize!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Pam

Die Cut Diva 

Noelle Reese 

Lisa Somerville 

Darsie Bruno 

Holly Brown 

Kayla Dupont 

Melisa Waldorf 

Pamela Smerker  <--------YOU ARE HERE

http://paperaskew.blogspot.com/

Becky Voth 

Steph Zerbe  

Chris Dickinson 

*If for some reason one of the links is broken along the Hop do not worry, HOP back over to Die Cut Diva com/> where the complete list will be. 

Ingredients: The shoes, cards, and bunting came in either White or Apple Crush smooth cardstock. "Sweet Pea" stamp is from unknown. "Thanks So Much" stamp is from SU. Shoes were dry embossed with a Cuddlebug folder.

Duff you have done it again!

Sorry for my lack of posting here...gosh its been a crazy busy week.
So I am going through my emails this morning and come across the Michaels coupon/ad. So I am looking through it and HELLO...Duff Goldman has his own line of cake supplies....I KNOW! Even though I only make cakes or cupcakes (shhh, don't tell Duff) for birthdays, I thought to myself...what could I use on my paper cakes??? Check these wires out...I WANT!!! I have attempted to curl my own wire to use on cakes and obviously since I have no cakes with such wires you can tell how well I succeeded! So once again, Duff has inspired me and I have a bunch of fun and funky Paper Cake ideas floating around in my head!!

Since we are talking about cakes, here is the latest that is leaving today to its new home. Bye bye little Alice and speaking of bye bye...I gotta fly! Thanks for stopping by and reading my blah blah blah!

Hugs,
Pam

Busy Busy Me...

When it rains it pours...same thing goes for orders. I am either working on a couple of orders at one time or slammed with 8 orders. Never a happy medium, but I must admit I do love the challenge.
Today I thought I would show you a couple of the projects I am working on. First up is a Lady Bug mini gable box. Second is a Mini Favor Bag...well its technically more like a box only in the shape of a bag. Lots of Summer birthdays and baby showers coming up I guess.
Alrighty, gotta fly...duty calls! Thanks for stopping by.

The Party Is Over....I'm tired!

Saturday was the big day, I had an open house/ ladies night for my friends and family to show off some Party Starters' displays and really to just have some fun! Here is a photo from my "Hazardous Teen Birthday" display, which you can read more about HERE. This display was a hit and everyone was so sweet with all of their comments about it. I can't wait to create more items to go along with this set for Tyler's party, which is in a month.
Sorry this post is short,  I have to run and oh how I wish it was to bed...but duty calls and I have orders to fill. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Hugs,
Pam

What I did and what I should have been doing...

Well I did work on some orders yesterday, then I got side tracked.... I can't help it, when an idea pops into my head sometimes I just have to run with it. This is where my mind ran off to....a slimy green toxic sludge shaped invitation.
I posted earlier that my son Tyler wanted to have a toxic waste themed party this year.  I am so excited that I was able to create the shape of the invite in Illustrator, a program that is completely new to me. The size of this invite is  5"x7", so it will fit perfect into an A7 envelope. OH and I did get the 13 year old stamp of approval, so that means these puppies will be going out in the mail in a few weeks! Now to make the rest of the decorations to match!
I am thinking these invites would be great for a "Mad Scientist" themed party as well. Do you think if it was cut out of blue cardstock it would look like water dripping??? What else could this shaped invite work for??? Hmmmm....Chocolate??? I know I know...always with the chocolate. LOL

Thanks for stopping in.
Hugs,
Pam

A thank you to Teachers

It feels a bit strange to walk through the halls of my son's middle school. Why, well because it was my Junior High when I was his age. I walk through the halls and have flash backs of the good times I had with so many friends.  I am happy to say I am still in contact (mostly because of Facebook) with the majority of that group of people. Now we are all in our 30 somethings and every now and then as I am in the school I think,  geesh...I never in a million years would have thought I would be where I am today. Its funny how life and all of its experiences change you. While a lot of me is still the same 7th grade girl I was then, there are parts of me that are still changing and have changed a lot just in the last 5 years. I guess life is funny that way. I am glad I can go to my "son's school" and reminisce and realize how far I have come and how extremely fortunate I am.

Anyway, as many of you have read here in the past year I am the PTO President at my son's school, so I was helping take care of Teacher Appreciation week this year with my good friend, Debbie, who I know from my Stampin UP! days. On Monday Debbie put together a brunch for the staff and during the week we had drawing prizes, which of course was a hit.  To finish the week up Debbie put together a sandwich buffet, while I create a dessert table with goodies that Debbie and I created. There were cupcakes, cookies, oranges and apples. Debbie made these adorable Daisy cups that were filled with M&Ms and each person received a Starbucks card from the PTO. I made a small banner, decorated the large glass jars that held wrapped Hershey bars and the framed sign saying thank you. Everyone who came into the room oooh'd and aaahhh'd and complimented on how bright and cheery everything looked.  Debbie, thanks for all of your help!  I think we should go into business together ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek.
Have a great day!!!
Pam

Happy Mother's Day

I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by Beth from Sparks PR & Events about the Woodland Fairy banner I created and had listed in my Etsy store. Beth liked the style of the banner and asked if I would create one for a Mother's Day event she was working on.  I was thrilled to see Beth's final display and what was even more exciting...this display was featured on The Party Dress, one of my favorite inspirational sites this past Wednesday.

For the table scape Beth used  bright yellow branches and attached photos of Mom's and Daughters with ribbons and made an arrangement in a bright pink container. A cute addition to this table, besides the scrumptious cupcakes and Mimosa's are the bottles of fingernail polish with adorable little tags. Brilliant! This whole table theme makes me want to take my Mom and my daughter out for Mother's Day manicures!

Thanks so much for stopping in today.  I hope all you fabulous Mother's out there have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Hugs,
Pam

oh little lilly how i love you

I love Lilly of the Valley, they smell so nice and they are so sweet and dainty. This card is from Martha Stewart and if you check out her link HERE there is a template to create this card. I may just have to try this one out myself as my MIL's birthday is this weekend, actually on Mother's Day. I know she likes Lilly of the Valley, because her front porch is covered in them.

Update on my daughter, she has a sinus infection, poor little thing. She is being a real trouper, unlike her older brothers who just have seasonal allergies and are making more of of a fuss then Aly is. What can I say...typical men in training...ROTFL!

So I hope this flower cut out will inspire you to make something beautiful. If you create something come back and leave me the link I would love to see it.
Now off to play catch up...I have 60 hershey bar wrappers to make today for Teacher Appreciation lunch tomorrow...eeek!

Hugs,
Pam

Happy Cinco De Mayo

While I won't personally be celebrating Cinco De Mayo, many of you might be, so I thought I would share a freebie! TomKat who is an incredibly talented lady down in Arizona created these cute tags as a Cinco De Mayo gift. I adore Kim's design style and her always beautiful photos that she shares daily on her blog. You can check out here post and download these tags for free to use as you please as long as it is for your personal use of course.

I am off to take care of a sick little girl, this cough is getting the best of her.
Hugs,
Pam





*photo from The TomKat Studio

Pretty Packaging

I was blogging about packaging over at Party Starters today and decided to show off a package that I decorated geesh a year ago already. I looked through my blog posts here and didn't see that I had shared this photo, so here it is, my pretty baby shower package.

Typically when we are off to a party I am in a hurry and find myself shoving whatever the gift is into a gift bag and hoping that the three pieces of tissue I have left on hand are enough to cover what is trying to peak out of the bag. If I had all the time in the world to decorate all of the presents that I give out I would. I mean how much fun is it to get a gift that the recipient almost hates to tear into, because it is so pretty.

This package was one that I made sure I had time to wrap up all kinds of pretty. This was a baby shower gift for a good friend and one that appreciates handmade gifts.  I went with a red and cream color scheme, because when go to a baby shower and you know the baby is a girl, EVERYTHING is pink...right?! I wanted my friends gift to be crisp and elegant looking and I think I pulled it off. Everyone one at the party adored the little baby shoe and matching card that I created.

Now you have seen these sweet Mary Jane baby shoes here on Paper Askew in the past and the majority of those were  ones (which I call the regular size) that I get from Creative Cuts and More.  Party Starters has a similar Mary Jane version, but its about 1/3 the size of the regular, which I call the Mini MJ and are available in the Strawberry & Chocolate Party Pack.  These shoes make great baby shower favors, keepsakes, or decorations.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!
Hugs,
Pam

Happy Earth Day 2010! {Upcycled Felted Wool Spotlight}

While volunteering at school I had the great pleasure of meeting a very talented woman who also has an Etsy store. Hello...instant connection! I of course "hearted" her store as soon as I found it and adore everything she has listed in it.

Right now I am absolutely in love with this "Upcycled Cream Felted Wool Rose Pin" that she has made. These would make fabulous party favors, bouteniers for a wedding, or simply a sweet gift for someone special.

A Toxic Waste Birthday Theme

 At the end of June we celebrate our son, Tyler's half birthday. Ty's birthday is actually December 28th, so celebrating with my husbands side of the family and friends in June helps to spread things out a bit. It really isn't easy to invite friends to a birthday party just 3 days after Christmas.
So this year we will be celebrating 13 years with a Biohazard/ Toxic Waste themed party. Why...I have no clue why Ty chose this theme, but I will run with it. I am always up for a challenge and I am sure this party will be just that!
 I will make a bunch of caution signs and use the toxic waste symbols on the banner, invitations, and cake. Tyler found this candy, that will be fun favors. Maybe we can find some of that caution tape to put around the house instead of streamers.  I want to find a way to put some green slime around the house as well, most likely cut out of butcher paper.
As I start creating things I will share some photos with all of you. If you have any fun ideas or see any cool photos please, do share!

Tomorrow I will be sharing some ideas on our daughter Aly's birthday theme. Her birthday is January 6th, so she also celebrates a half birthday. We push hers out until the middle of July, but Aly and I are already having way too much fun planning her party. Aly has chosen a Woodland Fairy theme and I have already started creating some fun cut outs for it! Can't wait to show you a sneak peak!!

Hugs,
Pam

Things I want to try...

Well I had big plans of sharing some things I have been working on yesterday,  but my printer ran out of ink AGAIN (time for a new printer) so my orders have been put on hold until I can get to the store today.  So, I thought I would share my to do list...some things that I would love to try.

I have been drooling over this chocolate cake recipe since Martha introduced it back in 2006....some day I will make it! I love moist dense chocolate cakes with thick fudgy frosting...*sigh* I think I'm in love!

Second, this cute idea to make candy necklace garland. This idea was sent to me by my friend, Chantelle (she is my official hunter and gatherer of all things fabulous). I can just see my kids eating away at the decorations like a flock of crows! So colorful and I am sure, very tasty! I bet you could string colored cereal as well and have the same look and probably less expensive.


 Third, I want to get some really cool Apothocary jars so that I can make a dessert table that is inspired by Amy Atlas. OH how I love Amy's work.  Wouldn't you love to be at a party where there was a set up like this! Almost too pretty to touch. 








 Well I guess there is something I can share with you all. Our candy bar envelopes/wrappers. Oh how I love these favors! This is my latest design to go along with my lady bug themed cake. Hershey bars make a wonderful party favor or thank you for any age. Whether its for a shower or a kids birthday. Inexpensive and a great personal touch to your event.

 Well hopefully today there won't be anymore glitches and I will be able to finish up my orders that I need to get out. Two Alice cakes and 120 wedding favors!  In case I haven't mentioned it before... I LOVE my job!

Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Pam

Strawberry Goodness!

OH I had to share these here too. I can't wait to try them. Cheesecake Stuffed Chocoalte Strawberries....YUMMERS!
The recipe for these can be found at Family Corner. I have also shared Martha Stewart's version of this idea on our Party Starters blog today.

Another fun idea speaking of strawberries is this free "Kiss Box" template from Belle's Printables I knew it could work as a strawberry. So I printed out the template on a piece of red cardstock. Cut out the shape, scored the black lines & embossed with a polka dot embossing folder. I then folded the box fold which side I wanted to be the top and punched a 1/4" hole in the center. Next I strung a piece of green curling ribbon through the hole as well as through a green paper flower. I tied the ribbon into a knot to secure it to the top of the box and curled the ribbon. Last, I put a Hershey kiss into the box added adhesive and put the box together. Now its a Strawberry covered chocolate! Super easy to make and oh so cute for favors!

Have a great day!!!
Hugs,
Pam

Citrus...I can't get enough

I was debating on what I should post for today, so I went blog surfing and found this adorable inspiration board from Half Baked- The Cake Blog. (Check out their blog for a better look at all of their photos)
The color scheme here smacked me in the face. I am in LOVE with Citrus colors right now!! I think I am going to have to figure out something to make this weekend using these colors. Hmmm whatever shall I make though??? I know I have some pretty gray satin ribbon and I am sure I have orange & yellow cardstock...hmmm what to make what to make.

Since I am talking about inspiring colors take a peak at my Inspiration Friday challenge over at Party Starters. See how those colors inspire you. Leave a comment over there and get your name entered a drawing for a gift certificate.

Anyway back to citrus I have been craving Key Lime pie, so I found this recipe over at Better Homes & Gardens. May have to try this out...

Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

Prep: 30 min.
Chill: 8 hrs.

Ingredients

• 6 squares low-fat honey graham crackers, finely crushed (1/2 cup)
• 2 Tbsp. margarine, melted
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 4-serving-size pkg. sugar-free low-calorie lime-flavored gelatin
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 1 16-oz. container fat-free cottage cheese (1-3/4 cups)
• 1 8-oz. pkg. fat-free cream cheese, softened
• 1 8-oz. container frozen fat-free whipped dessert topping, thawed
• Key Limes or limes, cut in wedges (optional)

Directions

1. In small bowl combine graham crackers, margarine, and sugar. Press crumb mixture in the bottom of a 2-quart square baking dish. Refrigerate while preparing filling.

2. In large bowl combine gelatin and water. Stir until gelatin is dissolved. Set aside.

3. In blender or food processor combine cottage cheese and cream cheese. Cover and blend or process until smooth, stopping several times to scrape down sides. Whisk 1/2 cup of the cottage cheese mixture into the gelatin mixture. Whisk in remaining cottage cheese mixture until smooth. Fold in whipped dessert topping. Spoon filling over chilled crumb mixture.

4. Cover and refrigerate 8 to 24 hours or until filling is firm. To serve, cut in squares. Top with lime wedges. Makes 9 servings.

I will be back Monday with whatever it is that I decide to create using Orange, white and gray. If I decide to make some of these tasty Key Lime squares I will share that as well.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Pam

Thursday and Back to School

Tuesday night we had a massive snow storm here in Denver. We actually had our third snow day for this school year, which never happens. While it was nice to have a break from the old routine of getting up early & taking our three kids to three different schools I am ready for them to go back today even if its only for a couple of days.

Next week starts Spring Break and I am trying to think of some ideas that we can do that for one don't cost a fortune and two will entertain kids from the ages of 5 to 13. These, might just do the trick...Caramel covered strawberries...yummers! All three of our kids love to mess around in the kitchen, so these should be fun to make! Maybe instead of nuts though, we might try to drizzle some chocolate on top....ugh my mouth is watering!

Hey, thanks for stopping by today. Don't forget to check out my segment on Party Starters today, Tasty Treats Thursday!

Hugs,
Pam

It's been too long....I'm back!

OH my Paper Askew Studio...its been too long, how I have missed you!

I have decided I can not give up on the blog that really got me jump started into the craft world. Plus I have missed all of you, my sweet followers! Oh how I have missed you more!

Since I am not making a ton of cards, not because I don't love to, but because I just don't have a whole lot of time to anymore. I will now be posting anything and everything that I happen to create and things that inspire me. I hope you don't mind.

First up I wanted to share a sneak peak of some mini cupcake picks that I created today. Why just a peak you ask? Easter is quickly approaching and these are part of my post for my "Thursday Tasty Treats" segment on my Party Starters blog tomorrow. Swing on over and check them out!

I WILL be back tomorrow here as well...thanks for checking in!
Hugs,
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 & 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

Caardvarks Thursday Sketch

We are on to day 5 of our sketch fest at Caardvarks. Here is the card I created using Heidi Van Laar's fabulous sketch. All of the products used on my card are from Studio Calico except for the card base. Check out Caardvarks for all of the details about our sketch fest and Studio Calico our sponsor!

On a personal note, Jen and I have started posting products and party ideas on our Party Starters website. We would love for you to check it out.
We also have a page on Facebook if you would like to follow us. I have a fan box over to the right on my side bar here.

Thanks so much for stopping by
~Pam