Punch me baby!: A Drunken Stampers Challenge

Everyone has a punch or two, hell even people who don't really craft have one. So, there's no excuse for you to miss this week's Drunken Stampers Challenge.

You know how it is. You're in the dollar and less store, the craft store looking for stickers, anywhere these little paper-munching tools exist -- you've been there and seen one, or two or maybe even three, that you thought "I could use that to make confetti," or like so many of us who has no money, but large amounts of crap stuff, "Surely I'll find some way to use that neat punch!"

As a lover of all things winter and snow, I can't pass snowflake-shaped punches. I mean, literally, I try to avoid the punch sections in stores because if I see a snowflake ... home it'll come.

It turned out to be a bonus this week, though, with the Drunken Stampers Punches challenge because I got to combine my snowflakes, in various glittery and shiny papers, and a Close To My Heart clear card.

My Martha Stewart snowflake border punch/embosser as well as a little "let it snow" stamp came out for the project, too!

Just one thing ... can anybody tell me how you write a note on a clear card without ruining the design? Attach it on a sticky note, I guess ...

*****

Editor's note: If you need to fix something that didn't post, as this was supposed to have done yesterday ... take a look at the post "date and time" ... if the year is 2011 ... you'll solve a lot of troubles by changing that last "one" to a "zero" ...

I forgot the Sangria!

Why didn't anybody remind me? Why didn't someone say something? Why are all of you still waiting so politely for the Sangria recipe I promised way back on September 17?

Had someone promised me a new cocktail recipe, then not handed it over, I'd be knocking on his or her door before you could say "Where's the bottle opener?"

I guess you guys are just a lot nicer and more patient than yours truly.

Since you've been so good, here we finally go ...

You'll need a 2-liter bottle of Sprite or other lemon-lime soda, one bottle of peach brandy (schnapps is OK) and a box of Franzia Fruity Red Sangria, along with at least one each fresh orange, lemon and lime (or two each if you're smart, because a smart person knows that one pitcher isn't going to be enough).

Stir together six cups wine, three cups soda and one cup peach brandy. Slice an orange, a lemon and a lime into rings. Using your strong crafters' hands, squish the juice into the pitcher and drop in the macerated fruit, too.

Even if you're not into the whole mixing and slicing thing, try the Franzia Fruity Red Sangria by itself. I've never, ever been a red wine girl, but this stuff is sweet and mild and yummy.

Plus, you can cut the Franzia Founding Family photo off of the box for a craft project ... just like I did for my Compendium challenge fragment charms card on October 17.

Oh yeah, if you comment below, please add a thanks to my parents who introduced My Guy and me to Sangria ... our local liquor purveyors are certainly thankful, and I know you will be, too.

Industrial grunge: A Studio L3 Compendium challenge

Maybe it's only the addition of the rosette die to my repertoire of possibilities, or perhaps my juices are still flowing after finishing last week's challenge only yesterday.

Either way, I once again peeked very early at Linda's Compendium of Curiosities challenge and was inspired after work to leave a pile of dirty dishes in the kitchen so that I could hide in the craft room with page 54 of Tim's book -- and the new rosette die, of course.

This also means that My Guy got a little gift, too.

You see, when I say "T.I.M." at a craft store, My Guy would like to have a word or two with our Zen master of grunge. But, when I mention that same name here at home: There are no jealous rages. No upset scowls or even frustrated lonely sighs. No. Here at home "T.I.M." translates to "Holy crap! She's going to leave me alone for HOURS! Woohoo!"

Anyhow, it has been more than six hours since I began playing with Mod Podge and alder boards meant for smoking and grunge pieces and inky goodness and crackly stuff.

And this is what I have to show for it: A sort of vintage, circus, aged poster. Thing. I really like it ... except ...

I'm not going to complain *again* about how the flash always creates annoying shine and crackle doesn't show up at all and the multiple ink colors are slightly off and the metallic-look bits are washed out. Whew. I'm so proud of myself for not complaining.

... all of you kind readers should know that this challenge has been one of my favorites. Obviously I got to play with the rosette die some more, but truly this week's challenge technique is going to be something all of us will use again and again.

It's easy and beautiful and your friends will be very impressed with the cool: Plus, if you attempt it, you can join in Linda's challenge by Sunday 8 p.m. Mountain Time.