Hey, Happy Apple Day!

Tomorrow is Apple Day...supposedly celebrated first in 1990 and mostly celebrated in United Kingdom. But I say, hey, apples are for everyone. So, Happy Apple Day. I've got some Apple fun for you today.

First up, and most importantly, a delish looking apple pie recipe. This is a simple recipe and my mom uses a similar one—she and I do mix the cinnamon and sugar into the sliced apples (instead of layering with the apples), with a tablespoon or so of flour and a teaspoon or so of lemon juice. 

Also, we've found Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts (that you roll out a little) are sooo good. You don't even need to make your own crusts to get a great pie. Don't forget to vent your pie after putting on the top crust and crimping it. Set the whole pie plate on foil to catch drips. So easy and delicious.

Second, some really cute apple projects you can make. I love this idea for decorating or even little gift boxes for teachers. They used glass paint, but alcohol inks would work for coloring too. The paint would probably be less expensive. I even saw where someone filled their clear bottle with red tissue paper. I think these are a little classier.

Next I have some free digi apple art and fave Pinterest ideas for cards.

This one is yummy looking...caramel apples rock!

Lawn Fawn always has the cutest images. This card is from The Dies Have It blog.

Lastly, one more apple goody before I go...Power Poppy stamps are gorgeous and so realistic...pop over to see more of their goodness here. I have several digi stamps of theirs and they are a joy to color.

Happy Friday,

Chark

School Days

I got this adorable image from A Day for Daisies for free (you can pop over and pick it up too!) and had to color it up. I used my Prismacolor pencils as usual and then mounted it on graph paper and then Amy Tangerine paper. 

I wanted to add something school-related, so I used a paper clip and ruler ribbon I had in my stash. I just know I'll be using this little guy again...even though I had a bad experience with worms and fruit once. When my son was in kindergarten, he came home with a bumpy green fruit from his day at school. It was pretty cool and looked like this. I didn't know the name at the time, but it's a hedge apple or Osage orange.

It sat on the window ledge that day and we were talking about how cool it was. And then Ben said, "Look, a worm!" and sure enough, a tiny green worm head was sticking out. I freaked out, because ew! worm and also worm in my house and probably a lot of worm friends in that fruit. I decided that hedge apple had to live outside after that little discovery. So, technically, I shouldn't like this image from ADFD...but I do anyway :)

I'm up on the a2z Scrapbooking site today with a few cards if you want to stop by...using brand-new dies from the Winter Hero Arts catalog.

Happy Wednesday!

Chark

It's Graduation Time

Blatant Mommy Brag...have to share pics my oldest, Colleen, in her cap and gown and take a moment to say Congratulations! She just graduated from University of Kentucky with two degrees (Psychology and Elementary Ed) in four years, while holding down at least two jobs at a time (sometimes more), being editor of the satire newspaper on campus, peer mentoring her fellow Honors Program students and holding a 4.0 average. 

She is a one-of-a-kind woman who will make the best teacher because of her enthusiasm, energy, and drive to pass on her love of learning, plus her willingness to work her arse off (which she learned from her dad). 

I'm telling you, she's a wonder...or as her brother and I say to each other, a freak of nature. Honestly, though, it's humbling to see how much effort and energy she puts into everything she does. This is one determined woman. She will make a difference, she already has. Oh, and did I mention she's kind and funny and won a couple of awards (for writing and for service) while achieving this amazing goal?

I'm glad she's my daughter and I'm glad she is working toward what she wants and leaving rainbow colored sparkles in her wake. To know her is to be charmed by her. Colleen is an original and we couldn't be more proud of her accomplishments. And she didn't even plan these similar pictures, this is just her normal self :)

Okay, now that I'm finished with the Mommy Brag, here's a little apple grad card I made with the 2 Cute Ink digi stamps for May. 

I love this little guy. I printed him large so I could make a card from him, colored him roughly with cross-hatching and trimmed him and then cut a piece of cardstock to match, scored it at the base of the hat and then glued the top part of the hat. I made a tassel with some embroidery floss and added white pen highlights and a silver button sticker to the hat.

Wishing you a Happy Friday!
Chark