Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!

I am as happy as can be right now. Imagine my surprise and delight to find a package on my front porch just a few minutes ago! Can you see it?How about now??First of all, let me tell you that I am involved with a Secret Sister swap. For the months of October, November, and December we are to make a gift for our Secret Sister and mail it to her anonymously. Then in January we will all get together and personally give our last gift to her in person to reveal ourselves. I am so excited. I just love gifts! I have been feeling a little sorry for myself as I haven't received my October gift yet...well, just a few minutes ago, I went out on my front porch (that we rarely use and that I don't ever recall the mailman using) to turn on the lights for our little trick or treaters tonight. As I turned around, here was a package sitting next to the door-kind of hidden behind the deck box we have out there to hold the cushions for my wicker porch chairs. Looking at the postmark, it has been there for over a week! (and believe me, I have checked out that post mark real good trying to figure out who it came from...I know the return address is not a clue as we all use different addresses-you know how the post office is these days, you have to have a return address on it-even if it's not your own.) I now feel bad for doubting my Secret Sister.Just look at this adorable paint can that she altered for me! Halloween, what a perfect day to find my gift! Have I mentioned that I love gifts?? Well, I do!!

Even better, it was filled with some fabulous Giradelhi dark chocolate-my favorite!Thank you Secret Sister! I love it!

I would love to show you what I have made for my Secret Sister, but I can't do that just yet, she might be looking at my blog and then I'd be giving my secrets away! So, Secret Sister, you'll just have to wait and see what you get next. Remember what I said about using someone else's return address? Well, we also go to great lengths to mail them from different post offices to get different post marks, too. Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky...

Happy Scrappin'

Friday, October 30, 2009

Trick or Treat

Here is what my little goblins will be receiving this year at our house when they come Trick-or-Treating. I simply made up some bag toppers to put on their candy bags. Very simple, but cute. I just can't hand out candy without dressing it up a bit (of course, I don't get that many kids at our house so I can do a bit more). I have so much fun with it and truly enjoy the spooks that come out.If you are local to me, stop in with your ghouls and get a treat!Happy Halloween everyone!
Happy Scrappin'

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Spicy Cranberry Warmer

At the request of a couple of friends, I am posting my recipe for Spicy Cranberry Warmer-a delicious hot cider recipe that I have served many times. This crisp fall weather is perfect for a warm mug of this wonderful cider! Enjoy!

Spicy Cranberry Warmer

3 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole allspice
4 cups apple cider
1/3 cup brown sugar
4 cups cranberry juice

Simmer spices and apple cider, covered for 5 minutes. Stir in sugar and simmer another 5 minutes. Add cranberry juice and heat. Strain before serving.

Happy Scrappin'

Over The Top

Imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered that Brenda sent me this wonderful blog award. Thank you Brenda, I read your blog all the time and am always inspired. I truly appreciate you!

This is a fun award and I loved reading Brenda's answers, too! Here is how it works: I need to pass this award on to five people, post on their blog to let them know I left this award, and then I need to answer a list of questions in ONE word.

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your hair? Cut (just got it done this morning)
3. Your mother? Linda
4. Your father? Gary
5. Your favorite food? Shrimp
6. Your dream last night? None
7. Your favorite drink? MtDew (that's one word, right?)
8. Your dream/goal? Peace
9. What room are you in? Office
10. Your hobby? Scrapbooking
11. Your fear? Failure
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
13. Where were you last night? Work (not that I wanted to be!)
14. Something that you aren't? Rich
15. Muffins? Blu'Bana (really, it's a word and I have a recipe)
16. Wish list item? Laptop
17. Where did you grow up? Clayton
18. Last thing you did? Baked
19. What are you wearing? Jeans
20. Your TV? Off
21. Your Pets? Barney
22. Friends? Sista's
23. Your life? Busy
24. Your mood? Satisfied
25. Missing Someone? Children
26. vehicle? Tahoe
27. Something your not wearing? Shoes
28. Your favorite store? Michael's
29. Your favorite color? Green (you know that bright green color that was Rhonda's favorite? It's become my new favorite, too!)
30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? Morning
32. Your best friend? Dale
33. One place that I go to over and over? Work (Once again, not because I want to!)
34. Facebook? Yes
35. Favorite place to eat? Bona

I am passing this award on to: Keeley, Antie, Aaron, Tina, and Lisa. I check these blogs out all the time and find lots of inspiration there. I feel like I know all these women personally even though a couple of them I've never even met! I am really enjoying this blogging world!

Thanks again, Brenda for passing this award on to me!

Happy Scrappin'

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Kiana's Scrapbook in a Purse

I have to say-I am so impressed with my niece Kiana. She had a seed project to do for school. Well, these nieces of mine don't do anything part-way. They do it up big. Kiana wanted to make something cool for her seeds to go on. I showed her a couple of ideas and she decided on a Scrapbook in a Purse. Her mom had to help her cut some of the paper, but she put it all together herself. Of the 3 girls, she is the craftiest of them. I love the way it turned out-and so did her teacher. Her teacher even talked to me about it at a game the other night. This is one talented little 8 year old!This is Kiana at her 8th birthday party (a Tinkerbell party of course). Isn't she just adorable?? I sure think so!If you go to the left column of my blog and click on the label "mini albums" it will bring up a post from March 18th of this year with photos of a Scrapbook in a Purse that I made earlier. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email (www.tammyhellstern@myctmh.com) if you want the instructions emailed to you.

Happy Scrappin'

Monday, October 26, 2009

50's Party and Club

Oh my gosh, what a great weekend I had! Saturday was filled with lots of laughs at the surprise birthday party we threw for my friend Leslie. Since she turned 50, we decided to also dress up 50's. What a blast we had-we even had 50's music playing! Good friends, food, and fun! You just can't beat that! Don't we look just adorable in our 50's outfits??Then along came Sunday. It was the first meeting with my new Club girls. If you want to join, it is not too late. Once a month we get together for a girl's day of creating. I design a layout for you to make for free and then you just work on your own projects till whenever. I will try to always show you some new technique so you are learning something along the way, too. In return, you just order $20 in product each month from me. Each month, one of the club members is the 'hostess' (although it is always held at my house). She then earns the hostess rewards. If she wants to have a party (or just get outside orders) during her month to boost the sales and, in turn, boost the hostess rewards, she is certainly welcome to do that.

Here is the layout we created yesterday. It uses our new Twitterpated paper pack along with the new felt die-cuts. Remember I talked about teaching a new technique? Well, this Paint Brush Inking technique is shown in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book on page 21. It shows you how to use reinker to paint you stamp and then stamp it. Well, I have discovered an easier way to do the same thing. Just ink up your stamp like normal and then use a dry paint brush over the ink to create whatever pattern you wish. I just ran mine straight across the stamp a couple of times. Very easy, but I love the look. I just love this leaf from the Many Thanks stamp set.Happy Scrappin'

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Sucker Bouquet

I am going to a surprise 50th birthday today. Well, I had planned to make a sucker bouquet and then totally forgot about it again until last night. About 8:00 I ran to the grocery store to pick up 50 suckers. This morning, this is what I put together. I think it turned out pretty cute. Now, just don't tell my girlfriend until after the party (I am banking on the fact that she won't be checking out my blog-at least until after the party today :)All you have to do is put some floral foam (which I just happened to have in my craft closet) into a pot of your choice (which I also just happened to have). I just covered mine with tissue paper as that's all I had at such short notice. Then you just poke your suckers in. Easy, peasy!

Happy Scrappin'

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Sarsaparilla layout

Here is the latest swap layout I created. I can't wait to put some pictures on it! This is our Sarsaparilla paper pack along with a whole bunch of pewter brads, bigger brads, and designer brads. Holy smokes! That was a lot of work, but I LOVE the effect. Enjoy!Something I forgot to put in here that I just have to add is that I got the idea for the star with all the brads from a fellow consultant, Pam Klassen. She had posted a card with a star like that on it. I loved it so much and just knew I had to use it. Well, I didn't really have a use for a card like that, but thought it would work out on a layout. I guess it did, I love it!

Happy Scrappin'

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Apple Pizza

OK, do I have your attention from that title??

Finally my apples are ready. They are Connell Reds-they taste so good! The only problem is that they are a very late apple. They don't ripen until after the first frost. Well, this year, we are picking apples in the snow!?! I hope Indian Summer is headed our way soon! This year my apples are on the small side (I suppose average for most people, but small for ours). I attribute this to it being such a dry year. Usually my apples get stuck in the apple slicer because they are too big, but they sure taste good!Anyway...I finally got around to making some Apple Pizza (can you believe it's over half gone already? Of course we did have company). My husband has been asking for it for weeks now. He even picked the apples for me-now that just tells me he was really hungry for it. What is Apple Pizza you ask? Most of the rest of the world probably just calls them apple bars, but in my family it has always been known as Apple Pizza. I will even share my Grandma's recipe with you. I am curious, though, how many of you also know this yummy dessert as apple pizza? Leave me a comment and let me know.Every year when I make this, it reminds me of when we were first married (over 24 years now!) That first fall, I told Dale I was going to make apple pizza. He just looked at me with an odd expression on his face. He was thinking: Sausage, mushrooms, cheese and apples??? Being the wonderful new husband he was, and not wanting to hurt my feelings, he just went with it. When he got home and saw what I had made, he just had to laugh. Oh does it bring back the memories!

Apple Pizza

Crust:
2 1/2 cups flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening
2 egg yolks
2/3 cup milk

Filling:
6 or more apples
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup cornflakes

Sift flour, sugar and salt together and blend in shortening. Beat egg yolks in milk and blend into flour mixture with a fork. Divide dough in half and roll out half for bottom crust. Place on large (10x15) pan. Cover bottom crust with cornflakes. Spread apples over cornflakes and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll out top crust and cover apples.

Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until crust is browned. Brush with egg whites while still warm. Drizzle with powdered sugar frosting when cool.

Now, here is my disclaimer...I do not put the cornflakes on the bottom of mine and it turns out just fine. This probably depends on what kind of apples you use. The cornflakes are just to soak up some of the juice. Also, I always use more than 6 apples (and my apples are very large usually). I never measure the ingredients for the cinnamon sugar mixture to sprinkle on top of the apples. I must have watched my Grandma make these a time or two because I make them much like she did-I don't measure :) Enjoy!

Happy Scrappin'

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Birthdays, Sales, and Club

October 14th would have been my daughter Rhonda's 18th birthday. In honor of that day (and to turn a sad day into something more special) I am offering a 1 day only sale. Call (715-986-4150) or email (tammyhellstern@myctmh.com) me today, Wednesday, October 14th, with an order and you will receive a free ink pad of your choice with every $18.00 in product purchased.

*If you don't have an idea book, feel free to click on the photo of it in the sidebar on the left to view my online idea book. Please contact me and I will get a paper copy out to you.


Tammy's Club is starting now...
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

*A fun class, every month! The first club meeting will be on Sunday, October 25th at 1:00 in my home. The rest of the dates will be determined at that time as I want this to work for you, too. I will provide at least one 2-page layout or 4 cards for you to complete for free (complete 2 projects for $4.00 or 3 for $6.00 when available). Classes can teach techniques, proper use of accessories and products, and scrapbooking and stamping tips. Please bring your own paper trimmer, scissors, and adhesive to each class. After completing the project I have planned for you, you may work on your own projects. Please let me know which you prefer-cards or layouts.

*Hostess Rewards! One member will serve as hostess each month. You'll receive a minimum of $25 in free products, and if you bring in outside orders or host a gathering of your own during your hostess month, your free product value can be much, much more! I will serve as the hostess for the first month and then we will determine the schedule for everyone else at that time (remember, I want this to work for you, too!)

*If you are long distance, you can still participate. I will mail out all supplies needed (along with instructions) for an additional $2.00 fee to cover postage.

WHAT ARE THE COMMITMENTS?

*Order Product Each Month: Each month you must place an order for $20.00 or more in any CTMH products. Attendance at the classes are optional, purchases for the month are mandatory for each member. Please have your orders to Tammy by the day before our club meeting date. You may pay by cash, check or credit card.

* Hostesses may also book a party during their hostess month to help increase your hostess benefits, or gather outside orders

*Stay in the Club: The club commitment time will be to allow each member to serve as hostess. It is very important for each member to understand that she needs to put her order in each month, and on-time, so that each hostess will qualify for hostess gifts. If you need to leave the club for any reason, you may continue to participate as a "silent partner" or find a replacement for your spot.

Your reply to this email will serve as your signature for committing to this club. Feel free to pass this along to your friends and invite them to join, too. We still have room for more.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, October 25th and working with you
!

Happy Scrappin'


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

My swap layout and card plus a big buck

Here are the swap layout and card that I made for Regional Celebration. The layout uses the Grace paper pack and I also dyed the crocheted flowers again (see this post for the how-to in case you missed it).I apologize in advance for the looks of my card. It was a bit wrinkled when I unpacked it when I got home. Really, it looked much better before the wrinkles but you get the idea :) This card uses our new Twitterpated papers. I just love the chocolate and sorbet colors for fall. This is a fun new idea I came across while blog hopping one day. I don't remember who came up with this design, but I loved it and copied the idea! I think this may be the plan for my Christmas cards this year.Here is a card from my downline (Hi Terri). It is a gift card holder. Isn't it just fabulous?! She did a great job! I can't wait to copy this idea, too!I also have to include a photo of my proud niece. She went out hunting with her dad this last weekend for the youth hunt. She shot a nice 9 point buck. She was grinning ear to ear. I am very proud of her (as are her parents). The only problem with getting this nice buck her first year hunting is that she set the bar pretty high for the years to come :) Love ya, Sam, Congratulations!Happy Scrappin'

Monday, October 12, 2009

More creations from Regionals in Minneapolis

Here are the last of the creations from Regional Celebration in Minneapolis. This one is a banner made from one of our new card kits. You can actually make 2 of these from one card kit. Isn't is just adorable? The directions had us make it say 'Joyful' but I changed mine up to say 'Peace' instead. See how easy it is to make something your own? There is no right or wrong in this crafting world!**Sneak Peek Alert**
Here is a little project we created-so quick and easy. It is a brand new product that is not even available until January 1st in the next new idea book. What a cute little My Creations Journal. It has a pocket on the front of it so you can just slip in a photo or whatever you decide to create. I love it!Founder and CEO of Close To My Heart, Jeanette Lynton lead us in this creative session. During that time, she did a little Q & A time with us. We were able to ask any questions we wanted to. How interesting! Here is a photo of my friends Terri, Lynn, and myself with Jeanette. It is always so amazing to talk to this woman. She really does have our best interests in mind with everything she does. She has a heart of gold and acts on all her BHAGs. What is a BHAG you ask? Well, it is a Big Hairy Audacious Goal! That is how this company got started in the first place!This is me with Kristine and Brian from Corporate. Kristine is a spitfire that is always fun to listen to. She could talk about anything under the sun and make it fun! Brian is from our amazing IT department. He is the man making our Studio J happen. I cna't wait to share more details about that with you when it goes live. Heck, I can't wait until I get to try it out first and let you know how it goes. It is going to be a fabulous online scrapbooking tool for us!Happy Scrappin'

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Oh this Wisconsin weather...

I really do like living in Wisconsin-all the different seasons and all-but maybe I would like to actually have all the seasons.

Let me explain a little...Here are a couple of pictures from last Thursday evening. The leaves are really starting to turn colors. I love Fall! It is my favorite season. I was on my way home from my niece's volleyball game (they won again-Congratulations Sam!) and had the camera with me, so I decided to stop and snap a couple of pictures.

Then yesterday morning I woke up to this...The sun melted most of it away by evening, but still...

I know, the weatherman has been telling us this was coming, but I guess I just didn't want to hear him so I ignored it! Now he is telling us that we could get up to 5 inches of this icky white stuff tomorrow! Yuck! It is too early for this kind of weather. I want my nice fall weather back!

Happy Scrappin'