Music Graduation Card

Time seems to be going by so much faster than when I was a child. It's like yesterday we were opening Christmas gifts, and now we are in May already. Mothers Day has passed, and we are heading to all the graduations we attend at this time of the year. So here is an idea for a graduation card. This one is for someone who's graduating from music school, but you can always change the label.

Supplies needed

Paper: black and white cardstock

Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, music notes embossing folder, large oval punch

Embellishments: red ribbon, cap sticker, "music"label

Don't forget to add a detail inside.

Thank you for stopping by. God bless you,

Vanias Reed    

 

Card With Velum Flowers

My mother is turning 90 next month, and I wanted to make a very special card for her. So when I saw this technique that is used to make flowers out of velum paper,  I knew this was what I wanted to use on her card. Here it is. 

The word 'Feliz' means happy in Portuguese

Supplies needed for this card

Paper: Pink, leaf green and white cardstock, clear velum paper

Tools: cutting/ embossing machine, lace border embossing folder, precision scissors, embossing heat tool, embossing powder (I used white and peach), fine point gel pens (pink and leaf green), round corner punch, 3D very small foam mounting circles

Stamp: flowers (I used the rose with a bud)

Ink: Embossing tinted stamp pad, yellow stamp marker)

Embellishment: Leaf green ribbon and bow with white 'sewing' lines, small black glittered letters, numbers and flowers, tiny pearls,

To make the velum flowers, stamp your flowers on velum paper using embossing tinted (mine is a very light pink) ink. Sprinkle with embossing powder covering the flowers completely (I used white powder for my pink rose, and peach powder for my yellow rose). Turn the velum paper up side down over your powder saver, or a white sheet of paper, to get rid of the excess powder. Using an embossing heat tool, dry the powder very well.

Using a fine point gel pen, color your flower gently making sure you don't color the embossing powder. If you want, you can use only the stamp marker. I like to use the gel pen first for a sparkling effect. Cut the flowers carefully with a precision pair of scissors. Use the foam mounting circles to adhere the flower to your card. A white background will accent the velum better.

 

There you have it. Beautiful velum flowers that can also be used on a card for Mother's Day.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed crafting time.

Vanias Reed   

Brazilian White Bonbons (Beijinho)

In the beginning of the 20th century, in south Brazil, a cook created a little treat that is the white version of Brigadeiro (see my post from 03/05  /2014). This delicious bonbon was named Beijinho, which literally translated means little kiss. They say it given this name because it is as sweet and delicious as a kiss. The recipe I'm posting today has coconut, but you don't have to use it if you don't like it.

Ingredients 3tbsp shredded coconut (optional - I use fresh coconut) 1 can sweet condensed milk 1 tbsp butter Granulated sugar in any color (I use sugar in the raw) 1 egg yolk (optional) Cloves (optional – for decoration How to make it Grease a large plate with butter and set aside In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut, butter, egg yolk, and condensed milk. Cook stirring constantly until it thickens and loosens from the bottom of the pan (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat (don’t scrape the pan – it should fall off the pan easily) and spread it on buttered plate. Let rest until cool. Butter your hands and roll the thick mixture into small balls. Roll the balls in the granulated sugar. Place the bonbons in mini cupcake liners. Nutella Version When rolling the creamy mix into balls, use your thumb to push a small cavity in the beijinho, and add 1tsp of Nutella. Close and roll into ball. Note: These were rolled in powdered coconut, and not sugar. I hope you enjoy this delicious Brazilian treat.  Thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderfully blessed day. Vanias Reed

Easter Egg in a Bowl

I can't believe how time is going by fast. Wasn't it Christmas yesterday? Now Easter is almost here, already? (smile). Anyway, today I'm posting another Brazilian recipe. This time it is a delicious "Easter Egg" with a twist. It's a dessert to be served cold that I translated from this website. Here it is.

Ingredients

• 3 cans of sweet condensed milk
• 2 tbsp of starch
• 2 cans of milk (use the empty sweet condensed milk cans)
• 6 egg yolks
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• 1 can of table cream
• 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup of chopped cashew nuts (I like walnuts or pecans better)
• 2 cups of milk chocolate chips.

• In a medium size pan cook, in medium heat, the sweet condensed milk, the starch dissolved in the milk, and the egg yolks stirring constantly until a thick cream forms (about 1 ½ minute)
• Turn off heat. Add vanilla to the mix and set aside to cool down. Add the table cream to the cool mix. Set 1/3 of the mix aside
• Mix the semi-sweet chocolate to the other 2/3 of the mix. The chocolate should melt.
• Place one layer of the chocolate cream in the bottom of glass baking pan. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Take it out of the refrigerator and cover with a layer of the white cream.
• Sprinkle with the chopped cashew nut and put back in the refrigerator for 10 more minutes. Take it out of the refrigerator, and cover with second layer of chocolate cream.

·         In a separate bowl, melt the milk chocolate. Cover the dessert with a layer of this chocolate.

·         Put dessert in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving it.

  Thank you for stopping by. God bless you.

Vanías Reed    

Spring Baby Shower Invitation

It's a beautiful spring day today. Days like this remind me that God, in his amazing wisdom and creativity, made each season with its unique characteristics. But, in turn, they compliment each other. For instance, after winter's long sleep, nature wakes up with spring bringing all the beauty of new life. Flowers bloom, baby animals are born or hatched, the grass is dressed in beautiful green again, and the birds sing praises to their Creator.  A dear friend of mine has also a new life in her: a baby boy to be born in June. So here is a spring baby shower invitation inspired by God's amazing idea of new life.

Supplies used
Paper: White card, brown, baby blue and white cardstock.
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine, top note dies (Nestabilities), Swiss polka-dot embossing folder, computer and printer
Embellishments: blue gemstones, plaid baby blue and white ribbon, 3D ducky sticker.

The same God, who created this gorgeous and colorful nature, made you in a very special way, and gave you creativity and talents. So, enjoy God's creation. Go walk in a park, get inspired, and then make something beautiful too.

Thank you for stopping by. 

Vanias Reed    

2 Very Special Birthday Cards.

Today is a very special day because we celebrate two very special young ladies' birthdays. I have the privilege to know these amazing twin sisters who love each other very much, love their parents, and love others. Their beauty truly shines from within. Inspired by their different personalities and preferences, I made the cards that I'm posting today.

Supplies needed for this card
Paper: cream, antique pink, and brown cardstock, vintage roses and clear velum paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, Swiss polka-dots embossing folder, floral and plain oval dies, crochet hook (1.40mm) and cream thread #10
Embellishments: Crochet lace, pink ribbon, vintage and brown pearls

Supplies needed for this card
Paper: Black, glittered black, red and white cardstock, leopard, and specialty red paper
Tools: Square, and balloon punches, hot glue gun, hot glue, 3D circle foam adhesive, silver fine thread.
Stamp: 'Have a Great Birthday'
Embellishments: Sparkly white, red gemstone and black flowers, clear gemstone, black pearls, black lace, shoe sticker. 

I made the crochet lace for the first card, and I will post the pattern for you soon.
Get to know your friends' likes and dislikes. It is so much more fun to personalize a card/ gift with their preferences. 

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you have a wonderfully blessed day.

Vanias Reed     

 

Birthday Card - Leopard + tip

Not everyone looks good wearing animal print, but I have two friends who know how to wear their leopard print very well. It was inspired by them that I made the card I'm posting today. Here it is. 

Supplies used: 
Paper: White card, black, white and leopard print card stock
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine (Sizzix), polka-dot embossing folder (Darice), label and oval dies (Sizzix), computer and printer.
Embellishments: orange gemstones, gold ribbon, vintage brad 

Do you know someone who likes animal prints? Make them a card like this one. It will make a good Mother's Day card too. Just change the sentiment phrase.

Tip of the day: Do you wear make up? Feeling like you need some help in that area? One of the two friends I mentioned on the top of this post has a blog with amazing tips about that subject, and she really knows what she's talking about. You can check her blog by clicking here.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Happy crafting and God bless you.

Vanias Reed