Momma’s Candy

I have no card to post today.  Instead of stamping, I have been busy baking cookies and making candy.  Heaven knows my husband, Kim, and I do not need the extra calories, so I end up sharing the goodies I make with the neighbors.  Out of all of the things I make, the biggest hit is a candy that is simply called “Momma’s Candy”.   If you are in need of a quick and easy candy to share with family and friends, continue reading!

Momma’s Candy

My mother was an excellent cook, baker and candy maker.  Although I inherited all of her recipes, I did not inherit her baking and candy making genes.  Her pies were legendary.  And although she has been gone nearly 39 years, my sister and I talk about them to this very day.  My pies come from Marie Callender.   I have never tasted anything like her cakes either.  German Chocolate and Red Velvet were made from scratch, using recipes from the Jewel T cook book, along with her own special added touches.  My cakes come from Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines.   Breads and rolls were set atop the cook stove to rise.   My homemade bread is made in a bread making machine.  I never tackled her divine divinity or her fabulous fudge. But, I do make this wonderful peanut butter confection.  Her original recipe was written on a scrap of paper, a bank deposit slip if I remember correctly.  But before she passed away, she was in the process of recopying many of them.  My inherited recipe files are a mish-mash of index cards, scraps of paper, and clippings.  This particular recipe had no other name except “Candy”, so in her honor, my family calls it “Momma’s Candy”.  I hope you’ll try it, and enjoy it as much as my family does.

1 Package Almond Bark
2 Cups of Super Chunky Peanut Butter
2 Cups of Dry Roasted Peanuts
2 Cups of Miniature Marshmallows
2 Cups of Rice Krispies

Melt the Almond Bark according to package directions. (I use the microwave).  When melted, mix in the Peanut Butter.  Then add the dry ingredients, and thoroughly coat.  Drop by spoonfuls (I use a tablespoon) onto cookie sheets. (I cover mine with wax paper to make clean-up easier.)  Chill in the refrigerator.  (I place mine out on the back porch to set.)  This makes a large batch of candy, and is easy-peasy! I ended up with 72 pieces, not counting the ones I tested for quality control.  While I use the Vanilla Almond Bark, my stampin’ friend Vicki has tried the Chocolate Almond Bark, and says it tastes like crunchy peanut clusters! I can’t wait to try it!

My mother would have been 103 on December 28th. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.  Not a day passes that I do not remember her in some way.  And I know her spirit will be embracing us this Christmas, as we enjoy the traditional Christmas Eve soup she always prepared and nibble on “Momma’s Candy”.

May peace fill your hearts during this holiday season.  Until next time…

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  • The $99 Starter Kit is the BEST DEAL EVER! Check out the details HERE.
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Peace, Joy, Love

Peace! Joy! Love! What better sentiments are there for the holiday season? It’s Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players!

peace, joy, loveThis week, the lovely LeAnne is hosting our monthly color challenge.  What a rich and elegant quartet of colors she has selected for us:  Merry Merlot, Shaded Spruce, Very Vanilla, Gold.  Since I was feeling rather nostalgic this weekend, I pulled out one of my favorite retired bundles:  Stampin’ Up!’s  Dove of Hope stamp set and Detailed Dove dies. I can’t wait to see what you create!

Peace, joy, love
Since this is our last challenge of 2021, (we always take a short break over the holidays), we must say goodby to our trio of amazing Guest Designers:  Nancy Leppek, Debbie Crowley, Amanda Mertz.  Not only are they talented stampers, they are also the sweetest ladies you could ever hope to meet. I will miss creating alongside them.  However, I know we will continue to see their inspiration in our gallery.  Don’t forget to join us again for our first challenge of the New Year and meet our new Guest Designers!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips

You may be saying to yourself, “Ugh! Ann! I don’t have this bundle.  What value to me is today’s post?” Well, the value of today’s post transcends the beautiful retired dove die cut.   I’ve often said, “Just like every house needs to be built on a solid foundation, every card needs to begin with a good sketch”.  And that, in a nutshell, is today’s value. This is one of my favorite “Go-To” sketches for showcasing a large image or die cut, like today’s dove. And as a plus, you can also show off a pretty paper!  Because of  the wide margins, it gives off a clean vibe.  Who doesn’t love clean?  I like to describe this card as “Clean and Elegant”.  Built upon layers, with a few well-placed embellies, it’s an easy card to create.  SO…the next time you are wanting to use that large image or die cut, (for this time of the year, maybe poinsettias, snowmen, trees and more), think about giving this sketch a whirl! The measurements for the cards I make are always located in my tutorials.

Peace, joy, love

To download the free step-by-step tutorial for today’s  Peace, Joy, Love Card, which includes all the paper measurements and all of the current products used, please click on the button below. For every card which has been posted on my blog this year, there is a free tutorial.

2021 FREE Tutorial PDF Gallery – CLICK HERE
2020 FREE Tutorial PDF Gallery – CLICK HERE
2019 FREE Tutorial PDF Gallery – CLICK HERE
Nueve’s Canine Corner

It’s me, Nueve. I was the ninth puppy born in a litter of ten.  Mom thought she was being clever when she gave all of my brothers and sisters numbers for names, based on when we were born.  But, lots of times, she calls me “Punkin”.  My sister,  Sixx, told me it’s a word of “in-deer-mint”.  I am honestly lost about that.  I know about deer, and I am not a deer.  Also, I’m not a mint.  Mom has a bag of mints in the place where she keeps my “Good boy, Nueve” treats.  (It’s called a “Pant Tree”, although once again, I don’t know why.  Sometimes people talk is SO confusing.)  Anyway, I have some special pictures to share with you today.  Mom said that Great Aunt Muffy and Aunt Lexi got their angels wings this Christmas.  They are SO pretty! When Mom brought them in, I thought they were for me.   Muffy’s special bottle isn’t here yet, so her wings are beside her little bottle that will be sent to my people brother, Brady.  Mom said Missy the Boxer got her wings, too. I never knew Missy the Boxer, but I know she was very special.  She was Mom’s first Boxer, and she used to write stories on Mom’s blog, too, just like me!

Peace, Joy, LoveGreat Aunt Muffy’s Wings

Peace, joy, love

Aunt Lexi’s Wings

Peace, Love, JoyMissy the Boxer’s Wings

Time for me to go!  Great Uncle Brody wants to go outside.   Just like Sister Sixx always went outside with Great Aunt Muffy to protect her, I go out with Great Uncle Bro!  It’s one of my jobs!

Peace, love, joy
Until next time!

peace love joy

Shares! Shares! Shares!

peace love joy

It’s time for my January – June Mini Catalog shares!  You can get all of the DETAILS, including numbers of each paper, embellishment, and more By Clicking HERE.  But, for those of you who are familiar with my shares, here is the abbreviated version:

I Want It All Share – $55 (Includes postage) – Best Value

  • Includes 69 sheets of paper
  • 11.25 yards of ribbon/twine
  • 172 embellishments
  • Free samples – 1 slimline envelope, 1 sweet little box, a small sampling of assorted Sale-A-Bration patterns

Paper Share – $36 (Includes postage)

  • Includes 69 sheets of paper

Ribbon Share – $10.50 (Includes postage)

  • 11.25 yards of ribbon/twine
  • Please note: Soft Succulent 1/2″ Shimmer Ribbon is not included.  If it is available when my share order is placed, I will include 1-1/4 yds, no charge.  My gift to you!

Embellishment Share – $15 (Includes postage)

  • 172 embellishments
  • Email me at: kimschach@msn.com to reserve your share today! The reservation period is December 8 – January 3, 2022  Noon CST.
  • PayPal invoices will be emailed out starting December 29, 2021…and checks are welcome, too!
  • Filled shares will be ordered on January 4th and the order will be expedited.   US addresses only, please. As always, I will strive to get your shares mailed to you as quickly as possible!

While I will try to make certain I have all of the items I listed in my shares, if certain items are not available at the time I place my expedited order, I may have to refund the cost of that item.

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Current Host Code Information

Ready to order supplies to make your own cards? I would love to be your Demonstrator. Click Here to place an order in my online store.

When checking out, if you apply the Host Code to your online orders of at least $50, but under $150, you’ll get a free gift from me. If your order is $150 or over, please do not apply the host code – you will be receiving your own host rewards, as well as your gift from me. All orders of $50 or more earn points toward my Loyalty Rewards Program.

Current Code: XZDZMV6X
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NEED A COPY OF THE CATALOG? If you do not currently have a Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator, please email me at: kimschach@msn.com  and I will drop one into the mail to you free of charge, pronto!

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Looking for an oldie but goodie? Check out my retired stamps which I have for sale.

Retired Sets for Sale
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As always, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

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  • The $99 Starter Kit is the BEST DEAL EVER! Check out the details HERE.
  • Join Paper Pumpkin
  • Check out the Clearance Rack and save!
  • See my Retired Sets for Sale.
  • Follow me on Facebook.
  • Follow me on Pinterest.
  • Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
  • To receive my daily blog updates, subscription links are in the right sidebar.
  • If you are in need of any current catalog, and you do not have a demonstrator, please email me (kimschach@msn.com). I will send you one free of charge.

Christmas Gnome

Holiday cards in non-traditional colors can be fresh and fun,  just like today’s Christmas Gnome card in shades of mint green and pink.  It’s time to play at Festive Friday – Home of the Inspo List!

Christmas GnomeFor this week’s challenge, we are inspired by New Year’s Day. Remember, at Festive Friday you do not need to actually celebrate or make a card for the occasion featured.  In fact,  I didn’t need a New Year’s Day card, but I sure needed more Christmas cards.  Since your goal is to simply use three or more items from the inspiration list on your project, I used stars, rhinestones, silver and die cuts to create this holiday card.  I can’t wait to see what YOU create!

Christmas Gnome
Colors of the Day
christmas gnome
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips

Today’s card is a stepped up version of the clean and simple punch art gnome I created a few weeks ago.  (You can see him HERE.)  What a difference using designer series paper for your background, adding extra presents, silvery pine boughs and lots of bling makes!  The old science teacher in me loves experimenting with the dies and punches I use.  This guys sports different gnome shoes than the first, and I wish now I would have given him boots like the first little guy.  However, I am so in love with these gnomies, that I can’t wait to make another one similar to the two I have already created!

christmas gnome

To download the free step-by-step tutorial for today’s  Christmas Gnome Card, which includes all the paper measurements and all of the current products used, please click on the button below. For every card which has been posted on my blog this year, there is a free tutorial.

2021 FREE Tutorial PDF Gallery – CLICK HERE
2020 FREE Tutorial PDF Gallery – CLICK HERE
2019 FREE Tutorial PDF Gallery – CLICK HERE
Nueve’s Canine Corner
Hey, everyone! It’s me, Nueve!  I sneaked onto the ‘puter while Mom wasn’t home. She had to go to the store to buy a pretty new ribbon for the big green leafy circle she put on the side of the house.  I noticed when we went out for our walk earlier today that lots of people have those circle things on their houses. Dad was ‘posed to be watching me, but as long as I don’t bark, he doesn’t pay much attention. One time, my sister Sixx and I tore up our bed when he was ‘posed to be watching us.  We were really quiet, and he didn’t suspect a thing!  Mom wasn’t very happy with any of us when she got home.  She told us we were all in the dog house.  I didn’t quite understand what she was talking about.  I thought we were all in the people house.  Anyway, today Uncle Q was distracting him. Uncle Q loves to play with yellow balls.  He gets them all watery with his mouth, puts them right on the table in front of Dad, and barks until Dad gets irritated and throws it.  He thinks it’s lots of fun. Dad doesn’t.  Here’s a picture of him. He tries to look cute, but I’m more cute. Mom says I’m the cutest Boxer boy ever!
Christmas Gnome
Oh oh!  I think Dad’s coming.  Gotta run! I’m going to help Uncle Q play with the yellow ball ’til Mom gets home.  I bet she gives me a treat for being a good boy while she was gone!
Christmas Gnome
The July–December 2021 Mini Catalog will be retiring soon! Although it’s always bittersweet to see a Stampin’ Up! catalog retire, I am looking forward to all the new products on their way—and I hope you are, too!

Stock up on your favorite products before they’re gone for good! Save up to 50% on essential craft supplies. What are you waiting for? Start shopping! After all, this selection of Last Chance Products is only available while supplies last.

Click HERE to see the List
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Current Host Code Information

Ready to order supplies to make your own cards? I would love to be your Demonstrator. Click Here to place an order in my online store.

When checking out, if you apply the Host Code to your online orders of at least $50, but under $150, you’ll get a free gift from me. If your order is over $150, please do not apply the host code – you will be receiving your own host rewards, as well as your gift from me. All orders of $50 or more earn points toward my Loyalty Rewards Program.

Current Code: XZDZMV6X
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As always, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

siggy-1

  • The $99 Starter Kit is the BEST DEAL EVER! Check out the details HERE.
  • Join Paper Pumpkin
  • Check out the Clearance Rack and save!
  • See my Retired Sets for Sale.
  • Follow me on Facebook.
  • Follow me on Pinterest.
  • Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
  • To receive my daily blog updates, subscription links are in the right sidebar.
  • If you are in need of any current catalog, and you do not have a demonstrator, please email me (kimschach@msn.com). I will send you one free of charge.