Mgodss

Been awhile hasn't it?

2011-09-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

HAI!!!!!

Yeah I am still here. I really am.
Just concentrating on other things.
BUT one constant is the St George Applefest that I do with/for Denise. OMD this girl has talent and I love helping in her booth. Although Denise could not be there (she was in UTAH for Stampin Up Founders Circle, what an honour!!!) she was with us in spirit, and her Craftdbear was with us.

Plus all the yummy treats that are served in town are to DIE for.
Yes just smelling the air will help you gain 10 pounds (each pound is worth it)

here are 3 ladies, putting best face forward (LOL) just before beginning the hectic run for the weekend.
they parked us right next to a bakery!! OMD, a DUTCH bakery!!!

They were sold out of the pies in about 1 hour

We made little cards, had fun with the people, met new faces, and made some friends we hope to see next year. It was a good weekend.

Thanks Denise and Natasha for letting me help again this year! I loved it

M

Chili, yum yum!!!

2010-10-07T09:22:00.000-07:00

There are so many chili recipes out there. Each is fantastic and yummy!!! As a child I did not like chili at all!!! BLECH! Not sure what it was that I didn't like, but *shudder* I would not eat it!

Now, I love making it, love eating.

I have several recipes that I use, and have been known to combine all of them into one big pot of deliciousness. (I just made up a word, I think!)

SO today's chili has the following ingredients. I'm also making biscuits to go with dinner. Hmmmm, yum, I love homemade biscuits!!!

CHILI, MY WAY!

1 lb ground turkey
2 tsp mined garlic
1 cup diced celery
1 chopped onion
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 can (19 oz/540 ml) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14 oz/398 ml) tomato sauce
1 cup turkey broth
1 tbsp BBQ sauce
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed.
1 can maple baked beans
1 can chick peas, drained and rinsed.
2 tbsp honey

brown your meat with your spices, onion and garlic. Put into crock pot. Add all other ingredients, stir well. Leave it for the day.

When serving dinner. Have shredded cheese on the side for topping your chili. We go through a lot of cheese, so I have a whack on hand already shredded (thank you Braun food processor for making my life easier)

Biscuits? Use your fave recipe, or I can post one later...

M

Goodbye to a Dear Friend

2010-10-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I was at a funeral for a very dear friend. Laurie Cheney. A beautiful woman inside and out. She had a smile that would light up a room. A kind word for everyone, and a hug.

We, her friends, called her Elmo. Why? Because she was cute and, spunky, fun and lively, just like Elmo. Also, she loved the colour red. Did I mention she wore an Elmo back-pack as her purse? Yeah, she was like that, a woman with a great big heart, and beautiful sense of humour.

About 5 years ago I got to meet Elmo at a crop in Brantford. She was teaching figure skating but stopped in the auditorium to check out the projects and to talk to the host. Of course the Diva's were Diva'd up. Tiara's, boa's, bells... Elmo came directly to our table. We chatted, we fell in love! It was an instant connection. This woman was one of us.

The next time we got to see Elmo we were at Scrap Diva. A weekend retreat. Elmo was a Red Diva, with red boa, and tiara, and her Elmo looking spiffy! Our table was right next to hers and Andrea's and Grace. We had a fantastic time. Combined our tables and worked together, laughing, loving! Creating together. Encouraging each other. Helping when we got 'blocked'.

When Laurie was diagnosed with Liver Cancer we all held our breath. We knew the recovery was low. But we also knew Laurie. She was a fighter. She continued to fight for for about a year and a half. Her spirit and her determination to live was strong.

On Monday September 27, she said goodnight for the last time.

The past week has been rainy, cold, and just miserable. Rather like myself, and my general mood. When we laid Laurie to rest on Saturday, it poured. Like Laurie was giving us permission to cry, while it was raining. BUT once the sun comes out, dry those tears and be happy.

Laurie, I will miss you. Your hugs, your kindness, your generosity, your love. You are loved.

After Glow
I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an after glow
of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo,
whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times and laughing times,
and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun,
of happy memories that I leave
with each and everyone.

Butterflies

2010-09-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

I love Butterflies.

So when I got the email, that had a blog post about what butterflies mean, and how to translate that to scrapbooking, you can bet your pretty self that I was all over that!!!

Please go read this!

http://debbiehodge.com/2010/08/motifs-butterflies/

LOVE IT!!!

M

Sept 7 Back to Schol

2010-09-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

How many times have you heard that today?

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Is it?

For some I guess it is.For me it is a bittersweet ending to the carefree fun lazy days of summer.
It is also a great time for new beginnings!!!!
Think about that for a moment. Most reserve the new beginnings for the new year, but truthfully there are more "new" bits happening now, right now!!!We see the world changing before our eyes as fall approaches.
Fresh starts in school, whether it is Kindergarten, High School, or University, and all grades in between.

New clothesNew shoes
New haircuts
New goals to achieve
New friends to meet and makeNew teachers
New Principal

Yes there are a lot more "news" right now!!! We can embrace them and live with them. Enjoy what life sends hurtling our way.
That is my slight move into philosophy!
Now onto LO's. These are some of the LO's I did during the last few months.

My girlfriend Lisa did these photos of the girls. I am so impressed!!!! I absolutely love her skill with photoshop!!!! Thanks Lisa!

Vampire!!!

Zombie!!!! (With a broken neck)

A couple of weekends ago 7 of us went to Memories Manor in Michigan! If you have a chance to go DO IT!!! Highly recommend it, so incredible. Here are some of the photos from that weekend!

The group of Seven!!!

Because Denise dared me to do it! Here is our fearless Leader Lori!!! Totally excited!

Heather, Oh so Excited to be there!!!

Supermodel Shelly modeling a hat.

Ria all excited about getting a massage!

Denise all excited about her massage!

Tracey!!! Love the enthusiasm!!!

ME!!! All excited because I got a massage too!!! Dh called ahead and ordered it for me!! Denise and Ria's DH's did the same! How cool!!!

Memories Manor!!! A gorgeous place to stay and play!!!

Another group photo:

I got all caught up on the first season of True Blood! Woo Hoo!!! Bought the first and second season while in the states!!! It is fantastic! Can't wait till HBO kicks in, DH ordered it yesterday so I can watch the 3rd season!

OHHH Sookie Sookie Now!

Enjoy the day!

Some work from the summer

2010-08-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

Hello!

It has been a long time. Sorry 'bout that! Life is just flying here for this summer. I am totally enjoying myself with having the girls home. Of course that means the "me time" suffers. But hey! It can't always be about me...

SO over the past two months I have done 2 layouts. Actually I have done 2 layouts since April... oh dear!In my defense I have been saving up my projects for my birthday present. A weekend away with my bestest gal pals EVAH! The 7 of us are heading to Memories Manor in Michigan. Can you believe it??? I know right! My DH! What a sweet heart! planned this surprise with my 2 besties for my 40th birthday. Of course I got the trip in March, but the soonest we could go was August. Darn those busy Mom schedules. So, literally I have been saving projects for the trip.

I have almost all my stuff packed. Not the clothes, just the projects, ribbons, bling, papers, pictures, you know the regular stuff. Now to make sure it all fits in ONE case. Shouldn't be too hard. (I hope) Seeing as how I have been very vocal on 1 suitcase, 1 scrap case, I better adhere to that as well. LOL!

Here are the two LO's I have completed. One is courtesy of playing Pass the Turtle Shell, with the ladies from the Scrapping Turtle. I love that game! I get a Layout in my email, scrap lift it and make it my own, then send it back to the co-ordinator, who in turn sends it to the next lady on the list. Kinda like playing Telephone, and seeing what the message is when the last person is finished.
These are my girls at Halloween last year. Disco Stu, and the Corpse Bride.

After finishing that I needed to do one more page for it. I dress up too!

The next one I finished is still very raw. I didn't realize just how much until I started working with his pictures.

Dini (Houdini Kato Colwell) was my boy. He passed away on November 24. I do miss him so much! This LO is one of 2 pages. The second page has the Rainbow Bridge poem on it. A darling lady from the Two Peas in a Bucket NSBR linked me to her gorgeous album that she did for her pet. That gave me the idea for these two pages. On this page there is hidden journaling behind Dini's picture. The photo was taken 2 days before he passed.

Last weekend Scott, the girls and I worked on his memorial circle. We buried Dini in the back yard, and are creating a quiet area surrounded by a garden where we can sit and contemplate. Or just cry, as I seem to do when I am in there. It is a great area at the back of our property. Soon it will be close to complete. We have flag-stone and crushed limestone in there right now. Once it settles we will add the crushed stone, and a concrete boarder with stones in the concrete to create a closed circle. When it is closer to complete I will post a photo.

Enjoy the day. Keep smiling, laughing, and your heart singing.
M

This is a long one!!!

2010-07-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

I'm Back!!!

I know it has been QUITE awhile!!! Some may be wondering what happened to make me fall of the bloggerboard! LOL

A few things have happened. Specifically LIFE! Things got very busy here. Nothing specific with that, as most days are crazy... worst thing? I ended up sick. A little bacterial infection that turned out to be not so little. 2 days at the hospital, antibiotic shots, and antibiotic pills (ones that are not available to the general public, and seriously heavy duty!)

The bacteria started as a lump right by my left ear. It hurt, my neck hurt, my left arm hurt. I put it down as an ear infection. The start of a cold, and or flu. I had the symptoms for it. Chills, fever, vomiting... The spot itself was very red, very inflamed, and puffy! I stayed in bed for a day, with DH checking in on me, asking if he could take me to the hospital now?

On the Sunday I went to the hospital because the small lump spread upwards and outwards, and downwards. I could not focus with my left eye. My teeth felt like they were going to fall out. My neck was so sore I was having issues with holding my head up. My left arm? It would go numb, and tingles, and was achy.

Once at the Emergency Room, the triage staff did not make me wait. I was given a bed straight away. What I had, facial cellulitis, could lead to meningitis, as well as that nasty flesh eating bacteria.

I am so impressed with our local hospital. I was in and out in 3 hours. That was from start to finish, shots included, and a wait time to see if I would react to the antibiotics they gave me.

The following day I was back at the hospital for more shots. Also the Dr. gave me a perscription for the horse sized antibiotic pills. DH looked them up later to see the side effects. I was amazed!

I was on these pills for 10 days. So 4 shots, and 10 days of antibiotics. 2 hospital visits, and 4 follow ups with my family Dr. Because these pills were so heavy duty, they made me dizzy, nauseous, I couldn't remember anything, I couldn't stand without help, I couldn't walk without help. It was a nightmare! It took another week just to get the side effects to stop, after I finished taking them.

I took pictures of the infected area. After day 6 of the antibiotics, my ear and face swelling went way down. It started to look like a normal face again. Except for the bacteria surfacing, that was yucky!!! So no pictures for you! (You will thank me later)

So now we are three weeks after that fun time, and we are heading into the home stretch of school being out. Yeah! The household has been eating like crap! DH, I love him, has been working more than full time, and then making dinners, running the children to their various activities.. Poor thing, he needs a vacation!

We also had dance recital. Oh joy! I adore Irish soft and Irish hard shoe dance! I do not adore the time and effort to rag the hair! The make-up is a cake walk, cause I enjoy that, and took classes back in the days of my modeling. I have wonderful pictures of the girls dressed and ready to go!

The girls did an amazing job! Poor Amanda was coming down with a cold, so her smiling was not happening!

That same weekend my FIL and step-MIL came down. I adore them!!! Both are fabulously talented! MIL sews, cross-stitches, paints, gardens! The woman can cook from scratch and make the most succulent dishes I have ever had. (Sorry Mom!) FIL is also amazingly talented. Between woodworking, and stone working he is a DIY'er who does it ALL!!!

We re-did our front steps. FIL, MIL. DH and I. It was so much fun, working with them. I was in the concrete (playing), and helping lay the flagstone down for the new stairs and pathway. It looks fabulous! We are not quite finished.
One of the fun things I did before I got sick was have a photo shoot with my girls. Just for fun! I needed pictures for a new line I was given for my final DT reveal (which was April!!!!)

This is my fav shot of the two girls together! I also came up with a few very cute LO's (I think) of them!

Those will come later. Right now, I need to get going.

Please leave me a message, I love to hear from you, and hope you didn't leave me while I was gone!!!

2010-06-01T07:08:00.001-07:00

I have been bad. It has been a while since I updated, and got something on here. Once I am feeling better, I will add some projects I finished, and some recipes.

Sorry!

M

Time... where did it go?

2010-03-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

We are gearing up for the April reveal, and I still haven't posted the March one... LOL, well here it is. This one is pretty heavy on the pictures!

This month I got the new SEI line Jocelyn. It is gorgeous. The papers have glitter, embossing, and glaze on them. All are double sided, with beautiful patterns. They also have coordinating cardstock!!! (And Bazzill has matching cardstock for this line! I am in love with the flowers and the colours. Very cool names for the different papers as well. Also in my kit was the Luxe Design Jotters - Friends. Little journal boxes. Oh how easy it is to journal when the box is made just for you! Since they are done in black and white you can add your own colour to match your LO, or leave it as is and see it POP!

GR8

NIAGARA

FINISHING TOUCHES

SOLOS

This clock was done using the Kaiser Craft clock, and Best Creations Paper line.

Anne Marie's LO Sketch challenge. I used LUXE designs, Bazzill cardstock, and glossy accents.

MOM

Brenda's Card Sketch. (I made two of these) This one went to my DD's teacher who just got married.

This one is using the Product of the Month. Micron pens. I used templates, Maya mists, Tattered Angels mists, and some of my homemade mists, then outlined with the Micron pen. Journaling is also done with the Micron pen.

CHEERS

Thanks for looking.

Recipe - Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

2010-03-13T13:26:00.000-08:00

Perfect for a cold, windy, rainy day. Such like what we are having right now! Cuddle up in front of the fire with a bowl of yummy soup and warm homemade buns! Can't get much better than that!

I have done this soup with out the onions, and it is still great! I am not sure about changing the cream to a soy milk, or almond milk, if anyone tries that, please let me know. I have changed the cream to 2% milk.

So here goes. Thanks to a fellow Pea, this recipe is one that I enjoy, and have leftovers for a warm soup the following day.

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

1 lg can diced tomatoes (I like the Alymer accents Italian Seasonings, 540ml)
2 tbs veg oil
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced carrots
2 Tbs VE Sun-dried Tomato and Oregano OR 3 TBS dried basil
4 cups prepared VE chicken broth
2 TBS butter
1/2 cup flour
2 cups 5% cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 bay leaf

Heat oil in soup pot, add onion, garlic, and carrots. Saute 5 minutes.
Add tomatoes (and juice) and chicken broth.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer about 15minutes.
While soup is simmering, prepare your roux. (2 TBS butter melted in a frying pan, add 1/2 cup of flour, stir to thicken) Add 1 cup soup broth to roux, whisk until smooth. Add 1 more cup to roux, stirring to keep smooth.
Add roux back into soup.
Blend in a blender, or with an immersion blender, until lumps are gone.
Stir in cream and VE sun-dried tomato and oregano dip mix (or Basil) and bay leaf.
Simmer over low heat stirring to blend as soup thickens.
This is where you can leave the soup for an hour or so, on very low heat, and come back to it at dinner time, or you can serve it as soon as you want.
Remove and discard bay leaf before serving.

Yum, yum yum.

I love this with homemade buns, or thick slices of homemade bread! Please let me know how it turns out for you!

March Sneaks are up!

2010-03-01T07:15:00.000-08:00

Check out the Turtle for the Design Teams March Sneak Peaks!

This month I got the new SEI line Jocelyn. It is gorgeous. The papers have glitter, embossing, and glaze on them. All are double sided, with beautiful patterns. They also have coordinating cardstock!!! (And Bazzill has matching cardstock for this line! I am in love with the flowers and the colours. Very cool names for the different papers as well. Also in my kit was the Luxe Design Jotters - Friends. Little journal boxes. Oh how easy it is to journal when the box is made just for you! Since they are done in black and white you can add your own colour to match your LO, or leave it as is and see it POP!

GR8

I used: SEI Jocelyn Pattern Papers - LOL :D, BTW, ROTFL. SEI Cardstock - Pink Riot, Aqua Shock. Luxe Designs Jotters - Friends, Copic markers, Quickutz Teriyaki Font, green ink pad, scallop punch, scallop border punch.

This was a fun line, and I am having fun playing with it. Now to finish off a few more layouts!!!

Thanks for looking, please leave me a message!

JOKE

2010-02-25T09:49:00.000-08:00

I normally don't do jokes. Specially email jokes. I don't bother reading them, just delete and move on. For some reason I stopped and read this one.

I am still chuckling.

So here it is. I do hope you are not offended...

Subject: Distinction between Guts and Balls

Just to clear the confusion...

There is a medical distinction between Guts and Balls.

We've all heard about people having Guts or Balls, but do you really know the difference between them?

In an effort to keep you informed, here are the definitions:

GUTS - Is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being met by your wife with a broom, and having the Guts to ask: 'Are you still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?'

BALLS - Is coming home late after a night out with the guys, smelling of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the butt and having the Balls to say: 'You're next, Chubby.'

I hope this clears up any confusion on the definitions.
Medically, speaking there is NO difference in the outcome. Both result in instant death.

Reveal day!!

2010-02-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

It is reveal day over at the Turtle. Woo Hoo!!!

I got the Piggy Tales, Row Row Row Your Boat line. I loved it. So cute and fun and sparkly!! Awesome to work with. As well I got to work with the new American Crafts Glitterstock! OH that is YUMMY!

Everything I made is using the Piggy Tales line, the AC Glitterstock, Quickutz fonts, and Piggy Tales rub-ons and Piggy Tales chipboard that match the line.

SO here is the reveal!
Again with the original sneak peak!

(There is a rub-on saying "Got Chlorine?" on the one picture, but you can't really see it until you are close)

Fun times

Beach Scene

Friends

Check this out!!!

I don't have a tonne of cards, but the ones I do are in a big jumble pile. So I decided to make an altered box as well as the LO's. I made dividers for each type of card. So there is Christmas, Thanks, Friendship, Valentines, and Whatever. Each divider I used a specific paper line that worked with the divider theme.

I also used Bazzill Tulle on this box. I love the tulle!!!

Woo, it took a bit to do this reveal, but I enjoyed the process, and I am very happy with the results.

another one

2010-02-14T11:25:00.000-08:00

I finished this LO a few days ago, but have been debating on a title. I think I am going to leave it as is, and use the 'We're in it together' card as the title. I could put Crop for the Cure as the title, but I like the subtle small words better.

Let me know what you think? Put "Crop for the Cure" as the Title OR leave it as is? (the larger title would go in the black space above the photos)

I used Bazzill beetle black cardstock.Pink Passion Stampin' Up cardstock, prima flowers, Copic markers, Zig black marker, doodlebug bling, flower bling, ribbon button, Prima butterfly, (the card was made by Tracey and given to all participants the day of the CFTC so I am not sure what was used in that) polka dot ribbon is unknown, Stampin' Up border punch, Stampin' Up ink pads, and Stampin' Up stamps.

Enjoy the day!

Challenge

2010-02-14T08:15:00.000-08:00

View Blog
Another LO challenge on the Turtle board. This one by Mellissa. Use a Black and white photo as well as colour photos.

So here is mine. I used the Basic Grey Origins Page kit. You get 1 double page LO and 2 single page LO's in it. ALL bits are included that are needed to complete the page. It is fabulous! This is the second page kit that I got. The first one was Sugar Rush! I am in total love. For quick scrapping that looks good, this is one way to go.

Here is what I did, the only thing I added was the word phrase which is a Melissa Frances rub-on.

Product of the Month!

2010-02-10T10:19:00.001-08:00

Another WICKED product to try out from the Turtle. American Crafts Glitter Cardstock!

This is a wonderful yummy paper. Very thick, and it does not SHED glitter like other company cardstock does! I was amazed that I walked out of my craft room not glowing like TinkerBell!

I decided that I would work on an album cover. One of my favourite albums is Bazzill 3 ring. It is so cool because you can alter your cover and spine the way you want it.

I got to play with the albums early last year and fell in love with them. Now they are a staple in my crafting supplies...

Here is the album cover and spine that I did. I used my Epic limited release die, a Scrolling border die from Quickutz, and my Silhouette for the word family. I used Doodlebug bling for the *dot* on the i, and prima flowers, Stampin' up stamp, as well as some ribbon. I can't remember what company the ribbon is from. BUT I LOVE the polka dots and it worked so well with the flowers!

Heather's Sketch challenge

2010-02-06T11:20:00.000-08:00

I love LO challenges. I especially love them with a sketch!!!

I have a habit of staying true to a sketch. It really makes going through the pages so easy. When I use a group of papers from the same company, it makes it even easier.

For Heather's LO challenge, I used Scenic Route. (Wow am I sad they are gone) The group photo of the children was perfect with the colours, and the chipboard, and the title. ALL of it was Scenic Route! Including that really cute Date stamp on the bottom!

Enjoy the day.

2010-02-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

It is here!!! I am so excited!
terribly excited.
The Scenic Route Ashville Collection.
Plus a chipboard album
plus chipboard letters
plus colour rub-ons
plus word rub-ons
plus a calendar stamp set.

Holy HEACK!! It is totally sweet.

All from my favourite people at Scrapbook and Cards Today. All because I left a comment on their Freebie Fridays. All because they are generous, and friendly, and giving.

Thank you Catherine and Kerry! You two have totally made my day. Heack! Made the week!!!

I can't wait to get scrapping with these yummy goodies!!!

It is SNEAK day!!!

2010-02-01T09:28:00.000-08:00

Go and check it out, all the sneaks are up!!! at the Scrapping Turtle

Wicked COOL!!! I was so stoked to get the Piggy Tales Row Row Row Your Boat line.

I totally love Piggy Tales. Their papers have bright colours, glaze, glitter, and pattern to bug your eyes out!!! I love it. (I previously have worked with the Fairy Tales line)

So this month I get Piggy Tales. With self adhesive chipboard and rub-ons. Yeah, I know, the rub on challenged girl gets rub-ons. To add to that Denise gave me more rub-ons from the same line. These rub-ons were way to easy to use. They were like cutting soft butter with a warm knife. Way too easy!

Here is my sneak! (this line just screamed POOL, to me)

I used: Becky Fleck page maps (book is in store)
Piggy Tales Row Row Row Your Boat PP - dream, down, rub-ons (and extras from Denise), chipboard
Bazzill cardstock and ribbon
Galaxy fine tip marker
Auarious Quickutz 4x8 font
Blue stamp pad

Next up (on the 3rd) is the Product of the month! WOW is it incredible, and I love what I have seen everyone else do with it!

And then on the 15th is the rest of the reveal. Woot Toot

Still Going!

2010-01-23T15:33:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more from the Sketch Crop.

I am having a blast with this!!!

Mellissa's Etch-a-Sketch
Anne Marie's Sketch:

Can you tell that the title is TWILIGHT? I tried to make letters out of bling... not sure if I am the only one who can read that...

Okay, back at it. Still need to complete Mellissa's Card Sketch, and Rachael's Card sketch and LO sketch...

SOS Sketch Outside your Shell, online crop

2010-01-23T11:20:00.001-08:00

I am participating in an online crop over at the Scrapping turtle. the DT is providing sketches and challenges to complete throughout the week. So far I have managed to complete 3 LO's and 3 cards.

Woo Hoo!!!

Jump on over to the pond and check it out.

Here is the sketch I provided for the challenge:

this is what I did:
the card challenge was to use your scraps, and the sketch to create the card...

I have completed Tracey's LO and card sketch challenges:

Heathers LO sketch challenge... (I still have to do the card part of the challenge)

Anne Marie's LO Sketch, with a twist. (Take a sketch and make a card)

I am still going. I just have to pick a card sketch to make into a LO for Anne Marie's Card challenge.

Crazy

2010-01-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

At 6 am I woke to a wet nose poking me in the face. Sharp teeth trying to chew my fingers. It wasn't my husband getting frisky!! LOL...

It was one of our new kittens...

A true cuddler. I wish it was later in the morning... I do have a perfectly good alarm clock. I believe that vanGogh has decided HE is a better alarm clock.

After getting the boys their breakfast, I start making breakfast for the girls. I start hearing growling. I turn to find this:

Yes that is vanGogh hanging off my apron. Normally they are tucked inside the pantry door. He managed to find a corner and work them through. Then attack the buttons on my new apron.

I love having kittens around the house!

Turtle Auction!

2010-01-18T08:41:00.000-08:00

This weekend was so crazy busy!!! It was totally fun as well!!

I spent the weekend with my gal pals at the Scrapping Turtle enjoying the festivities of their Fourth year ANNIVERSARY!!! Congratulations Hannah!!! You and your staff have totally outdone yourself with this past weeks fun!!!

Here are the make n takes from the week. (Sorry the first one was taken at an odd angle)

The day of the Auction (Sunday) these were the make n takes!

I missed taking a photo of the fourth make n take. It was a cute bookmard!!!

The ladies went all out, and the auction was incredible. I scored 12 (yes twelve) 4x8 fonts from Quickutz!!!
Can you see the stupid happy in my face? Cause I was shaking, I can't believe I got them!!! I outbid and got them!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Playing in my scrap room

2010-01-18T08:22:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday I took the day off of work. It wasn't hard because I am a SAHM. Only problem was I had double the work the following day.

It was totally worth it. I won't do it again any time soon, but that was a well needed rest! I got so much done!

Here are my results for the day:

Anne Marie issued a challenge to make a fussy LO. This was my go at it! Kaiser Craft Pina Colada line, stickles, rhinestones swirls, Kaiser Craft chipboard letters, prima flowers, various brads.

I finished the second page to Marineland. (I used a CTMH paper kit for this one)

I grabbed a kit that I picked up from the Turtle a couple years ago and added a few pictures to it.

I grabbed another page I finished but did not have photos for. I cried. I am not ready to do a LO on Dini's passing. So for this one it is just pictures of him being healthy before we moved.

Then I broke out the Basic Grey Sugar Rush Page Kits. Basic Grey put together a kit to make one double page LO, and 2 singles. I got them all done, I just photographed 2 of them. The double pager was perfect for Lex's birthday! The kit included paper, stickers, chipboard. You just have to supply the adhesive, and the ink. How easy is that???

Now I have to get photos for this one:

SO that is what I finished. Minus one I haven't photo'ed yet...

Total reveal!

2010-01-18T08:13:00.001-08:00

The January reveal is up on the Scrapping Turtle message board. Wow the ladies did an amazing job this time around. Please stop over there and check them out!

My reveal? Yeah? It was challenging with so much else going on in life. I actually took a day away from my household chores and stayed in my scraproom. I emerged to make dinner, and then went back down. I don't know if I will do that again anytime soon, cause the work was still waiting for me! LOL. But the day was fantastic! I managed to get 5 layouts done.

SO for the month of January I got to play with the UBER cute October Afternoon Report Card line as well as Letterman Thickers. They are sweet, fun, retro, and yet so NOW!!! I worked on my daughters' school albums. Yeah, I could have done so much more than that, but I liked these papers for school!

Here is the sneak I did:

Here are the rest of the LO's that I did:

A single page for Ally's school photo:
I also used Kaiser Craft flowers, Bo-Bunny buttons, bazzill cardstock, Grungeboard, Adirondack paint, and my sewing machine.

...and a double pager for Lex's year in review:

I totally enjoyed this line. It is not one I would have chosen on my own to work with. And I am seriously glad that Hannah and Lori put this line in my kit. I am quite happy with the results. Especially with Ally exclaiming "I LOVE IT MOM!!!" and the big hug that went with it.

California Lemon Garlic Chicken

2010-01-13T12:26:00.001-08:00

From
Simply Delicious - 5 ingredient recipes
Victorian Epicure

1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tsp VE Roasted Garlic
1/4 cup water
juice of 1 lemon
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Heat frying pan over medium heat. Melt butter with brown sugar and VE roasted garlic.
add chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
add water, and lemon juice. cook for 8 - 10 minutes, turning once.

I serve with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. I have been known to serve rice noodles, or a wild rice and any type of vegetable as a side.

Serves 4

YUM YUM!!!

Challenge

2010-01-12T05:36:00.001-08:00

this time around Tracey challenged us with a sketch by Becky Fleck. It was a beautiful sketch.

This is my take on it
I tried to stay true to the sketch, but it was a one photo sketch and I had two photos, so I played... just a tiny bit with changes.

To check out everyone's LO please go to Scrapping Turtle (click the words)

Scrap Room

2010-01-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

Guess what? It has finally happened. We have the majority of my stuff in my scraproom!!! YEAH!!!

I don't have cupboards, or shelves, yet... I want to work in the room for a bit before deciding what will be used in the room. I do want shelves on one wall for my books. Novels, text books, scrap mags, scrap books, etc. But that is the only thing decided for now.

Oh, I also know that I want a long skinny piece of wood on the wall to put my stamps on so that I can see them. Maybe a couple of them.

so here are some pictures...

this is as you walk into my room, my bookshelf and a rolling cart with supplies in it.

This is the long wall with one of my tables for putting the LO's/cards all together. Plus a second bookshelf with embellishments on it.

This is the third wall with my tools. The sewing machine, cutting tools etc. Underneath is a rolling cart that will hopefully be emptied when I figure out what my storage system will be.

So there it is, for now. I have my floor, my walls, my door... I am happy...

Yep, life is good.

January Sneak, and POTM

2010-01-04T07:02:00.000-08:00

Here is my sneak for this month at the Scrapping Turtle...

I was given the Report Card line by October Afternoon!!! It is wicked sweet.

For my sneak, I stuck to a school photo (I know predictable considering the name of the line)

I used

scallop border punch
bazzill cardstock, vanilla and grey
OA - Hot Lunch
OA - Story Hour
OA - Science Fair
OA - stickers
random word stamps
Thickers - Letterman

I also got a Maya Road Key Chain in my kit. It was a school themed one...

I am using the key chain as a backpack dangly thingy.

I used stickles, beads, micro beads, paper, ink pad, paint, a sticker.

Here is the apple: I used October Afternoon, report card, pattern paper, red ink, 3 in 1 glue, green ink pad.

abc: done with Adirondack copper paint, just daubed on.

school bus: used 3 in 1 glue and that is holding the micro beads on. Then GUNMETAL (it comes in handy) stickles for the wheels, outline of the bus windows with yellow stickles.

Pencil: yellow ink pad, 3 in 1 glue to hold the large 'ish' beads, October Afternoon pencil sticker.

the only problem now is that both girls want one on their backpacks...
Hope you like...

2010-01-01T11:36:00.001-08:00

You have got to check this out...

Pamela's World of Scrap.

Wow inspiring. She has started the new year with a blog hop challenge!!!

LOVE IT!!!

Ying/Yang

2009-12-26T10:36:00.000-08:00

They found a new spot to sleep...

Turtle December Reveal...

2009-12-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

Here it is...

I used:
Kaiser Craft Loire Valley Collection Pattern Paper- Osmunda, Iris, Angelica, Alpha Stickers, Badges
Kaiser Craft Flowers
Kaiser Craft bling
CS - Bazzill French Vanilla
Adirondak Metallics Gold Paint
Wall of Fun Sparkle brads
Prima e-bling, and Prima flowers
Maya Mists, blue and red
Bazzill Tulle
Technique Tuesday Tiles

Perfect 10
this is the second page

My third LO is this one

I used Kaiser Craft Loire Valley Collection Pattern Paper- Osmunda, Celandine, Angelica, Alpha Stickers, Badges
Kaiser Craft Bling
Bazzill Whilrpool, Coal, Bling Template
Quickutz Banana Split font
Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid #8, silver
Prima e Bling

ROOTS and WINGS

I decided to do an altered item this month. I have been working on learning Photoshop and purchased a ring bound notebook. The notebook will be for, well, notes... I used this months kit to alter it... I saw a notepad that had the 'notes' bit on it, that I used as inspiration to complete the entire cover.

I used Kaiser Craft Loire Valley Collection Pattern Paper- Iris, Celandine, Dahlia, Japonica, Osmunda, Apha Stickers, Badges, Bling
Bazzill Whilrpool, French Vanilla
Quickutz 12" flourish die
Ribbon

Thanks for looking, hope you like it.

Letterpress!!!

2009-12-15T17:46:00.001-08:00

OMG!!! You have to go over to the Lifestyle Crafts and check out this giveaway!!! It is freakin' awesome.

LIFESTYLE CRAFTS

What are you still doing here??? Go, go, go....

(Oh, good luck, if you win....)

Vanilla Spritz Cookies

2009-12-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

Vanilla Spritz Cookies

1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp VE Poudre Douce (optional)
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups flour

preheat oven to 375. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla extract, poudre douce, lemon juice and salt.
add flour beating until soft dough results.
pack dough into cookie press. fit with the desired disc design. press dough out onto ungreased baking sheet, spacing cookies 1 inch appart.
bake until lightly golden, about 10 -12 minutes. transfer to cooling racks. sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

these can be frozen and used later, or stored at room temperature for up to 4 days.

I made these yesterday, and there about 50 to start... there is 24 left (those are in the teacher gift boxes)

Sketch Challenge

2009-12-14T06:27:00.000-08:00

Anne Marie posted a sketch challenge on the Scrapping Turtle board. Head over to Allison Cope's blog, pick a sketch and DO IT!!!

Click on Allison's name to go to her blog.

Click HERE to see the sketch I chose...

This is what I did with it:

I used BG Porcelain with Bazzill cardstock. I inked the letters for the title, and used Quickutz heart die. These photos were from my birthday. The only thing I asked for was the cake, homemade. I wanted Scott and the girls to make my birthday cake. They did a fantastic job...

Fantastic Cards...

2009-12-13T11:00:00.001-08:00

Once a month a few friends and I head to Denise's for a card class. We make three cards. We laugh, we talk, we laugh some more, and in the 3 to 4 hours that we are there, we actually get 3 cards done.

I had noticed that one of the ladies in the group has been posting our cards on her blog. I thought this was a fabulous idea, and decided to do the same.

Here are some of the cards we have made over the last few months. Some I already sent to family and friends...

Oh, the stamps, ink, cardstock, emblies, are all Stampin' Up. You can check out Denise's website by clicking on her name.

Turtley - Sneak Peak & Product Highlight

2009-12-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

I know I am a titch late with showing you my sneak. It was over at the Scrapping Turtle. Just not here...

SO here is my sneak peak...

I got to work with Kaiser Craft. Such wonderful, yummy paper!!! I think it might just replace my love for Basic Grey!!! There are so many wonderful lines to choose from, and tons of bits to add to the line. All work and coordinate beautifully.

This month I was so lucky to get Loire Valley paper, with the Badges and the Alpha Stickers. What I discovered when I got home was the Kaiser Craft Bling and flowers I had purchased (and not used) worked PERFECTLY with this line. As well Bazzill Red Tulle. Can you imagine my delight???

For this LO (page one of 2) I used the Loire Valley line.
PP - Usmunda
PP - Iris
PP - Angelica
CS - French Vanilla (Bazzill)
Kaiser Craft Badges
Kaiser Craft Alpha Stickers
Adirondak Metallics - gold paint
Charcoal Maya Mist
Red Maya Mist
Blue Maya Mist
Prima Bling
Kaiser Craft Bling
Kaiser Craft flowers
Prima flowers
Technique Tuesday circle tile
Bazzill Red Tulle

Here is my Product Highlight. The product was Maya Mists. There are so many options open when working with it!!! The DT came up with LO's, Cards, Altered items. WOW it was very intimidating to see all the gorgeous eye candy!!! A few months ago Vicki Murry (GDT, friend, and fellow blogger extraordinary!!!) did a canvas for one of her projects. Since I saw it I have had an idea in my head and wanted to try it. I am totally inspired by Vicki, and her work. So this is what I did with a couple of canvas' and some acrylic paint, Maya mists, and a Crafters template.

I hope you enjoy.

Our new boys...

2009-12-07T06:31:00.001-08:00

After loosing Dini, it was very hard for me to think about another kitten. But both my girls were taking his passing so hard. A pet bereavement counselor suggest another pet for the girls to help them.

DH and I were out doing our Holiday gift shopping for the family and decided to check out the Humane Society. There we found 13 cats/kittens. It was very hard for DH not to take them all home.

We left and after lunch and finishing shopping we went back. These two were the ones that stole our hearts, and went straight into cuddles when we held them. They love having their tummies rubbed and their paws massaged.

Van Gogh is 10 weeks old, he is a little skittish, but so very cuddly. White with a bit of orange on his ears, face and tail, he is so sweet:

Darwin is 12 weeks old. He is a polydactyl (6 toes), and a very adventurous explorer. He is black with just a patch of white (about 6 hairs) on his belly.

Christmas decorating

2009-11-21T05:44:00.000-08:00

My girls were asking last night

"When are we putting up our tree?"

Me, "December 1st"

Ahleigha, "Oh good. Can we decorate outside this year too? Like with lights?"

Me, "Ha!!! Ask your Dad, that is his territory."

Alexa, shouting from the kitchen upstairs to the office, "Dad, you are putting lights on the house OUTSIDE this year. (small voice) Okay?"

Me, "Oh that will go over real well."

Ahleigha, "Can we get the christmas stuff out now?"

Me, "Who's child are you? Did you get transplanted here from Jen's house?"

Ahleigha, "Jen who?"

Click this link and you will understand... Enjoying Life

WON!!!

2009-11-20T06:44:00.001-08:00

Oh wow, today I found out I won my FIRST blog thing ever!!!

Scrapbook and Cards Today (I link them frequently cause they have awesome sketches by Allison Cope) always does a Freebie Friday. I have been posting to that for (it seems like forever) and this morning my name was randomly drawn.

Yeah!!! I am a very happy girl. Now I will have to head to the Turtle for some cardstock...

so go and check out Scrapbook and Cards Today for the Freebie Friday!!! And the Sketchy Saturday, and... okay everyday is a good day to check out the blog...

Reveals!!!

2009-11-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

Today is the day I can reveal here on my blog what I did for the Scrapping Turtle.

I got to play with the wonderful Fancy Pants Christmas Magic Line.

A HUGE Thanks you to Denise for showing me a few different ways to use my ribbon. The pleated tulle and the bunched ribbon...

First was the sneak peak...

MAGICAL
Then I played using Quickutz fonts Jacqueline (4x8), metro (2x2 mini), Vixen (2x2), bazzill cardstock, christmas magic stickers, christmas magic pattern papers Silver Snow, Strips (solid side), Merriest Tale (solid side), christmas magic rub-ons, christmas magic ribbon, wall of fun glitter brad, galaxy markers, sewing machine, and DMC Floss
and made this LO:

FEED THE BIRDSPlaying got fun, using photoshop, stickles, pop dots, christmas magic sticker sheet, tulle, christmas magic christmas carol patterned paper, christmas magic strips pattern paper,and out popped this LO:

LIFE IS...I will put the mini book in a separate post, as it is very picture heavy. And somewhat overwhelming to put in this post with all the other projects...

I kept playing with the papers that were part of my kit, and came up with these as well.

Using the Christmas Magic Pattern Paper Good Cheer, Christmas Magic, ribbon, christmas magic rub-ons, christmas magic stickers, ranger Ice Stickles, Bazzill cardstock, QK Beauty Queen (S) and Chandelier fonts, Bazzill brad, Peel off Hologram stickers, Galaxy markers and Adobe Photoshop:

SPECIALThen I did a two pager using Christmas Magic Pattern Papers Chestnuts Roasting and Deck the Halls, Kraft cuts as a template to cut Chestnuts roasting, Heidi Swapp Mask, Maya Mists, Kaiser Rhinestone strips, Heidi Swapp Rhinestone strips, Bazzill cardstock, Gold cardstock, QK Beauty Queen (F) and Chandelier fonts, Sakura sparkle glaze pen, Ranger Adirondak acrylic paint dauber, Doodlbug sugar coated brads, Gutermann gold cotton thread, Adobe Photoshop

Fairy on top

I am hoping to complete one more LO, that will be the second page to Magical.

Hope there is some inspiration here, and that you had fun looking.

Product Highlight of the Month

2009-11-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

Oh hey!!! With all the excitment of the weekend, Scrapfest U, and Tracey and I helping Hannah, getting to play with baby Jack...

I totally forgot I can put my Product of the month from the Scrapping Turtle on my blog now!!!

Here goes...

The Product Highlight for the month of November are the fantastic Scenic Route Chipboard Albums.

They come in many shapes and sizes. They are so versatile that you can mix and match to add extra pages to your mini albums. They make great keepsake albums and gifts for those special people in your life.

They range in price from $4.99-$8.99 and the best part is they are 30% off for the month of November, only at the Scrapping Turtle!

For my Scenic Route Chipboard album I used Basic Grey Porcelain line, Ranger stickles, Ranger gold paint, Ranger Distress photo ink, brads, rub-ons, rhinestones, and ribbon. Lots of ribbon for the d-rings..

My album also has the key hole on both covers. I had fun trying to decide "Picture or Pretty bits?" The pictures won the toss.

Thanks for looking!!!

Recipe!!! (Nacho cheese seasoning)

2009-11-09T12:02:00.000-08:00

WOW OH WOW

I menu plan our dinners. Tonights dinner is one I found at Kraft Kitchens. Very easy, quick, and with substitutions, it fits my families tastes.

Here is the recipe and how I 'tweaked' it:

Cheesy Pasta Skillet

3 cups uncooked rotini pasta
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bitesized pieces
3 cups mixed veggies (if frozen thaw them and drain them)
1 cup salsa
2 1/2 cups Old Cheddar cheese

* 2 tbsp VE Nacho Cheese Seasoning

Cook your pasta as directed.
Cook your chicken in large skillet, I use olive oil so it doesn't stick.
During the last bit of cooking add VE Nacho Cheese Seasoning. Continue cooking until chicken is no longer pink inside

Add vegetables and salsa to skillet. Cook on medium heat until heated through.
Drain pasta, add to skillet with cheese.
Stir until cheese is melted.

Serve and sit back to rave reviews!!!

2009-11-06T07:58:00.000-08:00

And so it begins!!!!

On November 13th that is...

AND if you invite a friend have them sign in and let us know you sent them they must particapate in at least 2 challenges you and your friend will earn one ballot each.
Your friend must be new to the board.

So please, sign up for the on-line crop, at the Scrapping Turtle, and drop my name in there while you are at it...

Hope to see you there. It will be fun. A chance to play games and get your mojo running with challenges.

Turtle November Sneak Peak

2009-11-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

This month I was given Fancy Pants by Design Christmas Magic line. WOW it is so full of gorgeous paper, glitter cuts, ribbons, stickers and rub-ons!!! All work together to create seamless projects that flow! I fell in love when I opened the box.

My first project was this Layout:

Magical

I used

Bazzill cardstock, 3 different colours, (colours were found using Bazzill Matchmaker)
christmas Magic PP Good Cheer (dots),
christmas Magic PP Mince Pie (large flowerish pattern),
christmas Magic PP Merriest Tale (stripes),
christmas magic sticker sheet,
christmas magic ribbon,
christmas magic glimmer cuts,
Ranger stickles,
QK font Teriyaki,
Doodlebug rhinestone,
Fiskars border punch,
and sewing machine

Now for the rest of the projects!!! There is so much to choose from with this line, it was like christmas morning opening my box of goodies from the Scrapping Turtle.

To see what the rest of the team has come up with head over to the Message Board and check out their stuff.

I love Jessica Sprague

2009-11-02T16:01:00.001-08:00

Holidays in Hand Registration is OPEN!

Greetings!

Hi there! Happy Monday! Today's a BIG day at the Spraground! Registration is OPEN for my FREE holiday class, coming up November 16!

You're invited to our FINAL class of 2009, and best of all, it's FREE! Take advantage of this special opportunity to refocus on what matters most to YOU during the holiday season, no matter how you celebrate.

We'll be making a great project to help you tell your holiday stories both past and present, and I'd like to extend a personal invitation to EVERYONE. You don't have to be a digital scrapbooker, you don't have to know Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
Registration is easy and free!

Copy this code by highlighting it and typing Ctrl-C (Cmd-c on your Mac): HIHFREE2009

Click the image above, or click right here, then paste (Ctrl-v or Cmd-v) the code into the Gift Code field.

You're registered! Click on your My Classes link to view the introduction to the class! (I'll be posting the supply list on Wednesday)

I know we're going to have an amazing time together in class, and I would LOVE to share this information and experience with everyone! Please tell your friends and family, spread the word, share the love!

Fall Product

2009-10-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

It arrived.

3 BIG full glorious boxes from Victorian Epicure in B.C.

spices, dip mixes, milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, salt grinders, pepper grinders, rubs, pure cocoa, amore cups, milk frothers, dressing mixes, drink rimmers, it is all there.

They arrived this morning.

I have been unpacking until now.

The fun has only just begun. Now I get to package them into bags for each customer. Then the calls, and the happy people!!!

I love this job.
I love Epicure spices.

I am a happy person.

Turtle reveal!

2009-10-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

On the 15th of each month is the full reveal for the Turtle Design team.
Here is what I did with the Dream Street Wonderland paper.

Yule 08
Nice Smile
Cousins

Cards:

Snowflake

Which Way to the Pole?
Let it Snow!

Sharpies Challenge

2009-10-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

Over at the Turtle Sharpie issued a challenge. Here it is

My challenge to you is to do a layout about Why You Love YOURSELF!

so I have done this

So now, YOU have a challenge. YOU scrap a LO about what you love about yourself.

Have fun

4 Layer Pumpkin Cake

2009-10-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

4 Layer Pumpkin Cake with Caramel Sauce

(I start with my basic white and added spice and pumpkin, tweeking the milk and oil amounts as needed. You may need more or less of the flour to get a cake consistancy. A friend uses a boxed yellow mix and adds the eggs, spice, pumpkin, oil, and milk)

Cake

2 cups white sugar

3 (and a bit if needed) cups flour

3 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/3 cup oil

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup cooked pureed pumpkin (canned or fresh)

1/2 cup milk

Icing

1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese (room temperature)

1 cup cooked pureed pumpkin (canned or fresh)

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 cup icing sugar

3 cups thawed cool whip

Reserve 2 tbsp of completed icing

Topping

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

6 tbsp butter

1 1/2 cup heavy cream (I use 10%)

1 tsp vanilla

Pre-heat oven to 350. Grease and flour tow 9 inch round baking pans.

Cake: Prepare dry ingredients for cake, and add wet. Beat on low speed for 2 minutes, beat on medium speed for 4 minutes, and well blended. The longer you beat the fluffier the cake.

Pour evenly into prepared cake pans.

Bake 28 - 30 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in centres comes out clean. Cool pans 10 mins. Remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

Icing: Beat cream cheese, pumpkin puree, and pie spice together, add icing sugar. Mix really well. (If making this the day before stop here and put in fridge) Stir in Whipped topping.

Caramel sauce: In small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add brown sugar and stir until melted. Add heavy cream and vanilla. Raise heat to medium, constantly stirring until low boil occurs. (If making the day ahead, put in another dish and refridgerate)

To put the cake together. Use a serated blade and cut in half length-wise.

You will now have 4 layers.

Place first layer on serving plate and add 1/3 icing in centre of cake. Spread to edges, but not around the edges.

Repeat this with remaining layers.

For top layer, put 2 tbsp in a 'blob' on the top.

When you get the cake to the table, pour some of the caramel (warm) over the very top so that it dribbles down the sides.

When serving you can add more caramel to individual plates.

Oh and the caramel sauce is totally yummy on ice-cream!!!

Just typing that out has added 5 pounds!!!

I do not have the nutritional information, as I believe in this case, ignorance is bliss.

Please let me know how it worked for you!!!

I will post a picture when the cake is completed.

Challenge #1

2009-10-04T12:56:00.000-07:00

Over at the Turtle we have been busy. Each DT member creates a challenge for all on the board to partake in, if they wish.
Mellissa challenged us to create a LO with as many shapes as you can.

Here is mine:

I had fun sketching and then creating this layout. I did a second one for Alexa's album. A tribute to her cutting her hair for Locks of Love.

Both LO's were made using Basic Grey Sugared line. I have a large square, large triangle, scallops, large circle (plus a small bling circle), large rectangle and flower shapes.

I added bling flourishes to the family album photo.

Maybe this is a challenge you can do as well?

DT REVEAL

2009-10-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

Today is the day that the Scrapping Turtle reveals its design team for the next 6 months. Holy Heck!!! It has been six months since the last team started. It doesn't seem that long ago.

The past team was incredible. Lots of awesome ideas, and altered projects, cards, and LO's galore. It was so inspiring to see what they came up with each month, and their challenges were GREAT!!!

Now the new team starts.

I am excited to tell you that

I GOT ON THE TEAM!!!! How freakin' cool is that??? I wasn't sure when I applied if I would make it. But I did!!!

So here are the links to the other talented women on the team, who also blog:

Tracey (DT coordinator)
Heather
AnneMarie
Mellissa

Victoria (Guest Designer this month)

take a peak at their sites. These women are totally crafty and way inspiring.

Here is my sneak peak that was put up on the Turtle board todayI got to play with the Dream Street Wonderland line. It is so pretty!

Go check out the Turtle. It is worth the trip into the pond.

my room

2009-09-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

I decided to skip housework today.

Bad Mommy, bad bad mommy!!!

I decided to play instead!!!

Here are a couple bits that I have been working on and just finished up

The lighting is bad on this one, I took it at night...
It is a LO for my birthday. I also played with photoshop on 2 of the photos. The center one I used a Brush, (happy Birthday) and the picture on the right I used a photo frame.

Nothing fancy for this one.
Last years reminisce line (still love it) The paper sparkles, so I had to add a bit more. Quickutz for the snowflakes that I used a sparkle pen on. Quickutz Beauty Queen for the title, and I used Icicle stickles on the letters.

This was a fun one. Part of an online challenge with the sketch...
Then used Kim (from the Turtle) economic stimulus challenge for the papers. Dream street and Fancy Pants and alphabet stickers. I did not use the ribbon that was also called for. AND I am a week late in completing it, so it doesn't count. Now I need to work on this weeks challenge. (You can find it here) I am looking forward to using all the goodies she has challenged us with!!!

St. George Applefest

2009-09-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

I am totally bagged this morning...

I don't want to go on the treadmill, but I know I should. My feet hurt. Barking dogs... ouch

This weekend was the fabulous St. George Applefest. If you have never been I highly recommend that you mark your calendar for next year. 3rd weekend in September Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th. Awesome time!!!

I was there helping Denise in her Stampin' Up booth. WOW we were run off our feet. Denise made this absolutely adorable card for a make n take, and we didn't stop once. from 9 am until 6 pm on the Saturday and then 9 till 5 on Sunday we were going.

Sunday was awesome as well. Ria, Jamilla and I helped Denise. Made for a lighter load!!! What a fantastic day. Weather was perfect, and everyone was really friendly.

I am so proud of Denise, she did a great job this weekend. Click her name and check out her calendar and the online catalogue. Maybe you will see something you like and book a workshop, or a class.

RECIPE DAY!!!!

2009-09-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

I got a request earlier in the week for my muffin and chocolate chip cookie recipes. So here goes.

I want to hear how they turn out Kathy!!!

Strawberry Muffins

2 1/4 cup sifted all purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

1 cup sliced strawberries. (I have used fresh and sliced them, and I have used whole frozen strawberries that I thaw before using. I do not slice those)
12 whole strawberries

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
In large bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt
In medium bowl beat eggs. Blend in vanilla, oil, and milk
Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients stirring only to moisten
Fold in strawberries.
Spoon into well greased muffin tins
top with whole strawberry
Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove to wire rack to cool.

For a creamier taste you can substitute the milk for yogurt, and reduce the baking powder to 1 teaspoon and add 1/2 tsp baking soda.
You can also use raspberries, or blueberries in place of strawberries

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla (I use a titch more)
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Whisk together butter, and sugars until smooth.
Add beaten eggs, and vanilla until smooth
Add baking powder and slowly add flour, about a 1/2 cup at a time until all is in and very well blended.
Blend in the chocolate chips.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. For softer cookies bake around 10 minutes and golden brown. For harder cookies go browner and bake closer to 12 minutes.
Let settle on cookie sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer to cooling rack.

ENJOY!!!

(PS: I would love feed back on any of the recipes that you try)

Treadmills and Tiara's

2009-09-18T13:18:00.001-07:00

Normally the two would not go together.

Normally.

But in my house nothing is particularly normal. As evidenced by the events of this morning.

I happily got my children off to school singing "It's the most wonderful time of the year" (Yes I know school started last week, but I am still happy to have a quiet house this week too) anyway, I digress...

Once my lovely young ladies are out of the house I don my runners and head downstairs for my 40 minutes on the treadmill. Most romantic anniversary present EVAH!!! Afterwards, I am all sweaty, and icky, and not smelling pretty, red in the face, and puffing like I climbed Mt. Everest, generally looking pretty hot! As I am planning on going upstairs to hit the showers I notice a few bits in the basement that should be coming upstairs. One of which is my youngest's Tiara. Fancy little bit from Disney. (Cost more than I admitted to Scott)

Being the industrious woman and multi-tasker that I am, everything is falling out of my arms. The tiara promptly went onto my head and I started up the stairs.

As I close the door on the basement and put the stuff away the doorbell rings. My Dad has come for coffee!!! Yeah me, I love a chance to sit and chat with my Daddy. He looks at me funny, and just says Hi Honey and gives a hug.

Scott and Daddy and I sit enjoying our coffee and we end up chatting about the morning. I said I was working on the treadmill, and then going to hit the showers when he arrived.

He said (eyebrows pointing to my head) "Now I understand why you are all 'sparkly'."

I touched my head.

Crap, in my rush to put stuff away I had forgotten about the Tiara. There it was all pretty and sparkly on my wet sweaty head.

Now I can truly say

I Sparkle and Shine.

1st Day of School

2009-09-11T08:55:00.001-07:00

I have gotten so many questions about what I did on the first day of school, I thought I would show you...

It is a tradition for me to go and take the day for myself. So first thing in the morning I took photos of my girls in front of the house, and of course of their shoes...Alexa, Amanda and Ahleigha shoes for the first day of school.

AND THEY WERE OFF!!!

Then Ria and I left to go to Chapters and meet up with our friend Jenn. After making tons of noise (nooooo not us) we got our picture taken by one of the employees.
After meeting up with Jenn and enjoying a Chai Tea Latte and pumpkin scone... we took off to Two Scrapbook Friends, and then to the Turtle. We got to chat with Lori and Teresa... have I mentioned how much I adore Lori and Teresa?

Of course lunch was terribly crappy (really bad food, but sooooo worth it) McDonald's. LOL. Oh yeah I paid for that lunch later...

It was a great day...
Thanks Jenn, Thanks Ria

Days of summer

2009-09-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

We had lots of fun times this summer. Out of all of them my absolute favourite was having the yard full of children having water gun fun.

This summer we were very lucky to play host to my Sister-in-law and her family from England. I got to see my favourite nephew Flynn. I miss him so much!!!

So the best day of all also included Ria and Dave and their children, plus Dave's brother Greg and his children. (That makes 8 children including my own)

Here are some of the pictures...

John getting into the action...
Angela got her own gun. Smaller than the rest, the super soakers were as big as she was.
Angela getting Scott... She was very crafty and popped up when he least expected itThe only child I did not get a picture of was Daniel. He was too fast, and hiding behind trees when I trained the camera on him...

What a fun day

altered book

2009-09-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to think of something heart felt for the three sets of grandparent for christmas. I think I might have something...

I started with chipboard, just normal everyday chipboard. (it was pretty cheap for 5 6x6 pages) and then I thought about acrylic. After TA'ing Trisha's class I have been really liking acrylic. So I bought an SEI acrylic 6x6 book. It has swirly sides which make it very cool!!!

I love the core'dinations cardstock!!! Snap that is gorgeous stuff.

Along with the Quickutz dies and embossing plates I also used;

Kaiser bling,

Smooch (love that stuff),

Prima flowers,

Tattered Angel mists,

just a bit of everything to pull this together, here is what I came up with...

Snap I am lovin' this!!!

2009-09-06T08:53:00.001-07:00

Scrapbook and Cards Today, oh yeah baby!!! LOVIN this sketch. Click on over and check it out, or just look here.

I think, if my children will let me, I will hibernate in my scraproom today and play with this sketch...

Or maybe on Wednesday... after Tuesday will be busy visiting with my friend Jenn, and celebrating the first day of school!

RECIPE DAY!!!!

2009-09-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

I know it is late... but this is a good one. (even if I have to tell everyone, and they don't tell me)

Grocery day is Thursday, and I cheat. ACK!!! I know, I cut corners, and I do cheat when it comes to making some foods. Like Coleslaw. It is in a bag, ready to go, just add some dressing, and bam!!! It is all ready to serve and I have no muss for clean up.

I was a tiny bit miffed when I found that the coleslaw was all gone. So I bought a large cabbage, a medium red cabbage, and a bag of carrots (not the baby carrots, regular carrots) Today I pulled out my favourite kitchen appliance, my Braun food Processor. It was one of my sisters wedding gifts, she didn't use it for 17 years, so I took it. She wants it back now that she knows what I can do with it. But I digress...

Back to the cabbage. I cut and shredded those two heads and bag of carrots. I now have in my fridge 3 bags of ready to mix with the dressing coleslaw. It wasn't that hard to do. It wasn't even that messy!!! Then I searched for a creamy dressing. This is what I have come up with for my shredded yumminess in a bag. I hope you all enjoy.

I should mention that the carrots are a guess as to how much I used, cause I just shredded the whole bag. But if you have extra carrot don't worry, use it in the carrot muffin recipe that I posted WAYYYY earlier.

Coleslaw with a Creamy Dressing

Ingredients:

3/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/3 cup oil
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
1 dash black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 large head cabbage, finely shredded
1/2 head red cabbage, shredded
6 carrots, shredded

Preparation:

Directions for coleslaw
Blend mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar and oil. Add onion powder, dry mustard, celery salt, pepper, lemon juice, half-and-half and salt. Stir until smooth. Pour coleslaw dressing over shredded cabbage and carrots in a large bowl and toss until cabbage and carrots are well coated. Keep coleslaw refrigerated.

Coleslaw serves 8, or more depending on your serving size.

Here is the fun part... Dessert.

Hey it is a two-for today!!! Two recipes. I am loving the Pioneer Woman. AND I am loving this tart... so from her blog, (you can follow the link to get the GOR-JUS (thanks Dee) pics or just use the recipe I am going to post below.

Direct from the Pioneer Woman:

Quick & Easy Apple Tart

1 sheet puffed pastry, cut into half OR thirds
3 to 4 apples, cored, halved, and sliced (but not peeled)
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 415 degrees.

Place puffed pastry rectangles onto a baking pan that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray.

Add sugar and salt to apples. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for a few minutes.

Arrange apple slices on the pastry rectangles in a straight line, overlapping as you go.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until pastry is puffed and golden brown.

Remove from pan immediately and place on a serving platter. Serve plain, with caramel topping, whipped cream, or a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

Feel like a pastry chef.

Repeat as needed.

Yeah she didn't make the puff pastry from scratch. I am so glad about that. Have you done that before? NOT as easy as it looks...

Lov Ya Babes!!!

RECIPE DAY!!!!

2009-08-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

I know I'm early. Just think of this as an 'extra' goodie!!!

Spinach and Cheese Ravioli in a Tomato Tapenade
(Sandi Richard, from The Dinner Fix)

Ingredients
1/3 cup salsa (your choice of your fav type)
2 Tbsp Basil Pesto
1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
3/4 pound or 350 g spinach and cheese ravioli (found in the deli or dairy section of the grocery)

boil your water, add ravioli. Cook as directed.
In separate bowl add salsa, basil pesto, and maple syrup. Combine.
Drain ravioli and add to salsa mix.

Serve warm, with a side salad.

Yummy, yum yum!!! In my tummy tum tum.

Enjoy

Mom's

2009-08-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

My Mom is awesome. I didn't realize it growing up (isn't that always the way it goes?) Each morning either I call mom, or she calls me. If we can we try to have coffee together.

ANYWAY...

I was thinking of my Mom while I was doing this LO for her. My girls call her Maki. (Not sure why, it just happened when Ahleigha started talking) My Mom loves it, and almost all my friends call her Maki. All my daughters friends call her Maki as well...

This LO is about my Mom on her birthday.

Thanks for looking... I am off to call my mom and tell her I love her.

RECIPE DAY!!!!

2009-08-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

One of my families favourites!!! I love that I use the left over rice for this. (Make extra when you make rice for dinner, then make this yummy dessert)

* 1.5 cups cooked rice
* 2 cups milk, divided
* 1/3 cups sugar
* 2/3 cups raisins
* 1/4 teaspoons salt
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1 teaspoons vanilla
* Dash nutmeg or cinnamon, optional

Combine rice and 1.5 cups milk, sugar and salt in heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat. Stir occasionally until thick and creamy, 15-20 minutes. Blend remaining half cup milk and egg. Stir into rice mixture. Add raisins. Cook 2 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Add butter and vanilla. Spoon this into serving dishes. Sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon if desired. Serves 4.

ENJOY!!!

yuck

2009-08-26T07:01:00.000-07:00

Today is day 5 with my left wrist being in pain. Carpal Tunnel. It sucks... especially as I am left handed, and have difficulty holding a pen (or anything) with my brace on.

Normally I would wear the brace at night, and not through the day. But with the pain where it is, and the movement of my wrist painful when I am not in the brace, I have to wear it all day.

It sucks. Even typing this, I have to keep going back and correcting the errors. You would not be able to understand anything that was written. Not that most people understand my brain anyway!!! LOL

Short and sweet today. I want to upload a couple LO's that I have been working on. Hopefully tomorrow.

Enjoy the day

RECIPE

2009-08-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

I know it isn't a Friday. However, while creating dinner for tonight I had to share one of the salads that my children and I love. Scott does too, but he does not like the bacon...

Broccoli Salad
2 to 3 heads raw broccoli, cleaned, cut
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp, and crumbled
1 cup, shredded, cheddar cheese
4 green onions, chopped
1 cup mayonaise (I use Hellman's as it has a softer less sharp flavour)
1/2 cup sugar (or less)
1 tbsp raspberry vinegar.

Combine mayo, sugar, and vinegar until sugar dissolves. Add broccoli and cheese, mix together. Crumble bacon and green onions on top.

This (should) serve 6, but it only serves the 4 of us for one sitting. It is so very yummy!!!

Enjoy

Chance to win Stamps

2009-08-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

WOW oh WOW
I saw on Sista's blog the chance to win free stamps. So who wouldn't want free stamps!!!
Okay, here is where you need to go and post a comment.
Good luck

My Stamp Box

Sweet sets.

This is my favourite:

2009-08-07T12:11:00.001-07:00

RECIPE DAY!!!!

2009-08-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

Healthy eating on a budget. Who doesn't do this every day?

This week, for Recipe Friday I am giving a recipe from Victorian Epicure. I really love the products. I am always searching for new ways to use them.

Here is a great budget friendly recipe

Tex-Mex Dinner Burrito
The picture is from the VE recipe on their website.
(recipe serves 4)

Ingredients
8 eggs
4 tsp VE 3 Onion Dip Mix
4 Tbsp (30 ml) water (I use milk)
1/2 cup prepared VE Caliente Salsa (VE Fruit salsa for those who do not want the kick)
2 Tbsp VE Tex-Mex grilling sauce
2 tsp vegetable oil
4 - 6inch corn or flour tortillas
1/2 cup grated cheese of any kind

1. Whisk eggs with 3 onion dip mix, and milk in a bowl and set aside
2. whisk salsa and grilling sauce together. Set aside
3. Heat oil in frying pan over medium heat. Add egg mixture and cook until eggs are set.
4. Warm tortillas in microwave or toaster oven or oven until warm. Place on individual plates. Divide eggs between each tortilla. Top with salsa mixture, and cheese. Fold and serve.

Simple, easy, yummy. 3 things that make a great dinner.

The Tex-Mex grilling sauce is only available for the summer months. If you want some, please let me know.

Enjoy the day

Cropping

2009-07-28T19:05:00.000-07:00

Right now I am sitting and cropping at Ria's with Denise for Denise's birthday.

Mandi and Lori just left after cake and ice cream.So far one kit done, all pictures for 2008 sent to printer, and one layout done. Ria is on the phone with Lynne...

Not bad for a few hours.

Happy Birthday Denise!!!

RECIPE DAY!!!!

2009-07-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

Okay I promised a couple days ago I would post another recipe...

My girls love this soup, I am thrilled as it is full of goodness, and it is terribly yummy.

Thanks to Greta and Janet Podleski my girls and I make this soup, and totally love it. I highly recommend their cookbook Eat Shrink and be Merry. It is fabulous!!! Tons of awesome recipes (with really unique names) that are fun and nutritious. This recipe looks daunting because of all the ingredients, but it is totally not hard at all.

Thai One On Soup or Sweet Potato and Coconut soup
(serves 6 generous portions)

2 tsp butter or olive oil
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
3/4 cup chopped celery
2 tsp minced garlic (I use the stuff in the produce isle in a jar)
4 cups cubed, peeled, sweet potatoes (about 2 large)
1 tbsp grated gingeroot (I use the stuff in the produce isle in a jar)
3/4 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp ground coriander
3/4 tsp curry powder (VE Curry Powder dip mix, works wonderfully well)
1/4 tsp cinnamon (I use Victorian Epicure cinnamon.)
2 cups chicken broth
1 can light coconut milk (not cream as it is too heavy) (I also use coconut milk in pina coladas)
1/2 tsp salt (Victorian Epicure has a wonderful sea salt grinder)
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper (again VE 4 pepper grinder)
3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (when in a pinch I use the Bruschetta herb mix from VE)
3 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves (sub VE Bruschetta herb mix, 2 tbsp for both cilantro and basil sub)
2 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

Heat butter in a large, non-stick soup pot over medium heat. Add onions, red pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook and stir until vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes.

Stir in sweet potatoes, gingerroot, cumin, coriander, curry powder, and cinnamon. Cook and stir for 30 more seconds. Add broth, coconut milk, salt and pepper. Bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, just until sweet potatoes are tender.

Transfer soup in batches to a blender and puree until smooth. Return pureed soup to pot. Stir in cilantro, basil, peanut butter, brown sugar and lime juice. Mix well.

My daughters and I will make fresh bread to go with this soup, or pull-apart bread. Normally by the end of the meal, there is just enough bread and soup for one more serving each.

I hope you get a chance to try this. Even though there are lots of ingredients, it is a very simple to make soup. Good luck, and please let me know when you try it!!!

Lesson 4 -Photo Masks

2009-07-21T16:57:00.000-07:00

What an incredible find!!! I am so loving Jessica Sprague right now. She is teaching me wonderful things in photoshop. OH WOW!!!

Lesson 4 is about how to create a photo mask. I am not sure I can do it on my own yet, but I know I am going to have fun trying...

so here is the untouched photo. One I have used on my "Growing Things" LO using the Scrapping Turtle Monthly Mystery Kits.

Now here is the photo with the Mask!!! Look at how cool it is!!! The white scruffy edges show the mask. To create this I had to conform the picture to the size and shape of the mask... (that was not easy to figure out, but when shown step by step, it was pretty darn simple)

I am amazed with this photoshop. I like it so much... I never thought I would, because truthfully when I first installed it, I was ready to un-install it. Such a pain to use just to crop a photo. NOW I SEE THE LIGHT!!!

Tomorrow I will tackle lesson 5, or maybe on Friday...

Oh I hope to have a recipe up for you by Friday as well...

Photoshop editing Lesson 1

2009-07-21T13:18:00.001-07:00

Here is lesson one...
I tried it following while Jessica Sprague talked me through it (it sounds like she was over my shoulder guiding me along the way) Well she was. She was on one computer on video, and I watched that computer while working on another... I don't like flipping screens back and forth, and since there was no compitition this week for the computer, I used both.

Okay, so here is the first guided lesson
original photo is of Kaleigh on her 17th birthday... my niece, she is gorgous
here is the lesson, add a frame, and word art...
Next step is Lesson 2, stamping or using the brushes...
Here is the original. (My youngest took the picture, thus the very UP angle) Its kinda blurry but I think that is because I am drinking wine in the picture... LOL

This is after using the brushes. I also added the frame, cause I am loving those!!! (After I get the photo printed I can do some cropping.) Or maybe in another lesson I can learn how to get the frame to the edges without destroying the look of the frame.
Lesson 3 was the saturation/hue, and hand tinting (which is down the page a bit)

Now lesson 4 coming up...

Fearless

2009-07-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

I applaud Scott... He has braved the camping frontier with not one, but two divas in training. He is amazing. When the girls see a spider, okay any bug, in the house they run screaming. So it was with doubts that I sent them off on Sunday morning on a 3 day (in a tent) camping trip. I got the call when they arrived and had set up camp. All was well. Things were going great. They had very bad reception on their cell, understandable as they were in the wilds...

They arrived about an hour ago, and Scott promptly went to bed.

Hiking, biking, outdoor fire cooking, it was a tremedously great time. I am very proud of my fearless explorers of the wilderness.

I hope they kept the bugs out there, and didn't bring any home...

online photo class

2009-07-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

I have been taking a self paced photoshop class by Jessica Sprague. I have no clue how to use photoshop and optimize its use. This class, I hope will help.

So far I have made it to day 3, and the second challenge.

Wanna see?

Okay... I am not bragging or anything, but I think this is pretty cool.

Here is the original photo: Alexa is such a cutie... this was taken right after we had the hot pink streaks put into her hair.
The challenge was to use the colour saturation/hue, sepia, hand tint, frame and glow...
Here is what I did...

If you are interested here is the link:
Jessica Sprague FREE photo editing class

What a Weekend!!!

2009-07-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

Scott had his 40th birthday on Thursday the 9th. That is when the celebration began.

On Thursday Scott's buddies, Dave and Irv, picked him up for a day of Irish Pubbing. They left at 11:30 in the morning. They texted to tell us they were in Ayr, but not where... Denise Ria and I found them at 11:30 at night, pretty loaded, at the Queens'. Thankfully Dave volunteered to drive for the day, and he was sober... Denise and I poured Irv and Scott into the van and brought them home. (I have to get those photos from Dave)

Friday we got up nice and early, Scott was not hungover just tired. The day was spent getting ready for our family gathering that evening. Pizza, homemade bread, chicken wings, beer, pina coladas, daiquiri's, and wine. Another fun evening...

Saturday...
We have to start off with coffee and cinnamon buns.COD 5 day. (Call of Duty 5) Scott, Irv, Dave, Andrew and David descend upon the house. We have computers set up, cinnamon buns, coffee, kegs of beer, sandwiches, nuts (other than myself), veggies, dips, chips, Guinness and so much more on offer.
The helmets and Guinness packs were the loot bags (pandering to the little boys in the men)Denise made an incredible cake... Words can not explain it properly how incredible it was.
A close up of the beer tent:
The protectors of the beer tent:It was a blast. The guys spent the day shooting, dodging, running, setting off bombs... all in the name of COD.
Here are a few 'action shots'Praying for a good score...What did I do? Well I created the food, bought the beer, set it all out, got the loot bags ready, and then left. I went to a Quickutz class with Denise and Ria.

The next morning I found a few more shots on my camera. They got into the tequila ('nuf said)
Scott with his helmet:
Irv with a proper salute:

Dave with a self portrait:

Today we rest.

I finished it!!!

2009-07-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

I did the LO for the sketch linked below. (I really like Scrapbook and Cards Today, as well as Canadian Scrapbooker) So from Scrapbook and Cards Today, their sketch was my inspiration for completing my 2007 album. I can't believe I am finished it!!! Normally it takes me about a year to complete an album. Between the Git R Dun club at the Turtle , Mystery Kits, and the DT at the Turtle, I just sailed through this album. What a great place!!!

SO here is my finished product on the sketch provided by Scrapbook and Cards Today blog.

I put pearls in the centers of the prima flowers. The 2007 is Quickutz Beauty Queen. The paper is a combination of Bazzill (beetle black), stampin' up, Creative Memories. The poem I got from 2peasinabucket soup. I used stickles on the numbers. Gold Adarondak paint on the poem. Holographic stickers to outline the large bracket. Oh I also pulled out the sewing machine and stitched the edges...

So that was my fun for Saturday night. Waiting up for my girl to come home...
How about you? What did you accomplish tonight?

Sketchy Saturday at...

2009-07-04T15:30:00.001-07:00

Scrapbook and Cards Today blog...

I love the sketch!!! I am going to work on that one tonight.

I will have a quiet home tonight. My oldest, 12, is going to a neighbours to babysit!!! WAAAA my baby isn't a baby anymore. WAAAAA...

This is such a big step for Ahleigha. I am so proud of her, and how hard she has worked to be able to finish her course, and get this job. Now we have another neighbour asking if she is available...

This past week Scott and I have been quietly watching Ahleigha as we have given her more responsibility around the house. Since I have started working (yeah only 2 afternoons) she has taken over the cooking of dinner. When I came home I expected a mess. BUT there was none. She had put the dishes in the dishwasher, cleaned the counters, and had finished the washing of the pots and pans. My plate was sitting on the table, my food set nicely on it, and a glass of water in front. How wonderful!!?!!

Both girls have stepped up to the challenge of helping around the house. In addition to Ahleigha menu planning and prepping dinners, Alexa is riding the vaccum, and tackling Dini's kitty litter each day. Coffee is ready each morning as I get downstairs, and Dini has been given his breakfast medicines, as well as his food and water. If this keeps up I will be so spoiled!!!

Soon it will be Alexa taking the babysitting course. Then it will be official. I can hide it no longer.

I am getting old.

SEI give away!!!

2009-07-01T16:42:00.001-07:00

Check this out!!!

SEI is celebrating their 100th post!!! with a give away!!!

Click SEI to take you there. UBER cool...

Part Time

2009-07-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

I just started a job. My first job in a very long time.

I am working at the Scrapping Turtle. My HAPPY place!!!

How lucky can one girl get???

So now I get to see the new stuff that comes in (CHA is around the corner) like:

Quickutz today,
Basic Grey (Lemonade is GOR-JUS)
The new Scrapbook and Cards Today (love that mag)

So many new faces, and being able to put faces to names that I know on the Message Board!!!

It really is great. Today I got to have a cuddle with Jack. The newest Turtle. He is such a cutie:
This photo was taken at the crop for the cure, but just a reminder to all, Jack is such a CUTIE Patootie. He was dressed in a little outfit that had Canada and Maple Leafs on it. Far too sweet!!!

Now I am a bit tired. A bit overwhelmed. A bit excited. Tonight (weather permitting) we are heading out to watch fireworks with Denise's family and Ria's family.

I really love my life.

The wonderful sound of Popping

2009-06-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

Jar lids that is...

I have been making strawberry jam this week. 3 batches with my Mom and two batches here at home.
The sound of the jar lids popping to seal is so cool. Sitting quietly reading a book after finishing the cleanup you hear the intermittent 'pop'. (Think Donkey in Shrek making the popping sound)

Here is what I have so far for jam:

Another view:Guess what I am having on my ice cream tonight? (This is what is left. Not enough to put into another jar, just enough to eat from the bowl...)

Sketch

2009-06-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

As most of you already know, I am a huge fan of putting more than one photo on a LO. BUT not making it look busy, and overwhelming. (sometimes I actually succeed in that goal). Well this morning I got the newsletter for the Scraproom and LOVE their sketch.
So I am going to work on this sketch, and maybe you will too.

Jessica Sprague

2009-06-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

Is having a birthday bash...

Each day is a free digital download. (How cool is that?)

Here is a link just for you

Jessica Sprague

(you can tell them I sent you, lol, like that will get you much!!!)

Tomorrow we are in the basement working. I will let you know how it goes.

Father's Day

2009-06-21T18:21:00.001-07:00

Today is one day that is special to Dad's. All Dad's.

We are postponing our Dad Day celebration until tomorrow.

Scott gets home tonight after being at a conference in Colorado. We are all very excited to have him come home!!! Since we did not get to spend today with Scott, tomorrow is his day.

The girls spent part of the afternoon making cards. Alexa is sick, running a fever, and runny nose, but still she was in and making her card.

Ahleigha's card:

She was done her card in 5 minutes flat. Inside she wrote a poem for him, and included a gift card.

Here is Alexa's:
Inside she put a gift card, and a wee sentiment.

I only had to show the girls how to use the Squeeze, and the Rev with the Spellbinders die.
The rest was all theirs...

Happy Father's Day to my Dad. My rock, my Hero.

Enjoy your day with your family.

2 Days of Scrapping

2009-06-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

... and what do I have to show for it?
This is the girls carving their pumpkins. I played with the new Bazzill Tulle. (After a tiny bit of pestering the Scrapping Turtle brought it in. Have I mentioned they are my favourite store?) They also brought in the tiny pom pom ribbon, but in my excitement of tulle I forgot to get some.
Here is the up close of the tulle flower (I like making them)

I also did this LO for Dini (our cat)
My girls LOVE "LOL Kitteh" so with that they decided this LO would be called "I No C Mine" Dini is under the festive tree looking at the ornaments, checking out some stuff, and trying to find a comfortable place to sleep...

The next one I finished is about my girls. One with the festive table centerpiece on her head (I wonder where she gets that from) and the other peaking out of the tree (yeah I have never done that before)
It is aptly titled "Goofs" I uses the tulle again to make flowers. The centers are Bo-Bunny brads, and the title is using Thickers. The paper is Black River (a new fav of mine) Special shout out to Trisha Ladouceur for the papers used, she gave them to me at Scrapfest. (I TA'd for her and that was her thank you gift)

So far pretty productive...

Now into the evening, and try to finish off at least one more LO. (I hope)

Today is a good day to...

2009-06-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Scrapbook.

I am alone and the house is quiet. I have iceberg radio going (one of my turtle friends told me about it) and I am scrapping. (Jane's Addiction never looses its appeal for me)

I have just finished a two pager. I love the paper. It is an older pattern paper, but I adore the colours. So much to work with.
I will continue to scrap the day away... and possibly the evening...

Do something YOU enjoy.

I am a new mother!!!

2009-06-17T16:44:00.001-07:00

Technically no I am not. But I am very proud to announce I have new babies.

While I was gone to the CFTC with Denise and Ria, we left the children with Denise's husband and my husband. During that time the guys retired to the front porch to have a wee beverage. (Say that with a Scottish accent)
Those big strong strapping men found that a Robin was right annoyed with them. Then they watched her fly under a tree in our front garden, right onto her nest. Scott quickly went to our supply of bird feed and made a little pile at the foot of the garden so Mommy bird didn't have far to travel for food. (How sweet!) They sat quietly for the evening. Only moving to get another beer.

On Sunday as we were leaving for Alexa's piano recital I peeked at the nest. ONE had hatched!!! Oh joy!!!

On Tuesday, Denise and Ria and I left for the Turtle, and I checked the nest again. All 4 little eggs had hatched!!! I was a new mommy!!!

I know how this layout will look!!!

Yeah me!!! I have babies...

FREE Photo Editing Class!!!

2009-06-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

Sign me up!!!

And here is the link if you too wish to join

Jessica Sprague

Hope to see you there.

QA Goodies!!!

2009-06-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

I missed class on Saturday, so I got to go to the Scrapping Turtle today and play. It was awesome!!! Once again Lori out did herself, and created 3 projects for us to do. We had Kim and Teresa there to help us out, and find all the bits. Both ladies are stellar!!!

Here is the card. It says, Happy Birthday, (embossed with the new QC embossing folders), From the Whole Gang.

These are the calendar pages we did:

last but not least the 2 page LO that we did:

It says,

EVERYONE IS A (STAR) AND DESERVES THE RIGHT TO TWINKLE

I love it. Thank you Lori for these fabulous projects.

CFTC last LO

2009-06-15T16:20:00.001-07:00

Based on the sketch that was given at the Crop For the Cure here is my LO that I did.

I am working in the 2007 album. These photos were taken in October 2007. Wow it doesn't seem that long ago.

Now that I am back in my room and cropping without distraction (yeah right) here is one I have been working on...

I have a two pager on my desk right now, but my boy Dini is laying on it. He is staying warm in a puddle of sunshine. As soon as I get that one put together, I will post it. Right now it is missing a little some some, but I am not sure what the some some is...

Enjoy

Alexa's Piano Recital

2009-06-15T16:03:00.000-07:00

Here are two video's (if I did the upload correctly) of Alexa playing the Chicken Dance, and Star Wars.

Janice (her teacher) has massive amounts of patience...

Alexa playing the Chicken Dance:

Alexa playing Star Wars (the first few notes I cut off... oopps)

Have fun this evening.

Spicy Sesame Noodles

2009-06-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

On hot days I love pasta salad. Late spring, and summer mean salads, and lots of them, at our house. I love to make potato salad, greens salads, pasta salads, chick pea salad. Any and all.

Tonight will be no exception. (Well we will be eating later, closer to our normal time as we do not have to rush off to dance!!!) tonight we are having

Spicy Sesame Noodles (from Victorian Epicure 10 year Anniversary Cookbook)

1 lb spaghetti
1 cup chunky peanut butter (peanut allergies? You can use Sunbutter)
1 1/2 cups orange juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp sesame oil
1/4 cup Seasoned Rice Vinegar
1 - 2 tsp VE Nonya seasoning or Malay Seasoning. I prefer using the Satay as it has a little 'kick' to it.
4 green onions, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp black sesame seeds

You can add sliced grilled chicken (I do mine in the VE Teryaki Ginger grilling sauce) or grilled shrimp (you can use the same sauce) to the noodles.

1. Cook your speghetti according to package directions

2. In large mixing bowl, whisk peanut butter, orange juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and seasoning.

3. Drain spaghetti and add to sauce. Sprinkle on green onions and toss to combine. Top with black sesame seeds and grilled chicken or shrimp.

You can serve this dish hot or cold. I prefer cold.

Remember your chopsticks!!!

I will post a picture of the dish when it is put together.

You can get 8 servings. (If you are generous, moderate porportions will get you 10 servings.)

ENJOY!!!

(If you want to order anything just click the link above. If you need help let me know and I can walk you through the order process)

Tired

2009-06-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

Oh my...

I am so tired.

We just finished the dance recital. My girls ROCKED IT!!! Of course I am a bit biased, but seriously, for having just been doing Irish for one year, they rocked it!!! I am so proud of both my girls. (I am also really proud that their hair turned out better than it did for pictures!!!) I will have to wait for mom to send me the photos. I did not bring my camera along.

We are very lucky to have Scott's Mom and Ed and my Mom join us for this evening of dance.

Sam's Steps Dance Centre is amazing. So many groups working so hard at dancing. I am amazed at how well it all came together in Dancing on Fins and Feet as the recital finale.

Tomorrow one more recital to go through. Alexa has her piano tomorrow. Last year I video'd her playing, maybe I can do it again this year...

So now my scrap room is packed up (it is the spare room) I won't be working on my Autumn Fun page until after our company has left.

Enjoy the evening!!!

Layouts

2009-06-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

Remember I said I would post the LO's I worked on at the Crop for the Cure? I did not get much done.
I spent more time socializing (Who Me???) *snort* than I did actually crafting. All said and done I did 3 full LO's and started 1 double page spread. I knew I couldn't finish that one as I needed my Silhouette to make a few spiders.
First off is the LO make n take that Lori created for the Turtle to do at the Crop for the Cure.
This is fabulous, and I can't wait to put it together with some canning and jam making photos...

Here is the LO I made from the Turtle Mystery Kit...

bottom corner has the title in Ali Edwards script from technique tuesday stamps. I really like them!!! (Yes I am surprised because I am not the biggest Ali writing fan)

Here is one I did after I finished the make n takes, the Mystery Kit, and the sketch... This was a Git R Dun challenge from the Turtle Soup. Scraplift another Turtle's LO. While visiting the Turtle one day Hannah challenged me to take this paper home, colour it, and do something with it. Well here is what I did. Between the Copics, and the watercolour crayons, I had fun. I added Kaiser Craft pearls, some lace, ribbon, and matted the photo on sparkly burgandy paper, and this was what I came up with. My Mom and her sisters.

This one I had to finish at home. I needed my Silhouette to cut out the spiders so they could weave their webs across the pages. When the pages are side by side you can see the connecting line... I can't remember where I first saw this, but I liked it, so I recreated it. I wish I can remember who to credit for it.

I will post the last photo when I take a picture of it... Sorry, I put it away before I remembered to blog it...

Crop For the Cure

2009-06-07T12:34:00.000-07:00

We can fight for the survivors,
We can fight for those fighting,
We can fight in the memory of those gone too soon.

That is what the Crop for the Cure means to me. In a small way I too can help in the fight to find a cure for Cancer. You can find out more about the Crop on Tracey's blog.

A HUGE shout out for Tracey!!! You and your family put together an amazing day for the ladies in attendance. That the money raised is going to such a worthy cause is wonderful!!! Thank you for all your hard work, your time, your efforts to make this a success. YOU are amazing. YOU rock!!! Thank YOU, from the bottom of my heart. You are so special, so incredible.

Yesterday was such an incredible day!!! The Crop for the Cure was a great success. At least in my mind it was. There were 50 ladies that showed up for 12 hours of cropping fun. The sponsors were generous check out the give away table!!! Totally generous. One gift was especially touching as it was given by a family in memory of their Mom. Beautiful.
Here are some photos from the day!!!

First is Maya!!! Tracey's beautiful daughter. She was ready to have fun with the Divas!!! She had Denise's hat, and later had Ria's clappers, and grabbed my boa. This girl is gorgeous!!!Here is Lisa, winner of the Scrapping Turtle Mystery Kit contest. The kit was created specific for this event. Lisa totally worked her magic all over this!!! Noelle, Lisa's daughter, sat at the end of the driveway selling water, to raise money to donate to the Crop for the cure. Can you say BIG HEART?

This is Pam!!! Looking AB FAB!!! Is your wedding album almost done!!! I can't wait to see it completed!!!

This is Hannah, (With Jack) Laurie, and Tracey. The hostess and coordinator for the crop.
Here is Jack. Who was absolutely fabulous all day!!! What a trooper, the only man in a room full of women. All of whom were enjoying having him there for the day. I even got to hold him for a bit, and he was smiling at me!!!

This is Denise, Teresa, and Ria. We were getting ready to do the Scrapping Turtle Make n Take.
All in all, yesterday was a wonderful day. I came home with stamps I won. A paper pack filled with Maya Road chipboard, Bo-bunney paper and rubs, Imaginese paper, buttons, ribbons... there was so much.

I can't wait for next year. I already signed up for to save my place.

Today? today I rest. Actually I am back in my scraproom, putting my tables up and my stuff away...

I will post what I did at the crop later.

Crop for the Cure OR the DReam Divas Ride Again

2009-06-05T18:32:00.000-07:00

I am so excited for Saturday!!!

Yeah it is the crop for the cure. Tracey has organized (with family) to put on this amazing event. I am so glad to be a part of it.

Tomorrow the DReaM Divas (Denise, Ria and I) will head out for a 12 hour day of scrapbooking. I got a sneak peak at the make n take that Lori from the Scrapping Turtle will have for us to do. As well as a special Mystery Kit that will be available only on the day of the crop!!!

As well when Denise and I were helping Tracey today, we got to peek at the absolutely fabulous goodie bags that each cropper will be able to take home!!! WOOZERS!!!! There is a lot of loot in those tote bags!!!

I will post pictures on Sunday! I can't wait to get my hat, yes I am leaving the tiara at home for this crop, and get my boa and head to the crop!!!

Enjoy the night, and to quote my friend Jenn...

"Do something today that makes you happy! "

Scott's Office

2009-06-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

I finished the walls. YEAH!!! The chair rail still has to be painted and put up, but the walls are done.

This is what the room looked like at the very beginning.

Then after putting up the walls, install the insulation and the electrical and the network cables:

We did the electical (Scott's Dad came and helped us out) Okay his Dad mapped out the basement, and planned all the electrical. Amazing man, Scott's Dad.
Then we did the drywall:

Then the painting, (which you saw the base coats in the post before this one)
Step one was taping the walls:

Then paint in between the tape:

Then take your plastic, bunch it into a ball and pounce the wall:

After pouncing, let the walls dry, then remove the tape. Then create your wash (part base paint, part water) and rag that mixture over the entire upper half of the wall. It will tone down the stripes you have created, and make it a more subtle effect. That is just what I did on the upper part of the wall. The bottom was another long story, and I do not have pictures of that. I looked like I fought the wall, and the wall won, when I finished.

But now here is the finished with technique... (sorry for the blurry picture, my arms are sore)

My room was not nearly as complicated. Two coats of Benjamin Moore Coventry Grey, measure and tape out a 1 inch line at 50 to 51 inch height. Paint a pink (Benjamin Moore Hot Lips) strip. Peel the tape off, and do the pearl-essent and water wash over the entire wall.
This is my room:

You can't really see the pearl sheen, so I took a closer up picture:

Yes the floor did get painted. Alexa had fun yesterday after I was finished painting my stripe. She drew a huge star on the floor, and then painted it pink. I like it. Too bad we will be covering it with the tile.

Painting and more...

2009-06-04T05:58:00.001-07:00

Today is a big day. Well not big, but certainly busy. I have 2 rooms to finish painting. My office, and Scott's office.

Both rooms require the 'technique' to be done. I have the base coat in both rooms done. Here is part of Scott's office. Scott's room requires the taping in the upper half of the wall. The technique will mimic a wallpaper look. It is called dry brush cross hatch. (I am doing two techniques together) Where the white stipe is there will be a chair rail. It will be done in gold metallic and Ascot Brown. The upper wall has a warm gold tone in the paint colour (Benjamin Moore Princeton Gold) , and the bottom colour is Benjamin Moore Bayberry, also very warm tones. Once it is finished I will put up the instructions on how to do it.

My room just requires the 'pearlessence' wash.

What I can't stand? Taking the tape off, and having the paint come off in places with it. Then doing all the tedious touch-ups.

When it is all done I will take pictures and show...

Oh... I did finish a card this week. I had to make a Thank you card for my MIL. She is a dream!!! She is a seamstress by training, and what she makes is incredible. Scott and Alexa came home with quilts for the girls beds. They match their rooms. Ahleigha has a black and white quilt with hand stitched flowers on it, like what I painted on her walls. Alexa has a pink and purple quilt with hand stitched circles on it to match the 'bubbles' I painted on her walls.
Dianne is so talented. Last year she made me a couple of summer sun dresses. I love them!!!
Please, this week is not a good week to visit my house. All my other jobs have fallen by the wayside. Including cooking. My mom has been bringing meals to the house. I feel so tired by the end of the day I don't want to do laundry, run the vacuum or cook!! There are no homemade treats in my house. Well there are cinnamon buns. Mom brought them last night when she brought chicken enchiladas for dinner. (I have that recipe and will share it with you)

Chicken pox, and painting. What a joyful combination in our house this week. Poor Alexa, so itchy. She is having oatmeal and baking soda baths twice a day, and calamine lotion right after, and before bed Benadryl. What a trooper. At least she does not have a fever. That is one good thing.

Ragging Hair

2009-06-01T04:35:00.001-07:00

I had a question from a friend on how to rag hair.

Here is the answer I gave her:

Short version? PITA

Long version?

section hair about inch square, gel it, have child hold about 4 inches of a 36 inch piece of white cotton flannel (which is about 1 1/2 inches wide) start at scalp, wrapping dry hair around flannel. once you get to the bottom of the hair start wrapping the flannel around the hair.
open the flannel to its widest to cover more hair.
then when you get back to the scalp, you tie a bow.
Make sure you wrap the flannel the same way (either clockwise, or counter clockwise) as you wrapped the hair, or it will unravel.
This creates ringlets.

The other way is to have flannel cotton 10 inches long by 5 inches wide.
Take a section of hair (about 1 inch square) and grab the ends in the flannel.
Then roll the hair up to the scalp, or about an inch away from the scalp.
tie the ends of the flannel to hold it in place.
This creates the bouncy loose curls

Clear as mud? Yeah, it was for me too, until Ria showed me (yet again) how to do it.

Then after the child sleeps on the rags (no it is not like an extra pillow which is what someone told me) and are seriously sleep deprived, and cranky the following day, you unwrap the hair. Take each section and divide that section either in 2's or 3's. Twist them back around your finger to get the ringlet in.

Be careful of the back kick from child, as some times the sectioning of the hair is painful.

If you get kinks, (like Ally got in some sections) plug in your small (teeny tiney) barrel curling iron. Curse under your breath, and start curling the hair with the iron.

That is how you rag the hair.

Photo Finish

2009-05-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

After 24 hours of ragged hair, getting make-up done, costumes on, and pictures done. We are finished the FIRST phase of the gearing down for dance.

This is Ahleigha with her hair in the rags, but make-up done.
Here is Alexa.
Here are all three girls, Amanda, Alexa and Ahleigha in costume in my backyard.

This is going to be a great recital.